John Lewis Mattress Reviews (2026)

Ortho 2000: This is the clear choice for back sleepers, larger bodies, and anyone who wants steady hip support. It held its shape best under concentrated weight and had the strongest edge in the group. Side sleepers with sensitive shoulders should look elsewhere.

Waitrose Wool 1600: This model offers the best blend of cooling, pressure relief, and support. The wool layer kept the surface drier and less warm than the polyester-filled beds, while the medium-firm feel remained easy to move on. It is our top choice for hot sleepers.

Classic 1400: The Classic is the most versatile option. It does not lead any single category, but it has enough cushioning for mixed-position sleep, a durable two-sided build, and a more settled feel than the entry mattress. Start here if you want a traditional mattress without the Ortho’s extra firmness or the Wool 1600’s higher price.

John Lewis Pocket Spring: The entry model makes sense for a guest room, a teenager, or a bed used only part of the week. It is responsive and supportive for the price, but the shallow comfort layer gives it less pressure relief and more motion transfer. Availability varies by size, so check stock before treating it as a guaranteed budget option.

Each mattress went through the same mattress testing process, including overnight sleep, daytime lounging, back-to-side position changes, and seated edge use. For a consistent firmness reference, we used a 1-to-10 scale, where 10 is the firmest. We placed a 44-pound weight at the center and two inches from the edge for 60 seconds, then measured compression as part of the support test. Surface temperature was recorded before lying down and again after 30 minutes to compare cooling. For motion isolation, a fixed-height ball drop was repeated three times while an accelerometer on the other side recorded how long noticeable vibration lasted. We also checked height recovery, noise, and changes in feel after the break-in period. The final ratings use the same 5-point scorecard for support, pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, durability, responsiveness, and edge support.

Our Testing Experience:

The entry mattress felt light, direct, and springy from the first night. At 5.5/10 on our firmness scale, it was not hard, but its shallow comfort layer let the support unit show through more clearly at the shoulder and hip. The 44-pound weight compressed the center by 1.35 inches and the edge by 1.78 inches. That matched the experience of sitting near the side: it remained usable, though less secure than the three thicker mattresses.

Position changes were effortless, but the same lively surface passed more movement across the bed. Vibration from the drop test remained measurable for 1.15 seconds, the longest result in the group. The surface rose 4.8°F after 30 minutes—acceptable for a simple spring bed, but warmer than the other three. It is comfortable enough for occasional sleep and combination sleepers with lighter bodies, yet couples and pressure-sensitive side sleepers will notice where the lower price comes from.

What we liked

• The quick response makes turning over easy.
• The medium feel suits many guest-room sleepers.
• The one-sided design only needs regular rotation.

Who it is best for

• Guest rooms, teenager beds, and other lighter-use spaces
• Light-to-average-weight back and combination sleepers
• Shoppers who want springs without deep foam contouring

Where it falls short

• The thin comfort layer builds pressure faster at the shoulder and hip.
• Motion carries more easily across the bed.
• Stock can vary, and the model is excluded from the comfort trial.

Details:

• Feel: Medium; 5.5/10 in our assessment
• Height: 20 cm
• Construction: 1,000 pocket springs in king size with polyester fill and cover
• Care: Rotate regularly; do not flip
• Buying notes: About £299 for a double and £349 for a king when checked; 7-year guarantee; no 60-night comfort trial; price and stock vary

Review Score:

3.5/5. It is a sensible low-cost mattress for occasional use, but pressure relief and motion isolation hold it back for nightly couples.

Our Testing Experience:

The Classic 1400 was the easiest mattress to settle into without an adjustment period. It felt like a true medium-firm mattress at 6.5/10, with a hand-tufted surface that held the body up rather than wrapping around it. A 44-pound load sank 1.14 inches at the center and 1.50 inches near the edge, so the surface felt more even and stable than the entry model while still allowing the shoulder to settle during mixed-position sleep.

The surface temperature rose 3.9°F after 30 minutes, and air moved through the spring unit well enough to avoid the closed-in warmth common to dense foam beds. Motion settled in 0.84 seconds in the drop test. A partner’s turn was still noticeable, but it was less abrupt than on the Pocket Spring model. Lighter side sleepers may find the tufting too firm at the shoulder, while back and combination sleepers get a balanced surface that stays easy to move across.

What we liked

• Balanced support works across back and combination positions.
• The deeper build spreads weight more evenly than the entry model.
• The two-sided design lets wear be distributed across both surfaces.

Who it is best for

• Back sleepers who want support without an ortho-level feel
• Combination sleepers who change position often
• People who prefer a traditional hand-tufted mattress

Where it falls short

• Lightweight side sleepers may want a softer top.
• Spring bounce remains noticeable for sensitive couples.
• It needs both flipping and head-to-foot rotation.

Details:

• Feel: Medium to firm; 6.5/10 in our assessment
• Height: 26 cm
• Construction: 1,404 pocket springs in king size with recycled polyester comfort fiber
• Care: Flip and rotate regularly
• Buying notes: About £599 for a double and £729 for a king when checked; 7-year guarantee; the 60-night trial requires a qualifying protector bought in the same transaction

Review Score:

3.9/5. The Classic 1400 is the range’s most dependable all-rounder, especially for sleepers who value a familiar, two-sided spring mattress.

Our Testing Experience:

The Ortho 2000 provided the strongest support in the group. Its 7/10 firmness kept the pelvis level in back sleeping and resisted the sagging sensation that can develop when more weight is concentrated through the middle. The center compressed 0.91 inch under the 44-pound load, and the edge compressed 1.12 inches. That small difference translated into a broad, stable sleep surface and the easiest sit-to-stand transition of the four.

Despite the dense support, the surface responded quickly when we turned over. Motion from the drop test settled in 0.72 seconds, and the temperature increased 3.5°F after 30 minutes. Those results fit the design: the zoned spring unit limits excess movement while the polyester comfort layer allows steady airflow. The main drawback is shoulder pressure. Side sleeping was manageable for shorter periods, but the bed never gave enough to feel relaxed for a full night on one side.

What we liked

• The zoned core provides the best hip and lower-back control in the group.
• The firm edge preserves more usable sleep width.
• Fast response makes position changes easy despite the mattress’s weight.

Who it is best for

• Back sleepers and back-first combination sleepers
• Larger bodies that need stronger midsection support
• People who need a stronger edge or use the full mattress width

Where it falls short

• Pressure-sensitive side sleepers may feel too much shoulder resistance.
• There is less contouring than on the Classic or Waitrose Wool models.
• At 43 kg in king size, it takes two people to move comfortably.

Details:

• Feel: Medium to firm; 7/10 in our assessment
• Height: 29.5 cm
• Construction: Dual-layer zoned pocket springs with 2,030 springs in king size and a breathable recycled polyester layer
• Care: Rotate head to foot; do not flip
• Buying notes: About £899 for a double and £1,049 for a king when checked; 200 kg maximum user weight; 7-year guarantee; conditional 60-night trial

Review Score:

4.2/5. The Ortho 2000 is the best John Lewis option here for firm support, edge stability, and back-sleeping alignment.

Our Testing Experience:

The Waitrose Wool 1600 felt more forgiving than the Ortho without losing the stable character of the range. We rated it 6.5/10 for firmness. The wool layer added a small amount of surface give, and the 44-pound weight produced 1.08 inches of center compression and 1.36 inches near the edge. That was enough cushioning to reduce shoulder pressure during side-sleeping stretches while keeping the hips supported during back sleep.

Cooling was the strongest result. After 30 minutes, the surface was 2.8°F warmer than its starting temperature, the smallest increase among the four beds. It also felt drier after a full night. Vibration settled in 0.78 seconds, placing motion control just behind the Ortho and ahead of the Classic. The Wool 1600 is not plush, but it is the most comfortable option for sleepers who want a traditional medium-firm surface without giving up airflow.

What we liked

• The wool layer produced the coolest, driest sleep surface in the test.
• It balances shoulder cushioning with steady hip support.
• The surface stayed composed during mixed-position sleep.

Who it is best for

• Hot sleepers who prefer springs to an all-foam bed
• Back and combination sleepers who want medium-firm support
• Couples who want a calmer surface than the entry or Classic models

Where it falls short

• The wool fill is not suitable for vegan or vegetarian shoppers.
• The king weighs 37 kg and needs regular flipping and rotation.
• Dedicated side sleepers may still want a softer comfort layer.

Details:

• Feel: Medium to firm; 6.5/10 in our assessment
• Height: 28 cm
• Construction: 1,681 pocket springs in king size with British wool and recycled polyester fill
• Surface and care: Breathable viscose-blend cover; flip and rotate regularly
• Buying notes: About £829 for a double and £929 for a king when checked; 7-year guarantee; conditional 60-night trial

Review Score:

4.1/5. The Waitrose Wool 1600 is the best-balanced model for cooling, comfort, and steady medium-firm support.

The scores show two distinct leaders. The Ortho 2000 wins on support, edge stability, responsiveness, and expected durability, while the Waitrose Wool 1600 leads on cooling and offers slightly better pressure relief. The Classic 1400 remains competitive in every category without a sharp weakness. The entry Pocket Spring mattress loses the most ground in motion isolation, pressure relief, and long-term robustness.

Start with sleep position and body weight. Back sleepers and people who carry more weight through the midsection should begin with the Ortho 2000, which limits hip sink better than the other three. The Classic 1400 suits back and combination sleepers who want medium-firm support with a little more surface give. Choose the Waitrose Wool 1600 if overheating is a recurring problem or if the Ortho feels too rigid at the shoulder. The basic Pocket Spring model is best reserved for a guest room, a teenager, or lighter nightly use.

Side sleepers need to be more selective. The Waitrose Wool 1600 is the most forgiving of these four, but none has a deeply cushioned top. If your shoulder or hip becomes sore on medium-firm beds, a softer mattress will be a better fit. Couples should also weigh motion sensitivity: the Ortho and Wool 1600 settled movement faster, while the entry model felt livelier across the full surface.

Simba Hybrid Mattress: The Simba is the closest modern alternative to the Classic 1400, often landing in a similar price band. Its hybrid mix of foam and micro-springs contours more closely and dampens partner movement better. The Classic feels cooler and more traditionally springy, while the Simba is easier to maneuver and suits sleepers who want a gentler transition into the bed.

Silentnight Sleep Retreat Comfort 1000: This medium-firm pocket-spring mattress competes directly with the Classic 1400 and can cost less during promotions. Its microquilted, one-sided design is easier to maintain, but the Classic’s hand-tufted, two-sided construction offers a more traditional feel and spreads wear across both faces. Choose Silentnight for convenience; choose the Classic for a firmer, more substantial surface.

Hypnos Luxury Ortho Support No. 3: Hypnos is a premium upgrade rather than a same-price substitute. It costs roughly twice as much as the Ortho 2000 in common sizes and targets buyers who want a more elaborate handmade finish with firm, traditional support. The John Lewis Ortho remains the stronger value if alignment and edge stability matter more than luxury materials or brand prestige.

TEMPUR Pro Plus CoolQuilt: TEMPUR sits in a different price tier and delivers a very different feel. Its 27 cm memory-foam build contours more deeply, absorbs motion better, and reduces the springy pushback found across the John Lewis range. It is the better match for pressure-sensitive sleepers and couples, but movement is slower and the price is far higher. The broader innerspring-versus-memory-foam comparison comes down to this tradeoff: choose John Lewis for airflow, quick response, and a conventional sprung surface.

• Spend at least 15 minutes in your usual position when trying a mattress; shoulder pressure often takes time to appear.
• Check that your hips stay level with your ribcage in back sleeping rather than dipping below it.
• Use a supportive base with slat gaps no wider than the manufacturer allows.
• Follow the care schedule to support mattress durability: rotate all four, and flip the Classic 1400 and Waitrose Wool 1600 as directed.
• Buy the qualifying protector in the same transaction if you intend to use the 60-night comfort trial.
• Use two people to move the Ortho 2000 or Waitrose Wool 1600; their king sizes weigh 43 kg and 37 kg.

The Ortho 2000 is the strongest option for back sleepers. It limited center compression, kept the hips level, and produced the highest support and edge scores in the group.

The Waitrose Wool 1600 was the strongest cooling option. Its surface temperature rose only 2.8°F after 30 minutes, and the wool-filled top felt drier over a full night than the polyester-only models.

The basic Pocket Spring Mattress is the best low-cost choice for occasional guests. The Classic 1400 costs more but offers a more polished, durable guest-room option for frequent use.