I’ve tried many sleep hacks in my time as T3’s Home Editor and resident sleep expert. From trying the military sleep method to drinking the Sleepy Girl mocktail, I’ve tried it all, and can give a definitive ruling over which sleep tricks actually work and which ones you can forget about.

But I recently found out that I’ve been unconsciously doing one of the best sleep tricks around – and you probably have too. If you’ve ever found yourself sticking a foot out of your duvet when you sleep, you’re actually setting yourself up for a great night’s sleep – and it’s scientifically proven!

According to Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, sleep expert at Mattress Next Day, sleeping with one foot outside of your duvet, especially on a hot night, is one of the few popular sleep hacks backed by science. She explains that it’s because “your body needs to drop its core temperature by one to two degrees to initiate and maintain healthy cycles of sleep.”

One of the easiest ways to cool your body is to cool the room itself. While it goes against our instincts – and as someone who’s always freezing, it really goes against mine – sleeping in a cold room is actually better for you. Similar to popping one leg out of your bed, the colder temperatures have been found to help you fall asleep faster, reduce your stress levels, and even improve your mood.

However, if (like me) sleeping in a cold room appalls you, it turns out your feet could be the answer – which is why the ‘one foot out the bed’ trick works so well. As Pennicotte-Collier states, “this is because the feet are one of the body’s key heat-release points. By exposing them to cooler air, you can encourage heat to escape more efficiently, helping to lower your core body temperature and support the natural process of falling asleep.”

So, keeping your feet slightly cooler than the rest of your body can have a positive impact on your sleep quality and quantity. With the upcoming summer season and heatwaves, sleeping with one foot outside your duvet is a quick, easy (and free!) trick to help regulate your temperature while trying to sleep through the higher temperatures.

If the heat is still keeping you awake though, try these 7 tips for sleeping in a heatwave, or upgrade to a cooling mattress pad.

Staying up to watch the World Cup? According to sleep experts, you could be losing 275 hours of sleep due to the late night games – but here’s how to still get a good night’s sleep while the football is on.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 started on the 11th June, and as the games will be played in Mexico, the US and Canada, that puts UK football fans on a bit of a weird schedule. For the UK, the majority of games will be played in the evening and early morning, and if you’re dedicated to watching all the matches, this will massively impact your sleep for the month that the World Cup is on.

With this in mind, Hillarys did some calculations and found that football fans could lose up to 275 hours of sleep while the competition is on, due to 53 out of 104 matches kicking off after 11pm BST. Hillarys has also launched its free World Cup Sleep Calculator which calculates the amount of sleep you’ll lose based on the games you watch.

But fear not – Hillarys’ sleep scientist, Tom Coleman has shared his five expert tips on how to sleep better during the World Cup.

5 tips to get a good night’s sleep after watching the World Cup

1. Try the split-sleep strategy

Coleman’s number one tip for getting a good night’s sleep without missing the World Cup action is to split your sleep. “Consider going to bed at your normal time, waking for the match, then returning to sleep afterwards,” he says. “It's not as efficient as one uninterrupted block, but it's far better than staying awake for 20 hours straight and crashing later.”

The split-sleep strategy works due to the different sleep stages that make up your sleep cycle. The deepest, most restorative sleep tends to take place in the first half of the night, so you should be getting a good amount of rest and recovery time before your World Cup alarm goes off.

2. Control your lighting

Sitting in front of a bright, flashing TV isn’t great for your sleep, due to the blue light the screen emits. So, when you go to turn in after a game, you’ll likely find yourself lying awake, feeling wired. But that’s where strategic control of your lighting comes in.

After the match ends, Coleman suggests shifting into low, warm lighting. “This helps your brain ramp up melatonin production sooner, which shortens the time it takes to fall asleep… bright light is one of the strongest 'wake-up' signals your brain has, even when your body is exhausted. Dimming your environment is one of the fastest ways to help it downshift into sleep mode”, says Coleman.

3. Keep your bedroom cold and dark

Not only are you dealing with late night games, but the World Cup also takes place in summer where the higher temperatures already negatively affect your sleep. As Coleman explains, the “temperature is the second most important sleep signal after light, as the body needs to drop its core temperature to initiate sleep and a warm room makes that harder. Ventilation, a fan, and blackout curtains create an ideal recovery environment your body needs after a disrupted night.”

4. Limit your alcohol intake

Whether you’re watching the World Cup or not, alcohol has a huge impact on your sleep. Alcohol may act as a sedative but it disrupts your sleep quality, particularly your REM sleep which is essential for mental and emotional recovery. So, try to limit how much alcohol you drink while watching the football so you can sleep comfortably, and wake up feeling well-rested.

5. Schedule recovery sleep

If you’re a diehard football fan, chances are you’ll be up for every single game, so it’s important to schedule some recovery sleep – and actually make sure you stick to it. For example, Coleman recommends “if a match ends at 4am on a Sunday, block Sunday morning in your calendar, put your phone on ‘do not disturb’ and make sure anyone else in the house knows not to wake you.”

I’m extremely fortunate that I get to travel for work, but the 3am wake-up calls to get to the airport do eventually take their toll. Oftentimes, I have events, briefings and tours as soon as I land and as I don’t want to make a bad first impression by looking like I haven’t slept for days, I’ve become well-versed in sleeping on a plane.

I used to hate sleeping on planes but now, I’m out like a light as soon as I strap my seatbelt on. With summer holidays coming up, sleeping poorly – or not at all – on a plane can affect the first couple days of your vacation so catching some much needed Zzz’s before your trip is a must.

As a sleep and travel expert, these are the five fool-proof products I use to help me sleep on a plane.

1. Ostrichpillow Go Neck Travel Pillow

The biggest head – or neck – ache about sleeping on a plane is you’re essentially sleeping upright in a chair for several hours. What’s worse is the seat itself has no real support or comfort especially around the head and neck, which is why you often get off a plane feeling stiff and sore in these areas.

Having a comfortable travel pillow is a must if you’re planning to take a nap on the plane. I’d recommend the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Travel Pillow. Made from memory foam, the Ostrichpillow Go is cosy, breathable and asymmetrical so you can have it at different heights and thickness levels to suit your neck, spine, head and chin. There are cheaper options at Boots and even in the airport that work well too, but the Ostrichpillow Go gets my vote.

2. Loop Dream

This might be controversial, but I don’t like wearing headphones on a plane, unless I’m using them to watch an in-flight movie. But the background whirring of the cabin and other passenger’s noises can disrupt your sleep, so a good pair of noise-reducing earbuds can do the trick.

Instead of blocking out noise entirely, I still like to be able to hear a little bit of my surroundings, especially on a plane so I can be alert to any announcements. The Loop Dream earplugs are a great choice here, as they muffle sounds by 27dB (SNR) so you can sleep peacefully and minimise external noise. Made from ultra-soft silicone and memory foam, the Loop Dream earplugs reduce ear pressure and sit comfortably in the ears for several hours. Read our full Loop Dream review for more details.

3. Therabody SleepMask

If you’re flying for several hours, especially during the night, the plane you’re on will dim the lights so you can get some sleep. But not everyone will want to sleep which means you could be sitting next to someone with a blaring, bright screen – but that’s where an eye mask comes in.

My eye mask of choice is the Therabody SleepMask. What makes it so special is it uses a combination of vibrations and sounds to help you relax. With wave, pulse or constant pattern options, the vibrations are soothing and tension relieving. The material is comfortable to wear and completely blacks out any light that could infiltrate under the mask. Read our full Therabody SleepMask review for more details.

4. Danish Endurance Cotton Compression Socks

If you’re on a long haul flight, compression socks will be your best friend. I run a lot and my shins are always acting up in some way so I use compression socks to help with my running but you can also wear them as you travel.

For compression sock beginners, the Danish Endurance Compression Socks are the ones I’d recommend. Made from a soft cotton material, these socks are more relaxed than other options, making them ideal for running, recovery and travel. The Danish Endurance Compression Socks stabilise your calves, and they’re much more affordable than other brands.

5. YETI Rambler Bottle

Due to the low humidity within a plane, the air in the cabin can leave your skin and body feeling dehydrated. Regardless of how long I’ve slept for on the plane, I often wake up with a sore, dry throat so having a good water bottle to hand is vital.

The water bottle I use everyday, including while travelling, is the YETI Rambler Bottle. I have the 769ml version but you can get them in multiple sizes and colours. As it’s double-wall vacuum insulated, the YETI Rambler Bottle keeps water extremely cool and crisp, which is exactly what you want when travelling for hours.

For more advice, check out these 7 tips for sleeping on a plane.

This past week, the UK has been hit by a huge heatwave. While most people are loving the sunshine, everyone starts to get a bit sick of the heat when it’s time to sleep.

To manage the heat at night, we’re all turning to the best fans and air conditioners. However, while they offer a relieving cold breeze throughout the day, they aren’t as effective at night and can actually make you feel worse the next day.

The main reason you shouldn’t sleep with a fan on is the cold, circulating air gets into your body which causes stiff muscles and aches and pains. But at the moment, it’s simply too hot not to sleep with a fan on, so I’ve looked into ways you can position your fan in your room to help you to sleep more comfortably in the UK heatwave.

Before I get into the three fan positions, you should never sleep with your fan directly pointing at yourself. This exacerbates body soreness, can dry out your skin and trigger allergies so it’s best to stick to these positions instead.

1. Near an open window

This might sound counterintuitive but placing your fan near an open window can make a world of difference to the temperature in your room. By positioning your fan like this, you can create a cross breeze as the fan pushes hot air outside while creating a vacuum to bring cool air inside. It’s surprisingly effective so don’t knock it until you try it.

2. At the opposite wall

Instead of pointing your fan towards the bed, try angling it at the opposite wall or even the ceiling. The airflow from your fan should bounce off the wall which helps the cool air to circulate around your room more evenly. This is ideal for whole room cooling rather than having an icy chill blasting at you.

3. At the end of your bed

If you really can’t do without a fan facing your bed, consider increasing the distance between it and yourself. Rather than having it by your bedside, place your fan at the end of your bed. This way, you’re still getting a direct cool breeze but the distance helps you avoid feeling too cold or muscle cramping.

The UK is currently experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 34°. While I’m absolutely loving the warmer weather, it’s been extremely difficult to get a good night’s sleep.

If you’re struggling to sleep in the heat, here are nine expert-approved tips to help you sleep in the UK’s 30° heatwave.

1. Switch to cooling, breathable materials

As the weather gets warmer, it’s vital to switch to cooler, breathable materials to help you feel more comfortable in the heat, while also managing your temperature regulation and sweat labels. Start by switching to a lighter, summer duvet with a tog of 4.5 to avoid overheating while you sleep.

Once your bed is cooler, it’s important to change to breathable pyjamas and sheets. According to Hannah Store, Head of Sleep Science at Mattress Online, you should “make sure to swap your cotton pjs for loose-fitting bamboo pjs as they wick moisture away from the skin and dry out quickly… Cotton takes a while to dry out, so if you struggle with sweating during the warmer months, switching out for polyester or bamboo sheets can stop you getting clammy during the night.”

2. Try the Mediterranean cooling method

We’ve all heard of the Scandinavian sleep hack, but now it’s time to turn to warmer countries for their sleep advice. Bill Parkinson, bed expert at Sleepy Piglet has found the Mediterranean cooling method is great for Brits who are unprepared for surging temperatures, and it’s an easy way to ‘heat proof’ your home.

Parkinson states that “You will notice in many Mediterranean countries that homes are set up to stay cool naturally. During the day, shutters or thick blackout curtains are used to create a ‘shade trapping’ effect – helping to keep cooler air inside – then in the evening everything gets opened up again to let air move through.”

He goes on to say that the Mediterranean or cross-breeze method “works best when you create a clear draught by opening windows on opposite sides of your home or room, so cooler air can easily flow in and push warmer air out. That constant movement of air can make a real difference to how the room feels at night.”

3. Cool your bed with a frozen water bottle

Similar to cooling your room down, cooling your bed before you get in it can make a world of difference to your sleep and comfort levels. Parkinson comments that his “favourite thing to do when the warmer months set in is to freeze a hot water bottle… Placing it in your bed a few minutes before you get in brings the temperature down quickly.”

If you have a mattress which tends to hold onto heat, you should consider adding a mattress cooling pad. This way, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a new mattress, and you can beat the heat in the summer and keep your warmer mattress for the winter months.

4. Avoid sleeping naked

Many people wear a lot less clothing when they sleep in a heatwave, but Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, sleep therapist and sleep expert at MattressNextDay says that this is the worst thing you can do.

When sleeping naked, there is “nothing helping absorb sweat or move moisture away from the skin overnight… without breathable natural fibre bedding to wick sweat away, moisture simply sits on the skin and creates a clammy humid ‘microclimate’ that is more likely to wake you up in the middle of the night.” Instead, stick to breathable materials, as mentioned above.

5. Adjust your meal timings

Rather than eating dinner late in the evening, try to move your meals earlier in the day. Shore from Mattress Online recommends “eating larger meals throughout the day, and smaller foods that are easier to digest, in the evening.”

The reason for this is “when we digest food, our core body temperature increases. So, eating large complex meals just before bed will cause your core body temperature to increase when you need it to decrease.”

6. Limited hidden heat from electronics

Cooling down your bedroom and other rooms in your home can do wonders for your sleep, but you might not have realised how much your electronics can contribute to indoor heat, especially laptops and TVs. Parkinson suggests “switching these off an hour or two before bed can help the room cool down properly; if possible, keeping them out of the bedroom altogether will help create a more analogue setup too.”

He also points out that “ charging your phone in a naturally cooler part of the house can make all the difference and will also help you reduce your screen time in the evening, allowing you to fully switch off before bed.”

7. Exercise earlier in the day

It’s difficult to exercise in the heat, particularly as our body temperature increases as we do. If you exercise too close to bedtime and don’t cool down properly, this can have an impact on your sleep. Try moving your run, workout class or other activities to earlier in the day to avoid this disruption. Whether you’re working out or not, you should also be keeping hydrated during a heatwave by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

For more sleep tips, check out these 10 do’s and don’ts for sleeping in the heat.

You might not realise it but your pillow is one of the most important parts of your sleep set-up. As it sits under your head and neck, your pillow is vital for support, aligning your spine and preventing muscle strain, so having a good, comfortable option could be the make or break on whether you sleep well or not.

I’ve tested many pillows during my time as Home Editor for T3, and have definitely found pillows that work well for my sleep style and others which really don’t. I, like many people, don’t especially enjoy waking up with neck pain so I’ve become very picky about which pillow I sleep with.

Recently, I tested the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow which I was initially quite reluctant about. As it’s made completely out of memory foam, I worried that it would be too soft and sinking, but after spending a few weeks sleeping on it, the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow most definitely proved me wrong – here’s how.

Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow review: price and availability

The Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow comes in one size and is priced at £82. It’s available to buy at Emma and select retailers like Wayfair and Land of Beds. There’s also an Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow bundle available which offers two pillows for £164.

As of writing, the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow is 20% off, so you can get it for just £65.60. For more offers all year round, check out these Emma sales, deals and discount codes.

It’s also worth noting here that Emma often changes the names of its products. The Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow was previously called the Premium Foam Pillow, so you might see this name from other retail sites from time to time.

Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow review: unboxing

The Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow arrived vacuumed-packed and tightly rolled up in a cylindrical tube. While that might sound strange, this is how bed in a box mattresses are delivered as the smaller, space-saving packaging is much easier to deliver than a full-sized mattress.

Due to this tightly packed delivery system, the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow arrived a little deflated so I had to wait several hours for it to inflate – again, this is very common with some sleep accessories. It didn’t take too long for the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow to get back to its normal size, but when it did, it still had a very strong off-gassing smell.

The chemical smell took a while to dissipate, even after putting a pillowcase on it. I could still smell the packaging after a few sleeps, and while it was powerful and a little off putting, it didn’t massively impact my sleep. However, if you have a sensitive sense of smell, you might want to leave the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow for a few days before you start sleeping on it.

Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow review: design and features

The Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow is a memory foam pillow that features three layers of different foam. The top layer is the Thermosync Cooling foam which works to maintain and regulate your body’s temperature throughout the night, so you’re not too hot or cold.

The next layer down is the HRX foam which is designed to support your head and neck, while relieving any pressure around these areas. Finally, the third layer is the softest, and offers a comfortable, breathable surface.

Covering this foam construction is an Ultra-Dry Plus cover which is made from a knitted material that can be removed and washed – see how to clean a pillow for more details. The cover also has great air circulation to keep you cool and minimise sweat.

Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow review: performance

Once the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow had fully inflated, I got to sleeping on it right away. The first couple of nights I felt a slight ache after swapping over as I was previously sleeping on quite a soft pillow but this initial ache went away after a couple of sleeps.

Emma states that the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow offers medium to firm support, although I found it to be on the soft to medium end of the spectrum. While it was softer than I was expecting, the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow was extremely comfortable and supported for my head and neck.

I was initially hesitant about the all-foam construction of the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow feeling a bit suffocating but I needn’t have been. The pillow had a nice bounce and spongy feel. While it did have a slightly sinking memory foam feel, I found the pillow to spring back very quickly and it didn’t feel too hot at all.

Speaking of heat, I run hot when I sleep and the weather was warm while I was testing the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow. Before testing, I was waking up with an extremely sweaty neck and back of head but I didn’t experience that at all with this pillow. I found the cover and layers to be great at wicking away moisture from my body, particularly around my neck and I felt cooler in general.

Another positive of the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow was its edge control. Even when I slept too close to the edges, the pillow didn’t feel like it dipped down too much, and kept very stable. I toss and turn a bit when I sleep, and the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow stayed perfectly in place.

Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow review: verdict

If you’re a hot sleeper like me, you’ll love the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow. It has a bouncy, springy feel and despite being made from memory foam which can be quite a heat-trapping material, Emma has engineered it to be breathable, cooling and moisture-wicking.

I didn’t experience any aches or pains during my time sleeping with the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow. My back and shoulders also felt more comfortable and less stiff after waking up with it, too, so it’s become a permanent part of my sleep set-up.

The only negative I had was the strong off-gassing smell which took a couple of days to go away. Once it was gone though, the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow exceeded my expectations.

Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow review: alternatives to consider

The Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow is another memory foam pillow which also has great cooling properties. Amongst the foam, it uses bamboo in its design which is moisture-wicking and naturally hypoallergenic so it’s great for people with allergies. It’s also eco-friendly and sustainable.

The REM-Fit 500 Cool Gel Pillow is probably softer than the Emma Adapt Cooling Pillow but its cooling gel gives it a proper cooling feel that can keep you comfortable during hot nights.

For a pillow that can be comfortable for all seasons, the Simba Hybrid Pillow with Stratos is made from small cubes of open-cell foam that has a standard side and cooling side, so you can switch between the two to suit all temperatures.

Cooling mattresses are everywhere at the moment, but very few manage to properly balance pressure relief, breathability and a premium feel all at once. Now that we’re heading into warmer temperatures, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect one, and the latest contender for that title is the Silentnight UltraGel Cool-to-touch 3000 Mattress.

Combining a thick pillow-top finish with a dual-layer 3000 spring support system and a cooling gel comfort layer, Silentnight is clearly targeting anyone who wants luxury comfort without the overly dense feeling that often comes with memory foam.

I slept on the mattress for three months, and below is exactly how it held up.

Price and availability

The Silentnight UltraGel Cool-to-touch 3000 Mattress is available in five sizes, with pricing starting from £930 for a single. Buyers can also choose between a soft or firm comfort rating, with no price difference between the two options. For the purpose of this review, I tested the king model in the firm rating.

I’d also recommend buying directly from Silentnight’s website if possible, as the brand regularly includes sleep bundles and extras depending on how much you spend. That said, the mattress is also available through retailers like Dunelm and MattressOnline if you prefer shopping elsewhere.

Delivery and unboxing

Silentnight offers free delivery on its mattresses, alongside a mattress removal service for £30. This needs to be booked in advance, with your old mattress ready for collection on the same day as delivery. I actually took advantage of this service myself, as I had a previous review mattress that needed collecting, and the process itself was very straightforward.

Delivery was confirmed around five after ordering, which is much faster than some other mattress deliveries I’ve experienced. However, on the morning of the scheduled delivery, I received a text saying it had been cancelled and that a new date would follow shortly after. I was never actually given a reason for the delay, but a replacement delivery date was arranged for around a week later and thankfully went ahead without any issues.

The team brought the mattress in and removed my old one without any problems. It was seriously heavy at around 75kg and arrived double-wrapped in thick plastic, so it's absolutely not the sort of mattress you’ll be casually carrying upstairs by yourself.

After unboxing, I did notice a fairly strong off-gassing smell, which actually surprised me because it's normally associated more with boxed mattresses than traditional sprung models. It’s completely normal and nothing to worry about, but it’s definitely worth mentioning if you’ve never experienced it before, as it can initially feel a little alarming. In my case, the smell gradually disappeared after around a week to a week and a half.

Design and features

The Silentnight UltraGel 3000 Pocket Mattress belongs to the brand’s UltraGel range, which focuses heavily on cooling comfort and pressure relief. It’s also one of Silentnight’s bestselling collections, and after spending time with it, it’s easy to see why.

The main headline feature is the UltraGel cool-to-touch comfort layer, which Silentnight says is designed to instantly draw heat away from the body as soon as you lie down. Unlike traditional memory foam, which can sometimes trap heat, the UltraGel material is designed to be far more breathable whilst still contouring gently around the body. Combined with the thick pillow-top and additional fibre comfort layers, the result is a mattress that feels plush, soft and immediately inviting.

Beneath the cooling layer sits the mattress’ 3000-spring support system. This combines 2000 full-sized Mirapocket springs with an additional 1000 mini springs layered above them. The idea behind this dual-layer setup is to improve both support and airflow whilst also helping the mattress contour more accurately to different body shapes. Because each spring moves independently, motion transfer is also reduced, which is particularly useful if you share a bed with someone else.

Visually, the mattress looks every bit as premium as its price tag suggests. The deep pillow-top design gives it a luxurious appearance, whilst the 37cm depth makes it feel incredibly substantial. Integrated turning handles and reinforced edges also help it feel durable and practical day to day.

The mattress is also single-sided and no-turn, meaning you don’t need to fully flip it over. Instead, Silentnight simply recommends rotating it from head to toe every few months to help maintain even wear over time.

Performance

It’s no secret that the Silentnight UltraGel Cool-to-touch 3000 is an extremely comfortable mattress, and after sleeping on it for three months, my sleep quality has been excellent. What I’ve personally loved most is that it sits perfectly between a traditional pocket sprung mattress and a cooling hybrid, so it doesn’t have the dense sensation you get with full memory foam, but it still delivers enough comfort through the gel layer and quilted surface to feel supported.

I also found it noticeably more breathable than many hybrid mattresses I’ve tested previously, which is particularly important for me as someone who overheats quite easily during the night. The cool-touch surface effect is most noticeable when you first climb into bed, and whilst that initial cooling sensation naturally fades after around 30 minutes to an hour, the mattress overall still sleeps cooler than many rivals I’ve tried.

Support has also been excellent, which I think largely comes down to that 3000-spring setup. Even when either my partner or I moved during the night, the other person was rarely disturbed, and the mattress maintained its support really consistently throughout testing.

The surface comfort itself is also fantastic underneath a fitted sheet. It has a soft cushioned feel that works especially well for side sleepers or anyone who dislikes very firm mattresses. I found it particularly helpful around pressure relief on my hips and shoulders, whilst the gel-infused comfort layer also gives the mattress a slightly more responsive feel than traditional memory foam.

That said, after a few weeks of testing, I did notice a ridge beginning to form slightly in the middle between where my partner and I sleep. Silentnight recommends rotating the mattress every few months, but this appeared earlier than I expected considering we were testing the firm version. Once rotated, the issue improved, but it’s definitely something worth being aware of if you’re investing long-term. I’d also recommend rotating it sooner rather than later to help maintain the mattress properly.

The other thing worth noting is the sheer depth of the mattress. At 37cm thick, even some deep fitted sheets won’t fully fit properly. Most standard deep sheets tend to max out around 35cm, so it’s definitely worth checking measurements carefully before buying new bedding.

Verdict

The Silentnight UltraGel Cool-to-touch 3000 is an extremely comfortable mattress that successfully blends the support of a traditional pocket sprung bed with the softer feel of a modern hybrid. The plush pillow-top design feels luxurious, whilst the UltraGel layer adds noticeable breathability that kept it feeling cooler than many rival mattresses I’ve tested.

That said, the mattress’ huge 37cm depth can make fitted sheets surprisingly awkward, and I did notice some dipping developing slightly earlier than expected, meaning regular rotation is definitely important here. However, if you’re after a premium-feeling mattress with a strong support underneath and a cooler sleep surface this is easily one of Silentnight’s best offerings.

Alternatives to consider

If you like the idea of a premium mattress with great support, consider the Sleepeezee Centurial 03. It sits slightly higher in price but its plush pillow-top design easily makes it one of the most comfortable models I’ve tested over the years.

Another alternative would be the Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress. Its combination of supportive pocket springs, pressure-relieving memory foam and breathable materials creates a sleep surface that feels both luxurious and well balanced.

Mattress toppers occupy an interesting corner of the sleep market. At their best, they can transform an uncomfortable bed without the expense of replacing the mattress entirely. At their worst, they're overpriced foam pads that slide around, trap heat and flatten out within weeks. Simba, a brand better known for its spring-and-foam hybrid toppers, has now added a foam-only option with the Cool Foam Mattress Topper, launched in March 2026 to coincide with World Sleep Day.

It's built around Simbatex, Simba's proprietary graphite-infused open-cell foam, which the brand claims offers over five times more airflow than conventional memory foam. At £149 for a single, rising to £299 for a super king, it sits below both the Hybrid Essential Topper (£249 for a single) and the flagship Hybrid Topper (£299 for a single) in Simba's line-up. In other words, it's the most affordable way to try Simbatex without committing to the full hybrid stack.

I previously reviewed the Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress Topper and came away impressed, so I was curious whether this model could replicate its key strengths. After five weeks of testing a king-size version, here's what I found.

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review: Price and availability

The Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper is available exclusively through Simba's website and comes in five sizes: single (£149), small double (£199), double (£199), king (£249) and super king (£299). At the time of writing, Simba is running a 10% discount across the range, bringing the king to £224.10.

Free next-day delivery is included for UK mainland orders placed before 1pm. Simba also offers 0% APR finance over 12 months. The topper comes with a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing faults, and a 200-night trial. The latter is among the most generous in the category, and meaningfully reduces the risk of a purchase that doesn't work out.

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review: Unboxing and setup

The topper arrived at my house rolled and vacuum-packed in a cardboard box, and setup was quick. One of the more notable positives on unboxing: there was no detectable off-gassing smell, which is a common complaint with foam products and specifically something several Amazon reviewers flagged with other Simba toppers.

The topper took around 24 hours to reach its stated 6.5cm depth, a little longer than expected for immediate use but in line with Simba's own 72-hour guidance.

One practical consideration worth flagging for prospective buyers: sheet compatibility. My mattress is 9 inches (roughly 23cm) deep, and with the 6.5cm topper added, a standard fitted sheet only just reaches the base of the mattress. It can't be tucked underneath, and in fact the elastic spring backs a little, leaving about two inches of my mattress exposed.

If your mattress is on the deeper side, it's worth measuring before you buy and potentially investing in an extra-deep fitted sheet.

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review: Design 

The Cool Foam Topper is 6.5cm deep and built from three layers: a soft knitted polyester cover, a Simbatex foam comfort layer and a contoured CertiPUR-certified foam support base. That contoured base features a peaked egg-box texture designed to promote airflow and provide targeted support, while the Simbatex layer above it does the heavy lifting in terms of cushioning and heat dispersal.

The cover is removable via a zip and machine-washable at 40°C on a reduced spin cycle. You can't tumble-dry or iron it, and the foam base itself can only be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth. The underside of the topper has an anti-slip base, supplemented by four elastic corner straps to keep everything anchored to the mattress.

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review: Performance

Five weeks in, the Cool Foam Topper continues to impress. Press down firmly into the surface and it springs back immediately, which is consistent with Simba's medium-firm description and clearly distinguishes it from slow-rebound memory foam. That responsiveness matters for a combination sleeper like me, who shifts position continually during the night, and thankfully it remains as pronounced now as it was on day one.

The headline claim for this topper is cooling performance, and it holds up well under scrutiny. As part of a standard test, I held my palm flat against the surface for 90 seconds, then held it an inch above the spot immediately after removing it: there was no perceptible rising heat. Touching the same spot two minutes later, it felt neutral in temperature.

That's a meaningful result, and during the last fortnight of warm spring weather, I haven't once felt uncomfortably hot in bed, which isn't something I'd have said with confidence before.

The comfort gains have been equally tangible. I tend to wake with stiffness in my hips and lower back, but that pattern hasn't recurred since I started sleeping on the Cool Foam Topper. The contoured base appears to be doing genuine work in terms of pressure relief. Motion transfer has also been effectively eliminated: my partner's movements during the night have pretty much gone unnoticed. I tested this more formally by placing a wine glass on the one side and sitting on the other: the wine glass stayed admirably in place.

As for fit and security, the corner straps and anti-slip base have kept the topper firmly in position throughout testing, with very little give when pulled in either direction.

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review: Verdict

I've found the Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper to be a confident, well-executed product that delivers on its three core promises: cooling, comfort and stability. It's simpler in construction than Simba's hybrid toppers, but given that it feels so comfortable and supportive, there's been no clear practical downside to that. The cooling performance is demonstrably effective and the pressure relief has made a real difference to me.

At £249 for a king, it's certainly not a throwaway purchase, but the 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee give you some protection if it doesn't work out. Overall I'd say if you're a hot sleeper, a side sleeper troubled by joint stiffness, or simply someone whose mattress has seen better days, the Simba Cool Foam Topper is well worth considering.

Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper review: Alternatives to consider

The most obvious alternatives sit within Simba's own range. The Simba Hybrid Essential Topper (from £249 for a single) adds 1,500 titanium alloy microsprings to the foam-and-Simbatex construction, delivering more bounce and a more premium feel. If maximum bounciness is your priority, the flagship Simba Hybrid Topper (from £299) ups that to 1,900 springs. Both are more expensive and more complex, but if you want that additional responsiveness, they may be worth the premium.

Outside the Simba range, the REM-Fit Halo Memory Foam Topper is a strong all-foam alternative, with a gently cradling feel and excellent temperature regulation, though it carries a strong off-gassing smell on arrival. For a softer option at a lower price, the Panda Bamboo Topper is worth a look, though in my experience it runs slightly warmer than the alternatives on this list.

Eight Sleep has upgraded its Pod sleep system with a new AI update designed to better support pregnant women’s sleep. Eight Sleep’s new Pregnancy Mode can be used from the first trimester to 24 weeks postpartum with detailed health insights, temperature regulation and hot flash management.

For a more advanced sleep experience, Eight Sleep has been updating its Pods with new AI features. Recently, it announced its new AI Sleep Agent that looks into your daily behaviour and uses these insights to offer better recommendations for your night’s sleep.

Building off the AI Sleep Agent, Eight Sleep has just announced its new Pregnancy Mode, its Autopilot feature which analyses your sleep patterns, environment and other biometrics, and adjusts accordingly to improve your sleep. Pregnancy Mode takes this a step further for pregnant women to ensure they’re getting good sleep throughout all stages of pregnancy.

Sleep disruption is something many pregnant women deal with, and it tends to start early in pregnancy and continues after the birth. With this in mind, Pregnancy Mode is designed to actively respond to the body's changes, and recalibrates to the user’s pregnancy stage.

The main focus for Pregnancy Mode is temperature control, as this is something that pregnant and menopausal women tend to have issues with. Eight Sleep already has Hot Flash mode to help combat menopausal night sweats, and Pregnancy Mode is compatible with it to help with pregnancy hot flashes.

When adapting the mattress cover’s temperature, Pregnancy Mode takes into account your pregnancy stage and pre-pregnancy baselines. It also provides detailed insights on your sleep stage, heart rate, snoring, HRV and breathing, and users can view how their biometrics are changing each week and how it correlates with their pregnancy stage.

This is truly a revolutionary feature and something we haven’t really seen before. As Dr Nicole Moyen states – Eight Sleep’s Senior Director of Science and Clinical Research – “sleep environments simply have not been designed for female physiology and pregnancy is the clearest example of that. The body is changing every week and Pregnancy Mode allows the Pod to respond to those changes automatically in support of better sleep.”

Pregnancy mode is expected to roll out on 10th May 2026 to subscribed Eight Sleep members in the Eight Sleep app. It’ll be part of the Autopilot 4.1 update so you may need to update your app to use the feature.

Japanese audio company, Final has just expanded its ZE sleep headphones series with its new ZE500 sleep earbuds. For those who love ASMR, the Final ZE500 offer ‘whisper-like’ voice-led sleep sounds to help you drift off to sleep comfortably and naturally – and they’re surprisingly affordable, too.

Listening to ASMR to fall asleep is one of my guilty pleasures, so the Final ZE500 are right up my street. Designed for ASMR, the Final ZE500 offer sleep stories, soft spoken word and voice-led audio to help you wind down and fall asleep at night.

With ‘whisper-like’ sound, the Final ZE500 perform at low volumes while still being immersive and limiting background noise. The ASMR mode removes touch sounds and voice prompts so your audio will play completely uninterrupted.

In terms of design, the Final ZE500 are earbuds so they sit inside the ear. Wearing this type of headphones can get uncomfortable after a while, and even more so if you’re wearing them to sleep in, but Final has developed a new ASMR Port to solve this problem.

The ASMR Port works by adjusting increased pressure in the ear canal. This relieves pressure on the eardrums so they’re more comfortable to wear overtime and are safer for your ears. The earpieces are also made from soft, lightweight silicone that only weigh 3g per earbud so they’ll stay fixed in your ear all night without giving you any aches or soreness.

The only concern I have for the Final ZE500 is the battery life. Final states that the sleep earbuds have up to 4.5 hours of playback and up to 18 hours with the charging case. Most people sleep for longer than four hours so it’s not a huge amount of listening time, especially not compared to other sleep headphones on the market.

Personally, I listen to ASMR before I go to bed and then turn it off once I feel sleepy enough to fall asleep without any external noise. If you’re someone who does that too, the Final ZE500 could be a great fit but if it’s all night listening you’re after, you might want to consider a different pair of sleep earbuds.

Having said that, I’m going to test the new Final ZE500 to see how they perform, so stay tuned for the full review. The Final ZE500 are available to buy for £69.98 / $74.99 at Amazon and Final. As of writing, Amazon is offering them for just £39.99 in both dark grey and cream colours.

Your Eight Sleep Pod just got an AI update that makes better sense of your sleep. The new Sleep Agent is the latest version of the Autopilot feature powered by specialised AI agents that turns your daily behaviour into actionable insights to better monitor and explain your sleep – here’s how it works.

Sleep Agent is available on all Eight Sleep Pods including the newest Eight Sleep Pod 5. The Autopilot feature powers the built-in sensors in the smart mattress cover which allows the Pod to make changes throughout the night, like raising the bed to stop snoring or cooling the cover down to help with temperature regulation.

The new Sleep Agent builds upon Autopilot’s functionality and uses data from your daytime activities to suggest actionable insights to improve your sleep. It does this via platforms like Apple Health or Health Connect, where you can track your meals, alcohol intake, exercise and other activities.

By logging this type of data, Eight Sleep and Sleep Agent get better context on your day which it then uses to predict your night’s sleep. From there, it’ll make adjustments in line with your daily activities, including mattress temperature, timings and other settings.

For example, if you log in the Eight Sleep app or Apple Health that you’ve had alcohol before bed, it’ll make your bed’s temperature cooler as alcohol raises your core body temperature which can make it harder to fall asleep.

My favourite part of Sleep Agent is the brief it gives the next day. Previously, Eight Sleep members would receive sleep scores and percentages, but the new Sleep Agent will properly dive into your sleep, link actions together that could explain the nature of your rest and what to do next.

By tagging what happened during your day in the Eight Sleep app or with other health platforms that link to it, Sleep Agent will learn your habits and link them to your sleep. For example, if you’ve just started doing regular exercise and your sleep has gotten deeper, Sleep Agent will identify this and include it in the brief, like “Deep sleep is strong. Your workout yesterday probably drove it.”

Available today, the new Sleep Agent is available to all Eight Sleep members via the iOS and Android app as a free update.

If you’re having trouble falling asleep, this egg-shaped AI sleep companion could help you. Developed by Naplabs Solutions, the Naptick is an AI-powered sleep coach and companion that uses a combination of light, sound and sensors to track and guide your sleep – here’s everything you need to know.

As someone who’s covered sleep for years on T3, I’ve tested many wellness apps, sleep trackers and alarms, all of which are designed to help you sleep better. On my bedside table, I now have a sleep companion and alarm system as it guides me into sleep and relaxation, and wakes me up in the morning in a natural, refreshing way.

The Naptick is a newer device that’s designed to do just that, and then some. The new AI sleep companion is built to support all stages of sleep – before, during and after. Aside from being shaped like an egg (which I love!), it’s very small and can sit on your bedside table to guide you through sleep without taking up too much space.

The way the Naptick works is with a combination of AI, light, sound and sensors. It learns your sleep patterns and bedroom environment, and adapts overtime to suit your preferences, and to improve your overall sleep quality and quantity.

Starting with light, the Naptick has multi-coloured LED lights that simulate sleep. Similar to a wake up light, the device’s lights signal when it’s time to relax and sleep by changing the colour and brightness at a specific time. It also offers guided pre-sleep routines, including breathing support and meditation, which uses a mix of light and audio.

Speaking of audio, the Naptick is packed full of sleep soundscapes to help you fall asleep. The sensors monitor the temperature, CO2, humidity and light in your bedroom and report these findings in the Naptick app so you can make changes to better suit your sleep needs.

With the Naptick app and device, you also get an AI Sleep Coach which can talk you through your sleep analytics and help you make improvements. What’s great about this is you can decide how much interaction you want, so you can get Naptick to be extremely engaging and guided or more hands-off.

As mentioned, I use a sleep companion for bed every night and it’s one of my favourite things in my bedroom. I’m glad this type of technology is being introduced and developed by more brands. The Naptick is a great example of that, and it’s more affordable than other AI sleep coaches I’ve tried.

Naptick is available to pre-order with prices starting at $149. As of writing, no UK pricing or availability announced. To use it, you’ll need to download the app which is currently only available for iPhone users.

It seems that Simba is showing no signs of slowing down as the mattress manufacturer has just announced its third product launch in the space of two months. This latest launch features two new mattress protectors that are designed to keep you cool throughout the night while also protecting your mattress from spills and tears.

Simba is expanding its portfolio this year with more sleep accessories, and with a large focus on cooling mattress technology. In March, Simba launched its new cooling mattress topper and in April, it debuted an Amazon-exclusive cooling mattress.

Now, Simba has announced its new TripleShield Mattress Protector, available in two different surface options. With prices starting at £49, the Simba mattress protectors are made from breathable, lightweight materials and work to keep your mattress clean, hygienic and protected – but it’s the cooling properties you should be most excited about.

First, we have the TripleShield TENCEL Cool Mattress Protector which Simba claims is its coolest, waterproof surface to date. Made from 100% TENCEL, this protector works to draw heat away from the body to regulate your temperature. The material also has a natural cool-to-the-touch feel so if you overheat in the night, this is the option for you.

The second protector in the range is the TripleShield Bamboo Mattress Protector which – as you can probably guess – is made from bamboo fibres. This material gives the protector a comfortable, silky feel, and bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking so it’s also great at keeping you cool at night.

Both mattress protectors feature Simba’s TripleShield technology which is a barrier system within the construction that protects against spills, dust, moisture and everyday wear and tear. It blocks spills and liquids at the surface of the protector but still allows air to circulate through it to keep you cool.

Despite the lightweight feel and look, the new Simba mattress protectors are waterproof and the barrier of it is extremely discreet. The protectors don’t add weight to your mattress and once on, it fits securely on mattresses with a depth of up to 40cm.

Both mattress protectors are available in UK and EU sizes, and range from single to super king. Prices start at £49 for the bamboo option and £59 for the TENCEL, and are available to buy now at Simba.

Feel the heat when you sleep? Simba has come up with a mattress solution that’s cooling, affordable and exclusively available on Amazon. The new Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress is made of graphite-infused foam that keeps you cool and supported throughout the night – and prices start at just £349!

If you tend to sweat and overheat during the night, a cooling mattress could be the answer to your problems. The way mattresses do this is by increasing the airflow in its materials which makes it more breathable and less likely to trap heat within the construction.

This is exactly what Simba has done with its Simbatex Cool Mattress, an all-foam mattress which you can only buy on Amazon – that’s right, not even Simba’s own website has this new model. With a medium level of firmness, the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress is 23cm deep which works to support and cradle your body.

Moving away from Simba’s traditional hybrid construction, the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress is only made from foam. Featuring high density and Simbatex foams, the mattress has an open structure to provide five times more airflow than standard memory foam. The cooling foam layer is also infused with graphite to dispel heat away from the body while preventing build-up.

The foam base of the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress offers seven support zones so it keeps each part of your body comfortable, aligns your spine and reduces aches and pains. Simba states that the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress is good for all sleep positions, and it’s especially supportive for the hips and shoulders.

The Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress is finished with a soft, knitted cover which is breathable and removable and washable in a washing machine. It looks similar to Simba’s other mattresses and has handles on the sides so you can lift, flip and turn it easily.

Cooling mattresses seem to be Simba’s main focus this year, as the brand recently launched the Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper, which is designed to sit atop your existing mattress. But if it’s a whole new mattress you want and you’re on a tight budget, the new Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress looks like an affordable, impressive option.

Exclusively available on Amazon, prices on the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress start at £349 in a single size. It’s available in single, small double, double and king sizes.

We’re seeing more and more cheap and cheerful brands enter the mattress market these days, offering everything from the best bed-in-a-box mattresses to mattress toppers designed to upgrade the comfort of your existing bed. However, mattresses from IKEA often get overlooked, with many shoppers heading straight for its smart home gadgets – or the meatballs, in my case.

That said, IKEA mattresses shouldn’t be ignored, and there are actually plenty of reasons to consider them beyond their affordable price tags. The Swedish retailer offers a surprisingly large selection, covering a wide range of firmness levels, heights and materials, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something that suits your sleep style.

Below, I’ve broken down the different mattress types IKEA sells, along with which ones are most worth your time and money.

What kinds of mattresses does IKEA sell?

When it comes to mattress construction, most IKEA models fall into three main categories – pocket sprung, sprung (open coil) and foam.

There are a few variations too – including the occasional hybrid – but these three make up the core of the range. Within each category, you’ll also find multiple collections offering different firmness levels and features.

Do IKEA mattresses fit standard sized beds?

One thing to be aware of is sizing. IKEA mattresses used to follow European bed sizes, which sometimes caused confusion for UK shoppers who discovered their new mattress didn’t quite fit a standard UK bed frame. Thankfully, IKEA now sells both standard UK sizes and European sizes, so if you’re in the UK it’s best to stick with the standard sizing to avoid any issues.

If you are looking at European sizes, here’s a quick guide:

80 × 200cm – European Small Single

90 × 200cm – European Single

140 × 200cm – European Double

Which is the best IKEA mattress?

From what we’ve seen, IKEA’s pocket sprung mattresses appear to be the most popular and highly rated across the entire collection. This includes the Valevåg, Vesteröy, Vågstranda and Vatneström models.

In fact, the The Guardian awarded the Valevåg mattress an impressive four stars last year, calling it “unarguably a brilliant buy.” Pocket sprung mattresses are generally a great choice because each spring sits inside its own fabric pocket. This helps the mattress contour more closely to your body whilst preventing the “roll-together” effect, where sleepers drift toward the middle of the bed.

Compared to traditional open-coil designs, pocket springs usually offer better support and improved durability. They’re also often a safer middle ground for shoppers who find foam mattresses a bit too firm or too warm.

Whilst we haven’t reviewed any IKEA mattresses ourselves just yet, they’re definitely on our radar. With their combination of strong value and surprisingly good quality, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see one earn a place on our list of the best mattresses in the future.

A recent sleep study conducted by Dreams has found the surprising reason why you’re being kept awake every night – and it’s not overheating.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – sleep is one of the most important things to prioritise if you want to take better care of yourself. It’s vital for your physical and mental health, and determines your mood, productivity, appetite and much more.

Sadly, sleep tends to be the biggest thing that people sacrifice or put off when they’re busy or stressed. But why? To find out more, Dreams’ team of experts, including Siobhan King, Chief Marketing Officer at Dreams, and Sammy Margo, Dreams’ resident Sleep Expert, recently conducted its annual sleep survey and the results were surprising.

The survey looked at 2,000 UK adults and their sleeping habits, and found that on average, Brits spend 7.2 hours in bed each night and get about 6.4 hours of actual sleep. While this is smaller than the recommended eight hours, this is over 20 minutes more sleep than the average reported in 2024.

In terms of restfulness, the results were quite disheartening, as only 5% reported feeling refreshed after waking up from a night’s sleep. 27% said they felt refreshed often but that left 24% of people saying they rarely felt refreshed while 6% said they never experienced that feeling.

A positive take away from the Dreams sleep study is that people’s sleep hygiene is improving. 35% said they read before bed to help them wind down which beat social media scrolling which fell to 29%.

But the thing I found most intriguing was the reason why many people are kept awake at night. In 2024, overheating was the main culprit but now, it’s racing thoughts. The study found that 37% of people lie awake from racing thoughts, 28% said it was because of stress, while feeling too hot dropped from 37% in 2024 to 24%.

As a sleep expert and chronic worrier, I’ve listed three ways to stop your racing thoughts so you can get a better night’s sleep.

How to stop racing thoughts

1. Take time to unwind before bed

Having a reliable nighttime routine can do wonders for your racing thoughts. Instead of working late into the night or dwelling on tomorrow, take time to give yourself some personal care and attention. This can include watching your favourite TV show, reading a book, taking a bath, making a nourishing meal and enjoying time with your partner.

2. Try the 4-7-8 breathing method

As someone who deals with anxiety, I use the 4-7-8 method whenever I’m feeling stressed and it does wonders for my stress levels, especially if I’m finding it hard to sleep. To try 4-7-8 breathing, it involves inhaling for four, holding for seven and exhaling for eight. For a full tutorial and why it’s beneficial, check out our guide to the 4-7-8 method.

3. Journal

Sometimes, it can help to get all your racing thoughts out of your head and down on paper. That’s where journaling comes in. It can feel very therapeutic to write down your worries and stress rather than letting it dwell and fester in your head.

Is your mattress starting to sag? Or maybe you’re waking up every morning feeling exhausted and sore? If this is the case, you might want to consider replacing your mattress as these are clear signs your mattress is too old.

Depending on the material, your mattress should last for up to 10 years, so a rule of thumb is to change your mattress every decade. But if you’ve started to notice these five things, then your mattress could need replacing even sooner – here’s everything you need to know.

1. You wake up feeling sore

The biggest sign your mattress is too old is if you’re waking up feeling sore. Any kind of aches and pains should be taken seriously, but if your mattress is old, you’ll likely notice back and neck pain the most. As your mattress ages, the springs or memory foam will start to lose their effectiveness which can cause discomfort to your body.

2. Your mattress is sagging

Another clear indication your mattress is too old is if it’s showing visible wear and tear. If your mattress is sagging in the middle, this means the foam or springs have lost their support. This could also make you feel like you’re being swallowed by your mattress which can have a negative effect on your spinal alignment.

Other signs to watch out for are stains, tears and rips, lumps and bumps, and holes. If you can feel the springs or the foundation of the mattress, this also means it needs to be replaced.

3. You feel like you’re falling off the bed

Your mattress sagging is most noticeable in its centre, but as it ages, the edges can sag too. Mattresses tend to have good edge support, meaning the sides are supportive and structured. If you’re starting to feel like you’re dipping or could fall off it, then it’s time for your mattress to retire.

4. Your allergies are getting worse

If your allergies or asthma have started to get worse at night, this could be a sign that your mattress is holding on to allergens. While cleaning your mattress and bed sheets can get rid of this bacteria, an old mattress can hold on to these allergens for longer which can exacerbate your symptoms and make you feel ill.

5. You’re feeling too hot at night

Temperature regulation is a key feature people should look for in a mattress. During the summer, a mattress with good temperature regulation can keep you cool by increasing the airflow, dispelling heat and wicking away sweat. But if you’ve started to feel hot and sweaty in the night, this could mean your mattress has stopped effectively managing heat.

If your mattress has started to do any of the following, check out our cheap mattress deals to get money off when buying a replacement.

It’s currently Sleep Month here at T3, and as we head into the final week, we’re turning our attention to mattress maintenance. We’ve already covered plenty of reviews and sleep hacks throughout the month, but now it’s all about making sure your mattress lasts as long as possible so you can get the most out of it.

To find out more, I spoke to the experts at Silentnight, who shared their advice on how to extend the life of your mattress. Whilst it’s generally recommended that you replace your mattress every eight years, there are still a few simple things you can do to make sure it reaches that milestone.

Catherine Tait, Product Manager at Silentnight, explained how to recognise when it might be time to replace your mattress. She says: “Even the best mattresses soften over time, meaning the foam or spring layers may no longer provide the support you need. During the day you can correct poor posture, but at night your mattress needs to do that work for you.”

To help slow that process down, she recommends keeping on top of two key things. The first is using one of the best mattress protectors, which is something many people overlook. Mattress protectors don’t just guard against spills and stains, but they also help prevent general wear and tear, which is often responsible for shortening a mattress’s lifespan.

The second tip is rotating your mattress regularly, something that’s especially important depending on the type of mattress you own. That said, if you’d rather avoid the hassle, we’ve also covered some of the best mattresses designed to require minimal flipping and turning.

In other words, a few small habits now could save you from having to shop for a new mattress sooner than you’d like.

Sleep hygiene is very important and a key area of that is setting up the right bedroom environment that’s conducive to your rest and relaxation. But there are five common items in your bedroom that could be ruining your sleep – here’s what they are and how to fix it.

According to a study conducted by Simba, the majority of UK adults are sabotaging their REM sleep, the stage of sleep which is crucial for processing memories and emotions and helping with brain development. The research looked at 2,000 UK adults and found that 86% of them admitted to at least one bad habit that disrupts REM sleep.

Simba found that the four most common ‘REM killer habits’ were everyday behaviours, like using your phone before bed and drinking caffeine after 3pm. So, to improve your REM sleep, Simba has identified five items in your bedroom that are killing your sleep and what you should replace them with to help your overall sleep habits.

5 items in your bedroom that’s killing your sleep

1. Your phone

It probably comes as a shock to no one but your phone and any device that emits blue light should be kept out of your bed. Blue light is a type of high energy visible light which produces high amounts of energy.

Our eyes can’t effectively filter out blue light so it passes through the eye easily and suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals sleepiness. Instead of doom scrolling, put your screens down at least 30 minutes before bed, and do something calming to wind down like read a book.

2. Your bedroom temperature

To fall asleep, your body’s core temperature needs to naturally drop, so if you’re in a room that’s too warm, then you’ll find yourself lying awake for longer. A cooler room temperature and environment supports the natural cool down process. Ideally, your room should be between 16–18°C for you to get a good night’s sleep without overheating or feeling cold.

3. Your partner – yes, really!

If you share a bed with your partner, they could actually be making your sleep worse, especially if they snore or move around a lot. When you sleep next to someone who tosses and turns regularly, this can cause ‘micro-awakenings’ which can interrupt cycles of REM sleep.

Now, you can’t exactly kick your partner out of bed – although many couples have considered a sleep divorce to help them sleep better. Alternatively, consider getting your own sleep accessories like separate duvets so you’re not as disrupted by them rolling over.

4. Caffeine

Caffeine makes it increasingly difficult for your body to fall asleep as it can disturb your sleep up to six hours after consuming it. So, if you’re having a risky 4pm coffee, you might want to reconsider as it can interfere with your REM sleep. Instead of coffee, switch to water or light caffeinated beverages – and don’t be like my grandma and take a cappuccino to bed with you!

5. Alcohol

Similar to caffeine, alcohol before bed decreases your REM sleep and the natural progression of sleep stages. As a stimulant, alcohol keeps you awake and alert when you should be resting. Instead, keep hydrated with water.

With the change of seasons, many of us use the opportunity to spring clean or even invest in a new mattress – but it’s crucial to do your research first to make sure you’re not doing more harm than good. Since it’s Sleep Month at T3, we wanted to share some expert tips on keeping your mattress in top condition, with a special focus on memory foam mattresses.

Not everyone realises that the best memory foam mattresses need to be cared for differently than standard mattresses, and small mistakes can significantly shorten its lifespan. I decided to speak to the mattress experts at MattressNextDay to find out more.

After checking out our guide on 5 things I wish I’d known before buying a memory foam mattress, keep reading to discover the most common mistakes people make once they bring theirs home.

1. Using a steam cleaner

It might sound like a quick way to deep clean your mattress, but steam and high heat are a memory foam’s worst enemies. High temperatures can soften the foam, whilst steam can push moisture deeper into the mattress where it becomes trapped.

Over time, this trapped moisture can cause odours or even breakdown of the foam structure. Try and stick to gentle spot cleaning or carefully applied steam from a distance, and always allow your mattress to dry fully before putting sheets back on.

2. Cleaning the mattress on a cold day

Memory foam is temperature-sensitive, meaning it reacts to the environment in ways that other mattresses don’t. On colder days, the foam becomes firmer, and moisture evaporates much more slowly. That lingering dampness can leave a musty smell or even contribute to mould growth, especially in corners and seams.

3. Using too much baking soda

A light sprinkle of baking soda can help neutralise odours on the surface, but more is not better. Too much baking soda can get trapped in the foam’s tiny pores and seams, and it’s surprisingly tricky to remove completely.

Over time, this residue can attract dirt or even make the foam feel gritty. A thin, even layer, left for a few hours and then thoroughly vacuumed, is all you need.

4. Cleaning only the visible stain

One of the trickiest things about memory foam is that liquids don’t always stay where you spill them. They can spread further than you can see, meaning if you only treat the visible centre of a stain, you can leave moisture lingering around the edges.

When you spot a spill, treat a wider area than you think is affected, and use gentle blotting rather than soaking.

5. Scrubbing stains too firmly

It’s tempting to really get in there and scrub a stubborn stain, but memory foam is delicate. Vigorous scrubbing can compress the foam and leave uneven areas on your mattress, creating lumps or dips over time.

Instead, use light pressure and blot in a circular motion, letting cleaners do the work rather than your elbow grease.

It's no secret that almost everyone has looked for a way to improve their sleep at some point. Whether it’s trying to get more hours of sleep, improve sleep quality or reduce restlessness, there are plenty of options out there – but searching for a supplement is probably one of the most popular routes.

As it’s T3’s Sleep Month, we’ve been sharing plenty of advice and reviews on the best products to help you sleep better. However, as someone who has personally invested a lot of time into finding the right supplements for me, I knew I had to share my own experience with the ones that have actually worked for my sleep.

Now, this isn’t just a throwaway piece mentioning a few brands I’ve heard good things about. I’ve tried each of these supplements over a number of weeks, and what I’m about to share is exactly how I experienced them. Sleep is of course subjective, but there are several reasons why these three have become my favourites, and why I think they could work for you too.

1. Oshun Magnesium

Oshun is a brand that formed a few years ago after perfecting its electrolyte formulation, before moving into magnesium following customer demand. It’s quite different from a lot of the options out there, coming in the form of a magnesium concentrate – meaning you simply add a couple of pumps to your bedtime drink.

Unlike many other brands, I was immediately curious to see how Oshun would work for me. One of the main reasons is that it contains one of the most natural and pure sources of magnesium, making it safe for everyone, including kids and pregnant women. It also contains ionic magnesium, which carries an electric charge and is therefore easier for the body to absorb.

Without exaggerating, I felt the effects on the very first night. As recommended, I added one pump to a nighttime tea around two hours before bed, and within an hour I started to feel my eyes getting heavy. It had a noticeably calming effect, and I didn’t wake up once throughout the entire night. This then continued for the first few days.

Towards the end of the week the 'nodding off' feeling wasn’t quite as strong, so I increased it to two pumps as suggested, and it’s worked consistently well ever since. Yes, it does have a fairly strong magnesium taste, but there are ways to work around that, so don’t let it put you off.

Oshun doesn’t just market itself as a supplement for sleep either. The brand also focuses on how magnesium can improve your overall wellbeing and how you feel the next day, and I’ve definitely found that to be true. Combined with the fact you know you’re putting a very pure source into your body, it’s easily the top of my list.

£25, drinkoshun.co

2. Heights Magnesium+

Heights is a brand that’s been around for a while now, and after having a positive experience with its biotic supplements a few years ago, I knew I had to try its magnesium as well.

Unlike Oshun, the Heights Magnesium+ comes in capsule form, which is what you’ll find with most magnesium supplements. That said, it’s still a very clean option, containing 300mg of elemental magnesium glycinate without fillers, colourants or contaminants. You take two capsules a day, with or without food.

I enjoyed the Heights Magnesium+ a lot and found it to be very effective. Since testing Oshun, I realised I didn’t quite get the same immediate effect, but I did notice my body felt calmer and my mind was less busy before falling asleep.

One thing I also noticed was improved muscle recovery after the gym. I had recently changed my creatine at the same time, so I initially assumed it was down to that. However, when I switched back to my previous creatine and still experienced better recovery, I started putting it down to the magnesium.

This is a great option if you’re worried about the taste of a liquid magnesium like Oshun, or if you’d simply prefer a quick and easy capsule before bed. I’m confident most people would get on with it well.

£20, heights.com

3. The Naked Pharmacy Marine Magnesium

Finally, I wanted to highlight The Naked Pharmacy Marine Magnesium, as throughout my time trying magnesium supplements, this one has always been a constant for me.

Like Oshun, it’s a marine magnesium, sustainably sourced from pure seawater in Ireland, providing a natural and highly bioavailable source. It’s available in capsule form and contains 376mg of marine magnesium (100% NRV), making it slightly more concentrated than Heights and Oshun, which provide around 300mg (80% NRV).

One thing I really like about this supplement is that it also includes 150mg of baobab prebiotic, which helps support digestion and nutrient absorption. My body tends to respond really well to prebiotics, so this instantly appealed to me and is probably one of the reasons I get on with it so well.

I usually take this one a little earlier than the others, as it’s recommended to take two capsules with food, so I typically have mine with dinner. That said, you can also twist the capsules open and mix the contents with food or drink if you want to switch things up. The capsules themselves are also made from natural tapioca, which is a nice touch.

Like I said, The Naked Pharmacy Marine Magnesium has always been a reliable staple for me. I sleep well, my gut feels good, and the overall balance works really nicely. If digestive health is something you also care about, this is a great option.

£19, thenakedpharmacy.com

Despite being practiced for years in countries like Sweden, Denmark and Norway, the Scandinavian sleep hack became popular around the world in 2022 when it went viral on TikTok. The act of using two separate duvets rather than sharing a main one was revolutionary, and it prevented many couples from getting a sleep divorce.

But now, it’s time for the Scandinavian sleep hack to step aside as the latest viral sleep trend is the Dutch method as coined by Blinds2Go. Inspired by the Netherlands where many homeowners leave their windows uncovered, the Dutch method recommends sleeping with your blinds or curtains open – yes, really.

The idea behind the Dutch method is to get immediate exposure to natural light as soon as you can. Sunlight and light in general plays a huge role in your circadian rhythm which is your body’s internal clock that regulates energy, mood, body temperature, digestion and sleep.

Getting an increased amount of light, especially early in the day, can have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing, and can help you sleep better at night. This is because for the majority of people, light is a clear indication that it’s time to be awake and alert, and as the light fades throughout the day, this is another sign that it’s time to rest.

Despite the benefits, the Dutch method might seem off-putting and unsafe to some, particularly if you sleep on the ground floor. But you don’t have to sleep with your curtains open all night – instead, open your curtains or blinds when you wake up to get that first hit of light exposure.

If you’re not a fan of jumping up and out of bed first thing in the morning, a simple way to try the Dutch method is to upgrade your bedroom with smart blinds which you can control remotely. Using your phone or remote control, you can pre-set your blinds to open an hour before you need to wake up so you get that first hit of sunlight immediately.

Another way to introduce more light into your morning is by using a wake up light. Wake up lights simulate the rising of the sun and gradually brighten before your normal alarm time so you wake up with the sunlight. It’s a calming, natural way to wake up rather than using a loud, beeping alarm.

It’s currently Sleep Month here at T3, and after a few weeks filled with mattress reviews and advice on the best sleep gadgets, it’s now time to turn our attention to sleep hacks. One area I’ve been looking into recently is something most of us rely on every single day – our alarm sound.

Rather than talking about what time you should set your alarm or how long you should stay in bed after it goes off, I thought it’d be interesting to take a closer look at the actual alarm tones we wake up to. To help with that, the behavioural science experts at Startle analysed over 140 smartphone alarms, testing them to find out which ones are the best – and worst – for waking up your mind and body.

Below you’ll find the top picks for both iPhone and Samsung alarms, so if you’re still using one of the harsher default sounds, it might be time for a quick change.

According to the research, the ideal alarm sound should have a melody you can hum or sing along to, a dominant frequency of around 500 Hz (or the key of C5), and a tempo that’s not too fast or too slow – with 100–120 beats per minute.

If you’re one of the billions of people using an iPhone or Samsung phone, the findings are quite revealing. The study suggests that around 60% of the default iPhone alarms should actually be avoided, whilst 26% of Samsung’s built-in alarms may also not be ideal for waking up gently.

iPhone

After analysing the data, the experts found that Sencha came out as the best iPhone alarm sound. Its gentle melody, played in the key of C with a tempo of 110 BPM and a frequency close to 500 Hz, makes it far less likely to jolt you awake or leave you feeling groggy.

Other iPhone tones that scored well include By the Seaside, Steps and Uplift, all of which share similar melodic qualities that help the body wake up more gradually.

Samsung

For Samsung users, the top choices are Synth Bell and Roller Disco, both of which tick the boxes for the ideal wake-up sound and could help reduce the effects of sleep inertia – that groggy feeling you get straight after waking.

Dr Ritz Birah, psychologist and sleep expert at Panda London, explains why the alarm you choose can make such a difference to how you start the day:

“Abrupt, high-pitched or purely mechanical alarms are more likely to trigger the sympathetic nervous system, creating a startle response that wakes the body quickly but leaves the brain lagging behind. In contrast, alarms with melodic and rhythmic qualities engage wider areas of the brain involved in attention and auditory processing, allowing for a more gradual increase in alertness and better cognitive performance in the minutes after waking.”

So if you’ve been waking up feeling groggy lately, your alarm sound might actually be part of the problem. Switching to a more melodic tone could be a surprisingly simple way to start your mornings on a slightly better note.

The first day of spring is coming up on the 20th March, and the lighter season is so close, I can almost taste it. Spring brings lighter mornings and evenings, and warmer weather throughout the day and night, meaning it’s time to rethink your current sleep set-up.

During winter, thick duvets, warmer bedding and multiple blankets become the norm due to the colder temperatures and rising heating costs. For spring, you’ll want something a bit lighter, but as this season tends to fluctuate between still being chilly or unseasonably warm, you'll want to make sure you’re switching your bedding at the right time.

So, when should you switch to a lighter duvet? As a sleep expert who’s been covering this topic on T3 for years, I’ve worked it out so you don’t have to. Judging by previous year’s weather statistics, the temperature starts to increase from April, so if I were you, I’d switch to a lighter duvet in the second week of April.

Having said that, if you get to the beginning of April and still feel cold, continue to enjoy your warmer bedding, and make the switch when you start to feel hot at night. Alternatively, switch your duvet when April starts and keep a few blankets handy if the temperature drops at night.

Ideally, you should be switching to a lighter spring / summer duvet when the temperature is consistently around 15°C during the night.

But if you want my advice, I’d recommend buying an all season, customisable duvet instead. Let’s face it, not everyone wants to buy multiple duvets, especially if you don’t have much storage space, so instead, pick a customisable duvet that can be used throughout all seasons.

A customisable duvet is one that has buttons or zippers that allow you to add or remove tog from your duvet – for more details on tog rating, check out our duvet size guide. For example, when it’s cold, you can add an extra layer to your duvet to make it thicker, and during the hot months, you can remove tog to make it thinner and lighter.

I have a customisable duvet and have used it throughout all four seasons, and have never felt more comfortable. I’m awful at regulating my temperature but my all seasons, customisable duvet solves that problem for me – so here’s three all seasons duvets I’d recommend you looking into.

T3's Top Three All-season Duvets

If you own a Lumie wake up light, this ‘hidden’ feature removes blue light to help you fall asleep faster – here’s how it works and why you should try it.

Instead of a loud, terrifying alarm clock scaring you awake every morning, you should consider switching to a wake up light. As T3’s Home Editor, I’ve tried wake up lights from Lumie, Philips and more, and they’ve replaced my phone alarm as my wake up call in the morning.

How wake up lights work is by gradually brightening their light to mimic the sunrise, waking you up more naturally and calmly so you start your day off positively. They can also be used as night lights as most models – including Lumie’s line-up – have sunset cycles that gradually dim over time to help you relax before bed.

But what some people don’t realise is regardless of how dim your wake up light or bedside lamp is, they still emit blue light which can impact your sleep. Blue light is a high-energy visible light with a short wavelength which produces high amounts of energy. Unlike other light forms, our eyes can’t effectively filter blue light so it easily passes through the eye and can ‘trick’ your brain into thinking it’s time to be awake.

While blue light is beneficial during the day, it can be disruptive to your sleep, especially if you use your phone, laptop or TV before bed, as these devices emit artificial blue light. Some LEDs and other light bulbs emit blue light too, so your bedside light could also be to blame for your interrupted sleep.

But this clever ‘hidden’ feature from Lumie means you can still use your wake up light into the evening without it affecting your sleep quality. Your Lumie wake up light has a low blue light setting that uses LED technology to limit blue light exposure at night.

To use the low blue light setting on your Lumie wake up light, you’ll need to activate the ‘low blue sunrise’ option by going into sunrise settings on your device’s main menu. Once you’ve selected this, your Lumie wake up light will limit the light intensity and will switch it from a bright white colour to a darker, warmer red light.

This feature is available on Lumie Bodyclock and Bedbug wake up lights, including the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB and the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 which we’ve tested previously. If your Lumie wake up light doesn’t have ‘low blue sunrise’ in its menu settings, you can select the 30-minute fading sunset cycle which also reduces blue light exposure.

Limiting blue light is a great way to help you fall asleep faster and relax more comfortably. Instead of a stimulating white light, a warmer, darker light can help aid the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which should help you drift off easier and sleep more deeply.

For more sleep tips and tricks, check out T3 Sleep Month.

No matter how many sleep hacks are floating around online, it’s easy to forget that sleep is personal, and what works brilliantly for one person might do nothing for somebody else. That’s exactly why Sleep Month is such a good opportunity to share a wide range of tips and experiences, and why I thought I’d add my own two pence on a sleep upgrade that’s actually worked for me.

Recently, I made the switch to a 3-in-1 duvet, and if you’re not familiar with the concept, it’s a bedding system made up of two separate duvets with different tog ratings. Typically, you get a lightweight summer duvet and a medium spring/autumn duvet, which can then be clipped together to create a warmer winter option. I’d spent my entire life sticking to a standard year-round duvet, so I was hesitant at first, but after a few months of testing it across different seasons, I can safely say it’s completely changed the way I sleep.

For context, I opted for the Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 Duvet, which starts at £249 for a single and goes up to £449 for a super king. It’s available directly from Simba's website, as well as a number of other retailers.

How does it work?

As mentioned, the Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 duvet includes two separate duvets with different warmth levels – a 3.5 tog for summer and a 7 tog for spring and autumn. When clipped together, they create a 10.5 tog duvet for winter, giving you three different warmth options in one system.

At first, I’ll admit it sounded like a lot of effort. The UK weather is famously unpredictable, so the idea of swapping duvets around didn’t seem especially appealing, but the logic became clear once I started using it. Being able to adjust your duvet depending on the season makes a huge difference when it comes to staying comfortable through the night.

Yes, you’ll need somewhere to store whichever section you’re not using, but if you already keep different duvets for summer and winter, it’s really no different. Simba also includes a sturdy storage bag, which makes it easy to pack one away when it’s not needed.

How does it feel?

As you’d expect at this price point, the duvet felt premium straight away. It has a soft cotton cover, and the filling features Simba’s ‘renew clusters’, which are made from recycled plastic. These clusters are distributed across pocketed sections to prevent clumping, giving the duvet a weighty feel that's similar to down, but without the use of feathers.

How does it perform?

I first started using the duvet towards the end of last summer, right as we were experiencing a late-season heatwave. I began with the 3.5 tog, and after years of struggling with a standard year-round duvet, it was a huge relief. It still had a premium weight you expect from a good duvet, but without trapping heat, and in fact felt actively cooling. After doing a bit of digging, I discovered that the 3.5 tog section includes Simba’s Stratos cooling technology on one side of the cover, designed to deliver instant and all-night cooling. It’s a clever addition that shows Simba hasn’t just gone lighter on the tog rating, but also added tech to improve temperature regulation.

As we moved into October and November, it was time to experiment with the warmer setup. I actually skipped the standalone 7 tog for a while because the warmer weather lingered longer than expected, and I’d also been testing the Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 as a heating source in my bedroom. However, once the colder nights finally arrived, I clipped the two duvets together to create the 10.5 tog winter option.

This felt exactly how you’d hope – warm, cosy and consistently comfortable throughout the night. The duvet seemed to trap warmth nicely without feeling overly heavy, and the heavy weight made it feel particularly luxurious. I noticed I was sleeping more consistently through colder nights, rather than waking up feeling chilly like I sometimes had with my old duvet.

More recently, as the weather has started to warm up again, I’ve switched to the 7 tog option, which sits perfectly between the two extremes. It’s surprisingly hard to describe, but after trying both the lightest and warmest setups, this middle option just makes complete sense for milder nights. It offers enough warmth to feel cosy without overheating, and it also features the same cooling side found on the lighter duvet, which helps keep temperatures nicely balanced.

What's the verdict?

Overall, the Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 duvet is one of those sleep upgrades you don’t realise you’ve been missing until you try it. If you struggle with temperature regulation at night, it’s particularly effective, as the different tog options make it much easier to adapt to changing seasons. It’s also a great option if you tend to overheat but still enjoy the comforting weight of a premium duvet.

For me, the flexibility has genuinely improved my sleep quality, and I’d happily recommend as one of the best duvets for anyone looking for an easy but effective way to stay comfortable in bed all year round.

Today marks the third week of our themed Sleep Month here at T3, and for the next seven days we’re focusing on simple ways to improve your sleep. We’ve got plenty of advice coming up this week (including the 13 sleep hacks that actually work that we shared earlier today), but this time I wanted to look at how your bedroom layout and design can make a difference too.

To get some expert insight, I spoke to the team at BoConcept, who shared a handful of practical bedroom design tips that can help create a more sleep-friendly space. From lighting choices to bed placement, here are five simple adjustments that could help improve your sleep.

1. Incorporate lighting in layers 

Light plays a huge role in regulating your circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that tells your body when it’s time to sleep and wake up. Because of this, it’s important to think about layered lighting in the bedroom.

Having multiple light sources – such as bedside lamps, wall lights and overhead lighting – allows you to gradually dim the room as bedtime approaches. Dimmable bulbs or the best smart lights are ideal for this, but even standard bulbs with a lower wattage can help keep lighting soft and relaxing.

2. Reduce clutter

A cluttered room can easily lead to a cluttered mind. When your bedroom is full of items or general mess, it can make the space feel stressful rather than restful.

Clearing surfaces and storing items out of sight can help create a calmer atmosphere. Beds with built-in storage are a great option for hiding away belongings, whilst baskets can help organise everyday essentials. It’s also a good idea to keep electronics out of the bedroom where possible, as the blue light they emit can interfere with sleep.

3. Use heavy curtains to minimise noise

External noise can be a major sleep disruptor, whether it’s traffic, neighbours or early morning activity outside. Even if it doesn’t fully wake you up, noise can cause lighter, less restorative sleep.

One simple solution is to hang heavy, floor-length curtains, which can help reduce outside noise whilst also blocking light. If noise is still an issue after this, adding a white noise machine can help create a more consistent sound environment that makes it easier to drift off.

4. Incorporate relaxing scents 

Scent is another powerful tool when it comes to relaxation and sleep. Whilst scent preferences are personal, many people find that lavender, eucalyptus, ylang-ylang, amber or cedarwood create a calming atmosphere in the bedroom.

Scented candles can add a cosy feel in the evening, but if you prefer something stronger, wax melts or essential oil diffusers can fill the room more effectively.

5. Place your bed in the right position

Even if you don’t actively follow feng shui, the basic principles behind bed placement are surprisingly practical. Ideally, your bed should be positioned so that you have a clear view of the room, but aren’t directly in line with the door.

The bed should act as the main focal point of the bedroom, usually centred against the main wall with space on either side for bedside tables. This layout tends to create a sense of balance and calm, helping the room feel more restful overall.

Sleep is incredibly important for your health and wellbeing, but good sleep can sometimes be hard to achieve. When people find themselves unable to fall or stay asleep, they tend to look to quick and easy sleep tricks to help them get a good night’s rest – but which ones actually work?

As T3’s Home Editor, I’ve covered sleep for years now and I’ve tried plenty of sleep hacks from doctors, nutritionists, sleep experts and TikTok. So, for T3 Sleep Month, I’ve rounded up 13 tried and tested sleep hacks that actually work – here’s what they are and how to do them.

1. The military sleep method

Starting off strong, the military sleep method is arguably the most popular sleep hack that consistently goes viral on TikTok. Used by people in the US army, the military sleep hack involves you systematically relaxing every part of your body.

To do the military sleep method, focus on the muscles on the face and tighten and loosen them until they feel relaxed. From there, you work down your body to your shoulders, arms, chest, legs and feet while breathing steadily and picturing a soothing scenario. I have a military parent so this sleep hack was common for me growing up – it’s actually the first hack I try when I can’t get to sleep.

2. Showering before bed

Having a shower or bath before bed has been found to have many benefits to your sleep and overall health and wellness. I tend to shower before bed every night as I work out in the evening, and it always makes me feel more relaxed and like I’ve washed the day off.

Whether you should shower in hot or cold water is up for debate, but both have been found to improve sleep quality. Warm water aids natural temperature regulation, and relieves body tension. In comparison, cold water causes your body to warm itself up which activates your immune system and metabolism while reducing muscle soreness.

3. Scandinavian sleep or duvet hack

If you hate sharing a duvet with your other half, the Scandinavian sleep hack could stop you from getting a sleep divorce. This hack involves sleeping in the same bed as your partner but using two separate duvets rather than sharing one.

There are many positives to using separate duvets, including being able to choose your own tog and comfort levels. I’m always cold while my husband runs hot so we have an adjustable temperature duvet which means I can be as warm as possible while he can stay cool. Using two duvets also means you disturb your partner less but you’re still close to them without having to split your bedrooms.

4. Wearing socks to bed

In my years covering sleep on T3, I’ve never written anything more controversial than sleeping with socks on. People have many strong opinions about this but if you can get over the initial feeling of wearing socks to bed, you could actually vastly improve your sleep.

Many studies have found that sleeping in socks can help you fall asleep quicker, as your feet are where you tend to lose heat the quickest. Keeping them warm can help your body relax, regulate temperature, improve circulation and pamper your skin.

5. ‘Cricket feet’

Sticking with feet, the ‘cricket feet’ sleep hack is a self-soothing method that helps you relax and fall asleep fast. The trick involves you gently and rhythmically rubbing your feet together – that’s it!

This movement – similar to how a cricket makes noise – can help you feel more comfortable while in bed. As your feet have nerve endings and pressure points on the soles, doing this action stimulates the nerves and encourages the production of melatonin and cortisol, the sleep and stress hormones.

6. 4-7-8 breathing

Breathing hacks are one of my favourites for falling asleep and managing anxiety. The 4-7-8 breathing trick is the best one I’ve tried, and like the military sleep method, it’s my go-to hack if I can’t get to sleep or if I’m feeling particularly stressed.

4-7-8 acts as a natural tranquiliser for your nervous system and involves inhaling through your nose for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 7 seconds and exhaling through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeating this cycle can help you fall asleep and clear your mind.

7. Sleeping in a cold room

According to experts, sleeping in a cold room is actually better for you than sleeping in a warm one. The drop in temperature can help with insomnia, anxiety and ageing, and studies have found that it helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and wake up less.

The main reason for this is your body temperature needs to naturally drop for you to fall asleep. Colder temperatures signal to your body and brain that it’s time to rest, so having a cold room reinforces this natural body instinct, and you’ll start to produce melatonin and feel sleepier.

8. Finger breathing

If the ‘cricket feet’ hack sounded interesting to you, finger breathing is a similar method that involves your hands. Another form of self-soothing or hypnosis, finger breathing is a combination of breathing and touch that can help you feel calmer and more relaxed.

To try finger breathing, pinch your fingers and thumb together on one hand. With your other hand, cup and rest your pinched fingers in your palm. Count five breaths before swapping hands. Next, make a thumbs up with one hand and wrap your fingers on your other hand around the thumb. Count five more breaths and swap hands again.

9. Zero gravity sleep hack

If it works for NASA astronauts, the zero gravity sleep hack will likely work for you too! The zero gravity sleep hack is a sleep position that makes your body feel as if it’s in a weightless environment, like space. It’s ideal for back sleepers, and involves you lying on your back with your head and feet slightly elevated to keep them above heart level.

This position keeps your spine aligned while reducing pressure on it, and improves your overall circulation. Due to the elevation – which can be achieved with pillows or an adjustable mattress – the zero gravity sleep hack has also been found to prevent snoring and reduce how often you toss and turn in your sleep.

10. Sleepy Girl mocktail

What you eat or drink before bed can be the difference between having a great night’s sleep or a disrupted one. But the Sleepy Girl mocktail has been tried and tested by many – including myself – and it surprisingly works!

The Sleepy Girl mocktail is a mix of tart cherry juice with sparkling water or prebiotic soda. The main ingredient which gives the sleepy effect is the cherries which is why it’s important that they’re tart and don’t have a ton – or any – sugar in them. This is because tart cherries increase melatonin production and help regulate your circadian rhythm.

11. Cognitive shuffle sleep hack

It can be hard to fall asleep when your brain is full of rushing thoughts, but the cognitive shuffle sleep hack has been found to counteract this by confusing your brain. The cognitive shuffle involves you filling your brain with random words and images.

Jumbling your thoughts in this way actually tricks your brain into feeling groggy and ready for sleep. Rather than worrying about everyday things, the cognitive shuffle acts as a method of distraction which can make you feel tired and help you fall asleep.

12. Open eye sleep hack

Like the cognitive shuffle, the open eye sleep hack doesn’t sound like it would work, but again, it’s all about distracting the brain and body. If you can’t get to sleep, lie in bed with your eyes open and tell yourself not to go to sleep.

Doing the open eye sleep hack has been found by doctors to be a paradoxical intention, a cognitive technique that attempts to remove anxiety associated with not being able to sleep. This helps remove and divert your attention from this stress which can help you relax and trick yourself into falling asleep as your eye muscles will start to tire.

13. Tidying your room before bed

Tidying your bedroom before you go to sleep might not sound like a ‘hack’ but it actually has a great effect on your nighttime routine. Personally, I can’t go to bed if my house or room isn’t tidy as I’ll just lie in bed worrying about the mess and about having to do it tomorrow.

According to scientific studies, messiness is linked to increased cortisol levels a.k.a stress so tidying your room before bed can dispel those feelings. This also helps with allergens as cleaning up dust and dirt will prevent you from sneezing or feeling ill while you sleep.

We’re currently coming to the end of the second week of T3’s Sleep Month, and this week the spotlight has firmly been on the best mattresses. Alongside our guides on what bed base you should get for your mattress and the best mattress type to buy if you never want to flip it again, we’ve also been testing a few new models, and the latest victim is the Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro Cooling Mattress.

After spending several weeks sleeping on it, I’ve now had enough time to give it a proper test and see how it performs night after night. It’s positioned as a highly affordable hybrid mattress, so the big question is if it will deliver on what it promises – or whether it's another budget option with the quality to match.

Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro review: price and availability

The Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro is available in three sizes and comes with a fixed medium-firm rating. It also has a height of around 28cm, meaning you should be able to use standard fitted sheets.

You can buy it directly from the Happy Beds website, as well as through retailers like Amazon and B&Q. You'll find all pricing information below:

Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro review: unboxing and set up

The delivery process was smooth overall, and the mattress arrived fairly quickly after ordering, which can be quite rare. Happy Beds also offers next working day delivery on selected products, so it can sometimes be even quicker depending on what you're buying.

On the day itself, I received a call around 30 minutes before the delivery van arrived, which gave me enough time to prepare. There’s also the option to add mattress recycling when ordering, which I took advantage of and found to be a very easy process.

Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro review: design and features

Interestingly, the Skye Hybrid Pro Cooling Mattress uses an impressive hybrid design for its price point. It features 1,500 pocket springs along with a six-layer structure, designed to balance support and pressure relief, alongside temperature regulation as well.

Each pocket spring sits inside its own fabric sleeve, allowing them to move independently. This helps the mattress adapt to your body whilst also reducing motion transfer.

One of the standout elements is the Aura+ Graphite foam layer, which is designed specifically to help regulate body temperature. Graphite foam has strong thermal conductivity, meaning it can help pull heat away from your body whilst you sleep.

Alongside the Aura+ Graphite layer, there’s also a memory foam layer that gently contours to your body, as well as a reflex foam layer which provides additional support and bounce-back responsiveness.

The mattress is finished with a removable and machine-washable cover, made from breathable and moisture-wicking fabric. It also features Purotex treatment, which is designed to help reduce allergens and moisture.

Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro review: performance

When it comes to actual sleep performance, my experience with the Skye Hybrid Pro has been very positive overall. It’s definitely one of the more comfortable budget hybrid mattresses I’ve tried, and I found it provided a nice mix of cushioning and support. It does lean towards a memory foam feel, so that’s worth noting if you’re not a fan of a contouring sensation.

As someone who tends to sleep quite warm, I was particularly interested in the cooling features. The Aura+ Graphite foam layer seems to do its job well, helping to disperse heat so the mattress never felt overly warm during the night.

Another pleasant surprise was the motion isolation. As the pocket springs and foam layers absorb movement quite effectively, you barely notice when the other person in the bed shifts position. If you’re a light sleeper or share a bed with a restless partner, this is a huge advantage

I also really liked the removable cover, which is something we’re seeing more frequently with modern mattresses. You don't really know what you're missing out on if you don't have it, but being able to remove the cover and wash it properly makes it much easier to keep your mattress clean over time. It’s especially useful if you have furry friends that like to sneak onto the bed – your dog, that is… not your partner.

That said, as the cover is designed to be easily removable, it can sometimes be tricky to keep the surface perfectly smooth. Even when I carefully adjusted it to sit flat, it occasionally bunched up slightly again. It’s not a major issue once you have bedding on top, but it did take a little patience getting used to it.

Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro review: verdict

The Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro Cooling Mattress is a great choice if you’re looking for a hybrid mattress at an affordable price point. It features a supportive yet comfortable sleep surface that works well for a wide range of sleepers, and I was particularly impressed by the motion isolation and temperature regulation. I did find that the removable cover would sometimes bunch up and the memory foam feel won’t suit everyone, but its overall performance and value for money makes it worth it.

Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro review: alternatives to consider

If you’re looking for something similar, the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress is a strong alternative and one I’ve also reviewed recently. In terms of overall comfort and support, the two feel fairly comparable, and the DreamCloud also sits at a similar price point.

Another option worth considering is the Emma Hybrid ThermoSync Mattress, which currently holds the best cooling mattress title in our buying guide. It’s also slightly softer overall, making it a good alternative if you prefer something less firm than the Skye Hybrid Pro.

In celebration of World Sleep Day, Simba has launched a new cooling mattress topper designed to give your bed an instant comfort boost. The Simba Cool Foam Mattress Topper features the brand's signature graphite-infused Simbatex foam, which adds structured cushioning and breathable support whilst still maintaining stability.

The topper has a medium-firm feel and measures 6.5cm deep. In practical terms, that means if your mattress is under 30cm thick, you should still be able to fit an extra-deep fitted sheet over everything without any issues.

Prices start from £149 and it’s available in five sizes, with the topper already on sale via Simba’s online store. At that price point, it’s also the most affordable way to try the brand’s signature Simbatex technology.

Alongside the cooling Simbatex comfort layer, the topper includes a contoured CertiPUR-certified base that’s designed to provide targeted support and promote continuous airflow. It also joins the brand's existing range of mattress toppers, including the Hybrid Essential Topper and the original Hybrid Topper.

There are some useful practical touches too, including a soft knitted cover that’s removable and machine washable, a base fabric that can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth, and elastic corner straps with a slip-resistant base. It’s also lightweight and portable, so it’s easy to move around or store if needed.

It’s currently T3’s Sleep Month, which means we’ve been sharing plenty of expert advice on everything from the best mattress toppers to the sleep hacks that actually make a difference. This week in particular, our focus is firmly on the best mattresses, and that includes taking a closer look at some of the standout options currently available.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing the Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress, which is one of the brand’s newer models. It’s also keenly priced compared to similar premium mattresses on the market, so naturally I was very curious to see how it performed in a testing scenario.

Below you’ll find my full thoughts on the Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress, but without giving too much away, it's definitely made a very strong impression.

Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review: price and availability 

The Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress is available in five different sizes and can be purchased directly from Bensons for Beds. There are also two firmness levels to choose from, and I’ve been testing the super king in a medium firmness, which has an RRP of £1,450. Pricing remains the same regardless of firmness level.

You can see the standard pricing below, although it’s worth noting that the brand frequently runs promotions. At the time of writing, there’s currently up to £150 off, so I've also listed the sale prices below:

Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review: unboxing and set up

Delivery was smooth and straightforward, with the mattress arriving around seven days after placing the order. Bensons for Beds provided an exact delivery day along with a two-hour time slot, which is always helpful when you’re waiting for something this large. It arrived in a van and was carried up to my bedroom by two delivery staff, which I was extremely grateful for once I realised just how heavy the mattress actually was.

The mattress arrived fully formed rather than vacuum packed, protected in plastic wrapping. The delivery team removed the packaging afterwards, and there’s also the option to add a mattress recycling service if you need to get rid of an old one.

Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review: design and features

When it comes to comfort, the Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress really impressed me. A lot of that comes down to its internal construction, which combines different-sized pocket springs, including 2,000 mini springs and 1,050 full-height springs. These adapt individually to movement, helping the mattress respond to your body whilst also reducing motion transfer – great news if you share a bed with someone who tends to toss and turn.

Alongside the spring system, the mattress features Sensaform 7 Zone Pressure Relieving Air Memory Foam, designed to provide targeted support across different areas of the body. This foam layer is around 6cm thick, which contributes to the mattress’ overall height and plush feel.

Mattress height can be quite a personal preference – some people love the feeling of a taller, more luxurious sleep surface, whilst others prefer something closer to the ground. The Slumberland Air 9.0 definitely leans towards the former.

Another standout feature is its breathable Air channel system, which helps promote airflow through the mattress. This is designed to create a cooler sleep surface compared to traditional memory foam models.

Since I tested it during cooler months, it wasn’t the ultimate test of its cooling capabilities, but I can confirm that I didn’t experience any overheating throughout the entire testing period. The mattress also uses temperature-regulating materials designed to maintain a comfortable sleep environment and prevent heat build-up.

Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review: performance 

From the very first night, I was surprised by how quickly my sleep quality improved. As a sleep reviewer, I’m constantly testing different mattresses, duvets and pillows, and whilst that might sound like a dream job, it can actually make it quite difficult to maintain a consistent sleep routine.

In fact, I’d been struggling with my sleep for around two weeks before switching to the Slumberland Air 9.0, so it ended up being a pretty good test of whether a new mattress could actually make a difference.

The comfort was immediately noticeable, largely thanks to the memory foam layer. It adds a lovely sense of cushioning and height, whilst still maintaining a supportive feel underneath. Since I opted for the medium firmness, I was hoping it would strike that balance between soft and supportive, and thankfully it did exactly that.

One practical detail I really appreciated is that the mattress doesn’t need to be flipped, thanks to its integrated comfort layer. You’ll still want to rotate it occasionally, but the maintenance is much easier than with traditional double-sided mattresses. The only small thing to note is that due to its height, standard fitted sheets won’t quite do the job, so you’ll need to use deep fitted sheets instead.

Another interesting design feature is the subtle grooved pattern across the mattress surface, which helps it contour slightly to your body. Before trying it, I noticed it was labelled as a memory foam mattress, and in the past I’ve tended to avoid memory foam models as I'm not keen on the sinking feeling. Fortunately, the Slumberland Air 9.0 strikes a much better balance, providing a pressure-relieving comfort that didn't make me feel feel stuck in place.

Within a few nights, I also noticed myself falling asleep faster and waking up less frequently during the night. I hadn’t changed anything else about my evening routine, so the mattress itself was the only real variable. It’s actually the quickest positive sleep response I’ve experienced from a mattress during testing, which was a really nice surprise.

Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review: verdict

Overall, the Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress proved to be an excellent all-rounder during testing. Its combination of supportive pocket springs, pressure-relieving memory foam and breathable materials creates a sleep surface that feels both luxurious and well balanced. I was particularly impressed by how quickly it improved my sleep quality, helping me fall asleep faster and wake up less during the night. If you’re looking for a premium mattress with strong support and thoughtful cooling features, the Slumberland Air 9.0 is one of the best options out there.

Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review: alternatives to consider 

If you’re exploring alternatives, the DreamCloud Hybrid is another great option. It features a similarly plush top layer paired with a firmer support base, offering strong pressure relief and impressive temperature regulation. It’s also noticeably more affordable than the Slumberland Air 9.0.

Another strong contender is the Sleepeezee Centurial 03, which sits slightly higher in price but offers a number of comparable features. Its plush pillow-top design creates a very tall mattress with a premium feel, and it’s easily one of the most comfortable models I’ve tested over the years.

Have you ever wondered why a hotel bed feels so much comfier than the one you have at home? No, it’s not the plush bedding, luxury feel and the fact you don’t have to make the bed the next day – it’s all down to the mattress.

Many of the mattresses used in the top hotels are custom made for them, but that’s not to say you can’t get that hotel room comfort in your own home – see our seven hacks to make your bed feel like a five-star hotel bed for more.

If you’re wondering what mattress your favourite hotel stay uses, I did the research so you don’t have to. Below, you’ll find mattresses used by The Marriott, Hoxton, Hilton Hotels and more – and you might be able to buy one, too.

What mattress does The Marriott Hotel use?

If you’re staying in The Marriott Hotel, chances are you’re sleeping on a Tempur custommade mattress. Tempur is best known for its use of its ‘Tempur MATERIAL’, a high-density viscoelastic foam that adapts to the body. This foam was originally developed in the 1970s to cushion NASA astronauts during lift-off, so it makes sense that such a high-end hotel would be using NASA-approved Tempur mattresses for its guests.

Another mattress that The Marriott has been known to use is the ‘Marriott Bed’, made in partnership with Tempur Sealy. Designed for all sleep positions and body types, the Marriott Bed is a hybrid mattress made from springs and foam that cradles the body during sleep. The Marriott Bed can actually be bought on the Marriott website, and is available in double, queen, king and super king sizes.

What mattress does The Hoxton use?

If The Hoxton is your hotel of choice, then you’ll love the Naturalmat mattress which is found in most of The Hoxton hotels, and Six Senses resorts. Specifically, its pocket sprung mattresses are favoured as the springs are covered in cotton to give a good level of bounce and support.

As the name suggests, Naturalmat mattresses are made from natural, recycled materials and come with three tension levels. Due to the natural make-up, these mattresses are more breathable and good for temperature regulation which is ideal for people who are travelling to different countries.

What mattress does Hilton Hotels use?

Like The Marriott, Hilton Hotels have a partnership with US mattress manufacturer, Serta. The Hilton mattress from Serta is another hybrid mattress with coil springs and layered foam. It has a breathable, plush cover for ventilation and comfort, while the spring-foam construction offers firm comfort, as well as edge support, so the mattress doesn’t sag or dip at the ends.

Not only does Serta make the Hilton Bed and Mattress which you can buy at Hilton To Home, but it also designs a range of accessories, including pillows and duvets so you can buy Hilton’s full sleep set-up for yourself.

What mattress does Radisson use?

Radisson uses specialised mattresses from Serta and Beautyrest in their hotels, including hybrid mattresses, as well as foam only and spring only models. After much searching, I found the Beautyrest Radisson Luxury Plush mattress which you can buy for your own home for great pressure relief, and medium-plush firmness.

The Beautyrest Radisson Luxury Plush mattress is made from eco-friendly materials, and is designed for comfort and breathability. It has an enhanced airflow due to its AirCool Gel-Infused foam which reduces the mattress’ heat retention. It also has soft silver-enriched fibres that minimise bacteria and mold, keeping it as fresh and hygienic as possible.

What mattress does Premier Inn use?

Premier Inn has been partners with Silentnight for years, and it uses its Premier Inn Mattress 2.0 in all its hotels. A bespoke mattress, the Premier Inn Mattress 2.0 can be bought directly from Premier Inn and at £609, it’s very reasonably priced, especially compared to other entries in this list.

The Premier Inn Mattress 2.0 is another hybrid model with 1000 pocket springs and Geltex foam. The construction is comfortable and supportive, and has temperature regulation features to keep you cool throughout the night. It also has a pillowtop layer to keep you feeling extra cosy.

Flipping your mattress every six months is one of those tasks you only really learn about when you become an adult or invest in a proper mattress for the first time. Don’t get us wrong, staying on top of it is important, especially if you want your mattress to stay in good shape and last as long as possible. However, if it’s something you tend to forget about – or would simply rather avoid – there are definitely ways around it.

If you want a mattress that requires as little flipping as possible, you should aim for a high-density memory foam or latex mattress. These models are generally considered the best no-flip options because they’re designed to bounce back into shape after use, and thanks to their resilience, they’re much better at resisting permanent body impressions over time.

A good example is the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, which is one of the most popular all-foam mattresses in the UK. It uses multiple foam layers to deliver pressure relief and support whilst maintaining its structure over time.

You should still ideally rotate your mattress 180 degrees every few months to even out wear and tear, ensuring every part of the mattress gets used evenly. However, you won’t need to flip it entirely anymore, which removes the more awkward part of mattress maintenance.

Another option would be to go for a hybrid mattress, but make sure it’s specifically labelled as a “no-flip” model, as some hybrids still require turning. One example is the Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress, which combines pocket springs with multiple foam layers for support and pressure relief. It’s designed as a single-sided mattress, so you don’t need to flip it – just rotate it every few months.

Another example is the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress, which we reviewed recently. It’s a thicker hybrid design that features memory foam comfort layers and pocket springs for support, and it's also marketed as a no-flip mattress, making maintenance much easier.

Before you go, make sure to check out the rest of our Sleep Month content for more tips and advice on finding the best mattress for your sleep setup.

Sleepy Piglet is an adorable new name in the bed business, but its mattresses are refreshingly traditional. It sells a range of pocket sprung mattresses that are made to order and shipped flat rather than rolled and boxed, so they're good to go as soon as they arrive.

In the Sleepy Piglet range you'll find an assortment of hybrid beds at affordable prices, but for me the real eye-catchers are its Natural mattresses: old-school pocket sprung beds made with natural materials and not a trace of foam. Materials-wise, they're comparable with Simba's Natural Hybrid range, only much cheaper, and as someone who sleeps on one of these (the Natural Hybrid Apex, previously known as the Simba Earth Apex), I was keen to see how these more affordable options measure up as an option for anyone in search of the best mattress.

I've been testing out the mid-range option, the Natural 1500, in a single size for the past three weeks. Here's how it measured up.

Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review: price and availability

The Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 mattress sits in the middle of the brand's Natural range, price-wise, but really there's not a lot between the three of them. The Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 starts at £599 and comes in at £649 for a double, while the cheaper Natural 1000 is £599 and the top-end Natural 2000 is £699.

They're pretty much identical in terms of fabric and fill; the only real difference is in the number of pocket springs. You get 1,500 in the Natural 1500; can you guess how many you get in the Natural 1000 and Natural 2000?!

There's not a lot in the way of discounts at Sleepy Piglet, which isn't that surprising given the reasonable prices. However at the moment you can get 5% off your order if you sign up for the brand's newsletter.

The mattress comes with free delivery and returns, and for an extra £49.99 they'll take away your old mattress and recycle it. You'll also get a 100-night trial and 10-year guarantee.

Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review: setup

Delivery of my Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 mattress was a breeze. Because the mattress is made to order there's a little wait between you clicking the Buy button and your bed being dispatched, but in my case this took just five days (you'll wait much longer with other traditional mattress brands) before the mattress was dispatched for next day delivery.

I was given a four-hour delivery window with the promise that the driver would call me half an hour before delivery, and that's exactly what happened. Sleepy Piglet doesn't do VIP delivery, but the driver was happy to help me get the mattress down the hall to my spare room before going on his way. The mattress was wrapped in recyclable plastic and cardboard, and it took me just five minutes to remove this and leave the mattress to settle on the bed for the rest of the day.

I wasn't anticipating any off-gassing from this mattress because it's not made with foam and it's delivered flat, and as expected there wasn't any; that's worth knowing about if you're sensitive to chemical odours from fresh memory foam beds-in-boxes.

Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review: design

The 10.5"/26cm-tall Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 is a traditional mattress with some luxurious touches. At its core is a set of 1,500 pocket springs, designed to give the mattress a medium-firm feel. Above the springs there are three breathable comfort layers: an inner cotton pad to cushion the springs, a silk and cashmere blend pad to add softness, and a moisture-wicking wool pad that gives the mattress a temperature-neutral quality.

Because this mattress is designed to be turned, you also get the same three layers on the other side of the springs. The feel is the same on either side, unlike flippable mattresses such as the Eve Wunderflip, but it means that you can both turn and rotate your mattress to keep it in top condition for longer.

A plant-based viscose damask fabric tops off the mattress, while the edges are made of heavyweight ticking, with two rows of hand stitching as well as handles for easy manoeuvring. Finally, this mattress is fully tufted, ensuring that all its layers will stay in place for years to come.

Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review: performance

Mattresses described as medium-firm make me a little nervous. I'm a lightweight combination sleeper who usually ends up sleeping on their side, and for me a medium-firm can often be far too firm for comfortable side sleeping. Case in point: the Simba Earth Apex is right on the firmness cusp for me, but thanks to its zoned support it provides just enough cushioning for my bony shoulders.

Sleepy Piglet rates the Natural 1500 as medium-firm, and I quickly discovered that it's definitely at the firmer end of the scale. Its tufted surface looks soft and squishy but this is actually a pretty solid-feeling mattress, and I quickly realised that side sleeping would be out of the question for me.

For back and stomach sleeping, however, I found that it provided a decent amount of comfort and support across my whole body, and in the interests of science I also tried combining the Natural 1500 with my REM-Fit Halo mattress topper, and found that it transformed the mattress into one that was completely comfortable and supportive in all sleeping positions.

As I was testing a single mattress, I didn't really get a natural opportunity to rate the Natural 1500's motion isolation qualities, although I can note I wasn't disturbed by my quite hefty cat jumping on the bed. I did notice this mattress has quite a bit of bounce to it, so I tested it out by placing a wine glass on the surface and dropping an 8kg weight onto the mattress to see how the glass reacted.

Dropping the weight 25 inches away made the glass wobble a little, while dropping it at a distance of 12 inches made it topple instantly. That's not brilliant, and worth bearing in mind if you or your partner are easily disturbed by movement.

Simply placing the weight of the surface of the mattress also demonstrated how firm it is; it barely sank into the mattress at all. It sank a little more when placed on the edge of the mattress, but I also noticed that when I sat on the edge myself it squished down quite a bit.

While I never felt in danger of rolling off the edge of the bed, I'd suggest that anyone with mobility issues might struggle with getting in and out of bed with the Natural 1500's limited edge support.

One final note is that throughout testing in February, when the temperatures ranged from very cold to unseasonably warm, I never once found myself overheating. That shouldn't really be a surprise; there's no foam in the Natural 1500 to trap heat, and its breathable design means that even the hottest sleepers should maintain a comfortable temperature in any weather.

Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review: verdict

There's quite a bit to like about the Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500. It's made entirely from eco-friendly materials, it's really well-made and built to last, it doesn't get hot in the night and it feels a lot more luxurious than its price might suggest. If you're a dedicated back or stomach sleeper – or a heavier side sleeper – you should get on really well with it.

Lighter side sleepers are likely to struggle with its lack of pressure relief, however. This is a very firm mattress that won't provide enough cushioning for your hips and shoulders when you sleep on your side, and while I managed to fix this with the addition of a memory foam topper, it's not an ideal solution. I also found the Natural 1500 a little lacking in terms of motion isolation and edge support, but these are minor criticisms. In short this is a no-nonsense bed that's definitely worth investigating if you're after a traditional mattress that punches well above its price point.

Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review: alternatives to consider

If you're looking for a traditional mattress at a lower price than the Sleepy Piglet, the Happy Beds Ortho Royale is a decent orthopaedic spring mattress that delivers similar levels of firmness. Its open-spring design means that it's likely to be not so hot at motion isolation, though.

For a more premium eco-friendly bed, Simba's Natural Hybrid range is worth a look. I can personally recommend the Natural Hybrid Apex but it's expensive; a more affordable option is the Natural Hybrid Source, which we reviewed when it was called the Simba Earth Source.

If you really want to splurge on a traditional mattress, however, check out the Button & Sprung Teesdale Pocket Sprung Mattress. This luxurious bed is handmade in the UK and 100% natural, and it boasts impressive temperature regulation and motion isolation qualities.

People often forget that you don’t always have to spend upwards of £1,000 to secure one of the best mattresses. If you know what you like and what works for your sleep, it’s actually quite easy to find a more affordable option – especially if you know which brands are worth looking at.

That’s why I was so keen to try the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress. The original DreamCloud mattress achieved a respectable four stars in its full review back in 2021, so it was interesting to see how the brand’s other option would stack up.

You’ll find my full thoughts below after three months of testing, and don’t forget to check out the rest of the content as part of T3’s Sleep Month as well.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review: price and availability

The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress is an affordable hybrid mattress available in four sizes, ranging from single to super king. You can buy it directly from DreamCloud’s website, as well as through other retailers including Amazon.

It’s available in one firmness level, set at medium-firm. Whilst this is generally the most popular firmness choice, it does feel slightly limiting if you’d prefer a softer or firmer option.

You’ll find all the pricing details below.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review: unboxing and setup

The DreamCloud delivery process was very efficient, and on the morning of delivery, I received a notification telling me the mattress was 30 minutes away.

The mattress arrived rolled up and in a 12-inch tall box, making it much easier to manoeuvre upstairs. That said, it’s incredibly heavy, so it’ll probably take two or three people to move it comfortably. DreamCloud does offer a room-of-choice delivery option for an extra £15, which I’d strongly recommend if you don’t want the hassle of lifting it yourself.

Once unwrapped, the mattress took a few hours to fully expand, which is actually quicker than some other mattresses I’ve tested. However, I’d still recommend leaving it around 12 hours before sleeping on it to allow it to reach its full shape.

As with most bed-in-a-box mattresses, there was a subtle chemical smell when the mattress was first unwrapped. However, it wasn’t particularly strong and disappeared after a few hours once the mattress had fully expanded. Leaving it in a well-ventilated room for the settling period helped the smell dissipate quickly.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review: design and features

The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress is 25cm deep and made up of five layers. These include a quilted cover, a memory foam comfort layer, what the brand calls a ‘dynamic transition layer’ of foam, additional support foam, and a steel pocket spring base.

The quilted top layer is soft to the touch, and small details like the piped edging give the mattress a more premium look. The original DreamCloud mattress featured a cashmere blend cover, whereas the hybrid version uses a CloudQuilt cover that’s quilted with foam and infused with cooling fibres.

It also features what DreamCloud calls a ‘Reinforced Edge Spring Unit’, designed to provide even support across the entire surface of the mattress.

In terms of logistics, the mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial, which is one of the longest available on the market today. That means you get a full year to test it out and decide whether it’s right for you.

There are certain limitations, but if you decide it’s not suitable, DreamCloud will collect the mattress for free and donate it to the British Heart Foundation for resale.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review: performance

Overall, I’ve had a really positive experience with the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress, and especially for the price, it’s one of the better affordable mattresses I’ve slept on.

The first thing to mention is that although it’s advertised as medium-firm, it actually feels slightly firmer than that. This ended up working well for me, as it offered strong support whilst still having a cushioned surface that I enjoyed whether I was sleeping on my side or back. The plush quilted top layer also made it feel really comfortable, and I didn’t feel the need to add one of the best mattress toppers.

I’m also usually someone who avoids memory foam mattresses, but I was pleasantly surprised here. The surface bounced back quickly and reshaped itself easily, meaning turning over during the night felt effortless and the foam didn’t mould too deeply around my body.

As mentioned, DreamCloud claims the mattress offers minimal motion transfer, and I found that to be accurate. If either my partner or I moved during the night, there was very little disturbance, and we both stayed comfortably on our own sides.

There was also no feeling of the edges dipping when sitting or lying near them, and the mattress maintained an even level of support across the entire surface. This shows that alongside side and back sleepers, combination sleepers would also get on well with it, as the responsive surface makes it easy to change positions during the night.

In terms of temperature regulation, the cooling effect isn’t something you noticeably feel straight away like on some specialist cooling mattresses. However, I didn't overheat once during the entire testing period. This was reassuring, as mattresses with a premium quilted feel can sometimes trap heat, but I found the opposite here.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review: verdict

The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress strikes an impressive balance between comfort and affordability. Its medium-firm feel provides reliable support whilst the quilted top layer adds a touch of cushioning that makes it comfortable for all kinds of sleepers. Whilst the single firmness option may limit choice, the overall performance makes this a strong contender for anyone looking for a well-made hybrid mattress without paying premium prices.

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review: alternatives to consider

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly mattress around the £500 mark, you won’t find many options that offer this level of comfort and support. However, I’d still recommend both the Eve Original and Emma Original, two hybrid bed-in-a-box memory foam mattresses that sit at the more affordable end of the market.

You can read more about how they compare in our Emma Hybrid Original vs Eve Original showdown.

This week is an interesting one, especially for us here at T3. On one hand, it’s Sleep Awareness Month, which means each week we’re focusing on a different aspect of sleep to share tips and advice to help you get a better night’s rest. On the other hand, it’s also the first day of Amazon’s Spring Deal Days, so in short… there’s a lot going on.

Rather than trying to tackle everything separately, I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone and round up some of the best mattress deals I’ve spotted in Amazon’s sale. Even better, every mattress below has an average five-star rating, so you can shop with confidence if you’re looking to upgrade your bed without spending a fortune.

When it comes to buying a new mattress, many people spend weeks agonising over brands, pocket springs versus memory foam, and technical specs. But then, when they've finally made their choice, they simply plonk it down on whatever base came with the bed frame. Big mistake.

In fact, the base you choose has a real impact on how your mattress feels and how long it lasts, so it's well worth getting right from the start. In this guide, I'll explain everything you need to make the right decision.

Why choosing the right bed base matters

First of all, why exactly does your bed base matter? Well, it’s helpful to think of your mattress as only doing half the job. Without a proper base beneath it, even an expensive mattress can sag prematurely or feel softer or firmer than intended. It will wear out far quicker, too.

In contrast, the right base will keep the mattress supported, extend its lifespan, and lift it off the floor. This, in turn, helps with airflow, hygiene and keeping dust mites at bay. Now let's look at the main types of bed base on the market today.

Types of bed bases

1. Divan bases

A divan is a fabric-covered wooden box (or two boxes joined together for larger sizes) that sits directly on the floor or on small castors. They're a staple of British bedrooms; you'll find them everywhere in the UK, often sold as a set with a matching mattress. They often come with built-in storage (either pull-out drawers or a lift-up ottoman), making them an excellent option for smaller bedrooms.

There are two main divan types to know about. The first is the platform top (solid top), which provides a flat, firm wooden surface. This type of bed base is generally cheaper than a sprung option and will give your mattress a firmer overall feel. This is a strong choice for memory foam mattresses, which need a solid, even surface to perform properly.

The second is the sprung edge. With this type, the top of the base contains its own layer of springs, adding extra give. This makes for a softer, more responsive sleep surface and suits traditional pocket-sprung mattresses particularly well.

2. Bed frames and slatted bases

A bed frame (sometimes called a bedstead in the UK) is the classic, visible structure: headboard, side rails, and a set of slats across the middle. They are the dominant choice in the US market.

The slats are the key element to look at:

• Solid slats give firm, even support.
• Sprung or flexible slats (common in European designs) have a slight bow and provide more cushion and responsiveness.

For any mattress containing foam, the slats should be no more than 3 inches (7cm) apart to prevent sagging. If your frame has wider gaps, a bunkie board (a thin, flat board that sits over the slats) provides an easy fix.

3. Platform beds

A platform bed is a sturdier, more decorative version of a bed frame with integrated support. Popular in the US, they feature a solid or closely-slatted surface and don't require a separate box spring. This type of bed base is a strong choice for memory foam and hybrid mattresses.

4. Box Springs vs. Foundations

In the US, these terms are often used interchangeably, but there is an important technical difference. Traditional box springs contain actual metal coils. They were designed decades ago to add "give" to thin innerspring mattresses. It's important not use these with memory foam or hybrid mattresses. The "bounce" creates an unstable surface that causes foam to shift and sag, often voiding your warranty.

Modern foundations, meanwhile, look identical to box springs but contain a rigid wooden or metal grid with zero "give". This will provide the flat, non-yielding support that modern foam and hybrid mattresses require.

5. Adjustable bases

Adjustable bases are motorised frames that let you raise the head and foot of the mattress independently. They're particularly useful for those who snore, have acid reflux, or have specific position preferences. This type of base is best suited to all-foam mattresses and some flexible hybrids. However, traditional sprung mattresses generally aren't compatible with adjustable bases.

Which base works best for your mattress?

• Memory foam: This type of mattress benefits from a solid, flat surface. Choose a platform-top divan, platform bed, solid foundation, or a frame with slats no more than 3 inches apart. Avoid box springs and sprung-edge divans. Pro tip: Ensure the room is well-ventilated if using a solid-top base to keep the foam cool.
• Hybrid mattress: A hybrid requires a firm, supportive base like a platform bed or solid-top divan. Check with the manufacturer before pairing a hybrid with an adjustable base.
• Pocket sprung (traditional innerspring): These mattresses work on a wide range of bases. A sprung-edge divan is the classic pairing in the UK for enhanced comfort. A solid platform or slatted frame also works well, as will a box spring in the US.
• Latex: Treat this type of mattress like memory foam. Latex is heavy and needs consistent, solid support across its surface; a platform base or closely-slatted frame is your best bet.

A note on US vs UK differences

In the UK, the divan base is king. In the US, the bed frame and platform bed are more standard, and box springs remain a familiar fixture; though they are increasingly being replaced by rigid foundations.

Wherever you are in the world, though, the underlying principles are the same: match a solid, supportive base to foam and hybrid mattresses, and give your pocket-sprung mattress the sprung-edge or compatible frame it deserves. Get that right, and you're set up for a much better night's sleep.

We’re now heading into week two of Sleep Month, where the whole of March is dedicated to raising awareness about better sleep and shining a light on the products that help us get a great night’s rest. At T3, we’re focusing specifically on the best mattresses this week, so buckle in for plenty of helpful advice, reviews and product spotlights.

We’ve got a bunch of mattress reviews heading your way, but I thought I’d kick things off by rounding up some of the best mattress sales you can shop right now.

There are some impressive savings across a lot of top brands and retailers, with discounts reaching up to 60% off, plus a few tempting freebies along the way.

Bensons for Beds

£440 off best-selling mattresses

Bensons for Beds probably has the biggest sale amongst retailers right now, with up to £440 off some of its best-selling mattresses. This includes favourites like the Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress, which is down to £880 (RRP £1,100) for a double, and the Silentnight Eco 1000 Pocket Mattress, now £600 (RRP £1,020) for a double.

The retailer is also offering extra discounts on full price items, including £100 off a £1,000 spend and £200 off a £1,500 spend. However, this particular offer ends tomorrow, so it’s worth being quick if something has caught your eye.

2. Dreams

£400 off selected Silentnight mattresses

There are a few different promotions happening at Dreams this month, but the Silentnight sale is easily the most impressive. Known for technologies like Miracoil and Mirapocket spring systems, Silentnight mattresses are designed to provide tailored support, pressure relief and long-lasting durability.

Right now, you can get up to £400 off selected Silentnight mattresses, and some purchases even come with free pillows, which is a nice bonus.

3. Mattress Online

Up to 60% off mattresses

Mattress Online is currently offering up to 60% off as part of a stock clearance this month, giving shoppers the chance to grab some great savings. All mattresses included in the sale come with free next-day delivery across most areas, as well as a 60-night comfort trial whilst stocks last.

One standout deal is the Sleepeezee Luxury Ortho 1800 Pocket Memory Mattress, which has dropped to £932 from £1,750 for a super king. There are plenty of other options available too, so it’s definitely worth having a browse.

4. Mattress Next Day

Huge savings on mattresses, bed frames and bedding

Mattress Next Day is another great online retailer, and it’s currently running a spring sale with big savings across mattresses, bed frames and bedding. You’ll find deals from well-known brands including Silentnight, Hypnos, Sleepeezee and Simba.

One highlight is the Hypnos Wool Ortho Mattress, which is currently £334 off for a double – a great deal if you’re looking for a high-quality mattress at a more accessible price.

Simba

Free pillows, duvets and protectors with selected mattresses

Simba doesn’t have a dedicated sale running right now, but it is offering some excellent freebies that are definitely worth considering. For example, if you buy the Hybrid Pro or Escape mattress, you get two free Hybrid pillows and a Performance Mattress Protector.

If you opt for one of Simba’s premium models – including the Hybrid Luxe, Hybrid Ultra or Apex – you’ll receive two Hybrid pillows, a Hybrid Duvet and a Performance Mattress Protector.

So, you want to upgrade your sleep set-up? Then you’ll want to consider the type of mattress you’re sleeping on. If you’re waking up feeling sore or your mattress is looking sad and saggy, these are clear signs that your mattress needs replacing.

But what should you replace it with? As someone who tests mattresses for a living, a hybrid mattress is what I’d recommend. A hybrid mattress is a combination of foam and springs, so you get the comfort and cradling of foam while also enjoying the support and bounce from springs – the best of both worlds, really!

I sleep on a hybrid mattress every night, and can confidently say that I haven’t felt any aches and pains for years since switching from an all-spring model. Hybrid mattresses are great for all types of sleepers, but they’re best for pressure relief, support and temperature regulation.

To help you find the best hybrid mattress for you, here are five hybrid mattresses that will seriously upgrade your sleep set-up. We’ve tried all of the mattresses listed below and have rated them highly, so you know you can trust our recommendations.

1. Simba Hybrid Pro

The Simba Hybrid Pro is arguably the best hybrid mattress that Simba has ever released. While the brand has released new models since the Hybrid Pro came out in 2020, it still remains one of our favourites due to its patented Aerocoil springs and Simbatex foam.

The microsprings within the Simba Hybrid Pro support the body, particularly around the hips and shoulders, and allow for minimal movement so you don’t disturb your partner. The foam is also deliciously cosy and breathable so you don’t overheat in the night. See our five star Simba Hybrid Pro review for more details.

2. Emma Hybrid Premium

The Emma Hybrid Premium is the mattress I sleep on every night, and have done so for the past couple of years. It’s undeniably comfortable and supportive, especially around my hips and lower back, as I mentioned in my five star Emma Hybrid Premium review.

One issue I’ve had with Emma in the past is its temperature regulation but the Emma Hybrid Premium doesn’t trap heat at all, and keeps me comfortable throughout the seasons. Emma often changes the names of its products, so I can’t find the Hybrid Premium on the site, but it has plenty of hybrid mattresses to choose from.

3. Panda London Hybrid Bamboo Mattress

If you’re looking for a hybrid mattress that’s eco-friendly, then you’ll love the Panda London Hybrid Bamboo Mattress. Made from bamboo, this mattress is moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic, thanks to its ethically sourced, natural bamboo material.

Panda London’s Hybrid Bamboo Mattress is surprisingly foamy despite having pocket springs, so it has a medium-firm feel that’s similar to memory foam. It keeps motion transfer to a minimum and has great edge support so you don’t feel like you’re falling off it! Read our Panda London Hybrid Bamboo Mattress review for more information.

4. Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid Mattress

The Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid Mattress is an interesting hybrid mattress as it comes with a flippable design. Constructed of 1,000 reactive pocket springs and foam rails, the mattress is built to be firmer at one end and softer at the other, so you can flip to the firmer side for more support and switch back to the softer side for more cradling.

Aside from being customisable, the Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid Mattress has a 28cm depth that has good support and a nice sink-in feel. Eve Sleep is also extremely affordable, so it’s one of the cheaper options on this list. Check out our Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid Mattress review for our thoughts.

5. Origin Hybrid Mattress

Having launched back in 2018, Origin is a newer mattress brand within the sleep industry, but it makes some of the best hybrid mattresses on the market. The Origin Hybrid Mattress is its standard model which is extremely comfortable, especially for those who like a firmer mattress.

Featuring multiple layers of foam and springs, the Origin Hybrid Mattress offers targeted support and a cushioning feel. It also has cooling fibre insert that’s soft, hypoallergenic, and works to keep you cool at night. It got five stars in our Origin Hybrid Mattress review so check that out for more details.

Before you buy, check our cheap mattress deals round-up to help you save money on your new sleep set-up.

Smart home technology has taken over every room in the house, but it’s been slowest to infiltrate the bedroom. One way it’s started to ‘smarten’ up the bedroom is with wake up lights and smart alarm clocks, which are an easy, natural and customisable way to wake up in the morning and wind down in the evening.

A great example of this is the Dreamie Sleep Assistant and Smart Alarm Clock which was announced late last year. This new sleep gadget comes with sleep content, alarms and immersive lighting to help you sleep and wake better, all without a subscription or need for your phone or an app.

I spent the last few weeks using the Dreamie, and it’s quickly become my favourite thing in my bedroom – here’s why.

Dreamie review: price and availability

The Dreamie Sleep Assistant and Smart Alarm Clock is available to buy for $249.99 at Dreamie. It originally started as a Kickstarter campaign, and is currently not available in the UK at the time of writing. It has a 30-night free trial and shipping is free in the US.

Dreamie review: set-up

The Dreamie arrived with the sleep companion, a fabric pouch, a 4.9ft USB-C cable and a 20W US USB-C plug. I’m based in the UK so I had to use a travel adaptor to set up the Dreamie.

I plugged the Dreamie into the outlet by my bed and it turned on almost immediately. As the Dreamie is app and phone free, all the instructions came up on the touchscreen. First, I connected the Dreamie to my WiFi and left it to update before organising my settings.

As a smart alarm clock, and sunrise and sunset device, the Dreamie asked me to set a wind down schedule, bedtime cues and morning alarm. This included an alarm time, duration of the wake up and what sounds and lighting I wanted for each routine – more on this below.

Dreamie review: design and features

The Dreamie is described as “an advanced bedside sleep companion” which acts as an alarm clock, wake up light and sleep content device which plays sounds and podcasts to help you relax at night without using your phone. Not only does it not need your phone to work, but it’s also app and subscription free with all its content built into the device – the Dreamie will update with more features over time.

Measuring 5.5in length, 3.8in width and 4.5in height, the Dreamie takes up minimal space on your bedside table. It has an oblong shape with a rounded touchscreen at the front for all your controls and schedules. The light ring wraps around the screen and can be turned each way to adjust the volume. There’s also a slider at the back of the Dreamie which adjusts the brightness.

For sounds, the Dreamie has a 50mm speaker with 360-degree diffused sound. It has a full sound library of science-backed audio to use for bedtime cues, wind down music and noise masking, including ocean, weather and nature sounds. A podcast update is expected later.

As a wake up light, the Dreamie can be used to simulate sunrise and gradually wake you via the circular light ring around the main touchscreen. It has both white and coloured lights, including dimmable 2700K and RGB lighting that can be used as a night light or lamp. The lighting can also change colours, flicker and pulse with the audio.

For software and content updates, the Dreamie has 2.4 GHz WiFi connectivity, and has Bluetooth headphone support for compatibility with in-ear sleep headphones. Both WiFi and Bluetooth can be turned on and off on the Dreamie, too.

Dreamie review: performance

I’ve tried plenty of wake up lights for T3, and I was extremely excited to try the Dreamie, as it’s one of the more advanced models I’ve got my hands on. Setting it up was extremely easy and I was impressed by how many options and customisations there were available.

My first main settings on the Dreamie was for my sleep routine. After telling the Dreamie what time I usually went to bed, it recommended winding down at 11, going to sleep at 11:30, and waking up at 7:30. For my bedtime cue, I selected the Aurora Borealis sound to come on for an indefinite time, before the wind down came on 30 minutes before bed as the Fireplace sound.

For my wake up routine, I selected my alarm time for 7:30 and the sunrise cycle to start at 7:20 which included brightening the light and playing bird sounds. All of this was easy to customise, and I found the timings to be extremely accurate, and easy to adjust, in terms of colour, brightness and volume.

What I liked the most about the Dreamie was how easy it was to switch up alarms and schedules. On the weekend when I didn’t want to wake up at 7:30, I could skip the alarm for the next morning or adjust its time without having to completely reschedule my normal routine.

The design of the Dreamie was hard to fault. It took up the same amount of room you’d expect from a standard alarm clock, and its responsive circular touchscreen was easy to scroll and tap through. I also liked the graphics on the screen, and that it had a nighttime mode – as soon as I turned off my main light, the Dreamie’s screen would go black.

The lighting was another favourite. For my bedtime and wind down cues, the light ring would light up in different colours and brightness, and flicker for certain sounds. My husband absolutely loved using the Dreamie – as soon as our wind down music started, he was out like a light!

The wake up light feature was reliable and great to use, and I found it to be one of the gentler models I’ve tried. It woke me up nicely and naturally without being insanely bright or too loud.

Dreamie review: verdict

I loved using the Dreamie and it’s quickly become my favourite thing in my bedroom. It’s a whole sleep package – wind down and wake up sounds, an alarm clock, and lighting. It’s got a great design and has so many customisable options that I guarantee almost everyone will enjoy it.

The only negatives I could find for the Dreamie is it’s only available in the US at this time. If you’re in the UK, you’ll likely have to pay for shipping and you’ll need an adaptor. The initial price is quite high compared to other wake up lights and alarm clocks, but in my opinion, the Dreamie offers much more than that, and you don’t have to worry about any ongoing subscription or app fees.

Dreamie review: alternatives to consider

The Dreamie is quite a unique device, but a good alternative to it which also offers similar features is the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300. This model has a wide array of light and sound effects, and it comes with FM radio. The circular design is a bit bigger than the Dreamie and it’s around £100 / $100 cheaper.

Watch out, Eight Sleep – sleep tech start-up, Orion Sleep has launched its very own AI-powered Sleep System. Designed with temperature regulation in mind, the Orion Sleep System includes a Smart Cover and control hub that tracks your sleep and cools and warms you throughout the night.

Similar to the Eight Sleep Pod 5, the Orion Sleep System upgrades your current mattress with AI and smart technology to ensure you get the best sleep night after night. How it works is the Smart Cover fits over your existing mattress, and uses its built-in sensors to track your sleep, heart and breath rate.

Using this information and communicating it with its Control Tower, the Orion Sleep System learns your thermal profile and adjusts the mattress topper to help you rest easier. It’s specifically designed for temperature regulation, as overheating is a common issue many people have with their current sleep set-up.

The main area that the Orion Sleep System adjusts is temperature. It can adjust each side of the topper independently with its dual-zone temperature control, so one side of your bed can be toasty warm for you while the other can be cool to the touch for your partner. Its temperature ranges between 50°F to 115°F and can heat up or cool down in minutes.

As someone who’s always cold while my husband runs hot, the Orion Sleep System is definitely an attractive option to help with temperature regulation, and prevent couples from getting a sleep divorce. The sensors and Control Tower also work to keep you comfortable, and aid REM sleep so you rest and recover efficiently.

As you might expect with this type of technology, the Orion Sleep System doesn’t come cheap, and as of writing, it’s only available in the US. Available in Queen, King and California King sizes and with soft or firm options, prices on the Orion Sleep System start at $2,295.

This is undeniably expensive but the Orion Sleep System is similarly priced to Eight Sleep’s range of Pod Covers. Orion Sleep also offers an at-home Sleep Optimisation Test to customers so the device can arrive pre-programmed for your sleep to help you get started quicker.

If you like listening to music to help you fall asleep, then you might want to invest in some sleep headphones. Rather than playing audio out loud and disturbing your partner, sleep headphones sit comfortably in or over your ears and can help improve your sleep quality.

Sleep headphones have many benefits, but if you’re new to them, you could be using them incorrectly. Not only is this disruptive to your sleep but it could also cause damage to your ears. So, before you buy the sleep headphones you’ve had your eye on, make sure they have these three features.

1. A comfortable fit for your sleep position

Wearing any type of headphones for a prolonged period of time can get uncomfortable, but it’s even more so with sleep headphones as you’re wearing them for several hours. Before buying a pair of sleep headphones, it’s important to check the model is suitable for your sleep position.

Side sleepers can be the trickiest sleep position to buy headphones for, as sleeping on your side can push earbuds far into your ears, resulting in sore ear canals which can wake you up through the night. Luckily, there are sleep headphones specifically designed for side sleepers or you can use a headband-style design with speakers built-in.

If you’re an earbud wearer, this style of sleep headphones comes with multiple tip options that are typically made of soft silicone so they sit comfortably in the ear. It’s also important to check the earbud tips are the right size for your ear as this affects your comfort, and whether they’ll stay in all night – you don’t want to lose one in your bed, after all!

2. All-night battery life

If you’re someone who wants to listen to music all night, then you’ll need sleep headphones that have an all-night battery life. In my experience, all the sleep headphones I’ve tried have lasted me between eight - 10 hours on a single charge, which typically covers a full night’s sleep.

Another handy feature to look out for is the charging process. Earbud-style sleep headphones come with charging cases like normal earbuds, so you can get a quick top-up charge using the case before you have to fully recharge both gadgets. With a charging case, you’re looking at extending your sleep headphones battery life up to 40 hours which can give you four or five nights worth of use.

3. Noise masking audio

There are plenty of noise cancelling sleep headphones on the market, but if you want my advice, I’d prioritise noise masking over noise cancellation. Noise masking passively blocks out external noise while playing soothing sleep sounds and music to help you drift off to sleep.

The reason I think noise masking is a better choice for sleep headphones is so you don’t miss your morning alarm – although there are some newer options which can wake you up by adjusting the audio at a specific time. But as sleep is the time where you’re most vulnerable, it’s always best to be able to hear some important noises for your safety.

Sleep has always been a top priority for me. I tend to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, fall asleep quickly and rarely wake up once my head hits the pillow. But earlier this year, I had the worst bout of stress-induced insomnia that I’ve ever experienced, and it was all down to tracking my sleep.

Sleep trackers have many benefits, including giving you valuable insights into your sleep patterns, and identifying sleep or health issues that you may not have noticed. But tracking your sleep can get addictive which is something I experienced while testing a smart ring.

I loved testing the Luna Smart Ring Gen 2 which is why I gave it five stars in my Luna Smart Ring Gen 2 review. While I enjoyed the app, easy controls, battery life and fitness tracking, its sleep features were where it really shined.

After wearing the Luna Smart Ring Gen 2 to bed, the app would be filled with sleep analytics when I woke up the next day. This included the different sleep stages I cycled through during the night, as well as sleep duration and quality, and areas I could improve upon.

After publishing my review, I continued wearing the Luna Smart Ring Gen 2, and still find it to be an amazing smart ring. But then I had a solid two weeks of the worst sleep of my life. I woke up multiple times in the night with my heart racing and found it hard to go back to sleep, and my sleep results definitely reflected that.

One thing I noticed most in my sleep records was I had low levels of HRV while sleeping. Heart Rate Variability measures the time and fluctuation between your heartbeats, and low levels of HRV are linked to stress, illness and fatigue.

As someone who has anxiety, stress isn’t new to me but I’d never experienced stress around sleeping before. During the two weeks I wasn’t sleeping well, I wasn’t sick and only started to feel tired after a few days of disrupted sleep so stress had to be the main factor for my sleep interruptions.

But here’s the thing – because I wasn’t getting a good night’s sleep and I was worrying about the next day’s sleep report, I was keeping myself awake and shocking myself out of sleep because of this stress. It wasn’t the smart ring’s fault but mine, as I’d become so obsessed with tracking my sleep that I was actually ruining it.

One night, I woke up again with my heart racing and finally just took the ring off. I avoided wearing it to sleep but continued using it for the other features and manually inputted my sleep instead. This meant I didn’t get a full sleep analysis but the Luna Smart Ring Gen 2 still calculated my readiness score for the day and recorded other vitals.

After I stopped tracking my sleep so thoroughly, I noticed a big difference in my sleep quality and quantity. Call it ‘ignorance is bliss’ but by not fixating on my sleep score, I got back into a good sleep routine and haven’t had these issues since.

Sleep tracking addiction isn’t uncommon, and many people experience what is called ‘orthosomnia’. Identified in a study conducted in 2017, orthosomnia is a non-clinical term that refers to an unhealthy obsession with getting perfect sleep. Most common in people using sleep trackers, orthosomnia causes heightened anxiety and poor sleep quality due to overanalysing data and pressure to get the perfect sleep score.

I definitely experienced orthosomnia, so after my bout of terrible sleep, I decided I needed a sleep tracking detox – and here’s how I did it.

3 things I did to stop my orthosomnia

To get rid of my orthosomnia, I started by having a break from tracking my sleep. In my case, this meant I only wore the Luna Smart Ring Gen 2 during the day to track my steps, heart rate, calories and activity, but I took it off to sleep. I found this made a huge difference as I wasn’t overthinking what my score would be while I was meant to be sleeping.

Next, I prioritised the rules of good sleep hygiene, which included going to bed at the same time every night, not scrolling through my phone, reading a book to wind down and avoiding caffeine late in the day.

Finally, I made sure to focus on how I was feeling rather than having data tell me. Some mornings, I woke up feeling refreshed but then checked my sleep score and realised I’d slept worse than I’d thought. This would confuse and worry me which just became a vicious cycle of stressing about sleep and sleeping about stress. Paying more attention to how I felt helped quiet my mind and enjoy sleep again.

If you weren’t already aware, March 2026 officially marks Sleep Month, which means we’ll be sharing everything from sleep news and product reviews to expert advice, hacks and recommendations.

This week in particular is all about sleep tech, so as T3’s resident smart home expert, I’ve rounded up five of my favourite smart home gadgets that can improve your bedroom setup.

All of the picks below come from brands we regularly test and review, so they’re not random suggestions. They’re also bedroom-friendly, meaning no intrusive cameras, no unnecessary noise, and nothing that will feel out of place in your sleep space.

1. Dyson Hot+Cool HF1

If you’re anything like me and rely on one of the best fans to fall asleep – even in the middle of winter – the Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 is a great option. It both heats and cools, so it’s useful year-round, and it’s up to 25% quieter than previous models, even at full power.

Dyson has redesigned the airflow with wider amp openings to reduce turbulence, which means smoother, less distracting sound. We’ve covered it in full in our review if you want a more in-depth look.

2. Amazon Echo Spot (2024)

Smart speakers are another great bedroom addition, especially if you control multiple devices around your home. That said, plenty of models now include built-in cameras, which many people understandably don’t want in their sleep space. That’s why I love the Amazon Echo Spot – especially the 2024 model.

It skips the camera entirely and its compact screen makes it double up nicely as a smart alarm clock. Check out our full review for more information.

3. Philips Hue Twilight

In 2024, Philips Hue launched its first dedicated wake-up light, designed to help you wake more naturally and wind down in the evenings. The Philips Hue Twilight integrates with the wider Philips Hue ecosystem – which, if you’ve read our guide to the best smart lights, you’ll know is one of the best systems available.

The LED lighting sits beneath the adjustable ‘head’ and at the back of the unit. You can tilt the head for reading, whilst the translucent rear panel adds a soft ambient glow. Take a look at our full review for more!

4. Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat X

Just like the fan sleepers, If temperature is your make-or-break sleep factor, the Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat X is a very handy bedroom gadget.

It simply replaces your existing radiator valve and lets you control the room temperature via the Tado app or a smart speaker. You won't even have to get out of bed!

5. Aqara Motion Sensor P1

Finally, if you often get up in the night, a motion sensor paired with a smart light can make things much easier, and the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is a good example.

It offers three sensitivity modes (high, medium and low), so you can control how far away motion triggers it. It also has a built-in light sensor, meaning you can set your lights to turn on only when it’s dark and movement is detected.

March is Sleep Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to upgrade to the best mattress to upgrade your sleep in 2026. There are plenty of mattress sales running at the moment, but the very best that I’ve found is from Eve.

Right now, Eve is offering 50% off on its bestselling mattresses, including its adjustable mattress, the Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid. This Eve mattress has a ‘flippable design’ where one side is firmer while the other is softer, so you can completely customise your sleep surface, simply by flipping it over.

Shop the Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid mattress deal

Originally priced at £999 for a double, the Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid is now half price at Eve, taking this premium mattress down to just £499. This deal is also available in king and super king sizes, and the mattress comes with free delivery, a 200 night trial and a 10 year warranty.

We gave this mattress four stars in our Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid mattress review, and commented that “one side is medium-firm and good for all sleeping positions, while the other is medium and best for side and back sleepers, and flipping it over to change sides is relatively painless.”

The Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid features reactive springs that are firmer at one end and softer at the other – hence the adjustable design. Memory foam is also present in the mattress which cradles the body, and has a zoning system to keep you cool at night and help regulate your temperature.

One thing our reviewer liked about the Eve Wunderflip Premium Hybrid was its edge support. The mattress has foam rails that prevent it from dipping while you sleep and move around, giving it great motion isolation, too.

For more discounts on all Eve mattresses, check out these Eve mattress sales, deals and discount codes. If you fancy price cuts from different mattress brands, we have a full guide to the latest cheap mattress sales and deals from Simba, Emma, OTTY and more.

Welcome to T3’s Sleep Month 2026! For the entire month of March, our team of sleep experts will be talking about everyone’s favourite pastime – sleeping.

Sleep is extremely important for our physical, mental and emotional health, and if you’re not getting enough of it, it could have a detrimental effect on your mind and body. Unfortunately, sleep is an area that many people don’t prioritise so for an entire month, T3 will be covering all things sleep to help you get the best night’s rest.

From 1st - 31st March, we’ll be sharing sleep news, product reviews, advice, hacks and recommendations. This hub will be updated regularly so you can stay up to date with the latest news and features so make sure to keep it bookmarked.

Below is a week-by-week planner so you know what to expect from T3’s Sleep Month.

T3 Sleep Month Week 1: Sleep Tech

Kicking off sleep month the only way we know how is with a whole week dedicated to sleep tech. As smart technology continues to dominate the home, it’s finally made its way into the bedroom in the form of sleep headphones, sleep trackers and wake up lights.

• yōjō Vagus Nerve Stimulator review
• This ‘hidden’ Alexa feature turns your Echo speaker into a white noise machine
• 5 bedroom-friendly smart home gadgets that could transform your sleep
• This Eve mattress has a premium ‘flippable design’ for adjustable sleep – and it’s now half price!
• Osalis Daylight Therapy Lamp review
• I got addicted to tracking my sleep – here’s how I stopped being obsessed with a perfect sleep score
• So you want to buy sleep headphones? Here are 3 features you need for the best night’s sleep
• Orion takes on Eight Sleep with its own AI mattress topper
• I tried the Dreamie smart sleep companion, and it’s become my favourite way to wake up and wind down

T3 Sleep Month Week 2: Mattress knowledge

Week two of T3 Sleep Month is all about mattress knowledge. Coincidentally, it’s World Sleep Day on 13th March so we’ll be giving you reviews and advice on which mattresses and other sleep accessories are best for you.

• So you want a new mattress – here are 5 hybrid mattresses to upgrade your sleep set-up
• 5 incredible mattress sales happening right now
• What bed base do I need for my mattress?
• These mattresses are all rated 5 stars on Amazon – and they’re discounted this week only
• DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review
• This is the best type of mattress to buy if you never want to flip it again
• Sleepy Piglet Natural 1500 Mattress review
• What mattress does your favourite hotel use? I did the research so you don’t have to
• Bensons for Beds Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress review
• Simba just launched a cooling mattress topper that upgrades your bed instantly
• Happy Beds Skye Hybrid Pro Mattress review

T3 Sleep Month Week 3: Sleep hacks

Who doesn’t love a good sleep hack? Our team of sleep experts have tried all of them so you don’t have to, and will be giving you their honest opinion on the ones that work and the ones that fall short.

• 13 tried and tested sleep hacks that actually work
• 5 ways to rearrange your bedroom for better sleep, according to an expert
• I transformed my sleep by switching to a 3-in-1 duvet – here’s why you should try it too
• Your Lumie wake up light has a ‘hidden’ feature that minimises blue light – here’s how to use
• When should you switch to a lighter duvet?
• Sleep experts tested every iPhone and Samsung alarm – here are the best for waking up refreshed
• Forget the Scandinavian sleep hack – the Dutch method is the latest sleep trend going viral
• 3 supplements that finally helped me sleep better – from someone who's tried them all

T3 Sleep Month Week 4: Bedroom maintenance

To wrap up T3 Sleep Month, the final week will be themed around bedroom maintenance. Think advice on cleaning and prolonging the lifespan of your mattress, and tips to upgrade your bedroom into a haven for sleep.

• 5 mistakes everyone makes with their memory foam mattress
• These 5 items in your bedroom are ruining your sleep
• Sweat, blood and urine: how to remove different types of mattress stains
• Want your mattress to last longer? Silentnight experts say this one thing makes a big difference
• 5 signs your mattress is too old

I've slept on more mattresses than I care to count, from budget foam slabs to eye-wateringly expensive pocket-spring affairs, and I'll admit that the marketing language around the Origin LumbarCloud initially made me sceptical. Nine layers. Graphite-infused latex. Phase-change cooling bands. HexaGrid polymer. I'll be honest: it read more like a spec sheet for a semiconductor than a mattress!

However, having slept on the LumbarCloud for several weeks, I can report that the tech does what Origin claims, and the sleeping experience is genuinely impressive.

Origin was founded in 2018 and has built a strong reputation in the UK on the back of its Hybrid Mattress range. The LumbarCloud is its flagship model, sitting at the top of a three-tier line-up and designed specifically for sleepers with back or joint issues. It's been co-developed with the help of sleep doctors and physiotherapists, and it shows in the thoughtfulness of the construction.

It's expensive, though. So is it really one of the best mattresses for your money right now? That's exactly what I set out to discover.

Origin LumbarCloud review: price and availability

The Origin LumbarCloud is available in single, double, king and super king sizes. At "full price", it starts at £1,092 for a single, rising to £1,348 for a small double, £1,404 for a double, £1,475 for a king and £1,509 for a super king.

However, Origin runs frequent promotions and, at the time of writing, the actual prices on its website are: £896 for a single, £1,152 for a small double, £1,208 for a double, £1,279 for a king and £1,403 for a super king. You also get two Origin Coolmax Latex Pillows thrown in, which Origin says are worth £196.

Origin LumbarCloud review: unboxing and set-up

Like most modern bed-in-a-box brands, the LumbarCloud arrives compressed, rolled and vacuum-sealed in a box. This is no small feat given the mattress's considerable heft: the double size is genuinely heavy, so having a second pair of hands for manoeuvring it up stairs is absolutely necessary. (I consider myself strong, yet there was absolutely no way I could carry it on my own.)

Once it's in place, it's pretty easy to set up. Remove the mattress from the box, remove the plastic wrapping (you'll need a strong pair of scissors), stand back and watch it expand. The instructions say you should get it 24-48 hours before sleeping on it, but in my case it had fully inflated to its 35cm profile in less than 12.

Many reviewers have said there is a noticeable chemical smell upon unboxing, which is typical of mattresses that have been compressed and sealed. Honestly, on this occasion I couldn't smell a thing, which was a pleasant surprise.

Origin LumbarCloud: design and features

The LumbarCloud is a 35cm-deep hybrid mattress with a construction that Origin describes as having nine distinct layers, each serving a specific purpose. The topmost surface is a soft, silky cover with a quilted pillow-top finish that feels genuinely luxurious to the touch: cool, smooth and noticeably plush. Note, though, that this cover is not removable, so a mattress protector is a sensible purchase from the outset.

Beneath it, a sequence of materials works to provide comfort, temperature management and support. These include (deep breath) wool and bamboo fibre layers for breathability and natural cooling; a layer of kapok fibre for additional cushioning and ventilation; phase-change cooling bands; graphite-infused latex to help dissipate heat; a polymer HexaGrid layer for pressure relief; zoned micro springs for targeted support; and finally a base of individually-pocketed coils arranged across seven ergonomic zones, with reinforced perimeter coils for edge support.

The mattress has a medium-plush feel, which Origin rates at 6.5 out of 10 on its own firmness scale. In practice, this means a soft, welcoming surface that cushions on first contact, before the underlying structure prevents excessive sinkage and holds you in a well-supported position.

Handles on each side make rotation straightforward, which I'd say is worth doing periodically with any mattress, despite Origin's claim that it isn't necessary. As mentioned before, though, you'll probably need a helper to move it, because it really is surprisingly heavy.

Origin LumbarCloud review: performance

The first thing you notice when you lie down on the LumbarCloud is its height: at a generous 35cm, it gives your bed a real hotel-suite quality. The initial sensation doesn't disappoint: the pillow top is immediately soft and enveloping, without giving the impression that you might disappear entirely. There's a clear point at which the mattress pushes back, keeping your body well positioned rather than allowing it to valley into the middle, as you might have experienced in a too-soft bed.

As someone who's spent years battling lower back pain, I paid close attention to the lumbar support during my two months of using this mattress. Quite simply, my back is the canary in the coal mine here: if a mattress is not up to scratch, it'll soon tell me in no uncertain terms.

Thankfully, though, my spine felt properly aligned from the very first night of sleeping on this mattress: not propped up artificially, but gently held in a neutral position. The mild morning ache I've sometimes experienced with new beds has been entirely absent, which suggests that Origin's zoned support design is working as intended.

Temperature regulation is where the LumbarCloud genuinely excelled for me. The combination of natural wool, bamboo and graphite-infused latex is designed to create a sleep surface that actively manages heat rather than simply hoping for the best. And the proof of the pudding was in the eating: I never once overheated during the night, which is not something I can say about previous mattresses.

I found edge support to be decent. Admittedly, sitting on the edge involves some give, as it always will with a plush pillow top, but lying close to the perimeter feels secure and well supported; a credit to the reinforced coils running along the sides.

The one area where I'd urge caution is the dimpled texture of the pillow top. For most sleepers it'll be undetectable, but if you're lightweight or particularly sensitive to surface texture, you may notice it when lying still. It didn't bother me, but it's worth knowing about.

One final practical note: at 35cm deep, the LumbarCloud will defeat most standard fitted sheets. I had to buy deep-pocket bedding before I could use it properly, so factor that into your budget.

Origin LumbarCloud review: verdict

The Origin LumbarCloud is a premium mattress that earns its price tag, especially if you buy it during one of Origin's frequent promotions. In my experience, it's delivered in the areas that matter most to me: spinal support, temperature regulation and comfort. Overall, I absolutely loved this mattress and have no hesitation in awarding it the full five stars.

The pillow-top dimpling may not suit every sleeper, but if that's not an issue for you, I'd say this is one of the best hybrid mattresses currently available in the UK, and a particularly good option for back sleepers, back pain sufferers, and those who run hot at night.

Origin LumbarCloud review: alternatives to consider

If the LumbarCloud's price gives you pause, the Origin Hybrid Pro is a step down in both cost and plushness, but shares many of the same core materials and has earned consistently strong reviews in its own right.

The Simba Hybrid Pro is another well-regarded rival at a slightly cheaper price point. It takes a slightly different approach to zoned support, but offers pretty good temperature regulation and is worth a look if you prefer a slightly firmer feel overall.

Finally, the Emma Original Elite (previously the Hybrid Airgrid) comes in at a lower price and suits a broader range of sleeping positions, though it doesn't quite match the LumbarCloud's premium build quality or depth of lumbar support.

You may have heard of a mattress topper, but have you ever heard of a pillow topper? Levitex, a specialist sleep company, has launched the Levitex Slice, a ‘world’s first’ pillow topper, designed to improve your sleep and relieve tension in the head, neck and spine – but it’s the price that will surprise you the most.

Levitex is best known for its use of polyurethane foam in its pillows and mattresses. Not to be confused with memory, this type of foam is similar to latex, and offers great pressure relief on the body without causing strain on the body or affecting your posture.

Now, Levitex has come out with its new Levitex Slice pillow, a pillow topper that can be used in multiple ways to help with your body’s alignment and pain relief. It’s much slimmer than a regular pillow, measuring just 2.5cm height, 60cm length and 40cm width, and is meant to sit atop your current pillow for extra comfort.

Just like you would with a mattress topper, the Levitex Slice pillow is designed to prolong the life of your current pillow without you having to buy a new one. As mentioned, it’s good for alignment and minimises the strain you may feel in your neck while you sleep.

While you can use it to improve the height and feel of any pillow, the Levitex Slice pillow sits nicely on top of Levitex’s Sleep Posture Pillow which we rated highly in our Levitex pillow review. Alternatively, it can be used between or underneath your legs, knees and hips to relieve muscle strain.

The Levitex Slice has mainly been designed for side sleepers as this sleep position can negatively affect the head and neck due to the angle. A high loft pillow or topper is great for side sleepers as it fills the gap between your head and shoulder so your neck doesn’t dip or strain, and your spine stays neutral and aligned.

When I first heard about a pillow topper, I thought it sounded strange and a bit pointless. But as someone who sleeps on their side, my current pillow is great for supporting me but I sometimes wake up with a sore neck due to my nightly tossing and turning. So, a pillow topper like the Levitex Slice pillow could solve all my problems!

The Levitex Slice pillow is available to buy for £29. As of writing, you can get 15% off the Levitex Slice pillow when you pre-order it.

It’s Presidents Day 2026, and the sales are in full swing. During the holiday, you’ll find many cheap deals across all products, but what you should really pay attention to is price drops on mattresses.

Having a good mattress is so important for your sleep and general wellbeing, so ensuring you have a good sleep set-up should be a big priority. If your current mattress is starting to sag or you’re experiencing frequent back pain after sleeping, then you should definitely be upgrading to a new mattress.

Lucky for you, Presidents Day mattress deals are huge – you can even get up to $800 off at select mattress manufacturers. So, to help you save money on a new mattress and get the best night’s sleep in 2026, I’ve rounded up the best three Presidents Day mattress deals that are actually worth buying.

Sleep wearable company, NextSense has just debuted Smartbuds, the ‘world’s first’ truly wireless EEG earbuds. Using EEG sensors, these sleep headphones measure your brain activity in real time and respond accordingly to help you sleep better – and they’re already on sale.

For those new to EEG, it stands for electroencephalogram, which is a recording of brain activity. Typically, EEG is measured by sensors attached to the scalp – you may have seen them on television as those funny-looking bald caps with wires on – and it helps doctors diagnose brain conditions and symptoms.

NextSense has taken these EEG sensors and put them into its Smartbuds sleep earbuds. Using six EEG sensors, the NextSense Smartbuds measure brain activity to detect the different sleep stages that the wearer is experiencing.

Depending on whether it’s light, deep or REM sleep, the NextSense Smartbuds respond with precisely timed audio which is designed to stimulate the brain, and encourage you towards deep sleep – the stage that’s found to be more restorative. NextSense states that over time the Smartbuds should learn your sleep patterns to offer better and more personalised sleep assistance.

The NextSense Smartbuds look similar to the Ozlo SleepBuds, and come with the buds and a charging case. The earbuds come in three tip and wing sizes, and are made from conductive silicone. They weigh just five grams, and have a comfortable, flexible design that sits in the ears, and can be worn by all types of sleepers, including side sleepers.

In terms of battery life, the NextSense Smartbuds have up to nine hours or on-device audio, and the charging case offers up to four charges at a time. Aside from playing specific sounds that sync with your brain rhythms, the NextSense Smartbuds also gives you access to your own music library, audiobooks and white noise.

As of writing, the NextSense Smartbuds is available in the US, and priced at $399.99. For a limited time, you can pre-order the NextSense Smartbuds for just $249 and get a Fit Kit subscription for free for the first three months. The Fit Kit subscription includes fresh ear tips that are delivered to you monthly – the fee is $14.99 a month.