Emma Mattress Review – UK’s Most Awarded Mattress in 2021-22
Updated: November, 7, 2022
Pros
Cons
Dubbed the “UK’s Most Awarded Mattress”, the Emma Original is one of the most popular beds in Britain.
But does this bed-in-a-box really live up to the hype?
That is what our Emma Mattress review aims to find out!
Here we will look at all the aspects that make this bed such a huge success, including construction, comfort and price.
Let’s get started.
Ratings
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Support | 9/10 |
| Motion Isolation | 9/10 |
| Cooling | 8/10 |
| Edge Support | 7/10 |
| Company Reputation | 8/10 |
| Value for Money | 10/10 |
Emma: Brand Snapshot
Emma is an award-winning German company founded in 2015.
Today the company manufactures and sells a variety of products; however, they are best known for their two flagship products: the Emma Original and the Emma Hybrid mattress.
Both mattresses are made in the UK, using the latest technologies and the best materials to ensure ultimate quality and safety. What’s more, both beds are budget-friendly, durable and incredibly comfy. No wonder Emma has sold one million mattresses across four continents!
Emma Original: Material & Construction
An all-foam bed, the Emma mattress depth measures at 25 cm—the perfect fit for standard bed sheets and a great choice for any sleeper.
The mattress consists of the following layers:
- The cover of the Emma memory foam mattress is made of a polyester blend, an incredibly breathable fibre that regulates temperature and ensures cool and dry nights. The bottom of the cover also incorporates non-slip features to make sure your mattress stays in place. Finally, the entire encasement is removable and machine-washable, making maintenance a walk in the park.
- Under the cover, you will find 3cm of revolutionary Airgocell foam. The open-pore cell structure of this foam allows for pleasant air circulation while keeping you cool, even on hot nights.
- Next is another foam layer, this time made of visco-elastic memory foam, which conforms to your body shape, distributing pressure evenly across the mattress and relieving tension.
- Lastly, the 19 cm layer of cold foam serves as the mattress’s base and support, providing buoyancy and unparalleled support for your back.
Emma Mattress Firmness
The Emma mattress is a medium-firm bed, ranking about a 6/6.5 on the one to ten firmness scale. Most sleepers favour this firmness level as it hits the perfect balance between bounce and sinkage.
The upper layers cradle the hips and shoulders, while the Airgocell foam gives plenty of support, making this mattress the ideal fit for lightweight side sleepers.
That said, some Emma mattress reviews find this model to be a bit on the soft side, especially among heavier and front sleepers. Those who don’t get the perfect level of comfort from the Emma mattress have the option to order a free layer of memory foam and adjust the firmness level of the bed as they see fit.
Emma Mattress: Comfort & Support
Like many other all-foam designs, the Emma Original excels at pressure relief, providing comfort for almost all sleeping styles, positions and body shapes.
Side Sleepers
Nonetheless, this bed is best suited for side sleepers. The cushiony memory foam in the top cradles the body in all the right places, making sure that sleepers are comfy and cosy.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers will also find much to love about the Emma mattress. There is sufficient bounce to keep the spine aligned, while the foam nicely fills up the space in the lower back, eliminating pain and pressure.
Front Sleepers
Front sleepers, on the other hand, might consider this bed to be too soft. Because of the all-foam construction, stomach sleepers could find themselves sinking too far in the mattress and experiencing light pressure on the hips.
Heavy Sleepers
Although the Emma mattress has a weight limit of up to 130 kg or 20 stones, it might not be the best bed for heavier sleepers. As with most foam beds, there is a bit of sinkage, which might leave heavyweight users waking up with aches and pains in the morning.
The Emma Original: Does it Sleep Hot?
Individuals who sleep hot know the struggle of finding a mattress that could help with this problem.
Even though a memory foam construction like the Emma bed is known to restrict airflow, this mattress’s airy and breathable cover goes a long way towards resolving the issue. What’s more, thanks to the open-cell structure of the Airgocell polyfoam in the first layer, there is more airflow and less heat retention than some other all-foam models.
Nevertheless, this mattress may not live up to your expectations if you tend to sleep incredibly hot. In this case, we recommend trying a hybrid mattress, like the Simba or the Emma Hybrid.
The Emma Original: Motion Transfer
If you plan to share the bed with a partner, a child or a pet, you’ll be glad to know that the Emma mattress isolates motion incredibly well.
The combination of multiple foam layers significantly reduces motion transfer, allowing sleepers to enjoy a restful and refreshing slumber throughout the night. It also makes minimal noise when you shift positions, so it’s an excellent choice for couples and light sleepers.
Emma Mattress: Edge Support
While the Emma mattress excels at motion isolation, it doesn’t perform so well in terms of edge support.
The dense foam in the bottom offers security for most sleepers, but the lack of reinforced edges around the Emma Original might be an issue for heavier body types. These individuals could experience an unpleasant “roll-off” feeling when sitting or lying close to the edge of the bed.
Emma Mattress: Durability & Maintenance
We all want a durable, low-maintenance mattress. On that note, just how long do Emma mattresses last?
As Emma is a relatively new company and has modified its design many times since its inception, we can’t determine the lifespan of the bed with absolute certainty. Nevertheless, judging by the durability of foam mattresses and the quality of the materials used, this bed should be in your life for at least eight to ten years.
Not only is it long-lasting, but the Emma bed is incredibly easy to care for. The cover is made of a straight blend of polyester (relatively easy to spot clean from various stains), and it’s machine-washable to boost. On top of that, the core materials have an open-cell design or a kind of self-contained ventilation system that keeps the mattress aerated and clean.
Flipping the Emma Original is not necessary nor recommended due to the placement and design of the layers. You can, however, rotate the mattress from time to time to stop it from sagging. To make that job easier for you, the company has incorporated four practical handles on the sides.
Emma Mattress Accessories
In addition to this great mattress, the brand also offers other excellent products for their UK customers.
The Emma Pillow
One of the company’s most sought-after products, this all-foam pillow is a great fit for any sleeper. Incredibly versatile, breathable and durable, there is more than one Emma pillow review praising this product. What’s more, it can be yours for just £62.
With a price tag of £99, the Emma Cloud Pillow is a more expensive option, but it’s well worth the money. Made of down-alternative, it’s the fluffiest and cosiest pillow you can find right now.
The Emma Mattress Protector
The breathable, antibacterial, and waterproof cover provides the ideal protection for your mattress without affecting your sleep or comfort.
The Emma Mattress Cover
Emma also sells replacement bed covers, starting from £59. The breathable cover regulates humidity, leaving the customer with a temperature-optimised mattress.
The Emma Cloud Duvet
Keeping you snuggled in winter and cool in summer, this cloud-like, light duvet is just what you need for a good night’s sleep.
The Emma Bed
An elegantly made platform bed frame with exceptional support, the Emma bed is the perfect frame for any mattress. Priced from £289 to £699, it offers superior craftsmanship, support and stability.
Emma Mattress Warranty & Trial Period
The Emma Mattress used to come with a 100-night window to test it in your home. However, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the company decided to extend its trial period to a generous 200 nights, much longer than other models on the market.
The company suggests using the mattress for 3-4 weeks so that it has time to adjust to your body shape and sleeping position. If you are still not satisfied with the product, you can always return it. With the Emma mattress, any return is free of charge and comes with a full refund.
The Emma mattress also comes with a 10-year warranty covering the mattress’s normal use, like cracks, dents, and other damage to the foam or zipper during production.
Emma Mattress Delivery
Emma delivers its mattresses for free to customers all over the UK. They also include a contact-free delivery to ensure everyone stays safe and protected.
Once ordered, the mattress is rolled, vacuum wrapped, packed in a sturdy 17”x17”x44” box and shipped to the consumer.
The bed usually arrives within a week of the order, but you can find the exact delivery time on the official site.
The unpacking process is quite straightforward, all you need to do is follow the Emma mattress instructions provided online, and you’re good to go!
If you’re wondering what to do with your old mattress, Emma has a solution. For an added fee of £39, the company will come and collect the old mattress from your home.
Emma Mattress Price
The Emma Mattress would suit most budgets, particularly first-time buyers looking for a more affordable option.
Let’s look at the size and current pricing information for the Emma mattress in the table below.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
Emma Single Mattress |
90x190x25 cm | £449 |
Emma Small Double Mattress |
120x190x25 cm | £639 |
Emma Double Mattress |
135x190x25 cm | £699 |
Emma King Mattress |
150x200x25 cm | £799 |
Emma Super King Mattress |
180x200x25 cm | £899 |
Emma offers regular promotions, discounts, and the occasional Emma mattress sale, so you won’t need to pay full price for the bed. If you’re patient, you can come across one of the many Emma mattress coupon codes and get up to 40% off the regular price.
You can pay for the bed with all standard payment methods, including PayPal, MasterCard, and Visa. Customers can also buy the Emma Mattress with DivideBuy or Klarna and pay for the bed in instalments. Bear in mind that to qualify for these options, your order must be higher than £279, or over £50.00 to take advantage of DivideBuy.
Emma Original Customer Reviews
Is this Emma Original mattress review not enough to convince you of the bed’s quality and comfort? Then take a look at how customers rate it across other platforms.
- On the company’s official site, the bed has a 4.6 rating.
- The average rating for the Emma mattress on Trustpilot is 4.6.
- It has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon UK, and
- 4.4 on the John Lewis website
Most reviews and comments we came across are positive, though there is a small number of complaints from some customers. These are mostly focused on durability and delivery issues, while some customers report slight hip pain. Nevertheless, the positive Emma mattress reviews far outweigh the negative ones.
Emma Awards & Certifications
Emma is a high-quality brand and is recognised as such.
It was voted the UK number one mattress by the Which? Consumers’ Association and has won awards from a dozen other UK establishments, such as Ideal Home, Good Housekeeping, and The Independent, to name but a few.
The company complies with all safety regulations and requirements. All their mattresses are fire retardant and 100% free of animal-based materials.
Emma Mattress Alternatives
Let’s take a look at some of Emma’s competitors on the market and see how they fare when compared to their original model.
Emma vs Simba
While these are both exceptional mattresses, they differ a lot in terms of construction, maintenance, and price.
The Simba is a hybrid bed, which means it has more airflow and support for heavier sleepers than the Emma Original.
The Simba also has a hypoallergenic, 700g hand-knitted cover, which sadly is not removable. The Emma cover is easily removable and machine-washable, thus making the mattress easier to clean and maintain.
Finally, the Emma original wins on the price spectrum as it’s a little cheaper than the Simba.
Emma Original vs Emma Hybrid
These two beds offer most of the same features: excellent motion isolation, medium-firmness and superior pressure relief. They are both reasonably priced and built with the finest, premium British materials.
The biggest difference lies in the construction. While the Emma Hybrid is made up of foam layers and premium pocket springs, the Emma Original has foam layers only. This, in turn, makes the Hybrid better at temperature control and more suitable for hot sleepers. The Original is also cheaper than the Hybrid, so it might be a better choice for first-time buyers and customers on a tight budget.
Emma Original vs Eve Mattress
These are two very similar beds. Containing three layers of foam, both the Eve mattress and the Emma are very comfy and supportive.
However, the Emma has a thicker base, making it sturdier and more secure. Plus, it comes with a longer trial period and a lower price tag, so it might be the better option of the two.
Bottom Line: Is Emma Original the mattress for you?
The Emma mattress is an excellent choice for any buyer.
It has the elements one needs for a restful slumber: it’s quiet, super comfortable, and provides fantastic back support. It is also budget-friendly, backed up by a generous warranty, and easy to maintain and care for.
Although it might sleep hot for some people and lack proper edge support, these are hardly deal-breakers considering the price and the company’s reputation.
So, if you are in the market for a new bed, give Emma a try and see for yourself why it’s one of the highest-rated and most popular mattresses in the UK right now.
FAQ
How do I look after my Emma mattress?
As shown in the Emma mattress instructions, this bed requires low to zero maintenance since the breathable construction includes a self-contained ventilation mechanism that keeps the mattress fresh and clean. The cover is removable and can be washed at 40°C in any standard washing machine.
To keep your mattress in the best condition, rotate it at least once every three months. Luckily, four convenient handles are placed on the sides, making potential moving and the initial setup an easy job.
Why are Emma mattresses so good?
All Emma mattresses are made in the UK by a dedicated team of experts in the industry. The company uses only the best materials and the most advanced technologies to ensure that you sleep like a baby every night of the week.
Is the Emma mattress good for bad backs?
Yes, if you have a problematic back, this is the mattress for you. Not only does it offer reliable comfort, but the zoned system also provides ergonomic support for the lower back, thus eliminating all pressure points, pains, and aches.
How long does it take for an Emma mattress to expand?
As mentioned above in our Emma mattress review, this is an incredibly low-maintenance bed.
Once delivered, you can put the mattress straight onto a bed frame (any frame will do). It takes up to 2-6 hours to fully inflate, after which it is ready for use.
I'm an interior architect by education with a tendency for content writing and research. Whenever I’m waiting for the engine to finish rendering my model, I love reading and researching on a wide variety of topics. I especially love writing content that is backed up by thorough research and relevant data. Given my engineering background, I'm more for the empirical data, not the "I couldn’t help but wonder..." vibe. When I'm not busy writing or drawing, you can find me hiking with my beagle or binge-watching in my bed. There is no in-between.