Who the Millbrook Serenity 4500 suits
This is the Millbrook we would buy. It suits almost everyone the range is aimed at: side sleepers who want pressure relief, back sleepers who want support (on firm tension), couples, and hot sleepers who have given up on foam. Millbrook describes it as the "just right" balance of lift, softness and stability, and its specification backs that up.
It is also oddly priced in its favour. At the time of writing, a 4500 double costs less than the Serenity Luxury 2750 despite having twice as many micro springs and a richer fill.
Construction
Every Serenity mattress shares the same chassis: Millbrook's ErgoZone 7 seven-zone spring layout, softer under the shoulders and hips and firmer under the lower back and legs; the Ultra Edge perimeter system with hand side-stitching; a Smooth-Tech tuft-free top, so there are no tufting buttons to feel; and a chemical-free Smooth-Flex four-way stretch cover. All are non-turn, so you rotate them head to foot rather than flipping. The models differ in spring count, the natural fillings on top and the depth.
The 4500 pairs 1,000 full-size pocket springs with 3,500 Comfonomic micro springs, under a fill of natural wool, cotton, silk and cashgora (a fine goat fibre similar to cashmere). It is 30cm deep.
Comfort and support
The jump to 3,500 micro springs is the point. With more than twice the micro springs of the 2500, the comfort layer behaves almost like a second, finer spring unit, contouring closely to the shoulder and hip while the zoned full-size springs underneath hold your alignment. On medium tension it sits around the middle of our firmness scale, cushioned without being soft; firm tension firms up the support without making the surface hard.
Temperature, edges and motion
Springs and natural fibres throughout make this one of the coolest-sleeping mattresses we cover. The Ultra Edge perimeter gives a firm edge for sitting, and two layers of independent springs keep partner movement local.
Returns, guarantee and delivery
Millbrook mattresses are handmade to order in Southampton, where the company has made beds since 1946, and carry a 5-year guarantee. There is no sleep trial: Laudsleep accepts returns within 30 days of delivery, but its returns policy excludes sale items, so check whether the price you are paying is a sale price before you buy. A 5-year guarantee is also shorter than the 10 years most bed-in-a-box brands offer, although a well-made pocket-sprung mattress with natural fillings typically lasts longer than its guarantee.
Choosing between Millbrook models? Our Millbrook mattress review compares the whole Serenity range, and Millbrook vs Hypnos vs Vi-Spring sets it against the other British makers.
Our verdict
The best balance of specification and price in the Millbrook range, and one of the best handmade pocket-sprung mattresses you can buy for under £900. The short guarantee and lack of a sleep trial are the only reasons to hesitate.
