Tencel fabric 150x200cm double mixed double mattress knitting

Not sleeping well? You may need a new mattress. A bed with the correct support, comfort and space will ensure you wake less, move about less, are less disturbed by your partner and less likely to wake up feeling tired, according to the Sleep Council.

But with such a big investment, where do you start? We’ve got all the information about when you need a new mattress, what to look for and where to buy.

We tested each mattress for a minimum of three nights, taking into consideration comfort, support, durability, value for money and what kind of sleeper the product would best suit.

All of the prices we’ve listed are for a standard double, but we’ve also included a list of all of the sizes that are available for each mattress for your reference.

How do I know when I need a new mattress?

Somewhere around seven to eight years is the average lifespan for a mattress, according to the National Bed Federation. Budget ones often need replacing more regularly, while better quality ones could last you as long as a decade.

But when do you know? Tell-tale signs include dipping in the middle causing roll-together, worn fabric and squeaky springs. And if your bed just doesn’t provide the same level of support it used to, that’s another clue.

What type of mattress should I get?

Pocket sprung mattresses provide good, independent support – ideal where two users may be quite different in stature. The individual pocket springs also help reduce roll-together.

Spring counts for a king size vary from a basic 2000 up to 3000 but can go up to many thousands by dual layering or adding layers of mini pocket springs.

Mattresses with a top layer of memory foam are great for providing additional pressure relief – ideal if you sleep on your side or suffer with painful hips, shoulders, knees. They conform to body contours, slowly responding to the user’s shape.