Harry Benmore Mattress vs Simba Mattress: An Honest Comparison

I'll be straight with you. I'm not exactly a neutral party here. I make mattresses by hand, and Simba sells them rolled up in a box. Those are very different things, and I think you deserve to know exactly why.

That said, I'm also not going to rubbish Simba just for the sake of it. What I am going to do is give you the honest comparison I'd want if I were spending good money on a mattress: what's actually inside them, how long they're likely to last, and whether the price you're paying reflects what you're getting.

At a Glance

	Harry Benmore	Simba
How it's made	Handmade to order in the UK	Factory manufactured, compressed and boxed
Spring type	Full-sized individual pocket springs	Small conical Aerocoil microsprings (titanium alloy)
Comfort layers	Natural fibres: wool, cotton, silk, cashmere. V50 memory foam and Gel	Primarily synthetic Simbatex foam (graphite-infused)
Flippable?	Yes - two-sided construction	No - one-sided only
Temperature regulation	Passive, via natural wool and cotton fibres.	Active, via graphite infusion in foam
Expected lifespan	10-15+ years	7-10 years (one-sided wear limits longevity)
Guarantee	10-years	10-years
Trial period	100-night trial	200-night trial
Pricing	Honest, direct-from-maker pricing, 30-40% below chain stores	Frequent "sale" pricing (subject to CMA investigation in 2023-24)
Delivery	Free UK delivery, 5-15 working days	Fast delivery, mattress in a box

Harry Benmore vs Simba: Which Mattress Is Better?

If you're comparing a Simba mattress with a Harry Benmore mattress, you're really comparing two very different approaches to sleep.

Simba has built its reputation around innovation, convenience and compressed-box delivery. Their mattresses combine foam technology with microsprings to create a modern hybrid mattress that's easy to order online and quick to receive.

Harry Benmore takes a different approach.

We're an independent British mattress company that believes the materials inside a mattress matter just as much as the marketing around it. Rather than designing mattresses to be compressed into a box, we focus on traditional construction methods, natural comfort materials and long-term durability.

Both approaches have their strengths. The question is which one is right for you.

Pocket Springs vs Microsprings: Why the Difference Matters

One of the biggest differences between a Harry Benmore mattress and a Simba mattress is the spring system at the heart of the mattress.

Simba's mattresses are built around their Aerocoil microsprings. These small titanium-alloy springs are designed to provide responsiveness while still allowing the mattress to be compressed, rolled and delivered in a box.

It's a clever solution and one that has helped Simba stand out in a crowded market.

At Harry Benmore, we take a more traditional route.

Our mattresses use full-sized, steel-supported pocket spring units. These springs are taller, stronger and capable of delivering deeper support and more progressive response to body weight and movement. They don't just sit in the comfort layers; they form the structural foundation of the mattress.

Because these spring systems are built to full height and strength, they cannot be vacuum packed or rolled into a box. The trade-off is a mattress designed around long-term support rather than delivery convenience.

For many customers, that's a compromise worth making.

Natural Materials vs Engineered Materials

Simba's mattresses are built around engineered materials.

Simbatex foam is infused with graphite to help dissipate heat, while Aerocoil microsprings are designed to add responsiveness and airflow. At the premium end of the range, Simba also incorporates materials such as British wool and wool-rich blends.

These are thoughtful engineering solutions to genuine sleep challenges.

Harry Benmore mattresses approach those same challenges differently.

Rather than engineering synthetic materials to behave like natural ones, we use natural comfort materials including wool, cotton, silk and cashmere. These materials have been used in quality British mattresses for generations because they naturally regulate temperature, wick away moisture and provide exceptional comfort.

For many customers, this is one of the biggest differences between a handmade British mattress and a mass-produced hybrid mattress.

A wool comfort layer doesn't need graphite to help regulate temperature. Cotton doesn't need to be engineered to improve airflow. These materials simply do what they've always done.

One-Sided vs Two-Sided Construction

Every Simba mattress is designed as a one-sided mattress.

You can rotate it from head to foot, but you cannot flip it over and sleep on the reverse side. All wear occurs on the same sleeping surface throughout the mattress's life.

Many Harry Benmore mattresses are different.

Our traditional ranges are genuinely double-sided and designed to be both turned and rotated regularly. By spreading wear across both sleeping surfaces, these mattresses can maintain their comfort, support and shape for many years longer than a typical one-sided design.

It's important to note that our Hybrid collection is also one-sided. However, unlike most boxed mattresses, these models still use a full-sized steel-supported pocket spring unit, providing greater structural support and durability than the compressed spring systems commonly found in rolled mattresses.

For customers seeking maximum longevity, our double-sided mattresses remain the gold standard.

The Pricing Conversation

Like many online mattress brands, Simba frequently promotes substantial discounts against higher reference prices.

In 2023, the Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation into Simba's discount pricing practices. In 2024, Simba agreed formal undertakings with the CMA regarding how pricing and discounts would be presented to consumers.

We're not mentioning this to score points.

We're mentioning it because when you're comparing prices, it's important to understand exactly what those discounts represent.

Our pricing is straightforward.

We sell directly to consumers, allowing us to offer handcrafted mattresses at prices that are often 30–40% lower than comparable products sold through traditional retail chains.

No countdown timers.

No pressure tactics.

No permanent sale.

Just transparent pricing for a properly made mattress.

What It's Like to Buy a Simba Mattress vs a Harry Benmore Mattress

Simba's buying experience is built around convenience.

Order online, your mattress arrives compressed in a box, you unroll it and allow it to expand. Their 200-night trial period is generous and delivery is often extremely fast.

Harry Benmore offers a different experience.

You can order online or visit our showroom in Welling, South-East London, where you can try different mattresses and receive honest advice without high-pressure sales tactics.

Every mattress is handmade to order by skilled mattress craftsmen. Production typically takes between 5 and 15 working days because your mattress is made specifically for you rather than pulled from warehouse stock.

Your mattress arrives fully formed and ready to sleep on.

We don't compress, vacuum pack or roll our mattresses because the full-sized spring systems and traditional upholstery layers deserve better treatment.

Every Harry Benmore mattress includes a full 100-night sleep trial.

If the mattress isn't right for you, we'll either exchange it or refund you in full.

There are no delivery charges, no collection fees, no restocking fees and no hidden conditions. We don't require you to purchase an expensive mattress protector to qualify for a return. If you exchange for a lower-priced model, we'll refund the difference.

The goal is simple: help you find the right mattress rather than maximise the value of a single sale.

The one area where Simba has a genuine advantage is speed. If you need a mattress immediately, we can't compete with next-day delivery. Handcrafting mattresses properly takes a little longer.

Who Each One Is Right For?

A Simba Mattress Might Suit You If:

You need a mattress delivered very quickly.
You like the convenience of a mattress-in-a-box.
You prefer a modern hybrid mattress with foam and microspring technology.
You want a long home trial before fully committing.
You enjoy a technology-led approach to mattress design.

A Harry Benmore Mattress Might Suit You If:

You want a handmade British mattress built for long-term comfort and durability.
You prefer natural comfort materials such as wool, cotton, silk and cashmere.
You value traditional craftsmanship and proven construction methods.
You want a mattress that isn't designed around the limitations of boxed delivery.
You prefer buying from an independent British mattress company rather than a large online brand.
You value honest pricing and personal service.

The Honest Summary

Simba's success comes from rethinking the traditional mattress.

Their mattresses combine foam technology, microsprings and compressed-box delivery to create a product that's easy to buy, easy to transport and quick to set up. For many sleepers, that combination of convenience and modern engineering makes perfect sense.

At Harry Benmore, we start from a different place.

Rather than asking how a mattress can be compressed into a box, we focus on how it performs over years of nightly use.

That's why our mattresses use full-sized pocket spring systems rather than microsprings. It's why we continue to use natural comfort materials such as wool, cotton, silk and cashmere. And it's why many of our mattresses remain double-sided, allowing wear to be spread across both sleeping surfaces over time.

We're also a genuinely independent British mattress company. Harry works alongside his two brothers and a small team of experienced specialists, continuing a family tradition that began when his grandmother opened the original shop in 1949.

Every Harry Benmore mattress is handmade to order in Britain by skilled mattress craftsmen. The goal isn't to build the fastest mattress to deliver. It's to build one you'll still enjoy sleeping on years from now.

If your priority is speed, convenience and modern mattress technology, Simba offers a compelling option.

If your priority is craftsmanship, natural materials and long-term durability, Harry Benmore offers something very different.

Browse the full Harry Benmore range →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Difference Between Full-Sized, Steel Supported Pocket Springs and Microsprings?

Microsprings are smaller springs typically used within the comfort layers of a hybrid mattress. They're a key part of Simba's mattress design and help create a responsive feel while still allowing the mattress to be compressed for delivery.

Pocket springs are larger, full-height springs that form the core support system of a traditional pocket sprung mattress with a steel rod around the outside for structural longevity. Because they provide greater travel and deeper support, many sleepers prefer them for long-term comfort and durability.

Why Can't Harry Benmore Mattresses Be Delivered in a Box?

Most boxed mattresses are designed from the outset to be compressed, vacuum packed and rolled.

Harry Benmore mattresses use full-sized, steel supported pocket spring systems and traditional upholstery techniques that aren't intended to be folded or compressed. Instead, they're delivered fully formed and ready to sleep on.

Are Pocket Sprung Mattresses Better Than Hybrid Mattresses?

Neither is automatically better. It depends on what you're looking for.

Hybrid mattresses combine springs and foam to create a modern, responsive feel. Pocket sprung mattresses rely on a larger spring system and often incorporate natural upholstery materials. Many customers who prioritise durability, breathability and traditional comfort prefer a pocket sprung mattress, while others prefer the feel of a modern hybrid.

Can You Flip a Simba Mattress?

No. Simba mattresses are one-sided and are designed to be rotated rather than flipped.

Many Harry Benmore mattresses are double-sided and designed to be both rotated and turned. This helps spread wear more evenly across the mattress and can significantly extend its lifespan. Our Hybrid collection is one-sided but uses a substantially larger spring system than most boxed alternatives.

Does Harry Benmore Offer a Sleep Trial?

Yes. Every Harry Benmore mattress includes a full 100-night sleep trial.

If the mattress isn't right for you, we'll either exchange it or refund you in full. There are no collection fees, restocking fees or hidden charges, and we don't require you to purchase a mattress protector as a condition of returning the mattress.

Is a Harry Benmore Mattress Worth the Money?

If you're looking for a handmade British mattress built with traditional craftsmanship, natural upholstery and long-term durability in mind, many customers believe so.

By selling direct to consumers, Harry Benmore can offer mattresses featuring premium materials and traditional construction without the substantial mark-ups often found in large retail chains.

Unlike many boxed mattress brands, Harry Benmore mattresses are handmade to order using full-sized pocket spring systems and carefully selected natural materials, creating a sleeping experience designed to deliver comfort and support for many years to come.

Harry Benmore Mattress vs Simba Mattress