Emma Mattress Review (2024)
Disclaimer: We are owned and operated by GoodMorning.com. We hire 3rd-party engineers and use public data to rate mattresses on over 30 criteria that we believe are important. Brands we own—Douglas, Juno, Octave, and Logan & Cove, and Novosbed—are reviewed and advertised where indicated. Views expressed here are our opinions only. Full details.
Disclaimer: We are owned and operated by GoodMorning.com. We hire 3rd-party engineers and use public data to rate mattresses on over 30 criteria that we believe are important. Brands we own—Douglas, Juno, Octave, and Logan & Cove, and Novosbed—are reviewed and advertised where indicated. Views expressed here are our opinions only. Full details.
Emma Mattress Review (2024)
The Emma Original is Emma’s all-foam mattress, made in Mexico. Emma is a European company.
- One firmness option
- Delivered in a box
- Company HQ is based in Germany
Key Features
- 3 layers
- 10” height
- Medium firmness
- Machine-washable cover
- 365-night trial
- 10-year warranty
Is Emma Failing to Resonate in the Canadian Market?
Emma is a European company that has not made much of an impact in the Canadian mattress market and struggles to assert itself against authentic Canadian market leaders like Douglas and Logan & Cove.
The updated 10-inch all-foam Emma Original, despite an improvement over its predecessor (according to our third-party engineer testing) in areas like motion isolation and edge support, still only managed to attain a modest overall score.
Considering its international standing, this rating may come as a surprise. But a closer look reveals the roots of this shortfall: a clear lack of transparency and an overwhelming tide of negative Canadian customer reviews.
Emma has conflicting descriptions on its website about the number of layers in its mattresses. Furthermore, when we called the Emma 1-800 number twice for more information, the representatives we spoke with reside in the Philippines—an incredible distance from Canada. We were also given conflicting information about where Emma Canada mattresses are manufactured. We were first told it was Germany and later told it was the USA. The mattress tag, however, states Mexico.
Additionally, the new version is even softer than the previous one—an interesting design choice considering most Canadians prefer a firmer mattress. The softness may not be suitable for all body types or comfort preferences, and it may negate the benefits of its cooling properties.
With a price tag of $979 CAD, the Emma Original is still more expensive than its Canadian competitors. As a result, shoppers may question whether the Emma Original is worth choosing as their next mattress.
You'll Like This Mattress If You Want...
- A mattress with a fair amount of “hug”
- Minimal bounce
- A machine-washable cover
- A 365-night sleep trial
Consider Douglas Instead If You Want...
- To purchase from a company with an A+ BBB Rating
- A firmer mattress with consistent “hug”
- Cooling gel foam
- A mattress with 16,000+ reviews
- A mattress made in Canada
- A longer warranty
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Douglas | Emma Original | |
---|---|---|
Price (Queen) | $799 | $979 |
Rating | 9.9 | 5.6 |
Made in Canada | ||
Cooling Gel Foam | ||
Edge Support | 7.3/10 | 6.4/10 |
Trial (Nights) | 365 | 365 |
Warranty (Years) | 20 | 10 |
Table of Contents
Jump to any section by clicking the links below:
First Impressions: Straight Out of the Box
The Arrival & Unboxing
The Emma Original mattress is available to buy on the brand’s Canadian website. Emma does not use an exclusive carrier to deliver the mattress to your doorstep. Rather, the logistics carrier selected is dependent on the customer’s location.
The mattress comes with a plastic cutter to help open the package, as well as a welcome booklet containing information about the product. Just unbox the Emma Original, roll the mattress out, remove the plastic wrap, and you’re ready to sleep. However, Emma does recommend waiting at least 30 minutes to ensure the mattress fully expands.
The Look & Feel
The Emma Original has a neutral colour scheme of white and grey, including a knitted white removable cover. The mattress has a classic memory foam feel and medium firmness. Ultimately, it provides a balance of softness and support with minimal sinkage into the mattress’s upper layers.
Official Test Results: How Do Engineers Rate This Mattress?
The following results were determined by licensed 3rd-party engineers, commissioned by us:
To be able to accurately rate and compare the performance of the mattresses reviewed on this website, it was necessary to hire licensed 3rd-party engineers. Their independence and operating standards help to ensure the results remain unbiased, valid, and reliable. Each mattress was evaluated using the same strict methodology to protect the overall integrity of the results. The full report is linked below and has been given the official stamp of approval from an APEGA-certified engineer operating under a strict ethical code of conduct.
*Be advised: Mattress testing conducted outside of this professional standard poses a greater risk of validity errors or reviewer bias.*
How Our Engineers Test Each Mattress:
Test Scores | Emma Original |
---|---|
Firmness: | 5.1 / 10 |
Edge support: | 6.4 / 10 |
Motion isolation: | 8.4 / 10 |
Bounce: | 3.9 / 10 |
Feel & Firmness
According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), Emma Original is rated at 5.1 / 10 on the firmness scale for a medium feel. There is a fair amount of “hug” from the upper layers, which could be slightly uncomfortable for stomach sleepers or anyone weighing over 180 lbs.
If you seek a bit of a firmer mattress like many Canadians, the Douglas offers an affordable alternative to the Emma Original. This mattress outscores the Emma Original on our list of Best Foam Mattresses and costs significantly less.
Edge Support
Foam mattresses are not known for their edge support. Weak edge support is often one of the main issues customers have when moving from traditional innerspring mattresses to foam. That said, the Emma Original earned an above-average rating of 6.4 / 10.
Despite the above-average score, it’s important to note the mattress does not have sidewalls. A lack of stability because of this design choice can cause problems for sleepers who struggle to get out of bed.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is usually better in foam mattresses and one of the main reasons couples make the switch from innerspring to memory foam. Based on third-party engineer testing (commissioned by us), the Emma Original scored 8.4 / 10 in motion isolation and should provide suitable motion isolation for many sleepers.
Bounce
Because foam mattresses tend to provide good motion isolation, they usually earn a lower bounce rating compared to innerspring and hybrid mattresses. According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), Emma’s bounce score is average for an all-foam mattress at 3.9 / 10.
Mattress Construction
Construction | Emma Original |
---|---|
Mattress height: | 10" |
Number of layers: | 3 |
Comfort layer: | 2” Airgocell foam |
Transition layer: | 2” memory foam |
Support layer: | 6" base foam |
Cover materials: | Polyester, elastane |
Machine-washable cover: | Yes |
Mattress Layers
At times, information on the Emma Canada website can seem a bit confusing, if not misleading. That’s because it sometimes presents conflicting descriptions. For example, some pages refer to the Emma Original as a “five-layer” mattress, while others classify it as a three-layer mattress.
To be clear, the Emma Original is composed of only three foam layers, plus a mattress cover and edge support perimeter. The company sometimes refers to the cover and edge support as “layers.” Note that this is not a common way for mattress companies to refer to layers.
- First layer: 2 inches of Airgocell foam. This top layer conforms to your body and provides pressure relief. Emma claims that this foam increases airflow and reduces heat while you sleep. Layer density: Unspecified.
- Second layer: 2 inches of memory foam. Since memory foam is slow to respond to movement and has a high degree of sinkage, the transition layer contours to the body and provides additional motion isolation. Layer density: Unspecified.
- Third layer: 6 inches of support foam. This bottom support layer gives Emma its structure and prevents sleepers from sinking in too deep. Layer density: Unspecified.
Mattress Cover
Made with a polyester and elastane fabric blend, the Emma Original comes with a soft removable and machine-washable top cover.
Brand Bio: What's the Story Behind Emma?
Company Overview | Emma |
---|---|
Launched: | 2015 |
BBB Rating: | F (Not Accredited) |
Trustpilot Rating: | Poor |
Company HQ: | Frankfurt, Germany |
Ownership: | Private |
Where to buy: | Online |
Emma was founded in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2015. Since launching, Emma has expanded operations to 17 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
While the company has found success in Europe, the Emma mattress sold in Canada is different from the signature foam mattress made in the UK. At one point, Emma was using Amazon to ship its mattress, but it has since launched its own Canadian website and uses an assortment of couriers to fulfil orders.
Delivery, Sleep Trial & Returns
Delivery, Trial, Returns | Emma |
---|---|
Shipping cost: | Free |
Shipping time: | 3–5 days |
Sleep trial length: | 365 nights |
Return ease: | Company picks up |
Full refund: | Yes |
Additional fees: | Additional $150 for scheduled delivery and in-home setup |
Emma offers free shipping, even for remote locations, and uses FedEx, UPS, or Canpar Express to deliver in Canada. Customers should expect their mattress within 3–7 business days.
Customers can receive scheduled delivery and in-home setup for an additional $150 with their mattress purchase. However, Canadian buyers should be aware that this delivery service is only available for specific areas in Ontario.
Emma has a 365-night sleep trial, offering one of the longest trial periods in Canada alongside Douglas. Buyers can try out the mattress at home before deciding to keep it.
To initiate a return, Emma asks customers to wait at least 21 days after receiving the mattress. This waiting period allows for an adjustment period, as it typically takes around 30 days for individuals to become accustomed to a new mattress. Once the trial period is over, customers can contact Emma via phone or email to arrange a return. The Emma website says it will coordinate the pickup of the mattress at no cost to the customer.
Price & Size Listings
Twin
39″ x 75″ x 10″
$749 CAD
Twin XL
39″ x 80″ x 10″
$809 CAD
Double
54″ x 75″ x 10″
$859 CAD
Queen
60″ x 80″ x 10″
$979 CAD
King
76″ x 80″ x 10″
$1,189 CAD
Cal King
72″ x 84″ x 10″
$1,189 CAD
Rating Breakdown: How Emma Original Measures Up
We hire 3rd-party engineers and use public data to rate mattresses on over 25 criteria.
Where It Gains Points
- Under $1,000 for a Queen
- Free shipping to major metro areas
- Convenient delivery
- 365-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
- CertiPur-US® Registered
Where It Could Improve
- Improve Trustpilot rating
- Improve BBB rating and become accredited
- Generate 1,000+ reviews
- Be made in Canada
- Make multiple firmness options available
- Add perforated foam
- Add conduit foam
- Add cooling gel foam
- Offer central zone reinforcement
Final Thoughts
With Emma, it’s important to consider two things.
First, the lack of transparency surrounding the composition of the mattress and its suitability for the needs of Canadian sleepers. When our team contacted Emma’s customer service team, we were given conflicting information about where Emma mattresses are manufactured for Canadian orders. We were first told it was Germany and later told it was the USA. The mattress tag itself states Mexico.
Additionally, the new version is even softer than its predecessor. Most Canadians prefer a firmer mattress, and the softness of the Emma Original may not be suitable for all body types or comfort preferences.
Second, there is an apparent disconnect between the glowing reviews on the brand’s website and the experience of Canadian customers. With an F rating on BBB and “Poor” on Trustpilot, complaints from customers on third-party review sites paint a very different picture of the company and highlight significant customer service issues.
Even the company’s price and policies are not compelling enough to warrant buying the Emma Original. A Queen is regularly priced at $979 CAD, whereas you can get the all-foam made-in-Canada Douglas for $799 CAD. Even Emma’s year-long sleep trial is not an exclusive feature—in fact, Douglas offers the same 365-night trial and a longer warranty.
Exploring Canada-based alternatives like Douglas may provide a more reliable and tailored solution for sleepers seeking a quality mattress from a customer-focused company.