Hi Tanya,

Many thanks for your comment about Dreams, Emma beds and the Nectar mattress. We're sorry you've struggled so much in your mattress search. We've reviewed all of these mattresses over the years and often come up with the same issues that you have raised time and time again.

In summary, because Emma and the Nectar mattress are one-sided 'one size' fits all mattress models it does make them firmer and unsuitable for anyone who may have more advanced sleep requirements. ie a side sleeping slight sleeper like yourself!

We find that people that can sleep on 'anything' love these beds but more often lighter side sleepers and warmer sleepers really struggle with them. This is why we often hear of people sending them back after struggling for a few weeks with them. These brands list them as suitable for all but that's not really the case. The majority of unfussy sleepers yes but not everyone in our experience.

We can appreciate how much of a pain sending a bed back is for customers. There is the upheaval, the waiting around to have it collected and then the mattress research cycle starts again. What a drama!

This is why we spend so much time with each customer doing a deep fact-find to make sure we get them as close to perfection as possible.

Emma Original Review:

The Emma mattress is a synthetic foam based one-sided mattress. It's done particularly well given a huge marketing and online advertising campaign. As we said it's fine for people who are maybe 13-16 stone and not that fussy, but for lighter sleepers and in particular side sleepers can be too hard or firm.

Image from https://www.emma-sleep.co.uk/emma-original-mattress/

Given the fact Emma doesn't disclose what type of foam or even depth they use it makes it hard for you the customer to be able to both compare to other models or work out the suitability of the Emma mattress for your bodyweight and sleeping position.

In fact on the Emma site the specifications are simply listed as:

• 3 layers of pressure relieving foam
• Breathable, temperature regulating tech
• Halo Memory Foam for spinal support
• For all body types and sleeping positions

Given the fact there's no density, depth or data on the foam it's really tricky to ever work out what's inside an Emma mattress. The above is missing all of the key details you need to know to compare and review a mattress. Emma are not alone; 9 out of 10 retailers either omit or hide this information which is frustrating.

However, one thing that we know is that all memory and synthetic foams usually use vasco elastic formulas which is how the foam slowly moulds and then supports you.

The issue with Vasco elastic is they require heat to mould and then retain that heat. Causing some people to overheat.
It also can make it quite uncomfortable for people who are side sleepers as they require a softer tp comfort layer  - ie something with immediate give not waiting for your shoulder to heat up to mould the foam. This is probably why at your slight weight and sleeping poison you found in uncomfortable.

We would only recommend the Emma mattress for heavier sleepers 14 stone plus who like a medium to firm feel. Anyone looking for a deeper comfort layer ie side sleepers or lighter sleepers may find it too firm/unforgiving/warm.

Nectar Mattress Review:

The Nectar mattress is in a similar price bracket and constructions style to the Emma mattress. Again it doesn't give you the information you need to accurately compare or make decisions based on your sleeping preferences.

Nectar Original Mattress Specification lists:

• Five layers of life-changing comfort
• We're giving you a very geeky peek inside the Nectar memory foam mattress. Because you should know EXACTLY why it feels so good.

However, this is as much detail as you can get. There are different 'names' for the foams but zero discernable detail about the identity, hardness or manufacturing methods.  One layer is a 'dynamic support layer' but your guess is as good as ours (and we've been hand-making natural fibre beds for over 15 years now).

Again it seems like these firmer vasco elastic foams are just too firm and unforgiving for you.

What we recommend based on your requirements:

From your weight and sleeping position we can identify that you need the following:

• A medium tension pocket spring or support layer (1.4 gauge ideally)
• Softer top comfort layer
• A medium support layer of fibres on top of the spring unit
• Something that can allow you to easily adjust at night (no slow memory foam)
• A two sided mattress to increase the life span of your new purchase (ie no one sided bed in a box options)

The Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress:

Our Origins Pocket 1500 mattress is a true medium feel in the upholstery layers and is available either as a 1.4 medium 1500 pocket spring support or a 1.6 2000 firm pocket spring support. We would advise at body of your weights to choose the 1.3 medium spring tension.

It's two sided and has a whopping 1550GSM of fibres and zero memory foam. No fancy space-aged meaningless descriptions either. We tell you exactly what's inside our mattresses. Competitors take note!

Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress
1: 300GSM WOOL
2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER
3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD
4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER
5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS
TOTAL: 1550GSM
DEPTH: 30-33CM

We think this model would be an ideal place to start. If the budget allows our incredible Artisan Naturals mattress would be another suitable model for a natural fibre mattress. We've also added a handy beginners guide to hopefully help fill in the blanks which is why you've ended up with two unsuitable boxed mattresses.

We also have a full love it or return it guarantee should you not get on with the mattress. I'd be surprised though given the detail you've given and our experience in matching up mattresses. However, it's there if you need it Tania!

We hope that helps and gives you further mattress buying guidance. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan