How do I navigate past Brand jargon

I was looking at websites to see which ones offered specs before I go into a store to just get a feel for the matresses. I feel like I have a hold on the differences between memory foam, polyfoam, and latex, but then you read a website and it’s specs for foam are all terms I’m unfamilar with. Do I assume they are all low quality memory foam? Or is this wjere i ask aboit ILD or IFD and it’s durablilty. Here’s an example of specs I saw online.

Hi Dmuniz247,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum! :slight_smile:

You first need to make sure that you find out the information listed here so you can compare the quality of the materials and components to the durability guidelines here to make sure there are no lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress that would be a cause for concern relative to the durability and useful life of a mattress before making any purchase. Knowing the ILD/IFD of a foam is a “comfort spec” and not necessary for you to acquire, as your own personal testing will determine if the comfort is correct for you. The durability is mostly determined by the density of the foams, and unfortunately the information you provided lists nothing in that area (just “brand jargon”), and the brand you’re considering (Simmons) doesn’t generally provide foam density specifications, but I do know that much of the polyfoam in the mattress line you described is low quality in the 1 to 1.2 lb range and I would advise caution against selecting anything using that low of a quality material in the amounts used in a product like you attached in your photo.

The major brands such as Sealy/Stearns & Foster, Simmons, and Serta all tend to use lower quality and less durable materials in their mattresses than most of their smaller competitors that will tend to soften or break down prematurely relative to the price you pay which is why I would generally suggest avoiding all of them completely (along with the major retailers that focus on them as well) regardless of how they may feel in a showroom along with any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the type and quality/durability of the materials inside it (see the guidelines here along with post #3 here and post #12 here and post #404 here).

I would also recommend you read through the steps to purchasing a mattress in the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice … and perhaps more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.

Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you (including the price of course and the options you have available after a purchase if your choice doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for).

That should give you a good start before you begin you visits to stores.

Phoenix