Editor’s Note: The Emma CliMax mattress has been discontinued. Take a look at our Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress review for another option.
As a larger person, it’s often hard to find a mattress that is supportive and comfortable enough for me. So, I was excited to try out the Emma CliMax, a hybrid mattress designed for bigger-bodied sleepers and couples.
In my Emma CliMax mattress review, I’ll discuss my experience, the construction, and who is going to love this bed. Let’s get started!
Emma CliMax Mattress Overview
The Emma brand is best known for its popular Emma Original, a budget-friendly, all-foam mattress that features some very comfy, high-end materials. Now, with the CliMax, Emma has created a mattress for larger people and their partners. Its materials are designed to support heavier weights without sagging or breaking down too quickly. Also, the Emma CliMax is intended to be a great mattress for sex, allowing couples to move around and be intimate with ease.
If the Emma CliMax sounds like it could be up your alley, keep reading. I’m going to get into the nitty gritty of how this mattress worked for me.
Who Should Get The Emma CliMax Mattress?
- Heavy people
- Couples who want a mattress for sex
- Value shoppers
Who Shouldn’t Get The Emma CliMax Mattress?
- Fans of a memory foam feel
- Lightweight people
- Side sleepers
Emma CliMax Mattress Video Review
Check out our video review to see the Emma CliMax mattress in action.
Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.
Emma CliMax Mattress Firmness and Feel
I first tested the Emma CliMax mattress for firmness and feel. These tests usually give me an idea of who a mattress will work best for.
How Firm Is The Emma CliMax?
The Emma CliMax came in at a 7.5/10 on our firmness scale. 6.5 is the industry standard for medium-firm, so the Emma CliMax is a firm mattress. This is not surprising, given that it is designed with heavier people in mind.
However, I will note that I weigh 270 lb. If you weigh more than me, you could compress the top layers more than I did and find the Emma CliMax to be a bit softer.
Sleeping On The Emma CliMax
On the support front, the Emma CliMax was a great match for me as a back sleeper. I could feel the coils and high-density foams holding up my body. Also, the zoning gave me even more lumbar support. If anything, I wish the mattress had been just a tad softer so that my hips could actually sink in. Again, if you weigh more than me, this shouldn’t be an issue.
The Emma CliMax won with support, but was lacking in comfort. Lying on my side, I felt serious pressure on my shoulders and hips. Read below to see how this might differ for much larger side sleepers.
When you’re stomach sleeping, support is the name of the game. With its extra supportive materials, the Emma CliMax kept my hips properly elevated, and I experienced good support across my entire body.
What Does The Emma CliMax Feel Like?
The Emma CliMax is a very responsive mattress overall. The coils and foams are both quite bouncy, and this makes it very easy to move around and change positions. Even heavier people should have no mobility issues on the Emma CliMax.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130 lb – 230 lb
The Emma CliMax might be too firm for back sleepers in this weight range. If you weigh less than 230 lb, your weight might not be enough to compress the top layers of the Emma CliMax. The mattress likely won’t allow your hips to sink into the mattress, and this can be uncomfortable for some back sleepers.
If you are an average weight side sleeper, you want a mattress that is on the softer end. This will ensure you get the proper pressure relief for your shoulders and hips. Given that the Emma CliMax is a firmer mattress, it won’t offer the best pressure relief for side sleepers.
Average weight stomach sleepers should find the Emma CliMax to be a great match. If you sleep on your stomach, the Emma CliMax will offer all the support you require.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 20 lb
The Emma CliMax is made with heavier people in mind, but what positions is it best for? First off, the Emma CliMax should be a good match for back sleepers. Those who are closer to 230 lb might think the mattress is too firm, but those over 300 lb should feel it has the perfect balance of comfort and support. See our list of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers for more options.
Side sleepers who weigh less than 300 lb will likely find the Emma CliMax too firm . They could experience some bunching up around the shoulders and hips, and this can make for an uncomfortable night of sleep. Side sleepers who weigh more than 300 lb could experience better pressure relief, but they still might want to look at one of our best mattresses for side sleepers.
The Emma CliMax is a very supportive mattress that should work for even much heavier stomach sleepers. The zoning also provides more support toward the center of the mattress, helping to keep the hips elevated. Heavier stomach sleepers don’t want to skimp on support, and the Emma CliMax has that in spades.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lb
The Emma CliMax is not made with lightweight people in mind, unless they prefer a very firm mattress. Lightweight people might feel like the Emma CliMax is even firmer than I did, closer to an 8/10.
This will be great news for lightweight fans of extra firm mattresses, especially those who are stomach sleepers. Lightweight side and back sleepers should look for a softer mattress overall.
Emma CliMax Mattress Construction
So, what exactly makes up the Emma CliMax mattress? I opened up the mattress to see exactly what was going on inside.
Cover
Right on top, the Emma CliMax features an UltraDry® Pillow Top Cover. It is a thin and breathable cover that is also moisture-wicking and designed to keep you cool during the night.
Comfort Layers
Then, we have a proprietary AIRGOCELL® Comfort Layer. AIRGOCELL® is a high-density foam that is comfortable and responsive. It is also designed to be more breathable than standard foams, again helping to combat overheating.
This layer rests on the CliMax® Transition Layer. This layer is zoned and boasts 100 points of targeted support for larger sleepers. It also transitions you from the softer layers above to the more supportive layers below.
Support Layers
CliMax® Pocketed Springs make up the main support layer of the Emma CliMax mattress. These coils are rated for heavier weights and feature five different zones. These zones provide extra support under the lumbar and other areas where larger people require it.
The HRX Supreme® Edge Support system wraps a thick layer of foam around the coils. This provides extra edge support for larger people.
Finally, all of this rests on the HRX Supreme® Support Layer. This high-density, durable foam supports the layers above it while adding longevity to the mattress.
Mattress Height
The Emma CliMax mattress is 11.5” tall.
RELATED: Best Mattress
Mattress Size Options and Price
For the most up-to-date pricing and sizing information, check out the chart below:
Size | Dimensions | Price |
Twin | 38″ x 75″ | $999.00 |
Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | $1045.00 |
Full | 54″ x 75″ | $1245.00 |
Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $1995.00 |
King | 76″ x 80″ | $2195.00 |
California King | 72″ x 84″ | $2195.00 |
Emma CliMax Mattress Performance
I also tested the Emma CliMax for cooling, motion transfer, and other features. Let’s see how it performed!
Sleeping Hot or Cold
Sleeping hot can be a major issue for all types of sleepers, and it can be especially troublesome for larger couples. Thankfully, the Emma CliMax is a cooler-sleeping mattress. The cover wicks away moisture from the body while you sleep, and the top foam layers are breathable. The coils will promote airflow through the bottom part of the mattress as well.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is also very important for couples to think about. Motion transfer occurs when one partner moves around on their side of the mattress, and this disturbs their partner on the other side of the mattress.
To test how well the Emma CliMax isolated motion, I placed a glass of water on the mattress and pushed into the surrounding areas. I saw a bit of disturbance in the water, so there was some motion transfer occurring.
I also lay down on one side of the mattress while my coworker rolled around on the other side of the mattress. Even when she changed positions and got in and out of bed, I didn’t feel it on my side.
All in all, the Emma CliMax features some good motion isolation and should be a good mattress for couples.
Edge Support
Couples should also think about edge support when they are shopping for a mattress. A mattress with good edge support will allow both partners to sleep toward the edge and utilize the full surface area of the mattress.
The Emma CliMax boasts a reinforced edge that provides excellent edge support. When I sat near the edge of the Emma CliMax, it did not collapse under my weight. Lying down, I could rest all the way toward the edge, and I didn’t feel like I was going to roll off. That’s a thumbs up for edge support as well!
Durability
The Emma CliMax mattress is designed to support heavier weights without sagging over time. Looking at its construction and high-density materials, the Emma CliMax should last for around 10 years.
Off-gassing
The Emma CliMax is a bed in a box mattress and, because of this, there was some off-gassing when I unboxed it. This means it was giving off a chemical smell, and this is normal for most bed in a box mattresses.
I left the Emma CliMax in a well-ventilated room and, after 48 hours, the smell had completely dissipated.
Noise
When I rolled around on the Emma CliMax, I did not hear any noise come from the mattress. If you move around on the Emma CliMax mattress at night, the sounds should not disturb your partner.
Sex
The Emma CliMax is meant to be good for larger couples, especially during intercourse. The Emma is very bouncy, and this will make it easier for couples to reposition and move around during sex.
Company Policies
Now, let’s take a look at Emma’s fine print.
Warranty Info
Emma offers a 10-year warranty with the CliMax mattress.
Sleep Trial
The Emma CliMax comes with a very competitive 365-night sleep trial.
Return Policy
You get free shipping and returns with the purchase of any Emma mattress. The brand asks that you try the mattress for 21 days before deciding to return it.
How Does The Emma CliMax Compare To Other Mattresses?
How does the Emma CliMax stack up against the competition?
Emma CliMax vs Titan Plus Luxe Mattress
The Titan Plus Luxe is another mattress made for larger sleepers. Like the CliMax, it features multiple layers of high-density foam over coils. Unlike the CliMax, it boasts a plush pillow top on top of the mattress.
The pillow top gives the Titan Plus Luxe a slightly plusher feel and also makes it feel softer than the Emma CliMax. It scored closer to a 6.5/10, while the Emma CliMax scored a 7.5/10.
The Emma CliMax wins out when it comes to price, however. Without discounts, the CliMax costs about $600 less than the Titan Plus Luxe.
Who Should Choose The Emma CliMax?
- Those who want to spend less
- Fans of firmer mattresses
- Heavy stomach sleepers
Who Should Choose The Titan Plus Luxe?
- Fans of softer mattresses
- Heavier side sleepers
FAQs
Is the Emma CliMax a good mattress?
The Emma CliMax is a very good mattress and will be a good fit for heavier back and stomach sleepers as well as larger couples. Lightweight sleepers and most side sleepers will want to look for something softer, however.
Can you flip the Emma CliMax mattress?
No, you cannot flip the Emma CliMax mattress. It is only designed to rest with the support layers on the bottom and the cover on top. Flipping the mattress will not allow the mattress to function properly.
How long will the Emma CliMax mattress last?
The Emma CliMax mattress should last for around 10 years, if not more. Make sure to rotate your mattress regularly to even out wear and sagging.