The Best Memory Foam Mattresses UK (Reviewed & Compared)
The Foam Mattresses of Your Dreams
June 30, 2021
Buying a memory foam mattress is one of those purchases that simply turns your life around. Anyone who has switched to a high-quality, comfortable mattress can tell you it’s greatly improved their sleep and their health. To help you find the best memory foam mattresses in the UK, we’ve tested the top brands on the market and created a buyer’s guide that will answer all your memory foam-related questions.
8 Best Memory Foam Mattresses in the UK
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Excellent support and pressure relief
Great motion isolation
Improved breathability
10-year guarantee
Special supportive layer
Firm and comfy
Highly adaptive foam layers
10-year guarantee
Extra support
Suitable for all positions
Effective cooling system
Lifetime guarantee
Orthopaedic mattress
Thick memory foam for comfort
Removable cover
5-year guarantee
Advanced memory foam technology
Easily washable covers
Moulds to your body
10-year guarantee
Pocket spring support for even weight distribution
Pressure relieving memory foam
Exceptionally breathable
5-year guarantee
Optimal airflow
Washable TENCEL® Woven Cover
Smooth delivery and excellent customer service
10-year guarantee
Anti-bacterial, anti-dust mite and anti-fungal protection
Air vents for increased airflow
Responsive customer service
15-year guarantee
Top 8 Memory Foam Mattress Reviews
Eve Mattress Review
- Best Memory Foam Mattress Overall
- 100-night trial
- 10-year guarantee
- Old mattress removal service
- Free and flexible delivery
- Price: £429.00–£899.00
- Suitable for all positions
- Excellent support and pressure relief
- Improved airflow
- May have an unpleasant smell for the first few days
With a 24 cm depth and three layers of foam, the Eve Original mattress is breathable and extremely comfortable. The unique contour zones add comfort and support your entire body during the night.
This single memory foam mattress is perfect for those who don’t share a bed. The three layers of foam ensure that the mattress is supportive enough for your whole body, with no pressure points. This in no way inhibits comfort, as the top layer has gentle cushioning. Because traditional memory foam is characteristically hot, Eve has made their evecomfort® foam layer 30 times more breathable, ensuring you don’t overheat.
Some potential buyers may feel like having all these layers means you’ll sink into the mattress and won’t have enough support, but that simply isn’t the case as the mattress is rated medium-firm. All sleepers will be comfy and supported on this mattress.
Our team members who tested this mattress and the customers who left reviews were delighted with the feel of it. They said they finally felt refreshed and rested in the morning. Some people were concerned about the price but soon realised this was a great value for the money, especially considering the discount and the ability to pay in monthly instalments.
This mattress won the Which award for the best buy memory foam mattress in the UK in 2018 because of its high quality and excellent value for the money.
Emma Mattress Review
- Best Firm Memory Mattress in the UK
- 200-night trial
- 10-year guarantee
- Free shipping
- 0% financing
- Price: £449.00–£899.00
- More than one breathable layer
- Suitable for all positions
- Great customer care
- May be firmer than you expect
Emma has added a more breathable cover layer to their original mattress to combat the problem of memory foam getting hot and sticky. The top of the cover includes special fibres which keep moisture away and regulate humidity. The non-slip, breathable bottom cover aids airflow and prevents the mattress from slipping off the bed.
The next layer of the mattress uses Airgocell foam. It also absorbs moisture and helps keep air circulating inside the mattress. The open-pored foam really makes a difference and keeps you cool, making this the best cool memory foam mattress in the UK you can get your hands on.
The Emma Original mattress does more than just keep you cool, though. It also has a special pressure-relieving layer made from Visco-elastic memory foam. That’s the layer responsible for giving you the support you need while you sleep by distributing pressure evenly to the mattress regardless of the position you’re sleeping in.
Providing counter pressure is the responsibility of the supportive HRX foam layer, which keeps your spine aligned and your back supported. If you share your bed with your partner, you’ll be happy to know that this layer will prevent you from feeling them toss and turn during the night.
This mattress delivers everything it promises. Customers say this is one of the best memory foam mattresses in the UK. In addition, everyone had positive things to say about their experiences with customer service when it came to asking questions or solving problems.
Nectar Mattress Review
- Best Cool Memory Foam Mattress in the UK
- 365-night trial
- Lifetime guarantee
- Free delivery
- Price: £549.00–£899.00
- Advanced memory foam technology
- Fits into any type of bed frame
- Pain relief even for serious issues
- A bit on the expensive side
Nectar might be the perfect choice for anyone who’s not sure they can commit to a mattress after sleeping on it for just a few months. Nectar gives you a whole year to try out their five layers of comfort and decide if this is the top-rated memory foam mattress you were looking for.
The quilted memory foam cover layer makes this mattress very comfortable, and the gel memory foam distributes body heat and weight to keep you cool and support your body. The Hi Core Memory Foam layer in the middle keeps you from sinking into the mattress, while the base layer reinforces these effects. Finally, the bottom mattress cover prevents the mattress from slipping.
Aside from the advanced memory foam, you will also find features like nonstop airflow and minimal motion transfer in this mattress. The best part is that this mattress will fit into any type of frame you may have.
Judging by the verified memory foam mattress reviews from the UK, customers are generally in love with this mattress. They say it offers just the right amount of support without being too firm or too soft. In fact, those with serious problems like arthritis testified they finally managed to get some pain-free rest.
Happy Beds Mattress Review
- Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress
- 5-year guarantee
- Free standard delivery
- Price: £219.99–£389.99
- As firm as promised
- Lots of positive experiences
- Affordable
- No trial period
This mattress includes 30 mm of memory foam and 130 mm of reflex foam and is perfect for people who struggle with back pain. This supportive and firm memory foam mattress is even considered orthopaedic. Another thing worth noting is that this is a non-turn mattress, which means there’s no hassle, and it delivers the same level of quality and comfort even after years of use.
Made to British standards, Happy Beds promises a quality mattress for just a quarter of the price of other brands.
As far as customer reviews are concerned, some people were sceptical about purchasing this mattress simply because there is no trial period to make sure that they click with the mattress. However, all of those concerns went away as soon as they spent the first night on their new mattress. It delivers all the comfort and support it promises, making it the best memory foam mattress in the UK for any type of sleeper.
Another issue customers were worried about was the firmness. Some companies exaggerate how firm the mattress is, but this simply isn’t the case with Happy Beds. Shoulder pain and backaches vanished quickly. Even kids who used the mattress loved it, potentially making this the perfect choice for your child, too.
Tempur Mattress Review
- Best Unique Memory Foam Material
- 100-night trial
- 10-year guarantee
- Free delivery and returns
- Price: £1,449.00–2,999.00
- Advanced memory foam technology
- Extra support
- Comfy in all positions
- On the expensive side
Tempur is one of the best memory foam mattresses in the UK, in part because it uses its own NASA-certified material for its products. This material is a version of memory foam that is more supportive and breathable than many others. Visco-elastic cells are one of the main elements found in the Tempur material, and they contour to your body to give you optimal support. What makes Tempur mattresses so attractive is the perfect balance between support and comfort.
When it comes to taking care of your Tempur Original mattress, all you have to do is take the cover off and pop it in the washing machine. You don’t even need to turn the mattress over at any point, making it more convenient.
Our Tempur memory foam mattress review wouldn’t be complete without a look at what’s inside. There are three layers in the Tempur mattress. The first comfort layer is 2 cm deep, the support material found in the second layer is 8 cm deep, and the Durabase technology at the bottom is 11 cm deep. These three layers work together to make a strong, durable, supportive, and comfortable mattress.
Depending on your needs, you can order this product from a single up to a king-size memory foam mattress. Tempur even offers special sizes to make sure the mattress fits in any kind of bed frame.
Customers say this is a mattress well worth the price and that they’ve never slept better. The depth and support are just what they were looking for. However, a few did warn that the feel of this mattress is different from other conventional mattresses. In other words, it takes a little getting used to, especially when you change sleeping positions.
SilentNight Mattress Review
- Best Spring & Memory Foam Combination
- 60-night trial
- 5-year guarantee
- Free delivery
- Price: £509.00–£939.00
- Pressure relieving memory foam
- Pocket spring support for even weight distribution
- Increased breathability
- May be softer than expected
SilentNight has taken its own unique approach to memory foam, and it works. This best UK memory foam mattress uses a type of foam that completely cocoons the body and allows you to fall asleep quickly. Don’t think you’ll just sink into the mattress because of this, though. The foam also relieves pressure, making it easy to get rid of backaches.
A pocket spring system provides support. There are 2000 springs individually placed in the mattress. While the memory foam directly moulds to your body, the spring support system keeps your spine aligned and gives you the extra support you need. The springs react independently to your movements and weight, giving you optimal support at all times.
Couples have the option of ordering this as a super king, king, double or small double memory foam mattress, meaning it will fit into any household.
Another advantage this SilentNight mattress has over conventional memory foam is that it’s cooler thanks to the well-designed breathable borders. You’ll be nice and comfy, and you won’t have to experience the natural hot properties of foam.
Customers say this is an excellent soft mattress and that it’s very easy to adapt to when switching from their old ones. Some people mentioned that it was a little too soft for them, which made bumping into their partner during the night a problem.
Ergoflex Mattress Review
- Best Orthopaedic Memory Foam Mattress
- 30-day trial
- 10-year guarantee
- Free next-day delivery
- Price: £499.00–£939.00
- Increased breathability
- Premium materials
- Washable TENCEL® woven cover
- A bit on the expensive side
The Ergoflex 5G mattress is everything you’d want in a mattress. As the name indicates, it has five layers:
- the Tencel outer cover
- protective inner cover
- Visco-elastic memory foam
- a cool-sleep airflow layer, an
- a high-resilience foam base.
The premium materials inside any memory foam mattress in the UK work together to give you the perfect balance of support and comfort. Ergoflex also thought about breathability, which is why the top cover is made from natural materials, and the cool-sleep airflow layer exists. This ensures your mattress stays cool regardless of how hot the night turns out to be.
The memory foam itself is 9 cm deep, which is just enough to keep you from sinking into the mattress while still maintaining its ability to mould to your shape. The airflow layer gives the mattress an extra 5 cm of depth, and the high-resilience foam base adds another 9 cm. This is more than enough to provide the support you need in any sleep position. In fact, this mattress is famous for its orthopaedic properties and is even recommended by the back doctor.
When it comes to verified customer reviews, people seem satisfied with both the product and the service, even calling this the best memory foam mattress in the UK. They note that the delivery process was easy, simple, and quick and that the mattress is more than comfortable. Some people even bought three more mattresses after their first purchase.
Dormeo Mattress Review
- Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress in the UK
- 60-night trial
- 15-year guarantee
- Free delivery
- Price: £649.99–£1,019.99
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy to clean
- Movement reduced
- Slightly unpleasant smell in the beginning
Dormeo offers a wide range of mattresses, but this time we’re reviewing their 20 cm deep memory foam deluxe mattress. You can get this memory foam mattress in double, king, super king, or single size.
Those looking for a softer foam mattress should pay close attention to this one. Dormeo has managed to combine softness, support, and airflow by using two types of memory foam in two layers. And the reduced motion transfer means that you will sleep undisturbed the entire night.
To get the most out of your mattress and sleeping experience, Dormeo has designed it so you can easily rotate it instead of having to flip it. You also won’t have to worry about allergies due to its anti-allergen properties. Another good thing is that the mattress has a carbon fibre top layer to make it easier to clean and vents to increase breathability.
The best memory foam mattress reviews from the UK generally say the mattress has a nice feel. People noted it was just as comfy as they anticipated and that they would recommend it to others. However, there were a few concerning reviews that noted the mattress had a slightly unpleasant smell when it arrived. Dormeo took the time to respond to these customers and try to fix the problem, though.
How We Chose the Best Memory Foam Mattresses in the UK
– Our Ranking Methodology –
Ranking these mattresses wasn’t easy, but our methodology has helped us set them in the right order. Our mattress testing team paid particular attention to comfort, the quality of materials, longevity, buying perks, and price.
Comfort
Buying a mattress that isn’t comfortable is just a waste of money. To help you avoid waking up stiff in the morning, we disregarded every mattress which didn’t make us feel like we were sleeping on a cloud. Memory foam is especially comfy because it moulds to your body. Whether you’re looking for a memory foam mattress in single, king, or double size, we made sure to include only the comfiest options.
Support goes hand in hand with comfort because you don’t want to feel like you’re sinking into the mattress. That’s why the foam mattresses we rated all have a supportive layer that helps your back stay aligned and keeps nasty aches away.
Aside from the type of memory foam, we also paid attention to how many layers the mattresses have. Generally, the more layers a mattress has, the more comfortable and supportive it will be, although even those with two layers can be just as comfy if they’re made from quality materials. We also recommend adding the best memory foam mattress topper on the UK market for those looking for extra comfort.
Quality of Materials
The quality of materials used in making the mattress is crucial. After all, it contributes to the overall quality of the mattress. There are different types of memory foam, and not all of them are of the same quality.
We focused only on those mattresses that use non-traditional foam and take things to the next level. We even included a few companies that developed their own memory foam technologies for a better sleeping experience.
Next, we looked at the quality of the covers. Contrary to popular belief, the cover of the mattress is as important as the mattress itself. You are directly in contact with it, so it needs to be breathable and easy to keep clean. Each product included in the best memory foam mattress review uses only the highest-quality materials from the top UK companies.
Longevity
A quality mattress will last for a long time. Even the cheapest memory foam mattresses are expensive, so there’s no sense in buying one unless you’re sure it will last you a long time. Again, the quality of the materials plays a big part in how long your mattress will last.
We also have to take into account how the mattress handles wear and tear. No matter what kind of sheets you put on it, it’s still going to experience some wear and tear simply because you sleep on it every night. This is especially true if more than one person is sleeping in the bed.
To make sure you end up with a top rated memory foam mattress, we made sure only to include companies who deliver on what they promise in terms of durability and offer extended guarantees.
Buying Perks
Top rated companies are usually very confident in the quality of the products they provide. So much so that they’ll often offer buying perks to make it even more convenient for you to buy from them. One of the most common and practical buying perks includes offering a trial period to their customers.
This means that you try their mattress out to see how well it suits you for a set period of time. This isn’t because companies don’t think you’ll like their product, but they understand the best memory foam mattress for one person may not be the best choice for another. If you decide this mattress simply isn’t for you during the trial period, you’ll be able to return it and get a full refund. This ensures you’re not wasting money and enables you to have more confidence in your decision.
The guarantee is just as important as the trial period. The companies we included ensure that the quality of their mattresses doesn’t decrease over time due to faulty manufacturing. In other words, you don’t have to put up with an uncomfortable bed just because they made a mistake.
We also can’t forget about the 0% financing option and discounts and sales offered by the companies in our ranking list. 0% financing means that you can pay for your purchase in monthly instalments with no interest. This allows you to enjoy the best budget memory foam mattress in the UK even if its price first exceeded your budget. We know that saving money is important, so we encourage you to take a look at the quality discounted mattresses we included so you can get even more value for your money.
Price
Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily be high-quality. We believe that it’s all about finding the perfect balance between value and price. That’s why we only included companies who don’t inflate their prices and whose goal is to please their customers- not just make a sale.
Regardless of what your budget is, you’ll surely be able to find the best foam mattress for your needs, thanks to our inclusive ranking table.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Memory Foam Mattress?
– Buyer’s Guide –
It’s one thing to read reviews of the memory foam mattresses we tested, but it’s a whole other thing to know what makes them the best. Therefore, it’s essential to do some research on memory foam itself in order to make the best decision for you and your family. Our handy guide will help you with that.
What Is Memory Foam?
Memory foam is a material first developed by NASA. Needless to say, a lot of research has gone into it. Scientists discovered the benefits it offers, but the material became available to the broader public because of reduced production costs.
There are several recognisable features of quality memory foam:
- It reduces motion transfer. Sharing a bed with your partner can mean that you’re not getting the sleep you need because you can feel every movement they make. With a memory foam mattress in king size, this isn’t an issue as it reduces motion transfer naturally.
- Memory foam conforms to your body. This brings sleeping to a whole new level as the material moulds to your body and adapts to your sleeping position. That allows the mattress to relieve pressure and keep the spine aligned, improving your sleep quality significantly.
- Memory foam mattresses are quiet. Have you ever noticed how loud mattresses can be? The noise comes from the materials they’re made of. With memory foam, this simply isn’t an issue. Foam makes minimal to no noise.
- Your body sinks into it. Because memory foam is a soft material, it’s easier to sink into it during sleep. So firmness is a priority for those who want to avoid this natural characteristic of memory foam. However, the best firm memory mattress in the UK won’t allow you to sink far, which makes them a good option for many people.
What Are the Advantages of a Memory Foam Mattress?
- They relieve pressure and distribute your weight evenly.
- They contour to your body, making it easy to keep your spine in its natural alignment.
- There is little to no motion transfer, so you can sleep soundly even if you’re sharing a bed.
- They don’t make any noise, allowing you to sleep.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Memory Foam Mattress?
- Memory foam is naturally hotter than other materials, so it’s not suitable for hot sleepers.
- It’s easy to sink into it, as not all types of memory foam provide strong support.
- Memory foam may not be the ideal surface for intimacy with your partner due to its lack of responsiveness.
- Your mattress may come with an unbearable chemical smell.
Types of Memory Foam
Contrary to popular belief, not all memory mattresses are made from the same type of memory foam. There are several different types of foam on the market. Because of the soft nature of the material, it’s often used as just one layer in the mattress while the other layers provide support.
- Traditional memory foam, or visco-elastic memory foam This is the most common type of memory foam. Both the best mattress and the best memory foam mattress topper in the UK are made from this type of memory foam.
- Gel–infused memory foam This type of foam is excellent for improving breathability and keeping the mattress cool. Aside from that, there really isn’t much difference between traditional and gel-infused foam. If you tend to get hot at night, we recommend you look further into this type of foam.
- Plant-based memory foam If you’re after natural materials and a more eco-friendly sleeping option, you should look into plant-based memory foam. This type of foam uses ingredients such as soy, aloe vera, tea, and bamboo. Aside from being eco-friendly, it also has natural temperature regulation properties.
- Open-cell memory foam Much like gel-infused memory foam, open-cell foam has a similar feel to traditional foam, but it’s more breathable, as our best memory foam mattress review for the UK indicates.
- Copper-infused memory foam If you need a cool mattress and want to improve your circulation, you should opt for copper-infused memory foam. Those who experience joint pain should especially consider sleeping on this kind of mattress.
Firmness Levels
Finding the ideal balance between support and comfort depends on your weight and your sleeping position. As we’ve established, there are different types of memory foam, but there are also different firmness levels. This means that you can find your perfect memory foam mattress if you just do your research.
What you need based on the way you sleep:
- Sleeping on your stomach This position requires a firmer mattress that will keep your hips from sinking into the memory foam and keep your spine aligned.
- Sleeping on your side The best soft memory foam mattress in the UK is reserved for side sleepers because their sensitive points like shoulders and hips receive all the pressure. Soft memory foam will help them avoid waking up in pain.
- Sleeping on your back The most comfortable mattress for back sleepers are those in the medium to firm range, as they provide the perfect amount of support and comfort.
What you need based on your weight:
- Below-average weight To improve your quality of sleep, choose a soft mattress for more pressure relief.
- Average weight Medium-firm is the most comfortable choice.
- Above-average weight To avoid sinking into the mattress and get the support you need, choose a firmer mattress.
What Is the Best Thickness for a Memory Foam Mattress?
Density is very important to consider as it helps you determine how much support you’ll have. The more dense a mattress is, the better the support. Higher-quality memory foam will generally have more density and be more supportive. Denser memory foam is more durable and isolates motion more effectively. Denser foam also moulds to your body better and returns to its original state more slowly. Don’t be surprised if it feels hotter than expected because it also retains more heat.
A memory foam single mattress that isn’t as dense and doesn’t retain as much heat is a better choice for hot sleepers. Less dense mattresses also tend to regain their original shape more quickly. If you’re looking for a firm mattress, though, you won’t be able to find it with this type of foam.
Keep in mind that most mattresses are made from many different layers, so density isn’t the only thing to pay attention to. If you use this as your primary guideline for getting a mattress, you’ll probably end up less than satisfied with your choice.
Indentation Load-Deflection
ILD is an indicator of how much pressure is needed to indent a mattress by four inches. If the ILD is high, it means you’re probably looking at the best firm memory foam mattress in the UK. If you want to avoid sinking into your mattress and have more support, you should look for a higher ILD while shopping.
A higher ILD indicates the mattress has better support but less pressure relief which can be uncomfortable for some people. Low ILD means that the mattress will be soft, and you probably won’t get much support. . The ILD for the typical comfort layer in a mattress is usually between 8 and 20.
Who Should Get a Memory Foam Mattress?
Even the best memory foam mattresses in the UK aren’t perfect for everyone, but there are definitely groups of people who should seriously consider getting one.
- Chronic pain sufferers If you have chronic pain in your back or shoulders, you’ll probably find the pressure-relieving properties of memory foam delightful. The right mattress will let you sink into it a little but still provide the support you need so you don’t wake up feeling stiff. Let’s also not forget that memory foam conforms to your body, filling the gaps between the mattress and your sensitive areas.
- Side sleepers The best soft memory foam mattress in the UK might be the only choice for a side sleeper because there is constant pressure on your hips and shoulders. The best choice is memory foam to avoid damaging these areas and waking up in pain. You’ll get the cushioning you need and reap the benefits of weight distribution and pressure relief.
- Couples If you’ve ever shared a bed with a partner, you know very well how annoying it can be. The best king size memory foam mattress will naturally reduce motion transfer, and if you choose the right type of foam, you’ll sleep on a cooler surface, too.
Wrapping up
That wraps up our review and buyer’s guide for memory foam mattresses you can find on the UK market. Hopefully, this article has given you all the information you need to make the right decision on your new bed. The best thing you can do in addition to following our guide for advice is to trust the experience of other users, as well as your own.
FAQs
What are the top 10 memory foam mattresses?
We’ve thoroughly analysed the UK market and developed a comprehensive methodology for ranking the mattresses the way we did. Our top 10 memory foam mattresses are the following:
- Eve Mattress
- Emme Mattress
- Nectar Mattress
- Happy Beds Mattress
- Tempur Original Mattress
- SilentNight Mattress
- Ergoflex Mattress
- Dormeo Mattress
Why does my memory foam mattress hurt my back?
Even though memory foam focuses on support and comfort, it’s not the ideal choice for everyone. The most common reason your back starts hurting when sleeping on memory foam is that your body contours in an improper position. In other words, your back isn’t properly aligned.
What is the difference between a 10 inch and 12 inch memory foam mattress?
The thickness of memory foam mostly depends on how much weight will be put on the mattress. 10 and 12 inches of depth are both suitable and have a nice feel to them. However, if you and your partner weigh over 250lbs, you’ll be much more comfortable with a 12-inch mattress.
Is a spring mattress better than memory foam?
Memory foam is superior to spring mattresses because it offers better support and distributes weight evenly. It moulds to your body and provides more comfort. Springs don’t do anything for pressure relief, making you ache in the long run.
Memory foam also lasts longer, and these kinds of mattresses tend to be hypoallergenic. Reduced motion transfer and cooling are also benefits that spring mattresses simply don’t have.
Are cheap memory foam mattresses good?
Price isn’t always a good indicator of quality. Just because something is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be high-quality and vice versa. That being said, it’s possible to find inexpensive, high-quality memory foam mattresses on the UK market.
Bensons for Beds is the perfect example of this. They use premium materials without charging a fortune. Our ranking table offers more than one example of cheaper but high-quality memory foam mattresses and is definitely worth a look. After all, they wouldn’t be the best memory foam mattresses in the UK if it wasn’t for the fantastic value for money.