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      • 6 best single memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
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  • Retailers
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The Best Mattresses Guide

Simple advice on the UK’s best mattresses and beds​

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6 best memory foam mattresses online - 2020 and 2021

Memory foam mattresses are a good choice if you want consistent all-over support. Various guides I've read say that they generally keep their shape for longer than pocket sprung mattresses and they are much better for people with allergies to dust mites. 

They're also good because you can use them on a divan or a bedframe/bedstead (as long as you aren't using a flimsy old thing which can't take the weight or a bedframe with massive gaps between the slats). 

On the downside, some people don’t like the odd sinking feeling of memory foam. Others find they get a bit hot on a memory foam mattress, although companies have attempted to improve that by putting the memory foam as a middle layer, with a cooler material on top. Other companies keep the memory foam on top but use magical techniques to make it more 'breathable' than older memory foam.

We’ve picked out 6 of the best memory foam mattresses on the UK market in 2020 and 2021, based on customer reviews, awards and value for money. Prices are for double mattresses and are correct at the time of writing.

1. NEctar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress (Medium/firm - £549)

**Nectar January Sale: £125 off any size mattress + 2 free pillows + free delivery**
Nectar Sleep is one of the newer 'bed in a box' memory foam mattresses on the market but it offers a longer warranty and home trial than any other memory foam mattress we've found. In fact, the warranty lasts 'forever' and you can try it out at home for a whole year (check the FAQ for terms and conditions). Most similar mattresses offer a 10 year warranty and a 100 night trial.

Reviews averaged 4.3/5 on TrustPilot when we checked and it has been given a thumbs up by several expert websites, including Good Housekeeping and Ideal Homes. It cunningly puts a 'cooling layer' on top of the memory foam layer in an effort to stop you feeling hot.

It's also manufactured in a carbon neutral way and they'll take away your old mattress for a fee (lots of 'bed in a box' companies don't offer this so you have to persuade the council to do it or stick it on your roof rack).

It's 25cm deep, which is similar to the Emma Mattress. You'll find that cheap mattresses are thin, so don't offer quite as much support particularly if you're on the heavy side. The Nectar Sleep has a weight limit of 46 stone, which is much higher than most mattresses on the market in the UK.
Nectar Sleep memory foam mattress
The Nectar Sleep mattress comes with a 365 day trial and a 'forever' guarantee
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2. Ergoflex 5G Memory Foam Mattress (medium/firm - £749)

**Ergoflex discount code: up to 40% off with code SAVE40**
The Ergoflex memory foam mattress is another 'bed in a box' which comes with a 'risk-free' trial period, although it's a 30 day trial rather than the 200 days you get with the Emma Mattress or the 365 days you get with Nectar Sleep.

We've included it because of its outstanding TrustPilot reviews which were averaging 4.7/5 when we checked. That makes it the the second highest scoring mattress brand 
at the time of writing (posh latex mattress brand Dunlopillo was number one. See the full list here as it doesn't include every brand).

The Ergoflex 5G has got a generous 9cm layer of memory foam on top, whilst some budget memory foam mattresses only have 2cm or 3cm (see the Silentnight 3 Zone further down this list).


Independent experts gave it rave reviews ​and it comes with a 10 year guarantee. Much like most of the other memory foam mattresses on this list it comes in a box and then magically expands on arrival.
​
It’s 23cm deep, so slightly thinner than the Nectar Sleep but I wouldn't say that's a major thing.
Memory foam mattress by Ergoflex
Ergoflex is the joint highest rated mattress brand on TrustPilot (when we checked, anyway)
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3. Emma Mattress (Medium firmness - £549)

Customers and experts fall over themselves to say nice things about The Emma Mattress (also known as Emma Original, in case you're getting confused).

As with several others on this list, you get a generous guarantee (10 years) and several months to try it out at home before deciding if you want to keep it (200 days).

It's been given approval by experts including Ideal Home and Good Housekeeping. Customer reviews were averaging 4.5/5 on Amazon when I checked whilst the brand as a whole scored 4.6/5 on TrustPilot, which is decent but not quite as high as Ergoflex (4.7/5).

If you've not lost interest already in this guide, I'll point out that this mattress sandwiches memory foam in between two other types of foam. The top layer is a breathable foam with the odd name of Airgocell. The idea is that you won't get as hot in bed and you don't get as much of a sinking feeling as you usually get with a memory foam mattress. The Casper mattress has a similar design.

Read our full Emma Mattress guide (if you've got nothing better to do)
Emma mattress closeup
The Emma Mattress comes with a trial period which lasts for several months
Search latest Emma Mattress deals

4. Studio by Silentnight (medium - £599)

Studio by Silentnight is worth a look because it's made by the biggest name in the UK mattress market. 

It's a medium firmness memory foam mattress which has been given a glowing report by independent expert testers. Customer reviews were 9/10 on Mattress Online when I checked.

It's worth noting that it comes with a 60 night 'comfort trial' during which time you can swap it for a different firmness, whereas some others on this list come with a 'risk free' 100/200/365 night trial, so you can send it back for a refund (e.g. Emma, Nectar).

The memory foam layer is towards the middle of the mattress, which aims to stop you feeling too hot (that's a common complaint about memory foam).

Most sizes arrive squashed up so they can be carried upstairs, although the larger versions come flat. It's 26cm thick, which is a sign of good quality (most high quality mattresses are 25cm or more).
Studio by silentnight
Silentnight is the UK's biggest mattress company
Search latest Studio by
​Silentnight deals

5. Silentnight 3 Zone Memory Foam Mattress (medium firmness - £199)

The Silentnight 3 Zone mattress is a decent budget memory foam mattress which gets good customer reviews on Amazon (4.3 out of 5) and on Mattress Online (8.4/10) and which is made by the biggest name in the UK mattress market.
 
It’s a little bit thinner than the more expensive memory foam mattresses on this list (18cm deep) but it should do the job as long as you haven’t been eating too many pies.
 
The top layer of memory foam is only 3cm deep, which is where the main cost cutting has been made. The ‘3 Zone’ name means that it is firmer towards the middle where your bottom rests and softer for your head and your feet. That’s a good thing, apparently.

There’s also a slightly more expensive 7 Zone version which is 2cm thicker for an extra £50ish. I've seen them both in Black Friday sales at a bargain price. 
Silentnight 3 zone mattress
This is one of Silentnight's cheapest mattresses, but it gets good reviews
Search latest Silentnight 3 Zone deals

6.​ Tempur Original/Cloud/Hybrid/Sensation Memory Foam Mattress (Soft/medium/firm - £2399)

Tempur mattresses cost three times as much as most, but they’re the original and (according to some people) the best.
 
The company took NASA technology and developed it into the first memory foam mattress. Other companies have been trying to catch up since.

Tempur sell four different mattresses which are available in different thicknesses, depending in your budget: 
  • Tempur mattresses labelled Tempur ‘cloud’ are soft 
  • Tempur ‘original’ mattresses are medium firmness (previously called 'Contour')
  • 'Hybrid' mattresses are made with a mix of foam and springs and are medium firmness.
  • 'Sensation' mattresses are the firmest Tempur option ​

In each category you can pick a 'supreme' (cheapest) 'elite' (mid-priced) or 'luxe' (most expensive). The main difference is the thickness of the mattress - heavier people will benefit from the thicker options.
 
We’ve picked this 'elite' 25cm deep one which gets strong customer reviews, but there is also a 21cm version which is cheaper and a 30cm version which is more expensive. Tempur also offer a 100 night trial, so you can send it back if you don’t think it’s worth the money (check the Ts & Cs).

Tempur were scoring 3.7/5 on TrustPilot when we checked in January 2021. Tempur reviews on Dreams were mostly 4.5/5 or higher. Read our full Tempur guide.
Tempur Original Elite Memory Foam mattress
Tempur mattresses aren't cheap but they are the original memory foam mattress brand
Search latest Tempur Original deals

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​
Tufted mattress

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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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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