Deciding for a memory foam mattress/latex mattress

Hello,

I have read extensively the forum trying to help me determine the criteria we need for our King size mattress.
I have identified several models.
To give you our background: I am 175lb, my husband 250lb. I sleep pretty well, but he really likes a mattress that “craddles” him. If the mattress is too firm he gets back pain.

So from what I read in here, I understand that we need at least a 12inch mattress and at least 5lb memory foam due to my husband being on the heavier side. Is that correct?

Based on that, I have identified the following models and would need help in deciding which one would be best, since they have some price variation etc… but beside the price they all seem pretty similar to me… All have a return policy so we feel pretty good about buying online but still we’'d like to pick right from the first time! Maybe some company has a better warranty as well, but not sure that is really an important choice criterion.

If I remember properly, the model my husband really liked was Tempur Cloud Supreme Breeze.

  1. Christeli Madeline 12.5" / 4" of 5.3lb foam $1199
  2. Christeli Briella 13.5" / 5" of 5.3lb foam $1399
  3. Dreamfoam Aloe Alexis Latex Customizable 14" $1699
  4. Dreamfoam UD Supreme Gel 12" / 4" of 4lb gel./foam $749 (model recommended by their sales person based on my husband weight)
  5. Rocky Mountain Mattress Brighton 12" / 4" of 5lb foam + 1.5" of Supersoft Foam $1640
  6. Novosbed Aria $1199
  7. Foam Order Memory foam 12" / 4" of 5.3lb foam $1680
  8. Pure Crafted Beds TruEssence Comfort Plush 11" / 5.5" of foam $1699

Thanks for any help!

Hi Adeline,

[quote]I have identified several models.
To give you our background: I am 175lb, my husband 250lb. I sleep pretty well, but he really likes a mattress that “craddles” him. If the mattress is too firm he gets back pain.

So from what I read in here, I understand that we need at least a 12inch mattress and at least 5lb memory foam due to my husband being on the heavier side. Is that correct?[/quote]

As you probably know from your reading here the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort” or PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your Personal preferences) or how a mattress will “feel” to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress) or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more accurate than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).

Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you 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).

The thickness of a mattress is really just a side effect of the design and is also only one of many variables that can affect the feel and performance of a mattress and by itself also isn’t particularly meaningful (see post #2 here). In some cases higher weight ranges will sometimes do better with a mattress that is a little thicker than lower weight ranges but even this depends more on the specific design and combination of materials in the mattress and on how well the mattress “as a whole” matches your specific needs and preferences than anything else.

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 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) so I would reduce or minimize the use of lower density materials that would be suitable for people that are in more “average” weight ranges (so if there are any they are only in thinner layers in the range of "about an inch or so) and focus more on higher quality/density and more durable materials (5 lb or higher memory foam, latex, or 2 lb or higher polyfoam) … especially in the comfort layers of a mattress which are more likely to soften or break down before the deeper layers or components in a mattress. Of course budget considerations can also be one of the trade-offs that are an important part of the “value” of a mattress purchase as well so there may be some people that are comfortable with choosing a mattress with lower density materials that won’t last as long because of the lower price.

You are looking at some good quality/value mattresses but they are very different from each other and while I can’t speak to how any mattress will “feel” for someone else because this is too subjective and relative to different body types, sleeping positions, and individual preferences, sensitivities, and circumstances … outside of PPP the most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is durability and assuming that the materials in a mattress you are considering are durable enough for your body type and budget range and meet the guidelines here … the choice between different types and combinations of materials and components or different types of mattresses (including innersprings) are more of a preference and a budget choice than a “better/worse” choice. I certainly wouldn’t assume that innerspring mattresses that use high quality and durable materials and that don’t have any “weak links” (in the comfort layers especially) are any less durable than any other type of mattress.

There is also more about the pros and cons of memory foam vs latex in post #2 here (or other more resilient materials to a lesser degree as well) but the best way to know which type or combination of materials or which type of mattresses you tend to prefer will be based on your own local testing or personal experience.

While your own careful testing or personal experience is the most reliable way to know whether a mattress is a good “match” for you in terms of comfort and PPP … when you can’t test a mattress in person 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 or some of the more knowledgeable members of the site can certainly help you to narrow down your options, help you focus on better quality/value choices that are available to you either locally or online, help you identify any lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress you may be considering, act as a fact check, answer many of the specific questions you may have along the way that don’t involve what you will “feel” on a mattress, and help with “how” to choose but only you can decide which specific mattress, manufacturer, or combination of materials is “best for you” regardless of the name of the manufacturer on the label or whether anyone else has the same criteria or circumstances or would make the same choice.

Phoenix

Hello
We went mattress shopping today in Knoxville and both my husband really felt comfortable on the Tempur Cloud Supreme Breeze. We also tried the Cloud Supreme (not breeze) but we didnt like it as much.
The only thing we didnt like about it was the $4299 price tag in king size!
Would you have any alternative to suggest to us for a budget of about $2000? Either a local manufacturer or online store.
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Adeline

Hi Adeline,

There is more information in post #9 here about the different ways that one mattress can “match” or “approximate” another one. Every layer and component in a mattress (including the cover) will affect the feel and performance of every other layer and component and the mattress “as a whole” so unless you are able to find another mattress that uses exactly the same type of materials, components, cover, layer thicknesses, layer firmnesses, and overall design (which would be very unlikely) then there really isn’t a way to match one mattress to another one in terms of “comfort” and PPP based on the specifications of the mattress.

Mattress manufacturers also generally try to differentiate their mattress from the mattresses made by other manufacturers and don’t normally try to “match” another mattress that is made by a different manufacturer so while you may find some local mattresses that use “similar” materials or designs and there would be many others that are in a similar general category or firmness range … they will generally have different combinations of foam layers and components.

Unless a manufacturer specifically says in their description of a mattress that one of their mattresses in the same general category is specifically designed to “match” or “approximate” another one in terms of firmness or “feel” (or they are very familiar with both mattresses and can provide reliable guidance about how they compare based on the “averages” of a larger group of people) … the only reliable way to know how two mattresses would compare for you in terms of how they “feel” or in terms of firmness or PPP would be based on your own careful testing or actual sleeping experience on both of them.

There are also no “standard” definitions or consensus of opinions for firmness ratings and different manufacturers can rate their mattresses very differently than others so a mattress that one manufacturer rates as being a specific firmness could be rated very differently by another manufacturer. Different people can also have very different perceptions of firmness and softness compared to others as well and a mattress that feels firm for one person can feel like “medium” for someone else or even “soft” for someone else (or vice versa) depending on their body type, sleeping style, physiology, their frame of reference based on what they are used to, and their individual sensitivity and perceptions. There are also different types of firmness and softness that different people may be sensitive to that can affect how they “rate” a mattress as well (see post #15 here) so different people can also have very different opinions on how two mattresses compare in terms of firmness and some people may rate one mattress as being firmer than another and someone else may rate them the other way around. This is all relative and very subjective and is as much an art as a science.

While your own careful testing or personal experience is the most reliable way to know whether any mattress is a good “match” for you in terms of comfort and PPP or how closely it “matches” another mattress … when you can’t test a mattress in person 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.

Outside of any local options that may be available to you that you can test in person … the mattress shopping tutorial includes a link to a list of the better online memory foam options I’m aware of (in the optional online step) and many of them make mattresses that are designed to approximate some of the Tempurpedic mattresses as well (including the Tempurpedic Cloud Supreme Breeze) which may also be worth talking to or considering.

Once again though … I would always keep in mind that different people will have different opinions about how closely two mattresses “match” or “approximate” each other so the options you have after a purchase to exchange or return the mattress for a refund (and any costs involved) can be a more important part of an online purchase just in case the mattress you choose doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for.

Phoenix

Dear Phoenix,

I called several of the manufacturers you listed to find a close match to the Tempur Cloud Supreme Breeze (ie. 2" of 4.1lbs + 2" of 5.3lbs foam).
Here they are:

Christeli Madeline (4" of 5.3lbs foam) $1199 free returns up to 50 days
Novosbed Harmony (2" of 3.7lbs gel + 3" of 4lb foam) $1199 free returns up to 120 days
Selectfoam Cirrus Supreme (2" of 4lbs gel + 2" of 5.3lbs gel) $1699 free returns up to 90 days
Dreamfoambed UD Supreme Gel (1.5" 4lb gel + 2.5" 4lb gel) $749 with $99 return up to 45 days

Would you have any recommendation among the listed choices above?
Regarding customer service, warranty, overall quality, etc…

Thank you
Adeline

Hi Adeline,

You are certainly looking at some good quality/value choices but as I mentioned in my previous reply with your husbands higher weight range I would be somewhat cautious about choosing a mattress that used more than about an inch or two of 4 lb memory foam.

Once you have narrowed down your options to a list of finalists that are all choices between “good and good” and none of them have any lower quality materials or “weak links” in their design relative to your weight and if at that point there are no clear winners between them (which is usually a good indication that you have done some very good research) then you are in the fortunate position that any of them would likely be a suitable choice and post #2 here can help you make a final choice based on your local testing or mattresses you have slept well on, your more detailed conversations about each of them, your confidence about PPP and the suitability of each one, the quality and durability of the materials, their prices, your preferences for different types of materials, the options you have after a purchase to fine tune the mattress or exchange or return the mattress or individual layers, any additional extras that are part of each purchase, and on “informed best judgement” based on all the other objective, subjective, and intangible parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.

Phoenix

Thanks for the reply!
I am a bit confused by your statement: " I would be somewhat cautious about choosing a mattress that used more than about an inch or two of 4 lb memory foam."
Do you mean 1 or 2 inches of the very first foam layer? Or 2 inches max above the base polyurethane layer? Or is your concern more about the foam density, meaning it should be higher than 4lbs?
In that case, what would be your thought on the Christeli Madleine that has 4inches of 5.3lbs foam? Would that make it less durable given my husband’s weight?
I am also curious about RockyMountain mattresses but I am still waiting for one of their specialists to call me back.

Hi Adeline,

There is more detailed information about this in the comments and link I provided in my first reply about choosing a mattress relative to higher body weights but the short version is that higher density memory foam will tend to be more durable than lower density memory foam and with higher body weights I would tend to reduce or minimize the use of memory foam that is less than 5 lb density in the upper layers of a mattress (above the polyfoam).

Density is the single biggest factor in the durability of a foam layer (although there are other factors involved in durability as well including the firmness of the mattress and the position of any lower density layers in the mattress) but in very general terms higher density memory foam or polyfoam will be more durable than lower density versions of the same material.

There is also more detailed information about the many variables that can affect the durability and useful life of a mattress relative to different body weights and circumstances in post #4 here.

Phoenix

Hi Phoenix,
After reviewing all the information provided on this site and trying out different mattresses in our limited market, my husband and I have ordered a mattress online from Rocky Mountain Mattress. It is a big purchase, but one that needed to be made due to health reasons. We did choose their Tamarack mattress, which according to the representative should meet mine and my husbands needs. We are hoping we made a good choice and will post after we have tried it for a couple of months. Thank you for the site and valuable information.

Hi Lu,

I switched your post into a new topic of its own with a more descriptive title.

As you know I think you made a great quality/value choice … and congratulations on your new mattress :slight_smile:

I’m looking forward to your comments and feedback once you’ve received it and have had the chance to sleep on it for a bit.

Phoenix