IKEA Mattresses Review UK (2022)

Walking through an IKEA store is a bit like venturing through a well-designed maze.

But exploring their mattress world is more like running around a chaotic maze with no lights turned on - especially if you're new to mattresses.

With an extensive selection of mattresses in a variety of different mattress materials, it can be challenging to navigate the IKEA sleep space.

It doesn't help that the names of the different models are all of Swedish origin and give no indication as to what type of mattress to expect.

But, luckily, that's why we're here to help you 🥳

We've spent countless hours making sense of IKEA mattresses so that you don't have to.

IKEA mattresses all look very similar - but they're all quite different.

The best way to divide them is to look at the different materials.

IKEA mattress materials

IKEA offers mattresses made of many different materials, including springs, pocket springs, cold foam, polyfoam, polyether, memory foam, synthetic latex, and natural latex mattresses.

In order to make sense of the IKEA mattress range, we've sorted the mattresses according to mattress type in the tables below.

This will make it easier for you to find the right model quickly.

These are mattresses for adults and children.

We'll also explore the children's mattresses in more detail further down in this article 👇

IKEA foam mattresses

All-foam mattresses are among the cheapest mattresses available.

But, there can be significant differences in the quality of foam beds, depending on the type of foam used.

High-density memory foam, for example, is a very high-quality foam used in great mattresses, offering you an exceptional night's sleep 😴

One of our all-time favourite memory foam mattresses is the Nectar.

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Cheap polyether foam, in contrast, won't be very comfortable - or supportive.

Take a look at the UK IKEA foam mattresses below 👇

IKEA spring mattresses

Spring mattresses are the most common mattresses worldwide 🌍

They generally offer much better support and better ventilation than foam mattresses.

Like foam mattresses, though, you can get both quality innerspring mattresses (like pocket sprung mattresses) or cheap innerspring mattresses (like open coil mattresses).

You're also likely to find hybrid mattresses, which combine pocket springs with multiple layers of foam 😎

We really like hybrid mattresses, but, currently, IKEA doesn't offer any hybrid models.

Our favourite hybrid mattress is the Simba Hybrid.

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Take a look at the UK IKEA spring mattresses below 👇

Choosing a new mattress is never easy - something IKEA is well aware of.

That's why they've developed a digital IKEA mattress quiz to help you find the best IKEA mattress.

This online quiz leads you through a series of questions to help you find your ideal mattress 🤔

Questions include:

• Whether you sleep alone or share your bed with a partner
• The type of bed frame you have
• The size of your bed
• Preferred temperature
• Your body weight
• Preferred sleeping position

We'll explain why these points matter below 👇

The quiz is super simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Once finished, IKEA recommends several mattresses from their range.

Whether you sleep alone or with a partner

Of course, the size of your mattress matters if you're sharing your bed with a partner 👩‍❤️‍👨

But, there are also a few other things you need to pay attention to:

• Edge support: You'll want a bed with good edge support so you can make use of the full width of the mattress.
• Motion isolation: You'll want a bed with good motion isolation so that you won't feel your partner toss and turn at night.

If you have a large enough mattress with good edge support and low motion transfer, you can share a bed most comfortably with another person.

We found all IKEA mattresses to be lacking in terms of edge support.

If this is a non-negotiable (or you love sitting on the edge of your bed), we'd recommend you look at some of our favourite alternatives, like the Nectar memory foam mattress or the Simba Hybrid.

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Bed frame & mattress size

Your bed frame also matters.

Unless you're looking to invest in a new bed frame as well, you'll need to get a mattress that works well with your current bed frame.

Preferred temperature

Different mattress materials retain heat differently.

This is why your preferred temperature matters.

Memory foam, for example, retains more heat than other types of foam 🥵

This isn't ideal if you're a heavy sweater or easily feel hot at night.

Spring mattresses are generally the most breathable and the preferred choice for heavier sweaters or people who prefer a cooler sleep ❄️

Bodyweight & preferred sleeping position

Your build, weight, and preferred sleeping position affect the degree of firmness you should be choosing.

We categorise mattresses according to our Sleep Hero firmness scale, which runs from 1 to 10 (where 1 is the softest and 10 the firmest).

Lighter-weight people, for example, will often do better on a slightly softer mattress, while heavier-weight people or those of larger builds often require a firmer mattress that offers more support.

Similarly, side sleepers often need a softer mattress that allows their hips and shoulders to sink in more deeply 🛌

Back sleepers and stomach sleepers can opt for a slightly firmer mattress as they need more lift for their hips and shoulders.

Getting the right mattress firmness to match your build and preferred sleeping position is important to allow for optimal spinal alignment 📏

Your spine should remain straight no matter your sleeping position.

This will prevent aches and pains.

Is your mattress too firm?

IKEA mattresses are generally quite firm 🧱

This is great for heavier-weight sleepers but can be quite uncomfortable for lighter-weight or average-weight sleepers.

If you already have an IKEA mattress and want to make it more comfortable, we'd recommend investing in a mattress topper.

Mattress toppers are pads of extra material that you place on top of your mattress 🤗

These offer greater comfort and are used to make firmer mattresses feel softer - but we'd steer clear of IKEA mattress toppers.

Our favourite mattress toppers:

IKEA mattresses are available in most standard UK mattress sizes 🇬🇧

Standard UK sizes include:

• IKEA mattress single: 90 x 190 cm (3’ x 6’3”)
• IKEA mattress small double: 120 x 190 cm (4' x 6'3")
• IKEA mattress double:135 x 190 cm (4’6” x 6’3”)
• IKEA mattress king-size: 150 x 200 cm (5’ x 6’6”)
• IKEA mattress super king: 180 x 200 cm (6’ x 6’6”)

Standard European sizes include:

• IKEA mattress 80 x 200 cm
• IKEA mattress 90 x 200 cm
• IKEA mattress 140 x 200 cm
• IKEA mattress 160 x 200 cm

This ensures that both partners have enough space to move comfortably.

Our mattress size guide can help you choose the right size for you.

IKEA has some of the most affordable mattresses on the market.

Even their most expensive mattresses are quite a bit cheaper than other value-for-money alternatives like the Nectar memory foam mattress and the Simba Hybrid.

But, like with most things in life, you end up getting what you pay for.

Many of the IKEA mattresses are unnecessarily firm and uncomfortable 😩

They may be a good option for occasional use or if you need a cheap mattress urgently, but we wouldn't recommend them for long-term use.

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We'd recommend you look at some of our UK mattress alternatives below 👇

By now, you know that we're not big fans of IKEA mattresses.

Many value-for-money bed-in-a-box mattress brands offer much better quality and attractive features, like free delivery & returns and lengthy trial periods.

Our favourite bed-in-a-box mattresses include:

• The high-quality Simba Hybrid mattress, which features mini pocket springs and Simba Pure foam.
• The Nectar memory foam mattress with a lifetime guarantee.
• The classic Brook + Wilde Lux mattress.
• The award-winning Emma Premium mattress.

Understandably, if you're looking at budget mattresses, these may be a little out of your price range 💷

If you're looking for a good budget mattress brand, we'd recommend turning to Silentnight mattresses instead.

Many of the Silentnight mattresses are also very well priced, but a lot more comfortable than most IKEA mattresses.

As with all mattresses, pay attention to the quality of the individual mattress materials 👌

Always look for all-foam mattresses with high-density foams and spring mattresses with a high spring count.

Our favourite budget mattresses:

In addition to the standard adult mattresses, IKEA also offers a range of kids' and cot mattresses 🧒

The kid's range includes some extendable mattresses and the smaller sizes of the IKEA Malfors mattress and the IKEA Moshult mattress.

Cot mattresses

The IKEA cot mattresses are made from polyurethane foam.

Apart from the IKEA Pelleplutt, all of the cot mattresses have a removable and machine-washable polyester cover 🛀

The cot bed mattress range includes:

Cot mattresses are available in 60 x 120 cm and 70 x 120 cm sizes.

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Quality matters

While choosing a high-quality mattress is important at any age, it is even more important for babies and small children.

A good cot mattress supports growth and healthy bone development 🦴

This is why it makes sense to invest in the very best quality you can afford.

We'd recommend you consider one of the more premium cot mattresses below.

Our favourite UK cot mattresses:

Of course, IKEA is more than just a hub for mattresses.

They also have a huge selection of sleep accessories 🛌

IKEA sells everything you could need to enhance your bedroom and sleeping experience, including IKEA bed frames and slats, IKEA mattress toppers, IKEA sofa beds, bedroom furniture, lamps and reading lights, and even decorations like paintings, candles, and more.

You'll also find:

Other sleep accessories

IKEA is great because it's such a one-stop hub - but we love some of the premium products other bed-in-a-box brands offer.

Below, you'll find a snapshot of our favourites 👇

You can schlepp to your nearest IKEA store to buy an IKEA mattress - but you can also order online.

Like standard bed-in-a-box mattresses, IKEA mattresses are delivered rolled-up and vacuum-pressed.

But, unlike other mattress brands like Nectar and Simba, IKEA still charges for delivery 🚛

Delivery fees vary according to the size of the parcel ordered - and since mattresses are often quite large, you can expect to pay a bit more.

• Selected Day Delivery (£40): Your item will be delivered to the room of your choice within 4 - 30 days.
• Express Delivery (£50): Your item will be delivered to the room of your choice within 1 -3 days.

Once unpacked, your mattress will slowly expand to its original size.

IKEA recommends waiting 72 hours for full expansion ⏰

Your new mattress may smell a bit when first unpacked.

This is called off-gassing and it's completely normal.

We recommend unpacking your new mattress in a well-ventilated room 🏠

Ordering via Amazon

While we expect IKEA delivery costs to be cut at some point, we think ordering through Amazon is a much smarter idea.

Amazon has a huge range of IKEA products.

Numerous IKEA products even qualify for free delivery 🥳

Products are generally dispatched within 10 days of purchase.

Of course, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll also get faster delivery.

Some European IKEA imports are a little more expensive, so double-check on prices before you purchase.

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Even though IKEA offers a standard 365-day returns period, this only applies to products that can be returned in a new & unused condition, with the original packaging.

IKEA mattresses only come with a "90-day love it or exchange it" returns policy.

We're not fans of this.

Most of the mattress brands we recommend offer completely risk-free trial periods.

For example:

• Brook + Wilde offers a 100-day trial period.
• Simba offers a 200-day trial.
• Nectar even offers a revolutionary 365-day trial period!

These trial periods are great as they allow you to test the mattresses in the comfort of your own home.

If you're not satisfied, you return them, free of charge, and get a full refund 💷

IKEA return policy

If you're not happy with your IKEA mattress, you can return it - provided it is not dirty, marked, or damaged.

IKEA will offer you an exchange or a credit note.

So be prepared to spend the price of the mattress, even if you don't end up keeping it.

If you choose a more expensive mattress, you'll also have to pay the difference. If you choose a less expensive mattress, IKEA will give you a credit note on an IKEA refund card.

If you had your mattress delivered, the collection and delivery of the replacement mattress will be free of charge.

While we can appreciate the IKEA returns policy, we really do prefer mattress brands that offer completely risk-free trial periods, allowing you to test the mattress and get a full refund if you're not happy.

Our favourite mattress trial periods:

IKEA offers some of the cheapest mattresses on the market.

This low price point is great if you're on a budget, but we don't think these are best-buy options for permanent use.

We can recommend IKEA mattresses for:

• People on a budget
• Occasional use
• Guest bedrooms or holiday homes

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But if you're looking for a good quality mattress that will last you a long time, offer you the best spinal support, and keep you pain-free, then you should look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, even the best IKEA mattress in the UK can't compare to the more premium brands.

We can recommend a few great value-for-money options instead 👇

Best IKEA alternatives: