Emma Mattress Review (2023)
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 – Apollo, Brunswick, Cherry, Douglas, Juno, Logan & Cove, Novosbed, Podium, and Recore – 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 – Apollo, Brunswick, Cherry, Douglas, Juno, Logan & Cove, Novosbed, Podium, and Recore – are reviewed and advertised where indicated. Views expressed here are our opinions only. Full details.
Emma Mattress Review (2023)
Emma is one of Europe’s top-selling bed-in-a-box mattresses and is now available for sale in the United States and Canada.
- All-foam construction
- Three-layer design
- North American orders are made in the US
Key Features
- Gel foam top layer
- Zoned support
- Memory foam transition layer
- Free shipping
- 100-night trial
- 10-year warranty
Can a European Newcomer Compete Directly with Canada’s Favourite Mattress Brands?
Despite gaining traction in Europe, Emma mattress hasn’t made much of a splash in the Canadian market since launching across the pond in 2018.
The German brand makes its North American mattresses in Indiana and uses Amazon to deliver them across Canada and the US. This arrangement allows Emma to use Amazon’s established delivery and distribution network. While Canadian customers can benefit from convenient shipping, customers who shop through Amazon may find that they don’t get the same focused customer service that they may get from a Canadian-based brand.
NOTE: Emma mattress has two models of its signature foam mattress available for purchase in Canada: a 12″ and a 10″ version. This review references the original 12″ model that is still for sale on Amazon.ca. The 10″ version is also available on Amazon.ca, as well as on the Emma website.
You'll Like This Mattress If You Want...
- An all-foam mattress
- A softer mattress with a good amount of ‘hug’
- The ability to wash your mattress cover
Skip Emma If You Want...
- A Canadian-made mattress
- A firmer mattress
- A foam mattress with strong edge support
- To spend less than $750 for a queen mattress
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You May Prefer: Douglas
Winner!
2021 Product of the Year™
Voted the top choice overall in the Mattress-in-a-Box category through a survey of 4,000 Canadians by Kantar.
| Douglas | Emma | |
|---|---|---|
| Made in Canada |  |
 |
| Eco-Conscious Materials | |
|
| Trial (Nights) | 365 | 100 |
| Warranty (Years) | 20 | 10 |
| Verified Customer Reviews | 10,000+ | 100+ |
| Rating | 9.9 | 5.2 |
| Price (Queen) | $799 | $1,299 |
LIMITED TIME OFFER!
FREE Sheets, Pillow(s), Mattress Protector, Pillow Protector(s) (up to a $650 value), and 15% OFF All Other Accessories with Mattress Purchase.
Sale ends June 7th. Terms apply.
Table of Contents
Jump to any section by clicking the links below:
First Impressions: Straight Out of the Box
The Arrival
Canadians can order Emma online through the company website or on Amazon. Shipping is free, and the mattress should arrive within 3–5 business days in a box that requires two people to lift.
The Unboxing
Like other boxed mattresses, Emma is simple to set up. Shoppers can use the ‘tip-and-pull’ method to remove the compressed mattress from the box. Once out of its protective plastic wrapping, Emma fully expands to 12 inches in height within a few minutes.
The Look
Emma has a neutral colour scheme of white and grey. The removable cover is soft to the touch and has a quilted wave-inspired design across the top cover of the mattress.
The Feel
The Emma mattress has a classic memory foam feel. The slow response foam has a good amount of ‘hug,’ and sleepers will notice that they sink nicely into the mattress’s upper layers. Sleepers who like to feel like they are sleeping “in” their bed should be happy with this mattress.
Official Test Results: How Do Engineers Rate Emma?
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 |
|---|---|
| Firmness: | 5.4 / 10 |
| Edge support: | 4.0 / 10 |
| Motion isolation: | 7.0 / 10 |
| Bounce: | 3.0 / 10 |
Feel & Firmness
According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), Emma is rated at 5.4 / 10 on the firmness scale, giving it a medium feel. While you wouldn’t consider Emma to be a truly soft mattress, there is a fair amount of ‘hug’ from the upper layers.
Something that sets Emma apart from similar foam mattresses is the cutouts under the shoulders and knees. This feature is often used for mattresses that are slightly firmer to allow for more sinkage under sensitive parts of the body. Since Emma is already a pretty soft mattress, this extra sinkage could be slightly uncomfortable for stomach sleepers or anyone who weighs more than 180 lbs; these sleepers might want to consider a firmer mattress with more support.
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. In this regard, Emma is relatively consistent with its score of 4.0 / 10.
A lack of stability at the sidewalls can cause problems for sleepers who struggle to get out of bed. People with limited mobility may want a mattress with better edge support.
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. According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), Emma scored 7.0 / 10 in motion isolation and should provide suitable motion isolation for many sleepers.
If motion isolation is a consideration in your mattress purchase, you may want to take a closer look at the Canadian-made Douglas mattress (8.3 / 10). Douglas received the highest motion isolation score of any all-foam mattress tested by Mattress-Reviews.com.
Bounce
Because foam mattresses tend to provide good motion isolation, that usually translates to 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 3.0 / 10.
Mattress Construction: What’s Emma Made Of?
| Construction | Emma |
|---|---|
| Mattress height: | 12" |
| Number of layers: | 3 |
| Comfort layer #1: | 1.5" of Airgocell foam |
| Comfort layer #2: | 2” memory foam |
| Support layer: | 8" base foam |
| Cover materials: | Polyester, spandex |
| Machine washable: | Yes |
| Made in: | USA |
Emma Mattress Layers
The Emma mattress has three different layers of foam. Like other combination foam mattresses, the layers work together to provide a good balance of comfort and support.
- First layer: 1.5 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: 8 inches of support foam. This bottom support layer gives Emma its structure and prevents sleepers from sinking in too deep. Layer density: Unspecified.
Emma Mattress Cover
The Emma mattress cover is made from a blend of polyester and spandex. The cover is similar to other bed-in-a-box brands, featuring a white knit top and a darker base. The top portion of the cover can be removed for machine washing.
Brand Bio: What's the Story Behind Emma?
Company Overview Emma
Launched: 2015
BBB Rating: F (Not Accredited)
Company HQ: Frankfurt, Germany
Ownership: Private
Warranty: 10 years
Where to buy: Online;
Amazon
Emma mattress was founded in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2015. Since launching, Emma has expanded operations to 17 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America. In Europe, Emma offers three mattress styles —including two hybrid designs— and a 200-night sleep trial, which is twice the length of the mattress sold on Amazon Canada.
While the company has found success in Europe, the Emma mattress sold in Canada and the US is different from the signature foam mattress made in the UK. Besides production discrepancies, including using different materials and a smaller product offering, the brand uses Amazon for shipping and picking up returned mattresses.
Delivery, Sleep Trial & Returns
Delivery, Trial, Returns Emma
Shipping cost: Free
Shipping time: 3–5 days
Sleep trial length: 100 nights
Return ease: Company picks up
Refund: Yes
Additional fees: No
Emma uses Canpar shipping through Amazon to deliver in Canada. Customers should expect their new mattress within 3–5 business days.
Like many other bed-in-a-box companies, Emma offers a 100-night sleep trial. Shoppers who wish to return their Emma mattress within the first 100-nights can receive a full refund. (The newer version of the Emma mattress sold through the Emma website now offers a 200-night sleep trial.)
Of note: Customers who order through Amazon only have 30 days to request a refund through Amazon. After 30 days, dissatisfied customers must contact Emma customer service directly.
Mattress-Reviews.com did not complete the return process but received this information via the FAQ section on the Emma website and Amazon Canada. We reached out for more information about the shipping and return process but were unable to get a response from Emma customer service.
Social & Environmental Impact
| Eco-Consciousness | Emma |
|---|---|
| Green policies: | No mention on the website |
| Social responsibility: | No mention on the website |
| Box materials: | Bleached cardboard, coloured ink |
| Foam materials: | Polyurethane |
| Cover materials: | Polyester, spandex |
| CertiPUR-US®: | Yes |
| Green manufacturing: | No mention on the website |
Price and Size Listings: Emma
Twin
39″ x 75″ x 12″
$999 CAD
Twin XL
39″ x 80″ x 12″
$1,079 CAD
Double
54″ x 75″ x 12″
$1,149 CAD
Queen
60″ x 80″ x 12″
$1,299 CAD
King
76″ x 80″ x 12″
$1,599 CAD
Cal King
72″ x 84″ x 12″
$1,599 CAD
Rating Breakdown: How Emma Measures Up
We hire 3rd-party engineers and use public data to rate mattresses on over 25 criteria.
Where Emma Gains Points
- Free shipping to major metro areas
- CertiPur-US® certified foams
- Gel foam
- Machine-washable cover
- 100-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
- Convenient boxed delivery
- Company picks up returns
Where Emma Could Improve
- More than one firmness option to choose from
- Manufacture in Canada
- Include a layer of high-density memory foam
- Have more than 1,000 verified customer reviews
Final Thoughts on Emma
At $1,299 CAD for a queen, Emma mattress is comparably priced against other three-layer foam mattresses like Douglas ($799 CAD) and Endy ($895). Like these Canadian-made competitors, Emma has important comfort features and value-adds like cooling gel foam and a machine-washable cover. But it doesn’t seem to offer other novel qualities to distinguish it from its rivals.
Emma performed fairly well in the engineer tests (commissioned by us), coming in about average in motion isolation, with comparable scores to other foam mattresses in edge support and bounce. Because of this, we feel safe in saying that this mattress should be comfortable for most sleepers. However, the slightly less firm sleep surface may not have enough support for heavier people or stomach sleepers, who may find that they sink too deeply into the surface of the bed.
If you’re looking to get the most value from your mattress, several options offer similar features at a lower price. To browse brands and read more reviews for mattresses within your budget, check out this year’s Best Mattresses.
