A Guide to Sensaform Mattresses

As we examine the features of various Sensaform Mattresses, we’ll also suggest some of our very own John Ryan alternatives. There are numerous Sensaform mattress models, including the Airflow Memory 2000 (containing 800 pocket springs) and the Airstream Memory 9000 (housing 1850 pocket springs within 2 layers of copper-infused memory foam), but there’s actually a lot of common observations to make about these products. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on the Airstream Memory 6000 and Airflow 3000.

Sensaform Airstream Memory 6000

The Sensaform Airstream Memory 6000 is a one-sided, pocket sprung mattress with copper-infused memory foam and micro-pocket springs that offers medium support. It’s marketed as providing a comfortable and supportive sleep experience.

Bensons Sensaform Airstream 6000 Specifications & Review

• Pocket sprung mattress with copper-infused memory foam and micro-pocket springs.
• Comfort Ratings: 3 – Medium Support.
• Free full 8-year guarantee.
• BSI – British Standard Kitemark™ accredited.
• A total of 1450 Active Pocket springs in two layers, for double the support.
• Dynamic perimeter support with reinforced springs for edge to edge support.
• Includes Active Micro Pocket springs for ultimate pressure relief.
• Layer of copper-infused memory foam layer for superior breathability for excellent temperature regulation.
• Luxurious deep-quilted sleeping surface for outstanding comfort.
• Easy care non-turn mattress: rotate occasionally.
• Handles on all sides to aid rotation.
• Mattress height: 32.5cm.

Straight up, we’ve noticed that Sensaform products tend towards using jargon in their descriptions. For example, the above is described as having “active springs”. What this means is that the springs in question don’t fully compress when the mattress is in use. The simple truth is that all springs should be active in this way, so it’s not really a feature! Similarly, “dynamic border perimeter” appears to just describe the perimeter support that all mattresses should have. 

The presence of micro springs is also problematic. These are small pocketed springs (only about an inch in depth) in spun bonded material. They’re used to hugely increase the spring count within mattresses. In place of more upholstery layers, you can fit in literally thousands of micro springs, but you’re actually better served by the natural fillings. Micro springs are not actually made to withstand heavy loads and movements, so they fail quickly, and even before that point they can disrupt your sleep by feeling “too lively”. Calico pocket springs are much more dependable.

You’re also rarely told the tension of Sensaform pocket springs. In the case of the above 1450 pocket springs, you’re not told about the tension at all (let alone the spring wire gauge or covering type)! Because of that, it makes it really hard to judge whether the mattress will correctly support you. Spring tension should be chosen solely based on your body weight, and if your weight is not sufficient to compress the springs to the aforementioned “active state” then the mattress will be unsuitable for you. A basic rule of thumb can be seen below:

We then move onto the presence of memory foam. The biggest drawback with memory foam is its fast compression/sagging rating, and the fact that it retains body heat. Viscoelastic foams like memory foam and Tempurpedic foam give off and react to heat. This is what helps them to mould someone’s shape, so unfortunately we have severe reservations about their qualities of temperature regulation. One approach that Sensaform uses is to put holes in their memory foam. This is marketed as making it more “breathable”, but perforated foam still needs body heat and pressure to mould to the sleeper’s body, so we really can’t see how this makes much difference to the mattress science! Likewise, adding copper (or any other bits and bobs) to the memory foam doesn’t alter the fact that you simply can’t reduce the heat that memory foam needs without rendering it useless and unworkable.

Additionally, buyers are usually provided with no depth density or detail on the copper-infused memory foam that’s used in these mattresses. The fact is that memory foam needs to be at least 5 cm thick. It compresses fast, so anything less than this can be rendered useless after a year, sagging into an uncomfortable mess. This lack of detail therefore means that you’re flying slightly blind when looking at this mattress.

The presence of the Kitemark provides a solid selling point for a Sensaform mattress, but please do be aware that guarantees and proportional warranties in the mattress industry cause a good deal of confusion for many people. Our own guarantee is a full one; you get a total repair or refund if a John Ryan mattress fails within the guarantee period. But some other mattresses have “proportional” protection that means you’ll only get some of what you paid back if a mattress degrades after the first year. Double checking exactly what Bensons for Beds are offering is therefore recommended.

All this then leads us onto the “non-turn” (i.e. one-sided) status, and some of the issues that are associated with any such mattress.

One-sided Sensaform Mattress Issues

The one-sided mattress issue is a recurring concern that we have with memory foam and entry-level models. The construction of memory foam allows for mattresses to be made with relatively cheap materials, but materials like memory foam are not as stable as other mattress upholstery types. This is why they can only be used on one side. To use them on the other side would crush them and cause damage to the mattress. This is a problem right away, as you should aim to always be looking for a 2-sided mattress when spending £500 or more on a bed. Otherwise, you’re paying for half a mattress! Our only exception to this rule would be if the comfort layer in your mattress is latex, as it’s more responsive, breathable and durable than any other foam.

As an aside, another Sensaform model, the Viscool, adds to this issue by being a memory foam topped one-sided pillow top mattress. Pillow tops effectively utilise a permanent topper that’s fixed to the top of a mattress and, whilst they give the illusion of being sumptuously deep and upholstered, there’s a catch! The pillow top is the weakest part of the mattress, and that means any initial comfort they can boast has an extremely short shelf life. When the “pillow top” fails or collapses (which they usually do over time), you can’t remove or replace it, meaning you’ll be stuck with a lumpy topped mattress.

You can find out more about this by watching the guide below.