Latest news with #memoryfoam
The Verge
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Secretlab now sells a $300 adjustable legrest for your gaming throne.
Posted Jul 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM UTC Secretlab now sells a $300 adjustable legrest for your gaming throne. Legrests are a thing, and you can find them far cheaper than this, but 'You really just want a second tiltable butt cushion, trust us!' is a vibe I haven't seen before. It's called the Otto, has height and tilt adjust (down to 30 degrees), and is filled with memory foam. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Sean Hollister Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Sean Hollister Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 best cooling pillows of 2025 to help keep you cool and comfy through the night
If you find yourself struggling with hot flashes, menopause symptoms or night sweats that leave you tossing and turning (especially in the summer heat), you're not the only one. For many Canadians, getting a good night's sleep becomes even more challenging with age, especially when your body temperature fails to cooperate. Whether you're experiencing hormonal changes, age-related sleep disturbances or simply run hot, investing in a high-quality cooling pillow can make a huge difference. Pillows made using breathable materials (like gel-infused memory foam and moisture-wicking fabrics) can help regulate your body temperature, relieve discomfort and keep you cool all night long. So, whether you're in the midst of a summer heat wave or a full-blown hot flash, we've rounded up the very best cooling pillows you can snag right now. If you want to sleep cooler, deeper and more comfortably, keep scrolling. Foam Pillow with Snow Technology Firmness: This standard foam pillow is available in a low loft (flatter) or high loft (great for side sleepers) option. This Casper pillow is designed to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night, thanks to its innovative Snow Technology, which will help provide up to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Whether you're a stomach or side sleeper, the pillow's foam will help you stay properly aligned for maximum comfort. The combination of materials and cooling technology prevents heat from getting trapped, while the cool-to-the-touch outer layer provides a refreshing feel as soon as you lay your head down. The pillow will ensure support for your neck and shoulders throughout the night, available in both Low Loft for stomach sleepers and High Loft for side sleepers. With its active cooling and supportive design, this pillow will help you stay cool and comfortable all night, allowing you to wake up feeling best sports bras for every sweaty summer workout The best dresses to conceal your tummy and how to feel confident in them 22 best walking shoes for women, recommended by a podiatrist Best cooling pillows Coop Home Goods Eden Cool+ Adjustable Pillow Firmness: This pillow has an added gel-infused layer for extra cooling and support. Inside the Coop Eden Cool+ pillow is gel-infused fill and materials that allow for better airflow, which help keep the heat away. On the outside, there's a soft, cool cover and a heat-wicking liner to keep things chill (literally). The memory foam and microfibre work together to prevent the pillow from trapping heat and moisture, making it a great pick if you tend to overheat at night or struggle with temperature regulation. The pillow is also adjustable — just unzip the cover and add or remove filling to get the right firmness for you. Plus, it has two sides to choose from: one soft and cool, and the other firmer with extra cooling support. So, no matter which side you get, you can anticipate a cool and comfortable sleep. Sijo Flexcool Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow Firmness: This pillow comes with a pouch of fill, so you can adjust its height and firmness. If you're looking for the perfect pillow, this one is adjustable, so you can tailor the height and firmness to your liking. How? It comes with a pouch of fill so you can customize it to fit your comfort needs. So, whether you like a soft or firm pillow, you can easily change it up for that just-right feel. Plus, the cooling fabric will help keep your temperature regulated all night, so no more tossing and turning from overheating. The materials consist of a super soft cotton lining and a mix of nylon and spandex on the outside. And the side zip closure makes it easy to add or remove the fill, giving you full control over the height. It's available in Standard/Queen (20' x 28') and King (20' x 36') sizes, too. Customers are loving the difference it makes: "Loved it so much, I bought another one the next day!" If you're seeking a pillow that offers personalized comfort and cooling all in one, this is definitely worth a try. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow Firmness: This dual-sided cooling pillow has a medium feel and medium profile. If you're on the hunt for a pillow that gives you the perfect balance of comfort and support, this soft TEMPUR-Cloud pillow might just be the one. It's designed for back, side and stomach sleepers, helping you get the restful night's sleep you deserve. Thanks to the pressure-relieving memory foam, the pillow will adjust to your head, neck and shoulders for customized support. It will help you wake up feeling more refreshed and pain-free. The material is also very adaptive, compressing easily for travel — and it will bounce back to its original shape by morning. It also comes with a breathable polyester cover that's super easy to clean — just toss it in the washing machine when needed. Its queen size will fit perfectly on most beds, giving you plenty of space to rest comfortably. SLUMBER CLOUD UltraCool Pillow Firmness: This standard pillow offers soft to medium firmness. Fun fact: this UltraCool Pillow uses NASA-engineered Outlast technology to keep you cool throughout the night. It works to actively regulate body temperature, reducing heat buildup by up to 50 per cent, so you can sleep deeper and more comfortably without being woken up by hot flashes or night sweats. It comes in two firmness levels, allowing you to choose the right support for your neck. This one offers soft/medium support, but there's also a medium/firm option on the Slumber Cloud website. Whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach, it offers the perfect balance of comfort and support. Best cooling pillows under $50 Looking for something more budget-friendly? We've got you covered with these under-$50 picks from Amazon Canada. COZSINOOR Queen Size Bed Pillows (2-Pack) KUCEY Cooling Bed Pillow KUCEY Cooling Side Sleeper Pillow Royal Choice Cooling Memory Foam Neck Pillow KELTARO Queen Size Cooling Pillows (2-Pack)
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Nectar Mattress Sale: Shop Editor-Tested Beds At Up To 62% Off
While there's almost always a Nectar mattress sale happening, the current discounts match ones we saw during Memorial Day and the 4th of July. Right now you can save up to 50% on beds and up to 66% on bundles during the Summer Spectacular event—on par with the lowest prices we've seen so far this year. The queen size of our pick for the best memory foam mattress overall, the Nectar Premier, is on sale for under $1,000—a great price for a luxury model. Save up to 50% on a new mattress and up to 66% on bundles during Nectar's mattress sale. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER All four of Nectar's mattress models—the Classic, Premier, Luxe and Ultra—have recently been revamped. The 2025 update contributed to a price increase, but its current sale prices are in line with what we've seen over recent holiday weekends. Below, we've outlined the advantages of each model, almost all of which occupy top spots in our mattress shopping guides after being tested firsthand by our editors. For more deals on our top mattress picks of 2025, check out our roundup of the best mattress sales this month. Nectar Mattress Sale: Best Offers At A Glance Nectar Mattress Sale: Editor Recommendations Our Top Choice For The Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $1,000 Nectar Nectar Classic Mattress (Queen) Shop At Nectar Nectar's entry-level model provides comfort and support without breaking the bank. The Classic bed offers excellent motion isolation and pressure relief as well as cooling properties, but it costs almost half the price of the brand's Luxe model—which is why it's our editors' pick for the best memory foam mattress under $1,000. If you want a bit more support, consider the hybrid version of this mattress, which is marked down to $799 (formerly $1,490) right now. The Best Memory Foam Mattress Overall, According To Our Tests Nectar The Nectar Premier Mattress (Queen) Shop At Nectar The Nectar Premier falls right between Nectar's Classic and Luxe models in terms of design and features—and it's our recommendation for the best memory foam mattress overall. The Premier's quilted cover is designed to help wick away moisture and regulate temperature while still providing bounce and support. The design also delivers solid motion isolation, a major perk for those who share a bed with restless partners. Our Pick For The Best Value Cooling Mattress Nectar Nectar Luxe Mattress (Queen) Shop At Nectar The Nectar Luxe's 14 inches of layered material is designed to support your joints and relieve pressure, while its cooling copper cover dissipates heat and wicks away moisture. The mattress is ideal for side sleepers, couples and hot sleepers—and you can save hundreds of dollars if you get it during Nectar's current mattress sale. The hybrid model, our current top pick for the best value cooling mattress on the market, offers a combination of memory foam and individually wrapped springs for added breathability and support; just keep in mind that the price tag is slightly higher than the memory foam version. A Super-Cushy Mattress For Side Sleepers Nectar Sleep Nectar Ultra Mattress (Queen) Shop At Nectar The Nectar Ultra is the brand's softest and highest-end model, and you can purchase it as a foam mattress or a hybrid version for an extra $200. When our sleep editors tested the memory foam model, they noted it has a super-cushy, dense feel that's reminiscent of a Tempur-Pedic mattress. Even the hybrid model, which was springier than the memory foam, offered a good deal of that 'sinking-in' feeling. Because of this, we recommend the Nectar Ultra for those who prefer or would benefit from a soft mattress, including side sleepers and back sleepers under 250 pounds. The Hybrid Version Of Nectar's Classic Design Nectar Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress Shop at Nectar If you can't decide between a memory foam or innerspring mattress, this hybrid design gives you the best of both worlds: contouring memory foam combined with extra support, airflow and motion isolation from its innerspring coils. The 12-inch design also has a cooling top layer with an antimicrobial treatment that keeps your sleeping surface clean and cool to the touch. This model is currently available for 53% off. A Firm Yet Plush Option For All Types Of Sleepers Nectar Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress Shop At Nectar Nectar's most popular hybrid mattress, the Premier Hybrid offers double the pressure relief and more enhanced cooling features compared to the Classic Hybrid. Designed to support all types of sleepers, its individually-wrapped coils bring sturdy support, reliable motion control and healthy airflow, creating a feel that's both firm and plush. Our tester reported reduced hip pain and noted that the cooling top layer effectively regulated their temperature for a more restful night's sleep. An Excellent Adjustable Bed And Mattress Combo Nectar Nectar Premier Adjustable Bundle (Queen) Shop At Nectar If you're considering upgrading your bed frame to an adjustable one, check out this deal on the Nectar Premier Adjustable Bundle. Not only does it feature the brand's highly rated adjustable bed frame, but it also offers your choice of a memory foam or hybrid mattress. The memory foam option is ideal for back pain relief, while the hybrid is designed to keep hot sleepers comfortable. As for the adjustable base, it provides independent head and foot adjustability, anti-snore presets, a whisper-quiet two-zone massage feature and adjustable height. A Minimalistic Bed Frame And Mattress Bundle Nectar Nectar Bamboo Bed And Mattress Bundle (Queen) Shop At Nectar This solid bamboo bed frame is a minimalist's dream, thanks to its clean lines and uncluttered silhouette. Bamboo is lightweight yet durable, and the interlocking joints mean you don't need to fuss with screws and nails when putting this together. (The assembly is tool-free and easy to do, even if you live alone.) Choose a walnut or natural wood finish, and complete your bundle with one of Nectar's mattresses. A Versatile Bed Frame With A Mattress Of Your Choice Nectar Nectar Foundation Bundle Shop At Nectar If you're looking for a versatile bed frame and mattress combination, Nectar's Foundation Bundle delivers both. The bundle includes any Nectar mattress of your choice, plus the brand's Foundation frame, which can function as a standalone platform bed, pair with a headboard, or be used without legs as a supportive box spring. It also features upholstered corners and rounded feet to prevent any bumps and bruises throughout the day or night. An Adjustable, Programmable Frame With Custom Elevation nectar Nectar Premier Adjustable Bed Frame (Queen) Shop At Nectar If you already own a Nectar mattress and want to upgrade your frame to an adjustable one, you don't have to buy a bundle to get a steep discount. The Premier Adjustable Frame is now available for $749, over 50% off its original price. Not only will you get independent head and foot isolation for under $800, but you'll also have app and remote control, one-touch recline and zero-gravity settings (among others), three massage intensities and four built-in USB ports. Plus, the assembly is tool-free. A Sturdy, Upholstered Frame With A Tufted Headboard nectar Nectar Bed Frame With Headboard Shop At Nectar While Nectar is only advertising deals on mattresses and bundles during its Summer Spectacular event, some of its sturdy, contemporary-style bed frames are also on sale. If the adjustable frame mentioned above has too many frills, you'll appreciate the more simple, timeless design of this upholstered frame, which is 43% off. It features a classic button-tufted headboard and can accommodate up to 700 pounds. It's available in both Grey and Linen and is built with six 8-inch legs, and because it uses sturdy wooden slats, you won't need a box spring. This Highly-Rated, Minimalist Frame Nectar Nectar Mattress Foundation Steel Frame (Queen) Shop At Nectar If you're looking for a sleek, minimalist design, this steel frame comes highly rated with over 3,000 five-star reviews. It has a wood slat foundation, a durable steel frame and includes a two-year warranty. The versatile design can be used alone for a sleek, understated look or paired with a statement piece headboard. You can also remove the legs for a low-profile, platform look or stack it on an existing frame as a supportive boxspring. During the sale, you can grab this simple design for 21% off. Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted editorial team has extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best products on the market. Our mattress shopping guides are based on expert medical advice, hundreds of hours of research and extensive firsthand testing. Jordan Thomas, the author of this story, is Forbes Vetted's assistant deals editor. She has over five years of experience writing in the e-commerce space and was previously a deals writer at Wirecutter. She routinely researches deals and savings events—including mattress sales—to find the best offers available. Our mattress and sleep content is overseen by senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman, who has a decade of experience as a journalist and holds a sleep science coach certification, which she leans on to weed out false advertising claims and uncover real benefits in the online mattress industry. Mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon is also a certified sleep science coach and prolific mattress tester with five years of experience. In addition to their years of expertise and sleep science coaching certifications, Chapman and Dillon, along with the rest of the Forbes Vetted sleep team, have rigorously tested and re-tested over 120 of mattresses using carefully crafted methodology. Do Nectar Mattresses Ever Go On Sale? Yes, Nectar frequently offers promotions on its mattresses, bed frames and bedding throughout the year. That said, the highest discounts usually fall around holiday weekends or major shopping events, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, President's Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. We've seen consistent markdowns during these windows—specifically, 50% off mattresses and up to 66% off bundles. The current summer sale is offering deals on par with these peak shopping times, making now as good a time as any to purchase a new bed. What Is The Lifespan Of A Nectar Mattress? How long a mattress lasts depends on several factors, such as body weight, sleeping positions and overall care. Typically, Nectar's all-foam models remain in good condition for anywhere between 8 to 10 years, while the hybrid models can last up to 12 years. Nectar offers a lifetime warranty that covers material or manufacturing defects—but this doesn't include normal wear and tear or damage caused directly by the owner.
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Travel + Leisure
13-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
12 Travel Items You Never Need to Spend a Fortune on—and the Budget-friendly Hacks That Do the Trick Instead
From travel locks to passport wallets, it feels like there are a million things to remember before heading out the door and to the airport. But you don't need a million different travel accessories to fly comfortably and have a good trip. As a travel writer, I've flown enough to know what's worth taking with you—and what you can leave behind. So, I put together a list of 12 best budget travel hacks that will solve a ton of trip woes, from a phone with a dead battery to a noisy flight. From the best eye mask for travel to the best neck pillow, every item on this list is under $40. This mix of accessories can be used in-flight, on a train or bus, and even long after you've arrived at your destination. So, make sure you put all of these Amazon budget travel hacks into your carry-on travel backpack the next time you head out. If you want to avoid a stiff neck during long flights, train rides, or road trips, a neck pillow is a must. One of the best travel neck pillows is this Napfun option, which is unique because it's designed with a flat back that helps keep your head in a more neutral position while you're sleeping. Round necks tend to push your head forward and can lead to neck strain for some. Its memory foam fill also feels cloud-like for ultimate comfort. It may feel more convenient to buy travel-sized versions of your go-to toiletries every time you're going on a trip, but it's worth it to spend a few minutes putting the products you already have into these travel bottles instead. Not only will you save a few dollars, but you don't have to worry about whether what you bought is TSA-compliant. Plus, these bottles are color-coded to make it easy to find what you need quickly. The set comes with four bottles, four jars, two spray bottles, scoopers, a funnel, a brush, labels, and a bag. Dubbed our best weighted sleep mask, we love that the Barmy mask applies light pressure to specific points on your face to help you relax. That's in addition to blocking a fair amount of light. The mask is cozy-soft against the skin, and cooling, too, so your eye area won't feel too hot as you sleep or decompress. Sure, you could use the plane's outlet, but why do all that bending and maneuvering around when it's probably easier to use this sleek and slim power bank? It's designed with four different cables, making it a workhorse for charging all your electronics, no matter what kind of cable they require to juice up. It's probably a good idea to keep the portable charger in your purse during your travels, so that you're not stuck trying to find the nearest outlet while out sightseeing. After I got stuck watching a movie with subtitles because I refused to buy the airplane-offered headphones I'd likely only use once, I never travel without a Bluetooth audio transmitter. The Twelve South AirFly Bluetooth Audio Transmitter plugs into the plane's headphone jack to allow you to wirelessly connect to your AirPods, Beats Studio Buds, or other compatible headphones. It can handle 20 hours of audio on a single charge, and it's also smaller than your palm, making it easy to travel with. It can be easy to experience restless legs on a flight, especially if you're sitting in economy. This foot hammock is a fun and relaxing way to kick up your feet when a quick walk to the bathroom to get your legs going just won't cut it. You can hang the hammock from the tray table in front of you and adjust it to one of three lengths to make it the perfect height for your legs, so even children can use it. Whether you don't want to hear the conversation your neighbors are having or need complete quiet to fall into a deep sleep on your next red-eye, Loop's Quiet 2 Ear Plugs can block out noise without making your ears feel uncomfortable, which is why we named them our favorite earplugs of 30 pairs we tested. They're made with flexible silicone that molds to your ear shape, so you never feel like you have to force them in. It also helps that they're much more stylish than your average earbuds, which makes them fun to use. There's no better way to remember to keep hydrated than by keeping a water bottle on hand, but they can be a little annoying to carry around. Vapur's collapsible bottle (the most durable on our best collapsible water bottles list!) is incredibly light and easy to carry. When not in use, it can also fold down to barely take up any space in your luggage. Another hack: This is perfect for feeding water to your furry travel companions, too. If you want to give your overstuffed suitcase some help staying shut, a luggage strap can help it keep closed and secure. This Samsonite one even comes with a TSA-approved travel lock to prevent anyone from tampering with your belongings. You can also use a luggage strap to attach multiple items, like a duffel to your rolling suitcase if it doesn't have a trolley sleeve. This phone mount can attach to almost anything—an airplane tray table, your luggage handle, a desk, and more. It's the perfect accessory for watching something on your phone on the go since it can fold down to be just about palm-sized. When open, it uses a clamp to keep secure to whatever it's attached to, too. The mount rotates 360 degrees, so you can always achieve the perfect viewing angle. It may be nearly impossible to survive those early-morning flights without coffee, but you can make sure you don't accidentally spill it all over your luggage again. This cup caddy attaches to the handle of your rolling suitcase to hold up to two drinks. It also has an extra pocket where you can store your phone or other small essentials to keep your hands free for those other important tasks, like holding a child's hand. If you're traveling abroad for the first time, you'll soon discover that many places don't use the outlets we're used to here in the U.S. Packing a universal travel adapter will ensure that you can keep all your gear charged no matter what outlet you encounter. We named it our best travel adapter converter because it can charge six devices at the same time, and it's ready to use in more than 150 countries. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress review: a stylish, supportive hybrid that keeps cool on balmy nights
I fear the Panda Hybrid Bamboo is playing games with me. When I first tried this mattress last year, it was among the firmest of all contenders in my mission to discover the best mattress. It was great-looking, easy to handle, and firm. Several months later, it's great-looking, easy to handle, and … soft? The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Not quite. But Panda's mattress is a fine example of what happens to memory foam after you've slept on it for a few months. The initially solid sleeping surface adapts to your body, becoming softer and cosier. My tests with weights reassured me that the mattress was still supportive and not sagging, but it definitely wasn't as firm as in those early weeks. Being a hybrid mattress, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo contains springs as well as foam, although I'm not sure you'd know it. Hybrids cover a huge range, and this one's very much at the 'feels like all-foam' end. Here, I'll explain why that makes it ideal for some sleepers – but not quite for me. View at Panda Bedding company Panda London sent me a double size Hybrid Bamboo mattress in autumn 2024. My husband, Alan, and I removed it from its bed-in-a-box wrapping and let it expand fully, then invited our family testing panel to mark out of 10 on firmness and comfort. We also ran lab-style experiments with heat pads, weights and wobbly cups of water to measure sinkage, motion isolation, heat retention and edge support. Alan and I slept on the Panda for a month in winter, then again during the much warmer nights of June. View at Panda The Hybrid Bamboo is the cheaper of the two mattresses made by Panda London. It comes in nine sizes, including 'small double', and costs from £649 (UK single) to £1,050 (EU emperor) via £799 for a UK double. Those prices are roughly mid-range for a bed-in-a-box hybrid, but they're much cheaper than Panda's other mattress, the 'orthopaedic grade' Hybrid Bamboo Pro, which costs from £950 to £1,750 and contains almost twice the number of springs. Like all hybrid mattresses, the Hybrid Bamboo contains pocket springs plus layers of memory foam of various densities. The individually wrapped pocket springs have a barrel-shaped design, which means they offer more pushback where your body needs it, according to Panda. The mattress contains 612 springs in its largest size, somewhat fewer than firmer rivals such as the Origin Hybrid Pro, which has 5,700 springs in a double. Foam layers include an open-cell 'BioCell' layer immediately beneath the surface, then a more dense 'DualFlex' layer further down. The mattress lives up to its name with infusions of bamboo in the fabric cover and open-cell foam. Panda claims this bamboo content is naturally antibacterial, moisture-wicking and deodorising, with the power to 'prevent the natural heat retention of memory foam'. The cream-coloured fabric cover is gorgeous, with a geometric pattern that looks almost art deco. You can unzip and remove the cover for washing in the machine when needed, but it comes off in one whole unit, like a shell. That makes it more tricky to zip back into place than most removable mattress covers. I managed it on my own, eventually. There are six layers in all, adding up to a depth of 25cm. That's a nice medium depth, offering a balance of robustness and easy manoeuvrability, plus a snug fit for standard fitted sheets. Carry handles are hidden away on the underside of the mattress. As with most hybrids, the Panda is one-sided (only one side is designed to be slept on), so you don't have to turn it. However, Panda recommends you rotate it 180 degrees every three to six months to prevent sagging. Panda describes the Hybrid Bamboo as 'medium firm' and gives it 6.5/10 for firmness. When it's newly expanded, it feels significantly firmer than that – but it softens to its advertised tension after being slept on for a few weeks. When my family testing panel rated the Hybrid Bamboo a week after unwrapping, it scored 8/10 for firmness and sank a maximum of 19mm under 7.5kg of weight. Six months later, including two months of being slept on, it scored 6.8/10 and sank 34mm. This is within the expected settlement rate for memory foam. You'll need to take advantage of Panda's 100-night free trial period before deciding whether this mattress is right for you. Type: hybridFirmness: advertised as medium firm, panel initially rated as 8/10, then 6.8/10Depth: 25cmCover: remove to wash at 30CTurn or rotate: rotate every six monthsTrial period: 100 nightsWarranty: 10 yearsOld mattress recycling: freeSustainability credentials: foam is CertiPur approved; polyester content is made from recycled ocean bottles; will recycle old mattress The Panda Hybrid Bamboo was delivered to my door in standard bed-in-a-box manner: it was shrink-wrapped in the factory and then transported in a big cardboard box. Panda's free shipping service promises more than most rivals, including delivery to any room of your choice and the removal of packaging. I opted to have the box left in my hallway. The Hybrid Bamboo took longer than average to expand to full size after unwrapping. Panda says to wait eight hours before lying on it, but I'd add at least two days to that. If you try sleeping on the mattress any sooner, it will feel soft and uneven, and the chemical 'off-gassing' smell is unlikely to help you snooze peacefully. I was too hard on the Panda at first, because it was too hard on me. Along with my family, I found its sleeping surface unforgiving, especially for those of us who are small and sleep on our sides. Six months later, including at least two months of being slept on, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo turned into a much cosier mattress whose growing softness didn't compromise its supportiveness. I'd initially allocated sleep-testing duties to my dad, Don. He's fit as a fiddle at 85 but found the Panda to be 'hard on my joints', so Alan and I stepped in for snoozing. We'd previously found our sleeping sweet spot on the firm Otty Original Hybrid, and welcomed the spongy but robust surface of the Panda Hybrid Bamboo. It felt too firm on the first night, but over the first few weeks of March, it yielded just enough for comfort when we slept on our sides, and we slept very well. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion As the weeks went by, Alan and I both noticed a distinct softening in the upper foam layer. I didn't mind this at first, because it felt consistent and natural, unlike the slight central sagging I'd noticed in the Simba Hybrid Pro. Our sleeping bodies made dents in the surface overnight, but it puffed back to flatness within a few hours and offered strong pushback when we lay down. The Hybrid Bamboo's motion isolation is excellent, perhaps thanks to its high memory foam content. There's no bounce to this mattress at all, so it does a great job of absorbing the movements of a restless partner – such as my husband and me. Foam can make you overheat at night, since it tends to hold on to the warmth of your sleeping body, but the Panda did well here. It performed above average in my heat-retention tests and felt cosy without making either of us clammy. We tested it in February and June under very different weather conditions, and despite its foamy feel, it didn't overheat us on the hot summer nights. I also like that its cover claims to be hypoallergenic, because on high pollen days (and nights), I need all the help I can get to curb my hay fever. It seems odd now that the Panda's firmness was its biggest initial flaw for my family testing panel. By the end of the two months, it felt too soft for me and my husband to sleep on comfortably, and perfect for my dad. Sorry, Dad, it's going to charity. The softening of the Hybrid Bamboo's upper layers is entirely to be expected, but it's a distinctive quality of memory foam that won't suit everyone. The spongy sensation can feel like you're being hugged by a giant marshmallow, with no room for air to move. I also found myself worrying that I wasn't being supported enough, and that affected my ability to sleep. I disliked the way the edge gave way beneath me when I got in and out of bed. When you sit on the side of the Hybrid Bamboo, it doesn't really support you at all. There's a frame of dense memory foam around the mattress's layers to help maintain its shape, but it just doesn't seem to have the intended effect. Panda's sustainability efforts are generally good. The bamboo it uses in mattresses and other products is grown organically 'without any fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides', and the polyester in its vaguely described 'durability layer' is made from 'recycled ocean bottles'. It also uses 100% biodegradable 'kraft paper' for its boxes, but there's no word on the composition of the metres of thick soft plastic used to shrink-wrap the mattress for delivery. Memory foam, made from high-viscosity polyurethane, is not a green material by any stretch. Panda does its best to limit the environmental impact of its foam, including CertiPur certification and donating bedding to young people transitioning out of homelessness. The company says it designs its mattresses to last many years to prevent them from ending up in landfill. When I asked Panda for more detail on this 'built to last' policy, it told me it randomly selects a few mattresses from its production line every six months for a 'rigorous laboratory durability test' in conditions that mimic the moisture fluctuations of a real bed. 'These stringent trials go far beyond standard industry checks,' Panda's Natalie Cannavo told me. 'They are integral to our quality assurance process and ensure that our 10-year guarantee is backed by evidence.' In keeping with this landfill-avoidance strategy, Panda offers cheaper recycling than its rivals. It also makes its mattresses easier and cheaper to recycle than its rivals. Most mattress companies ask a fair whack to dispose of your mattress responsibly (Origin charges £54, for example), but Panda does it for free if you're buying a mattress. If you're not, the service costs £50. Panda will donate your old mattress to charity if it's too good for recycling. Using this 'Circle of Life Initiative' even gets you 20% off your next Panda purchase. The Panda Hybrid Bamboo is a mid-price, mid-softness hybrid mattress whose cushioned surface provides good pressure relief for side sleepers and anyone who loves a cosy bed. Its springs are much less noticeable than its memory foam, which absorbs motion brilliantly and softens over time. On breathability, though, the Panda performs more like a pocket sprung mattress, so it may be a good choice if balmy nights drive you barmy. View at Panda Jane Hoskyn is a consumer journalist and WFH pioneer with three decades of experience in rearranging bookshelves and 'testing' coffee machines while deadlines loom. Her work has made her a low-key expert in all manner of consumables, from sports watches to solar panels. She would always rather be in the woods
