Emma NextGen Premium Mattress Review

Ever found yourself confused by the endless parade of ‘revolutionary’ mattresses? Each one promising the moon, yet you end up being disappointed? Well, here I’m going to dissect the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress without the fluff or the sales patter.

I’ve done this long enough to know how mattress companies work: each heralding a sleep revolution that sounds too good to be true. It’s easy to be sceptical, especially when your quest for the perfect night’s sleep often leads to a bed of empty promises. So let’s cut through the chase. Today, I’m tackling the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress with a dose of reality: no sugar-coating, no marketing spiel – just a straightforward dissection of what it’s really like to sleep on this thing.

What are the Pros & Cons of Emma NextGen Premium?

Pros:

• Enhanced cooling technology keeps you comfortable on warm nights.
• Seven zones of support cater to different areas of the body.
• A softer, bouncier feel without compromising on support.
• Reduced motion transfer for less disturbance from tossing and turning.
• Sustainable design with recycled steel and reduced foam usage.
• Removable and washable UltraDry cover for better hygiene.

Cons:

• Edge support is not the strongest, potentially less ideal for those who sit on the edge of the bed frequently.
• Medium firmness may not suit those who prefer a very firm mattress.
• New design changes may not be as significant for those happy with the previous model.
• Higher price (when not on sale)

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Emma NextGen: At a glance

Though some readers may not be aware, the NextGen Premium replaces the popular Emma Premium mattress, which incidentally was one of Emma Sleep’s best selling mattresses in the UK for several years.

I’ll cover the key differences later on in this review – but for now, the main difference is that the NextGen Premium Mattress introduces an advanced 7-zone support structure with extra tall 18cm pocket springs, compared to the 5-zone support system with 12cm pocket springs in the original Emma Premium. Or in other words, it’s thicker and feels more plush.

Cover

The cover of the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress, known as the UltraDry cover, has a practical job: to keep you from waking up feeling damp from sweat. It’s removable and washable, which is a plus if you like to keep  things fresh with regular cleaning. It’s not a game-changer but a nice touch for those who value a clean sleep space.

Materials

One thing to note, on the outside, the Emma Sleep website’s own marketing images are a bit inaccurate. The bolstered sides are actually checkerplate rather than a plain design, see below:

Inside the mattress, the focus on cooler sleep is clear. They’ve stuck with their Airgocell foam which is supposed to help with airflow, and while it’s no miracle worker, it does seem to hold less heat than traditional memory foams. They also claim to use less foam overalll — 79% less than previous models. For the environmentally conscious, it’s a step forward, but I’ll cover that in full later.

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Valid until 31 March 2024

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Layers

There are seven layers here:

• UltraDry Original Cover: A soft, moisture-wicking cover that enhances breathability and hygiene.
• Halo Memory Foam: Adapts to your body shape, providing comfort and pressure relief.
• Airgocell Foam: Open-pored foam that allows air to flow freely for a cooler sleep.
• Adaptive Transition Foam: A responsive layer that distributes weight evenly and transitions between the soft foams and the supportive springs.
• Infinity Pocket Springs: Tall, individually wrapped springs offer precise support and improved airflow compared to traditional foams.
• HRX Supreme Foam: A high-resilience foam providing a firm foundation and edge support.
• Non-Slip Base Cover: Ensures the mattress stays in place on your bed frame or box spring.

Eco Credentials

Emma has taken a stab at sustainability with this model, which is the first time that the brand has made strides here. Unlike rivals like Simba, Emma have often shied away from mentioning any environmental concerns.

So it’s a welcome change to see that the he springs are made from recycled steel, i.e. good news for those worried about their carbon footprint. However, while they’re making strides with reduced foam use and recycled materials, it’s clear the industry as a whole still has a bit of a journey towards being truly eco-friendly. In my opinion its definitely a nod in the right direction, but for those who are serious about sustainability, you may want to consider a latex mattress or even an organic one (inevitably, these cost more).

Sleeper Types – Who Will Like It?

The Emma NextGen Premium Mattress seems to hit the mark for mixed sleepers. Thanks to its medium-firm support, it offers a versatile surface that adapts as you switch positions through the night. This makes it a solid choice for those who don’t stick to one position and find themselves on their side, back, or stomach at various times. Side sleepers might find particular comfort with the NextGen. Its zoned support means there’s extra cushioning at the shoulders and hips, which can alleviate pressure points and ensure a cozier alignment for a pain-free morning.

However, if you’re a stomach sleeper, you might want to approach this mattress with caution. Stomach sleepers generally need a firmer surface to keep their spine aligned, and the medium firmness of the NextGen might be too soft, leading to a dip in the lower back and potential discomfort. Similarly, those with a heavier body type might find that the mattress doesn’t offer the firm support needed to properly support their frame.

For the lighter sleeper, the NextGen is likely to be a comfortable option. It’s designed to provide support without feeling too firm, which can often be a problem for lighter individuals on harder mattresses. And if you’re particularly sensitive to temperature when you sleep, the improved breathability of the NextGen with its enhanced airflow might be just what you need for a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep.

• Mixed Sleepers: Good for people who change positions due to medium-firm support.
• Side Sleepers: Beneficial due to zoned support for shoulders and hips.
• Stomach Sleepers: Might be too soft, potentially causing lower back dip.
• Heavier Individuals: May not provide adequate firm support.
• Light Sleepers: Should find the medium firmness comfortable.
• Heat-Sensitive Sleepers: Enhanced breathability for a cooler sleep experience.

Is it suitable for those with sciatica or back pain?

Generally, yes.

The most important feature of a mattress for someone suffering from sciatica is support. The Emma NextGen mattress may be the best of both worlds, since it mixes foam with pocket springs:  the pocket springs’ zonal support may aid in correct spinal ali gnment, which is especially important for those with sciatica. However, the little softness of the mattress, due to greater springs, may not be suited for all patients with sciatica, who often prefer a harder surface to prevent the sciatic nerve from becoming irritated.

The Emma NextGen’s design features multiple layers that cooperate to offer support and reduce pressure, which can be helpful for those experiencing back pain too.

An ideal mattress for allevaiting hip pain issues would provide gentle cushioning without allowing the hips to sink too far into the mattress, so the medium firmness of the Emma NextGen, rated at a 6/10, together with its pressure-relieving foam layers, may give a comfortable sleep surface for folk battling with hip pain.

Emma NextGen Premium – Pricing & Sizes

The Emma NextGen mattress comes in a range of sizes and dimensions to accommodate a wide range of bed types and user preferences, as shown in the accompanying table. Based on this, below is a comparison and summary:

The most affordable mattress in the Emma NextGen collection is the UK Single (90×190 cm) model, which retails for £659.00. Naturally, the price will rise with the size of the room because larger rooms can fit more than one bed.

The UK Small Double, for £759.00, is slightly bigger and can accommodate either a single traveller or a couple in comfort. The UK Double increases to £959.00 and is a popular choice for couples because to its comfortable size (135×190 cm) and affordable price.

The EU Double, the next size up, gives an extra 10 centimetres in length for individuals who value a little extra legroom and costs £1009.00. The UK King size mattress is an upgrade in price and size, coming in at £1119.00; it’s made for folks that require a great deal of sleeping area.

Although there is only a modest increase in size from UK King to EU Queen (160×200 cm), the price increases by £100, showing that the extra width is highly desired. The UK Super King, measuring in at 180×200 cm, is the largest of the collection and retails for £1249.00; it provides lavish space and comfort for those who are willing to invest in a high-end night’s sleep. This is the largest size in the NextGen collection, and it is the most popular choice for individuals who have a lot of area in their bedroom and a substantial budget for their bedding.

So waht does this all mean? Well, the increased size and sleeping area are reflected in the higher price range of the Emma NextGen mattress. As the dimensions rise to enable more space and perhaps more sleepers, the price increments seem to be proportional to the extra material, engineering, and comfort afforded by the larger sizes.

What are the drawbacks?

Avid readers will know I was a big fan of the Emma Premium mattress, often voting it as the best mass produced hybrid in the UK. So I was eager to get my hands on the replacement – and while it’s a great replacement there are some drawbacks to be aware of.

Firstly, when testing I noticed that the pocket springs’ natural bounce I found a bit variable. This could be a problem for people who are really light sleepers and would be awakened by their partner’s tiniest movements. However, for the vast majority of listeners, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem, and the motion isolation should be fine.

Second, compared to its forerunner, the Emma Premium Mattress, the NextGen Premium mattress in my opinon actually has weaker edge support. The transition from foam to springs in the design has led to this modification and, while the impact of this lessened edge support is negligible during sleep, it’s more noticeable when sitting on the edge of the bed. Those who are prone to hanging precariously close to the brink may want to give this some thought.

Verdict: is it worth it?

Before making a final decision, it’s important to weigh up all points. Although the NextGen Premium mattress effectively reduced motion transfer and provided pleasant comfort in testing, it may not be sufficient for those who have especially sensitive sleep patterns or who require substantial edge support. If you want a more substantial barrier whether sitting or sleeping, you may not like the softer edge support so consider perhaps instead the Simba Hybrid.

The Emma NextGen markets itself as a reasonable medium ground between the cheapest and most expensive alternatives. It’s a strong alternative to other mattresses on the market, and you should give it some thought if its specs meet your requirements for a good night’s rest. All the better if you can get it on sale.

In the end, the Emma NextGen proves that compromise and individual taste may lead to success. It’s a jack-of-all-sleeping-trades type of mattress, capable of a wide range of functions but not excelling in any one area in particular (but it wasn’t designed to be). Those who enjoy the sweet spot it creates may have finally discovered the formula for a restful sleep and a refreshed night!

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Top Hybrid Mattresses: Comparison

A comparison of the best UK hybrid mattresses

	BEST IN TEST Emma NextGen Premium	Simba Hybrid Luxe	Eve Original Hybrid	Simba Hybrid Pro	OTTY Pure	Simba Hybrid	Eve Premium Hybrid
WhatMattress Rating	4.6	4.5	4.4	4.3	4.3	3.9	3.9
User Rating	4.3	4.4	4.3	4.5	4.3	4.0	4.2
Price	£359.55	£499.00	£407.00	£367.00	£274.50	£488.00	£407.00
	More info	More info	More info	More info	More info	More info	More info
	Read my Emma NextGen Premium review	Read my Simba Hybrid Luxe review	Read my Eve Original Hybrid review	Read my Simba Hybrid Pro review	Read my OTTY PURE Hybrid review	Read my Simba Hybrid review	Read Eve Premium Hybrid my review