The Best Gel Mattress (UK) – Our Top 6 Picks
Our top picks
To start things off, let's meet our competitors! We've made sure to pick the best gel memory foam mattresses in 6 different categories, so, everyone should be able to find at least one that fits their needs.
We'll also try not to focus on the cooling features too much. After all, a gel mattress is a cooling mattress, so, it's safe to assume that all of these gel foam mattresses will keep you sweat-free!
Mattresses
1
Best Overall
Mattresses
2
Best Value
Mattresses
3
Best For Stomach Sleepers
Mattresses
4
Best Safe Pick
Mattresses
5
Best Luxurious
Mattresses
6
Best Adjustable
Best Overall: Silentnight Geltex Ultra 3000 Mirapocket Mattress
We already know that all of these mattresses can keep things cool. However, the best gel mattress also has to excel in other ways – and that's exactly what the Silentnight Geltex Ultra 3000 Mirapocket Mattress does!
Best Overall
What we love about the Silentnight Geltex Ultra 3000 Mirapocket Mattress is that it's a very safe recommendation. And that's because this mattress deals with almost all issues you can have at night.
For one, it's a medium-firm mattress. And since medium-firm mattresses are typically ideal for side sleepers, 3/4 of the population should be in the clear! Plus, this mattress also tackles the most common issue we all have – back pain.
Firstly, the upper layer of the Geltex Ultra is an 11cm foam slab that can easily take the pressure off your back and joints. And if the padded gel layer wasn't enough, the mattress also features two separate pocket spring layers for even more support.
These layers see 2000 larger springs that support and react to your entire body as well as 1000 smaller springs that allow you to be extra comfortable without putting pressure on your joints. So, even pressure relief is next level!
We could go on and on. In fact, we did. Read our review of the Silentnight Geltex Ultra 3000 Mirapocket Medium Mattress to get the full picture.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 37.5 cm
- Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King
Advantages
High-quality
This mattress shines in almost every department.
Great for back pain
This mattress offers great pressure relief.
Will suit most people
Aside from some stomach sleepers, most people should feel comfortable.
Disadvantages
Not the longest warranty
While not bad, a 5-year warranty is a bit short compared to similarly priced models.
Not the cheapest
While it's not the most expensive mattress either, some might prefer a more budget-friendly option.
Best Value: SleepSoul Wish 3000 Series Pocket Cool Gel Mattress
If you want a gel mattress that really gives you a good bang for your buck, the SleepSoul With 3000 is perfect for you!
Best Value
In terms of quality, the SleepSoul Wish 3000 is pretty close to our number one pick, while also being significantly cheaper. For one, this gel memory foam mattress is also medium-firm, meaning that most people will be comfortable.
On top of that, it has a very soft pillowtop, that will make jumping into bed nothing short of bliss. And, to make sure it's 100x more breathable than most memory foam mattresses, this mattress has both cooling gel and a soft, breathable cover!
Just like last time, the 3000 in the name isn't just there for show either, as the mattress comes with 3000 pocket springs. And since every pocket spring is individually nested, you won't have to worry about motion isolation or rollover.
Lastly, the SleepSoul Wish 3000 comes with a 10-year warranty and edge-to-edge support that allows you to use the entire mattress equally. This makes it quite a solid pick for couples. Not to mention that it will also help disperse all that extra body heat!
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 30 cm
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, European Small Single, European Single, European Double, European King Size.
Advantages
Good warranty
You get a 10-year warranty.
No motion transfer
A very important feature for couples and light sleepers.
Amazing value
You'd usually have to pay twice this price to get all these features.
Disadvantages
Not for everyone
Stomach sleepers and larger individuals might need to look for firmer mattresses.
Best For Stomach Sleepers: Sleepeezee Hybrid 2000 PocketGel Mattress
Both of our previous picks have been medium-firm mattresses, which aren't great for stomach sleepers or larger individuals. However, that's where the Sleepeezee mattress comes into play!
Best For Stomach Sleepers
Generally, both regular and gel foam mattresses tend to be medium firm or soft. However, our stomach-sleeping friends aren't out of options!
The Sleepeezee Hybrid 2000 PocketGel Mattress is fairly simple in design but effective. It has two types of pocket springs, with 1000 traditional springs making the mattress firmer while the other 1000 deal with pressure relief.
This pocket-sprung gel mattress then takes it one step further, reinforcing the edges with a foam-encapsulated border. This means you can use 100% of the mattress surface and won't have to worry about the mattress drooping after a few years.
If you're eco-friendly, you'll also be glad to know that the Sleepeezee mattress is fully recyclable and vegan! If you are an allergy sufferer, you'll be happy to know that it's also hypoallergenic. And if you have a hard time making a decision, know that this mattress does have a 60-night trial!
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 7.5/10
- Thickness: 26 cm
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Advantages
Great for stomach sleepers
The mattress is firm and best suited for stomach sleepers and heavier individuals.
Edge support
You can use the entire sleeping surface.
60-night trial
You can test the mattress out and then choose a different Sleepeezee model if you don't like it.
Disadvantages
Not for everyone
Even heavier side sleepers might need a softer mattress.
Not the best warranty
You only get a 5-year warranty.
Best Safe Pick: Sleepeezee PocketGel Plus Poise 3200 Mattress
If you're not sure whether a gel foam mattress is the right choice for you, we think you'll reconsider after seeing this mattress!
Best Safe Pick
For one, it really nails temperature regulation. Like the other mattresses on this list, it has gel-infused memory foam. However, unlike most, it actually has two separate layers of gel foam, further boosting the cooling effect. And that's not all – as it also comes with side vents to let all that hot air out!
Aside from these gel layers, the mattress also features 3200 individually pocketed springs, for added pressure relief and support. So, it's a bit above the average in this department.
And, the Sleepeezee Plus Poise also has an anti-bacterial cover, which is a big plus for allergy sufferers.
Pair all of that with a soft firmness level, a pillow top, and a 10-year warranty, and you get a mattress that just about anyone will like! Well, except stomach sleepers.
To learn more about this luxurious cooling gel mattress, read our full review of the Sleepeezee PocketGel Plus Poise 3200 Mattress.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 5.5/10
- Thickness: 35 cm
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, Super King Zip and Link
Advantages
Anti-bacterial
The ViroFresh cover draws in and kills bacteria.
Excellent temperature regulation
The mattress has two layers of cooling gel foam and side vents.
Very soft
This fluffy pillow top is ideal for most side and back sleepers.
Disadvantages
Not for stomach sleepers
Stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress.
Not the most affordable
There are cheaper options.
Best Luxurious: TheraPur ActiGel® Glacier 3600 Mattress
If you don't want just any cool gel mattress but rather the most luxurious sleeping experience the UK has to offer, the Glacier 3600 is for you!
Best Luxurious
This mattress basically offers what all the other cool gel mattresses on this list offer but a bit better. For example, just having an open cell structure and gel beads wasn't enough cooling, so they also added a cooling knitted cover.
And just having 1000 or 2000 pocket springs wasn't enough support, so, they opted to have over 3000! Plus, even the foam layers are zoned for optimal support, meaning that your joints are getting all the pressure relief they could ever need.
And seeing how the mattress is hand-made in the UK and has a 10-year guarantee, we're pretty comfortable saying that this mattress is quite durable as well. So, if you want one of the best gel mattresses (UK) and don't care too much about the price, the Glacier 3600 is a very solid choice.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 31 cm
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, Motion Single, Motion Small Single
Advantages
Extra support
There are over 3000 pocket springs and zoned foam support layers.
Excellent cover
The knitted cover is nice to the touch and provides extra cooling.
Durable
This mattress was meant to last for over a decade.
Disadvantages
Not budget-friendly
This mattress is twice the price of most mid-range models.
Difficult to move
While the mattress does have handles, it's also over 40kg.
Best Adjustable: Sleepeezee Gel Comfort 1000 Pocket Adjustable Mattress
While not everyone will need an adjustable mattress, those who do will absolutely love the Sleepeezee Gel Comfort 1000!
Best Adjustable
The main selling point of an adjustable mattress is that it can help get rid of back pain. Well, at least when it's paired with an adjustable bed frame. However, that does mean that features like temperature regulation sometimes get overlooked.
But not here!
Not only does this mattress have gel memory foam to battle heat retention, it also comes with side vents to let the hot air out. Plus, the knitted cover is also very breathable and nice to the touch, which is a major plus if you have sensitive skin.
Like most adjustable mattresses, it does only come in two sizes but given how affordable it is, this shouldn't be a serious deterrent. Plus, 1000 pocket springs are way more than enough for a Single mattress, meaning that the mattress can properly adapt to your body shape.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Adjustable
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 22 cm
- Sizes: Single, Small Single
Advantages
Affordable
Even getting two Singles isn't too expensive.
Cooling
The mattress has gel foam, side vents, and a nice cover.
Decent number of pocket springs
For a Single, 1000 is more than enough.
Disadvantages
Limited options
There are only two sizes, which can quickly go out of stock.
What to consider when buying the best gel mattress (UK)
Now that we've gone over our favourite gel mattresses, let's talk about how you can find the winning model for yourself! So, we're going to go over some basic information about how to choose a mattress, like firmness levels and sleeping positions, and then go into some more complicated stuff, like support and breathability.
Which firmness level works for you?
As you might have noticed, most gel mattresses are hybrids. This means that they use both memory foam and pocket springs to provide an optimal sleeping experience. This also means that they come in all firmness levels, from soft to firm.
The rule of thumb is: the heavier you are, the firmer the mattress has to be. This is because you're pushing down on the mattress with more force and will therefore sink further into it.
The second rule is: side sleepers need softer mattresses, stomach sleepers need firmer mattresses, and back sleepers are somewhat in the middle but leaning towards soft mattresses as well.
Combine these two rules together and you can hone in on which mattress firmness is ideal for you! But, just to be safe, we'll also provide a handy table that you can reference.
How do mattresses cool you down?
Since the main benefit of cool gel is that it helps you stay cool, let's discuss how this actually works in practice. Namely, memory foam beds are notorious for trapping a lot of heat. This is because foam is very dense unless treated, and thus the hot air can't just pass through.
However, it's important to note that there are other ways to regulate temperature. For example, a good pocket spring mattress will likely keep you cool by itself. This is because there is plenty of space between the springs so the hot air can travel through unobstructed.
And if you want something that feels like memory foam but is a bit more breathable, you can also look into latex mattresses. Good latex mattresses tend to have pinholes throughout so they don't really struggle with heat retention. And if all else fails, you could get a cooling mattress topper as well.
All of this is to say that if you love the feeling of memory foam, a gel mattress is ideal. However, if you're just a hot sleeper, there are other options.
Other ways to stay cool at night
While gel mattresses and the cooling properties that come with them are rather convenient, thermal gel isn't the only factor at play. After all, your duvet, your pillow, and even your sheets all contribute to how cool you'll be at night.
In fact, if you have night sweats, it might not even be your mattress' fault! For example, if you have a relatively new spring mattress, there's a good chance something else is causing you to overheat. After all, even the bed frame can affect how easily air can move about. For example, a bed frame with slats is going to be a lot better at letting air through than an ottoman bed.
So, let's quickly go over other important factors that might cause you to overheat.
Your duvet
We're going to start things off with the duvet as we think it's the most likely to cause some overheating. The first thing we'd like you to do is read our duvet TOG guide. A TOG rating specifies how warm a certain duvet is and it's not difficult to get confused.
For example, a 6 TOG duvet can be advertised as a summer duvet. However, it's still going to be hotter than a 4.5 TOG duvet and thus can still lead to overheating in some cases. So, hot sleepers might need a duvet that's even lower on the TOG scale or is extra breathable.
There's also the matter of all-season duvets. While higher-end all-season duvets do have excellent temperature regulation, hot sleepers might still overheat during the summer. So, maybe an even lighter duvet is all you need to ensure you don't wake up covered in sweat.
Your pillow
Just like with mattresses, a memory foam pillow can trap a lot of heat. And since it's pressed against your face, it can make it feel like you're in a furnace, even if you're sleeping on a gel-topped mattress.
However, also like memory foam mattresses, there are ways to avoid this issue. Namely, you can look into cooling pillows. They typically have treated memory foam, gel particles, and sometimes even features such as side vents.
So, try to think – is your entire body getting hot or just your face? If it's the latter, you might want to swap out your pillows.
Your sheets
While your sheets might not be as crucial as a good mattress or a good pillow, they still play a part. After all, your pillowcase, duvet cover, and bed sheets are in direct contact with your skin. And certain materials will both feel a lot cooler to the touch and allow hot air to pass through more easily.
For example, if you get a silk duvet cover, the duvet itself will feel a bit cooler to the touch. So, even if it might not have the appropriate TOG, it can feel less stuffy than it is.
And good bed sheets act in the same way. But which bed sheets are made for cooling?
Well, cotton is always a safe bet. You could also look into bamboo bedding or even eucalyptus bedding. Generally, if it's a natural material, it's going to be at least half-decent.
The advantages of owning the best gel mattress
Since we've covered a few alternatives to gel beds, at least when it comes to staying cool, you might wonder whether you even need a gel mattress. In fact, are gel mattresses good to begin with? In short, yes. While spring mattresses can also keep you cool, there are other things they can't do that gel mattresses excel at.
So, before you give up on gel mattresses altogether, let's go over a few advantages of having one of these gel-topped beds!
Pressure relief
One of the main advantages of memory foam mattresses is that they excel at pressure relief. Basically, your pressure points get “hugged” from all sides, spreading the area of pressure and reducing strain.
So, for example, if you're a side sleeper, your shoulder and hip are less likely to feel sore in the morning. Plus, these make for great mattresses for back pain, since you can easily sink into the foam and keep your spine straight.
Of course, this won't be perfect for everyone. And stomach sleepers might find it easier to look into innerspring mattresses rather than search for a firm gel foam mattress. But for a big chunk of the population, memory foam can definitely help.
The best of both worlds
As you might have noticed, almost all of the mattresses we've featured are hybrid mattresses. And while a good hybrid mattress will usually cost more than a pure foam or spring mattress, it will also likely outperform its cheaper counterparts quite a bit.
And that's because when you put high-quality springs under a layer of treated memory foam, you check off most boxes of what makes for a good sleeping experience. The springs are more supportive than just foam and foam is more comfortable than just springs.
Not to mention that hybrids have multiple layers that all work together to keep you comfortable. And since the foam has also been treated with cooling gel, you're more likely to sleep soundly throughout the night.
Better sleep quality
Did you know that your core body temperature needs to drop for you to fall asleep? In other words, overheating isn't just annoying, it can also keep you from falling asleep on time.
But if your new mattress is built to deal with overheating, you'll likely find that your new, cooler sleep is also a lot quicker. And better sleep = better, well, everything.
So, if you start sweating the moment you get into bed, know that it isn't just an easy way to ruin your pillowcase and/or makeup but also an easy way to ruin your sleep quality.
Tips for buying the best gel mattress
To wrap everything up, we're just going to go over a few of the most important tips when it comes to getting the best gel mattress in the UK.
First off, make sure it's the right firmness level. We've already talked about this but it's the most important information to take home. So, refer to our firmness table and make sure that the mattress can properly support your body before you commit to a purchase.
Secondly, try to find mattresses with a sleep trial. Gel-topped mattresses are usually hybrids and that means that they can have quite a high price tag. So, it's usually best to get that sleep trial and see whether the mattress keeps you cool and comfortable during the night.
Thirdly, don't forget your other bedding. If you want to be sweat-free, your pillow, duvet, and sheets all need to play along as well. You can even look for bedding bundles, like this one from Emma, to get a whole new setup at a lower price.
Lastly, take note of the brand. You've probably realised that most of the mattresses we've featured are from Sleepeezee. And that's because they pool a lot of resources into gel foam mattresses and have a formula that works. So, if you ask us, a gel mattress from Sleepeezee is likely going to be higher quality than a gel mattress from a brand that has only made innerspring mattresses until a week ago.
Conclusion
And that's all you need to know to snag the best gel mattress in the UK! So, if you're tired of waking up covered in sweat every morning, give gel memory foam mattresses a chance. You might find that not sleeping in an oven is quite good for your sleep quality as well.
Just make sure that it's the correct firmness level and that the rest of your bedding isn't sabotaging your plans, and you should be golden.
And if you're having trouble finding the best gel memory foam mattress, or have questions, let us know in the comment section! Or, contact us directly and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.
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FAQs about getting the best gel mattress
Before we leave, we're just going to go over some of the frequently asked questions we've seen about gel mattresses. And if there are any we've missed, let us know!
Can you flip a gel mattress?
In most cases, you can't flip a gel mattress. This is because they're usually designed with multiple layers that have to go one after another. However, if the mattress has a “double-sided” tag, it means that it can be flipped.
How does a gel mattress work?
Gel mattresses use gel beads to draw away heat from your body as you sleep. Gel mattresses are also commonly hybrids, meaning that they get added breathability from the spring layer.
Can a gel mattress leak?
No, gel mattresses aren't like airbeds or waterbeds. So, you don't have to worry about cooling gel leaking out.
Does a gel mattress need a box spring?
A box spring isn't necessary but it can certainly help support your body.
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