Hi cassy13,
This would depend on what you mean by “comparable” but there is more about the different ways that one mattress can “match” another one in post #9 here.
There is also more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here that help you to make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses.
In terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) which is the most important part of the “value” of a mattress purchase … the Embrace Comfort wouldn’t be a mattress that other manufacturers would try to “match” because it isn’t widely available and isn’t popular enough so you would usually see more specific comparisons between smaller memory foam manufacturers and larger more well known brands that are more widely available. Other than this … the only way to know whether a mattress would be similar to you in terms of PPP, firmness, or “feel” would be based on your own personal testing and experience.
In terms of the quality of the materials … you can see the specs of the Embrace line and my comments about them in posts #9 and #10 here. There are certainly many other mattresses that use the same or higher density and more durable materials in their mattresses that are in lower budget ranges.
In terms of the the other parts of your personal value equation that may be important parts of “value” to you … that would depend on which mattress and which manufacturer or retailer you were considering because these will all vary widely from store to store and manufacturer to manufacturer.
If you are open to considering an online memory foam purchase then some of the better online memory foam options I’m aware of are included in post #12 here. You can also use these as a reference for making value comparisons.
Other than these … the Washington, DC/Northern Virginia list I linked includes the better options I’m aware of in your area but I would need to know the specifics of any other mattresses you are considering at any of these to make any meaningful comments about them (see this article).
No this isn’t correct. Most memory foam mattresses do best with a rigid, non flexing, support system that is evenly supportive under the mattress and if another foundation, platform bed, or adustable bed you are considering also has a rigid, non flexing, and evenly supportive surface then it would be just as suitable and wouldn’t chance the feel of the mattress. The only type of support surface that will change how a mattress feels compared to a solid non flexing foundation is something like a box spring or a foundation that has flexible slats which provide some “give” under the mattress.
Having said that … there are some manufacturers that do require that you purchase one of their foundations as part of their warranty criteria but most warranties are valid with just a “suitable” foundation.
Phoenix