Hi mnmeater,
As you can see from post #4 here and post #14 here and this video … I would put much more emphasis on knowing what was inside the mattress than I would on reviews which is not a good way to evaluate the quality, value, or suitability of a mattress for your specific needs and preferences.
The first part of post #2 here talks about some of the ways that can accommodate needs and preferences that are very different but much more important than “theory” is to connect with people who have the knowledge and experience to give you good help and guidance … and if you are looking locally … good and objective mattress testing for PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences).
A topper can be a good idea in some circumstances but it would be a good idea to test the specific combination of a mattress and topper because choosing a topper that you haven’t tried in combination with the specific mattress you own can be almost as challenging as buying a mattress.
If you have done some good local testing so that you have a good idea of the types of mattresses you prefer and do best with … then online choices like the Ultimate Dreams can be a good option and like all the members here they are great quality and value but in your circumstances where buying a suitable mattress would be much more important than cost alone … I would probably lean towards one of the models where you can exchange the comfort layer or have other options to make adjustments in case you make a mistake in your comfort choice. When your circumstances are more challenging … the best possible balance between pressure relief and alignment is particularly important and having some options after the sale can be an important part of value.
Phoenix