Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress review: Another win

If you’re looking for a mattress topper that makes a big difference in the feel of your mattress, a hybrid topper can be a great choice. Combining foam and springs, hybrid toppers are less common, but they can pack a real punch. And the Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress certainly delivers.

However, it doesn’t come cheap and, at £340 for a UK Double, it’s a product that needs to be considered before you invest. Having said this, I would have no hesitation in recommending it as one of the best mattress toppers you can buy – it has a lot to recommend it. Let’s find out more.

Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress topper: What do you get for the money?

The Panda Hybrid Bamboo topper measures 7.5cm, and is made up of five layers, starting with a removable bamboo cover that can be washed at 30°C and hung to dry. Next is the product’s “BioCell” foam layer: open cell memory foam infused with bamboo (a natural hypoallergenic, breathable and antibacterial material). This is the same foam used in Panda’s Hybrid Bamboo and Hybrid Bamboo Pro mattresses, which helps provide a breathable and temperature-regulating environment.

Underneath this is a thin spring layer, with up to 2,100 springs depending on the size of the top, followed by a layer of bone foam that Panda says is designed to contour to your sleeping position. The top is held together by a ventilated mesh frame on the sides, with an anti-slip base and four corner straps to hold it in place on your mattress.

The topper arrives, vacuum sealed, in recycled and recyclable packaging. You’ll need to let it inflate after taking it out before you sleep in it: I found it took a few hours to inflate to its full length and I actually left it on all day to make sure it was fully ‘inflated’. As usual with products that contain memory foam, there is a slight odor to the air, but this was completely gone by the next morning.

On the eco front, the Panda seems hard to beat. Like all its products, the topper is made in the UK from “organically sourced organic bamboo”, is vegan friendly and pesticide free. In terms of certification, all fibers and dyes meet OEKO-TEX’s Standard 100, foams are certified by CertiPUR and also comply with EU regulations on the use of chemical substances (REACH certified). All this means you won’t find any harmful substances or nasty chemicals. Panda also says it will collect the topper at the end of its life, so it can be reused and its parts reused.

In terms of price, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress topper is an expensive option. Prices start at £250 for a UK single, rising to £320 for a double and £340 for a double. A king size will set you back £360 and a large king is £400. It also comes in EU sizes: an EU single, double and king come in at £260, £350 and £370 respectively. Although expensive, this is an impressive range of sizes. Delivery is free, as are returns and you’ll get a 10-year guarantee, as well as a 30-night trial period, during which you can return the mattress if it’s not yours.

How does this compare to other mattress toppers? One of the closest competitors to the Panda Hybrid Bamboo topper is the Simba Hybrid topper, which costs slightly less at £350 for a double. There are cheaper options available, but these are usually foam options, such as the REM-Fit Halo at £189 (double) or the Origin Contour at £195. Alternatively, you might consider a full fiber topper like the Dorma Full Forever (£80 for a double) or a feather/down option like the Dusk Supreme Goose Down topper (£100 for a double).

What did we like?

For a while now, the original Panda Memory Foam Bamboo mattress pad has been our favorite memory foam mattress topper, so I was expecting great things from the new hybrid version. And it did not disappoint. Memory foam is notorious for holding heat, but the Panda’s open-cell foam and breathable bamboo cover – alongside the addition of springs and mesh ventilation for airflow – really prevent this from being a problem. A hot summer resident (my long-suffering husband) slept soundly in the Panda Hybrid topper, finding it breathable and comfortably cool all night long. On the other hand, I’m a bit of a reptile, but the top does a good job of temperature control and I didn’t feel cold at all.

During testing, I was sleeping on a Slumberland Air 6.0 mattress, which I found a touch too firm for side sleeping. Adding the Panda topper certainly helped here, providing plenty of comfort for dipping into the shoulders. Although my husband found it to have a good turn in his hips, I still find it too tight in this area: this is something to bear in mind if you are of a lighter build, as I am.

There is a lot of support for back sleepers and I think most of them will find this a comfortable option. I gave this topper to a friend to try after I finished testing it. Her sagging mattress needed to be replaced because it was causing her back pain, but she found that this topper completely solved the problem. While a mattress topper shouldn’t replace a new mattress that really needs replacing, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo topper is a great addition to a mattress that’s starting to show its age, adding enough support to slowly extend its life.

Motion separation was excellent on the Panda Hybrid topper as well. While the springs add some bounce, you’ll need to share your bed with a restless sleeper to see any movement. I was also impressed with how well the topper kept its shape on the edge of the mattress. And thanks to its combination of grippy bottom and adjustable elastic straps, it will fit various mattress sizes and will stay in place again.

How can it be improved?

The Panda is only the second highest I have given five stars and a Best Buy award. However, I have a few reservations, especially as someone who likes strong lumbar support. Because of its slow-moving memory foam, you’ll sink into it as it surrounds your pressure points. The bottom springs prevent it from losing support, but if you’re not a fan of the memory foam ‘hug’ it might not be the best option for you.

There is also a price. There’s no way to explain the fact that a Panda Hybrid topper costs about the same price as a new mattress, even though it’s more budget-friendly. For example, the Origin Hybrid mattress, which we’ve given a Recommended award, costs £477 for a double – and that’s when it can be discounted.

Should you buy a Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress topper?

That said, I would not hesitate to recommend the Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress topper to anyone looking to add some extra life to a tired mattress, as well as those who suffer from back pain and other issues. This is really a great topper.

It is extremely comfortable and still provides excellent support with its micro-spring layer. It’s also a great choice for hot sleepers, and I was very impressed with its temperature-regulating bamboo cover and BioCell foam.

Yes, it’s definitely an investment but, if you need a good mattress topper, I don’t think you’ll regret the investment – especially when you’ve got that trial period to fall back on.