Disclaimer: This is my personal honest review of my Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress. The mattress was supplied to me for free. I signed a gift agreement to receive the mattress but the agreement was clear that Simba would have no input into my review or videos and all opinions expresses are my personal honest opinions. They have allowed me an affiliate link which means if you buy via my link I get small commission and you pay no extra.
This page is for the Pro version of the Simba Mattress. You will find the cheaper Simba Hybrid Original here.
The Company – Simba Sleep Ltd
The Simba mattress is sold by simba sleep. The company was co-founded by James Cox and Andrew McClements in 2015, and they started selling in 2016. They were based in London but are now based in Bristol. It is Andrew McClements family who have been in the mattress industry since 1979 and this is why the website talks about their many years of past mattress history. The mattress is manufactured in Derby, UK. The UK mattress is manufactured in the UK and all manufacturing partners are located in the UK. Simba is named after the pet name for James Cox partner.
The Simba Hybrid Pro Headlines:
Wool top layer, up to 5000 Aerocoil™ springs, Bed-in-a-box, 200 night trial, CertiPur, 10 year warranty, free pickup if you dont want to keep your mattress, Simba-Pure foam.
Stores
You can try and buy the Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress from John Lewis, several local Associated Independent Stores and Bensons for Beds. You can also buy Simba on Amazon, eBay and Argos.
While the Simba Hybrid Pro shares some headline features with many other online mattress offerings such as 200 nights trial and 10 year warranty it does bring some unique features to the online world. Most notable for me is the wool top layer. It is a common complaint with foam mattresses, especially the softer ones where you sink in and even more so for memory foam that they sleep hot. Wool is quite a unique material for a top layer on a mattress since wool is a natural temperature regulator. This means it not only helps keep you cool but in the winter will help you keep warm. Then we have the micro pocket springs which sit under the Simba Pure polyurethane foam layer and add durability and spring to the top layers. There are two layers of these pocket springs. Allowing for more air circulation and combined with the graphite in the Simbatex and the wool top layer make for a mattress that promises to help you sleep cool. All of the foams used in the mattress are CertiPur certified which means it has stricter guidelines as to what chemicals and the amounts of those biochemicals that are used over standard foam mattresses.
The Simba Mattress Versions
At the time of writing Simba have three mattress versions. The Simba Hybrid Pro which is the review on this page, the Simba Hybrid and the Simba Luxe Hybrid Pro.
Differences:
Simba Mattress Versions
All the foam layers are CertiPur certfied for low VOCs.
Simba Hybrid Pro Cover:
Top and sides 99% Polyester 1% Elastane, base 100% polypropylene
Off white on the top to one third of the way down the side with a fabric style grey base and bottom two thirds on the side with a light blue stripe separating the top and bottom portions of the cover. The cover is not removable or washable. The grey base fabric can be cleaned with a soft, damp and clean cloth using small circular motions. The top cover is 99% polyester and 1% Elastane, the border is 100% polyester and the bottom is 100% polypropylene. The top cover is patterned with micro diamond quilts and is slightly stretchy to the touch.
There is a zip on the bottom of the mattress but Simba state the cover cannot be removed and is for the manufacturing process only. A nice feature is the handles on the side. This makes maneuvering a mattress so much easier especially when rotating the mattress.
Polyester is often used for mattress covers since it is strong and durable, resistant to stretching and shrinking and is wicking without absorbing moisture.
Top Layer:
0.5 cm (0.2 inches) Wool
The top layer is 0.5cm of natural wool batting which is said to have been ethically sourced. Wool for a top layer is quite rate for an online mattress and comes with the major benefit of being temperature regulating. Often a big downside of a foam mattress will be heat build up but wool is a great material for combating this.
As your body temperature rises wool has the ability to transfer heat and moisture along every fibre and release it into the cooler, drier areas of the mattress and when its cold it keeps the heat in. It will even regulate the temperatures of two different people in the same bed. Wool is the worlds most breathable fibre and can absorb 30% of its own weight in moisture before it transfers that moisture and heat. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to mould growth and it inhibits dust mites. Wool is also naturally fire resistant. Although the layer here is only 0.5 cm when in thicker layers wool has a very different feel to foam. Wool does not have the point elastic properties of foam so will not feel as molding. For some people this is exactly what they want. Wool can also help even out uneven areas in the foam layer below it.
Second Layer:
2.5 cm (1 inches) Simba-Pure Foam
This is the first Simba Pure foam layer. Simba Pure is the in-house propriety name for Simbas’ version of polyurethane foam with added graphite. Use of carbon such as graphite can add durability to a mattress but even better it helps with heat build-up to reduce the chances of sleeping hot. Graphite is also naturally flame retardant and can reduce the need for chemical flame retardants.
Third Layer:
4 cm (1.5 inches) 4000 micro pocket springs.
This is the layer with 4000 (based on king size) Aerocoil™ micro pocket springs (2 separate layers of 2000 pocket springs). With 10 cm of polyurethane foam around all edges to give edge support these are boxed in or encapsulated springs and they are made with titanium steel. Enclosed in a 100% polyester pocket the springs are both 2.5 cm high and 2.5 cm in diameter. The job of this type of spring is to give some spring to the layer above and also to add some strength and durability to that layer. They are not meant to provide support which is the job of the layers below. If you was to squeeze one in your hand it would fully collapse, some people think this is a fault but actually this is how they meant to work. Having a double layer of these springs means it is like having a single 5 cm spring and more of a hybrid between comfort springs and support springs. You will get more spring and also more deflection or compression. Although they are 5 cm high when free the actual foam encasing them is 4 cm high changing slightly the amount of compression you will get. Squeezing a single spring and squeezing two of these springs in series is noticeably different. These double layer springs add to the response of the layer above.
Fourth Layer:
5 cm (2 inches) polyurethane foam
A transition layer between the softer layers above and the firmer base layer below. Simba call this reflex foam which is exactly what high density polyurethane foam is.
Fifth Layer:
16 cm (6.3 inches) Polyurethane foam
The firm base layer. Having an integrated base layer such as on the Simba Hybrid Pro means it is a non-turn mattress but it is still very important to rotate it regularly. This base layer is zoned at the shoulder and hip areas to help with give in these important areas.
Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress Overall:
Total height 28 cm (11 inches)
Average density: 43 kg/m3
Overall I class Simba Hybrid Pro as a middle ground mattress, medium firm. It has a feel quite different from a traditional foam mattress with less molding and more response/spring which may give a firmer impression.
Firmness 7.3/10
Firm Mattress: Otty Hybrid, Soft Mattress: Emma Hybrid
Cooling:
The potential to sleep cool is a strong point of the Simba Pro. Breathable cover, wool layer on top of a polyurethane foam with added graphite and pocket springs allowing airflow below that. This is all good for mitigating heat buildup. No memory foam has been used.
A little disappointing in terms of point elasticity compared to some foam mattresses although not the worst. This could be in part due to the wool used for the top layer which does not have great point elasticity.
6/10 for spot relief
Good mattress for point elasticity: Otty Hybrid, Nectar
Mattress for Sex/Bounce:
My criteria for a mattress that is good for sex is to have a decent balance between comfort and bounce. The Simba Hybrid Pro is solid middle ground in this regard. Middle ground for the amount of bounce and also for firmness. Overall a decent option for a good mattress for sex
7.5/10 for Sex
Other options for a mattress for sex: Otty Hybrid, Vesgantti Luxe
Weight Capacity:
Tested for a 114 kg (18 stone) capacity per person. This is the standard weight capacity for most online offerings.
Motion Transfer:
Having good bounce never translates too well to motion transfer. No surprise that motion transfer is not a strong point of the Simba Hybrid Pro. Also having no memory foam within the layers will add to this lower score. You cant have everything, this is one reason why Simba does well for sleeping cool.
Motion Transfer: 7.5/10
Good mattress for motion transfer: Ergoflex 5g
Type of sleepers this mattress suits:
This depends very much on your weight. Remember tummy sleeping requires the firmest feel and side sleeping the softest feel. For people of average weight the Simba Hybrid Pro will suit all sleepers but will be generally better for back sleepers followed by tummy sleepers followed by side sleepers.
Score: Back, 8/10, Side 7/10, Front 7.5/10.
Price:
The Simba Pro is a high end online mattress and as such its retail price reflects this.
Average price: £823
Cheap online Mattress: Vesgantti Luxe
Materials/Design:
The Simba offers some decent design elements. Handles on the side, CertiPur foams, wool on top of top layer, graphite embedded into the Simbatex. Double layer of patented micro conical pocket springs.
8.5/10 for Materials and Design
Good mattress for materials used: Una Organic Natural Latex Mattress, Ergoflex 5G high density memory foam mattress
Off-gassing/Smell:
Although a low smell mattress there was a low level smell with a close-up sniff test. Not a room filling smell by any means.
Totally subjective and one persons comfortable is another persons nightmare. I found the Simba fine to sleep on, there is an amount of push-back thanks to the pocket springs which also makes it very responsive. This will probably feel less comfortable to side sleepers or anyone wanting a sinking in feel.
Zoning:
The base does have zoning with channels cut along the shoulder and hips area. Also called castellated foam.
Simba branding
All in all the Simba Hybrid Pro is an interesting mattress. It does promise to give some cooler nights sleep to those who are sensitive to heat issues. The top wool layer is on the thin side at 0.5 cm but it still provides a temperature regulating barrier between the cover and the Simbatex layer below. That Simbatex has graphite which should also help with heat issues especially as below this again is the 4-5 cm high pocket springs which allow for air circulation. I say 4-5 cm because when you lay one spring on top of another you effectively double the spring height while doubling the compression to allow for a little more contouring. As would be expected with these type of pocket springs the edges are boxed in with a firm polyurethane foam to prevent the roll off effect. The feel of the Simba Hybrid Pro is quite different to an all foam mattress with noticeably less point elasticity. This is the ability to mould around points of pressure but is not to everyones liking. The pocket springs to add a noticeably springy feel. Even wool as a layer tends to smooth out a surface rather than have its own point elasticity and wool toppers are often used to even out uneven and old mattresses. So you have a mattress with a middle ground overall feel in terms of firmness with a decent amount of bounce and spring and the promise of sleeping cooler than other foam mattresses.
Simba say that for the UK market, all of their manufacturing partners are located in the UK. And wherever you are in the world, if you’re sleeping on a Simba Hybrid® Mattress you’re sleeping on springs that are made in Leeds from 100% British steel.
After unboxing and unwrapping your hybrid pro mattress Simba say it is ready for sleep in as little as three to six hours. However It can take up to 72 hours for your mattress to fully regain it’s original height and it is always good practice to let a new mattress air in a well ventilated room for that period of time to allow for off gassing anyway.
The Simba mattress is electric blanket and hot water bottle friendly.
The mattress can be placed on any supportive and dedicated mattress platforms including adjustable bases. Simba say it is best on a sprung or rigid slatted bed frame, or a divan/box-spring. If you choose to use a slatted bed frame, the slats should be no greater than 3 inches apart.
Warranty:
You should note the 10 year warranty for the Simba pro stipulates the amount of visible dip that the mattress must have before it is considered a warranty issue. This changes according to how long you have had the mattress.
0-6 months: 25mm, 6-12 months: 30mm, 12-24 months: 35mm, 24-36 months: 40mm, 36-60 months: 45mm.
Rotating your mattress regularly is one of the conditions of the warranty. Rotate once a month for the first 3 months, then every 3-6 months for the rest of its life.
Both are hybrid mattresses but Simba has two layers of micro springs (5 cm total) while Dreamcloud has 15 cm full sized pocket springs. Dreamclouds pocket springs go edge to edge while Simba uses foam to box them in. They both have similar firmness levels. Simba has a thin wool top layer while Dreamcloud has a thick layer of memory foam. Simba has a little bit more bounce.
Both have micro pocket springs but Simba pro has double layer of springs. Emma has a much softer feel. Simba has wool layer on top of Simbatex (polyurethane foam with graphite), Emma has Airgocell (proprietary polyurethane foam with larger pores). Emma has slightly more comfort layers. Simba is a little more bouncy. Emma is a little better for motion transfer.
The Simba Hybrid Pro is softer than the Emma Original. Simbatex vs Airgocell, both are polyurethane foams made to improve cooling. About the same for edge support. Emma is all foam while Simba uses wool and micro pocket springs. Emma has much better point elasticity. About the same for bounce but Emma has slightly better motion transfer. Emma is cheaper while Simba uses a top wool layer for temperature regulating. Simba Pro has certiPUR certification.
The Simba Hybrid Pro is about the same firmness as the Ergoflex 5g. However they feel very different, Ergoflex has high density memory foam with a sinking in feeling while Simba Pro has a springy feel with little sinking in. Ergoflex is one of the best mattresses for motion transfer (not feeling partner move). Simba will likely sleep cooler as Ergoflex is memory foam on top while Simba has wool and Simbatex on top.
The Simba Hybrid Pro is a bit firmer than the Nectar Mattress. Nectar has memory foam with a sinking in feeling while Simba Pro has a springy feel with little sinking in. Nectar is better for motion transfer due to the memory foam. Simba will likely sleep cooler as Nectar has memory foam on top while Simba Pro has a thin wool layer on top of a polyurethane layer (with added graphite). Simba has micro pocket springs to add spring and durability to the top layers.
Both are hybrid mattresses but Simba has two layers of micro springs (5 cm total) while Otty Pure has 16 cm full sized pocket springs. Otty Pure is a taf firmer than the Simba Hybrid Pro which features a top wool layer for sleeping cool. Otty has memory foam on top but adds bamboo and charcoal for better cooling. Otty Pure is slightly bouncier and slightly better for motion transfer.
Both are hybrid mattresses but Simba has two layers of micro springs while Tweak has full sized pocket springs. Simba is a medium firm mattress while Tweak can have a range of firmness levels. Simba has a top wool layer which means it may sleep cooler. Tweak has more bounce while Simba is better for motion transfer
Both have mini pocket springs but Simba Luxe Hybrid has an extra layer of mini pocket springs. Simba Luxe Hybrid Pro is 31cm tall which is 3cm taller than the Simba Hybrid Pro. Both have similar firmness levels. Simba Luxe has slightly better edge support and more bounce. Simba Hybrid Pro has slightly better point elasticity and, motion transfer
This is the layer with 4000 (based on king size) Aerocoil™ micro pocket springs (2 separate layers of 2000 pocket springs). With 10 cm of polyurethane foam around all edges to give edge support these are boxed in or encapsulated springs and they are made with titanium steel. Enclosed in a 100% polyester pocket the springs are both 2.5 cm high and 2.5 cm in diameter. The job of this type of spring is to give some spring to the layer above and also to add some strength and durability to that layer. They are not meant to provide support which is the job of the layers below. If you was to squeeze one in your hand it would fully collapse, some people think this is a fault but actually this is how they meant to work. Having a double layer of these springs means it is like having a single 5 cm spring and more of a hybrid between comfort springs and support springs. You will get more spring and also more deflection or compression. Although they are 5 cm high when free the actual foam encasing them is 4 cm high changing slightly the amount of compression you will get. Squeezing a single spring and squeezing two of these springs in series is noticeably different. These double layer springs add to the response of the layer above.
