How does one go about picking the right mattress?

[Baz]

I ran into a guy who owns a local 'sleep shop' and asked him and he said "Go lay on it and you'll know."

There has to be more to it than that, doesn't there?

He also said "You aren't going to get a decent mattress for $400." (implying that it will cost upwards to $800.)

Said the cheaper mattresses have lower quality springs.

Seems like there should be some kind of science involved in the purchase process.

What say the PP brain trust?

[cabmandone]

Avoid anything with a pillow top IMO. They end up breaking down and looking lumpy fairly quickly. I have a Tempurpedic and don't think I'd go back to a spring mattress again.

I know someone who has one of those pocket spring mattresses and they really seem to like it for what that's worth.

[ckelly78z]

I have used the same Cali King waterbed for 30 years now (changed $100 full flotation mattress twice). I still love getting into a warm bed in cooler weather. Fully adjustable for firmness, and temperature.

Most of my freinds are spending $1000 every 5-8 years on new springs/matresses....just saying !

[Baz]

Thanks, Cab.

I just ran across this website which has a lot of technical info which may help with the decision....I knew there had to be some kind of science involved....

https://sleepopolis.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-mattress/

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Baz

Thanks, Cab.

I just ran across this website which has a lot of technical info which may help with the decision....I knew there had to be some kind of science involved....

https://sleepopolis.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-mattress/

We considered a latex mattress but my wife being a nurse worried about developing latex allergies. I don't know if that's a possibility or not but it quickly ruled out the latex mattresses for us.

[craigster59]

I bought my last mattress at Sit And Sleep (the most annoying radio commercials after Kars4Kids) and spent between $7-800. They usually have sales around holidays.

I asked the sales guy which was the most expensive mattress they sell. He had one for $12k! I asked him what was the difference between that one and the one I bought. He said higher quality, longer lasting materials but essentially the construction techniques were the same. Also people who are looking to buy $12k mattresses have high stress lifestyles and they sleep better knowing how much they paid for their mattress. Sounded logical to me.

[1990C4S]

Subscribed. I am moving into a place for about one year, I need something cheap and disposable, or easy to move.

I paid about $4k a couple of years ago, absolutely fantastic mattress, but I'm not paying that for a short term move.

I am leaning towards a foam bed-in-a-box. Leesa, Purple, etc. They are not super-cheap.

This is cheap, with good reviews... https://www.amazon.com/Zinus-Memory-Green-Mattress-Queen/dp/B00Q7EPSHI/ref=sr_1_4?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1508357179&sr=1-4&keywords=queen+mattress

[OffCamber00]

We have a Leesa - best mattress we have ever had.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

This is cheap, with good reviews... https://www.amazon.com/Zinus-Memory-Green-Mattress-Queen/dp/B00Q7EPSHI/ref=sr_1_4?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1508357179&sr=1-4&keywords=queen+mattress

No way. These things suck.

I say shop around and drop $1,500-$2,500 after you have beaten multiple merchants to death on price.

Conventional mattress and springs.

[Gustafi]

I have Zinus and it is great

[wildthing]

I bought a "Purple" after reading the review on that same site above. I don't think I am sleeping any better or any worse. Admittedly I didn't measure a baseline scientifically. I just didn't want to bother going around visiting mattress stores.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by wildthing

I just didn't want to bother going around visiting mattress stores.

Man, I agree. Furniture retail is so much different than car parts retail.

I paid $2,200 for a king set at a higher end retail store. Higher end means there was not a guy in a blue gorilla suit waving a sign out front.

I did not beat him down on price as I suggested above.

It was divine.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Man, I agree. Furniture retail is so much different than car parts retail.

I paid $2,200 for a king set at a higher end retail store. Higher end means there was not a guy in a blue gorilla suit waving a sign out front.

I did not beat him down on price as I suggested above.

It was divine.

Hey Bob...thanks for chiming in!

When you say it was divine...are you saying it helped you get a better night's rest....or did it make your body feel better....or both?

[tevake]

My Moho came with a sleep number air bed, Baz

I had allways gone for firm mattresses. But when able to adjust and try different firmness settings I ended up using a much softer setting as time went along. Sometimes I'll try it firmer for a change, but end up back at a pretty soft setting pretty quickly.

It's realy a comfortable bed that allowed me to tune into the setting that I like.

Cheers Richard

[Tidybuoy]

I usually sleep really well at hotels. This suggests to me that my mattress at home sucks. Next time I sleep well in a hotel, I will look closely at the mattress and get the make & model.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Baz

Hey Bob...thanks for chiming in!

When you say it was divine...are you saying it helped you get a better night's rest....or did it make your body feel better....or both?

Yes and yes.

I can find the specific type for your research. If you shop around you probably can get it for less. I just gotta call the ex.

I will text her and get the data.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Avoid anything with a pillow top IMO.

Second that.

We have one now. Never again. The extra height means you need special sheets if using fitted sheets. Otherwise the sheet starts to pull up during the night and catches in the seam that separates the pillow top from the rest then the fitted sheet squeezes in on that causing the pillow top to lose whatever support it has and you wake up in a mattress trench.

Ask me how I know.

How to pick a good one, I don't think it's as simple as "go lay on one"

I think you need to live with it for a few days.

[TheMentat]

Mattresses are notoriously difficult to shop for. This is exacerbated by the fact that manufacturers only sell specific models to specific retailers.

This site will help:

Sleep Like The Dead Is #1 In Sleep Product Research : Independent and Unbiased Mattress Reviews, Pillow Ratings and Much More

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Second that.

We have one now. Never again. The extra height means you need special sheets if using fitted sheets. Otherwise the sheet starts to pull up during the night and catches in the seam that separates the pillow top from the rest then the fitted sheet squeezes in on that causing the pillow top to lose whatever support it has and you wake up in a mattress trench.

Ask me how I know.

How to pick a good one, I don't think it's as simple as "go lay on one"

I think you need to live with it for a few days.

The right size sheets are available online and Walmart, buy the right sheets and they fit great.

I built a slim 'platform' for my bed, so it's not too tall. Super easy and solves the extra height issue. With power outlets.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

No way. These things suck.

I say shop around and drop $1,500-$2,500 after you have beaten multiple merchants to death on price.

Conventional mattress and springs.

The satisfaction numbers don't bear that out...a $300 foam mattress is very close (I would argue statistically equivalent) to a high end coil mattress.