Thinking about where to buy a mattress isn’t exactly an everyday occurrence, but if you’ve realised your old one is well and truly past its best, you might be wondering where you should go to pick up a sparkling new one from. If the last time you shopped for a mattress was a decade (or more) ago, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that things have changed quite dramatically.
Nowadays, there are just as many great mattress retailers online as there are physical shops, which gives you far more choice when it comes to picking up the best mattress for your sleeping style. But, of course, with all that choice comes the greater risk of confusion and not knowing where to start looking, and the risk of picking a sub-par product. Considering that a new mattress is likely to be a hefty investment, doing your research is vital, although finding the time to do that isn’t always easy.
That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you. Here at House & Garden, we’ve tested countless mattresses from a variety of online and physical stores, and we know the best ones out there. Read on to find out which stores to buy from, whether you want a hybrid, memory foam or pocket sprung mattress.
Where to buy a mattress in the UK in 2026
Modern mattresses are increasingly sold online, with many arriving vacuum packed in a box for convenience. All of our recommended stores have a mattress trial that means you’ll have plenty of time to try the mattress out at home before either keeping it, returning it or exchanging it for another model.
For some people, there’s no substitute for a physical store and actually lying on a variety of mattresses. However, all the shops with bricks and mortar outposts also sell online, so you can always test them out in-store, mull things over and buy later online, for an easy shopping experience free of over-eager shop assistants pressuring you.
The sleep experts at Simba make everything from bed frames to pillows to help you get a good night's sleep, but it's the hi-tech hybrid mattresses that they're best known for. There are five mattresses in their main line, most of which we have personally tested here at House & Garden. We're consistently impressed with the quality, comfort, and longevity of Simba mattresses.
Pros:
- Luxurious, cushioned and supportive mattresses
- 200 night trial, 10 year guarantee
- Free next day delivery, old mattress removal for a fee
Cons:
- Some models are very expensive
- No in-store experience
Mattress pick: Sitting right in the middle of Simba's range, the Hybrid Pro seems to hit the sweet spot of price vs features. It uses 5,000 of their patented, trademarked, copyrighted Aerocoil springs, a breathable sleep surface, foam, as well as a thick layer of wool to create the very best mattress in the business. The wool layer is particularly important as it vastly improves the mattress's ability to regulate temperature and wick moisture away from the skin (you can read all about wool bedding here). There's also a layer of ‘edge-to-edge’ support in built, which means if your partner tosses and turns in their sleep you won't be disturbed.
Dreams are a well-established British bed brand with over 220 stores across the UK. The brand has been going for over 40 years and, as well as its own mattresses and beds, it also sells brands such as Tempur, Silentnight, Sealy and Sleepeezee. You can also buy online from Dreams, with all mattresses coming with a 100-night sleep trial.
Pros:
- Huge number of stores across the UK
- Large choice of brands to choose from
- Lots of extra services such as recycling and assembly
Cons:
- Delivery to a room of your choosing costs £49
- No medium firm firmness options
Mattress pick: The Dream Team Amersham 1200 Pocket Ortho mattress is part of Dreams’ mattress range designed in partnership with Team GB and Paralympics GB to help athletes get a good night’s sleep. This very firm option is designed to provide superior orthopaedic support.
Bensons for Beds first retail store opened 70 years ago and, with over 170 stores across the UK, they’re Dreams’ closest rivals. Again, Bensons sell its own mattresses, as well as brands such as Eve, Dormeo, Hypnos, Sealy, Simba and Tempur. You can also buy online but, somewhat disappointingly, mattresses only come with a 40-night sleep trial.
Pros:
- Huge number of stores across the UK
- Large choice of brands to choose from
- Key worker discounts
Cons:
- You only get a 40-night sleep trial
- Delivery costs between £10 and £79
Mattress pick: In Hypnos' Inspired By Nature 05 mattress, the luxury brand's unique ‘ReActivePro' 10-turn pocket springs are the star of the show here for those suffering with aches and pains, with the springs adjusting to any movement made by a sleeper to ensure perfect spinal alignment and lumbar support at all times. Layers of wool and natural latex are backed up by a unique fruit fibre layer (made of the leaves and stem fibres of bananas, pineapples and oranges) to ensure breathability and comfort, making the Hypnos a great choice for those who sleep warm. It's also got fantastic motion isolation and edge support.
Emma, an online mattress brand specialising in modern hybrid mattresses, was founded in Germany in 2015. They arrive rolled and boxed up, taking the faff out of buying a new mattress. We've tested various different Emma products over the years, from mattresses to pillows, so can attest to their quality. They're also a touch more affordable than some of their competitors.
Pros:
- Often have sales on
- Good temperature regulation across the range
- Easy, convenient delivery
Cons:
- Frequent product name changes can be hard to keep up with
- Not as much variety as other retailers
- No in-store experience
Mattress pick: The Emma Original Elite Mattress is one of our top recommended mattresses – and we have tested many. Emma is a pioneering retailer when it comes to their hybrid technology. They are one of the breakout stars of the online mattress world and every Emma mattress we have tested has come out with excellent reviews. The Original Elite has their highest rating for both breathability and thermoregulation, so would be a great one to go for in summer, when hot and humid nights can be detrimental to our quality of sleep. Read the full review.
Who hasn’t heard of John Lewis? As you might expect, the brand’s own mattress range is luxurious and well-made, tending to stick to a classic pocket sprung design. You’ll also find mattresses from brands such as Hypnos, Sealy, Silentnight and Vispring. Again, mattresses are available to buy online although you’ll only get a 60-night sleep trial.
Pros:
- Huge number of stores across the UK
- Luxurious and well-made mattresses
- Seven year guarantee
Cons:
- You only get a 60-night sleep trial
- There’s a collection fee if you decide you don’t like the mattress
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Mattress pick: This is an extra firm mattress, so is a great option for those who struggle with back pain and need a touch more support, or just prefer a firmer surface to sleep on. While this mattress won't offer the same level of luxury as some others on our list, it does have 1,400 zoned pocket springs to aid spinal alignment and support. Another great aspect is that although this is a more budget mattress, it is still made to order in the UK, and is fully recyclable once you no longer have use for it.
Panda set up in 2015 and its mattresses (and other products) centre around bamboo. This means that all Panda’s products are hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, making them ideal for allergy sufferers. Bamboo is also a naturally breathable material, and Panda mattresses are some of the best for hot sleepers. We also love Panda’s ethical credentials – not only do the brand use sustainable materials but it also has a ‘Circle of Life’ initiative to collect your old mattress and break it down for recycling or repurposing to avoid it ending up in landfill.
Pros:
- Fantastic choice for hot sleepers
- Fantastic ethical credentials
- Great choice for allergy sufferers
Cons:
- Not as cheap as some of its rivals
Mattress pick: The Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro uses a bamboo cover for comfort and cooling, along with orthopaedic foam to help keep the spine aligned. The brand’s patented BioCell foam is an open cell foam infused with bamboo that’s particularly effective at keeping sleepers cool overnight.
