Why our sleep experts loved it
The Shire Memphis Memory Mattress in a Box is positioned as a straightforward, medium tension mattress that mixes a traditional open coil spring unit with a layer of cool blue memory foam. I got asked about this one a fair bit, so I spent some time going through the build and the handful of real world comments I could find. I have not been able to view or test this one in person, Archers is based in Scotland and I did not have an opportunity to pop in, so this review is based on the published build details and the limited customer feedback available. That spec led approach can still tell you a lot, and in this case it also explains why I feel quite strongly about who should and should not buy it.
Design and features
The core of the Memphis is an open coil spring system, the old school hourglass springs linked together with helical wire. It is the kind of unit you see in many entry level mattresses because it is cheaper to produce and it does give an initially even, bouncy feel. But open coil is the weak link for me. It tends to transfer movement, it is less stable under the hips and shoulders than modern pocket springs, and it can lose its composure quicker, especially if you are not very light.
When I test open coil beds in shops, I always do the same thing, I sit right on the edge and then lie back and roll side to side. You can usually feel the whole surface react as one piece, and that is the bit that can annoy couples, because one person turning over can ripple across the mattress. It is also where you can get that slightly hammocky feel over time, the springs are all tied together so they do not adapt in a very targeted way.
On top, you have cool blue memory foam, which in theory aims to keep the pressure relief of memory foam while avoiding that warm, slightly stuck feeling some people hate. I actually like the idea of that layer, and in general I rate memory foam as a comfort material when it is used sensibly. The flip side is that memory foam, even the cooler versions, can still sleep warmer than a plain quilted top, so if you already run hot, this might not be your best shout.
The mattress is one sided, which is totally expected for a memory topped design, and regular rotation is still important if you want it to wear evenly. I also always look for proper side handles on rolled mattresses because it makes rotating so much easier, and if they are missing it is a bit of a pain, especially in king size.
Mattress comfort
On paper, this should feel like a medium with a gentle sink from the memory foam and a more traditional springy pushback underneath. The cool blue memory foam is the best part of the story because it is the component that can take the edge off pressure points. If you are a side sleeper, that cushioning over the shoulder and hip matters.
In terms of how this type of build usually feels when I lie on it, you get that initial 'ahh' from the memory foam, then you hit the spring unit and it feels a bit more general underneath. On your back, that can be fine at first, but if the springs are on the softer side you can end up with your hips sitting a touch lower than you want, and that is when your lower back starts moaning at you in the morning. Side sleeping is where the memory foam helps most, but if you are broad shouldered or over about average weight, the open coil can still feel like it is pushing back in the wrong places.
But the comfort of memory foam can only do so much when the support layer is open coil. If you are sensitive to your partner moving, or you want a mattress that holds you in a more tailored way, the spring unit is likely to feel basic. And if you have ever slept on an open coil mattress that dips in the middle over time, you will understand my reluctance to recommend it confidently.
Suitability
This medium tension is generally better for side sleepers than back sleepers. Average weight sleepers should find it comfortable enough at first, especially if they like a softer top feel and do not mind a more traditional bounce. If you are heavier, I would be cautious. Open coil can struggle to keep the spine neutral when there is more load through the hips.
The verdict
I can see why at least one customer has called it good value for money, because if the price is keen and you just want a comfortable topper feel, the memory foam layer will do some pleasant work. But I cannot recommend an open coil core in 2026 unless the buyer has very specific needs and a tight budget. For me personally, this sits in the 'fine for a spare room' bracket, rather than something I would buy for nightly use if I had any back niggles or I was sharing with a fidgety partner.
The memory foam sounds like the highlight, the single sided format is fine, and the overall depth is likely adequate. But the support system is, in my view, the wrong place to economise. If you want a mattress that stays supportive, isolates motion better, and feels more stable night after night, I would avoid the Memphis and put the money into pocket springs, or even a simpler reflex foam mattress that can outperform open coil at similar prices. And if the Memphis is priced close to entry level pocket sprung options, I would struggle to justify it, because you are paying for that memory foam feel on top but still living with the compromises underneath.
Why you can trust WantMattress
We spend hours testing (and/or researching) every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about
how we test .
