I used to buy cheap “value” mattresses and end up throwing them away after a couple of years. So I looked for value – as in ‘quality for a decent price’.
The average person spends 26 years of their life sleeping, which is a long time to be in bed, yet a lot of us don’t think twice about the mattress that we’re sleeping on each night.
Investing in a decent mattress is a worthwhile spend as a good night’s sleep has loads of benefits, from improving concentration to keeping our immune system strong. You should be able to use a good one for years.
Because you probably don’t buy mattresses that often, how do you know if one is a good value or expensive? A guide to current mattress market prices in the UK is also given below, so you don’t overspend.
Returns policies also vary wildly, so there’s also a guide at the bottom of this article on which UK mattress shops have the longest return policy.
So, whether you’re looking to replace an old mattress or on the hunt for an entirely new one, here are my top 3 picks for best value mattresses – and by that, I mean the best quality at a competitive price, and NOT the dirt-cheap lumpy, springy horrors I got in the past!
Covered in this Article:
Best Value Pocket Sprung Mattress in the UK
Annison Mattress By Dreams (Check Price)
This Annison mattress by Dreams is what we have in our guest bedroom. It’s said to perfectly balance comfort and support for the whole of your body.
The 800 mini pocket springs distribute weight evenly and absorb any movement from your partner to avoid you being disturbed during the night, which is great if your little ones end up commandeering the bed and keep you awake with their fidgeting!
Despite the Annison having so many springs, the mattress remains soft and comfortable as it also has a memory foam layer that moulds to your body shape and reduces any aches and pains that arise due to a lack of support.
Pocket spring mattresses can be an excellent choice for you if you suffer from a bad back, as each spring reacts independently to your body weight – which can help to support the correct spinal alignment whilst you sleep.
Someone in the reviews even commented that this mattress is so comfortable and they’ve been having such a good night’s sleep they’ve been late for work due to not being able to wake up!
Bear in mind there’s a very short return policy on this one. If you want more trial period (up to a year), then the next two on the list are better.
Pros:
- Pocket springs and memory foam help to reduce back ache
- Absorbs partner movement
- Quilted, soft touch fabric finish
- 1 year guarantee
- Dreams will recycle your old bed/mattress for you when they deliver a mattress
- Handles to rotate the mattress head to toe
Cons:
- Single sided, so can’t flip over the mattress
- Very short return time – perhaps not enough to trial it
Best Value Hybrid Mattress in the UK
The Simba Hybrid Mattress (Check Price)
Awarded Which Best Buy Mattress in June 2020 along with 8 other industry awards, The Simba Hybrid Mattress is clearly a high-quality product.
Hybrid mattresses tend to provide a cooler night’s sleep and this mattress is no different. It has 5 layers of technology, with a breathable mattress surface and opens cell Simbatex foam with graphite for extra cooling.
So, if you’re someone who gets hot during the night, or shares the bed with someone who does, then sleeping on this mattress can be a way of preventing this.
Another great thing about this mattress for people who share the bed is that due to support layers, you’ll no longer be woken by the transfer of movement when your partner rolls over during the night, you shouldn’t even notice it.
It’s also been suggested that the Simba Hybrid Mattress can help ease back pain and spasms. One person commented that after trying all sorts of orthopaedic mattress toppers and pillows in the past to no avail, this mattress has allowed them to sleep on their back and wake up pain-free!
The people at Simba know what they’re talking about and keep you in the loop. They even send you an email advising you when to turn over the mattress to ensure that you’re constantly getting the best night’s sleep.
The mattress comes with a 200 night trial period with free returns during this time, if you decide you’re happy with it then there’s a 10-year guarantee too.
Pros:
- Winner of 9 industry awards
- Provides a cooler night’s sleep
- No transfer of movement
- Can help with back and muscle pain
- 200 night trial period
- 10 year guarantee
Cons:
- Some people have commented that the ‘new mattress’ smell is overpowering for the first few weeks, but this seems to fade after time
Best Value Memory Foam Mattress in the UK
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress (Check Price)
Memory foam mattresses have really made a name for themselves when it comes to comfort, and this one by Nectar is consistently rated excellent by independent reviews.
It’s designed to minimise motion transfer so you can move around freely without fear of waking your partner – or spilling your snacks if you decide to have a movie night in bed!
The layers of memory foam relieve notable pressure points such as beneath the shoulders, hips and legs for better spinal alignment – no matter what your body type.
Despite being one of the most comfortable mattress types, memory foam can cause you to get hot in the night – but not with this one by Nectar.
It has an adaptive breathable cover that’s custom-designed to draw excess heat away from your body and circulate air every time you move, keeping you fresh and cool all night long.
One woman said that the mattress supports her body so well that all her aches and pains are a thing of the past, and that she looks forward to getting into bed each night as it’s so comfortable! (I know the feeling).
One of my favourite things about this Nectar mattress is that it comes with a 365-night trial, which means that you have a whole year to see if you get on with the mattress, so you can try it on those hot Summer nights to see if the cooling technology really works for you, and if it doesn’t – you get a full refund.
It also has a ‘lifetime warranty’ so for as long as you own the mattress, you’re covered!
Pros:
- Promotes better spinal alignment as you sleep
- Minimal motion transfer
- Adaptive breathable cover that circulates fresh air as you move
- 365-night sleep trial period
- Lifetime warranty
- Free returns
- Works with any bed type, from divans to slatted bed frames
- Good Housekeeping and Ideal Home Approved
Cons:
- Reports that there is a long delivery time
How Much Should I Spend On A Mattress in the UK?
Buying a mattress is a personal experience, and there’s no right amount as to how much you should spend, it depends entirely on what you need for a comfortable night’s sleep and support for your body.
Mattresses need to be replaced every 8 years or so and prices can range from £100 to over £3,000, so it’s definitely not an easy decision.
However, buying a decent mattress is imperative to your health and physical wellbeing – so it’s a worthy investment!
Average costs are below. But think of it this way – what’s a good night’s sleep worth to you?
For example, even if you bought a higher-end, £600 mattress and it lasted the 8-year average, that’s 20p a night for comfy sleep!
| Average Cost Of A Mattress In The UK | Single | Double | King | Super King |
| Memory Foam | £271 | £375 | £456 | £579 |
| Pocket Sprung | £209 | £272 | £324 | £394 |
| Hybrid | £315 | £451 | £585 | £819 |
I learned the hard way that a cheap mattress of around £100-£200 isn’t going to ensure a decent night’s sleep unless you are very young and don’t weigh much at all.
How many times have you stayed in a hotel or guest room with a cheap mattress and tossed and turned all night?
Cheaper mattresses also tend to need replacing more often, which could actually cost you more money in the long run than if you were to invest in a more expensive mattress. In reality, you should spend as much on a mattress as you can afford.
There is a massive difference in getting a decent mattress. Thankfully almost all quality mattresses have a long trial period with free returns. They do this because they KNOW you won’t go back once you’ve tried them!
Once you have your budget sorted, next you can work out what kind of mattress you need.
Mattress Value by Type in the UK
Types of mattresses don’t really have a bearing on value – this largely depends on your body weight.
If you’re on the lighter end of the scale then you should opt for a softer mattress, and a firmer one if you’re heavier. A lot of online mattress companies sell mattresses with different tensions on each side for couples whose weight differs greatly.
Next, you can consider these points for each type:
- Pocket Sprung – Made from individual springs, each housed in their own pocket of fabric. This means that each spring moves independently, so it provides a great amount of support to the body. They also tend to be more breathable than memory foam mattresses. Can be a good option mattress for couples as the independent springs cater to different weights.
- Memory Foam – Made from a mouldable material that responds to weight and is often hypo-allergenic. This type of mattress absorbs to your body, absorbs your weight and relieves pressure on joints, whilst aligning your spine as you sleep.
- Hybrid – This type of mattress usually contains a mix of high-quality materials, such as a layer of memory foam, latex and pocket springs. Hybrid mattresses tend to provide more balance between support and comfortability as you don’t have to choose between the materials. This type of mattress also reduces aches as it supports your body’s shape. More on this below.
What Is A Hybrid Mattress?
As mentioned previously, a hybrid mattress combines two or more types of material, usually memory foam and innerspring coils, to provide both comfort and support as you sleep.
You don’t have to choose one or the other, with a hybrid model you can have both!
They’re one of the most popular types of modern mattresses, as they also tend to have cooling technology that prevents you from overheating during the night as well as motion isolation, meaning that your partner moving around during the night isn’t going to disturb you.
However, hybrid mattresses can be a lot heavier than others on the market meaning it can be difficult to move or arrange in your room.
On the other hand, hybrid mattresses don’t need to be flipped over so once it’s on your bed frame that’s it.
Because of their build, they tend to cost a bit more than average – many people think they’re worth it.
Can I Return A Mattress in the UK?
The USA mattress market is famous for its customer service, but what about the UK?
The returns policy for a mattress all depends on where you bought the mattress from.
You should bear one important thing in mind – a returns policy isn’t a legal requirement if the mattress is bought in-store and you’ve had a chance to try it out.
This, and the fact they’re a nightmare to transport anyway, is a good reason to buy a mattress online in the UK.
There’s nothing to stop you from trying it in the shop and completing the mattress purchase online. However, most good mattresses are online-only these days.
If you’ve bought a mattress online, thanks to the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you can cancel the order at any time up to 14 days after you receive the product, with an additional 14 days to send back the product.
Below, I’ve put together the returns policy for some of the UK’s top mattress retailers (including the best value ones in this article):
| Retailer | Returns Policy |
| Simba | 200 Nights |
| Dreams | 14 Days |
| Nectar | 365 Nights |
| Emma | 100 Nights |
| Silentnight | 60 Days (Exchange Only) |
| Bensons For Beds | 40 Nights (Exchange Only) |
| Wayfair | 30 Days |
| John Lewis | No Return |
| Eve | 100 Nights |
Whatever your budgetary and mattress needs, I hope that I’ve given you the information to find your perfect mattress.
Just think of all that well-deserved sleep you’re going to get!