Home LivingWellnessSleepEmma vs Simba: which mattress brand is best for you?Should you buy an Emma or Simba mattress? T3 puts them head to head to see which mattress brand is the best fit for your needsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleepEmma vs Simba: which mattress brand is best for you?Should you buy an Emma or Simba mattress? T3 puts them head to head to see which mattress brand is the best fit for your needsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Should you buy an Emma or Simba mattress? T3 puts them head to head to see which mattress brand is the best fit for your needs
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Emma / Simba)
(Image credit: Emma / Simba)
Emma vs Simba: design
Emma currently sells four mattresses: the Emma Original, the Emma NextGen Premium, the Emma Zero Gravity Mattress and the Emma Luxe Cooling mattress.
The standard Emma mattress, theEmma Original, is a 25cm-deep, medium mattress filled with three layers of memory foam. These are: 3cm of breathable Airgocell foam, 2cm of pressure-relieving visco-elastic memory foam, and 19cm of supportive cold foam, along with a machine-washable cover.
The more expensiveEmma NextGen Premium, in contrast, is a hybrid mattress. Here, you get layers of Halo and Point Elastic Airgocell foams and pocket springs that supports and cradles the body while offering relief in specific pressure points. It also has a removeable washable cover.
Next is theEmma Zero Gravity Mattress, another hybrid option. It’s made up of six layers of foam and springs, a removable cover and it’s best for cooling you down and maximum support.
Finally, theEmma Luxe Cooling Mattresshas a top cover, four layers of foam and one layer of 12.5cm pocket springs. The second layer of foam is infused with graphite particles, which utilises Emma’s new Thermosync technology, to better regulate body heat.
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The layers that make up the Emma Premium mattress(Image credit: Emma)
The layers that make up the Emma Premium mattress
The layers that make up the Emma Premium mattress
(Image credit: Emma)
Simba, meanwhile, offers lots of different mattresses, broken up into the Simba Hybrid and Simbatex Foam range.
All of them are hybrid models which combine foam and springs. The Hybrid range features the Simba Hybrid Mattress, the Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress, the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress, the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress and the Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress.
The standard model is theSimba Hybrid Mattress. This 25cm deep, medium-firm mattress combines memory foam with pocket springs. There are four layers of filling: 2.5cm of open cell Simbatex foam, 25mm of cone-shaped springs; 4.5cm of support foam; and 16cm of high-density foam base with seven areas of zoned support.
The next step up in price is theSimba Hybrid Pro Mattress. This is a deeper and plusher version of the Simba Hybrid, with seven layers to the latter’s five, and an extra 3cm depth at 28cm.
At the top of the range comes the priciest model, theSimba Hybrid Luxe Mattress. This has a luxurious 10 layers of filling, bringing the depth up to a generous 31cm. Another high-end mattress from Simba is theSimba Hybrid Ultra Mattress, made of 13 layers, 8,500 supportive springs and 34cm depth.
Finally, for bargain hunters, there’s the Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress. This more affordable mattress has just four layers of springs and foam, and is just 20cm deep.
Verdict: Draw.Each mattress in both Emma’s and Simba’s range is well designed, and made of quality materials. For both brands, the more you spend, the greater the complexity of the construction and the depth of the mattress.
Emma vs Simba: comfort
The Simba Hybrid(Image credit: Simba)
The Simba Hybrid
The Simba Hybrid
(Image credit: Simba)
Annoyingly for mattress manufacturers, there’s no definition of ‘comfort’ that applies to every sleeper. Some people prefer a soft mattress, others firm. Some people find all-foam mattresses wonderfully supportive, others feel ‘stuck’ and ‘trapped’. (For more on this dichotomy, read our article onmemory foam vs springs). And so it’s difficult to argue that one design of mattress is more comfortable than another.
If you’re seeking a hybrid mattress, though, you’ll probably be torn between the Emma Premium and the standard Simba Hybrid. In truth, that’s a difficult one to call because, although they are constructed slightly differently, our reviewers found they both deliver an excellent level of comfort and support.
In our tests, we found Emma’s mattresses tended to trap body warmth a little, which means they’re not ideal if you tend to sleep hot. Simba’s cooling tech is more effective.
Another difference to consider is that while both mattresses are broadly ‘medium-firm’, the Emma Premium is slightly softer and the Simba is slightly firmer. So if you’re a front sleeper, or just generally prefer a firmer mattress, the Simba may be a better choice; and if you’re a back or side sleeper, or generally prefer a softer mattress, you may prefer the Emma.
When it comes to Simba’s premium mattresses, though, we can be more confident. With extra layers of filling, and extra depth overall, both the Simba Hybrid Pro and the Simba Hybrid Luxe offer luxurious levels of comfort that the Emma Premium can’t quite reach, although you will pay accordingly.
At the other end of the scale, the Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress is, purposely, the most basic mattress of all those we’ve mentioned here, with a depth of just 20cm. At time of writing, we hadn’t had a chance to test that one out, but on face value we might recommend giving it a miss, given that the 25cm-deep Emma Original is cheaper.
Verdict: Simba wins
While Emma and Simba’s standard mattresses offer similar levels of comfort, Simba’s pricier models offer a superior sleeping experience and tend to sleep cooler too. That said, if you prefer an all-foam mattress, then the Emma Original is going to be preferable.
Emma vs Simba: the small print
The Emma Original(Image credit: Emma)
The Emma Original
The Emma Original
(Image credit: Emma)
In terms of trial period, delivery and guarantees, there’s no difference at all between Simba and Emma. With both companies, you get free delivery, a 10 year guarantee, and a 200-night in-home trial. If you don’t like it, contact either Emma or Simba and they’ll arrange pick up and a full refund.
Verdict: Draw.The two brand match each other exactly when it comes to customer service.
Emma vs Simba: pricing
In terms of RRP, Emma’s mattresses are generally cheaper. TheEmma Originalstarts at £339, theEmma NextGen Premiumstarts at £499, theEmma Zero Gravity mattressstarts at £749 and theEmma Luxe Cooling mattressstarts at £559.
Make sure you check ourEmma discount codesto save more on your purchase.
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
At RRP, Simba’s mattresses are generally more expensive. Its cheapest mattress, theSimba Essentialstarts at £749. In the middle of the range, theHybridstarts at £799, and theHybrid Prostarts at £1,159. At the top of the range, theHybrid Luxestarts at £1,579 and theHybrid Ultrastarts at £2,599.
Make sure to check out theseSimba discount codesfor extra savings.
That said, discounts on both brands’ mattress come and go all the time, and you’ll find price drops of around 40% on a monthly basis, so you’re pretty much never going to pay list price. For the latest discounts, check out our regularly-updated articles onEmma mattress dealsand the bestSimba mattress deals.
Emma vs Simba: Verdict
The Simba Hybrid Luxe(Image credit: Future)
The Simba Hybrid Luxe
The Simba Hybrid Luxe
(Image credit: Future)
On paper, there’s little to separate these two brands, but if you were to push us for our preference, we’d probably say Simba. This brand has superior cooling tech and is typically a little firmer, which suits our personal tastes. If you seek a high-end hybrid mattress, then Simba’s top two models are the more luxurious than you’ll find at Emma, although they’re suitably more expensive too.
That said, Emma still makes excellent mattresses, and it has the edge when it comes to price. Plus, if it’s an all-foam mattress you’re looking for, then Emma is the only game in town.
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