Hi Heide,

Many thanks for your comment about the John Lewis Natural Collection mattress vs the Hypnos Elite mattress and what comparisons we offer. We appreciate your apprehension when buying online however, you're in a far safer position taking tailored expert advice and choosing a mattress online based on facts, rather than misinformed sales patter in a retail shop.

Mainly because the sales staff have very little information to hand and many have no experience in making mattresses at all. So although it may feel comfortable for the 30 seconds you spend on it, it may turn out to be a seriouly unsuitable buy.

So let's arm you with the details you need to choose the very best mattress for your requirements.
Comparing mattresses *should be a really easy process. However, most retailers keep key details hidden for some reason.

As with most retailers sadly neither John Lewis of Hypnos provide enough information for you the consumer to really know what you're buying. Which is where we come in by being able to use our experience to see what's actually under the covers. We've written a detailed review on the very John Lewis mattress model you've been looking at so you can see how it faired here.
To be able to accurately compare and choose a new mattress you need to know three details.

1. Pocket spring type, gauge and amount
2. The Grams per square meter of all upholstery fillings placed on top
3. The mattress details, such as hand side stitching and how many sides it has

Firstly let's discuss the Hypnos Elite is a really firm mattress better suited to people who are used to a very supportive mattress. It has no similarities to the John Lewis model which is a medium feel forgiving mattress. Unless you're over 16 stone in bodyweight we would avoid the Hypnos model unless you really like a super firm nights sleep, which most people don't.

The John Lewis Natural Collection Fleece Wool in a medium tension (which relates to the pocket spring tension based on your bodyweight) will suit sleepers from 9-16 stone. This is because the 1.4 spring unit is made specifically for this weight range in mind. The biggest drawback with this mattress is the excessive use of micro springs which in our experience are pretty pointless, other than to inflate the number of springs in a mattress for marketing purposes. We don't use them preferring a calico encased pocket spring and then oodles of natural fibres instead of rows of synthetic encased mini springs.

The John Lewis mattress model uses some natural upholstery but blends the fibres meaning you dilute their individual properties. Blending fibres should only be done to help address the drawbacks of certain fibres such as low lofts. However, retailers are now using multiple excessive blends to increase the amount of ‘Natural fibres’ described as being contained within the mattress.

Based on our experience and detail John Lewis provided we can estimate the following.

1. British Wool & Viscose (500GSM estimate)
2. Egyptian cotton, Hemp, Flax and Cotton Blend (1000GSM estimate)

As a comparison, the model we would recommend you compare to is our Artisan Naturals mattress.

Our most popular, unbeatable model with 85% natural fibres. Containing a huge GSM of fillings, including wool and mohair, on a Calico Pocket spring unit. It has a similar medium feel to the John Lewis but is 85% natural fibre so more breathable. It also has a forgiving top comfort layer. We would recommend you look at the medium 1.4 gauge calico spring for your bodyweight.


Artisan Naturals Mattress
1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON
2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER
3: 1250GSM REBOUND POLY COTTON
4: 1500GSM 100% PURE MOHAIR
5: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [49MM ] [1.28MM ]
TOTAL: 3950GSM
DEPTH:: 27-30CM
CHEMICAL FREE COVER

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