Best Anti-Dust Mite Mattresses

Best Anti-Dust Mite Mattresses UK (2024)

Last updated: 31.10.2023 Reading time: 5 Min.

Choosing the right mattress for your needs is very important. And if you’re allergic to dust mites, then it’s doubly important to pay attention to the bedding you’re planning on purchasing.

Not sure if you're allergic? We look at all the symptoms of dust mite allergies below.

In this article, you’ll also learn more about why anti-dust mite mattresses are important and get our recommendations on the best high-quality anti-dust mite mattresses, all of which aim at reducing the presence of dust mites and bacteria in your bed.

Anti-dust mite mattress
Sleep Hero Favourite

Simba Hybrid Pro

The Simba Hybrid Pro is Simba's second-generation hybrid mattress.
  • Simbatex foam, pocket springs & wool 
  • Medium-firm
  • 28 cm (11 inches)

Tell me more about the Simba Hybrid Pro

The Simba Hybrid Pro is a second-generation hybrid mattress by the proudly British Simba Sleep.

The mattress features layers of moisture-wicking natural wool, Simbatex foam, Aerocoil pocket springs, and a SupportCore sprung base.  

The combination of materials provides superior edge-to-edge support and luxurious comfort.

The top layer of natural wool and the thick knitted top cover allow for enhanced temperature regulation and also provide a soft & comfy sleeping surface. 

Simba Sleep offers a 200-night sleep trial and free delivery & returns. 

Reasons to buy

Hotel-quality luxury

200-night trial 

10-year guarantee

Reasons to avoid

Quite expensive

The cover is not machine-washable 

Best Guarantee

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The Nectar is a luxurious memory foam mattress suitable for most people and sleeping positions.
  • Memory foam & cold foam 
  • 25 cm (10 inches)
  • 365-day trial period
  • Made in the UK

Tell me more about the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

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. 

The Nectar mattress features a breathable, cooling cover, but it isn't 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". 

Reasons to buy

Lifetime warranty

Exceptional comfort for average-weight & lighter sleepers

Free 3-day shipping 

Reasons to avoid

The cover is not washable 

May be too warm for hot sleepers 

Firmer Feel

Emma Original Plus

The Emma Original is an award-winning memory foam mattress.
  • Memory foam & HRX cold foam
  • 25 cm (9.8 inches)
  • Medium-firm 

Tell me more about the Emma Original

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.

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

The Emma Original has a medium-firm feel, ideal for back sleepers. 

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

Reasons to buy

200-night trial period 

10-year guarantee

Machine-washable cover

Reasons to avoid

Too warm for some sleepers

+ EXTRA 5% OFF EMMA SLEEP
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20% OFF EMMA ORIGINAL PLUS MATTRESS

Luxury Option

Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress

The Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress is a softer mattress with three foam layers.
  • Three layers of foam & a memory foam layer
  • 24 cm (9.4 inches)
  • Soft-medium firm

Tell me more about the Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress

Our Sleep Hero tester slept on the Hypnia Supreme Memory mattress for seven nights and found it only comfortable when she slept on her front or back, despite usually being a side sleeper. 

This is unusual as softer mattresses are typically recommended for side sleepers so the hips and shoulders sink, keeping the spine aligned. 

The foam layers create a softer mattress that provides a 'floating' feeling

This floating feeling makes moving around on the mattress easier than sinking into it like a traditional memory foam mattress.

It was quite warm to sleep on, which is common for foam mattresses as they are less breathable than pocket-sprung mattresses. 

Fortunately, the mattress cover is removable and machine washable at 30 degrees Celcius. 

Reasons to buy

200-night trial 

15-year guarantee 

Great motion isolation

Reasons to avoid

Feels quite warm to sleep on

The cover is difficult to remove 

+ EXTRA 5% OFF HYPNIA
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65% OFF HYPNIA SUPREME MEMORY MATTRESS

Mattresses and dust mites

About 59% of all people report having indoor allergies. While there may be numerous reasons for this, bacteria and dust mites play a big role.

Take a look at our article on how to get rid of dust mites.

The bedroom is certainly a prime location for these allergies to manifest.

Dust mites feed on human sweat and dead skin. Because of this, you’ll easily find them living quite happily in mattresses. The older the mattress, the more likely you are to find dust mites - they’ve had years to inhabit the mattress and multiply!

Turns out that these little critters really like the warmth and humidity a mattress can offer. The more warmth and humidity they have, the quicker they multiply.

Cleaning your mattress

Considering that bacteria and mites can live quite happily in your mattress, it’s vitally important that you clean it regularly. Regular cleaning of your mattress and mattress accessories (including your pillows) helps prevent the build-up of mites and bacteria.

It’s important to choose a mattress and accessories with a washable cover, which makes cleaning easier. Don’t forget to clean your mattress topper too, if you use one. You can always clean it by hand with a little detergent, a damp cloth, and water but most mattress toppers are also machine-washable. Many can also be tumble-dried but always read the instructions for your topper.

There are also very simple ways to clean a foam mattress. You can even purchase anti-mite treatments to help. But these are often chemical products and the long-term use thereof is not recommended. Sometimes, they’re also rather ineffective.

It is much easier to simply choose an anti-dust mite mattress and prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.

Why choose an anti-dust mite mattress?

If you’re allergic to dust mites, then you can easily succumb to severe allergies, which greatly affects the quality of your sleep - and the quality of your life!

While cleaning a mattress is certainly important to help get rid of dust mites and bacteria, an anti-dust mite mattress helps prevent the build-up of mites and bacteria in the first place.

Symptoms of dust mite allergies

Not sure if you have a dust mite allergy? There are actually a myriad of possible symptoms. Some of these include:

  • Stuffy nose
  • Runny nose
  • Red eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy skin
  • Eczema
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Headaches
  • Tiredness
  • Itchy eyes

As you can imagine, suffering from any of these for a prolonged period of time can severely affect not only the quality of your sleep but also the quality of your life. That’s why it’s important to pay special attention to the hygiene of your mattress and bedding and choose an appropriate anti-dust mite mattress.

What type of anti-dust mite mattress should I select?

There are a variety of anti-dust mite mattresses available. A mattress can be termed an anti-dust mite mattress depending on its composition and materials used, which has a great effect on how happily mites and bacteria can survive in a mattress.

Here are our tips for choosing a good anti-dust mite mattress.

Choose viscoelastic and cold foam

Firstly, we would advise that you choose a cold foam mattress. These are very breathable and perfectly regulate the sleeping climate. Cold foam mattresses do not retain heat and humidity for long. Dust mites prefer mattresses that do not regulate heat and humidity well as they like to live in warm, humid places.

The good thing about foam mattresses is that they’re also very comfortable and generally suitable for all sleeping positions, regardless of whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach.

If you choose a cold foam mattress, we would advise that you also opt for an anti-dust mite mattress cover. The cover will further protect both you and your mattress and improve the quality of your sleep.

Another good choice would be a viscoelastic mattress - but, this depends on the other components of the mattress. Viscose foam generally only forms one layer of the mattress. We would recommend that you choose a mattress that combines viscoelastic foam with cold foam.

Avoid spring mattresses

We would not recommend choosing a spring mattress. The springs themselves tend to occupy very little space in the mattress, which provides plenty of room for dust mites to thrive. They can use the space to multiply faster and more easily.

If you currently have a spring mattress but aren’t suffering from allergies, then we would still recommend that you purchase an anti-dust mite cover. This will help prevent any allergies from springing up further down the line.

Latex mattresses are also great

If you’re not allergic to latex, then a latex mattress is also a good alternative. Latex is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. As a result, mites will have greater difficulty surviving and thriving in latex mattresses.

If you are allergic to latex, then this doesn’t necessarily mean that a latex mattress is a no-go. Simply choose a latex mattress that’s surrounded by a layer of natural fibres and organic cotton. Your skin will be protected and you’ll never actually come into contact with the latex but you’ll still be able to experience the benefits of the latex mattress.

Use an anti-dust mite cover

Using an anti-dust mite mattress cover is also a solution. It adds an extra layer between you and the mattress. While it’s a practical solution to help with the actual allergies, it doesn’t get rid of the real problem.

Anti-dust mite accessories

While you certainly want an anti-dust mite mattress, it’s also important to pay attention to your bedding and sleep accessories. Your bedding, toppers, and pillows should all help to protect you from dust mites and bacteria as well.

We can highly recommend the Emma memory pillow [1], which is fully thermoregulated (it regulates humidity and temperature well) and is thus great against dust mites. The pillow contains 3 complementary layers of foam to provide optimal support, distribute pressure, and reduce neck pain.

Emma original memory foam inside pillow

Emma original memory foam pillow

Conclusion

If you struggle with allergies, then choosing a hypoallergenic anti-dust mite mattress is generally a good idea. Don’t forget to also clean your mattress regularly.

Frequently asked questions

Nicky

Nicky Peters

Editor & Certified Sleep Therapist

Nicky is an experienced writer and editor with BA, BA(Hons), and MA qualifications. As a certified sleep coach, her interests lie in understanding how sleep problems arise from hormonal and environmental issues, particularly as part of stress and anxiety management.

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