There’s a universal truth we all come to understand: a bad night’s sleep can ruin a good day. For weeks, I had been waking up with a familiar, dull ache in my lower back, feeling more tired than when I went to bed. My old spare room mattress, a relic of springs and secrets, had finally given up the ghost. The search for a replacement is a daunting one. The market is saturated with astronomical price tags and confusing jargon. My goal was simple: find a mattress that offers genuine comfort, supportive pressure relief, and modern features, all within a reasonable budget. It’s a common dilemma for anyone outfitting a spare room, a child’s first “big bed,” or simply looking for an affordable upgrade. The consequences of a poor choice are not just financial; they are felt in our energy levels, our mood, and our overall well-being. This is the challenge that led me to the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress, a product promising premium features at a decidedly non-premium price point.
What to Consider Before Buying a Memory Foam Mattress
A mattress is more than just an item of furniture; it’s a key solution for achieving restorative sleep, which is fundamental to our physical and mental health. The primary benefit of memory foam, in particular, is its ability to conform to the body’s unique shape, distributing weight evenly and alleviating pressure on key points like the shoulders, hips, and knees. This cradling effect can lead to reduced tossing and turning, deeper sleep cycles, and relief from chronic aches and pains. A good memory foam mattress also excels at motion isolation, meaning you’re less likely to be disturbed by a restless partner, making it a cornerstone of a peaceful bedroom environment.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing nightly discomfort, back pain, or joint pressure on a traditional spring mattress. It’s also a perfect choice for budget-conscious individuals, students, or those furnishing a guest room who want to provide a high level of comfort without a significant investment. However, a memory foam mattress might not be suitable for those who prefer an extremely firm, rigid sleeping surface with a lot of bounce, like a traditional innerspring. Likewise, individuals who are extremely sensitive to initial product smells (a process called off-gassing) or who tend to sleep very hot might want to carefully consider the specific cooling technologies of the model they choose. For them, a hybrid mattress (combining foam and springs) could be a viable alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Always double-check the exact measurements of your bed frame against the mattress dimensions. The Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress measures 90cm x 190cm, the standard UK single size. Also, consider the 20cm thickness (about 8 inches)—is your fitted sheet deep enough to accommodate it? This depth is a sweet spot, providing ample cushioning without making the bed excessively high.
- Firmness & Support: “Medium Firm” is a subjective term. This mattress is rated as such, which generally suits the widest range of sleepers, including back, side, and stomach sleepers. However, body weight plays a role. A lighter person may find it quite firm, while a heavier person will experience more sinkage. The Yocreat specifies a maximum weight capacity of 100kg, a crucial performance metric to ensure longevity and proper support.
- Materials & Durability: The Yocreat uses a dual-layer construction: a high-density polyurethane foam base for support and a gel-infused memory foam top layer for comfort and cooling. The polyester cover is standard for this price point. The density of the foam is the key indicator of durability; while not always listed, a heavier mattress often suggests denser, more durable foam.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The “bed-in-a-box” concept is a game-changer for convenience, but be prepared for the initial setup. This involves carrying the box (13.23kg in this case, which is manageable for most), unrolling the mattress, and allowing it to decompress and air out for 48-72 hours. Most foam mattresses, including this one, have non-removable covers, so a waterproof mattress protector is a non-negotiable investment for long-term care and hygiene.
While the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel 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:
Unboxing the Yocreat: First Impressions and Key Features
The arrival of the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress is an event in itself. Like most modern foam mattresses, it arrives compactly rolled and vacuum-sealed in a surprisingly manageable box. As one user noted, while it has some heft, it’s generally a one-person job to get it upstairs. Unboxing was straightforward. A thoughtful inclusion is a small, safe cutting tool designed to slice through the plastic wrap without any risk of damaging the mattress fabric—a small detail that shows good user consideration. Upon breaking the seal, there is an audible “whoosh” as the mattress begins to inhale air and come to life. We laid it out on the bed frame and watched it expand. Within a couple of hours, as one reviewer also pictured, it looked remarkably like a full-sized mattress. However, our experience confirms the general consensus: you must resist the temptation to sleep on it right away. It truly needs a full 48 hours to reach its advertised 20cm thickness and achieve its intended firmness. There was a noticeable “new mattress” smell, a common trait of vacuum-sealed foam, which we’ll delve into later.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional pressure relief that contours to the body
- Surprising comfort and quality for its price point
- Convenient bed-in-a-box delivery and simple setup
- Medium-firm feel is versatile for most sleeping positions
Potential Drawbacks
- Initial chemical smell (off-gassing) can be strong for some users
- “Cooling gel” may not be sufficient for very hot sleepers
A Closer Look: Performance, Comfort, and Real-World Testing
After allowing the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress to fully decompress and air out for 72 hours, we began our comprehensive testing. A mattress review isn’t about a single night; it’s about how the product performs over time, how it impacts sleep quality, and whether its claims hold up under the pressures of daily life. We evaluated it based on its core promises: comfort, support, pressure relief, and temperature regulation.
The Dual-Layer System: Deconstructing Comfort and Support
At the heart of this mattress is its two-layer foam construction. The foundation is a 16cm layer of high-density base foam. This is the workhorse of the mattress, providing the structural integrity, preventing excessive sinking, and ensuring it feels supportive rather than saggy. On top of this sits the 4cm comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam. This is the part you feel, the layer that delivers the signature “memory foam” experience. When we first lay down, we confirmed what some users reported: it feels quite firm, almost stiff. This is not a mattress you immediately sink into like quicksand. However, within a few moments, the warmth and weight of the body begin to soften the memory foam, allowing it to contour precisely around our shape. For my back, this initial firmness quickly translated into a feeling of robust support, especially in the lumbar region. After a full night’s sleep, the dull ache I’d become accustomed to was noticeably absent. Many users corroborate this, with one stating it simply “helped my back pain.” It strikes a delicate balance—soft enough to cradle the body, yet firm enough to keep the spine aligned. This makes the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress an excellent choice for back and combination sleepers.
Pressure Relief and Body Contouring in Action
This is where the Yocreat truly shines and demonstrates its value. The primary function of that 4cm memory foam layer is to eliminate pressure points. On a traditional spring mattress, the body’s weight is concentrated on the hips, shoulders, and heels, which can lead to discomfort and tossing and turning. We found the Yocreat distributed weight exceptionally well. Lying on my side, my shoulder and hip sank comfortably into the foam, while the mattress still supported my waist, keeping my spine straight. This is the “fluffy cloud” sensation one user described so vividly. It’s a feeling of being held or cradled, which is deeply relaxing and conducive to sleep. However, this deep contouring has a trade-off, which another user astutely pointed out: it can take more effort to change positions. Because the foam molds to your shape, moving out of that “dip” requires a conscious push. This isn’t a major issue for most, but for very restless sleepers or those with mobility challenges, it’s a factor to consider. For us, the profound pressure relief and the resulting decrease in restlessness far outweighed the minor effort required to turn over.
The Cooling Claim: Gel Foam and Breathability Under Scrutiny
Here we arrive at the most contentious feature. The Yocreat is marketed with a “Cooling Cover” and gel-infused memory foam. Traditionally, memory foam has a reputation for trapping body heat. The gel infusion is designed to combat this by absorbing and dissipating heat more effectively. The polyester cover is also described as breathable. So, does it work? Our experience was mixed, and it perfectly reflects the user feedback. During cool spring nights, the mattress regulated temperature perfectly. We never felt overly warm or sweaty, and the breathability seemed adequate. One user was pleased that the material “does not make me sweat.” However, another user issued a stark warning: “It gets Hot in summer.” This is a crucial piece of real-world feedback. Our assessment is that the cooling technology is mild. It is effective enough to counteract the basic heat retention of memory foam under normal conditions. But for naturally hot sleepers, or during a heatwave, it may not be enough to keep you cool. If you live in a warm climate or know you sleep hot, you may need to invest in breathable bedding (like bamboo or percale cotton) or consider a hybrid mattress with better airflow. For the majority of users in the UK, it will likely be comfortable for three seasons of the year. This is a compromise inherent in many budget-friendly foam mattresses, and it’s important to have realistic expectations. You can explore its full specifications and material details here.
The Practicalities: Setup, Off-Gassing, and Durability
The setup process is a critical part of the user experience. As mentioned, allowing the full 48-72 hours for expansion is non-negotiable. We measured the mattress at 19cm after 48 hours and a full 20cm by the third day. The most significant variable in the setup experience is the smell, a phenomenon known as off-gassing. This is caused by the release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the foam manufacturing process, which are trapped during vacuum sealing. Our test unit had a noticeable but not overwhelming chemical smell that dissipated after two days in a well-ventilated room. However, we must take the user feedback seriously. One reviewer described the smell as “ghastly” and noted it took four days to clear, while their partner couldn’t smell it at all, highlighting how subjective sensitivity can be. Our advice is unequivocal: plan to unbox the mattress in a room you can ventilate with open windows for at least 48 hours before you intend to sleep on it. Regarding durability, the 100kg weight limit is a fair guideline for a single mattress. The high-density base foam feels robust, and we saw no signs of premature sagging or indentations during our testing period. For its intended use—a single adult, a teenager, or a child—its construction appears more than adequate to provide several years of comfortable sleep, making the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress a solid long-term value.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the user sentiment for the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress is overwhelmingly positive, particularly concerning its value proposition. Many express a pleasant surprise, with one person admitting, “I thought there was no way this mattress was as good as people say. But it really is! It feels super expensive when you lay down on it.” This feeling of “punching above its weight” is a recurring theme. Comfort is the most lauded feature, with users praising its ability to provide a comfortable sleep, especially those who dislike hybrid mattresses. A happy customer who bought three said they were “very happy with all of them.”
However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which provide a balanced and realistic picture. The most significant negative point raised is about heat retention during summer. The off-gassing smell is the second major concern, with one user providing a detailed account of a “ghastly” smell that lingered for days. It’s a crucial warning for those with sensitive noses. A minor, but still valid, complaint was from a user whose mattress “came with dirty marks on,” highlighting potential quality control or shipping issues in isolated cases. These critiques are essential as they manage expectations and confirm our own mixed findings on temperature and setup.
How Does the Yocreat Compare to Other Sleep Solutions?
No product exists in a vacuum. To understand its place in the market, it’s helpful to compare the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress not just to direct competitors, but to other related sleep products that serve different needs.
1. BEDZONLINE Memory Foam Mattress Single Orthopaedic
The BEDZONLINE mattress presents itself as a direct, budget-friendly alternative with a focus on orthopaedic support. The most significant difference is the thickness; at just 11cm, it’s considerably thinner than the Yocreat’s 20cm. This will result in a much firmer feel with less cushioning and contouring. While it also uses memory and reflex foams, the thinner profile makes it better suited for lighter individuals, children, or for use on bunk beds or trundles where mattress height is a constraint. Someone who needs very firm, almost rigid support might prefer the BEDZONLINE, but most users will likely find the thicker, more pressure-relieving construction of the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress to be significantly more comfortable for nightly use.
2. Direct Manufacturing King Mattress Storage Bag
This product is not a mattress but an essential accessory that solves a common problem when buying a new one: what to do with the old one? Or, if you’re buying the Yocreat for a guest room, how do you protect it when not in use? This heavy-duty storage bag is a perfect companion purchase. It’s designed to protect a mattress from dust, moisture, and dirt during moving or storage. While the Yocreat mattress provides the sleep surface, a high-quality storage bag like this one is an indispensable tool for home logistics, ensuring your old or spare mattress remains in good condition. It’s a practical consideration that is often overlooked in the excitement of a new purchase.
3. Inofia Double Folding Mattress 15cm
The Inofia Folding Mattress serves a completely different purpose, highlighting the Yocreat’s role as a permanent sleep solution. The Inofia is designed for portability and versatility. It’s an ideal choice for guests, camping trips, or for use in small spaces where a permanent bed isn’t feasible. While it’s also made of memory foam and is quite thick for a folding mattress at 15cm, its tri-fold design prioritises convenience over the seamless support of a single-block mattress like the Yocreat. If you need a bed you can store in a closet, the Inofia is the superior choice. However, for a dedicated bed in a bedroom, the uninterrupted surface and more substantial base of the Yocreat will provide a far better and more supportive night’s sleep.
The Final Word: Is the Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress Right for You?
After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our verdict is in. The Yocreat 20CM Single Gel Memory Foam Mattress is an exceptional value proposition that delivers a level of comfort and pressure-relieving support that belies its affordable price tag. Its dual-layer foam construction provides a superb balance of body-contouring comfort and spinal support, making it a genuine solution for those suffering from aches and pains on older mattresses. It is an ideal choice for a teenager’s bedroom, a spare guest room you want to make genuinely comfortable, or for any adult on a budget who doesn’t want to compromise on sleep quality.
The recommendation comes with two important caveats: be prepared to air it out properly for a few days to dissipate the initial smell, and if you are a very hot sleeper, be aware that its cooling features are mild and may not suffice in peak summer. For everyone else, this mattress represents a fantastic opportunity to achieve a restorative and comfortable night’s sleep without a hefty financial investment. If you’re looking for a mattress that feels far more premium than its price suggests, we can confidently recommend it. Ready to upgrade your sleep? Check the latest price and see more user reviews today.
Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API