The Best Mattress UK | 2026

Mattresses can have any number of different fillings, ranging from synthetic foam and springs to natural coil and wool.

There isn't necessarily a right or wong choice, and the material you choose depends on your personal preferences and sleeping requirements. 💤

The most popular mattress materials include:

You'll also find a good range of natural and organic mattresses, including wool mattresses, as well as state-of-the-art hybrid mattresses, which generally combine memory foam and springs.

Not all mattresses are created equal - but neither are we.

You may find yourself in a position where you're looking for a particular type of mattress.

We have a whole host of these articles, which you'll find in the full listing at the bottom of this page, but here we address some more common concerns.

What mattresses are best for allergies?

If you're struggling with allergies, it's best to opt for pure foam mattresses.

Memory foam mattresses like the Nectar Memory Foam and the Emma Original are fantastic options.

Bed bugs and other allergy causers have much less space to survive in a foam mattress than they do in a mattress with springs.

It's also worth investing in synthetic sleep accessories, which are less likely to cause allergies, and allergy-friendly bedding materials like silk pillowcases.

What mattresses are best for back pain?

Back pain is a common concern.

Some pain may be caused by an unsuitable mattress, but you may also be struggling with regular issues due to poor posture, injuries, or illness.

The best mattresses for back pain will offer orthopaedic relief and are likely to be made from softer, more mouldable materials like memory foam.

To find the best orthopaedic mattresses, take a look at our guide on the best mattresses for back pain.

What mattresses are best for sex?

Couples have unique requirements and most would be interested in finding the best mattress for sex.

While memory foam can be comfortable to sleep on, it may be the worst material for sex if it causes you to sink into the foam too much.

Something like a pocket spring mattress or a hybrid mattress, which offer good levels of support and some bounce, will be much better suited.

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a great choice for couples and sex.

BUY DREAMCLOUD£ 499

Check out our full guide on the best mattresses for sex to find the most suitable option.

What's the best mattress for hot sleepers?

While the UK isn't known for its soaring temperatures, we have been experiencing some pretty warm days during the summer months.

Heat and sleep don't go well, and if you're sleeping on a mattress that retains more heat, you're likely to wake up in a sweat.

The Emma Elite mattress is made with a Gel Grid layer and pocket springs for maximum airflow.

Alternatively, read our guide on the best cool mattresses to enjoy the optimal sleeping temperature year-round.

You may think you'll have to buy IKEA mattresses to shop on a budget, but this isn't necessarily true.

Bed-in-a-box mattresses offer unbeatable value for money!

A bed-in-a-box mattress is a high-quality mattress that's rolled up, vacuum-packed and sealed in a compact box that's shipped straight to your front door. 📦

Why the better price tag?

Since online retailers cut out the middleman, brands can afford to cut their prices and offer customers the best value for money. 🏷️

But there are so many more benefits to ordering your mattress online.

Consider the following:

• There's greater variety online at the mere click of a button.
• You can find great discounts and free gift options.
• You'll benefit from free delivery and returns.
• Most online retailers offer risk-free trial periods with a money-back guarantee.
• You can benefit from good warranty conditions.

Ordering online for the first time may seem a little daunting. 🤔

But that's why we're here to help you!

Sleep Hero is dedicated to helping you find the very best mattress for a good night's sleep. 😴

If you need some guidance to get started, we'd recommend you read these two articles:

• Our guide to purchasing a mattress online
• Our guide to choosing a comfy mattress

Don't forget to check out our mattress reviews for a look at some of our favourite mattresses in the UK!

You can trust that we've done our research and will only recommend best-buy choices. ⭐️

But how do you know if a mattress is a good buy or not?

You can use these four simple criteria to guide you. 👇

1. Focus on quality mattresses

It may seem obvious, but the quality of your mattress really matters.

After all, your mattress directly affects the quality of your sleep - and your sleep affects the quality of your life!

Regardless of what mattress you go for, you should always opt for the highest quality you can afford. 👍

Determine the quality of foam mattresses

If you're considering the quality of a foam mattress, you need to look at the density of the foam used.

Density is measured in units showing how much foam was used for one cubic metre. 🧊

In general: The higher the density, the higher the quality of the mattress.

Higher-density materials are also likely to last much longer.

This means you can enjoy your mattress for a longer time. 🗓

We'd recommend opting for a mattress of at least 40 kg/m³

Determining the quality of spring mattresses

To determine the quality of spring mattresses, you need to look at how many springs the bed contains. 🌀

The higher the spring count, the higher the quality of the mattress and the more likely it is to last.

We recommend choosing a mattress with at least 350 springs for the smallest size.

2. Find the right degree of firmness

Mattresses come in different degrees of firmness. ⛅️🧸🧱

As with mattress materials, there is no right or wrong choice here.

The right degree of firmness for you depends on your personal preferences and requirements. 🧐

Your body type and preferred sleeping style also play a role:

• Lighter-weight people and side sleepers often prefer softer mattresses.
• Average-weight people and combination sleepers do well on medium-firm mattresses.
• Heavier-weight people and pure back sleepers, and stomach sleepers often prefer firmer mattresses.

But as long as you're well-supported, any degree of firmness could theoretically work. 👍

What should a good mattress be able to do?

A suitable mattress relieves pressure and supports the body.

It’s designed to cushion the entire body while supporting the hips and spine. The shoulders, pelvis, and hips sink in so the body is balanced and the spine is aligned.

Walter Braun

Mattress Expert

We've considered the best mattresses according to sleeping position in more detail above.

3. Choose the right mattress size

Choosing a mattress that will fit your bed frame and bedroom is essential.

Most mattresses are available in the standard UK mattress sizes. 🇬🇧

These include:

• Single mattresses: 90 x 190 cm (3' x 6'3")
• Small double mattress: 120 x 190 cm (3’9” x 6’2”)
• Double mattresses: 135 x 190 cm (4'6" x 6'3")
• King size mattresses: 150 x 200 cm (5' x 6'6")
• Super-king-size mattresses: 180 x 200 cm (6' x 6'6")

We'd recommend that couples go for a double bed or larger.

Some mattress brands offer European sizes, custom sizes, and the luxurious emperor bed size, but these are rarer. 👑

Of our favourite online mattress brands, only the Otty Hybrid is available in the emperor size.

BUY OTTY HYBRID£ 474.99

4. Pay attention to the trial period

Most mattresses purchased online come with a risk-free trial period. 🤩

A 100-night trial period is standard, but some mattress brands offer even longer trials.

• Simba, for example, offers a 200-day trial period.
• Nectar even offers a 365-day trial period.

Trial periods give you the chance to try out the mattress in the comfort of your own home - and allow your body to get used to the new bed. 🏡

Sometimes, it can take up to 3 weeks to get used to a new mattress, especially if it is vastly different from your old mattress!

We love a good risk-free trial period. 🥳

If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can return the mattress for a full refund!

So, now you may be wondering if we have a verdict on which mattress ranks as the best mattress UK. 🇬🇧

But a more important question to be asking is: Which mattress is best for you?

Finding the right mattress isn't always easy - but it doesn't have to be an absolute nightmare, especially since we're here to guide you every step of the way.

Look for mattresses that match your budget, preferred degree of firmness, ideal temperature, favourite sleeping position, and personal needs, and you'll be good to go. 🥳

You'll find links to all of our UK best mattress reviews and best mattress articles below.

Or scroll to the top of the article to explore our top 6 best mattresses in the UK.

Together, we'll find the mattress that's made for you. 🥰