First time mattress shopper

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
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Hello,

I have tried reading all of the articles on the main website. I’ve done what I can but there is just so much information. I am becoming increasingly desperate for a mattress. At this point, I feel like anything would be better than my 10+ year old $500-$1,000 horribly sagging mattress, which I believe is an innerspring (Sealy Posturepedic Ginger Creek Firm). Any advice, recommendation or push in the right direction is so greatly appreciated.

This is my first time trying and buying a mattress. I’m looking for a Queen mattress. My hard budget for everything (mattress, box spring, frame) if I had to buy everything up front would be $1000. Otherwise if financing is an option <$2000. (Preferably around $1500.) (And only if the financing is simple. This would be my first time.)

I am 5’10, 160lb, wide shoulders. I tend to fall asleep on my side. Sometimes I will lay on my back for relief, but almost always end up sleeping on my side, arm under pillow. I wake up multiple times a night from tossing and turning. I assume this is because of the sagging.

I think I like a thinner “medium” memory foam - not too firm but not too responsive either. Nice cradling support. I like a little spring feel, but not like a traditional innerspring. Pillow tops are usually a little too much, I like to feel in between in and and top of the mattress. Moreso in, but able to adjust if needed.

I have done the majority of my testing at Mattress Firm and some more at a couple small shops. I’ve found that most of my high ratings are hybrid mattresses. Full foam is usually too hard, and I feel the springs too much on innerspring mattresses, although have found some to be very comfortable.

All I have for mattress stores in an 80 mile radius are secondhand stores that don’t display specifications. The layers are random “comfort layer” fillers, although some have felt quite comfortable. The information I did get isn’t all that helpful. I determined that I like hybrids most often, but did not determine the coil gauge, what foams, density etc. that I like. Am I doing too much for my price range?

Question is, what do I do? Do I take the risk on a cheaper mattress set? Do I keep testing mattresses in hope of a better one? Do I travel further to test more mattresses? (Albeit at a factory/factory direct location) Or do I try going the online route? (Costco/Amazon or trusted sellers) but I have not looked much into anything online.

Sorry if you need any extra information and that the post is all over the place. I am burnt out of looking for a mattress - put many hours into researching the past week and about to hit a breaking point. I’m trying to pick a mattress ASAP… put off buying a new one far too long. Thanks so much for your time.

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I hear ya, brother… or sister, LOL. Mattress shopping can definitely be overwhelming, and the fact that you’ve spent so much time researching shows that you are being thoughtful about your choice. From what you described, you already know your preferences well.

As a side sleeper with wide shoulders who likes a medium feel with some memory foam cradling and a touch of spring, a medium hybrid mattress is likely the best fit for you. Your current mattress is over ten years old and sagging, which explains the tossing, turning, and interrupted sleep you are experiencing.

You are not overthinking things for your budget. You do not need to know coil gauge or foam density to find a mattress that will be comfortable and supportive, although understanding these details can help if you want to shop without testing in stores. Additionally, knowing these specifications can help you determine potential longevity and durability. Many mattresses seem great when you first test them in a showroom or in your home. Unfortunately, what happens 12-18 months later is where the concern lies. When we talk about minimum standards to look for, is HD foams should begin at 1.8lbs and memory foam at a minimum of 3.5lbs, preferably 4lb. Continuing to test mattresses in local showrooms, especially those without clear specifications, may just add stress without giving you a clear answer. You already have a good sense of the type of mattress that works for you, and that is the most important factor.

A practical approach is to either look at options at Costco, keeping in mind that some mattresses are made specifically to their specifications and it is hard to know exactly what is inside, or better, choose a reputable online mattress that comes with a generous sleep trial. Both allow you to try the mattress at home for a few weeks, which is far more reliable than a short test in a showroom. You should be able to stay within your budget of around $1,200 to $1,500 for a queen mattress plus a frame. Stores like Costco and Sam’s often do not have staff who can answer detailed questions, and even if you contact the mattress company, some information may be proprietary and not disclosed.

At this point, the best approach is to stop searching for the perfect mattress and choose a well-rounded medium hybrid with a reasonable exchange and return policy. That does not mean picking a mattress at random. Being careful and deliberate about your choice will save time and frustration. Once you select a mattress, sleep on it for a few weeks and let your body adjust. Most mattresses in this category will feel like a major improvement over your current one, and narrowing your options to a short list will make it easier to make a confident decision.

Your pillow will also play a crucial role, especially if you have wide shoulders. The loft and firmness of your pillow or pillows are important for maintaining proper posture and spinal alignment. Your foundation matters as well. If you are using a slatted base, make sure the slats are no more than three inches apart, about three quarters of an inch thick, and two to three inches wide.

When mattress shopping, a great first step is to call a showroom like @yawnder or a company like @DLX, @Arizona_Premium, or @Sleep_EZ. Speaking with them is valuable because they know their mattresses inside and out and can match a sleeper to the right mattress with more than a 90 to 95 percent success rate.

Based on your preferences, there are a few mattresses that immediately come to mind. Since your budget is tight, something like the Brooklyn Bedding Copperflex Hybrid could be a sensible choice. Of course, there are other options, but you want a mattress made with quality foams, springs and other fibers/materials that will properly support you and your pressure points.

There are many nuances to mattress shopping, but when working with a tight budget, the key is to find a combination that delivers a good night’s sleep without breaking the bank. Hopefully, this gives you a solid head start.

Maverick

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Thank you so much for the incredibly quick and detailed reply.

Yawnder looks like the best option out of those since I can’t finance at DLX, and I haven’t tried latex so that rules that out. I’m a little worried that I will be stuck with a bed I don’t like due to their exchange policy (One free exchange and you’re stuck with whatever you exchanged it with).

I’m looking into the Brooklyn Bedding Copperflex Hybrid and it looks like a great option, however, I’m worried it will be too firm. The $200 more Pro model looks good too, but not sure if I’d like the extra foam. I find that the lack of layer specs and reviews on the base hybrid is slightly worrying. I have not called them yet and will do so tomorrow, but was wondering if you still had any input / other recommendations?

Do I start with the base model? Or do I go straight for the pro? Or do I look for something / somewhere else entirely? I just don’t want to end up with a mattress I do not like if I have to exchange it.

Thanks again!!!

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Whether it’s @yawnder or any other trusted member here at TMU, or company out there in mattress world, it’s important to speak with someone directly and “talk it out.”

Many companies are becoming more strict with return policies because exchanges can be costly, and people abuse them. Of course, when you’re buying a mattress, something you hope to sleep on for years, you want it to be as comfortable as possible, no matter if the price budget or premium. But it’s a two-way street. That’s why I suggested a mattress in your price range that works for a wide variety of sleepers.

Focusing too much on how many times you might need to exchange a mattress isn’t helpful. That’s the Costco approach: they’ll take almost anything back, but they don’t have anyone to help you reduce the chances of ending up with an uncomfortable mattress. That’s exactly why you’re here, to get guidance before buying.

I recommend calling the company you’re planning to buy from and discussing your needs. Just remember, any mattress that’s too firm can often be softened with a topper, but a mattress that’s too soft must be replaced.

Many people find hotel mattresses “just okay” because hotels usually use medium-firm beds, which work for a wide range of sleepers. They order for that 80% of the 80/20 rule, which unfortunately for me, reside in that 20%.

At your height and weight, budget constraints, the basic Copperflex should be fine. The Pro version, even with addition promotions, places you in the next price level (closer to $900) and that increases the amount of options. That does not mean that those options will be necessarily better, but great options like the @DLX classic hybrid (medium for you) or the @Glacier Summit are excellent mattresses.

Each will have their subtle nuances, but you stated yourself, a thinner medium memory foam with a little spring which pointed to the copperflex hybrid in your price range. Coincidentally, I just ordered the pro for one of my daughters. Her first night on it was great. There is always going to be something that is better in one way or another, but remember you are working within a particular window.

Maverick

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Quick question about foundations while I figure the mattress out -

Would an adjustable steel frame work with an Amazon metal box spring? Or am I better off getting a Queen wooden frame? (EG. Brooklyn Bedding Frame)

Is this personal preference or am I gonna wake up one day with a broken box spring? Lol. I’ve been moving a lot recently so I figured the steel frame would be a more cost effective and easier choice to move. And I could change it to whatever size.

Does height matter? Do you have to get a new box spring when you replace a mattress? I think the metal frames can last 20+ years but not sure about box spring. How long would the wooden foundations last compared to the steel frame/box spring combo?

Thanks!!!

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It’s less about whether the foundation is made of wood or metal and more about how it’s designed and built. A well-constructed wooden foundation, like the one from Brooklyn Bedding, will provide solid, consistent support and work well with most modern mattresses. The key is that the surface stays flat and supportive over time, regardless of the material.

You do want to be cautious with some metal frames and metal box springs. In many cases the slats are thin or spaced too far apart, which can place excess wear on the mattress or allow it to dip or push down between the supports. Over time, that uneven support can lead to premature sagging or comfort issues, even if the mattress itself is well made.

In general, the safest recommendation is a foundation with closely spaced, sturdy slats. Slats spaced less than about three inches apart, roughly three-quarters of an inch thick, and two to three inches wide tend to provide reliable, long-term support and help protect the mattress regardless of whether the frame underneath is wood or steel.

Maverick

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Thank you so much again for replies and recommendations. I purchased the Copperflex Hybrid a few months ago and I have been loving it.

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Woohoomattress,
That is so good to hear. The one daughter of mine who has the Copperflex Pro, loves it after coming off a tempurpedic that was 5x the price. Use it in good health, dont forget to rotate the mattress every few months for a year, then every 3-6months thereafter.

Congrats on finding something that works for you.

Maverick

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