The Simba Hybrid and the Simba Hybrid Pro are the two Simbas most people end up choosing between. At full price the Pro costs £400 more for a double; in the Black Friday sale the gap is £235 (£674 against £909). We have tested both, and the cheaper Hybrid Essential beneath them. This is what the extra money buys, and who should pay it.
The quick answer#
- Buy the Simba Hybrid if you are under about 16 stone, sleep alone or with a still partner, and do not have back pain. It scores 8.5/10 and is the best-value Simba.
- Buy the Simba Hybrid Pro if you have back pain, share the bed with someone who uses the whole width, weigh over 16 stone, or sleep hot. Its sprung base gives the best edge support of any Simba, and it scores 8.7/10.
- Only buy the Hybrid Essential if it is discounted much harder than the Hybrid. At £524 against £674 it is not.
Simba Hybrid vs Hybrid Pro vs Essential#
Scores are from our own testing, out of 10. Prices are for a double on 3 November 2026, in Simba's Black Friday sale.
| Hybrid Essential | Simba Hybrid | Hybrid Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 20cm | 25cm | 28cm |
| Layers | Four, with one Aerocoil® microspring layer | Five, with one microspring layer and a nine-zone foam base | Seven, with two microspring layers, British wool and a steel-spring SupportCore™ base |
| Support zones | Five | Nine | Sprung base, edge to edge |
| Feel | Medium-firm | Medium-firm | Medium-firm |
| Cover | Breathable knit | Breathable knit | Cool-touch Stratos® |
| Cooling upgrade | No | No | HeatRelease™ optional |
| Support / comfort | 8.1 / 8.3 | 8.7 / 8.8 | 9.2 / 9.1 |
| Value | 7.6 | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Overall | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.7 |
| Full price (double) | £699 | £899 | £1,299 |
| Sale price (double) | £524 (25% off) | £674 (25% off) | £909 (30% off) |
| Trial / guarantee | 200 nights / 10 years on all three | ||
What the Pro adds#
Three things, and they are all in the bottom half of the mattress.
- A sprung base. The Hybrid sits its microsprings on a zoned foam base. The Pro sits them on a layer of full-size steel pocket springs, which is what makes the Pro supportive right to the edge. Sit on the side of a Hybrid and it gives; sit on the Pro and it holds. If one of you sleeps near the edge, or you sit on the bed to dress, this is the difference you will notice every day.
- A second microspring layer. More springs spread your weight across more points, which is why the Pro's support score (9.2) beats the Hybrid's (8.7) despite the same medium-firm feel. Heavier sleepers get more out of this than lighter ones.
- Wool and a cooler cover. A British wool comfort layer wicks moisture and the Stratos® cover feels cool to the touch. The Pro sleeps a little cooler than the Hybrid out of the box, and it is the cheapest Simba you can add HeatRelease™ graphite cooling to.
What the Hybrid does as well#
Everything on top. Both have the same Simbatex® foam, the same medium-firm feel, and the same Aerocoil® microsprings in the comfort layer, so the surface feels similar when you lie down in the middle of the bed. Both isolate movement well. For a solo sleeper, or a couple of average weight who sleep still, the Hybrid gives you most of the Pro for £235 less, and its value score (8.1) is higher than the Pro's (7.9).
And the Hybrid Essential?#
The Essential is 20cm deep with four layers and five support zones instead of nine. It feels similar to the Hybrid at first but has less depth to work with, so it suits lighter sleepers and spare rooms rather than a heavier adult every night. The problem is the price: at £524 it is only £150 less than the Hybrid, which is deeper, better zoned and scores higher (8.5 against 8.0). There is no super king Essential. Unless you find it at a far deeper discount, buy the Hybrid.
Who should buy which#
| You | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Back pain | Hybrid Pro | Sprung base keeps the spine supported to the edge; medium-firm is the firmness research favours |
| Couple, one of you restless or near the edge | Hybrid Pro | Edge support and the extra spring layer |
| Over 16 stone | Hybrid Pro | Deeper, with more springs carrying the load |
| Hot sleeper | Hybrid Pro | Wool, cooler cover, and the option of HeatRelease™ |
| Solo sleeper under 16 stone | Simba Hybrid | Same surface feel; the Pro's extras are for weight and edges |
| Couple of average weight who sleep still | Simba Hybrid | Good motion isolation already; spend the difference on a king |
| Spare room or a child's bed | Simba Hybrid, or the Essential if it is cheap | Depth matters less with lighter, occasional use |
Prices by size#
Simba's Black Friday prices on 3 November 2026. A dash means Simba does not make that size of that model.
| Size | Hybrid Essential | Simba Hybrid | Hybrid Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | £412 | £524 | £629 |
| Small double | £524 | £674 | £909 |
| Double | £524 | £674 | £909 |
| King | £599 | £749 | £979 |
| Super king | - | £824 | £1,049 |
Simba's sale runs until 30 November 2026. Our Simba Black Friday guide covers the whole range in the sale, and our guide to every Simba mattress brings in the Luxe and the Ultra.
Frequently asked questions#
Is the Simba Hybrid Pro worth the extra money?#
If you have back pain, share the bed, weigh over about 16 stone or sleep hot, yes: the sprung base and second spring layer are real improvements you feel every night. If none of those apply, the standard Hybrid is the better buy and its value score is higher.
Is the Simba Hybrid Pro firmer than the Hybrid?#
Both are medium-firm and feel similar in the middle of the bed. The Pro feels firmer at the edges because its base is sprung rather than foam.
Which Simba is best for back pain?#
The Hybrid Pro. The Hybrid is the next best if the Pro is over budget.
Is the Simba Hybrid Essential any good?#
It is a decent 20cm hybrid that suits lighter sleepers and spare rooms, but it is priced too close to the Hybrid, which is deeper and better zoned. Buy the Essential only when its discount is clearly bigger.
