Hi sleepyvet,
The Ultimate Dreams latex hybrid is a great quality/value mattress for it’s budget range but I wouldn’t compare it or put it in the same performance or even durability category as an all latex mattress for someone in your weight range.
With your higher weight especially … you will be compressing more of the layers below the latex as well and with a latex core you would see a greater difference in durability than someone who was lighter where most of the weight and compression was taken up by the comfort layers. While the weak link of a mattress is generally in the upper layers … in your case the depth of compression would go a little deeper than most and the feel, performance and durability of the middle and even deeper layers would likely be more important. In these cases it would be more important to make sure that the support layers are higher density or a more durable material or that the latex on top of the mattress is thicker or has two layers of latex instead of one (see post #2 here which talks about the Brooklyn Bedding Aloe Alexis which has two layers of latex).
A latex support core is more durable, more resilient, more elastic, more adaptable to different weights and shapes and sleeping positions, more supportive (it has a higher compression modulus so it gets firmer faster with compression), more “natural”, and has a different more “springy” and responsive feel than polyfoam. It is a higher performance material. Of course it is also more expensive than a polyfoam core and for some people … a latex hybrid which has the benefits and “feel” of latex in the upper layers (the top 3" - 6" which are the most subject to wear and tear and contribute more to the overall “feel” of a mattress) is worth the cost tradeoff. For others it isn’t. All of this though is to make clear that they are not comparable in overall performance terms even though a hybrid like the Ultimate Dreams is great value.
There are several latex manufacturers that are members of the site and that sell online in post #21 here and they have a range of different options, designs, types of latex available, and prices. This includes Ultimate Dreams Total Latex of course as well as others with different designs and choices and benefits. I would encourage you to talk with the ones that attract you and see what they have to say. You will get a much clearer sense of whether the extra cost is worth it to you.
If I could comfortably afford it there is no doubt I would go in the direction of all latex as long as the design and thickness of the mattress (see post #14 here) was a good “match” for your weight range in terms of PPP) because all around it is a superior mattress but if the most important part of my “value equation” was cost … then a latex/polyfoam hybrid could certainly be a good “budget” compromise. Some of these also have a wool quilting layer which also adds to temperature regulation (although I know that’s not a big issue for you) and of course is used as the fire barrier in the mattress.
You have some very good choices available to you in a range of budget choices (including of course Sleep Essentials which is more costly than some of your other choices but you have the benefit of having tested it in person which adds to its value) and I would suggest looking through the many options offered in terms of layering, cost, flexibility of design, which layers are exchangeable, exchange options if you choose the wrong layer, any refund policy if that is important to you, and I would specifically talk with each about the benefits of their mattress with your weight. You also may also want to consider the differences between Dunlop and Talalay with Dunlop having a higher support factor but a less lively feel.
I wish I could give you more specific suggestions but there are too many personal preferences involved and of course you know best about your circumstances and the importance of your budget restrictions vs the benefits of an all latex mattress. Both can make great choices but one is definitely “better” than the other … even if they have similar “value”.
Phoenix