I’m not a huge fan of the way that Emma have launched a “Plus” version of what is a very similar mattress to the original. Which is still called the Original. Confusing…!
Naming issues aside, here’s my comparison of the Emma Original versus the Emma Original Plus. As you’ll hopefully know by now, a decent mattress providing comfort, support, and durability can make all the difference in how well you sleep – and decent mattresses don’t have to cost the earth. Emma Sleep offers two options to choose from in their cheaper or budget range: the Emma Original and the Emma Original Plus.
But they don’t make it easy to compare the differences between them.
So, I will compare the positives and negatives of each of these mattresses, to help you make an informed decision, and outline how they differ.
1. Emma Original Mattress
The Emma Original Mattress is the flagship product of the brand. It is the mattress that I sleep on the most, and was designed to provide a comfortable, supportive, and pressure-relieving sleep experience. Here are some of the positives and negatives of this mattress:
Positives:
- Comfortable: The Emma Original mattress features a top layer of Airgocell foam, which provides excellent pressure relief and support. It is also designed to regulate temperature, so you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night.
- Supportive: The mattress has a layer of supportive memory foam that conforms to your body’s shape, providing customised support where you need it most. This helps to align your spine and reduce back pain.
- Durable: The Emma Original mattress is built to last. It is made with high-quality materials and is designed to withstand years of use.
Negatives:
- Firmness: The Emma Original mattress is rated as a medium-firm mattress, which may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may prefer a softer or firmer mattress.
- Edge support: Some customers have reported that the edge support of the mattress could be better. This may be a concern for those who like to sit or sleep on the edge of their bed.
2. Emma Original Plus Mattress
The Emma Original Plus Mattress is the newer addition to the Emma mattress lineup that launched quietly in 2021. It is designed to provide a firmer sleep experience than the Emma Original. Here are some of the positives and negatives of this mattress:
Positives:
- Firm support: The Emma Original Plus mattress features a layer of firmer foam that provides enhanced support for your back and spine. It is designed for those who prefer a firmer sleep surface.
- Good edge support: The mattress has a reinforced perimeter that provides excellent edge support. This means you can sit or sleep on the edge of the bed without feeling like you’re going to fall off.
- Breathable: The Emma Original Plus mattress is designed to be breathable, which means it can regulate temperature and prevent you from overheating during the night.
Negatives:
- Firmness: Like the Emma Original, the Emma Original Plus mattress may not be suitable for everyone. It is rated as a firm mattress, which may be too firm for some people.
- Heavy: The Emma Original Plus mattress is heavier than the Emma Original, which may make it more difficult to modve or adjust.
Overview: Both mattresses compared
Both the Emma Original and Emma Original Plus mattresses offer a comfortable and supportive sleep experience. The Emma Original is designed to provide a medium-firm sleep surface, while the Emma Original Plus is firmer.
If you prefer a softer mattress, the Emma Original may be the better option for you. If you prefer a firmer mattress, the Emma Original Plus may be a better fit.
Best Rated Mattresses UK (2024)
- Simba Hybrid Luxe — Best for comfort, with wool layer
- Nectar Memory Foam — The comfiest, affordable memory-foam mattress
- Emma Premium — Best cheaper hybrid around. Full stop.
- OTTY Original Hybrid — Still going strong
- Eve Original Hybrid — Still a classic, made in UK
- Tuft & Springs Solitaire 2000 — Pricey but high-quality
The top all-round mattress in the UK according to WhatMattress users in 2024 is Simba Hybrid Luxe. It's surprisingly affordable, and out-performs all other hybrid mattresses in terms of comfort. It also doesn't sag as much as other rival hybrid mattresses, even after a couple of years of testing.
In terms of edge support, the Emma Original Plus is my chosen mattress, but the Emma Original may be more durable.
Both of the mattresses appear to be made in the UK – though Emma is a German company. If you want to buy from a UK company then consider Simba or OTTY instead.
Ultimately, the choice between these two mattresses will come down to personal preference. Both options come with a 200-night risk-free trial, so you can try them out for yourself and decide which one is best for you and your sleeping partner.
What are the 5 key differences between them?
While both the Emma Original and the Emma Original Plus mattresses share some similarities, they differ in several important ways. These differences can make a significant impact on your overall sleep experience. Let’s explore the differences between these two mattresses in more detail.
1. Firmness
One of the most significant differences between the Emma Original and the Emma Original Plus is their firmness level. The Emma Original is rated as a medium-firm mattress, while the Emma Original Plus is rated as a firm mattress. This means that the Emma Original Plus is chiefly designed to provide a firmer and more supportive sleep surface than the Emma Original.
If, like me, you prefer a softer or more plush sleep surface, the Emma Original may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a firmer sleep surface that provides more support for your back and spine, the Emma Original Plus may be a better fit.
2. Support
Both mattresses are designed to provide excellent support for your back and spine, particularly if you have back pain issues. However, the Emma Original Plus has an additional layer of firm foam that provides enhanced support. This layer is designed to distribute your weight evenly, reducing pressure points and promoting proper spinal alignment. If you suffer from back pain or other types of body pain, the Emma Original Plus may be a better option for you due to its enhanced support.
3. Edge Support
Edge support refers to the amount of support provided around the perimeter of the mattress.
This is especially important if you like to sit or sleep on the edge of your bed. The Emma Original Plus has a reinforced perimeter that provides excellent edge support, which means you can sit or sleep on the edge of the bed without feeling like you’re going to fall off. In contrast, some customers have reported that the edge support of the Emma Original could be better, which may be a concern for those who like to sit or sleep on the edge of their bed.
4. Weight
The Emma Original Plus is heavier than the Emma Original, which may make it more difficult to move or adjust. This may be something to consider, if you plan to move your mattress frequently or if you need to adjust the positioning of your bed often.
5. Breathability
Both mattresses are designed to be breathable, which means they can regulate temperature and prevent you from overheating during the night. However, the Emma Original Plus is designed to be more breathable than the Emma Original. This is due to the fact that the Emma Original Plus has an additional layer of breathable foam that promotes airflow and heat dissipation.
What about prices in the UK?
In terms of pricing, the Emma Sleep company have bizarrely priced the Emma Original Plus at around £200 less than the Original. Though they advertise this as a temporary promotion, it seems to be a permanent fixture. So it makes little sense to buy the Original if you can get the Plus for £200 or so less.
If that particular deal isn’t on right now, then check out my range of Emma Mattress discount codes to get you a cheaper deal on another of their products. Often you can get around 20% off.
In conclusion, the Emma Original and the Emma Original Plus mattresses offer a comfortable and supportive sleep experience for less than £250 generally. Be aware that Emma do a more premium range of mattresses in teh UK now, but if you’re on a tight budget then the Emma Original doesn’t need to be your only choice. Read more about the best £200 or less mattresses in the UK today.
Where they differ is in terms of firmness, support, edge support, weight, and breathability. It’s important to consider these differences when choosing the mattress that’s right for you. If you’re still unsure which mattress to choose, both options come with a 200-night risk-free trial, which means you can try them out for yourself and decide which one is best for you.
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How we reviewed this article:
Edit History:
Our experts continually monitor the mattress & sleep tech space, and we update our reviews & articles when new information becomes available.
- 20th April 2023
Current Article - By Carrie Taylor - 16th July 2023
Checked & Reviewed - By Morag Park, Ph.D. - 3rd March 2023
Copy Edited - By Carrie Taylor - 28th June 2024
Reviewed - By Carrie Taylor
WhatMattress has strict sourcing guidelines and we try to rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations where possible.
Delivery on emma mattresses is shocking. In advert it says 2-3 days. Been waiting 3 weeks after numerous texts still not received. Can’t comment on comfort, wish I could