I tested 8 luxury mattresses and a NASA-approved brand came out on top twice
“There are two things you should invest in - your shoes and your mattress, because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other!” This is what Jacqui Phillips, who has worked at Dreams for 12 months, tells me as I find myself shopping for my first mattress.
It’s a gem of advice her grandmother always told her - that was before she knew she’d be selling them for a living, mind you.
At the age of 26, I’m on my hunt for my first new mattress. I still live at home with my parents, and as such, all of my previous mattresses have been purchased for me - or in the present case, came with the bed about 10 years ago when I was upgraded from bunk bed, to double when my older sister moved out.
In a bid to find the best mattress for my money, I headed to Dreams and Bensons for Beds to test out some of their top-of-the-range mattresses to replace my now-uncomfortable spring option - and I might have some saving up to do.
I tried out eight of the most luxurious mattresses across the two stores, with prices ranging from £1,499.99 to £2,399 - but it was actually one somewhere in the middle that I’ve got my eye on for my bedroom.
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How I tested the luxury mattresses
I visited both stores and asked a sales assistant which of their mattresses were the most premium. Each store showed me a number of different options spanning different brands and budgets, giving me their personal recommendations before letting me give the mattresses a test run.
For those like me who were curious about mattress testing etiquette, the retailers say ‘go for it’ - just be sure to keep your feet on the wipeable mat at the end of the bed, where possible.
Here are the eight mattresses I tried out - and I’ll reveal my favourite from each store at the end:
Bensons for Beds
At Bensons for Beds, I tried out four different mattresses including premium spring options, orthopaedic mattresses and eco-friendly options. The retailer delivers all across the UK and will deliver your new mattress to your room, and even recycle your old one for a cost of £45.
With each mattress, you get a trial period of 40 nights to decide whether or not you’ve picked the right mattress for you, and most come with a 10 year guarantee in case anything goes wrong.
Here are the four Bensons for Beds mattresses I tried - note that all the prices relate to the double mattress options.
- was £1,949.99, now £1,749.99
Tempur is the mattress brand I’m most familiar with, and so it was the first I gravitated towards in store while browsing, so it was no surprise when the sales assistant told me it was one of their most popular. Their is one of their higher end designs, its NASA-developed technology and low maintenance design making it a desirable choice.
are made from a pressure-relieving synthetic foam which is similar, though not the same as memory foam. First developed by NASA to support astronauts during lift off, it has been cleverly engineered to respond to your body’s temperature, shape, and weight, meaning it moulds perfectly to your body no matter what position you sleep in.
I tried out soft, medium and firm versions of the and after feeling a little like Goldilocks, found the medium most to my liking.
Measuring 25cm deep, it's incredibly comfortable and you really do sink into it, so it’s easy to see how you would drift off into a peaceful slumber.
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What’s more is that it has a removable cover that’s washable at up to 60°C, and the mattress itself is no-turn, no-flip, making the upkeep a breeze. All of the come with a 10-year guarantee, too, with the promise that your mattress will ‘retain at least 95% of its height’ while remaining lump-free for at least a decade
- £1,499.99
For something a little bit more budget friendly, though - and the cheapest I tried overall - is the which is under £1,500 for a double. It’s so good, in fact, that the sales assistant told me it’s the model he has on his own bed - as do two other members of staff.
He said: “In the range this has one of the highest spring counts of 6,000, but the filling isn’t as luxurious as some of the other, more expensive mattresses. Price wise it’s reasonable but it’s definitely on the higher end to the point where I have one and so do two other members of staff.”
Also available in , the high spring count and addition of mini pocket springs are designed to retain bounce and reduce partner disturbance, which is a huge plus if you’re a couple who find themselves bickering about bedtime fidgeting. They also help increase the mattress’s breathability as well, combined with the organic wool and cotton layers that aid in temperature regulation throughout the night.
The bed boasts a sumptuous pillowtop surface and natural blended fibre layers which feels really indulgent as you lie down, and it’s clear why it’s members. The fact that it's easy-care and no-turn, coming with a 10-year guarantee adds to its appeal, too, not to mention that it’s 37.5cm deep, making it much thicker than the Tempur.
- was £2,099.99, now £1,679.99
For anyone who suffers from back pain, this is a great shout. The AlignSupport spring system senses your shape and offers consistent support while the UniCased XT edge support makes the edge of the bed more sturdy, ideal for getting ready in the morning, and for supporting you in and you of bed each morning and evening.
The sales assistant told me: “This is the most technological manufacturer that we deal with and has both the luxury and ailment elements to it, meaning it’s the best of both worlds.”
The has been designed in conjunction with the Orthopaedic Advisory Board, and as you lay down on their firm or medium options, you can immediately feel the pressure lift on your joints, down to the MemorySense ComfortCore and InfiniLux foam layer that perfectly adapts to your body.
Complete with a 10-year guarantee, the is even endorsed by Allergy UK, with ProShield fibres that help keep dust mites and allergens at bay, while Intelligent SmarTex fibres and breathable air mesh border aid in regulating temperature and wicking away moisture.
- £2,299.99
Should you be able to stretch your budget further, the sales assistant at Bensons for Beds told me the exclusive to the retailer, is one of the most sustainable high end mattresses. “It’s about as sustainable of a bed as you’re going to get,” he added.
Endorsed by the Eden Project, this features one and a half fleeces of quality organic British wool, alongside Himalayan Allo, and natural Talalay latex for ultimate comfort, breathability and temperature control that doesn’t retain heat or sweat in the way foam can.
Coming in medium and firm, the mattress contains ReActivePro 8-turn pocket spring technology. This is said to aid natural spinal alignment and relieve pressure, as the more active turns in a spring, ‘the greater the ability to recognise your body’s unique imprint and provide comfort and support exactly where you need it’.
The innovation, quality and sustainability of this mattress is one of the reasons are Royal Warrant owners - so if you want to sleep like a King (and have the available budget for one), then it really is the height of luxury, albeit out of my price range.
Like the other mattresses at Bensons for Beds, it also comes with a 10-year guarantee and is no-turn, making it easy to care for while being kinder to the environment.
Dreams
I have to say that out of the two retailers, Dreams was my favourite store. Everything was really well laid out and the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, which made the experience all the more enjoyable, even giving us our own pillows to carry around to test each bed.
Like Bensons for Beds, Dreams also deliver their mattresses to a room of your choice, and charge £55 to remove your old one, which is then fully recycled, with the springs being melted back down to reuse, while the fillings are turned into pet beds.
The retailer also has a 100 night sleep guarantee, which is more than double Bensons’ 40 night policy, with most coming with 8-10 year warranties. And if you were wondering what the best way to clean your mattress is, Dreams sales assistant Jacqui recommends using an antibacterial spray or sprinkling your mattress with bicarbonate of soda a few hours before vacuuming it.
Here are the four mattresses I tried out at Dreams:
- was £2,099, now £1,699
Tempur currently have some impressive offers on their mattressesAccording to Jacqui, this mattress is one of the most popular with shoppers - as is the whole range, likely due to their NASA-approved status and being generally well heard of.
The is made exclusively for Dreams, which is owned by Tempur, and has an immediate cooling effect when you lie on it, which I would imagine to be a dream-come-true for those going through the menopause and struggling with hot flushes.
It's very similar to the mattress I tried at Bensons for Beds in the sense that it’s also 25cm deep with a removable and washable cover, with NASA developed technology that gives it weightless comfort while being really supportive, too. I loved the medium comfort grade and DuraBase technology foam, with the mattress springing back to its original shape as soon as you rise off it. I could have quite easily got myself some shut eye right there in the store.
And with its new lower price, I really feel like you get a lot of mattress for your money with this one.
- £1,999
The Therapur mattress is cooling and hypoallergenicThe is another great cooling option, albeit for those with a bit more stretch in their budget. It features 3,642 pocket springs that contour to your individual shape and weight, with layers of ActiGel foam and PurFibre that offer targeted pressure relief and optimal support.
The doesn’t need flipping, complete with a 10-year guarantee and 100-night comfort policy from Dreams, so you can rest easy knowing it can be returned within three months if something isn’t quite right.
The pillow top makes for a luxurious addition, and you really can feel the difference when you get into bed. It even has a 4cm layer of unique ActiGel foam which not only adds support, but aids in breathability to regulate the temperature for a cooler night’s kip, too.
Plus, the hypoallergenic properties make it suitable for allergy sufferers, as the Proactive probiotic technology in this mattress helps prevent the natural growth of bacteria and dust mites.
- £1,799
The Sleepeezee mattress was described as being like 'the Princess and the Pea'“This is Jacqui tells me as we browse the rows and rows of equally comfortable-looking beds. “It’s like the Princess and the Pea - and is what I’ll be buying when I upgrade my mattress.”
Named the it even sounds like it would be fit for a Princess, and the soft grade option was almost too good to get myself back out of. With 2948 pocket springs and rich layers of memory foam, this mattress provides immense comfort and feels like sleeping on candyfloss.
Individually wrapped springs absorb partner motion while edge support prevents that roll-off feeling. This mattress is complete with a breathable mesh border to optimise airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable, complete with a super soft quilted teddy-fabric feel cover.
The brand added: “Our exclusive range of mattresses have been specially handcrafted to give you a peaceful night’s sleep. For over 30 years Sleepeezee mattresses have carried a Royal Warrant for their quality and excellence.”
- £2,399
The Flaxby mattress had the highest spring count - and happened to be the most expensive, tooUndeniably the most indulgent of them all was the - the epitome of luxury - but the most expensive, too, coming in at £2,399.
It has an impressive 13,455 pocket springs, with layers of micro springs, including recyclable Cortec and exclusive DNAir springs, which adapt to your body’s contours for better support.
To complete this deluxe comfort stack, layers of all-natural fillings keep you cool and comfortable as you sleep, from British wool and cotton, to premium mohair, hemp and flax.
The pillow top feels like a comforting hug with that gorgeous sink-in feel to the mattress, however, you only get a five-year guarantee with this, which is half as long as most of the other brands I tried, which is slightly off-putting considering the more premium price tag.
So, which was my favourite?
For me, at both retailers it was the I found the most appealing. Not only were they insanely comfortable, but it felt like you got a lot of mattress for your money. Both Tempur options had money knocked off, but the Dreams . The NASA-developed technology and cooling elements of this mattress made it my pick of a very luxurious bunch. Plus themeans you can really give it a good test run to check it’s right for you before fully committing.
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