Best subject line I can think of. I’ve worked with, “search,” here, but still confusing. Health issues and economy have delayed mattress replacement. Here’s where I’m at: 82 years old. 195 lbs. Due to health differences, wife and I sleep separately. Mattress is c.20 years old. (yeah; embarrassing) I’ve developed worn hip joints and recently a pinched nerve L4/5 and down through left leg. Working through doctors on that, but slow. I don’t know how old mattress has worsened my problem but obviously need to get this eliminated – soon. I like a firm mattress. For whatever reason I don’t like pillow top. I use 100% cotton traditional sheets because I move around a lot at night. Side sleeper; semi-fetal position. In recent years, (traveling/visiting, etc.), I’ve slept on foam mattresses and hated them. I get, “stuck,” in them. Have shopped in two stores. Last yesterday, Macy’s. Two felt good. 1. Paramount HD Granite Extra firm. (Macy’s brand). Queen. “Sale” $1,099, comes with box spring base OR “adjustable” electric base. 11l-inch mattress height. This mattress can be found on their website with a little looking. 2. Beauty Rest Level One Firm, Queen, 13-inch mattress height. $799 “Sale”, also comes with either of above bases. We never buy at “first look.” Their “sale” ends Sunday, but I can’t let that hurry me. These are in our budget; cannot afford 2 or 3,000 mattresses. Thoughts on these two or general suggestions greatly appreciated. Dennis in E WA state.
Hey DennisT.
Welcome to our Mattress Forum 
You’re right not to feel rushed by those “sales ending soon.” In truth, mattress sales are almost always ongoing in one form or another. Most of the big-box stores rotate “holiday” or “limited-time” sales year-round, so there’s no real urgency to buy before you’re ready.
Between the two options you mentioned, both are likely to give you a fairly traditional feel - firmer, with less sink than foam.
The main differences usually come down to the type and quality of the coils, padding, and quilting. You might notice that something labeled “extra firm” (like the Paramount HD Granite) can feel quite stiff at first, especially if you’re dealing with hip or nerve pain. Sometimes a standard firm (not extra firm) with a thinner, non-pillow-top comfort layer provides better balance between support and pressure relief.
Since you’ve had success with traditional, non-foam beds, I’d look for:
- A high-quality innerspring or hybrid with coils in the 13–14 gauge range
- A thinner top layer of cotton or fiber padding (not thick foam)
- Solid edge support for ease of movement
If you’d like, we can help you find a few factory-direct manufacturers or smaller regional makers who build mattresses like these often at better prices and with higher-quality materials than the major retail brands.
NikkiTMU
Thanks, Nikki:
Good advice. I like your last set of 3 suggestions. They fit with my thinking. And when you give coil material in gauge measurements, to me, that says some still use STEEL coil springs. Cotton is always good - both of us here hate anything resembling Polyester. I wear cotton flannel at night, and when I’m stuck in a bed with flannel sheets, it’s like trying to move on Velcro. Add a foam mattress and I become immobilized. We’ve always favored small stores and manufacturers, so we’d welcome suggestions you alluded to in your closing remarks. Note that we live in a very rural area. Fifty miles to a town larger than our closest, (13 miles), of 900 population. 85 to Spokane, WA.
(PS: didn’t sound like you found too much wrong with Macy’s Paramount HD Granite, I wonder if that is made by that large manufacturer that has a good reputation…name begins with S… I read somewhere they were good, but one difference was that Macy’s required a perimeter wrap of foam??..)