Don’t trust buying a mattress online? We’ve done the review for you! (2025 update)
For your health, sanity and well-being, you need a great night's kip. On average, 1 in 15 people are not getting enough sleep.
There are plenty of things that can keep us sleepless at night, but it seems that 25% of people surveyed mentioned that "money" is the leading reason for sleeplessness. Let's be upfront about it: You need a comfy bed to sleep well, but also need money to buy a comfy mattress. It's a sucky problem that we plan to fix.
The second problem we plan to fix is that many of the most popular mattress brands across the UK are now online only. So you can't try before you buy. That is expensive,
So, before you invest in a mattress, we did the testing for you. Here is our look at the UKs most popular mattress brands.
EMMA
Emma is still one of the leading mattress brands in the UK. It is still regularly mentioned in articles promoting the best mattresses, but it never quite hits the top spot.
The company have over 50,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with quite a low rating of 2.9. After spending quite some time reading many of the reviews, it seems as though the customer service for Emma is what lets the company down. Whether that is actually the fault of the company, or just moany customers, you can work out for yourself by reading the reviews.
Why it's worth it
Emma remains one of the UK’s leading mattress brands, offering great value for money with prices between £200 and £700—much lower than many competitors. The mattress is soft yet dense, highly durable, and retains its shape even after three years of regular use. Despite being heavy, it feels solid and well-made, with long-lasting zips and quality fabric. Emma also offers a generous 200-night trial, giving peace of mind to new buyers. For those looking for a comfortable, supportive mattress on a budget, Emma holds up well over time—even for heavier individuals—making it a solid choice for long-term, affordable sleep comfort.
Why it's not worth it
While Emma mattresses are popular, the brand has a surprisingly low Trustpilot score of 2.9, largely due to poor customer service. Many reviewers report slow responses, unresolved issues, and difficulties arranging returns—though it’s unclear whether this reflects Emma’s processes or just unhappy customers. The mattress itself, while soft and durable, may be too plush for those who prefer firmer support. Its weight can also make moving or rotating difficult. And while the trial is appealing, some buyers have found the return process frustrating. Overall, Emma offers decent sleep quality, but the brand’s customer support and softer feel may not suit everyone.
Simba
It's interesting to see a brand that is listed as the "best" across multiple publications. From the Independent, Evening Standard and Which, Simba has been recorded as the best.
But, what does that mean?
We all know that doesn't always mean that they are the best, but maybe they have a huge marketing budget.
Simba, on the surface, is one of the more expensive mattress brands online, but they also run regular discounts and offer free items with purchases.
The range is larger than most other brands, but basic mattresses start from £499 all the way up to £2000. We went for the Pro, which is £799.
Why it's worth it
Simba offers a premium mattress experience, using luxury materials with a "high tech" design. We purchased the Hybrid Pro which is made from breathable wool, dual Aerocoil® spring layers, Simbatex® foam for airflow, and full edge support.
It's marketed as having cool-touch, washable cover (adds convenience), and the mattress becomes incredibly comfortable after a short break-in period. This is something we personally found ourselves.
The website is really super easy to use, and the post-purchase delivery - which is handled by AO (top marks) - was smooth and efficient. Though one of the pricier brands, Simba frequently runs discounts and we got a load of free items. Very handy.
Most reviewers, including myself, found the mattress to be one of the best they’ve ever slept on and reccommend the mattress with all confidence.
Why it's not worth it
Despite the fact we loved it, Simba has some drawbacks.
The initial feel of the mattress can be oddly spongy and may take time to adjust to. It was a shock to begin with, but once we were used to it, it was fine.
Customer service is something Simba need to improve on. While the guy who called was friendly and helpful, he wasn't very proactive. You can't call either and need to pre-book and appointment - there’s no direct helpline, and the live chat isn’t ideal.
Reading the reviews too, Simba may suffer from durability issues, including sagging or the mattress lacking structural support over time, though this wasn’t my experience.
The price point, ranging from £499 to £2,000, is also high compared to many competitors.
It's a great deal, but you need to be sure before buying with simaba.
IKEA
IKEAYou'd think that of all places, Ikea would at least deserve a mention within this article - and you're right.
If Ikea are good at one thing, it is something that does the job well at an affordable price. Not always the best, but for what you pay for it, great.
This mattress blends comfort and support with 5 targeted zones, pocket springs, and a plush foam layer. Breathable, edge-to-edge design prevents roll-off and motion transfer. Quilted stretch fabric adds softness. Roll-packed for easy transport and covered by a 10-year guarantee. Add a pillow and protector for best results.
It currently costs £279, which is very affordable for a mattress these days.
Why it's great
The Valevåg mattress stands out above the other IKEA mattresses. It’s lighter than most hybrid Mattresses and is easier to move - even up and down stairs - and expands to full size quickly.
With no memory foam to trap heat, it stays noticeably cooler, especially in warmer months. Which for me, as a big person, has been great. Its breathable design allows for excellent airflow, thanks to traditional springs that perform just as well as high-tech foams, but at a much lower cost.
After two months of use, I found the mattress to be supportive without feeling overly firm or rigid, like other IKEA mattresses.
Why it's not worth it.
Talking about price, compared to the other mattresses on this article, I can say that this one is as cheap as it is. The materials used, the feel of it, and the style are all designed for a budget user. While Simba is going for a premium quality, the IKEA brand is a mattress that does the job.
Otherwise, it's great.
Origin
The Origin hybrid has a plush 26cm profile and is a perfect blend of comfort and bounce.
It's topped with a breathable, bamboo-infused wool that wicks away moisture to help regulate body temperature - apparently up to 5° cooler, which is shown to improve sleep depth and quality (particularly for men).
The company claim a revolutionary HexaGrid foam offers 25% more pressure relief than memory foam, cradling your body in ultra-adaptive cushioning. Supported by over 3,000 twice-tempered steel springs provides long-lasting support, making this mattress both soft and strong.
You can really feel it when trying to pick the thing up!
Why it's great
The Origin Hybrid Pro is a pretty firm mattress, which is great if you prefer it that way. It topped all firmness tests and provided exceptional pushback.
I found that Origin was really comfy and kept us nice and cool, even on a really hot night like the night we tested it on.
The surface is maybe best described as being “silky". It's deeply cushioned, adding comfort without sacrificing firmness. Its construction is solid too, with it being dense and really sturdy. It means that you don't bounce around when your partner gets up in the middle of the night.
Why it's not worth it.
Despite its strengths, the Origin Hybrid Pro won’t suit everyone.
It's extra-firm, though perfect for some (like me), it is far too hard for others.
The mattress is also huge and extremely heavy, making it difficult to move or rotate. From top to base, the mattress is 31cm deep, it doesn’t fit standard fitted sheets, and the non-removable cover makes cleaning inconvenient to say the least.
While the cooling features are impressive, the overall experience may feel too rigid.
Otty - Original Hybrid
Priced at £499, and regularly voted the best mattress you can buy online, it is little wonder that Otty is one of the most popular brands. We found them on the Guardian website and thought we'd give them a go.
Why it's great
The Otty mattress offers a rare blend of firm support and cosy comfort that impressed from night one. It's one of the highest-rated mattress brands on Trustpilot.
It delivers excellent edge-to-edge ergonomics, with no sagging or dip over time, which is a common complaint for other brands, like Simba.
Its breathable surface stays cooler than most other hybrids, and sleep trackers recorded fewer nighttime disturbances. So there is data to back the claims that the Otty mattress can provide a great night's sleep
Plus a 100-day trial means that if it's not right for you, it goes back to the company.
Otty Hybrid is good for side sleepers - the mattress has stability without sacrificing softness, it’s firm but forgiving. I got a few dead arms, but that's an occupational hazard of a lazy bones.
Reviewers praised its balance of support and cushioning, placing it high on comfort, even when compared to more expensive models like the Simba Hybrid Pro.
Why it's not worth it.
Like other hybrids, the Otty mattress is firm. I felt like I was propped up on a bit of marble at first, but after a few weeks, the mattress started to break in, and I found my comfortable spot.
While I personally didn't mind, it took a little bit of getting used to.
Final thoughts
Each bed is great. There is no one better than the other, depending on the situation.
We found IKEA to be excellent value for money, while the top end with Simba offered an experience that was hard to beat. Otty is a much more affordable version of Simba, but it is much firmer.
Hopefully this article has been helpful, and please leave any comments to share your experiences with each mattress.
Iomhar Jones
Iomhar is a journalist and writer from the North of England, but lives north of the boarder. He's been writing about health and travel for more than 12 years. https://www.clippings.me/imoimo