I have learned so much about mattresses in just the last two days. We were actually about to buy some of the big name brands for our kids and thankfully I stumbled across your site! It is an amazing resource and I have contacted a local retailer about buying a latex mattress and he complimented you as well!
I ended up deciding on the BME from Brooklyn Bedding. Based on research, I knew I wanted latex and then the price point and quality of materials were the real selling points for us. This is our first time buying an online mattress, so Iām very interested in what itāll be like when we actually get them.
Based on our budget, I thought weād have to get a sub par mattress, but now our kids are actually able to have really good mattresses for even less than what we would have otherwise spent! Iām so happy I found this site and have been going around recommending it to everyone I know! Thank you so much Phoenix, for everything you do!!!
Congratulations on your new mattress! :cheer: As youāre aware, Brooklyn Bedding is a member here of the site, which means I think highly of them, and you certainly made a good quality/value choice.
Iām looking forward to learning about your mattress after youāve had a chance to try it out for a while.
Thank you for spreading the word and your compliment!
Hi Phoenix. I read consumer reports and a couple other sources and thought I was ready to purchase a mattress. After reading and at least partly understanding the incredible amount of info in your tutorials, I am sure I am not ready. Unfortunately I donāt know the next step.
I understand you cannot be prescriptive about what may make sense for my wife and me, for a number of good reasons. I appreciate the list of companies that are likely to have quality products they stand behind. However, none of those companies have a show room anywhere close to where I am. As best as I can tell, I would need to find examples of mattresses in town that might work for me, relay that information plus personal details to an online company, and hope the company is accurate when they recommend something. Is there a set of mattress āstandardsā in one or more brands that would be useful for this comparative purpose?
I would rather not have to depend on a warranty and/or return policy, and would like to get this ārightā the first time. However, in spite of all of the information on this site (and perhaps BECAUSE of all of the information on the site) it really feels like I am shooting blind. I guess I recognize at least part of what I donāt knowā¦ Am I missing something?
Iāll give you some detail in case that helps point me in the right direction:
strong preference for low VOC/off-gassing, organics a plus but not required. Looks like your site members are all pretty much ok in this regard, thanks! Still intend to avoid polyfoam and glue to the extent I can, although I think I can live with the Certi-pur standard.
mostly side sleeper or back sleeper, which looks like some decent support may be appropriate.
even on my back I can wake up with numbness/tingling in my arm, and/or an achy elbow, which I assume means I need a much softer top layer than I have.
wife and I are on the short side of average and not as fit as we intend to get (BMI 25-30), which also indicates decent support may be required.
I tend to sleep hot. That may mean a thinner memory foam top layer if we go memory foam, or maybe the Talalay latex. How that interacts with the rest of the requirements I donāt know.
After thinking I had a good list of a dozen potential mattresses to consider, the only one still on the list is the Novaform 14" Serafina Pearl Gel (via Costco), and even that one is tenuous because some postings seem to indicate it is on the hard side. If I am making this more difficult than it needs to be, by all means feel free to correct me! Thanks for any direction you are inclined to offer.
I think you may have already seen my comments about the Consumer Reports mattress ratings and recommendations in post #2 here and in this topic . While they may be a good source of information about more āobjectiveā purchases, I would consider them to be an unreliable source of information or guidance about purchasing a mattress and their āratingsā are somewhat nonsensical and meaningless. My thoughts are also shared by most of the more knowledgeable people in the industry (see post #5 here for an example).
The first place to start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice ā¦ 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 youāve 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 āmatchā for you in terms of ācomfortā, firmness, and PPP that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesnāt turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the āvalueā of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well he will sleep), durability (how long he 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 doesnāt turn out as well as you hoped for). I would also make sure that you find out information listed here when you go mattress shopping 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.
In its simplest form, choosing the ābest possibleā mattress for any particular person really comes down to FIRST finding a few knowledgeable and transparent retailers and/or manufacturers that sell the types of mattresses (see this article ) that you are most interested in (either locally or online) and that can provide you with all the information you need to know to make an informed choice and make meaningful comparisons between mattresses and then ā¦
Careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in this tutorial) to make sure that a mattress is a good match for you in terms of ācomfortā, firmness, and PPP ā¦ and/or that you are comfortable with the options you have available to return, exchange, or āfine tuneā the mattress and any costs involved if you canāt test a mattress in person or arenāt confident that your mattress is a suitable choice.
Checking to make sure that there are no lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress you are considering relative to your weight/BMI range that could compromise the durability and useful life of the mattress (see the durability guidelines here )
Comparing your finalists for āvalueā based on #1 and #2 and all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
There is also more information in post #2 here and the more detailed posts and information it links to about safe, natural, organic, āchemical freeā, and āgreenā mattresses and mattress materials that can help you sort through some of the marketing information and terminology that you will encounter in the industry and can help you differentiate between them and answer āhow safe is safe enough for meā or āhow organic is organic enough for meā so you can decide on the types of materials you are most comfortable having in your mattress. These types of issues are complex and are generally specific to each person and their individual sensitivities, circumstances, criteria, beliefs, and lifestyle choices. Most polyfoam you are likely to encounter domestically is CertiPUR-US certified.
Yes, youāll always want good support, and enough comfort on top to help allow your shoulders and hips to sink in when on your side.
This certainly can be a sign that your current mattress has lost much of its surface comfort, or that your body is changing, or a combination of both. But it would certainly be something to mention when you are out shopping for a mattress to any retailer or manufacturer you visit.
There is more information in the durability guidelines I linked to earlier about BMIs approaching 30.
There is more about the many variables that can affect the sleeping temperature of a mattress or sleeping system in post #2 here that can help you choose the types of materials and components that are most likely to keep you in a comfortable temperature range. Regarding cooling memory foam claims (if you decide to go with memory foam), you can read more about phase change materials in post #9 here and at the end of post #4 here) and you can read more about the various different types of gel foams in post #2 here. In general terms gel foams will tend to have a temporary effect on temperature while you are first going to sleep until temperatures equalize but have less effect on temperature regulation throughout the course of the night.
It sounds like you desire some actual one-on-one interaction with a knowledgeable brick and mortar retailer, so if you let me know where you live Iāll see if I have a listing of some better retailers in your area.
Subject to first confirming that any retailer or manufacturer on the list that you wish to visit is completely transparent (see this article ) and to making sure that any mattress you are considering meets the quality/value guidelines here ā¦ the better options or possibilities Iām aware of in and around Des Moines, IA area in post #6 here.
Know the different type of mattress options, usually mattress range from classic firm or plush options to higher tech mechanically operated beds through remote controls. Its better to do some research before buying the mattress and try to know about the list of option and type available with the mattress. Memory foam mattress are made from material that mold to the shape of your body when you lie down and also it will maintain that shape althrough the night. Sleep number mattress this type of mattress can be made harder or softer with touch of a button. These mattress are divided into different zones. Basic firm or plush mattress made from variety of materials and are sold at every price range.
Have an understanding of your physical needs- first make sure whether you are an side, back or stomach sleeper because some mattress are designed to accommodate specific sleeping positions. So you can choose the mattress which suits your sleeping style and comfortness.
Set your budget before you go for shopping: Mattress stores sell a lot of extras, like mattress covers, pillow tops, bed frames, and other items you donāt necessarily need. Know exactly what youāre willing to buy before stepping into the store. Your mattress will work just as well without accessories, so donāt buy them unless you want to.
Dear Phoenix,
Recently my wife and I stayed at a Hampton Inn, and like other, we were impressed by the Serta they use. Thankfully, we stumbled across this site!
I was hoping by providing my zip code you may be able to point us in the right direction as to what retailer we could visit and which king size might be a close match.
Many thanks
AJ
[quote]Recently my wife and I stayed at a Hampton Inn, and like other, we were impressed by the Serta they use. Thankfully, we stumbled across this site!
I was hoping by providing my zip code you may be able to point us in the right direction as to what retailer we could visit and which king size might be a close match.[/quote]
Certainly! Supply your zip code and Iāll do my best. While you wonāt necessarily want to match the specifications of what you slept upon (as those materials tend to be lower quality in both the Serta and the contract bedding commonly used in hotels), you can use the guidance of a knowledgeable local retailer or manufacturer to approximate (using higher quality componentry) the comfort of the item you tried at the Hampton Inn.
Iām very meticulous when it comes to choosing the foam mattresses
thatās why I used to visit a lot of online review sites before purchasing what brand will fits my taste.
Your post linked to a mattress promotional web site (and a poor one at that), which is a violation of the rules of the forum . Please abide by the forum rules or this will cause your posting privileges to be terminated and your account to be banned from the forum.
Phoenix: Some time ago you suggested Midwest Mattress as a possible source. They were helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and what they did not know they found out. I ended up with a bed that is working well, and got the mattress underground discount to boot. Frankly, with some of what I consider subtle (but meaningful) differences between the beds when I tried them, I donāt know how ordering online could possibly work for me. This did. Many thanks.
Congratulations on your new mattress! :lol: Iām glad youāre enjoying it and I hope to hear back from you in the future after youāve had a chance to sleep on it for a while longer.
One of the advantages of trying mattresses locally is that you can try many different types and styles and combinations of materials and components and firmness levels and compare them to each other in āreal timeā based on your actual experience rather than just ātheoryā instead of trying one online mattress at a time and not knowing how it compares to the other mattresses that you could have tried or purchased instead. Many people are more sensitive to subtle differences in layering combinations, so a local visit quite often is their best choice, as in your case.
Thank you so much for great informations. Your post is a very long post so it took me awhile to read all of them. I didnāt expect there would be many to consider when it come to mattress.
New member here. I have to admit that I hate the idea of shopping for a mattress, but I am very glad to have come across your site. We are apparently very fortunate to live near Yankee Mattress Factory and, once armed with information from your site, we will venture out to one of its showrooms. Thanks for being there for the rest of us!