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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Helen Wilson-Beevers

This Simba mattress transformed how I sleep – here’s why I’ll never look back

This mattress from the bed-in-a-box brand boasts a whopping 11 layers, including a foam base - (Helen Wilson-Beevers/The Independent)

When it comes to the best mattresses you can buy in 2025, four models from Simba stand out – and for good reason. Since launching in 2015, this British bed-in-a-box brand has built a strong reputation in the mattress world. But with several models that sound similar and vary widely in price, figuring out which one is right for you can be a bit overwhelming.

As someone who’s reviewed everything from budget mattresses to high-end luxury options, I’ve learned what really matters for a good night’s sleep. Over the years, I’ve tested a number of Simba mattresses, and some of them genuinely rank among the best I’ve slept on. At the top of that list is the Simba hybrid luxe, which is the brand’s most premium (and priciest) model.

The hybrid luxe boasts a complex nine-layer construction, combining micro springs, breathable foam, and Simba’s signature open-cell technology, along with a wool and bamboo layer for extra airflow. It all sounds impressive on paper – but what I really wanted to know was: does it actually live up to the hype?

Keep reading for my full in-depth review of the mattress, where I test everything from delivery and setup to design and comfort. Read our full buying guide of the best mattresses.

How I tested

I first started testing the Simba hybrid luxe mattress more than a year ago, initially spending three months sleeping on it. Since then, it has become a mainstay in my bedroom, and I (and my husband) have slept on it every single night.

  • Delivery and set-up: I considered how convenient the bed-in-a-box design was, helping you get your mattress home from the shop or through your front door and up the stairs without knocking all the pictures off the walls. The mattress is also available online, with ultra-quick delivery, a generous trial period and no-quibble return policy. I paid close attention to how simple it was to unpack the mattress, including the time needed to expand, and if there was any off-gassing.
  • Value for money: Price and value for money were key factors. I looked at how the mattress balanced cost with quality, comfort, and durability to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Prices for the mattress in this piece is for a double, but it’s also available in other sizes, ranging from single to super king and various EU measurements.
  • Comfort: I assessed the comfort the mattress offered, from the sleep quality throughout to night to how rested I felt in the morning. I considered how the mattress felt in different sleep positions, as well as cushioning, pressure relief, and overall support.
  • Support: Equally important to a good night’s sleep, I considered how the hybrid helped me maintain proper spinal alignment. I wanted the mattress to offer firmness without feeling too rigid.
  • Motion transfer: I tested how well the mattress isolated movement to see if I could sleep undisturbed, even with someone tossing and turning beside me.
  • Temperature regulation: I tested the mattress at different times of the year to see how it performed year-round. I noted how warm or cool it felt and whether it was made with breathable materials like foams or cooling fabrics.

Overall, I wanted to see how it affected my sleep and whether it’s worth the four-figure price tag. Spoiler: the hybrid luxe has been chosen as IndyBest’s best overall buy in our guide to the best mattresses of 2025.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

Helen Wilson-Beevers is a writer and editor, specialising in lifestyle content. Helen began contributing to The Independent's lifestyle desk in 2018 and became a regular contributor for IndyBest in 2021. She’s tested everything from silk pillowcases to washable rugs and cooling pillows, always offering her honest opinions and bringing detailed reviews to help inform your shopping choices.

We care a lot about sleep at IndyBest, so we’ve put together guides on how to choose the right mattress for you, how to clean your mattress, plus tried-and-tested roundups of the best mattress toppers, cooling mattress toppers for summer, mattress protectors, best pillows, weighted blankets and much more.

Simba hybrid luxe mattress

Rating: 4.5/5

Mattress sizes: Single, small double, double, king, super king and EU queen

Type: Hybrid

Rotate or turn: Rotate

Guarantee: 10 years

Sleep trial: 200 nights

Why we love it

  • Grand stature
  • Recycled materials
  • Temperature regualtion
  • Breathable
  • Supportive

Take note

  • Heavy to manoeuvre
  • Some motion transfer

Design and features

Like all Simba mattresses, the hybrid luxe arrived rolled up inside a box. While it was heavy to manoeuvre, I managed to hoist the mattress onto my bed and leave it in place for a few hours, to increase to full size.

My first impression after unwrapping the mattress was its impressive height, which is 31cm. I sampled the double size and found a standard sheet felt a bit snug, but on the other hand, the mattress’s depth immediately made the hybrid luxe look substantial when placed on the bed base. I liked the grandeur it added to my sleeping space, and thought this reflected the premium price point, too.

Read more: Hypnos wool origins 6 mattress review

Make no mistake, the Simba hybrid luxe has the appearance of a robust, hard-wearing mattress. The reason for that? It has a whopping nine layers, including a foam base element made using recycled fibres, which is a new addition compared with its previous incarnation. This updated layer sits just above the supportive grey base and has been created with minimising foam waste in mind.

Meanwhile, its other components include a bamboo and wool layer, and these materials are renowned for offering temperature regulation. Therefore, they help support cosiness in winter and coolness during the warmer months. This sits above an open-cell foam section, and both of these layers are there to offer breathability, which can often be something that is lacking in standard memory foam mattresses.

This robust, hard-wearing mattress has nine layers of comfort (Helen Wilson-Beevers/The Independent)

Below this, there are three luxurious layers of springs for support (two layers of titanium alloy springs, plus another layer of micro springs) and an additional foam layer. The clever way these springs have been positioned means they don’t dig in as you roll over in bed, but they do help contribute to an overall level of firmness and support.

The mattress is finished with an anti-allergy cover layer, which is quilted, feels super soft to touch and offers supreme comfort without squishiness. It’s worth knowing that the top cover can be removed for washing, so you can keep this nice and clean, too. However, it’s not suitable for tumble drying or ironing.

Comfort

The hybrid luxe mattress hits that sweet spot between medium comfort and firm support – while it's firmer than other mattresses I've tried before, it doesn’t feel overly hard, and the foam layers mean it has a responsive surface. However, there is a little motion transfer. It’s not the end of the world, but something to consider if you have a particularly restless partner.

As well as appreciating its luxurious depth, I found the mattress felt fresh to sleep on, thanks to its combination of breathable and temperature-regulating materials. I've never had an issue with overheating while sleeping on the Simba hybrid luxe, and although the surface doesn’t stay completely cool, it doesn’t retain your body heat, which is a marked improvement to some other foam mattresses I’ve tried.

Plus, it made a noticeable difference to my back and hips, which were well supported while lying in bed. Because of this, I think it’s a particularly great mattress for back and side sleepers.

Read more: Best mattresses for children

While I noticed a slight sink when resting on the mattress at first, this is a welcome and subtle element, rather than an annoying sag, because the combination of layers simultaneously holds up a level of firmness underneath. After a full year of sleeping, it continues to feel firmly supportive all over.

Throughout testing, I’ve found the mattress to be supremely comfy and sumptuously supportive. In fact, I would go as far as to say the Simba hybrid luxe mattress has transformed my sleep, leading to an increased feeling of restfulness at bedtime.

Buy now £1699.00, Simbasleep.com

Where to buy Simba hybrid pro mattress and the best deals

The hybrid luxe mattress can be bought directly from Simba’s website, but it’s also available from third-party retailers including Amazon, Very and Barker and Stonehouse. Keep an eye out for offers during sale events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, as well as the brand’s seasonal sales throughout the year.

The verdict: Simba hybrid luxe mattress

I’ve absolutely loved sleeping on Simba’s hybrid luxe mattress, and have found the nine layers have contributed to restful relaxation and helped provide a generous level of back support. The hybrid combination delivers fresh breathability, medium firmness, and supreme comfort. Plus, its impressive height adds to the luxe appeal and creates a robust feel. If you’re looking for a mattress upgrade, I’d highly recommend this Simba buy.

Check out our full definitive guide to the best tried and tested mattresses

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