Hello! I found your site and have felt like I studied enough for a college course with all the information but now I feel overwhelmed. Here’s the deal…We are on our second year of a 10K sleep number M7 bed. I now sleep on the stool in our room because I literally can’t walk when I wake up in the morning, Bed is set at 100. We just got back from our 3rd vacation this year and every trip we don’t wake up sore. I thought maybe the mattress was going bad so I took it apart and was shocked to see what was on the inside!! two cheap air mattresses and a cheap piece of foam. We decided after our last vacation that it time to get a new mattress. Here’s the thing, I know everyone is different and I THINK it’s the memory foam our bodies don’t like. ( FYI- we are are 48 years old very active, play tennis, workout, eat well, see chiropractors etc.) I was going to get a Temperpedic mattress and laying on them I feel ike I need to use muscle just to turn over. So I have taken memory foam off my list. I do know I sleep better on a FIRMER mattress.
I went to Denver Mattress and narrowed down to Aireloom and Stearns and Foster. Came home to do detailed info gathering and the mattress in the store are not even on AIRELOOMS website. I go on to google and find out that those in store are “less than” what they sell online. I want to buy the ones online but not for sale in Arkansas. I also like buying in store gives 90 day return but I still don’t want a less than their best product at this point. Thoughts on how to proceed or reviews of either mattress? Thanks!
Hi Lindsay and welcome to the mattress underground.
You’re absolutely right to feel overwhelmed, mattress shopping today can feel like navigating a maze, especially after the kind of in-depth research you’ve already done.
Based on what you’ve described, it sounds like your discomfort stems largely from the combination of memory foam and the air system in your Sleep Number M7. Setting the bed to 100 means it’s fully inflated, which creates a very firm and unforgiving surface with minimal pressure relief. When you pair that with aging or lower-density memory foam, it’s no surprise you’re waking up in pain. The fact that you feel fine sleeping on hotel beds during vacations suggests that your body prefers a simpler, firmer, more supportive sleep surface, likely a traditional innerspring or hybrid model without memory foam. While I have nothing again air number beds, choosing the right one is critical if going in that direction. SN does offer a dual chamber, one single chamber for each sleeper. This can sometimes make the displacement of air when sleeping on the mattress a bit unpredictable. Mattresses like, Isleep, Isense, Airpedic and Nautica Sleep offer tri chamber adjustments for each sleeper which offers more precise and targeted relief. And companies like @PersonalComfort offer better quality blatter systems to work better with adjustable bases and use edge to edge sleep design rather than a foam encased edge support that can break down and fail over time here is a video that talks about the differences.
Ok, so you have done some homework and identifed what works and what doesn’t: you don’t want memory foam, you prefer firmer support, you like the option to test beds in person with a return window, and you want to be sure you’re not being sold a watered-down version of a premium product.
This is where the issue with Aireloom comes in. Aireloom makes some excellent handcrafted mattresses, but they manufacture different tiers, premium flagship models that are often only available online or in high-end stores, and more affordable versions made specifically for retail chains like Denver Mattress. These in-store versions can look similar but often have downgraded materials such as cheaper foam or lighter-gauge coils. On the other hand, Aireloom is known for its plush, luxurious feel, so even their firm models might feel too soft or enveloping for someone who prefers a very supportive surface. I happen to be an advocate of edge to edge coil designed mattresses. Here is a video that speaks to the differences and what it means to you.
Of the choices you mentioned, Stearns & Foster may be a better fit, especially if you focus on their Estate or Lux Estate collections in a firm or cushion firm option. These models are more consistent across retailers and tend to offer strong innerspring support with good edge reinforcement. However, you’ll need to check each model carefully, because some of them include memory foam, particularly what they call Indulge Memory Foam, which could be the very thing your body is rejecting. I caution about some of these so called “Legacy” brands. In today’s world many of these former renown and beloved brands have consolidated into bigger conglomerates. What once was Tempur/Sealy who owns S&F, is now Somnigroup, now that is has acquired Mattress Firm. Many will suggest their focus has shifted to prioritizing a marketing and profit model, substituting more economically based materials, hidden behind a lack of transparency (not listing foam densities, spring gauges and so on) to make comparisons and longevity predictability more difficult.
If you like how these beds feel in the store, ask for the model name and a breakdown of the materials so you know exactly what you’re getting. If they will even be able to give that to you.
If you feel limited by what’s available in Arkansas stores, it may be worth considering a reputable direct-to-consumer brand. Brookyn Bedding for instance, makes a hybrid mattress that many compare to high-end hotel beds. Their Firm models are especially well-regarded by people who are active, dislike viscoelastic memory foam, and need consistent back support. There are mattresses such as the @DLX premier hybrid that feature a feel similar to the S&F Estate and Lux Estate, minus the VE memory foam, using higher density foams that offer longevity and durability. While DLX is not the only company that can exceed the quality materials of S&F it is an example of a mattress you can buy online with a great reputation, unmatched “no hard feelings” policy and a commitment to personal satisfaction whose team guide you through the purchasing process and recognize you are a real live sleeper rather than a number in a line of many.
Another option you can take, is to revisit Denver Mattress and wherever you tried those beds and get specific model names and materials. Ask whether they are part of Aireloom’s Preferred Collection or a retail-exclusive line. For Stearns & Foster, confirm whether the one you liked contains memory foam and which firmness level it’s rated as. Make sure any purchase comes with a full return window and avoid restocking fees. If local retailers can’t give you the quality you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to buy online from a reputable brand with a good return policy. It is common for most folks to charge a nominal return fee. I feel under $200 is reasonable, given you get to trial (or effectively rent) their mattress for around 3 months) while others will not charge anything. If you approach this by collaboration with a reputable store or on line manufacturer with experiences mattress experts to guide you, the idea of needing to return or exchange a mattress may not be something you need to worry about, but it is a good safety net, non the less.
Hopefully, this gives you a little food for thought.
Maverick
Lindsay,
A lot of regional sellers like Denver Mattress will sell rebadged Airelooms. Rebadged means they might take the Aireloom Preferred Luxetop M1 Firm and rename it as “Amargosa Luxetop Firm”. Out here in California at Ortho Mattress, they call it the “Chester Firm”.
You can take a photo of the Aireloom specs and compare it to those on the Aireloom website. Or you can talk to Richard (on youtube) at Aireloom Mattress Reviews. He knows all of the rebadged names.
I think the Aireloom M1 Firm feels phenomenal!
Best wishes,
John
Wow what great information! Thank you for taking the time to detail all of the above. It gives me a direction to move and narrows down the information I need to focus on. I will do more digging and come back if/when I have questions. Thank you Thank you!
Thank you! The Aireloom name in Arkansas at Denver Mattress is called Lido Streamline and the Luxetop M1 plush---- the sales rep says is called Avila Luxetop Plush.
Lindsay,
Streamline is awesome too! It comes in Extra Firm, Luxury Firm, and Firm. For whatever reason, Firm was hard to find.
I was about to buy Streamline Firm myself, but opted to go with Back Science 2.
John
Lindsay,
Luxetop Preferred comees in M1/M2 in Firm/Plush (4 mattresses).
M1/M2 refers to number of layers of microcoils. Most peopls think “more is better”, but not always.
Firm/Plush refers to spring strength. Firm is 13.75 gauge.
I did try out M1 Firm vs a $37k ViSpring and liked Aireloom better. Why? Softer latex comfort layer. ViSpring was too hard feeling, Go figure!
John
Lindsay,
Why are mattresses rebadged? So consumers can not price check for comparable mattresses.
John
I need up going with Back Science series 2. After reviews and the 365 return adjustment option it seemed like a great choice. Did the top split king ( which we have and utilize often) they said that if my husband wanted something softer they could adjust his side only. I keep reading their customer service it top notch also. John, how are you liking yours so far?
I think you will be very happy, they are good people, and their mattress system is excellent too. Just keep in touch with them with any issues or questions. They will want to make it a partnership to get you on the right path of a great nights sleep.
@BackScience
Lindsay,
My BS2 ended up being a good bit firmer than the in store model. Im at month 5 and it has softened a bit. When I tried BS3 on my back….it felt a bit too soft. BS3 is heaven for side sleeping….so plush
BS2 is definitely a luxury firm for sure!
John
Lindsay,
You might want to ask about BS2 vs BS3 before you finalize your order. I guess there is BS4 also.
John
When I called they asked me a few questions and suggested the series 2. I asked about the “series 4” but they said it was a new offering they were testing but that it had memory foam and so I immediately didn’t want to consider that one.
As someone who has a stearns and foster for nearly 10 years, we loved it. We have since downsized and tried their luxe estate and returned it, they are not made how they use to be.