UPDATE – Emma Original has been discontinued in the US. The Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite (see review here) is a similar alternative still being sold. As of 9/20/2024 Emma Original is still sold in Canada (see here).
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Best For
- Sleepers looking for a mattress under $1000
- Fast response time
- Excellent pressure relief
- Long 365-night trial period
Considerations
- Less than ideal edge support
- More motion transfer than I typically like to see
- May not be supportive enough for sleepers over 300 lbs.
Our Verdict
The Emma Original is a 12″ 5-layer, all-foam mattress with a budget-friendly price. It utilizes 4.5″ of memory foam and 1.5″ of poly foam sitting atop 6″ of denser support foam.
The Emma has a medium firmness of 5 out of 10. It has moderately deep sinkage and moderately high bounce altogether creating a balanced feel.
The Emma Original has an overall performance score of 8.74, which ranks it among the top 41% of all mattresses tested to date. Specifically ranking the memory foam models we’ve tested, it is among the top 27%.
A queen size is $869, which is 22% or $239 less than the average memory foam mattress. This isn’t a perfect mattress. However, at this price point, it offers an incredibly good value.
Type: Memory Foam
Firmness: Medium (5)
Best For: All Sleeping Positions, All Body Weights
In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs
Emma is available in many countries around the world. See our links below.
Testing Notes
Originally this mattress was called the Emma ComfortAdapt All Foam. The name was changed to Emma Original All-Foam on July 21, 2022.
Performance Tests
At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.
We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.
Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:
How is Emma Original Different?
The Emma Original mattress has solidly higher performance than average (8.74 vs. 8.56), but its price is also significantly lower than the average mattress —a savings of almost $512, or 37% off of the average mattress price.
Advantages
Other advantages include slightly better cooling performance, fast material response time, and excellent pressure relief with 6.0″ of comfort material—1.8″ thicker than the average.
Neutral Factors
This mattress has 4% deeper sinkage than average as well as 5% less bounce than average. If you’re looking for a mattress that has deeper engagement this could be advantageous to you.
Disadvantages
Two notable disadvantages of the Enna include higher levels of motion transfer and poorer edge support (0.65″ deeper sinkage when seated directly at the edge of the mattress).
| Factor | Emma Original | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.74 | 8.56 |
| Price (Queen) | $869 | $1,108 (Memory Foam only) |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 | 8.7 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.24″ | 2.15″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.5 | 8.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 10.50 m/s² | 8.79 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 | 8.9 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. | 0.4 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. | 0.9 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 9.00″ | 9.51″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.75″ | 4.04″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent | Good |
| Sex – Score | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 | 8.7 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 6.0″ | 4.1″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ | 12.0″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 9.4 | 8.2 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 2 days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Trial | 365 nights | 177 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | 25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 13 years |
Cooling Test
Cooling performance on the Emma Original Foam mattress was excellent. During our tests, I did not experience any notable heat retention during my tests.
Baseline Temp.
81.5° F
Max Temp.
89.8° F
Ending Temp.
85.0° F
Max Temp.
Ending Temp
- 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 minutes) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes
Despite the all-foam construction the mattress seemed to breathe well.
The top two comfort layers are a graphite-infused foam, which is typically able to deliver better cooling. Emma uses memory foam in the core of the mattress. Keeping it several inches away from the top helps to reduce any heat retention issues.
Looking at our objective data, we measured a maximum surface level temperature of 89.8°. This is exactly the same as the average max temperature based on all of our cooling tests to date. Heat dissipation was respectable.
Heat Dissipation Over Time
From 0 to 1 minute, we measured a drop of 3.4° Fahrenheit (this is slightly worse than the average decline of 3.9°).
Temperature declined slightly from minutes 1 to 2 and then reached an equilibrium with the room.
Overall, I’m impressed with the cooling performance. Typically, all foam mattresses aren’t especially great when it comes to cooling.
Sinkage Test
The Emma Original Foam mattress has a moderate level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 2.24” of compression sinkage. This is slightly more than the average compression sinkage based on all of our tests to date, which is 2.15”.
Sinkage Depth
2.24″
Sinkage Feel
Moderate
The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.
A sinkage depth in the 2.0-2.3” range is considered moderate. It’s enough to create plenty of pressure relief, but not so deep as to create an excessive hug, a stuck feeling, or exacerbate any heat retention issues.
The Emma Original has a pretty dramatic contouring feel around the body. The foams precisely contour to the exact shape of your body.
Motion Transfer Test
The Emma Original Foam mattress has a moderate level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 10.50 m/s² of acceleration range.
This is more motion than the average level of motion transfer, based on all of our tests to date—8.79 m/s².
Max. Acceleration
5.57 m/s²
Min. Acceleration
-4.93 m/s²
Accel. Range
10.50 m/s²
The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.
If we look at our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks at 0.13 seconds.
A moderate level of motion remains until 0.56 seconds and then immediately returns to near-zero levels of energy. The mattresses with the best motion transfer are able to fully dissipate it by 0.3 seconds.
At 0.56 second motion transfer duration, the Emma Original Foam takes a bit longer, but it’s still respectably good. Even so, the motion transfer peak is certainly far worse than the average.
Response Test
The material response time on the Emma Original is extremely fast. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered material response of 0.2 seconds and a full material recovery of 0.3 seconds.
Mostly Recovered
0.2 sec.
Complete Recovery
0.3 sec.
The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.
This is tied with the fastest responding mattresses we’ve tested to date. It just doesn’t get any faster than this.
Based on all of our tests to date, we have measured an average mostly recovered response time of 0.52 seconds and an average fully recovered response time of 0.94 seconds.
As a result, Emma is significantly faster than the average. The fast response time ensures that it’s easy to move around on the mattress and you’ll never feel stuck when trying to change positions during the night.
Bounce Test
The Emma Original mattress has a high level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 9.00”.
Max. Depth
6.10″
Max. Rebound
2.90″
Total Bounce
9.00″
This is 0.29” less bounce than the average of 9.51” (based on all of our tests to date). In general, I hope to see a bounce in the 8-12” range.
It’s enough to make it easy to move around on and improve sex, but not so much to create problems.
Max. Sinkage Depth
Max Bounce Height
The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.
Emma Original’s 9.00” of bounce will be more than sufficient for the vast majority of sleepers. I have no complaints with respect to bounce.
Edge Support Test
Edge support is a bit of a mixed bag. Sitting edge support is fair, but not particularly good. However, lying edge support is excellent.
Max Sinkage
4.75″
Lying Support
Excellent
In our sitting edge support tests, we measured 4.75” of sitting edge compression. This is notably worse than the average of 4.04”. That said, being average isn’t great when it comes to edge support.
Ideally, I like to see a sitting edge compression of 4.0” or less. So we are pretty far away from that.
The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.
Sitting, 140 lbs.
Sitting, 200 lbs.
The sitting edge support isn’t bad by any stretch, only it could be better. With respect to lying edge support, I was perfectly well supported.
During all of my tests while lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported in all sleeping positions.
The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.
Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.
Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.
The Emma Original does a great job at extending proper support even at the absolute edge of the mattress. My only concern for lying edge support is for heavier-weight sleepers.
When I put my weighted vest on (bringing my weight to 200 pounds) the support at the edge isn’t as good though.
In the photographs, you can see the more significant level of compression and contouring of the foam at the edge. If you are a heavier-weight sleeper and also sleep on or near the edge this could be a problem.
8.2Sex Test
The Emma Original has good sex performance, but it could be better.
The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.
These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.
| Sex Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounce | 65% | 8.1 | High |
| Edge Support | 20% | 7.8 | Fair |
| Noise | 5% | 10 | Minimal |
| Pressure Relief | 5% | 9.0 | Excellent |
| Cooling | 5% | 9.0 | Excellent |
Breaking this score down, let’s look at the five most influential factors for sex performance.
Bounce was great, which kept the surface feeling active, engaging, and responsive.
Edge support was good, but not amazing. The mattress was quiet, had decent pressure relief, and had excellent cooling.
Overall, I would recommend the Emma Original mattress for good sex performance. It’s not the best we’ve seen, but is better than many other all-foam mattresses that we’ve tested.
Pressure Relief Test
Pressure relief on the Emma Original Foam mattress is excellent. Throughout our tests, I felt ample pressure relief and comfort in all sleeping positions.
Comfort Layer
6.0″
Support Layer
6.0″
Emma uses a super thick 6.0” comfort layer, with 3.0” of direct comfort materials and 3.0” of transitional poly foam in the core.
This helps create immediate softness and comfort on top, while providing deeper transitional support. This type of material design is especially important for heavier-weight sleepers.
Larger bodies put more pressure on the mattress. If there isn’t sufficient comfort material you will simply sink through and into the harder support foams, creating pressure points. We don’t see that here though. No major complaints from me on pressure relief.
Off-Gassing Test
Off-gassing on the Emma Original was nothing out of the ordinary. Out of the box, the smell was strong, but within 2 days it had fully off-gassed.
Initial Smell Strength
Strong
Off-Gassing Period
2 days
On average (based on all of our tests to date), it takes about 3 days for most mattresses to completely off-gas. So the Emma Original was a little faster than average.
Company
The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.
Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.
| Company Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Period | 15% | 10 | 365 nights |
| Warranty | 10% | 8.0 | 10 years |
| Shipping | 5% | 10 | $0 |
| Returns | 20% | 10 | $0 |
| Trust | 50% | 8.0 | Good |
| Country of Origin | 0% | Global |
As a company, Emma is a global mattress manufacturer. Emma operates in over 33 different countries, with suppliers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Most of the orders in Canada and the US are made in the USA or Mexico.
They offer a 365-night trial period with a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free although Emma does ask that you try out the mattress for at least a couple of weeks before requesting a return.
How firm is the Emma Original?
The Original Emma is a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This is a touch softer than any other medium firmness mattresses, which oftentimes fall closer to 6 out of 10.
This slightly softer feel is a good pick for lighter-weight sleepers or side sleepers especially.
Support & Sleeping Positions
The Emma Original has excellent support. In all sleeping positions, I felt well-supported by the mattress.
Much as is the case with pressure relief, the material design ensures that the mattress delivers great support to all body types. We have 6.0” of comfort foam on top of 6.0” of support foam.
The 12” design ensures the mattress has enough physical material to create support for light, moderate, and heavyweight bodies.
The 3.0” transitional poly foam in the core serves to help create an equilibrium level of support regardless of weight.
If you weigh less, you won’t engage with that layer as much. However, if you weigh more you’ll experience more of the transitional support and won’t feel that abrupt pushback of the foundational support layer.
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 150-250 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This is key in a foam mattress. I’m happy to see this material layout. It’s a proven design I’ve seen in many higher-performance foam mattresses and it’s key to great support in an all-foam mattress.
In my view, Emma should be fully capable of providing excellent support to all sleepers up to 300 pounds. However, I would not recommend it for sleepers over 300 pounds.
Design
The Emma Original is a foam mattress with a 12″ profile height and a firmness of 5 out of 10.
Type
Foam
Thickness
12″
Firmness
5
Materials
The layers of the Emma Original include 5 layers of foam and a soft, breathable cover. From top to bottom, the layers include:
- 1.5” graphite poly foam
- 1.5” graphite memory foam
- 3.0” memory foam
- 5.0” support foam
- 1.0” support foam
The Cover
The cover of the Emma Original is a solid white with gray sides and bright blue accents. It is temperature-regulating and very breathable—a nice option for sleepers especially concerned with cooling performance.
Also, there is a zipper closure which makes it easy to take the cover off for washing or other maintenance.
The cover also has two carrying handles located on the sides of the mattress which helps with durability as well as transporting the mattress.
The Comfort Layer
The top comfort layer is made of two comfort foams—a graphite poly foam on top and a graphite memory foam directly below.
Below the graphic foams is a 3.0″ layer of transitional foam. This foam has a higher density than the graphic foams above and (as it sounds) is designed to help transition weight and pressure from the layers above.
The Support Layer
The support layer of the Emma Original mattress is a 5.0″ slab of support foam followed by a single 1.0″ slab of firmer support foam.
These two layers combined provide a supportive base for the comfort materials and sleeper weight above.
Product Evolution
Emma was founded in 2015 in Germany and made the global shift to the North American market in 2019.
The Comfort Adapt All-Foam was launched in April 2018, and it was renamed Emma Original on July 12, 2022.
While the name was updated in 2022 the material layers and overall design have been largely unchanged since launch.
Emma Original vs. Emma Original Hybrid
Emma offers both the Emma Original (all foam version) and the Emma Original Hybrid.
The hybrid version uses memory foam in lieu of poly foam for the top comfort layer. And the support layer is an 8.0″ layer of pocketed coils instead of high-density support foam.
Because of these material changes, the Emma Hybrid has lower motion transfer levels, higher bounce, and slightly better edge support.
Emma All Foam
| Type: Combo foam |
| Thickness: 12″ |
| Firmness: 5 out of 10 |
| Price: $745 (Queen) |
| Overall Score: 8.74 |
Emma Hybrid
| Type: Foam + pocketed coils |
| Thickness: 11″ |
| Firmness: 6 out of 10 |
| Price: $995 (Queen) |
| Overall Score: 9.12 |
Other Mattresses to Consider
Not sure that the Emma Original is the right pick for you? Check out these three top-rated alternatives below for additional options you might want to consider.
For Motion Transfer
Ghostbed
Combo Foam with 11″ Profile
The Ghostbed Classic is an 11″ all-foam mattress that combines latex foam and gel memory foam with a 7.5″ support foam base. This mattress has a medium-firm feel (6.5 out of 10) and extremely low motion transfer levels.
For Edge Support
Douglas
Firmness of 6 out of 10
The Douglas mattress has a 4″ comfort layer with a 6.0″ support foam base. This mattress has excellent edge support both sitting and lying down. Note: The Douglas foam mattress is only available in Canada.
For Cooling
Bear Elite Hybrid
Hybrid Composition
The Bear Elite is a hybrid mattress that uses foam and pocketed support foams. It comes in three different firmnesses (4.5, 6, or 7.5 out of 10) and has a fantastic overall score of 9.24. If you’re looking for exceptional cooling, fast response, and moderate bounce, the Bear Elite is a solid pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Emma Original mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.
Here are the current prices, with any sales or promotions reflected below:
Twin: $495
Twin XL: $595
Full: $675
Queen: $745
King: $895
Cal. King: $895
*Note: Sales prices are subject to change without notice or warning.
The Emma Original comes with a 10-year warranty.
No. These two mattresses are popular choices in the UK, but they are owned by different companies and have different feels and firmnesses.
