Why our sleep experts loved it
I had a test drive of the Silentnight SleepResponse Reflex 1600 Combination Mattress in a Dreams showroom and was left with somewhat conflicted, though ultimately favourable, impressions. This is a pretty clear example of Silentnight encroaching on the higher end of the hybrid market, with gel-infused comfort layer, Mirapocket springs and a special cooling cover that combine to create a memory foam illusion, without actually containing memory foam.
In terms of my own preferences it was just on the soft side of my comfort range, just a little too cushy for my back when lying flat. However, as a mattress for side sleeping it really excels, especially in the shoulder and hip region where the zoned Mirapocket support can do its stuff. If you like the idea of a cool to the touch, memory foam-esque hug on top of a pocket spring base, then you are in that general territory.
Build & Materials
This is a hybrid mattress with a blend of foam, gel and pocket springs as its building blocks. In the heart you have a Mirapocket spring system, paired with a micro spring unit, for a combined total of 1,600 springs. These are there to offer zoned support with more cushioning where the body is heaviest (hips, shoulders) and less where it is lighter.
Resting on top of the springs you have Silentnight’s Reflex Gel comfort layer. That is the star of the show, and the key part that gives this mattress its very memory-foam-esque character. The gel balances out that slow pressure relieving sink with a more open, breathable structure in an attempt to stay a little fresher than traditional memory foam.
The cover is made from a cooling fabric which is intended to draw heat away from the body and stave off overheating. It really did feel a little cooler to the touch when I pressed my hand into the surface in store compared to some standard knitted covers. The entire mattress is supplied as a traditional, non-rolled mattress, and the depth in total is comfortably in that mid-range hybrid category, neither excessively slim nor vertiginously deep.
There is also a micro-spring layer above the main Mirapocket unit. On paper this is an impressive feature, but to be honest in practice the micro springs were almost lost within the comfort layers. They are there, but the Mirapocket does the vast majority of the heavy lifting with the gel layer dominating the feel.
Firmness & Feel
I would slot the Reflex 1600 into the soft–medium camp with a focus on people who like a cushioned, noticeably-giving surface. That sits well with my experience of it. From the second you lay down, you sink gently into the top few centimetres, particularly in the shoulder and hip areas. The sensation is very much like memory foam: that slow, slightly melting contouring as the gel gives in to your body weight, with just a little more bounce below.
Too soft for my liking overall, in fact. Lying on my back my hips started to sink a little more than I would like over time, and I wanted a bit more resistance in the lumbar region. Flip over to your side, however, and the mattress suddenly starts to make a lot more sense. The springs and gel conspire to allow your shoulder and hip to sink in, while still holding up the waist, which creates a fairly neutral side-sleeping posture without glaring pressure points.
The micro-spring layer is, on paper, there to add extra responsiveness. In reality it is quite subtle. I did not get that lively, multiple layer spring feel you can get on some high-end hybrids with super-prominent mini coils. Instead the top feels more like a plush gel foam mattress sitting over a well-behaved pocket spring unit. If you buy this hoping the micro springs will be a game-changer in terms of the feel, you could be disappointed, but if you are after that consistent, cushioned sink it does a very nice job of providing it.
Support & Performance
Support is, for my money, targeted and forgiving, rather than firm and corrective. The Mirapocket unit is zoned to provide more under the body’s heavier parts and less under the lighter areas, which is most obvious when you are on your side. The shoulders and hips are eased down into the mattress, but I never got the feeling that I was bottoming out onto the springs, even after repeatedly shifting position.
For side sleepers up to a moderate build, that will be precisely what you are looking for: good pressure relief across the joints, minimal tingling in the arms and an easy, cradled feel across the whole body. As a back sleeper, it was just on the edge of being a little too soft for my liking. If you are on the lighter side, you may be perfectly happy with it on your back, whereas if you are on the heavier side, or you generally prefer a firmer, more on-the-mattress feel, I think your spine may end up a little out of alignment over a full night.
Motion transfer is decent. The combination of individual Mirapocket springs and that fairly plush gel layer means motion tends to be absorbed rather than transmitted across the surface, so partner disturbance should be limited. There is enough spring underneath to make moving around and changing position easy, but not so much that you feel every twitch and shift from the other side of the bed.
Edge support, based on my time sat and lying up against the side, felt middling rather than solid as a rock. You can sit on the edge to put shoes on without sliding off, but it is not quite as rigid as some other mattresses that use reinforced edge springs or high-density foam edging. For most people, that will be perfectly fine, but if you rely on the outermost few inches of the mattress regularly it is worth bearing in mind.
Temperature
Temperature management is one of the things this mattress is supposed to be good at, and in the main it does a pretty solid job of it. A gel-infused comfort layer is more breathable than standard memory foam with an open structure that lets heat escape, rather than trapping it under your body. The cooling cover is intended to draw heat away from the surface, and in use it genuinely felt cool when I first touched it.
The overall effect I would describe as comfortably neutral rather than actively cold. If you run super hot at night, you will still need breathable bedding and a sensible duvet, but you are less likely to feel that sticky, heat-trapping sensation you can get with some dense memory foam beds.
The one thing to note here is that Silentnight and Dreams sell a range of gel and cooling hybrids, including some more modestly priced models. From a purely temperature related point of view, some of those alternatives could arguably get you close to the same benefit at a slightly lower level of spring and overall complexity.
Practical aspects
This is a single-sided mattress, so you rotate it head to foot, rather than flipping it. Regular rotation will help keep settlement even and prolong the life of the comfort layers. As with most non-rolled, premium hybrids, this is a fairly heavy piece of equipment, so rotation is realistically a two-person job in larger sizes.
In its general price and build bracket the Reflex 1600 sits at the upper end of Silentnight’s own range and is clearly intended as a more premium option in the Dreams line-up. As such you can usually expect to see some kind of promotional activity throughout the year, so it is always worth looking at offers rather than paying the very top ticket price. There is a retailer comfort guarantee and a manufacturers warranty in place, which provides a little safety net in case the feel does not quite work for you once you are sleeping on it every night.
In terms of base compatibility, this is happy on most standard solid or sprung slatted frames and platform divans, as long as the slats are not excessively far apart. There is nothing unusually demanding in the construction that requires a specific base.
Customer feedback on this exact SleepResponse model is still relatively thin on the ground, so your own in-store test, is even more crucial. I would recommend strongly trying it for a decent stretch on both back and side before making your decision.
Who it suits
Side sleepers who like a plush feel – This is where the mattress is really in its element. The soft–medium tension and gel layer work together to relieve pressure in the shoulders and hips, while still maintaining good alignment through the waist.
People who like the memory-foam feel, but not all foam – If you enjoy that slow, contouring hug but hate the dead, heavy sensation of all-foam beds, this hybrid gives you a similar feel with added spring support underneath.
Hotter sleepers wanting a cooler top layer – The cooling cover and gel foam help the surface feel cooler and more breathable than standard memory foam, so if you often overheat on dense foam, this is a gentler, more temperate alternative.
Couples who value motion isolation – The individual Mirapocket springs and absorbent gel top make this a good option if you or your partner move around a fair amount and do not want to feel every shift through the night.
Who it does not suit
Back sleepers who like a firmer mattress – I would happily recommend going a notch firmer for primary back sleepers, especially if you are of average or above average weight. For me on my back it was just that bit too yielding over time, and I can see it being the same for other people looking for more lumbar support.
Stomach sleepers – If you sleep on your front, you will almost certainly want a firmer, more supportive mattress to hold up your hips. The soft–medium feel and deep comfort layers here are not great for that position.
Those who like a very bouncy, traditional pocket-sprung feel – The gel and foam layers smooth out much of the springiness. If you enjoy a lively, almost buoyant mattress, this one will probably feel too damped and cocooning.
Buyers on a strict budget – The Reflex 1600 is very much a premium-leaning option and feels priced accordingly. There are cheaper Silentnight gel and hybrid models which deliver a broadly similar cooling story at a noticeably lower price point, even if they can’t quite match the spec sheet.
Final thoughts
The Silentnight SleepResponse Reflex 1600 Combination Mattress is, in many ways, a very likeable product. It feels genuinely plush and cosseting on top, cool to the touch and rather impressively similar to memory foam, without actually containing memory foam, while the Mirapocket core does a solid job of holding you supported, particularly on your side. If you are a side sleeper who wants that luxury, sink-in comfort with a cooler, more breathable twist, it is an attractive option.
For me personally, the softness means it is one I cannot quite recommend across the board. Back sleepers and anyone who likes a more definite level of pushback are likely to find it a touch too yielding, and the micro springs are more theoretical than transformative in practical use. The price point is also a little tricky, especially when you factor in other gel and hybrid options in the Silentnight and Dreams ranges that undercut it, but cannot come close to matching the spec.
If you have tried it in store, loved it on your side and are shopping for that cool, gel topped, memory-foam-like hug, then this is a very pleasant mattress and will likely make you happy, especially if you time it to catch a decent promotion. If you are on the fence, or you need firmer support as a back or stomach sleeper, then I would use this as a benchmark for comfort and go one step firmer, or one step cheaper, elsewhere in the range.
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