Emma, Eve or Simba? The best boxed mattresses for 2023

Table last checked: April 2023

Not sure what size bed-in-a-box mattress to buy? See our guide to UK mattress sizes.

Bed-in-a-box mattress brands

Want to know more about the brands selling mattresses online? Read on for our round-up of the key information you'll need to know.

Emma mattresses

Emma offers several core bed-in-a-box mattresses on its website, plus a few other offerings.

The Emma Original, one of our most popular mattresses, is made from foam and memory foam, and now comes in a Premium version which includes a honeycomb cover. The Emma Premium contains a combination of foam, memory foam and pocket springs and there's also a Plus verison which has the same cover.

Emma also sells the Emma Smart Hybrid, the brand's first mattress that's available to buy in the shops. This has been followed by the Diamond Hybrid and the Emma Helix Hybrid. Note that the Emma Hybrid is no longer sold by Emma directly, but you might find it for sale through other retailers.

• How much does an Emma mattress cost? Emma Original: single £311, double £474, king £536, super king £624.
• Emma mattress delivery Free shipping and free returns in the UK.
• Emma mattress trial period 200 nights. If you decide to return the mattress, Emma will collect it for free and offer a full refund.
• Emma mattress guarantee 10-year limited warranty on the mattress core.
• Other products Pillow, mattress protector, mattress topper, duvet.

See our full Emma Original mattress review to see whether it really can offer full support.

Eve mattresses

In October 2022, Eve Sleep entered into administration. Our dedicated news story explained what happened and what to do if you were waiting for an order.

With its bright yellow trim, the Eve mattress range is bound to catch your eye. We've tested five Eve mattresses, including the Eve Original, Original Hybrid, Premium, Premium Hybrid and Lighter Hybrid. The Eve Premium Hybrid mattress is the most popular option on our website.

Eve mattresses come with a year-long sleep trial, an increase from 200 nights last year. You can find the distinctive looking mattresses in retailers such as Amazon and Argos, and high-street stores such as Next.

• How much does an Eve mattress cost? The Premium Hybrid mattress: double £1,099, king £1,299, super king £1,399 (0% APR finance packages are available).
• Eve mattress delivery Free standard three-day delivery for most areas, nominated-day delivery available for £19.
• Eve mattress trial period One year. If you decide to return the mattress, Eve will collect it for free and offer a full refund.
• Existing mattress removal Available for an additional £50 fee, after the delivery of your Eve mattress.
• Eve mattress guarantee 10-year limited warranty covering manufacturing faults.
• Other products Cot mattress, pillow, mattress topper, mattress protector, bed frame, bedding (two bundles available).

See how it performed in our tests by reading our full Eve Premium Hybrid mattress review.

Otty mattresses

Otty has four mattresses in its range: the Otty Aura Hybrid, Original hybrid, Pure hybrid and the Pure+ hybrid.

The brand claims that its Otty double hybrid mattress has a patented memory foam/foam/pocket spring combination, which eliminates overheating with a cool gel and airflow technology.

• How much does an Otty mattress cost? Otty Original Hybrid: single £749, double £949, UK king £1,099, super king £1,249 (0% financing available).
• Otty mattress delivery Free shipping depending where you live, £10 to £50 for premium shipping including allocated day and Saturday delivery, and free returns.
• Otty mattress trial period 100 nights. If you decide to return the mattress, Otty will offer a full refund.
• Existing mattress removal Optional, depending on your area.
• Otty mattress guarantee 10-year limited warranty.
• Other products Pillows, mattress topper, duvets, bedding and bed frames.

Will this mattress give you a decent night's sleep? Read our full Otty Original Hybrid review to find out.

Silentnight mattresses

Silentnight has a large range of deliverable rolled mattresses (think bed-in-a-box just without the box). These cover pocket-sprung, hybrid, latex and memory foam options, so there's something for everyone.

If you like trying out a mattress before buying, Silentnight is one of the few brands available online as well as on display in a large number of retailers – including Bensons for Beds, Dreams, Furniture Village and John Lewis.

• How much does a Silentnight mattress cost? Doubles range from £179 to £735 depending on the model. Our most popular mattress from this brand is the Silentnight Studio Gel, also called the Just Bliss: single £469, double £549, king £609 (0% finance is available).
• Silentnight mattress delivery Free shipping within 48 hours (Monday to Friday).
• Silentnight trial period 60 to 365 nights, depending on the mattress. If you decide to return the mattress, Silentnight will give the option of exchanging your mattress for another, but won't offer a full refund.
• Existing mattress removal Optional, depending on your area.
• Silentnight mattress guarantee Five-year limited warranty.
• Other products Beds, bedding, pillows and duvets.

See our full list of Silentnight mattress reviews and find out how our members rate them by reading the results of our latest customer survey on Which mattress brand to buy in 2023.

Simba mattresses

One of the stalwarts of the bed-in-a-box mattress market, Simba prides itself on its combination of memory foam, foam and pocket springs. There are four mattresses in its core hybrid range, plus the latest mattress – Simba Go Organic, which Simba says is organic and eco friendly.  Simba has also recently launched a new budget range of mattresses, called Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress and  Simbatex Foam Mattress.

Its mattresses are available to try in a number of retailers, including John Lewis. Buying direct from Simba means you'll get a year-long sleep trial included. Check what sleep trial (if any) is included before you buy from a retailer, as it could be different.

• How much does a Simba mattress cost? Simba Hybrid: single £799, double £1,079, king £1,249, super king £1,399 (0% finance packages available)
• Simba mattress delivery Takes three working days.
• Simba trial period One-year trial. If you decide to return the mattress, Simba will offer a full refund.
• Existing mattress removal Optional (£40) selected at check out.
• Simba mattress guarantee 10-year limited warranty covering manufacturer faults.
• Other products Bunk-bed mattress, pillow, duvet, topper, mattress protector, fitted sheet, weighted blanket and bed linen.

Read our full Simba Hybrid mattress review to see how it performed in our lab.

Where to buy a mattress

Whether you choose to shop online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the retailer's returns policy.

Popular online retailers that stock mattresses include:

• Argos – offers a wide selection of mattresses from big-name brands including Dormeo, Eve and Silentnight.
• Dreams – sells mattresses in a range of sizes, from small single up to super king. Brands listed include Flaxby, Silentnight and Tempur.
• Ikea – is home to spring mattresses, foam mattresses and mattress toppers. One of its more popular memory foam models is the Morgedal, which costs £229 as a standard double.
• John Lewis – has pocket spring, open spring and memory foam mattresses in a range of sizes.

Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best and worst furniture shops.

Which? bed-in-a-box mattress reviews

We've been testing mattresses for more than 50 years, so you can have complete confidence in our test scores, because every mattress review we publish is based on the most rigorous lab tests.

It’s essential that your mattress gives your spine the support it needs. That’s why we test each one to see how well it will support people of various sizes, sleeping on their back, side and front. So no matter what your favourite sleeping position – we've got your back.

After simulating up to 10 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. We also assess the mattress for any change in height or firmness, so we can tell you whether it will sag or soften after a few years of use.

That’s not all. Our testing also reveals how breathable a mattress is, how easy it is to turn over on, and how stable it is. Light sleepers should try to buy a mattress with five stars for stability. These are the best at absorbing bounces, so you’ll be less likely to be disturbed when your partner rolls over or gets up in the night.

If you’re not yet a member and want access to all these results and more, join Which? today.

After a great night’s sleep? Look no further than our independent and objective mattress reviews. Or, see our guide to the best mattress deals and snap up a bargain

Prices may change at short notice.