Help narrowing options on a new mattress

Talk To The Experts DLX Mattress
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My wife and I are upgrading to a King bed and are in the overwhelming shopping-for-a-mattress phase. We’ve been to one MattressFirm in the neighborhood and of the ones we tried we liked the Sealy Posturepedic® Plus Hybrid High Point 14" Firm Mattress the most. I was suspicious of the price and the sales pitch though, so turned to the internet for research and now I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of analysis paralysis.

I’ve read through the articles on TMU (so helpful) and browsed through the forum here and reddit some, and while I think I have a decent idea of what we need, I would love and appreciate any advice.

Our Situation:

  • We are both predominantly side sleepers, although my wife will sleep on her back sometimes
  • We both tend to move around and switch sides throughout the night
  • I’m pretty easy to please and don’t get stiff/sore often
  • My wife on the other hand is constantly dealing with soreness, tension, hip/back pain, etc… She had our son ~2 years ago and its been worse ever since. She especially complains about pressure on her “hip bones”
  • I am 5’10 185lbs, my wife is 5’9 and 215lbs, we’re both 36
  • I get hot at night, my wife does not. I hate waking up uncomfortably warm
  • We have a Tuft & Needle Mint mattress we’ve been on since 2019 and it’s been okay, but I am starting to notice some dipping, and based on the TMU articles and my wifes complaint I am wondering if it isn’t too firm for her.

We have a 2 year old and very different schedules so finding free time to go spend hours in a mattress store is very difficult unfortunately, so I’m trying to do research and pick something that should work well online. I don’t know of any good local places to look either (I’m in Seattle) and none of the partners in TMU are here.

So all that to say: I’m looking for suggestions and advice! What I think I’ve learned is that we need a medium firmness mattress, likely with latex or poly. Memory foam would probably be good for my wife’s hips but is probably too hot for me and I’d prefer a more durable material that will last. It also sounds like a pocket coil inner spring is likely the way to go but I’m open to alternatives. My wife does seem to prefer firmer mattresses because it’s what she is used to, but she’s also used to waking up sore and hurting so she is open to trying something “softer” if it’s better for her body.

I originally thought The Boring Mattress seemed like an “easy and good enough” option but then I discovered the DLX Premier Hybrid via these forums and it looks appealing to me and seems to check a lot of the boxes, as well as their Latex Hybrid for just a smidge more. I like the idea of being able to adjust firmness independently on each side, although I’m not sure that’s really necessary for us. (also I saw NapLab rated DLX poorly for motion transfer which I found surprising given the materials, any comments here?)

I haven’t looked into more latex mattresses more since I’m not sure where to start for our needs, but also open to suggestions there as I understand they tend to perform very well and last a long time.

For price, I’d prefer to keep things in the $2k-ish range, but frankly if there are options I should consider for more I would rather make a good long-term purchase than be shopping again in 5 years.

@DLX

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Hello @Haydad! Thanks for considering DLX. We understand how overwhelming mattress shopping can be, especially when trying to balance comfort, support, and durability.

We were somewhat puzzled by the motion transfer score our mattress received from NapLab. With our extensive experience in designing, manufacturing, and testing numerous mattresses, we find it challenging to comprehend the discrepancies in the test outcomes. The Premier Hybrid uses design materials similar to those in other mattresses that scored much higher. While it’s baffling, the results stand as they are. From our perspective and expertise, there is no material or construction aspect in our mattress that should lead to a lower score compared to other hybrids available today.

But in the end, someone would have to take our word for it. I know that there are people here, like @maverick and a few others like @PapaMike , who have our mattress and might be able to validate our statement or reinforce NapLab’s test results.

Keep in mind when getting your next mattress, even if it isn’t DLX, that other factors impact motion transfer. We recognize that there are other mattresses that might be better in this regard. An all-foam mattress with memory foam as the top layer and a smooth, non-quilted cover with elastic or spandex would be best for motion isolation. However, this style might not meet all your needs in terms of comfort and sleeping cooler.

Please note that the mattress is only part of the equation in motion isolation. Often, the bed frame or the support under the mattress significantly impacts motion transfer. A sturdy and well-built support system can reduce partner disturbance. Additionally, loose-fitting sheets and mattress protectors with elastic or spandex can cut down on motion isolation.

If you want to get a better idea of the feel of the Premier Hybrid, we recommend checking out a Stearns and Foster, Beautyrest, Sealy, or Serta that are hybrids or use a pocket coil and are somewhere between 13.5" and 14.5" tall. It should have a quilted top where you can see the stitching, not a smooth flat fabric where you sleep. If you let us know the brand, model, and firmness rating, we can let you know if you’ll find our mattresses comfortable.

The Premier Hybrid or LatexLux does not offer something similar to the Sealy Posturepedic® Plus Hybrid High Point because this uses a smooth flat cover and the memory foam is directly below that, so our mattress will feel different than that one. But from the information provided so far, there is a high likelihood that we can get you comfortable on one of our mattresses.

Given the information so far, I’d probably lean towards the LatexLux for you and your wife. The resilience and buoyancy of latex make for more of an uplifting experience which can be helpful with sleeping slightly cooler. I won’t go down the rabbit hole of sleeping warm at this time.

Keep in mind that the right mattress might mitigate some of the pain, but it won’t eliminate the pain, especially since it is constant. This varies and is hard to diagnose, but sometimes the hip pain is related to bottoming out where the foam has lost its resiliency, and the underlying support is contributing to the feel which in some cases causes hip pain.

Should you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.

Good luck with your mattress shopping!

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Given your situation, it sounds like you’re on the right track with considering medium firmness, hybrid constructions, and materials that offer a balance of support and pressure relief.

Since your wife experiences hip and back pain, a mattress with good pressure relief is crucial. Latex Foam, Memory foam or a combination of foam and coils can help with this, as they contour to the body while providing support.

Since you get hot at night, look for mattresses with good breathability. Materials like latex and certain types of hybrid mattresses with cooling features can help manage temperature better than traditional memory foam.

Given your concern about durability and long-term comfort, a high-quality hybrid or latex mattress is a good choice. These materials generally offer better longevity compared to traditional foam alone.

While your wife might be used to firmer mattresses, a medium firmness that offers support but also some cushioning could be beneficial, especially if it helps alleviate her soreness.

The DLX Premier Hybrid or LatexLux mattress seems to align well with your needs. It offers a hybrid design with coils and foam, which should provide both support and pressure relief. The independent firmness adjustment on each side could be a bonus if you and your wife have slightly different preferences.

The Sealy Posturepedic Plus Hybrid High Point 14" Firm (SPPHHP14F, it is easier than spelling it out) on the surface seems like a nice mattress. Edge to edge coil design enhanced edge support, zoned coils for increased lumbar support.I would have preferred an HD foam or latex above the coils for a better comfort layer, but I am sure the initial feel would be quite nice. They dont offer the density of the foam so, durability and longevity is questionable. Overall a nice looking mattress, with a smooth top.

The DLX’s have the distinct advantage of a quality local mattress manufacturer and quality of workmanship and higher quality materials and foams. Another advantage is flexibility. With the DLX’s you have the option of splitting the comfort for each of you and longevity goes to DLX as well. If the comfort layers ever give out, you replace them rather than the entire mattress.

Regarding price, before the TMU subscriber additional $100 discount, both are a good 20% less for what I would consider a better quality mattress.

So while both are very nice mattresses, there are some features that is likely to point to one mattress over the other.

No one can say how you will feel in any one mattress, but, when you have the opportunity to evaluate side by side utilizing specific specifications, in my mind that is a key factor.

I can personally share my experience with the DLX Premier mattress. I selected it for an elderly relative who was experiencing discomfort with a nearly-new BeautyRest mattress that had developed a significant dip under her hip within just a year and a half. It turned out to be a nearly $2,000 investment that didn’t hold up and was a waste of money. The warranty process for large brands, like the S brands, can be frustrating and time-consuming, so rather than dealing with the hassle of a warranty claim, we decided to simply replace the mattress.

Since switching to the DLX Premier, she’s been extremely happy and comfortable. Her hip and back pain have significantly improved, and overall, her situation is much better.

When selecting any mattress there can initially be some nuanced differences. Feel of the cover fabric, initial firmness, bounce, and other subtle differences. Many of these will be negated by the mattress cover, possibly a topper and the various style sheets and bedding used.

The “magical” cooling fabrics will also be reduced to words on a paper as the protector, sheets and the heat transfer from your body into these “cooling” materials become equalized by your own body heat.

Good luck with whatever choice you make. I would caution you to remember your 4R’s, Return Policy, Restocking Fee, Refund Policy and Reputation/Reviews of the specific mattress and mattress company. Exercise caution with large national chains and know your 4R’s before handing your credit card over.

All the best,
Maverick

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Thank you @DLX and @Maverick !

I need to consult with my wife but I think I am sold on trying a DLX. Given our weight differences and her pressure complaints, do you think it’s worth doing a split model with medium on my side and firm on hers? Or should we start with medium on both and go from there?

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So that is exactly what I did for my mother in law. I ordered the DLX, firm/medium, since she was not able to try it first for firmness.

She is about 170lbs 86y.o. She loves the firm side and has not looked back. Worst case scenario, is you can try the firm for your side and medium for her side, or vice versa, and you can tell them how you want it made initially. The difference between sides were not tremendously different in any case, but you can always modify it should you need to.

That is the beauty of this mattress. I can tell you, when you lie on it, the mattress is just comfortable. Regardless of which side I try when I change her sheets for her. I always test and roll around to check for any abnormalities. Never an issue thus far. Just a nice and comfy.

You are going to love it. Dont forget the this

Best to you and your wife for a great night’s sleep.

Maverick

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Perfect, thank you!

@DLX you mentioned that you would lean towards the LatexLux because it might sleep cooler. I suspect I’ll sleep cooler on either Mattress, so my primary concern is making sure she has the right comfort/support. She has wide hips/shoulders. Do you still recommend the LatexLux over the Premier Hybrid in that case? The price difference between the two is negligible so I’ll likely do whichever in a medium|firm split config I think

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I forgot to include this in my original post, but I had also seen the Sleep EZ natural latex mentioned on this site and looked at it. I have never lain on a latex mattress before so the unknown of it makes me a bit nervous, but I’m curious if you have thoughts on how it would compare to something like the DLX Premier (or DLX LatexLux) for our situation?

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Given you might have different preferences, starting with the layer splits is a good idea, even if you choose the same firmness initially, so you have the flexibility down the road. Please note that it isn’t listed on the site, but we can split the layer for the same firmness, so you have that flexibility. Getting one side medium and the other firm gives you more options to test at home to find the right comfort. I think that you are on the right track with one side medium and the other side firm.

Given your information, I’d lean toward the latex. But the Premier is a great mattress too. It isn’t a matter of right and wrong or one being better than the other, but a matter of personal preference. You’ll get a softer feel out of the Premier Hybrid— in the soft or medium version—compared to the latex, since latex is more buoyant and resilient. I’ll throw a curveball since there was mention of memory foam. If you like the Sealy memory foam mattress, you could also consider the DLX MemoryMax or at least one side. But, we’d err on the side of simplicity and go with the latex given the information. We can always adjust later if necessary.

Sleepez are good folks. Their mattress offers a completely different feel than ours.

We offer something that provides a more traditional feel or what you’d find at a big box store in terms of feel, but a high quality and lower price.

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@Haydad

Hello,

We have owned the @DLX Premier Hybrid since February, 2024. I can attest it is a very comfortable mattress. We transitioned from a Berkeley Natural Latex mattress on a Euro slat base to the Premier with split Energex foam on a solid, adjustable bed base.

I score the comfortability, support and motion transfer a solid 10. The quality is impeccable. Hand built and made in USA.

As for sleep temperature, neither of us have ever been uncomfortable on latex or Energex foam. That may be attributed to our choice of bedding which is linen sheets and organic cotton stretch-knit mattress protector.

Best wishes for a good night of sleep.

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Just to update for anyone reading, I contacted @DLX and they were incredibly helpful getting my order setup and personalized. Can’t wait for the mattress to arrive and live the king bed life!

As this is our first king bed, if anyone has any proven recommendations for sheets and mattress protectors I’d love to know! We’ve been putting whatever Costco/Target had available on our Queen, wondering if I shouldn’t find something better to go with the new fancy DLX mattress.

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Congrats on your new Dlx matress you will not be disappointed. We got our medium firmness Dlx hybrid a little over a month ago, and were in a similar situation considering the sealy high point. Like you the price was a turn off and then I found MUG. Through. My research I found Dlx and I echo that the quality is impeccable. I am so happy that I bought the matress from them, and definitely would highly recommend anyone else considering Dlx to reach out and talk to them.

As for sheets we bought some percale cotton sheets off of Amazon and have been happy with them. I really like cozy pure waterproof matress protector and have read good things, however I’m using an old protector for now. We also bought a wool room washable wool comforter and are in love with it. Just some suggestions, and hope this helps a little. Great choice on the Dlx!

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Congratulations on your new purchase. It is very exciting to get your first king mattress and experience the extra room and comfort you get to experience.

As for sheets and protectors go. Malouf makes a bunch of protectors. I have recently seen a variety of retired models at home goods, for a fraction of the cost of their newer offerings. I bought a couple for future use, because they were under $20 with retails of over $100 in some models.

As far as sheets. I am a big tommy bahama enthusiast. I find their 100% cotton sheets to be extremely durable and comfortable to sleep on. Another couple of brands that I regularly use are California Design Den, they make a variety of 100% cotton sheets and have been extremely durable. Pointehaven sheets are ones that I have found that offer deep pockets up to 21" and they last what seems like forever. I do have some very premium brands, you hear about that people pay near a 1k for, and quite frankly do not find them to perform much better than my $100 -$200 King sheet sets.

A brand that I recently discovered at the Las Vegas market is DreamFit. They offer a nice range of 100% cotton versions, and have unique elastic corner straps that keep them slipping off the most difficult of mattresses fits, and are said to be excellent when used with adjustable bases.

If you are an all natural, organic enthusiast, @CozyPure and @Shepherds_Dream have some products that might be of interest at a more premium price point.

If you like your new DLX half as much as my MiLaw does, you will be a very happy and comfortable sleeper.

Use it in good health.

Maverick

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