Helix custom mattress vs. Sleep EZ 10000 series

[phoenix]

Hi Sve The Snorer,

I have read many of the links posted here and sometimes links posted in the linked content. From what I gathered what the SleepEZ has going for it compared to Helix is more configurability in initial material choices, as well as adjustability of design after the purchase by interchanging layers and “tweaking” the bedding formula used to construct the optimal individual preferences. I assume these changes all come at a cost which will add to the final price (above and beyond the initial 2x entry point).

The only additional costs involved would be a $30 cost if you need to exchange a latex layer (vs rearranging the layers which has no cost involved) and a $99 cost if you need to return the mattress for a refund. The current cost of a Helix mattress in a queen is $900 and the current cost of a Select Sleep 10" mattress is $1650 (both excluding any discounts that may be available) and of course SleepEZ also have other “all latex” mattresses that are significantly less than this as well…

Given the Helix warranty is only for 10 years, it seems even if the quality of the latex in Helix was inferior to that of the SleepEZ 10000 or even below-average compared to the rest of the industry (which I doubt is the case) then even in a worst case scenario we are talking about a breakdown in quality after +70% of the useful lifetime of the warranty. I am not suggesting Helix’s warranty would cover such a breakdown, just that by the time the materials breakdown to the point that the support/comfort of the Helix begins to suffer I will likely be in the market for a new bed.

I would keep in mind that mattress warranties only cover manufacturing defects in the materials and components in a mattress and don’t cover foam softening and the gradual loss of comfort and support in the materials and components over time (or more rapid in the case of less durable materials) that would be normal for any mattress and which is the most likely reason that someone would need to replace their mattress. They also don’t cover visible impressions that are less than the warranty exclusion. In other words warranties have little to do with the durability or useful life of a mattress or how long it may be until you need to buy a new mattress. If there is an actual defect in the materials it will usually show up early in the life of the mattress but knowing the quality and durability of the materials in your mattress is always a much more reliable way to assess the durability and useful life of a mattress than the length of a warranty. There is more about mattress warranties in post #174 here.

I would also keep in mind that Helix mattress isn’t a latex mattress (it only has a single 2" layer of latex) and the weakest link in their mattress would be the polyfoam … not the latex (1.5 - 1.8 lb polyfoam is a much less durable material than latex) so it would be reasonable to “expect” it to have a useful lifetime in the lower end of the 7 - 10 year range I mentioned in my earlier reply while it would be reasonable to expect an all latex mattress like SleepEZ to last for 10+ years and there would probably be some “bonus time” (or possibly even extended bonus time) after that as well.

other sites that list charts and ratings of side by side comparisons like Sleep Like the Dead.

While other people’s comments about the knowledge and service of a particular store or business can certainly be very helpful … I would always keep in mind that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress so I would be very cautious about about using anyone else’s suggestions, experiences or reviews (which is SLTD’s source of statistics) on a specific mattress (either positive or negative) or review sites in general as a reliable source of information or guidance about how you will feel on the same mattress or how suitable or how durable a mattress may be for you. In many if not most cases they can be more misleading than helpful because a mattress that would be a perfect choice for one person or even a larger group of people in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) may be completely unsuitable for someone else to sleep on (even if they are in a similar weight range). In other words … reviews or other people’s experiences in general won’t tell you much if anything about the suitability, quality, durability, or “value” of a mattress for any particular person (see post #13 here).

By saving a thousand dollars on the purchase price of a Helix compared to a similarly equipped SleepEZ 10000 I can easily afford to purchase an upgraded foundation like the Reverie 5D over the Reverie 3E (about a $4-500 difference), with plenty of money left over for upgraded sheets/pillows/comforter/any other bedding purchases needed without worrying about my total outlay breaking the bank.

I’m not quite clear what you mean here because Helix doesn’t offer a mattress that is “similarly equipped” to any of the SleepEZ mattresses. They are completely different types of mattresses with very different materials, designs, and options.

Phoenix