Why Choosing a Mattress Matters
You spend about a third of your life in bed, so choosing the right mattress matters more than most purchases. The best mattress is the one that supports your body, suits how you sleep and fits your bed. It does not have to be the most expensive mattress, and it does not have to be the firmest. It has to be right for you.
At Kensley Home, our mattresses start from £170, with free delivery and pay on delivery. You can browse the full range of mattresses
Mattress Sizes
An individual mattress size is the size made for one person, and the standard single is 3 feet wide. A 3ft mattress measures 3 feet by 6 feet 3 inches, and a 3 foot mattress is the same size written in words. A 3ft mattress suits a child, a teenager or an adult who sleeps alone.
A small double mattress measures 4 feet by 6 feet 3 inches. A 4ft bed with mattress gives a little more room than a single, and a 4ft ottoman bed with mattress adds storage under the bed. A 4ft divan bed with mattress is a neat, strong choice for a small double room.
A double mattress measures 4 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 3 inches. A 4ft 6 mattress is the same size, and a 140 x 200 mattress is a European size that is close to a double. A 140 x 200 mattress size measures 140 centimetres by 200 centimetres, and a 135 x 190 mattress measures 135 centimetres by 190 centimetres. A European mattress, which is also called an EU mattress, uses centimetre sizes instead of feet and inches, and an EU queen mattress is a European size that is wider than a standard double.
A king mattress measures 5 feet by 6 feet 6 inches. The dimensions of a king mattress are 150 centimetres by 200 centimetres, and how wide is a king mattress is a question many people ask before they order: it is 5 feet wide. A king mattress UK shoppers buy is the same size as a king size mattress, and a cheap king bed mattress can still be comfortable if you choose the right type. A king bed and mattress set is the simplest way to buy, because the base and the mattress are made to fit each other.
A super king bed and mattress measures 6 feet wide, and it is the widest standard size. What is the largest size mattress you can buy? A super king is the largest standard size, at 6 feet by 6 feet 6 inches. If you need something bigger, it has to be made to order.
A 3 quarter bed with mattress is an old size that sits between a single and a double, at 3 feet 6 inches wide. A 3/4 bed with storage and mattress is a good choice for a small room where a double will not fit.
A junior bed and mattress is made for a young child, and a junior bed with mattress is smaller than a single. An under bed mattress is a thin mattress that slides under a bed for guests, and a bed with under bed mattress storage is useful in a guest room.
Types of Mattress
There are three main types of mattress, and each one feels different.
Memory foam is a foam that softens with your body heat and moulds around your shape. It spreads your weight evenly and takes pressure off your shoulders and hips. A memoryfoam mattress is the same thing written as one word, and it suits people who like a soft, hugging feel. Memory foam also cuts down movement, so you feel less when your partner turns over.
Pocket sprung mattresses have springs, and each spring sits in its own fabric pocket, so it moves on its own. This means the mattress supports each part of your body separately and gives a bouncy, breathable feel. You can browse pocket sprung mattresses
A hybrid mattress combines springs and foam in one mattress. A hybrid king mattress is a hybrid made in king size, and a king hybrid mattress is the same thing. A soft hybrid mattress suits people who like a gentle feel with spring support underneath, and a hybrid mattress sale is a good time to try one. You can see our memory foam mattresses
An orthopaedic mattress is a firm mattress made to give strong, even support. It suits people who like a firm feel and want a mattress that holds its shape. You can browse orthopaedic mattresses
Firm, Medium Firm or Soft?
Mattresses firm enough to support you are important, but firm does not always mean better. A firm mattress suits back sleepers and people who like a solid surface. The best firm mattress UK shoppers choose is often a medium firm mattress, because it is firm enough to support you and soft enough to cushion your shoulders and hips.
Medium-firm mattresses are the most popular choice, and a medium-firm mattress suits most sleepers. It gives support without feeling hard, and it works for side sleepers, back sleepers and front sleepers.
The best soft mattress UK shoppers buy suits side sleepers, because it lets shoulders and hips sink in a little. A soft mattress is not the same as a weak mattress: a good soft mattress still supports your back, it just feels gentler on top.
Mattress Depth and Comfort Layers
A deep mattress is usually thicker than a standard mattress, and it often has more comfort layers on top. An extra deep mattress can be 30 centimetres deep or more, and a 40cm deep mattress is a thick, luxurious mattress with deep comfort layers. A high mattress sits higher on the bed, which makes it easier to get in and out of bed.
A mattress with pillowtop has an extra soft layer sewn on top, which feels like a pillow built into the mattress. A pillow top mattress is a good choice if you like a soft sleeping surface with firm support underneath. The best pillow top mattress UK shoppers choose is one with a thick, even pillow top that does not flatten quickly.
A black mattress is a mattress with a dark cover, which looks smart in a modern bedroom. The colour of the cover does not change how the mattress feels, so choose the colour you like and focus on the type and firmness.
Beds with a Mattress Included
Beds with mattress included are a simple way to buy. A bed with storage mattress set gives you a bed, storage and a mattress in one order, and a bed with storage and mattress is a good choice for a small room. An ottoman bed and mattress gives you a lift-up storage base, and a mattress ottoman bed is the same idea. An ottoman bed and mattress set is a complete package, and an ottoman bed with mattress included saves you buying the base and the mattress separately. A mattress and bed set bought together usually costs less than buying them one by one.
A cheap bed and mattress set can still be good value, and a cheap bed frame with mattress is a good way to set up a spare room. Cheap divan beds with mattress options start from £130 for the divan bed, with mattresses from £170, and cheap divan beds with mattress and headboard sets are a complete bedroom in one order. A divan bed set with mattress and headboard is the simplest way to set up a new bedroom.
A sofa bed with mattress is a bed that folds out from a sofa, and a sofa bed couch mattress is the mattress inside a sofa bed. A sofa with mattress bed is the same idea: a sofa that turns into a bed. Mattresses sofa beds use are usually thinner than a normal mattress, so they fold away neatly. A luxury sofa bed with thick mattress sale is a good time to buy, because a thicker sofa bed mattress is more comfortable for overnight guests. A mattress sofa bed is a good choice for a living room that doubles as a guest room, and a mattress for heavy person use should be firm and deep, with strong support that does not sink too far.
Some shoppers search for a bed mattress sofa when they mean a sofa bed, and a sofa and mattress combination is the same idea: a sofa with a mattress inside. Mattress sofas are useful in small homes, and an ottoman mattress is the mattress that sits on an ottoman bed base. An ottoman bed mattress should be firm enough to support you and light enough to lift with the base.
What Mattress Is Good for Back Problems?
What mattress is good for back problems is one of the most common questions we hear. What type of mattress is best for back problems depends on how you sleep, but most people with a sore back do best on a medium firm mattress that supports their back without feeling hard.
A firm mattress back ache sufferers often choose is a medium firm mattress, because a very hard mattress can press on your hips and shoulders, while a very soft mattress lets your back sag. If you have ongoing back pain, a supportive mattress can help your comfort, but it will not cure back pain. Anyone with ongoing back pain should see a doctor.
Which Mattress Should You Buy?
What is a good mattress to buy? It is the mattress that fits your body, your bed and your budget. What is the best rated mattress for most people? There is no single answer, because the best mattress for a side sleeper is different from the best mattress for a back sleeper.
Which is better mattress for you, memory foam or pocket sprung? Memory foam suits people who like a soft, quiet mattress that moulds to their body. Pocket sprung suits people who like a bouncy, cool mattress with strong support. A hybrid gives you both.
What is the comfiest mattress? It is the one you wake up feeling rested on. The comfiest mattress for one person can feel too soft or too firm for another, so try to match the mattress to how you sleep, not to what someone else recommends.
Some shoppers even search for a mattress king mattress when they mean a king size mattress, and a mattress frame wood search usually means a wooden bed frame to go under the mattress. A wooden mattress base is a frame made from wood, and it gives a firm, flat base for your mattress.
When you buy a mattress, check the size, the type, the firmness and the delivery. Delivery is free at Kensley Home, and you can pay on delivery.
Summary
The best mattress is the one that fits your body and your bed. A single mattress suits one person, a double suits a couple, and a king or super king suits couples who want space. Memory foam moulds to your body, pocket springs give bouncy support, and a hybrid gives you both. Medium firm suits most sleepers, and a firm mattress suits back sleepers.
Start with your size, then choose your type and firmness, and buy from a shop that offers free delivery and pay on delivery. You can browse our full range on our home page
