Hi coffeewizard and welcome to the MattressUnderGround as a new MUGster!
If you have had the opportunity to read through our tutorials here at TMU TMU Tutorial you will find that there are mulitple factors that will lead you to a mattress that is properly suited for you and your spouse. Your PPP’s (personal preferences, posture and alignment and pressure relief) will be critical to nailing down what will work for both of you as a sleep solution.
Another factor that I find critically important is the 4 R’s (refund, return, restocking fees, reputation of manufacturer and sometimes a 5th R, reviews by individuals, not by mattress review sites. Mattress review sites can be helpful in showing you “cutaway” views of mattresses. I find this more helpful for information about what is inside the mattress, than what the reviewer is “grading” the mattress.
You have narrowed down to some reasonable choices each with their own characteristics and methods of delivery. Saatva touts they never stuff their mattresses in a box as if that somehow makes them a better choice. While the Saatva may be a fine choice for some, the fact that it is delivered expanded, from my perspective, it not necessarily a selling point, although their white glove service is a plus. The winkbed and helix do come compressed, rolled and boxed, and tend to perform well for folks in your BMI group. Something to consider with the Helix, is the Elite model, a bit more expensive then the core or the luxe, but it offers a zippered comfort layer that can be changed if preferences change, or you need individualized comfort for each of you.
Speaking of individualized comfort and great customer service. @DLX offers their DLX Premier mattress. More of the old school mentality with modern materials and styling that offers an internal split comfort, that might come in handy should that surgery cause changes in your preferences and needs to your side of the mattress. My mother in law is coming off one of the traditional “legacy brand” mattress that failed miserably in two years. She has had two hip replacements, knee replacement, and more recently a horrible spine diagnosis, that her “pothole” producing “S” brand mattress is just not helping matters. I am considering the DLX Premier for her to aid in the necessary comfort, I expect she is going to need going forward.
Mattresses like the @DLX Premier and others, such as the Nest Owl, @TheCleanBedroom Naturepedic EOS are some that offer comfort layers that can be modified should that be something to factor in with your potential current and future needs. All of the Trusted Members here are known for their transparency of product offerings and customer service, which is something to consider as you narrow your choices.
Understandably, it would be preferable to try a mattress before you purchase one. When a manufacturer provides you with the specifications of their mattresses, it doesnt guarantee a perfect match. If you know what you know what you have had, and you know where you are going, it certainly offers insight for the probability of success. When you dont know the specs on the material make up of the mattress you are choosing, it can be a toss up as to whether it will work and meet all your PPP criteria.
This doesnt mean you should abandon any choice you have considered or accept any one suggested. Mattress comfort is a subjective proposition. Trying one in a showroom usually helps you eliminate ones that you just hate the feel right off the bat. It is how it will perform down the line, after it has been in your home and you have slept on it for a while. Which is why the 4R’s are important, along with the trial period.
The nice thing about dealing with the manufacturer directly, is they do it every day. You search for a mattress once every 5, 10 or 15 years. The manufacturers see “you” hundreds of times a day, every day. They have seen it and heard it before and are accustomed to getting it right on the first collaboration, whether in person, or on the phone. No time for gimmicks, yessing folks to death, as they have to face you and deal with you if it doesn’t work. The big box or large conglomerate sees you as a number and the experience is not always the same.
As you continue your search, remember to view your final choices side by side, layer by layer on paper or computer screen to ensure you know what is inside the mattress you are going to be sleeping on every night for the next period of years.
Good luck and if there are any specific questions you have for any Trusted Member just put the “@” symbol before their name and when you see them pop up as you begin to type their name after the @ symbol, they will be notified that you have a question for them.
Best of luck
Maverick