The new breed of hybrid mattress-in-a-box has come to dominate the market, and for good reason. Combining layers of springs with upper layers of memory foam, and arriving in a neat vacuum-packed format, these mattresses offer comfort and convenience aplenty. It can, however, be tricky to tell the difference between them, and find a really superior product? There are a few criteria that will help: how many pocket springs make up the springy portion of the mattress? How breathable is the foam component? How sustainable are the materials? In all of these criteria (and more) the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro distinguishes itself.
The Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro mattress: is it worth buying?
I opted for the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro mattress as an upgrade from another hybrid mattress. Panda only offers two mattresses, and this is the higher-end one, coming in at £1,290 for a double. I can confirm it's definitely worth spending a little more on, especially if you like a firm sleeping surface. At 27cm deep, it has all manner of layers designed to support you and keep you cool. The top layer is the selling point, made up of the brand's distinct BioCell Foam, an open-cell foam infused with bamboo to keep the mattress cool and allow air to flow around it. As someone who found memory foam mattresses quite hot when I first bought one, this is a welcome innovation and does indeed help to keep overheating at bay, as well as being pleasingly eco-friendly. Panda made its name first as a purveyor of bamboo bedding, and the top layer of the zip-off cover is made from bamboo, which is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. The bottom of the cover is made from recycled ocean plastic, for further environmentally friendly credentials.
At the core of the mattress is a layer of OrthoAlign Foam, which works with the 1500 pocket springs at the bottom of the mattress to provide zoned support. The mattress is designed to be firmer under the hips but more yielding around the shoulders. There is definitely more firmness to this mattress than the previous hybrid I owned, and I'm delighted. Whereas my previous mattress felt like a 6/10 on the firmness scale, this is maybe more like an 8/10 (in my judgment). My always-ropey back gets up to speed a little quicker in the morning these days.
Disadvantages to the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro are few and far between. My only small gripe was that the usual ‘off-gassing’ smell common to all foam mattresses was rather prolonged, and is still detectible (though very mild) a good month on. It's a small price to pay, however, for one of the most comfortable mattresses I've ever had the pleasure to own.
Fact file
| Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Care: | Cover can be zipped off and is machine washable; memory foam is spot clean only. |
| Mattress depth: | 27cm |
| Trial period: | 100 nights |
| Guarantee: | 10 years |
| Sizes available: | Single, small double, double, king and super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, EU emperor |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid with bamboo-infused memory foam plus a layer of orthopaedic-grade, high-density foam, and up to 1500 pocket springs |
| Firmness: | Firm |
| Country of manufacture: | UK |
| Delivery: | Free |
How much does a Panda mattress cost?
The Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro starts at £950 for a single, and tops out at £1,750 for a huge EU emperor. Doubles are £1,290 and king size is £1,390.
Delivery
Panda mattresses come in a (heavy) box and can be brought to a room of your choice and unpacked by a two-man team. We found this a great, easy option, and they'll also take your old mattress away if requested at the time of purchase.
Panda Hybrid Pro mattress verdict
While the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro is a little more expensive than some others on the market, it's well worth the extra money, especially if you're drawn to a firmer surface than most others of its kind, and if you're after strong eco credentials.
