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Simba Mattress UK Review and Discount Codes - 2020 and 2021
**Simba Sale: 30% off £300+ until 26/04/21**
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The Simba Hybrid Mattress is one of several trendy modern mattresses which have shaken up the mattress market in the last few years. Rather than selling a massive range of white rectangles with long names, Simba Sleep just sell three mattresses.
This guide is going to focus on their original mattress - The Simba Hybrid Mattress. It gets very good reviews and has won awards. But how does it compare to the competition? I can tell you're fascinated already, so let's move on from the preamble and get to the er, amble: |
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What reviews do customers give the Simba Mattress?
Simba's Hybrid mattress gets very positive reviews from customers. When we checked in March 2021 we found the following scores:
On TrustPilot the Simba Sleep brand was scoring 4.5/5 from more than 24,000 reviews. That score is for the brand as a whole rather just than the hybrid mattress, but as they only sell two mattresses (and for a long time only sold one mattress) we can assume that a lot of the reviews relate to the hybrid model.
For the purposes of comparison, we researched the brand scores for all of the 'bed in a box' mattress companies that we could find on TrustPilot. We searched for the TrustScore in March 2021 and have ranked them from highest to lowest with Simba Sleep underlined.
It's worth noting that these 'bed in a box' mattresses score very highly when compared to most traditional mattress manufacturers. You can see the full rundown in our mattresses beginners' guide.
- On Simba Sleep's own website, the Hybrid mattress was scoring 4.8/5 from more than 85,000 reviews
- On Amazon.co.uk, the Simba Hybrid mattress was scoring 4.4/5 from more than 700 reviews
- On Argos.co.uk, the Simba Hybrid mattress was scoring 4.8/5 from more than 100 reviews
On TrustPilot the Simba Sleep brand was scoring 4.5/5 from more than 24,000 reviews. That score is for the brand as a whole rather just than the hybrid mattress, but as they only sell two mattresses (and for a long time only sold one mattress) we can assume that a lot of the reviews relate to the hybrid model.
For the purposes of comparison, we researched the brand scores for all of the 'bed in a box' mattress companies that we could find on TrustPilot. We searched for the TrustScore in March 2021 and have ranked them from highest to lowest with Simba Sleep underlined.
- Brook + Wilde - 4.7/5
- Ergoflex - 4.7/5
- Emma Mattress - 4.6/5
- OTTY - 4.5/5
- Eve Sleep - 4.5/5
- REM Fit - 4.5/5
- Simba Sleep - 4.5/5
- Nectar Sleep - 4.3/5
- Casper - 4.3/5
- Silentnight 4.2/5 (they make lots of different types of mattress but their Silentnight Studio model is similar to the other bed in a box mattresses)
It's worth noting that these 'bed in a box' mattresses score very highly when compared to most traditional mattress manufacturers. You can see the full rundown in our mattresses beginners' guide.
What type of mattress is the Simba Mattress?
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The Simba mattress is what's known as a 'hybrid' mattress, meaning that it uses springs and foam.
It has several layers including a 'unique patented spring-comfort layer' meaning that the springs are a lot smaller than the pocket springs that you get in most mattresses. It's also worth realising that it is quite different to most 'memory foam' mattresses. A lot of people don't like the sinking feeling of memory foam or find that it makes them feel a bit hot, so mattresses like the Simba Hybrid Mattress use memory foam a bit lower down. The idea is that you get the memory foam support without the downsides. You'll often see the Simba Hybrid mattress described as a 'bed in a box' mattress. You'll be shocked to hear that this is because it arrives squashed into a box and then expands upon arrival. This is a pretty common way of delivering a mattress nowadays as it makes it easier to get it up the stairs and it also cuts down on delivery and storage costs for the mattress company. |
The Simba Hybrid comes with a long trial period and it's won lots of awards
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How firm is the Simba Mattress?
Rather curiously, there isn't a mattress-industry-wide policy on how to measure firmness.
So, one mattress company's firm mattress could be the same as another company's 'very firm' mattress. It's a bit like buying a size 10 top from three different shops and finding that only one of them fits you.
If you're buying online, the best you can do is to gather together lots of opinions of how firm a mattress is and then find a consensus.
Let me save you a job and tell you that most guides describe the Simba Hybrid Mattress as either medium or medium-firm. Amongst those guides is the official Q&A from Simba Sleep, which is obviously the most authoritative source. They call it medium-firm, with a bit of extra explanation.
Picking the right firmness mattress for you is important and there are a couple of things (well, three things) you need to consider:
So, one mattress company's firm mattress could be the same as another company's 'very firm' mattress. It's a bit like buying a size 10 top from three different shops and finding that only one of them fits you.
If you're buying online, the best you can do is to gather together lots of opinions of how firm a mattress is and then find a consensus.
Let me save you a job and tell you that most guides describe the Simba Hybrid Mattress as either medium or medium-firm. Amongst those guides is the official Q&A from Simba Sleep, which is obviously the most authoritative source. They call it medium-firm, with a bit of extra explanation.
Picking the right firmness mattress for you is important and there are a couple of things (well, three things) you need to consider:
- heavier people generally need to buy a firmer mattress than a lighter person. Heavy people sink into soft mattresses too much whilst light people will just lie on the top of a firm mattress without sinking in at all, which isn't a good sleeping position.
- people who mostly sleep on their sides need softer mattresses than people who sleep on their back. This is because side sleepers put more pressure on their hips and shoulders.
- the idea that a very firm mattress is best for a bad back is an old myth. Experts like the Sleep Council emphasise the importance of getting a 'supportive' mattress rather than a rock solid one regardless of your build.
Which awards has the Simba Mattress won?
In recent years, Simba Sleep has won as many awards as Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Well, that's a slight exaggeration but the website says they've won 'eight industry awards'. Awards that we know of include:
- Approval from the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2018
- Product of the Year 2018 (Mattress Category in something called the Consumer Survey of Product Innovation)
- Product of the Year 2020 (Hybrid Mattress Category in the same awards)
- 10/10 from the Daily Mail
What guarantee and home trial period does the Simba Mattress offer?
As with a lot of these 'bed in a box' mattresses, you get a home trial period where you pay for the mattress and then have options if you don't like it.
The best home trials include picking up the mattress for free and giving you a refund if you don't like it, whilst some others offer you the option to swap for another mattress from the same brand. Both are a definite step up from buying a mattress online without trying it first, but the refund option is obviously preferable to a swap.
The Simba Hybrid mattress comes with one of the more generous home trial periods, as you can return it for a refund (read the smallprint, although it's quite straightforward).
A little while ago, Simba Sleep increased the length of its home trial from 100 nights to 200 nights. I'd say that you should have a pretty good idea if the mattress is right for you after a few weeks but you never know.
The Simba Hybrid mattress also comes with a 10 year guarantee. 'Traditional' mattresses which are mostly made from springs tend to offer somewhere between one and ten years' guarantee (apart from Vispring which offers 30 years), whilst foam 'bed in a box' mattresses usually offer between 5 years and 'forever' (in the case of the Nectar Sleep). The Simba Hybrid mattress comes with a 10 year guarantee. Again, read the smallprint as it doesn't cover everything. For example, at the time of writing it doesn't include 'ordinary wear and tear' which seems reasonable.
The best home trials include picking up the mattress for free and giving you a refund if you don't like it, whilst some others offer you the option to swap for another mattress from the same brand. Both are a definite step up from buying a mattress online without trying it first, but the refund option is obviously preferable to a swap.
The Simba Hybrid mattress comes with one of the more generous home trial periods, as you can return it for a refund (read the smallprint, although it's quite straightforward).
A little while ago, Simba Sleep increased the length of its home trial from 100 nights to 200 nights. I'd say that you should have a pretty good idea if the mattress is right for you after a few weeks but you never know.
The Simba Hybrid mattress also comes with a 10 year guarantee. 'Traditional' mattresses which are mostly made from springs tend to offer somewhere between one and ten years' guarantee (apart from Vispring which offers 30 years), whilst foam 'bed in a box' mattresses usually offer between 5 years and 'forever' (in the case of the Nectar Sleep). The Simba Hybrid mattress comes with a 10 year guarantee. Again, read the smallprint as it doesn't cover everything. For example, at the time of writing it doesn't include 'ordinary wear and tear' which seems reasonable.
Where can I buy the Simba Mattress?
Most people buy the Simba Hybrid mattress direct from Simba's website. There are occasionally discount codes and deals either for the mattress or for a bundle which includes other Simba products such as the Simba pillow.
However, the Simba Hybrid mattress is available from quite a few big retailers including Argos and John Lewis & Partners which is unusual for a 'bed in a box'. This means you can try it out in a store fairly easily, which I would always recommend (although the 200 night free return does make it less important). I would advise calling ahead if you are making a journey.
However, the Simba Hybrid mattress is available from quite a few big retailers including Argos and John Lewis & Partners which is unusual for a 'bed in a box'. This means you can try it out in a store fairly easily, which I would always recommend (although the 200 night free return does make it less important). I would advise calling ahead if you are making a journey.
For my own curiosity, I searched all the websites selling the Simba Hybrid to see which was cheapest in March 2021. There's no guarantee this will always be the case, as prices do vary.
Anyway, when we checked the price for a double mattress including delivery was:
As I said, this is just the price on one day, but it shows that it's worth shopping around as there was about £240 between the highest and lowest price.
Anyway, when we checked the price for a double mattress including delivery was:
- £559 on SimbaSleep.com
- £559 on JohnLewis.com
- £799 on Argos.co.uk
- £559 on Amazon.co.uk
As I said, this is just the price on one day, but it shows that it's worth shopping around as there was about £240 between the highest and lowest price.
Where can I get a discount code for the Simba Mattress?
The main place that you'll find Simba Sleep discount codes is on the Simba Sleep website (shocking, eh?)
We add discount codes to our top 10 mattress guide and to the top of this page regularly, but we mostly find these by visiting the mattress company's website.
We add discount codes to our top 10 mattress guide and to the top of this page regularly, but we mostly find these by visiting the mattress company's website.
What are the alternatives to the Simba Mattress?
There are several similarly priced 'bed in a box' mattresses if you want an alternative to the Simba Hybrid mattress. Some are made of layers of foam whilst others include springs and foam so are more comparable to the Simba Hybrid.
A couple to consider include:
A couple to consider include:
**Brook + Wilde Lux Discount Code: 40% off £599+ with code 40LUX until 03/05/21**
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Brook + Wilde's Lux Mattress comes in soft, medium, firm or extra firm
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**Emma Sale: 40% off with discount code RMattress until 10/05/21**
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The Emma Hybrid uses mini springs which are a similar size to the Simba Sleep Hybrid's springs.
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OTTY scores well with TrustPilot reviewers
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Eve's hybrid mattress uses full size springs and memory foam
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Head to head: how does the Simba compare to its rivals?
There are thought to be somewhere around 8000 mattresses on the market in the UK. However, we can do a useful pros and cons comparison between about a dozen mattresses which all offer something similar but have some key differences.
The table below shows several mattresses which all offer trial periods, long warranties and which are somewhere around the £500 - £1000 mark. Keep in mind that offers and promotions are frequently used to add to the appeal, so you may well get a discount on the price shown. I would actually look at other factors before price and then narrow it down to two or three and compare the price on the day.
As you'll see, the Simba Hybrid ranks well in many areas but there isn't a clear winner in every category. The Simba Hybrid is somewhere around £200 more expensive than the Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress, Studio by Silentnight and The Emma Mattress - but those mattresses all use layers of foam whereas the Simba Hybrid also has some mini springs. The Brook + Wilde Lux is another hybrid mattress and has a similar price.
The Simba Hybrid's trial period is much more generous than the Ergoflex 5G or The Casper but it's not quite as long as the Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress.
The Simba Hybrid's warranty is on a par with many, including the similarly priced Casper mattress, but the Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress and REM-Fit 400 are better in that regard.
A key question though when figuring out if the Simba Hybrid is right for is whether you want a medium/firm mattress and whether it is available in the size you want. It's certainly available in more sizes than most mattresses, but there are a couple of omissions compared to the REM-Fit 400 or the OTTY Hybrid Mattress.
The table below shows several mattresses which all offer trial periods, long warranties and which are somewhere around the £500 - £1000 mark. Keep in mind that offers and promotions are frequently used to add to the appeal, so you may well get a discount on the price shown. I would actually look at other factors before price and then narrow it down to two or three and compare the price on the day.
As you'll see, the Simba Hybrid ranks well in many areas but there isn't a clear winner in every category. The Simba Hybrid is somewhere around £200 more expensive than the Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress, Studio by Silentnight and The Emma Mattress - but those mattresses all use layers of foam whereas the Simba Hybrid also has some mini springs. The Brook + Wilde Lux is another hybrid mattress and has a similar price.
The Simba Hybrid's trial period is much more generous than the Ergoflex 5G or The Casper but it's not quite as long as the Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress.
The Simba Hybrid's warranty is on a par with many, including the similarly priced Casper mattress, but the Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Mattress and REM-Fit 400 are better in that regard.
A key question though when figuring out if the Simba Hybrid is right for is whether you want a medium/firm mattress and whether it is available in the size you want. It's certainly available in more sizes than most mattresses, but there are a couple of omissions compared to the REM-Fit 400 or the OTTY Hybrid Mattress.
What's it called? |
How much is it? (Double) |
Warranty and trial |
How firm is it? |
Brand score (TrustPilot) |
Sizes available |
£799 |
10 years, 200 night trial |
Medium/firm |
4.5/5 |
EU Single, Single, Small Double, EU Double, Double, EU Queen, King, Super King |
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£569 |
'Forever', 365 night trial |
Medium/firm |
4.3/5 |
Single, Double, King, Super King |
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£799 |
10 years, 100 night trial |
Soft, Medium, Firm, Extra Firm |
4.7/5 |
Single, Double, King, Super King |
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£649 |
10 years, 200 night trial |
Medium |
4.5/5 |
Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King |
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£599 |
5 years, 60 night comfort trial |
Medium |
4.2/5 |
Single, Double, King Size |
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£749 |
10 years, 30 night trial |
Medium/firm |
4.7/5 |
Single, Double, Euro Double, King, Euro King, Super King |
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£699 |
10 years, 100 night trial |
Medium/firm |
4.5/5 |
Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King |
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£699 |
10 years, 100 night trial |
Medium/firm |
4.5/5 |
Single, EU Single, Small Double, EU Double, Double, EU King, King, Super King, Emperor |
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£750 |
10 years, 60 night comfort trial |
Medium |
4.3/5 |
Single, Small Double, Double, King, Euro King, Super King |
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£869 |
15 years, 100 night trial |
Medium Firm |
4.5/5 |
Small Single, Long Single, Single, EU Single, Small Double, Double, EU Double, King, EU King, Super King |
Notes: Prices and TrustPilot scores are correct at the time of writing (April 2021). Where there is dispute over the firmness of a mattress, we used the manufacturer's guide - but bear in mind that mattress brands set their own ratings rather than using a universal scale.