Getting a good night’s rest is paramount to maintaining good physical and mental health, yet more than one-third of adults in the United States report not getting enough sleep. When it comes to getting better sleep, choosing a high-quality mattress suited to your individual needs is important. However, with all the mattress brands out there, it can be hard to know which mattress to choose.
Our Handbook Team has researched nearly 200 mattresses online and in person, including the Emma Hybrid Comfort. We review factors such as firmness and feel, cooling technology, pressure relief, support, bounce, and edge support. Read on for our unbiased Emma mattress review to learn whether it’s the right mattress for you.
Our verdict on the Emma Hybrid Comfort
Overall, our testers feel the Emma Hybrid Comfort would work best for stomach and back sleepers due to its firm construction (good for keeping the spine aligned), high level of pressure relief for back sleepers, and bouncy responsiveness. Given its firmness, it’s also a good choice for higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) sleepers who may need additional support and mattress durability.
Due to its cooling technology, the Emma Hybrid Comfort may also be a good option for those who sleep hot or share the bed with a pet, partner, or children.
Features
- Our rating: 8.7/10.
- Best for: Stomach sleepers, back sleepers.
- Price: $409–$819.
- Height: 13 inches.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Trial period: 365 days.
- Shipping method: Free shipping; old mattress removal available for $125.
- Financing: Yes.
- Warranty: 10 years.
Pros and cons
Our expert opinion
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a hybrid mattress with a breathable, removable cover. It also features three layers of foam—one for cooling, one for pressure relief and contouring, and one for support. These foam layers rest on top of seven zones of ergonomic pocket springs designed to enhance airflow and support your body. Finally, a base layer is designed to provide long-lasting stability and durability. The resistant anti-slip lower cover has handles for easy maneuvering.
One of our testers pulls on the mattress’s cover to look at the interior.
Lying on the Hybrid Comfort, our testers say they feel like they’re on top of the mattress rather than sinking into it. While our testers find it reasonably comfortable lying on their back, they note it feels like the mattress is pushing their tailbone up, making it less comfortable in that area. Side sleepers may also have an issue with the firmness of this mattress, as our testers indicate they can feel pressure on their shoulders. Of all the sleep positions, stomach sleeping is the most comfortable for our testers. Sleepers who change positions at night may also appreciate this mattress, as its bouncy responsiveness makes it easy to move around and change positions.
Emma rates this mattress a 5 out of 10 for firmness, but our testers feel it’s much firmer than that, rating it a 7.5 out of 10. However, the firmness doesn’t take away from its comfort—in our most comfortable mattress review, the Hybrid Comfort is rated the most comfortable firm mattress.
Given its firmness, we recommend this mattress for stomach sleepers of all weights. While our testers notice a little bit of pressure while lying on their back, they say it’s a comfortable position, and their weight is evenly distributed. However, side sleepers who are lighter weight (under 130 pounds) may find this mattress too firm to effectively relieve pressure in the hip and shoulder areas and may wish to choose a softer mattress. A firm mattress is typically the best mattress for higher-weight people (over 250 pounds), so the Emma Hybrid Comfort may be an ideal option for higher-weight sleepers.
Emma mattresses arrive compressed and rolled inside a box. For an additional $125, the company will remove your old mattress. Emma mattresses have a 10-year warranty and an impressive 365-night trial period—perfect for people who want more time to decide whether it’s the right mattress.
Emma mattresses are an affordable option for those looking for a quality mattress without breaking the bank. Check out our best affordable mattress review, where the Emma Hybrid Comfort is rated the best affordable hybrid mattress.
From our tester
“I find stomach sleeping the most comfortable on this mattress.”
HelpGuide Handbook’s testing methodology and score breakdown
The Handbook Team has researched nearly 200 mattresses online and in person. Based on our research, we hand-selected about 130 of the best models to test (and counting). We’ve also surveyed 1,200 shoppers and interviewed recent mattress customers to understand the buying process. More importantly, we wanted to know how their new bed has impacted their sleep quality, physical health, and mental wellness.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
Our mattress testing process
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite scores.
First-hand testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
Mattress surveys and interviews
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 mattress owners. These include price, features, and the setup process. We also interview real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress and the benefits of purchasing one.
Objective and honest ratings
We use information from our surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews to determine the most important features in our brand and mattress testing scorecards.
We also weigh the following factors to determine an overall rating for each brand we recommend.
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 15 percent | Customer care center hours, support options |
| Brand Reputation | 10 percent | Years in business, lawsuits, class actions against this company |
| Features | 20 percent | Size options, firmness options, weight capacity, included add-ons (free sleep accessories) |
| User Experience | 35 percent | White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials |
| Affordability | 20 percent | Price, warranty, promotions |
Learn more about our mattress testing and review methodology.
Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress firmness and feel
Our testers rate the Emma Hybrid Comfort 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, significantly firmer than the 5 out of 10 firmness rating advertised on the Emma website. Our testers feel that this mattress would be an ideal mattress for stomach sleepers because it’s firm but lacks some support in the curvy areas of the spine, making it a little less ideal for back sleepers and too firm for lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) side sleepers.
Body weight is also a key determinant of choosing the best mattress firmness. Lighter-weight sleepers typically need a soft mattress, while higher-weight (over 250 pounds) sleepers would do better choosing a firmer mattress or one with added support to ensure proper alignment and durability.
From our tester
“I find it comfortable on my back, but it’s the best on my stomach.”
Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress performance
We test and score a mattress in multiple functions and features to decide whether it’s a standout performer.
Cooling: The Emma Hybrid Comfort has decent cooling capabilities, receiving a 3.5 out of 5 rating in our testing. Due to its gel-infused foam construction, which helps prevent heat retention, and its innerspring layer, which boosts airflow, the Hybrid Comfort may be an option for those who tend to sleep hot and are looking for a cooling mattress or those who sleep with a pet, partner, or children. While our testers feel a little warm while lying on this mattress, they say that when using a thermal gun A tool that uses thermal imaging to measure how quickly the bed’s surface heats up after someone lays in it. , the temperature has only gone up about seven degrees (anything under 10 is considered good cooling), with multiple people lying on the surface.
Pressure relief: This mattress scores well for pressure relief, at 4 out of 5 overall for every type of sleeping position. However, it may not provide the pressure relief side sleepers need. Although it’s a firm mattress, our testers only gave it 2 out of 5 for overall support.
Bounce: With a 4 out of 5 score for bounce, the mattress’s bouncy responsiveness should also make it easier to change positions or get in and out of bed. However, as with most hybrid mattresses, you can expect a certain degree of motion transfer. To test motion isolation, one tester crawls around on one side of the bed while another lies on the other side and notes movement. They say little movement is felt during this test, but when the active tester jumps around, they notice a lot of movement. This indicates the motion isolation is slightly above average, which is why we gave it a 3 out of 5.
Edge support: Edge support refers to how well the edge of the mattress holds up when you sleep or sit right on it. In general, better edge support means you can use more of the mattress without feeling like you’re going to fall off. We scored the Hybrid Comfort 3 out of 5 for edge support. While our testers feel like they’re sinking somewhat while lying near the edge of the bed, they also say there’s enough support that they don’t feel like they’ll roll off.
Sleep position and body weight
Overall, our testers feel most comfortable and supported on the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress when lying on their stomach. However, lighter-weight side sleepers may find this mattress too firm, and some back sleepers may find that it lacks support in the curvy areas of the spine. Still, we think this mattress can work for most back sleepers (or people who sleep in both stomach and back positions) since it provides good pressure relief. It earned an almost-perfect pressure relief score for back sleepers of 4.5 out of 5 (its overall pressure relief score for all types of sleepers is 4 out of 5).
We gave this mattress a 3.5 out of 5 in pressure relief for side sleepers, so average-weight and higher-weight side sleepers may like this for side sleeping. But lighter-weight side sleepers will likely find this mattress too firm and need something softer.
Compare the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress for different sleeper types
| Lighter weight ( less than130 pounds) | Average weight (130–250 pounds) | Higher weight (more than 250 pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back sleepers | Good | Good | Good |
| Side sleepers | Poor | Good | Good |
| Stomach sleepers | Ideal | Ideal | Good |
From our tester
“I like how springy it is when moving around. The feedback from the springs helped me move around easily.”
Emma Hybrid Comfort pain relief performance
Our testers find the Emma Hybrid Comfort provides good pressure relief for back sleepers while supporting stomach sleepers. The mattress features zoned support, a hybrid design, and a firm feel, which helps evenly distribute weight (important for back sleepers) and support the hips (critical for stomach sleepers). However, side sleepers (especially lighter-weight sleepers) may not feel cradled enough by this mattress and may prefer a softer, plusher bed.
Our overall thoughts about the Emma Hybrid Comfort
We recommend the Emma Hybrid Comfort for stomach sleepers and most back sleepers. We also think higher-weight sleepers (over 250 pounds) can benefit from this mattress due to its firm construction.
Our favorite things about the Emma Hybrid Comfort
We love that the Emma Hybrid Comfort offers good pressure relief for back sleepers while offering the support stomach sleepers need so their spine stays aligned. Its firm feel and zoned support make it ideal for higher-weight sleepers. It also offers decent cooling, and we appreciate this mattress’s responsiveness, which aids in mobility.
Our Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress complaints
Due to its firmness, lighter-weight sleepers may find that the Emma Hybrid Comfort does not offer enough pressure relief and cushioning. While this mattress provides great pressure relief to our back sleepers, the lack of support may be an issue for some. Side sleepers may find that the Emma Hybrid Comfort does not offer enough pressure relief on the hips and shoulders.
Our testers also think the Emma Hybrid Comfort isolates motion moderately well. T
Frequently asked questions
The Emma Hybrid Comfort costs $1,319 for a queen-size mattress. However, the brand often offers promotional discounts. Sometimes, the bed is discounted by as much as 50 percent, bringing the price down to $659.
While the company rates the Emma Hybrid Comfort as a 5 out of 10 for firmness, our testers felt it was quite a bit firmer than that, rating it a 7.5 out of 10. However, firmness is subjective to the person, and a higher-weight person (over 250 pounds) may find it softer than a person who weighs 130 pounds.
Most mattresses last between seven to 10 years. The Emma Hybrid Comfort has a 10-year warranty. This bed also comes with a one-year trial period, which allows you plenty of time to decide if it’s the right bed for you.
- FastStats: Sleep in adults. (2024, May). CDC. Link