How to look for and find the best mattress ... for YOU! ***READ FIRST***

[phoenix]

Hi Sarkin.

Welcome to our Mattress Forum!

Judging from the content I’ve found on the site, I’m guessing that the admin would say that both of these choices are well-constructed mattresses from reputable companies. So, what I need help with is comparing and contrasting them.
…The Zenhaven is an inch taller, has the two-sided functionality and some type of comfort zoning, uses talalay latex, and has a longer/better warranty. The Pure Green uses dunlop latex and its price is significantly lower. Here are my questions:

You are correct, both of the mattresses you are considering are good quality/value choices but of course there are also differences between them that could make one more attractive than the other depending on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.

Zoning systems of various types can sometimes be useful and worth considering for people that have more difficulty finding a mattress with the right “balance” between comfort/pressure relief (under the shoulders especially) and support/alignment (under the hips/pelvis especially) or who have more challenging circumstances or sensitivities, body types that are more difficult to “match” to a mattress, more complex medical issues, or who have a history of having more difficulty in finding a mattress that works well for them. There is more about zoning in this article and in post #11 here and the additional posts it links to but once again the only way to know whether any specific mattress (zoned or otherwise) will be a good “match” for you in terms of PPP will be based on your own careful testing and/or your own personal experience.

1.) Are there any other differences between the two mattresses that I’m missing?

The biggest difference is in the design/construction, with the Zenhaven using a core of two 3" pieces of N3 and N4 Talalay, topped by 1.5" of Talalay above the N4 layer and 1.5" of N1 Talalay above the N3 layer. Both of the 1.5" layers are also zoned. Overall, most of the feedback I’ve received from this product rate it as a firmer overall feel, regardless of the side being used, and it would have a different feel than the Sleep on Latex although any difference in design and materials can be cumulative and will also affect how closely any two mattresses compare in terms of “feel” and performance and how well they match your specific needs and preferences.

Sleep on Latex Pure Green Latex Mattress (9" thickness) is more customizable if the initial firmness choice is not quite right and it has 3 firmness choices (Soft, Medium, Firm). The layers are 2" (NR) Dunlop Latex (Soft, Medium, Firm) comfort layer 6" (NR) Latex support layer, Heavy duty Zipper encasement hidden under the bottom edge of the mattress. Sleep on Latex is very “consumer-centric” and takes consumer feedback into account … as Dunlop has a firmer feel than Talalay of the same ILD they recently transitioned to a slightly softer version of Dunlop to accommodate the consumer “need” for more plushness. (Also if you decide that you like the feel of Talalay better than you can always call Sleep On Latex to accommodate this preference). Pure Green is also side by side customizable for different comforts on the left and right side, as well as choices of Dunlop or Talalay latex.

2.) I think I have a basic sense of the difference between the two kinds of latex, but descriptions of dunlop latex typically talk about how it’s prone to problems if it’s low-quality. I’m assuming that anything that makes this site’s quality manufacturers list would not have that problem. So, if both the dunlop and talalay latex used are high-quality, what’s the difference?

Latex, in general, is the most durable of all the foam materials (latex foam, memory foam, polyfoam) regardless of whether it is Dunlop or Talalay or is made from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a blend of both. You can peruse post #6 here to learn more about the different types and blends of latex in but the choice between different types and blends of latex is more of a preference and budget choice than a “better/worse” choice.

Dunlop has a different “feel” and performance than Talalay and is less lively or springy. You can see a comparison between them in post #7 here but your own experience is really the only way to know which one you prefer with any certainty. Some people would notice more of a difference than others with transition or support layers that used each material if the top layers were the same type of latex because you will “feel” more of the upper layers than the deeper layers … at least when you first lie on a mattress.)

It is worth adding that all latex you are likely to encounter (synthetic, all natural, or blended) is “safe” and has been tested for VOC’s and harmful substances to the same or very similar standards such as Oeko-Tex standard 100

. 3.) How might each of these mattresses differ feel-wise from the DreamFoam mattress? I’m guessing that both of these options will be an upgrade in terms of construction/materials, but I’m curious about what going from the hybrid to an all-latex mattress will be like.

Every design and choice of layers or materials will affect both the feel and performance of a mattress yes because every layer of a mattress contributes to it’s performance and “feel” in combination with every other layer and component … including the cover and quilting.

As you can see in post #2 here I can only speak to the quality and value of a mattress because there are too many variables and unknowns to know with any certainty which design and feel would be most suitable for you based on “theory at a distance”. There could also be several mattresses that may have different designs but work equally well in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences). I am not very sure which version of the UD you own… but Dreamfoam has two links on Amazon for UD Natural Latex and UD Latex. Depending on the one you own the
UD Natural Latex is described as having a 2lb density HD Poly base foam and UD Latex does not have the density of the support layer listed, but I would guess it is the more inexpensive version built with a lower density HD polyfoam which would have an impact on durability especially for heavier weight ranges and has the Blended Talalay Latex in the comfort layer.

As it stands, I’m leaning toward the Pure Green mattress because the price is so much lower and the features I’m losing (height, better warranty, two-sided/zoning features) are worth some money to me but not $800. But maybe there are additional differences between the two that I’m missing that would close that value gap.

While I don’t recommend specific mattresses (that always best left to your own personal testing or on more detailed conversations with a manufacturer who knows more about their mattresses than anyone) … Sleep On Latex is one of our Trusted Members of this site and like all the members here I think very highly of and consider them to be among the “best of the best” in the industry, which means that I believe they are among the best quality/value available … no matter which mattress you choose. When considering any purchase I would keep in mind though that the suitability of a mattress and it’s quality are completely different and even if you choose the best quality mattress available it may not be suitable for your specific needs and preferences which means it would have little value to you.

Your final choice would of course entirely dependent on which of your criteria are the most important parts of your personal value equation. Following the steps in post #1 here is the most effective way I know to narrow down your options.

Good luck with your choice and I’ll be interested to learn of your eventual decisions.

Phoenix