Hi dudeitsmattk,
The first place I would start your mattress research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you with how to make the best possible choices … and perhaps more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Post #13 here also has more about the most important parts of the value of a mattress purchase.
The most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is that it’s a good match for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) because if you don’t sleep well on a mattress then no matter what it’s quality or price it would have little value to you. The tutorial has some suggestions about testing a mattress that can help you make the most suitable choice.
After PPP … the next most important part of the value of a purchase is knowing the quality of the materials inside the mattress. Since lower quality less durable materials can feel the same as higher quality and more durable materials … the only way to know if a mattress doesn’t have any “weak links” or to make more meaningful comparisons with other mattresses is by knowing the type and quality of the materials inside it (see this article). If a retailer either can’t or won’t provide you with the information you need to know to make an informed choice … then I would pass them by (see the guidelines here).
I would also be very cautious about using mattress reviews (either good or bad) as a way to choose a mattress because other peoples’ experiences on a mattress can have very little to do with your own and a mattress that is a perfect “match” for someone else or even a large number of people may be completely unsuitable for you to sleep on. Mattress reviews will also tell you very little about the quality or durability of the materials inside it or the mattress as a whole. There is more about mattress reviews in post #13 here.
Once you reach step 3 in the tutorial … if you let me know your city or zip code I’d be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in your area.
Phoenix