Sorry Simba Hybrid, I just tested the brand's Luxe mattress for a month, and I'm in love with its softer sleep surface

In this Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress review, I put one of the brand's most popular mattress through its paces to see how it compares to some of the best mattresses on the market.

In a nutshell

I've reviewed a lot of mattresses over the past six years and I *think* I have a new favourite. Before I tested the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress, I would have told you the more affordable Simba Hybrid Mattress was the best sleep I've had, but things have changed.

The Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress is a wonderful concoction of springs, foam, and wool. It has a nice amount of bounce, great support, and, compared to the standard Simba Hybrid, a squishier top layer that makes for a softer feel.

As a side and back sleeper, I found this softer surface blissful, although it may not suit everyone. Heavier-weight sleepers, or front sleepers, may well find it too soft, but, personally, my comfort level whilst sleeping on the Luxe has been off the scale.

From the first night I slept on this mattress, I've found my body relieved of its usual stresses and strains. All the layers worked in harmony to support my heavy head, tense shoulders, and achy joints from an intense day as a busy mother of two. I also didn't get hot or notice any disturbance from my husband rolling over in bed. For me, that's a win, win, WIN.

Other than its softer feel dividing opinion (I have colleagues who've found this mattress too soft for their liking, and that's borne out with mixed third-party reviews, too), the only downside I encountered was that at 31cm deep this mattress may be too deep for some. Depending on your bed frame, if you're on the shorter side, you may find yourself needing to 'climb onto' this mattress rather than 'fall into' bed.

Overall though, I loved this mattress. And although the Luxe is admittedly twice the price of the Simba Hybrid at £1,699 compared to the £799 Simba Hybrid, I found it a more luxurious, cushioning sleep that I'd happily pay extra for.

Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress review

Specifications

• Type: hybrid (springs + foam)
• Construction materials: bamboo-infused wool layer, Simbatex, Aerocoil springs, micro-springs, high-density foam
• Sizes: single, small double, double, EU queen, king, super king
• Tensions available: medium-firm
• Height: 31cm
• Side handles: yes
• Flip or rotate: rotate
• Manufacturer sleep trial: 200 night

1. Comfort

The Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress is a hybrid foam and sprung mattress made up of nine layers.

It has a removable cover with 'cool-touch Stratos tech' that prevents heat build-up; a layer of British wool that's infused with bamboo to increase breathability; a 'Simbatex foam layer' for enhanced air flow compared to regular memory foam; two layers of 'Aerocoil' springs in 13 supportive zones; a CertiPUR foam layer for structural support; an extra layer of 900 high carbon steel micro springs; a 'SupportCore' sprung base with up to 1,000 pocketed, tempered steel barrel springs for edge-to-edge support; and a high-density foam base and cover for overall stability.

These nine layers amount to an overall mattress depth of 31cm. It makes it one of the deepest mattresses I've tested, and, with that, it makes it one of the highest beds I've slept on.

The average mattress is around 25cm deep, and depending on the height of your bed base, this could be an issue for those who are more petite than I am. I'm 5ft 8 inches, and I still found my bed quite high once this mattress was in place.

You may also find that, unless you have extra-deep fitted sheets, you run into some resistance when tucking the sheet under the mattress corners.

The Simba Hybrid Luxe is also a medium-firm mattress, which is my favoured tension. I'm a back and side-sleeper, and in both of these positions, I found myself very comfortable on the Luxe from night one.

I found the mattress offered me a "hugged", cradled feeling thanks to its cushioned top layers and support all over. My joints and the areas of tension I had in my body felt "lifted" sleeping on the Luxe, and I found relief in my pressure points. My husband agreed.

Ultimately, I found sleeping on the Simba Hybrid Luxe a dream. It feels softer than my former favourite mattress – another Simba offering, the more affordable Simba Hybrid Mattress – but I found this extra cushioning suited my side sleeping well.

That said, if you're a front sleeper, you may find it has a little too much squish for comfort, and similarly, heavier-weight sleepers may find they sink in a little too much. I weigh just under 13 stone, but heavier sleepers may prefer the firmer support of the Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress.

2. Motion isolation

The Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress has fantastic motion isolation, no doubt thanks to the softer top layer of foam and spring support working in harmony.

Neither my husband nor I noticed when the other one got out of bed in the night. Similarly, if either one of us changed sleeping position during the night, there was zero motion transfer to the other side of the bed.

There was also no rolling together into the middle of the mattress either; we both stayed on our respective sides of the mattress.

3. Responsiveness

Testing this mattress, I remembered all over again that no two hybrid mattresses feel the same. Switching from the hybrid Nectar Premier Mattress I have just tested, to sleeping on the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress gave me something that I hadn't realised I was missing, and that's bounce.

It's something the Simba Hybrid Mattress shares in common with the Luxe – instead of feeling a little 'flat' and 'dead' as many memory foam mattresses can, Simba's Simbatex foam feels 'alive' and responsive.

Thanks to that fantastic responsiveness, I didn't struggle to switch sleeping positions through the night, and any contouring around my body quickly reshaped for unrivalled support. In fact, I didn't even realise I had rolled over in the night until I woke in the morning.

4. Temperature regulation

In the past, I've woken up hot and sweaty when testing foam mattresses. But not this time. Simba has made a conscious effort to keep you feeling extra cool on its Hybrid Luxe Mattress, and I have no complaints.

The removable cover has the 'cool-touch' tech to prevent heat build-up; the bamboo-infused wool layer wicks away any moisture for enhanced breathability, and the Simbatex foam layer has enhanced airflow compared to standard memory foams.

Aside from having no quibbles about temperature regulation myself, this mattress also carries the GenM Menopause Friendly symbol. This means that it can ease, relieve, or support one or more of the 48 symptoms and signs of menopause. In this case, helping to regulate temperature throughout the night.

5. Edge support

Possibly because it has so many layers packed into its 31cm depth, the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress has good edge support.

I haven't once felt like I was sitting on the bed frame as I was launching off the side of the bed. Similarly, I haven't ever felt like I was going to roll out of bed as I was pushed to the edge by our co-sleeping toddler. The sides of the mattress don't dip, so you can make the most of every square inch of the bed.

This is likely thanks to two of the nine layers that make up the mattress. The 'SupportCore' sprung base has up to 1,000 pocketed, tempered steel barrel springs for a firm, edge-to-edge support with no roll off. Then, underneath this, is the high-density foam base and cover that offers stability and support.

I weigh just under 13 stone, and I found my weight was evenly distributed regardless of my sitting or sleeping position. However, whilst the edge support was fine for me, it may be a little too soft for others. The edges of the mattress do collapse a little from a sitting position. If you have any mobility issues, then you may prefer a slightly firmer surface to push against, such as the Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress.

6. Sleep trial

Simba offer a 200-night sleep trial so you can be sure that you're happy and comfortable with your new mattress.

In comparison, Nectar and DreamCloud have the longest sleep trial in the business, with a generous 365 nights to try out their mattresses. But it is on a par with the likes of Emma and Brook + Wilde, and it is still one of the most generous trial periods available.

7. Ease of care

The Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress has a cover that can be zipped off and machine washed at 40°C. This will keep your mattress looking good-as-new. However, I wouldn't envy anyone taking on the task of removing the cover – especially if you have a king or super-kingsize.

Instead, I would always advise popping on one of the best mattress protectors, which are a lot easier to remove and stick in the washing machine. If you don't have a protector already, the Simba mattress protectors look like a breathable, comfortable fit.

You'll need to be prepared to rotate your mattress to ensure even wear and tear, but this is a lot easier than flipping a mattress. Simba recommends that you do this at least once a month for the first three months, and then every three to six months.

The handles on the side are sturdy enough to help with rotating, but, as with most things, two pairs of hands will be better than one to help shift the overall mass.

8. Delivery

If you order the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress by 1 pm, the brand says you'll receive it the next day – for free – which is incredibly speedy, and turned out to be true for me.

This next-day delivery service is a free two-person delivery to your room of choice. If you need a specific timeslot or weekend delivery, you can upgrade to 'Specified Time Delivery' for £10. And an additional £10 will upgrade your order to the 'Mattress Setup & Packaging Removal service', which means the delivery team will unpack and install your mattress on your bed and remove and recycle all packaging.

You can also pay around £50 to have your old mattress taken away on delivery day. A mattress bag will be sent out to you ahead of the delivery/collection day to protect your old mattress in transit, and Simba will responsibly recycle your unwanted mattress.

In my case, the same day that the mattress was ordered, I received an email to say that my order was on the way. The next day, I received another email to say that it was in transit and would be delivered that day between 11:47 and 15:47.

The Luxe is delivered as a mattress in a box, meaning it's rolled and vacuum-packed in a compact box. This means that, should you prefer to move the mattress yourself, the size won't be the problem – just the weight.

If you want to take on the heavy lifting, the cardboard box does have handles cut into the sides to help you lift, though I thoroughly recommend letting the delivery team do the hard work for you, especially since it's free.

Inside the box, the Luxe Mattress is rolled and wrapped in plastic. The plastic is a very tight fit; as soon as I made the first cut, air entered, and the mattress started to inflate. This is the point you need to be a little careful, as the mattress can spring open and could easily knock you off your feet if you don't have your wits about you.

Again, if you're less mobile, I thoroughly recommend opting for Simba's 'Mattress Set-Up' service to make your life easier. Many brands, such as Emma and Nectar don't offer this service, and I think it's well worth taking advantage of.

Within one minute, I had removed the plastic, and the mattress was resting on our slatted-base bed frame.

Because it's vacuum-packed to fit into the box, Simba advises that your new mattress may need a few hours to re-inflate, and up to 48 hours to regain its shape fully, so I was glad that I unpacked the Luxe in the morning.

A strong chemical off-gassing smell is often associated with foam mattresses after unpacking, but I didn't notice anything of the sort with this one. Still, I opened the window just in case my sense of smell was failing me, and by bedtime that same day, it was ready to dress with bedding.

9. Third-party reviews

The Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress is widely available at many third-party stockists, with resellers including John Lewis, Bensons for Beds, and Mattress Next Day, as well as direct from Simba.

On Simba's own website, the Luxe has a *lot* of customer reviews: 14,017 to be exact. And it receives high praise; the overall consensus is that it's a worthwhile investment for a significantly better sleep experience. Reviewers speak highly about the comfort, back support, temperature regulation, and motion isolation, all of which are in line with my testing experiences.

One reviewer says: 'thankfully, this investment was worth it. Having gone to multiple bed stores to try different mattresses, the Luxe mattress won my heart. Within 24 hours, I had noticed the difference in my sleep.'

Any negative feedback tends to revolve around its softer feel: some found the tension too soft, and not everyone loves the bounce that I found so appealing. One John Lewis reviewer says: 'It's quite springy and has a lot of movement. I think it should be more stable and have less movement. Strange to sit up in as it seems to dip.'

If you're not used to the cushioning of a memory foam mattress, I can see how this mattress might feel different, but, thankfully, that's where the 200-night sleep trial comes in handy, as it gives your body time to adapt and see if a different feel suits you.

As another reviewer notes, 'This mattress is superb. I originally felt it was a bit too firm, but after sleeping on it for a couple of weeks, I now think it is perfect...'

As a brand, Simba also scores consistently highly on TrustPilot, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from its 59,000 reviews.

10. Environmental impact

As a brand, Simba is certainly making more efforts than most mattress brands to be environmentally conscious. Through using CertiPUR foam and recycled materials where possible, and recycling or refurbishing old Simba mattresses, they're taking action to turn their manufacturing processes into a circular economy, where no Simba mattress enters landfill.

The brand will also recycle your old mattress, regardless of the brand or size, with no Simba purchase necessary, which is awesome. For £50, their specialist mattress removal and recycling service will collect the mattress for you. Working with their UK-based partners, they'll carefully strip down mattresses into their component parts at a rate of about 12,000 mattresses per week.  All components will then be sorted and sanitised before a check and redistribution to their next life.

By continuing to do its bit to protect the planet, Simba is also doing all it can to be Net Zero by 2030. It's also proud to be a B Corp, which means that it's been verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

11. Value for money

Simba has a hybrid mattress to suit all budgets. From £649 for a double of the brand's most affordable Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress, to £2,299 for the top-of-the-range Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress.

Where does the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress sit in all this? It's the brand's mid-range offering, priced at £1,699 for a double. To offer a little more context, that's more expensive than the Simba Hybrid Pro at £1,199 for a double, and nearly twice the price of the £799 Simba Hybrid Mattress.

According to Simba, what the Luxe offers for that extra investment is a deeper mattress, more spring support, and a 'plush' top layer that makes this mattress feel softer to lie on than the three more affordable mattresses in the Simba range.

Our testing finds this to be true. After testing all three, we've found the Simba Hybrid Pro feels the firmest of the three, the Luxe is softer, and the budget-friendly Simba Hybrid mattress lies somewhere in the middle. I still think the Simba Hybrid is a fantastic mattress for its price, which is why it keeps its crown as the best mattress overall. But, I've discovered I do love the softer top layer of the luxe, which is especially well-suited to side sleepers thanks to its extra cushioning.

Personally, I think that £1,699 is pretty reasonable for what you get. From my first night sleeping on this mattress, my body was relieved of the stresses and strains that had built up during the day, and as a busy mother of two, for me, that's priceless.

How I tested

Jennifer Oksien

I’m Jennifer, a mother of two and a product reviewer who helps the Ideal Home team put mattresses through their paces to find our top recommendations. For this review, I tested the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress on a wooden slatted bed base.

My sleep stats:

Sleep position: back or side
Tension preference: medium/firm
Sleep problems: shoulder and/or neck pain and occasional pins & needles
Height & weight: 5"8 and 13 stone

In putting the Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress through Ideal Home's mattress testing process, I assessed eleven factors that we deem vital to any mattress purchase.

I tested the mattress for comfort, motion isolation, responsiveness, temperature regulation, and edge support. This means that myself (and my husband) slept on the mattress for a month before I wrote my review.

I also took into consideration ease of care, any sleep trials available, the delivery process, its value for money, and, where possible, researched the mattress's environmental impact and any third-party customer reviews – to see if they aligned or were at odds with my own experience – before writing my own review and giving this mattress a star rating.