Memory Foam Bed Alternatives - Feeling overwhelmed

[phoenix]

Hi arod33,

Actually, we are pretty evenly balanced in weight, and no one is near approaching the 250’s or higher, so I’m hoping that makes the slight concern over the 1.8lb density in the support foam less of an issue. I just happen to be pregnant, which pushes our total up a bit!

If both of you are in the lower 200’s or less then slightly lower quality/density materials could certainly be a more suitable choice in terms of durability and in that weight range I wouldn’t consider a 1.8 lb polyfoam base layer to be a weak link in a mattress.

Coil is not an option for me because I’ve never found a coil mattress that helped with my back problems, sciatic pain, etc. as much as memory foam. I’m just not willing to go back to coil. So yes, personal preference, although I’m a firm believer in memory foam.

I would keep in mind that an innerspring is primarily a support component (like the polyfoam that is used in more traditional memory foam mattresses) and memory foam can only be used as a comfort or transition layer because it’s too soft to be used as a support core in a mattress. Comparing support materials or components with comfort layers is really an “apples to oranges” comparison and is not particularly meaningful. There are mattresses available for example that use an innerspring (usually a pocket coil) support core and also have memory foam comfort and transition layers that would be more of an “apples to apples” comparison for those that prefer the more resilient feel of a pocket coil vs a polyfoam support core. Serta for example makes their iSeries line which uses a pocket coil support core and has memory foam in the comfort layers and also their iComfort line which uses a polyfoam support core and has memory foam in the comfort layers although I wouldn’t consider them as a purchase because they use too much lower quality/density materials in the upper layers of their mattresses. Tempurpedic also has a pocket coil/memory foam hybrid in addition to their more traditional memory foam mattresses.

There is more about primary or “deep” support and secondary or “surface” support and their relationship to firmness and pressure relief and the “roles” of different layers in a mattress in post #2 here and in post #4 here that may also be helpful in clarifying the difference between “support” and “pressure relief” and “feel”.

I agree with your thoughts on these mattresses! I will say positively, that the return process with Leesa so far has been very easy and their customer service is great. No problems there - if that helps anyone.

That’s great to hear

Ironically, last night we went back to another mattress store to see if any of my preferences had changed. I am totally over the Rhapsody Breeze - honestly I think there is something about all the Breeze models that I don’t like in that top layer of foam. I don’t know if its the different cooling technology, or what. If I had to get a Rhapsody, it would be the Rhapsody Luxe. The Contour Supreme was still a good fit, but I feel like I will have days where I just find it too firm - and my husband isn’t the biggest fan… Finally we ended up on the Cloud Supreme, which you compared to the Novosbed Aria. Now normally, I would have thought it was way too soft but despite the initial softer feel of the mattress - I felt the deeper support was really great!

There have certainly been many people that have also mentioned that the Rhapsody Breeze has a different feel and firmness compared to the Rhapsody Luxe and this is partly from the different properties of the gel memory foam layer and partly because they each have a different design with different layer thicknesses. The Tempurpedic website also describes it as being slightly firmer and less contouring than the Luxe as well.

I would also keep in mind that I have never slept on any of the Novosbed mattresses so I have no way of comparing them to any other mattress and I would always make sure that you talk with any online retailer or manufacturer before a purchase so that you can discuss both the similarities and any differences between one of their mattresses and a “target” mattress you are using as a reference point.

I’m happy to have found an option with Novosbed that I think will work. I really love their pricing, trial period and return options. We are planning to order the Aria shortly, and I’ll be sure to update on our thoughts regarding that mattress!

Assuming that you decide to pull the trigger … congratulations on your new mattress

Another sidenote, I’m going to pursue a warranty replacement on my old Rhapsody with TempurPedic and see where that goes. It shouldn’t be breaking down this quickly, and I’m hoping we can at least get that replaced for our guest room.

Tempurpedic has a .75" warranty exclusion so if your mattress has a visible impression that is more than that without any weight on the mattress (you can measure this by putting a string or straight edge over the impression and measuring how deep it is) and isn’t the result or any sagging in your support system and there are also no stains on the mattress then pursuing a warranty exchange would certainly be worthwhile.

I’m looking forward to your comments and feedback about your mattress once you’ve received it and have had the chance to try it out and about your warranty exchange as well.

Phoenix