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Simba vs Emma Mattresses

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Simba

Simba have been around for a long time originally founding in 1979, however, they have only been in the bed-in-a-box industry a few years at this point. Simba started its journey with one mattress before branching out to encompass an entire range. These aren’t just any mattresses though, and they have been tested using data from ten million sleepers’ body profiles and over 100 prototypes to help ensure that the mattress and its design will suit the vast majority of sleepers. To date the Simba lineup has become one of the most well-reviewed mattresses worldwide and with the new line-up, there's different models to suit different budgets.

Simba has an entire lineup dedicated to bed in box rolled mattresses. This avenue to market has become increasingly popular in recent years and has numerous benefits, namely that the cost of the product is typically lower due to savings within logistics warehousing and delivery.

Read our full Simba review

Emma

Emma is an immensely popular British manufacturer who specialises in bed in a box mattresses. First clamouring to fame in 2015 but achieving real velocity from 2018 onwards, Emma is one of the last standing in the war on sleep having bested Eve, Casper and Leesa, all of whom had similar marketing objectives and business models. To date, Emma offers 2 mattresses commercially through their own website with store and retailer derived versions for the masses of retailers looking to piggyback the brand's success. The mattresses all feature foam as a staple with some featuring additional springs. Regardless of which version you choose, comfort is almost guaranteed with thousands of satisfied customers to date.

Recently Emma rebranded to become known as Emma Sleep and pivoted their focus toward other items in the bedding sector ranging from bed frames, pillows, duvets and protectors.

Read our full Emma review

Mattress Score

Overall Score:
Simba: 4.45/5.00
Emma: 4.37/5.00

Customer Satisfaction:
Simba: 4.45/5.00
Emma: 4.37/5.00

Price:
Simba: £129.99 - £1359.20
Emma: £187.77 - £799.00


Based on aggregated reviews and performance scoring, we would recommend Simba in this face off!


Becky
Compares

Simba Owner Satisfaction

Satisfaction for Simba is high on their priority list, offering an impressive comfort guarantee which means that if you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase you are able to organise a return for a full refund. The return process is one of the easiest we have come across and involves letting the company know and they will arrange collection at a time convenient to you. Additionally, there are no additional surcharges, costs or delivery fees associated with the returns process which means you get 200 nights risk free to try the mattress.

After this trial period you will also receive a market leading 10 year guarantee that will further instill confidence and ensure your investment is protected long term.

Simba Supportiveness

Simba have multiple mattresses in their range, however all offer roughly the same level of supportiveness coming in at a medium firm tension. The comfort that you derive from a mattress will generally come from the top layer that sits somewhat detached from the support layer. The support layer is what contours and fights against your body to give you pressure relief. Depending on how you sleep or how much you weigh are both factors in determining suitability of tension. With the medium firm support of the Simba lineup we find them most suitable for back sleepers and those of average or heavier build. That said, due to the inclusivity that Simba has aimed to achieve through its prototypes and extensive testing, we do have plenty of reports of side sleepers and those who are lighter getting maximum comfort out of the lineup.

Simba Durability

People are increasingly expecting more from their mattresses with more comfort and more support on offer than ever before. It’s actually a really great time to buy a new mattress as companies new and old are changing the way they do business and produce mattresses with improvements and savings along the way. The same has become true for durability and while the average lifespan of a mattress before being replaced currently lies at around 7 years, the Simba goes above and beyond with a guarantee covering a full 10 years. The result of mattresses lasting longer is the cost of sleep actually decreases relative to cost and time meaning products like Simba may be cheaper in the long run due to that enhanced and increased durability.

Simba Best Offers

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

Emma Owner Satisfaction

Emma Sleep’s entire business model is focussed toward consumer satisfaction. Key parts of their marketing strategy comes from word of mouth and statistics show that people buy from people. What makes Emma stand out from the crowd is an interesting shift in consumer buying behaviour. Previously, if you bought a mattress and didn’t enjoy it, you were out of luck, not so with the rise of Emma. Now, if you don’t like your mattress you can simply arrange a return and get a full refund within the first 100 days. This shift has proved extremely positive for customers and has increased satisfaction in the lineup.

To date, Emma has amassed an impressive 22,000+ reviews on Trustpilot, a fantastic display given the company's fairly new tenure in the industry.

Emma Supportiveness

Firmness is a very subjective thing which proves a particularly tough nut to crack when you are producing one mattress to suit all people. So much so that Emma has prototyped and tested numerous models previous to going to market in order to get that mix just right. The result? Right now Emma has two mattresses, a medium tension and a medium firm tension. Medium is a great supportive rating as it gives the user enough body contouring and support in the back and neck while giving enough softness and compression to accommodate those who sleep on their side or are of a lower BMI. It really is considered the one-size-fits-all approach and it’s one that suits many who purchase an Emma mattress, just take a look at the thousands of reviews to date.

Emma Durability

With the mid-range price point of Emma products, it’s important for shoppers that the bed lasts for a number of years. Generally we find companies consistently trying to cut costs at the expense of durability. Fortunately Emma already has a unique business model as the mattresses follow the rolled and bed-in-a-box model that allows savings through logistics and delivery meaning Emma can spend more on materials while still finding profit. The result of this means you get a mattress that is affordable and of higher quality than competing brands which, as a result of the quality increase, is more durable and lasts longer as a result. It’s a win for everyone.

Emma Best Offers

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

Simba Most Useful Customer Reviews

5 Anna B.

We've been needing a new mattress for a long time, to replace our turn of the century Sealy memory foam mattress and divan bed, which we have had lots of use from (2nd hand from family when we got it). We wanted to invest in a really high quality, low environmental impact mattress (and bed) that also ticked all the boxes for comfort, support, no nasty off-gassing chemicals, made with natural materials and market leading durability. This was a huge outlay for us and we've been thinking about it for a few years. We're now in our mid 50's and know that a good night's sleep is crucial, particularly as I'm a light sleeper and have suffered from back and hip pain in the past. Our old mattress was smelly, well past its prime and I dread to think what might have been living in it (and on us!). So, we see this new Simba mattress as an investment for our future. Lots of really helpful info on the website and very enticing video of the mattress we were considering. Once we decided to go for it, we had a bit of trouble paying for the order on the website as I couldn't figure out how to set up the credit facility to spread the cost. In the end I had to message Simba about it and soon after was given the option of having a callback slot, at a time to suit me, to speak to a person. The customer service chap rang me at the allotted time and was very helpful and polite, who helped us resolve the issue, with the added bonus of a further code to use to get free collection of our old bed and mattress, which saved us 50, that really made us happy. We are very pleased with the promotional offer of free high quality Simba bedding as well (2 pillows, duvet and mattress cover), so felt that although it was a big expense, we were buying the best we could afford and were being treated very well as customers. Following the email confirmation of the order after purchase, a day or two later we received details of the VIP service delivery and the date suggested worked for us. So, within a week of placing the order we would get our new bed and mattress (we live in rural Wales, not that easy to get to). Two gentlemen from the delivery company arrived on time, carefully backed up their van on our narrow driveway, carried in the bed and mattress with care, they were really polite and quietly got on with the job of building the new bed. They would have removed the packaging too, but I asked if we could keep it, no problem at all! They removed our old bed and mattress and so within the hour of their arrival we were all set up with our new bed and mattress. Fab! The mattress is very different to our old memory foam one. It's much deeper, heavier and firmer. I'm a side sleeper, but occasionally sleep on my back. It did take me a few days to get used to the new firmer support, but it does have lovely soft cushioning in the top layer. After a few weeks we are now feeling much more comfortable on it than we did initially. I can feel it does give me much better support, as am not getting back pain from sleeping on it. My husband really loves it. According to our Fitbit watches, which we wear at night, we are generally getting a good quality night's sleep (we just need to get to bed earlier now to make the most of it!). For me, with a very sensitive sense of smell, there is also a slight scent of sheep wool, which was stronger to start with. I actually like this smell, and it reminded me what the mattress contains, natural fibres, not off-gassing of chemical VOCs. But, we do make sure we air the bed each day, which is good sleep hygiene, whatever mattress you're on. The mattress comes with helpful information about how to care for it. It definitely will need two of us to turn it every so often, way too heavy for me on my own. I do find changing the bedclothes harder work, as the mattress is heavy to lift to get the fitted sheet on it, especially at the head end. So bear this in mind if you live on your own and you order King Size! You also need to use extra deep fitted sheets. We hope that it'll remain this comfortable for the next 10 years, reassured by the guarantee and love the fact that the mattress was made only a couple of weeks before we bought it (the label on it states when it was made). Nice to think it's not been sitting very long in a warehouse somewhere before we received it. Lovely to know that its recyclable at end of life too and we're supporting a certified B Corp. Fingers crossed we'll both be still sweetly sleeping on it well into our 60's.

4 Martin D.

So, two weeks ago, I got a response from the supplier of my previous mattress (Emma) saying that due to some sort of restructure, they wouldn't be able to deliver a new mattress for weeks. They gave me the option to get a refund, which I took. I needed the mattress by that Sunday at the latest as that's when my temporary accommodation in the Airbnb that I was staying at came to an end and I needed to sleep at my new less-temporary, but unfurnished accommodation. My previous mattress had been damaged by the water ingress at Coniston House (google it for stories in the Standard and The Slice, Tower Hamlets if you're interested). The ongoing works on my building necessitated the move. Anyway, I found a roughly equivalent mattress sold by Simba, which is UK-based and B Corp certified. It is a bit more expensive, but hey, it was an emergency and they offered to deliver the next day if ordered before 1 p. m. This is when it all went horribly wrong. Simba sent the mattress by DPD and DPD's tracking showed it was out for delivery. The delivery slot came and went and then the tracking said they were running late. Phoning DPD to find out what was going on, they reassured me that they would deliver it that day, but it appeared from the tracking that it had gone back to the depot. I waited in until 8 p. m. The same thing happened on Friday, the contact centre reassured me that it would be delivered, but tracking I could see showed that it was still at the depot. I eventually got a call back from the depot who said it wasn't out for delivery after all and wouldn't be delivered that day (despite what the call centre had said). DPD booked it in for a Saturday delivery. Saturday came, again, the same pattern and no delivery. The DPD contact centre doesn't seem to have any way to contact people on the ground, and I won't call it lying, but they make statements (e. g. that they will certainly deliver today) which they clearly don't have the information to back up. On the Monday, I had an exchange with Simba, who arranged for the delivery with DPD to be cancelled. I had to go to the office on Tuesday (I had already spent several days trapped working from home by DPD), so Simba arranged to send out a replacement with ao. com's logistics on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Garry from AO called me first thing to say he was delivering that morning, and he called again when he was on the way from his previous job. Delivered direct to my door, no fuss. It seems from other reviews of DPD that mattress delivery and other heavy/bulky items are a recurring problem for DPD. I would give Simba five stars, especially for fixing the mess as promptly as they could. However, it was their choice in the first place to use DPD where there appear to be known issues with their performance. If Simba turn to using AO for all their deliveries, I would give them an unqualified recommendation as the mattress is super comfortable and their customer service is helpful and responsive. Most importantly, over the last week, I've had the best night's sleep I've had in over a year!

5 Sushmita S.

A Dream Come True: My Love Affair with the Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress From the moment it arrived, compactly boxed and ready to unfurl its magic, the Simba Hybrid Pro mattress promised something special. And after countless nights of blissful, restorative sleep, I can confidently say it has delivered on every single promise - and then some. This isn't just a mattress; it's an investment in unparalleled comfort, ingenious design, and truly transformative sleep. The first thing you notice is the immediate sense of luxurious comfort. Simba rates it as a medium-firm, and I'd say that's spot on. It's not a sink-in-and-get-stuck kind of soft, nor is it a rock-hard surface. Instead, it strikes that elusive perfect balance: a plush, comforting top layer that cradles your body, seamlessly supported by a robust, responsive core. The magic truly lies in its unique layering system. The natural wool layer is a game-changer, providing a breathable, sumptuously soft feel that keeps you cool in summer and cosy in winter - a genius touch for anyone who struggles with temperature regulation. Beneath this, the innovative Simbatex foam, infused with cooling graphite, works tirelessly to dissipate heat, ensuring you never wake up feeling clammy. But the real unsung heroes are the dual layers of Aerocoil micro springs. These tiny, conical titanium alloy springs are individually responsive, providing tailored support that adapts to your body's every curve and movement. As a restless sleeper, I've noticed a significant reduction in tossing and turning, and my partner's movements are practically imperceptible thanks to the excellent motion isolation. Beyond the incredible comfort, the Simba Hybrid Pro boasts exceptional build quality. The firm borders, thanks to Simba's Edge Lift Technology, mean you can utilize every inch of the mattress without feeling like you're about to roll off - a fantastic benefit for couples or those who spread out. It's clear that every detail, from the breathable cover to the ergonomic support zones in the base foam, has been meticulously designed to promote optimal spinal alignment and pressure relief. I've personally experienced a noticeable improvement in any morning aches and stiffness since switching to the Hybrid Pro. And let's not forget the practicalities. The mattress arrives conveniently rolled and boxed, making it surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, even for a king-size. The removable, washable cover is a hygiene godsend, keeping your sleep environment fresh and clean. While it sits at a premium price point, the Simba Hybrid Pro is an investment that truly pays dividends in quality of life. It's no wonder it's garnered so many accolades and glowing reviews from independent experts and sleepers alike, including a Which? Best Buy award. For anyone seeking a mattress that offers the ultimate blend of cloud-like comfort, unwavering support, and intelligent temperature regulation, the Simba Hybrid Pro is, quite simply, a dream come true. Prepare to experience sleep redefined.

5 Mike F.

I've had my new bed frame, mattress, pillows, duvet, sheets and covers for over 3 weeks now. In this time I have had to say this is the best 3 weeks sleep I have ever had!! I have a lot of problems sleeping normally due to my mental health, anxiety and my rheumatoid arthritis. Sleeping was one aspect in my life that I always dreaded at the end of a long and tiring day, because i always really struggled with sleeping. Despite all of my efforts to improve my sleep I.E, going to sleep at a suitable time, eating and drinking healthy, not using electronics that are bright before sleep, avoiding caffeine.. you name it. I have tried almost everything and nothing seemed to improve despite all of my efforts. It got so bad that I had to be prescribed medication so I could sleep. However, since I have had the pleasure of sleeping in my new simba bed, everything has changed for the better and i no longer need anything to aid me to sleep. What I mean by this, is my health. My health has already had a huge improvement! My anxiety feels better, my depression feels easier to manage and most importantly my arthritis has had signs of improvement! I now feel less stressed, I overthink less, I don't get as anxious and I don't feel as fatigued or in pain as much with my arthritis because my sleep is so much better. My mind and body is finally able to have the time it needs to heal and recover because I am able to sleep so well now. Before simba, I would have problems with sweating, back pain, disrupted sleep and much more including physical pain and always feeling fatigued. But this is a thing of the past now, because the mattress and duvet from simba is absolutely amazing and so well made! It's incredibly comfortable, better than any bed I have slept on and this includes any hotels I have stayed in. I now fall asleep in minutes, where as before it could be hours. The "Stratos Technology" that simba uses to keep your body temperature cool and regulated while you sleep is a game changer and it couldn't be any better! The bed frame itself is an "Ottoman" bed which is also very well made. The space it has under the bed is fantastic! Even with my arthritis, I am still able to lift up the bed for it's storage use without any pain, discomfort. The gas hydraulics make lifting the bed (even with my ultra mattress) effortless. I don't normally leave reviews, but for simba I really want to because they truly deserve it! Struggling with my health conditions isn't easy from day to day. But simba has made such a big impact to improving my sleep, that it's had an positive effect on the rest of my life and I feel much better in myself. I wanted to share my experience with simba so far because I'm astonished with how much better my sleep and health has improved since I have had my simba bed. I no longer dread sleeping anymore, my mental and physical health is improving by the day! So, thank you simba for my flawless bed, mattress, duvet, pillows and covers! You have given me my life back .

5 Sushmita S.

My Love Affair with the Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress From the moment it arrived, compactly boxed and ready to unfurl its magic, the Simba Hybrid Pro mattress promised something special. And after countless nights of blissful, restorative sleep, I can confidently say it has delivered on every single promise - and then some. This isn't just a mattress; it's an investment in unparalleled comfort, ingenious design, and truly transformative sleep. The first thing you notice is the immediate sense of luxurious comfort. Simba rates it as a medium-firm, and I'd say that's spot on. It's not a sink-in-and-get-stuck kind of soft, nor is it a rock-hard surface. Instead, it strikes that elusive perfect balance: a plush, comforting top layer that cradles your body, seamlessly supported by a robust, responsive core. The magic truly lies in its unique layering system. The natural wool layer is a game-changer, providing a breathable, sumptuously soft feel that keeps you cool in summer and cosy in winter - a genius touch for anyone who struggles with temperature regulation. Beneath this, the innovative Simbatex foam, infused with cooling graphite, works tirelessly to dissipate heat, ensuring you never wake up feeling clammy. But the real unsung heroes are the dual layers of Aerocoil micro springs. These tiny, conical titanium alloy springs are individually responsive, providing tailored support that adapts to your body's every curve and movement. As a restless sleeper, I've noticed a significant reduction in tossing and turning, and my partner's movements are practically imperceptible thanks to the excellent motion isolation. Beyond the incredible comfort, the Simba Hybrid Pro boasts exceptional build quality. The firm borders, thanks to Simba's Edge Lift Technology, mean you can utilize every inch of the mattress without feeling like you're about to roll off - a fantastic benefit for couples or those who spread out. It's clear that every detail, from the breathable cover to the ergonomic support zones in the base foam, has been meticulously designed to promote optimal spinal alignment and pressure relief. I've personally experienced a noticeable improvement in any morning aches and stiffness since switching to the Hybrid Pro. And let's not forget the practicalities. The mattress arrives conveniently rolled and boxed, making it surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, even for a king-size. The removable, washable cover is a hygiene godsend, keeping your sleep environment fresh and clean. While it sits at a premium price point, the Simba Hybrid Pro is an investment that truly pays dividends in quality of life. It's no wonder it's garnered so many accolades and glowing reviews from independent experts and sleepers alike, including a Which? Best Buy award. For anyone seeking a mattress that offers the ultimate blend of cloud-like comfort, unwavering support, and intelligent temperature regulation, the Simba Hybrid Pro is, quite simply, a dream come true. Prepare to experience sleep redefined.

Emma Most Useful Customer Reviews

5 Verified Buyer

After purchase and having a nightmare with a different boxed mattress from a very well-known brand, I was really sceptical about all the positive reviews for this but really wanted to see if they were all the same.
I need not have feared. This is simply brilliant.
Excellent delivery from 2 John Lewis drivers who both wore masks and asked me to keep my lounge door closed. They called to say they were on their way so I had everything ready.
Yes the mattress needed airing for a few hours and what u found was that if you remove the top cover this helps the foam breathe. I washed the cover twice straight after each other and left the mattress overght with the window wide open in the bedroom.
The results were that within a few days the smell had completely gone and nothing was lingering. Yes put your nose to it and you could still smell bits but nothing like the other I had which smelt toxic.
The comfort is fantastic. If you sit on it you sink, especially perched on the edge but once laid flat on it your body is well supported with no bottom sag in the middle that I had from the previous one.
A few months in and I have to say this is the best mattress I have ever had. No dips, easy to change due to handles close to the 4 corners and very light.
The zipped top is great for removing and washing if needed.
John Lewis you have restored my faith in boxed mattresses after a terrible experience with another brand.
Stick with this one and you wont go wrong.
I use 2 firm down pillows with it and due to the softness of the mattress they have eased more giving a medium to firm response. With my previous mattress these pillows were far too hard so you may need to play with some pillows as they will feel different.

5 Verified Buyer

I am soooooo glad that I bought this just before the Black Friday when it came back into stock. This bed is so comfortable! I have never had a memory foam mattress, only a mattress with springs. It sound strange but I cant believe how quiet it is! When my boyfriend moves around, I cant hear or feel anything! The mattress is currently on the floor as my new bed frame has not arrived yet and its still very comfortable. Its not too firm. I would definitely say its medium. I am thinking about getting the firm topper which is free. But will decide once frame arrives. The mattress is a lot lighter than my previous mattress which makes changing the sheet easier. And the delivery service was excellent. I received a text message with my 4 hour time slot. And it arrived exactly at the beginning of the slot. I was running late and the driver called me and waited for me. He even took it up two flights of steep stairs. All the Way to my flat. There is a slight chemical smell. Its been two weeks and sometimes I do get a hint of it under the sheets. But I wouldnt say its terrible or very noticeable. And would probably disappear faster if I aired the mattress out a bit. There are only two downsides for me. Number one, the handles on the side arent very strong. Number two, I never want to get out of bed in the morning, so Im nearly late for work every day!

5 Verified Buyer

We had been waiting to get a new mattress from before lockdown, but wanted to go to the storeroom of a well known manufacturer but hadnt found the time. After some research and reading reviews decided to take a chance on this mattress rather than just keep waiting for said showroom to re-open, and are we glad we did. This mattress is wonderfully comfortable and a fraction of the price we were considering spending on the other mattress. With the price, the option to return if not happy and the 10 year guarantee you really cannot go wrong with this mattress. It is also considerably lighter than the one we were considering - a consideration as you get older, particularly in these strange times when you might only get something delivered to the door. My wife is sensitive to temperature at night and we have slept (or tried to sleep) on mattresses that seem to generate heat, and this was a concern with a mattress that included memory foam, but there has been no issue from that perspective. Others have commented on the smell of the mattress, but having left the mattress to "settle" and air for 24 hours, we didnt find this to be an issue. All in all delighted with this purchase and would recommend to others - so much so that we bought a second for the guest bedroom.

5 Verified Buyer

I was a little dubious at the beginning about this product because of reviews online and had to think before I purchased it but after a week I decided to just buy it as it comes with a sleep trial so its risk free (200 night trial)
The mattress is top quality, was surprised at how easy it is to unpack and get ready on the bed. After about 3-4 hours it was in its full size and ready to sleep. The best thing to do is leave the window opened so room is well ventilated as it has a new sort of smell at the beginning, I would say this lasts about 48 hours but can be longer.
The easiest way to allow this mattress to expand is to remove the top cover and let it breathe (tip that Emma gave me when I emailed them). The first time I used it I felt so weird sleeping on it (in a good way), it was so comfortable! It just goes to show how bad an old mattress is. I find it a little soft for me however you can receive a comfort layer (request these and Emma will send it free of charge) which can improve it and make it firmer and also add 14 days to the trial!
Has it made a difference to my sleep? Yes!
Would I recommend it? Yes!
Would I buy another? Yes!
Do I want to get out of bed in the morning? No

5 Verified Buyer

This is a fantastic mattress and extremely comfortable. Having bought a different out of the box mattress that seems to be on the TV all the time, I was really apprehensive about getting another as the first one was great for the first few months but then sagged in the middle and the springs became faulty. John Lewis were brilliant however and refunded me.
So onto this one - delivery was fantastic as always and contactless as I stayed downstairs.
The mattress is easy to turn around due to the 4 handles - 2 on each side which is a bonus. The quality is outstanding and the top cover is easy to remove and wash.
There was a slight smell for a couple of weeks but I regularly removed the cover to air the foam for a few hours and washed the cover so it smelt of my washing powder. This has now completely gone.
The firmness did take a while to get used to. I had a cheap firm mattress from a famous swedish store so this felt soft but after a few nights sleep, this wasnt an issue. I now sleep soundly.
Really pleased with this and with the 200 day trial and no quibble return - I feel very assured that this could finally be the one for me.
Highly recommended.

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