Skip to Content

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Are Simba mattresses worth it? This is our experts' honest review

“I see why they call it Simba, because it leaves you feeling like a lying king”

By and
VerifiedTested by Homes Testing Manager
best simba mattress
Good Housekeeping / Simba

Simba is one of the most well-known mattress brands – it features heavily in our best mattress roundup – delivering sleep support to your door in a neat, portable cardboard box. And convenience isn’t the only selling point.

The brand has always prioritised sustainability, making its mattresses here in the UK with a focus on natural materials. You don’t just have to take Simba’s word for it either – the brand is a recognised B-Corp, an independent certification that means it has a more positive impact on the environment and among the communities in which it works. It’s the stuff of greener dreams.

Simba also offers a 200-night trial, a 10-year guarantee and will even take your old mattress away for free. But once one of its mattresses is unrolled and you’ve lugged it onto your bed frame, just how comfortable is it really?

That’s where the Good Housekeeping Institute can help. We enlisted the help of our panel to curl up with a Simba mattress for six weeks and report back on how it affected their shut-eye. At a glance, here’s how its mattresses stack up, but keep scrolling for our detailed reviews.

What do our readers say about Simba?

As part of our testing, we survey our readers to get their verdict on the leading mattress brands. We’ve heard from nearly 4,000 of you in total, and we make sure we've receive at least 50 responses per brand before we analyse the results.

For Simba, we received glowing feedback – nearly everyone was happy with their mattress, and most said they would buy it again, praising its supportive designs. Some people flagged changes over time though – either their mattress didn't rebound to its original shape after a while or they noticed a dip forming – so we recommend following the brand's rotation guidelines religiously.

In fact, this is a stipulation of the brand’s 10-year warranty: you must rotate the mattress once a month for the first three months you have it, then regularly every three to six months after that. Good news though – all the mattresses below have handles to help with this.

Read more: If you're trying to improve your sleep set-up, we've also tested the best bed sheets and duvet covers, the best pillows and the best mattress toppers.

simba mattress review
Hannah Mendelsohn

How we test mattresses

We include the reader feedback mentioned above in the overall score for each mattress, but that’s just the start of our testing. We also recruit a panel of readers who each receive one of the new mattresses to try out for six weeks.

Then, we ask them to tell us all about it. What was the delivery like? Was unboxing and set-up easy? Was it comfortable from the off and did this change as time progressed?

We ask if the mattress helped ease back ache (if they have it), if it’s quiet and still in the face of a fidgety partner, and if it regulates their body temperature.

Our experts then take all this data and analyse it to award each mattress an overall score. Here’s how the Simba range performed.

Note that the prices shown are for the standard UK double.

Best Simba mattress

Simba Hybrid Mattress

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Hybrid Mattress

Pros

  • Extremely supportive and comfortable
  • Quiet overnight
  • Excellent at regulating temperature

Cons

  • Some of our readers noticed that dips formed, so be sure to follow care guidance closely

Score: 89/100

This is Simba’s original hybrid mattress, and according to our testers, the medium-firm design is still its best. Everyone praised the delivery and unboxing process.

Come bedtime, our testers loved the way its 2,500-odd springs and unique foam combine to offer support while contouring to the body with a cloud-like sink-in feel. For some, it also eased pre-existing aches and pains.

It was quiet when our testers moved during the night, and for most people, it regulated their body temperature well. You can even zip off its cover to wash it and keep things fresh.

As with our reader feedback, the odd tester noticed a dip forming over time, but this wouldn't stop them recommending it to others, with one reviewer telling us: “I'm sleeping a lot better since it's been in my life!”

Key specifications

SizesSingle, EU single, small double, double, EU double, EU queen, king, super king
Number of springs2500
Other layersSimbatex foam layer; CertiPUR foam comfort layer; CertiPur foam support base; knitted top cover
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth25cm
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Runner-up and best for breathability

Simba Hybrid Luxe

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Hybrid Luxe

Pros

  • Extremely comfortable to sleep on
  • Premium construction and fillings
  • Good for temperature regulation

Cons

  • Deep design may not work for everyone
  • Some noticed dips, but some were temporary

Score: 88/100

This was a big hit with our testers. As its name suggests, it’s one of the brand's more premium designs and when you hear what’s inside its washable cover, you can see why. There are 11 different layers, including a total of 6,000 springs, as well as Simba’s foam tech, and a wool and bamboo layer for added breathability.

At nighttime, it was comfortable, supportive and quiet when anyone moved around, thanks to the edge-to-edge support. Impressively for a mattress with foam in, its temperature regulating claims proved true, even for testers who run hot at night: “I used to lose sleep overheating at night and couldn't settle,” one told us, “but this mattress has transformed my sleep, so I can go about my day to day feeling less stressed.”

Again, it's a medium-firm mattress, so if you like a firm finish it may be a little too soft (it was for one tester), and like the Hybrid, you should rotate it as per the brand’s instructions to avoid any dips forming. You may also need to buy deeper sheets.

But our panel loved it on the whole. “It’s very hard to get out of bed in the morning, it’s so comfortable!” said one. Which is just the level of cosiness we dream of in a mattress.

Key specifications

SizesSingle, small double, double, EU queen, king, super king
Number of springs6000 across three layers
Other layersKnitted top cover; internal cover; wool, bamboo and cotton layer; Simbatex foam comfort layer; CertiPur foam stability layer; Simba ReGen base (made with repurposed foam)
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth31cm
Best natural Simba mattress

Simba Earth Apex Mattress

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Earth Apex Mattress

Pros

  • Comfortable and supportive
  • Constructed from premium natural materials
  • Helped alleviate back pain for some testers

Cons

  • Expensive

Score: 86/100

This is the priciest mattress in Simba's natural fibre Earth range, complete with luxurious cashmere and mohair layers and a whopping 6,700 springs. From the very first night, it wowed testers with its hotel-quality plushness, tailored support and temperature-regulating capabilities.

The medium firm mattress is suited to a range of sleepers, and was particularly popular for easing aches and pains. One tester even said it helped with their insomnia, saying it was like “sleeping on a cloud.”

The Simba Earth Apex is a notably deep and weighty mattress. It provides luxurious support, but it does require deep-fitted sheets (and perhaps a second person to help with regular rotation). It sprang back into shape each morning with ease, and no dips, sagging or soft spots were detected during testing.

There’s no denying that the Earth Apex sits at the luxury end of the mattress market, but with its plant-friendly natural layers, advanced spring support system and 10-year guarantee, the majority of testers felt it was a worthy investment (after all, you can’t put a price on better Zs).

Key specifications

SizesSingle, double, king, super king
Number of springs6,700 across 12 layers
Other layersCashgora, silk & Hampshire wool layers
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth32cm
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best value Earth mattress

Simba Earth Source Mattress

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Earth Source Mattress

Pros

  • Comfortable, quiet and still for everyone on test
  • Made with all-natural materials
  • Good support levels for most

Cons

  • Slight smell on arrival

Score: 85/100

Also part of Simba's Earth range, the Source mattress is a more affordable option, with 2,900 springs and fewer layers. Still, it won over even the fussiest of sleepers in our tests.

Striking a balance between plush and firm, it comfortably cushioned pressure points and eased aches, with one sciatica sufferer saying they’re now able to sleep soundly through the night – no mean feat. For those sharing a bed, it isolated movement, leaving even the lightest sleepers free from wriggle worries.

Style-wise, it looks and feels premium. But it is deep so you may need to invest in new sheets. Unboxing was mostly smooth sailing; however, some panellists were left hunting online for set-up instructions, and a few noticed a scent that lingered for up to two weeks. This wasn’t an issue for everyone, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re sensitive to smells.

For a mattress that’s kind to your back and the planet, our panel felt it earned its price tag. Smartly designed, sustainably made, and seriously comfortable, it’s an instant upgrade to your sleep set-up.

Key specifications

SizesSingle, double, king, super king
Number of springs2,900 across 8 layers
Other layersHampshire wool cushioning layer; British wool comfort layer; British wool stability layer; CoreMax sprung base
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth28cm
Most premium Simba mattress

Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Hybrid Ultra Mattress

Pros

  • Build was sturdy and fitted our panel’s bed frames well
  • Breathable, comfortable and supportive for all testers
  • All our panel would continue using the mattress

Cons

  • Expensive
  • On the heavier side
  • Deep design may not suit everyone

Score: 85/100

The Simba Hybrid Ultra has 8,500 springs, the most of any mattress we’ve tested. There are also 13 different layers to this design, including four spring layers, cushioning foam, and a cooling combination of wool, bamboo, charcoal and kapok (an airy plant fibre with a natural wax coating that makes it moisture resistant).

All this doesn’t come cheap, but rest assured you won’t feel a pea through all those layers; everyone who tried this mattress found it comfortable to sleep on. It ticked the boxes for support (easing back ache for some), temperature regulation, stability and quietness. No dips formed over the testing period either, and everyone would recommend it to friends and family.

However, it is heavy, which our testers marked it down for as they struggled to get it into position. This also makes the required rotation harder, and you’ll definitely need to invest in deep sheets.

But if you can enlist a second pair of hands to help you move it, and you have the budget, it’s a standout buy. As one tester said: "This mattress is wonderful! It's just so comfy; I can't wait to lie on it every evening."

Key specifications

SizesSingle, double, king, super king
Number of springs8500 across four layers
Other layersKnitted top cover; polyester inner cover; wool, bamboo and kapok fibre layer; CertiPUR foam; latex and coconut fibre blend; CertiPUR foam border (around two spring layers); CertiPUR foam; Polyester spring casing; CertiPUR foam base
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth34cm
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best value Simba mattress

Simba Hybrid Pro

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Hybrid Pro

Pros

  • Testers remained cool and comfortable overnight
  • Foam moulded to panel members' bodies nicely
  • Supportive

Cons

  • Slight smell to begin with
  • Deep design may not work with regular sheets

Score: 85/100

Positioned between Simba’s Hybrid mattress and its Luxe offering, this is a good Goldilocks buy. It has eight different layers of foam, springs (there are 5,000 of them!) and more, with testers finding it a reliable temperature regulator thanks to the layer of cooling British wool. They also found it sturdy, supportive and, most importantly, comfortable.

It had a slight memory foam smell, but this dissipated within a couple of days. Again, some noted slight dipping over time, but this didn’t impact its overall comfort.

This is another all-rounder from the brand that provided quality shuteye for our testers. We appreciate it may be tricky to decide on the right design for you. When weighing up your options, we suggest deciding on the features that interest you the most (natural fabrics, cooling capabilities etc.) and seeing what you can get for your budget.

Key specifications

SizesSingle, small double, double, EU double, king, EU queen, super king
Number of springs5000 springs across three layers
Other layersKnitted cover; Internal cover; British wool layer; Simbatex foam support layer; CertiPur foam support layer; Simba ReGen base layer
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth28cm
Best budget Simba mattress

Simba Hybrid Essential

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Hybrid Essential

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Good for temperature regulation
  • Quiet to lie on

Cons

  • Not as comfortable as other Simba designs
  • Support level not right for all testers

Score: 79/100

This more budget option has four layers, including a washable cover, 1,000 springs, a foam base and a top layer. As you’d expect then, it doesn’t quite provide the same hotel-level comfort as some of the others on this list – some testers loved the support it offered, while others found it wasn't quite right.

But our panellists found it temperature-regulating and told us it was stable and quiet when partners moved at night. A dip started forming for one tester, but everyone else praised its quality.

Those who loved it said they wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, with one telling us they felt “super rested in the morning” and would keep using it. If you need a precise level of support however, we’d suggest investing in something more premium.

Key specifications

SizesSingle, double, king, super king, small double
Number of springs1000
Other layersKnitted cover; Simbatex foam layer; CertiPUR foam support base
FirmnessMedium firm
Depth20cm
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
simba mattress review

The verdict on Simba mattresses

“I see why they call it Simba, because it leaves you feeling like a lying king,” one tester told us of the winning Simba Hybrid Mattress. And if that doesn’t convince you, we’re not sure what will. Given its price point and the positive feedback from our panel, this is a no-brainer buy as far as we’re concerned.

But, if your budget stretches, then the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress was a hit for quality and performance, and it was the only design that had no reported changes during the testing period. You’ll just need to plan how you’ll rotate it and get it in place as it's a heavy one.


Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

We’ve tested countless sleep products in our 100-year history at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and mattresses are no exception. Our senior sleep & wellness tester, Kim Hawley, oversees all mattress reviews, making sure we pull out all the crucial details from our extensive testing – which involves analysing feedback from thousands of readers.

Our sleep & wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, helps write the surveys we send out, to ensure we answer all the questions you may have when shopping for a new mattress. She also looks out for new sleep products to test, and looks after our best mattress guide, so she knows exactly what's required for a great night's sleep.

Headshot of Hannah Mendelsohn

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

Headshot of Priyankaa Joshi
Priyankaa Joshi
Sleep & Wellness Editor

Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.   Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills. 

Headshot of Blossom Boothroyd
Tested byBlossom Boothroyd
Homes Testing Manager

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.  

Watch Next 
preview for Good Housekeeping Easter recipes
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below