Why our sleep experts loved it
Highgrove’s Solar Backcare Mattress is one of those no-nonsense, budget mattresses that tells you exactly what it is on the tin. It’s built around an old-school open coil spring unit with a firm feel, wrapped in traditional damask, and finished to look a bit more “proper mattress” than many cheap options. I should be upfront that I have not tested this in person. Archers is in Scotland, and I have not had the chance to view it in store, and I have not trialled it at home either. This review is based on the published specs, my industry experience, and the customer feedback provided.
Design and features
The core is a 12.5 gauge open coil system, which is a classic budget choice. It tends to feel springy and fairly flat, and in firmer tensions it can remind me of the feel you get from some of the cheaper Sealy-style systems, including Miracoil-adjacent designs, even though this is not the same construction. The rod-edge wire is a welcome addition because open coil mattresses can collapse at the sides over time, and a wide border reinforcement usually helps the perimeter feel a touch steadier when you sit to put socks on, or if you sleep closer to the edge.
The nicest surprise here is that it’s double sided. At this price, many mattresses are single sided and you are basically stuck with whatever body impressions you create. A true flip-and-rotate build normally means more filling overall, because comfort layers exist on both faces. It also suggests Highgrove expects the mattress to cope with real use if you look after it. The Belgian damask and deep quilting are traditional finishing touches, and quilting does help keep layers from shifting, but it can also firm up the surface feel, which suits the “backcare” angle.
Mattress comfort
On paper, this should feel firm and fairly level, with limited contouring. Open coil units do not isolate pressure in the same way as pocket springs, so you should expect more surface bounce and less targeted give at the shoulder and hip. That can be a good thing if you like to feel on top of the mattress rather than in it. But it can also feel a bit unforgiving, especially if you are lighter in weight and rely on the top layers to take the edge off the firmness.
There is also a red flag in the customer feedback provided. One buyer ordered it specifically because it was marketed as firm, and they felt it was nowhere near firm. That could be down to personal perception, weight, or what they were sleeping on previously. But it still matters, because “firm” is one of the only reasons to choose this model. If it lands more medium-firm in reality, some shoppers will be disappointed.
Suitability
This is a back sleeper’s budget pick, and that’s where I think it makes most sense. If you sleep flat on your back and want a firmer, supportive, traditional feel without paying for pocket springs, you will probably get on with it. Some front sleepers will also prefer the flatter support, as long as the mattress does not soften too much for their body weight.
But if you are a side sleeper, I would not recommend it. Firm open coil plus quilted surface usually means not enough sink at the shoulder and hip, and that is where side sleepers start waking with numb arms, tight shoulders, or a cranky lower back. And if you have an hourglass shape, it is even more likely to feel wrong because the mattress will not contour where you need it to.
The verdict
This is a basic mattress, and it does not pretend otherwise. The double-sided build and the rod-edge support make it more appealing than many cheap alternatives, and the 5 year warranty is a confident touch for a budget model. But I would go into it with realistic expectations. It is not going to feel plush, it is not going to give you pocket-sprung precision, and there is at least one review suggesting the advertised firmness may not match what some people feel at home. If you are a back sleeper on a budget who wants a traditional mattress you can flip, it is worth shortlisting. If you are a side sleeper, I would spend elsewhere and save yourself the discomfort.
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