Hi jtmcgann,
You’ve done very well if you have a mattress that has lasted you for 20 years although they certainly don’t make the same quality mattresses as they used to any more.
[quote]I am looking for an inner spring mattress as that is what I am most comfortable with. However I may look to a hybrid as I do get hot at night and it seems like the hybrids help with cooling. I am about 200lbs and sleep on my side then flip to back. My partner is 150 and sleeps on back. We both get up frequently at night and I want something that will not disturb the other. We are looking for something that is plush yet firm and trying to keep to a $1,500 or less budget.
Any advice on which manufacturer I should head to? Or even a model that would fit our needs. Thanks in advance. I am excited about finally making a mattress purchase that will satisfy two frustrated sleepers.[/quote]
As you probably know from reading the tutorial … while I can certainly help with “how” to choose … It’s not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for either a mattress, manufacturers/retailers, 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. There are just too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences 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).
It’s good to see that you’ve read the tutorial which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that you will need to make the best possible choice … and perhaps most importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones … but two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for 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 compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
I’m not sure where you are in New Jersey but the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in and around the Monroe Township/Newark, NJ areas (subject to making sure that any mattress you are considering is completely transparent and meets the quality/value guidelines I linked earlier in this reply) are listed in post #7 here.
There is also a list for the New York City area (with a fair bit of overlap) in post #2 here.
Phoenix