Mattress Choices
February 2023What's the best £1000 mattress?
Updated 2023: If you have a bed budget of around £1000 and are looking for a new mattress then this article will explain exactly what you can expect. Working out what is the best mattress for £1000 should not be hard when you know what to look for and to expect. So let’s look a bit deeper at £1000 mattress choices.
A £1000 mattress is classed as entering the mid-point of mattresses. This midpoint is where you start to move away from the cheaply made mass-produced mattress models and start to see the beginnings of quality in some mattress construction. You’re starting to leave the average behind and find customisable options and higher quality upholstery, springs and mattress detailing. All of which will lead to a better nights sleep and longer lifespan of your mattress!
- What to expect from a £1000 Mattress
- Mattress Support & Upholstery for £1000
- Best Mattresses for £1000
- Loaf Top Dog
- Vispring Elite
- M & S Pillowtop Cashmere & Merino Wool
- Sleep Story Pillowtop 3000
- John Ryan By Design Origins Pocket 1500
- What else can I get for my money?
It’s worth bearing in mind that a quality mattress and good nights sleep should always be budgeted for. If you try and save too much, and opt for a cheaper bed you may regret it or end up making multiple purchases every 3-4 years meaning its a false economy. It may be worthwhile reading this article on the price of sleep to help see where your budget lies over the course of a mattress’s lifespan.
What to expect from a £1000 mattress
The first place to start when choosing a new mattress is to know what to expect for your money in terms of support units and upholstery fillings in a £1000 mattress. This will help you easily assess whether that great showroom offer is really as good as it sounds. It also means that before you hit the bed shops or online mattress retailers, you will have a solid understanding of what to expect. Thus saving you time and money!
Mattress Support
For your £1000 you should expect at the very least a Spunbond pocket spring support unit. At this price point, cage sprung and open coil spring units should be well and truly out of the question. We have written about open coil mattresses in detail here but they should be avoided.
Pocket springs are the best form of support in a mattress as they will individually contour to your body weight, unlike foams and cage springs. Pocket springs also reduce transference (ie movement from your partner during the night) and provide a really robust support unit for your mattress.
Pocket spring mattresses result in less settlement and have fewer sagging issues if the mattress is looked after. At £1000 you may start to see spring tensions available, reserved for the finest mattress manufacturers. These spring tensions are based solely on your body weight and should not be confused with the mattress comfort layers (which provide the true feel of the mattress).
In foam mattresses around the £1000 mark, you should start to move away from synthetic memory foams. Memory foam is notoriously hot and slow to react and around £1000 is where you start to see solid core Latex emerge. Synthetic foams tend to tail off around £750 as there are far better materials on offer past this budget. These synthetic memory foams themselves don’t necessarily increase in quality accordingly when you move to the £1,000.
At this price point, you should be looking for a 2-sided fully turnable mattress. You can then turn the mattress if two-sided meaning you can use both sides and get a far longer lifespan out of the bed and avoid undue settlement. In terms of how many springs you require you should be looking around the 1000+ mark for a kingsize mattress.
The minimum amount is 600 and the maximum is around 2,000. Anything over this uses additional layers of micro springs which we discuss at length here and why you may want to avoid them. Micro springs are usually incorporated into a mattress at the detriment or removal of upholstery comfort layers which we talk about next.
In terms of gauge and tension, most mid-range mattresses are based on a 1.4 gauge wire in a pocket spring which is a medium tension. If you want to understand more on spring tensions please read our detailed guide here to work out the best tension for you, or view the table below.
| Spring Tension | Wire diameter (Gauge) | Weight Range |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | 1.2mm | Bespoke Tension (Please Call) |
| Medium | 1.4mm | Upto 16 stone |
| Firm | 1.6mm | 16 stone plus |
| Extra Firm / Orthopaedic | 1.9mm | 20 stone plus |
Upholstery in a £1000 Mattress
Once you’ve selected some models with a pocket spring unit the next important details is working out what fillings are inside the mattress. This is where the true ‘feel’ of a mattress comes from and shouldn’t be confused with spring tension.
These upholstery layers are known as the ‘Comfort Layers’ of the mattress. This is where most care needs to be taken when choosing a new mattress as the jargon gets very vague in bed showrooms. There are a number of fillings, brand names, buzzwords and cryptic descriptions on offer. Don’t panic, we will explain exactly what you can expect and how to decipher it.
In a £1000 mattress, you’re primarily going to be looking at blended of fibres in a mix probably around 50% of synthetic to natural fibres. There will be many descriptions stating that models ‘include natural fibres’. When looking at models beware phrases like ‘Contains Bamboo’ or ‘Including Alpaca’ as these are usually nominal amounts. Sometimes as little as 1% natural fibre blended then with 99% polyester or equivalent!
The key learning for you is to be able to cut through the descriptions to see exactly what you are buying for your £1000, is that fibre blended and if so with what?
There is another really important question you simply must ask when buying a new mattress; what is the GSM (Grams per square meter) of each of the fibres in the mattress? If you can’t find this out then sadly you’re simply guessing when buying a new bed.
In a £1000 mattress, you can expect to receive around 1250-1500GSM of man-made & natural fibres in a kingsize mattress when bought from one of the mass-produced retailers. Independent and higher-end mattress manufacturers may offer more fillings at this price point. This is why it is essential when you’re mattress shopping you ask what the GSM is in each model.
| Upholstery Layer | Fibre Type | How it will feel? | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester | Synthetic | Soft | Cheap |
| White Fibre | Synthetic | Soft/Medium | Cheap |
| Recycled Fibre / Eco Fibre | Synthetic | Medium | Cheap |
| Memory Foam | Synthetic | Medium/Firm | Mid Price |
| Igel / Hybrid Foam | Synthetic | Medium/Firm | Mid Price |
| Polycotton | Synthetic/Natural Blend | Soft/Medium | Mid Price |
| Linen | Synthetic/Natural Blend | Medium | Mid Price |
| Wool | Natural | Soft | High-End |
Mattress Detailing for a £1000 Bed
The mattress ‘detailing’ refers to the stitching method, construction skill and cover fabric of the mattress. At the £1000 price point with mattresses, you should expect a tufted two-sided mattress with a damask cover. You may also see synthetic stretch covers still at this price point to keep the beds cost price down for manufacturers.
It’s only when you get to the £1500 price point you can expect to see natural fibre covers and plant-based fire retardancy usually.
Springs will also be glued, not stitched. Most of these mattress models are going to be mass-produced or, at the best fast produced to ensure that they are profitable. If you use an independent mattress manufacturer you may be able to get better detailing as their overheads are lower. They can offer such great value on our hand made mattresses as you’re not paying for TV adverts, branding campaigns or showroom costs.
At the £1000 price point you start to move away from the cheaper entry mattresses
You should expect 1200-1500 spring counts and 1250+ GSM
Best mattress models for £1000
Ok, we have discussed at length what you can expect for your money so its time to see which are the best mattress models for £1000 out there. Let’s get to the good stuff!
We’ve undertaken a number of reviews and tests on all sorts of mattresses and here are a few to give you a basis for comparison. Here we provide 5 different mattresses at around the £1000 price point, including one of our own models for your comparison. This should help give you an idea of what you can expect to make a more suitable mattress purchase.
Loaf Top Dog Mattress
Loaf has made a name for itself due to their no-nonsense approach to furniture which we love. They have a small range of well-made mattresses which is why they feature in this article. Their ‘Top Dog’ mattress is a dual spring model (featuring two layers of pocket springs – not to be confused with mini springs).
It is priced at £1195 which is slightly over the £1000 price point.
What we love about Loaf is that they do give the GSM. Hooray!
It’s also hand side stitched, which is really unusual at this price point and two-sided so you can flip and rotate this mattress. The super-soft white fibre layer is the comfort top layer and the cashmere (probably coarse at this price point) will be used as the spring insulator to bridge the springs and upholstery. A natural fibre top comfort layer would be preferable as its more breathable but at this price point we know why this isn’t the case.
Loaf are clearly demonstrating here both decent manufacture practice and clarity with this mattress model so well done Loaf!.
- 1200gsm Superloft white fibres (Synthetic)
- 1000gsm Cotton
- 1000gsm Cashmere & Silk (No blend percentage given)
- 2200 Synthetic Pocket Springs (No gauge given, probably 1.4 Medium)
This mattress is a medium feel for those under 16 stone.
Vi Spring Elite Mattress
Vi spring are one of the premier mattress brands and for good reason. They make wonderful mattresses with natural fibres and high end detailing. The Vispring Elite is their starter model which is in the midrange (given that most of their models e £3k plus in price).
It is on sale at the moment for £1199 but usually retails at £1599 (so we may have this in the wrong bracket depending on whether you believe sale prices!).
It has a Soft-medium feel and is primarily made up of soft fibres such as fleece wool and cotton. At 21cm its one of the thinnest mattresses at this price point, which is down to the fact it is 100% natural and this precludes any deeper upholstery as this would increase the cost.
It has a soft feel for those up to 16 stone and has three mattress tensions a 1.2 (soft, 1.4 (medium) and a 1.6 (firm). The spring tension allows you to choose the correct gauge based on your bodyweight making this a fully tailored model compared to the other offerings at this price point from Marks & Spencer, Loaf and Furniture Village.
- All-natural fillings – bonded Platinum Certified British fleece wool and cotton, and blended Platinum Certified British fleece wool and cotton – are designed to wick moisture away for fresher and cooler sleep. This hand-tufted mattress is covered in high-quality ticking and has wool-upholstered borders, two rows of hand side-stitching, horizontal handles and air vents.
- 1,350gsm bonded British fleece wool and cotton. Overlaid with two layers of 900gsm blended British fleece wool and cotton. Total 3150GSM.
- With 1254 Vanadium Pocket springs in King size, this luxurious 21 cm deep mattress is available in a choice of 3 mattress tensions.
M & S Pillowtop Cashmere & Merino Wool
This is Marks & Spencer’s mid-level model and features spunbond pocket springs, in a medium (probably 1.4 gauge) tension, plus a whole list of different fillings. It is a very soft mattress aided by the soft pillow top. As discussed above you can start to see real natural fibres which this model shows.
It retails at £1099 for a kingsize.
It’s great to see as we move away from more synthetic layers. There are a number of synthetic layers in this mattress to help keep its loft (height) these are notably in the pillowtop area and on top of the spring unit as a mattress insulator. Foam is also used within these layers, there are no GSM given so it’s hard to say exactly what the natural fibre percentage or GSM is. We would estimate this as 30% natural 70% synthetic looking at the breakdown. However, there is one main drawback with this model.
This is a pillowtop mattress. We do need to put a disclaimer here, it can be frustrating to see pillow tops still being made given the issues with the settlement of them. However, people tend to initially really like their soft ‘hotel bed’ feel. This is probably why manufacturers keep making them and why we list this as one of the better pillowtop mattresses (solely because it contains natural fibre layers).
They are notoriously complained about for settling and dipping issues. As once the pillowtop part settles there’s no way to replace or remove it. It’s a one-sided mattress which means you can only use one side. You have to weight this up when comparing to other two-sided models. Two-sided models will have generally twice as many upholstery fillings as you can use both sides.
In terms of the rest of the detailing is has 4 machine side stitches, not to be confused with hand side stitching which is unheard of at this price point in models outside of independent mattress makers.
It provides a super-soft comfort layer feel and suitable support for those up to 16 stone if you like a soft mattress.
-
- Soft white fibre, lambswool, merino wool, cashmere and silk pad, poly-cotton pad and foam pads (No GSM given)
- Made in Great Britain
- 4 rows side stitch
- 4 handles and 8 silver vents
- A sumptuous, deeply filled mattress with soft merino wool and beautifully soft cashmere for a cushioned yet supportive feel (No GSM given)
- Mattress Spring count: 2250 (including mini springs)
Sleep Story Pillowtop 3000
This is one of Furniture Villages mid-range mattresses under their own in house brand ‘Sleep Story’. Retailing at £1069 for a kingsize it has a blend of synthetic and some natural fibres. This is another softer feel mattress for those who like that Hotel Bed feel. Frustratingly and unlike Loaf & Vispring there is no GSM.
The Sleep Story mattress comes in at £1049 for a kingsize.
As with all pillowtop mattresses, it is one-sided and can’t be turned. Care needs to be taken with the one-sided issue but other than that its a solid contender for the price. This is an excellent example of what you can expect for your money and adds a valuable comparison to the likes of Loaf, Vispring and our model below.
- Listed as containing ‘a sumptuous blend of wool, cashmere, silk and cotton’ (No GSM or blends given)
- Damask cover
- 3000 Synthetic Dual Layer Pocket Springs (no gauge given probably 1.4 Medium)
- Depth: 31 cm
John Ryan By Design Origins Pocket 1500
We pride ourselves on making the highest quality mattresses we can for each price point and letting you the consumer know exactly what’s inside it and our Origins 1500 is no exception! Our Origins Pocket 1500 is our best selling spunbond pocket spring, two-sided mattress model. Hand made here in the UK.
It costs £850 for a kingsize with free delivery and interest-free finance options available.
Giving a medium feel with a softer sink top layer it is made with 1550GSM of man-made and natural fibres. It has a true medium feel and can be turned and rotated to increase the life span of your mattress.
- 300gsm Wool
- 750gsm Very Soft Polyester
- 500gsm Polyester Pad
- One Inch Foam Insulator Pad
- 1500 Spunbond Pocket Springs (1.4 Medium Gauge)
- Total: 1550GSM
- Depth: 30-33CM
What else can I get for my money?
Now we’ve shown what you can expect for around £1000 for a new mattress you may be wondering what else you are to increase your bed budget. Below is a handy guide of exactly what your money should buy you when choosing a new mattress.
How much to spend on a double mattress? What can I expect for my money?
Under £500 Will not get you much at best a 13.5 gauge open coil/cage sprung with a thin polyester layer or a solid foam mattress.
£500 Entry level spunbond springs with some form of synthetic upholstery. Usually one sided mattresses.
£750 The beginnings of a basic pocket springs unit with 800 – 1000 count. No substantial amount of filling other than foams and synthetic materials. Two sided models.
£1000 Should get you away from most low ranges and into the mid-range pocket spring models.
£1250 Should get you a decent pocket sprung mattress with some Natural Fibre content.
£1500 Should get you many manufacturers mid-range models with Natural Fibres
£1500-£2000 Should get you a Hand Made primarily Natural Fibre Quality Mattress
£2000+ You should expect 100% Natural Fibres and Traditional Hand Made Construction Method.
£5000+ A Bespoke Hand Made Sleep System, High-end Spring Units & Featuring the Worlds Most Luxurious Natural Fibres.
Summary
After reading all this detail you will now have a much better understanding of what to expect for around £1000 in a mattress. You’re going to be able to get a mix of natural and man-made synthetic fibres for this price point. There can be a vast difference between the upholstery filling quantities and pocket spring types at this price point so it is really important that you compare between different mattress brands and models.
By asking the Grams per square meter (GSM) and exact spring count you can quickly discount any unsuitable models. Allowing you to shortlist quality suitable mattresses saving yourself time and money.
If you’re still struggling to make a decision on which new mattress to buy then why not give our small friendly team a call on 0161 437 4419 or drop us a message below for more help? At John Ryan we are always here to advise on any mattress model even if it’s not our own, because getting the perfect nights sleep it essential!
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