Hey there www,
Welcome to The Mattress Underground!
Funny enough, you and your partner are just about the same size as my wife and me. I’m 6’ and 220 lbs, and she’s 5’4" and 135 lbs. We’re side sleepers too, but we like a super firm mattress, so yeah, we’re a bit outside the norm.
One thing to always remember, the best mattress is only the best if it works for you. There are mattresses out there that will satisfy some non discriminating folks, but then you have to consider durability and longevity. When we help folks figure things out, we look at stuff like age, height, weight, sleep position, personal preferences, past mattress experiences, posture, alignment, and pressure relief.
On your second list, none of those mattresses use fiberglass, which is good. I didn’t really dive into your first list because honestly, I can’t in good conscience recommend any of them. Maybe the Tempur-Pedic, but if you’re into viscoelastic memory foam, although your would probably be much happier with something like @Tempflow’s Glacier Collection. It’s better built, sleeps cooler, and has their patented airflow channel design.
Even though your second list has CertiPUR-US foams, they’re still synthetic—safe to sleep on, sure, but not natural. Not sure why your salesperson steered you away from latex, maybe they had a specific reason, but it’s a bit surprising.
I guarantee that companies like @Sleep_EZ, @Arizona_Premium, @SuiteSleep, @CST and the other latex-only Trusted Members here would totally disagree with your salesperson unless you mentioned allergies or some other personal reason that influenced their advice.
Leesa, Helix, and Aurora are all sister brands, made in the US, and they use quality components. At 200 lbs, it’s interesting you liked the soft-top Aurora over the standard version. Unless you tried the firm version with the pillow top, that might explain it. If you and your partner have different preferences and you’re waking up with back pain, it’s probably because the mattress is too soft and your muscles are working overtime to keep your spine aligned.
Just a heads-up, you can always make a firm mattress feel a bit softer with a topper, but you can’t firm up a soft mattress. Some beds, like the @BackScience 2, do a great job balancing support and comfort, and they let you add lumbar flex support if you need extra lower back help.
Helix’s Luxe series also has an ErgoAlign option that adds lumbar support to their already zoned spring layer. At your weight, you’d probably do well with the Midnight over the Twilight, and your partner would probably prefer the medium feel of the Midnight too.
There are tons of options out there. If you’re interested in combining natural latex into the mix, and want to split the comfort layer on a queen-size, the @DLX latexlux is worth a look. You could go with a firm or medium feel on your side, and your partner could go soft. With their extremely comfortable panel/cover, you might both find your sweet spot. Engineered Sleep has something similar, though their take on it is a bit different.
You’ve also got a bunch of latex specialists here at TMU who can help customize an all-latex or latex hybrid setup. Contrary to your salesperson’s opinion, the latex Trusted Members here at TMU have a 90%+ success rate when working with customers, even remotely, which is pretty impressive.
Other options that might catch your eye are @Glacier Sleep’s Apex and @WinndomMattress Magnolia or Dogwood models, plus their Azalea Organic.
Working directly with experienced manufacturers can be a game changer. Honestly, it’s more valuable than testing a mattress for 10 or 15 minutes in a showroom. That quick test might tell you what’s too soft, but it won’t give you a real sense of long-term comfort. Learning about foam density, spring support layers, and how the mattress is built tells you a lot more about how it’ll hold up over time. This is why transparency is so important, something you wont find on your first list.
I know this is a lot to take in, but most people will find there’s more than one mattress that checks all the boxes for comfort, durability, and longevity, even within the same brand. The Helix Midnight Luxe and the Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Elite are built differently but appeal to a similar crowd. Some say the Titan line is made for plus-sized sleepers, and that’s true, but the microcoil and eurotop combo makes it a great option for someone around 200 lbs who wants solid support but still enjoys a plush comfort layer. That could be why you liked the Aurora with the pillowtop, especially if you tried the firm version.
Whatever mattress you go with, make sure your foundation is strong, rigid, and supportive. If you’re using a slatted base, slats should be no more than 3 inches apart, at least 5/8" thick, and 2" wide, with a center support beam. Something like this is a good example. If you or your partner snore, have acid reflux, or other health issues, an adjustable base like the Incline Sleep Tilting Foundation might be helpful.
And don’t forget, a good pillow that matches your mattress firmness and sleep position makes a big difference too.
Hope this helps,
Maverick