Viscoelastic polyurethane foam, known among customers as memory foam, is a material that was originally made by NASA for astronauts, and later has become the most popular material for mattresses and pillows in the world.
For decades, memory foam is a material that many choose which is not surprising, when we know that NASA created this material to make space travel more comfortable for astronauts. Then memory foam can definitely improve night's sleep as well.
Numerous variations of this material have been created with the aim to improve bounce, breathability and other features, buy main and best features remained the same.
Memory foam has many benefits and therefore it is not surprising that most customers, if they do not choose a 100% memory foam mattress, choose hybrid mattresses that usually have at least one memory foam layer.
Our experience in the sleep industry gained by testing hundreds of different sleep products has helped us single out 7 of the best memory foam mattresses on the UK market.
Our top UK memory foam mattresses
Now we come to the most important part, and that is our top memory foam mattress UK picks in 2021. You can be sure that we did not choose these models lightly, but that we subjected them to a series of tests and that we have confidence in the quality and safety of following mattress brands.
Due to the perfect balance of all features, the Emma Original mattress is our best overall pick!
Best Overall
On a firmness scale of 1 to 10, the Emma mattress is around 6, which means it is very supportive and also comfortable. This is exactly what we liked most about this mattress. It does not sink too much, yet it is so comfortable and pressure relieving. Side sleepers will wake up without pain in hips and shoulders.
Back sleepers will achieve spinal alignment, and we think lighter stomach sleepers can use it as well since it is firmer mattress. Thanks to Airgocell and UltraDry cover, even hot sleepers won't wake up sweaty. The 200-night trial allows your body to fully adapt to the mattress and then you can decide whether to keep it or not. The product is very durable, and 10-year warranty guarantees you a piece of mind.
Size: UK Single, UK Small double, UK Double, UK King size, Super King
Firmness: 6/10
Thickness: 25 cm
Warranty: 10 years
Trial: 200 nights
Advantages
Motion isolation
Fantastic motion isolation that's a must-have for couples.
Removable cover
Removable cover that you can wash separately.
Trial & warranty
A decent trial and warranty length when compared to similar mattresses.
Disadvantages
Can be too soft for some people
Too soft for heavier people.
Off gassing
Off-gassing is present due to the foam.
A bit heavy
The mattress is a bit heavier and more difficult to move.
Best for Back Pain: Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress
Many people love memory foam mattresses because of the pressure relief they provide. But even more people would love them if they tried the Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress!
Best for Back Pain
Even though the Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress is an all-foam mattress, it's surprisingly bouncy! And this means that it regains its shape rather quickly, which is ideal for people who toss and turn a lot at night.
Plus, the mattress has excellent support, with a thick, sturdy support base and zoned memory foam. This is what makes the mattress so good at dealing with back pain, along with other joint aches.
And the memory foam is also cooling. By using open cell foam and infusing it with graphite, Hypnia has ensured that even hot sleepers can stay comfortable all night long.
Not to mention that the cover is also breathable and even wicks away any excess moisture for good measure.
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Firmness: 5.5/10
Thickness: 25cm
Warranty: 15 years
Trial: 200 nights
Advantages
Cooling
The mattress uses open cell foam infused with graphite for extra cooling.
Back support
The zoned base helps keep your spine supported and healthy.
Great for side sleepers
The mattress is on the softer side and ideal for side sleepers.
Disadvantages
Too soft for some
Heavier back or stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress.
Not the best edge support
The edges of the mattress can get a bit droopy.
Upgrade Pick: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
If you want a high quality memory foam mattress that's going to stay by your side for over a decade, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress is for you!
Upgrade Pick
Since you're reading this buyer's guide, you probably agree that buying a new memory foam mattress can be quite difficult. So, Nectar did the impossible and promised a forever mattress that you won't have to ever swap out!
That's because Nectar offers a lifetime guarantee for this mattress. In other words, as long as you read the conditions carefully, this might be the last memory foam mattress you ever buy. And considering the build quality, this is terrific news!
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress provides support and pressure relief like few mattresses do, thanks to the 7-zone support base and pressure relieving memory foam. The quilted polyester cover is cooling, so you shouldn’t be too hot when you sleep on it either.
And above all, it's just a very comfortable mattress that can help you get some much-needed sleep!
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Firmness: 6.5/10
Thickness: 25 cm
Warranty: Forever
Trial: 365 nights
Advantages
Warranty
You get a lifetime warranty.
Temperature regulating cover
This helps keep even hot sleepers comfortable.
Good support
The zoned support does wonders for your joints and back.
Disadvantages
Off gassing
Off gassing is present due to the foam.
Best for Couples: Tempur Original Mattress
Memory foam mattresses are generally a good choice for couples due to their low motion transfer. However, if you want to ensure that both your and your partner can get a proper night's rest, the Tempur Original Mattress is the way to go!
Best for Couples
When it comes to the Tempur Original Mattress, it isn't too flashy at first glance. It consists of three distinct layers and doesn't do anything too crazy, like infusing the foam with bamboo or charcoal.
However, the materials they do use are all top quality! For one, our tests have shown that the Tempur Original Mattress has among the lowest motion transfer rates we have seen. As you can imagine, for light sleepers that have a restless partner, this is a game changer.
On top of that, the foam moulds to your body a bit more quickly than with cheaper mattresses. This is a big plus for combination sleepers and ensures you're getting the pressure relief you need.
And on top, you get a very soft, easy-to-wash cover that makes keeping the mattress fresh a breeze. So, while this mattress doesn't have some of the “wow” factor, it makes up for it by using top-of-the-line materials!
The foam quickly and effectively moulds to your body.
High quality materials
The mattress utilises top-of-the-line foam.
Disadvantages
Expensive
Among the more expensive models we've featured.
Best for Restless Sleepers: Simbatex Foam Mattress
The perfect mattress for all those restless sleepers who toss and turn all night long.
Best for Restless Sleepers
Simba is primarily known for its premium hybrid mattresses, but their all-foam product line is equally as good. And if you're a resltless, sleeper, it might even be better than the higher-end models!
We certainly have to start with temperature regulation, which is otherwise not a common feature of memory foam mattresses and pillows. However Simba made strides in this field by using an improved open cell structure. This enables up to 30 times better breathability compared to traditional memory foam.
Underneath the cooling layer, response foam and a high-density foam provide support, stability, and edge support as well. Plus, these denser foams help the mattress adapt to your movements more quickly! This mattress is also great for couples because it does not transfer motion at all, so you won't have to worry about whether your partner is a restless sleeper or not.
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Firmness: 5/10
Thickness: 25 cm
Advantages
Hypoallergenic
Safe for people with allergies.
Warranty
The warranty, and especially the trial, are above industry standard for this price point.
Firm & supportive
The mattress is surprisingly firm and supportive without sacrificing comfort.
Disadvantages
Off-gassing
Like most foam mattresses, some off-gassing will be present.
Not ideal for stomach sleepers
Stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress or a firm topper.
Best Value: Eve Original Mattress
A high-quality memory foam mattress doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. And the Eve Original Mattress is proof of that!
Best Value
Eve's Original Mattress is our go-to value pick when it comes to memory foam mattresses. And that's because its simple design stops the price from being too bloated while still delivering top-notch results!
Firstly, you get a very nice, soft cover that you can unzip and machine wash to keep things fresh. Plus, the cover has some moisture-wicking capabilities, which is a big plus for hot sleepers.
Underneath the cover is the support layer. By having the support layer come before the memory foam, the mattress ensures a medium firmness rating, which will suit most people. And while further down, the memory foam layer will still offer plenty of pressure relief and help you sleep like a baby.
Lastly, while not a selling point for everyone, this mattress does seem specifically capable of allowing athletes to rest, with British Rowing proudly endorcing this mattress.
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Firmness: 6/10
Thickness: 24 cm
Warranty: 10 years
Trial: 365 nights
Advantages
Good value
The mattress is relatively cheap and offers paying instalments.
Good coverage
You get a decent warranty and a very long trial, especially for this price point.
Disadvantages
Off-gassing
Some off-gassing is unavoidable.
Not for everyone
Some people might not like the bright yellow design.
Best Pocket Springs: Silentnight Miracoil Memory Mattress
We know it might seem strange to feature a spring model on a best memory foam mattress list but hear us out!
Best Pocket Springs
So, why did we decide to feature the Silentnight Miracoil Memory Mattress on our list? Well, for one, everything you loved about memory foam mattresses is still here!
Both the sleeping surface and the memory foam layer underneath offer that hugging sensation that people look for in memory foam mattresses. And the Miracoil spring system was designed to prevent motion transfer, so, you don't have to worry about that either!
But the addition of springs does fix one issue that some people will have when buying a memory foam mattress – the firmness. While the top layers are incredibly soft, the mattress as a whole is rated as firm.
This means that stomach and back sleepers, as well as people of a larger build, can finally enjoy memory foam without sacrificing their health. After all, aside from smaller individuals and side sleepers, firm mattresses are more than welcomed!
Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Firmness: 8.5/10
Thickness: 24 cm
Warranty: 5 years
Trial: 60 nights
Advantages
Great for heavier sleepers
Heavier sleepers need a firmer mattress to stay ache-free.
Good value
The mattress is on the cheaper side and well-made.
No motion transfer
The spring system doesn't lead to motion transfer.
Disadvantages
Not for everyone
Side sleepers will need a softer mattress.
Non-removable cover
The mattress has to be spot cleaned by hand.
Before you buy a memory foam mattress
Benefits of memory foam mattress far outweigh downsides, but there are certainly people to whom memory foam mattress will not suit. Since there are foam mattresses of different firmness, we can't say that this is the type of mattress is unsuitable for all stomach sleepers, but in general memory foam mattresses are softer than what people who sleep on their stomachs need. Stomach sleepers, especially those with higher BMI, sink too much into memory foam mattress.
Also, hot sleepers can have problems. Until 10 or 15 years ago, memory foam mattresses were not recommended to hot sleepers because they retain body heat. Today there is open-cell foam, gel and similar things that make memory foam mattresses comfortable for hot sleepers as well, but certainly hot sleepers should think twice before buying one.
When buying a memory foam mattress, it has to be…
If for some reason you do not want to buy any of the 7 memory foam mattresses that we have singled out for you, we will tell you what you should pay attention to when buying one such mattress.
Cooling during the summer time
This is especially important if you are hot sleepers, but even if you are not, you definitely don’t want to sweat during the night like you’re in a sauna. Low breathability and heat retention are the biggest problems of basic memory foam. In addition, memory foam tends to hug you, making you feel even warmer and this is unbearable during summer days.
However, thanks to covers, gel-infused foam, open-cell structure and some other improvements, we have come to the point that you can find memory foam mattresses that are not too hot even for summer days. However, there is one problem – durability and breathability are somewhat opposed. High-density foams means durability, but also zero to none breathability.
Appropriate for your sleep position
Your sleep position should be the primary thing to consider when buying a mattress and pillow. There are products that are suitable for all sleep positions, but most sleep products are more suitable for 2 out of 3 sleep positions. Such is the case with most of the foam mattresses. Memory foam mattresses are recommended for side and back sleepers.
They are especially good for side sleepers, which we will talk about later, but back sleepers are also satisfied in 99% of cases. Stomach sleepers are the ones who often find foam mattresses insufficiently firm. And that leads to them sinking and having neck pain. However, there are firm foam mattresses that can be used stomach sleepers.
Available for testing
Ideally, you can try every product you buy within a given time frame and decide if it suits you or you want to return it. But when it comes to a mattress, then it is not something that is desirable, but something that is necessary. It has been proven that the body needs 3 to 4 weeks, and sometimes more, to fully get used to the mattress.
This means that even if you bought a mattress that has all the features you need, there is a possibility that it will not be suitable for you at first. This does not mean that it will not become comfortable after a while, but that you just need to get used to it. That is why our advice is to always ask for at least a month of trial period, and even better if it is 100 or 200 days.
Via out handy-dandy tool, we can see that there is a significant price difference between the three. We can also see that the Emma Original and the Hypnia Supreme focus on breathability more than the Nectar Memory Faom mattress. However, the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is leagues above the other two in terms of the sleep trial and especially the warranty.
But in terms of firmness, for example, these three mattresses are more-or-less on equal footing, with all three being around medium-firm. So, in this case, you'd first decide on whether you value breathability over coverage. And then you'd decide whether you're willing to pay extra for better performance.
The advantages of owning memory foam mattress
By now you have probably been able to conclude most of the benefits of memory foam mattresses, but in this section of our review we will say more about each of the advantages separately. You can find out which sleeping position they are ideal for, as well as more about durability, pressure relief and motion insulation in the next four paragraphs.
Fantastic pressure relief
If you have ever used a memory foam pillow or mattress, you probably know that perfect feeling of pressure relief after just a few seconds after lying on the mattress or pillow. Whether you suffer from pain in any part of the body or not, everyone will benefit from pressure relief during sleep.
Especially someone who spends the whole day sitting, exposing the body, and above all the pelvis, to the constant pressure. When time for bed comes, he or she will need pressure relief and therefore will greatly benefit from using a memory foam mattress.
Amazing motion isolation
We have already mentioned how much tossing and turning is annoying for the person you are sleeping with. It can even cause insomnia in another person if he or she is a light sleeper. Light sleepers wake up to the slightest outside sensation such as movement, light and sound. Tossing and turning causes both motions and sounds, if you use an open coil mattress or pocket sprung mattress although less compared to open coil.
Memory foam is a material that completely absorbs motions, and it is also totally silent, so even though you sleep with someone in bed, you will feel like you are completely alone, because you will not be disturbed in any way.
Perfect for side sleepers
Most foam mattresses, except those that are specifically firm, are all that a side sleeper can look for. Such mattresses are usually medium firm, sometimes on the border with soft, which is most comfortable firmness for this sleep position. Side sleepers need to sink, so that they are comfortable and to prevent their shoulders and hips from hurting.
Of course, they also need support, which memory foam provides as well. If the side sleeper often changes position, spending part of the night on the left side, and part on the right, the memory foam will respond to this task, because the bounce is great. Not like latex mattresses for example, but more than enough.
Durable & long lasting
There are certainly low quality foam mattresses that are not durable and long lasting, but all of the ones we mentioned today, as well as a large number of others on the UK market, will last you for years, and some even more than a decade. Memory foam and pocket sprung mattresses are most durable types.
Memory foam is generally a very resilient material, and high-density memory foam does not lose its characteristics even after 10 years. That is why buying a memory foam mattress is a great long term investment.
Conclusion
And that's all you need to know to find the best memory foam mattress for your needs! With their impressive pressure relief capabilities, lack of motion transfer, and irresistable hugging sensation, we can see why so many people love memory foam mattresses! Although you should keep breathability and firmness in mind, as this is where people usually make a mistake.
So, have any of the mattresses caught your eye? Let us know in the comments! And if you have any questions, check out the FAQ section or get in touch with us directly.
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FAQs about memory foam mattress
In the final part of our review, we will give you answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Are memory foam mattresses cool enough to be used in the summertime?
Certainly not all memory foam mattresses are cool enough to be used in the summertime, but manufacturers are constantly working to improve breathability and temperature regulation, so more and more of them are pleasant for summer time.
Is a memory foam mattress good for people with back pain?
Generally, they are, because they offer support that is essential for spinal alignment, as well as pressure relief both in the back and in other joints.
Are memory foam mattresses durable?
There is no single answer to this question, as it depends on the manufacturer as well as what type of memory foam that is used.
How do I clean my memory foam mattress?
Those that have a removable cover are easy to maintain, and you can spot clean those that don’t have removable cover and protect them with bed sheets or a mattress protector.
Can a memory foam mattress lose its firmness?
If it is not made of high-density memory foam, then there is a possibility that over time it will lose firmness to some extent, but it also depends on other factors, such as your body weight.
How to extend the lifespan of a memory foam mattress?
Rotate it regularly and flip if it is two-sided, also maintain it according to the instructions and do not jump on it to extend the lifespan.
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