Simba mattress topper review: a saviour for uni students

The Sun

7 hours ago

LIVING in a rented flat often means dealing with a mattress that's seen better days - and your back definitely knows about it.
We've put the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper through a proper six-month test to see if it can transform your sleep setup.
For students and renters, buying a whole new mattress isn't always realistic.
You can't exactly shove your landlord's old mattress under the bed, quality ones cost serious money, and hauling them around when you move? No thanks.
That's where Simba's "spare room saviour" comes in, promising to breathe new life into even the most knackered mattresses.
After half a year of putting it through its paces, I can tell you whether this topper is worth the investment for anyone desperate for decent sleep.
Pros
Brings comfort to previously uncomfortable rented mattresses
Improves sleep immediately
Easy to move
Cheaper and more practical than buying a mattress of a similar quality
Cons
Has made any other mattress I sleep on uncomfortable by comparison
Might require you to buy deep-fitted sheets
There are certainly cheaper mattress toppers out there
No trial period
Overall rating: 9/10
Simba mattress topper review: Quickfire Q&A
How much is the Simba Hybrid Mattress topper? The Simba Hybrid Mattress topper starts at £299 for a single, jumping to £349 for a double and £499 for a super king. It's not cheap, but Simba regularly runs sales that can knock a decent chunk off the price.
How firm is the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper? The Simba Hybrid topper hits that sweet spot with a medium-firm feel. Think around 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale - supportive enough for proper spinal alignment, but not so firm you feel like you're sleeping on concrete.
Who's it best for? Perfect for renters and students stuck with dodgy landlord mattresses. Ideal for those who sleep hot, move frequently, or seek serious comfort without investing in a new bed.
What we loved: Instant comfort upgrade that genuinely transformed my sleep. Perfect medium-firm feel, brilliant temperature regulation, and those heavy-duty straps mean zero sliding around.
What we didn't: The £349 price tag stings, especially with no trial period to test it first. It's properly heavy to manoeuvre, and you'll need deep-fitted sheets since regular ones won't stretch over it.
Simba mattress topper review: quick summary
RENTAL mattresses are notorious for being about as comfortable as sleeping on concrete, and your back pays the price.
As someone who's tested plenty of Simba gear and been impressed (check out our Simba Hybrid Pro review, Simba Hybrid Mattress review or Simba Hybrid Luxe review if you want proof), I jumped at the chance to try their Hybrid topper on my less-than-luxurious rental bed.
Here's the thing about toppers: they're brilliant for renters who can't justify buying a whole mattress.
Need cooling? Sorted. Want extra support? Done. It's customisation that actually makes sense.
My main issues? Average comfort, but it runs too hot at night. The Simba topper tackled both head-on.
Six months in, this thing has genuinely transformed my sleep. I'm getting longer, better-quality rest and zero midnight overheating episodes.
When I sleep elsewhere now, I actually miss it.
At £349 for a double, it's not pocket change - but if you've got the budget, it's a proper investment in decent sleep.
Simba mattress topper review: full review
First impressions and unboxing
3
Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper, £349
BUY FROM SIMBA
Let's cut to the chase: £349 for a double mattress topper isn't exactly loose change.
For students, especially, you're potentially spending more on the topper than your actual mattress cost - mine definitely falls into that category.
What makes this trickier? Unlike Simba's mattresses, there's no trial period with the topper.
You get a one-year guarantee, but if you simply don't rate it, you're stuck.
However, once you take the plunge, delivery is impressively quick - mine arrived just two days after ordering, despite the size.
If you've dealt with "bed-in-a-box" brands before, you'll know the drill.
The topper arrives vacuum-packed and rolled tight, ready to expand once you free it from its plastic prison.
Fair warning: this thing is properly heavy.
I genuinely needed a breather after wrestling it onto my bed - not my proudest moment.
What immediately impressed me was how securely it stays put.
Heavy-duty straps and an anti-slip base mean zero movement once it's on. It genuinely feels like part of the mattress rather than an add-on.
Does it deliver?
First things first: this topper is seriously chunky.
You'll notice the ceiling's suddenly much closer, and your regular sheets won't stand a chance - I had to invest in deep-fitted ones.
The thickness comes from its hybrid design - memory foam plus springs working together for support and cooling.
The foam is CertiPUR certified, so it's both sustainable and safe.
Those springs are Simba's secret weapon: conical-shaped coils that pivot around your body.
Now, I've read reviews claiming this cured people's back pain. My experience? Slightly different - but in the best way possible.
This topper has completely ruined every other mattress for me.
Seriously. I used to sleep anywhere without complaint after years of dodgy rental beds.
Now? One night elsewhere and I'm aching the next morning.
That's how ridiculously comfortable this thing is.
My mattress now hits that perfect medium-firmness sweet spot, and while it won't beat a proper heatwave, I definitely sleep cooler than before.
The Simba topper hasn't just improved my sleep - it's spoiled me completely. And honestly? I'm not mad about it.
How much is the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper?
The Simba Hybrid Mattress topper starts at £299 for a single, jumping to £349 for a double and £499 for a super king. It's not cheap, but Simba regularly runs sales that can knock a decent chunk off the price.
Here's the harsh reality: at these prices, you could buy an actual mattress from budget retailers.
But here's why that doesn't make sense for renters and students.
Buying a mattress means either storing your landlord's old one (impossible for most) or disposing of it when you leave (expensive and wasteful).
Your cash is better spent on a quality topper than a budget mattress that'll fall apart within months. Think of it as a portable comfort investment.
The silver lining? Simba runs regular sales that can slash these prices significantly.
We've spotted doubles dropping to £191 around Black Friday, though recent price increases mean those deals might be history.
Even at full price, this topper transforms any questionable rental mattress into something genuinely comfortable.
For renters constantly bouncing between questionable beds across different properties, that peace of mind is definitely worth the financial investment.
Where can I buy the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper?
The Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper is available directly from Simba's official website, which offers the full range of sizes and the latest deals.
Alternatively, you can also grab it from Amazon for speedy Prime delivery, which is handy if you need it quickly.
However, Amazon's pricing can be less competitive than going directly.
Simba's website is definitely worth checking first since they regularly run sales events that can slash prices significantly.
We've noticed that doubles drop from £349 to around £191 during Black Friday periods.
The official site also gives you access to their customer service team if anything goes wrong, plus you'll be first to know about any seasonal promotions.
Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper alternatives
If the Simba's price tag has you wincing, don't panic - there are decent alternatives that won't require selling a kidney.
Emma's mattress topper offers similar memory foam comfort at a more budget-friendly price point, while Panda's bamboo topper is brilliant for hot sleepers who prioritise cooling over everything else.
For serious budget-watchers, Silentnight's Airmax range delivers solid comfort without the premium price tag.
Sure, you won't get those fancy conical springs, but it'll definitely upgrade a dodgy rental mattress.
The key is knowing what you actually need. Want cooling? Go bamboo. Need serious support? Memory foam's your friend. Just after basic comfort? A budget option will do the trick.
Look, I won't sugarcoat it - deciding whether to splash out on the Simba topper is a proper dilemma.
Even with Simba's regular discounts, you're still looking at well over £300 for a double.
Add in the fact that there's no trial period, and you're basically committing blind.
But here's the thing: no product has transformed my sleep quite like this one. And I'm including wine in that comparison.
I'm sleeping cooler, more comfortably, and genuinely better than I have in years.
The real game-changer? Knowing I can roll this up, chuck it in my car, and instantly upgrade whatever dodgy mattress awaits in my next rental.
That peace of mind is something most renters and students can only dream of - and honestly, it's worth every penny.
If you've got the budget and value decent sleep, this topper delivers. It's not cheap, but it's an investment that actually pays off night after night.