Problems with I-Gel mattress from Bensons

I'm sure we could help you find an alternative to the Bensons model to help you out. The way to do this is to establish your comfort preferences, the problems you have with your current mattress and then using our knowledge we can help narrow you down to one or two suitable options. All without you needing to run the gauntlet of bed retailers and their sparse advice.

Reading the description I see that there is no depth of iGel given which also makes a comparison frustratingly impossible. iGel is a hybrid foam which is entirely synthetic. Some people love these foams, others find they hold them in one position during the night. This is what leads to increased backache and pain for some sleepers which we believe you are experiencing. Not to mention higher heat build up with such foams making for really warm nights sleep.

What iGel foam actually is and why it causes problems for some sleepers

The iGel range is produced exclusively for Bensons for Beds and uses a gel-infused hybrid foam as the primary comfort layer. Bensons describe this as providing temperature regulation and pressure relief. In practice, gel foam is a derivative of memory foam: it is still viscoelastic, still responds to heat by slowly moulding around the body, and still holds that shape once formed. The gel component reduces heat retention compared to standard memory foam, but does not eliminate it, and the slow-response character of the material remains.

For sleepers who stay relatively still through the night, this moulding quality can feel comfortable initially. For sleepers who need to move and reposition during the night, particularly those with back pain, hip pain, or shoulder pain, the resistance of the foam as they try to shift position compounds the discomfort. Each movement requires effort because the foam has formed a shallow body impression and the sleeper has to push up out of it. Over hours, this additional effort during what should be passive repositioning adds to muscular strain rather than relieving it.

It can take a good 4 to 5 weeks before your body adjusts to the feel of a new mattress, and sometimes people do experience aches and pains during this time. It is like not doing any exercise for a long time and then doing a day at the gym: the adjustment will create those aches. If you are still experiencing problems after 6 weeks, the mattress is not the right fit for you and the adjustment period is not the explanation.

Why the iGel specification is difficult to evaluate

One of the core frustrations with iGel mattresses and with Bensons more broadly is that the technical specifications are not published in a form that allows proper comparison. There is no GSM figure for the foam depth, no density rating for the gel component, and no wire gauge for the pocket spring unit in the hybrid models. This makes it genuinely difficult to assess whether a mattress at a given price point represents reasonable value or whether the marketing language is doing most of the work.

GSM, grams per square metre, is the measure that matters most in any comfort layer. A foam comfort layer of 150GSM is a very different proposition to one of 400GSM in terms of how long it retains its shape and how long it takes to develop body impressions. Without this information, any price comparison between iGel and an alternative is incomplete.

The heat retention problem with gel foam

Bensons market the iGel as a temperature-regulating material, and gel-infused foam does run cooler than standard memory foam. The distinction is relative rather than absolute. All viscoelastic foams, including gel foams, require body heat to activate their moulding response, which means they absorb and retain heat from the sleeper throughout the night. For warm sleepers, this will still cause overheating, particularly through the second half of the night when the foam has fully warmed and activated around the body. Natural fibre mattresses work through an entirely different mechanism: Wool, Cotton, and Horsetail wick moisture away from the body and breathe freely without absorbing heat. The difference is not marginal for warm sleepers: it is the difference between waking feeling rested and waking damp and overheated.

What to look for in an alternative and our recommendations

If you're wanting a natural fibre mattress that gives a similar initial sink to iGel or other foams but without the heat retention, we would recommend our Artisan Naturals mattress. Coming in at a price point around the same as the synthetic iGel at Bensons, this mattress comes in a variety of spring tensions and has a massive 85% of natural fibres, far higher quality than any synthetic foam mattress. It's also two-sided meaning you will get a far longer shelf life out of the mattress.

The spring tension of mattresses is always based on your body weight, not the comfort preference. This is where most people go wrong. See the table below for guidance on the right spring tension for your bodyweight.

The Artisan Naturals uses calico-encased pocket springs in a tension matched to your bodyweight, with Wool, Cotton, and Mohair upholstery layers that provide the initial soft sink you are accustomed to from foam, then firm up progressively beneath you as the springs take your weight. Unlike foam, which holds one position, the natural fibre layers respond immediately when you shift position. There is no resistance to movement and no effort required to reposition during the night.

If you want something closer to a pure latex feel with faster rebound than either foam or natural fibres, our Fusion latex range is also worth considering. Natural latex responds to pressure rather than heat, rebounds almost immediately, and is one of the most breathable mattress materials available.

A note on Bensons' return and warranty process

If your iGel mattress is within its guarantee period and has developed body impressions beyond the manufacturer's stated tolerance, typically 2 to 3cm for foam mattresses, you are entitled to raise a warranty claim. Bensons will usually require an inspection before authorising a replacement or refund. Document any visible impressions with photographs before contacting them, and measure the depth of the impression with a straight edge across the mattress surface. This makes the case clearer and harder to dismiss.

Our full review of the iGel mattress range covers the specific models in detail and explains the construction differences between them. Our guide on pocket springs versus memory foam is also worth reading if you want to understand the fundamental differences between foam-based and spring-based support before you choose a replacement.

Completing your sleep setup after replacing the iGel

If you are replacing a synthetic foam mattress with a natural fibre model, it is also worth reviewing your bedding. Synthetic polyester bedding reduces the breathability advantage that natural fibre mattresses provide. Pairing a natural fibre mattress with our 100% Wool duvet or duck down duvet gives you a complete, breathable sleep system that works together from base to bedding. A cotton mattress protector is also strongly recommended to protect the mattress surface and maintain its breathability. Our full natural fibre bedding range is designed to complement our mattresses at every price point.

Please do give us a call on 0161 437 4419. We are very happy to talk through your specific weight, sleeping position, and preferences to recommend the right model before you commit to another purchase. Our office hours are here.

Kind regards, Gary