Emma Original Lite Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Emma Original Lite	Average
Overall Score	8.50	8.54
Price (Queen)	C$479	$1,022 (Coil only)
Cooling – Score	10	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.12″	2.22″
Sinkage – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	9.4	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	6.28 m/s²	8.77 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.6	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.8 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	10.77″	8.80″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.0	8.7
Edge Support – Sitting	3.00″	3.93″
Edge Support – Lying	Good	Excellent
Sex – Score	9.1	8.2
Pressure Relief – Score	5.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	1.00″	4.27″
Mattress Thickness	9.00″	12.19″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.3	8.0
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	6 days	7 days
Company – Score	9.0	8.8
Trial	100 nights	175 nights
Warranty	10 years	40% have lifetime warranties, average of other 60% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Emma Original Lite Different?

The Emma Original Lite is a 9.0″ coil mattress with an overall performance level that is very near average (only 0.04 point below average) and a price tag that is significantly less than average.

A queen Emma Original Lite is only C$479, a savings of 68% compared to the average mattress.

Advantages

Beyond the low price, other advantages of the Emma Original Lite include better cooling performance (10/10), lower levels of motion transfer, faster material response time, better edge support, and better sex as well.

Off-gassing is 1 day faster than the average and the company score is slightly better than the average score as well.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has moderate sinkage and high levels of bounce. These are considered “neutral” factors since, depending on what exactly you’re looking for, they could be seen as “pros” or “cons”.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage of the Emma Original Lite is poor pressure relief. This mattress is only 9″ thick and only 1″ of material makes up the comfort layer.

For reference, the average comfort layer thickness is 4.27″ thick, over 4X more material than what the Emma Original Lite offers.

Pressure relief is the biggest “con” of the Emma Original Lite, as the rest of the performance tests were actually surprisingly good.

The Emma Original Lite has outstanding cooling. During our tests, I did not experience any significant level of heat retention around my body. This mattress has an extremely thin comfort layer, just 1.0” thick.

When it comes to heat retention, thicker and higher-density foam layers (especially memory foam) are typically the primary driver of heat retention.

The Emma Original Lite has the thinnest comfort layer I have ever tested in a mattress. That lack of foam material means there is simply less material in which heat can be easily retained, which allows for improved cooling performance.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 89.0° F. This is 1.0° less than the average of 90.0° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 4.9 degrees from minutes 0 to 1, which is 0.1 degrees cooler than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.8 degrees.

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is outstanding.

The Emma Original Lite has moderate sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.12″. This is 0.10″ less sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.22″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The mattress creates a slight body contouring hug and a notable floating feel. The body lies more “on” top of the mattress as opposed to sinking down “in” the mattress.

This is neither good nor bad, but it is a very specific feel. To be comfortable with this sinkage dynamic, you’ll need to prefer a mattress with a floating feel and no significant level of body contouring hug.

The biggest problem with this mattress is the absurdly thin comfort layer. It is just 1.0” thick. This is the thinnest comfort layer I have ever seen. As a result, you can easily feel the coil layers through the mattress.

The Emma Original Lite has a very low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 6.28 m/s². This is 29% less motion transfer than the average of 8.79 m/s². I was quite surprised at the low motion intensity.

Typically, mattresses with a thinner comfort layer struggle more with motion transfer, but that’s not what we measured here.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.6 seconds. During that time, we see a large primary motion spike and a slightly smaller section energy spike.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

By 1.27 seconds, we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy, which is 0.39 seconds longer than the average motion duration of 0.88 seconds. Certainly, motion duration is not great on this mattress.

Motion duration is considerably more than average and we have a surprisingly long initial high motion intensity period lasting until 0.6 seconds.

That said, the motion intensity is still lower than average. Ideally, we want a lower motion duration, but it’s not surprising to see that longer-than-average duration due to the minimal foam comfort layer.

The Emma Original Lite is a mixed bag for material responsiveness, with an extremely fast mostly recovered response time and a fast fully recovered response time.

In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds, which is 0.21 seconds faster than the average of 0.41 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.8 seconds, which is 0.21 seconds faster than the average of 1.01 seconds.

The combination of all poly foam and coil material layers, a thin 1.0” comfort layer, and moderate sinkage depth works together to create a quick material recovery speed. The quick recovery speed ensures there is no stuck feeling on the mattress, and it’s easy to move around on.

The Emma Original Lite has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.77″. This is 1.96″ more bounce than the average of 8.81″, based on all of our tests to date.

The higher-than-average level of bounce is a result of the coil support layer and extremely thin 1.0” comfort layer. The comfort layer typically serves to reduce bounce and the average comfort layer thickness is 4.26”, based on 370+ mattresses we’ve tested to date.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

The Emma Original Lite uses only 1.0” of comfort material, which means there is very little in the way between sleepers and the coil unit, which creates a higher degree of bounce.

The high bounce is great for sex and ease of movement, but is also the primary reason that motion transfer duration was considerably worse than average.

The Emma Original Lite has outstanding sitting edge support and good lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.00″. This is 0.95″ less sitting sinkage than the average of 3.95″, based on all of our tests to date.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was good in all sleeping positions; however, it’s clear it doesn’t rise to the excellent or outstanding level.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

The combination of a slightly firm feel, moderate sinkage, and more of a floating feel creates the right conditions to create better support in general, and we see that supportive feel extending to the edge of the mattress.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

Notably, this mattress does not use a reinforced edge with firmer coils or perimeter foam. Even so, it doesn’t seem to need it. The simple design and combination of design, material, and feel factors create solid edge support.

The Emma Original Lite has excellent sex performance. On the positive side, the mattress has outstanding cooling and edge support. At just 3.0” of sitting edge sinkage, the edge is a robust and usable part of the mattress.

In addition, we measured bounce at 10.77”, which is notably more than average. More bounce makes for less strenuous and less tiring amorous activities.

With a good but not great performance, we have noise, which we rated at moderate. The thin 1.0” comfort layer and the thinner-than-average total height mean you are simply able to hear the coil unit far more so than many other mattresses we’ve tested.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.2	Very High
Edge Support	20%	10	Outstanding
Noise	5%	8.0	Moderate
Pressure Relief	5%	5.0	Poor
Cooling	5%	10	Outstanding

Lastly, we have pressure relief, which is poor. The limited 1.0” comfort layer just isn’t thick enough to create a comfortable feel, which has a negative impact on sex performance.

The Emma Original Lite has a poor level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt significant pressure points on my body and generally found the mattress to be uncomfortable.

The mattress is equipped with 1.0″ of comfort material, which is 3.28″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.28″, based on all of our tests to date.

This 1.0” thick comfort layer is tied for the thinnest comfort layer we’ve tested to date (tied with 2 other mattresses). In my view, a single inch of comfort material is not enough to provide sufficient comfort and pressure relief for adult bodies.

The quality of the foam layers is fine and yet, there is only 1.0” of it. Even with an excellent foam quality, it just wouldn’t matter because there isn’t enough material here to provide adequate comfort.

In our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 1.06. Ideally, I want PSI to be below 1.0 and we don’t see the Emma Original Lite able to clear that threshold.

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.13	1.06

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.09	0.60

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.09	0.77

When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be poor.

The Emma Original Lite had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 6 days. This is 1.0 days shorter than the average smell duration of 7.0 days.

Emma mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Returns	40%	10	$0
Trial Period	30%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	20%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	10%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		Thailand

Comparing 102+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 173 nights, 73 nights more than Emma offers.

The average warranty is 14 years, which is 4 years more than the Emma mattress, and that’s if we exclude the 42% of mattresses that offer lifetime warranties.

The Emma Original Lite is available in a single firmness, 7 out of 10, which gives the mattress a slightly firm feel.

Support on the Emma Original Lite is poor. During our tests, I felt that the mattress provided sufficient support, however, it also created significant pressure points.

Support Factor	Data
Comfort Layer	1.00″
Support Layer	8.00″
Firmness	Slightly Firm
Body Contour	Slight
Zoned Support	No
Reinforced Edge	No

The pressure points made it impossible to lie comfortably in the same position for any extended period of time.

In my view, for a mattress to create ideal support, it needs to be both supportive, helping to keep the spine in a neutral alignment, and it must also create pressure relief, so that the body’s weight is evenly distributed and comforted.

The Emma Original Lite has a single inch of comfort material, which is considerably below average. That lack of comfort material resulted in the mattress creating an uncomfortable feel and issues with pressure relief.

When we look at the support layer, we see the mattress is equipped with an 8.0″ support layer. This is 0.09″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.91″, based on all of our tests to date.

While I am pleased with the support layer, it alone isn’t enough to create ideal support on the mattress. This mattress has more of a floating feel, a slightly firm firmness, and a slight body contour hug.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
250-300 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe

For some stomach sleepers, this dynamic can work, but for most back and side sleepers this type of supportive feel will be far from ideal. The 1.0” comfort foam means it’s very easy to feel the coils through the mattress.

While moving around on the mattress, I found it easy to bottom out the mattress and feel the coils compress all the way down to the platform bed’s foundation.

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident that most sleepers will find support on the Emma Original Lite to be poor.

The Emma Original Lite is a 9.00″ coil mattress that comes in a single firmness option—Slightly Firm. It is designed as a budget-friendly alternative of the Emma Original.

Design Factor	Data
Type	Coil
Thickness	9.00″
Cover Type	Thin
Weight	79 lbs.
Has Handles	No
Fiberglass-Free	Yes
Ships in a Box	Yes

Unlike the Emma Original, which is considered a hybrid, the Emma Original Lite has such a thin amount of foam that is is considered a traditional coil mattress (in my view).

Being a coil mattress isn’t inherently the problem, as we have tested many high quality coil mattress. Even so, the mattress is only 9.0″ thick. The below average total profile height and incredibly thin comfort layer cause the mattress to fall short, especially with pressure relief.

The mattress has a basic design with a thin cover and lacks any carrying handles on the sides, which can make it easier to maneuver or rotate a mattress.

The Emma Original Lite is 9.00″ thick and contains poly foam and pocketed coils. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

Layer Type	Thickness	Layer Specs
Poly Foam	0.60″	Not Available
Poly Foam	0.40″	Not Available
Pocketed Coils	8.00″	Not Available

The Emma Original Lite has a thin cover. It is thin and breathable and (according to Emma) completely washable.

The comfort layer is technically only 1.00″ thick and made of two 0.5″ layers of poly foam. While this is certainly on the thinner side for foam layers, it’s not unusual for a coil mattress.

The support layer is 8.00″ thick and made of pocketed coils. Each coil is individually encased in a thin fabric that allows them to move independently.

Product Evolution

The Emma Original Lite is a budget-friendly version of the Emma Original.

This exact mattress was originally known as the Emma Original II. In April 2024, Emma underwent a global rebranding that renamed the mattress as the Emma Original Lite.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Emma Original Lite is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated coil mattresses for alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Emma Original Lite mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.