Simba mattress review: we tried 8 Simba mattresses for six weeks and this is how they compare

How we test Simba mattresses

Our Simba mattress reviews at the Good Housekeeping Institute are based on in-depth testing rather than quick impressions.

As part of our testing, we survey readers who’ve owned their Simba mattress for at least six months so we can also see how they perform over time. It helps us build a clear picture of long-term durability, comfort and value for money.

We include that reader feedback in the overall score for each mattress, but that’s just the start of testing. We also recruit a panel of reviewers and send them out a new Simba mattress to try for a minimum of six weeks.

Then we ask them to tell us all about it – in forensic detail. We quiz them on the following:

• What was the delivery like?
• Was unboxing and set-up easy?
• Was it comfortable from the off and did this change as time progressed?
• Did the Simba mattress ease any back ache?
• Does the mattress help regulate their body temperature?

We also ask them to share any other feelings they have about their Simba mattress, good, bad or ugly.

Our experts then analyse all this data and feedback to award each Simba mattress an overall score based on the criteria that matters, especially when you’re spending hundreds if not thousands, from comfort to breathability.

The prices shown are for standard UK doubles.

Simba Hybrid® Mattress review

Score: 89/100

This is Simba’s original hybrid mattress, and according to our testers, the medium-firm design is still its best. Everyone praised the delivery and unboxing process.

Come bedtime, our testers loved the way its 2,500-odd springs and unique foam combine to offer support while contouring to the body with a cloud-like sink-in feel. For some, it also eased pre-existing aches and pains.

It was quiet when our testers moved during the night, and for most people, it regulated their body temperature well. You can even zip off its cover to wash it and keep things fresh.

As with our reader feedback, the odd tester noticed a dip forming over time, but this wouldn't stop them recommending it to others, with one reviewer telling us: “I'm sleeping a lot better since it's been in my life!”

Best suited to: Anyone looking for an excellent medium-firm mattress that combines the comfort of memory foam with the pressure relief and air flow of pocket springs.

Key specifications

Simba Hybrid® Luxe Mattress review

Score: 88/100

This was a big hit with our testers. As its name suggests, it’s one of the brand's more premium designs and when you hear what’s inside its washable cover, you can see why. There are 11 different layers, including a total of 6,000 springs, as well as Simba’s foam tech, and a wool and bamboo layer for added breathability.

At nighttime, it was comfortable, supportive and quiet when anyone moved around, thanks to the edge-to-edge support. Impressively for a mattress with foam in, its temperature regulating claims proved true, even for testers who run hot at night: “I used to lose sleep overheating at night and couldn't settle,” one told us, “but this mattress has transformed my sleep, so I can go about my day to day feeling less stressed.”

Again, it's a medium-firm mattress, so if you like a firm finish it may be a little too soft (it was for one tester), and like the Hybrid, you should rotate it as per the brand’s instructions to avoid any dips forming. You may also need to buy deeper sheets.

But our panel loved it on the whole. “It’s very hard to get out of bed in the morning, it’s so comfortable!” said one. Which is just the level of cosiness we dream of in a mattress.

Best suited to: Shoppers seeking a premium, cushioned feel with good temperature regulation.

Key specifications

Simba Natural Hybrid® Apex review

Score: 86/100

Best suited to: Those who want a luxury natural-fibre mattress and who can accommodate its depth and weight.

Key specifications

Simba Natural Hybrid® Source review

Score: 85/100

Style-wise, it looks and feels premium. But it is deep so you may need to invest in new sheets. Unboxing was mostly smooth sailing; however, some panellists were left hunting online for set-up instructions, and a few noticed a scent that lingered for up to two weeks. This wasn’t an issue for everyone, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re sensitive to smells.

For a mattress that’s kind to your back and the planet, our panel felt it earned its price tag. Smartly designed, sustainably made, and seriously comfortable, it’s an instant upgrade to your sleep set-up.

Best suited to: Shoppers looking for a natural-fibre option with a medium-firm feel for less than £1,500.

Key specifications

Simba Hybrid® Ultra Mattress review

Score: 85/100

The Simba Hybrid Ultra has 8,500 springs, the most of any mattress we’ve tested. There are also 13 different layers to this design, including four spring layers, cushioning foam, and a cooling combination of wool, bamboo, charcoal and kapok (an airy plant fibre with a natural wax coating that makes it moisture resistant).

All this doesn’t come cheap, but rest assured you won’t feel a pea through all those layers; everyone who tried this mattress found it comfortable to sleep on. It ticked the boxes for support (easing back ache for some), temperature regulation, stability and quietness. No dips formed over the testing period either, and everyone would recommend it to friends and family.

However, it is heavy, which our testers marked it down for as they struggled to get it into position. This also makes the required rotation harder, and you’ll definitely need to invest in deep sheets.

But if you can enlist a second pair of hands to help you move it, and you have the budget, it’s a standout buy. As one tester said: "This mattress is wonderful! It's just so comfy; I can't wait to lie on it every evening."

Best suited to: Shoppers who want Simba’s premium layered design and don’t mind a heavy, deep mattress.

Key specifications

Simba Hybrid® Pro review

Score: 85/100

Positioned between Simba’s Hybrid mattress and its Luxe design, this is a good Goldilocks buy. It has eight different layers of foam, springs (there are 5,000 of them!) and more, with testers finding it a reliable temperature regulator thanks to the layer of cooling British wool. They also found it sturdy, supportive and, most importantly, comfortable.

It had a slight memory foam smell, but this dissipated within a couple of days. Again, some noted slight dipping over time, but this didn’t impact its overall comfort.

This is another all-rounder from the brand that provided quality shuteye for our testers. We appreciate it may be tricky to decide on the right design for you. When weighing up your options, we suggest deciding on the features that interest you the most (natural fabrics, cooling capabilities etc.) and seeing what you can get for your budget.

Best suited to: Shoppers who are after a comfortable, supportive hybrid mattress at a lower price than the Luxe or Ultra.

Key specifications

Simba Hybrid® Essential review

Score: 79/100

This more budget option has four layers, including a washable cover, 1,000 springs, a foam base and a top layer. As you’d expect then, it doesn’t quite provide the same hotel-level comfort as some of the others on this list – some testers loved the support it offered, while others found it wasn't quite right.

But our panellists found it temperature-regulating and told us it was stable and quiet when partners moved at night. A dip started forming for one tester, but everyone else praised its quality.

Those who loved it said they wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, with one telling us they felt “super rested in the morning” and would keep using it. If you need a precise level of support however, we’d suggest investing in something more premium.

Best suited to: Budget-conscious shoppers who are looking for an entry-level hybrid mattress and appreciate a firmer feel.

Key specifications

Simba Natural Hybrid® Escape review

Score: 79/100

The final mattress in Simba’s Earth range, this medium firm design – which blends premium all-natural materials with advanced tech – is designed to help you “escape the stresses of the day”. It’s 30cm deep and comprises 10 layers, including British wool for next-level comfort and superior temperature regulation. The CoreMax sprung base is designed to minimise motion transfer and the two Aerocoil spring layers provide extra support and pressure relief.

Our panellists rated the durable, sturdy design, noting that it felt well-made with no signs of damage or dipping after six weeks of testing. They were able to use their standard sheets – no need to invest in new ones – and they liked that it didn’t have a strong smell on arrival. It did a good job of regulating their temperature overnight and the majority of testers said the medium-firm design provided ample support and cushioning, too. It was also quiet when they moved around.

Best suited to: Shoppers looking for a natural-fibre mattress with a firmer feel and strong support.

Key specifications

We’ve tested countless sleep products in our 100-year history at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and mattresses are no exception. Our senior sleep & wellness tester, Kim Hawley, oversees all mattress reviews, making sure we pull out all the crucial details from our extensive testing – which involves analysing feedback from thousands of readers.

Our sleep & wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, helps write the surveys we send out, to ensure we answer all the questions you may have when shopping for a new mattress. She also looks out for new sleep products to test, and looks after all our sleep guides, so she knows exactly what's required for a great night's rest.

Which Simba mattress should I choose?

The Simba Hybrid is our strongest all-rounder, scoring the highest overall, with testers praising its comfort and support. The Hybrid Essential is the most affordable pick and offers good support and easy set-up, though some found it a little firm. The Hybrid Pro sits between the entry-level and premium models, offering a comfortable, supportive feel for less than the Hybrid Luxe or Ultra.

If you’re looking for a mattress with a more indulgent feel, the Hybrid Luxe was a high scorer and impressed testers with its comfort and temperature regulation. It is deep, though, so you may need new sheets. The Hybrid Ultra is Simba’s top-tier option, with a highly layered design and natural materials. It was comfortable and breathable, but it’s heavy and deep, so moving it is a bit of a workout, and you may need to update your sheets.

If you’re looking for a natural-fibre mattress, the Natural Hybrid Source is the more affordable choice – it’s made with British wool and has a medium-firm feel. The Natural Hybrid Escape mattress is the firmer natural-fibre option. Stomach sleepers liked its support, though lighter side sleepers may prefer something softer. The Natural Hybrid Apex is the luxury natural-fibre pick, as it’s made with cashgora, silk and Hampshire wool. Testers praised its comfort and temperature regulation, but at 32cm deep, it’s another deep and heavy one.

Can I flip a Simba mattress?

You shouldn’t flip a Simba mattress, as the brand uses a layered design with specific comfort fabric on top. Instead of flipping it, Simba suggests rotating your mattress through 180 degrees once a month for the first three months, then every three to six months for the lifetime of the mattress.

What is the life expectancy of a Simba mattress?

Every Simba mattress should last for a minimum of 10 years, and the brand even offers a guarantee that ensures it will be repaired or replaced if it sags or dips beyond normal wear and tear during that time.

Do Simba mattresses sag?

We carry out a reader survey of people who’ve owned their mattress for at least six months, and most were happy with how their Simba mattress had held up over time. While some told us their mattress had developed a bit of a dip or didn’t spring back to its original shape, the majority said they hadn’t noticed any changes.

In our six-week panel tests, a few people spotted slight dips in the Hybrid Essential, Pro and Luxe mattresses, although these didn’t always affect comfort. The Natural Hybrid Source had no dips after six weeks of testing, and the Natural Hybrid Apex also showed no change during the trial period.

To help keep your mattress in shape, we recommend following Simba’s care advice and rotating it every three to six months.

Do Simba mattresses smell?

When you receive a new mattress, a ‘new mattress smell’ is normal and typically more prominent with wool mattresses and vacuum-packed designs. However, odours should dissipate completely within one to two weeks.

Some of our testers noticed a new mattress smell with their Simbas, but how long it lasted varied by model. Hybrid Essential testers reported a slight lingering odour and one Natural Hybrid Source tester said the smell lasted two weeks. Our Hybrid Pro and Hybrid Luxe testers said any smell faded after a few days, while one Hybrid Ultra tester said the new mattress smell lasted several weeks.

Testers didn’t report any initial smell with the Natural Hybrid Apex or Escape models, so consider these if you’re sensitive to smells. Opening windows and leaving bedding off will also allow the mattress to breathe and dissipate smells faster.

Which is best: Simba Hybrid Luxe, Ultra or Pro?

Out of these three premium offerings from Simba, the best mattress we tested was the Simba Hybrid Luxe, which scored 88/100. This is a medium-firm mattress with a combination of 6,000 springs and Simba’s foam tech for support and comfort.

The Simba Hybrid Ultra scored just three points less, with a total of 85/100. It’s more expensive than the Hybrid Luxe, with more springs and layers. But the mattress is heavy and very deep, so you would need to buy new bedding, too.

Despite costing significantly less than the other premium mattresses, the Simba Hybrid Pro scored the same as the Hybrid Ultra with a total of 85/100. The combination of 5,000 springs and foam was a hit with our panel. Although there was some slight dipping over time, this didn’t impact how comfortable it was.

How readers review Simba mattresses

In our reader survey, we received glowing feedback for Simba – nearly everyone was happy with their mattress, and most said they would buy it again, praising its supportive designs. Some people flagged changes over time though – either their mattress didn't rebound to its original shape after a while or they noticed a dip forming – so we recommend following the brand's rotation guidelines religiously.

In fact, this is a stipulation of the brand’s 10-year warranty: you must rotate the mattress once a month for the first three months you have it, then regularly every three to six months after that. Good news though – all the mattresses below have handles to help with this.

Is Simba worth the hype?

Based on our reader surveys and panel feedback, the answer is a resounding yes.

‘I see why they call it Simba, because it leaves you feeling like a lying king,’ one tester told us of the winning Simba Hybrid Mattress. And if that doesn’t convince you, we’re not sure what will. Given its price point and the positive feedback from our panel, this is a no-brainer buy as far as we’re concerned.

But, if your budget stretches, then the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress was a hit for quality and performance, and it was the only design that had no reported changes during the testing period. You’ll just need to plan how you’ll rotate it and get it in place as it’s a heavy one.

Other tried and tested mattresses

Don’t think you’d get on with Simba’s medium-firm feel? See the full roundup of our best mattresses, to compare models from different brands with a range of finishes and levels of support.