Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Review: The Ultimate Budget Upgrade for a Cooler, Deeper Sleep?

There’s a universal truth we all face: a bad night’s sleep can ruin an entire day. For years, I was trapped in a cycle of restless nights, tossing and turning on an old, lumpy sprung mattress that had long passed its prime. I’d wake up feeling groggy, with a dull ache in my lower back, and often far too warm. The idea of investing in a new mattress was daunting; premium memory foam models often carry eye-watering price tags, while budget options felt like a gamble on quality and comfort. I was searching for that elusive sweet spot: a mattress that offered modern foam technology for support and cooling, without demanding a second mortgage. The challenge was finding a product that could genuinely deliver on its promises of pressure relief, temperature regulation, and durability without breaking the bank. This search is what ultimately led me to the Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress, a contender that seemed to pack an impressive amount of features into a very accessible package.

What to Consider Before Buying a Memory Foam Mattress

A mattress is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a fundamental investment in your health and well-being. A quality mattress serves as the cornerstone of restorative sleep, solving problems like back pain, pressure point discomfort, overheating, and motion disturbance from a partner. The main benefits are profound: improved sleep quality leads to better cognitive function, mood stability, and physical recovery. By contouring to your body’s unique shape, modern foam mattresses provide tailored support that traditional spring mattresses simply cannot match, ensuring proper spinal alignment throughout the night.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone seeking to upgrade from an outdated mattress, experiencing discomfort, or struggling with sleeping too hot. It’s perfect for students in dorms, children’s bedrooms, guest rooms, or anyone furnishing a space on a sensible budget who refuses to compromise on sleep quality. However, it might not be suitable for those who require an extremely firm, orthopaedic-grade surface or individuals with a significantly higher body weight who may need a thicker, more robust construction. For them, a hybrid mattress with reinforced coils or a specialised high-density foam mattress might be a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Always double-check your bed frame’s measurements. This model is a standard UK single size (90x190cm), making it ideal for smaller bedrooms, bunk beds, and guest rooms. At 16cm thick, it has a relatively low profile, which works well with most bed frames and makes it easier to handle, but ensure it provides enough depth for your personal comfort preference.
• Firmness & Support: “Medium” firmness is a subjective term. The Uliyati aims for a balance that suits most sleeping positions—back, side, and stomach. If you know you have a strong preference for a very plush or rock-solid surface, a mattress explicitly rated as “soft” or “firm” might be a better fit. Consider your body weight and primary sleeping position when evaluating if a medium feel is right for your spinal alignment needs.
• Materials & Durability: The Uliyati’s 3-layer foam construction is its core feature. The gel-infused top layer is for cooling, the bamboo charcoal middle layer for moisture-wicking and odour control, and the high-density base for support. These are premium features in this price bracket. Certifications like CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX are crucial as they guarantee the foam is made without harmful chemicals, ensuring a healthier sleep environment.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A key, often overlooked, feature is the mattress cover. The Uliyati includes a zippered, removable cover that can be machine washed. This is a massive advantage for long-term hygiene, especially for mattresses used by children or in allergy-sensitive households. The mattress-in-a-box delivery also simplifies setup, though you must account for the 24-72 hour expansion period.

Transitioning from a traditional mattress to a modern foam alternative can be a significant upgrade, but it’s essential to align the product’s features with your specific needs.

While the Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress

The arrival of the Uliyati mattress was a familiar yet impressive sight. It came tightly compressed, rolled, and vacuum-sealed in a surprisingly manageable box. As one user noted, the package is “compact (but very heavy!),” a testament to the density of the foam inside. We recommend having a second person on hand to move it into the bedroom. The unboxing process was straightforward: we simply removed the box, carefully cut away the plastic layers (being cautious not to nick the mattress fabric), and rolled it out onto the bed frame. Immediately, the mattress began to decompress, a process that is quite fascinating to watch. There was a faint, clean “new foam” smell, which is typical and, thanks to the bamboo charcoal infusion, dissipated completely within a few hours. We left it for a full 48 hours to ensure it reached its maximum loft, and as another tester confirmed, it expanded perfectly flat and achieved its advertised 16cm thickness. The cover felt soft and breathable to the touch, with a pleasant, subtle pattern on top and a durable, coloured fabric on the bottom. Our initial impression was that this was a well-constructed product that far exceeded its budget-friendly price point. You can see the full specifications and design details here.

A Deep Dive into the Uliyati Mattress Performance

After letting the mattress fully expand and airing it out, we spent several weeks putting it through its paces. We evaluated it on the core pillars of a great mattress: support, comfort, temperature control, and practicality. This wasn’t just about lying down for a few minutes; it was about living with it, night after night, to see if the initial promise held up under real-world conditions. We wanted to understand not just what it does, but how it feels and how it genuinely impacts the quality of sleep. Here’s our detailed breakdown of the experience.

The Perfect Harmony: Achieving True Medium-Firm Support

The biggest challenge for any mattress manufacturer is nailing the firmness level. Too soft, and you sink uncomfortably, misaligning your spine. Too firm, and you get painful pressure points on your hips and shoulders. Uliyati claims a “medium” firmness, and in our extensive testing, we found this to be remarkably accurate. The magic lies in its 3-layer construction. The high-density base foam provides a solid, stable foundation that prevents that dreaded “quicksand” feeling. On top of that, the bamboo charcoal foam and gel memory foam work in concert to gently cradle the body. When lying on our backs, we felt our lumbar region being properly supported, while side sleeping, our shoulders and hips sank in just enough to maintain a straight spine. This experience is mirrored by numerous users. One reviewer aptly described it as “solid without being hard, providing the perfect balance of comfort and support.” Another noted how it contours to the body to “relieve pressure points without feeling too soft or sinking too deeply.” We found this balance to be ideal for combination sleepers who shift positions throughout the night. Even when one of our team members suffering from occasional back pain slept on it, they reported a noticeable improvement the next day, confirming its orthopedic support credentials. This level of balanced support is a feature that truly sets it apart in the budget category.

The End of Night Sweats: Gel and Bamboo Charcoal in Action

One of the most common complaints about traditional memory foam is its tendency to trap body heat. For anyone who identifies as a “hot sleeper,” this can be a deal-breaker. This is where the Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress genuinely shines and distinguishes itself from standard foam mattresses. The top layer is infused with cooling gel particles designed to actively draw heat away from the body and disperse it. Below that, the bamboo charcoal foam layer adds another dimension of climate control. Bamboo charcoal is naturally porous, making it exceptionally effective at wicking away moisture and promoting airflow, which also has the added benefit of inhibiting odour. During our testing period, even on warmer nights, the mattress surface remained comfortably neutral and never felt clammy or hot. One user who previously struggled with sleeping hot was unequivocal in their praise, stating, “The gel infusion and bamboo charcoal truly work wonders… this mattress sleeps remarkably cool.” Another tester confirmed it was “cool / non-sweaty to sleep on.” This commitment to temperature regulation is not just marketing jargon; it’s a tangible feature that results in a deeper, more uninterrupted sleep, allowing your body to rest without having to constantly fight overheating.

Undisturbed Slumber: Motion Isolation and Practical Design

Beyond comfort and cooling, the practical features of a mattress define its day-to-day usability. One of the inherent strengths of an all-foam construction is its ability to absorb movement. We tested this by placing a glass of water on one side of the bed and having a tester toss and turn on the other. The water barely rippled. This superior motion isolation means that if you share a bed, or even if your pet jumps on and off as one user mentioned, your sleep is far less likely to be disturbed. This “quiet sleep technology” is a significant quality-of-life improvement. Furthermore, the thoughtful design extends to maintenance. The cover, which features a subtle bird pattern on the top and a durable coloured base, is equipped with a sturdy zipper. We removed and washed it according to the instructions, and it came out looking brand new and was relatively easy to put back on. This is an invaluable feature for maintaining a fresh and hygienic sleep surface, a point praised by reviewers who called it “very convenient.” The only minor critique we could validate came from one user who mentioned “baggy corners.” We did notice a slight looseness in the fabric at the corners after expansion, which is a purely aesthetic issue and doesn’t impact performance, but it’s worth noting for those who prefer a taut, perfectly fitted look. Overall, the combination of motion isolation and easy maintenance makes the Uliyati mattress an incredibly practical choice for everyday life.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from real-world users is overwhelmingly positive, confirming many of our own findings. Many, like one satisfied customer, call it “one of the best purchases I’ve made for my home,” frequently citing the exceptional value for money. The balance of comfort and support is a recurring theme, with one person stating it “provides excellent support by evenly distributing body pressure, making it super comfortable.” The cooling properties are also a standout feature, with several hot sleepers expressing relief and surprise at how well the gel and bamboo charcoal combination works. The convenience of the removable, washable cover is another point of praise, particularly for those with children or allergies. The only notable negative feedback we found was the minor issue of “baggy corners” on the cover, which seems to be an occasional fit-and-finish inconsistency. Overall, however, the consensus is that the Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress delivers performance and features that are typically found in much more expensive models.

How Does the Uliyati Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Uliyati stands strong on its own, it’s important to see how it fits within the broader market. We’ve compared it to three other products that potential buyers might be considering.

1. Inofia Double Folding Mattress 15cm

The Inofia Folding Mattress serves a completely different purpose. While the Uliyati is designed as a permanent, primary mattress for a bed frame, the Inofia is built for portability and temporary use. Its key advantage is its tri-fold design, making it perfect for guest visits, camping trips, or stowing away in a cupboard when not in use. It is slightly thinner at 15cm and prioritises convenience over the advanced cooling and layered support of the Uliyati. If you need a versatile, storable sleep solution for occasional use, the Inofia is an excellent choice. However, for everyday sleeping and superior comfort and temperature regulation, the Uliyati is the clear winner.

2. Direct Manufacturing King Mattress Storage Bag

This product is not a mattress but a crucial accessory. The Direct Manufacturing Storage Bag is a heavy-duty solution for protecting a mattress during a move or while in storage. It’s designed to keep out dust, moisture, and pests. This isn’t an alternative to buying the Uliyati, but rather a complementary purchase. If you are buying the Uliyati for a guest room that sees infrequent use, or if you anticipate moving house in the future, investing in a high-quality storage bag like this is a very wise decision to protect your mattress and ensure its longevity.

3. BEDZONLINE Memory Foam Mattress Single Firm Orthopaedic

The BEDZONLINE mattress is the most direct competitor to the Uliyati, but it caters to a different preference. Its primary selling point is its “firm” orthopaedic support, making it a better choice for individuals who know they need a very solid sleeping surface, perhaps on a doctor’s recommendation. At 11cm, it’s significantly thinner than the Uliyati’s 16cm, giving it a much lower profile. It lacks the advanced gel and bamboo charcoal cooling technologies found in the Uliyati, focusing instead on “Therma-Pure & Reflex Foams.” If your top priority is firm, no-nonsense support and you don’t struggle with overheating, the BEDZONLINE is a solid, UK-made option. However, for a more universally comfortable medium feel with superior cooling, the Uliyati offers a more balanced and feature-rich experience.

The Final Verdict: Is the Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Worth It?

After weeks of rigorous testing and poring over user feedback, our conclusion is a resounding yes. The Uliyati Single Gel Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress punches far above its weight, offering a suite of modern features that are rarely seen at such an accessible price point. Its genius lies in its balance: the medium firmness provides support that suits a wide range of sleepers, while the gel and bamboo charcoal technology effectively solves the age-old problem of memory foam overheating. Add in practical touches like superior motion isolation and a washable cover, and you have a product that is not just comfortable, but genuinely easy to live with.

While it may be too thin for heavier individuals and the cover fit isn’t always perfect, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise outstanding package. We wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone looking to upgrade a single bed in a primary bedroom, guest room, or child’s room without compromising on the quality of their sleep. It is a smart, comfortable, and exceptionally cool investment into your nightly rest. If you’re ready to transform your sleep experience with a mattress that offers incredible value, you can check the latest price and secure yours today.

Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API