- Buy now from Amazon (from £446.50)
How we tested the mattresses
We put over 15 mattresses to the test, judging them on everything from customer service and packaging through to sustainability and value for money. Each mattress could achieve up to 20 points for the following criteria:
- Information and customer service: How clear and helpful are mattress descriptions? (2 points) | What’s customer service like? (1 point) | Free delivery? (1 point) | How long is the trial period? (2 point) | Do they pick up your old mattress? (1 point)
- Features: (0.5 points each) Manoeuvrability: how does it arrive? Will delivery men take it upstairs? Handles? | If memory foam – how long to inflate? | Sustainable packaging? | Materials – memory foam, springs, hypoallergenic, etc? | Temperature regulation materials? | Care instructions – do you need to turn it? | Caters for different sleep needs? | Removable cover for washing? | Comes in all sizes? | Specifications – depth?
- Results: Does it live up to the description – firm/supportive etc? (2 points) | An odour when out of packaging? (1 point) | Durability? (2 points) | Sustainable material? (1 point)
- Value for money: (2 points) Is it good quality? | What is the warranty? | Is it worth the money?
Information and customer service
We were happy with the customer service which was good overall. There's plenty of information and infographics on the website to explain how the mattresses are constructed and the features they offer, so it feel straightforward to make the choice about which mattress is best for you.
The mattress was delivered free and on time although there was no collection service for our old mattress, which would have been a big help.
The trial period of 200 nights means that anyone unsure about the Emma mattress has plenty of time to decide and they claim returning unsuitable mattresses is free and 'super easy' thanks to a 'handy returns portal'.
The mattress arrived vacuum-packed inside strong cardboard carton, and was easily carried upstairs by two of us, which was good because the mattress itself doesn't have handles. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow. (6 out of 7)
Features
The Emma Original mattress is a generous 30cms deep and comes in various sizes from single up to super king.
After the required 24-hour expansion time, the mattress was ready for use. There is no need to turn the mattress, but rotation is recommended to ensure even weight distribution over its lifetime.
It features a range of materials and layers to help prevent sweating, and ensure air flows to keep you cool and dry even when it's hot. We tested this in winter, so this wasn't put to the test, but with warm duvets and quilts, we certainly didn't feel hot-and-bothered in the morning. The removable cover protects the supportive memory foam base layers and makes for easy cleaning.
The cardboard packaging was easily recycled but the shrink-wrap plastic had to be thrown away in the general rubbish. (5 out of 6)
The Results
In terms of firmness, the Emma Original mattress has been designed to be medium to ensure correct spinal alignment and support. On a scale from 1 (soft) to 10 (firm), the Emma Original is a 5 (medium) mattress.
While all the Emma mattresses are designed to ensure correct spinal alignment and support, it was a little too firm for us. However, we added the Emma topper, and it was much more comfortable and still supportive. (5 out of 6)
Value for Money
Very good value, especially at the discounted price and the 10-year warranty. (2 out of 2)
Not the right mattress for you? Check out the Simba Essential Foam mattress, which we tested as part of our search to find the best budget mattress. Or invest in a premium mattress - check out our review of the Eve Hybrid Duo Plus mattress.
Keep your new mattress in tip-top condition with our guide: how to clean a mattress. And if you're looking to update your bedding too, we've found the best autumn and winter bedding, the best sustainable bedding to buy, as well as the best way to clean and store winter bedding.
Emma's Premium King Memory Foam mattress
Looking for a larger mattress? We haven't tested the Premium King Memory Foam mattress from Emma yet, but it's on our hit list: This mattress features two more layers than the Original mattress, and is designed to be a little firmer, and is rated as a 6.5 (medium firm) mattress. It's ideal for 'bigger people' and has one awards for it's overall design and the features it offers. Reviews on their website include 'best thing we have bought in years,' 'very helpful and job well done', and 'great sleep so far with no aches'. Just like the Emma original mattress, it also comes with a 200 night trial and 10 year warranty. It fits any 150x200 king size mattresses bed frame.
- Buy now from Amazon (£812)
