Hi Whitelotus,
“Best” really depends on how it is defined and the preferences of who is defining it but the choice between Talalay and Dunlop is really a preference choice not a better/worse. There are certainly some people who prefer the more resilient feel of Talalay over Dunlop and there are other whose preferences are the opposite way around.
This kind of “misinformation” or sometimes “disinformation” is fairly common in the industry and is the source of constant debate and questions but it is mostly related to “marketing” and what someone is selling.
There is more about the different types of latex in this article (which has a video of a Dunlop latex mattress that was in use for almost 50 years) and in post #6 here. There is also more about 100% natural Talalay vs blended talalay in post #2 here and as you can see the blended Talalay is more durable than the 100% natural Talalay at least in the softer ILD’s although some people prefer the 100% natural because they prefer its properties or that it has a higher natural rubber content for personal reasons. Even Latex International (who owns Pure Latex Bliss) readily acknowledges that blended Talalay can be more durable than the 100% natural version. There is also more about the differences in “feel” between Dunlop and Talalay in post #7 here.
Some of the better options and possibilities I’m aware of in the NYC region are listed in post #2 here and there is a more “categorized” list with more detailed descriptions of some of them in post #7 here. There are certainly latex options in your budget range in the area.
The tutorial post also includes a link to the members of the site that sell mattresses online and many of these make latex mattresses that include a wide range of features, designs (including 100% natural Talalay), prices, and return or exchange options that are well within your budget range.
Phoenix