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#1 in Best Mattress for Side Sleepers in the UK for 2026
Best overall for side sleepersWATTB88/100

Emma Hybrid Airgrid Mattress

Our verdict · The hybrid UK reviewers name most often for side sleepers — a soft, cushioning feel that suits lighter-to-average side sleepers better than heavier builds.

Buy it if

You're a lighter-to-average side sleeper who wants soft, breathable, plush pressure relief at the shoulder and hip.

Skip it if

You're a heavier build or also sleep on your front, as its medium-soft feel may not give enough support to keep the spine level.

Where to get it

Emma Hybrid Airgrid Mattress

WATTB Score

88/ 100

Our research-based editorial assessment.

How we score →

From around £700 (double, indicative sale price; RRP around £999)

Indicative price at the time of review.

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This is the mattress most UK review sites name first for side sleepers, and the reason is the AirGrid layer: a flexible grid of open air pockets Emma says flexes locally under a shoulder or hip while springing back as you turn. Reviewers report it cushions pressure points without the whole-body sink of memory foam, and the removable, washable cover plus open-cell structure help it sleep cool. On feel, Emma rates it 8 out of 10 on its own scale — where 1 is firmest and 10 softest — so this is a medium-soft, cushioning bed (Emma nudged the rating up from 7.5 to 8 to match owner expectations). Reviewers say that soft surface suits lighter and average side sleepers best, while heavier builds and front sleepers can sink too far and are better served by the firmer support of the Simba Hybrid Pro or OTTY below. Against the Simba Hybrid Pro at number two you gain plusher, more localised cushioning at the shoulder and usually a lower price, but give up the Pro's deeper zoned spring support. Note it is also sold in the UK from early 2026 as the Emma Original Elite.

The good & the bad

Pros

  • AirGrid comfort layer is point-elastic, so reviewers report it cushions the shoulder and hip while keeping the spine level
  • Removable, washable cover and open-cell structure aid temperature regulation
  • Widely praised across UK review sites and repeatedly named a top side-sleeper pick

Cons

  • Medium-soft (8/10 on Emma's own scale, where 10 is softest), so heavier builds and front sleepers may find it lacks support
  • High RRP (around £999 for a double); it relies on Emma's frequent discounting to look like good value

How it compares

PickWATTB ScorePriceBest for
1.Emma Hybrid Airgrid MattressThis pick88/100From around £700 (double, indicative sale price; RRP around £999)overall for side sleepers
2.Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress87/100From around £900 (double, indicative sale price; RRP around £1,099)premium build
3.Nectar Hybrid Mattress87/100From around £450 (double, indicative)value for deep pressure relief
4.Simba Hybrid Original Mattress86/100From around £615 (double, indicative)all-rounder for combination side sleepers
5.OTTY Original Hybrid Mattress84/100From around £525 (double, indicative)heavier side sleepers
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Key facts

Best for
overall for side sleepers
Typical cost
From around £700 (double, indicative sale price; RRP around £999)
Type
Hybrid: AirGrid comfort layer over a zoned pocket-spring support layer
Firmness
Medium-soft (8/10 on Emma's own scale, where 10 is softest)
Depth
Approx. 27cm
Cover
Removable and washable
Trial & warranty
200-night trial, 10-year warranty

Researched by WATTB

Published
15 September 2026
Updated
15 September 2026
Last verified
15 September 2026
Sources
7 sources

We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →

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