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How we tested the mattresses
We put over 15 mattresses to the test, judging them on everything from customer service and packaging through to sustainability and value for money. Each mattress could achieve up to 20 points for the following criteria:
- Information and customer service: How clear and helpful are mattress descriptions? (2 points) | What’s customer service like? (1 point) | Free delivery? (1 point) | How long is the trial period? (2 point) | Do they pick up your old mattress? (1 point)
- Features: (0.5 points each) Manoeuvrability: how does it arrive? Will delivery men take it upstairs? Handles? | If memory foam - how long to inflate? | Sustainable packaging? | Materials - memory foam, springs, hypoallergenic, etc? | Temperature regulation materials? | Care instructions - do you need to turn it? | Caters for different sleep needs? | Removable cover for washing? | Comes in all sizes? | Specifications - depth?
- Results: Does it live up to the description - firm/supportive etc? (2 points) | An odour when out of packaging? (1 point) | Durability? (2 points) | Sustainable material? (1point)
- Value for money: (2 points) Is it good quality? | What is the warranty? | Is it worth the money?
Information and customer service
The mattress listing includes plenty of description, and there is plenty of information about how the mattress is constructed, the materials and the different layers.
I also found the customer service was great and the delivery guys were helpful. Delivery is free and they claim that all their deliveries are 'completely carbon neutral'. While they didn’t carry the mattress upstairs, it was very easy for us to do it.
The mattress came vacuum-packed in a box, but it was very light and the box had handles for easy carrying. They also offer old mattress removal in most parts of the UK, but I didn't use this service.
Simba offer a 'risk-free 200-night trial', which is one of the longest periods offered on the mattresses we tested - collection is free and it doesn't need to be repackaged. (7 out of 7 points)
Features
The Simbatex essential foam mattress is made with open cell Simbatex® foam, which provides 30x more airflow than standard memory foam; it’s also infused with graphite, which has an excellent ability to draw away excess heat.
All the foam used in the construction of the mattress is verified as free from CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances, and ensures lower emissions to protect indoor air quality. Simba mattresses are 100% recyclable too, and deliveries are carbon neutral. The company even says that 'leftover foam is used in the manufacture of carpet underlay or pet beds', ensuring nothing goes to waste.
The cover is removable - there's a zip that opens all the way to the middle - so it's easy to wash.
When it comes to turning the mattress, it's important you rotate it regularly in order to keep the 10 year warranty valid: you need to turn it by 180 degrees each month for the first three months, and then every three months for the rest of its life.
This mattress is available in Single, Double, King and SuperKing, and with a depth of 19cm, was one of the deepest memory foam mattresses we tested. (5 out of 6 points)
Specifications: W135cm, L190cm, D19cm.
The results
The mattress came vacuum-packed in plastic and was really small and compact compared to the actual size of the mattress. The convenient size of the packaged mattress means that if you needed to be out when it was delivered, it could easily be left with a neighbour or in a porch or shed.
The memory foam mattress didn’t have any smell at all when unpacked, and the cardboard box was very easy to recycle with our regular cardboard recycling, however the plastic wrapping unfortunately went into the rubbish bin.
The instructions were very clear and easy to understand. It is a memory foam mattress so in about 4 hours it had expanded to normal size. The website advised leaving it for 72 hours before sleeping on it but I didn’t leave it for this long before sleeping on it and I didn't notice any loss of comfort.
Considering it claims to be a supportive mattress, both my partner and I found it firm and comfortable for our different sleeping positions. (5 out of 5 points)
Value for money
Simba offer a 10-year warranty, and given the 200-night free trial as well as the quality and comfort, I think it’s a very good mattress and worth the money. I am very happy with it. (2 out of 2 points)
Not the right mattress for you? Check out the Emma Original mattress, which we tested as part of our search to find the best mattress for back pain, or splurge on the Eve Hybrid Duo Plus 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.