Why our sleep experts loved it
If you're craving sleep that feels like a five-star hotel bed at home, the Owl + Lark Original Mattress might be calling your name. As a sleep expert (and unabashed mattress nerd), I've tested countless beds, and this one made an immediate impression. It's loaded with premium materials and a design that exudes luxury. In this review, I'll share what stood out (and what didn't) about The Original Mattress. Let's dive in and see if it lives up to the hype.
Comfort and Feel My first moments on the Owl + Lark Original went something like, "Ahh, soft... oh, there's the support." That pretty much sums it up: this mattress achieves a rare balance of cushiony comfort and sturdy support. The top quilted layer - with cashmere, wool, latex, and a touch of foam - greets you with gentle plushness, but lie a bit longer and you’ll feel a firmer core making sure you don't sink in too far. On a firmness scale I'd call it about a 7 out of 10 (medium-firm, a.k.a. "luxury firm"). In practice, your shoulders and hips get a nice bit of pressure relief, but your body stays evenly supported overall. It's cosy without ever feeling mushy, which is a balance many mattresses miss.
Support and Spinal Alignment Under the plush top, a multi-zone pocket spring core provides targeted support - firmer under heavier parts (like your hips) and gentler under lighter areas. The result is that your body stays on a level plane. My lower back felt well-supported with no uncomfortable gaps, keeping my spine nicely aligned. These springs also adjust to different body weights, so support remains consistent whether you're light or heavy. Edge support is impressively sturdy as well: I could sit or lie near the edge without feeling like I might slide off. All in all, the mattress keeps you well-supported and encourages healthy posture throughout the night.
Suitability for Different Sleep Positions I'm impressed by how well this mattress accommodates various sleeping positions. On my side, the plush upper layers cushioned my shoulder and hip so I didn't get that familiar pressure ache. Back sleeping felt natural - the mattress kept my lower back from sagging and maintained healthy alignment. Even on my stomach, I didn't feel my spine over-arching, as my midsection stayed fairly supported. It's rare to find a bed that feels comfortable in all three positions, but this one comes very close. Side, back, or stomach sleepers alike should feel well-catered to here.
Motion Isolation If you share a bed with a partner (or a pet), you'll appreciate the Owl + Lark’s motion isolation. When my partner flopped down or shifted on one side, I barely felt a ripple on my side. Those individually wrapped coils and cushioning layers absorb movement impressively well. There’s a little bounce if you plop down hard - it's not a completely dead feel - but it's the kind that won't jostle a sleeping companion. Light sleepers can rest easy knowing a restless partner likely won’t disturb them.
Temperature Regulation and Breathability Waking up sweaty is no fun, so I was relieved that the Owl + Lark sleeps nice and cool. Breathable wool and latex layers, combined with airflow through the coils, help disperse heat. I tend to run warm at night, but I never felt overheated on this mattress. The wool layer wicks away moisture and regulates temperature, while the latex doesn't trap heat like traditional memory foam can. Even with its thick profile, it manages to stay temperature-neutral through the night. And in cooler weather, that cashmere-and-wool top layer adds a touch of cosy warmth without turning the bed into a sauna.
Materials and Construction This mattress combines an array of high-end components. There’s a quilted pillow top made with cashmere and wool, a layer of natural latex (and a bit of foam) for pressure relief, two layers of micro pocket-springs for extra contouring, and a core of hundreds of pocket springs zoned for support. All of these layers are secured by hand-tufting and wrapped in a foam encasement for strong edge support. It's a one-sided design (no flipping needed), and with such quality materials throughout, it's clearly built to last.
Durability and Long-Term Use Everything about this mattress signals longevity. High-density foams, natural latex, and robust springs are all durable components, and the hand-tufting keeps the layers locked in place to prevent sagging or wear spots. It comes with a 10-year warranty, which is standard for a premium bed and a good indication that the company expects it to last. Just remember to rotate it occasionally to spread out any wear (those handles come in handy for this). Based on its build quality, I expect it to remain as comfortable and supportive years down the line as it is on day one.
Ease of Setup and Use The Owl + Lark Original arrives rolled up in a large bag. It's heavy, so unboxing it directly on your bed frame is wise. Once freed, it expanded to its full 40cm height fairly quickly. There was a faint new-mattress smell at first, but it faded fast. If you're worried about moving such a hefty mattress, Owl + Lark offers an in-home delivery service to handle the setup and even take away your old mattress. It's one-sided (no flipping needed) - just rotate it occasionally, and the sturdy handles help with that. Because it's so deep, make sure you have extra-deep fitted sheets.
Value for Money No sugar-coating it: the Owl + Lark Original is a high-end mattress with a high-end price. It's an investment, not a budget pick. The flip side is you’re getting truly premium quality for the money - from the cashmere and latex to the sophisticated spring system. If top-tier sleep is a priority and it's within your means, the value is there. The 101-night trial offers a safety net (full refund if it’s not right), and a 10-year warranty further justifies the investment.
Final Verdict: Who Is It Ideal For? The Owl + Lark Original combines plush comfort with solid support, making it appealing to a wide range of sleepers. So, who's it ideal for and who might not be a fan?
Ideal for: Those seeking a luxury hotel-bed experience. Great for couples, hot sleepers, and people who switch positions. If you value premium materials and don’t mind the investment, you’ll likely love it.Not ideal for: Anyone on a tight budget, or sleepers who want an extremely soft or extremely firm mattress feel. Also not the easiest to move alone, given its size and weight. Overall, the Owl + Lark Original is a standout luxury hybrid. It's a splurge, but if you consider quality sleep a worthy investment, it may well be worth it.
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