I’m mattress hunting and I’ve narrowed it down to this mattress but I’m worried that I might be able to find the same mattress somewhere else for less money:
How can I work this out?
Hi sleeppain,
As you probably know the major brands sell the same mattress models (with some small and insignificant changes in some cases) under many different names to different stores to make it more difficult to compare prices for the same mattress in the same area.
There is more information in post #9 here about the different ways that one mattress can “match” or “approximate” another one. Every layer and component in a mattress (including the cover and any quilting materials) will affect the feel and performance of every other layer and component and the mattress “as a whole” so the only way to know whether another mattress is the same would be to find out the specifics of the materials and components inside it and make sure that it uses exactly the same type of materials, components, cover and quilting, layer thicknesses, layer firmnesses, and overall design.
I would also be very cautious because many stores will tell you that one of their mattresses is “the same” as the mattress you are considering but in many cases they may just be trying to sell you a different mattress at a lower cost and if you compared the materials and components inside it you would find that it isn’t the same at all.
Much more important than trying to find other “matching” mattresses though … I would keep in mind that the major brands such as Sealy/Stearns & Foster, Simmons, and Serta all tend to use lower quality 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 (and 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).
Avoiding the major brands completely will simplify your research as well since you won’t have to go through the time and frustration involved to try and find out the information you need to make an informed choice (see this article) only to find that it isn’t available to you anyway.
I’m not sure what you’ve read since you found the site but just in case you haven’t read it yet … 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 … 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.
If you let me know your city or zip code I’d be happy to let you know about the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in your area.
Phoenix