Hi EvanChi,
The first place to start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that you will need to make the best possible choice … and more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort” and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists (based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you).
There is also more information in post #3 here and the posts it links to that would be helpful for those that are in higher weight ranges. While the process of how to choose a mattress would be the same … most people in higher weight ranges will generally need or prefer firmer mattresses (firmer materials will feel softer than they would for those that are lighter because you will sink into them more) and materials and components that are higher quality and more durable (the materials and components in a mattress will soften and break down faster for those in higher weight ranges than they will for someone that is in a lower weight range that doesn’t compress the mattress as much).
The top quilting layer of the Christeli is a little less than 2" and is tightly compressed so it wouldn’t be a weak link in the mattress in terms of durability but it does provide a more resilient and less “motion restricting” sleeping surface and helps with temperature regulation as well compared to sleeping directly on memory foam so it will have a slightly different “feel” compared to the Tempurpedic mattress they are comparing it to even if it provides the same pressure relief and is the same firmness level.
Christeli does provide free returns and they will arrange to have the mattress picked up but you will need to roll up (but not compress) the individual components. They also don’t compress their mattress when they ship it (they are just rolled up manually by two people) so it shouldn’t be an issue to roll up their mattress with two people (although it can be done even with one person with more difficulty) and return it using the same box if you are one of the minority that ends up needing to return it. If you have any issues with packaging any of their mattresses for a return then they will provide you with any additional help and guidance you need on the phone to make sure that you are able to return it.
You can see my comments about Bedinabox in post #2 here. I would be very cautious with any mattress that uses 3 lb memory foam which is a lower quality and less durable material and I would consider this to be a weak link in their mattresses.
Sleep Science has some better quality mattresses and some that I wouldn’t consider (because of the lower quality/density materials) so it would depend on the type and quality of the materials in the specific mattress you are considering.
Tempflo also makes some very good quality mattresses that don’t have any lower quality materials or weak links in their design but I would make sure that you are comfortable with their return/exchange policy and any costs involved just in case you are one of the minority that needs to return a mattress.
As you may have seen … the tutorial also includes several links to lists of the better online options I’m aware of (in the optional online step) that include many different types and categories of mattresses in a wide range of budgets and firmness levels and includes a link to a list of the better online memory foam choices I’m aware of.
When you can’t test a mattress in person and you are uncertain about which mattress or firmness option to choose then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart and who can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and “feel” of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness etc) and the options they have available that may be the best “match” for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the “averages” of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about “matching” their specific mattress designs and firmness levels to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with) than anyone else.
I’m not sure where you live in Illinois but if you are near Chicago then the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in the area (subject to making sure that any mattress you are considering meets the quality/value guidelines I linked earlier in this reply) are listed in posts #2 and #4 here.
If you are in another part of Illinois then if you let me know your city or zip code I’d be happy to let you know about the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in the area.
Phoenix
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