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If a night of hotel-worthy sleep sounds like the stuff of dreams, it could be time to upgrade your mattress. Getting a good night’s kip does a whole lot more than give you an energy boost. In fact, it’s vital for both physical and mental health, which is why I’ve made it my mission to help you find the best mattress for your needs.
While we’ve all got different preferences when it comes to sleep, if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s the importance of a good mattress. The wrong one can leave you feeling tired and uncomfortable, and even cause tension with your bunkmate, so making the right choice is a real investment in your health as a whole. That being said, the search for ‘the one’ can be confusing, especially if you're not entirely sure what you should be looking for – aside from picking the correct size for your bed frame, adding those finishing touches like a mattress protector and pillows, plus getting a good deal, there are a host of other things you need to take into consideration, primarily your sleep position.
If you’re a front sleeper, you’re more likely to suffer from back pain and, as such, it’s recommended you choose a medium to firm mattress, to make sure you’re sufficiently supported and your weight is evenly distributed. Back sleepers will also benefit from increased firmness, so your back and spine are supported, while side sleepers should opt for a softer base. This is because you have less surface area in contact with the mattress, which can increase pressure on hips and shoulders.
Unsure if you even need an upgrade? Simon Williams from the National Bed Federation recommends looking for changes in how well you’re sleeping, and whether you’re experiencing backache or stiffness in the morning. “Your comfort needs may have changed since you bought it, and the mattress will have slowly deteriorated over many thousands of nights’ use,” he explains. As a general rule though, research shows that around seven to eight years is about the time to be thinking about getting a new mattress.
If you’re finding the search overwhelming, you’ve come to the right place, as I have dedicated years to trying and testing the best mattresses on the market to find out exactly what works (and what doesn’t) – keep reading for my honest reviews.
How I tested
To make sure this review of the best mattresses only features the crème de la crème, I have put models from both big names and smaller brands to the test in my very own home, sleeping on them for at least two months, but sometimes years, before giving my final verdict. I tested all mattresses in a king size and, for reference, tend to sleep on my side or front. I share my bed with my partner who is a side or back sleeper, and also happens to be quite the fidget – while this can be disruptive to my slumber, it makes for excellent motion transfer testing.
When reviewing, first and foremost I assessed the comfort of each mattress – if it caused any inkling of aches or pains, it did not make the cut. If it made me feel like I was sleeping on a cloud, I awarded it extra points. The second criterion was motion transfer, I did not want to feel my sleeping partner turn over at night. The third thing I considered was the edge support – I wanted to feel supported wherever I was lying on the bed. Another important factor was durability, assessing whether I noticed any dipping after testing. Finally, I made sure to consider breathability, temperature regulation, ease of delivery and price, with extra bonus points for mattresses that offer sleep trials.
If a mattress is listed here, you can rest assured it’s of great quality, but be sure to read the full reviews to make sure you choose the right one for you. For more information on the testing process, read my in-depth guide, which covers each criterion, from delivery to comfort. For reference, each price listed below is for a standard double mattress, but I’ve also detailed all the sizes available for each of them.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products, and trialling them within their homes – the same environment that you will be using them. As for mattresses, our sleep expert had a strict criterion by which she judged each one having slept on it for a minimum of two months at home.
The best mattresses for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Simba hybrid luxe mattress: £1,342.21, Simbasleep.com
- Best budget buy – Dormeo octasmart plus memory mattress: £609.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for keeping cool – Emma hybrid thermosync mattress: £819, Emma-sleep.co.uk
- Best for medium firmness – Nectar premier hybrid mattress: £749, Nectarsleep.co.uk
- Best for back pain – Simba earth apex mattress: £1,599.20, Simbasleep.com
- Best firm mattress – Hypnos ortho support 7: £1,049, Mattressman.co.uk
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