6 November 2023
4 min read
With technology constantly improving in new and unpredictable ways, every industry is bound to see trailblazers that try out something unheard of. So, let's see if SmartGRID is going to achieve that in the mattress industry.
While it might seem like every major mattress company has their own technology that promises the ultimate sleeping experience, it's important to put everything under a microscope. And that's what we'll be doing with SmartGRID – the new mattress technology from HiGRID who, from what we could find, are the UK's first and only SmartGRID manufacturers. We'll discuss how it works and how it allows HiGRID-The Sleep Company mattresses to stand out in the sleeping industry.
And we'll also take a look at two of their mattresses in particular, to see how SmartGRID adds to the overall package. So, let’s take a look at their website and see what we can expect. And, if you were considering getting a new mattress, buckle your seatbelts and let's get down to business!
What is SmartGRID?
To understand what SmartGRID brings to the table (or should we say bedroom), we first need to understand what a smart grid is. The simplest explanation is that a smart grid is an electricity network of monitoring devices, cables, and hubs, all communicating with each other in order to conserve energy and make things more efficient.
And while an electric grid doesn't sound like the best blueprint when designing a mattress, the logic carries over surprisingly well. At a fundamental level, a SmartGRID mattress layer is a polymer sheet designed to resemble a rectangular grid. And it's this polymer grid system that gives the SmartGRID features you'd be hard-pressed to find in other mattress models.
Added breathability
First off, since the SmartGRID is not one solid mass but rather a grid with plenty of empty space, the air is able to freely travel through the layers of the mattress. After all, unlike memory foam which is dense and uniform, the grid pattern creates dozens of small air pockets where excess heat can escape to.
And this is a very big plus if you tend to sleep hot. After all, there's no worse way to start your day off than by waking up sticky and covered in sweat. That being said, SmartGRID isn't the only option here. Plenty of spring and hybrid models use this very same principle in order to keep things cool – as the air can escape between the springs. However, from what we can tell, it's the next feature that could be revolutionary.
When it comes to firmness levels, people can sometimes get disappointed or even frustrated. That's because depending on your build, age, health, sleeping style, and preferences, different firmness levels might be more or less attractive as an option. For example, very few people would mind jumping onto a mattress and sinking into it a bit. It's basically a hug from your mattress!
However, what's a lot less appealing is back pain. And if your mattress is too soft, that's exactly what you can end up with after a while. So, you should understand why it's quite a big deal when HiGRID claims that their mattress layer can give you the best of both worlds.
This is once again made possible due to the SmartGRID system. On a basic level, the polymer used for this layer is very bouncy and flexible, easily retaining its shape and adapting to your body. However, the real game changer is the grid itself. Because of how it's set up, the walls of the grid can buckle or stay firm depending on how pressure is applied.
That might sound complicated but it's really quite simple. When a smaller surface area presses down on the grid, like your hip, shoulder or head, it buckles slightly and keeps you comfortable. However, on a larger scale, such as along your back, it remains firm and keeps your spine straight and healthy! And it's through the combination of these two that SmartGRID manages to be soft and yet firm at the same time.
Now that we have a good idea of how the SmartGRID layer functions, let's see how HiGRID-The Sleep Company uses this layer to their advantage. Specifically, we'll be looking at two of their higher-end models, as they're the most indicative of how good a SmartGRID mattress can get.
First, let's look at the Premium Hybrid mattress. What should immediately catch your eye is how HiGRID builds upon the SmartGRID system. It's the third layer down and we can see that there's a hypersoft foam layer on top and a high-resilience layer below it.
We believe that it was designed in this way so that when the walls of the grid buckle, you’re met with an incredibly soft layer. And while they stand firm, there’s a sturdier layer underneath to keep it steady. That plus the spring layer underneath lands the mattress at a solid 6.5 firmness level.
On the other hand, we have the Luxe Original mattress. For the most part, it has a very similar construction to the Premium Hybrid, with one key difference. Here, there's an added comfort layer under the SmartGRID. This means that even while the grid remains firm, you're getting a slightly softer feeling and the mattress leans more towards comfort. It also explains why the mattress comes in at a 5.5 on the firmness scale.
Now that you know what the SmartGRID is and how it can be incorporated into a mattress, there's only one question left – is it worth it? Of course, that's up to you to decide! However, it's worth pointing out that even without the SmartGRID layer, the previous two mattresses follow a very similar blueprint to most high-end mattresses.
So, it's not like you're paying a higher price just for the SmartGRID. In fact, it's more like you're getting it as a bonus! So, if you want to have your cake and eat it too (or in this case be comfortable and supported), we'd say it's worth at least looking into.
And make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you'll be the first to know if and when we review these SmartGRID mattresses in more detail. And if you'd like to get either the Premium Hybrid or the Luxe Original right now, you can do so either via HiGRID's official site or through Amazon.
This page was made in partnership with HiGRID-The Sleep Company.
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