When we started digging into the world of mattresses to help work out which type is the best, we stumbled across a whole new world of independent mattress brands hoping to challenge the big boys when it comes to shut-eye. You've probably seen ads for them on public transport in the last few months, as this world is now big business. Gone are the days of heading to a stuffy showroom to pick up a traditional sprung mattress, only to have a delivery driver refuse to take it upstairs for you a few weeks later. Now the cool kids are investing in new, modern foam mattresses that are delivered to your door in a box. These one-mattress-suits-all creations have been rigorously tested to provide support for all kinds of sleepers, and most come with seriously good trial periods if you're still unsure. But with so many on the market, which one is right for you? We've broken down the basics of seven leading brands, from cost and guarantees to the composition of the mattress itself, to help you on your journey to the best night's sleep ever.
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The Casper Hybrid Mattress
Comes From: Manufactured in the UK
Cost: £800 for a double, £900 for a king
Trial Period: 100 nights
Construction: The Casper Hybrid has a four-layer construction combined with both springs and memory foam layers (24cm total). The foam is TCPP-free, which makes it 100 percent compliant with UK fire safety regulations.
At POPSUGAR, we are huge fans of the original Casper mattress, so I was under the impression that a Casper Hybrid would be even better and I wasn't wrong. For me, it's the ideal compromise mattress if you share a bed with a partner who prefers a stiff mattress and you prefer soft (or vice vera). It holds it's shape well enough for the hard mattress lovers, and cradles the body enough to be incredibly supportive and comfortable. Although it doesn't come cheap, we do spend approximately 25 years of our life sleeping so, if you can afford it, the investment is worth it.
The Eve Mattress
Comes From: The UK
Cost: £599 for a double, £699 for a king
Trial Period: 100 nights
Construction: 4cm memory foam, 3cm cooling foam "core," 18cm reflex base foam (25cm total)
With its trademark yellow trim, there's no mistaking the Eve, which combines two top layers designed to work together for the perfect combination of contouring and cooling, with a foam base. The memory foam and cooling foam sections are much smaller than some (about half of the Dream Zebra), but Eve claims this is just the right amount for a comfortable, supportive mattress. As well as the 100-night trial, you get a 10-year guarantee. Eve has also now launched a number of new options, including a "light" and "premium" mattress.
The Simba Mattress
Comes From: The UK
Cost: £599 for a double, £699 for a king
Trial Period: 100 nights
Construction: "Simbatex" (latex) top layer, conical pocket spring layer, visco memory foam layer, and a seven-foam base layer (25cm total)
Simba ups the ante of these new-wave mattresses by including pocket springs alongside all the foam and latex, so if you're struggling with the idea of a mattress without springs, this could be the one for you. However, those springs come at a price: this is at the top end of the market. The designers describe the springs as "the missing ingredient," but the mattress still comes rolled in a box like other brands and contains three layers of foam alongside springs for optimal support. If you want to try before you buy, this mattress is sold in some John Lewis stores as well as online.
The Bruno Mattress
Comes From: Germany
Cost: £550 for a double, £675 for a king
Trial Period: 101 nights (previously 30 nights)
Construction: 3cm perforated latex on top of a seven-zone polyurethane foam base, with a quilted cover (24cm total)
The Bruno is the only mattress with just two layers: a latex topper on a foam support base. However, the quilted cover gives it a little added luxury. This could be a great choice for those who get hot in bed, as there's no memory foam to create heat (perforated latex breathes better). There's a 10-year guarantee on the mattress itself.
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The Nectar Mattress
Comes From: Manufactured in the UK, and shipped from Yorkshire.
Cost: £599 for a double, £699 for a king
Trial Period: 365 nights, plus a forever warranty.
Construction: Adaptive cooling top layer, 7 zone supported base, smart memory foam, and pressure-relieving memory foam on a base that takes it up to a 25cm depth.
Nectar is the only mattress that promises a "forever warranty", compared with around 10 years from other brands. They claim this is because the mattress has a stronger base, guaranteeing it for the full life of the mattress by its original owner. It also benefits from its cooling layer, which should help minimise the "overheated" feeling some have experienced from foam mattresses. Finally, the 365 day trial period means you can try it for a whole year before deciding its not for you, though the company claims fewer than 3% of customers return it.
The Hyde & Sleep Mattress
Comes From: The UK
Cost: £599 for a double, £699 for a king
Trial Period: 40 nights.
Construction: 2,000 micro pocket springs with a premium memory foam layer.
Originally an indie company, Hyde & Sleep is now sold via bed giant Dreams. Like Simba, the company now focuses on a hybrid design, in soft, firm, or medium, combining pocket springs and memory foam. The trial period is short (probably a result of the buyout by a big name brand) and you do get a 10-year guarantee. The original foam-only mattresses (now known as Hyde & Sleep "light") are being sold off at bargain prices in the clearance sale.
The Casper Mattress
Comes From: Manufactured in the UK, though the brand first launched in the USA.
Cost: £575 for a double, £650 for a king
Trial Period: 100 nights
Construction: Four-layer construction including an open-cell comfort top layer, memory foam layer, adaptive transition foam layer, and support foam base (24 cm height).
Casper was one of the first of this type of mattress to hit the market in the USA, where it launched in 2014, and it's been in the UK for a couple of years now. Celebs love Casper: Leonardo DiCaprio is an investor, and Kylie Jenner a big fan. The construction combines four layers of foam, though there's no breakdown of the depth of each. You'll get a long trial and a 10-year warranty, and delivery takes one to two business days, shipping via UPS.
Read our full review of the Casper mattress here.
Note: All the above mattresses come in a variety of sizes from single to superking, but for ease we've compared prices of popular double and king options.
Wayfair Tufted Memory Pocket Sprung 1500 Mattress
Comes From: Made in the UK
Cost: £183 for a double, £210 for a king
Trial Period: 100 nights
Construction: Pocket sprung with a top layer of memory foam.
The Wayfair Tufted Memory Pocket Sprung 1500 Mattress (£210) is a much more affordable option when it comes to mattresses and sometimes the best ones aren't the most in expensive. It's made of both pocket spring and memory foam, and is a medium-firm comfort level. Like many mattresses these days, it comes packed up in a box for ease and opens out to its full size within a few hours. If you're looking for a slightly softer mattress that still has the benefits of memory foam and won't break the bank, consider this Wayfair option.
And So To Bed Pure Luxe Hybrid Mattress
Comes From: Made in the UK
Cost: £824 for a double, £899 for a king
Trial Period: 90-day
Construction: 1,188 luxury pocket springs with two soft comfort layers, non-woven breathable polymer, and a flex support foam layer.
And So To Bed Pure Luxe Hybrid Mattress (£824) is all about comfort and anti-bacterial properties, which is exactly what you want in a mattress. The smart antibacterial properties come from its HEIQ Viroblock technology, which is Swiss antimicrobial technology to protect it against contamination by microbes and germs. It's got 1,188 luxury pocket springs and I would say is medium-firm comfort level meaning your back will always be well-supported.
And So To Bed will also collect your old mattress for you and dispose of it in an eco-friendly way, saving you a dreaded trip to the tip.