Best king size mattress: Tried-and-tested picks, for when a double just won’t do

Want to buy a king size mattress, but not sure which one? We’ve tested the best foam and hybrid king mattresses from Emma, Simba and more
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Reviewed By
Updated on 17 August 2026
  • Here are Expert Reviews, we’ve tested over 75 mattresses, so you can be sure that we know what we’re talking about when it comes to recommendations for your bedroom
  • Our favourite king size mattress is the REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid. It’s made from all-natural materials, which means it’s a great choice for those avoiding synthetics such as memory foam 
  • Alternatively, our top pick for tight budgets is the Origin Hybrid, while one of our favourite mattresses for hot sleepers is the Emma Original Pro
  • Our roundup below features king size mattresses for a range of preferences, while our buying guide answers some of the burning questions you might have when shopping for a new mattress
REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid mattress, with a cat on it

The best king size mattress is the REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid, an all-natural mattress free from synthetics such as memory foam. It’s a great option for those looking for a firmer mattress or decent temperature regulation. However, we’re well aware that not everyone will fit into those boxes, which is why our roundup below features mattresses for a range of sleeping styles, needs and budgets. 

A king size mattress is a worthwhile upgrade from a double if you share your bed with a partner, or you just value your space. Not only does a king size give you more room, but they can even help keep you cooler at night, while also having more surface area to isolate movement.

Our expert reviewers have tested over 75 mattresses, so we know what we’re talking about when it comes to recommendations. From traditional pocket sprung to bed-in-a-box models, we’ve selected five of our favourite mattresses from our main best mattress page to feature in our roundup below. And below that, our buying guide addresses the questions you might want answered before you buy.

Best overall REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid (£1,100)
Best luxury king size mattress Hypnos Inspired By Nature 05 (£4,100)
Best on a budget Origin Hybrid (£538)
Best premium bed-in-a-box mattress Simba Hybrid Pro (£1,399)
Best for temperature regulation Emma Original Pro (£799)
Did You Know
Want to learn more?

It may sound obvious, but it’s essential: we test our mattresses by sleeping on them. That’s part of it, anyway. We also put each mattress through tests designed to compare them fairly and precisely, using weights, spirit levels and thermocouple thermometers. Our main focus here is on firmness and temperature control, though we do also measure edge support and motion isolation.

Testing a king-size Hypnia Supreme memory foam mattress

The base your mattress lies on will play its part in how a mattress feels, with a slatted base adding a little more bounce than a solid divan base. We can’t always test multiple bed bases when reviewing a mattress, but we always take this into account when judging.

A mattress is a big investment, so value for money is an important factor. We also take into account delivery experience, warranty details and free trials, which are notably generous in the bed-in-a-box market. After all, you only really know a mattress is perfect for you after you’ve slept on it for weeks or even months.

Price when reviewed: £1,100 (king size) | Check price at REM-Fit

Reviewed in October 2025 by Jo Plumridge 

best buy
The REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid mattress on a bed in a bedroom
Pros
  • Comfortable and supportive 
  • All-natural materials 
  • Good temperature regulation
Cons
  • Too firm for some

While many bed-in-a-box mattresses contain layers upon layers of memory foam and other synthetic materials, the REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid is constructed from all-natural materials – including wool, cotton and full-length pocket springs. 

As a result, it’s a good choice for hot sleepers, as natural materials are much more breathable than their synthetic counterparts. It performed well in our temperature tests, dropping from 50°C to 27.4°C after ten minutes. 

The Natural Lux Hybrid is also comfortable and supportive, with a firmer feel that suits back sleepers and heavier users over lightweight side sleepers. Edge support on the REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid is also excellent, for both lying and sitting on. 

It’s not necessarily a budget option but – as you’ll soon see – compared to some all-natural rivals, it’s strikingly affordable, starting at £700 for a single and rising to £1,200 for a king. What’s more, we’ve come to expect frequent discounts and offers from a bed-in-a-box brand such as REM-Fit. 

Read our full REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid review

Key features
Type Bed-in-a-box hybrid
Needs turning? Rotate every three months
Sizes Small single to super king
Trial period 100 nights

Price when reviewed: £4,100 (king size) | Check price at Bensons For Beds

Reviewed in May 2026 by Jo Plumridge 

best buy
The Hypnos Inspired By Nature 05 mattress on a wooden bed frame in a bedroom
Pros
  • Supremely comfortable and supportive
  • Excellent materials
Cons
  • Very, very expensive
  • Short exchange-only trial period

While the REM-Fit Natural Lux Hybrid is a natural mattress that won’t completely break the bank, this beautifully made mattress from Hypnos sits at the other end of the spectrum. Don’t expect to pay anything under four figures for the Inspired By Nature 05: a single will cost you £3,000, while a king size is priced at £4,100. 

A beauty it is, however. It’s constructed from high-quality natural materials, including British wool, latex, springs and blended fruit fibres. Don’t let the latter put you off: this is a brilliantly comfortable mattress. Take it from our reviewer, Jo Plumridge: “To put it bluntly, the Hypnos Inspired By Nature 05 is the most comfortable mattress I’ve slept on.” Following a brief adjustment period, Jo didn’t have a single bad night on it. 

It’s quite a heavy mattress, so rotating and turning it might be a challenge for some (the brand recommends doing this on a semi-regular basis), but this task is aided by padded handles stitched into the sides. In short, if you can afford the Hypnos Inspired by Nature, it’s an excellent option. 

Read our full Hypnos Inspired By Nature review

Key features
Type Traditional pocket sprung
Needs turning? Rotate and turn on a “semi-regular basis”
Sizes Single to super king
Trial period 40 nights (exchange only)

Price when reviewed: £538 (king) | Check price at Origin

recommended
Bed with Origin Hybrid Mattress in decorated room

Reviewed in June 2024 by Sarah Matthews

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Supportive
Cons
  • You can’t remove and wash the top cover

Origin’s Hybrid mattress delivers an excellent balance of comfort and ergonomic support. Our reviewer – who, by her own admission, normally prefers a softer mattress – found that it “offered an excellent balance between soft comfort and firm support”. Its pocket springs, which are thicker at the base, sufficiently support both heavier and lighter bodies, while the upper foam layer provides comfortable cushioning for side, back and front sleeping positions. 

What’s more, the Origin Hybrid’s support is consistent right across the surface from edge to edge, and motion isolation is excellent. 

It’d be nice if you could remove and wash the mattress’ cover. But when a king size mattress costs £538, that’s a trifling complaint. 

Read our full Origin Hybrid mattress review

Key features
Type Bed-in-a-box hybrid
Needs turning? No
Sizes Single to super king
Trial period 200 nights

Price when reviewed: £1,399 (king) | Check price at Simba 

best buy
A corner of the Simba Hybrid Pro on a bed frame

Reviewed in April 2025 by Jane Hoskyn 

Pros
  • Comfortable and supportive
  • Contains wool layers for comfort and temperature regulation
Cons
  • Expensive

When it comes to the vast array of bed-in-a-box mattresses we’ve tested, the Simba Hybrid Pro is one of the most comfortable and supportive. It’s also notably expensive for a bed-in-a-box mattress, but it’s a worthy investment that will suit a range of sleeping positions. 

The Hybrid Pro contains two layers of micro pocket springs and an upper comfort layer made from British wool, plus several layers of foam. This wool layer is particularly effective when it comes to keeping you cool, the material being a naturally excellent insulator. 

If the price has given you pause for thought, let us point out that you get a 200-night trial during which you can sleep on the mattress in your own home. If you regret your purchase, you can return it for a full refund (be sure to check the trial terms and conditions). It’s also worth keeping an eye out for occasional deals and discounts from Simba. While these aren’t as frequent as they once were, you can still save during peak deals periods such as Black Friday. 

Read our full Simba Hybrid Pro review

Key features
Type Bed-in-a-box hybrid
Needs turning? Rotate once/month for the first six months; once every 3/6 months thereafter
Sizes Single to super king
Trial period 200 nights

Price when reviewed: £799 | Check price at Emma

best buy
Emma NextGen Cooling mattress with man sat on top

Reviewed in April 2025 by Jane Hoskyn (the Original Pro was previously named the Emma Hybrid Thermosync)

Pros
  • Great for hot sleepers
  • Comfortable and versatile
Cons
  • Might be too soft for some

For a bed-in-a-box mattress containing several layers of memory foam, the Emma Original Pro is strikingly impressive in the temperature regulation department. Here at Expert Reviews, we’re reluctant to use the term “cooling mattress” without qualification: no mattress will actively cool you down, but a good mattress will aid the body to more easily regulate its temperature throughout the night.

The Original Pro contains a layer of “ThermoSync” foam, designed to draw excess heat away from the body, as well as “extra-tall” pocket springs. While we can’t pinpoint a single cause for the Pro’s “cooling” qualities among its specs, it performed well in our tests, dropping from 30°C to 22.6°C in just four minutes. 

It’s a reasonably soft mattress, so those looking for a firm mattress may be better off opting for REM-Fit’s Natural Lux Hybrid. But the Original Pro’s spring-and-foam hybrid structure doesn’t fail to provide decent levels of edge-to-edge support and comfort for a range of sleeping positions.

Read our full Emma Original Pro review

Key features
Type Bed-in-a-box hybrid
Needs turning? No
Sizes Single to super king
Trial period 200 nights

Given that we’ve tested and reviewed over 75 mattresses, the roundup above is not an exhaustive list of recommendations. More mini reviews can be found over on our main best mattress roundup. For a quick glance of what else is on offer, though, here’s a list (in no particular order) of some other mattresses we’ve tested and recommended:

How big is a king size mattress?

A standard UK king size mattress measures 150cm by 200cm, compared with 135cm by 190cm for a double. As a result of logistics and spatial limitations, we can’t guarantee that we’ve reviewed all the mattresses above in a king size. However, we can guarantee that we’ve scrupulously tested every single mattress that we review, taking into account all of the relevant factors: comfort, support, temperature regulation and motion isolation. 

Are king size mattresses heavy?

This all depends on the type of mattress. Particularly deep mattresses and those containing layers of pocket springs are going to be naturally heavier than, say, an all-foam mattress. And king size mattresses are inevitably heftier than their double or single counterparts. 

It’s important to take weight into account when shopping for a king size mattress: how easy will it be to manoeuvre into your home, and will you be able to flip or rotate it should you need to? Bed-in-a-box mattresses are usually vacuum sealed and rolled up for ease of transportation, and many mattresses have carry handles to facilitate rotating. Also be sure to check out delivery details: some brands will offer a two-man delivery service to your room of choice as part of the cost of the mattress, while this will cost extra for others. 

For more mattress advice, be sure to check out our detailed guide over on our main best mattress page

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Written By

As Expert Reviews’ Home Editor, Gareth manages a vast range of content, including kitchen appliances, air treatment, ergonomic furniture and mattresses – the latter being a section of the website he’s worked within since joining in 2020. Following a Master’s Degree in Magazine Journalism, Gareth’s six years (and counting) on the team has made him an unlikely expert on filter coffee machines, office chairs and pillows. Gareth also works closely with Expert Reviews’ roster of freelancers in commissioning and editing reviews. 

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Jane is a freelance journalist who has spent 25 years writing reviews, interviews and features on subjects ranging from tech crime to teen CEOs. She worked as a magazine features writer and editor after starting her career in local papers and the music press. She now writes regularly for the Guardian and the Eco Experts.

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