Coil Array vs Polyfoam and Luma vs BestMattressEver

[phoenix]

Hi Huckelberry,

I think I have settled on my decision with the Luma base mattress. However, the Brooklyn Bedding Best Mattress Ever seems like a fantastic option as well.

Yes, these are both good quality options, although using different componentry. As you’re aware, Luma Sleep is a site member here, which means that I do think highly of them, their products and their knowledge.

difference being the support layer of either a coil array or polyfoam. Do you see one being a large improvement in terms of performance or durability?

Polyfoam is less resilient and responsive and somewhat “stiffer” and less “springy” or “bouncy” than an innerspring, but it can also make a good support system for those that are also a little more restricted in terms of their budget or for those that prefer how it feels over other types of support materials or components. The innerspring units you’re considering would generally be more durable than a polyfoam core, and most people are “used” to sleeping upon innerspring units, so in theory again the adjustment to a mattress using innersprings can be quicker than one using a polyfoam core. Both innersprings and polyfoam cores can be durable support unit choices. Some of the most knowledgeable people I know in the industry that could sleep on anything they wish to sleep on innerspring/latex hybrids (often a pocket coil) but of course others sleep on all latex or memory foam mattresses and when you are looking at high quality materials it really is a preference choice.

After the TMU discount, the base Luma (which was just raised to $995 which is a disappointment since it seems they were just added as a member to this site) is about $900

Talalay latex component costs were just increased by Talalay Global, so expect to see some fluctuations in pricing of mattresses using latex as the year goes on in the industry.

Is there anything I am missing to account for such a large difference?

There is a difference in the cost in material between the polyfoam core and the innerspring unit as far as the materials go. The overall price of a mattress isn’t determined simply by the componentry on the inside, as there are many other costs involved in running these businesses, and that’s not information that would be made public by these companies (or shared with me privately).

I had read your post comparing the Bolsa system vs the Combi Zone here where you seemed to think the Combi Zone was more about marketing with all the different zones.

This was a post from five years ago discussing spring units that have changed since then. There is a difference between those spring units and the new Quantum Edge Bolsa and Quantum Edge Combi-Zone you’re mentioning and used by Luma Sleep. There is definitely a difference between these two newer spring units.

When I inquired to Luma on their thoughts for a 6’2" 185 lb man, they seemed to think it would not be the best route for me and it would be better served for even larger individuals. What is your thought on the matter? If it is an even swap, is it a wise decision to do?

When you’re not able to try out a product in person, I would defer to the advice of the manufacturer of the product, as no one will have more experience with their products than they will and they’ll be in the best position to offer suggestions that they truly feel will provide you the best chance at success, including their experience with feedback from individuals of similar stature and sleeping styles. I’d strongly consider their suggestions to you.

Lastly, neither the Luma or the BB options have wool knitted to the cotton cover. What is your opinion on the addition of a top wool layer which most of the higher priced all latex mattresses contain? I see where it has benefits of its own just like latex as well as providing a natural fire barrier. But it seems to be such a thin layer, is it likely to provide a drastic change in feel?

Whether or not to use wool is a choice by the manufacturer regarding feel, cost, meeting FR and sometimes the “naturalness” of the product and who they are targeting as a consumer base. They layers closest to your skin will have the most dramatic impact upon comfort, and wool can change the feel of the product, but this would depend upon the type of wool used, the blend, the thickness and whether or not it is quilted to the covering (and the type of covering it is quilted to), just to name a few things. Overall, wool will tend to have a bit of a “firming” feel to a mattress, but again this really varies considerably. Sometimes it is added in sufficient quantities to pass federal flammability guidelines instead of using inherently non-toxic rayon/silica fibers. Adding wool to a mattress will also generally increase the cost of the product, again dependent upon the type of wool and the amount.

In the end, every mattress purchase includes more than just the “material value” of the mattress and all the many tradeoffs involved in the mattress itself as well as all the other options and services that are part of every mattress purchase are all part of what I call your personal value equation . There is also more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here but in the end everyone will need to decide what is most important to them and attach a “value” to all the objective, subjective, and intangible factors that are part of any final decision. There is no “best and worst” any longer at this point, only the best for YOU.

Phoenix