Prana or Tempur-pedic

[phoenix]

Hi hersplash,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

I bought a Prana Samadhi 4 Queen almost 5 years ago for my adjustable bed. It was fine in the beginning but developed deep impressions after only a few years. It has been unbearable for the last 2. The company determined it was defective after having significant bumps

I’m sorry that your Prana mattress isn’t working out well for you.

Oddly the significant bump they found is not where I sleep. Furthermore, I only weigh 100 pounds so it seems strange that I could make such an impact. However, a sales person said heavier people create less impressions because their weight is more distributed. Is that true?

I can’t see your mattress so I can’t speak to what was deemed a “defect” in the product or speculate why that may have happened. And using a power foundation could have caused some issues within the product as well.

Lower density foams will tend to be less durable, regardless of weight, but people with a higher mass will tend to “wear out” materials faster with more mechanical stress than someone with less mass. If someone is smaller and only sleeps in one area of a mattress, you may notice more readily any resulting body impressions or phantom/virtual body impressions, versus someone who was so large that they used the entire mattress at once (which would be a rather large individual) or someone who was a “traveler” and used the entire mattress every night, but…I wouldn’t agree with your salesperson on that particular statement (mass and area covered aren’t necessarily related).

I now have a credit of $4699 at the store. I do not need the base, just the mattress. I tried out and liked the Prana Super Vinyasa 5 Super Plush. That would be $4099.

This mattress uses a 6" Talalay latex core, on top of which is 3" of Talalay latex and 3" of polyfoam. The blend of the latex is not provided (although it is alluded to on the Prana web site that it is 100% NR), and there is no information provide about the density of the polyfoam, which would be important to know. This mattress is somewhat similar in design to your old mattress, but not exactly the same. I would always make sure that you find out the information listed here so you can compare the quality of the materials and components to the durability guidelines here to make sure there are no lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress that would be a cause for concern relative to the durability and useful life of a mattress before making any purchase.

But I also liked the Tempur-pedic Flex Supreme Breeze Plush at $3799.

This obviously is a different style of mattress from your current latex product. The Flex Supreme Breeze uses a pocketed coil innerspring unit, on top of which is 2.5" of 1.6 lb polyfoam, 1" of 5.3 lb Tempur memory foam and 2" of 4 lb Tempur memory foam. This mattress is adjustable bed friendly. For your mass, there would be no concerns with the density of any of these materials, but I would advise caution for those in a slightly higher with range with the 2.5" of 1.6 lb polyfoam and the 2" of 4 lb memory foam…

I don’t recall trying out all the Tempur-pedics so I was going to go back and try the Countour Rhapsody Luxe, Countour Elite Breeze and Flex Supreme Breeze (no plush) just because they are higher price points.

While you have a rather larger credit to work with at this store, make sure to choose any product based upon the quality of componentry and the appropriateness for your sleeping style and personal preferences, and not only trying to use all of the credit you have available. I don’t think this is the case, but I wanted to mention it just to be sure.

Also, I did really like the Serta Icomfort Savant 3 Plush but at $1774 but I would be leaving close to $3000 on the table.

I’d advise caution with selecting this particular model and make sure that you find out (if possible) all of the specifications of the layers contained within that mattress. The major brands such as Sealy/Stearns & Foster, Simmons, and Serta all tend to use lower quality and less durable materials in their mattresses that will tend to soften or break down prematurely relative to the price you pay which is why I would generally suggest avoiding all of them completely regardless of how they may feel in a showroom along with any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the type and quality/durability of the materials inside it (see the guidelines here along with post #3 here and post #12 here and post #404 here).

And no, they won’t let me buy 2 or 3. I asked

Nice try! :lol: At least they are offering you the choice of other items, instead of simply sending you out a replacement of the same mattress.

I use the adjustable bed all day long with the back raised, so one of my concerns again is the impressions. Also, I often use a heating pad on my back, which I’ve heard is not good for the Tempur-pedic.

You are correct, Tempurpedic does not recommend the use of a heating pad with their products.

I am a side sleeper, have many back problems and Fibromyalgia. Currently my knees seems to get stuck in the dips and I wake up in pain.

Nothing can replace your own personal testing, as you do have some specific health considerations. You’d obviously want to consider something that allows for enough surface comfort while sleeping upon your side and also assists with pressure point relief, while still overall being resilient enough and provide enough support while both sleeping and seated. Your knees waking up in dips may be due to the product being too soft overall on top or the foams being lower in density and not as durable as you require.

I am very nervous about this decision because I don’t think I’d get the trial period. I’m hoping you could offer any advice.

I can certainly help with “how” to choose. However, it’s not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for a mattress or combinations of materials or components because the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences (especially with your back problems and Fibromyalgia) involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, or PPP or how a mattress will “feel” to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress), sleeping positions, health conditions, or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more reliable than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).

While I already provided some links about what information to find about any mattress you might be considering, along with durability guidelines to rate those specifications, the next thing I’d recommend you review is the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice for your mattress exchange.

Two of the most important links in the tutorial are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP, and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.

I’ll be interested in learning about our next visit to your retailer, and any other information you’re able to find about any potential mattresses you’re considering.

Phoenix