Who is the Emma Elite mattress suitable for?
If you're thinking of replacing your old and worn-out mattress or are simply in need of a more luxurious or more breathable model, the Emma Elite (previously, Emma Zero Gravity) mattress may be for you.
Before we deep dive into our Emma Elite review, here's a quick overview of suitability. 👇
Is the Emma Elite suitable for side sleepers?
We wouldn't recommend the Elite mattress to side sleepers.
While it's characterised as a medium-soft mattress, our firmness tests revealed that it actually leans towards the firmer side (more on this further down).
However, due to this firmness, the mattress isn't ideal for side sleepers as your shoulders and hips won't sink in as much as is required for optimal spinal alignment.
Is the Emma Elite suitable for sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress?
Our firmness tests revealed that the Emma Elite would be perfect for those who prefer a firmer feel.
Firmer mattresses are ideal for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, as well as those of larger build or higher body weight.
That said, firm mattresses are definitely not suitable for everyone and could end up being uncomfortable, causing incorrect spinal alignment and resulting in aches and pains.
Is the Emma Elite suitable for sleepers who prefer a softer mattress?
While characterised as a medium-soft mattress, we found the Elite actually provides a much firmer feel.
If you like sinking into your mattress with that soft "hugged by the foams" feel, the Elite mattress may not be right for you.
Is the Emma Elite suitable for hot sleepers?
The Elite mattress has excellent breathability, making it a great option for hot sleepers or heavier sweaters.
Our Emma Elite mattress review experience
The Emma Elite mattress was tested at our Airi SleepLab, with no detail overlooked.
From first impressions to temperature regulation, composition, comfort, and support, everything was rigorously tested.
We'll go through all of this throughout the article, but first, let's look at those first impressions:
- We were impressed by the quality of the top cover. With a soft touch, a different pattern than usual, and a higher thickness level, we immediately noticed the difference between this luxury model and other Emma mattresses.
- We also noticed that the side cover was made of a much thicker material than what we are used to seeing in Emma mattresses. This was a positive change for us, as we didn't feel the shape of the mattress's pocket springs as much as we would in versions like the Emma NextGen Premium.
- Even with the cover on, we could feel the coolness of the AirGrid foam.
These were great first impressions - but did the mattress stand up to all the breathability and comfort claims in our testing?
Let's find out. 👇
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![emma elite mattress]()
![emma elite mattress]()
Emma![Emma]()
ElitePrice from £ 999The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."Price from £ 999
Emma Elite composition
The Emma Elite is a pocket-sprung hybrid model that combines several layers of pocket springs with foams in a total of 7 mattress layers, including the cover.
Let's take a closer look at all of these. 🧐
Emma Elite mattress layers
Below, you'll find the full details of the Emma Elite mattress cover and individual foam and spring layers.
1. UltraDry cover
The first thing we noticed with this mattress was the superior quality of the cover.
Compared to the covers of other Emma mattress models, this one was much thicker, softer, and, no doubt, of higher quality.
As the name UltraDry suggests, the cover's "dry" touch and cooler feel are tangible, making it ideal for those who sleep hot or sweat heavily at night.
2. Emma Elite AirGrid technology layer
This gel layer with AirGrid technology promises to adapt to your body, relieve pressure, and promote air circulation.
The silicone grid felt cool to the touch, and we could feel this extra "freshness" even through the cover.
3. AeroFoam hypersoft foam
Emma guarantees that this layer is hypersoft and extra-breathable - and they're not wrong.
Small holes are distributed throughout the foam layer, enhancing breathability and allowing air to circulate more easily.
4. MemoryAdapt memory foam
We now hit the memory foam layer of the Emma Elite - this layer is particularly important to ensure even weight distribution and gives the mattress orthopaedic properties.
5. SupportBase foam
The high-quality SupportBase foam ensures higher support and gives the mattress greater firmness.
It also promises greater mattress longevity, preventing deformation or sagging over time.
6. Pocket sprung core
At the core of the Elite mattress lies the pocket spring system, which promotes healthy spinal alignment.
Based on our experience with other mattress models using a pocket sprung core, we noticed that these significantly reduced motion transfer.
This reduces the likelihood of being disturbed by your partner's movements at night - but we'll talk a bit more about this later.
7. Back-up stability layer
This isn't really a back-up stability layer, as Emma claims, but simply the bottom of the UltraDry cover with an anti-slip fabric.
We did notice, though, that the material of this layer is much thicker than with other Emma mattresses we've tried - even on the side.
Under the cover, you can see the anti-slip fabric, but it seems a bit thin and breathable, similar to plastic mesh - we're still unsure whether or not this is actually durable or even non-slip. 🤨
Testing Emma Elite firmness and sinkage
To adequately assess the firmness of the Emma Elite mattress, we started by looking at sinkage.
Mattresses made predominantly of foam often sag towards the edges.
However, we did not notice this with the Emma Eltie mattress.
Although we could see a slight dip at the edge of the bed, this was hardly significant - certainly when compared to some of the other mattresses we've tested.
With this result, it was time to resort to our durometer, which gave us a hardness level of 35.
This proved that we were dealing with a firm mattress. 🧱
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![emma elite mattress]()
![emma elite mattress]()
Emma![Emma]()
ElitePrice from £ 999The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."Price from £ 999
Does the Emma Elite live up to its breathability claims?
A mattress with good temperature regulation is essential for a good night's sleep.
The Emma Elite has a high level of breathability for a hybrid mattress - even with its various foam layers.
- Memory foam tends to retain more heat than other types of foam, which can lead to warmer and more uncomfortable sleep.
- Springs, in contrast, offer greater breathability. This is because springs create natural ventilation channels, allowing constant airflow inside the mattress that removes excess heat and keeps it cooler and more comfortable.
But the Elite has more temperature-regulating features than just springs.
The layer of gel foam with AirGrid silicone fibre at the top of the mattress plays a fundamental role in improving its breathability.
Additionally, the perforations in the AeroFoam layer reinforce the breathability and overall coolness of the mattress.
The combination of these two layers with the pocket spring core makes the Elite mattress suitable for hot sleepers and heavier sweaters.
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![emma elite mattress]()
![emma elite mattress]()
Emma![Emma]()
ElitePrice from £ 999The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."Price from £ 999
Motion transfer in the Elite mattress
We did our beloved water glass test to determine whether this mattress's motion transfer is really low (as it is claimed to be).
And now you must be wondering: How can a water glass prove anything?
It's simple: By placing a water glass on one side of the mattress and sitting or lying down on the opposite side, we can test how much the glass (and the water in it) moves, which helps us draw conclusions about the mattress's motion isolation.
Take a look:
In the video, we can observe the stability of the water in the glass, even when lying down and getting up.
It's only when we turn from one sleep position to another that we notice some oscillation in the water.
Thus, we can safely say that the Elite is a mattress with good motion isolation, making it a great option for couples.
Emma Elite mattress sizes and cost
(Note: prices listed above are standard prices, excluding any current coupons and discounts)
Like other Emma mattresses, the Elite is available in a range of UK mattress sizes, including:
- Emma Elite mattress single: 90 x 190 cm (3’ x 6’3”)
- Emma Elite mattress double: 135 x 190 cm (4’6” x 6’3”)
- Emma Elite mattress king: 150 x 200 cm (5’ x 6’6”)
- Emma Elite mattress super king: 180 x 200 cm (6’ x 6’6”)
While smaller mattress sizes are more affordable, we'd recommend choosing a larger size - especially if you're a couple - so you can enjoy your mattress more comfortably.
How thick is the Emma Elite?
The Emma Elite mattress has a height of 27 cm (10.6 inches), but the one we tested for our Emma Elite review only expanded to 26.4 cm (10.4 inches).
This isn't unusual, though, and height differences of up to 2 cm (0.8 inches) are to be expected with bed-in-a-box mattresses.
It's only if your mattress expands to a height with more than a 2 cm difference that you can complain to Emma customer support - and you'll receive a replacement model right away.
We've actually had this happen with a couple of Emma mattresses, where they expanded to 5 cm (1.9 inches) below what they were supposed to be.
So it's good practice to always measure the height of your mattress, but give it at least 14 days to expand fully.
Emma Elite sales and promotions
You're likely to snag a good discount during one of Emma's promotional periods.
The brand regularly offers discounts and deals ranging from 10% to 50% off.
We also have a Sleep Hero exclusive coupon that you can use for an additional 5% off your purchase. 🤫
Simply apply code "SLEEPHEROUK5" on checkout to get an extra 5% off.
This coupon code can be used together with standard promotions, but you won’t be able to apply it with other exclusive codes, like the Key Worker Discount for NHS staff or teachers.
Also, check out our discounts page and sign up for our newsletter to never miss out on a good promotion.
Emma Sleep delivery conditions
While Emma Sleep usually ships within 3 - 8 working days, the Emma Elite takes a little bit longer.
The Emma Elite is delivered within 4 - 6 weeks from ordering.
If you need a mattress in a hurry, this is not the one for you. Instead, check out the Nectar Premier Hybrid or DreamCloud Luxury, both of which come with free named-day delivery within 3 days.
If you don't mind waiting, though, read on.
The Elite is delivered vacuum-packed inside a cardboard box. 📦
It's super easy to unpack - just take it out of the box, place it on your bed frame, cut the plastic, and give it a few hours to expand to its original size.
Emma recommends waiting 48 to 72 hours to give the mattress time to expand fully, but you can generally sleep on it on the day of unpacking.
Emma trial and returns
The Elite mattress comes with a risk-free 200-night trial period.
If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can return it at any point within that time for a full refund.
Emma Sleep covers the cost of the return, and refunds are automatically processed within 14 days according to the same payment method originally used.
We'd recommend giving it at least 30 days, though, as it often takes some time to get used to a new mattress.
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![emma elite mattress]()
![emma elite mattress]()
Emma![Emma]()
ElitePrice from £ 999The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."The Elite is Emma Sleep's most luxurious and breathable mattress to date."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."Price from £ 999
Should you buy the Emma Elite mattress?
As our Emma Elite review hopefully shows, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this mattress despite its higher price.
We'd recommend this mattress to sleepers who like firm mattresses, those who sleep hot or sweat heavily, and those who simply prefer a more breathable model.
We also particularly enjoyed the high-quality finishes of this model, and the texture and quality of the cover definitely stand out.
If you think the Elite is for you, get it with a 200-night trial period below. 👇
Rating
Table of Contents
Frequently asked questions
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Does the Emma Elite mattress come with a guarantee??
Your new Elite mattress also comes with a 10-year guarantee to protect you against any manufacturing faults.
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What is the Gel AirGrid layer?
The Elite mattress features a unique AirGrid layer, which is the first of its kind with Emma mattresses.
This is a gel-infused foam layer that contains a silicone AirGrid with large air channels for maximum airflow.
This prevents the mattress from retaining heat and keeps you cooler and more comfortable all night long.
Readers familiar with the US-based Purple Mattress may recognise this purple grid layer.
Alternatively, message us directly via the Contact Us page.