Best double mattress 2023: Our favourite full mattresses from Emma, Simba and more
Our pick of the best double mattresses from brands such as Emma, Simba and more
Whether you sleep with a partner, or you just like to sprawl out during the night, you’ll want to buy the best double mattress you can afford for the utmost comfort and support.
The issue is, with the ever-growing popularity of the bed-in-a-box market, there’s a massive range of mattresses to choose from – not to mention different mattress types, from traditional pocket-sprung models to memory foam and hybrid mattresses (we recommend you check out our in-depth guide to mattress types if you’re struggling to decide which is best for you).
Thankfully, we’ve tested a lot of mattresses here at Expert Reviews (many of which have been doubles) so that we can provide you with the best impartial buying advice. With that said, we’ve rounded up some of the best double mattresses below, alongside a short buying guide to help you make an informed buying decision.
Best double mattress: At a glance
- Best memory foam mattress for couples: Emma Original | £483
- Best for staying cool: Simba Hybrid Pro | £1,599
- Best for light sleepers: Eve Premium Hybrid | £1,249
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.
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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 £1500. 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.
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:
The best double mattresses you can buy in 2023
1. Emma Original: The best memory foam mattress for couples
Price when reviewed: £483 (double) | Check prices at Emma
UPDATE: Since publishing our review, Expert Reviews has noticed a recent influx of negative customer reviews for Emma Sleep on Trustpilot, with many customers complaining of delays to shipping and a lack of communication over when deliveries will happen. According to Emma Sleep, these delays have been caused by factors “not under [the brand’s] control”, and a spokesperson said that the process of transitioning “order management and fulfilment platforms” has led to these issues. We’ve also been told that resolving these issues is a top priority for Emma Sleep and the company is expecting to resolve the issues in the coming weeks. We will be sure to bring you more information as we receive it.
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, the Emma Original is a comfortable and supportive mattress. 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 for more details
2. Simba Hybrid Pro: The best for staying cool
Price when reviewed: £1,599 (double) | Check prices at Simba
The Simba Hybrid Pro is constructed from foam with two layers of pocket micro springs (that’s one more than the regular Hybrid). The real winning feature, however, 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 £1,359 for a double, it isn’t cheap, although it’s not the brand’s most expensive mattress. Simba’s latest premium offering, the Hybrid Luxe, will set you back an extra £300 (in a size double). That being said, the Hybrid Pro remains our favourite Simba mattress, as well as one of the best hybrid mattresses we’ve ever tested.
Read our full Simba Hybrid Pro review for more details
3. Silentnight Studio Eco: The best hybrid mattress on a budget
Price when reviewed: £369 (double) | Check prices at Dunelm
Silentnight’s Studio range of mattresses offer the convenience of the bed-in-a-box market at competitive prices. The Studio Eco, the cheapest model in the range, is a cool, comfortable and supportive hybrid mattress that will be rolled up and delivered straight to your door.
The downsides include a disappointing lack of edge support, and a ‘60-night comfort exchange’ which is beaten by the lengthy trial periods and money-back guarantees offered by the brands featured above. Nevertheless, the Silentnight Studio Eco delivers in all the crucial areas, and there’s really little else you could ask for at this price.
Read our full Silentnight Studio Eco review for more details
4. Eve Premium Hybrid: The best for light sleepers
Price when reviewed: £1,249 (double) | Check prices at Eve
Eve now has no fewer than seven mattresses in its range, and the Premium Hybrid is its best (and most expensive) model yet. Constructed from five layers of memory foam and full-size pocket springs, it’s 270mm deep (which is 20mm deeper than Eve’s Original Hybrid).
The Premium Hybrid is brilliantly comfortable and supportive, and it does a great job of keeping you cool throughout the night. Not only that, but we also found it to be very effective when it came to reducing motion transfer. As such, it’s a great mattress for light sleepers as well as couples who move around a lot during the night.
What’s more, Eve has increased its trial period, offering customers a full year to test out its mattresses. Previously, the only brand to offer such a lengthy trial was Nectar. You can read more about this year-long trial on Eve’s website.
Read our full Eve Premium Hybrid review for more details
5. Tempur Original Supreme: The best luxury memory foam mattress
Price: £1,999 (double) | Check prices at Tempur
Tempur is renowned for its quality memory foam mattresses and bedding, and the Original Supreme is no exception. It’s an extremely comfortable mattress that will mould 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 for more details