Simba Hybrid Pro review: Our favourite hybrid mattress

Bed-in-a-box mattresses offer convenience and value for money. What’s more, the best mattresses come with almost no financial risk, thanks to lengthy money-back guarantees. I rarely hand out a Best Buy award to this type of mattress, however, for one simple reason: thanks to the synthetic materials used in their construction, they’re not especially practical if you’re the sort of person who gets warm at night.

The Simba Hybrid Pro aims to overcome this problem by using a layer of wool directly below its top cover. After using it during a recent heatwave, I found it delivered a supremely comfortable night’s sleep. Is it worth the extra money? As the most comfortable bed-in-a-box mattress I’ve ever slept on, I’d have to say yes.

Simba Hybrid Pro review: What you need to know

The extra layer of wool isn’t all that separates the Pro from the regular Simba Hybrid. It also has a thicker top cover that acts as a sleeping surface and two layers of micro springs beneath its open-cell foam layer.

As with the regular Simba Hybrid, there’s then a transition foam layer beneath the springs that also offers edge support and, finally, a supportive foam foundation that’s zoned to offer different levels of support below the shoulders and hips. To make moving and turning the mattress less arduous, it has two handles on each side. Simba recommends you do this once a month when you first receive the mattress and then every three to six months.

As you’d expect, given those extra two layers, the Simba Hybrid Pro is 30mm thicker than the regular Simba Hybrid. That makes for a mattress that’s 280mm thick in total, which is suitable for most fitted sheets. The only caveat is that the top cover of the Pro isn’t removable, so it would be wise to invest in a decent cotton mattress protector too.

Crucially, the Pro comes with a 200-night money-back guarantee, which is more than double the length offered by many of its rivals (with the exception of Nectar and Emma). That means you can try the mattress for a whole year and, if you don’t like it, you can return it for a full refund.

Simba Hybrid Pro review: Price and competition

Sadly, the extra comfort afforded by the additional layer of springs and wool comes at a considerable extra cost. Following a number of price increases on Simba mattresses, the Hybrid Pro now starts at £999 for a single mattress and rises to £1,239 and £1,419 for double and king sizes.

Discounts of up to 25%, and sometimes even 35%, are not uncommon on the Simba website, but this mattress is undoubtedly more expensive than equivalent premium models from other brands. Eve’s Premium and Premium Hybrid mattresses, for instance, cost £1,096 and £1,128 in king size. That said, the Hybrid Pro isn’t Simba’s most expensive mattress, with a new premium mattress: the brand’s latest premium model is the Hybrid Luxe, which will cost you a hefty £1,909 for a king.

The best alternatives and where to buy them:

• Simba Hybrid | Buy now from Simba
• Eve Premium | Buy now from Eve
• Eve Premium Hybrid | Buy now from Eve

Simba Hybrid Pro review: Comfort and performance

The standout feature of the Hybrid Pro is that layer of wool and, somewhat to my surprise, it’s instantly apparent when you first lie on the mattress, despite it being buried below a thick top cover.

The most obvious difference it makes is the extent to which it lifts you up compared with the foam found in the top layer of most hybrid mattresses. There’s a tautness you don’t find in foam comfort layers and, as such, there’s much less of a sinking feeling, which is definitely a very good thing.

The texture is notably different, too, and with the springs layers below, there’s also much more bounce than you find in the majority of bed-in-a-box mattresses. That’s impressive when you consider they’re not especially long. With the open-cell foam layer above them, these do a great job of ensuring that the mattress accommodates a variety of different sleeping positions too. Indeed, I found it as comfortable sleeping on my side as on my back.

So how does the mattress perform in the warmth stakes? It’s difficult to judge this kind of thing when ambient temperatures change from night to night but I slept on the Hybrid Pro for several nights of a June heatwave with a 7.5tog feather duvet and had no particular problems with overheating. It got rather snug on a few occasions but, overall, I felt the top wool layer and micro springs did a good job of preventing the uncomfortable, enveloped feeling that’s often associated with foam mattresses.

As well as delivering improved airflow, though, the other perk to this top layer is that it doesn’t soften as it warms up. This affliction is one of my main frustrations with memory foam products, as it can also affect the levels of support as you sleep, but I had no such problem with the Simba Hybrid Pro. Better still, the premium Simba mattress offers excellent support levels whether you use it on a yielding sprung slatted base or a solid foundation.

Buy now from Simba

Simba Hybrid Pro review: Verdict

Overall, then, the Simba Hybrid delivers in all the ways you’d expect a mattress of its price to. It’s supportive, comfortable, does a better job than most bed-in-a-box mattresses at temperature control and is an absolute pleasure to sleep on.

With such a high price tag, I was initially hesitant to give the Hybrid Pro a Best Buy award, but the fact I was reluctant to go back to using my own pocket sprung mattress afterwards had me convinced; that’s something I’ve rarely experienced when testing other mattresses.

And then there’s that 200-night trial. With traditional mattresses in this price range, there’s always an element of risk but with the Simba Hybrid you can buy, confident in the knowledge you only need to part with your money if it’s the right mattress for you.

The best double mattress is a smart choice when it comes to mattress size. A double is big enough to share with a partner or sprawl out during the night yet small enough to fit comfortably into your bedroom, and it’s also cheaper than a king size, so you can afford to spend more on quality and comfort.

But which double mattress is best for you? We’ve tested more than 40 mattresses here at Expert Reviews, including memory foam and bed-in-a-box hybrids, before putting together our roundup below. If you still need some guidance when searching for a new mattress, check out our buying guide at the bottom of the page.

Our top picks excel in areas including comfort and value for money, and we’ve highlighted the respective merits and drawbacks of each in our mini reviews. If you’re just after some quick recommendations, though, see our at a glance list below.

Looking for a larger mattress?
Read our guide to the best king size mattresses instead

Best double mattress: At a glance

How we test mattresses

Without sounding too obvious, we test our mattresses by sleeping on them. While it seems like a cushy job, there are a variety of factors we take into consideration. With the inclusion of comfort and support, we focus on firmness and temperature control – though, when necessary, we will also pay attention to motion isolation and edge support.

For instance, when considering temperature, all-foam mattresses will retain heat more so than others, which would make them a less suitable option for those prone to overheating.

The foundation on which your mattress lies – whether it’s a divan base, sprung slatted bed or even the floor – will play its part in how a mattress feels beneath you. And although we can’t regularly test multiple bed bases when reviewing a mattress, we will always take this into account.

Before we make a final judgement, we take any trial runs that might be on offer into account – which is often the case within the bed-in-a-box market – before asking the important question, is the product good value for money?

Buying a mattress isn’t an easy task, so it’s worth doing plenty of reading before making the plunge. If you still have unanswered questions, below are a few of our guides and best buys that should help answer them:

• How to choose a mattress: Tips on how to buy the best mattress
• Best mattress for a bad back
• Best mattress for side sleepers

The best double mattresses you can buy in 2024

1. Emma Original: Best memory foam double mattress

Price when reviewed: £499 (double) | Check price at Emma

UPDATE: Since publishing our review, Expert Reviews has noticed several negative customer reviews for Emma Sleep on Trustpilot, with many customers complaining of shipping delays and a lack of communication. Emma tells us that the brand is working on resolving these issues, and estimated delivery times on its online store have been updated accordingly.

• Great for… couples who sleep in different positions
• Not so great for… those who prefer a firm mattress

Emma’s Original mattress is made up of three layers of memory foam, plus a breathable top cover which can be removed and machine washed. When we tested it, we found it to be a very versatile memory foam mattress which was more than capable of accommodating a variety of sleeping positions.

Indeed, whether you sleep on your back, front, side or a combination of the three, we think you’ll find the Emma Original comfortable and supportive. Thanks to this versatility, it’s a great choice for couples who might be struggling to compromise on sleeping positions.

Read our full Emma Original review 

2. Simba Hybrid Pro: Best hybrid double mattress

Price when reviewed: £1,299 (double) | Check price at Simba

• Great for… optimum comfort and coolness, even in summer
• Not so great for… a budget choice for the spare room

The Simba Hybrid Pro is constructed from foam with two layers of pocket micro springs (that’s one more than the regular Hybrid). But when we tested it, we discovered that the real winning feature is the upper layer of British wool which rests on top of the mattress’ open-cell foam layer. This is a naturally breathable material which keeps you cool and comfortable throughout the night.

At £1,279 for a double, it isn’t cheap – and it’s not even Simba’s most expensive mattress. The Hybrid Luxe adds an extra layer of springs but will set you back an extra £520 for a double, and Simba’s latest premium offering, the Hybrid Ultra, adds yet more springs and layers of foam, but costs a cool £2,929 for a double. That may be steep, but we think it’s worth it for what may be the best hybrid mattress we’ve ever slept on.

Read our full Simba Hybrid Pro review 

3. Origin Hybrid mattress: Best supportive double mattress

Price when reviewed: £579 (double) | Check price at Origin

• Great for… heavier sleepers who need consistent ergonomic support
• Not so great for… lighter sleepers who need more softness to sink into

Origin’s Hybrid mattress really impressed us with its edge support, which means it gives you the optimum balance of comfort and ergonomic support right across the sleeping surface. If you share your double bed, this consistent support maximises the amount of comfort you can both enjoy, rather than having it taper off as you move towards the edge of the mattress.

Like many newer, premium hybrid mattresses, the Origin Hybrid features a grid layer that’s designed to optimise back support, plus a temperature-control layer to keep you cool while you sleep. There’s also a solid foam layer for extra support where it’s needed, and a layer of pocket springs whose innovative design offers better and better support the further you sink into the mattress. Our tester found the mattress quite firm, but with some welcome foam cushioning where needed, and a clever adaptive system of pocket springs that ensured she never felt that sinking feeling.

Read our full Origin Hybrid mattress review

4. Eve Premium Hybrid: Best double mattress for light sleepers

Price when reviewed: £1,249 (double) | Check price at Eve

• Great for… side sleepers who struggle with the firmness of new beds-in-a-box
• Not so great for… those who love the bounce of springs

Eve has one of the widest ranges in the bed-on-a-box market, from the budget Eve Lighter to the sumptuous Eve Premium, but our favourite of the whole bunch is the chunky 28cm-deep Premium Hybrid. Our tester loved its sophisticated combination of ergonomic support and body-hugging comfort, and found that it helped to keep her cool even on hot summer nights.

We thought the Premium Hybrid was well worth its old price of £1,249 for a double – but Eve has now relaunched the mattress as the Wunderflip Premium Hybrid and dropped its price to just £749 for a double (there’s no single size option). That’s superb value for one of the best hybrids you can buy. We’ll be testing a double size of the new flippable Premium Hybrid in the coming weeks, so watch this space for our updated verdict.

Read our full Eve Premium Hybrid review 

Check price at Eve

5. Tempur Original Supreme: Best luxury memory foam mattress

Price when reviewed: £1,750 (double) | Check price at Bensons for Beds

• Great for… zero-compromise comfort that adapts to your shape
• Not so great for… affordability and edge support

Tempur is renowned for its quality memory foam mattresses and bedding, and the Original Supreme is no exception. We found it to be an extremely comfortable mattress that moulds to your body while providing excellent levels of support.

But such premium memory foam comes at a high price. In fact, the Tempur Original Supreme is one of the most expensive mattresses we’ve reviewed. Fortunately, like many brands, Tempur offers a 100-night trial period (at the end of which you have the option of returning your mattress for a full refund if it is not right for you) as well as a 10-year guarantee on its mattresses.

Read our full Tempur Original Supreme review 

6. Nectar Essential Hybrid mattress: Best value for money double mattress

Price when reviewed: £600 (double) | Check price at Nectar

• Great for… Nectar’s “forever” warranty and year-long trial
• Not so great for… support from edge to edge

Nectar’s Essential Hybrid undercuts many of its bed-in-a-box rivals on price, making this 25cm six-layer mattress one of the cheapest hybrids we’ve reviewed. Our tester found this medium-firm mattress offered comfort and support in excellent measure, as well as good motion isolation to give you some peace from a fidgeting partner.

Best of all, Nectar’s trial period and warranty are unbeatable. Not only do you get a full year of sleeping on your mattress to decide whether to keep it, but you also get a lifetime guarantee against faults – in their words a “forever warranty” – so if you’re looking for a mattress to last for the foreseeable future, this could be the one.

Read our full Nectar Essential Hybrid review

7. Emma NextGen Premium: Best double mattress for couples

Price when reviewed: £709 (double) | Check prices at Emma

UPDATE: Since publishing our review, Expert Reviews has noticed several negative customer reviews for Emma Sleep on Trustpilot, with many customers complaining of shipping delays and a lack of communication. Emma tells us that the brand is working on resolving these issues, and estimated delivery times on its online store have been updated accordingly.

• Great for… sleeping in peace with a partner
• Not so great for… sleepers who want a softer mattress

Emma’s premium mattress is one of the more affordable hybrids we’ve tested, but it’s certainly not a bargain basement option. We’ve been spending occasional nights on our double-size test sample of the NextGen Premium for nearly a year now, and while it can’t quite match the luxuriously supportive feel of the Simba Hybrid Pro or the ergonomic firmness of the HiGrid Premium Hybrid, it still offers excellent edge support, good temperature control and the best motion isolation we’ve experienced in a bed-in-a-box mattress.

Motion isolation is especially important when you’re sharing a double mattress with a partner, as we discovered when testing. A king or super king size mattress lets you get far enough away from their tossing and turning to avoid being disturbed, but a double mattress needs to work harder to absorb the movement and prevent it from waking you up. On this score, the Emma NextGen Premium is a clear winner.

Read our full Emma NextGen Premium review

8. Hypnia Supreme: Best luxury hybrid mattress

Price when reviewed: £1,576 (double) | Check price at Hypnia

• Great for… a range of sleeping positions
• Not so great for… watching the pennies

While all-foam mattresses can be great for side sleepers because they have plenty of “give” for the contours of your hips and shoulders, they sometimes lack the ergonomic support and durability you also need for a proper night’s rest. Not so with this premium mattress from Hypnia, which we found to offer a superb level of support from edge to edge.

Supreme by name, Supreme by nature – and Supreme by price too, as this mattress is certainly an investment, with a double costing over £1,500 unless it’s enjoying one of Hypnia’s fairly regular discounts. But we do think this mattress will last for many years without sagging, and it comes with a generous 15-year guarantee.

Read our full Hypnia Supreme review

How to choose the best double mattress for you

How big is a double mattress?

To be big enough to fit two people, a standard UK double mattress measures 135cm wide and 190cm long.

By comparison, a single is 90cm wide, while a king size mattress is 150cm wide and a super king 180cm. Length wise, the difference isn’t as significant: a single also measures 190cm long, while a king and super king are both 200cm.

Some retailers and manufacturers will also offer their mattress in a ‘small double’ size, which is reasonably self-explanatory. A standard small double measures 190cm long, with a slightly smaller width of 120cm.

How much should I spend on a double mattress?

It goes without saying that the more you’re willing to spend on a mattress, the more comfortable it’s likely to be. And considering the sheer amount of time we spend in bed, we’d argue that it makes sense to invest in a decent one.

Many of our favourite foam mattresses (including the Emma Original and Nectar mattress), will cost you around £700 in a size double, while hybrid mattresses combining springs and foam tend to be a bit pricier.

The most expensive mattresses, however, which are often deeper and more sumptuous, can easily set you back upwards of £1,500. Examples include the Simba Hybrid Luxe and the Tempur Original Supreme, which cost £1,699 and £1,799 respectively. If you’re after luxury from your mattress, these are the prices you’ll be looking at.

That said, you don’t need to spend thousands of pounds for decent comfort and support, and there are plenty of good budget double mattresses available, such as the Silentnight Studio Eco at (£419) and the Dormeo Memory Plus, regularly on sale for as little as £250.

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