Why our sleep experts loved it
I've been looking forward to getting my hands on the Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress because Simba's Simbatex layer is one of those materials people talk about a lot. I tried it out in person and spent a decent bit of time swapping between back and side, just to see if it really does that 'cloud' thing without turning into a sweaty mess. When you first lie down it does feel plush on top, but it's not that slow, stuck-in-the-mud memory foam feel either, it responds a bit quicker than I expected.
Many features make the Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress stand out from the rest. Here are some of its top features that make it the ideal sleep solution for any home, starting in the comfort layer of Simbatex. For those who don't know, Simbatex is exclusive to Simba and is made up from open cell memory foam and infused with graphite. This is an increasingly common way to offset the negative heat and breathability that often plagues traditional memory foam. The result? A cooler and fresher night's sleep while still being able to appreciate all the benefits of memory foam. Running my hand across the cover and then pressing into the top layer, you can feel that open-cell 'springiness' compared to old-school memory foam, it bounces back quicker. That said, if you run hot, I'd still be a bit cautious, it's cooler than some memory foams, but it's still foam and it still hugs you more than a pocket sprung mattress would.
Additional to the comfort layer, next up comes the base layer and Simba have stuck to what they know and have incorporated a reflex foam base of medium-firm density foam which helps push back against your muscles and bones ensuring full body contouring and an enhanced sleep experience. When I sat right on the edge to do my usual sock-on test, it held up better than a lot of all-foam mattresses, but you do still get that foam dip, it isn't the same as a proper reinforced edge on a hybrid. Also worth saying, because it's an all-foam build, movement doesn't ripple across the bed much, but you can feel a bit of that 'foam wobble' when you change position quickly.
When it comes to suitability, we would rate the medium firm tension as being ideal for back and stomach sleepers, while those with a slightly higher BMI than average, perhaps finding it suitable for side sleepers. The reason we say this is that the medium firm density foam doesn't have as much sinkage as a softer mattress in key areas which makes your hip and shoulder stick out from the mattress rather than inside it. The heavier you are, the more you sink and this effect can be offset. On my back, my hips felt nicely level and I didn't get that hammock effect, which is a big win for a medium-firm foam. Side sleeping was where it got a bit more picky, my shoulder didn't sink quite enough and I could see lighter side sleepers finding it a touch firm and a bit 'pushy' around the shoulder. For me personally, it's a good option if you like a cleaner, firmer support feel with a bit of memory foam comfort on top, but if you're after loads of sink or that super-soft hotel feel, this isn't the one.
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