Mattress advice

Dee

DH and I are looking to replace our mattress in the near future. We bought our current innerspring in grad school because it seemed comfortable and was fairly cheap. But it's showing its age and I'd like to upgrade. Does anyone have advice about foam vs. latex vs. pillowtop vs. anything else I forgot to list? I'd like a plush/cushy bed nowadays.

How do you rate mattresses? What should we be keeping an eye out for? Are there any specific models or brands you recommend? Thanks for any advice!

8 years ago

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11 replies

Latest reply was from Jeanie

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

We ended up getting a 'hybrid' about two years ago - memory foam and inner spring aspects both. The thing I have heard about full on memory foam is that it can be really warm, and since my DH runs warm anyway that was a mark against it for us. Ours is a pillow top, and a Simmons Beautyrest Black. When we moved last year we were able to upgrade to a king size (our old bedroom was too small) and bought the same model in a bigger size. We put the queen in the guest room and everyone has always commented on how nice it is.

If you can, shop at a store that will allow you to exchange for a different model if you don't like it after a while. It can take up to six months to really properly break in a mattress, so keep in mind that it will likely be more firm than you want when you first get it.

8 years ago

carter

Veteran

Really think about the firmness you want/need. The really plush, cushy mattresses feel awesome when you first snuggle in, but I can't walk in the morning after sleeping on one. My back needs much more firm support. Maybe because I sleep on my side...not sure? My husband likes a soft bed, and refuses to connect the dots between a soft mattress and a constantly aching back. There's no convincing him at this point, so we get a mattress with a different firmness on each side. If you go this route...be sure to mark the mattress so you don't wind up with the wrong side when you flip it!

8 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

We purchased a Leesa this summer. I don't find the foam too warm, and the Leesa is better for, um, activities other than sleeping, than most of the foam mattresses. It's a bit less "sinky." I find it quite comfy for back sleeping, but I wish it was a tad firmer for side sleeping!

8 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

When I bought mine I decided against memory foam both because of the heat but also because they said it was hard to roll over in them and I thought that sounded unpleasant! I just picked a firm one that I liked the feel of. It had a guarantee. Can you add plushness with a mattress pad or do you want it built into the mattress?

8 years ago

Anonymous

I bought one about a year ago and did a LOT of research beforehand. My main requirement (other than comfort) was that it be made in the US, and use at least some organic materials. I didn't want to deal with any strange smells or chemicals. After much exploration, I purchased a Luxury Firm mattress online from saatva.com and have been extremely pleased with it. It's the most comfortable mattress I've ever had. I know it sounds counter-intuitive to buy something like a mattress online, but it worked out great for me. They do have a 90-day trial period during which you can return it if it doesn't work out for some reason.

8 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

Pillowtop mattresses are great because you can replace the plush top in a couple of years when it (inevitably) gets worn down in well used spots. Your mattress feels new again.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

We bought a new mattress this summer. Our old one was 25 years old! We bought a Simmons beautyrest. It's a conventional mattress. We tried foam, but they can get very hot. Maybe that would be good for you, but not for me, not at my age, and not in our climate (very hot summers).

Our old one was double sided and we flipped it periodically, hence the ridiculous sounding 25 years. This one is not flippable, and it super fat. We had to buy new sheets (Macy's hotel collection sheets are great but expensive.)

8 years ago

Dee

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

I had heard that memory foam can be really warm, which is a problem for me. I've seen some that have a latex top or a gel cooling pad, which is supposed to help, but I don't know how much.

I didn't realize that some places allowed trial periods on mattress! I will look into that.

I think anything with a pillow top (attached or just added on) might work. I like the idea of being able to replace that part when it wears out without having to throw out the entire mattress.

Do mattresses aside from memory foam have a chemical smell? I'm much more sensitive to that now than I used to be.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I got a lot of info on the world of mattresses and the mattress industry in general on themattressunderground.com. It's quite informative! You might want to start with the shopping tutorial on the home page.

8 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

We have a Tempurpedic that we LOVE. I've heard that foam can be warm but we've never noticed that with our mattress. At first it does feel a bit weird when you roll over, but it's worth it. It's not cushy in the traditional sense---you could never bounce on it. But it forms to fit you perfectly and readjusts whenever you move. We are so glad we chose it and have loved it for years. It shows no sign of wear that I can see or feel.

8 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

We rented a cottage in Maine this year and the bed was so heavenly that I tore off the coverings to see what the mattress was. To my surprise it was a fairly conventional mattress with a really thick add on foam topper.

8 years ago

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