Why our sleep experts loved it
Meet the M&S 1050 Pocket Spring Medium Pillowtop Mattress - a mouthful of a name, I know. Behind that lengthy title is a mattress that promises a luxurious sleep experience. As a sleep expert who's tested countless beds, I was eager to see if this one lives up to its claims of comfort, support, and sweet dreams. It's a medium-feel design combining a robust pocket spring core (with 1050 springs in the king size and a plush pillowtop surface. In this review, I'll break down how it performs where it counts.
Comfort and Feel The first thing you notice is the welcoming cushiness of the pillowtop. I did my usual "plop test" (falling back onto the mattress) and it felt like landing on a cloud with a backbone - the top layer gives a gentle sink, but you quickly feel the supportive springs underneath. This mattress is rated medium, and it indeed strikes a balance: the pillowtop adds a soft, cosy surface, while the core prevents you from sinking in too deep. You get a comfortably padded feel without feeling stuck in quicksand or, on the flip side, lying on a hard board. Most people will likely find the feel "just right" - plush at the surface but with enough support underneath.
Support and Spinal Alignment A mattress isn't truly comfortable if it doesn't keep your spine happy. Thankfully, the 1050 individually wrapped springs do a great job of providing targeted support. As I lay on the bed, my heavier areas (hips and shoulders) were cradled enough to keep my spine in neutral alignment. There was no "hammocking" effect (where your midsection sags) or pressure points throwing me out of alignment - just consistent support along my back. This means you're less likely to wake up with stiffness or aches. Even when sitting near the edge, the mattress held up well without collapsing, which hints at solid support across the entire surface.
Suitability for Different Sleep Positions Side Sleepers: The medium firmness plus the pillowtop's cushioning works nicely for side sleepers. There's enough plush give for your shoulder and hip to sink in a bit, but not so much that you "bottom out" against the firm core. It offers good pressure relief on those sensitive joints. Very petite side sleepers might find it a tad on the firmer side, but overall it provides a comfortable balance for most side sleepers.Back Sleepers: Back sleepers should feel well supported. The mattress keeps your lower back from arching and your hips aligned with your shoulders, maintaining the spine's natural curve. In other words, if you sleep on your back, this mattress hits that "just right" mix of comfort and support - you're cradled without sagging.Stomach Sleepers: Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer bed to keep their hips from dipping. Since this mattress is medium, some strict stomach sleepers (especially heavier folks) might find their hips sink slightly more than ideal. For me (average build), my midsection stayed fairly supported with no uncomfortable bowing of my back. If you really prefer a very firm surface for belly sleeping, this might feel a bit soft - but occasional stomach sleepers or those lighter in weight should fare well. Motion Isolation Motion isolation is a strong point here. The pocket springs work independently, so movement on one side of the bed has minimal effect on the other. If your partner tosses and turns or gets up in the night, you're less likely to be jostled awake. I even tried the classic wine-glass test (well, with a cup of coffee) - and it barely wiggled when I flopped on the opposite side. There is a bit of bounce to this mattress, but it's the kind that stays localized. Unless someone is literally doing jumping jacks on the bed, most couples will find they can sleep soundly without disturbing each other.
Temperature Regulation and Breathability This mattress also scores well on temperature regulation. Thanks to the natural wool in its comfort layers (which is breathable and moisture-wicking), it helps keep a comfortable temperature. M&S also built in four side vents to increase airflow through the mattress. During my trial, I never overheated - in fact, it felt cooler than many all-foam beds I've tried. The wool layer helps dissipate heat in warmer weather and adds a touch of insulation in cooler weather, creating a nice balanced sleep climate. It's not a high-tech cooling-gel mattress, but it certainly doesn't trap heat like some memory foam beds.
Materials and Construction Peeking inside, the build is pretty impressive. At its core are hundreds of pocket springs (1050 in the king size, fewer in smaller sizes) that adapt to your body. Above that is a plush pillowtop section, which even contains mini-springs for extra comfort. This design gives you that luxurious sink-in feeling without sacrificing support from the main spring layer. The pillowtop and comfort layers are also padded with a layer of wool that's naturally hypoallergenic and breathable. Everything is wrapped in a nicely quilted cover that feels durable and well-made.
The sides of the mattress are reinforced with quilted stitching, and there are four handles integrated into the side panel to help you rotate it when needed. Note that this is a single-sided, non-turn mattress, meaning all the cushioning is on one side - you don't flip it over, you simply rotate it head-to-foot occasionally. It stands about 26 cm tall and is made in the UK, and it comes with a 10-year guarantee to back its quality. All these construction details reflect a well-thought-out design aimed at comfort, support, and durability.
Durability and Long-Term Use With sturdy materials and that 10-year warranty backing it up, the longevity of this mattress looks promising. The steel springs should hold their tension for many years, and the reinforced edges help prevent premature sagging. The main thing to watch will be the pillowtop layer: since you can't flip this mattress, over time you might notice slight body impressions where you sleep. Regular rotation (every few months) is key to minimize this. Over several weeks of use I did see a minor impression on the surface where I lie (which is normal for a plush top), but it didn't affect the support or comfort.
One customer review mentioned a dip forming after some months of use, so it's something to keep an eye on as the mattress ages. However, a bit of settling in the top layers typically doesn't change the overall support - it's more about the surface feel. The core support from the springs remains as strong as ever. Overall, this mattress feels robust and well-built for the long haul. Just take care to rotate it periodically, use a good bed frame, and maybe add a mattress protector to keep it in top shape. If anything does go wrong early, that long guarantee means M&S should take care of it.
Ease of Setup and Use M&S makes the setup pretty painless. They offer delivery to your room of choice and will even take away the packaging, so you won't have to wrestle a big mattress through doorways or up stairs. (The king size weighs about 38 kg, so that's a welcome service! Once it's in place, there's no waiting for it to expand or air out - it’s ready to sleep on immediately, with very little "new mattress" odour (I only noticed a mild fresh smell that disappeared fast).
Day-to-day use is simple. Because it's a no-flip design, maintenance just means rotating it end-to-end every so often. The four handles on the sides make this easier, though it's still wise to have two people to flip/rotate due to the weight. I do recommend using a mattress protector, which will also smooth out the feel of the tufted top. The surface is quilted with stitching to hold the layers in place, but I didn't find that noticeable under my sheets. (One particularly sensitive reviewer noted feeling the "embroidered" bits, but with a protector and normal bedding, it shouldn't be an issue.) Overall, it's a user-friendly mattress - less hassle than some because you never need to flip it, and it stays put nicely on the bed base.
Value for Money Considering its features and build quality, this mattress offers good value in its category. It's not a cheap, bargain-bin find - you're looking at roughly the mid-hundreds of pounds (around £600-£800, depending on size) - but you get a lot for your money. The comfort and support are on par with mattresses that often cost more, and you’re also getting premium touches like natural fillings and a high spring count that budget mattresses usually lack. Plus, the purchase comes with the assurance of the M&S brand and a 10-year guarantee, which adds to the overall value.
If you're on a tight budget, there are simpler mattresses out there for less, but they likely won't have the same level of plush comfort or long-term support. In my view, a mattress is a long-term investment in your sleep quality, and the 1050 Pocket Spring Pillowtop fits that philosophy. It delivers a luxury feel and solid durability for a price that, while not low, is justified by what you get. If it suits your comfort preferences and you plan to use it for years, it's likely worth every penny.
Final Verdict The M&S 1050 Pocket Spring Medium Pillowtop Mattress is a well-rounded, comfortable bed that brings a touch of luxury to your sleep. It's ideal for those who want a medium-firm feel with a cushioned top - for example, back and side sleepers who need support but also enjoy some softness for pressure relief. It's also a great choice for couples, since the design minimizes motion transfer and helps you both sleep undisturbed. Hot sleepers will appreciate the breathable wool and airflow features that keep the temperature regulated.
On the flip side, it might not be the best match if you require an extremely firm bed (especially if you're a strict stomach sleeper who needs a very hard surface) or if you prefer an ultra-plush, sinking mattress. This one sits comfortably in the middle ground. Also, because it's single-sided, those who like to flip their mattress every so often will have to adjust to just rotating it. Overall, for a wide range of sleepers - from someone seeking relief for achy joints to someone who just wants a cosy yet supportive place to crash - this M&S mattress is a strong contender. It delivers on comfort, support, and quality, making it easy to recommend for anyone looking to invest in better sleep.
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