Finding the best mattress without traipsing from store to store can be hard, but chances are, if you’re struggling to sleep right now, you’re going to need to bite the bullet and buy a new one. Yep: there are countless reasons why ditching your old mattress in favour of the right one could elevate the quality of your sleep tenfold (from relieving your joints of pressure to ensuring you wake up less, move about less and feel less disturbed by your partner). And since getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our physical and mental health, investing in one of the best mattresses 2024 has to offer is something you shouldn’t sleep on.
That said, shopping for a new mattress can be a bit daunting. A mattress is a big investment, and there’s lots to consider – from firmness levels to your sleeping style, preferred price tag and much, much more… Unfortunately, one size does not fit all. So, to help you out, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to test mattresses firsthand from some of the best online furniture stores in the UK. Each one that we have personally tested has been rigorously assessed through a minimum of 30 days of sleeping on it, with an aim to find a selection of the very best mattresses that are truly worth the investment. For those we haven’t tried ourselves, we’ve consulted sleep experts and sifted through hundreds of mattress reviews to get the lowdown.
Below, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to buying a new mattress by scouring through the best rated options available from sleep tech brands online. Each one can be conveniently delivered to your doorstep within days, offering a diverse range of choices to accommodate every budget and sleeping position. Whether you prefer memory foam, pocket-sprung, hybrid, or other varieties, these mattresses stand out as the optimal investments for achieving a superior night’s sleep. Here’s everything you need to know…
SKIP TO: Our picks | How we test |Replacing your mattress | Shopping for a mattress and brands to know| Mattress types | Which mattress is good – spring or foam? | Mattress firmness | How much to spend | Best mattresses for back pain | Which mattress is good for home? | What is the difference between a mattress and a pillow top? |
What is the best mattress to buy in 2024?
- Best mattress overall: Emma NextGen Premium Mattress, £342.30, Emma Sleep
- Best mattress runner up: Simba Hybrid® Pro Mattress, £899, Simba
- Best hybrid mattress: Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress, £775, Nectar Sleep
- Best luxury mattress: Simba Hybrid® Ultra Mattress, £1,999, Simba
- Best cooling mattress: Emma Luxe Cooling Mattress, £419.40, Emma
- Best pocket sprung mattress: Relyon Somerton, £999, Dreams
- Best bamboo mattress: Hybrid Bamboo Mattress, £950, Panda
- Best sustainable mattress: Pure Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Mattress, £479.99, OTTY
- Best affordable mattress: Silentnight Studio Eco Mattress, £195.04, Silentnight
- Best memory foam mattress: Tempur Sensation Elite, £1,329, Tempur
When testing the mattresses in this edit, our team assessed each one by spending a minimum of 30 days sleeping on them in their own homes. Adhering to our testing criteria, we assessed on firmness, comfort, support, motion isolation, cost, and sustainability credentials, in addition to considering factors such as delivery convenience and impact on sleep quality. We aimed to test as many mattresses in real-life settings as possible and are working our way through the remaining ones. For those we haven’t tested firsthand, we’ve consulted with both experts and customers alike. Below, you’ll discover comprehensive reviews accompanied by our tester’s insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each mattress so you can make an informed decision.
How often should you replace your mattress?
According to the Sleep Council, you should change your mattress once every seven years, when you start to notice that you sleep better in other beds or when you wake up with aches and pains. Particularly if it didn’t cost you very much. Luxury mattresses like those crafted by Simba or Brook and Wilde might last you longer – up to a decade. And you can help them last for longer with a mattress protector.
What are the best mattress companies in the UK and can you order a mattress online?
Yes! Sleep-tech companies like Emma, Simba, Nectar, and Brook and Wilde have made the process simple with their “mattress in a box” offerings, and according to the National Bed Federation, bed-in-a-box mattresses now make up around 25% (!) of the industry market share. Most bed in a box mattresses come with an 100 night trial, a ten-year warranty and can be delivered direct to your door. Elsewhere, brands like Silentnight, Sealy and Dormeo are offering buyers a whole host of equally high-quality non-rolled options, from pocket memory mattresses to ortho mattresses, so don’t overlook these not-in-a-box brands, either.
What type of mattress is best?
It’s all down to personal preference. We caught up with Angela Moran – the Product Strategy Director at Silentnight – to find out everything you need to know about different mattress styles. Unsurprisingly, she knows her stuff… and she had a few tips for how to choose the best mattress for you.
