Our Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress review puts the brand's hybrid latex and coil spring mattress through its paces to see how it compares to the best mattresses Ideal Home has tested
Quick review
Overall, I was impressed by the Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress. Whilst it took me a while to adjust its firmer sleep surface I soon found that its hybrid latex and coil spring design helped to reduce my lower back ache compared to the memory foam mattress I had previously been sleeping on.
It also offered great edge support that created the sense of a larger sleeping area – a real bonus when my children wanted to climb into bed with my husband and I. And as someone who is prone to overheating at night, I didn't have any problems with temperature regulation on this mattress.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the mattress's motion isolation – something that had been a concern due to its continuous coil spring support system. Whilst it doesn't dampen movement as much as my old memory foam mattress, it still does a good job of reducing disturbance whilst offering a more responsive sleep surface that makes it easy to change position in the night.
And, if you suffer from allergies then the fact that the mattress is endorsed by Allergy UK could be a big draw. The allergy and dust-mite resistant 'ProShield® fibres' woven into the mattress cover certainly seemed to stop me sneezing during my testing experience.
As this isn't a mattress-in-a-box, you will just need to factor in delivery access. We struggled to get this mattress up our awkward stairs as it was delivered flat, whereas we found our previous mattress-in-a-box style of mattress a doddle in comparison.
However, as long as you're looking for a firm sleep surface then I don't think you'll be disappointed in this investment. Everyone in my house gave this mattress their ‘firm’ (get it!) seal of approval. In fact it’s been so popular that we’ve currently enlisted a rotation system to decide who sleeps on it when!
Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress review
Overall we consider ten factors when we test mattresses. We then use these to score each mattress out of 5. The Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress scored an impressive 4.5 out of 5. Read on to find out why.
Specifications
Type: Hybrid
Construction materials: Open coil springs, latex, and foam
Sizes: Single, Double, King, Superking
Comfort level: Firm
Height: 27cm
Side handles: Yes
Flip or rotate: Rotate
Manufacturer sleep trial: No
1. Comfort
If you’re looking for a mattress that prioritises your posture and can help with back pain, then the fact that Sealy has worked with the International Orthopaedic Advisory Board for nearly two decades could be a huge draw. The brand states that this board is made up of 'Orthopaedic surgeons, bio-mechanical engineers and medical scientists', and the Newton Posturepedic mattress has been designed in conjunction with this team of Orthopaedic specialists.
They're some impressive claims, and as a 44-year old Mum of two children who suffers from tight shoulders, and lower back and hip pain, I was eager to find out if those claims would deliver in practice.
The Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress is a hybrid mattress that's described by the brand as a ‘traditional spring mattress topped off with a layer of natural latex for enhanced support’. Sealy says the latex layer is designed to offer 'pressure support to the heaviest parts of your body', namely the shoulders and and hip area, to help maintain the spine’s neutral position whilst lying down. Underneath the latex are then two layers of extra firm foam and the open coil springs.
I favour two main sleep positions, either on my side or on my back and as mentioned, I can suffer from neck pain and sometimes lower back pain. Typically people who sleep on their sides and have joint pain are advised to sleep on a memory foam mattress, because of the fact that the reactive surface moulds around the shoulders and hips to help relieve aching joints.
I hate the feeling of sinking into a soft mattress and much prefer a firm mattress tension, which is exactly what the Newton promises to deliver. That said, I must admit that when I first laid on the Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress it felt firmer than I was expecting, even though the quilted surface of the mattress felt more padded, luxurious and comfortable than the other sprung mattresses we have at home.
However, whilst it took me a while to adjust its firmer sleep surface, I soon found that its hybrid latex and coil spring design helped to reduce my lower back ache compared to the memory foam mattress I had previously been sleeping on.
And although this mattress is firm, it doesn't feel hard. My son commented that the quilted top of the mattress was like a giant comfy honeycomb due to its design, and whilst I usually add a mattress topper to my mattresses for comfort, it certainly wasn’t needed on this occasion.
Of course, how firm you find a mattress does also depend on your body weight and its comfort depends on your preferred sleeping position.
If you're a lighter side sleeper you may find you don't sink in enough to this mattress, whereas heavier sleepers should find it offers good support.
And, whilst it's not my preferred sleeping position, I did also find the mattress's firmness made it a good option for front sleeping, as my hips didn't sink in as deeply as they would have in my older memory foam mattress.
2. Responsiveness
Latex is generally considered to offer more 'push back' than memory foam as it springs back into shape quicker when you change sleeping position. In contrast, memory foam can retain depressions made by your body for longer leading to some 'sluggishness' where you have to wait for the foam to spring back into shape as you move from one posture into another.
Because of that latex layer and the firm spring support I found the Newton's responsiveness pretty good. I didn't experience any difficulty changing position during the night which is good news for anyone with mobility issues who might find rolling over trickier on a memory foam mattress.
3. Motion isolation
Sharing my bed with my husband, (and sometimes our two children as well), means that I’m very aware of motion transfer and how debilitating it can be to sleep. Motion transfer refers to the movements that you feel when the other person in the bed moves, and can easily be pictured by thinking about what happens when one person jumps onto a trampoline and the other is catapulted into the air. If a mattress allows for motion transfer it can impact the quality, and quantity, of your sleep.
Our previous mattress was memory foam and so motion transfer was not something I experienced often. I was initially concerned the Sealy Newton Posturepedic's springs would make motion transfer more of a problem. In particular because the Newton uses open coil springs. Unlike a pocket spring mattress where the springs are individually cased to prevent motion transfer, open coil springs are made from one continuous spring unit that is interlaced together That means there can be more likelihood of vibrations travelling from one side of the bed to the other.
However, as soon as I started testing this mattress I quickly discovered that motion transfer wasn't a problem! Whilst a certain amount of movement could be felt from the other person in the bed if they tossed and turned dramatically, it certainly wasn’t enough to negatively impact our sleep and definitely not enough to wake me up in the night.
Likely the latex layer helps to dampen movement, helped by Sealy's method of lacing those coi springs together, and the Unicased XT edge support which the brand says 'locks in' to the spring unit to help reduce motion transfer further.
4. Temperature regulation
The quilted cover of the Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress boasts ‘Intelligent SmarTex® fibres’ which the brand says will help to regulate your temperature and wick moisture, such as sweat, away from the body during the night. As opposed to a hybrid mattress with a memory foam comfort layer, the Newton's latex comfort layer should also sleep cooler.
I’m always cold when I go to bed at night and often wear two layers, which means I then wake up too hot and sweating. So I was really interested to see if this mattress's temperature regulation claims made a noticeable difference.
After sleeping on this mattress for a couple of weeks I realised that my temperature seemed to be much more regulated and I wasn’t waking up drenched in sweat like I sometimes have been on our old memory foam mattress. My husband and sons who are always hot also said that they felt like this mattress kept them cooler than most.
5. Edge support
The Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress has what the brand refers to as ‘Responsive UniCased® edge support’, or in other words a firm edge, which is meant to not only offer a larger sleep surface, but eliminate that 'rolling off' feeling as you sleep.
Our kids are still at an age that they sometimes climb into bed with us, so a mattress with good edge support is a must for my husband and I. And whilst I'd always recommend opting for the largest mattress you can when choosing a mattress size, a king or super king mattress isn't an option for all of us. Thankfully, the Newton's good edge support means we can make use of the entire sleeping space if necessary as there's no sinking sensation if you get too close to the edge.
The fact that the mattress retains its edge height could also be particularly beneficial for anyone with mobility issues as it gives a firmer surface to push off when getting out of bed.
6. Additional features
The Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress is endorsed by Allergy UK and the manufacturer explains that 'ProShield® fibres' are woven into the fabric of the mattress to keep allergens and dust mites at bay.
Upon researching what exactly ProShield® is, I discovered that it’s a probiotic which releases friendly bacteria in order to keep house dust mites at bay and reduce allergens. It’s an ecologically manufactured material that prevents the activation of bacteria released by friction between the sleeper’s body and the mattress. This is supposedly down to the fibres which prevent the germination process as they absorb moisture and consume flakes of skin, dead bacteria and dust mite secretions.
As someone who is often very sneezy in the morning, or when exposed to pollen or dust, I noticed that on mornings when I had slept on this mattress I wasn’t experiencing any of the irritation that I sometimes do. Whether that’s down to the mattress, chance, or placebo, I can’t say for sure, but it was definitely a welcome improvement.
7. Sleep trial
Finding a good mattress can be tricky, not least because there are so many variables involved – such as our preferred sleeping position and body weight – that can impact how a mattress feels for us. This is why a sleep trial can be really useful.
A sleep trial usually means that you can buy the mattress and sleep on it in your own home for anywhere between 30 - 365 nights to get a feel for whether its construction suits you, and then return it if you don't find it suitable.
Sealy doesn't sell direct from its own website and so doesn't offer a standard sleep trial, which is a shame. However, some of the stockists the brand sells its mattresses through do offer their own sleep trials, so it's worth shopping around to see if you can test run this mattress before you commit.
8. Ease of care
Because of the Sealy Newton Posturepedic's latex top, you can only sleep on one side of the mattress, not both. That means it doesn't need flipping over, but instead should be rotated from time to time to ensure even wear and tear.
Rotation is made easier thanks to sturdy side handles on the two longest edges of the mattress.
A one-sided mattress could potentially lack some longevity compared to a high-quality two-sided mattress. After all, only one side means that side will get more wear and tear. I've only slept on the Posturepedic for a month, so it's too early for me to comment on its longterm durability, but my first impressions are that it seems good quality and, as of writing, I couldn't find any third party reviews that expressed any complaints with its longevity.
9. Delivery
Unlike our previous mattress-in-a-box memory foam mattress, which arrived rolled allowing for easy manoeuvring up our narrow, steep and winding staircase, the Sealy Newton Posturepedic is delivered flat and sealed in a plastic bag.
This may not be a problem for everyone, but I soon discovered how convenient a mattress-in-a-box is when we attempted to get this flat mattress up our awkward staircase. The delivery team were unable to get it up the stairs without bending it – which they’re not insured to do in case bending the mattress damages it – so my husband and I tried to heave it up ourselves.
After a few minutes of pushing and pulling and huffing and puffing we admitted defeat! I’m 5 foot 5 inches and not overly strong, and this mattress felt heavy. In the end we enlisted the help of two other people and between the three of them and a bit of manoeuvring they managed it. They credited the mattress's four side handles for making manoeuvring much easier.
Whilst I certainly can’t blame the mattress for the fact that our house is an old property with stairs that are steeper and bendier than most, the fact that it arrives flat means it’s definitely worth considering whether you’ll be able to a) lift it, and b) get it up your stairs!
As Sealy only sells through third-party stockists this may also mean shopping around for the best delivery service. Most retailers offer delivery to the room of your choice, and some even offer 'white glove' delivery where they'll install the mattress onto your bed and remove the packaging, but some will only deliver to your doorstep. This is worth factoring in if you know you'll struggle to move a mattress by yourself – especially a hybrid mattress like this one, as they're usually heavier.
However, we got the mattress onto our bed eventually, and after removing the plastic packaging I was happy to find that the mattress didn’t have an overpowering smell like many of the previous memory foam mattresses we've bought.
My son did comment on it having an odour the first night he slept on it, but said he liked the smell, so it definitely wasn’t offensive, and within about a week there was no odour at all.
10. Environmental impact
Mattresses can pose a big environmental problem, not least when it comes down to how to get rid of a mattress at the end of its lifespan. The National Bed Federation estimates that 6.4 million mattresses were disposed of between 2017 and 2021, and only 14% recycled.
That's why buying a mattress from a manufacturer that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously can be really important. Mattresses made predominantly from natural materials – like the Hypnos Pillow Top Select mattress or Woolroom Hebridean 3000 mattress – are usually the best bet for a low impact mattress. That’s because natural materials are derived from renewable sources that are easier to recycle or biodegrade when the time comes for a new mattress (and experts say you should replace a mattress every 7-10 years).
However, manufacturers of hybrid mattresses that use foams, like the Newton Posturepedic, are also beginning to consider more environmentally friendly means of production. Simba is currently one of the leading examples in this arena, offering a publically environmental impact report and signing up as a B Corp.
From what we could find on its website, Sealy is slightly less vocal about any efforts to reduce its environmental impact, and we couldn't see that the Newton Posturepedic uses any recycled materials in its construction, which is a shame. However, the brand does state that it's committed to assessing its environmental impact and setting objectives to improve its environmental performance, and says that 'where practical, products are designed in such a way as to minimise their environmental impacts at all stages of their life cycle'.
11. Value for money
The Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress certainly isn't cheap, but it is fairly good value for a latex hybrid mattress.
As of writing, a double Newton mattress is £1399 at full price. A latex comfort layer tends to be more expensive than memory foam, but for comparison, the double hybrid Simba Hybrid Original mattress (which we still think is one of the best value mattresses on the market) costs £869. However, this mattress is much softer than the Sealy Newton Posturepedic.
In terms of tension, the hybrid memory foam Brook + Wilde Ultima mattress is also available in a firm feel and costs £1400, so is comparably priced.
12. Third-party reviews
The majority of the reviews I found for the Sealy Newton Posturepedic were positive, with it currently achieving 4.5 out of 5 stars from customers reviewing it on the Bensons For Beds website.
Like me, customers appreciate its firm and supportive sleep, with one reviewer noting 'I wanted a firm mattress and when I sit on the edge of the bed I didn't want to sink down like many mattresses. I have found this mattress exactly what I wanted. Its comfortable and I sleep so much better now. And when I get out of bed or sit on it, it is well supported. It's got to be the best mattress I have ever bought. I would highly recommend this mattress, if you need a firm and supported one.’
Another reviewer mentions that it's helped with back pain, although they also note the mattress's tendency to slide on the bed base. This definitely isn't a problem we experienced and could possibly be more of a reflection on the base itself rather than the mattress.
This particular reviewer also mentioned experiencing motion transfer, which was again not something that was a problem for me when testing it. They say the Sealy Newton Posturepedic mattress is, 'very comfortable and supportive. My husband's back pain has eased after sleeping on this mattress. It is lighterweight than our previous mattresses and has a tendency to slide on the base. Also, we've noticed when each other turns over in the night, the movement is notably felt on the other side as if experiencing a tremor!’.
How I tested
- Sleep position: back or side
- Tension preference: firm
- Sleep problems: lower back pain and/or neck pain and occasional overheating
- Height & weight: 5"5 and 9.5 stones
During my mattress testing process I assessed ten factors that the Ideal Home team deems vital to any mattress purchase.
I assessed the mattress for comfort, responsiveness, and temperature regulation through at home testing. This means that I slept on the mattress for a minimum of two weeks before writing my review. I also enlisted the help of my husband and kids to test out the mattress's motion isolation and edge support.
I also took into consideration durability, any sleep trials available, the delivery process, and the mattress's environmental impact and its value for money.
Where possible, I also took into account third-party customer reviews – to see if they aligned or were at odds with my own experience – before writing my own review and giving this mattress a star rating.
