Emma Premium Mattress Review

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Are you in the market for a new mattress and looking for a genuine hand-tested review of the Emma Premium mattress? Then you’re in luck, as I aim to provide you with a comprehensive and unbiased analysis – because I actually bought it! With four layers of memory foam and pocket springs, it’s been designed to offer decent support for many types of sleepers. But is it worth the higher price point compared to other Emma mattresses?

Let’s find out in this long-term, hands on review.

Note that the Emma Premium Mattress has been replaced in 2024 with the Emma NextGen Premium – read my review here.

Pros:

  • Excellent support for many sleeping positions
  • Good motion isolation
  • 200-night trial with a full refund
  • Machine-washable cover
  • Great pressure relief
  • Lots of sizes available (inc. EU)
  • Fairly affordable

Cons:

  • Slight off-gassing smell at first
  • Slightly warm on hot nights
  • Only one firmness option available

The Emma Premium mattress is a hybrid mattress (and sometimes is actually called the Emma Premium Hybrid). In a nutshell, hybrid means it combines the benefits of memory foam and pocket springs to provide an all-round better sleeping experience. Or so the theory goes.

Exclusive:10% off -10% OFF
Exclusive:10% off
Get 10% off when you buy any size mattress from Emma. Some items excluded, see the Emma UK website for terms.
Valid until 31 March 2024

With five layers of specially designed foams and quite large pocket springs, this mattress aims to provide spinal alignment, pressure relief, and body support, ensuring that you wake up feeling rejuvenated.

? Comfort layers:Airgocell foam, viscoelastic foam, HRX foam, Halo memory foam, 12.5cm pocket springs
? Delivery:bed-in-a-box, free delivery and returns
? Cover:Removable and machine-washable top cover (99% polyester)
?‍? Materials:Eco-friendly, CertiPUR certified

Emma’s so-called “sleep technology” works to keep you from getting too hot in the night, making it one of the most appealing aspects of the Premium mattress. The mattress’s AeroFlex springs and open-cell foams provide exceptional breathability, keeping you comfortable and dry all night long. What’s more, the Airgocell foam utilised in the mattress absorbs and drains sweat, keeping you at a comfortable temperature as you sleep.

How it arrived

Emma Premium: Cover

Let’s start at the top, with the cover of the Emma Premium mattress. It’s the first thing you’ll notice when you unbox it, and it’s not just any old cover. It’s made of Emma’s patented UltraDry fabric, which is a temperature-regulating material that wicks away sweat and moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable all night long.

What I love about this cover is that it’s so easy to remove and wash. If you’re anything like me and suffer from allergies, you’ll appreciate being able to easily wash away dust and dust mites that can build up over time. And even if you don’t have allergies, there’s just something satisfying about sleeping on freshly washed sheets, isn’t there?

But what really sets this cover apart is its breathable design. It allows for optimal airflow, which is especially important if you tend to run hot at night like I do. You won’t have to worry about waking up in a pool of sweat anymore – this cover kept me fairly cool and comfortable throughout the night when testing.

Here at WhatMattress we take mattress research seriously - all our product tests are done as fairly and honestly as possible.

That's quite a bold claim, but we're proud of the attention to detail that you're hopefully seeing within our reviews. Our methodology sets us apart from many other review websites. I like to think this is because WhatMattress is only run by two people - Carrie and Anthony. Over the years we've hand-tested multiple mattresses, pillow and other bedding products - so that you don't have to!

Every single mattress is put through its paces using the following tests:

  • We make sure to live with the mattress for at least a week.
  • We always sleep on the mattress we're testing - every single night.
  • We will always be 100% honest when we weigh up the pros and the cons of each mattress.
  • And in most cases, we've bought the mattress ourselves and haven't been given a free one.

Emma Premium: Layers

The 5 layers of foam and springs in the Emma Premium mattress work together to provide a decent level of comfort and support. Emma’s unique UltraDry fabric serves as the outermost layer, and its ability to control temperature and evaporate perspiration makes it an essential component.

The subsequent layers, which include memory foam, Airgocell foam, and five-zone carbon flex springs, all work to alleviate pressure and support unique parts of your body. The base foam layer of the mattress also contributes to proper spinal alignment and the distribution of body weight.

Each of these layers contributes to a sleeping environment that I found not only more pleasant, but also healthier for your spine and alleviates pressure points. The many prizes and acclaim that this mattress has received in the EU are well-deserved; it is a premium product.

  1. Cover: The UltraDry fabric cover is designed to regulate temperature and wick away sweat to help keep you comfortable throughout the night.
  2. First Layer: The Halo memory foam layer adapts to your body shape to provide targeted support and pressure relief for improved spinal alignment.
  3. Second Layer: The Airgocell foam layer enhances breathability and regulates temperature, helping to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep.
  4. Third Layer: Another layer of Airgocell foam provides additional airflow and breathability for added comfort.
  5. Fourth Layer: The layer of five-zone CarbonFlex pocket springs provides targeted support to different parts of the body, including the head, shoulders, lower back, thighs, and feet. This helps to promote spinal alignment and reduce motion transfer, allowing for a more restful sleep.
  6. Fifth Layer: The High Resiliency Extra (HRX) foam layer acts as the base of the mattress, providing a firm foundation to prevent sagging over time and evenly distributing weight to further improve spinal alignment.

What’s Halo Memory Foam?

 

The Emma Premium Mattress has a “Halo Memory Foam” adaptable layer. This cutting-edge foam can form to the unique contours of the human body, thereby relieving strain and stress in certain areas. Reduced pressure on your muscles and joints as you sleep is one of the many benefits of sleeping on a Halo Memory Foam mattress.

While the use of memory foam – whatever it’s called by the manufacturer – in mattresses may be controversial, it cannot be denied that the Halo Memory Foam in the Emma Premium mattress has been crafted with a certain attention to detail and a respect for the needs of the sleeper.

Side support

Looking at the ‘cut away’ picture above, you may have noticed the foam encasing the pocket springs at the edges.

This up to now has only been included in more expensive/more premium mattresses. It’s meant to create better bolster/side support – which means you won’t have to worry about that uncomfortable “rolling off the bed” feeling common to some cheaper mattresses, and that you can make use of the entire bed when sleeping.

Additionally, it offers extra reinforcement around the edges, which is especially useful if you sit on the side of the bed to do things like put on shoes. It may not look like much, but the side support of the Emma Premium is one of its key features.

Heat Retention

Even though the Emma Premium Mattress is made with temperature management in mind, on very hot nights when testing, I found that it did retain some heat.

Some sleepers on places like Reddit have complained of a somewhat warmer surface ‘feeling’ compared to other mattresses, despite claims that the mattress’s top cover and top layer of memory foam regulate temperature and dissipate heat, respectively. However, this may not be a deal breaker for everyone. Mattresses with cooling features, such as a gel-infused memory foam layer or a breathable coil system, are worth considering if you have a tendency to sleep particularly hot.

Firmness: How Soft is it?

The firmness of a mattress is essential, and the Emma Premium does not disappoint here. The top layer of Halo memory foam may make the mattress feel a little soft at first, but once you sink into it, the deeper layers of foam and pocket springs kick in to provide superb support and a nicely calibrated amount of firmness.

The Emma Premium maintains a great balance between being soft and weirdly also being hard, making it a great choice for people who prefer neither extreme. The mattress moulds to the shape of your body and gives you the support you need whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach.

Overall, I’d give it a 7 out of 10 on the WhatMattress firmness scale. This means that it’s one of the softer mattresses from Emma Sleep on sale right now, but still quite hard at the same time when compared to, say, the Nectar Premier.

Who will prefer this mattress?

Though at this level of firmness it will appeal to many, back sleepers, in particular, will benefit from the targeted spinal alignment of the mattress.

And side sleepers will find relief from pressure points on their hips and shoulders thanks to the adaptive foam, while stomach sleepers will appreciate the firmer base layer that prevents their spine from sinking into the mattress.

Though, those who prefer a mattress with a lot of bounce may find the memory foam layers and pocket springs a bit too, err, supportive.

Why You Can Trust WhatMattress

We're completely independent from any mattress company. We've spent countless hours curating and reviewing mattresses that anyone can buy in the UK, and have been doing so since 2018.
Mattresses tested:
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Total hours testing:
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Sleep Trial

The Emma Premium Mattress has a sleep trial that lasts for 200 nights; that’s over 7 months to figure out if the matterss is right for you.

However, it’s worth noting that some competitors, such as Eve and Nectar, offer even longer sleep trials of 365 nights.

I’m not about to get weighed down by arguments about if a year-long sleep trial is really that much better than 7 months or not. But just know that if not satisifed, you can send the Emma mattress back for a full refund if you’re not happy with it. Though note that, as specified in the terms and conditions, the returned mattress must be in a clean and reasonable condition.

In short, those who want more time to determine whether or not the Emma Premium mattress is the best choice for them can take advantage of the sleep trial.

Exclusive:10% off -10% OFF
Exclusive:10% off
Get 10% off when you buy any size mattress from Emma. Some items excluded, see the Emma UK website for terms.
Valid until 31 March 2024

Delivery

The Emma Premium is a bed-in-a-box mattress, meaning that it is compressed and rolled up for easy delivery (which is via DPD or other popular couriers). This makes the mattress more manageable, but there’s also a downside to this: that it may have a chemical smell when you first take it out of the box. The Emma Premium is not immune to this problem that plagues many modern mattresses.

In my experiments, I noticed that the odour lingered for a few days after unboxing but eventually faded away. I suggest airing out the mattress in a well-ventilated area for a few hours. Be careful when unwrapping a new mattress if you have a sensitivity to scents or breathing problems.

It’s important to remember that the Emma Premium is a pretty weighty mattress when planning for delivery. Mattresses in the king size range from 33kg to 40kg in weight.

Because of this, you’ll perhaps need assistance bringing it inside and up any stairs in your home – note that Emma do NOT do this for you; there is no “white glove” delivery here as they use regular couriers.

The unboxing process is simple once you get the mattress inside your bedroom. To get the mattress to expand, you just only cut open the plastic wrapping. In less than an hour, you could in theory sleep on it, though I usually suggest to readers to allow if possible 24 hours .

About the ‘smell’

So when I received the Emma Premium mattress, I was excited to try it out, as it it’s one of the most popular mattresses in the UK. However, upon opening the box and unrolling the mattress, I noticed a strong chemical smell. At first, I wasn’t too bothered by it since I know that most new mattresses tend to have a bit of a smell to them – speaking from experience!. But as time went on, the smell became more noticeable and in the end it lingered for a few days.

To be honest, it wasn’t the most pleasant scent, but it wasn’t unbearable either, if you’ve never smelled it then it’s quite unique. The smell comes from the off-gassing of the foam materials used in the mattress. It’s a common issue with foam mattresses, and it usually goes away after a few days. Emma have their own page on it here.

Exclusive:10% off -10% OFF
Exclusive:10% off
Get 10% off when you buy any size mattress from Emma. Some items excluded, see the Emma UK website for terms.
Valid until 31 March 2024

Sizes & Weights

Mattress SizeDimensions (cm)Weight (kg)
Single90 x 190 x 2519
Double135 x 190 x 2528.5
King150 x 200 x 2533
Super King180 x 200 x 2540

More from WhatMattress...

What do others think?

Emma Sleep’s Trustpilot rating is about average, with a 4.0-star rating based on over 22,000 reviews. While a lot of these reviews are for the Emma Original (or the Emma Original Plus), many of them also mention the impressive support and comfort of the Emma Premium.

Some customers appreciate the added bonus of a free topper if the mattress feels too firm or soft, while others report issues related to delivery times and schedules.

There’s also the ongoing issues with sagging that a lot of older Emma mattresses suffered from.

Versus: Emma Original mattress

It wouldn’t be right to do this review and NOT compare it with the Emma Original. Here are some of the key differences between the Emma Premium and the Emma Original:

  • The Emma Premium is a hybrid mattress that combines foam layers with pocket springs, while the Emma Original is a pure memory foam mattress.
  • The Emma Premium has a thicker profile than the Emma Original, at 25cm compared to 18cm.
  • The Emma Premium has a higher price point than the Emma Original, but offers additional features like pocket springs, which can provide better support and breathability.
  • The Emma Original is best suited for sleepers with a BMI of less than 25, while the Emma Premium can offer extra support for heavier sleepers or those with back or joint pain.

Read the full Emma Original versus Emma Premium mattress here.

Versus: Emma Premium Plus

The Emma Premium Plus has a softer honeycomb cover and Emma claim it’s hence an improved version of the original Emma Premium mattress. I’ll be honest here, I haven’t tested it, so I am only going on what Emma say.

The increased airflow and reduced risk of overheating during the night are two of the main goals of this cover’s design, according to Emma. The honeycomb acts to create a plush, airy surface that is softer and more comfortable. Hot sleepers, who may have trouble with heat retention during the night with the Emma Premium, may benefit more from the honeycomb cover’s increased breathability. A cooler and more pleasant night’s sleep may be possible because to the enhanced air circulation.

The Emma Premium Plus mattress has the same high-quality structure and materials as the original Emma Premium, the only difference is the cover. It’s entirely up to you if you think it’s worth paying the extra – if you’re a hot sleeper, it may be worth it, and if it’s being discounted to the same level.

Rivals: Any better alternatives?

  1. One strong contender to consider here is the Simba Hybrid Mattress, which features a similar hybrid design with a combination of memory foam and pocket springs. The Simba Hybrid boasts 7 areas of zoned support, which may appeal to those who want more targeted support for different areas of their body.
  2. Another alternative to consider is the Eve Premium Hybrid Mattress, which also features a hybrid design with memory foam and pocket springs. It has a slightly thicker overall depth at 28cm and comes with a longer sleep trial of 365 nights, versus 200 for the Emma. However, it is slightly more expensive than the Emma Premium at full price.

Price

SizeFull PriceDiscounted Price (55% off)
UK Single£998.00£409.05
Small Double£1,098.00£499.05
UK Double£1,328.00£598.95
UK King£1,458.00£698.85
UK Super King£1,758.00£778.95

What about other sizes like the EU Sizing? These are all available on the Emma website too. In total there are currently 9 different mattress sizes to choose from!

It’s possible to use a discount code for Emma Sleep to get these prices even lower. The best way to do this is using my exclusive discount code:

Exclusive:10% off -10% OFF
Exclusive:10% off
Get 10% off when you buy any size mattress from Emma. Some items excluded, see the Emma UK website for terms.
Valid until 31 March 2024
It’s possible to get up to 60% off

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 infoMore infoMore infoMore infoMore infoMore infoMore info
Read my Emma NextGen Premium reviewRead my Simba Hybrid Luxe reviewRead my Eve Original Hybrid reviewRead my Simba Hybrid Pro reviewRead my OTTY PURE Hybrid reviewRead my Simba Hybrid reviewRead Eve Premium Hybrid my review

Verdict: Is it any good?

Based on my actual hands-on testing, I think the Emma Premium Hybrid mattress is, all things considered, an excellent option for sleepers who value having a genuinely medium-firm mattress. This term is banded about by mattress brands almost willy-nilly, so it’s nice to actually find a mattress that perfectly fits the definition. 🙂

The high-quality materials used to construct the mattress should guarantee its durability and longevity, and the combination of memory foam and pocket springs gives excellent support for a wied range of sleeping positions. If you’re not sure about the stiffness setting, the complimentary comfort layer is a good addition.

Now, there are soem drawbacks to be aware of: the mattress has a tendency to retain heat, therefore it may not be a good choice for hot sleepers. Unpacking the item may also release a rather pungent odour, however this should fade after a few days.

The Emma Premium Mattress, with its 200-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty, is an recommend matterss for anyone in the market for a mid-range hybrid mattress.

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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.

  • 6th November 2023
    Current Article - By Carrie Taylor
  • 15th December 2023
    Checked & Reviewed - By Jean Marshall
  • 26th April 2023
    Copy Edited - By Carrie Taylor
  • 26th December 2023
    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.

  1. https://www.emma-sleep.co.uk/lexicon/off-gassing/
  2. https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/emma-sleep.co.uk
  3. https://www.emma-sleep.co.uk/emma-premium-mattress/

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