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The Best Mattresses Guide

Simple advice on the UK’s best mattresses and beds

This site uses cookies - see our privacy policy. Ads & links in bold may give us a small payment from the seller, at no cost to the buyer. However, this never affects our views - if we like it, we recommend it.

6 of the best mattresses with a free trial - 2020 and 2021

Mattress shopping used to rely on you lying down in a showroom for 30 seconds and then standing up and saying 'yes, that one feels about right'. 

Nowadays there are loads of mattresses which offer a free trial of 100 nights or even a whole year, so you can really work out if it's comfortable. Some have terms and conditions attached, so always check the small print.

We've picked out five award winning mattresses which offer a free trial. Prices are for double mattresses and are correct at the time of writing. 

1. Nectar Sleep Mattress (Medium/Firm) - £549 - 365 night trial

**Nectar January Sale: £125 off any size mattress + 2 free pillows + free delivery**
As far as I can tell, Nectar Sleep offers the joint longest home trial of any mattress in the UK market (along with the more expensive DreamCloud mattress featured below). 

You get a whole year to try it out and then it comes with a 'forever' warranty rather than the usual 5 or 10 years that come with most mattresses.

But is it any good, I hear you ask in a polite tone?

Well, as I write this the Nectar Sleep brand is scoring 4.3/5 from from more than 7000 customers on TrustPilot, which is good. It's also won several awards from experts including Ideal Home and Good Housekeeping. 

The mattress is entirely foam, so it's another one of those which are called a 'bed in a box'. It arrives squashed up and then expands once you've carried it upstairs. It uses memory foam but has a 'cooling cover' on top, which is an effort to get away from the issue that some people have of finding memory foam too hot.

Of course, if that turns out to be a problem you can return it.
Nectar mattress in a bedroom
We reckon Nectar's mattress has the joint longest trial period on the market
Search latest deals on Nectar Sleep

2. Simba Hybrid Mattress (medium/firm) - £799 – 200 night trial

​**Simba Sale: 26% off for new customers until 26/01/21**
The Simba Sleep mattress is what’s known as a hybrid mattress because it uses springs as well as foam. Recent awards include approval from Good Housekeeping and a 10/10 score from the Daily Mail.

If you aren't swayed by the Daily Mail's approval, have a look at the customer reviews. Simba Sleep as a brand averages 4.5/5 on TrustPilot whilst Amazon customers give it 4.3/5 at the time of writing.


The springs in the Simba Hybrid are mini ones which are sandwiched between layers of foam. It uses memory foam, but not on the top layer so it doesn’t have the sinking and hugging feeling that you probably associate with a memory foam mattress.

There’s some (fascinating) debate about how firm the Simba Hybrid mattress is, with some saying it is medium firmness whilst others saying it is more like medium-firm. We could settle this with an arm wrestle, but the official website say that the Simba Hybrid is medium-firm so let's stick with that. Of course, if it’s not the right firmness for you, they’ll pick it up and give you a refund. 

It also comes with a 10 year guarantee. 
Simba hybrid mattress
The Simba Hybrid offers more than six months to try it out at home
Search latest deals on Simba Sleep

3. Inofia memory foam and pocket spring mattress (medium) - £263 - 100 night trial

If you can cope with some dodgy grammar and spelling on the website (e.g. 'Adapts to the each part of body for perfect level') you might consider Inofia as a budget memory foam and pocket spring mattress with a 100 night trial. Reviews were a very impressive 4.6/5 from 1700+ reviews when I checked, putting it on a par with mattresses costing two or three times that.

Unlike some others on this list, the layer of memory foam is on the top with 'adapt foam' and springs lower down. Unfortunately, it doesn't specify how many springs it has. The diagram says that they are individual pocket springs though, which is the superior option to an open coil mattress.

It's also remarkably deep for the price at 27cm. There's some disagreement over the firmness, but the official guidance puts it half way between firm and 'plush' which I assume is a synonym for 'soft'.​ Of course, the advantage of a mattress with a free trial is that you can give it a go yourself and get your money back if you don't like it.
Inofia memory foam mattress
This Inofia mattress is one of the cheapest mattresses with a home trial period
Search latest deals on Inofia

4. DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress (medium/firm) - £949 - 365 night trial

**DreamCloud January Sale: £300 off + free delivery**
The DreamCloud mattress is what's known as a hybrid mattress as it uses pocket springs and memory foam. It's owned by the same company as Nectar Sleep, and it comes with the same 365 night trial as well as a 'forever' warranty (you should check the Ts and Cs of these things, of course).

It's made in the UK and is at the more luxurious end of the mattress market (that's marketing speak for 'expensive'). It is much deeper than most mattresses at 29cm and it gets very good customer reviews. On TrustPilot, DreamCloud was scoring 4.2/5 from customers when we checked. 

The idea of a hybrid mattress is that you get the familiar springy feeling which most of us are used to with pocket springs, along with the consistent support and comfort which is offered by foam. One of the foam layers is memory foam which has a hugging and sinking feeling to it. Some people find memory foam makes them feel warm, but mattresses like this one use 'breathable memory foam' to try to overcome this.
Dreamcloud sleep hybrid mattress with pocket springs
The DreamCloud hybrid mattress offers a whole year to try it out
Search latest deals on DreamCloud

5.​ Emma Mattress (medium tension) - £549 - 200 night trial

There's a fair amount of technical jargon associated with the Emma Mattress ('progressive sinking technology' and 'point elastic' are my favourites) but we've included it because it gets rave reviews from experts and appears on many guides you'll find to the best mattresses. It's also known as the Emma Original, just in case you're getting confused.

Much like the Nectar Sleep mattress, the Emma Mattress is made from layers of foam in an attempt to give the right level of support. The memory foam layer (the one which has a bit of a sinking feeling) is sandwiched in between two other types of foam. The top layer is 'breathable Airgocell foam' to stop you getting too hot.

​There's a 10 year guarantee and a 200 night free trial. 

Reviews for the Emma Mattress were averaging 4.5/5 on Amazon when we checked whilst the Emma brand overall scores 4.6/5 on TrustPilot as of January 2021.
Emma mattress
The Emma Mattress calls itself the 'UK's No. 1 most awarded mattress'
Search latest deals on Emma Mattress

6. Herdy Sleep - (medium firmness) - £849 - 100 night trial

I struggled to find many pocket spring mattresses offering a free trial. 

​As a general rule they are something you see on offer from newer online only mattress makers who offer foam mattresses, rather than the more traditional companies.

​Some exceptions:
​
Herdy sleep mattress
There are a few pocket sprung mattresses with trial periods - but check the terms and conditions first
  • Highly rated pocket spring mattress brand Sleepeezee offer a 60 night sleep trial so you can swap it for another mattress from their range (check the terms and conditions). The brand scores 4.2/5 on TrustPilot at the time of writing.
  • Soak & Sleep offer a 100 night trial on mattresses as long as you use a mattress protector (check the terms and conditions).
  • Button and Sprung offer a 100 night trial and has a fairly big range of pocket sprung mattresses from about £500. 
  • Posh pocket spring mattress manufacturer Feather & Black also does a trial, but you need to try it out in store first. They have mattresses by Harrison Spinks, which won a big award from the National Bed Federation a few years ago.

We picked out Herdy Sleep in the end as a pocket spring mattress with a 100 night trial. There are three layers of pocket springs, rather than the single layer which you might be used to. ​Pocket sprung mattresses offer a more familiar feel than foam mattresses and are what most of us are still sleeping on. 

Reviews are positive (on Feefo and their own Facebook page). It's won awards from Good Housekeeping and the Evening Standard as well as a couple of eco-friendly type awards.

It's made as a partnership with Harrison Spinks which is one of the few mattress companies with something called a Manufacturing Guild Mark from the Furniture Makers' Company. That's an award given out to some British companies which pass 'a rigorous, independently reviewed audit.'
Search latest deals on Herdy Sleep

Related guides from the Best Mattresses Guide

Mattress with bed cover and pillow

10 of the best mattress retailers

Where to start your search for good quality beds and mattresses in the UK​
Closeup of a tufted mattess

10 of the best mattresses of 2020/2021

10 mattresses which have won awards and rave reviews 
Teddy bear on a quilted mattress

Best places to buy cheap mattresses

Where to shop for a mattress on a budget of £500, £200 or £100

Buying advice

Beginners' guide
​
Best retailers
Cheap retailers
Divan or bedstead?
​
How to choose a mattress
​John Lewis mattresses
​Memory foam or springs?

Best mattresses

Top 10 mattresses
Arthritis
Back sleepers​
Bed in a box
Best for bad backs
​Cheap mattresses
Cheap memory foam
​Emperor mattresses
​Best firm mattresses
Mattresses with free trials
​
Front sleepers
​Best for heavy people
​Hybrid mattresses
​Kids mattresses
Best latex mattresses
Medium firm mattresses
Top 5 memory foam
​Pillow top mattresses
Pocket sprung mattresses
​
Queen size mattresses
​Side sleepers
​Single mattresses
​
Single memory foam
​Small double mattresses
​Small single mattresses
Best soft mattresses
Wool mattresses
Zip link mattresses


Other guides

​Adjustable beds
Air beds
​Best bedding
Bedspreads
Blankets/throws
​Bunk beds
​Bunk bed with desk
Best carpets
Chair beds
​Cheap beds
Cot bed mattresses
​Day beds
Double beds
Double bunk beds
Double storage beds
Duvets
​Electric blankets
​Fitted sheets
Folding beds
Guest beds
Headboards
Mattress protectors
​Metal beds
Ottoman beds
Pillows
​Silk pillowcases
Silk pyjamas
​
Sleigh beds
​5 best sofa beds
Best toppers
Trundle beds
TV beds
Weighted blankets
White beds
​Wooden beds
​
​




Brands

Casper
Dormeo
Dunlopillo
Emma
Ergoflex
Eve
Hypnos
Nectar
OTTY
Sealy
Silentnight
Simba
Sleepeezee
Tempur
Vispring

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Disclaimer
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While we endeavour to keep the information on this website up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose - please see our disclaimer for more details. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
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  • Home
  • Mattress advice
    • How to choose a mattress
    • Best Mattresses beginners guide
    • Memory foam v pocket spring mattresses - which is best?
    • 6 tips for buying the best pocket spring mattress
    • 5 tips for buying the best memory foam mattress
    • The 5 questions you need to answer before buying a bed
    • Is an orthopedic mattress the best for a bad back?
  • Best mattresses
    • 10 of the best mattresses of 2020 and 2021
    • By type >
      • 6 best pocket sprung mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best latex mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best pillow top mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bed in a box 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best hybrid mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By brand >
      • By brand - A to E >
        • Casper Mattress
        • 5 best Dormeo mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Dunlopillo mattresses
        • Emma mattresses >
          • Emma Mattress/Emma Original
          • Emma Hybrid Mattress
        • Ergoflex Mattress
        • Eve Mattress
      • By brand - F to R >
        • Hypnos mattresses >
          • The Premier Inn Hypnos Mattress
          • 5 best Hypnos mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Nectar Sleep Mattress
        • OTTY mattresses
      • By brand - S to Z >
        • 5 best Sealy mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best Silentnight mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Simba Sleep mattresses >
          • Simba Hybrid Mattress
          • Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
        • Sleepeezee mattresses
        • Tempur mattresses
        • 5 best Vispring mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist mattresses >
      • 10 best cot mattresses for baby's beds 2020 and 2021
      • 7 mattresses for heavy people 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for back pain and bad backs 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for arthritis 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best kids mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By firmness >
      • 5 best soft mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best medium firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best orthopedic/orthopaedic mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By sleeping position >
      • 5 best mattresses for side sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for front/stomach sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for back sleepers 2020 and 2021
    • By price >
      • 5 best cheap mattresses under £200 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best cheap beds 2020 and 2021
      • 6 of the best mattresses with a free trial 2020 and 2021
      • 5 cheap memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By size >
      • 6 of the best emperor mattresses, beds, bedsteads and divans 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best zip link beds and mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best small single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best single beds and single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best single memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best small double mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best queen size beds and queen mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best double beds 2020 and 2021
  • Best Beds
    • Divan base or bedstead - which is best?
    • Day beds, sofa beds and guest beds >
      • 5 best sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best air beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best day beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best guest beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best trundle beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best chair beds and single sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best folding beds 2020 and 2021
    • Bunk beds >
      • 5 of the best bunk beds with desks 2020 and 2021
      • 6 of the best bunk beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best double bunk beds 2020 and 2021
    • Wooden, metal and fabric bedframes >
      • 5 of the best wooden beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best metal beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best sleigh beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best white beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best leather beds 2020 and 2021
    • Storage beds >
      • 6 of the best ottoman beds and storage beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best single beds with storage and single ottoman beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best double ottoman beds and double beds with storage 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist beds >
      • 6 best adjustable beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best TV beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best cheap headboards 2020 and 2021
  • Duvets, pillows & bedding
    • Duvets and blankets >
      • 5 of the best duvets for summer and winter 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best electric blankets and heated blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best weighted blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bedspreads 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best blankets and throws 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool blankets and wool throws 2020 and 2021
    • Pillows and pillowcases >
      • 5 of the best pillows 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best silk pillowcases 2020 and 2021
    • Bedding, sheets and toppers >
      • 5 of the best bedding sets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best fitted sheets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best mattress protectors 2020 and 2021
      • Which are the best mattress toppers?
    • Other guides >
      • 5 best silk pyjamas 2020 and 2021
      • Which is the best type of carpet material?
  • Retailers
    • 10 best places to buy cheap mattresses and divan beds under £500, £200 or £100
    • 10 of the best mattress retailers online 2020 and 2021
    • Buying a John Lewis & Partners mattress - 5 top tips for 2020 and 2021
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