Why our sleep experts loved it
The Sleepeezee Ortho Firm 1600 Mattress claims to be a traditional, extra firm, orthopaedic model with a big brand name, a high spring count and a long guarantee. On paper it ticks a lot of boxes for a serious back-care mattress, and customer reviews on MattressNextDay are remarkably good, with a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 11 reviews. However, once you dig deeper into the spec and look at the current prices, I have to admit I’m not that impressed by what is essentially a solid but mid-range build for the money. I haven’t slept on the Ortho Firm 1600 so this review is based on the spec sheet and my own testing of other extra firm orthopaedic mattresses, but one thing I can say with confidence: this is a back sleeper only mattress, and not one I’d recommend for side or combination sleepers.
Construction & materials The core of the Ortho Firm 1600 is a high-density unit of up to 1,600 individually pocketed springs. These springs are held in their own fabric pockets to allow independent movement, which is far superior to an open coil system for support and motion isolation. 1,600 springs at this price, though, is more of a baseline spec than a standout figure. Lots of competitor orthopaedic models now feature 2,000 springs or more in the main budget bands, so the spring count here does not do much to distinguish it from the crowd.
On top of the springs, you get a blend of soft white polyester fibres with cotton, described by Sleepeezee as natural fibres. This is a fairly standard comfort mix: polyester for bounce and durability, cotton for a touch of breathability and a slightly drier, cooler feel. You do not, however, get more luxurious natural layers like wool, silk or cashmere that you will often find in similarly priced traditional mattresses. It’s a straightforward comfort stack that will feel firm and supportive rather than indulgent.
The mattress is a substantial 28 cm deep, so there’s plenty of room for the spring pack and support layers. It is also double sided, with a similar mix of fillings on either face, so you can flip as well as rotate the mattress. That’s a big tick for longevity, as orthopaedic mattresses can last far longer if you regularly turn them to even out wear and tear.
Finishing details are all in line with a mid to upper mid-range traditional mattress. There is a breathable Belgian damask cover, side vents to help air circulate through the core, and hand tufting to pin all those fibres in place and keep everything taut and firm over time. Sturdy flag-stitched handles make it easier to manoeuvre when flipping and rotating. The mattress is made in the UK, hypoallergenic, and meets the BS7177 low-hazard fire safety standard, which is all exactly what I would expect at this level.
All in all, the build is honest and traditional, but the materials more mid-range than premium for the money. You are paying partly for the Sleepeezee branding and reputation here, rather than for especially lavish fillings.
Firmness & feel This is a textbook example of an extra firm mattress. Sleepeezee and MattressNextDay both explicitly list it at the firmest end of the scale, and clearly position it for orthopaedic use and specialist back support. The hand tufting, relatively lean comfort layers and high-tension pocket springs all work together to create a sleep surface that you lie on rather than in.
In practical terms, that means very limited sink. On your back, the idea is that your hips are kept high, with minimal hammock effect and a very flat, rigid feel through the lower back. That can feel reassuringly supportive to many back sleepers, especially those on the heavier side who tend to bottom out softer mattresses, and it can help keep the spine in a more neutral position. For front sleepers who like something almost board-like, it can also work well.
However, that same firmness and relative lack of contour is also the very reason I would not recommend the Ortho Firm 1600 to side sleepers or restless combination sleepers. On your side, you need the mattress to give under your shoulders and hips to keep your spine straight. With an extra firm tension and relatively simple fibre comfort layers, there is not much contouring here. From my own experience with similar Sleepeezee ortho models, what you tend to get is a lot of pressure through the shoulders and outer hip that quickly leads to pins and needles and micro-awakenings.
For combination sleepers, the pros and cons are mixed. You will find it very easy to move around on this mattress because there is no deep foam to sink into, but every position change will put a new pressure point onto a very unyielding surface. Unless you spend the vast majority of the night on your back or front, this is not a forgiving all-rounder and I would steer you towards a medium firm or at least a slightly plusher firm mattress instead.
Performance & support Where the Ortho Firm 1600 should perform strongly is in back support. The individually pocketed springs offer more accurate contouring than an open coil system while still delivering that rock-solid feel. They support heavier parts of the body, like the hips, without the rest of you dipping in, which is exactly what you want from a true orthopaedic-style mattress.
Motion isolation ought to be good too. Pocket springs already limit partner disturbance by letting each spring work independently of the others, and the extra firm tension minimises deep compression around your body, which further limits how much movement is transferred across the surface. The no-roll-together feature listed in the spec is effectively just a restatement of that pocket spring construction and firm set-up. If you and your partner both genuinely like a very firm mattress, then it should feel stable and calm.
Edge support on these traditional ortho designs is usually robust, thanks to the firm springs and taut tufting, so I would also expect the perimeter to feel usable without too much collapse when you sit or sleep near the side. Sleepeezee do that well too.
In terms of durability, the double-sided design, dense support layers and tufting all work in the mattress’s favour. Rotate and flip it regularly and, in theory at least, it should keep its shape and firmness for years. The 10 year guarantee from Sleepeezee backs up that expectation, as always providing you follow the care guidance to keep that valid.
My one main reservation on the performance front is that, in terms of materials, the 1,600 springs and mid-range fibre stack do not significantly outclass what you can get from rival brands at similar or lower prices. It will do the job for back support, no question, but it does not move the needle in terms of advanced zoning, layered micro springs or richer, pressure-relieving comfort materials.
Temperature regulation This is one area where the Ortho Firm 1600 should quietly impress. There is no thick layer of viscoelastic foam to trap heat, and the comfort stack is based instead on polyester fibres and cotton, with the cotton helping to wick moisture and feel cooler to the touch. The damask cover is a woven, breathable fabric rather than a dense knit, and the side vents allow air to flow in and out of the mattress as you move.
As well as that, because the mattress is so firm and you sleep on top of it, there is less body contact area than on a plush pillow-top or foam mattress, which naturally helps with temperature too. For most sleepers, I would expect this to feel comfortably cool and fresh, particularly in a well-ventilated room. Hot sleepers may still want to pair it with a breathable protector and natural fibre bedding, but fundamentally this is a cooler-running design than many hybrids or memory foam options.
Practical features From a practical point of view, there are a couple of nice touches to note. The mattress is offered with a 100 night sleep trial via MattressNextDay, so you can test it properly at home and exchange it if the extra firm feel proves too much, as long as you meet the trial conditions. You also get that 10 year guarantee from Sleepeezee, which is generous in this price bracket and suggests a reasonable expectation of long-term durability.
The depth at 28 cm means you will need deep fitted sheets or generous standard ones, but it is not outrageously tall. The downside of that substantial build and double-sided design is weight: turning an extra firm, tufted orthopaedic mattress is never a light task. The handles help, but realistically most people will need two pairs of hands to flip it safely.
On MattressNextDay, prices start from around £429 for a single, rising to about £589 for a double or small double, £659 for a king size and £789 for a super king, with RRP’s listed higher still. That puts it firmly in the mid to upper mid-range bracket. Given the relatively straightforward polyester and cotton fillings and 1,600 spring unit, I would say the value is acceptable but not especially compelling, especially when there are 2,000 spring alternatives and richer natural fibres around this budget.
Who it suits If you are a dedicated back sleeper who actively seeks out a very firm, traditional-feeling mattress, then the Sleepeezee Ortho Firm 1600 is likely to tick many boxes. The pocket springs, extra firm tension and orthopaedic positioning should keep your spine nicely aligned when you lie flat, particularly if you are on the heavier side and prone to bottoming out softer mattresses.
Front sleepers who do not want to sink into a mattress at all may also get on well with it, but you do need to be careful with pillow height to avoid overextending the neck. Couples who both like a very firm feel and want a stable, low-motion surface to sleep on will appreciate the no-roll-together performance and solid edge support.
It will also appeal if you like the reassurance of a big UK brand with a royal warrant, want a double-sided mattress you can flip to get a longer life and value cooler, fibre-based comfort layers over thick slabs of foam. The long guarantee and sleep trial are further reasons some shoppers will happily pay a little extra for this particular badge.
Who it does not suit I would strongly advise most side sleepers to avoid this mattress. The extra firm build and relatively lean fibre comfort layers simply do not provide enough give around the shoulders and hips for healthy side sleeping over the long term. You may feel fine on it for a quick lie down, but hours every night will almost certainly lead to pressure points and restlessness.
Combination sleepers who swap between side, back and front positions are also poorly served here. While it is easy to move on the surface, only the back and front positions are really compatible with this level of firmness. Anyone who spends a noticeable portion of the night on their side will be better served by a firm or medium firm mattress with thicker comfort layers for cushioning.
If you are looking for rich natural fillings, a plusher, more luxurious top or advanced zoning and micro-spring layering, the Ortho Firm 1600 will feel basic for the money. Value-focused shoppers who want maximum specification at this price point can almost certainly find 2,000 spring models with wool or other premium fibres that offer a broader comfort band and a more obvious step-up in materials.
Final verdict The Sleepeezee Ortho Firm 1600 Mattress is a very traditional proposition: a deep, double-sided, extra firm pocket sprung mattress with honest, workmanlike fibre fillings, a tidy damask finish and a heavyweight orthopaedic feel. On specification alone it will deliver solid back support and a cool, stable sleep surface for those who genuinely like their beds very firm.
However, once you factor in the pricing, it is hard to escape the sense that this mattress is trading more on the Sleepeezee name and the back-care branding than on a truly standout construction. A 1,600 spring count and polyester-and-cotton comfort stack are perfectly fine, but they are also fairly mid-range in a market where 2,000 spring units and richer natural fillings are becoming common at similar budgets.
For me, this is not a versatile all-rounder and not a mattress I would ever suggest to side or combination sleepers. It is a niche choice for committed back and front sleepers who want an unapologetically firm, old-school feel and are happy to pay a slight premium for the brand, the double-sided build and the long guarantee. Better options exist if you are chasing value or a broader comfort appeal, but if you specifically need extra firm tension and prefer a traditional orthopaedic pocket mattress, the Ortho Firm 1600 is an acceptable, if unexciting, option that will do the job in a pinch.
Why you can trust WantMattress
We spend hours testing (and/or researching) every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about
how we test .
