Why our sleep experts loved it
The Silentnight Memory 7-Zone is the latest iteration of the brand’s flagship foam support tech, delivering a well-balanced, supportive feel that’s comfortable but not too firm. The zoned support and orthopaedic features are quite good, although the depth and overall firmness may be a little disappointing. It’s a decent mattress for comfort and responsiveness at a reasonable price.
Design & First Impressions
The mattress has a clean, modern aesthetic. The soft knitted cover has a breathable, silky-smooth feel with a subtle pattern. Once the mattress has had time to open out and expand to its full height after unboxing, it reaches its full 20cm thickness – not as luxurious as some deeper models but fine for most bases. The first impression is of a well-made, evenly balanced mattress. It feels a little lighter and easier to manoeuvre than some reviewers expected. Some side handles to help with rotation would be useful.
Construction & Materials
The 7-Zone Memory Mattress is a well-thought-out combination of responsive memory foam and reflex layers. It has a special seven-zone support system that provides different levels of comfort for different areas of the body: it is softer on the shoulders and harder under the hips for spinal alignment. The zoning effect feels noticeable and effective in maintaining a healthy posture without excess pressure on key joints for back sleepers and combination sleepers.
The quality of the memory foam is fairly high, responding naturally to body weight and pressure without being too restrictive or sticky. The supportive reflex foam beneath provides an even denser underlayer to keep you from sinking too deeply into the mattress. It gives the overall build a satisfying, evenly balanced feel. The mattress also has a removable cover for ease of cleaning and a fresher surface over time. It’s also Allergy UK certified, a bonus if you are sensitive to allergens or dust mites.
Firmness & Feel
Officially, the Silentnight Memory 7-Zone is a medium firm mattress. In reality, the feel is a bit softer than medium and a bit firmer than the description suggests. In practice, you experience the very soft, cushy sensation of a top layer that sinks easily under pressure, with a little more resistance from the firmer foam layers beneath. The softer material results in a gentle contouring rather than the “pushback” expected with orthopaedic mattresses. Back sleepers should find the support level more than adequate. Side sleepers may find their shoulders sink in more than they would expect. If you are on the heavier side of average, you may also find that the lack of depth and slightly softer foam feel is a potential issue for spinal support over the long term.
Despite that, this is a very pleasant mattress to lie down on initially. The cradling effect is very comfortable and movement is well absorbed. Couples will appreciate minimal partner disturbance thanks to good movement isolation. Once you settle, the mattress feels quite stable and supportive. It’s not an overly stiff surface, more an adaptive one that responds to your body weight.
Performance & Support
The seven-zone construction does a good job of evening out pressure across the body. Each zone supports a different body area independently, relieving tension on the lower back and promoting a more aligned sleep posture. Foam layers are also good at isolating movement, so sleepers aren’t easily disturbed by shifting partners. That said, the softer top layer doesn’t offer much pushback or lumbar reinforcement for some sleepers, and the overall lack of depth may also reduce its long-term durability relative to thicker hybrid models.
As for temperature regulation, it’s not a problem for the most part. The mattress doesn’t trap as much heat as you might expect for an all-foam model, helped by the open-cell structure of the foams and the air-permeable knit cover. It will never feel as cool as pocket sprung or gel-infused models but is pretty good by the standards of foam mattresses. Comfort and support are good all-round, but the relative shallowness of the mattress can seem a bit underwhelming if you’re used to a taller, more lavish build.
Everyday Use
In terms of practicality, this mattress scores high marks. It is shipped rolled up in a box, making it very easy to get through doorways and narrow stairs. It takes up to 48 hours to completely settle once unwrapped. The mattress is single-sided, which means you only need to rotate it occasionally rather than flip it over completely. It is also hypoallergenic, fire-resistant, and UK-made by an NBF-approved manufacturer. These are all small but useful touches that help build value.
A common complaint is the initial off-gassing smell of some foam mattresses: a faint chemical odour that can take several days to dissipate. This is a fairly normal part of owning a foam mattress and shouldn’t be a problem if you’re not particularly sensitive to smells. On a practical note, it’s light enough to be moved by a single person, though the flexible foam core is a little awkward to handle without side handles.
Who It Suits
This mattress is well-suited to back sleepers, combination sleepers and anyone who wants a medium-to-firm memory foam mattress with zoned support. It’s also a good choice for allergy sufferers, given the Allergy UK approval and removable cover. If you want a supportive, easy-to-move mattress that’s good at adapting to your body shape quickly, this is a very good all-rounder.
Who It Doesn’t Suit
Side sleepers who want deeper cushioning for the shoulders may find this mattress slightly firmer than they’d like. Heavier sleepers may also find it too soft for longer-term spinal support. If you are used to deeper, more premium models, the 20cm depth may be a little disappointing. Those who prefer the more structured feel of pocket springs or hybrid designs will find this mattress lacking in comparison.
Verdict
The Silentnight Memory 7-Zone Mattress is a solid, comfortable choice that offers both adaptive support and good value for money. It’s a good blend of Silentnight’s well-known foam support expertise and clever zoned design that genuinely improves spinal alignment and comfort. The real-world feel is a bit softer than expected, however, and at 20cm deep, it is also thinner than many of its rivals at this price point. For people who want a responsive, breathable foam feel with minimal fuss and a fairly mainstream support profile, this is a smart, no-frills buy. Just don’t expect a deeply plush or ultra-firm experience.
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