Simba Hybrid vs Simba Hybrid Essential
The Simba Hybrid and the Simba Essential are largely the same, with a few small differences.
Here’s a quick overview of the most notable differences:
| Simba Hybrid | Simba Essential | |
| Mattress height: | 25 cm (10 inches) | 20 cm (7.8 inches) |
| Mattress layers: |
4 layers: Open-cell, graphite-infused Simbatex foam 2000 Aerocoil conical pocket springs across 13 zones CertiPur stability layer No roll-off SupportCore base with up to 1000 barrel springs |
3 layers: Open-cell, graphite-infused Simbatex foam Up to 1500 Aerocoil mini conical pocket springs Multi-zoned foam base layer |
| Available sizes: | Kids, UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King, EU Single, EU Double, EU Queen | UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King |
| Buy: | FREE PILLOW + MATTRESS PROTECTOR WITH SIMBA HYBRID | BUY SIMBA ESSENTIAL£ 499 |
Other features, like general firmness, comfort, mattress cover, delivery conditions, and trial period, are all the same.
Nonetheless, let’s take a closer look at the Simba Essential mattress. 🕵️♀️
Simba Hybrid Essential mattress composition
The Simba Essential is a hybrid pocket sprung foam mattress with a total of three layers.
The three mattress layers are:
- Open-cell graphite-infused Simbatex foam layer
- Up to 1500 Aerecoil mini pocket springs
- Five-zoned foam base layer
Note, though, that Simba Sleep advertises the Essential as a four-layer mattress as they include the mattress cover.
We’ll look at the cover in more detail further down.
But, for now, let’s take a closer look at these mattress layers.
Simba Essential mattress layers
1. Top comfort layer of graphite-infused Simbatex open-cell polyfoam
The Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress has a top comfort layer made from soft, open-cell polyfoam called Simbatex.
The foam accounts for much of the comfort of the mattress. 😴
It has an open-cell structure and is thus much more breathable than closed-cell memory foam.
This allows for greater airflow and enhances the foam’s cooling properties. ❄️
The Simbatex layer is also infused with graphite, which draws heat away from the body.
2. An Aerocoil spring-comfort layer
The second layer of up to 1500 Aerocoil mini pocket springs creates much of the feel, support, and comfort of the Simba Essential.
This is also why the mattress is often called the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket Mattress.
The conical springs distribute weight evenly, decreasing pressure points and minimising motion transfer.
Made from super-strong titanium, these 25 mm (0.9 inches) micro-springs are smaller and slimmer than standard pocket springs (with a thickness gauge of 0.9 mm) but give you all the support you need.
Micro-springs also adapt better to the shape of your body, offering more controlled support and pressure relief.
3. Multi-zoned foam support base layer
The base layer of the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress features five separate support zones. 👌
These ensure that the mattress adjusts to your body perfectly, allowing for more sinkage where needed and more support where necessary.
Simba Hybrid Essential mattress cover
The Simba Essential features a 500 g hand-knitted top cover.
This top cover is super soft and smooth, and feels absolutely dreamy to lie on.
It’s also hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people prone to allergies. 🤧
The cover also features:
- Elegant blue stitching on the side to separate the white top cover from the grey mesh sides.
- Grey mesh sides for enhanced breathability.
- A bottom non-slip layer to keep your mattress firmly on its base.
There are no side handles on this mattress cover. 🙅
But, since it’s a low-height mattress that’s not very heavy, you shouldn’t struggle to rotate the mattress without.
Do not wash the cover
Unfortunately, the mattress cover is not removable or washable. 🛀
If you’ve looked through our photos, you’ll see that we did actually remove part of the cover to reveal the foams.
This is easy to do since there is a zipper.
But this zipper is for production purposes only and doesn’t stretch across the entire mattress.
If you were to take the cover off entirely, you’d have some trouble putting it on again. ⛔️
How to clean your Simba Essential
If the cover isn’t removable or washable, then how do you clean your mattress cover?
You can use a damp cloth to clean individual stains on the grey fabric. 🧽
But to protect the top cover, we’d highly recommend investing in a waterproof mattress protector.
Mattress protectors elongate the lifespan of your mattress by safeguarding it from moisture, dirt, and bacteria. 💦
We wouldn’t dare sleep on a mattress without a protector and have linked to some of our favourites below.
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![Nectar mattress protector]()
![Nectar mattress protector]()
Nectar![Nectar]()
Mattress ProtectorPrice from £ 39The Nectar mattress protector has been designed with a discreet, waterproof barrier.The Nectar mattress protector has been designed with a discreet, waterproof barrier.Price from £ 39 -
![Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector]()
![Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector]()
Panda London![Panda London]()
Bamboo Mattress ProtectorPrice from £ 25.50 £ (30 )The naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial Panda Bamboo mattress protector acts as a safeguard for your mattress.The naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial Panda Bamboo mattress protector acts as a safeguard for your mattress.Price from £ 25.50 (£ 30 ) -
![Hypnia Mattress Protector]()
![Hypnia Mattress Protector]()
Hypnia![Hypnia]()
Mattress ProtectorPrice from £ 37.99 £ (51.99 )The Hypnia mattress protector is fully waterproof and made from high-quality cotton."Get 10% off with our exclusive 'SH10' discount code."The Hypnia mattress protector is fully waterproof and made from high-quality cotton."Get 10% off with our exclusive 'SH10' discount code."Price from £ 37.99 (£ 51.99 )
Simba Essential firmness
Having tried other low-height mattresses before, we were rather surprised at just how firm the Simba Essential is. 😳
We’d rate it at 7.5 out of 10 on the Sleep Hero firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest.
This firmer feel may seem a bit unusual but makes sense if you’re considering that low-height mattresses provide less playroom in terms of sinkage.
Standard mattresses can sink in a bit and still offer good support. 👍
Low-height mattress, in contrast, lose support very quickly with sinkage.
There is simply “less mattress” to play with.
Measuring sinkage depths
To make sure we weren’t too biased - the level of firmness you feel does depend on your weight and build, after all - we relied on some measurements for this Simba Essential review. 🧮
For this, we measured how deeply we sank into the foams in different sleeping positions.
This allows us to gauge how the mattress responds to body weight and how much support it gives.
When testing, we always take readings at the same place:
- Sleeping on the stomach: We measure at the stomach.
- Sleeping on the side: We measure at the shoulders and hips.
- Sleeping on the back: We measure at the shoulders and hips.
We’ve also included measurements of standing on the mattress, which give a good indication of maximum sinkage.
Here are our results:
| Test sleeper 1 (1.80 m / 72 kg) | Test sleeper 2 (1.63 m / 57 kg) | |
| Lying on the back: | Shoulder: 1.5 cm (0.5 inches) Hips: 2.5 cm (0.7 inches) |
Shoulder: No sinkage evident Hips: 0.5 cm (0.1 inches) |
| Lying on the side: | Shoulder: 3 cm (1.1 inches) Hips: 4 cm (1.6 inches) |
Shoulder: 0.5 cm (0.1 inches) Hips: 1 cm (1.1 inches) |
| Lying on the stomach: | No sinkage evident | No sinkage evident |
| Standing in the middle: | 12 cm (4.7 inches) | 7.5 cm (2.9 inches) |
Even though both test sleepers immediately perceived the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress as firm, we were quite surprised to see just how firm it was when taking the measurements. 📏
These very low sinkage depths are indicative of a firm mattress, and make the Essential a tad firmer than the Hybrid.
But, sinkage is still optimal to support every sleeping position.
- The mattress gives fantastic support to stomach sleepers and back sleepers, ensuring optimal spinal alignment.
- It also gives good support to side sleepers, allowing both shoulders and hips to sink in a little bit to enjoy optimal spinal alignment.
That said, lower-weight individuals or those of a smaller build may find the mattress a bit too firm in the side position.
Because there’s not much sinkage, shoulders and hips may be pushed up a little too much, causing spinal misalignment.
This would need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis though.
Luckily, the Simba Essential comes with a risk-free trial period, so you can try out the mattress to see if you like it. 🥳
Average edge support
Even though the Essential is quite firm, it does lack in terms of edge support.
This is also the one notable difference between the Simba Essential and the Simba Hybrid - the Essential lacks the EdgeLift technology layer.
This layer is meant to provide edge-to-edge support in the original hybrid mattress.
Naturally, then, you can assume that the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress offers less edge support than the Simba Hybrid. 🤷♀️
It’s still not terrible, though.
If sitting or kneeling at the edge of the mattress, the lack of edge support is quite pronounced.
This is because a lot of weight is concentrated in one location.
But if you’re lying on the mattress, edge support is actually quite decent and the mattress remains incredibly comfy.
This may change slightly according to your weight and build, but you still shouldn’t ever feel as if you’re falling off the sides of the bed while sleeping.
That said, we’d have a few recommendations here:
- If you like sitting at the edge of your bed, perhaps to read, paint your nails, or put on your shoes, then you should get a mattress with better edge support.
- If you’re sharing your bed with a partner, we’d suggest opting for a king-size mattress, just to make sure you have enough space to move comfortably without falling off.
- If you’re of larger build or slightly heavier, you should also look into a mattress with better edge support.
If you’re using the bed by yourself, though, you’ll have an excellent night’s sleep on the Essential.
What does sleeping on the Simba Essential feel like?
The Simba Hybrid Essential mattress was surprisingly comfortable to sleep on. 😴
Here are a few things that surprised us:
- It was much firmer than we thought it would be.
- It was much more supportive than we thought it would be.
- It was more comfortable to move around on than we thought it would be.
Why is this?
Even though this is a low-height mattress, it’s worth remembering that it has almost the same composition as the Simba Hybrid.
The Simba Hybrid is one of our favourite mattresses - and one of the best mattresses in the UK. 🇬🇧
So, it makes sense that the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket Mattress would also far surpass our expectations.
Comfortable for all sleeping positions
We’re not tossers and turners, but we tried the Simba Essential in a range of sleeping positions. 🕺
It managed to support us well in all.
We could even say it was slightly too firm for lighter-weight sleepers in the side position.
This was primarily because we’d just moved over from a pillow-top pocket sprung mattress, which offered a tad more softness.
But, the extra firmness also runs the risk of leading to spinal misalignment if side sleepers can't sink in deeply enough.
Considering the sinkage tests from our review, you may have a similar experience.
The Simba Essential felt a little too firm for the first night or two, and then became more and more comfortable. 🌓
This is why you should also try out your mattress for a few nights - or a few weeks - to give your body the chance to get used to it.
It may take up to a month to get used to the feel of a new mattress.
This is especially true if the mattress you’re changing over from is vastly different. 👍
Comfortable for most body types
Our Simba Essential review found the mattress to be comfortable for average-weight and lighter-weight sleepers but it may be too firm for lighter-weight side sleepers.
While we didn’t have the chance to test it with a larger-than-average person, our experience tells us that the mattress would be less comfortable for larger builds.
Why is this?
Since the Simba Essential is a low-height mattress, there is only a limited depth the mattress can sink down before it starts losing support. 🏔
Even though this is a firm mattress, larger individuals are likely to sink into the foams too much, decreasing support and making the mattress less comfortable to sleep on.
Larger builds may be better off with an overall more supportive and thicker mattress, like the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid.
Works well with a sturdy base
Thinner mattress models tend to work best with sturdy bed frames, like divan beds.
Why?
Well, a thicker mattress is generally a bit more supportive and has more weight to hold itself up.
A thinner mattress is influenced by your body weight a bit more.
If you have a thin mattress on a flimsy bed base - such as a slatted base where the slats are too far apart - you’re likely to experience a less-than-sturdy feel.
This can be very uncomfortable, especially if you’re a restless sleeper.
If you’re opting for a thinner mattress, like the Simba Essential, it’s imperative to have a good bed base that will act as a firm and sturdy support for the mattress.
Only then will you be able to experience the full comfort of the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress.
We'd also steer clear of Ottoman bed frames, which often rely on the weight of the mattress to keep the actual slatted frame in place - the Essential may simply be too light.
Some of our favourite bed frames:
-
![Simba Orion Bed Base]()
![Simba Orion Bed Base]()
Simba![Simba]()
Orion Bed BasePrice from £ 729The Simba Orion Bed Base is made with stain-resistant linen fabric and sturdy birch wood.The Simba Orion Bed Base is made with stain-resistant linen fabric and sturdy birch wood.Price from £ 729 -
![Emma Divan Bed]()
![Emma Divan Bed]()
Emma![Emma]()
Divan BedPrice from £ 549.75 £ (733 )The Emma Divan bed includes the option of integrated storage drawers."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."The Emma Divan bed includes the option of integrated storage drawers."Get 5% off with our exclusive 'SLEEPHEROUK5' discount code."Price from £ 549.75 (£ 733 )
Does the Simba Hybrid Essential sleep hot?
The Simba Essential mattress is quite temperature-neutral. ❄️
There are a few elements that play a role in this:
- Simbatex is an open-cell foam that’s 30% more breathable than standard memory foam mattresses, allowing for more airflow.
- The top layer is infused with cooling graphite.
- The 1500 pocket springs increase overall breathability.
- The side mesh cover allows heat to escape.
For our Simba Essential review, we found that the mattress regulated temperature well throughout the night. 🙌
We tested in spring conditions, with some nights warmer and some nights cooler. 🧊
Overall, the mattress slept cooler than the pillow top mattress we’d switched over from.
Is the Simba Essential mattress good for couples?
The Simba Essential has 1500 pocket springs, which offer individually-tailored support and decrease overall motion transfer.
Motion transfer, in a nutshell, refers to how much movement is carried across a mattress.
A mattress with low motion transfer (or high motion isolation) remains relatively still despite movement elsewhere on the mattress.
A low motion transfer mattress like the Simba Essential, then, is a great choice for couples. 👩❤️👨
You’re unlikely to be disturbed by your partner at night.
That said, we wouldn’t recommend a low-height mattress to slightly larger-than-average builds - especially couples - as you may find overall support dwindling.
The largest mattress size for this model is also the king mattress.
Given the average edge support, couples may find a super king mattress more comfortable. 👑
For that, you’d have to go one price level up and invest in the Simba Hybrid.
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![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
Simba![Simba]()
HybridPrice from £ 599The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam. With 10 year guarantee.The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam. With 10 year guarantee.Price from £ 599
Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress sizes
While Simba Sleep tends to offer tons of mattress sizes, the selection of Simba Essential sizes is limited.
It’s available in these dimensions:
- Simba Essential single mattress: 90 x 190 cm (3’ x 6’3”)
- Simba Essential small double mattress: 120 x 190 cm (4’ x 6’3”)
- Simba Essential double mattress: 135 x 190 cm (4’6” x 6’3”)
- Simba Essential king mattress: 150 x 200 cm (5’ x 6’6”)
This makes the Essential suitable for children, young adults, and young couples. 👩❤️👨
But, we wouldn’t recommend it to the elderly or slightly larger couples.
These groups may prefer thicker and bigger mattresses overall, like the Simba Hybrid Luxe.
Simba Hybrid Essential depth
The Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress comes at a standard height of 20 cm (7.8 inches).
This is 5 cm (1.9 inches) below the bed-in-a-box industry standard. 📦
Low-height mattresses are generally much cheaper, so they’re a great option for children or guest rooms.
But higher mattresses tend to be more comfortable, look nicer in bedrooms, and make getting in and out of bed much easier. 🌟
Simba Essential mattress prices
Even though the Simba Essential is the budget version of the Simba Hybrid, it’s surprisingly expensive - coming in at just a tad cheaper than the actual Hybrid. 💷
This makes the Essential considerably more expensive than other low-height budget mattresses.
It’s actually more on par with the standard mattresses from other brands, including the Nectar mattress and the Emma Original mattress.
That said, it's worth remembering that most standard mattresses are all-foam options, not hybrids like this one.
Simba has actually since released the Simbatex Foam Mattress, which is much cheaper than the Hybrid Essential, feels similar to the standard Hybrid, and comes at a standard mattress depth.
(Note: prices listed below are standard prices, excluding any current coupons & discounts)
Simba Essential mattress discount codes
Despite these very obvious shortcomings, you’ll be pleased to find out that Simba Sleep offers frequent sales and promotions. 😅
Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend hours searching for the best coupon codes.
We collect all the best ones and display them on our discounts page.
If there are any sales currently running, we’ll display them throughout this page as well. 🤩
You can also sign up for our newsletter to get the best deals sent straight to your inbox.
What else does Simba offer?
Simba Sleep UK offers numerous quality sleep accessories.
Some of our favourites include:
- The adjustable Simba Hybrid pillow
- The super-comfy Simba topper [2]
- The all-seasons Simba duvet
We’ve included links to these below. 👇
Our favourite Simba Sleep accessories:
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![Simba Hybrid Pillow]()
![Simba Hybrid Pillow]()
Simba![Simba]()
Hybrid PillowPrice from £ 109The Simba Hybrid Pillow is an excellent choice for those in need of adjustable support.The Simba Hybrid Pillow is an excellent choice for those in need of adjustable support.Price from £ 109 -
![Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper]()
![Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper]()
Simba![Simba]()
Mattress TopperPrice from £ 299The Simba mattress topper is a high-quality hybrid topper.The Simba mattress topper is a high-quality hybrid topper.Price from £ 299 -
![Simba Hybrid Duvet]()
![Simba Hybrid Duvet]()
Simba![Simba]()
Hybrid DuvetPrice from £ 139The Simba Hybrid Duvet is a convenient all-season duvet with excellent temperature regulation.The Simba Hybrid Duvet is a convenient all-season duvet with excellent temperature regulation.Price from £ 139
Simba Essential mattress UK delivery conditions
The Simba Essential mattress is delivered within 3 business days. 🗓
Delivery is free.
Despite having a zero-contact delivery policy, your mattress can be delivered directly to a room of your choice. 🚛
Our Simba Essential arrived just two days after ordering.
The two-man delivery team was very kind and carried the box directly to the requested bedroom. 😁
Manoeuvring the box onto the bed frame was no problem, especially considering that the Essential is quite lightweight.
Vacuum-packed and compressed
The Simba Essential is delivered rolled up and vacuum-packed in a cardboard box. 📦
And how do you get a full-size mattress from this?
It’s quite simple:
- Place the box onto your bed frame.
- Pull out the rolled-up mattress.
- Cut open the plastic cover.
- As soon as the plastic cover has been removed, the mattress will start to expand.
- Roll it out across the frame, and remove the remaining plastic.
- The mattress will inflate to its full size.
Inflation can take place in a matter of minutes, but it can also take a couple of hours for your mattress to be fully expanded. ⏰
In our experience, the mattress inflated fully in under an hour.
What do you do with your old mattress?
Simba offers an old mattress removal service for an additional fee. 🚚
Simply select this option upon checkout, and Simba will collect your old mattress when they deliver your new one.
Does the Simba Essential smell?
You may notice some off-gassing when you unpack your mattress.
This is an odd chemical smell associated with bed-in-a-box mattresses.
Off-gassing is not toxic or harmful, but it can be unpleasant. 🧪
You should always let your mattress breathe for a bit.
It’s also best to unpack your new mattress in a well-ventilated room. 🏡
We experienced very minimal off-gassing with the Simba Essential.
There was some smell, but you had to stick your nose right up to the mattress to smell it - and even that disappeared within a few days.
Simba Essential mattress trial period
The Simba Hybrid Essential is one of the very few budget mattresses that come with a trial period.
Trial periods are great, as they allow you to try the mattress in the comfort of your own home.
You can trial the Simba Essential for 200 days. 😮
This gives you ample opportunity to try it out and see if you’re comfortable.
And if you don’t like it?
Simple - you can send it back (free of charge) and get a full refund. 💰
You don’t even have to keep the Simba box.
This makes the Simba Essential a completely risk-free purchase.
Should you buy the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress?
The Simba Essential is one of the best budget mattresses we’ve tried. 💪
But, even though this is Simba Sleep’s cheapest hybrid mattress, it can’t qualify as a real budget purchase.
It's more expensive than many other standard bed-in-a-box mattresses, and it’s only a tad bit cheaper than the Simba Hybrid.
Our recommendation?
Save a little extra and go for the Simba Hybrid instead.
It’s much better value for money.
Alternatively, if you don't mind an all-foam feel, you can opt for the Simbatex Foam mattress, which is much cheaper.
If you are set on the Essential, though, we’d recommend this mattress to:
- Those looking for an exceptional low-height mattress.
- Children.
- Young adults.
- Guest bedrooms.
Bonus: With a 200-day trial period, the purchase is completely risk-free. 🥳
Rating
Contact Simba Sleep UK
Customer service: To contact Simba Sleep directly for complaints, support, or queries, please e-mail them at hello@simbasleep.com or visit their live online chat [3]. The customer services team is available Monday to Friday, from 9 am - 5 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am - 1 pm.
Registered office: Simba Sleep, The Stable Yard, 60 Petty France, Westminster, London SW1H 9EU
Table of Contents
Simba Hybrid vs Simba Hybrid Essential
Simba Hybrid Essential mattress composition
What does sleeping on the Simba Essential feel like?
Does the Simba Hybrid Essential sleep hot?
Is the Simba Essential mattress good for couples?
Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress sizes
Simba Essential mattress prices
Simba Essential mattress discount codes
Simba Essential mattress UK delivery conditions
Simba Essential mattress trial period
Should you buy the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket mattress?
Frequently asked questions
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Does the Simba Essential come with a guarantee?
The Simba Essential comes with a 10-year guarantee.
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Simba Essential mattress certifications
All foams used in the Essential mattress are CertiPUR-certified.
This means that they’re certified to be free from harmful chemicals and toxins, including destructive agents of ozone, heavy metals, mercury, or lead.
Simba Sleep also aims to be environmentally friendly:
- All mattresses are 100% recyclable.
- Returned mattresses are refurbished or recycled, so they don’t end up in landfills.
- The mattresses are made in the UK, reducing their carbon footprint.
- Packaging is up to 60% recycled from approved FSC sources [4].
- All deliveries are 100% carbon neutral.
- Excess foam is repurposed (for things like carpet underlays or pet beds) and not wasted.
In these ways, Simba aims to offer the most environmentally-friendly sleep possible.
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Can I buy the Simba Hybrid Essential 1500 Pocket Mattress at other retailers?
Yes, you can buy the Simba Essential at other retailers, including Mattress Online and Amazon UK.
You can’t get the Essential at John Lewis - only the Hybrid is available there.
We’d always recommend buying directly from Simba Sleep, though.
This gives you the best deals, plus access to the trial period and a 10-year guarantee.
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What are common Simba Essential complaints?
The Simba Essential is a fantastic mattress, but one downfall is that it's quite difficult to transport once you've unpacked it.
The mattress comes with a warning that it should never be stored upright.
Why is this?
The micro-spring layer is neatly tucked between the foams, but it's not actually glued or fastened in any way.
If the mattress is stored upright, the spring layer will begin shifting down, causing huge bulges in the mattress.
While, usually, it would take a few days for this to happen, some customers have complained that this happened within a few hours during a move.
This is not ideal.
If you're moving house, it would mean having to store the mattress flat during transport.
Luckily, there is a fix.
You can carefully peel back the mattress cover and peel off the top layer of the Simba Essential mattress, and then straighten out the micro-spring layer.
Then, pop the top layer of foam and the mattress cover back on.
The mattress will sleep as if new.
Unfortunately, this DIY fix does involve damaging the mattress to a certain degree, but this doesn't affect comfort or support in any way.
Still, it would be much better if Simba Sleep would simply attach the micro-spring layer more sturdily.
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References
Alternatively, message us directly via the Contact Us page.