I thought I would go back to an innerspring mattress, but after 2 days of research, I have decided to give BedInABox a try. I know you are not a fan of the company, but they have the highest satisfaction rate and a great return policy (not that I can find a single bad review) so I feel that’s a pretty good endorsement. I do feel reviews are important and leave them all the time myself.
Hi CHERYL.
You can see my thoughts about mattress reviews and why they are among the worst ways to choose a mattress (unlike other types of products) in post #13 here.
They do have a great return policy (120 days) but unfortunately that’s not nearly long enough to give an indication about the durability of the materials and if the lower density memory foam they use softens prematurely and you lose the comfort and support that was the reason you bought it in the first place then this wouldn’t be covered by the warranty (see post #174 here).
Having said all that … as long as you’ve done your research and are aware of and OK with the higher risks and lower durability involved in choosing a mattress that uses lower density and less durable memory foam then that’s what is most important. At least you are making an informed purchase and are aware of the higher risks involved in what you are buying ahead of time.
Phoenix
And I’ve read through pages of reviews and–while not finding a single negative one–some as old as 5 years are still happy. I don’t believe any mattress will actually last 10 years nowadays so if I get 6 or 7 I will be happy. 
Hi CHERYL,
There are certainly mattresses that will last for 10 years (or longer) and the useful life of a mattress is also relative to each person. There is more about the variables that affect durability and the useful life of a mattress in post #4 here).
As long as you are aware of the greater risks of your purchase and it’s a good match for the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you … then at least you’ve made an “informed choice” and the site has done what it’s designed to do
Phoenix
Being in the mattress business has taught me some things with regard to hip and shoulder pain. I believe that the problem is this. People lay on their side and put pressure on their hips and shoulder joints. How can you expect your hip and shoulder joint not to hurt when you distribute most of your weight on them for several hours at a time while you sleep? Whenever a customer comes to my shop we talk about sleeping positions. (Back sleepers have lower back problems and side sleepers hip and shoulder). What is most interesting is that many customers come in asking for a “soft” mattress because of their pain. I believe that soft mattresses help to create the problem. A soft mattress almost requires that you sink into the position that puts pressure on these areas. If you lay on the floor on your side you will find that you will not be able put your weight on the joint for long. You will soon turn to the front or the back of you shoulder and hip joints. Therefore it is my opinion that the firmer, the better. I personally have had hip and shoulder problems in the past. I changed over to a very firm latex mattress about 3 years ago. I have trained myself to rotate my shoulder so that my body weight is behind the joint and not on the joint. I can tell whenever I lay on the joint for a short time that it will create damage. Don’t expect your mattress to fix your problems. That is not going to help. Learn to quit putting your weight on your joints at night while you sleep. A firm mattress will help you to do this.
Hi charlestonbedding,
While it’s certainly “safer” to choose a mattress that is a little too firm than too soft because you can always “fix” it with a softer topper … and I also agree that a mattress that is too soft can create just as many issues as a mattress that is too firm … I’m not so sure I would agree with your main point that “firmer is better” … especially for side sleepers … or at least I wouldn’t make it nearly as general.
I understand that rotating the pelvis or the shoulder can increase the surface area of the pressure point and relieve pressure … but it can also lead to rotational alignment issues that could be solved with softer pressure relieving layers that are suitable for the person on the mattress without having to learn to change their rotational alignment to “accommodate” the firmness of the mattress.
There are a few forum posts that mention or discuss this including post #6 here and post #2 here and post #6 here and post #7 here.
I certainly appreciate the thoughts and insights but I believe that taking what you are suggesting too literally could lead to some poor mattress choices so I wanted to add some additional thoughts and information to add some “counterbalance” your comments as well.
Phoenix
Hello,
We want to make sure you have the correct information regarding the Dormeo Octaspring. Below is a comparison chart detailing the difference in the mattress options from the 6500 to the 9500. The major difference in the 8500 and 9500 is that the 8500 has a 12" profile and the middle layer has 2" EcoSprings™ while the 9500 has a 13" profile and the middle layer has 3" EcoSprings™. Both will offer a Medium to Soft feel, but the 9500 will offer a bit more support. The 8500 is our most popular. Feel free to contact Dormeo at 1-855-436-7636 for any questions.
Hi Dormeo,
Thanks for posting some of the updated specs for your mattresses … I appreciate it.
Can you also provide the type and density of the layers (or a density range) for those of us where this is an important part of choosing a mattress?
I also understand that there are some new models coming out that include latex and it would also be great if you could provide more information about these as well.
Thanks again
Phoenix
Here’s a bit of an update. First, The cover on the Octaspring bed has changed. The new models look like this. Most of this is aesthetic (you can no longer easily see the layers through the side mesh), but it also has a slightly more luxurious feel.
Also, they now have two lines. Last years models (5500, 8000, 8500, etc) line had a memory foam sheet on top of a memory foam octaspring with poly springs and sheets below. They also featured three firmness zones in the memory foam layer and many models had five firmness zones in the poly layer. Individual octasprings also allowed a single row of extra-firm poly springs along the outside edge: the only foam bed I know of with edge support (but that outside row isn’t always in their illustrations).
In the new models, in addition to the cover change and a name change, that very top 2" dual memory foam sheet is available in latex.
Old name = 1) Memory foam sheet on memory foam octaspring, 2) latex sheet on memory foam octaspring
5500 = 1) Simplicity, 2) Rest
6500 = 1) Vitality, 2) Bliss
8000 = 1) Tranquility
8500 = 1) Harmony, 2) Luxe
9500 = 1) Felicity, 2) Zen
The chart above is a gross over-generalization. For example, the five beds with a memory foam top layer have cooling phase changing material in the cover while the four latex beds have bamboo. Another example, the Zen has both a 2" latex sheet and a 2" dual memory foam layer on top of the memory foam octasprings and the middle octaspring layer is 1" thinner than in the Felicity (for a total height difference of 1").
Hi demackison,
Thanks for the pictures and the information about the new Octaspring … I appreciate it.
While it’s a relatively minor difference … according to Dormeo (2 posts before yours) the top layer is now 1.5" rather than 2".
I don’t know if this is the same with the models that have latex in the top layer (Dormeo didn’t reply yet to my reply asking for updated information).
Phoenix
Are you sure that is not the other way around? Since the Dormeo post has the old names, did the old models have a 1.5" top layer?
I am also starting to get some densities: the two firmnesses of memory foam octaspring are both 5 lb density and the lower layer eco-cells are either 3.5, 3.0 or 2.5 lb density.
Hi demackison,
According to the information that Dormeo posted on the forum … the current versions of the Octaspring mattresses from the 6500 to the 9500 all have 1.5" top layers of memory foam (they used to be 2").
Dormeo also sells two other lines of mattresses (the Dolce and the Serenite) which would have different designs but they didn’t post the thickness of the top layer for these. The Serenite line uses Talalay latex in the top layer instead of memory foam.
Phoenix
The Dolce and the Serenite lines are the new beds with the black cover, names instead of numbers, etc I was talking about.
Wow, I forgot to subscribe to this thread and see that it’s gotten really long. Thanks for that tutorial, but we have no money to do this again. Our income has gotten progressively worse since 2008 and we’re avoiding credit card slavery.
But I’m having problems with this memory foam one. I’m overweight and most of the weight is in my hips and torso area. I’m also a side sleeper and so my torso sinks in, but it tries to make my legs stick up, unless I put one leg on top of the other, to weight it down. I wound up having a meniscus problem in my left knee, that won’t go away now, and the only time it gets worse instead of better, is when I wake up after the mattress has pushed my left leg up in the air, while sleeping on my left side.
Has anyone ever heard of mattresses actually causing injuries like this?
Which model did you buy. We ordered the octaspring 6500 from Brookstone and should get it next week (king size). The price was good and they have a 90 day trial period less initial shipping. I’ll let everyone know what we think.
Hi Mama Bear,
Yes … anything (or a combination of things) that leads to misalignment of the joints or spine so they are outside of their neutral position or that causes repetitive stress can either cause or aggravate an injury over time.
These all appear to be “symptoms” of a mattress that may be too soft and isn’t a good match for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences).
It’s very difficult to “fix” a mattress where either the comfort layers are too thick and soft or where the support layers are too soft without removing and replacing layers in the mattress but there are some suggestions in post #4 here that may be “somewhat” helpful.
Phoenix
Just wanted to share my experience with the Dormeo bed. After 2 refused deliveries due to damaged merchandise (damaged like you’d find in an as is clearance center) I would never buy this bed. I have no idea how comfortable it is because we never got to sleep on it. The 1st time it was delivered damaged, I just figured it was a one time thing and said I’d be willing to accept a new one. The 2nd time the box spring was ripped, had marker stains and the carton the mattress was in was open on one end. I don’t blame Brookstone, they were wonderful and customer service refunded my entire purchase right away. But Dormeo, how did this item make it out the door is beyond me. Just wanted to make everyone aware if you should buy this mattress, check it out carefully.
Got a quick question
Tried several mattress this afternoon and the seller offers me a Dormeo 6500 (Double) for 1370 CDN. Is it an ok price?
Had hard time finding reviews on this type of mattress. I was going for a Tempur Pedic but the seller told me it wasn’t a good idea since I can move a lot and I’m used to be a lot too warm when I sleep.
Still, I don’t know this company and some reviews are worrying to say at least…
I got a 60 days warranty.
Thanks for your help
Hi Mercador,
The “value” of a mattress purchase is always relative to the other mattresses you are comparing it to or that are available to you in terms of suitability and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences), the durability of the materials inside it, and all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you. A mattress that would be good value for one person or in one area may not be good value for another person or in a different area where there are different mattresses available.
I would be very cautious about using reviews (either positive or negative) as a reliable source of information about either the suitability or the durability of a mattress and in many cases they can be more misleading than helpful because a mattress that would be a good choice for one person may be completely unsuitable for someone else to sleep on (see post #13 here).
There is more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here that can help you make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses.
There is also more information about the Dormeo Octaspring mattresses in post #2 here that may be helpful but I would make sure you can confirm the thickness and density of all the layers in the mattress (see this article) before considering it.
Just in case you haven’t read it yet … I would make sure that you’ve read the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice … and know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
If you let me know your city or zip code I’d also be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in your area as well.
Phoenix
Actually, I read pretty all much of these threads before creating my account.
As for the material, they don’t really know. The seller told me that the companies don’t tell them specs like that because it messed up customers… well, I’m not sure it’s the good reason but oh well, I don’t like to get an argument with a seller.
I’m living in Quebec City, CA.
I’ve checked other places for the same mattress and it seems the price is quite good. I’m just worried by the durability of the mattress, more of the springs in fact. Moreover, maybe it’s just me, but I feel the springs in my back, not sure it’s quite good.
I was thinking buying a Tempur but I’m afraid I’ll get to much heat. Still, it’s a lot of money and I really don’t want to make a bad choice… 