May 8, 2024
Find the best mattress and pillow and it will will make all the difference to how well you sleep.
Mattress
The most important product in the bedroom is your mattress. You can spend over £75,000 on a mattress, not surprisingly it’s called Vispring’s Diamond Majesty.
Each one takes three to four weeks to make and includes loose horse tail, organic cotton, Shetland wool blended with cashmere and silk, bamboo, and even Vicuña fleece wool, found in the Peruvian Andes and lauded as one of the most valuable fibres in the world. With 3162 springs you can bounce to your hearts content and not disturb your partner.
We are not suggesting you spend that much although you can spend more, like £500,000 on a Hastens mattress.
Here is a guide for what you should look for:
Right size of mattress
Should be wide enough for you and your partner to lie side by side with your hands behind your head. Length should be at least 10cm longer than the tallest person.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is very much a personal choice, but essentially, it’s all about keeping your body and spine aligned. A mattress that’s too firm will push against your spine, but a mattress that’s too soft won’t provide you with enough support. You also need to think about the position you like to sleep in as this can have different effects on your body, as well as the firmness of your pillow.
Too Soft
A mattress might be too soft if it doesn’t provide adequate support for your body, causing your spine to sink out of alignment. This can lead to discomfort and even pain, particularly in your back, hips, or shoulders.
Additionally, a mattress that’s too soft might make it difficult to move around or get out of bed easily. If you consistently wake up feeling achy or if you notice sagging or indentations in the mattress, it might be too soft for your needs.
Too Hard
A mattress might be too hard if it doesn’t contour to your body’s natural curves, leading to pressure points and discomfort, especially around the hips, shoulders, and lower back.
Sleeping on a mattress that’s too hard can also result in poor blood circulation and disrupted sleep, as it may prevent you from finding a comfortable position. Additionally, if you wake up feeling stiff or sore, it could be a sign that your mattress is too firm for your needs.
If you are a back sleeper a medium mattress will provide support for your lower back.
A side sleeper may prefer a soft mattress with a high pillow to allow your shoulders and hips to sink into the mattress.
A front sleeper is better suited by a firmer mattress and low pillow to support your neck.
A split tension mattress will enable you and your partner to have different levels of firmness.
Here are some recommended mattresses:
Button & Sprung’s Wensleydale
Button & Sprung’s Wensleydale mattress is the epitome of luxury, boasting an impressive 26,750 pocket springs in a king-size, unmatched by competitors.
These springs offer unparalleled support, conforming to your body shape and weight for optimal spinal alignment. Handcrafted with natural materials like cashmere and silk, the mattress provides exceptional comfort and temperature regulation. Plus, its double-sided design offers the choice between warming wool and cooling cotton for a perfect night’s sleep.
Button & Sprung from £3,400. They also have a quality range of beds – frames, divans and ottoman storage.
Feather and Black’s Byron mattress
Feather & Black’s Byron mattress, crafted in Yorkshire by Harrison Spinks, boasts over 22,000 springs—the highest count in their range.
Feather & Black’s Byron mattress, crafted in Yorkshire by Harrison Spinks, boasts over 22,000 springs—the highest count in their range. With luxurious wool from Herdwick sheep and hand-inserted micro springs, it offers enhanced ventilation and freshness. Made from all-natural British fibres, it’s hypoallergenic and antibacterial, providing a chemical-free sleeping surface with sustainability in mind.
Feather & Black from £2,889 plus a range of beds and bedroom furniture
Simba hybrid luxe mattress
This mattress boasts 11 robust layers, including a foam base with recycled fibres, a bamboo and wool layer for temperature regulation, and an open-cell foam section for airflow.
With 14,000 titanium springs nestled into two sections, it strikes a balance between firm and medium support, providing comfort for side and back sleepers alike. The top anti-allergy cover layer is removable and machine-washable, adding convenience. While its substantial build makes it tall and heavy, the premium feel matches its price point, offering improved sleep with enhanced breathability and coziness year-round.
Simbasleep.com from £966.75
The best selling Simba mattress is the hybrid original from £696 which has thickness and stability. Better still, it’s zoned so every area of your body is supported, while the middle layer of pocket springs provides just the right amount of bounce. The top layer is soft, breathable and hypoallergenic (making it a great option for allergy sufferers), and the zip-off design is washable. Its medium firmness is suited to those who sleep on their side, front or back, while its breathability makes the mattress a stellar option for those who tend to get hot during the night.
Emma Memory Foam Mattress
A pocket-sprung mattress doesn’t suit everyone in which case the answer might be memory foam.
Composed of three layers of memory foam, the mattress provides a distinct sinking sensation that gradually becomes comforting.
It effectively relieves pressure on high-impact areas like the hips and shoulders, while minimizing motion transfer for less disturbance from a restless partner. Ideal for all sleeping positions, its breathable foam layers ensure both body and mattress remain cool and dry, even in warmer conditions. For those desiring additional plushness, Emma offers the Original Plus mattress, featuring a comfort cover for extra thickness and enhanced comfort.
Emma-sleep.co.uk £485
Tempur hybrid elite mattress
Dubbed the Goldilocks of mattresses, this hybrid option combines the support of micro coils with Tempur’s renowned NASA-developed foam.
Offering a blend of enveloping comfort and pocketed spring bounce, it caters to those seeking a balance between memory foam and springs. While initially providing a slight floaty sensation, it delivers maximum support in various sleeping positions over time. Its “no turn” design and removable, machine-washable covers ensure effortless maintenance for a fresh and hygienic sleep surface, ideal for busy individuals or parents.
Uk.tempur.com from £1,479
If you have a mattress or bed that you would recommend, do please let us know.
Pillows
Often when travelling, I judge a hotel by the quality of the towels and the pillows.
Pillow quality may well depend on how often it’s changed, and the recommended lifespan is about two years.
Lumps, flat enough to fold, neck and shoulder pain, constantly re-fluffing your pillow are just some of the signs for a change.
This is what you should look for in a pillow:
The hypoallergenic consideration is why bamboo pillows have become more popular and cotton pillow covers less so. Cotton can also be subjected to chemicals & pesticides during the growing process so look for a CertiPUR-US Certification which certifies your pillows are free of chemicals and/or harmful substances.
Luxury Bamboo Pillows
Cosy House Collection’s Luxury Bamboo Pillow offers incredible value featuring down alternative fill, giving you that ‘just right’ support and comfort that’s packed with many healthful benefits. The natural, temperature regulating bamboo viscose zippered pillow cover is machine-washable and perfect for year-round use.
Cosyhousecollection.co.uk from £49 (sale price)
Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow
Simba’s Hybrid Firm pillow is its most expensive pillow, and it enables you to adapt the firmness to provide proper comfort and support for your sleeping style. It does this with three removable layers that you can switch around as you see fit. Side sleepers can use all three layers, placing the firmer layer at the bottom, middle or top, while back sleepers may find it comfier to sleep on two layers – one firm, one soft. It’s a high-quality pillow. If, like me, you are a side and back sleeper, you’ll need to work out which layering works best.
Simbasleep.com from £159
Emma Original Pillow
The Emma Original pillow offers a firm yet spongy support that effectively cradles your head while staying cool. Its unique construction, featuring gel foam, memory foam, and soft foam layers, ensures it maintains its shape and firmness. You can adjust the pillow’s feel by flipping it over to utilize different layers, catering to your body frame and sleeping position. Although the outer layers initially feel somewhat firm, your head should sink in comfortably within minutes, ensuring reliable support throughout the night.
Emma-sleep.co.uk from £59.25
Here are a couple used by the best hotels.
Muhldorfer
Supply duvets and pillows to hotels such Claridge’s and they have a wide variety of pillows to suit all types – Aroma, Premium, Cool Down , Premium Down, Spelt, Swiss Pine and many more.
Muhldorfer.com from €59.00
Tielle
Partners with Better Cotton to improve cotton farming so ethically sources. Pillows are primarily duck or goose feather and down and choose between firmer or softer or best of both.
Tielle pillows from £64 With most pillows, you get to try them out for at least 30 days with a money back guarantee
Do you have a favourite pillow or any advice? Do let us know.
If you’ve found your mattress and pillow then upgrade your linen and duvet.
You need to sign up or be logged in to leave a comment.