Review of the Ultimate Dreams mattress

[phoenix]

Hi EJ43,

First I have to say, thank you so much for creating such an amazing resource, Phoenix. Without this website, I would almost certainly have ended up getting a very cheap, low quality mattress from Ikea or Sam’s Club, rather than a mattress that I can enjoy sleeping on for quite some time. This website has simply been amazing for learning about the mattress purchasing process.

I’m glad you found us and welcome … and thanks for the kind comments

I do still have a few questions. My wife and I are both decently light (we’re both around 5’10", 150lbs). I am almost strictly a side sleeper (95+% of the time), and she is mostly a side sleeper (75+% of the time) although she moves around a fair amount. Given that, we will want to tend towards a less firm comfort layer, right?

Yes … your body types and sleeping positions would point to comfort layers in the softer range “on average”.

Aside from testing mattresses in a store, the best option for us is to communicate with the manufacturer directly (“Ask Chuck”)?

Yes … the better the information you can provide them about your body types, sleeping styles, preferences, and the mattresses that you have tested or slept on and liked the more you will help them to help you make the best possible comfort choice. While nobody else can “feel what you feel” … like most good manufacturers they have more knowledge about and experience with their own mattresses and can draw from a much wider range of their customers’ experiences and feedback to help you than anyone else. As you’ve probably seen from their feedback they also have a great track record of helping their customers make good choices. I would personally have this type of conversation on the phone because it’s more “interactive” and you can read “tones” better than written communications so I’ve always believed that voice communications for this type of guidance are more effective than written communications but of course different people may have different preferences.

I also want to make sure I have the TMU discount information right. Since I’m ordering a mattress from DreamFoam (rather than the “sister” company BrooklynBedding I can’t get a 5% discount, but I can get a free pillow if I select the option to have my order fulfilled by DreamFoam Bedding ($599.99 with free shipping right now) rather than Amazon and give them my TMU username? If I do that, do you (Phoenix) get a referral from that or do I need to do anything for you to get a referral?

Yes … all you have to do is let them know you are a member here and you will receive the pillow bonus (as long as they are the ones fulfilling the order as you mentioned). They keep track of the forum members that have told them they are a member for the referral fees so there is nothing else that you need to do for this … but thanks for asking

We have a queen size Ikea HEMNES bed frame with the Luroy slatted bed base. I am wondering if that is sufficient, or will we need some kind of bed base? Is it reasonable for us to try the mattress initially without an additional bed base / bed frame underneath the mattress? I’m assuming it makes sense for us to try that first, at least, but I want to make sure.

Yes … the Hemnes and the Luroy combination should be fine (as long as you have the midbeam). You could try the mattress without your bedframe directly on the floor (in the short term) just to see if there is any difference between a completely non flexing support surface and the Luroy (since the Luroy has a little bit of flex) but it shouldn’t be necessary to use something else unless having the mattress directly on the floor is a clear improvement that makes a significant difference for you (which is unlikely).

Finally, I’m wondering about mattress protectors. I guess I’m wondering, do you have to have them? Since we don’t eat or drink anything other than water on our bed, do we still need a mattress protector?

I would always use a mattress protector on any mattress yes to protect your mattress from the the normal body fluids and skin cells that you release each night (that can contribute to dust mites as well), to protect against any accidents that may happen over time, and to keep your sleeping surface in a clean and hygienic condition. It will also protect your warranty which is normally voided if the mattress is stained. It’s much easier to clean a mattress protector than the mattress cover.

There is more about the different types of mattress protectors and the pros and cons of each in post #89 here. The one they sell (one of the thin membrane types of protectors) works well for most people.

Phoenix