Why our sleep experts loved it
If you are after an extra firm mattress that is good at keeping you cooler through the night and won’t break the bank, the Mlily Hybrid Gel 2000 Ortho is a very strong option. As you would expect from a 2000 series mattress, it has a solid specification: 2000 pocket springs (in the king size), two layers of cooling gel memory foam and a breathable, removable cover. It has the feel in store and at home of being a no-nonsense orthopaedic style mattress, clearly designed with back support in mind over cosy sink in comfort, and the price point is competitive for the spec, especially during Furniture Village promotions.
Construction & Materials
This is a hybrid mattress, so you are getting a combination of springs and foam as opposed to just one or the other. At the heart of this there are 2000 individually pocketed springs in the king size that are responsible for most of the support and that distinctly firm feel. Pocket springs work in isolation from each other, which means the mattress can more accurately follow the natural curves of your body than a basic open coil unit. It also helps to cut down on partner disturbance when one person rolls over.
Above the springs there are two separate layers of gel memory foam. These are there to help contour to the body in the same way as traditional memory foam, but with a cooling, less "stuck in" sensation. Gel foams typically have a slightly bouncier, more open texture than dense visco foams, and that comes through here, particularly if you have been lying in the same position for a while.
The cover is a removable polyester fabric that feels quite smooth and fairly breathable to the touch. The top panel and the borders are specifically engineered to be more airy to help prevent heat from building up around you rather than getting trapped. The mattress is 25 cm deep, so it has a sensible profile that will work with most standard sheets and bed frames without feeling too shallow or too tall. It is also hypoallergenic, which will be an advantage if you are trying to avoid natural fillings such as wool or feather.
One thing to note is the underside fabric. In terms of handling the material on the underside can flake a bit if you rub it along slats or rough edges. It is not something you will notice once the mattress is in place, but it does mean you really want at least two people to lift and rotate it, and it is best used on a covered base or solid platform rather than visible open slats.
Firmness & Feel
This is marketed as an extra firm mattress, and I would agree that it is firmly at the very solid end of the spectrum. When you first lie down, and in particular on your side, there is only a small amount of surface give before you hit the resistance of the spring unit. In store I found it too firm for comfortable side sleeping, especially around the shoulders and hips, where there is not a lot of cushioning to let you sink into the mattress. For lighter side sleepers it is going to feel unyielding.
On your back, however, the story is quite different. The combination of the firm spring pack and the shallow gel foam top gives the feeling of your spine being held in quite a neutral, aligned position. There is a slight contouring effect around the small of the back and the glutes, but you never really feel as though you are dipping down into the mattress. For people who actively like a very solid sleeping surface, it is reassuringly supportive without feeling as if you are lying on a board.
Stomach sleepers who also prefer a firm base are likely to get on well with it, as the hips do not sink down excessively, which helps to keep the lower back from arching too much. If you are used to softer or medium hybrids you should be prepared for a noticeably firmer, more "orthopaedic" sensation here, particularly in the first few nights.
Performance & Support
In day to day use the Hybrid Gel 2000 Ortho feels stable and well planted. Those 2000 pocket springs in the king size give very even support across the surface and the special corner joints are engineered to reinforce the edges. When I sat and lay near the sides, there was less roll off than you would typically find on a cheaper hybrid, which means you can use the full width of the mattress comfortably. That is particularly useful if two people are sharing a double and both need the full expanse of surface.
Because it is extra firm, heavier sleepers and people with back issues who have been recommended to seek out stronger support may find it useful. The spring unit is working hard here and you can feel it helping to keep your body lifted rather than letting you sink deeply into foam. For combination sleepers who like to move around there is a slightly springier response than on an all foam mattress, which makes changing position easier.
Motion isolation is pretty decent for a sprung mattress. The pocketed design means you are not overly aware of a partner turning, although you will not get the absolute stillness of a thick all foam design. Given the price point and the construction, it strikes a good balance between responsiveness and movement control.
Temperature Regulation
Temperature control is one of the key selling points of the Mlily Hybrid Gel range and the 2000 Ortho does a respectable job here. The two layers of gel memory foam are there specifically to reduce the classic heat build up you can get with traditional memory foam, and the breathable top panel and side borders help air to move through the mattress as you shift around during the night.
In practice, it feels noticeably less clammy than the dense memory foam mattresses I have tried at a similar price. The surface remains fairly neutral and because you do not sink in too deeply, more of your body is exposed to the air which also helps with cooling. If you are a very hot sleeper you may still want to go with lightweight bedding and a breathable protector, but for the average person who "runs warm" the combination of gel foam and airflow works well.
It is worth noting that Mlily develops its sleep technologies in partnership with Manchester United, with a particular focus on recovery and temperature regulation for athletes, and that thinking does feed into this design. You are essentially getting some of that cooling, supportive tech at a mass market level in this mattress.
Practical Features
There are a couple of practical touches that make this mattress easy to live with. First, it is a rolled mattress, so it arrives vacuum packed. That makes delivery into smaller hallways and up tight staircases much easier than a fully flat, traditional mattress. Once you unroll it you should leave it to air and expand for at least four hours before sleeping on it, both to let any packaging odour dissipate and to allow the foams to reach full height.
It is also a no turn design, so you do not need to flip it over from side to side, only rotate it head to toe regularly to help wear the fillings evenly. Given the flakier underside fabric and the extra firm feel, that is a relief as wrestling a very firm mattress over by yourself is never much fun. I would still recommend two people for rotation, simply to avoid scuffing the bottom layer on slats or bed edges.
The removable polyester cover is another positive. Being able to take it off for cleaning makes long term hygiene and allergy management easier, though you should still use a separate mattress protector. The mattress is suitable for use on slatted bases, but you must keep gaps at 7.5 cm or less; wider gaps risk dipping and can invalidate the guarantee.
In terms of value for money the pricing is very keen for the spec. At the time of writing, promotional prices at Furniture Village bring the double down to around £595 from £799 and the king at roughly £795 reduced from £999 during Black Friday style events. For a branded hybrid with 2000 pocket springs, dual gel foam layers and a removable cover, that is genuinely good value.
Who It Suits
Back sleepers who like or need extra firm support and prefer to feel lifted rather than hugged by the mattress.
People with back or joint pain who have been advised to look for orthopaedic style firmness (though always check with a health professional).
Hot sleepers who dislike the stuck in feeling of memory foam but still want some contouring comfort.
Anyone who needs a rolled, no turn mattress for a smaller space but does not want to compromise on support.
Who It Does Not Suit
Side sleepers, particularly lighter individuals, who need more deep cushioning at shoulders and hips.
Anyone who prefers a plush, hotel style feel with generous surface sink and softness.
Buyers wanting a visually perfect underside for open frames, as the bottom fabric can flake if scraped or scuffed.
Final Verdict
The Mlily Hybrid Gel 2000 Ortho mattress is a strong, extra firm hybrid that prioritises support, cooling and value over soft, cloud like comfort. The combination of 2000 pocket springs in king size, dual layers of cooling gel memory foam, breathable construction and a removable cover is impressive at this price point, especially when promotional discounts are in play.
In use it feels robust and dependable, particularly for back and stomach sleepers who want a solid, orthopaedic feel and tend to get too warm on regular memory foam. The main drawbacks are the very firm tension which rules it out for many side sleepers, and the slightly fragile underside fabric that flakes if scraped which means you will want a covered base and a bit of care when rotating.
If you fit the target profile, though, and you are shopping in the mid range for a cooler, extra firm mattress, I think this Mlily hybrid is well worth putting near the top of your shortlist.
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