This is a company account and there are a few of us who respond to post so it is different members of the DLX team.
You’re also welcome to call us at (716) 665-2247, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern. Just a heads-up that we’re a small, family-run company and not a call center, so if we’re helping someone or making a mattress, our office manager may need to take a message but we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Most of the time when you call, you’ll speak directly with one of the owners or a member of the family.
If it’s easier, you can also schedule a mattress consultation here and we’ll call you.
We can’t say it will be an exact match, but people who find Stearns & Foster in a 14"-ish height comfortable typically find the Premier comfortable as well.
Totally understand the budget concerns and times are tight and it’s important to stay within your budget. We do find the slats on most Zinus bed frames to be inadequate. Even if the spacing is within the recommended 3", the issue is usually the slat thickness and the type of wood, which is often a flexible composite that makes our mattress feel less supportive and not as firm as expected. Another issue is that the center legs on many of these frames aren’t very sturdy, tend to tip, and can cause sagging. There’s no problem with the outer frame from our standpoint, but the internal support is often the weak point.
One option is to add something on top of the existing slats to improve support. Some customers have had success with this option on Amazon. It is the most affordable and adequate option and based on feedback from customers, it appears to work well. We haven’t seen this one in person, but others have reported positive results with similar products. Just make sure the size is 76" x 80" for a king so it fully supports the mattress. It’s also worth checking the return policy just in case. Most negative reviews seem related to sizing, damage in transit, or sagging when used without slats which is why it’s important to place it on top of the slats you already have.
Please note that we’re not affiliated with this or any specific product and can’t personally vouch for it and we’re only passing along what has worked for others. There are other options out there, but this one is 10 mm thick, while many are only 6 mm, which tends to be too thin and flimsy.
A quick heads-up: a lot of bunkie boards on the market are made of double-walled corrugated cardboard, thin slats, or corrugated plastic. While they’re marketed as supportive, they don’t actually improve the situation much compared to your current setup. They might work short term but not long term. We recommend checking the construction details carefully before buying.