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Flaxby vs Aspire Mattress Reviews

Compare Flaxby and Aspire mattresses side by side: owner satisfaction, support, durability and price, based on aggregated customer reviews.

Checked byBecky Reeve, Staff Writer, Mattress Expert
SourceCompiled from WantMattress review data

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Brand

Flaxby

Overall score4.7/5
Price range£909 – £1,959
Brand

Aspire

Overall score4.7/5
Price range£205 – £299

On aggregated owner reviews the two are level at 4.7 out of 5, so the choice comes down to price, trial and guarantee.

Head to head

Both ranges are sprung throughout, so the difference is in the comfort layers on top and in price. Flaxby runs from soft to extra firm, and Aspire runs from medium to medium-firm. Flaxby covers more of the firmness scale, which helps if two sleepers need different feels. Aspire is the budget choice of the two: Flaxby's cheapest mattress costs several times as much. At the top end Flaxby goes further still. Flaxby's owner score rests on far more reviews (1,549 against 130), so treat Aspire's number as the less settled of the two.

How they differ

FlaxbyAspire
Mattresses we list86
Price range£909 – £1,959£205 – £299
Owner rating4.7 out of 5 (1,549 reviews)4.7 out of 5 (130 reviews)

Mattresses only. Ratings are the review-weighted average across each brand’s mattresses on UK retailer sites. Prices read 17 October 2026.

Flaxby

Flaxby mattresses are sold exclusively by the popular retailer, Dreams. The collection is a more up-market premium brand within the lineup and uses an impressive array of comfortable and soft materials in the upper layers of their mattresses to ensure a natural and comfortable sleeping surface. Flaxby are focussed toward ensuring a greener and fresher sleep that is more environmentally friendly. That’s why they utilise 100% recyclable spring systems and natural fibres to help safeguard the environment for future generations.

A feature unique to Flaxby includes their new all-seasons lineup which sees a two sided mattress which has different comfort layers on each side, giving a “warmer” side and a “cooler” side.

Aspire

Aspire is a UK manufacturer based in Barnsley, Yorkshire, founded in 2013 as Aspire Furniture Ltd. The company has grown steadily by combining traditional upholstery skills with modern design at accessible pricing. All Aspire mattresses and beds are handcrafted in the UK, and the brand sells direct through its own website as well as through Amazon, eBay, B&Q, Very and other major retail partners.

What separates Aspire from many mid-market rivals is the combination of genuine British manufacturing with multi-channel retail distribution. Designer collaborations with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Catherine Lansfield bring aesthetic value that is rare at this price tier.

Flaxby owner satisfaction

Comfort and support are what Flaxby owners praise most. One owner wrote “I have found it extremely comfortable and I get a good sleep”, another that it “Feels so supportive”. The edges get a mention too, with one owner noting that “the edges are very firmly sprung so if you sit on the bed to put your socks on, you don't slip off”.

The lower scores are mostly about two things. Some owners of the pillow top models, the 4450 in particular, say the surface softened or dipped early: “after 6 months it dipped massively and became unbearably uncomfortable”, and “after less than a year much softer and big indents where we lie”. Others found the delivered mattress was not the one they remembered from the store: “The bed in the showroom was so comfortable, this one is not”. A few also mention the natural-fibre smell. One owner found it “a bit ‘sheepy’” and quite liked it, another said “The smell it exudes is reminiscent of farmyards”.

Flaxby supportiveness

Flaxby mattresses have a great deal of supportiveness thanks to the Cortec™ and DNAir pocket spring systems on offer within the lineup. The Flaxby range is what we consider to be a traditional lineup with typical high quality manufacturing processes that result in luxurious and supportive mattresses. Pocket springs have generally remained unrivalled over the years and are my own personal favourite support layer when it comes to offering good tension for back and neck support. Many of the products on offer are available with multiple tension options which means you have a choice around how firm you would like the product to be. Depending on how you sleep (front, back, side) to how much you weigh are all determinations when choosing the right supportiveness.

Flaxby durability

Flaxby mattresses will typically perform better in terms of true longevity than many other mattress suppliers due to their large investment in good quality pocket spring support layers combined with tried and tested comfort layers of wool and hemp. The combination of these materials gives customers confidence but also the retailer, Dreams. This is evident in their backing of this product lineup with the 7 year guarantee that ensures long standing support in the event of any manufacturing defects. The price point for Flaxby may often price certain people out of the market who are looking for something a little cheaper, however, when you consider the lifespan and the cost per night of sleep as a result, the Flaxby offers a fantastic opportunity for sleepers thanks to its durability and comfort.

Flaxby best offers

We've managed to find the following top deals from across the web on Flaxby mattresses.

Aspire owner satisfaction

Owners mostly rate Aspire mattresses as comfortable and good value for the price. Firmness is the usual complaint, and it runs both ways: several found the Natural Cashmere models firmer than expected, while a few found the Pocket+ models softer than expected. The multi-channel distribution means buyers can compare offers across several retailers, which tends to keep pricing honest. The Yorkshire manufacturing heritage and Union Jack labelling give buyers visible confidence in where the product comes from.

The main area where Aspire is still building is customer service infrastructure. The brand has scaled quickly and the returns and support processes are still catching up with the growth rate. In our experience the process works, but it can take longer than at more established rivals.

Aspire supportiveness

Every Aspire mattress we list is pocket-sprung, whether Natural Cashmere or rolled Pocket+. Spring counts run from 1000 in the Pocket+ models to 3000 in the Natural Cashmere and Silk, which on paper is a sound specification for the price point. Owners describe the support much as you'd expect from that build: one Pocket+ owner found theirs “quite soft on the top surface and then firmer springs”, while a Natural Cashmere 2000 owner said theirs does “slope away if you sit on the edge of the bed”. Back sleepers and combination sleepers across average weight ranges are well served throughout the catalogue. Side sleepers should focus on the softer pocket spring options.

Heavier sleepers benefit from the stronger spring units in the upper tiers of the range. The overall support profile sits at mid-market rather than premium, which is appropriate for the pricing and honestly positioned by the brand.

Aspire durability

Aspire manufactures in Yorkshire with traditional upholstery techniques and invests in training local craftspeople, which supports consistent build quality across the product range. The materials are reasonable grade for the mid-market tier, and the multi-channel distribution means warranty claims can be handled through whichever retailer you purchased from.

Durability at the mid-market tier is typically average rather than exceptional. Buyers looking for 10-year-plus longevity should consider whether the premium heritage specialists offer better value over time. For the intended use case of a well-made mid-market British mattress at accessible pricing, Aspire delivers what the positioning promises.

Aspire best offers

We've managed to find the following top deals from across the web on Aspire mattresses.

Owner reviews of Flaxby mattresses

5 Martin & Anna

We purchased the Flaxby 14450 pillow top mattress from Dreams after trying out the range of Flaxby mattresses in store. We opted for the Superking size with the split medium/soft support and the zipped option (essentially two singles joined together). I prefer the medium support whereas my partner likes the softer feel. Bear in mind, these are heavy mattresses and having the split mattress option makes it far easier to turn them, which you will need to do weekly for the first 3 months (then monthly thereafter). It has taken a long time for the mattress to fully bed in and feel comfortable to sleep on. If you're considering this mattress, be prepared for a full 6-8 weeks break in period to allow the materials to loosen up and conform to your body. When new, it felt very stiff with the sensation you're lying on top of the mattress, with not much give and with minimal support. My partner quickly got used to sleeping on her softer mattress, whereas with my medium feel mattress, I experienced lower back pain on and off for the first 4-5 weeks. The Dreams staff advised that the Flaxby mattresses do take a while to break in and conform to your body. Here's some tips that have worked well for us and are worth considering: Mattress support - this mattress really does deserve a quality bed base, preferably a pocket spring divan base. We initially used our old Superking bed frame with sprung slats. However, although the 14450 mattress is a deep mattress and should in theory work well on any bed base, we found that it not gel that well with the sprung slats, as the mattress tended to sag slightly. We have now switched to a sprung divan base and it's made a big difference to the feel, comfort and support of the mattress. Pillows - we initially used our Tempur cloud pillows with the Flaxby but we have since switched to Levitex sleep posture pillows (we opted for the small size). This has made a world of difference - no more neck and back pain! Duvets - we've always liked having our own single duvets rather than sharing a larger duvet so we can better control our body temperatures. My partner uses a weighted duvet whereas I switched to a wool filled duvet. The Flaxby mattresses do offer better temperature control compared to our old Tempur mattress. It is still worth investing in a quality duvet to really get the best sleeping experience.

5 Examplename

WAOW. I’ve been using the dreamcloud mattress for the past 3 and a half years which was fine for the most part but I wasn’t liking the memory foam feel of the sink in the mattress so decided to try this pocket spring mattress. After ONE night I’m already loving it. The comfort is absolutely phenomenal. Firm but still pure luxurious comfort and you can tell the materials are high quality. This is the sort of comfort you get in 5 star hotels. Personally I’d never go back to memory foam or combo memory foam type mattresses like dreamcloud, Simba and tempur because in most cases the mattress will develop a dip or sink where you lie after a few months or couple of years and that doesn’t properly support your body whether you sleep on your back or side, and with this Flaxby mattress I feel I can just lie in pure comfort and not have to move around all the time trying to get comfy with the memory foam type feel of my previous mattress. This Flaxby mattress is extremely comfortable on your back and side and all the other 5 star reviews back that up. The simple truth of the matter is if you want a high quality hotel like feeling mattress you’re going to need to invest the money. You’re investing in your sleep, health, mood and comfort for every day life and when you consider how long mattresses last it’s absolutely worth it. The delivery team were also fast and fantastic two helpful gentlemen who took away my old mattress with no problem. I’d recommend this mattress or any other pocket spring mattress over this price range will he just as good I’m sure. I got this at 15% off in a sale so if you want a discount then wait until the next sale. I also picked the “firm” option not “extra firm” but I’m sure extra firm is supremely comfortable as well. Happy sleeping!

5 Ayup

I was extremely dubious about purchasing this mattress and had been looking at the reviews for a good couple of months before taking the plunge. I went in Dreams several times to lay on it and make sure I wasn't making any bad decisions. It felt like the mattress was just hugging you right back when you laid on it! Good support in the lower back area too as I have a permanent slipped disc and spinal arthritis so I had to be 110% certain I was getting the right mattress. I have now had this mattress for over two months. My patter goes like this: sleep on one side for 7 days, then sleep on the other side. Then rotate the mattress and repeat the first steps. It is quite heavy to rotate but I'm just relieved I have finally found the perfect mattress again after 13 years of agony and going through about 5 different mattresses! There is no dipping as I rotate the mattress regularly - I am only 9st just over so not really big enough to be making the bed dip. I have a mattress protector on the bed, and use medium pillows. I am sleeping like a dream. I now manage to have nights where I sleep right through without waking for the loo or with pain! I no longer wake up with back pain anymore. I really am one happy lady! Would definitely recommend this mattress to others BUT if you are on the larger side, go for a firm it will soften over time, as seen other reviews saying this mattress dips so I guess if your on the heavy side you may or may not have an issue. Have attached pictures of when I first got the mattress compared with 3 months later and as you can see, no dips and looks just as good. I also bought the bed frame from dreams too.

2 MelDam

I have had this mattress for about 5 months now and how miserable I am. I suffer from back ache and have had operations on both shoulders. So my husband and I decided we need a new mattress that was softer and less painful for me to sleep on. On his advice I returned to the store numerous times over maybe a couple of months to test this mattress out. So I maybe lay on the mattress for at least half an hour turning and trying both sides of my body. I thought at last I have found the mattress for me and it would give me some much needed relief. After having little or no sleep for many years I thought I had finally found the answer. How wrong was I! I contacted dreams customer service and they agreed to send out an assessor. Very friendly guy who proceeded to use some kind of measuring method & calculation I think like a ruler, he measured the pillow top part of the mattress. According to him they do not consider its a fault if the measurement of thickness does not go below 3cm if my recollection is correct! So that was that and I had to accept that I was stuck with this very expensive mattress and as we had also purchased a new base, a very expensive mistake indeed! Like one of the other reviews I had read, I too wondered how the product from the showroom could be so different from the one I received! I feel that maybe the ones in the showrooms are to draw you in and then are all made the same in a factory somewhere. However, I was told these particular mattresses are made by hand in the Flaxby factory somewhere? This whole episode has left me feeling very depressed indeed! All I wanted was relief from pain and a good night's sleep. I feel I am actually sleeping worse than I was on the previous mattress. I don't know what the answer is as I have already gone way over 100 days trial, however did not think after just over 5 months I would be facing this problem! One other point I must make is that, under this '3cm' pillowtop the rest of the mattress underneath has a very firm feel. So all that is supposed to give you this soft, comfortable sleep is the 3cm pillow top.

1 Unhappy sleeper54321

Ok, so I have had this mattress a year or so now and I'm still wishing I hadn't bought it. From the off it sunk where I slept. The label said not to worry as 'it's just the mattress getting to know you'. I have a double mattress but sleep on my own so I tend to sleep in the middle of the mattress. My mattress quickly started to dip in the middle and I was finding this uncomfortable and disappointing, especially as it was very expensive. I left a review saying I wasn't happy and Dreams contacted me. They sent a furniture surveyor who reported that the settlement of the mattress was within their normal range. I have persevered with it but it is so sunken in the middle now that you can literally see it even with the duvet over it. I honestly would not recommend this mattress. If you are at all worried that you will end up with a ditch to sleep in, don't buy it! I was drawn in by the natural fillings and it was comfy in the shop, to lie on for a few minutes. But I probably wouldn't have even tried it if it weren't for Dreams computer 'matching' me to it. Well, what a surprise that two of the mattresses it recommended for me were two of the most expensive in the shop! I feel tricked and I now have aches and pains from sleeping in it. If you don't want to be fleeced for a grand and a half in return for sheer disappointment then don't buy this! And don't fall for their returns guarantee. They will only exchange it for one of the same value, and there is only one other mattress in the shop that costs a similar amount so there is little choice. They do not give refunds in part exchange for something cheaper!

Owner reviews of Aspire mattresses

5 Milena

Only slept on it for a few nights so will give an update after a couple of months. The mattress is not light, the drivers could only drop it at the door due to Covid and it was seriously difficult to move, the mattress is really thick and doesn;t bend so was a nightmare to get upstairs. The mattress is quite a bit firmer than I thought it would be but it is not uncomfortable and I am sure it will loosen up in a few days / weeks. There is no movement when either of us toss or turn in the night. FANTASTIC! It is VERY thick so be sure you have some extra deep fitted sheets to hand, a normal bed sheet won't fit. Also the thickness adds quite a bit of height so if you are short, your legs will dangle over the edge and you have to jump off! The quality is really good and better than previous mattresses I paid a lot more for it feels like a bed you would get in a 5 star hotel. Would defintiely recommend Aspire products.

5 David,

I've been suffering with a bad back for a few years now, I thought it might be the mattress so I spent £1800 on a new one from a big brand name, my issues continued and I just accepted it as part of getting old. We bought this mattress for our spare room and one night when I was restless and didn't want to wake my wife I decided to sleep in the spare room, the next morning my back pain eased, I used this mattress for another couple of nights and my aches had virtually gone. I couldn't believe it what an amazing product. I then started using the main mattress again and after a few nights my back pain returned, one night on the Aspire mattress and I woke up pain free again. I have since bought another one for the main bedroom and have been back pain free since. The two Aspire mattresses cost about the same as the one big brand mattress, fantastic quality and value literally changed my life. Thank you Aspire.

5 Bb

I ordered a new mattress from Mattress Online and the service was absolutely brilliant! It arrived in less than 24 hours, which was amazing, but unfortunately it just wasn't quite right for me. One quick phone call later and they happily exchanged it under their 60-night guarantee; again delivered in under 24 hours, free of charge. The replacement (an Aspire Pocket+ 1000 Memory Box Top Mattress) is perfect; super comfortable and exactly what I was looking for. I have a constant pain in my back following injury and surgery 7 years ago, but this mattress is fabulous and I'm sleeping so much better already! Highly recommend Mattress Online: incredible service, great products, and really competitive prices.

2 Trusted Customer

We bought this mattress after reading medium is better for side sleepers…. Unfortunately the mattress just isn’t for us and have chosen to go back to a firm mattress… this mattress is good quality tho but like I say just didn’t suit our needs.

1 Ian

I exchanged a 5 for a 3 level softness and was recommended this mattress by a mattress online representative. The 3 was supposed to be softer and cooler, but there is no difference! Still very hard and despite purporting to have a built in topper there is no evidence of such. Totally disappointed with a mattress I now need to get rid of and purchase elsewhere!

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