8 of the best mattresses for 2024 – tried and tested

The best mattress for you will depend on a range of factors including your preferred sleeping position, your ideal firmness and material preference. With such a crowded market, cutting through the noise to find your perfect mattress can be a daunting task, especially given how expensive they can get. That’s why we’ve tested out a range of mattresses from some of the biggest brands in sleep in order to recommend the best ones for a range of sleep preferences.

We’ve also reached out to a sleep expert to get an insight into sleep best practices and other ways you can steal back those precious minutes in bed amidst the chaos of family life.

• Jump to how we tested mattresses
• Jump to how to get a better nights sleep

Best mattresses for parents in 2024

1. Emma Luxe Cooling Mattress, from £929

- Best firm memory foam option

Firmness: Medium | Material: Memory Foam | Old Mattress Removal Service: Yes (Optional) | Trial: Yes, 200 nights | Warranty: 10-years | Washable Cover: No

Pros:

• Extremely comfortable
• Very supportive

Cons:

• 'New' smell takes a long time to dissipate,
• Expensive
• Plastic used in packaging

Emma is one of the biggest brands in sleep for a reason. The Luxe Cooling Mattress is a fantastic option for those looking for a foam mattress that's a bit firmer. Thanks to its layered construction, the mattress provides uniform support for your whole body regardless of your preferred sleeping position.

As our tester, Laura, noted, "It's extremely comfortable - a lot more comfortable than my old mattress - and I slept well on it."

The mattress arrives vacuum packed in a box for ease of delivery – though it is worth noting that the box is quite heavy. Once unpacked, the mattress expands to its final size after a few hours. During testing, we were impressed with the premium feel of the mattress, particularly the way that the memory foam returns to its original shape and doesn't hold any indentations even after a month of use.

During testing, Laura did still notice some overheating, despite what Emma calls "Thermosync foam technology", however it was less noticeable than with her previous mattress.

It is on the more expensive side of the market, however the impressive build quality and smart design helped Laura to get comfortable and fall asleep more quickly. Emma regularly holds impressive sales on its mattresses, so it's worth keeping an eye out for a good deal.

Available from: Emma

2. Tempur Cloud Mattress Elite, from £1,479

- Best soft mattress for side-sleepers

Firmness: Soft | Material: Memory Foam | Old Mattress Removal Service: No | Trial: Yes, 100 nights | Warranty: 10-years | Washable Cover: Yes

Pros:

• Ideal support for side-sleepers
• Great for a luxury
• Soft feel
• Minimal packaging taken away by delivery drivers

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not ideal for front or back-sleepers
• Difficult to move

Featuring a super-soft memory foam topper above a firmer foam base, it's definitely an acquired taste, and it takes a few weeks to get fully used to, but if you prefer a mattress that feels extremely soft then the Tempur Cloud Mattress Elite might be the best option for you.

"I feel more supported overall as I move, and the initial feel of sinking into a soft topper is really nice after a long day," said Gemma, who tested the mattress. "It takes some getting used to after a more traditional firm mattress, and I think it's really about personal preference and the way you sleep as to whether you'll like it."

Due to the firmness, side-sleepers will find this mattress supportive across the length of their bodies, though back-sleepers and front-sleepers are perhaps best looking at one of the other options on this list. "The memory foam is very good at popping back into shape after you move but it's not instant, especially if you have been in the same position for a long time and are warm when you move," Gemma added. "You have to just take a beat to let it get back into shape."

"It's more comfortable for me as a side sleeper, my previous mattress is a firmer memory foam which had developed dips over time, particularly after I was pregnant," Gemma continued. "The grooved, quilted cover is also interesting, as it provides a bit of a massage effect."

Available from: Tempur

3. HiGrid Premium Hybrid, from £899

- Best for light sleepers

Firmness: Soft | Material: Hybrid | Old Mattress Removal Service: No | Trial: Yes, 200 nights | Warranty: 10-years | Washable Cover: Yes

Pros:

• Great cooling
• Unable to feel your partner moving in the bed

Cons:

• Lots of plastic packaging used
• Difficult to move

As its name suggests, the real selling point for the Premium Hybrid from HiGrid is the combination of their SmartGrid technology and pocket coils. That grid structure is more than just marketing speak too, it is a huge part of why the Premium Hybrid is so good at regulating your body temperature, something our tester Emily noticed.

"This has been a huge test for my partner who suffers from Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and he has noticed such a change in his sleep," said Emily. "Since using this mattress, he's remained relatively cool throughout the night and finds he sweats a lot less."

It also provides fantastic support across the length of your body, though it does take a few nights to properly settle in. Emily noted that, "the distribution of comfort and support is clear across each part of the mattress — it doesn't matter where you're sleeping, it still offers the same sleep experience."

"It’s astonishing how you can’t feel the other person move around on the mattress which makes it so much easier to rest comfortably without being disturbed," Emily added. "Neither me nor my partner moves at all when the other person moves in the bed or sits down and you don't really feel any vibrations or movement on the fabric."

Overall, the Premium Hybrid was very impressive during testing providing a noticeable improvement in sleep quality. "I'm waking up less, sleeping deeper, feel less aches/pains throughout the night, not overheating, not noticing when my partner gets into the bed/moves and overall just feel more comfortable and supported," Emily said.

Available from: HiGrid

4. Brook + Wild Sleep Suprema Mattress, from £1,499

- Best for finding a comfortable sleeping position

Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm | Material: Hybrid | Old Mattress Removal Service: Yes, for a fee | Trial: Yes, 200 nights | Warranty: 10-years | Washable Cover: Yes

Pros:

• Supportive
• Packaging removed by delivery team

Cons:

• Expensive

If you find yourself tossing and turning to find a comfortable sleeping position at night then this Suprema Mattress from Brook and Wilde Sleep is a great option for you. The mattress is supportive across the length of your body, providing ideal comfort for those who don't have just one sleeping position.

As tester Ruairidh noted, "My sleep quality and the amount of time I spend asleep has improved – I don't struggle to find a comfortable position, whereas previously it would take me some time to get comfortable enough to drift off."

The hybrid mattress combines multiple layers of foam and pocket-springs to provide a unique sleeping experience and is available in soft, medium and firm variants that are each made to order.

"With this new mattress I'm comfortable almost immediately, and falling asleep much faster than before. I also don't wake up in the night nearly as much as I did before," Ruairidh continued. "The only issue I have now is building up the willpower to get out of bed first thing in the morning. It's so comfortable, it's hard to leave."

Spend £500 or more and get 60% off Brook + Wilde Sleep with the code: M4MUMS60

Available from: Brook + Wilde

5. Silentnight Just Bliss Gel Hybrid Mattress, from £469

- Best for restless sleepers

Firmness: Medium | Material: Hybrid | Old Mattress Removal Service: No | Trial: Yes, 365 nights | Warranty: 10-years | Washable Cover: No

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Gel layer is great

Cons:

• Outer seam uncomfortable

The Just Bliss Gel Hybrid mattress is a great example of why Silentnight is considered such a noteworthy sleep brand in the UK. The mattress, which combines a layer of pocket-springs with a unique gel-infused layer, is great if you or your partner are restless sleepers.

"The mattress is a great mix of supportive while still being soft enough to allow a feeling of 'sinking in' (in a good way) and getting really comfortable," noted tester Doris. "Both my partner and I usually like soft mattresses but are really happy with this one as the gel elements add a special touch to it."

Silentnight claims that the gel layer, "soothes minor aches and pains," something that Doris also noted during testing. "I was very sceptical about the 'gel-infused' part of this mattress at first," she said, "but it's actually impressive. I really noticed a difference when I was achy or sore after a workout."

Available from: Silentnight

6. Origin Hybrid Mattress, from £549 £329

- Best firmer mattress

Firmness: Medium | Material: Hybrid | Old Mattress Removal Service: No | Trial: Yes, 200 nights | Warranty: 15-years | Washable Cover: No

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Well temperature controlled

Cons:

• Significant amount of plastic packaging

Parents who like a mattress that's on the firmer side that still has that 'sinking' feeling of a softer mattress might want to check out the Origin Hybrid.

As it's name suggests, this is a hybrid mattress with a blend of a special cooling foam layer and coil springs providing a different experience to a fully memory foam mattress.

Emily, who tested the mattress, said, "I feel supported yet the mattress has a good amount of 'sink' which makes it comfortable." She also mentioned the mattress temperature control as a highlight noting that it remained cool regardless of sleeping position.

Overall, if you're looking for a budget friendly mattress that offers many of the same premium features found in higher priced options then the Origin Hybrid Mattress is a great pick.

Available from: Origin

7. Nectar Hybrid Mattress, from £625

- Best for back sleepers

Firmness: Medium | Material: Hybrid | Old Mattress Removal Service: Yes | Trial: Yes, 365 nights | Warranty: Forever | Washable Cover: Yes

Pros:

• Easy to unbox
• Mattress remained cool
• Great support for back sleepers
• Carbon neutral

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not great for side sleepers

Are you a back sleeper looking for a firmer mattress? Then the Nectar Hybrid Mattress might be the pick for you.

It's advertised as a medium to firm mattress, but during our testing we definitely felt it came down more on the firm side making it somewhat uncomfortable for side sleeping which might affect your decision if you are sharing the bed.

"It does take some getting used to, going from a soft mattress to a firm one," noted tester Alisa, "but where it excels is you barely feel the other person moving about in bed. Ideal if you're a light sleeper and your partner disturbs you."

If you're used to a softer mattress, it might take some time to adjust but it is worth it. As Alisa noted during her testing, "it's completely different to my previous mattress (previous one was soft) so it was an adjustment but now I really like it."

Overall, this is a great pick for back sleepers looking for a premium mattress that offers great full body support.
Available from: Nectar

8. The Simba Hybrid Mattress, from £659

- Best for reducing aches and pains

Firmness: Medium | Material: Hybrid | Old Mattress Removal Service: No | Trial: Yes, 200 nights | Warranty: 10-years | Washable Cover: Yes

Pros:

• Great overall support
• Well packaged
• Easy setup

Cons:

• Expensive

There aren't many more sure fire signs your mattress isn't right for you than constantly waking up with aches and pains around your body. Depending on your sleep preferences, the Simba Hybrid Mattress might be your solution.

The mattress provided fantastic support, cushioning all pressure points which tester Rachel noticed helped her wake up with less aches and pains.

Unlike many of the mattresses we tested, the Simba Hybrid also provided similar support regardless of sleeping position making it a great option for both back and side sleepers.

Simba are a well established name in sleep for a reason, they provide premium products that are well packaged, without being excessive, that just work. They are on the more expensive side, however, if you have the money to spend you can't really go wrong with Simba.

Available from: Simba

How to get a better night's sleep

As per the NHS, “a healthy adult usually needs around 7 to 9 hours of sleep,” with factors like age and health sometimes affecting how much sleep we need. As any parent will know, getting 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep can be near-impossible, but we can at least focus on making the most out of the sleep we do get.

What makes a better night’s sleep will depend a lot on your personal circumstances and preferences. Do you have a partner? Do you both like the same type of mattress? Maybe your partner prefers a thin duvet and a warm room and you prefer it ice cold. Even if you’re a solo sleeper, the night can be a constant battle against distraction and the elements.

A good nights sleep isn’t just about how long you sleep for. Your natural sleep cycle – that is the time your body fluctuates between being awake and in REM or deep sleep – is just as important. I’ve been tracking my sleep for the past 4 months and I’ve noticed that when I am woken up midway through REM sleep I feel significantly more groggy. Understanding your own sleep cycle can help you maximise your REM sleep, ensuring you wake up feeling a bit more refreshed. A sleep tracking app or device can help with this.

The NHS generally spotlights three factors for creating the optimal sleep environment: keeping it dark, quiet and cool. Parents might not always be afforded control over the first two: earplugs and eye masks aren’t always an option, especially if you have young children, and even turning out all the lights may not be possible.

But a combination of a good quality mattress and a duvet with the correct tog rating can help keep you cool, helping your body to reach the optimal temperature. You can also use a tower fan to cool down your room to your ideal temperature, though this will depend on your child’s sleep circumstances. Refer to our safe sleep rules for newborns and babies under 6 months if you have any questions regarding best practice if your child is in the room with you. Many tower fans include sleep modes or timers to help with their use at night. We tested 5 of the best tower fans to see which one’s provide the best experience.

If you can’t control your room temperature and you and your partner prefer different temperatures, you can try out the Scandi method of using 2 duvets on one bed. While this may seem excessive, this method allows each of your to pick the ideal duvet for you.

Of course, the most important tool in your quality sleep toolkit will be your mattress. A mattress that's worn out, low quality, or the wrong firmness for your needs won’t provide the support you need to comfortably fall asleep and, in some cases, will actively prevent you falling asleep. And that’s not considering the neck and back pain you might experience when you wake up. Understanding the type of mattress you prefer is the first step to picking out the right option. If you prefer a firmer mattress, a spring or combination/hybrid option might work best for you. Those who like a softer mattress will want to look at memory foam options.

Pic credit: Product websites

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