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Single Mattresses

Best Single Mattresses UK (2023)

Last updated: 31.10.2023 Reading time: 11.5 Min.

Are you looking for a great 90 x 190 cm (3’ x 6’3”) mattress for your child or a guest room?

The 90 x 190 cm is a single mattress, standard for one-person beds.

While 90 x 190 cm is the standard UK single size, you'll also find some variations, such as the 80 x 200 cm size or 90 x 200 cm. These are common for European mattresses or custom sizes.

For children and smaller single people, this size is adequate. Older or larger individuals may prefer a larger mattress.

We’ve taken a look at the best single mattresses available, considering the materials used, degree of firmness, and the durability of the mattress.

Single Mattresses

Our top recommendations

Sleep Hero Favourite

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The Nectar is a luxurious memory foam mattress suitable for most people and sleeping positions.

This bestselling mattress comes with a revolutionary 365-day trial period and a lifetime warranty.

The Nectar memory foam mattress is one of our favourite mattresses.

It features 3 layers of high-quality, high-density memory foam for optimal spinal alignment, pressure relief, and comfort.

The base layer also has 7 contour zones to enhance its ergonomic design and keep your body in a healthy sleeping position. 📏

This prevents a build-up of tension and allows for orthopaedic support.

Nectar mattress
The Nectar is a medium-firm mattress.

The Nectar mattress comes with a breathable cover that enhances airflow to allow for a cool and comfortable sleep. 💨

Unfortunately, the cover is not machine-washable.

We'd suggest using a mattress protector to safeguard your mattress against stains, spills, and bacteria.

The Nectar mattress comes with free delivery & returns, a revolutionary 365-day trial period, and a "forever warranty". 

45% OFF NECTAR 

  Nectar mattress
Composition: Memory foam with a 7-zone cold foam base
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 25 cm (10 inches)
Trial period: 365 days
Guarantee: Lifetime warranty
What makes this mattress special? Exceptionally comfortable for average-weight & lighter sleepers; lifetime warranty & revolutionary one-year sleep trial.
Sleep Hero Favourite

Simba Hybrid

The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.

This award-winning and five-star-rated original mattress by Simba Sleep is a unique hybrid mattress that combines polyfoam, memory foam, high-definition foam, and pocket springs.

The Simba Hybrid is an award-winning hybrid pocket sprung foam mattress by Simba Sleep. 🏆

It features four layers, including:

  • A comfort layer of graphite-infused, open-cell Simbatex foam
  • A core of up to 2000 Aerocoil mini pocket springs across 13 zones
  • A CertiPur stability layer
  • A base layer of no roll-off SupportCore with up to 1000 barrel springs

This is a medium-firm mattress that's an excellent choice for a wide range of sleepers, regardless of body size or preferred sleeping position.

Simba Hybrid mattress
The Simba is one of our favourite hybrid mattresses.

The Simba mattress is supportive enough to prevent a build-up of tension, but also soft enough to allow your body to sink in where necessary.

This allows for optimal spinal alignment. 🦴

The Simba Hybrid mattress comes with an antibacterial hypoallergenic cover designed to maximise airflow.

The cover is also removable and machine-washable - but we'd always recommend making use of a mattress protector to safeguard your mattress. 🧼

The Simba comes with free delivery, a 200-day risk-free trial period, and a 10-year guarantee. 

40% OFF SIMBA HYBRID

  Simba Hybrid
Composition: Hybrid mattress with foams, mini pocket springs, and full-size pocket springs.
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 25 cm (10 inches)
Trial period: 200 days
Guarantee: 10 years
What makes this mattress special:  A unique combination of materials; very comfortable for average-weight back and side sleepers; cooling properties
Best For Side Sleepers

Emma Original Plus

The Emma Original is an award-winning memory foam mattress and one of the UK's most popular choices.

This bestselling mattress by Emma Sleep offers 3 layers of premium foam and soft comfort with sufficient support and stability.

The Emma Original is a best-selling memory foam mattress and one of the UK's number-one mattresses. 🏆

It is made up of three different layers of foam, including pressure-relieving memory foam.

Emma original mattress

Memory foam offers great orthopaedic support, making it a good choice for people prone to back pain.

The Emma Original is rated as a medium-firm mattress, though we think it falls on the softer end of the scale.

This makes it an excellent choice for lighter-weight people and side sleepers, but we wouldn't necessarily recommend it to people looking for a firmer feel. 🧱

Conveniently, the mattress comes with a removable mattress cover that can be machine-washed at up to 60℃.

You can upgrade the Emma Original to the Emma Original Plus, which includes an advanced temperature-regulating Diamond Hybrid cover. 

The Emma Original is delivered free of charge and comes with a risk-free 200-night trial period. 

20% OFF EMMA ORIGINAL PLUS + 5% OFF W/ "SLEEPHEROUK5"

  Emma Original
Composition: Memory foam with a base layer of HRX cold foam
Firmness level: Soft
Height: 25 cm (9.8 inches)
Trial period: 200 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
What makes this mattress special? One of the UK's bestselling mattresses with excellent body contouring and a soft feel.
Eco-Friendly

Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 Mattress

The Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is a double-sided mattress made from recycled materials & free from foam & chemical treatments.

This is a Good Housekeeping Getting Greener award-winning eco-friendly mattress made from recycled plastic bottles.

The Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is one of Silentnight's most popular mattresses and a Good Housekeeping Getting Greener award-winning mattress. 🌱

Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200

Made from 150 recycled plastic bottles and other materials from sustainable sources, this mattress is as comfortable as it is good for the environment.

It's also fully recyclable. ♻️

The Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is based on a Mirapocket spring system, featuring 1200 zoned pocket springs that react independently to the weight and movement of your body.

This provides exceptional support with a medium-firm feel and even pressure distribution.

The spring system and the Eco Comfort layer also allow for great breathability and good airflow to keep you cool and comfortable all night long. 

The mattress has a depth of 28 cm (11 inches) and has been designed as an affordable alternative to luxury products.

It comes with free two-man delivery from 14 working days. ⏰

You can also purchase an Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 Divan Bed Set to ensure your base is as special as your mattress.

The Silentnight divan beds come in a range of colours and textures and even include under-bed storage options.

 BUY ECO COMFORT POCKET£ 429

  Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200
Composition: Mirapocket spring system made from recycled materials
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 28 cm (11 inches)
Trial period: 60 nights (T&Cs apply)
Guarantee: 5 years
What makes this mattress special? Eco-friendly & made from 150 recycled plastic bottles; budget option.

How we test products

Our mission is to take the guesswork out of finding the perfect sleep products.

We've dedicated hundreds of hours to testing mattresses and sleep accessories, and rely on a team of testers of differing weights, temperature preferences, and sleeping positions to evaluate each product. 

Tested products are granted the Sleep Hero tested stamp of approval, a mark of our review's reliability.

To learn more about our testing process, check out our methodology page.

If we haven't personally tested a product, please be assured that we invest significant time and energy into scouring the UK market and researching the best recommendations, and we work with a team of sleep experts who review our articles, ensuring that the insights we provide are not only relatable but also reliable.

Who can sleep on a single mattress?

The 90 x 190 cm mattress is one of the most popular sizes on the market.

It can be used universally by many people.

Mattresses of this size offer enough space and ensure a night of comfortable sleep for a single person. They're often recommended for children or students living in a small room.

Size 90 x 190cm
For whom? Singles, children, students, guests
Materials? High-quality materials such as latex, memory foam, and cold foam

90 x 190 cm - a mattress for one person

Understandably, the 90 x 190 cm single mattress is most recommended for one person.

This mattress is particularly suitable if you have a small room or a small bed frame, such as when you're a student living in a dorm room or a child in a children's room.

For one person, the width of this mattress is definitely suitable.

You'll have enough space on the mattress and it also won't take up much room.

But, if you want to have overnight guests or if you're a restless sleeper, then we would recommend a wider model.

90 x 190 cm for couples - is that possible?

Even couples can choose to purchase 90 x 190 cm mattresses.

But, they should then purchase two mattresses that can be placed next to each other on one bed frame.

Why would you do that?

You and your partner may have different mattress requirements. To ensure that you both have a mattress that's perfect for your body and sleeping preferences, investing in two single mattresses is a great idea.

Of course, you have to ensure that they are of the same height.

In order to bridge the gap between the two mattresses, you can invest in a bed bridge or a mattress topper.

90 x 190 cm - perfect for children

The 90 x 190 cm single-size mattress is also perfect for children.

It offers children enough space for sleeping - and for playing.

When buying a mattress for a child, make sure that the mattress has good stability and is very durable.

While the mattress is also suitable for teenagers and very practical for smaller rooms, an older, larger, or restless child may be better off with a larger mattress.

If you're buying a mattress for a small child under 6 years of age, then you may need to consider a cot mattress.

90 x 190 cm as a guest mattress

A mattress sizes 90 x 190 cm can also be used as a cheaper guest mattress.

You'll be able to offer your guest a good night's sleep but won't have to invest too much and also don't have to have much space available.

A mattress of this size can also be stowed away relatively easily if you do have storage space available.

Different types of materials for 90 x 190 cm mattresses

All types of mattresses can be comfortable and there is no one material that's better than another.

Your choice of mattress material will ultimately depend on your personal preferences.

Below are the different types of mattress materials that you could choose for your 90 x 190 cm mattress.

Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses are characterised by the fact that they adapt well to the contours of the body and relieve pressure adequately.

This also makes them very suitable as orthopaedic mattresses.

Even though memory foam is enormously comfortable, it does retain more body heat than other types of foam. This increases the overall sleeping climate, which is great for people who easily feel cold at night but not suitable for warm sleepers or heavy sweaters.

Since memory foam is very sensitive to movement, restless sleepers will have a difficult time moving to and fro. They'd be better off with a different type of mattress.

Some mattresses, known as hybrid mattresses, combine memory foam with other materials to increase comfort and movement ability and decrease the overall sleeping climate.

Latex foam

Latex foam mattresses offer high point elasticity and are very comfortable to sleep on.

Latex also has natural anti-allergenic properties, making it suitable for people prone to allergies. Of course, people with a latex allergy should avoid latex mattresses.

The sleeping climate on a latex mattress is cooler than that on a memory foam or cold foam mattress.

Moving on the mattress and changing sleeping positions is also a little easier on a latex mattress than it is on a memory foam mattress. This makes it more suitable for restless sleepers.

These mattresses are recommended for people who like the sensation of sleeping on a mattress rather than in a mattress.

Natural latex mattresses are also a great choice for people who are looking to invest in a high-quality, durable mattress that's also good for the environment.

On the downside, latex mattresses are more expensive than other mattresses and they need to be cleaned and rotated regularly.

Cold foam

Cold foam mattresses are among the most common and cheapest options in the mattress world.

This type of mattress is characterised by its high point elasticity and slight springy feeling.

This foam is often recommended for orthopaedic purposes, though memory foam mattresses are still better suited for that.

Cold foam is rarely used on its own in high-quality mattresses but is often used as a supporting base layer, ensuring the basic stability of a mattress.

If the foam has a high density - 40 kg/m³ and up - then it will also be very durable and is likely to last a long time.

Inferior cold foam mattresses will deteriorate more quickly.

Gel foam

Gel foam mattresses are becoming more and more common.

Gel foam is much softer and is usually only used as the upper comfort layer of a mattress.

This is combined with firmer and more stable base foams.

Gel foam is similar to memory foam in that it is very adaptable and has a high point elasticity.

It does offer a cooler sleeping climate - though this depends largely on the other materials in the mattress.

Comfort foam - polyurethane

Comfort foam mattresses are usually made of polyurethane.

This is common in IKEA mattresses.

Comfort foam is quite stable and very similar to cold foam.

The biggest advantage of comfort foam is that it is inexpensive to make. This is why comfort foam mattresses can be so cheap.

Unfortunately, this type of foam lacks quality.

The density of comfort foam mattresses is usually also quite low - under 30 kg/m³.

High-quality mattresses have a higher density and use more expensive materials.

Innerspring mattresses

In addition to the various foam mattresses, you could also opt for an innerspring mattress.

These are mattress classics, made of a spring core, and they're usually much more robust and stable.

This makes them especially suitable for back and stomach sleepers and for people of heavier bodyweight or larger size.

Due to the space between individual springs, creating natural ventilation channels, innerspring mattresses offer great breathability.

This ensures excellent climate regulation.

It also helps to prevent the build-up of mould and dust mites.

That said, there are some very low-quality innerspring mattresses on the market, which will quickly deteriorate.

Always ensure that you go for a high-quality mattress or a hybrid mattress, combining springs and memory foam.

Which degree of firmness should you choose?

In addition to having to choose the type of mattress material you want, you also need to decide on a fitting degree of firmness.

This refers to how firm or how soft the mattress is.

Firmness largely depends on the specific composition of a mattress.

Generally, a heavier-weight person will require a firmer mattress, while a lighter person will be comfortable on a softer mattress.

Other factors may also play a role, including body size, preferred sleeping position, whether one sleeps alone or with a partner, and personal preference.

Criteria to consider before purchasing a 90 x 190 cm single mattress

There are a few key criteria you should pay attention to before you purchase a 90 x 190 cm single mattress:

Pay attention to the quality of the mattress

There's no point in purchasing a low-quality mattress, even if you only intend to use it for a few years as a student or for a guest bedroom.

Your sleep affects the rest of your life - and your health - quite significantly.

Sleeping on a low-quality mattress can also lead to severe back, neck, and shoulder problems.

We always recommend spending a little more for a high-quality product.

A mattress is an investment, after all.

How do you know if a mattress is of good quality?

Factors such as density are important. The higher the density of the foams, the higher the quality of the mattress and the longer it will last.

Also read through mattress reviews and comparisons.

Free delivery and risk-free trial periods

You won't know if a mattress is right for you if you don't sleep on it.

While reading reviews and comparisons will help you in making a good choice, you will still have to try out a mattress to see if it's comfortable for you.

After all, we're all so unique.

That's why free delivery and risk-free trial periods are so important.

Most mattresses purchased online offer these.

You can try the mattress for a period of 30 - 100 days (or even longer, as is the case with Emma and Nectar) to really figure out if the mattress is right for you.

And if it isn't?

Then you can simply return the mattress and receive a full refund.

What is your sleeping behaviour?

This will help you decide on the right mattress material.

Are you a restless sleeper? Then avoid memory foam mattresses.

Do you easily feel cold at night? An innerspring mattress probably isn't the right choice.

Are you a side sleeper? Then a soft mattress is preferable.

Conclusion

The 90 x 190 cm mattress size is a popular choice for single people and children.

It is also a good choice as a cheaper guest mattress and for couples who have opted to join two individual mattresses.

Like any mattress, a mattress of this size must be chosen with care.

Always invest in a high-quality mattress that will ensure optimal spinal alignment and last you a long time.

You won't go wrong with any of our recommendations.

Nicky

Nicky

Content Director & Partner Relations

My mum calls me "bear" because I like to sleep so much. I never thought that, one day, I'd be a certified sleep coach and apply my skills more widely. Can you tell that I've found my calling? 

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