Why our sleep experts loved it
The Value Memory Foam Mattress is a basic, all foam no frills mattress from MattressNextDay that sits at the entry level of their range. I haven’t slept on this mattress so this is a specification led review, based on the construction and materials used and what customers are saying about it. On paper this seems to offer reasonable value, especially as it sits at one of the lowest price points in the range and yet still comes with a sleep trial, fast delivery and an own brand guarantee to give you peace of mind. However, as you might expect at this low a price there has to be a compromise somewhere and here you see it in the very slim profile and basic comfort layering.
Construction & Materials This is a straightforward two layer foam mattress. The majority of the profile is a block of EcoFoam, a dense support foam that is manufactured in the UK from recycled and re engineered offcuts. Sitting on top of that is a thin layer of pressure relieving memory foam that provides the main contouring comfort. Add those layers together and you end up with a total depth of around 15cm, noticeably thinner than the 24 to 30cm you will see on most mid range mattresses.
The cover is a soft knitted fabric that can be zipped off and put in the washing machine, which is a very welcome practical touch at this price point. The mattress is single sided so you sleep on the memory foam side only, and you are advised to rotate it occasionally from head to toe to keep wear even. It arrives vacuum packed and rolled, so is easy to get upstairs and into smaller rooms. The spec sheet also lists orthopaedic support, hypoallergenic construction, vegan friendly materials, UK manufacture and a contract suitable fire rating.
Firmness & Feel This is officially a medium firm mattress, but the design would suggest it will feel on the firmer side of that label. There is a fairly dense EcoFoam base, only a thin layer of memory foam on top of that and a total depth of just 15cm, so it is not hugely plush or cushioning. To be honest, it feels fairly firm even for a medium firm as you would expect, with a notably supportive, slightly unyielding surface that back sleepers in particular are likely to appreciate.
From the build I would expect it to be quite firm to start with, with the memory foam relaxing and conforming a little as it warms up to your body shape over the course of the night. Light to average weight back sleepers should get a nicely held in place feeling, side sleepers may notice more pressure at the shoulder and hip if they prefer a softer, more cushioned feel. If you are someone who likes a mattress that keeps you flat and supported rather than hugging you, this style of build tends to work very well.
Performance & Support With this model support is very much the priority. The EcoFoam base is designed to distribute weight across the surface and help keep the spine aligned, while the thin memory foam layer takes the edge off at the main contact points. The mattress is described as orthopaedic and you can see why as it is all about keeping you properly supported, rather than creating a deep, cloud like feel.
In real life terms, I would class this as a mattress that will suit lighter and average weight sleepers best. With only 15cm of foam in total, there is a limit to how much depth there is for bigger bodies before you risk starting to feel the base or bed frame below. On a solid top divan or a bed with closely spaced slats, most people should get decent support for a few years, but if you are much above average weight or you like a more cushioned surface, I would shop higher up the range.
One advantage of an all foam build at this depth is that it will be good at isolating movement. Foam is naturally good at absorbing motion and the foam core runs right out to the sides, so you should be able to use the full width of the mattress without feeling like you are sliding off the edge or rolling towards the centre. You are unlikely to feel much of a partner rolling over next to you either, which is a bonus for light sleepers.
Temperature Regulation There are no specialist cooling foams or springs in the Value Memory Foam Mattress, so this is not a dedicated cooling mattress. The comfort layer is classic memory foam, which by nature tends to hold on to a bit more warmth than some other materials. On the plus side, you are only dealing with a very thin layer of memory foam and a relatively shallow overall profile, which usually means less of that deep, wrapped up sensation that can trap heat.
The removable knitted cover is described as breathable and is machine washable, which helps you keep things fresh. The thin build should also allow body heat to dissipate more easily than on a deep, multi layer memory foam mattress. That said, if you know you run very hot at night or you are shopping specifically for cooling tech, I would treat this as a neutral to slightly warm mattress rather than a cool one. Pairing it with a breathable protector and natural fibre bedding will help.
Practical Features For a budget mattress there is actually quite a bit of practical thinking built in here. Being vacuum packed and rolled, it is far easier to manoeuvre up stairs or into loft rooms than a full size, fully expanded mattress. Once you unbox it, you will need to give it some time to expand and off gas, usually a day or two before it feels at its best.
The washable cover is a genuine plus point at this level. You can unzip it and put it through the washing machine to deal with spills or seasonal allergies, which extends the usable life of the mattress and keeps it hygienic. The hypoallergenic and vegan friendly spec will appeal to allergy sufferers and anyone avoiding animal derived materials, while the higher fire rating will be important if you are buying for a rental, student house or similar setting.
As with other own brand mattresses from this retailer, this model sits under a retailer guarantee and is covered by a trial period, so you can test it at home rather than having to make a snap decision. You also get fast delivery to most UK postcodes, typically with a free next day option, with add ons like old mattress removal if you want the extra convenience. For a clearly budget product, those extras do help the overall value proposition.
Who it suits On paper, the Value Memory Foam Mattress looks best suited to back sleepers and some front sleepers who like a firmer, more supportive surface and do not want to spend very much money. The combination of a firm EcoFoam core and slim memory foam layer should keep most spines nicely in line, particularly for light to medium build sleepers. If you currently find softer or deeper mattresses leave you feeling hammocked or achy in the lower back, this could be a step in the right direction.
The low profile is also a strong fit for certain bed types. It is ideal for bunk beds, mid sleepers, trundle beds and guest beds where safety rails are important and an overly deep mattress would sit too high. Likewise, if you are furnishing a guest room, student room or rental on a tight budget, the mix of medium firm support, contract friendly fire performance and easy delivery makes sense.
The all foam, hypoallergenic, vegan friendly spec means it is also a sensible option for allergy sufferers or anyone who simply wants a clean, foam only sleep surface with no natural fillings. Eco conscious shoppers may appreciate the use of recycled EcoFoam and the fact that the mattress can be recycled at the end of its life, especially when compared with some cheap mattresses that are difficult to dispose of responsibly.
Who it does not suit On the flip side, there are some clear limitations. If you like a plush, cloud like feel with plenty of depth to sink into, this is not the mattress for you. The comfort layer is too thin and the overall profile too shallow to deliver that luxurious, hotel bed sensation. Side sleepers with sharp shoulders or pronounced hips may find there is not enough cushioning, especially if they are above average weight, and could feel pressure building over the course of the night.
I would also be cautious if you are significantly heavier than average and looking for a long term main bedroom mattress. With only around 15cm of foam to work with, heavier bodies are likely to compress the layers more quickly, which can shorten the effective lifespan and increase the risk of feeling the base or slats underneath. In that situation I would steer you towards a deeper hybrid or a more substantial all foam model instead.
Finally, if you are shopping for a mattress you expect to keep for eight to ten years, this is probably not the right tier. Everything about the spec and price suggests a sensible, short to medium term solution rather than a decade long investment piece. It makes far more sense as a spare room mattress, a first bed for a child or teen or a budget friendly upgrade for a rental property than as a forever mattress for very fussy sleepers.
Final verdict The Value Memory Foam Mattress does exactly what its name suggests. It is a very simple, very slim all foam mattress that trades depth and luxury for a rock bottom price, greener credentials than you will often find at that level and the reassurance of a big UK retailer behind it. From the spec and the typical customer response, I would expect to feel quite firm even for a medium firm, with back sleepers and some front sleepers finding it especially comfortable and side sleepers needing to be sure they prefer a firmer surface.
I didn’t get the chance to try this one in store or at home so this is a specification only verdict rather than a hands on test. Even so, looking at the materials, the sustainable EcoFoam core, the washable cover, the contract level fire rating and the trial period, it stacks up as reasonable value at one of the lowest price points in the range. There has to be a sacrifice somewhere at this level and you see it in the thin 15cm depth and basic comfort layering. If you understand those compromises and simply want a firm, tidy, budget mattress with decent eco credentials and a proper trial period, the Value Memory Foam Mattress is a perfectly sensible choice.
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