What's in this collection
Construction types
Pocket spring mattresses use individually wrapped coils that move independently of each other. The spring count, shown as a number like 1000 or 2000, tells you how many individual springs are in the mattress at king size: more springs means more contact points and finer contouring across the body. Because the spring structure allows air to circulate, pocket spring mattresses tend to sleep on the cooler side. They're also good at absorbing movement on one side without transferring it to the other.
Memory foam compresses under body heat and pressure, moulding to your shape and distributing weight more evenly. It's particularly useful for reducing pressure at the shoulders and hips, which makes it a popular choice for side sleepers. Some mattresses combine a pocket spring base with a memory foam comfort layer, offering some of the pressure relief of foam with the breathability of a spring structure underneath. For a closer look at how memory foam options compare, the memory foam mattresses page covers the specifics.
Latex mattresses have a different character again: more buoyant and responsive than memory foam, with a natural spring to the feel rather than the slow compression and return. They tend to sleep cooler than standard memory foam.
Sizes
The collection covers all five standard UK mattress sizes: single, small double, double, king, and super king. Each size has its own page, which is the clearest way to compare if you already know your bed size.
Pocket spring or memory foam
For most people buying a mattress, this is the main decision. Both constructions work well, and the right choice depends on how you sleep rather than one being objectively better than the other.
Pocket spring is the more versatile choice for shared beds. Independent coils mean one person turning over at 3am has less impact on the other side, and the breathable structure keeps the sleep temperature consistent. Most people find it easier to move on, which matters more than it sounds if you tend to change position during the night.
Memory foam suits people who wake with joint or pressure point discomfort, and particularly side sleepers, because the even weight distribution takes pressure off shoulders and hips. The honest trade-off is that it can sleep warmer, and the slower response can feel restrictive if you move around a lot. A combination mattress, with springs beneath and a foam comfort layer on top, is often a good middle ground for couples where one person has a stronger preference than the other.
Firmness and sleep position
Firmness is described differently across manufacturers, but soft, medium, and firm are the working categories most people use. Sleep position is the main guide.
Side sleepers generally do better on a softer to medium mattress. The shoulder and hip are the widest contact points, and a mattress that gives slightly at those points allows the spine to rest in a straighter line overnight. A firmer surface holds the body too high at those points, which tends to cause the shoulder and lower back stiffness many side sleepers notice in the morning.
Back and front sleepers tend to need more support. A soft mattress lets the hips sink disproportionately, which arches the lower back. Medium to firm is usually better. For heavier sleepers, firmness matters more broadly: more body weight compresses a softer mattress further than it was designed for, which reduces both the support and the longevity of the mattress over time.
If you share a bed and you and your partner have different preferences or sleep in different positions, it's worth thinking about this as a joint decision before you buy.
Spreading the Cost
Finance is available on many of our mattresses, subject to status. Mattresses are a purchase that rewards a bit more spend at the point of buying, since a better-specified mattress tends to hold its support for longer. Spreading the cost across monthly payments can make it easier to choose the right option rather than the nearest one within a tight budget. Details are shown on each product page.
Why buy from Shawcross
We're a Manchester-based retailer with a showroom and we deliver nationally across the UK. Mattresses are one of those purchases where talking it through makes a difference, particularly if you have questions about which construction type or firmness level suits your situation. We're used to these conversations and happy to help before you buy, whether that's over the phone or in person. If you'd like to come into the showroom, give us a call ahead of the visit and we can confirm what's currently on the floor.
