10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses UK 2024 | Emma, TEMPUR and More
Sleep comfort is often overlooked, but it can have a great impact on our overall health and wellbeing. Choosing the right mattress is vital to ensuring a good night's sleep and a healthy mind and body. Many people swear by memory foam mattresses, but how do you choose the right one for you?
Luckily, we've gathered all the information you'll need to find your perfect mattress. From firmness and thickness to cooling gel and hypoallergenic properties, this article will make the choice simple. Plus, we've compiled a list of the 10 best memory foam mattresses currently available through UK retailers such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis.
Quick List - Top Memory Foam Mattresses
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How to Choose a Memory Foam Mattress in the UK
- Choose Traditional Memory Foam for Tailored Support or Gel Foam For a Cooling Mattress
- Pick a Soft, Medium or Firm Mattress Based on Bodyweight and Support Needs
- Make Sure the Thickness of the Memory Foam Layer is Around 10%
- Opt for a Hypoallergenic Mattress to Reduce the Risk of Allergic Reactions
Opt For Traditional Memory Foam for Tailored Support or Gel Foam to Benefit From a Cooling Mattress
There are two common varieties of memory foam, each one offering its own unique benefits. If you're unsure whether to opt for traditional or gel foam, take a look at the key features below to help narrow down your choice.
- Traditional Memory Foam: This type of mattress responds to your size and weight, adapting its shape over time to better suit your body. This minimises pressure on your limbs and supports healthy circulation.
- Gel Memory Foam: These mattresses have a similar physical composition to gel heel inserts. It's more breathable than traditional memory foam, thanks to its permeable surface and increased airflow. This gives it excellent cooling properties, making it beneficial for those who tend to overheat in their sleep.
Try a Memory Foam Pillow to tackle neck pain.
Choose Soft, Medium or Firm Depending on Your Body Size and Intended Level of Support
One of the most important factors pertaining to mattress comfort is firmness. This is generally rated as soft, medium or firm. It can be hard to know which is best for you without trying a mattress out for yourself, but here are a few factors that may help you decide on the right option.
- Soft Mattresses are ideal for side sleepers. Because of the minimal support, they're generally preferred by people with slim builds, and can help improve quality of sleep for children.
- Medium Mattresses are a good middle ground and may be helpful in alleviating back pain. If you're of medium build or tend to sleep on your back, this could be the best option for you.
- Firm Mattresses are preferred by back and stomach sleepers. They're also beneficial for back pain and great for heavier individuals thanks to the enhanced level of support.
Get extra support with our Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain
Aim for a Memory Foam Thickness of Around 10% Of the Overall Mattress Depth
Memory foam mattresses are usually between 15 and 30 cm thick. However, the memory foam layer only takes up a small percentage of the total depth. Typically, the mattress will be composed of a base layer which provides rigid support, and a comfort layer on top which utilises memory foam to contour to the body.
The ratio of base layer to comfort layer will depend on your chosen mattress, but a good average is 90% base and 10% comfort. For example, a 30 cm mattress should contain around 3 cm of memory foam. If the base layer is thinner than 90%, the mattress is usually softer, and if it takes up more than 90% of the overall depth, the mattress will be more firm.
Consider a Hypoallergenic Mattress if You’re Sensitive to Dust or Other Household Allergens
All memory foam is naturally antimicrobial, but if you're particularly sensitive to dust mites and other common allergens, you may want to opt for a mattress that's hypoallergenic too. Gel and high-density traditional foam are the best options for tackling allergies. However, their effectiveness can be impacted by the materials used for the mattress' outer layers.
Since so many different factors go into making a mattress, it's usually easiest to just look for those explicitly labeled as being hypoallergenic. To help save you time, we've included this information for each of the products in our ranking, but if you want to be sure you're protected, you can always buy a hypoallergenic mattress topper to reduce the risk of reactions.
Choose Bamboo Bedding for a naturally hypoallergenic option.
10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | eve Sleep Original Mattress | | Three Layers of Movement-Isolating Foam to Aid Light Sleepers | |
2 | Molblly Memory Foam Mattress | | 20 cm High-Density Foam Mattress With 10% Gel Memory Foam | |
3 | Silentnight Yours & Mine | | Tailor-Made Half and Half Mattress Designed With Couples in Mind | |
4 | Simba Cool Foam Mattress | | Cooling Gel and Air Vents Increase Breathability to Tackle Overheating | |
5 | Inofia 2 in 1 Soft and Firm Two Sided Flippable | | 2-In-1 Flippable Mattress That’s Perfect for Guest Rooms | |
6 | naturalex Extrafresh Urban Living Extra Deep Memory Foam Mattress | | 7 Zones of Support to Cater To Your Body’s Varying Needs | |
7 | Inofia Tri-fold Mattress with Memory Foam | | Tri-Fold Guest Mattress With 4 cm of Breathable Memory Foam | |
8 | Jay-Be Benchmark S3 Memory Eco Friendly Mattress | | Eco-Friendly Mattress Made From Recycled Materials | |
9 | Emma Original Memory Foam Mattress | | Don’t Rush Your Decision With a 200-Day Sleep Trail | |
10 | TEMPUR® Sensation Elite Memory Foam Mattress | | Firm Support for a Wide Range of Bed Shapes and Sizes |
Three Layers of Movement-Isolating Foam to Aid Light Sleepers
This mattress is comprised of three foam layers, including traditional memory foam which boasts up to 30 times more breathability than other brands. The result is a medium/firm feel that's ideal for those who require extra support.
The hypoallergenic mattress is crafted in UK-based factories, so you won't have to worry about contributing to excess emissions costs. With movement-isolation technology, you can finally sleep through the night no matter how much your partner may toss and turn!
20 cm High-Density Foam Mattress With 10% Gel Memory Foam
Cleaning is easy thanks to the machine-washable, anti-allergy cover. Plus, you'll automatically be covered by a 10-year guarantee in the unlikely event that you're not satisfied.
Tailor-Made Half and Half Mattress Designed With Couples in Mind
The Yours & Mine range from Silentnight offers the ideal sleeping solution for compromising couples. From dual tog duvets to speciality pillow sets, they have you covered for all your varying needs!
This mattress is no exception, with the option of traditional or gel foam. Various combinations of soft, medium and firm mattresses means you can cater each half to your specific preferences and required level of support. Whoever said a good marriage was built on compromise clearly never tried Yours & Mine.
Cooling Gel and Air Vents Increase Breathability to Tackle Overheating
Simba's cooling gel mattress features an open-cell structure and integrated air vents to encourage airflow. With a base layer comprising of high-density foam, you can enjoy cloud-like comfort without overheating during the summer months.
These soft mattresses are ideal for children or adults who don't require firm support. They even make a great addition to holiday homes thanks to the efficient cooling technology.
2-In-1 Flippable Mattress That’s Perfect for Guest Rooms
It's perfect if you suffer from intermittent back pain and require varying levels of support from day to day. Plus, it's a great choice for guest rooms and rental properties, ensuring all visitors are as comfortable as possible during their stay.
naturalexExtrafresh Urban Living Extra Deep Memory Foam Mattress
7 Zones of Support to Cater To Your Body’s Varying Needs
The firm support won't be ideal for everyone, with some customers complaining that the mattress is too tough. However, if it sounds like it could be beneficial for you, Naturalex will let you try it out for 30 days. All you need to do is complete a no-questions return if you decide it isn't right.
Tri-Fold Guest Mattress With 4 cm of Breathable Memory Foam
Although the lightweight foldable design is perfect for overnight guests, the mattress may not provide enough support for extended use. If you're looking for something more long-term, you may prefer another product from this list.
Eco-Friendly Mattress Made From Recycled Materials
Although their eco-friendly materials are supportive and breathable, they are unfortunately not hypoallergenic. This means that they may not be suitable for those with severe allergies. Paired with a hypoallergenic mattress topper, however, it could still be a good option for climate-conscious buyers.
Don’t Rush Your Decision With a 200-Day Sleep Trail
This mattress is so sure to impress that Emma offers a 200-night trial of all their products. After which, you can send it back for free if you're not totally satisfied. The medium feel is great for back pain and offers a happy middle-ground if you're unsure of which firmness to opt for.
Unfortunately, the thickness of the memory foam layer hasn't been specified. Although, it's safe to assume that it will comprise around 10% of the overall depth since the mattress has a medium level of support. Regardless, with such a long trial, you'll have plenty of time to decide if it's right for you.
Firm Support for a Wide Range of Bed Shapes and Sizes
Dynamic support technology allows this mattress to provide optimal comfort and support while aiding healthy blood flow and reducing back pain. We like that it comes in a wide range of sizes to suit almost any bed, with short and long variations of traditional mattress proportions.
That said, this mattress is the most expensive on our list, so it won't be ideal if you're shopping on a budget or hoping to furnish multiple rooms in the house. If you're looking for a high-quality mattress to fit specific bed frame size and shape requirements, however, it may be worth the extra investment.
Top 5 Memory Foam Mattresses
No. 1: eve｜Sleep Original Mattress
No. 2: Molblly｜Memory Foam Mattress
No. 3: Silentnight｜Yours & Mine
No. 4: Simba｜Cool Foam Mattress
No. 5: Inofia｜2 in 1 Soft and Firm Two Sided Flippable
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.