How to Choose the Right Mattress: A UK Buying Guide
Looking for a new mattress? Learn how to choose the right mattress for your sleeping position, comfort preferences and budget with our UK mattress buying guide.
Choosing the right mattress can make a significant difference to your comfort and quality of sleep. With memory foam, hybrid, pocket sprung and other options available, however, knowing where to start isn't always easy.
In this guide, we'll explain the main things to consider when choosing a new mattress so you can find an option that suits your sleeping style, comfort preferences and budget.
1. Consider Your Sleeping Position
Your usual sleeping position is one of the first things to consider when choosing a mattress.
Side sleepers often prefer a mattress that provides some cushioning around pressure points such as the shoulders and hips.
Back sleepers may prefer a balance between comfort and support that helps maintain a comfortable sleeping position.
Front sleepers commonly look for a supportive mattress that doesn't allow the body to sink excessively.
These are general guidelines rather than strict rules. Personal preference, body weight and the construction of the mattress can all affect how comfortable it feels.
2. Understand the Different Types of Mattress
There are several common mattress types available in the UK.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam responds to heat and pressure, allowing the material to contour around the body.
People often choose memory foam mattresses because they enjoy the cushioning sensation and reduced movement between sleeping partners.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress combines different technologies, typically incorporating springs alongside layers of foam.
This design aims to provide the responsiveness and support associated with springs while retaining the cushioning properties of foam.
Pocket Sprung Mattresses
Pocket sprung mattresses contain individual springs housed within separate fabric pockets.
Because the springs can move independently, they can respond individually to pressure across different areas of the mattress.
3. Choose the Right Mattress Firmness
You'll commonly see mattresses described as soft, medium or firm.
There isn't one firmness level that's right for everyone. Your preferred firmness can depend on factors including your sleeping position, body weight and personal comfort preferences.
It's therefore worth looking beyond labels such as "medium-firm" and reading the manufacturer's description of how the mattress is constructed.
4. Check the Mattress Size
Before ordering, make sure the mattress will fit both your bed frame and your bedroom.
Common UK mattress sizes include:
Mattress size | Typical dimensions |
Single | 90 × 190 cm |
Small Double | 120 × 190 cm |
Double | 135 × 190 cm |
King | 150 × 200 cm |
Super King | 180 × 200 cm |
Always check the dimensions of the specific mattress and your bed frame before purchasing.
5. Think About Temperature
If you tend to become warm during the night, mattress construction can be particularly important.
Some mattresses incorporate breathable covers, springs or specially designed foam layers intended to improve airflow or temperature regulation.
Rather than relying solely on marketing terms such as "cooling", look at the actual materials and construction used in the mattress.
6. Consider Motion Between Partners
If you share your bed, movement can affect your sleep.
Mattresses designed to reduce motion transfer can help minimise how much movement you feel when your partner changes position or gets out of bed.
Memory foam and individually pocketed springs are two technologies commonly used to help manage movement across a mattress.
7. Compare More Than Just the Price
Price matters, but the cheapest mattress isn't necessarily the best value—and the most expensive isn't automatically the best mattress for you.
When comparing mattresses, consider:
Materials and construction
Mattress depth
Firmness and comfort
Warranty
Trial or return policy
Delivery arrangements
Available sizes
Looking at the complete package makes it easier to compare mattresses fairly.
How Often Should You Replace a Mattress?
There isn't a single replacement schedule that applies to every mattress.
How long yours lasts depends on its construction, quality, how frequently it's used and how well it's maintained.
Signs that it may be worth considering a replacement include visible deterioration, significant sagging or simply finding that your mattress no longer provides the comfort you want.
Finding the Right Mattress for You
The best place to start is with your own requirements.
Consider your preferred sleeping position, firmness, mattress size, materials and budget. You can then narrow down the available options rather than choosing based on price or advertising alone.
At Contemporary Home Solutions, we offer a selection of mattresses for UK customers looking for comfort and value.
Browse our mattress collection to compare the options currently available.
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