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SleepSoul vs Emma Mattress Reviews

Compare SleepSoul and Emma 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

SleepSoul

Our pick
4.7/5Owners2,840 reviews
Price range£120 – £454
Brand

Emma

4.5/5Owners1,096 reviews
Price range£193 – £849

On aggregated owner reviews, SleepSoul scores higher: 4.7 against 4.5 out of 5.

Becky’s take

By Becky Reeve

Checked against current models and prices in October 2026

I'd buy the SleepSoul, on one condition. Buy the plain models and leave the pillow tops on the shelf. Birlea makes SleepSoul, and a long list of retailers sell it, undercutting each other by a pound at a time. The Balance 800 is exactly the sort of decent rolled pocket-sprung mattress I'd put in a student room or a first flat. It has a thin layer of memory foam, a medium feel, and far more reviews than you'd expect at that price. Most of the rest of the range is pillow top. A soft top that keeps softening and can't be flipped is the one construction I steer everyone away from.

Emma has the bigger advertising budget and the louder voice, and I've never been persuaded it has the better mattress. Its soft-medium Original Lite is the fairer comparison with SleepSoul. If you're light and medium feels like too much, it's a reasonable choice. The Diamond Hybrid Deluxe is a different class of mattress, priced like one, so I wouldn't compare it with a SleepSoul.

On a budget, SleepSoul wins. If you're spending more, skip both and buy an Origin.

Head to head

SleepSoul has 10 of its 11 mattresses sprung; Emma has 14 of its 15 mattresses sprung and 1 all memory foam. SleepSoul runs from soft-medium to firm, and Emma runs from soft-medium to firm. SleepSoul is clearly the cheaper way in; Emma's range starts well above it. At the top end Emma goes further still.

How they differ

SleepSoulEmma
Mattresses we list1115
Price range£120 – £454£193 – £849
Owner rating
4.7/5Owners2,840 reviews
4.5/5Owners1,096 reviews

Mattresses only. Owner ratings are the review-weighted average across each brand’s mattresses on UK retailer sites. Prices read 10 November 2026.

SleepSoul

SleepSoul is one of the newest manufacturers to make a splash in the last few years, entering the arena at the start of the first lockdown and rapidly expanding through its use of existing supply chains provided by its parent company, Birlea. Since inception SleepSoul has rapidly gained a strong market position in the bed in the box space, competing directly with other popular manufacturers like Eve, Simba and Nectar.

SleepSoul are not sold directly and are instead sold through a host of retailers up and down the country in both online and offline capacity where the price of these mid-tier priced products tend to get carved up down to the lowest pound as everyone reaches to capture the sale.

Emma

Emma is an immensely popular German sleep brand that 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 a short core range of 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.

SleepSoul owner satisfaction

Owners are mostly happy with the SleepSoul range, and the praise is much the same across it: comfort, value and a box that is easy to unpack. One Bliss 800 owner called it “Good quality and excellent for the price”. Another found it “very easy to manage, open and soon plumped up”.

Firmness is the recurring complaint, and it runs both ways on the same model: one Bliss 800 owner wrote that it was “not medium as advertised. It's soft.” Another found the same mattress “Far more firm than the description suggests”. A few owners find them warm at night. The other complaint that keeps coming up is edge support, mostly on the Comfort 800 and Heaven 1000, and a few owners across the range say they can feel the springs. One Comfort 800 owner wrote that “the unsupported edges are annoying”.

SleepSoul supportiveness

Supportiveness is at the forefront of SleepSoul design, with pocket spring support structure taking centre position in the lineup and offering a great variety of tensions ranging from medium to firm in their more popular offerings. The open coil variants perform less well however, do feature at a price point making them a great option for those on a budget,

The support layer in much of the range is able to be compacted and rolled, giving you a tighter package come delivery that saves on logistical and delivery costs that can be passed on to you.

SleepSoul durability

Owner reviews of the range go back years, and those that mention wear are split. One owner bought a second SleepSoul about five years after the first and said the original was “STILL as good and cosy as new”. A small number report a dip or sag forming within the first few months.

To offset this concern, SleepSoul has developed a 10 year warranty to accompany the purchase of mattresses in the range. This warranty should go a considerable way to alleviating the worry over sagging and will help establish SleepSoul as a leader in the industry.

SleepSoul best offers

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

  • Up to 55% Off Sale

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 arrange a return within Emma’s trial, which the brand advertises as up to 200 nights when you buy direct. This shift has proved extremely positive for customers and has increased satisfaction in the lineup.

To date, Emma has amassed more than 53,000 reviews on Trustpilot (checked 9 October 2026), 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? Emma’s own range runs from a medium tension to a medium firm one. 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.

Corrections

When we get something wrong, we fix it and say so here. All corrections

9 October 2026
We called Emma a British manufacturer, said it sold two mattresses and offered a 100-night trial. Emma is a German brand with a wider range, and it advertises a trial of up to 200 nights.

Owner reviews of SleepSoul mattresses

5 Heather

This is a really comfortable, good quality mattress. When it arrived (in an amazingly small box), the mattress was well wrapped up in plastic and there was a little tool to slice the plastic open without slicing the mattress, plus instructions for the mattress. It was simple and straightforward and the mattress was ready to sleep on in just an hour or so. There was no obvious chemical smell, just a slight whiff if I put my nose right on it as soon as it came out of the wrapping. I haven't been bothered by any smell when sleeping on it. I bought it as an urgent need because the old one was giving me back pain. After two nights on this mattress, the pain was gone and i've had a couple of weeks of very comfortable nights with much better sleep so far. The only thing i'm not so pleased with is the edges squish down when you sit on them. I guess they have to in order to fit inside the small box but I prefer the edge of a mattress to keep its shape when I sit on it. It's not a major problem as I sleep alone but if I shared it and had to sleep near the edge, i'd feel as if I was going to roll out of bed. I'd want a king size if I was to share it. I will also get a mattress topper just to increase the comfort factor even more (and to fulfil the conditions of the guarantee). Overall, I am very happy with this mattress, it's great to feel comfortable and well supported. With the discount, it's amazing quality for the price. So glad I bought it; my back thanks me every morning.

5 Fraser

Good Points: It's the first new mattress I have had in years and its quite a difference but theres lots I like about the change: - The mattress is very supportive of my body, I'm 5'11 and weigh nearly 100kg's, support matters! - It feels stable and doesn't make me roll to any low spots - The mattress is far lighter than I anticipated so rotation by myself is really easy, especially with the handles - It keeps me warmer which during the late heat was a bit of an issue but I think I'll appreciate it during the winter - It arrived rolled and it was easy to remove and set up in no time Improvement Points: There are a couple of things but these are very minor, and they are just my views: - The handles, despite the low overall mattress weight dont feel very sturdy and I worry I'll rip them clean off - The measurements indicate the mattress depth, and was made very clear on the website, but depite my measurements it was still a shock to see such a deep mattress having been used to very thin one for years - I think I remember seeing it mentioned as being on the firmer side of things but compared to my previous mattress this is much softer (not necessarily a bad thing, just didnt expect it is all) Thats it really. As you can see the negatives for me are very minor and I would overall highly recommend the product.

4 Christopher

The product itself is as expected, it was delivered vacuum packed in a box as tall as the mattress is wide and rolled up, so it doesn't take up too much space and is just small enough for the average male to handle. It is of cause a bit on the heavy side so probably be a good idea to get help if moving up stairs but is easy enough to slide up the stairs on its side. The box contains the mattress along with a handy safety knife to open the vacuum sealed bag and some documents. After removing the mattress from the box take care with the unrolling as it is a bit weighty and king of suddenly springs/flops the last 2 or 3 foot so have no breakables near the end if unrolling on the bead frame. When cutting the plastic try not to cut a large hole, doing this will allow the air to gradually enter the mattress and the mattress will safely spring back to it intended shape, then you can remove the plastic with the provided safety knife. The mattress boasts a 1000 pocket springs topped with memory foam so no need for a mattress topper as there's plenty of padding on top of the springs. I found the medium firmness of the mattress to be just right for me and after having the mattress for a month now I can confirm that I sleep better. The price was very competitive the quality it right for the price but the delivery let down experience a bit, the guy was unbelievably miserable didn't say a word to me, didn't smile (giving off couldn't care any less vibes) attitude was disgusting.

2 Trusted Customer

Improvement Points: I ordered the 120cm wide 'small double' mattress. Once unwrapped, it was clearly far too wide and would not fit on my bed frame, being around 125 cm wide. I know that foam mattresses take a while to regain their proper shape, however this has not been as quick as anticipated. As a the spare bed mattress, it has slowly change shape, and after about 4 weeks of resting and not being slept on, it is now about 122cm wide. It just about fits onto the frame.

1 Trusted Customer

Good Points: In the first year or so resonably comfortable but then it goes wrong... Improvement Points: After about 2 years the mattress has developed 2 distinct dips, about 3cm deep (after ~4 hours after getting about of bed. They are worse first thing) so at night you keep rolling back into them. I'm told : 'Over a period of time the body will create a natural impression on the mattress. This is known as settlement and is perfectly normal.' I dont beleive a dip that is deep enough to affect your sleeping position is normal and i didn't have this in a previous memory foam mattress. We only changed as we went up in bed size. So after 2 years use of a mattress that has a 10 year warranty I am having to buy a new one as this is unbearable to sleep on. Spend a bit more and get something better with reviews after a few years, not a few days.

Owner reviews of Emma mattresses

5 Mandy

It's been 2 years now, so here is a review after 2 years of sleeping on it. I am a larger lady who has many disabilities that cause a lot of bodily pain, I have Neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, ME, spondylitis of the neck and spine and a crumbling spine, sciatica etc. I tell you this because it's very important to find that perfect mattress when you have physical disabilities. I can not tell you the difference this mattress has made to my life. As soon as I lay down on it, it was like heaven, it was like I was weightless and 2 years on it is still the same, every time I get on it, it feels as good as the first time. My pain levels at night decreased by a lot, i used to wake constantly with hip pain, since sleeping on this Emma Mattress I have not woke with hip pain once! my sleep is deeper and longer, which has made a massive difference in my everyday life. The mattress has zero lumps, bumps, springs, coils, it's just like a smooth cloud. The mattress is that fantastic and feels so good under your body that when I put my electric blanket on top of it, and I have a very expensive thick electric blanket, I hated the feel of it and had to take my electric blanket off. You will be just fine with your electric blanket on top of the mattress, but having fibromyalgia, they used to call fibromyalgia 'The princess and the pea disease' because you can feel every stitch, lump, bump ect and every stitch, lump and bump causes so much pain, but the Emma mattress feels like a smooth cloud, you actually feel weightless. It was the best decision I ever made to get this mattress, it was more expensive than any other mattress I have purchased previously, but it is worth so much more than that just to have a pain free, long, cosy nights sleep. It's also not to hot for menopause, I don't know why that myth was put out there but it's just fine temperature wise. I also bought my son one, he has cerebral palsy and he agrees with me about how amazing they are, especially if you suffer from any aches and pains. Just buy one, do it, you will be amazed how great they are.

4 Richard

I think the mattress is great but my wife thinks it is a little hard. I have not had any back ache since we bought the matress. Our previous mattress was killing my back and had become extremly unsupportive. The delivery staff were great as they brought the new mattress in and removed the old one. I would have never been able to move the old mattress so having the gentlemen take our wornout one away was really helpful. We left the Emma mattress to vent and take shape over the stipulated time. Not sure how we could ever have returned it though as the delicery staff removed the box it came in and I would never have been able to compress it into such a small roll again. The extensive strong plastic wrap retained the compression forces which I imagine were processed at the factory so I can not think how it could be completed at home. I love the mattress and have slept well since it was delivered and the back ache has not returned.

4 Siya

We bought the Emma Hybrid AirGrid Mattress in October as a replacement for our king-sized Sloom mattress from South Africa after relocating to the UK, and we've been extremely happy with the experience so far. The mattress strikes a great balance in firmness - it's supportive without being too hard, and we've had no back pain since using it. Sleep quality has been noticeably better, and it's been comfortable from the very first night without needing a long 'breaking in' period. Delivery was smooth and right on schedule, which made the whole purchase experience stress-free. What really stood out for us was the price as it was significantly more affordable than other mattresses in the same range, yet the quality hasn't felt compromised at all. Overall, we're very pleased with our purchase and would confidently recommend the Emma Hybrid AirGrid to anyone looking for a high-quality, comfortable mattress at a great price.

2 Stuart

Having slept on an Emma memory foam mattress a few times and loved it when staying with family I was expecting great things from what I assumed would be an upgraded and better product. As well as the experience on the memory foam mattress I’d spent weeks reading reviews and was confident this mattress would deliver on the three things we most wanted - comfort, minimal motion transfer, and a cool sleep. Sad to say my wife and I are disappointed on two of those things. Comfort wise I’ve no grumbles, but I’m a fidget and mover in bed and my wife reckons it’s like sleeping on a boat, and to be honest, I don’t find it any better than the 30 yr old mattress we both got rid of. In addition we both find it quite a bit warmer than the old mattress as well. With the pocket springs covered by layers of various foams it is nothing like the memory foam mattress we’d tried at our daughters. I’m disappointed that I can easily feel the springs through the sides and bottom (just a couple of layers of fabric) - in fact it actually feels quite cheaply made to me. I guess I should have expected this from a roll up mattress, but no one mentioned this in any of the dozens of reviews I read! Maybe I’m just fussy, but I wouldn’t get another one.

2 Col

I’m a bit disappointed with this product. We previously owned an Emma Original mattress purchased in 2020, which was the best mattress we’ve ever had. Based on that experience, I expected this one to be the same or at least similar. However, despite being called “Original,” it is nothing like the one we had before. The old mattress was entirely memory foam, whereas this one has pocket springs with only a thin layer of foam on top, which makes it feel quite firm. Had I realised this, I would never have purchased it. In addition, because the underside consists of hard springs, the mattress slides on the base and needs to be pushed back into place regularly. MattressOnline have offered to exchange the mattress for a different one but as we would be unable to test the mattress, we would simply be swapping it for another unknown model that may not be any better, so we have decided to keep it. However, this will definitely be the last time we purchase an Emma mattress

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