Which Emma Performance mattress should you buy?#
The three Emma Performance mattresses share the same seven-layer hybrid design. The number in the name is the height in centimetres, and the height mostly changes the feel: Emma rates the Performance 26 as the firmest and the Performance 30 as the softest and most cushioned. In short:
- Performance 26: the firmer, cheaper option. Best for back and stomach sleepers, and anyone who dislikes sinking in.
- Performance 28: the middle of the range in height and price. A sensible default for combination sleepers and couples who sleep differently.
- Performance 30: the deepest and plushest, and the most expensive. Best for side sleepers who want more cushioning at the shoulder and hip.
How we wrote this: we test mattresses hands-on, but we have not yet slept on the Emma Performance range, which launched in October 2026. Everything below about the Performance mattresses comes from Emma's published specifications, checked on 16 October 2026, and we say where we are inferring rather than quoting. Prices change, so confirm them on Emma's site. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Emma Performance 26 vs 28 vs 30 at a glance#
| Performance 26 | Performance 28 | Performance 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 26cm | 28cm | 30cm |
| Emma's firmness rating | 5 out of 5 (firmest) | Not listed on Emma's comparison page | 3 out of 5 |
| How Emma describes it | "Balanced comfort and support in every layer" | Between the 26 and the 30 | "Maximum height for personalised cushioning and tailored support" |
| UK Single price | £779 | £859 | £1,069 |
| Construction | 7 layers: cooling cover, AirGrid layer, MemoryAdapt foam, support foam, zoned pocket springs in a foam frame, base foam, non-slip bottom cover | ||
| Trial and warranty | 200-night trial, 10-year warranty | ||
Prices are for a UK Single (90 x 190cm) on Emma's site on 16 October 2026. Larger sizes cost more, and Emma's prices move often with its promotions.
What all three have in common#
Each Performance mattress is a hybrid: foam comfort layers on top of a pocket spring core. From the top down, Emma lists the same seven layers on each:
- Cover: a knit cover with "breathable micro-dots", designed to feel cool to the touch.
- Emma AirGrid: a flexible open grid that Emma calls its "most advanced" pressure-relief layer. Because the grid is open, air can move through it, unlike a solid foam slab.
- MemoryAdapt: a memory-style foam that gives the first bit of contouring.
- SupportBase: a firmer foam that takes you from the soft top layers into the springs.
- Zoned pocket springs: individually wrapped springs, zoned to support the heavier middle of the body, inside a foam frame that firms up the edges.
- SupportBase: a second foam layer under the springs to keep the core stable.
- Bottom cover: a non-slip base that stops the mattress sliding on the bed.
Emma describes the AirGrid, open spring core and cover together as a "passive cooling system" that moves air through the mattress instead of trapping heat. Springs nearly always sleep cooler than solid foam, so if you run hot, any of the three should be cooler than an all-foam mattress. For more on that, see our best mattress for hot sleepers.
Emma does not publish the thickness of each layer. The extra height in the 28 and 30 most likely goes into the comfort layers, given that Emma describes the taller models as more cushioned, but that is our inference rather than Emma's spec.
Emma Performance 26: firmer support for less money#
The 26 is the one to pick if you want support first. Emma gives it the top firmness rating in the range and describes it as supporting you "without letting you sink". In practice, a firmer hybrid suits:
- Back sleepers, who need the hips held level with the shoulders.
- Stomach sleepers, for whom a soft mattress lets the hips dip and arches the lower back.
- Heavier sleepers, who sink further into any mattress, so a firmer one feels closer to medium. See our firmness by weight chart.
It is also the cheapest of the three, at £779 for a UK Single. If you have back pain, a medium-firm to firm mattress is what the evidence tends to favour: our best mattress for back pain guide explains why.
See the Emma Performance 26 at Emma
Emma Performance 28: the middle option#
The 28 sits between the other two in both height and price (£859 for a UK Single). Emma's comparison page does not give it a firmness score, but with the 26 at the firm end and the 30 at the soft end, it is reasonable to expect a medium-to-medium-firm feel.
That middle ground is usually the safest choice for combination sleepers who change position through the night, and for couples where one partner sleeps on their side and the other on their back. Zoned pocket springs also limit how much one partner feels the other move, which Emma highlights on all three models.
See the Emma Performance 28 at Emma
Emma Performance 30: the most cushioning#
The 30 is the tallest and plushest, rated 3 out of 5 for firmness by Emma, and Emma sells it on "maximum cushioning, contouring and support". It is the one to look at if you are a side sleeper, because your shoulder and hip need to sink in a little for your spine to stay straight. A mattress that is too firm pushes back at those points, which is a common cause of shoulder ache. Our best mattress for side sleepers guide covers this in detail.
It is also the most expensive, at £1,069 for a UK Single. At 30cm deep it will need deep-pocket fitted sheets, and it sits noticeably higher on the bed frame than a typical 25cm mattress.
See the Emma Performance 30 at Emma
Is the Emma Performance worth it?#
The Performance range is at the top of Emma's line-up on price, so the honest question is whether you need it. If you want a sprung Emma hybrid and do not need the AirGrid layer, the Emma Original Pro, which we have tested, costs less and scored 9.0 for support with us. We compare the three in Emma Performance vs Original Pro vs Original Elite.
Two things work in the Performance range's favour. Emma usually bundles free bedding with it: at launch in October 2026, the free products were worth up to £509, depending on the model and size. And the 200-night trial means you can return it if the height you chose turns out to be the wrong feel.
Frequently asked questions#
Which Emma Performance mattress is the firmest?#
The Performance 26. Emma rates it 5 out of 5 for firmness on its comparison page, against 3 out of 5 for the Performance 30. The 28 sits between them.
Is the Emma Performance a hybrid mattress?#
Yes. All three heights combine foam comfort layers, including Emma's AirGrid layer, with a core of zoned pocket springs in a foam frame.
Does the Emma Performance sleep cool?#
It is designed to. Emma combines an open AirGrid layer, a breathable spring core and a cool-touch cover, which it calls a passive cooling system. Hybrids with an open spring core generally sleep cooler than all-foam mattresses, but we have not measured the Performance range ourselves yet.
What trial and warranty does the Emma Performance have?#
Emma lists a 200-night trial with a full refund, and a 10-year manufacturer warranty, the same as the rest of its mattresses.
How much is the Emma Performance mattress?#
On 16 October 2026, a UK Single cost £779 for the 26, £859 for the 28 and £1,069 for the 30. Larger sizes cost more, and Emma's prices change often with its promotions, so check the current price on Emma's site.
