This is a collaborative post.
2023 was the year of the hybrid mattress, with their micro-pocket springs allowing thicker, plusher comfort layers for a cloud-like sleep.
However, changing consumer habits are seeing eco-friendly mattresses made with natural latex, organic cotton, and bamboo, making significant gains.
Pocket springs are also making a comeback, with this technology providing deeper springs than hybrids for better longevity and support. More people are also replacing memory foam with memory gel for a cooler night’s sleep.
Pocket springs to surpass hybrids in popularity
After the hype about hybrid mattresses settled last year, more shoppers realised the exceptional support and comfort provided by full-sized pocket springs. Pocket spring mattresses provide excellent support through hundreds or thousands of springs with different densities for zoned support.
Pictured: Sleepeezee Perfectly British Strand 1400 Pocket Spring Mattress. Available from Bedstar. Priced from £549.
The abundance of individually wrapped pocket springs forms an unmatched support system for your body, serving as the ideal base for plush top layers like memory foam and gel memory foam. Hybrid models also use pocket springs, but they have considerably fewer large springs than pocket spring mattresses.
The sheer number of individual springs in a pocket spring mattress makes it difficult for hybrids to compete with it, even if they have multiple foam layers.
Cooling memory gel over memory foam
Memory gel foam is becoming more popular – and for good reason. Thanks to tiny, embedded gel beads, this foam sleeps much cooler than standard memory foam.
The gel draws heat and moisture away from your body as you sleep, preventing the hot, sticky feeling some get with regular memory foam. Memory gel foam softly cradles your curves, easing pressure points for comfy support.
Pictured: Internal components of the Sleepeezee Pocket Gel Poise Mattress. Available from Bedstar. Priced from £749.
Natural latex over synthetic foam
Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap—no nasty chemicals are involved, making it more eco-friendly than synthetic foams.
In addition to their eco-credentials, latex mattresses sleep blissfully cool, so changing sleep spots is a breeze without losing that cradling comfort.
Unlike memory foam, which sinks and slows rebound, latex responsively bounces back as you move for better mobility. This makes changing positions easier without compromising the pressure relief latex provides.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Pinnacle 2000 Pocket spring mattress with laytex. Available from Bedstar. Priced from £749.
Air also flows through the foam’s tiny holes to deter heat and moisture buildup – far better than standard memory foam. Natural latex will draw those wanting an eco-friendly mattress with responsiveness.
Wool and natural fibre mattresses
Wool and natural-filling mattresses check all the eco-boxes – literally. We’re talking cotton, biodegradable bamboo, and breathable silk, all layered for cosy comfort.
As you sleep, moisture evaporating from your body meets wool’s natural wicking powers. No sweaty awakenings here. Wool’s springy fibres also cradle your shape through the night.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Wool Luxury 1500 Pocket Spring Mattress. Available from Bedstar Priced from £379.
Add some silky-smooth cotton or soft bamboo covering those wool layers, and we’ve got lift off to cloud-like comfort without any chemicals. Natural fibres keep cool airflow circulating, so you can drift off without the heat trap.
Classic pillowtop mattresses will stay popular.
Even with all the latest mattress technologies available, pillowtop mattresses like the Shire Beds Pennine are eternally popular. By adding an extra layer of padding quilted onto the mattress surface, pillowtops provide welcome plushness.
Pictured: Shire Beds Pennine Pillowtop 1000 Pocket Spring Mattress. Available from Bedstar. Priced from £398.
Depending on the model, this sewn-on layer can range from 5-10 cm thick, with a firm, supportive core of pocket springs or open coils. Side ventilation woven into the pillowtop allows airflow. The combination of cloud-like softness atop sturdy support caters to those wanting cushioned comfort night after night.
Traditional brands to see a surge in sales
We expect to see the resurgence of traditional mattress brands like Silentnight, Giltedge, and Shire as reliable choices in the sea of fancy-marketed mattresses.
As consumers grow overwhelmed and sceptical of some newcomer bed-in-a-box brands making big promises, tried and true labels offer a safe choice.
Traditional stalwarts give shoppers confidence in quality, durable mattresses with little chance of surprises or letdowns. Less flashy but solidly constructed, big names like Silentnight may not have trendy marketing but do deliver consistent performance and value from proven designs.