John Lewis Vispring Comparisons & alternative mattresses 2026

It’s important when you’re looking for a new mattress that you check out the competition to see exactly what you’re getting for your money. We always aim to provide as much detail as possible on our own range of mattresses, including the construction methods. We are, after all, the self-confessed mattress geeks. After 15 years of designing and building our own high-end mattresses, we are in a position to explain competitors’ mattress models alongside our own.

Updated January 2026: John Lewis has completely discontinued its original Vispring mattress range and introduced an exclusive London-themed collection. The Plymouth Supreme, Fursden Supreme, Maristow Supreme, and Axminster Supreme models featured throughout this article are no longer available for mattress-only purchase.

The new range comprises seven models named after London locations: Chiswick, Greenwich, Wimbledon, Hampstead, Richmond, Kensington, and Chelsea. These span from entry-level to premium pricing whilst maintaining Vispring’s handcrafted construction in Plymouth, Devon.

What hasn’t changed: The GSM disclosure problem

Despite the complete range refresh, John Lewis still doesn’t publish GSM weights or fibre blend percentages for any Vispring mattress. Customers receive vague descriptions such as “natural wool and Cotton fillings,” without knowing the actual quantities or ratios.

At £2,000-£6,000+ pricing, this lack of transparency remains indefensible. You’re forced to trust marketing descriptions rather than verify specifications, which is something we’ve never accepted at John Ryan By Design.

Our transparent alternatives

For every model in the London collection, we offer comparable alternatives with full GSM disclosure:

• Entry level (vs Chiswick/Greenwich): Origins 1500 (£1,050) or Origins Naturals Comfort (£1,300)
• Mid-range (vs Wimbledon/Hampstead): Artisan Bespoke 004 (£2,860) with 3,600 GSM fully disclosed
• Premium (vs Richmond/Kensington/Chelsea): Artisan Classic range (£3,145-£4,725) with specifications up to 5,600 GSM

Important note: If you’re looking to replace one of the discontinued models (Plymouth, Fursden, Maristow, or Axminster), we’ve kept those comparison sections below for historical reference. The alternatives we recommended in 2023 remain valid today—we’ve updated the pricing to reflect November 2025 figures.

Jump to:

1. What questions do you need to know when buying a Vispring bed at John Lewis?
2. John Lewis London Collection ViSpring Beds
3. Vispring Chiswick Review
4. Vispring Hampstead Review
5. Vispring Wimbledon Review
6. Vispring Greenwich Review
7. Vispring Chelsea Review
8. Vispring Richmond Review
9. Vispring Kensington Review
10. Vispring Plymouth Supreme 1200 review
11. Vispring Fursden Supreme 1500 Review
12. Vispring Maristow Supreme 1700 Review
13. Vispring Axminster Supreme 2500 Review
14. Discontinued John Lewis Beds alternatives

What questions should I ask when buying a Vispring bed?

The main questions you need to ask when buying a Vispring bed at John Lewis are:

1. What is the GSM of this mattress (upholstery details)
2. What pocket spring count and type are in the bed? (Support specifics)
3. What are the mattress details and guarantee specifics? (Lifespan and quality checks)

As is the case with most mattress retailers, though, sadly, the Vispring range at John Lewis doesn’t disclose the full GSM of the Natural fibre content. This is a real shame as it makes an exact like-for-like comparison impossible.

However, we can provide some alternatives and similar models to compare against the Vispring models at John Lewis. After all, this should help make the decision to buy a new handmade Luxury Mattress a little easier by saving you time spent accurately comparing beds!

Before you start evaluating the John Lewis Vispring mattress range, it is important to understand why mattress upholstery GSM is so vital when buying a new mattress. It’s also imperative that you do a quick read on the differences between spring units. Lastly, take care when you see ‘blends’ of fibres, as it’s really tricky to tell whether it’s an even split (i.e., 50/50 of two fibres blended together) or one fibre is making up the bulk of the blend (90/10).

If in doubt, always ask the retailer to confirm.

You have to question why certain mattress retailers won’t disclose what exactly is in their mattresses, as we have always done.

John Lewis Exclusive: The London Collection

John Lewis now stocks seven Vispring models exclusively, each named after a London location. While spring counts and basic construction details are provided, GSM weights remain undisclosed across the entire range.

The seven models are explained.

Entry Tier:

• Chiswick: Entry-level wool and Cotton construction, estimated ~1,200 springs (King)
• Greenwich: Step up with enhanced natural filling layers

Mid-Range:

• Wimbledon: Increased spring count and natural fibre content
• Hampstead: Premium mid-range with multiple tension options, including “Firmer”

Premium Tier:

• Richmond: High-end specifications approaching the main Vispring range
• Kensington: Enhanced construction with premium materials
• Chelsea: Top tier of John Lewis exclusives

All models feature:

• Calico pocket springs (counts vary by model)
• Natural wool and Cotton fillings (GSM undisclosed)
• Two-sided, turnable construction
• 30-year Vispring guarantee
• Handmade in Plymouth, Devon
• Available in multiple tension options

Model	King Price	Springs (King)	Depth	Weight	Materials
Chiswick	£1,899	1,200	21cm	50.2–57.4kg	British wool, Cotton
Hampstead	£2,599	1,300	27cm	59.8–66.4kg	British wool, Cotton, horsehaBamboomboo
Wimbledon	£3,199	1,550	21cm	54.1kg	British wool, Cotton, horse hair, Bamboo, Alpaca
Greenwich	£4,699	1,700	21cm	51.1–52.9kg	British wool, Shetland wool, Cotton, Horsetail, Bamboo, Alpaca
Chelsea	£6,199	2,100	23cm	59.8kg	Devonshire wool, British wool (all-wool)
Richmond	£8,199	2,500	23cm	66.4kg	Shetland wool, British wool, Cotton, Horsetail, cashmere, silk, Alpaca
Kensington	£12,699	3,000	31cm	84.7kg	Shetland wool, Cotton, Moosburger Horsetail, cashmere, silk, Alpaca

The transparency gap

Without GSM weights, you cannot verify the value. “Wool and Cotton” could mean 500 GSM or 2,000 GSM. “Natural fillings” doesn’t tell you if it’s 50% natural or 95% natural. Our GSM guide explains why these specifications matter when comparing mattresses.

Vispring Chiswick vs John Ryan Artisan 1500

Chiswick positioning: Entry-level model, 1,200 springs, wool and Cotton only, “gentle yet supportive feel”, 21cm depth, medium/firm tensions available

Artisan 1500 positioning: Entry Artisan model, 1,500 springs, wool and poly Cotton blend, firm feel, 27-30cm depth, natural entry point to Artisan range

Match rationale: Both are entry-level models using simple wool/Cotton construction without premium materials (no horsehair, no Horsetail, no silk). Chiswick’s “gentle yet supportive” positioning aligns with Artisan 1500’s firm but accessible feel. Spring count advantage (1,500 vs 1,200) favours John Ryan. If you’re looking for firmer upholstery with support, this is a good alternative.

Side-by-Side Specification

Note: Artisan 1500 uses spun bond springs (not calico), making it the most affordable Artisan entry point while still exceeding Chiswick’s spring count.

Vispring Hampstead vs John Ryan Artisan Naturals

Hampstead positioning: 1,300 springs, British wool, Cotton, horsehaBamboomboo, 27cm depth (deepest mid-range model), medium/firm tensions, £2,599

Artisan Naturals positioning: 1,600 calico springs, 3,950 GSM, British wool/Cotton blend, rebound poly Cotton, 100% pure mohair (1500GSM), medium feel, 27-30cm depth, 85% natural fibres, £2,180

Match rationale: Both feature horsehair-level premium materials (Hampstead uses horsehair; Artisan Naturals uses mohair, which offers a similar luxurious feel). Similar depth profiles (27cm vs 27-30cm). Both offer mid-tier comfort with natural-filling upgrades. Artisan Naturals’ 85% natural content and full GSM disclosure make it the transparent alternative.

Side-by-Side Specification

Key Advantage: Artisan Naturals offers 300 more springs, full GSM transparency, confirmed 85% natural fibre content, and an explicit mohair specification (1500 GSM) versus Hampstead’s undisclosed horsehair quantity.

>Vispring Wimbledon vs John Ryan Artisan Bespoke 004

Wimbledon positioning: 1,550 springs, British wool, Cotton, horsehaBamboomboo, Alpaca, 21cm depth, medium/firm, £3,199

Artisan Bespoke 004 positioning: 1,600 calico springs, 3,600 GSM, British wool/Cotton blend, 200GSM sBamboomboo, 1200GSM pure Horsetail, medium feel, 27-30cm depth, chemical-free cover, £2,860

Match rationale: Both feature horsehair-level premium materials, Bamboo for breathability. Wimbledon adds Alpaca; Bespoke 004 uses Horsetail (superior resilience). Spring counts nearly identically (1,550 vs 1,600). Both target a medium comfort level with the natural fibre upholstery layers. Our Bespoke 004’s Horsetail (1200GSM disclosed) provides verified premium content vs Wimbledon’s undisclosed quantities.

Side-by-Side Specification

Key Advantage: Artisan Bespoke 004 confirms 100% natural fibre content with full layer disclosure, provides superior depth (27-30cm vs 21cm), and offers 50 more springs at £339 less.

Vispring Greenwich vs John Ryan Artisan Luxury

Greenwich positioning: 1,700 springs, British wool, Shetland wool, Cotton, Horsetail, siBamboomboo, Alpaca (7 materials), 21cm depth, soft/medium only, £4,699

Artisan Luxury positioning: 1,476 calico springs [51mm] [1.42mm], 4,600 GSM, British wool/Cotton blend, 200GSM sBamboomboo, 1200GSM pure Horsetail, pure horsehair (1200GSM), pure wool layers (500GSM x2), soft feel, 26cm depth, £2,955

Match rationale: Greenwich is the most material-diverse mid-premium model (7 materials, including silk and Alpaca). Artisan Luxury matches this luxury positioning with multiple premium materials: Horsetail (1200GSM), horsehair (1200GSM), sBamboomboo, and multiple wool layers. Both offer softer comfort profiles (Greenwich soft/medium; Luxury soft) and target buyers seeking a diverse range of natural materials and a plush feel.

Side-by-Side Specification

Key Advantage: Artisan Luxury provides a complete GSM breakdown totalling 4,600 GSM with specific wire gauge (1.42mm), offers heavier construction (60kg vs 51-53kg), and delivers superior depth at £1,744 less (37% savings)—both target soft/plush comfort seekers.

Vispring Chelsea vs John Ryan Artisan Bespoke

Chelsea positioning: 2,100 springs, Devonshire wool + British wool ONLY (all-wool, no Cotton/horsehair/silk), 23cm depth, medium/firm, unique all-wool experience, £6,199

Artisan Bespoke positioning: 1,600 calico springs [49mm] [1.28mm], 5,100 GSM, 500GSM British wool, 1200GSM British wool/Cotton blend, 1200GSM pure Horsetail, 1200GSM horsehair, 1000GSM white cashmere insulator, firm feel, 27-30cm depth, £3,145

Match rationale: Both are premium single-spring-layer models emphasising natural luxury. Chelsea’s all-wool positioning (unique in the collection) compares to Artisan Bespoke’s premium natural fibre specification with cashmere insulator. Artisan Bespoke exceeds Chelsea’s wool-only approach by adding Horsetail (1200GSM), horsehair (1200GSM), and cashmere, delivering a broader natural upholstery palette. Both target firm-side comfort with premium positioning.

Side-by-Side Specification

Key Advantage: Artisan Bespoke delivers 5,100 GSM, fully disclosed (Chelsea provides no GSM data despite its all-wool claim), includes a premium cashmere insulator (1,000 GSM), offers superior depth (27-30cm vs 23cm), and costs £3,054 less (49% savings). While Chelsea has more springs (2,100 vs 1,600), Artisan Bespoke compensates with heavier construction (65kg vs 59.8kg) and verified premium materials.

Vispring Richmond vs John Ryan Artisan Bespoke 002

Richmond positioning: 2,500 springs, Shetland wool, British wool, Cotton, Horsetail, cashmere, silk, Alpaca (7 premium materials), 23cm depth, medium/firm, £8,199

Artisan Bespoke 002 positioning: 2,508 dual-layer springs (2 tiers) [56mm] [1.40mm], 3,600 GSM, British wool/Cotton blend (1200GSM), 200GSM sBamboomboo, 1200GSM pure Horsetail, 1000GSM bonded wool/Cotton, medium feel, 27-30cm depth, £3,375

Match rationale: Richmond introduces dual-layer spring technology (2,500 springs likely in a layered configuration given density vs depth). Artisan Bespoke 002 explicitly confirms a dual-tier spring system (2,508 springs total). Both feature Horsetail as the key premium material. Both offer medium comfort. Richmond adds cashmere/silk/Alpaca; Bespoke 002 focuses on Horsetail (1200GSM) and Bamboo breathability. Spring counts nearly identically (2,500 vs 2,508).

Side-by-Side Specification

Key Advantage: Artisan Bespoke 002 explicitly confirms a dual-tier spring system with full specifications (56mm diameter, 1.40mm wire gauge), provides a complete GSM breakdown (3,600 total), offers superior depth (27-30cm vs 23cm) and heavier construction (70kg vs 66.4kg) at £4,824 less (59% savings). The Richmond’s cashmere/silk addition cannot be quantified without disclosure of the GSM.

Vispring Kensington vs John Ryan Artisan Sublime

Kensington positioning: 3,000 springs (highest in collection), Shetland wool, Cotton, Moosburger Austrian Horsetail (premium), cashmere, silk, Alpaca, 31cm depth (deepest), 84.7kg (heaviest), soft/medium only, £12,699

Artisan Sublime positioning: 2,508 dual-layer springs (2 tiers) [56mm] [1.40mm], 5,400 GSM, 800GSM Bamboo, 1200GSM Alpaca, 1200GSM pure Horsetail, 1200GSM organic flax, 1000GSM coconut fibre coir, firm feel, 33-35cm depth, £5,160

Match rationale: Both are flagship models with the highest spring counts and the deepest profiles. Kensington’s Moosburger Austrian Horsetail (premium grade) compares to Artisan Sublime’s organic flax (1200GSM), Alpacaa (1200GSM), and Horsetail (1200GSM) combination. Both exceed 30cm in depth. Kensington targets soft to medium luxury; Sublime offers firm premium support. Spring counts comparable when considering Sublime’s confirmed dual-tier system.

Side-by-Side Specification

Key Advantage: Artisan Sublime provides a complete 5,400 GSM breakdown with a confirmed dual-tier spring system, specifies premium materials (1200GSM Alpaca, 1200GSM organic flax, 1200GSM Horsetail), and offers superior depth (33-35cm vs 31cm) at £7,539 less (59% savings). While Kensington has more total springs (3,000 vs 2,508) and Moosburger Horsetail branding, Artisan Sublime’s verified 3,600GSM of premium materials (Alpaca + flax + Horsetail alone) with full transparency represents superior documented value.

ViSpring Plymouth Supreme 1200

The Vispring Plymouth Supreme 1200 range of mattresses from Vispring has been designed with layers of natural materials alongside a pocketed Vanadium steel spring system. These mattresses are listed as handmade in Plymouth. They feature 1200 springs in the king-size model, offering a medium level of comfort.

The details of the Plymouth Supreme are shown below for comparison:

	Vi-Spring Plymouth 1200 Superb	John Ryan By Design Luxury
1	New Zealand wool and cotton	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton, Hairproof Cambric Cover, 200gsm Soft Bamboo, 1200gsm Pure Horsetail, 1000 gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton,
2	NA	Hairproof Cambric Cover
3	NA	1200gsm Pure Horsehair
4	NA	500gsm Pure Wool
5	NA	1200gsm Pure Horsetail
6	NA	500gsm Pure Wool
Spring Details	1200 Calico Pocket Springs	1476 Calico encased Pocket Springs [51mm] [1.42mm]
Total GSM	(No GSM given)	4600gsm
Feel	Softer feel with a deep sink top layer	Advanced support style for those that like a fast sink and a quick response
Details	M Pure Cover	M Pure Cover
Weight	58kg	58kg
Height	26.5cm	30cm
Rows of Hand Side Stitching	2	2
		Find out more

Our closest comparison in terms of feel to the ViSpring Plymouth Supreme 1200 is our Artisan Luxury mattress. Admittedly, it is more expensive, but with 5 additional layers of 100% natural fibres, you can see why.

The Artisan Luxury, priced at £ 2,955 in a king-size in 2026, is the softest in our range due to lofty amounts of Wool, Horsehair and Horsetail. We have used a single spring layer in this mattress to provide a bit more stability, given the softer feel of the upholstery layers. If you like the traditional feel of a softer sink mattress, this is the one for you!

The inclusion of Horsetail and Horsehair addresses the issue sometimes encountered with pure-wool mattresses: settlement. If you’re using soft fibres on top of a spring unit, you may find the mattress settles much faster than with more support layers, such as Horsetail. Mattress care and maintenance can help reduce all settlement and should be followed diligently, especially in a mattress with entirely wool-based upholstery.

Vispring Fursden Supreme 1500

Next up is the firmer feeling Vispring Fursden at John Lewis. Listed as a ‘range of mattresses from Vispring‘ that are designed with layers of natural materials alongside a pocketed Vanadium steel spring system. It has 1500 springs in the king-size model, and when we tested it in their showroom, it felt really supportive for those who like a firmer mattress. This is definitely for any back or front sleepers who need that extra support.

	Vi-Spring Furson Supreme 1500	John Ryan By Design Bespoke
1	New Zealand wool and cotton (No gsm)	500gsm British Wool
2	New Zealand wool and alpaca (No gsm)	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton
3	Horsehair (No gsm)	Hairproof Cambric Cover
4	New Zealand wool, cotton and bamboo (No gsm)	1200gsm Pure Horsetail
5	NA	1200gsm Horsehair
6	NA	1000gsm White Cashmere Insulator
Spring Details	1500 Calico Pocket Springs	1600 Calico encased Pocket Springs [49mm] [1.28mm]
Total GSM	(No GSM given)	5100gsm
Feel	Firmer feel supportive mattress	Advanced support style for those that like a firm feel supportive bed
Details	M Pure Cover	M Pure Cover
Weight	52kg	65kg
Depth	27cm	30cm
Rows of hand side stitching	3	3
		Find out more

Our Artisan Bespoke model offers a similar feel to the Fursdon mattress. We have included an additional horsehair pad and used the final 500 GSM layer of wool as the very top comfort layer. We believe this provides the mattress with more support and longevity overall, but when you’re talking about such high GSMs, we’re really splitting hairs!

This mattress provides a firm feel in the upholstery layer, ideal for those sleepers who don’t want to sink too far into the mattress, whilst still having some give in the top layers. It’s priced at £3,145 for a king-size 2026. Whilst it feels similar to the Vispring Fursden, it’s a much heavier, deeper mattress because there is more upholstery inside.

	John Ryan By Design Artisan Bespoke	Vi-Spring Herald Superb
1	500gsm British Wool	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool & Cotton
2	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton	NA
3	Hairproof Cambric Cover	Hairproof Cambric Cover
4	1200gsm Pure Horsetail	NA
5	1200gsm Horsehair	1200gsm Horsehair
6	1000gsm White Cashmere Insulator	1000gsm British Fleece Wool
7	1600 Calico encased Pocket Springs [49mm] [1.28mm]	1476 Calico encased Pocket Springs [51mm] [Gauge: 1.42mm]
Total GSM	5100gsm	3400gsm

Vispring Maristow Supreme 1700

The Vispring Maristow is John Lewis’s true medium feel mattress from this brand. It features several layers of natural fibres and 1700 springs. This two-sided bed will give you the good all-rounder feel of medium comfort and a slight sink in the top upholstery layer.

	Vi-Spring Maristow Supreme 1700	John Ryan By Design Artisan Naturals
1	New Zealand wool and cotton (No gsm)	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton.
2	Horsetail blended with Shetland fleece wool and silk	Hairproof Cambric Cover
3	New Zealand wool and bamboo	1250gsm Rebound Poly Cotton
4	New Zealand wool and alpaca	1500gsm 100% Pure Mohair
5	New Zealand wool	NA
Spring Details	1500 Calico Pocket Springs	1600 Calico encased Pocket Springs [ 49mm ] [1.28mm ]
Total GSM	(No GSM given)	3950gsm
Feel	A true medium feel mattress for a wide range of sleep styles	A true medium feel mattress for a wide range of sleep styles
Details	M Pure Cover	M Pure Cover
Weight	54kg	58kg
Depth	27cm	30cm
Rows of Hand Side Stitching	3	2
		Find out more

The Artisan Naturals is the most popular mattress choice in our range and has a similar feel to the Maristow. Containing 85% natural fillings and a calico pocket spring unit, making it a really high-end mattress. This closely resembles the Vi-spring, with a similar medium feel in the upholstery layers. We match this mattress with a sprung-edge divan, giving it a similar feel to the Vi-spring Maristow Supreme and base. If, however, you buy the mattress and place it on a platform top or a slatted base, it will slightly firm up the overall feel. It is priced at £2,180 for a king-size, 2026.

Vispring Axminster Supreme 2500

The Axminster Supreme 2500 is one of Vispring’s dual-spring (twin-spring) mattresses. These are a very acquired taste, with sleepers either loving the double spring or finding them too responsive. Some of our team love them, others can’t get on with them. So it’s worth trying one out in a hotel or guest house to save the heartache! This Vispring Axminster has a huge amount of upholstery in it for a truly lively feel mattress when matched up with the 2500 double calico spring unit.

	Vi-Spring Axminster Supreme 2500	John Ryan By Design Artisan Bespoke 002
1	Shetland fleece wool and cotton	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton.
2	Horsetail blended with Shetland fleece wool	Hairproof Cambric Cover
3	New Zealand wool, silk and cashmere	NA
4	New Zealand wool and alpaca	1200gsm hand-teased long-stranded horsetail blended with real Shetland Isle fleece wool
5	New Zealand wool	1000gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton
Spring Details	2500 Calico Pocket Springs (2 Tiers)	2242 (2 tiers) Calico encased Pocket Springs [60mm] [1.42mm]
Total GSM	(No GSM given)	3400gsm
Feel	A true medium feel mattress for a wide range of sleep styles	A true medium feel mattress for a wide range of sleep styles
Details	M Pure Cover	M Pure Cover
Weight	67kg	63kg
Rows of hand side stitching	4	3
Depth	29.5cm	30cm
		Find out more

Our closest model in terms of construction and feel is our Artisan Bespoke 002 mattress, priced at  £3,375 for a king-size 2026. This mattress combines a two-tier handmade calico spring unit with 100% natural fibres. If you like a medium feel, with a softer, springier support and only the absolute finest will do, then this is the mattress for you.

Discontinued Vispring John Lewis Mattress Models and Alternatives:

If you’re looking to replace a John Lewis Vispring mattress, you may have found that some older models have been discontinued. But don’t panic, we have a historical list of their models to help show you what the comparisons would be. The prices below are from Jan 2019 on the John Lewis website, where these Vispring models can be compared. We have listed the comparisons on Kingsize (5′ x 6’6″ / 150cm x 200cm) mattress models.

• Vispring Honiton
• Vispring Woolacombe
• Vispring Modbury
• Vispring Axminster Superb 2019
• Vispring Fursdon 2019

Vispring Honiton Mattress

The Vispring Honiton uses a twin-up, or dual-layer, calico-pocketed spring system. This means that two layers of equally sized calico-encased pocket springs are layered on top of each other. This gives a mattress a more ‘lively’ feel, which can be more reactive than a single layer of springs. These should not be confused with the cheaper micro springs, which we have critiqued. The Honiton then layers several Blended fibres such as horsehair, wool, and Cotton. This gives it a soft-to-medium feel in the upholstery layer, with a responsive spring system.

Our closest comparison to this model is our Artisan Bespoke 002, which, again, has a soft-medium feel in the top upholstery layer. Your weight always determines the spring tension, and we offer a soft, medium, or firm spring suitable for different weight brackets. Read more on spring gauges and body weights here to help.

	John Ryan By Design Artisan Bespoke 002	Vi-Spring Honiton John Lewis
1	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton	Platinum Certified British Sheep Wool & Cotton (unknown gsm)
2	Hairproof Cambric Cover	No data
3	200gsm Soft Bamboo	NA
4	1200gsm Pure Horsetail	Horsehair & Wool Blend (unknown gsm)
5	1000 gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton	Platinum Certified British Sheep Wool & Cotton (unknown gsm)
6	2508 (2 tiers) Calico encased Pocket Springs [56mm] [1.40mm]	2244 (2 tiers) Calico encased Pocket Springs (unknown gauge)
Total GSM	3600gsm	Not specified
	Find out more

Vispring Woolacombe Mattress

The Vispring Woolacombe has a really soft feel in the top upholstery layers due to the high wool content. It also uses a dual spring layer as its support. It’s a pretty straightforward construction with layers of wool built up on top of the spring unit, giving a softer sink with lively support. This is similar to the previous Vispring Devonshire, one of the softest Vispring mattresses ever made.

Our alternative to the Woolacombe is our Artisan Luxury mattress,

	John Ryan By Design Artisan Luxury	Vi-Spring Woolacombe Supreme 2000
1	1200 GSM British Fleece Wool and Cotton	New Zealand Wool (unknown gsm)
2	Hairproof Cambric Cover	1700gsm Devonshire Fleece Wool
3	1200gsm Pure Horsehair	NA
4	500gsm Pure Wool	Hand Teased New Zealand Wool (unknown gsm)
5	1200gsm Pure Horsetail	NA
6	500gsm Pure Wool	New Zealand Wool (unknown gsm)
7	1476 Calico encased Pocket Springs [51mm] [1.42mm]	2000 Calico encased Pocket Springs (unknown gauge)
Total GSM	4600gsm	Not specified
Price	£1,735	£3,999
	Find out more

Vispring Modbury Supreme Mattress

The Modbury is one of the more frequent models we get asked about from John Lewis. It is a medium feel, utilises one row of calico encased pocket springs (available in the 3 standard tensions) and features Horsetail blended with Platinum Certified Shetland Sheep Wool, Silk & Mohair (frustratingly, the GSM is not given). It has 100% natural fillings and is two-sided, as all high-end mattresses should be.

Our closest comparison to the Modbury is our most popular model, the Artisan Bespoke 004, also 100% Natural fibre with 3600gsm. We don’t blend the 1200 gsm of Horsetail, as it simply shouldn’t be in our view. The Wool and Cotton blends we use are 50% (50/50). All other fibres are pure and not blended. It’s the first mattress in our range to introduce Natural Plant fibre in the form of Bamboo.

Our Artisan Bespoke 004 in a king-size, at £2,860, weighs in at 61kg, compared to the Modbury at 54kg. This helps indicate the difference in the amount and potential GSM of the fillings.

	John Ryan By Design Artisan Bespoke 004	Vi Spring Modbury
1	1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton	Platinum Certified British Sheep Wool & Cotton (unknown gsm)
2	Hairproof Cambric Cover	No data
3	200gsm Soft Bamboo	NA
4	1200gsm Pure Horsetail	Horsetail blended with Platinum Certified Shetland Sheep Wool, Silk & Mohair (unknown gsm)
5	1000gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton	Platinum Certified British Sheep Wool & Cotton (unknown gsm)
6	1600 Calico encased Pocket Springs [ 49mm ] [1.28mm]	1625 Calico encased Pocket Springs (Unknown gauge)
Total GSM	3600 gsm	Not specified
Price	£1,580	£2,375
	Find out more

Vispring Axminster Mattress 2019 (Discontinued model)

The Vispring Axminster is the most expensive model that Vispring makes for John Lewis, featuring a twin-up spring unit and 3 layers of Natural Fibres. Again, no GSM is given, and it’s a bit disappointing to be still seeing blends at this price point, especially with no breakdown of the blended fibres. It’s a medium-feel mattress with 4 rows of hand-stitching, which shows just how deep this mattress is. It’s definitely one for extra deep fitted sheets!

In this model, Vispring moves away from British Wool for Shetland using the Platinum Shetland Wool & Cotton Blend (unknown GSM). It still uses a similar layering methodology to the Vispring Honiton, just at nearly twice the price.

We have two different comparisons and alternatives to the Axminster.

The first is our Artisan Bespoke 003, again a dual-spring layer provided by Vanadium calico-encased pocket springs, 2508 with 100% Natural Fibres and priced at £4,725 for a king-size 2026. We prefer to avoid blends in high-end fibres, such as horsehair. This model includes 1200gsm of pure Horsetail, 400gsm of Bamboomboo, and, lastly, 1000gsm of pure AlpaAlpacae, with the softest, high-wicking fibres on the planet for unrivalled temperature regulation. Amongst Wool & Cotton 2000gsm overall and a Coir 1000gsm insulator layer. Weighing in at a whopping 5,600 gsm.

The next model is one of the world’s first plant-based luxury mattresses: the Artisan Sublime. We’ve taken the best of Natural fibres to create this incredible mattress, which retails at £5,160 for a king-size 2026—containing Organic Flax 1200 gsm, Bamboo 800 gsm, and Coconut Coir 1000 gsm, plus 2,400 gsm of Alpaca and Horsetail. This mattress has a soft feel in the top upholstery layer and a deep sink before medium support. The support is provided again by a twin-up spring system with 2508 vanadium-coated calico pocket springs.

	John Ryan By Design Artisan Bespoke 003	John Ryan By Design Artisan Sublime	Vispring Axminster Superb Mattress
1	1000gsm Alpaca	800gsm Bamboo	Platinum Certified Shetland Sheep Wool & Cotton (unknown gsm)
2	Hairproof Cambric cover	1200gsm Alpaca	NA
3	1000gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton	Hairproof Cambric cover	NA
4	Hairproof Cambric cover	NA	NA
5	400gsm Soft Bamboo	NA	NA
6	1200gsm Pure Horsetail	1200gsm Pure Horsetail	Horsetail Blended with Platinum Certified Shetland Sheep Wool, Silk & Mohair (unknown gsm)
7	1000gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton	1200gsm Organic Flax	NA
8	1000gsm Coir Coconut fibre	1000gsm Coconut Fibre Coir	Platinum Certified Shetland Sheep Wool & Cotton (unknown gsm)
9	2508 (2 tiers) Calico encased Pocket Springs [56mm] [1.40mm]	2508 (2 tiers) Calico encased Pocket Springs [56mm] [1.40mm]	2500 (2 tiers) Calico encased Pocket Springs (unknown gauge)
Total GSM	5600gsm	5400gsm	Not specified
Price	£2,775	£3,025	£5,250
	Find out more	Find out more

Vi-Spring Fursdon 2019 Mattress (discontinued model version)

The Vi-spring Fursdon is one of Vispring’s softest mattresses from John Lewis. It’s primarily made of New Zealand Wool, Cotton, and Alpaca, with a soft horsehair layer. Giving a very soft feel in the top layers. It too is similar in feel to our Artisan Luxury above. This retails for £1,919 in a King-size at John Lewis in 2019.

This mattress uses blends of New Zealand wool with other natural fibres, likely to help maintain the fibres’ loft and prevent settling, as these are incredibly soft and can settle quickly without additional support. The Cotton, Alpaca and Bamboo are blended with the New Zealand Wool. You have the drawback, though, of not knowing what the blend is or whether the Wool fibre is the dominant one. i.e., reducing the overall natural benefits and properties of the Bamboo, Alpaca or Cotton.

The horsehair layer in this Vi-Spring mattress helps support the softer layers above and below it. The closest comparison is our Artisan Luxury mattress. We use Horsehair & Horsetail between the Artisan Luxury’s softer Wool layers to help reduce settlement and extend the mattress’s longevity.