There's no denying the fundamental role a mattress plays in our lives. Whether it's a refreshing, deep sleep or a restful, light doze - the quality and comfort are largely determined by what we're sleeping on. As a decade-long mattress reviewer, the Silentnight Eco Comfort Airmesh 1600 had a delightful beckoning to me. Established over 75 years ago, Silentnight is a brand synonymous with quality, and this is its 31cm-deep, 1600-spring take on a medium pocket mattress.
How we assessed it
On paper this is a medium: 1000 mini pocket springs sit on top of 600 zoned Mirapocket springs, plus the Airmesh layer, recycled Eco Comfort fibre and a micro-quilted cover. I'd expect a build like that to feel springy and a touch firm at first, because the mini springs take your weight before the bigger ones do. One owner's first week fits that: it had "become softer throughout the week" and was still on the firm side. I wouldn't bank on the Airmesh if you sleep very hot, though one owner reckoned the mesh left them "neither too cold or too hot". Another reported a dip at the shoulders within days, and a single-sided mattress can be rotated but never flipped.
Design and features
The Silentnight Eco Comfort Airmesh 1600 presents itself as a spectacle of great invention and good intentions. Eco Comfort Fibres, sprung from sustainable, recycled materials echo Silentnight's commitment to the environment. The mattress breathes life into the attributes of aesthetics, comfort, and functionality with its Mirapocket spring-inspired design that artistically aids spinal alignment and posture. Adding to its exceptional features is the unique 3D honeycomb Airmesh technology that plays with movement to circulate air, cleverly dispelling moisture and heat - a perfect antidote for people prone to overheating at night.
Construction
The anatomy of the Airmesh 1600 is promising. The unique combination of Mirapocket springs and Mini pocket springs provides both support and solace. The former adjusts to your unique shape, improving spinal alignment and posture, while the latter grants soothing pressure relief, decreasing motion transfer for a calm, uninterrupted sleep. Coupled with its micro-quilted covering for a soft, smooth finish, this mattress promises a blend of firmness and plush comfort. It's an allergen-free offering making it a ticket to an undisturbed rest without the risk of allergy reactions or respiratory problems.
Suitability
Deemed perfect for its medium firmness, it seems fair to speculate that this mattress would generally cater well to the needs of most sleepers. However, one must tread with caution if they are a side-sleeper. Sleepers of this nature may find the medium firmness of the mattress a tad too harsh and not adequately cushioning for the hips and shoulders. On top of this, for individuals apt to feel the heat more than others, the Airmesh may not be the substantially cooling solution they crave in warm climates. Positioning in the middle of the firmness scale also puts this product into versatile territory; not too hard, and not too soft, striking a balance that most sleepers find universally comfortable.
What Customers Thought
The reviews are mostly positive. One owner wrote: "Perfect just what we needed great nights sleep". The other reviews are posted under the "Trusted Customer" name. One of those calls it "a medium mattress supportive but no way uncomfortable" and says you need sheets made for a deeper mattress. Another found it "still quite firm" after a week and said the weight made fitting a mattress cover a hassle. The complaint in that group is about a dip: "After 2 nights a permanent dip where shoulders are".
The Verdict
While the Silentnight Eco Comfort Airmesh 1600 holds promises of a captivating sleep experience and overall fulfils them, bear in mind the unique demands of every sleeper. Despite an eco-friendly construct, solid support, and tantalising plushness, it falls short in some areas. Namely, its claim for cooling complacency may not stand up to the warm summer nights for thermally-sensitive individuals, and the medium-firmness level could potentially disappoint those who prefer the yielding plushness that typically comforts side sleepers. The short 5-year warranty and a lavish 31cm depth that may not fit standard bedding bring a mellow tinge of scepticism. But, every mattress has its pros and cons, and the Silentnight Eco Comfort Airmesh 1600 could deliver a more than satisfactory sleeping experience for most. Its finely-tuned equilibrium of firmness and softness, coupled with its finely-crafted attributes certainly makes this mattress a tempting proposition.
