17 best memory foam mattresses for a better night's sleep
Nothing is more restorative than a good night’s sleep, which is why investing in one of the best memory foam mattress is essential. Memory foam mattresses, while a relatively new invention, have grown in popularity over the years, offering plenty of benefits – no matter your sleeping style, sleeping position and body shapes. Some will be all-foam mattresses, while other hybrid styles will have mixed fillings, created from foam bases and tops, with springs cushioned in the middle.
Investing in the right memory foam mattress may be a tricky road to navigate. However, several online retailers or ‘bed-in-a-box’ companies like Emma, Simba and Eve, offer generous trial periods, extended warranties and returns policies, with 100 night trials (or more) quickly becoming the standard in this space. Most of these sleep-first retailers also offer high quality bed frames that are designed to pair with their mattresses for maximum support.
Visiting a furniture shop, mattress retailer, or direct mattress brand in person is also highly recommended, so you can test mattresses out yourself and see how each one feels. Look for edge support, which helps support your body weight evenly, a soft top comfort layer that's usually removable and can be washed, a cooling cover if you're a hot sleeper, motion isolation technology so if your sleeping partner moves around a lot you're not disturbed, and of course, the price tag.
At the end of the day, what matters the most is to invest in the memory foam mattress that gives you the most comfort and has the least motion transfer. Still unsure? Don’t fret. Below, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best memory foam mattresses to help you achieve the perfect night’s sleep.
The best memory foam mattress to buy at a glance:
Don't have time to read our full guide? We've compiled our quick fire favourites here:
- Best memory foam mattress: Original Mattress, £499 from Emma Sleep.
- Best firm memory foam mattress: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, £600 from Nectar.
- Best memory foam mattress for back pain: Original Memory Foam Mattress, £389 from Eve Sleep.
- Best hybrid memory foam mattress: Simba Hybrid Luxe, £1,184.25 from Simba Sleep.
- Best luxury memory foam mattress: Original Mattress, £1,319 from Tempur.
Why buy a memory foam mattress?
Memory foam mattresses have many health benefits, which is why so many restless sleepers have decided to make the switch from spring to foam. Memory foam mattresses are known to suit many body types, relieve joint pain on pressure points, offer ergonomic support, and protect allergy sufferers from dust and mould. The best memory foam mattress to buy will always be whatever suits your specific sleep needs, regardless if you are a side, back or stomach sleeper, suffering from lower back pain, or in need of some temperature regulation.
Best memory foam mattresses to buy
Best memory foam mattress
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
- Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Trial period: 200 nights
- Mattress depth: 25cm
- Care: N/A
Why we love it: Priced at £499 (though it's frequently on sale), Emma’s Original Mattress certainly offers plenty of value for money. Made entirely from foam, it has three breathable foam layers and moisture-wicking materials, making it a perfect starter mattress for those looking to explore the world of memory foam.
Most high tech memory foam mattress
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: Foam hybrid
- Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 1 year
- Mattress depth: 31cm
- Care: After 3 months, turn it 180 degrees, then rotate it every 3-6 months
Why we love it: Coined as the Simba’s most luxurious ‘hybrid’ mattress to date, the Hybrid Luxe is undoubtedly a favourite amongst many discerning sleepers. It is made with double stacked titanium ‘Aerocoil’ springs at the top, high carbon spring layers at the base for pressure relief, with a breathable, temperature and moisture-regulating bamboo-in-wool layer.
Best memory foam mattress in a box
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: Memory foam
- Sizes available: Single, small double, double and king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 200 nights
Why we love it: With over 83,000 five-star reviews, the Simba Hybrid Essentials mattress undoubtedly takes the cake in the best ‘mattress-in-a-box’ category. It combines the brand’s Aerocoil micro springs and cooling Simbatex foam, but with a more accessible price point. It also comes with a risk-free 200-night trial.
Best investment memory foam mattress
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
- Sizes available: 10 sizes available, from single to super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 100 night
- Mattress depth: 3 sizes, from 21cm-30cm deep
- Care: No flip or turn, but the removable cover is machine washable
Why we love it: Tempur was one of the pioneers of memory foam and so tops our list for the best investment mattress. The original Tempur material was developed by NASA to help cushion pilots against the pressure of test flights. The Tempur Original Mattress responds to your body temperature, shape and weight and shifts as you move through the night. It is also washable at 60* and comes with a ten-year warranty, a true investment piece.
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
- Sizes available: Single, double and king
- Guarantee: 7 years
- Trial period: 60 nights
- Mattress depth: 15cm
- Care: No turn
Why we love it: The high-street department store makes some pretty good memory foam mattresses, which are not only incredibly affordable but very comfy. But don't just take our word for it, as it's what our guests comment most on too after they stay over. The store’s ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress is made with cushioning, high-density memory foam and medium firmness. At this price, you really can’t go wrong.
- Firmness level: Available in soft, medium, firm and extra firm
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 100 nights
- Mattress depth: 26cm
- Care: N/A
Why we love it: Brook + Wilde’s Lux Mattress is a deep and comforting memory foam mattress that offers zoned support to help with spinal alignment. Perfect for those with chronic back pain, this mattress is equipped with cooling memory foam and wave technology for pressure relief. This is available in soft, medium and firm – so there is something for all types of sleepers.
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: UK single, EU single, UK small double, UK double, EU double, UK king, EU king, UK super king and emperor
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Mattress depth: 27cm
- Care: The zip off bamboo mattress cover can be removed easily and cleaned in the washing machine or by hand.
Why we love it: Warm sleepers will love Panda's Hybrid Bamboo mattress, which lays claim to being the ‘world’s most advanced, breathable bamboo mattress'. It's medium-firm and features six layers of optimised airflow, orthopaedic grade support. It also focuses on perfecting pressure point comfort, but our favourite feature has got to be its multi-zoned springs which isolate movement and means you can sleep soundly even if the person next to you is tossing and turning.
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
- Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 1 year
- Sleep trial period: 100 nights
- Mattress depth: N/A
- Care: No flipping, just rotate regularly
Why we love it: Crafted in Yorkshire, Dusk’s Cool Gel Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung mattress is perfect for regulating body temperatures. The mattress comprises four layers, with cooling gel foam at the top as well as a layer of individually-wrapped heat tempered pocket springs in the middle
- Firmness level: Medium
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: Single, small double, king, super king
- Guarantee: Forever
- Sleep trial period: 365 nights
- Mattress depth: 25cm
- Care: Rotated as necessary, no specific instructions from the brand
Why we love it: Nectar’s Memory Foam Mattress features five layers and provides medium firmness, delivering plenty of comfort while also providing added support for back sleepers. It also comes with a year sleep trial and a very impressive ‘forever’ guarantee, so you really won’t lose sleep with this one.
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: Foam
- Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Trial period: 200 nights
- Mattress depth: 25cm
- Care: N/A
Why we love it: There’s plenty to love with Emma’s Premium Mattress which adds an extra touch of luxury to the well-loved original. The premium, which has six layers, combines actively-cooling, ultra-breathable memory foam with Emma’s patented flat foam, for a truly blissful night’s sleep.
- Firmness level: Soft
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: Small single, single, long single, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 40 nights
- Mattress depth: 25cm
- Care: N/A
Why we love it: Akin to sleeping on a cloud, the Temper Cloud Mattress is made with the same NASA-grade material, padded with a top layer of Tempur Extra Soft Material. Though don't think it's too soft to be properly supportive, as it's made up of an indulgent balance of softness and support, making this mattress ideal for those who like to luxuriate in bed during the weekends.
- Firmness level: Soft
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: Double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 1 year
- Mattress depth: 20cm
- Care: No need to flip or turn, but rotate it 180 degrees every now and then
Why we love it: Made with two comforting layers, the Eve Lighter Mattress is just the thing for foam first-timers. The top cover is also made with moisture-wicking material perfect for hotter summer days making it a top choice for hot sleepers. It's also one of the only 'soft' mattresses on the list, which although is good for any sort of sleeper, it's particularly good for those who snooze on their sides
- Firmness level: Medium firm
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: Single, small double, double (EU & UK), king (EU & UK), super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Sleep trial period: 100 nights
- Mattress depth: 25cm
- Care: Turned once a month for the first 6 months
Why we love it: Using super sustainable and fast-growing bamboo, as well as charcoal to absorb odours and keep it hypoallergenic, the Hybrid Bamboo and Charcoal mattress is a technical but eco-conscious mattress. With six layers, including heat regulating foam, 16cm pocket springs and high density foam, it has a lot to offer.
- Firmness level: Customisable
- Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
- Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king
- Guarantee: 18 years
- Trial period: 60 days
- Mattress depth: 20cm
- Care: N/A
Why we love it: This Fresh Deluxe Memory Foam mattress from Dormeo’s extensive range is another option that's particularly good for couples who have different specifications, as each side can be customised. The top layer unzips and you’re able to create a firmness suitable to you, which doesn’t affect your partner–phew!
- Firmness level: Medium
- Type of mattress: Luxury hybrid (pocket spring and foam)
- Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king
- Guarantee: 2 years
- Trial period: There isn’t one, so try in country-wide showrooms
- Mattress depth: 27cm
- Care: Flip once a month for the first 6 months, then every 3 months is recommended
Why we love it: And So To Bed’s Pure Luxe Hybrid boxed mattress is the first anti-microbial mattress in a box in the UK. This medium-firm mattress has two soft comfort layers, a flex support foam layer and a HEIQ Viroblock treatment on the mattress cover to keep the germs away – a germaphobe’s dream.
Silentnight Just Calm Premium Mattress, £649 from Silentnight
- Firmness level: Medium
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Trial period:100 nights
- Mattress depth: 24cm
- Care: Turn it once a week for the first 4/6 weeks, then about once a month after that
Why we love it: Another hybrid mattress, Silenight's 'Just Calm' Premium mattress is all about the support. It's made with an impressive seven layers, and includes a supportive foam border around the base and sides of the mattress. Where it really comes into its own is with the edge-to-edge zone support design, meaning you won't get that 'falling out' of bed feeling here.
There's limited motion transfer and the ReVo foam is designed to help reduce body heat making it a great option for anyone who wakes up hot during the night. Its soft outer layer isn't removable though, so do consider a mattress protector.
What are some of the benefits of a memory foam mattress?
Memory foam mattresses were designed to follow the contours of your body shape. They are pressure-relieving and isolate motion, so you’re less likely to feel your partner, kids or pets, tossing and turning at night. Those looking for a bit more support without the firmness of a spring mattress, can always go down the hybrid route, which combine springs with layers of memory foam – offering the best of both worlds.
There are three types of memory foam mattresses: traditional, open cell and gel-infused. Each type boasts its own distinctive benefits. Traditional memory foam follows the shape of your body, though has been known to retain body heat. This type is ideal for cold winter nights, but not for sleepers who have a tendency for overheating in the early hours of the morning. Open cell allows for better air flow, while gel-infused absorbs heat – both these mattress types are ideal for sleepers who need temperature regulation.
What is off-gassing? Is it safe?
Off-gassing is the term for the release of chemicals under normal temperature or pressure levels. The phenomenon can be experienced when you have recently painted a room, had a new piece of furniture delivered or, in this case, have unwrapped your new memory foam mattress.
Given the small amount and low concentration of the chemicals, most people are in agreement that there is very little risk. We advise that you unwrap your memory foam mattress in the morning and leave the windows open to help ventilate the room before sleeping.
What is the best memory foam mattress for side sleepers?
In general, memory foam mattresses are much better for side sleepers than traditional spring mattresses. This is because the foam relieves pressure on the hips and shoulders. Now all you need is one House & Garden's best duvets on top.
