Emma Original Mattress Review

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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.

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 150×200 king size mattresses bed frame.

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FAQs:

What to look for in a budget mattress?

Memory foam and all-foam mattresses tend to be among the cheaper, more affordable on the market, so if budget is tight then check these out against your sleeping requirements before you take the plunge. For budgets under £500, check out Emma’s award winning Original mattress, which combines 3 layers of foam as well as memory foam, Mattressman’s Healthopaedic mattress, which combines memory foam and pocket springs, and also Dusk’s hybrid mattress. Even on a budget you should be able to find a top solution for your best night’s sleep.

What to look for in a mattress for back pain?

If you suffer with back pain then a memory foam mattress could be the best solution for you. Its super reactive and will mould to your body’s shape and sleeping position, giving you the support exactly where you need it. Hybrid mattress that combine memory foam and pocket springs is another solution that can help to relieve any spinal discomfort. Look for a mattress that’s more firm to prevent your spine from dipping and maintaining its alignment.

If you’re a side, front, back sleeper – what type of mattress should you be looking for?

If you’re a side sleeper choose a mattress with a soft to medium comfort level, memory foam and gel foam can provide the responsive support you need for the more vulnerable pressure points around your shoulders, hips and thigh. Front sleepers are more prone to back pain, so a medium firm mattress can help support your spine. Avoid being able to sink in too far into your mattress, so opt for a hybrid of memory foam and pocket springs to ensure your weight is evenly distributed. Back sleepers need a medium to very firm mattress to ensure lower back pain is kept at bay! You should also consider your weight when choosing a mattress as a back sleeper – as a rule, the heavier you are the firmer your mattress should be. Don’t allow your spine to sink too far into the mattress as this can cause misalignment and further back pain.