The Emma Original Mattress and the Tempur Ease 20cm Mattress compared, so you can pick the right one for your bed and your budget.
You've narrowed it down to two well-known names: the Emma Original, a 25cm hybrid with foam layers over a pocket spring core, and the Tempur Ease, a 20cm all-foam mattress built around Tempur's Adapt memory foam. They feel quite different in practice. The Emma cushions you and then pushes back through its springs, while the Tempur lets you sink in slowly as the foam warms and moulds to your shape.
Our comparison comes down on the side of the Emma Original. It wins on construction, with six layers and a 5-zone spring core against the Tempur's simpler three-layer build, and it wins comfortably on value, sitting well below the typical price for a hybrid where the Tempur costs roughly double the going rate for a memory foam mattress.
That said, the Tempur still has a clear audience. If the slow-sinking, pressure-relieving feel of proper Tempur foam is what you're after, the Ease is the accessible way to get it. For most buyers, though, the Emma is the stronger pick.
Our verdict at a glance: which mattress wins?
The Emma Original pairs a more sophisticated six-layer hybrid construction with a price well below the norm for its type, while the Tempur costs nearly double the going rate for a memory foam mattress.
WINNER
A more sophisticated build for the money
Six layers including MemoryAdapt foam over a 5-zone pocket spring core, which means pressure relief on top and springs that support your hips and shoulders at different levels underneath.
Genuinely strong value
The Emma sits well below the typical price for a hybrid mattress, while the Tempur costs nearly twice the norm for its own category. Same size, noticeably less money.
Practical touches for the long haul
A removable washable cover and a comfort foam edge around the springs, so the perimeter stays firm when you sit on it and the cover stays fresh over the 10-year guarantee.
RUNNER UP
That signature Tempur feel
The 3cm Adapt layer has pressure-sensitive cells that respond to your weight and temperature, which means the surface gradually moulds around you rather than pushing back.
Serious motion absorption for couples
An 8cm memory foam layer sits beneath the surface specifically to absorb movement, so a restless partner is less likely to wake you.
A solid base despite the slim profile
Yes, 20cm is shallower than many rivals, but the 9cm high density foam foundation keeps it feeling sturdy rather than flimsy.
Emma Original
Tempur Ease 20cm
Firmness
Medium Firm
Medium Firm
Layers
6
3
Price Range
£252 to £544
£548 to £926
The Emma takes the construction comparison. Its six-layer, 25cm build pairs three foam layers with a 5-zone pocket spring core and a reinforced foam edge, which gives you targeted support and a usable perimeter. The Tempur's three-layer, 20cm build is simpler by design, and while the high density base keeps it solid, there's less going on beneath you.
Construction verdict: which wins on build?
The Emma takes the construction comparison. Its six-layer, 25cm build pairs three foam layers with a 5-zone pocket spring core and a reinforced foam edge, which gives you targeted support and a usable perimeter. The Tempur's three-layer, 20cm build is simpler by design, and while the high density base keeps it solid, there's less going on beneath you.
How firm are both mattresses?
Which mattress feels better?
On paper the two sit close together: the Emma is medium firm, the Tempur medium to firm. In feel, they part ways. The Emma's springs give it a balance of cushioning and support that suits most sleeping positions, with the zoned core letting your hips sink slightly while your shoulders stay cushioned. The Tempur is slower and more enveloping. Its Adapt foam spreads pressure evenly across hips and shoulders, which side and back sleepers with aches tend to appreciate quickly. Lightweight sleepers hoping for a plush, soft surface may find it firmer than expected, and anyone who likes a springy, responsive feel may find the sink-in sensation a little much.
Other important factors to consider before buying.
Beyond feel and build, the practical terms deserve a look before you commit. Both come with a 10-year guarantee, and each offers a home trial so you're not deciding in a showroom. The table below sets out the details side by side.
Emma Original
Tempur Ease 20cm
Trial (nights)
200
100
Guarantee (years)
10
10
Environmental impact and sustainability
Emma Original
Tempur Ease 20cm
Sustainability
Undefined
Undefined
Certifications
BS 7177
Prices and sizes for both mattresses
Live prices for both mattresses are below and update daily. As a guide, the Emma consistently comes in lower for the equivalent size.
Emma Original Mattress
Tempur Ease 20cm Mattress
The Emma Original is the winner here, and it wasn't especially close. It took the construction comparison with its six-layer hybrid build, where MemoryAdapt foam sits over a 5-zone pocket spring core with a firmed-up foam edge, against the Tempur's simpler three-layer foam design. It took the layers comparison for the same reason. And it took value decisively: the Emma sits well under the typical price for a hybrid, while the Tempur Ease costs nearly double the norm for a memory foam mattress. The Tempur still earns a recommendation for one buyer in particular: if the slow-sinking, temperature-responsive Tempur feel is the whole point of your purchase, the Ease delivers it at the brand's most accessible level. For everyone else, the Emma gives you more mattress for less money.
Decision helper
Consider your primary need: a well-priced hybrid with zoned spring support and a balanced feel, versus the distinctive slow-moulding comfort of genuine Tempur foam at a premium.
WINNER
A more sophisticated build for the money
Six layers including MemoryAdapt foam over a 5-zone pocket spring core, which means pressure relief on top and springs that support your hips and shoulders at different levels underneath.
Genuinely strong value
The Emma sits well below the typical price for a hybrid mattress, while the Tempur costs nearly twice the norm for its own category. Same size, noticeably less money.
Practical touches for the long haul
A removable washable cover and a comfort foam edge around the springs, so the perimeter stays firm when you sit on it and the cover stays fresh over the 10-year guarantee.
RUNNER UP
That signature Tempur feel
The 3cm Adapt layer has pressure-sensitive cells that respond to your weight and temperature, which means the surface gradually moulds around you rather than pushing back.
Serious motion absorption for couples
An 8cm memory foam layer sits beneath the surface specifically to absorb movement, so a restless partner is less likely to wake you.
A solid base despite the slim profile
Yes, 20cm is shallower than many rivals, but the 9cm high density foam foundation keeps it feeling sturdy rather than flimsy.
Is the Emma Original or the Tempur Ease better value?
The Emma Original is the better value of the two. It sits well below the typical price for a hybrid mattress, while the Tempur Ease costs nearly double the norm for a memory foam model. Both carry a 10-year guarantee, so the Emma gives you a more complex construction for noticeably less money.
Which is firmer, the Emma Original or the Tempur Ease?
They're rated similarly, with the Emma listed as medium firm and the Tempur as medium to firm, but they feel different. The Emma's pocket springs push back and feel more balanced, while the Tempur's memory foam lets you sink in slowly. Lightweight sleepers may find the Tempur firmer than its rating suggests.
Is the Tempur Ease good for hot sleepers?
Hot sleepers should be cautious with the Tempur Ease, as owner reviews mention warmth retention, a known trait of dense memory foam. The material also responds to your body temperature as part of how it moulds to you. If sleeping warm is a worry, the Emma's hybrid build with a pocket spring core is the safer choice of the two.
Which mattress is better for couples?
Both make a reasonable case for couples. The Tempur Ease has a dedicated 8cm memory foam layer that absorbs movement to limit partner disturbance. The Emma also does well here: across owner reviews on Emma's product page, the brand states most couples report minimal disturbance, and its foam edge means neither of you feels perched near the side.
What trial and guarantee do the Emma Original and Tempur Ease come with?
The Emma Original comes with a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee, while the Tempur Ease offers a 100-night manufacturer trial with the same 10-year guarantee. Both give you a proper stretch at home before committing, though the Emma's longer trial covers a full year of seasons if you're a slow decider.
Editor
Jo Plumridge
Consumer journalist, 20 years. Writes on sleep and home for The Telegraph, TechRadar and Expert Reviews.