Hey everyone,
I am in the process of getting a new mattress and have been doing a lot of research on this and other websites. I am looking to get a good quality, durable mattress, ideally for $1500 or less. Based upon research I did, and to make my own decision making process easier, I decided to search for mattresses with basic components (rather than mattresses that include everything plus the kitchen sink–which makes it hard to differentiate what it is that I like in the feel or quality of a mattress. Based on the availability of reputable online retailers, as a counterpoint to what is availsable in mattress stores I decided to focus on foam hybrid mattresses, rather than traditional inner-springs.
I tried out various mattresses in different box stores to get a sense for the feel that I like and to get a sense of mattress components. I found three more expensive mattresses that had the ideal feel for me, and based on resaerch from this site seemed to be well constructed with good material.
I really liked Natura latex mattresses. There were several varieties, but my favourite had 2 inches of talalay (soft) over 4" talalay medium over a 6" firm latex core (2lb density I believe). I also really liked another hybrid version with a 6" polyfoam core. I had a great visit to Dormio mattresses in Toronto (where I live). There were several configurations there (basically layered–from plush, to medium to firm core.) My favourite mattress there had a 5"soft comfort layer mixed with latex and 1"wool) on a firm 6" latex. It fit perfectly. Finally I also found the Tempurpedic Cloud Supreme comfortable (though not as much as the latex hybrids). These options were out of my price range but I figured I would use that as a base to search out any more affordable options. I have several options–none perfect-- but many pretty good I think, and I am hoping that people on this site can give me some advice as to how best to make a final decision–I have one or more concerns with each option so please help me evaluate. I really want to finish this process soon.
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Dreamstar Natural Escape Plush: This is a Latex Hybrid bed with fairly strong specs. Quilted wool cover under 1". 1"“natural” memory gel foam, over 3" zoned Talalay latex at 30ILD, over a 6 inch polyfoam core (soy based) 1.8lb, over a semi flex foundation. I slept on the firmer version which has an extra inch of latex and no gel, and a firmer core, and it was too firm for me, and weirdly felt hot. Specs sound good, all natural apparently, but i have some concerns.
Cons: The mattress felt fairly comfortable, I am not a huge fan of gel (apparently it can be removed and replaced with more latex) but it did seem to help soften the mattress a little. The big question mark I have is that they only carry one grade of latex at 30 ILD. So the base support foam is changed to alter the firmness of the mattress. Just intuitively this seems wrong–in any structure the firmest level should be the base–it seems a strange way to change the comfort feel of a mattress. I know from early testing that I like the feel of soft on firm–this almost seems like firmer on soft–and I worry that the mattress will sag if firmness of the support layers is altered. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Plus why would they need a coil base-- no other foam hybrid mattresses seem to have coil frame bases. -
Brooklyn Bedding: So I considered online options from the beginning. I cannot test these in stores but they do have a 120 return guarantee. Unfortunately shipping charges apply co Canadians, but even so, value for product seems good. THere are two layers of latex above a firm core, and the comfort layer is 4". For the price, even with shipping, I think it is a good value and still within budget. Shipping is annoying and they only have a C+ with the better business bureau, based on one unresolved complaint. I like the layered–soft, med, firm feel, but I have been advised to go for a medium–I am 170 lbs backsleeper. Everything is ECo certified-- and this is certainly a pretty convenient option. My question is whether the uniform medium works for me–I like a soft comfort layer on medium support and firm foundation-- this seems more like medium on medium.
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Nestbedding Love Bed: very similar specs to Brookly Bedding–this has 3" of convoluted latex over a 7" core, with a 1" memory foam/wool topper. Seems like a good bed, gets glowing reviews from Sleepopolis and Sleepsherpa, and is mostly natural, non gassy. Company has a great reputation, and an A+ rating on from BBB, and is a member of the BBB and this site. They also give you a free teddy bear for buying the bed. Only downside is not as much of a comfort layer as Brooklyn. Again shipping to Canada is extra, and there are charges for disposal if you choose not to keep the bed. There is no option for layered thickness–though the quilted cover and foam might provide a bit of a softer comfort feel.
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Novosbed: one of my original thoughts before reading this forum. Their beds are similar in spec to Tempurpedics, and I found some Tempurs to be reasonably comfortable. They use 5lb density polyurethane and 1.8lb base polyfoam in all their beds. If I choose this option, shipping is free, and they offer cheap slat foundations to go with their beds. Everything is certipur approved. ALso nice to support a Canadian company. And they are accreddited by the BBB, and have an A+ rating. Still I prefer the feeling of layered latex to pure memory foam.
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Foamite: I visited this manufacturer in Toronto as one of my first visits. Again it was mostly out of my price range, and i found service to be a bit indifferent. based on my stats I filled online–they gave me an “ergo” number-- basically ILD, of 26 and showed me a bunch of products I could try. They claim everything is natural. I did try a “Koosh” bio gel bed–two sided, with a 2" Koosh firm core-- that was pretty comfy and just in my price range-- though I have never heard of this type of foam (maybe Kush- of which I have briefly heard–but cannot find any good info online as to it’s durability or suitability as a sleep surface.) They also offer a half Koosh/half latex bed–that is just under $2000–but it is only 6" with a 2" core (I have not seen that many two-sided beds–i understand they are probably better than 1 sided beds on the whole-- but is 2" of support really enough? And I tried a strata orthopedic bed–which is basically just a single piece of convoluted foam–in a medium firmness it felt quite good. Finally Foamite sells industrial surplus beds for between $500-900 CAD. These are basically 2 sided 8" “eco-cell” foam beds with 1" toppers on both sides. Phoenix, this basically means you are sleeping on the foam in the middle correct? The guy told me those beds will last 10 years, though I am a little skeptical. Still maybe I can get 3 years out of that sort of mattress? They do sell them to motels apparently. Most of Foamite stuff was too expensive, or with foams I am not familiar, though the “Koosh” foam is being used in chairs in Toronto’s biggest sports/concert stadium and in the airport-- so it cannot be totally uncomfortable. Other than unknown products, the big issue with Foamite is customer service. They get horrid reviews online, and i have heard some bad stories about indifference to customer complaints, which makes me really skeptical about purchasing from this company, even though they seem to have quality material. Plus they took days to respond to email follow ups, and were inconsistent about certain things. It states that delivery is free on the site, but in the store the guy said $175 for delivery. I can’t help but wonder what might happen if I do have a problem once I have paid them over $1000, so I think I will probably eliminate this option, unless someone can really speak up for these guys.
I will make one final store visit tomorrow to Ideal Mattresses (as I work in Missisauga) as I have heard some sterling things about these guys and they are mentioned on this site. But I plan to pull the trigger soon, so if anyone can enlighten me, or provide some guidance please go ahead. I think I have some good options–maybe no ideal options, but i am sure I will be satisfied with my final choice. After all the effort I have put in, I better be satisfied. haha. Please share any thoughts to guide me to making the best choice.
Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your help. :cheer:
-Nick