Our honest thoughts on the Emma Sleep Luxe ThermoSoft mattress-in-a-box
Updated
In theory, putting a mattress on a bed isn’t a task that inspires feelings of intimidation.
But as I stood in the doorway, scissors in hand, and gazed at the Emma-branded box standing next to my bed frame, I was a little uneasy about what was to come.
After seeing one too many ‘mattress unboxing gone wrong’ videos on TikTok, I wasn’t sure how this was going to pan out. Supplied
For weeks, my TikTok algorithm – somehow sensing a mattress-in-a-box in my future – had served up a stream of videos showing unboxings gone very, very wrong. Think: people thrown across the room at velocity as their mattresses were unleashed with a single snip.
However, my fears of being thwacked in the face were unfounded. In fact, the process couldn’t have been easier, and mere hours after pulling the packaging off my new double-sized Emma Luxe ThermoSoft Mattress, I was happily catching Zs.
The mattress at a glance…
Emma Sleep mattress Emma Sleep
Emma Sleep is one of the big names in the mattress-in-a-box world.
The Luxe ThermoSoft Mattress promises a “new and improved generation” of Emma’s Luxe Mattress. The major selling point is its “superior cooling” built into each of its seven layers.
These layers include a PolarLuxe Cool-Touch Cover with “breathable micro-dots [that] move air outwards”; ThermoSync graphite-infused foam that “draws excess heat away”; a MemoryAdapt layer for “immediate cushioning”; and foam-encased springs.
I trialled the double-sized Emma Luxe Thermosoft Mattress. Supplied
It sits at 26cm tall and there’s just one firmness option available, Medium-Soft. According to the website, this is consistent across Emma mattresses, with the aim of supporting proper spinal alignment.
“This mattress is designed to adapt to your body and maintain a deep level of comfort throughout every position and every hour of the night,” the site states.
The set-up
The mattress comes out of the box in a tightly-packed roll. Supplied
My mattress was delivered in a box that was surprisingly compact, given what it contained.
Once the box was in the room, I managed to extricate the mattress and manoeuvre it onto the bed frame by myself without too much struggle.
An extra pair of hands certainly would have helped, as it’s heavy, but I was still OK without them. (Tipping it out of the box onto the bed is the way to go!)
The mattress comes vacuum-sealed and tightly rolled. After watching some instructional videos to ensure I had it positioned correctly, I carefully cut away the first layer of plastic wrapping.
Rather than exploding to life like the mattresses on my TikTok feed, the two ends gently sprung apart (cue: sigh of relief from me) and it began inflating immediately.
When I cut away the first layer of plastic, the two ends of the mattress gently sprung apart. Supplied
It immediately began expanding, and continued after this second layer of packaging came off. Supplied
I freed the mattress from the remaining packaging and watched in awe as it grew to its full size in a matter of minutes, sounding like a balloon being blown up. From there, I was instructed to let it sit for five hours before sleeping on it.
The whole setup process only required a few minutes of work from me.
A couple of months on...
I can say this mattress is as comfortable as any I’ve slept on and has given me plenty of restful nights in the two months since I unboxed it – I don’t know how I slept on anything else.
Although Emma rates it Medium-Soft, it was firmer than I expected based on that description – at least when compared to other mattresses I’ve slept on. My body feels well-supported, including as I shift positions (I’m a side sleeper who sometimes migrates to her back), but there’s still a nice amount of give and softness in the upper layer. However, it’s not a mattress you sink into.
The mattress feels supportive while also having a pleasant level of give in the top layer. Supplied
I’m writing this in the middle of winter, and most nights I’ve been heading to bed bundled up in PJs and thick socks, but this hasn’t stopped the mattress’ cooling ability from showing off. Despite the extra layers I’ve been able to maintain a comfortable temperature in bed without overheating – something that would have left me a sweaty mess in my previous bed.
I’m keen to see how it goes when the warmer weather rolls around – anything that makes a sweltering summer night more bearable will be very welcome.
Something to note and I knew to expect, was the strong plasticky smell of the mattress when it was opened. This is common to boxed mattresses and is clearly flagged on the Emma Sleep website, which said it would disappear after a few hours in a ventilated room.
This was the case for me – the smell certainly wasn’t detectable through my sheets when I went to bed that night.
Final thoughts
When you combine the price with the superfast delivery, easy set up and the mattress’ overall comfort, the Emma Sleep Luxe ThermoSoft Mattress is a no-brainer. Whether it’s for your main bedroom or a guest room, I can’t fault the ThermoSoft.
Quick Qs
How quick is delivery?
In select metro areas you can expect your mattress to arrive in 1-5 business days. For outer and regional areas, expect a delivery time of 10 days. So speedy!
How much does delivery cost?
If you live in select metro areas you’re eligible for free delivery and returns. If you live in the outer and regional areas, delivery will cost $79 or $160 depending on your address. You can check your postcode here and calculate your delivery costs before you buy.
What if you don’t like it?
I’d be surprised if you didn’t enjoy sleeping on this mattress, but if you weren’t a fan of its comfort, Emma Sleep offers a 150-night free trial. Reach out to the team, and they’ll take care of the return process for you.
Does it come with a warranty?
It does! A 10-year manufacturer warranty is what you’ll get for mattresses and toppers. If you buy a bed frame with your mattress you’ll get a two-year manufacturer warranty.