What is a mattress sleep trial?#

A sleep trial (also called a free trial or home trial) gives you a set period — typically 100 to 200 nights — to test a mattress in your own home. If you're not satisfied for any reason, you can return it for a full refund. The mattress is usually collected free of charge, and in most cases it will be donated to a charity rather than returned to the manufacturer.

Sleep trials became standard practice among online mattress brands because customers can't test the mattress in a shop before buying. They effectively remove the purchasing risk.

Which UK brands offer the longest trials?#

  • Emma — 200 nights
  • Nectar — 365 nights (one full year)
  • Simba — 200 nights
  • Casper — 100 nights
  • Eve Sleep — 100 nights
  • Brook + Wilde — 100 nights

Note: High-street brands and traditional manufacturers typically offer 30–60 nights, if any trial at all. John Lewis offers a 60-night sleep guarantee on mattresses over £500.

Important trial period small print#

Before you assume you can return a mattress at any point during the trial, read the following carefully:

  • Break-in period: Most brands require you to sleep on the mattress for a minimum of 30 nights before raising a return request. This is reasonable, as your body needs time to adjust to a new sleep surface.
  • Clean and undamaged: Mattresses must be returned in a clean, undamaged condition. A mattress protector is almost always a prerequisite for the trial to be valid — buy one when you buy the mattress.
  • One-return limit: Most brands will only allow you to return one mattress per household under a sleep trial. You can't repeatedly trial and return mattresses.
  • Original packaging not required: You don't need to keep the box. The brand will arrange collection.

Your statutory rights alongside a trial#

UK consumer law (Consumer Rights Act 2015) gives you rights that exist regardless of any company trial period:

  • If the mattress is faulty, not as described or not fit for purpose, you're entitled to a refund within 30 days.
  • After 30 days, you're entitled to a repair or replacement, and a refund if the repair fails.
  • These rights last for up to six years for significant defects.

Is a longer trial always better?#

A 200-night trial from a brand you trust is better than a 365-night trial from a brand with poor customer service. Always read reviews about how brands handle returns before you buy. The best trial in the world is worthless if the company makes it difficult to exercise it.