EMMA MATTRESS REVIEW

The Emma Original is a high-quality foam mattress with a height of 25 cm (10").

It is comprised of three different foam layers that work together to offer optimal comfort, stability, spinal support, and temperature regulation.

The three different foam layers are:

• Airgocell foam
• Viscoelastic memory foam
• HRX polyfoam

Emma mattress foam layers

1. A top comfort layer of Airgocell foam (3 cm)

The patented pressure-relieving Airgocell technology promises a high level of comfort.

The foam consists of approximately 50% air, which helps heat escape and regulates temperature within the mattress.

2. A core of viscoelastic memory foam (3 cm)

Memory foam offers excellent pressure relief.

It adapts optimally to your body shape, giving you that soft and enveloping body-hugging feeling.

The layer of memory foam in the Emma mattress is relatively thin, though, so you'll feel the benefits of memory foam without any of the drawbacks such as excessive heat retention or difficulty moving.

3. A supportive base layer of cold foam (19 cm)

The HRX polyfoam is a firmer cold foam base layer that offers support and stability to an otherwise quite soft mattress.

It also limits the long-term sagging of the mattress, ensuring that your Emma Original will last for a long time.

High density ensures a long lifespan

All of the foams used in the Emma mattress are high-density foams, with an average density of 57 kg/m³.

A high density is a good indicator of quality, durability, and lifespan.

The high-density foams ensure that you can enjoy your mattress for many years to come.

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The Emma mattress features a simple yet elegantly-designed cover.

• A white, fine-meshed top cover with polyester fibres to regulate humidity.
• A robust grey side cover that supports air circulation.
• Non-slip elements at the base of the cover.
• Carrying handles for easy transportation.

The Emma mattress cover is predominantly made of polyester.

We liked the top cover of the mattresses - it's thick and luxurious, incredibly soft, and pleasant to lie on.

The cover can also be easily removed and machine-washed at 60 degrees, which is fantastic if you have any hygiene concerns.

It also makes the Emma Original a hypoallergenic choice that's great for people prone to allergies.

Side carrying handles

The Emma mattress has four side carrying handles, which makes moving the mattress or turning it around much more manageable.

Turning your mattress once every three months can increase its lifespan.

However, the handles are relatively weak and tear quite quickly, especially if you're handling the mattress more roughly or dealing with one of the larger mattress sizes.

Emma mattress replacement cover

Emma UK also offers you the option of buying a replacement mattress cover.

This replacement cover has the same specifications as the original cover.

The Emma Original is rated as a medium-firm mattress but we would definitely call it a soft mattress - that's still surprisingly comfortable.

It offers that sleeping-on-a-cloud feeling but still provides sufficient support and stability, allowing you to enjoy your best night's sleep.

We'd rate it at 4 out of 10 on the Sleep Hero firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 the firmest.

Edge support is lacking

Given that the Emma Original is a soft mattress, it doesn't offer great edge support.

This means that you'll feel as if you're sliding off the mattress when sitting on the edge or sleeping very close to the edge of the mattress.

While this is to be expected with softer mattresses, it is worth keeping in mind if you like to use the entire width of your mattress - or if you're sharing your bed with a partner.

Our suggestion would be to opt for a king-size mattress - or larger - to ensure that both you and your partner have enough space on the mattress to sleep comfortably.

We measured how deep we sank into the foams

In order to really test the firmness of the Emma Original, we measured how deep we sank into the mattress.

This is also a good indicator of how supportive it will be for different types of sleepers.

Our experiment gave the following results:

The values are typical of softer mattresses.

Our lightest and medium-weight test sleepers didn't sink in too deeply - or too little.

This means that the Emma Original gives just the right amount of support to lighter-weight people or those of smaller builds.

But, you'll notice that our heavier test sleeper sank into the mattress quite a bit.

Even though the body's heavier parts remained well supported, promoting healthy spinal alignment, heavier-weight sleepers or larger builds may interpret the Emma Original as too soft.

It's best to make use of the risk-free trial period to see if the mattress is right for you.

Luckily, Emma offers all its customers a 200-day period in which they can try the mattress. And, if you're not fully satisfied, you'll get a full refund.

Did you know?

The Emma mattress UK is only available at one level of firmness. But this does not mean you can't adjust things a little.

Emma UK offers you one free layer to help soften or firm up the mattress if you find that it isn't quite working for you.

All you need to do is contact Emma's senior support team at support@emma-mattress.co.uk.

Their customer service is incredible, and this is a fantastic way for them to help their customers achieve maximum comfort.

Our team describes the feeling of lying on the Emma mattress as 'pleasantly soft'.

This can largely be explained by the combination of the two upper comfort layers.

Both Airgocell and memory foam are highly adaptable and conform to the shape of your body. They are also very point-elastic, meaning that they can relieve pressure well and help your muscles relax.

Since the Emma Original is a softer mattress, it is exceptionally comfortable when sleeping on your side.

This is because your shoulders and pelvis - the heavier parts of your body - can sink into the mattress more deeply.

Yet, it still offers enough support for the lighter parts of your body, like your feet and arms.

This combination allows your spine to remain in optimal alignment.

This makes the Emma Original a great choice if you're looking for an orthopaedic mattress to help reduce back pain.

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Not suitable for heavier builds

That said, the Emma mattress may be too soft for heavier-weight sleepers (averaging 90kg or more) or for people who sleep purely on their back or stomach.

These sleeping positions require more hip support, which the Emma Original may not give.

If your hips aren't adequately supported, you're likely to experience some lower back pain when sleeping on the Emma.

If this is a concern or you fall into this latter category, then we'd highly recommend you make use of the risk-free trial period to see if the mattress works for you.

You might also find the Simba Hybrid or the Nectar mattress quite comfortable.

These are also medium-firm mattresses but they're a little firmer than the Emma Original, and you'll be able to enjoy a little more support.

What a pleasant discovery - the adaptability of this mattress is great! Definitely a first. My first impression is that it hugs the body well, no matter your sleeping position. It feels like you're sleeping in a cocoon with full-body comfort. And it really allows your muscles to relax!

Caroline Rolland

Physiotherapist

The Emma Original mattress regulates body temperature effectively.

Even though memory foam mattresses are generally warmer and retain more heat than other mattress materials, the Emma mattress regulates temperature surprisingly well.

This is primarily because the Airgocell layer and the fine-meshed top cover noticeably increase breathability and airflow and reduce heat storage.

We did not sweat during our test sleep, despite some of our team members testing in 25-degree summer weather and others sharing their bed with a partner.

That said, if you are a very heavy sweater, we would recommend opting for a hybrid mattress, such as the Emma Hybrid, or a pure pocket sprung mattress, which allows for the most breathability.

Our temperature tests

The Emma Original has exceptionally low motion transfer and high point elasticity.

This makes it a great mattress for couples.

The foam layers effectively absorb and dampen movements, ensuring that motion is not carried across the mattress.

We shared the mattress with a partner and did not feel any movements. We also didn't feel our partner getting in and out of bed.

This all means that you can enjoy a restful sleep and won't be disturbed by your partner tossing and turning.

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We measured our movements

To really test the motion transfer abilities of the Emma mattress, we decided to rely on science.

We used a measuring device to record:

• Figure 1: Movement of a lighter-weight person
• Figure 2: Movement of a heavier-weight person
• Figure 3: Movement when getting in and out of bed

As you can see, the device hardly recorded any movement, which is testament to the low motion transfer of the Emma Original mattress.

Are you sharing your bed with a partner?

We suggest that couples sharing a bed choose a larger mattress size for a more comfortable sleep.

While the standard double-size is sufficient, we'd recommend choosing a king-size mattress.

A king-size mattress will ensure that both you and your partner have ample space to toss and turn, especially considering the lack of edge support with the Emma Original.

We tested the Emma king-size mattress with a partner and slept very comfortably.

All Emma Original mattresses have a height of 25 cm (10").

They are available in the standard UK sizes.

These include:

• Single mattresses: 90 x 190 cm
• Small double mattresses: 120 x 190 cm
• Double mattresses: 135 x 190 cm
• King-size mattresses: 150 x 200 cm
• Super-king-size mattresses: 180 x 200 cm

(Note: prices listed below are standard prices excluding any current coupons & discounts)

Even though the Emma Original is a great value-for-money mattress, you'll be pleased to hear that Emma UK regularly offers discount vouchers, promotions, and sales.

These promotions happen throughout the year, but particularly exciting sales happen yearly for Emma's birthday celebrations, peak holidays, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Black Friday, and Boxing Day.

Discount codes can offer you anything from 10% to 50% off!

If you plan your purchases right, you can save tons.

Don't worry; you don't have to browse the internet to find discount codes. We collect all of the best discounts for you on our discounts page.

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Emma mattress key worker discount

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Emma UK has also begun offering an essential worker's discount for the following industries:

• Health service discounts for those working for the NHS
• Education discounts for all teachers
• Carer discounts for anyone working in this field
• Emergency service discounts for all emergency service workers

The key worker discount gives you 40% off any purchase from the Emma UK website, but it cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, sales, or promotions.

The Emma Original is an award-winning and bestselling mattress that's been ranked as one of the best mattresses in the UK for numerous years in a row.

It has been voted as the UK’s number 1 mattress by the Which? Consumers’ Association, and has received accolades from a dozen other UK establishments, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, T3, The Independent, Good Housekeeping, The Mattress Guide, and Best Mattress UK.

The Emma Original mattress has also received several awards and recognitions in other European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany.

Also, the Emma Original has a 4.6 rating and over 18 000 customer reviews on Trustpilot.

Emma Original Which? test results

The Emma Original is one of the Which?'s highest-scoring mattresses and has been rewarded with their Best Buy seal of approval.

Indeed, their highest score is 81% and the Emma Original mattress received an astounding 80%!

Which? describes the mattress as being supportive, breathable, stable, exceptionally durable, and very easy to move on.

The only con they've listed is that moving the mattress could be slightly easier as the four side carrying handles aren't perfect - which we had noticed as well.

All foams used in the Emma Original - and other Emma products - are OEKO-TEX-STANDARD-100-certified.

This is one of the world's best-known product-safety labels.

If a product is certified, you can rest assured that it contains no harmful toxins or chemical substances.

Emma UK also complies with strict testing and safety requirements during the manufacturing process and ensures that all Emma mattresses comply with the BS 7177 regulation.

This means that the mattress is fire-retardant.

Even though the Emma Original is not an organic mattress, it contains no animal-based components and is 100% vegan.

In addition to the mattresses, Emma UK also offers other sleeping accessories.

More on these below.

Emma also offers a high-quality mattress topper, but this is not yet available in the UK.

Emma Original pillow

The Emma Pillow features three interchangeable layers of foam:

• A top layer of supportive HRX cold foam
• A middle layer of breathable Airgocell foam
• A bottom layer of viscoelastic memory foam

You can sleep on one, two, or all three of these layers and choose whether you prefer the more supportive HRX side or the more comfortable memory foam side.

The Emma Original Pillow has been designed to relieve pressure points and reduce neck pain, no matter which sleeping position you prefer.

The pillow is also thermoregulated and features an extra-breathable cover, which allows you to enjoy a cooler sleep.

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Emma Cloud pillow

The Emma Cloud pillow is a soft and fluffy microfibre pillow that gives you that "sleeping on a cloud" feeling.

It contains two layers, a thicker and denser microfibre layer and a thinner and softer microfibre layer.

You can adjust which layer you sleep on - or how many layers - to fully customise the pillow for your preferred feel and chosen sleeping position.

The pillow is completely washable, from cover to filling, and is guaranteed to stay fluffy without clumping, thanks to the ForeverPlush technology.

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Emma mattress protector

The Emma mattress protector is an additional layer that you can place over your mattress cover to extend your mattress's lifespan and protect it from spills, stains, bacteria, and dirt.

The Emma mattress protector is waterproof, breathable, and anti-bacterial.

It is also hypoallergenic and can be machine-washed at 40℃, making it an excellent choice for anyone prone to allergies.

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Emma Cloud duvet

The Emma Cloud duvet is a microfiber duvet made of temperature-regulating fibres to keep you cool and refreshed through the night.

The breathable structure also limits the reproduction of bacteria, making this a hypoallergenic choice.

The duvet carries a tog rating of 6.7, making it the perfect choice for any season.

The Emma Cloud microfibre duvet is fully machine-washable up to 60°C.

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The Emma Bed available in the UK is an elegantly designed platform bed frame that allows for good airflow and excellent support.

It's available in an elegant dark grey platform design with a headboard, perfect for any bedroom.

FlexiSlats provide additional support for your back, shoulders, and hips, enhancing the mattress's support.

The Emma Bed comes with free delivery and a 200-day risk-free trial period.

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The first step to receiving a new mattress is to place your order via the Emma mattress UK website. You'll be able to confirm delivery details and delivery times upon checkout.

You'll receive tracking information via text message or e-mail as soon as the mattress has been dispatched.

Your new Emma mattress will be delivered free of charge and straight to your doorstep, generally within 5-7 working days anywhere in mainland UK.

Emma UK ships with UPS, DPD, and Rhenus.

Currently, Emma UK does not ship to the Channel Islands.

You'll also need to order from the Irish website if you need an Emma Original to be delivered anywhere in Ireland.

Emma UK also offers an old mattress removal service at an additional cost of £39.

You will need to select this option upon checkout, and the company will remove your old mattress when they deliver the new one.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, you will need to bring the mattress to your building's front door as the couriers will not be allowed to enter your home.

Your new mattress is delivered rolled up, vacuum-sealed, and protected in a compact box specifically designed to fit through narrow passageways.

One person can easily carry the box.

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What happens when you first unpack the mattress?

We recommend that you place your rolled-up and vacuum-sealed Emma mattress straight on to your bed frame after taking it out of the box.

This makes it easier to unfold and ensures that you won't have to carry it around once expanded.

How does the mattress expand?

This happens all on its own.

The Emma mattress expands almost instantly as soon as you begin to unfold it and reaches its full size once the plastic wrap has been removed.

Conveniently, Emma includes a handy cutter with your delivery that allows you to snip off the seal and plastic wrapping easily.

Note that full expansion can take up to 6 hours.

Off-gassing is completely normal

You may notice a slight odour, referred to as off-gassing, when you first unpack the mattress. This is usual for new beds.

Off-gassing is neither toxic nor harmful.

But it can be a little uncomfortable. We recommend that you unpack your new mattress in a well-ventilated room and let it air out.

The smell should dissipate quite quickly - within a matter of hours or a few days at most.

The 200-night trial period

The Emma mattress comes standard with a 200-day risk-free trial period, which commences with delivery.

Emma used to offer a 100-night trial, but the UK's trial period has been extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

You now have 200 days to try the mattress in the comfort of your own home, giving you the chance to determine if the bed really is perfect for you.

Don't forget that it can take the body a few weeks to get used to a new mattress.

If at any point during the trial period you decide that the mattress isn't right for you, you can simply return it.

Returns are free of charge and organised and paid for by Emma UK. All you need to do is contact Emma's customer service.

You'll receive a full refund within 14 days.

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The Emma Original mattress comes with a 10-year guarantee on manufacturing defects.

This warranty covers:

• Any dips or sags greater than 2.5 cm (0.9") despite correct use.
• Cracks or hollows in the foam of the mattress within the first 6 months of use.
• Mattress not inflating to the correct size despite a 2 cm (0.7") leeway across all dimensions.
• Damaged zippers or faulty stitching.

In the event of any of these, Emma will exchange your mattress.

If you're more familiar with a different mattress and would like to find out how the Emma Original mattress compares, then you may find the following mattress comparison articles helpful.

We have compared the following mattresses:

• Emma Original versus Simba Hybrid
• Emma Original versus Eve Original
• Emma Original versus Casper

In each of these articles, we highlight the differences and similarities between the respective mattresses and help you determine which one is best for you.

As our mattress review has hopefully shown, we liked the Emma Original.

It is a very high-quality foam mattress that offers support and stability while also providing that body-hugging comfort.

We particularly liked the combination of foams, the excellent motion transfer capabilities, and the cover's soft feel.

But the mattress is quite soft and will not be suitable for everyone.

We can recommend the Emma mattress as a best-buy option for:

• Light- and medium-weight people or those of more petite build
• Side sleepers
• Couples
• Children above the age of 6
• Seniors, who will often find softer mattresses more comfortable

We would not recommend the Emma mattress for the following:

• Heavier-weight people or those of larger build
• Pure back sleepers or stomach sleepers
• People who prefer a firmer sleeping surface

Despite the above notes, we would highly recommend that you make use of the risk-free trial to see if the mattress is right for you.

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