Layla Essential mattress: Two-minute review

The Layla Essential mattress slashes the price and cuts a few corners compared to the brand's standard all-foam model. I slept on a queen size for three weeks to see how this wallet-friendly offering compares to the rest of today's best mattresses, and was reasonably impressed.

The slimline nine-inch tall, all-foam mattress has a straightforward design that includes memory foam, support foam, and a zip-off, washable cover. While it's unlikely to please everyone, the Layla Essential mattress could be a terrific purchase of exceptional value for a specific cohort of customers. Specifically, solo sleepers of light to average weight who prefer back sleeping are most likely to enjoy the Layla Essential to the fullest. Combination sleepers (back and side sleeping) on a budget may also find that this mattress suits their needs. The medium sleep feel means stomach sleepers and people of heavier weights risk misalignment and discomfort, and would be better with something firmer and more supportive. 

I found there was an above-average amount of motion transfer here. Co-sleepers – especially if one partner rouses easily and the other fidgets throughout the night – should opt for a mattress that absorbs motion better. Edge support was similarly below-par, which may prove to be a problem for co-sleepers who want to be able to comfortably enjoy the full sleeping surface, or anyone with mobility issues who needs a sturdy surface to push off against when getting up in the morning. 

I'm concerned that the lack of edge support may also point to dwindling durability over time. Note:  I didn't have the same experience in my Layla Hybrid mattress review – the edge support and motion isolation was great there, which suggests these performance niggles are a concession you're making for that lower price point rather than an issue with Layla's mattresses in general.)

However, I was more impressed with the temperature regulation. I didn't have any issues with overheating on the Essential, which is particularly notable because not all of today's best cheap mattresses excel in this area. Keep reading for more extensive details in my full Layla Hybrid mattress review.

Layla Essential mattress review: Design & materials

• On the thin side at nine inches tall
• All-foam design, with memory foam and base foam
• Zippable, washable cover

The Layla Essential is a nine inch tall, all-foam mattress. That's on the slightly shorter side – TechRadar recommends a minimum of 10 inches for most adults. The design comprises two different types of foam, zipped up in a washable cover (98 per cent polyester and 2 per cent lycra). The first layer, made of 'Open Cell+' Memory Foam, is two inches thick.

Layla says that this specific type of memory foam is designed to promote airflow, breathability, and temperature regulation. According to the brand's product page and its own tests, Open Cell+ Memory Foam boasts three times the cooling power of conventional memory foam – the latter of which can have a habit of clinging on to the sleeper's body heat. However, the proof of this is in the sleeping, and you'll find my personal experience of temperature regulation under the 'Performance' section of this review.

Foam density is an indicator of quality and longevity, and at 2.5 pounds, the memory foam here is under what we'd usually expect for a good quality mattress foam. However, very few brands actually share the density of the foams used in their mattresses, making it difficult to directly compare budget-friendly models based on this spec (in short, it might be that most cheaper mattresses use foams of a similar or lower density). The base layer consists of seven inches of polyurethane foam to bolster support and durability.

The two foams are CertiPUR-US certified. This means that they've passed rigorous tests that meet standards for the protection of human health and the environment.

A cover in Layla's signature hexagonal print finishes the whole thing off. This cover can be zipped off for easy cleaning.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Layla Essential mattress review: Price & value for money

• Budget to lower mid-range, depending on where and when you buy
• Cheapest option from Layla
• Sold via Amazon or direct from Layla

Layla carries three mattresses, and the Essential is the cheapest of the bunch by a considerable margin. The standard Memory Foam mattress is about twice the price of the Essential. Meanwhile, the Hybrid is about triple the price of the most cost-efficient option. 

It's sold directly from the brand – although it can be difficult to find on the Layla website – as well as via Amazon. Depending on where and when you buy, in the wider market, the mattress is on the higher end of the budget bracket or the lower end of low-mid range. Promotional sales prices are fairly common, so you can anticipate saving at least $100 if you buy at the right time. The Layla Essential mattress is priced as follows:

• Twin size: MSRP $549 (usually sold at $349-449)
• Twin XL size: MSRP $599 (usually sold at $399-499)
• Full size: MSRP $649 (usually sold at $449-549)
• Queen size: MSRP $699 (usually sold at $499-599)
• King size: MSRP $799 (usually sold at $599-699)
• Cal king: MSRP $799 (usually sold at $599-699)

At the time of writing (late October 2023), the promotional deal for the Layla Essential sounded almost too good to pass up, saving you $200 off the MSRP. Earlier in the month, each mattress was only $100 off the MSRP. For added value, Layla offers free shipping to your doorstep to 48 states. It'll also throw in two free pillows to the mix.

While it's common for mattress sales to happen all year round, Layla's discounts fluctuate depending on when you buy. Traditionally, the cheapest prices appear in the Black Friday mattress deals, but other good times to buy include the Labor Day mattress sales in September, the Presidents' Day mattress sales in February and the Memorial Day mattress sales in May. 

How good value this mattress is will depend on when you buy. Sitting at the top of the TechRadar best cheap mattress guide are the Siena memory foam mattress and the  Allswell (read TechRadar's Allswell mattress review). Both are typically a bit cheaper than the Layla Essential and similar quality. The Layla Essential does, however, compare favorably to most of today's best Amazon mattresses. 

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Layla Essential mattress review: Comfort & support

• Layla calls it medium firm' but I found it medium (6 out of 10)
• Most comfortable in back sleeping position
• Heavier bodies may sink and misalign

As a lightweight sleeper, I found that the sleeping surface of the Layla Essential mattress gently hugged my body without fully sinking in across all positions. Since the top memory foam layer is only two inches thick, this wasn't too surprising.

I tested the mattress across all sleeping positions, and found it most comfortable for back sleeping. I felt that my full weight was supported without any pressure mounting up. Side sleeping, which I'm naturally prone to, wasn't exactly uncomfortable, but it didn't feel optimal either. In the long run, I think my hips would have tensed up more than they typically do. (For more options here, head to TechRadar's best mattress for side sleepers roundup.)

Stomach sleeping was in a similar middle ground. In general, most people who prefer stomach sleeping should choose a firmer mattress (eight or more out of 10) for optimal alignment – especially medium to heavier bodies.

According to the brand, the Layla Essential provides "just enough hug to support your body at critical pressure". It also deems it to be medium-firm. To objectively assess support, I placed a 55-pound kettlebell in the middle of the mattress, to mimic the sinkage from a person's body weight and center of gravity. I measured just shy of 3.25 inches of sinkage. Firmer mattresses with more robust support won't sink quite as much. Based on previous mattresses I've reviewed – as well as this kettlebell test – I believe a medium rating (6 out of 10) is more accurate.

All things considered, the Layla Essential mattress performs best for back sleeping and is most suitable for lightweight and medium-weight sleepers who prefer this position. Most stomach sleepers and heavier bodies should likely seek out firmer, more supportive alternatives.

Layla Essential mattress review: Performance

• Decent temperature regulation for an all-foam design
• Some motion transfer – not the best for couples or light sleepers
• Noticeable sinkage when sitting along the edges

As well as assessing this mattress' comfort and support, I also tested for a range of other key performance criteria. Specifically: motion isolation, edge support and cooling. Here's how I got on.

Temperature regulation

A good night's sleep can be wrecked by overheating – whether that's primarily caused by a mattress, your body's own chemistry, or a mix of both. Although memory foam mattresses aren't inherently ideal to regulate temperature (they conform closely to the body and create opportunities to trap, rather than disperse, airflow), the Layla Essential takes care to address this.

I run hot at night intermittently, part of which can be exacerbated by a lack of breathability in a mattress. During this review, I was glad to find that I didn't experience night sweats. (This was even more impressive given I did my testing at the height of summer in Los Angeles.) This is most likely attributed to the 2-inch top layer of Open Cell+ Memory Foam, which is designed to encourage airflow through the mattress. However, it's not very cool to the touch and simply won't provide the same breathability as a mattress that isn't all-foam. If you tend to run hot at night, I recommend considering a hybrid mattress (which tends to be more breathable as the springs create space for air to circulate) or shelling out on one of the best cooling mattresses.

• Temperature regulation score: 4 out of 5

Motion isolation

I'm a solo sleeper, so motion isolation isn't my primary concern in a mattress. Regardless, I did another kettlebell test to see how light sleepers with a fidgety partner would fare with varying degrees of movement on the surface of the Layla Essential. I placed a wine glass in the center of the mattress, dropping a 10-pound kettlebell at 4, 10, and 25 inches away from it. The glass fell almost every time at 4 inches away, wobbled a moderate amount from 10 inches away, and moved only a small amount from 25 inches away.

These tests indicate that the Layla Essential doesn't excel at motion isolation, which could be a red flag for co-sleepers who rouse easily. Moreover, when the weight dropped, it made a notable slamming sound. This may be another deterrent for partnered sleepers, though perhaps not a solid pass for solo sleepers.

• Motion isolation score: 3 out of 5

Edge support

Some mattresses have reinforced edges along the top/bottom and/or sides of the mattress. This helps to maximize the safe and usable sleeping / sitting surface area of the mattress. It also prevents early sagging, thus bolstering the mattress' durability and longevity. The Layla Essential doesn't reinforce its perimeter.

To assess the edge support objectively, I put the 55-pound kettlebell at the bottom and side of the mattress. The sinkage clocked in at approximately 3.5 inches. Since the sinkage was slightly less at the center of the mattress (about 3.25 inches), that's an indication of less-than-great edge support.

I never felt in danger of rolling off the mattress when lying down, but the lack of edge support was also pretty notable while sitting on the side of bed. This could be a dealbreaker for co-sleepers who require a bigger surface area. People who regularly sit on the bed's edge may also find that it's not as supportive as they'd like it to be, and that it may sag more rapidly than alternatives with robust edge support.

• Edge support score: 3.5 out of 5

Layla Essential mattress review: Customer service

• Mattress delivered vacuum-packed, rolled and boxed
• Free doorstep shipping via Fedex Home Delivery to 48 states
• No issues with off-gassing

Free shipping is always a perk, which Layla provides across all its mattress models. You're not able to choose a delivery window, but you can track shipping details and time estimates via FedEx.

The Layla Essential is delivered to your doorstep, vacuum-packed in two layers of plastic and rolled in a box. As a solo unboxer, I found the mattress to be super easy to roll and maneuver onto my bed frame. That's probably thanks to its slim profile, and it came as a welcome surprise. The mattress hissed only a mild amount once I unwrapped the first layer of plastic, and ceased by the time I cut open the thicker layer of plastic. As it began to expand, I could only notice a very light off-gassing odor when I sniffed it up close. However, I didn't detect an odor that night. (The brand says you can sleep on it directly after unboxing, but it'll expand completely within 24 hours. It felt fine to sleep on that night.) Again, both foams are CertiPUR-US certified, so a lack of safety wasn't a concern on the off-gassing front.

This mattress comes with a 10-year warranty and 120-night trial. Some brands offer longer trials and warranties, but this is decent for the price of the mattress. If you decide to buy via Amazon, make sure you read the small print on this – there are sometimes extra hoops to jump through to ensure your trial and warranty are honored. (And figuring out how to return a mattress to Amazon isn't always straightforward, either.)

• Customer service score: 4 out of 5

Layla Essential mattress review: Specs

Layla Essential mattress review: Other reviews

• Average 4.5 stars on brand website and Amazon
• Happy customers cited great value for cost
• Less satisfied customers noted poor edge support

The Layla Essential has only 12 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars on the brand's official product page November 2023). Amazon has a bit more to go on, with 68 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars. While this isn't a very sizable pool to run with, positive reviews across both sites commonly noted the value of the purchase… so long as it aligned with their preferences for firmness (neither too firm nor too soft) and sleeping positions. In addition, some commenters appreciated the early or on-time delivery. Others, like me, were pleased with the unboxing experience.

Less enthusiastic customers were unhappy with the firmess, whether they deemed it too firm or too soft for what they expected (firmness levels are highly subjective, so this type of criticism should be taken with a grain of salt – almost all mattress review sections are peppered with people complaining their purchase it too firm or too soft). Some experienced next-day pain and/or continuing pressure build-up across different sleeping positions. In addition, some customers called out the disappointing edge support – feeling as though they might roll off or that the mattress wouldn't hold up for as long as it should.

Should you buy the Layla Essential mattress?

Buy it if...

✅ You're on a budget: The most appealing thing about the Layla Essential is probably its price. Depending on when and where you buy it, this mattress sits in the lower mid-range or budget brackets, and offers good value for that price. It's also the cheapest Layla by some way.

✅ You're a back sleeper: During my review, I found this mattress comfiest for back sleeping. I'd specifically recommend it to light- to average-weight back sleepers, who should get on with this level of support. 

✅ You sometimes sleep warm: All-foam mattresses, and especially budget-friendly ones, can run hot. I didn't have that issue with the Layla Essential, which stayed neutral throughout my testing period. 

Don't buy it if...

❌ You can afford to spend a bit more: While the Layla offers good value for its affordable price, if you can stretch to spend a bit more, the Nectar is TechRadar's #1 rated memory foam mattress, and comes with a full year's trial and forever warranty. Read more in our Nectar memory foam mattress review.  

❌ You sleep on your stomach or weigh above average: The medium sleep feel and relatively shallow profile of the Layla Essential means it probably won't be supportive enough for anyone of heavier body weight, or stomach sleepers. A good, firmer, budget-friendly option is the Siena memory foam mattress, or if you're of very heavy body weight, head to TechRadar's roundup of the best mattresses for bigger bodies, and invest in a specialist option. 

❌ You share a bed: I found the Layla Essential didn't isolate movements as effectively as many mattresses I've tested, which could be an issue for those who share a bed, especially if you're a light sleeper. If you can afford it, try one of Layla's pricier models – I was impressed with the motion isolation in my Layla Hybrid review. 

Layla Essential mattress review: Also consider

How I tested the Layla Essential mattress

I slept on the Layla Essential mattress for three weeks in August in Los Angeles, where nights were cool enough as far as peak summer goes, averaging around mid-60s Fahrenheit. (I usually slept with a ceiling fan on and next to a partially open window, but did not sleep with the air conditioning on overnight.) During testing, I used bamboo sheets and a duvet, often sleeping on top of both and using a throw blanket instead. In addition to reviewing this mattress based on my own body type, needs, and preferences, I did several weighted tests to objectively assess features including softness, motion isolation, and edge support.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: November 2023

Siena mattress review: Two-minute review

The Siena Memory Foam Mattress made quite the entrance in March 2022 with a markdown from its already-low MSRP. It's remained on sale ever since, and sits solidly in budget mattress territory – but based on my hands-on experience, I believe the Siena is not only the best cheap mattresses on the market right now, but also holds its own against some of the best mattresses with heftier price tags.

During August 2022, I slept on a twin Siena mattress and had a diverse group of five testers nap on it, as well. My full review is below, complete with all of the details. But if you're pressed for time, here's the abridged version...

The 10-inch Siena features three foam layers, capped with a polyester top cover and a shift-resistant bottom cover. This diverges from the single- and dual-layer construction typically found among budget memory foam mattresses. Since my initial review, the Siena has had a minor redesign: the base layer is shorter, the comfort layer has increased in height, and the top memory foam layer is half an inch smaller. Plus, the top polyester cover no longer has polyethylene fibers to aid with moisture-wicking. The core materials, however, remain the same.

Despite these modifications, I think the Siena will maintain its overall level of performance, and may even have a more balanced feel. My fellow testers and I found the Siena decidedly firm, collectively rating it a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale. (Siena's self-assessment is a 6.5, or medium-firm.) Thus, the Siena will likely resonate with front and back sleepers who want the support of a firm mattress with minimal give sag. Dedicated side sleepers might grapple with its unyielding surface, and those with joint pain might yearn for deeper pressure relief.

Surprisingly, the Siena was a welcome reprieve from one of the hottest summers on record. Its cooling prowess exceeded expectations and should be suitable for most sleepers; although those who excessively overheat may need something more specialized. Meanwhile, the Siena's excellent motion isolation makes it a sound choice for couples, and I can personally vouch for its stable edges as someone who relied on them for support during recovery from a back injury.

In terms of value, the Siena is a gem. It comes with a 180-night trial – that's half a year to try it out at home, a rarity for mattresses in this price bracket. (It's backed by a 10-year warranty, too). I doubt prices will get much lower during November's Black Friday mattress deals, but the Siena is already competitively priced year-round, so there's really no need to wait for the right time to buy.

Siena mattress review: Materials & design

• A 10-inch mattress with three foam layers
• Minor change in design since its release in 2022
• Polyester cover isn't removable

The Siena has undergone a minor facelift since I originally tested it in September 2022. Originally, the Siena featured a 5.5-inch polyfoam base layer (for stability), two inches of rippled transitional foam (for cushioning and improved airflow), and a 2.5-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam (for cooling and contouring).

Today, the Siena's base polyfoam layer and support foam layer each measure four inches, while the top gel-infused memory foam layer is now two inches. These tweaks may give the Siena a more balanced bed feel than I experienced a year ago.

The top cover is still made of soft polyester, though the polyethylene weave (for moisture-wicking) appears to be missing now. (The shift-resistant bottom cover is also polyester.) The cover isn't removable so you'll certainly want to invest in one of the best mattress protectors to shield it from spills and stains.

Design changes aside, the Siena still boasts one of the most complex builds I've seen from a cheap memory foam mattress. With a total of five layers, it's similar in build to its mid-range sibling, the Nectar. (For the lowdown on that, read our Nectar Mattress review.) 

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Siena mattress review: Price & value for money

Since it entered the market in March 2022, the Siena has never sold at its suggested retail price. At launch, it was already $200 off. That discount eventually increased to $300, bringing the price of a queen to a mere $399.

Siena's early Black Friday mattress deals advertise a hefty 50% off all beds, but this is somewhat deceptive as the brand has quietly bumped up list prices in the process. Take a closer look and you'll find these are just Siena's standard sale prices.

Regardless, the Siena is quite a steal for a five-layer memory foam mattress. That value becomes even sweeter with the inclusion of a 180-night trial period – generous for a budget bed. There's also a 10-year warranty, which is comfortably within the industry average. While the Siena doesn’t come bundled with freebies, shoppers do have the chance to add a bedding bundle at a bargain price of $99 (a $499 value).

• Value for money score: 5 out of 5

Siena mattress review: Comfort & support

• Officially rated medium-firm but many find it much firmer
• Excellent support for front and back sleeping
• Lack of 'hug' may deter side sleepers and those with back pain 

In August 2022, I spent a whole month sleeping on a twin Siena mattress. I'm a 5ft 4, 140lb side/front sleeper with a nagging lower back injury. However, I couldn't be the only one to try it out so I asked five other adults to sleep on the Siena to help me gauge its performance across a spectrum of body types and sleep needs.

Siena rates its memory foam mattress at a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale (medium-firm). My panel and I felt much differently as we unanimously determined it was a much firmer bed. Collectively, we rated it a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Of course, with the recent tweaks in Siena’s foam layer structure, there's a possibility it now skews softer, but if the most recent customer reviews are to be believed, plenty of sleepers still find it decidedly firm.

The side and back sleepers among us said the Siena struck a nice balance of comfort and support, providing just enough give along our joints and lower backs. As someone who occasionally sleeps on their stomach, I found the Siena kept me well-aligned.

However, as a dominant side sleeper, I needed a week to properly break in the Siena. It was initially too rigid along my hips and shoulders (the best mattresses for side sleepers tend to be a bit softer). I eventually settled into it and (fortunately) didn't have any pain. That wasn't the case for one of the back sleepers in my group. At 5ft7in and 210lbs, he found the Siena too unyielding, and he ultimately developed a lower backache after a few moments of resting on it.

To objectively test the Siena's pressure relief, I placed a 50lb kettlebell in the middle of the mattress. The weight sank roughly an inch into the surface, which immediately snapped back to form once I removed the weight. That matches what we human testers experienced.

So who will like the Siena? It seems to be a match for back and stomach sleepers who prefer firmer support. Side sleepers might also enjoy it if they don't like anything too plush but overall I’m hesitant to recommend it exclusively for side sleeping – nor would I consider it an ideal mattress for back pain since there's not much pressure relief.

Again, the latest design changes could theoretically offer a more nuanced feel, but recent customer feedback suggests that many still find the Siena firmer than anticipated.

Siena mattress review: Performance

• Sleeps cooler than expected
• Edges are stable all around
• Minimal motion transfer

During my month with the Siena mattress, I performed a series of tests to evaluate its temperature regulation, motion isolation, and edge support – all according to TechRadar's mattress methodology. Here are the results...

 Temperature regulation

I slept on the Siena in August, which was the perfect chance for me to test the efficacy of its cooling materials. It includes a layer of rippled comfort foam to improve airflow and a gel-infused memory foam to help dissipate heat.

Despite my tendency to occasionally overheat, I didn't wake up sweaty once with the Siena. Whether I dressed the mattress in 100% cotton sheets or a cotton-polyester blend, I remained comfortably cool beneath my mid-weight polyester comforter.

The Siena’s firmness potentially helps with its temperature control. Memory foam mattresses are prone to trapping heat with their enveloping sink. Instead, my fellow testers and I felt like we were slightly hovering right above the surface of the Siena, mitigating the potential for overheating.

The Siena mattress will keep most sleepers at a comfortable temperature. However, chronically hot sleepers should consider a specialized cooling mattress crafted with innovative materials designed to ward off night sweats and hot flashes.

(Note: The original Siena included polyethylene fibers woven into the cover for moisture-wicking. Although this appears to have been phased out, I doubt its absence will dramatically compromise the Siena’s temperature regulation.)

• Temperature regulation score: 4 out of 5

Motion isolation

To test the motion isolation on my twin Siena mattress, I conducted a series of drop tests using a 10-pound weight and an empty wine glass. I positioned the weight 25 inches from the wine glass and dropped it from three distinct heights: four inches (to simulate tossing and turning(, eight inches (to simulate someone climbing in or out of bed(, and 12 inches (to simulate the impact of jumping in or out of bed).

The wine glass remained virtually motionless throughout each drop, and the weight had a slight bounce before coming to rest on the surface. This suggests that the Siena mattress has superb motion isolation, making it a great choice for anyone sharing a bed with a restless partner or an enthusiastic pet.

• Motion isolation score: 4.5 out of 5

Edge support

At the time of testing, I was recovering from another flare-up of my back injury, which meant I had to sit on the side of the bed before standing up. Luckily, the Siena has superb edge support, which made my morning wake-ups much less painful. The rest of my review panel said they felt secure when seated on the corner or along the side. Minimal compression made it easy to push up.

For an objective look, I placed a 50lb weight along the perimeter. It compressed about an inch, the same measurement I recorded when testing the pressure relief in the center of the bed. The edges shouldn't dip lower than the middle, so the Siena aces this portion of the test.

Conclusion: if you intend to use every inch of your sleep surface, you'll be well-supported by the Siena – whether you sleep in a twin (like I do) or something larger.

• Edge support score:  5 out of 5

Should you buy the Siena mattress

Buy it if…

✅ You're a back or front sprawler: With its firm feel and stable edges, the Siena is inviting for front and back sleepers who like to stretch out comfortably.

✅ You share a bed with an active partner: The Siena's top-notch motion isolation bodes well if you want to sleep uninterrupted amidst your partner's flopping.

✅ You're on a strict budget: At $399 for a queen, the Siena is one of the most affordable mattresses out there. The six-month trial is a nice bonus, too.

Don't buy it if…

❌ You're a dedicated side sleeper: Side sleepers who want a mattress that molds to their body may find the Siena too stiff. Our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers can point you in a cushier direction.

❌ You crave a traditional memory foam feel: Those in pursuit of a body-hugging foam mattress will find the Siena lacking. Consider its mid-priced sibling, the Nectar mattress, for a more typical memory foam experience.

❌ You deal with severe overheating: While the Siena slept surprisingly cool for me, it may not suffice for chronically hot sleepers. For an all-foam bed tailored for cooler slumber, check out our Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review.

How I tested the Siena mattress

I slept on a twin Siena Memory Foam Mattress for four weeks in August 2022. During that time, I was running my central air as we were in the midst of some dreadfully hot weather. I dressed the mattress in either 100% cotton or cotton/polyester bed sheets, with a mid-weight polyester comforter on top.

I'm a 5-foot-4 side/stomach sleeper who at the time weighed 140lbs and was struggling with yet another flare-up of my lower back pain. To supplement my experience, I had five other adults nap on the Siena for at least 15 minutes in their usual positions and sit along the edge. Testers ranged in size from 5-foot-4 and 126lbs to 6-foot and 215lbs. 

To objectively gauge the Siena's performance, I conducted a series of standardized tests. I used a 50lb weight to evaluate pressure relief and edge support, and a 10lb weight plus an empty wine glass to observe the motion isolation.

DreamFoam Essential mattress: Two-minute review

The DreamFoam Essential mattress, from parent company Brooklyn Bedding, is a basic, all-foam bed-in-a-box with some important distinctions. Formerly known as the Brooklyn Bedding Chill mattress, it doesn't trap heat like many foam mattresses do. 

What really sets this mattress apart is the wide variety of sizes from which to choose. The thickness you choose determines the firmness for the DreamFoam mattress. There are five different options, ranging from six to 14 inches, which translates to a range from 'firm' to 'medium-soft'. Most notably, there are 22 different mattress sizes available, many of which are especially for RV or boat spaces.

My husband and I slept on the 10-inch thick, queen-sized mattress for three weeks. In my testing, I found the DreamFoam's motion isolation to be good, which is important for couples. Despite having different sleep preferences – I'm a side sleeper that prefers a softer mattress, he's a stomach sleeper that prefers a firmer mattress – we both found it to be comfortable. The 10-inch mattress falls in the middle of the range, and the company refers to it as 'medium-firm'. It is better suited for stomach and back sleepers than side sleepers, since it lacks the contouring of a softer mattress. If you depend on firm edges to sit comfortably on the edge of your bed, you may want to look elsewhere.

This isn't the most luxurious or exciting mattress around, but it is functional and very affordable. While it doesn't make the cut for TechRadar's overall best mattress guide, it does feature amongst its best cheap mattress picks – and is especially useful if you're shopping for an awkward space. Read on for my full Brooklyn Bedding DreamFoam Essential mattress review.

DreamFoam mattress review: Materials & design

• All-foam mattress – two or three layers, depending on thickness
• Simple but effective design
• Huge range of sizes and several thickness options

One of the most notable things about the DreamFoam Essential mattress is that it comes in 22 different sizes, each of which can be purchased in one of five different thicknesses. Depth options range from six to 14 inches, with the sleep feel getting softer the thicker the mattress is. A number of Brooklyn Bedding's mattresses are available in a wide range of sizes, but this one might have the most options of them all. 

The design is simple but effective. The DreamFoam mattress isn't removable for cleaning, although it is designed to be stain-resistant. Each mattress has at least two layers of foam: the thicker bottom foam layer is a high-density foam for firm support, while the top layer is Gel Swirl Memory Foam, which is designed to be responsive to your movement. 

This top layer of foam is infused with cooling gel, and also described as 'open-cell', to encourage airflow and heat dissipation. (In reality, pretty much all mattress foam is open-cell, but I was impressed with the temperature regulation here nevertheless – I'll get into that more in the Performance section of this review.) The 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch models all have these two layers, and the layers get thicker as the mattress gets thicker.

The two thickest models, the 12-inch and 14-inch mattresses, have a third transitional foam layer in between the two mentioned above. This middle layer is a high-density foam designed for better contouring to your body. 

Brooklyn Bedding recommends rotating the mattress every six to eight months, but it's not flippable. There are no handles to help with maneuvering. This isn't the most luxurious or complex mattress design around, but it offers decent quality for the affordable price tag (although there was a bit of loose stitching on our review model).

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

DreamFoam Essential review: Price & value for money

• Budget or lower mid-range mattress, depending on thickness
• Good value for the quality; respected brand name
• Always discounted – expect 25% off or occasionally more

Like many mattresses, the DreamFoam Essential is never sold at full price. Expect 20% off MSRP, which takes this mattress into budget (for the 6 and 8 inch models) or lower mid-range brackets (for 10 inches or thicker). 

Here's the official pricing for the main sizes, alongside the prices you can expect to actually pay. I'll use the 10 inch model here. 

• Twin: MSRP $449 (usually sold at $336.80)
• Full: MSRP $574 (usually sold at $430.50)
• Queen: MSRP $699 (usually sold at $524.30)
• King: MSRP $899 (usually sold at $674.30)
• Cal king: MSRP $899 (usually sold at $674.30)

If you're not in a rush to buy, you might be able to snag a bigger discount around national holidays. The Black Friday mattress deals in late November traditionally bring with them the lower prices of the year, but parent company Brooklyn Bedding typically bumps up its deals to 30% off for events like the Presidents' Day mattress sales and the Memorial Day mattress sales.

In terms of value for money, it's pretty good but not amazing. The most affordable options in TechRadar's best memory foam mattress guide are cheaper, but you are getting the reassurance and expertise of a well-known and respected sleep brand here (DreamFoam is an offshoot of Brooklyn Bedding). If you're considering the 12 inch version or thicker, there are similarly-priced alternatives that offer more for your money – for example, the DreamCloud mattress (no relation) has a more complex and luxurious feeling design, along with a much longer trial and warranty.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

DreamFoam Essential review: Comfort & support

• Firmness depends on thickness; 10" review model around 7/10
• 10 inch version comfortable for any sleep position
• Not a lot of body contouring

The DreamFoam Essential mattress comes in five different thicknesses, and each one has a different firmness profile. I tested the 10-inch model, which is the middle of the five. It's rated as 'medium-firm' by the company, rating it 6 out of 10 in terms of firmness. I think it's slightly firmer; more like a 7 out of 10. The following section of this review is based just on the 10-inch version; the thinner and thicker versions will feel different.

I found the DreamFoam Essential mattress to be the type of mattress where I lie on top rather than sinking in. I didn’t find that it contours to my body very much. The sleep surface is quite responsive, and springs back quickly when you remove pressure. While the mattress is made of two different foam layers of different densities, I couldn’t sense that while sleeping on it.

To get a more objective record of firmness, I placed a 15-pound weight in the middle of the mattress and measured how far it sank in. The weight sank to a depth of two inches, which lines up with the medium-firm rating that Brooklyn Bedding gives the 10-inch model. I agree with the company’s medium-firm rating; it feels that way to me subjectively as well.

Mattress firmness preference is a matter of taste. But as a general rule, the best mattresses for side sleepers tend to be a little softer, with more pronounced contouring, to prevent pressure from building up around the hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers generally get the support they need with a firmer mattress. Additionally, larger bodies will want the added support of a firmer mattress while lighter-weight bodies will be more comfortable on softer mattresses.

My husband and I both have lighter-weight bodies, but he is primarily a stomach sleeper while I’m primarily a side sleeper. We do both occasionally sleep on our backs as well. I found the mattress to be comfortable, even on my side, with just enough contouring for a good night’s sleep. My husband found it to be even more comfortable, since he prefers to sleep on his stomach.

While I think anyone could sleep comfortably on the medium-firm 10-inch version, it will feel most comfortable for stomach and back sleepers. It’s designed to support up to 950 lbs, so should be suitable for bigger bodies, too.

Brooklyn DreamFoam mattress review: Performance

• Decent temperature regulation
• Good edge support for sleeping; less for sitting
• Minimal motion transfer

Foam mattresses can trap heat, rendering the sleeper uncomfortably hot. Both my husband and I tend to sleep hot, so we are especially sensitive to any mattress or bedding that might raise our sleeping temperature. Thankfully, we didn’t find this to be an issue with the DreamFoam Essential – I'd judge it to be temperature neutral, neither warming me up nor cooling me down as I slept. (If you really struggle with overheating at night, you might be better off investing in one of the best cooling mattresses, however.) For context, I tested this mattress during a midwestern spring, with the average temperature being about 68 degrees Farhenheit. 

Motion isolation is an important factor for couples, especially if one or more of the partners tends to toss and turn. I’m very sensitive to my partner’s motion while I’m trying to sleep, and I found that the DreamFoam Essential offered pretty good motion isolation. I ran some tests to measure this more objectively, dropping the 15-pound onto the mattress near a wine glass to see if it would fall over. First, I dropped the weight 10 inches away from the wine glass; it jiggled but didn’t fall over. Second, I dropped it 25 inches from the glass; this time it barely moved at all. This confirms that the mattress will work well for people whose partners move around a lot at night.

Finally, I tested the mattress' edge support. This matters for a couple of reasons. First of all, you want to be able to sleep on your mattress right up to the edge, so you can make use of the whole mattress. Second, you want to be able to sit on the edge of the mattress and push up to standing. For sleeping purposes, I found the edge support to be quite good; I never felt in danger of rolling off. However, when I sat on the edge of the mattress, I sank in quite a bit. It wasn’t the best surface for pushing off from. 

I also tested all of the edges with the 15-pound weight, noting 1.5-inch sinkage all around. As a rule of thumb, you want for less sinkage around the edges than in the middle. The middle of this mattress had two inches of sinkage, so, overall, edge support isn't bad.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

DreamFoam Essential mattress review: Specs

Should I buy the DreamFoam Essential mattress?

Buy it if...

✅ You're shopping for an awkward space: The DreamFoam Essential comes in nearly two dozen different sizes, including ones especially for RVs and bunk beds. A few of this brand's mattresses come in some unusual sizes (the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has 14 size options, for example), but this might be the widest range of them all. 

✅ You're on a budget: If you don't have tons of cash to splash and/or you just need something good quality and comfortable, this is a great pick. While this isn’t a high-end, lush mattress, both my partner and I were perfectly happy sleeping on it during our review period. 

✅ You need a guest room mattress: With a range of different firmness options and a high maximum weight limit, this is a mattress that can suit lots of different people, regardless of sleep position or body size. The price point is perfect for a spare room, too.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want a luxurious mattress: The DreamFoam Essential, while perfectly fine, is more of a basic mattress-in-a-box model. If you want something a little fancier, check out the DreamCloud mattress. This hybrid sits in the lower mid-range price bracket (so depending on thickness may be cheaper than the DreamFoam) and is our top pick for affordable luxury. 

❌ You need a mattress with sturdy edges: While the edge support on the DreamFoam is okay, it's not exceptional. If you need something you can comfortably push up off to get up in the morning, look elsewhere. 

❌ You aren't shopping for an awkward space: If you don't need one of those weird sizes, be aware that there are plenty of budget-friendly all-foam mattresses to choose from. The DreamFoam might still win out in the end, but it's well worth taking a look at the TechRadar roundup of the best memory foam mattresses to make sure you're not missing out on something that would suit you better.

How I tested the Brooklyn Bedding DreamFoam Essential mattress

I tested the 10-inch thick, Queen-sized DreamFoam Essential Mattress. My husband and I slept on it for three weeks in the spring. We have central heating and air-conditioning,  so it was never too hot or too cold. The average temperature was 68 degrees Fahrenheit. We both tend to sleep hot, so we used minimal bedding: just a bottom sheet, a top sheet, and a light blanket.

In addition to my subjective feelings about the comfort of this mattress, and soliciting my husband’s opinions, I ran standardized tests to assess the softness, edge support, and motion isolation of this mattress. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2023

Saatva Latex Pillow: Two-minute review

Saatva Latex Pillow includes both shredded latex and down-alternative for cushioning. As such, you're getting the best of both worlds: the allergy-friendly fluffiness of synthetic stuffing, and the comfortable bounciness of latex. 

This is the brand behind TechRadar's #1 best mattress (read about it in its Saatva Classic mattress review), so I had high expectations for this pillow, and I wasn't disappointed. The Saatva Latex pillow is one of the very best pillows I've slept on. It provides a luxurious sleeping experience, with the blend of different fills creating the feeling of sleeping in a 5-star hotel bed.

Although you can't adjust the fill level as is possible with some pillows, there are two loft options, making it suitable for a wide range of sleepers. Most of the pillow is machine-washable, and I didn't have any issues with it trapping heat, either.

With prices starting at $165, this sits at the top end of pillows in general, but the build quality is excellent. If you can afford it, it might well be worth it. Read on for my full Saatva Latex pillow review.

Saatva Latex Pillow review: Specs

Saatva Latex Pillow review: Price & value for money

• Premium pricing – costs from $165, and rarely discounted
• High quality
• Comes with a 45-night trial and year's warranty

The Saatva Latex pillow sits firmly in the premium price bracket. In fact, it would be in the premium bracket even at half price. Although Saatva mattress deals and sales are common, they never really include accessories like pillows. Here's the pricing for the two sizes:

• Queen size: $165
• King size: $185

None of Saatva's products are especially cheap, nor is that the brand's general approach – instead, it focuses on high-end materials, strong build quality and excellent customer service, all of which help justify those higher prices.

When the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow is on sale, it’s less than half the cost of the Saatva Latex Pillow. But keep in mind that the latter also includes down-alternative fill, so it’s almost like getting two pillows for the cost of one, here. Although, of course, only person can sleep on it at a time.

Saatva makes four different types of pillows. In addition to the Sattva Latex Pillow, the company also makes a Saatva down-alternative Pillow that starts at $115 for a standard/queen. In addition, there’s a Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow that starts at $165 for a standard/queen, and Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow starts at $135 for a standard/queen.

Saatva Latex Pillow review: Design & materials

• Shredded natural latex core provides support
• Fill layer of alternative down fibers is breathable 
• Cover and down microdenier fiber pillow are machine washable

The Saatva Latex Pillow has three main design components, all of which work perfectly together. The main core is made from shredded natural latex, to support the head and relieve pressure. This is wrapped in a fill layer containing down-alternative fibers. Finally, there's the organic cotton cover, with gusseted sides that look smart and help the pillow maintain its shape. 

This isn't one of those pillows where you can remove filling until it's the perfect height and firmness for you. However, it is available in two different lofts, making it suitable for a wide range of sleepers. The standard loft – which is about 4 inches to 5 inches high – is recommended for stomach and back sleepers. The high loft pillow is 6 inches to 7 inches high, and is recommended for side and combination sleepers.

In TechRadar's Saatva Down Alternative pillow review, the reviewer found the loft too high for most people, so it's great to see that this option has two heights to suit different people.

My review pair of Saatva Latex Pillows arrived in one branded box, with the pillows enclosed in a strong plastic bag with two carrying handles. Since the pillows weren’t shrink-wrapped, I didn’t have to wait for them to expand, so I was able to put the pillows on my bed and start the testing process immediately. (And since they were not shrink wrapped, I didn’t experience any off-gassing smells.)

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Saatva Latex Pillow review: Care & allergies

Most of the Saatva Latex pillow is machine-washable – both the outer cotton cover and microdenier fiber layer can both be tossed in the washing machine to launder. Synthetic down-alternative generally better at not aggravating allergies when compared to actual down.

Although the shredded latex core isn't machine washable, it is hypoallergenic, and dust mite- and mildew-resistant. This natural latex does not contain allergy-producing proteins, and it doesn’t come into contact with your skin, so it should also be safe for people (like me) who have latex allergies.

Saatva Latex pillow review: Comfort & support

• Can suit back, side, or stomach sleepers, depending on the loft 
• Squishy yet supportive
• Doesn't need re-fluffing

The Saatva Latex Pillow provided a comfortable level of firmness and support, while also being ridiculously comfortable. My preference is always a thick and squishy/spongy pillow that’s plush yet supportive, and this pillow checks all of the boxes.

If you want a pillow that you can bash into shape and fold over, this isn't it – the Saatva Latex pillows can't be folded over, and are full enough that they don't need to be refluffed.

Since the pillow is available in two lofts, it's a good option for back, stomach, and side sleepers. I’m a combination sleeper, alternating between my stomach and side. For my review I slept on the high loft pillow option, and it was the perfect hight for these positions. On my back, it was slightly high – not enough to be uncomfortable, but enough to notice the difference. However, had I been a stomach sleeper, I would have requested the standard loft pillow instead.

I actually enjoyed the pillows so much that after my two weeks of testing, I started using them to lounge on my sofa on the weekends – but I would always take them back to the bedroom at night. 

• Comfort and support score: 5 out of 5

Saatva Latex Pillow review: Temperature regulation

I did not find the Saatva Latex Pillow to be 'cool to the touch', but neither are the vast majority of temperature-regulating pillows that I test. However, the pillows did provide a relatively cool sleeping experience. 

This is due to three factors. First, the pillow’s natural latex core is breathable. Also, the fill later of alternative down fibers is also breathable. In addition, the organic cotton cover is moisture-wicking. With all of these components working in harmony, the result was a temperature-relating experience that kept me comfortably cool during the night.

• Temperature regulation score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Saatva Latex pillow?

But keep in mind that the Saatva Latex Pillow combines latex with down-alternative, so it’s almost like getting two pillows for the cost of one. So, I would definitely recommend trying it. 

Buy it if...

✅ You want the best of the best: This pillow is an investment, but the quality and comfort makes this pillow worth it. As someone who loves down pillows/alternative down pillows and also loves latex pillows, this is the best of best worlds. It's comparable to asking me to choose between chocolate and peanut butter versus letting me combine chocolate and peanut butter. Why choose one when you can have both? 

✅ You want to be able to pick your loft: The ability to choose a higher or lower loft means you can choose the best option for your build and sleep style – it can be suitable for almost anyone, including side, back, and stomach sleepers.

✅ You suffer from allergies: Both the cover and the down-alternative fill section are machine-washable, which is a win for those who struggle with allergies. The latex, though not washable, is hypoallergenic, dust mite- and mildew-resistant.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want to be able to adjust your loft/firmness precisely: Although it's available in two loft options, once you've made your choice, you're locked in. Other options let you remove and re-add fill as desired. 

❌ You're on a budget: This is a premium pillow, and while I don't think it's overpriced, there are plenty of excellent pillows around for much less – the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow, listed below in the Alternatives section, is half the price.

❌ You want a super-squishy pillow: The Saatva Latex pillow is full and soft, but you can't bash it into shape or fold it over. 

Saatva Latex pillow review: Also consider

How I tested the Saatva Latex pillow

For over two weeks, I slept on a pair of the Saatva Latex Pillows to see how they fared in performance, testing for setup, comfort, support, and temperature regulation. I also slept in side, back, and stomach positions to see if the performance was the same.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: October 2023

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress: Two-minute review

The Levitex Mattress – also referred to on the brand website as the Lexitex Gravity Defying Mattress and the Levitex Sleep Posture Mattress – is made from proprietary foam, and doesn't feature any memory foam or springs, making it different to other mattresses on the market. This brand is very focused on how sleep products can be used to create the ideal nighttime posture – i.e. one that delivers perfect spinal support and alignment – and it's with this in mind that the Levitex mattress has been developed. 

The Levitex includes 10cm high-resistance foam on the base and 10cm pure Levitex foam on the top and has been clinically trialled and proven (by Levitex) to reduce pressure and improve sleep posture. At 20cm, it’s slightly thinner in depth than most of our best mattresses, which tend to be closer to 25cm. This doesn't compromise on comfort, however, as it feels streamlined and has impressive edge support that provides maximum sleeping space from edge to edge. The mattress isn't temperature sensitive either – so it won't be affected by you or the room temperature, which is a major plus with an all-foam design.

I trialled the Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress over the course of two months and rated it on pressure relief, motion isolation, edge support, cooling and ease of set up. I was keen to see if the mattress does, in fact, match up to its claim of reducing pressure and improving posture to make me wake up feeling rested and ache-free.

The thing I noticed most when first laying on the Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress is how evenly supported each part of my body felt. It instantly made my back feel at ease, with my spine feeling nicely aligned and comfortable. It's a medium-firm mattress that I think steers more on the firm side. But it does still have that nice bit of bounce, and excellent pressure relief in all the important areas, such as the hips, back and lumbar area. Read on to find out more on what I, and a selection of testers, thought about this all-foam design. Here's my full Levitex Defying Mattress review.

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress review: Price

• A mid-range mattress
• Discount on the TikTok shop with flash sales every few months 
• Expect Black Friday deals

This is an upper mid-range price mattress, with what I think feels like a premium finish. It's mindfully crafted and the only mattress design Levitex sells, to complement the equally supportive Levitex pillow. Here's what you'll generally pay for it:

• Single: RRP £499
• Double: RRP £689
• King size: RRP £829
• Super king: RRP £979 

Levitex seems to purposefully not be a discount brand so you won't see constant mattress sales like you do on some bed-in-a-box company websites. That said, you can benefit from sale prices at peak trading times such as Black Friday and if you're a TikTok user, you may want to take advantage of the TikTok shop where the brand tells me that there are flash sales every few months.

There are four sizes on offer at the time of writing: single, double, king size and super king, and the Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress costs £689 for a double. The company doesn't offer any bundle deals, but if you want to team the mattress with a complementary Levitex pillow, it will cost a further £75. Meanwhile, a Levitex mattress topper costs from £175.

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress review: Specs

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress: Materials and design

• 20cm deep, all-foam foam mattress with removable cover
• 5-year guarantee that the mattress retains its shape
• Foams have an antimicrobial treatment

The Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress is unlike anything I've tried before. It's constructed from a layer of 10cm pure Levitex foam at the top, with a 10cm layer of high-resistance foam on the base. These foams have an antimicrobial treatment that means bacteria, mould and mildew can't live there. 

The cover has an interesting geometric design, and can be removed for cleaning. To be honest, I didn't attempt this as getting mattress covers back on their base after washing definitely isn't my forte. There are no handles for easy maneuvering, but as it's on the thinner side, this isn't too much of an issue. Overall, I'd say that although this is far from the most complex or exciting mattress design around, it is effective. 

Design score: 4 out of 5

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress review: Comfort

• Designed especially to promote good sleep posture
• Medium-firm sleep surface keeps you well supported
• Excellent for side sleepers, but equally good for back and front sleepers

The Levitex Mattress is the brainchild of James Leinhardt, who spent 10 years working in hospitals helping the chronically ill and injured and realised how important sleep posture is on our general health. With the help of medical director, Dr Ilan, the Levitex mattress and pillow were launched. Both are aimed at helping to ease back pain and improve sleep quality.

The mattress is officially medium-firm feel. I think overall it leans more on the side of firm, but with a top surface that's incredibly soft and feels luxurious to lie on. It contours a little to your shape, but you won't sink in and feel enveloped by it, like you would with a classic memory foam (it's also responsive enough that it's easy to change position on). The Levitex mattress offers excellent pressure relief in all the important areas such as the back and hips. At 20cm, the depth is thinner than anything I've tried before so I wasn't expecting to find the mattress so supportive and comfortable. 

To get more of an insight into how supportive the Levitex mattress, I used an 8kg weight to measure the sinkage of the mattress. The weight is meant to simulate the feel of a person's body sinking into the mattress and I measured it giving a 4cm sinkage value, which is a reasonable score for a medium-firm mattress.      

One of the most noteworthy features of the all-foam Levitex mattress is just how well it retains its shape. I asked a group of friends varying in height from 5ft 2 to 6ft to try out the mattress and tell me what they thought about its comfort and how well supported their bodies felt.

Overall it made my body feel light, comfortable from top to toe and suitably supported – especially when laying on my back and side. I teamed it with a Levitex pillow that is made from the same foam, so my body felt suitably balanced and at ease. The Levitex mattress is ‘clinically researched to make sure it provides you with pressure relief and postural management, so you can wake up rested and free from back pain'. I don't always have back pain, but on the nights that I was feeling particularly creaky I did find myself sleeping deeper and waking up feeling like I'd had a good 7 hours.

One of our front sleeping testers who weighs around 63kg liked how ‘held up' her body felt when she was laying on it, while the majority of side sleepers said they were able to quickly get into a really comfortable position. For anyone sleeping on their back, I'd suggest teaming it with the Levitex pillow, which really does a great job at holding your head in place and aligning your spine for a really comfortable sleeping position that feels effortless. With such positive feedback in all sleep positions, I'd say that this mattress might be the sweet spot for anyone who hasn't quite found their ideal sleep position.

Comfort score: 5 out of 5

Levitex Gravity Defying mattress review: Performance

• Not temperature-sensitive, no issues with overheating
• Isolates motion well – a good choice for couples
• Great edge support around the perimeter

As well as assessing the Levitex mattress on its comfort and support levels, I also tested it is key areas of performance: temperature regulation (whether or not it sleeps hot), motion isolation (how well it absorbs movements on the surface) and edge support (whether it slopes around the perimeter). This mattress performed impressively well across the board. Here's a closer look...

Temperature regulation

Unlike a memory foam mattress, Levitex foam isn't temperature sensitive. With memory foam the longer you lie on it the softer it becomes and the more you immerse in the foam, the more you run the risk of getting too hot while sleeping. Levitex material properties aren't affected by heat, however, so you won't sink into the foam and will have less body contact with the surface.

There's also the issue that some foams have a tendency to trap body heat, and all-foam mattresses can also lack breathability because there's less space for air to circulate compared to models with springs. 

Despite this being an all-foam mattress, I had absolutely no issues with overheating on the Levitex. I found it kept me at a nice, even temperature throughout my testing period.

Temperature regulation score: 4.5 out of 5

Motion isolation

It's no fun being disturbed every time your partner moves in their sleep, and vice versa, which is why good motion isolation technology in a mattress is a must. To find out just how well the Levitex did at limiting movement from side to side, I slept alongside my 6ft partner whose long and lean legs tend to take up quite a bit of space on the king size mattress. As he's a side and front sleeper and I'm a back and side sleeper, we definitely put the mattress to task on this test. We can both report that it really did a good job to hold its structure, with no annoying wobbles or bounce affecting either side when either of us moved.

To further test just how good the mattress's motion isolation is, I conducted a test using an empty wine glass and 5kg weight. I placed the wine glass in the centre of the mattress and dropped the weight 4, 10 and 25 inches away from it. I was keen to see if the wine glass fell over due to the impact of the nearby weight. Impressively, it didn't at any of the distances and although the wine glass stem did wobble considerably at 4 inches away, it proves that the mattress is well constructed to deal with disturbance and motion.

Motion isolation score: 4.5 out of 5

Edge support 

If you've ever sat on the side of a mattress only to have the structure flatten and make you feel like you're slipping off, you'll know how important good edge support is on a mattress. The good news is the Levitex mattress definitely doesn't make you feel like you're at a child's soft play. In fact, we were all very pleased with just how well the edges held together when we sat on the sides. Our tallest tester told me that he felt like the mattress evenly supported his body and the streamlined surface gave him a lot of usable sleep space from edge to edge. Personally, I think the edges are above average in terms of being supportive and able to hold their shape.

To further test the edge support, I used the 8kg weight to measure the sinkage at the sides. The results were the same as in the middle of the mattress, which proves just how evenly supportive the mattress is from one edge to the other.

Edge support score: 5 out of 5

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress review: Setup

• Arrives boxed, folded, rolled and vacuum packed
• Calculates shipping on purchase
• Off-gassing took a while to clear

As Levitex only sells one mattress, clicking to buy is straightforward. There is lots of information on the website, however - on the brand, the importance of good sleep posture and the benefits of this mattress.

The mattress arrived promptly boxed and rolled up in vacuum plastic packaging. I had ordered a king size mattress that weighs 29.8kg so once I had taken it out of the cardboard box it was a two-person job to haul it up the stairs.

I lay it onto a wooden slatted bed and cut open the plastic. The mattress comes folded and rolled so it's super compact when it arrives and takes a few hours to form shape, which it did nicely. The fold in the middle of the mattress took a little longer to smooth out, but once it had there were no signs that it had been rolled or folded at all.

Delivery and set up of the mattress was easy. Within a few hours the mattress had reached shape, but I left it for 72 hours to reach its full capability. One of the pros of this mattress is that it doesn't need turning as the foam is designed in such a way that it won't sag. That came as a welcome relief as I had become tired of having to turn my last new mattress once a week for the first three months. One con of this mattress, however, is that the off-gassing – that new factory smell you sometimes get with a new mattress – took a little longer than I'd like to clear.

With this in mind I'd suggest you factor in at least a few days to air the mattress – with a window open if possible - so that the off-gassing reasonably clears before sleeping on it. I also found that it took a couple more weeks of off-gassing lingering around before it really starts to go. 

Also note that at 44 days, the trial for this mattress is much shorter than you'll find at any of the big bed brands. Most offer a minimum of 100 nights, some much longer. I suspect that is because at the moment, Levitex is a relatively small company. The same goes for the warranty, which is only 5 years – less time than you'd expect a mattress to last for. Most brands offer a minimum of 10 years.

Setup score: 4 out of 5

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress review: Customer reviews

• 4.6 rating on 659 reviews on Reviews.io
• 4.3 stars over 7 reviews on Trustpilot
• Positive reviews for back-relieving benefits

I found some customer review comments displayed on the Levitex website that all come pooled in via the Reviews.io website. There are up to 659 to choose from that paint a positive picture of Levitex. These reviews aren't just for the mattress, however, but are based on the Levitex pillow too.

While they are all positive, there are currently only seven reviews about the Levitex brand on the Trustpilot reviews site. Customers state how quickly the products arrive, and there are many general comments on how the Levitex foam has helped with back and neck pain in general. One customer simply says: ‘My wife now sleeps'.

Should you buy the Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress?

If you've been suffering from a bad back, have chronic pain or are just not able to get comfortable at night, I think this Levitex mattress is worth a try. While it does come rolled up and in a box, this is not your standard bed-in-a-box mattress company. The brand prides itself on having created a product that can provide the optimum sleep posture, and this is something that I felt the instant benefit from.

So if you're mindfully sourcing your mattress – rather than simply looking for a quick fix – I would recommend that you browse the Levitex site and read the clinical research. You will also find tips to help you improve your sleep posture to see whether the mattress could work for you. 

The brand also claims that the mattress can improve digestion and circulation, lessen tension in neck and shoulders, reduce snoring and boost your energy levels. Having trialled it for just two months, it's hard to say whether it could do this, but it definitely did a good job at improving my posture, which is where good sleep hygiene starts.

Overall, I think the mattress has excellent pressure relief, great edge support and has easy-care features. While it's not the deepest and plushest of mattresses I or my tester friends have ever tried, we all found it extremely comfortable and great at providing a reliable night's sleep. As a result, I think it's a good option for all sleeping types and makes it onto my top 5 of all-time favourite mattresses. It's only slightly let down by the short trial and warranty. 

Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress review: Also consider

How I tested the Levitex Gravity Defying Mattress

I tested this mattress over the course of two early summer months. The temperature in the room was comfortable and never went over 21 degrees C. I teamed it with Egyptian-cotton bed linen and a Levitex pillow and slept on the mattress alongside my partner.

To get a range of opinion, I asked a few friends varying in heights and weights to try the mattress and tell me how well they think it supported them.

I also ran standardised tests to objectively measure softness, edge support, and motion isolation. Overall, I was keen to see if the mattress does, in fact, match up to its claim of reducing pressure and improving posture to make me ‘wake up feeling rested and ache-free'. I am pleased to report that it did.