Hi-tech springs, sensors to regulate your temperature... but will those much-hyped modern mattresses give you a better night's sleep? £219 For those that like a firm mattress, this is a safe, low-cost option. It is based on a traditional open sprung design, which means the springs are all wired together so they all move when pressure is applied. This prevents you from rolling into the middle of the bed. Verdict Good-value, firm mattress.Contact www.dreams.co.ukMiracoil 3 Pocket 2100 Moonbeam from £510 Moonbeam has a double-layer spring system, with 1,350 individual pocket springs above a layer of 750 Miracoil springs. The idea is that the springs in both layers work together, conforming to the natural shape of the body to provide support. Verdict Innovative use of springs for all-over comfort and support. Contact www.silentnight.co.ukEnigma £419 As a pocket sprung mattress, this is a good option if there is a considerable weight or size variation between you and your partner.
The 800 small springs are all cocooned in separate fabric pockets, a bit like a honeycomb. There is also a layer of memory foam for comfort. Verdict A better chance of undisturbed sleep.Contact www.dreams.co.ukMemory Serene 2000 £499 One of the priorities of modern mattress design is to reduce night-time temperature swings, which lead to tossing and turning. Memory Serene features 'Outlast' technology in the mattress fabric which absorbs body heat when too much is created and releases it when it is not. Verdict Efficiently balances body temperatures for a sound night's sleep.Contact www.breasley.co.uk from £405 A firm mattress made from six layers of filling and featuring 'posture pockets' – fabric nests for each spring, which allow them to move independently for comfort and support. The whole lot is encased in a protective case, which prevents the mattress bulging.Verdict Robust, long-lasting mattress. Contact www.sealy.co.uk £69 (single mattress only) This open coil sprung mattress is not as hi-tech as many of the other brands, but that is reflected in the price.
It is a good quality, firm mattress that would be ideal in a guest bedroom. Retains its shape well thanks to a wire-reinforced border.Verdict Excellent value option for guest beds. Miracoil 7 Pocket 2100 Nova Dream from £650 The ecologically concerned might sleep sounder with this mattress from Silentnight's Miracoil range. The Innergetic latex is made of 70 per cent natural ingredients, giving it a far lower carbon footprint than the oil-based latexes that are usually used in mattresses. Plus, the Miracoil system of using one continuous spring that runs head to toe, up and down the bed, distributes body weight and prevents so-called roll-together – when you and your partner both end up in the middle of the bed.Verdict Good, eco-friendly choice. Contact www.silentnight.co.ukPS Lövås £92.98 The sofa bed has traditionally been the least popular place to sleep when you've got a houseful of guests, but this lightweight, polyurethane foam sofa bed mattress would work well in emergencies.
It is firm enough to offer a good level of support and give guests a comfortable night's sleep. The cotton/polyestermix cover can be dry-cleaned. Verdict Good for a few nights' rest. Miracoil 3 Pocket 2100 Galaxy from £687 Features memory breathe material, which has been drilled with holes to make it less dense and improve the mattress's comfort and temperature control. The springs also run right to the edge of the mattress, giving extra sleeping space.Verdict More space in bed thanks to edge-to-edge memory mattress support. Contact www.silentnight.co.ukPosturepedic Avalon from £565 Boasts seven 'sleep zones' and 'posture channels', having been designed following a bodymapping exercise involving thousands of people. It helps to eliminate tossing and turning, which leaves many people feeling more tired in the morning than when they went to bed. Verdict Sophisticated, science-based design. Contact www.sealy.co.ukPrices based on a double mattress sizeHow to choose the best mattress for youIf you want to wake up feeling refreshed, it's vital that you have the right mattress.
However, there are so many different types to choose from today, it helps to know what you are looking for before you rush to buy one.Orthopaedic mattresses, such as Ortho Blue featured above, are designed to offer firm, but comfortable, support, and for many years have been the traditional choice for people suffering from bad backs. However, while they still suit some people, memory foam mattresses are also now recommended because they help to ease pressure points.Memory foam mattresses soften as they are warmed by the body, and mould to its shape. This allows natural movement during sleep, as well as helping to maintain good posture and spinal alignment while you are on your side. They may take a few nights to get used to – and not everyone likes them – but fans swear by them. They are also hypoallergenic, so ideal for asthma and eczema sufferers. Latex mattresses, such as the Miracoil Nova Dream above, are also a good hypoallergenic option, as well as offering excellent support.Another problem that mattress makers have worked hard to address is 'roll-together', when partners are of different sizes and weights.
Apart from being uncomfortable, this means your mattress is not offering enough support and you could suffer aches as a result. If this is an issue, memory foam, latex or pocket sprung mattresses are ideal, as they ensure each sleeper has individual support.The higher the number of springs in a pocket sprung mattress, the greater the support. One of the main causes of sleepless nights is fluctuation in body temperature. Memory foam and latex are great for temperature control, but so too is 'Outlast', a mattress fabric coating that absorbs heat when too much is created and releases it when needed.Sprung mattresses must be turned regularly to maximise their life and comfort. The usual advice is to turn a mattress monthly for the first three months after purchase, and then every 90 days. If lifting is a problem for you, memory foam and latex mattresses need only to be rotated every month.There is no substitute for you and your partner testing a mattress. Try out several to compare levels of support.