Best mattresses 2023: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Use our expert mattress buying advice and trusted Best Buy recommendations to choose the best mattress for your home. 

Although mattresses can be expensive, some of our Best Buys start at less than £200 – so a good night's sleep might cost less than you'd expect.

To see the full list of all the mattresses we've tested, go to our mattress reviews.

Best mattresses for 2023 

You'll find a few of our independently tested Which? Best Buys below.

Looking for a specific type of mattress? Jump straight into our top recommended models by type:

Best memory foam mattresses
Best pocket sprung mattresses
Best boxed mattresses
Best cheap mattresses

Join Which? to get access to all our Best Buys and mattress reviews. We've tested hundreds of mattresses from brands including Emma, Ikea and Silentnight

Use our mattresses reviews to find the right Best Buy for you.

Video: how to buy the best mattress

Pick the perfect mattress for your sleeping position, body shape and bedroom.

Not sure what size mattress to buy? See our guide to UK mattress sizes. 

Mattress types explained

There are four main mattress types: pocket sprung, memory foam/foam, coil spring, and latex. You'll also find hybrid mattresses made from a combination of foam and springs.

Mattresses of all types have impressed in our tough lab tests, so the type you choose comes down to personal preference and how much you want to spend.

Pocket sprung mattresses

Pros

• Each spring is enclosed in its own fabric 'pocket' and reacts to pressure from your body independently
• Can be cooler to sleep on

Cons

• Can be expensive
• Some sag significantly over time
• Don't mould to your shape in the same way as memory foam can
• Generally not as warm as memory foam mattresses

Mattresses with spring systems are usually padded with synthetic polymers, but some contain natural fibres such as horsehair or wool. These layers can affect firmness and breathability, both of which we test in every mattress. But more layers aren’t always better – the support from the springs is more important.

With springs, it's quality rather than quantity that matters. We've tested mattresses with densities ranging from 440 to 1,085 springs, and found wide variation in the level of support offered.

Go to our pocket sprung mattress reviews to see the best we've tested.

Memory foam/foam mattresses

Pros

• Mould to your body shape
• Durable
• Can be pressure relieving

Cons

• Memory foam mattresses can be expensive
• Can restrict movement (memory effect)
• Can feel warm to lie on and increase body temperature

Memory foam mattresses, also known as memory mattresses, are topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material (memory foam). 

This makes the shape of the mattress change to fit the shape of your body, and also tends to make the mattress feel warmer.

Go to our memory foam mattress reviews to see the best we've tested.

Coil spring mattresses (continuous coil and open coil)

Pros

• Cheaper than other types of mattress

Cons

• If you share a bed you're more likely to be disturbed because the springs move as one unit
• The coils wear out more quickly than pocket springs

Continuous coil mattresses are usually made from a single, looped wire and are fairly basic.

Open coil mattresses are made of single springs fixed together by one wire.

When we surveyed Which? members to find out more about mattresses, those who own an open coil mattress are less likely to say it helps them to get a good night's sleep than those who own other types. 

Go to our open coil mattress reviews to see the best we've tested.

Latex mattresses

Pros

• Manufacturers claim that they're more resilient and better able to keep their shape

Cons

• Tend to be expensive
• Some people are allergic to latex

Latex mattresses are less common type of mattress that have a core made up of layers of springy latex.

Go to our latex mattress reviews to see the best we've tested.

Best mattress features to look for

Firmness

Contrary to popular belief, our tests have shown that a mattress doesn’t have to be hard to be good for you. Firmness comes down to personal preference, as long as it does a good job of supporting your body.

Firmness is subjective, and manufacturers describe the firmness of their mattresses in a range of ways. That's why we don't rely on terms such as soft and firm in our reviews. Instead, we test mattress firmness on a scale of one to 10, where one is the firmest and 10 the softest, so you can easily compare the firmness of different mattresses.

We also measure how supportive each mattress is for a range of different body sizes and sleeping positions, so whether you prefer to sleep on your front, side or back, we've got you covered.

Medical-sounding terms, such as ‘orthopedic’ and ‘posturepedic’, don't necessarily mean a mattress is better for you. There are no restrictions on the term 'orthopedic mattress', so any mattress manufacturer can use that description. The body support rating we give in our reviews shows how well each mattress keeps your spine in its natural position.

Natural fillings

Many pocket-sprung mattresses contain layers of synthetic fillings, such as foam. If you're keen to avoid these, look out for mattresses that specifically state they're made using only natural materials such as wool, coconut coir or cotton. 

Look carefully at the claims – and our reviews – as some might only have a token layer of natural materials. 

One-sided (no-turn)

As the name suggests, only one side of a one-sided mattress is designed to be slept on, so it won't need to be turned over regularly to keep it in good shape.

You'll probably still need to rotate it from head to toe, though, so it's a good idea to check the ease-of-use rating in our mattress reviews. This will tell you if a mattress is difficult to move. 

Mattresses can be extremely heavy – the heaviest we've seen weighs more than 50kg.

Bed-in-a-box

These are mattresses that you buy online and they come vacuum-packed into a box delivered direct to your door. 

By cutting out the retailer and selling direct from manufacturer to consumer, many brands claim you’re getting a higher-quality mattress for less. 

Most online-only mattresses come with a sleep trial. Some start at 40 nights and go up to as long as a year. During this time, you can try the mattress at home and send it back if you don’t like it. In most cases, the manufacturer will collect the unwanted mattress from your home free of charge before recycling it or donating it to charity. 

Bed-in-a-box mattresses can be available in all types – foam, or memory foam, but also hybrid mattresses (combining foam and springs).

See our guide to the best boxed mattresses.

Rolled-up

Similar to bed-in-a-box mattresses, rolled mattresses come rolled-up and vacuum-packed in a bag, so you can take them home with you more easily.

Alternatively, they can be delivered to your home and easily taken to the room you need without having to try to drag a large mattress up your stairs or around tight corners.

Like bed-in-a-box mattresses, they sometimes need to be aired or left for a fair few hours to regain shape.

Discover which mattress brands Which? members are the most satisfied with, in our guide to the best mattress brands.

How much does a good mattress cost?

How much you pay will depend on what type of mattress you want.

A basic open coil mattress can start at less than £100, while a handmade, hand-stitched pocket sprung mattress crafted from natural materials such as horse hair, coconut fibre or wool can cost well over £1,000.

Factors such as brand, size and the types of material used can all have a significant impact on cost. But our mattress tests have found that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a mattress that will support your spine and last for years. 

Our expert tests have uncovered a selection of Best Buys for you, with some costing less than £200.

Shopping on a budget? Go to our pick of this month's best mattress deals or see our guide to the most popular Ikea mattresses.

Where to buy a mattress

We've listed some options below, but before you head to the shops (or online) check out the best mattress shops in our latest customer survey.

If you'd like to try mattresses in-store before you buy, you could head to one of these:

• Bensons for Beds stocks mattresses from small single to a super-king, and in a variety of styles from pocket sprung to orthopedic. Stores sell mattresses from well-known brands and Bensons for Beds' own range, with double mattresses starting at less than £160. 
• Dreams sells a huge selection of mattresses in all sizes, including its own range and brands such as Tempur and Silentnight. Double mattresses start at less than £200.
• Ikea only stocks its own branded mattresses on its website and in stores. You can expect to find the standard sizes as well as European sizes in some ranges. Read more about these above.  
• John Lewis stocks its own John Lewis-branded mattresses, plus popular brands such as Emma and Simba. John Lewis's Anyday double mattresses are available for less than £200. 
• Tempur has a number of stores around the country with a range of mattresses available. Tempur-branded mattresses are also available in bed and department stores. Double mattresses start at more than £1,000.

If you're happy to try out your choice of mattress at home:

• Argos stocks a wide range of mattresses on its website including brands such as Tempur and Simba, plus its own collection. Double mattresses start at £110. Be aware that Argos will only take returns if the mattress is part of the Comfort Night guarantee scheme.
• Emma mattresses are available on the company's website, where sizes run from single to super-king, plus European sizes. You will receive a 200-night trial to ensure your new Emma mattress is right for you. 
• Simba has a dedicated website where it showcases its range of mattresses. Simba's collection is available in single to super-king, plus it also stocks European sizes. 
• MattressOnline stocks an extensive range of mattresses brands, including Emma and Tempur. Before you buy, check that your mattress is returnable as part of a sleep trial, as not all of them are automatically included. 

To find out more about mattress returns, see how to return a mattress.

Buying a mattress online

Buying a mattress online might be cheaper and more convenient, but unless you’re buying a bed-in-a-box or a rolled up mattress, it’s always best to try before you buy if you possibly can. 

When trying out a mattress in-store, wear comfortable clothing and remove your outdoor gear. Lie on a mattress for at least 10 minutes, in positions you normally sleep in and trying turning over.

If you can't get to the shops, however, here are our top tips for buying online:

• Research your mattress before you buy When you buy online, you’re protected by consumer law. But do your research first: read our reviews and go for a model that best fits your sleeping style.
• Use trial night offers on mattresses Find out whether your chosen mattress has a trial period, how long this lasts and how you return it once the trial is up. Look for any hidden costs involved, and whether you have to return the mattress back in the original packaging Read more about mattress sleep trials.
• Check the guarantee/warranty on your mattress Make sure you know what your rights are if there's a problem with your mattress. Most guarantees for mattresses won't cover gradual wear and tear, which can lead to loss of support. You should also check whether there’s anything in particular, such as removing labels or using a base other than a recommended one, that would invalidate the guarantee. Read more about mattress guarantees.
• Know your rights when buying a mattress If you change your mind, you’re entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you receive goods. This means you can cancel your order at any time from the moment you place your order up to 14 days from the date it arrives, and the seller is obliged to refund you.

Find out more about your rights to returns and refunds. 

How we test mattresses

No one else tests mattresses like we do. And we’re totally independent, so you can have complete confidence in our results.

If you tend to sleep on your back, a good mattress will keep your spine in the same shape as when you’re standing. So, we measure at around 36 different points when standing, and then again when lying down on the mattresses, to see how well they compare.

If you’re a side-sleeper, your spine should be parallel to the mattress, so we use a laser to measure the angle of the spine relative to the bed. 

A front-sleeper? We measure the spine a third time to assess how supportive each mattress is for people who prefer to lie on their front.

After simulating several years of use by rolling a heavy barrel over the mattress thousands of times, we then repeat the body-support tests to see whether the mattress becomes less supportive over time.

To find out more about the lengths we go to testing mattresses, see how we test mattresses.