Vispring invented the pocket spring in 1901 and has been handmaking luxury beds in Devon ever since. Marshall & Stewart is newer, founded by Brent Cooper after decades working with Hästens and across the luxury bed industry. Both brands are handmade in England. Both use natural materials. But Marshall & Stewart offers comparable quality at significantly lower prices. So how do you choose?
This article gives you an honest comparison of heritage, craftsmanship, pricing and the buying experience, so you can decide which is right for your sleep. We will be fair to Vispring (they deserve it), honest about where the differences lie, and clear about who each brand suits best.
What Vispring Gets Right (And Why They Have Lasted 125 Years)
Quick Answer: Vispring invented the pocket spring, uses genuine natural materials, and has earned its reputation as the benchmark for British luxury beds.
‘Vispring are a really, really great company,’ says Brent Cooper, founder of Marshall & Stewart. ‘I’ve been working with them since the early 80s. They’re probably one of the strongest British companies in the upper-mid luxury market. It’s the benchmark that people try to get to.’
That is not marketing politeness. It is genuine respect. Vispring has been making beds in Devon since 1901. They supplied the Titanic. Their name became synonymous with quality, and for decades, they set the standard that other British manufacturers aimed for.
Vispring was acquired by the Spanish bed group Flex some years ago, and remains the jewel in their crown. As of 2026, they are expanding rapidly, having opened six stores in the United States in the past six months alone, and doing phenomenal business in China and across Europe. They are flying the flag for British manufacturing around the world.
They use natural materials (horsehair, wool, cotton) and their pocket spring system genuinely isolates movement between partners. Many Vispring owners report their beds lasting 30 or 40 years. That longevity is real.
You can explore their full range on the Vispring website.
What Vispring Buyers Sometimes Do Not Expect
Quick Answer: Natural fibre mattresses mould to your body over time. That is what they are designed to do. But if nobody explains this before you buy, it can feel like a fault.
Here is where some Vispring buyers get frustrated. Not because the beds are bad, but because expectations were not managed properly.
When you sleep on a mattress filled with natural fibres, it moulds to your body. ‘You don’t have a straight line down your back, you’ve got bumps and curves,’ Brent explains. ‘So when you get onto this bed and start using it, you’re going to mould to the bed. It’s doing what it’s supposed to do.’
The problem? If you were not told this would happen, it looks like a fault. ‘People stand up and say, there’s a dip in my bed. But moulding to your body is what it’s designed to do. If you haven’t been told that, it’s really hard to hear it a year down the line.’
This is not a Vispring problem specifically. It applies to any natural fibre mattress. But with Vispring’s wide network of stockists, the quality of advice varies. Some retailers are exceptional. Others are commission-driven and simply sell whatever is easiest.
‘You’re going to get some real gems in the industry who are absolutely on their game,’ Brent says. ‘And you’re going to get others who don’t care what you have, just sell them a bed. The easiest line of resistance is firm, firm, firm. Buy a hard bed.’
Why the Marshall and Stewart Sleep Consultation Changes Everything
Quick Answer: The biggest difference between buying a Vispring and buying a Marshall & Stewart is not the bed. It is how you are guided to choose it.
Vispring uses weight-based firmness categories: soft for under 70kg, medium for 70 to 102kg, firm for heavier sleepers. It is a logical starting point, but it misses crucial factors like back injuries, sleep position, partner differences and personal preference.
At West End Bed Company, the approach is different. West End Bed Company is Brent’s own retail business and the only place you can try Marshall & Stewart beds. Brent himself is based at the King’s Road showroom in Chelsea, so if you visit there, you will very likely meet him personally. His small, expert team have been in the business for decades and know the beds inside out.
‘You really have to be open, honest and truthful about what’s going on,’ Brent says. ‘You’ve got to iron all that out right at the beginning so the client knows exactly what to expect.’
That means discussing how natural materials behave, what maintenance looks like, and finding the right feel for your body rather than fitting you into a weight category.
‘When you suddenly discover sleep that you’ve never had before, it’s life changing. And that’s what we try to achieve with our clients.’
How Marshall & Stewart Does Beds Differently
Quick Answer: Same natural materials, handmade in England, but with more handwork in the fillings and a founder who is personally involved in quality control.
Both Vispring and Marshall & Stewart use horsehair, wool, cotton and cashmere. Both are handmade in England. So what is actually different?
‘It’s not just enough to say I’ve got horsehair and wool and cotton in their mattresses,’ Brent explains. ‘How is that wool treated? Is it loose filled? Is it coming on a pad? Where does the horse hair come from? Is it tail, mane or from the body? There’s so many different qualities and combinations and grades.’
Vispring operates at scale. Now owned by the Spanish group Flex, they are expanding rapidly across the US, China and Europe. That success is impressive, but it means production runs rather than studio craftsmanship. Marshall & Stewart is smaller, with Brent’s direct oversight on every bed.
The other difference is transparency. Brent built Marshall & Stewart specifically to improve on what he had seen frustrate customers elsewhere, including unclear expectations about settling, maintenance and what the guarantee actually covers.
Vispring Beds vs Marshall & Stewart Beds : Price Comparison (April 2026)
Quick Answer: Marshall & Stewart beds cost significantly less than comparable Vispring models, often around £5,000 to £17,000 less for equivalent specifications.
| Marshall & Stewart | Price | Vispring Comparable | Price |
| Hortensia | £18,230 | Tiara | £25,885 |
| Sancy | £25,350 | Sublime Superb | £30,650 |
| Florentine | £32,450 | Signatory | £39,615 |
| Koh-I-Noor | £54,100 | Opulence | £70,750 |
Prices based on Super King (180 × 200cm) complete set with top mattress. April 2026.
The price difference is not because Marshall & Stewart cuts corners. It is because they do not carry the overheads of a global brand, Spanish parent company or extensive retail network. As Brent puts it: Value for money is a big driving point for me.’
Which Luxury Bed Brand Is Right for You in 2026?
Choose Vispring if:
- Century-old heritage matters to you as a buying factor
- You prefer a larger, globally established name
- You have tried it in-store and love the feel
- You have access to an excellent Vispring retailer who will manage your expectations properly
Choose Marshall & Stewart if:
- You want the founder personally involved in your consultation
- You value comparable (or better) craftsmanship at a significantly lower price
- You prefer clear, honest communication about what to expect
- You like the idea of a smaller maker with obsessive quality control
Can I Try Both Vispring and Marshall & Stewart in London?
Quick Answer: Yes, and you should. This is a 20-year decision.
- Vispring: Available at Harrods and through various stockists nationwide. Find Vispring retailers.
- Marshall & Stewart: Exclusively at West End Bed Company, Brent Cooper’s own showrooms on the King’s Road (Chelsea) and Upper Richmond Road (East Sheen).
We welcome the comparison. Many of our customers come to us after trying Vispring, Hästens or Savoir. As one recent customer put it: ‘The bed we bought is the best we have ever had by a country mile. We have never, in our long lives, slept so well.’
Book Your Sleep Consultation
This is not a sales pitch. It is a chance to lie on the beds, talk through your sleep, and find out what actually works for you. Brent or his team will explain exactly what to expect from natural materials, discuss maintenance honestly, and help you find the right feel for your body.
Brent is based at the King’s Road showroom, so if you book there, you will very likely meet him in person. Come having tried Vispring. The comparison is welcome.
📍 West End Bed Company
- King’s Road, Chelsea (Brent’s base)
- Upper Richmond Road, East Sheen
[Book a Private Sleep Consultation →]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vispring better quality than Marshall & Stewart?
Both brands use natural materials and are handmade in England. Vispring has 125 years of heritage. Marshall & Stewart has more intensive handwork in the fillings and a founder with over 40 years of industry experience personally overseeing every bed. Quality is comparable. The differences lie in the craftsmanship approach which provides a greater degree of luxury, price and the buying experience.
Why is Marshall & Stewart cheaper than Vispring?
Marshall & Stewart does not carry the overheads of a global brand, Spanish parent company or extensive retail network. The savings are passed to customers rather than absorbed into marketing and distribution costs.
Do all natural fibre mattresses settle over time?
Yes. Natural materials like wool and horsehair mould to your body. That is what they are designed to do. This is a feature, not a fault, but it should be explained clearly before you buy so you know what to expect.
What happens in a Marshall & Stewart sleep consultation?
You will try the beds, discuss your sleep patterns, health considerations and preferences, and receive honest advice about which mattress suits your body. Consultations are often led by Brent Cooper himself, particularly at the King’s Road showroom where he is based. There is no pressure. Many customers visit several times before deciding.
Can I try both brands in London before deciding?
Yes. Try Vispring at Harrods or other stockists. Try Marshall & Stewart exclusively at West End Bed Company (Chelsea or East Sheen). We recommend trying both. This is a 20-year decision.
