5 Best Futon Mattress Picks in The UK

Written By Connie Hack

Sleep Advisor

How We Test

Our testing process

27 November 2023 5 min read

A traditional futon mattress resembles a floor mattress, which is usually thicker and less flexible compared to futon. On the other hand, futon mattress is thicker than a mattress topper. Whether you need to sleep on it every night or for a guest room, it can turn out to be the best solution.

The word “futon” comes from the Japanese and means “a mat that can be used as a mattress.” The reputation of this type of mattress is not very good. Most find them uncomfortable. If that was once the case, it is not anymore.

Today on the UK sleep market you can find very comfortable Japanese style futon mattress. What is even more important, this kind of mattress will help you overcome limited space. It is a great space-saving solution, thanks to which you can rent a smaller apartment and pay less for it.
If your guests often stay for the night, whether you have a separate guest room or not, you should take advantage of a futon mattress. Find out more in the in-depth guide by The Sleep Advisors.

Our top picks

Frankly speaking, futon mattress testing was more demanding compared to testing regular mattresses. The offer is incomparably smaller, and there were also some other snags. Now we are going to present to you some of the finest products on the market today.

Mattresses 1

FULI Japanese Floor Mattress

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Best Overall

Mattresses 2

Dreamland Jasmine Mattress

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Best Value

Mattresses 3

Inofia 10cm Folding Mattress

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Upgrade Pick

Mattresses 4

Milliard 6-Inch Trifolding Mattress

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Best Trifolding Mattress

Mattresses 5

Badenia Bettcomfort Invitated Mattress

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Best With Removable Cover

Best Overall: FULI Japanese Floor Mattress

Made in Japan, this original futon mattress deserves the best overall title.

Best Overall

FULI Japanese Floor Mattress is a high-quality futon. It has a total of 3 layers even though it is relatively thin mattress. The first layer is 100% cotton, and it is the layer on which you lie. Cotton is soft, wicks moisture away, and is quite durable. The next layer is polyester, which is there to provide you with softness. And finally, the core is made of polyurethane for good support and pressure relief.

So when you buy this futon you don't have to decide between polyester and foam, you get both. Since it is easily rollable, it will only take you a few seconds every night to prepare it for sleeping, and then to store it in the morning. Practically the only downside is the maintenance because it is not machine washable or tumble dryer friendly, but you need a futon dryer.

Buy From £272

KEY FEATURES:

• Type: Foldable
• Size: Single, Single Long, Double, Queen, King
• Firmness (1-10): 4
• Depth: 5 cm

• Material: 100% Polyester and Polyurethane
• Removable cover: No
• Hypoallergenic: Yes
• Anti-slip bottom: No

Advantages

Soft cotton cover

100% safe for people with allergies.

Great pressure rellief

Great pressure relieving properties.

Affordable

Fantastic ratio of price & quality.

Disadvantages

Not machine washable

Not too warm for the winter.

Best Value: Dreamland Jasmine Mattress

Dreamland Jasmine mattress is great addition to your guest room.

Best Value

Most likely this mattress would not be suitable for everyday sleeping, especially for heavyweight sleepers. But for lightweight sleepers and guest rooms it is perfect. It is best budget futon mattress. Dreamland mattress is very comfortable, especially for those who like a softer sleep surface. Support is satisfactory, particularly considering other features. Breathability is good, even hot sleepers find it cooling enough.

It is made in the UK, it is double-sided and comes with a 1-year warranty, so although the durability is somewhat questionable, it should last long enough to justify the money spent. The manufacturer plants a tree with every order, to offset CO2 footprint which is huge sustainability plus for this product.

Shop Now £456

KEY FEATURES:

• Size: Small Single, Single, Small Double, Double, King
• Firmness: 5/10
• Depth: 18 cm

• Warranty: 1 year
• Trial: N/A

Advantages

Double sided

Just turn it and use the other side as well.

Affordable

Great price-quality ratio.

Made in the UK

The domestic production & high-quality manufacturing.

Disadvantages

Durability issues

There might be some durability issues.

Upgrade Pick: Inofia 10cm Folding Mattress

High-quality tri-fold mattress by Inofia.

Upgrade Pick

Inofia is a well-known British mattress manufacturer. They are mostly focused on memory foam and hybrid mattresses, but they also have two folding mattresses in their offer. When we tested it, we were surprised how comfortable it is for a mattress of this type. High-density foam forms a 6 cm thick support layer, while the comfort layer is 4 cm thick and is made of softer foam.

Bamboo cover is breathable and temperature regulating. It is removable and machine washable for easy maintenance. The non-slip bottom guarantees that it will be stable when you sleep on the floor. Kudos to Inofia for giving 5-year warranty and 100-night. Both are above industry standard for futons and foldable mattresses.

Shop Now £800

Advantages

Removable cover

The removable bamboo cover makes the maintenance easy.

5-year warranty

You get 5-year warranty & 100 nights trial.

Good pressure relief

It offers a decent pressure around the core areas.

Disadvantages

Possible off gassing

Do epect some initial off gassing.

Best Trifolding Mattress: Milliard 6-Inch Trifolding Mattress

Ideal for all those who want a “home-like” comfort when sleeping in a mobile home or tent.

Best Trifolding Mattress

This tri-fold mattress is highly supportive. Foam is firmer, but overall it is medium firm mattress. It is certainly great for tents and similar places, but it is also a great option for a guest room, and even for a bedroom if you have very little space. College students often use it in dorm rooms. Breathability is excellent for a memory foam product.

Of course, the breathability of memory foam can never be perfect, but even the hot sleepers from our test team were satisfied. Off-gassing will disappear quickly, and the foam is CertiPUR-US certified. It would be good if the warranty is included in the price, but you have to pay an additional fee for it.

Shop Now £153

Advantages

Breathable

For a memory foam, this one is highly breathable.

Fantastic support

You will get enough support for all your core areas.

Disadvantages

Warranty not included

You have to buy warranty separately.

Possible off gassing

An initial off gassing is present.

BEST WITH REMOVABLE COVER: Badenia Bettcomfort Invitated Mattress

If you need this type of mattress but you don't want to break the bank, go with Badenia Bettcomfort Invited.

Best With Removable Cover

If you rarely need a futon or folding mattress, so you don't want to spend a lot of money, but want something ultra-affordable yet comfortable, our recommendation is the Badenia Bettcomfort Invited Mattress. This all-foam mattress is comfortable, supportive, and pressure relieving.

Of course, it is not intended for prolonged use or it will lose all these features quickly. Use it for a camping trip or a similar situation. Then remove the cover and wash it in the washing machine at 40 degrees C. After returning the cover on the mattress, it will be ready for the next trip.

Shop Now £42.50

Advantages

Removable cover

The cover is removable & machine washable.

Lightweight

Super lightweight & easy to carry.

Affordable

You pay a bargain for such quality product.

Disadvantages

No warranty

There is no warranty for this one.

The most common types of futon mattress

Foam and polyester are by far the two most common types of futon mattresses. Unlike regular mattresses, futon ones are rarely available as innerspring or hybrid versions. Several innerspring futon mattresses and hybrid models are very expensive and value for money is not very good.

Foam

Memory foam has been the most popular material in the sleep industry since the early 90s. It is completely understandable when we know all its features. You will find different types of foam when looking for the perfect futon mattress. You can buy a high-density one that is firmer and more durable, as well as softer memory foam, better for pressure relief. Bi-fold and tri-fold models are mostly available. Neither is superior, but the choice depends on your needs and preferences. Futon foam mattresses should last at least 5 years, possibly longer.

Polyester

Polyester futon mattress is traditional Japanese style of bedding, unlike foam one which is more western-style futon. The polyester mattress is soft and plush, so it is very comfortable. It is also more affordable, making it an excellent choice for a guest room. However, if you plan to sleep on it constantly, then it is advisable to consider buying a foam mattress because polyester futon is not that durable and tends to flatten in a short period of time.

What to consider when buying futon mattress

Apart from the material, the following are features that you should also consider when buying a futon mattress.

Size

Size is one of the basic characteristics that must be taken into consideration. Most futon mattresses are not available in as many different sizes as regular mattresses. If you are going to put a futon on the frame then you need to buy a matching size. You don't have to buy futon frame, just about any frame is fine or even sofa bed. Otherwise, if you plan to use it on the floor, the size does not play such an important role.

Comfort

Good night's sleep is essential for every person. You cannot be rested, full of energy, and healthy if you sleep only a few hours, wake up often, or fall asleep only around 2 AM.And to be able to achieve a restful sleep, it is necessary to be comfortable. The mattress and pillow are responsible for both comfort and a poor night's sleep.

What you should keep in mind is that comfort is individual. Different sleep positions need different firmness, support, and pressure relief. So if you are buying a futon mattress for yourself, pay attention to all these features. If you are buying for guests, then it is impossible to fit every guest, but it is not so important because they will sleep there for a night or two.

Thickness

The average thickness of a futon mattress is between 8 and 20 centimeters. As we already said in the introduction, the thickness is somewhere between a topper and a regular mattress. Of course, there are exceptions.

Thicker futon mattresses are usually more comfortable, but for example, a 10 cm foam one can be more comfortable than a 15 cm polyester one. That's why it's best if you can try it before you decide if you want to keep it.

Those who have a higher BMI should pay special attention to thickness because a thin futon mattress cannot be suitable for a heavyweight sleeper.

Frame

The frame has a big impact even on a performance of 30 cm thick hybrid mattress, and in the case of a thinner futon mattress frame is of utmost importance. When you find frames of suitable size, then check other characteristics.

Frames made of solid wood are durable and stable, so if you intend to use the mattress for years, then we advise you to buy such a frame. On the other hand, you don't have to spend a significant amount of money for a guest room, rather you can buy a frame made of softwood or plywood.

Tips for buying and using futon mattress

Let’s recap the main tips for buying a futon mattress. This includes the choice of material, thickness, and other features that should be complementary to both your preferences and purpose.

We have a few additional tips regarding the use of the traditional Japanese futon mattress now popular worldwide. Be careful how you roll it and then where you put it. If you put it somewhere where there is no ventilation and where dump is present, you risk completely ruining it. Dust mites and other allergens, as well as bed bugs, can also occur.

• Choose a model according to purpose and thickness, and not only if it is the right size for the frame.
• Check if it comes with warranty and trial period, those two are very important when buying a mattress.
• Avoid rolling it tightly because that way you can damage it and significantly reduce its service life.

The advantages of owning futon mattress

Rent in big cities is high as ever. That's why every square meter is of great importance. People are constantly trying to save space in different ways, and a futon mattress is certainly helpful. That is not the only advantage of owning one.

Even if you have a large house with a guest room, there is no need to block it with bulky furniture and a mattress that you cannot move. Use a futon mattress to both provide your guests with a comfortable sleepover and to make a multifunctional space.

• Futon mattress is one of the best space-saving solutions.
• Best futon mattresses can provide a very comfortable sleeping surface for the guests.
• AIt can be rolled up and stored so that it does not take up space when not in use.

About the author

Connie Hack

As someone who is a combination sleeper, I have found it difficult to get products to suit my sleep style. So, I am always on the lookout for new products to try and have tested my fair share of sleep essentials to make sure you can have the best night’s sleep.