Simba’s adult mattresses are a staple in our best-of lists at Sun Shopping, so I was curious whether the brand’s scaled-down hybrid could deliver the same big-bed comfort for smaller sleepers.
On paper, it ticks all the right boxes for parents: proper support for growing spines, breathable layers to keep them cool, and a build that looks sturdy enough to survive the occasional trampoline session and the odd pillow-fort remodel.
Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba
It’s already a crowd-pleaser online, with a 4.9/5 score from more than 1,800 buyers — high praise from tired households.
But does it actually make a difference night after night? To find out, I recruited the harshest critic I know — my little sister — and her equally opinionated parents.
Consider this a real-world test across bedtimes, story times and those unpredictable midnight wanderings.
Unboxing was quick and faff-free, the mattress puffed up evenly, and there was no overpowering “new mattress” smell.
First touch? Springy but supportive, and reassuringly solid for something designed with kids’ rooms and bunks in mind.
Night one verdict from our tiny tester: “It’s like sleeping in mummy and daddy’s bed.”
Over the next week, she stayed comfortable and cool, and we saw fewer wake-ups — a win for everyone.
So, is Simba’s kids’ mattress worth the spend over a basic foam option? We’ve put it through its paces to see if this is a smart, long-term upgrade for better family sleep.
Pros:
- Well packaged
- Slim while still feeling dense and supportive
- Removable washable cover
Cons:
- So slim that some sheets will be too large
- Feels more like a super luxury mattress topper
Overall rating: 8/10
- Comfort: 7/10
- Support: 10/10
- Cooling technology: 8/10
- Design: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
How we tested the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress
Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba
As a self-proclaimed prince of sleep, I am well-versed in mattress testing, but this occasion called for a more youthful tester — so I had my 11-year-old sister put the Simba Kids Mattress to the test.
The girl LOVES to sleep, and we deemed her the perfect candidate for the job.
She’s small for her age and is also hypermobile, so her joints and ligaments can sometimes become stressed, making rest extremely important for her.
After the first few days of testing, a newsworthy quote from her was “It’s like sleeping in mummy and daddy’s bed”.
Our parents sleep on a £3,000 Tempur mattress, so we were off to a flying start.
Simba Hybrid Kid’s Mattress review: Quickfire Q&A
Who is it designed for? “Sleepers aged three and up”, according to Simba. For children under three, the brand has a separate Hybrid Cot Bed Mattress.
How’s it different from Simba’s adult mattresses? Think scaled-down Simba: the Kids Mattress is shallower and lighter for bunks and safety rails, slightly firmer to support growing spines, and uses fewer layers/springs than the adult range. It retains the breathable Aerocoil feel—just tuned for children aged 3–16 years old.
How much is the Simba Kids Mattress? £349 — or, in other words, a lot for a child’s mattress. However, you could make the argument that it represents a long-term investment in a child’s sleep quality during crucial developmental years.
What we loved: Its slim profile is a standout feature, making it ideal for bunk beds or compact frames. The removable and washable cover is a practical touch, catering to the inevitability of spills and messes.
What we didn’t like: The mattress is notably slim, which initially raised concerns about its comfort and durability, although it proved supportive once fully inflated. For lighter children, the firmness may feel slightly hard at first, although this can improve with regular use.
Simba Kid’s Mattress review: The Nitty Gritty
First impressions
Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba
Boring stuff first — the Simba Kids Hybrid Mattress arrived on time, within the one-hour delivery window.
Simba packed it well in a recyclable cardboard box. It’s also vacuum-sealed, making the box surprisingly easy to carry. I was able to drag it to the second floor of the house with little effort.
Once I took the mattress out of the plastic wrapper, it started rising, though it rose more slowly than other Simba mattresses we have tried.
Simba states that it takes 6 hours to fully reflate and will be in its final shape after 72 hours.
My first impressions were tainted with a slight worry — this mattress is very slim. It looks more like a luxury mattress topper.
I started to doubt how comfortable a mattress could be when it’s so thin.
It reached full depth just before bedtime, which is 7 to 8 hours after opening. Not much else happened once we got to the 72-hour mark, other than the sides plumping out a bit.
Once fully inflated, it remained remarkably slim compared to its Hybrid Mattress counterpart. This would be a great option if you have a bunk bed or a kids’ bed frame that isn’t shallow.
Does it deliver?
Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba
“It’s like sinking into a cloud,” was the verdict after night one — followed by parents having to drag her out of bed the next morning. Strong start.
Across the first week, she stayed asleep longer and woke up less hot and bothered.
Bedtime battles eased, and mornings were… calmer. We’ll take that.
“It’s like sinking into a cloud,” was the review after the first sleep. My parents also had to drag her out of bed that morning, and if that’s not a vote of confidence then I don’t know what is.
I grabbed a 20‑minute power nap to see how it stacks up against Simba’s grown‑up range.
It’s firmer than my Simba Hybrid and not as plush as the APEX, but still properly comfy — supportive without feeling slab‑like.
That extra firmness showed up for my sister, too. She’s tiny, so there’s less “sink” to begin with, but it still cradled her without swallowing her.
As she grows (and the mattress beds in), I expect it to feel plusher.
Edge support is solid — handy for story time perching and midnight tucks without that “rolling off” wobble. She can sprawl right to the sides and still feel secure.
Motion transfer is low. Translation: fewer wake‑ups when someone climbs in for a cuddle or a toilet dash at 2 a.m.
The springs give bounce without turning the bed into a trampoline.
Heat control impressed us. No sweaty head, no damp pillow, even after a warm evening.
The top feels breathable, and she didn’t kick off the duvet as much.
Set‑up was painless. It puffed up evenly with only a faint new‑mattress whiff that disappeared by bedtime. No creaks, no crunch — just a quiet, springy feel.
Practical bits are on point. Standard fitted sheets slipped on fine, and the lower profile works neatly with bunks and safety rails.
Build quality looks robust. Stitching is tidy, the zip feels strong, and it held its shape after enthusiastic bed‑jumping and an epic pillow‑fort session.
The removable, machine‑washable cover is a lifesaver for snack‑happy kids. Capri Sun spill? Biscuit crumbs? Off it comes, straight into a normal drum wash, and back on looking fresh.
After two weeks, there’s no dipping or lumpy patches — just the same consistent feel with a touch more give. It still looks box‑fresh.
Would I swap it for a cheap foam mattress? No. This feels like a long‑term buy that actually improves sleep — for them and for you.
Features and design
- Single: W90 L190 D16 (cm)
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- 500g knitted cover
- CertiPUR® foam support base
- Open structure CertiPUR® foam with heat diffusing graphite for 1000gM (Sheet)
- Titanium alloy Aerocoil® pocket Springs – 970 springs, 1.8mm thick
What parents are saying about the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress
With an average rating of 4.9/5 and 1803 reviews, people have got a lot to say about the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress.
My parents’ primary concerns when choosing a mattress were muscle support and comfort.
Her (and my) mum said: “My daughter is hyper-mobile and has dance classes several times per week, which is why we wanted to ensure that she really got the rest that she needed — we wanted a mattress that was supportive for her aching muscles”.
Another parent, writing on the Simba website, said: “As parents of a toddler, the inevitable sleepless nights have impacted everyone’s sleep. So we invested in Simba mattresses so that no matter which bed we sleep in, our comfort is never compromised“.
Another wrote: “My 9-year-old daughter got this mattress and absolutely loves it! When I asked her to describe how it felt, she simply said, “AMAZING.“
How much is the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress?
The Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress is £349 for a standard single, and that price includes free next-day delivery — ideal if you’re upgrading a bed before the weekend sleepover.
It’s not the cheapest kids’ mattress, but you’re paying for proper hybrid support, a breathable build and a washable cover that will survive spills and sleepovers.
If you’d rather spread the cost, Simba offers 0% APR finance through DivideBuy and Splitit, available over 3, 6, or 9 months (subject to status and credit terms).
There’s also a generous 200‑night home trial, so you can see how your small sleeper gets on before committing long-term, plus a lengthy guarantee for extra peace of mind.
Savvy tip: Simba runs regular promotions throughout the year (think bank holidays and Black Friday), so it’s worth watching for a discount or bundle deal if you’re not in a rush.
Where to buy the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress
You’ll need to buy the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress directly from Simba’s website.
It’s a direct-only buy at the time of writing, which isn’t a bad thing — you get the brand’s full perks, including free home delivery, a 200-night trial to make sure your mini sleeper actually loves it, easy returns and a long guarantee for peace of mind.
Going direct also means the best choice of sizes and stock, plus regular promotions and bundles (keep an eye out for deals that include a mattress protector or offer money off bedding).
Checkout is straightforward, and you can spread the cost with 0% finance, subject to status.
A quick tip before you order: check the listed depth against your bed frame or bunk safety rails, and add a waterproof protector while you’re there.
The mattress arrives rolled and boxed, so getting it up the stairs is painless — even if the lift’s on the blink.
Simba Kids Mattress alternatives
If Simba’s hybrid sounds great but you’re looking for a different price point or feel, there are some strong contenders worth considering.
Nectar Kids Mattress: launched recently and priced at around £265, this one features an all-foam design with a softer, more “huggy” feel than Simba’s springy hybrid.
We haven’t conducted a hands-on test yet, but early feedback is positive, and it’s frequently on promotion. The washable cover is a win for snack-happy sleepers.
Silentnight Healthy Growth: a solid budget pick under £200, with options that use foam-free Eco Comfort fibres or Miracoil springs.
They’re breathable, supportive, and often slim enough to play nicely with bunk beds and safety rails.
Widely available, easy to try in-store, and popular with parents for good reason.
Jay-Be: known for practical, kid-friendly builds that are foam-free and hypoallergenic, with plenty of low-profile choices and even waterproof options for spill-prone phases.
You’ll find a broad selection at Bensons for Beds, and the spec sheets are refreshingly clear.
If you’re kitting out a bunk or trundle, double-check the mattress depth before you buy — a lower profile can be safer and more comfortable.
And whatever you pick, add a waterproof protector to keep it fresher for longer.
Simba Kids Mattress: The Verdict
The final say… should you splash your cash with Simba?
In our humble opinion, it’s a no-brainer. I am yet to have a bad experience with a Simba mattress, and I’ve tried a few in my time, from the entry-level Hybrid right through to the top-of-the-range APEX.
A slimmer bed frame or using it on bunk beds is great because of its slimline nature.
One 11-year-old girl feels very happy and well-rested.
- Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba – buy here
