The importance of a good night's sleep cannot be overstated. You spend approximately a third of your life catching those precious z's, which undeniably plays a important role in your overall wellness, and right at the heart?1 Your mattress. As we look into this review, we're turning our focus to Simply by Bensons Simply Natural Pocket Sprung Mattress - a mattress that attempts to bridge the gap between comfort, support, and conscious living. Based on an in-store trial, customer reviews, and a breakdown of its components, here's a thorough examination of what this mattress offers.
Design and Features
The design of this mattress reveals a balancing act between user comfort and eco-friendliness. It's an intriguing combination of 800 pocket springs tucked beneath a quilted sleep surface and enclosed within a stretch knit cover. Now, 800 springs - while providing individual responsiveness and subjective support - bear an entry-level feel, underscoring the mattress' modest configuration. Standing at only 23cm high, I would consider it quite thin with a lack of robust presence one usually looks forward to in a high-quality mattress.
The Simply Natural Mattress incorporates renewable sourced bamboo fibres, which are hypoallergenic and are known for their excellent temperature regulation. The inclusion of Tencel™ fibres spells out luxury with its softness, breathability, and antibacterial properties - although it's worth noting this could be more marketing magic than an overarching advantage. The very essence of the Simply Natural Pocket Sprung Mattress, however, lies in its uniquely named 'Truecomfort layer.' Made of up to 75% recycled PET plastic, this component is credited for its cushioning, breathable comfort - a feature that might not necessarily mean plush comfort.
Practicality, too, is included in the mattress' promise, with attributes like edge support, flag-stitched handles, and an easy-care, no-turn design. But to me, distinguishing edge support felt a tad gimmicky. The mattress edges didn't feel particularly robust or special during our in-store testing. Hence, the promise of reduced roll-off is debatable.
Mattress Comfort
In the grand scope of things, how comfortable was the Simply Natural Pocket Sprung Mattress? During my in-store inspection, I found the quilted sleep surface to be a tempting call for slumber with its added cushioning. However, one concern is - the quilted surface may flatten quickly within regular use, and then what becomes of that initial inviting softness?
The mattress offers either medium or firm comfort levels. As a general rule, a firm tension is most suitable for back sleepers and some stomach sleepers. However, side sleepers or those with an hourglass figure may find the experience less enjoyable due to the lack of sinkage required for appropriately cradling the hips and shoulders. With that said, for individuals who solely sleep on their back, a firm option like that of Simply Natural would be an excellent choice.
Suitability
While mattresses are a critical aspect of restful sleep, it's always important not to overlook the bed base. In this instance, Simply Natural's compatibility with a broad range of Divan bases or sturdy bed frames could be suitable for your needs. But one question does beckon - with the seemingly light construction of this mattress, would it pair just as seamlessly with an inch-perfect, robust frame? That's food for thought.
What customers thought
Owners mostly talk about comfort. One wrote that it "feels supportive and comfortable to sleep on", and another found it "firm enough but retaining comfort. I am sleeping much better." One owner called it "medium to firm but is not hard or unyielding". Value comes up regularly too, from "super comfy for the price" to "excellent value for money".
Some owners like that it's light enough to handle. One, who bought two 75cm mattresses, can "manage to rotate them unaided", while another chose it because it's "lightweight which is what I wanted with having an ottoman bed". The natural fillings are mentioned as well, with one owner saying "I think the bamboo seems cooler".
The complaints are few but specific. One owner thought it "seemed a bit cheap to look at and felt the same" and said "it has already started to get a small crease in the middle". Another found it "Definitely not 23 cm deep as stated though, more like 19 cm." One couple bought a memory foam topper to go on theirs.
The Verdict
In wrapping things up, Simply Natural Pocket Sprung Mattress appears as a fairly average mattress enveloped in an appealing environmental narrative. In its design and features, comfort and practicalities, there lurks a sense of underwhelming performance. Concerns over its thin depth, unexceptional edge support, and seemingly superficial bamboo and Tencel inclusion raise red flags. Even the heralded Truecomfort layer becomes questionable in terms of providing genuine, plush comfort. Yes, it might suit back sleepers, and the appeal of environment consciousness is undeniable. But as I see it, a mattress is an essential investment. And with the Simply Natural from Simply by Bensons and its underwhelming performance, I would approach it with caution and a sense of healthy scepticism.
The one steadfast truth? Each individual will have a unique experience. So, dig deeper, make an informed decision, and above all, make comfort and quality your guiding stars.
