Hi Mama1989,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround Forum and thank you for the question and becoming an affectionately known “MUGster.”
You have definitely come to the right place. The Mattress UnderGround is dedicated to helping confused sleepers make better decisions when perusing their mattress purchase.
A key concept when searching for a mattress is to understand your PPP’s (Posture & Alignment, Pressure Relief, and Personal Preferences).
Based on the information provided, you would be considered plus-sized sleepers, which means you’ll need a mattress that offers exceptional support. For those new to mattress shopping, it’s helpful to understand that mattress design generally consists of three primary components: the support layer, comfort layer, and cover or panel layer. Each of these layers plays an important role in ensuring the mattress provides the right balance of comfort and support for a restful night’s sleep.
While it might seem a bit daunting to rearrange a layer or two in a mattress, there’s no need to worry about going down that path if you choose to. In most cases, it’s a simple process that only requires minor adjustments, if any at all. One of the great benefits of working with the Trusted Members here at TMU is that their collaboration with sleepers or couples consistently results in a success rate of over 90%, so you can be confident you’re in good hands. Furthermore, the customized services they offer don’t come with the high costs typically associated with such options. And yes, there are some great on-line BiB options out there too that are capable of meeting those requirements, without the worry about having to delve into swapping layers or minor modifications. So, success can be achieved both ways provided you scrutinize the materials, layers, foams, and springs being chosen for the mattress you select.
Some of the options you have mentioned.
- Latex Hybrid: This could be a great choice! Latex mattresses are known for their durability, responsiveness, and excellent pressure relief, especially for side sleepers. A hybrid (with coils) will give you extra support, which is important for your combined weight. They tend to have a slightly bouncier feel, which could be great for preventing the mattress from sinking too much under your weight.
- Firmness: Since you were considering the Big Fig (which is very firm), it’s good to hear that you’re rethinking it. If you’re looking for something a bit softer but still supportive, a medium-firm latex hybrid could work really well for both of you.
- Latex Mattress Layers: If you were thinking about adding a latex topper to a firmer mattress, that’s definitely an option, but a latex hybrid could simply provide the right balance of firmness and comfort without needing extra layers. Although a topper does have its place in a mattress system.
There are different philosophies on how to use a topper. I am a big fan of toppers. A mattress topper can serve in the important role of absorbing the initial impact of your body weight, providing an additional layer of cushioning and comfort. This helps reduce the strain on the base mattress, potentially extending its lifespan by preventing premature wear and sagging. If the topper begins to wear out over time or if your comfort preferences change, you can simply replace the topper rather than investing in a whole new mattress, offering a cost-effective solution for maintaining a comfortable sleep experience. Others might suggest that “why would you need a topper if the mattress was made appropriately in the first place.” While there may be some logic to this, many very high end super expensive mattresses are actually designed around using a topper as a part of the build and construction process.
When looking at mattress options, there are many companies out there that offer fancy marketing, and is some cases are just that, “marketing companies” posing as mattress manufacturers, using lower quality foams, and the components are made in numerous random factories overseas, often with varying levels of quality control, resulting in a mattress model that might feel one way in one showroom, and quite different in another, and yet again differently when you get it home. So a word of caution on these types of foreign made mattress options. Mattress brands such as Millbrook, ViSpring, Savoir, and some better known hand made brands made or designed overseas, offer a different level of engineering and quality, so they would certainly be excluded from that foreign made mattress caution.
When considering memory foam mattresses, we recommend that the foam density should be at least 3 lbs, with the ideal range being 4 to 5 lbs. For HD polyfoams, the minimum density should be 1.8 lbs, and for plus-sized sleepers, a higher density may be preferable. While you might find base layers with 1.5 lb density under the spring support system, this is still considered acceptable.
Spring gauges are a more nuanced component. Generally, a thicker gauge, especially in the plus-sized mattress market, indicates a firmer mattress designed to offer stronger support. You will typically find gauges in the mid-12g to high-13g range. However, the overall construction is the most important factor when choosing a mattress.
For those who prefer the buoyant and supportive feel of latex, all-latex options with the right density and ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) measurements can provide excellent support and balance for plus-sized sleepers, or any sleeper, for that matter.
It’s also important to avoid mattresses with more than 1.5" of lower-quality foams. As the saying goes, “A mattress is only as good as its weakest layer.” Your experience with the Nectar mattress highlights this concept—one bad layer or component, whether in the mattress or the foundation, can cause the entire mattress to deteriorate quickly.
Remember, when purchasing a mattress, you are not just buying for comfort alone. The foundation is a key element that you should not skimp on. Additionally, pillow selection plays a major role in creating a comfortable sleep environment. As your mattress gets firmer, side sleepers, in particular, will need a higher loft pillow to keep the neck, head, and spine properly aligned. The same principles apply for back and stomach sleepers as well.
he Big Fig you mentioned is a popular choice in the marketplace, but many online reviews indicate that side sleepers find it uncomfortable. While it is marketed for plus-sized sleepers, back and stomach sleepers generally seem to fare better than those who occasionally sleep on their side.
Among other plus-sized mattress options, the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe, Titan Plus, Helix Plus, and Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus are better choices from the Bed-in-a-Box (BiB) category. These mattresses feature firm support with 13.5g springs and offer various comfort layers to suit back, stomach, and combination sleepers. These options provide a straightforward ordering process without the need to swap out layers.
However, the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe does have a unique feature: it can be flipped, with one side offering a firmness of approximately ~9/10 and the other around ~8/10, allowing you to choose the level of firmness that suits you best.
When it comes to some of the Trusted Members here, in your price range, @DLX, @EngineeredSleep, @BackScience and @any of our latex manufacturers such as @Arizona_Premium, @Latex_Mattress_Fact1, @Sleep_EZ, can create a suitable mattress if the feel of latex strikes your comfort level as they are all capable of creating any feel and comfort you prefer and keep you within your budget.
Although, it may seem like a confusing proposition, with a bit of help you can quickly narrow your choices down to a select few. I know it doesnt seem that way after this lengthy post. I started the process of selecting a new mattress about 3 years ago, although my budget was quite a bit more than yours, I actually ended up with a mattress below your budget. It was a long story how I got there, but through careful thought and the process of elimination, the result will come more quickly than you think.
All the best and we are here to answer any very targeted questions,
Maverick