Emma Original reviewed

The Emma Original is a 25 cm hybrid mattress with MemoryAdapt memory foam and soft foam over a five-zone pocket spring core edged in comfort foam. Emma rates it 4 out of 5 (medium firm) and sells it from £369 in a UK single. We tested it at home, from unboxing to sleeping on it, and it is the safest all-round choice in Emma’s UK range.

What is inside the Emma Original

Emma’s product page lists five layers in 25 cm, starting with the zip-off cover. Under the springs, a non-slip base cover keeps the mattress from sliding on the bed frame.

How it felt in our test

Over several nights our sample balanced a cushioned top against clear support underneath. On our own 1 to 10 firmness scale we put it at 6, a true medium firm. The memory foam gives as soon as you lie down without letting you sink far, and the pocket springs add enough bounce to make turning over easy. Lying on our side, we felt the pressure spread across the shoulders and hips, and the five spring zones kept the middle of the bed from dipping.

If you have low back pain, medium-firm is where the research points. In a randomised trial of 313 adults with chronic low back pain published in The Lancet (Kovacs et al., 2003), people on a medium-firm mattress had better outcomes after 90 days than those on a firm one, both for disability (odds ratio 2.10) and for pain while lying in bed (2.36).

Temperature, partners and the cover

We noticed no heat build-up over the test nights. The open-cell Airgocell foam and the spring core leave room for air to move. Motion isolation was good in our test, and a partner turning over barely registered on the other side.

The cover unzips all the way round, so it comes off without lifting or twisting the mattress, and it kept its fit after a 40°C wash.

Emma Original sizes and prices

Emma sells the Original in five UK sizes, from single to super king, plus two continental sizes, 140x200 and 160x200. Neither matches a UK frame (140x200 is 5 cm wider and 10 cm longer than a UK double), so measure before choosing one. Prices below are Emma’s regular prices, checked on 5 October 2026. Delivery is free in 2 to 5 working days, with a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee.

Who the Emma Original suits

We recommend the Emma Original to back and side sleepers of average build and to couples who want a quiet bed. If you want a softer feel, the Emma Original Elite is the medium-soft choice in the same range. Warm sleepers who want a dedicated cooling layer should compare the Emma Original Pro.