Shopping for a new mattress?

Valerie226 · #1 10-21-2009, 06:44 PM

So DH announced he wants to get a new larger mattress. we're having space conflicts lately and want to go to a king. the prices and features are all over the map.

what's a good source of basic information?. so far latex and memory foam are rule outs. what else should I be thinking of? I keep thinking I heard one major company had a quality melt down not too long ago. who was that? Any help appreciated. TIA.

mkc · #2 10-21-2009, 07:51 PM

Are there particular reasons you're ruling out latex and memory foam? We bought our latex mattress probably 5 years ago and love it. Far better than the Stearns and Foster set that cost twice as much and developed horrible sagging impressions in less than 6 months.

Michelle

Beth · #3 10-21-2009, 08:07 PM

It seems like we've been looking at mattresses a lot in the last few years -- we upgraded my sons from twins to queens, found my mom a twin XL when Dad needed to move her and had to get a new mattress for DS already (a touch of scoliosis

I would start by reading some of the information available to get yourself familiar with the types and construction. It may help you also get you thinking about any special considerations you and your DH have and trying to balance those considerations. I know Macy's and Mattress Firm both have shopping guides on their websites (for Macy's, you have to go to furniture and then mattresses -- it's on the right and/or bottom). It can be very confusing because each store may have essentially the same mattress with one detail (could be as slight as the color or design of the fabric or the ticking stitch pattern) and theirs will have a different name and be considered a different mattress. It makes comparison shopping more difficult -- you have to learn and think about things like coil gauge, counts, etc. to compare and try to buy something that will hold up well. Your comfort is the key though -- everything else is trying to find it.

Take your time and lay on any mattress you think you will like for several minutes -- on each side, back -- any position you might sleep in and stay there long enough to feel how your body settles in and whether there is discomfort anywhere.

The last mattress we bought was a latex for DS. DH wants a Tempurpedic. Have you ruled those out because they are a different feel or price? We found DS's latex on a clearance deal for less than half price.

leightx · #4 10-21-2009, 08:17 PM

I like the feel (comfort) of our latex mattress, but I HATE how hot it is. I think different people respond differently, but if you tend to sleep hot, I wouldn't go with latex (or Tempurpedic). I know you had already ruled those out, just wanted to reinforce your decision!

We've been happy with DD's full mattress that we bought at Costco, and we'll probably be buying another one for our guest bedroom this week. It is a plush top (not pillowtop).

My absolute favorite bed was a soft-sided waterbed from Land and Sky. Completely motionless, it molded to every part of your body, and it slept nice and cool (we didn't put on the heater - we're in Texas, so warmth is rarely a problem). I never had a single problem sleeping in that bed, even when 9 months pregnant. Never used a body pillow or anything. We'll be going back to that when we finally get rid of our latex matress...

Beth · #5 10-21-2009, 09:21 PM

I used to hear that Tempurpedic slept hot -- that's why we didn't get one years ago when we got the mattress we have now and want to replace. I've been told they have made changes to allow them to sleep cooler and no one I've talked to recently has had that complaint. DS hasn't complained about his mattress sleeping too warm, and I know there are different kinds of latex and different constructions (some are all latex and some are a latex layer with other materials). I wish I knew what makes the difference so we can avoid that problem.

Gumbeaux · #6 10-21-2009, 10:11 PM

We have a king size Simmons Beautyrest with pocketed coils. We LOVE this mattress because it has almost no motion transfer. I am a light sleeper and Mrs. Gumbeaux used to wake me up when she got up to go to the bathroom or when she got into bed after I was asleep with the previous mattress.

Now, when she gets up or turns over at night I can't feel the bed move. All of the future mattress that I buy will have no motion transfer feature.

Peweh · #7 10-21-2009, 11:07 PM

Everyone's taste in sleeping comfort is so different I can't really offer advice but I will say I think mattress-shopping is one area where it's OK to ask what their "Best Price" is, once you figure out what you want. The key is to KNOW it's the mattress you want to buy, and when you ask be prepared to buy it at the discounted price they offer you - not to take & compare to other store's prices. DH and I recently tested a couple mattresses at a mattress-only store and when asked if we could be helped, said YES please, we are looking for the firmest King-size you have. The guy actually pointed out one of the few we had tested, which we had immediately liked. We said we'd like to buy it, what was their best price point? He brought the owner over and we got our new $1499 Beautyrest for $949.

Beth · #8 10-21-2009, 11:26 PM

Yes, I would probably say don't buy any mattress that's not on sale -- except that Tempurpedics don't go on sale. They might have a special where they give you a pillow or knock $100 off a $3-4000 discontinued model. Definitely buy on sale or ask for the best price. With anything other than Tempurpedic, you can probably get at least 25 if not 35-50% off the "regular" price for a regular stock item -- more if it is a clearance item (my Dad bought my mom's mattress below cost --less than 20% of what they claimed the original price was since it had been there so long) . With a Tempurpedic, you can probably get them to throw in free delivery, a frame, a couple of pillows, a mattress cover rather than an outright discount on the mattress price.

Valerie226 · #9 10-22-2009, 11:15 AM

Your comments are very helpful. Thanks. I 'll check out macy's site & the local Sleep Country.

A big issues are 'sleeping hot" and movement. latex and memory foam seemed "hot" and felt weird. Leightex, that was my impression on latex and memory foam. I can't sleep hot. I am happiest at 50 degrees or less, window open, 100% cotton sheets. no flannel, no cotton/poly. Dh is not as hot a sleeper but wears socks and a shirt and tolerates it OK. I didn't run across Tempurpedic although I'd heard the name.
I had minor surgery in july and don't sleep on my left side comfortably. I move more than I used to. been sleeping part of the night in the guest room because I keep DH awake. neither of us sleep as soundly as we used to.. isn't getting old great..... gumbeaux, the motion transfer thing will be something to look at... I do actual "mileage" while sleeping and keep waking up DH.

Our current mattress is a 15 yr old spring air that is still in excellent shape.... looks brand new and cost about $800. It has a slightly cushioned top and is very comfy just too small for us these days.
we walked into the mattress place and I had no clue
what to look for. we did some online searching and found as Beth said, that no stores carry the same name mattress so it's impossible to compare directly...

Beth · #10 10-22-2009, 01:16 PM

Well about the only way we're going to sleep at 50 degrees or less would be windows and doors open in the winter, and not always then. But you have made me wonder how cool the showrooms are where we've seen the Tempurpedic.

Those and the latex DS has now do not have motion transfer, and that is one of the things I am looking forward to in a new mattress. Other than those, I think Beautyrest (with the pocketed coils that move independently) has that feature. Not sure of any others. They will tend to be higher end models or lines. And mattress prices have gone up a lot in recent years.

sneezles · #11 10-22-2009, 03:14 PM

I sleep extremely hot but I don't find the memory foam mattress any hotter than a regular one. I do find that my back doesn't hurt when sleeping on the memory foam.

We do have a Sterns and Foster in our bedroom (memory foam is in the RV). Pillow top on both sides though we quite flipping about 5 years ago.

Valerie226 · #12 10-22-2009, 03:31 PM

I found the sticky "sinking in " feeling of memory foam totally off-putting. I had no idea people slept on this stuff. I have no true idea if it "sleeps warm" but it feels like it would.

I'm finding general mattress info at consumer reports, and from each mattress manufacturer. not unbiased of course but some. we'll probably get a conventional mattress after checking for how much one person can feel when someone else gets on or off the other side of it. what Gumbeau referred to before. simmons ( beautyrest) calls it "motion separation index" and ranks their mattresses on that scale. I don't know what the other companies call it but I'm looking.

The first thing I do when we rent a motel is take the mattress cover off. they are HOT and reflect back whatever heat you produce, creating (for me) a frying pan effect. I can go to sleep initially, but it wakes me up in a short time.

blazedog · #13 10-22-2009, 03:47 PM

I do have a question regarding mattresses.

What is the advantage of a pillow top? I ask because it seems as though one could achieve the same effect by using a down featherbed and be able to replace it as well as turn more easily than if it's attached to the bed.

I don't have any advice because as people have written it's an utterly inscrutable area with no particular way to compare -- except by a long of effort in terms of researching construction -- and then going out in the field and actually feeling what each construction does.

I must confess I have a mediocre mattress which is hard as a rock but I use a 3" Temperpedic pad PLUS a very thick combination down and feather featherbed over it and it's extremely comfortable.

It appears that the economy is impacting even Temperpedic as I noticed sale signs in the window of Relax Your Back the last time I cruised by. FWIW, when I researched mattresses last (before giving up) there are evidently less expensive versions which have high quality construction.

Of course there is always the Duxiana experience. My BF bought one of these and I must say when I slept on it it truly was a fantastically comfortable mattress -- I seemed to toss and turn much less - probably because none of my body parts became uncomfortable so I needed to shift around less.

Beth · #14 10-22-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazedog

It appears that the economy is impacting even Temperpedic as I noticed sale signs in the window of Relax Your Back the last time I cruised by.

I don't know if that is really true. They are promoting a sale as if something highly unusual has happened. All they have a discount on is the new adjustable frame they came out with earlier this year. They are taking $400 off a king split version and $200 off the other sizes. No reduction on the mattress prices. Oh, that king version runs about $3200 (hundreds more than the model it replaces -- I think that was about $2000-2500) and requires you to get the split king which costs $500 to $2300 more than the regular king. They aren't running any bargains, but it looks like the prices on the mattresses have stayed the same as what I remember earlier in the year versus 2-3 price increases per year. They might have skipped one this year, but that's about it.

blazedog · #15 10-22-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beth

I don't know if that is really true. They are promoting a sale as if something highly unusual has happened. All they have a discount on is the new adjustable frame they came out with earlier this year. They are taking $400 off a king split version and $200 off the other sizes. No reduction on the mattress prices. Oh, that king version runs about $3200 (hundreds more than the model it replaces -- I think that was about $2000-2500) and requires you to get the split king which costs $500 to $2300 more than the regular king. They aren't running any bargains, but it looks like the prices on the mattresses have stayed the same as what I remember earlier in the year versus 2-3 price increases per year. They might have skipped one this year, but that's about it.

You are probably right -- mattress discounts are again one of the more confusing aspects so no doubt there is some disclaimer underneath the large sale on mattresses sign.

Valerie226 · #16 10-22-2009, 05:26 PM

I've realized there is no real good way to compare anything except maybe within one brand. going to a king from a queen is fairly expensive as we need to change everything and I'm not finding any bedframes I like. When did everything switch to dark reddish black mahogany type wood? I am such a crummy shopper!

I don't want a whole set either, just the frame/headboard.

Regarding king size... is the split box spring worth it? I'm not sure if that's the split you ... blaze & beth... are referring to. Seems like it would be easier to carry up stairs but any other benefits? I've also seen the mattress split in half, so ??

sneezles · #17 10-22-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie226

Regarding king size... is the split box spring worth it? I'm not sure if that's the split you ... blaze & beth... are referring to. Seems like it would be easier to carry up stairs but any other benefits? I've also seen the mattress split in half, so ??

All kings have split box spring. I believe California kings are also split mattresses. You can put two single frames together and put a screw and bolt in the slits to keep them together. I would buy the headboard separately from the frame...they're pretty cheap and you can buy them for about $20 from wherever you buy the mattress set.

Kristilyn1 · #18 10-22-2009, 06:20 PM

I know that the original poster is not interested in memory foam--but wanted to throw in my $0.02 as other people were asking. I have a memory foam knock off with an extra pillowy top and a kind of mesh-y cover (something they design to make it cooler) and while my old bed (standard run-of-the-mill mattress) made me sleep hot--the memory foam does not. We keep our bedroom at 53 in the winter and I used to have to sleep in a tank top because I'd roast. I now can actually sleep in long sleeve shirt and shorts. I can't explain it----but it's a fact for me. My husband, who is crazy often sleeps in long sleeve pajamas.

Kristi

Beth · #19 10-22-2009, 06:37 PM

Changing over everything from queen to king was something I didn't look forward to, but I scouted out some good finds on sheets. If you have a Marshall's or TJ Maxx, that often have some nice sheets at good buys (300+ tc sets at $29-39, some a bit more). Mattress pads too. The bamboo jersey at Target feel really nice -- we got a set of those for my mom's bed.

You should be able to get the store to throw in a basic metal frame. If you are planning to get a wood frame, that may be good enough for you. If you just attach a headboard or decide to hang art over the bed, the metal frame may be all you need. You probably don't need their top model, but you may want to upgrade to a mid level. Again, they may throw it in along with delivery -- especially if they want the sale. They have sales that include those things all the time, so it's not like you are asking for something they don't do.

Valerie226 · #20 10-23-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneezles

All kings have split box spring. I believe California kings are also split mattresses.

I didn't realize that. most of the stores have only queens and maybe one king for size comparison. We're not interested in Cal kings.

Something else I was told is that mattresses don't need to be turned anymore. My Springair had two sides, one for fall/winter, and spring/summer. I flip it over with the seasons and also rotate it top to bottom every two months. maybe that's why it's 15 yrs old and still looks brand new? Is turning still recommended? the salesperson who told me that was not real impressive in her knowledge.

sneezles · #21 10-23-2009, 09:04 AM

When we bought our Sterns and Foster flipping was still recommended which is why it has the pillow top on both sides. The mattress was flipped every 6 months for the first 5 years but probably only once in the last 5 (when DH made the headboard).

I do think they have mattresses that claim you don't need to flip and that would be an advantage with a king.

HejazSunKat · #22 10-23-2009, 09:32 AM

Beyond what mattress to buy I would also make sure you ask about return policies and delivery and take away of your old mattress. Some stores do not allow exchanges, don't take away your old mattress or they charge you to do it but they aren't going to tell you that up front. We started looking last year because DH was complaining of back problems and I must have checked the policies at 3 or 4 different chains and they varied wildly. One of the stores I called didn't even want to TELL me what their policies were. It's really something to think about because you might change your mind about a mattress after you've actually slept on it at home for a couple weeks, especially if the reason you're changing is something like back pain. I know for you it's space concerns but I throw it out there in case it benefits someone else.

I would also ask if the mattress you're buying is actually NEW. The law in Massachusetts (and probably elsewhere) used to allow retailers to sell used mattresses without telling the consumer they had been returned by another customer.

http://wbztv.com/consumer/selling.us....2.703341.html

We actually ended up buying at the local chain mentioned in the article (Jordan's Furniture) primarily because they had the best policies re: All of the above.

Beth · #23 10-23-2009, 09:42 AM

We have a Stearns and Foster and one of the reasons we've hated it was all the flipping and rotating. Every month when it was new and then every three months. We would do it more often at times because it got a bit saggy and we'd both wake up with stiff backs. When we started talking seriously about getting a new mattress this summer, we quit flipping it. It isn't bothering us as much now, so we are finishing painting and a couple of other projects before we get the new mattress.

When we got new mattresses for the boys a few years ago, it seemed there were still a few mattresses that you flipped, but I'm not sure we saw any earlier this year. If you want a different padding for the seasons, you would probably buy breathable cotton or something for the warmer moths and maybe a wool pad or feather bed for the cooler months. You could also get a heated pad and only turn it on in the winter.

leightx · #24 10-23-2009, 09:59 AM

Well we had every intention of getting the plush top from Costco, but they didn't have any "normal" mattresses.

So we wound up with the Tempurpedic knock-off from Novaform for $500, and a platform bed from Ikea. It is soooooo comfortable! I can't say anything about the heat (it does have some supposedly cooler topper situation), because it's now 51 degrees here (YAY!), but it is really nice. I'll have to see what the guests think.

It seems to be squishy memory foam on top (2.5"), and then latex underneath (?) I think. Our regular mattress is latex, so we're used to that.

tbb113 · #25 10-23-2009, 10:23 AM

I haven't bought a new bed in probably 10 years, but both of my California King's have a single mattress and a split box spring. California King's are slightly longer and slightly narrower than a regular king bed. Make sure whatever King bed you buy has the correct linens available in your area. Trust me, the regular king sheets won't work on a CA King bed

Kevlar · #26 10-23-2009, 10:52 AM

When did the no flipping start? Our S&F pillow top is about 5 years old. We rotated the mattress regularly but it still developed deep indentations. Right now the mattress is crosswise over the box springs so we have a more level surface to sleep on. It doesn't look very nice but sleeps better. Very disappointing for a rather expensive bed. I would much prefer to flip the mattress over for more even wear.

Beth · #27 10-23-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevlar

When did the no flipping start?

It has been a phase in. There were some out there when we bought our last mattress -- 10+ years ago. We didn't trust them, so we got the S&F. Loved it, except for the flipping and until it started sagging.

I think the construction has been changed. It is cheaper and appeals to a lot of people to put memory foam and more resilient materials on one side of the mattress than to put padding on two sides. You can still rotate, but you don't flip. Come to think of it, flipping doesn't fluff up what has been compacted -- all it does is smush it down to be more even. So why did we battle that monster? It's so heavy the movers complained about it and thanked us for not having to move it to the second floor.

Valerie226 · #28 10-23-2009, 11:04 AM

The plan is a regular king. both DH and I are short .. don't need extra length.

I *think* the places we looked have decent return policies and free delivery/ remove old mattress, but thanks for the reminder to check. I believe we have the same law about used mattresses. they need to be sold as used.

Our current mattress has a pillow top on both sides made of different materials. I don't find either side warmer/ cooler but it's a good reminder to flip. It has handles on the sides so I flip it myself.

Valerie226 · #29 10-23-2009, 04:15 PM

Just got back from a brief look at mattresses and latex is back in the mix. It's the memory foam that I really don't like. I think I tried a latex with memory foam and got a bad impression. I tested a mattress with coils and latex and a 100% latex one by Englander and both were quite comfy and didn't seem too hot. geez, this is confusing. I can't tell the much difference even within mattresses in one store.

Beth · #30 10-23-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie226

It has handles on the sides so I flip it myself.

No way I or DH could handle that king S&F solo. Well, maybe I'd try it in an emergency, but it wouldn't be pretty, but I'd try and suffer any interior damage if I needed it to block the windows or door in a storm or something. Yeah, I'm ready to make the sacrifice.

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