The subject of sleep comes up a lot among beauty editors. But instead of a relaxing pillow mist, what I really needed was a new mattress. The Simba Hybrid Ultra is easily one of the best mattress options in the UK – and a closer look into its specs ticked every box on my wish list.
Choosing a new mattress presents something of a Goldilocks problem between firm and too firm, deep or standard size, and most of the time this comes down to personal preference. So it really is worth seeing your mattress as a long-term investment in your wellness (good sleep is self-care, after all) and spending the time to research exactly what you need.
I speak from experience. I bought my current mattress in the middle of the Covid lockdown. There wasn't much choice at the time so I just opted for any old double mattress. It's a decision I've lived to regret, as the low-quality memory foam was so saggy and lumpy, I've woken up with sore hips and an aching neck and shoulders every morning. Needless to say, my sleep was seriously compromised, too.
It was definitely time for change and, for the past six weeks, I've been testing the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress in my bedroom to see if it's worth the hype and the price tag. I've noted down every factor, from comfort and design to the set-up. So, here's my honest verdict.
Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress review: at a glance
- Tested by: Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director (size tested: UK Double Size).
- Tested for: 6 weeks. You can find out more about how we test products here.
- Firmness: 7 out of 10 (it's definitely medium firm).
- Pros: Comfort, temperature control, sustainability credentials, how it supports the body.
- Cons: Its weight and premium price.
- Price: £1,999 for a UK Single Size (£2,929 for a Double)
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Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress first impressions
The Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress arrived wrapped in a damp-proof plastic sheet (35% recycled) inside a FSC certified cardboard box, which speaks to Simba's sustainability efforts as the UK's first B-Corp sleep brand.
I opted for the free VIP carbon-neutral delivery option on a day of my choosing, which was excellent. Given the weight, I was glad of the two men who installed the mattress in my room ready for use. They also removed all the packaging and my old mattress to be professionally recycled. It took around six hours for the mattress to fully inflate and three days for it to regain its shape fully.
The first thing I noticed was how luxe the Simba Hybrid Ultra felt to the touch – I imagine pushing your hand onto a cloud would have a similar effect. Despite having 7,300 springs (the brand's highest ever spring count), it doesn't violently snap back into shape but rather slowly unfurls itself. After all, what makes this mattress ‘Ultra’ in the Simba Hybrid range is its 13 layers of natural materials.
It's also worth mentioning that this mattress is deep (34cm) so your regular sheets may not fit. But the mattress does come with a complementary foam-filled mattress protector, made from breathable cotton, which only adds to the plush feel.
I was warned that there might be a slight smell after the mattress was unwrapped. It wasn't over-bearing but it did last more than 48 hours and that was with the windows thrown open to allow the mattress to air.
GLAMOUR road test: comfort and design
Simba describes the Hybrid Ultra as medium firm and I'd have to agree. It hits the sweet spot between not too firm but not too soft and still manages to feel like you're sinking into a comfortable bed after a long day.
The reason it is called a Hybrid mattress is that it combines both foam and springs – something you don't really appreciate until you've tried it. Given how saggy my previous mattress was, it took a day or two to adjust, but what I immediately noticed was how supported my body felt as a result of this technology.
The mattress features two layers of structured foam for a cushioning effect and better airflow. There's even a spring-like layer made from latex and coconut fibres and a top layer that consists of kapok (one of the lightest plant fibres on earth), wool and bamboo to control the temperature, so you feel cool during the night and fresher come morning. This has been invaluable in the summer months as I've not woken up drenched in sweat once.
I wiggle around a lot in my sleep but with every new sleep position, the springs inside the mattress adapt, gently compressing to cocoon my body and cradle my hips and shoulders. For this reason, I'd say that the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress suits every type of sleeper as it never feels rigid or stiff.
Most blissful of all? There is no longer this uncomfortable pressure on my hips or shoulders when I sleep on my side. Throughout the night, my bones and muscles feel perfectly aligned and the pressure from my body is evenly distributed.
Within a day of testing the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress, I started to enjoy the type of deep, eight-hour sleep that has evaded me for the past 24 months.
Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress review: the verdict
A lovely perk of my job is that I travel a lot and I've stayed in my fair share of 5-star hotels. But I can safely say I've not slept on a more comfortable mattress and, whisper it, I've pressed snooze on my alarm several times just to stay in bed a little bit longer.
Given the high-tech nature of the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress, I wasn't surprised to learn that it has been designed by ‘sleep engineers’ and uses the data of over 10 million + body profiles. The best way I can describe it, is as the iPhone of the mattress world.
I love the breathable nature of the natural materials and the considered layers of the mattress - cushioning on top and support in the base, so you get the best of both worlds and a really good night's sleep.
The elephant in the room is obviously the hefty price tag, which does make it a bigger investment compared to the majority of other mattresses on the market. But you're paying for a luxury, ergonomically-designed mattress and, from my six-week experience, I can confirm that it does deliver on its promises and wellness benefits.
It also comes with a 10-year guarantee, which is four years longer than the lifespan of an average mattress, so think of it as price per sleep.
The only downside for me is the weight of the mattress as you're advised to turn it head to foot every month for the first three months, then every three months after that. As a single girl I had to ask a friend to help me, and even then it resembled a strange game of Twister.
But otherwise, the Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress gets a 5-star rating from me. Now I can honestly talk about the power of beauty sleep, as I'm finally experiencing it first hand.
After more sleep content? We've got weighted blankets and mattress toppers, best duvets and the best pillows, plus anti-allergy pillows, cooling pillows and silk bedding.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
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