Why our sleep experts loved it
I’ve been testing the Silentnight SleepResponse Breatheasy 1400 Pocket Sprung Mattress in store recently, and I’m pretty sure it’s one of the most unapologetically firm beds I’ve slept on this year. This is an orthopaedic model that is only available at Dreams. It is aimed at warm sleepers who want a cooler alternative to regular memory foam, with a strong focus on spinal alignment.
Silentnight is putting a lot of emphasis on its SleepResponse Breatheasy comfort system, which is supposed to give you pressure relief without that heat build up you can get with dense blocks of memory foam. To be honest I’m broadly in favour of breathable comfort layers anyway, and I think they have a point with what they are trying to achieve here, even if a lot of manufacturers have already solved similar issues with gel foams and open cell structures. There is definitely an element of shiny new tech marketing going on, but it’s a sound principle to have a cooler, non memory foam option in the orthopaedic range.
Price wise, at the time of writing this mattress is available for under £700 on Dreams as part of their sale, with an after event price of around £1k. That puts it in the mid to upper mid range for an extra firm pocket sprung mattress. It is not outrageously priced, but it is also not the cheapest orthopaedic you can buy. The core specification is solid, with around 1400 Mirapocket springs and a reasonably deep profile, and the build quality was also robust and well finished in the showroom.
Construction & Materials This is a traditional pocket sprung mattress with a modern twist in the comfort layers. The foundation is Silentnight’s Mirapocket spring system, which is rated at up to 1400 individually wrapped pocket springs in the support unit. In practice this means that each spring moves independently, so the mattress can mould to your shape rather than flexing as one big block.
The springs are tuned to orthopaedic, extra firm tension, so the support unit is doing the lion’s share of the work. I felt very little sink when I lay on it, you are supported on the surface rather than cradled down into the bed. That is entirely in keeping with a very firm, back care specification.
Above the springs you have the SleepResponse Breatheasy comfort layers. These are described by Silentnight as breathable fibres which increase airflow through the mattress and help regulate temperature, rather than relying on a solid slab of memory foam to do that. From feel alone the top layers seem to me to behave more like firmer synthetic fibres and foams than anything squishy or slow to respond. There is just enough padding to take the edge off the springs, but it is more of a thin comfort band than a deep pillow top.
The top surface itself is aloe vera infused, which is supposed to be kinder on the skin and a fresher, slightly cooler touch. The cover felt smooth and reasonably plush to the touch under a sheet, with a clean, modern finish rather than the traditional tufted look you see on many older orthopaedic mattresses. Overall construction feels tight and tidy, with straight edges and no sense of loose fillings or lumpy quilting when you run a hand across the surface.
Depth is in the mid 20s centimetres, so it has enough profile to feel like a substantial mattress on the bed frame without being a towering pillow top. This is single sided, so it is designed to be rotated head to toe as part of your routine rather than flipped, which is fairly standard for this style of mattress these days.
Firmness & Feel Let me start with a disclaimer, this is a very firm mattress. Dreams have badge it as orthopaedic and that is exactly how it behaves. When I tried it out in the store I felt almost on top of it, with very little contouring under the shoulders and hips, especially on my side.
On my back, the feel is more logical. The 1400 Mirapocket springs hold up the lumbar area well and prevent the pelvis from dipping, which is exactly what you want if you have been told to choose an extra firm bed for back care reasons. There is a slight cushioned layer from the Breatheasy comfort system, but it is more about smoothing out the very top of the springs than creating a plush or cloud like sensation.
On my side, however, it did not work for me at all. My shoulder was too high, with immediate pressure build up and my hip could not dip into the mattress enough to keep my spine straight. After only a few minutes I was feeling that familiar side sleeper ache on the outside of the shoulder. If you are a habitual side sleeper, or if you are used to medium or medium firm mattresses, this is almost certain to feel board like to you.
Stomach sleeping is a little different. That very firm surface can be good for front sleepers who need to keep their lower back from bowing down into the bed. Lying on my front, my chest and hips were both held up evenly, with minimal hammocking. So while it is unforgiving, there is an audience here that it is aiming at, and in that respect it does stick to its orthopaedic brief.
Performance & Support In terms of raw support, the Silentnight SleepResponse Breatheasy 1400 is excellent, so long as you are the right kind of sleeper for this level of firmness. The Mirapocket spring system distributes weight evenly across the surface and you can feel the zoned nature of the springs doing their work, particularly around the lower back when you lie on your back. There is a definite sense of the mattress holding you in a straight line rather than sagging under your weight.
Because the springs are individually pocketed, motion transfer is also well controlled, especially compared to an open coil orthopaedic mattress. On such a solid mattress you will always get a bit of energy moving through the springs when someone else in the bed moves, but it is a muted, quick response movement rather than the wobbly sensation you can get from cheaper continuous coil units. I would class partner disturbance as low to moderate, depending on the size of the bed and how different the weights are between sleepers.
Edge support is another strong point. Sitting on the edge to put on shoes or swinging in and out of bed, I felt very little compression at the side. The perimeter feels reinforced, and in keeping with the overall extra firm tension. You get very close to the full width of the mattress as usable sleep surface.
Where I am less convinced is in terms of long term comfort for anyone who is not in that specific orthopaedic category. The minimal give in the comfort layers means pressure points will be more obvious for lighter builds and side sleepers. If you are used to a gel topped or memory foam hybrid this is going to feel unforgiving by comparison, so you really need to be actively seeking that "board like" level of support.
Temperature Regulation This is where the SleepResponse Breatheasy technology comes into its own. The design has no deep slab of memory foam which is the material that most commonly traps heat, and instead uses breathable fibres and a well ventilated pocket sprung core. In store it did genuinely feel cooler and fresher than many of the foam heavy hybrids at a similar price point.
Lying on the mattress for several minutes, I did not get that slow build up of warmth under my back that you sometimes get with memory foam. The surface stayed relatively neutral, helped by the airflow through the spring unit and the fact that you are not sinking deeply into it. The aloe vera infused cover has a clean, dry hand feel that also contributes to a slightly cooler first touch.
It is worth saying that the concept is not totally unique. Other brands achieve similar results with gel infused foams or open cell foams which allow heat to dissipate more quickly. So while the SleepResponse branding is very prominent, in practice what you are getting is Silentnight’s take on a breathable, non memory foam comfort system rather than a complete reinvention of the wheel. That said, if you are a warm sleeper who has been put off orthopaedic mattresses in the past by older, stuffier fillings, this feels like a genuine step in the right direction.
Practical Features The Silentnight SleepResponse Breatheasy 1400 is available in all the main UK sizes, from 3'0 single right up to 6'0 super king, so it is easy to match to your existing bed frame or divan base. At the time of testing, Dreams offered free delivery, and the mattress comes with their 100 night comfort guarantee which is especially reassuring if you are moving to a much firmer feel than you are used to.
The mattress is a full size, non rolled product, with a weight that feels manageable for two adults but heavy enough to suggest a decent density of springs and fillings inside. As with most single sided mattresses, you are expected to rotate it head to toe regularly as part of your maintenance routine rather than flip it over, so having handles would be useful here. I did not see detailed specification for handles on the product page, so I would treat them as a nice to have rather than a guaranteed feature, and plan to manoeuvre it carefully either way.
The orthopaedic, extra firm construction should wear well over time. Firmer gauges of pocket springs tend to hold their shape more consistently than very soft ones, and the lack of deep, soft foam layers should also help to resist early body impressions. On paper and from feel, I would expect good longevity from the core support unit, so long as the mattress is rotated as directed and placed on a suitable base.
Who it suits Dedicated back sleepers needing firm support If you predominantly sleep on your back and have either been told to try an extra firm mattress or know from experience that you like a very solid feel, this is squarely aimed at you. The 1400 Mirapocket springs give a strong, even lift and the orthopaedic tension keeps the lower back well supported.
Some front sleepers Front sleepers who struggle with their hips sinking too far into softer mattresses may also get on well with this model. The surface is flat and unyielding enough to resist hammocking, which can help to keep the spine more neutral in that position.
Warm sleepers who dislike memory foam If you run hot at night and have not enjoyed the slow response and warmth of traditional memory foam, the Breatheasy fibres are a sensible alternative. The mattress feels noticeably cooler than many foam heavy hybrids, and the combination of springs and breathable comfort layers should keep airflow moving.
Shoppers wanting a branded orthopaedic mattress without going ultra luxury The pricing sits in a realistic zone for a branded, Dreams exclusive Silentnight mattress with a 1400 pocket spring core. It is not cheap, but it is also not in the eye watering premium territory reserved for hand side stitched, natural fill mattresses. If you want an orthopaedic mattress from a big brand rather than a budget label, it is worth a look.
Who it does not suit Side sleepers, especially lighter to average build This is the big red flag. As a side sleeper myself, I found this mattress absolutely no good for my own sleep style. There is simply not enough give under the shoulder and hip. Unless you are significantly heavier and actively prefer to feel as if you are lying on a very firm surface, I would steer clear if you regularly sleep on your side.
Anyone used to medium or plush hybrids If you have been sleeping on a medium or medium firm hybrid with memory foam or gel on top, the transition to this mattress will be drastic. You will lose almost all of that initial plushness. Most people in that position would be better served by a firm rather than extra firm model, or by something with a deeper comfort layer.
People who want a luxurious, cushioned feel This mattress is about support, not sumptuousness. If you equate comfort with sinking in a little and being hugged by the bed, this is not that type of product. Even with a topper on top, you would still be dealing with a very rigid underlying support unit.
Bargain hunters with no need for a branded cooling story While the price is not unreasonable for the specification, you are paying partly for Silentnight’s branding and the exclusive SleepResponse technology at Dreams. If you simply want a firm or extra firm pocket sprung orthopaedic mattress and are not fussed about the specific cooling technology, you can find cheaper alternatives with similar spring counts and much simpler fillings.
Final verdict The Silentnight SleepResponse Breatheasy 1400 Pocket Sprung Mattress is a well made, unapologetically firm orthopaedic mattress that does a convincing job of staying cooler than many traditional foam topped beds. The 1400 Mirapocket spring core offers strong, consistent support and the Breatheasy comfort layers and aloe vera infused cover give it a fresher, more modern character than some of Silentnight’s older ortho designs.
For my own sleep style, it is simply too firm. As someone who does not thrive on board like support, I found it harsh on the shoulders and hips and could not imagine using it long term. However, that is very much a case of the right mattress for the right person. If you are a dedicated back sleeper or a front sleeper who has been advised to choose an extra firm, orthopaedic mattress, and you also tend to overheat on memory foam, this is a focused solution that delivers what it promises.
If you do not tick those boxes, I would treat this as a useful reference point for how firm is too firm, rather than a likely purchase. For the narrow but important group of sleepers it is aimed at, the Silentnight SleepResponse Breatheasy 1400 could be a strong, cooling ally in the fight against back pain. For everyone else, it is a reminder to take firmness ratings seriously and always, always lie on the mattress in person before you buy.
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