14 best mattresses, tried and tested by The Independent’s sleep expert

If a good night’s sleep has felt like a distant dream lately, or your bedroom setup is due for a serious refresh, the right mattress can completely transform how you sleep. If you’re not sure where to start, I’m here to help you find the perfect option, whether you sleep on your front, side or back.

With about 10 years of experience of testing mattresses, I’ve tried everything from budget-friendly bed-in-a-box options to luxury hybrids packed with tech. This hands-on experience has taught me what really counts: the perfect mattress should balance comfort with proper support, relieve pressure, and stand the test of time. Features such as motion isolation, edge support, and cooling are also vital – especially if you share your bed or sleep hot. Once you’ve nailed your mattress choice, the rest of your bedroom setup falls into place, from choosing the best pillows to wrapping up in the best duvets.

After extensive testing (yes, many naps were involved), the Simba hybrid luxe stands out as my top recommendation. With its excellent combination of support, airflow, and next-level comfort, it suits a wide range of sleepers. Simba actually earns multiple spots on this list, which speaks volumes about the brand’s consistency. But don’t worry, I’ve also included fantastic memory foam models, firm and soft picks, and top-rated designs to match different body types, preferences, and budgets.

If you're debating between a full mattress upgrade or simply adding one of the best mattress toppers, Tristine Hargreaves, executive director at Bed Advice UK and The National Bed Federation, offers some helpful insight: “If your mattress has visible signs of wear – like sagging, lumps or dips – and no longer supports your sleep, it’s time to replace it.”

So if you’ve been wondering how to choose a mattress, you’re in good hands. I’ve tested dozens to uncover what’s truly worth your money – read on for honest reviews and recommendations that will upgrade your sleep for good.

How I tested

I have put dozens of models from big names and smaller brands to the test in my own home, and I’ve even called on the trusted expertise of the wider IndyBest team, too, making sure every sleep style, body type, and age group is represented. During testing, each mattress was slept on for at least two months, but several in this guide have been tested for a number of years. To determine the best mattresses, I evaluated each one based on key criteria, including:

• Comfort: This has such a big impact on sleep quality and how rested you feel in the morning, so I paid close attention to how each mattress felt in different sleep positions, looking at things like cushioning, pressure relief, and overall support. Since comfort can be subjective, I also got feedback from a co-sleeper and other IndyBest testers with different preferences to make sure the picks work well for a variety of sleep styles.
• Support: This was just as important, especially when it came to maintaining proper spinal alignment. I looked for mattresses that offered enough firmness to keep the body well-supported without feeling too rigid. I also asked my partner to take photos of me lying on each of the mattresses to assess how my spine looked.
• Motion transfer: I tested how well each mattress isolated movement to see if I could sleep undisturbed, even with someone tossing and turning beside me. I also got my fidgety co-sleeper's feedback to understand how noticeable my movements were from their side, making sure the mattress performed well for both of us.
• Edge support: This can affect how usable the full surface of the mattress is, which is important if you tend to sit or sleep near the edge. One way I checked this was by doing the glass test: placing a glass of water near the edge and sitting close by to see if the glass wobbled or stayed steady. A mattress with good edge support felt stable and secure both when I sat on the edge and when I rolled near it during sleep.
• Temperature regulation: To get a full picture, I tested each mattress at different times of the year and in various weather conditions, so I could see how they performed year-round. I noted how warm or cool they felt after lying on them for a while and considered materials like breathable foams or cooling fabrics that help wick away heat. Since my co-sleeper tends to get warmer than I do, I also asked for their feedback to ensure the mattress kept both of us comfortable no matter the season.
• Delivery and setup: I paid close attention to how simple it was to unpack each mattress, especially those that came boxed and needed time to expand. I timed how long it took for them to fully inflate and checked for any off-gassing smells that might be unpleasant.
• Value for money: Price and value for money were key factors I considered because a great mattress should feel worth the investment without breaking the bank. I looked at how each mattress balanced cost with quality, comfort, and durability to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Mattresses that offered generous sleep trials earned bonus points.
• Quality: Overall quality and build were crucial aspects because a mattress needs to stand up to regular use and last for years. I examined the materials, construction, and craftsmanship to get a sense of how durable each mattress would be over time. Feeling confident that a mattress won’t sag or break down quickly adds a lot to its long-term value.

If a mattress is listed here, you can rest assured that it’s high-quality, but be sure to read the full reviews to help you choose the right one for your needs. For more insight into our review methodology, you can read my in-depth guide to how we test mattresses here at IndyBest, which covers each criterion from delivery to comfort. For reference, each price listed below is for a standard UK 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. Sarah Jones has years of experience in testing mattresses and sleep products within her home – the same environment that you will be using them – and consulting experts on what exactly you should look for. As The Independent’s resident sleep expert, Sarah knows the best, most comfortable fabrics and materials to look for in mattresses and bedding. She had a strict criterion by which she judged each one, having slept on them for a minimum of two months at home, and in several cases, for many years. Beyond this, Sarah is a busy parent who values a great night’s sleep, so if any mattress prevented her from snoozing comfortably, it did not make the cut.

The wider IndyBest team has also reviewed and tested more furniture and bedroom-related items, such as the best storage beds to maximise on space, best summer duvets and best winter duvets, best electric blankets and best weighted blankets. Even kids’ room essentials have been put to the test, including the best bunk beds and the best children’s beds.

The best mattresses for 2025 are:

• Best overall – Simba hybrid luxe mattress, double: £1,699, Simbasleep.com
• Best budget buy – Dusk memory foam 2000 pocket sprung hybrid mattress: £279, Dusk.com
• Best for medium firmness – Nectar premier hybrid mattress: £734.02, Nectarsleep.co.uk
• Best for back pain – Simba earth apex mattress, double: £1,999, Simbasleep.com
• Best firm mattress – Hypnos ortho support 7: £1,050, Mattressman.co.uk