Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress review − the most expensive bed we've ever tested

The Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress ticks all my boxes. Filled with organic latex, this firm bed kept me cool, aligned my spine, and minimized motion transfer for restful sleep. It comes in two firmness levels for custom comfort and two heights to fit any bed frame. Made without wool, it's even suitable for vegan shoppers.

You don't have to be an eco-warrior to go organic. This mattress has something to offer every sort of sleeper, so long as you have money to spare. A Queen-sized bed costs more than $4,000: more, if you opt for the 10-inch version and upgrade for EMF protection. Few of us have that kind of money lying around, though I'd argue that the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress is worth saving for.

As an H&G sleep expert, I'm part of the search to find the world's best mattress. I think there's a lot to like about the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress, which scores highly across the board for comfort, support, and sustainability. If it weren't for the prohibitive price tag, I'd recommend this mattress to everyone I know. As it stands, it's only suitable for shoppers with money to spare.

Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress review

I tested the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress through the fall and winter of 2022. This bed arrived in a long, skinny box on my front porch. I had no trouble carrying it up the stairs and unboxing it in my bedroom, but I did notice an unpleasant smell emanating from the bed. It smelled like almonds – maybe there was something in the latex. Within a night or two, the smell cleared up, and that's when I started testing in earnest.

Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress Specifications

Who would the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress suit?

• Everyone: that's the whole point of custom comfort levels. The Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress is available in Mid and Fior contour to support all sleep positions.
• Eco-conscious shoppers: I'd put the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress up there with the best organic mattresses. It's filled with GOLS-certified organic latex and wrapped in an organic cotton cover to boost breathability. Each component is sustainably sourced from organic farms and the Essentia factory is GOTS-certified for safe, sustainable manufacture.
• Light sleepers: the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress boasts excellent motion isolation. Even if you share a bed with your pet or partner, you shouldn't be disturbed when they toss and turn in the night.
• Shoppers with money to save: the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress is the most expensive bed we've ever tested. We're talking thousands upon thousands of dollars, though you might be able to save a few hundred in the mattress sales.

What's it like to sleep on the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress?

• Comfort and support: the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress comes in two comfort levels to support different sorts of sleepers. I tested the Mid firmness, which is best for back and stomach sleepers. On a firmness scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress around a 7.5. It took me about a week to get used to the firmer feel of this mattress, but I learned to love it. The latex comfort layers contoured to my curves and helped to maintain the natural alignment of my spine. The Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress did a great job of easing the aches and pains in my shoulders, neck, and upper back. If you sleep on your side, you'll appreciate the deeper support and extra give you get from the Fior contour.
• Motion isolation: like any latex mattress, the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress has a lovely level of bounce. That makes it much easier to get into and out of bed, but it does lead to motion transfer. To measure the motion isolation of the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress, I filled a wine glass with water and set it in the center of the bed. Then, I took a 15-lb dumbbell and moved it around the mattress. The closer I came to the wine glass, the more it started to shake, but I never spilled a drop of water. This indicates decent motion isolation. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress for light sleepers and people who share a bed with their pet or partner.

• Breathability: Essentia claims that their Classic REM5 Mattress is naturally cooling. The open cell structure of the latex leaves plenty of room for air to flow through the bed, dissipating heat and wicking moisture. Latex makes a great temperature regulator, and I never woke up in a hot sweat during the testing period. Still, I wouldn't say it's the best cooling mattress I've ever tried. If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, you might appreciate something stronger. According to our tests, the Woolroom Hebridean 3000 Mattress is the best option for eco-conscious shoppers and hot sleepers.
• Edge support: the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress holds up well when it comes to edge support. I could sit on the side of the bed to apply lotion or tie my sneakers without feeling as though I were about to slip off the sides. Whenever I slept at the edge of the bed, I felt that my arms and legs were well supported.
• Sleep trial: the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress comes with a 120-night mattress sleep trial. That's just enough time to test your bed through several seasons, paying close attention to its thermoregulation, before you have to commit to your purchase. If you're an indecisive shopper, and you'd like more to time to make up your mind, I suggest you shop the Avocado Green Mattress, instead. This bed comes with a 365-night sleep trial, and it's several thousand dollars cheaper than the Essentia.
• Warranty: the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress comes with a 20-year mattress warranty. That's about as much use as you'll get out of a latex mattress before it starts to lose its elasticity.

How does the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress rate online?

The Essentia Classic REM5 boasts a 4.9 average star rating from 37 verified customer reviews on the Essentia site. Happy customers praise the pressure relief and contouring comfort of the mattress. One particularly effusive reviewer claims: 'I am madly in love with my Essentia. I don't have any back pain in the morning anymore, my circulation feels better, and I actually look forward to climbing into bed.'

I could only find two four-star reviews, dating back to 2022. While the first customer praises the comfort and support of the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress, they flag that it took a good few weeks to break in the firm, inflexible latex. If you want to learn how to break in a mattress, I suggest you consult our expert guide. According to the second reviewer, 'getting into bed is amazing', and the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress feels 'luxurious' − 'but it hasn't helped me sleep any better.'

Should I buy the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress?

I couldn't review the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress without mentioning the price. Retailing at $4,200 for an eight-inch Queen, this is by far the most expensive bed I've ever tested. I'd put it up there with the best luxury mattress and I'd argue that the performance matches the price.

The custom comfort and ergonomic support eased my aches and pains. For a latex mattress, the motion isolation and edge support were seriously impressive. If you can afford it, there's no good reason not to buy the Essentia Classic REM5 Mattress.

How we test mattresses

We put a lot of thought into how we test mattresses. Our sleep experts sample beds for months, ideally through several seasons, to monitor their performance over time. We score each mattress against the same criteria: comfort; support; breathability; motion isolation; edge support; and weight bearing capacity.

Some of our tests are more subjective. The best way to assess the comfort and support of a mattress is to sit, lie, and sleep on it and see how you feel. Other tests are more scientific. We use a system of weights and water glasses to measure the motion isolation of a mattress. We also consider all the practical aspects of buying a mattress, including sleep trials, mattress warranties, and delivery details.

Where possible, we compare our findings against verified customer reviews to bring you a range of perspectives on the same bed. Then, we bring it all back to the price to help you work out value for money.