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Which Mattress is the Most Comfortable?

By 02/16/2014February 16th, 2017169 Comments

Which Mattress is the Most Comfortable?

Princess and the Pea, that’s me right now!

For a while now, every morning when I get out of bed and bend over in front of the sink to wash my face, my back screams with pain. Then shortly after I’ve been walking around for a while, I’m fine. But I notice it’s tender.

We have a mattress called Contour from Maricela. I just tried to google search it and all I can’t even find a mention of it anywhere.  We’ve only had it for maybe three years and it doesn’t appear to be bad. It does not dip in the middle and I seem to lay flat on it but yet my back hurts? It’s weird.

Terreeia lives with chronic back pain so she can’t say whether it’s the mattress.

Then, last week, while leading my Specify Colour with Confidence™ event, I slept in a different bed as I stayed downtown. And my back pain disappeared.

So I’ve decided we need a new mattress.

Every time I stay at a Westin I’m soooo comfortable in their ‘Heavenly Beds’, so I went on-line and was about to order one but then I decided to read the reviews.

And of course, that led me down the tunnel of all reviews for all mattresses and now I don’t know what to do because they all have the bad and the good.

I posted a poll on Facebook yesterday regarding the Heavenly Bed and this review from Lyssa:

 “I did and loved it at first but found that even with regular rotation/flipping it quickly got big dips and you felt like you were sleeping in a hole.”

But other people thought it was the most comfortable mattress ever!

And when mattress shopping, apparently you can buy basically the same mattress and there will be a $1,000 price difference so a more expensive mattress is not necessarily better.

Manufacturers make basically the same mattresses with slightly different features custom for the stores that sell them which make comparison shopping virtually impossible.

A memory foam mattress is out because it’s too hot for Terreeia and although it seems latex mattresses seem to be good, the biggest complaints about them are that they are hard.

I want the feel of the Heavenly Bed but I want it to last longer than three years? Is that too much to ask?

on-line reviews

So I thought I’d shop with you, since my community gives me the best and most real advice.  And the biggest problem is, now we’re doing this (above) haha.

Over to you? Which mattress have you had the best experience with? Love your advice and feedback.

UPDATE ON THIS POST: Here’s the mattress I chose.

PS. The winner of my SW boards that will be ready in a few weeks is Liz Palmer!

Winner of my SW Boards

This is what she said about her favourite Sherwin Williams Colour! Congratulations!

SW board winner

You can buy large sample boards from BM here now if you can’t wait!

Related posts:

The Best Paint Colours for Kids Bedrooms

How to Specify Colour in a Bedroom and Closet!

The Best Colour for an Undecorated Room

169 Comments

  • Jill Baum says:

    I just went through this whole mattress thing! It took me a year to figure out what to buy! I finally decided to go with a natural latex mattress (talalay). I found a local mattress maker and purchased it there. I bought it for my daughter who is 5. The manufacturer (who has grandchildren with allergies) made it firm on one side and softer on the other side. She said the mattress will last 20 years! It is made with an organic cotton ticking and no chemicals. Unlike the online manufacturers of latex mattresses who make the bed in layers my mattress is one solid chunk of latex. It has quite a different feel from a spring mattress. It is cool and though it is on the firm side it is quite comfortable. The firmness can be mitigated by purchasing an additional topper for the mattress.

    I also was considering the Westin Heavenly Bed but read so many reviews about the latex mattress owners raving about the beds that I decided to open the wallet wide. My queen set was $1920 which I found very reasonable compared to online manufacturers. The key is to go to a local company.

    Once you get the mattress may I highly recommend Rough Linen sheets. They are heaven! I also splurged on Bella Notte duvet covers. All white of course!

    The whole mattress shopping/comparing thing is absolute agony! I hope this helps!

    • Linda Fitzgerald says:

      Also a big fan of ‘Rough Linen’ and recently received her samples so I can pick from that and order online (California). For others reading this who don’t know this woman, check her site at http://roughlinen.com and read all about her ‘Orkney Linen.’

      I’m going to do she research on the latex mattresses now as I’m getting close to needing a new one and I’m in the same boat as Maria.. overwhelmed with choices after checking the reviews.

    • judy says:

      Try a tempurpedic Sp? watch out for temperpedic because that is a different manufacturer I am in my seventies and I was in agony in 2003 with age and fibro myalgia. When I saw that I could try the mattress free for 120 days and return it -no questions asked-I ordered it. It was odd at first-stiffer than expected but a couple of days and I loved it- still have it and at 74 I get out of bed pain free and I can stand up straight not bent over for I/2 an hour.

    • Carol says:

      I would be interested in knowing where you purchased your locally made Talalay latex foam mattress. I like the idea of upgrading to latex because of it’s anti-bacterial and anti dust mite qualities.

      We have used foam mattresses for the last 30+ years & yes we still have the first queen size one which hasn’t changed in the least over the years – now use a king size in master bedroom. We don’t find them too hot (even through menopause) because we bought good quality foam which has open, continuous cells which allow for breathing. Also, they both sit on a breathable, slatted platform (which when covered with a bedskirt looks like a regular box spring base). As to hardness, it is usually recommended to use a 2″ softer topper along with the firmer main mattress.

      • Jill Baum says:

        I purchased my mattresses from Schrader’s in West Palm Beach Florida. It is a family owned company. The owner Diane does not think highly of these latex mattresses that are done in layers. She feels it should be one piece.

        • Carol says:

          Thanks for your reply Jill. I was hoping that you hailed from the same area as Maria Killam & I do – Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

          I’m not sure what Diane (Schrader’s) means by mattresses done in layers – what I was referring to was a loose (as in not connected in any way) 2″ topper on top of a solid one piece mattress. If she is apposed to this kind of application as well, I’d be interested in knowing why.

          Sorry for so many questions but I like to get as many facts as possible before spending so much $$$$.

      • Marilyn says:

        I just researched latex mattresses. You really, really need to do your homework. There are densities from 16 put to the low 30s. Then there is Talalay, and Dunlop. Talalay is harder, and is latex in its natural state. Dunlop is ‘boiled’, and is softer. Many companies sell mattresses in layers of both to customize the feel, but you have to watch the density. I’ve been sleeping on a latex mattress for years; I bought it without doing research and it’s been fine, except the pillow top, which has body impressions that are permanent. I flipped it and sleep on the pure latex side. The only other mattress I would try is a sleep number. BTW, good latex is expensive, so if you find a mattress that’s really cheap, it probably is cheaply made (i.e.. polyurethane foam..) Buyer beware!

  • Debbie Bruna says:

    I have had a sleep number bed for over 10 years and it’s great. I will likely buy another when it finally wears out. If I had any complaint about it, it is that with the two separate air compartments, there is a slight raised center in the middle, but it is really nothing. I heard of someone who has a leak in theirs after a few years, but I know many people with these mattresses and they recommend them.

    • We love ours too. Their customer service is great. We developed a leak from pulling the hose off the wrong way. They give you a new one at a cost of only 5% of the actual cost times the number of years you’ve had it. That meant the new chamber was still only 50% of the actual cost after 10 years! My husband likes his soft and me more firm. Then you can add pillowtops of various kinds or your own aftermarket to adjust the exact feel.

      • Kathy says:

        I have had just the opposite with our sleep number of 3 years. Almost every night I wake up with either back or neck pain.I am on the verge of selling it and buying a nice pillow top. I don’t feel like the sleep number gives me the resistance support that mattress coils/springs give in a regular mattress.

  • jane says:

    If you have back problems, get an adjustable bed, one that has a zero gravity position (and massage!!). Best thing I ever did!! My mattress is a serta I comfort. Love it!!

  • Tracy says:

    This topic is especially interesting to me as I am in the same boat as you Maria. When traveling we always stayed at a Hampton Inn as they are known for their beds which are oh so comfy and especially comfy on my low back after being in a car for hours. My back always felt so much better after a night or two in their beds. For some reason, I haven’t pulled the trigger and am very interested to read what others prefer! Great Post!!!

  • Karen says:

    I have been looking for a mattress for over a year and I can’t decide. it is definitely a rabbit hole.
    Karen

  • We’ve had a Temperpedic bed for the last 10 years, and we love it!

  • Oh, I feel your pain… literally. We had a FABULOUS solid core latex mattress, but the enormous pillow top failed and we had 2″+ body impressions after the first year. That said, I loved my body temperature in that mattress so much that I considered cutting off the entire pillow top myself just so we could save it! Instead we got a Four Seasons mattress from Spring Air and it’s horrible and it’s been less than a year! Both of our low backs ache. I think at this point we are going to get rid of it and try and find another latex mattress. If you don’t care about height, you can go to The Foam Shop and they can order you a solid latex mattress. We did that for my son’s twin bed. It was $$, but all the research on latex swayed me that it was worth it. I’ll stop now, I could talk forever about mattress shopping! 😉

  • Nicola says:

    I got a natural latex (latex gold-in Vancouver) mattress for my son’s nursery because of desire for natural organic fibers. Both my husband and I sleep in it on occasion during difficult baby nights. It is so comfortable- I customized it with 3 different layers of latex mattress, all different densities. And if I had found it to be too hard, I could switch the order of the 3 layers around whenever I wanted. The 3 mattress layers are encased in an organic cotton padded cover. When it is time to replace my starting to sag king bed, I will be getting a natural latex mattress…customizing my side of the bed for my weight and comfort, and my husbands side for his weight and comfort. The king is built with two extra long twins (I believe) which is why you can customize each side for the individual who sleeps there. If the mattress changes over time you can just replace one of the three layers if you want, rather than buying new again.

  • Audrey says:

    I insisted we purchase a king size natural latex mattress about 5 years ago. It’s all organic and has wool in the topper. The bottom is all one chunk and we upgraded to the one that has and additional 2in softer layer on top. We hate it. It was ok at first but it developed a scooped out impression where each of us slept. After a bunch of pictures sent back and forth and waiting forever, they sent us a new top layer. Several years later and it has a new hump in the middle and it is hard. I think it might be ok if you are a back sleeper. We are both side sleepers and I feel like it puts too much pressure on our hips and shoulders. We have a queen size Jamison Grand Marriott Foam mattress for our guest room. We have slept on it for months while we were between houses and we love it. I would like to buy another in king size but feel bad getting rid of our current natural mattress because we spent so much money on it!

  • Sabrina says:

    We love our Sleep Number mattress…as things change we make it firmer or softer (on our own side). We had tried another mattress before this one and my husband refused to sleep in it after four nights — he moved to the guest room at 2am the fourth night and said he would stay there until we found something else (the mattress store tried to tell me that their 30 day money back guarantee meant that my husband had to sleep in it for at least three weeks: I pointed out that we had been told that and it was going to be difficult to get him to sleep in it when he had reached the point of refusing to even sit on it!). The Sleep number works because things change over time and you might want firmer or softer — instant change. We have had it for almost nine years; we have replaced the control but otherwise it has been great.

  • Heddy says:

    OMG this is such a great topic. My husband and I end up taking turns in a guest room as our expensive Sterns and Foster mattress is horrid. There is No support left and it’s about 4 yrs old. No humps or bumps like a previous king we had but painful. Like you Maria I wake up,every morning hardly able to get dressed until I’ve been up 30 minutes. A physio therapist I know suggested a Sealy with NO pillow top. Honestly I don’t know anyone who likes their king size. HELP,

  • StagerLinda says:

    Eager to hear what everyone says. We’ve been living with a sloping pillow top for years that must be replaced. We also go ‘adventure sleeping’ in the guest room where the bed is smaller but firmer for a good nights sleep. Great subject Maria!

  • Kelly says:

    If you can find a mattress made the old fashioned way (the kind you can flip and rotate) it will last much longer. Most of the manufacturers are making one sided mattresses (for your convenience you don’t have to flip!) but I call it the great mattress scam! You can only rotate it which means you end up sleeping in the other persons dent. So annoying to spend that kind of money for only half a mattress! Also keep in mind any kind of pillow top or foam padding on top WILL breakdown over time and you end up with body impressions. I had the same problem with our last mattress, the back pain, and it was an expensive pillow top model. Our mattress now is a firm non pillow top and I love it! We’ve had it probably 8 years now. You can always buy a separate foam topper if you like a softer bed. Best of luck to you finding a new mattress!!

    • Susijo says:

      A flippable mattress – if you get an innerspring mattress – will extend the life by several years and will also make it less likely to develop valleys (one of the most common complaints). The gage of coil, how many turns each coil has, and whether the coils are knotted (good – adds strength) will also help to lengthen the life and ensure proper support. The mainstream companies have cut costs by eliminating flippable mattresses from their lines, using thinner wire and not extending the coils to the edge of the mattresses. I know of two completely American-made companies that still make mattresses the ‘old-fashioned’ way and their mattresses last a lot longer than the ones sold in all the popular stores.

      One is Verlo, a mid-western company with stores in many major cities – http://www.verlo.com.

      The other is The Original Mattress Factory, based in Pittsburgh, with stores in western PA and Ohio – http://www.originalmattress.com.

      Both web sites also have excellent information for mattress hunters. I have family members who are repeat owners of mattresses from both these companies.

  • Cindy says:

    I think a firmer mattress is better. All these soft crazy options will end up hurting you. My ex husband and i purchased a mattress about 20 years ago that i LOVE. I don’t actually remember much about the brand or make, it is relatively firm, but has these big pillows in it that conform to your body. It is wonderful. I have slept on soft pillow top mattresses and they are too mushy for long term sleep, and they are hot. When you first test them they feel so wonderful, but i think when you’re actually sleeping 8 hours on something, you don’t need a mushy cushy mattress, you need something that offers some support, with pillowy contours. I wouldn’t trade my mattress for a newer model, no way!

    Cindy

  • Jen says:

    Hands down, a latex mattress. It sleeps cool and is super comfortable if you get the mid-plush (not the hardest nor the softest). And, I have come to the realization that I need to replace my mattress every 4-5 years. Oh, you can limit humps and dips if you put your top mattress on a solid panel of wood/Mdf instead of on a box spring. A box spring has a frame that is stronger in the middle and edges.

  • Robin says:

    This is my second mattress that is a spring coil mattress with latex topper built in. Really like it, but you should know that latex will form depressions fairly quickly. My brother swears by his select comfort with latex topper, I’ll probably look at that for my next one.

  • Frances says:

    We love our sleep number bed. My husband had morning moderate and occasional debilitating back problems until we bought our 1st queen one about 1999. After years, we had a slow leak in one bladder and we called for a replacement at a greatly reduced cost. 4 years ago we bought a king. Sometimes I like my side at 95 (hard), sometimes 70 feels better. There is a ridge of firmer in the middle on the foam between the bladders and actually we enjoy that additional firmness when we come together for kisses… I LOVE never rolling toward his side, LOVE never compressing my spine trying to turn a huge mattress, LOVE not waking up when he turns over. BTW, we buy the regular/cheaper version and top it with our choice of 2 inch topper that I replace every couple of years to keep the bed fresh.

  • Emily says:

    We LOVE our memory foam bed. It’s never hot (we live in Florida) and not hard at all! Not soft either; it’s the perfect combination. We bought it on Amazon for $400!!!!! I’m sure Tempurpedic is even better but can’t imagine how! I have chronic back pain (I’ve been a nurse for 20 years) and since buying our bed, it is the first time my back hasn’t hurt in the morning. I’m in my upper 40’s and I don’t get hot at night at all. And I look forward to going to bed every night because it’s so comfortable. It’s so hard to get up in the morning! It uses our regular mattress pad and sheets.

    • diane gressley says:

      we bought the same mattress from Amazon for our son and daugther-in-law for their wedding. They love it! We, however, bought Ikea’s Sultana mattress. It is memory foam but not as thick as the Amazon mattress and easier to fit regular sheets. We really like it. It is somewhat firm, but the foam does support you just in the right places. It too was around $400. I think you can get a goot mattress for not a lot of money.

  • Patty says:

    I swear by the Temperpedic!! Yes it does seem hard when it’s new to you but after a few days / weeks,it’s pure heaven!! No springs and it conforms to your body. We have had ours a long time (years) and it’s still almost like new. We would never sleep I anything else. When we do get a new one I’m willing to try Costcos memory foam. It’s much less expensive!

  • Gina says:

    I too suffer with chronic back pain (degenerative disc disease/2 level lower lumbar fusion) and my husband’s back “goes out” on occasion. We have been through numerous mattresses throughout our marriage and finally got a Tempurpedic last year. I highly recommend it. We were also concerned about the heat – menopausal hot flashes – so we got the cool max mattress pad to go with it, and a few weeks ago, I finally got the sheets they offer! It’s a pleasure to sleep in. I go to sleep in a matter of minutes and wake up, pop out of bed in a completely upright position, and off I go!! I also have their side sleeper pillow. I have used a body pillow for 20 years between my elbows, boobs, and knees, too, and I don’t leave home without him! My husband says it looks like another person in bed, so I named him “Brown Sugar”. He’s a lovely caramel color! Anywayyyyyyyyy, don’t think your back isn’t worthy of the Tempurpedic because I had surgery, etc. I’m very active, etc., just need a little stretching every day, as we all do in our 50’s. Go to an authorized dealer and at least try it out. It is worth the investment! You know how you’ve taught us that you get what you pay for! Let me know if you have any questions and I’d be glad to help.

    • Hi Gina, we have 2 tempurpedics. You said you bought a cool max mattress pad to help with the heat these beds seem to produce. Did you purchase it at the store where you bought your bed? Is there a brand name for this mattress pad? There are many different tempurpedics from the actual name brand tempurpedics. Which one did you buy? These mattresses are very expensive and so I am trying to find a way to make the bed less hot. Where did you buy the sheets? How do they make a difference from sheets you would buy say at Macy’s? Are they worth the money? I bought some sheets from sleep number and they got pills on them in a short period of time. How are the tempurpedic sheets holding up? Thank you for your review and I would appreciate hearing back from you at [email protected]. Peggy

    • Catherine E says:

      Maria, I wasn’t going to give my input bc you said memory foam is out due to heat. The poster above states Tempur-Pedic has a solution so may be worth investigating. We own 2 Tempur-Pedics; began with a queen and quickly added a king. We’ve been sleeping on our king for 9 years now. Husband is 6’4″ and it is the 1st mattress he loved – with queen purchase he was 44 yrs old. As to heat, I’m cold most of the time (except periodic menopausal hot flashes) and enjoy how cozy I get on the Tempur. However, hubby is a toaster and breaks a sweat just walking sometimes yet never complains about the mattress making him hot.

  • Technicolor says:

    Another Sleep Number here with added foam topper. 15 yrs and none of the neg. reviews people have written. I sometimes wonder how many people eat/drink in bed that write these reviews complaining about mold, weak siding. It still sleeps as well as the day I bought it. May be worth a try with their 30 day trial. Very easy to set up/take down and although I bought a base, this isn’t really necessary. You can use any solid base.

    • megeranski says:

      yes, the 30 day trial is great. be sure to investigate how to return, though, just in case. I believe you have to keep the boxes and stuff and return it in those.

      i saved my boxes, in case i wanted to return it, as i am the suspicious type. they ended up in the recycling, as i LOVE this mattress. got the basic with no frills, put a latex topper on it, and i FINALLY have the best bed ever ever ever

  • Jeanie says:

    My sister bought a Temperpedic. It was very stiff and hard so she did as the sale an recommended and had her husband walk around on it. The stiffness improved but the mattress was cold and felt like it was sucking the heat out of their bodies while they slept. In less then a year she sold it and purchased a regular mattress. My brother has a Temperpedic and loves it. I find them cold too. Tastes in mattresses are very individual.

  • Dolores says:

    We have a solid latex mattress which has been going strong for 20+ years, hasn’t sagged anywhere at all, sleeps cool, and can be turned as it is simply a slab of latex with a cover.
    I bought 3+latex Talalay toppers on Overstock for the guest room, and everyone remarks on the comfort of the bed.

  • Sheila Kenny says:

    I had a similar experience to what many of your readers have already described….purchased an expensive mattress and kept waking up in agony! Luckily, when we purchased our new townhouse, the previous owners left their Tempurpedic mattress behind and my husband and I decided to try it out.
    Heaven! No more back pain– I’m convinced this is the way to go!

  • Sheila says:

    Simmons Beautyrest was the one we liked best. We bought one of the more expensive models and were very happy with it. It was a queen size and we decided to go to a king, so ended up going to Temperpedic this time. We are sorry we did. My husband and I both have back pain now. We plan on going back to Beautyrest very soon and the Temperpedic will end up in a guest room.

  • Caroline says:

    Just went to a holistic sleep seminar in Dallas – look into the Samina organic bed. They just opened a showroom here, but he is actually based in Ontario Canada. Very interesting and might be just what you both need. Claus Pummer – [email protected]. Let me know what you think about this.
    http://www.samina.ca

  • Rachel Olsen says:

    Nicola is on target. That is precisely what I did with my queen mattress. I vote for natural latex. It’s not as hot as memory foam, and it’s more comfortable in my opinion. You choose your density (the “firm” is not “hard”). I ordered 2 firm layers and one medium. At first I put the medium layer on top, later I switched it to a firm layer on top and liked that even better.

  • Susan says:

    We’ve had a latex mattress for 12 years. Two years ago, we agreed it seemed too hard for our aging bones. We added a memory foam topper encased in cotton and like Goldilocks, find it “just right”. Neither of us has found the topper to be too hot: It is NovaForm® 3″ Pure Comfort Memory Foam Mattress Topper from Costco and promises a comfortable sleeping temperature.

  • SiouxBee says:

    I have recently bought 3 firm Simmons mattresses (for different rooms) with no pillow top. I love them! They don’t sag and they stay supportive. Pillow tops seems comfy at first, but break down over time. If you require more padding, just buy a mattress topper at Costco. Also they don’t make sheets like they used to…the best sheets are Garnet Hill cotton percale.

  • Mary says:

    Best mattress manufacturer in Canada is Marshall Mattress. They invented the marshall coils and other companies now use a version of it. I think Marshall still holds the patent for it. They have been making mattresses since 1900 and use organic material so that your new mattress will not need to be aired out for months from the strong latex odour. They only believe in firm mattresses and make them in varying degrees of firmness.

    I have tried several other brands, with and without memory foam, non flip and flip,a variation of coil styles, etc and within a month they all dipped and gave me back problems. I’ve had Marshall for a year and there is no dipping. The Bay carries three of their models which is where I bought mine. They are expensive but worth it to me.

    http://www.marshallmattress.com/index.html

    • teresa says:

      OMgosh…I think that’s the bed I slept in at a Spa in Northern Ca. The most comfortable bed ever. Finally dound it. Thank you.

    • Sallie says:

      I’ve had my Marshall mattress for over 10 years and I have chronic back pain and it has been a dream! We are now looking to upsize to a King and will be going with another Marshall!

  • You are right ther are so many mattresses to choose from and I believe it is a personal choice. I suffered for years with back pain until we got our tempurpedic bed, however the first one we tried turned out to be too hard and we went with they cloud series. Good luck hope you fine what is right for you.

  • Lisa says:

    I have been very happy with Sealy mattresses. The first one lasted 10 years and I might now have gotten a new one, except that I was moving across the country and thought it was probably time. They are very comfortable and don’t dip.

  • Kathrine Davis says:

    I have cronic back pain and for years I slept on a less than exceptional mattress. We bought a Kingsdown Classic mattress and my back paint has almost disappeared. Now every time I sleep on another bed, I notice my back pain again. This is a very expensive mattress, but it is worth every penny. I got it on sale at 50% off…look for sales.

    Good Luck!

  • Paula Diekhoff says:

    I won a Sleep Number bed about 8 years ago and have not looked back. It is by far the BEST bed we have owned, especially since each person can program the mattress to his/her own particular firmness. Each side can be programmed individually. We also added an adjustable feature, which allows you to prop either the head or foot (or both) of the bed up. So, if you want to read in bed, or need to elevate your feet, you can do so. I have also read that newer models have heating elements to keep the bed warm. But all the “extras” increase the price of the bed. However, the basic Sleep Number bed is the only bed you will need and I believe it has a lifetime warranty and will still be as firm in 10 years as the day you bought it. You never need to “turn” the mattress, because it is filled with air. One thing I will recommend: if you buy a sleep number bed, be sure to put on your dust ruffle right away, because it is a pain to have to disassemble the bed to put one on.

  • Kathrine Davis says:

    Oh…and I forgot to add, I have had the Kingsdown mattress for three years now and it is in great shape…no dips.

    • mairi says:

      Kathrine-Would this be their foam mattress? I’ve seen both types locally and have been reading reviews (all good), being in the market myself for a new mattress. I’m leaning towards foam with a platform bed. I may also check out Ikea’s foam mattresses. Anyone have theirs?

    • Jen Parsons says:

      We have had a Kingsdown queen size for 15 years now. Really! the same one! And it’s still great. No dips.

    • Cindy says:

      Our Kingstown has sagged with a hump in the middle after only 1 month. It is a king size, I am only 150 lbs, my husband is 240 lbs. Both sides have sagged, his considerably more, we both have sore back now which we did not have before. We bought the firmest choice with the lowest pillowtop.

  • shelly says:

    Stearns & Foster…by far the best mattresses we have owned! Currently have 3, all queen size. The oldest one is 15 years old and used nightly – still a great sleep!

    • Rindy says:

      I agree with the Stearns and Foster. We have had ours for about 17 years and it’s the best we have owned, firm yet soft on top. We can flip it, but don’t do it as often as we should because it is so heavy.

  • Deborah says:

    For a great review of mattresses, go to Apartment Therapy’s website and search for “a year in bed.” Maxwell tried every mattress possible, from Ikea to Hastings and reviewed them all . It is a great resource!

  • Linda Cason says:

    At the risk of increasing the complexity, allow me to expand the conversation a bit to include the bed base. You may find that trying an adjustable base under the mattress (perhaps even your current mattress) may actually give you more relief from pressure points or lower back pain than just replacing the mattress. Are you a front, back, or side sleeper? Your position of sleeping makes a huge difference. I just purchased a new mattress yesterday, myself (going from king to queen) and purchased the movable base. I cannot believe how much more comfortable I am with just a slight elevation of the head and foot. I am a side sleeper, so this removes all pressure points and my body feels supported from head to foot. Time to go lay on lots of store beds :). Hoping you find the magic combination for you to get your best night’s sleep!

  • Bristol Sunset says:

    Thank you SOOOO much for this post. We will be going through this journey sooner rather than later.

    About 13 years ago, I purchased a fantastic Shifman full/double size mattress. It had an attached pillow top which I believe included memory foam. I chose the low profile box spring so the mattress would sit lower than the footboard. This was a big splurge, but oh how I loved that mattress. Let me repeat: I loved that mattress.

    After I got married, we went with my husband’s queen size mattress…which we are still using. Yech! It’s old and has never been comfortable. As for our guests, they’ve gotten to enjoy my fabulous Shifman mattress…and they’ve all loved it, too.

    At last, dealing with OUR bedroom has worked its way up the priority list. Isn’t it amazing how the master bedroom is always at the bottom of the heap!

    I would prefer a mattress that we don’t have to flip or rotate. (My body can’t handle it any more!).

    My husband is interested in a Temperpedic, or rather a less expensive version. I’m thinking that the sleep number is the way to go for us…because we are opposites in everything. Glad to hear so many positive comments about both of them. We will test both. I look forward to reading everyone’s comments.

    Maria and Tereeia, good luck in your decision-making.

  • Cindy B says:

    I vote for the latex, but do your research first, as you want the right amount of firmness/softness. The reason the latex will get body impressions is because of the polyurethane foam top layer, not the latex. You can purchase a latex mattress without that top layer of poly foam. You can also purchase the layered foam mattresses online with a different firmness on each side. I would always opt for a split frame, even in a queen, as they are so much easier to move.

  • Sandy Fisher says:

    Oh I am so sorry to tell you. We have spent so much on mattresses. We seem to need one once a year. We’ve been through so many and now after a year on this thick “pillow top” I’m done. The next which will be shortly will be a firm with no pillow top. I’m in constant pain and I hate getting up because it’s so painful. We tried a sleep number. Neither of us could take it. Each time we buy a new one we spend more and more with very disappointing results. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

  • Paulette says:

    There is an independent site it is called http://www.sleeplikethedead.com They have alot of unbiased information. IMO the brand new Sleep number bumps in the center and sags on the side if you like it soft. Just buy a pool float and save the 3,500.

    • megeranski says:

      good point — if you like it soft. yep.

      probably, though, a soft mattress will only make back pain worse. that is standard wisdom,at any rate.

      i love my sleep number at 85 or 90, with 3 in latex topper.

      every night i get into bed, i literally think, “YUMM!!”

      • Nancy says:

        We have had our Sleep Number for 10 years and have no more back pain. My husband is a 70 and I am a 35. It is not a very sexy bed, sags on my side because I like it soft. I don’t care, as sleep is the most important thing. You could pump it up every morning to avoid the saggy look, but I don’t like to mess with the control. The control is somewhat unreadable after 10 years. We also have the adjustable base and use the vibrating/massage feature every night. Love Sleep Number and will never go back.

    • Susijo says:

      http://www.sleeplikethedead.com is EXCELLENT!! Best web site I’ve found for mattress reviews (and believe me, I’ve done a lot of research on this recently).

      I would steer clear of Consumer Reports, which only reviews a handful of mattresses, most of which are select models of the popular commercialized brands. They are not necessarily unbiased, and since manufacturers change and re-name mattresses yearly, the reviews are not valid for very long.

  • megeranski says:

    Sleep Number.
    with Latex topper.

    We bought the latex topper separately, as it was cheaper. 3 inches, is extraordinary.

    Don’t forget the pillows. We coughed up a hefty sum for latex pillows and have never regretted it.

    p.s. Sleep Number has terrific warranty, and, if any part fails, you can get only the one piece you need.

    p.p.s. always as about the warranty. 99% of mattresses, their warranty is void if, basically, you sit on it. Literally. It is a stunning scam. Pay no attention to the warranty (except Sleep Number), as it is worthless. Ask “What does it take to void this warranty”, and be prepared to 1) be aghast 2) giggle. It is insane.

    p.p.p.s. consider, if it matters, whether you’ll have to buy new sheets. Some mattresses are so deep nowadays, your previous sheets may not fit. If your sheets were a major investment, just one more thing to throw in there 🙂

    Have fun!!!

  • Sandy E says:

    After trying several mattresses over 10 years to include an expensive one from a back store, we finally purchased a Sleep Number bed. It is our winner. We’ve had it at least 5 years and it has performed great. We have both found that we don’t want it the same number for non-pain times vs. pain nights caused by weather changes. They have different mattress toppers, to include a cooling gel topper, that you can choose from that zip on and off. You want to choose one where the model number contains a 5 or higher.
    My sister has a Temperpedic, which they love, but it is so heavy that they need help to move it.

  • My husband gets hot too. We’ve had the newer Temperpedic for years and he is not too hot in it. The newer ones are better than the older ones. The Cloud specifically is made to sleep cooler. Give it a try. I think it comes with a money back guarantee. Not sure if that’s from the manufacturer or the store where I bought mine. We love it and it will last for 20 years. It’s not cheap but worth every penny!

  • PS: We’ve also had a foam mattress that was not the memory foam like the Temperpedic. That kind of latex is bad. It quickly gets body impressions. Bad fast!

  • Christine says:

    Memory foam, for sure – but you need to get a mattress cover and on top of that, a wool mattress topper under your sheets so you don’t overheat (particularly important for two women in their 40s!). That has been the winner for us, we got the serta version from sleep country – no need for the expensive brand as it has a great warranty as long as you use a protector.

    • Christine says:

      Ps – ours is 5 years old, no indents yet. We were told the mattress will break down quickly with any exposure to bodily fluids (sweat).

  • InfoDiva says:

    Ok, you didn’t ask for this advice, but here goes anyway:

    Maybe it’s not your mattress. Maybe you need to strengthen your core muscles so that your back is better supported.

    If you don’t have chronic back pain with a cause diagnosed by your doc, my bet is that some ab work would improve things.

    Just think about it–ever notice how younger folks never complain about their mattresses?

    • Maria Killam says:

      Great suggestion, maybe I need to go to the gym 4 days a week instead of the usual 2 maybe 3! Maria

      • InfoDiva says:

        It’s not just going to the gym–it’s what you do there! A couple of sessions with a personal trainer can do wonders in setting up a good core routine.

  • Christine says:

    Ps – ours is 5 years old, no indents yet. We were told the mattress will break down quickly with any exposure to bodily fluids (sweat).

  • Kari says:

    Maria, get a Tempurpedic. I know Terreeia sleeps hot, but they make one w/ a cool top called Tempur-Breeze. My husband and I have had a Tempurpedic for about 10 years and we love it. Yes, it’s the older (non-Breeze) model, but we live in frigid Minnesota where it’s nice to sleep warm. Even then, it’s not that warm if you get a light down comforter that breathes.

  • Peggy says:

    Intellibeds–gel interior; recommended by doctors for reducing back pain, long lasting. Great mattresses. Look at their website for information. (No, I don’t own or store or have any stake in their business!)

  • Liz Palmer says:

    I’m so excited to have won the Sherwin Williams colour boards !! Thank you Maria. I’m about to convert/renovate my garage into my office & workroom. This is a wonderful way to kick start my new space and work. Thanks again.

  • Jody says:

    I know this is long but….I had the exact same problem. I bought a fancy, expensive memory foam bed that seemed great in the store. One night on it and my back started hurting and it took a couple hours out of bed for it to feel better. It was super soft but my hip still hurt sleeping on my side. The worst part though was the smell, I just couldn’t take that chemical smell. I searched for a plan B and decided on natural, organic latex from a company called Flobeds. Every single piece of this bed is adjustable. Check out the one with the v-zone which even has adjustable cross pieces. It took several weeks and adjusting of the components to get it right but i finally found the combo that worked pretty well. Still, latex is just a firmer material and I like a supportive mattress with a plush top – like what you get in a great hotel bed. I didn’t know what to do. So, instead of returning it (100 day trial period) I decided to order a topper – the Lanoodle Cuddle Top by CozyPure. Unbelievable!! This thing is amazing and was the missing piece to my perfect bed combo. I can’t believe how great my back feels and how plush this topper is – nothing like memory foam or feathers. I seriously can’t believe I get to sleep on this amazing bed every night!! They say the Lanoodles don’t compress and it will be the same for years. The awesome thing about the mattressis a 20 year warranty and ability to replace a single layer for minimal cost if preferences change, or I suppose if there is any wear. Even if you don’t end up with a latex mattress, buy the Cuddle Top – I’m pretty sure it could make any bed amazing!! Also, it’s on sale through today. Had to order for my kids or I’m never getting them out of my room!!

  • karen says:

    Great post Maria! You have the best timing, well actually, 3 weeks ago would have been better haha. We purchased a new mattress 3 wks ago, and without much research I might add. We had our old one for 20 yrs and I was still fine with it but hubby said it was time for a new one. Our old one was the kind you flip, rotate etc and a bit firm. I start off on my back or side and often awake on my stomach. Had no troubles, except the odd time if I was on my stomach. I do have a bit of a bad back. I was in the store one day and I decided to try the mattresses, I lay there, tossing and turning, I literally would be on them for like an hour. I’m surprised I didn’t fall asleep. I did end up with a simmons firm but with a small pillow top. It is made with some cooling type of system to keep you cool. we will see as our room is a bit warm in the summer. Hubby is in love with it, the first morning I awoke with a back ache. We have 90 days to exchange it. Hubby sleeps like a baby and the first week I have had a difficult time, but it seems to be improving. I am told it takes a bit of time for your body to get used to it after sleeping on one for so long. I wonder if it’s better to get the old fashioned kind, rotate etc and buy a pillowtop that you can remove if you don’t want it anymore, if you want a pillow top. Another thing I have heard is don’t forget about the pillows. you need pillows. Different ones for different position sleepers, to support head and neck if you are a side sleeper etc. I love getting into our bed at first, it is so comfy, but I am worried about my back. We will see if I end up keeping it. We bought each of our daughters new ones, one firm, one soft. No pillowtop, both are comfy, but the soft one, is so comfortable, she doesn’t like to sleep anywhere else. I think I may try her bed for a night to see.
    It was great reading everyone’s posts and reviews.

  • melinda says:

    I love my natural latex mattress from IKEA. It’s firm, but we wake rested with no lower back pain I experienced eith our last mattresses. You could always add a feather bed topper. It seemed thinner than other mattresses but we kove it.

  • Barb says:

    Oh Maria …you are about to fall into a rabbit hole. Mattress shopping is the WORST – reviews are not helpful as everyone’s definition of comfort is different, lots of mattresses are very poorly made and filled with lots of nasty petrochemical based materials, you can’t really comparison shop as same/similar models have different names at different stores, there are lots of “fake” sales and bad salespeople, models change each year in Jan/Feb to add to confusion, …. I’ve spent the last 6 months trying to wade my way through this swamp. Whatever you do buy from a store that lets you trial at home as you really can’t tell from lying down for 15 minutes in the shop. I’d advise staying away from Euro top (they all seem to indent badly and I got very painful pressure points even when they were the “soft” model).

    If your budget allows you might want to take a look at the natural latex memory foam offerings at Essentia http://www.myessentia.com/ I didn’t find out about this company until after I’d bought from a conventional mattress store – wish I’d have given these a try first. The natural latex should resolve the heat problem and they offer an money back guarantee. Might be worth a trip to their West 4th Avenue store to check them out.

    Good luck!

  • Allyson Paris says:

    Anyone out there love their Westin Heavenly Bed as much as I do? I bought it 3 years ago and I am so happy with it! When I go away, I miss it, and can’t wait to come home and sleep in my comfy bed.
    After staying at a Westin, falling asleep immediately and waking up refreshed, I dreamed about having this bed for my own. I also agonized about buying it because who wants to spend that much and be disappointed? I watched the Nordstrom sale go by for a few years before I committed. I am so glad I did.

  • Lauren Tyson says:

    Consumer Reports Magazine, published in U.S., just did an article in their magazine this month about mattresses. Not sure if you can get that magazine or not in Canada.

  • Sarah says:

    We bought the Novaform from Costco and after three years are still very happy. It was not expensive in the least and has been very comfortable.

    Now what has changed my life is my heated mattress pad! Heaven on a cold night!

  • Susan says:

    My husband is very tall and has back issues. It doesn’t matter really what mattress he sleeps on…he just has to do a routine of back exercise and stretches to keep his back fit. Just adding this comment in case you find you get a tremendous mattress and still have back pain…a physio can probably give you a fabulous routine.

    Also, I notice he has more back pain if he’s been sitting more at a computer or desk than moving around. Good shoes help too:)

    He also has extreme dust mite allergies, so we have a mattress cover that zips over the whole thing. I also put a puffy mattress pad over that before the sheets. The mattress pad can be replaced easily. We replace pillows every 2-3 months because I don’t like the mite covers on them.

    I don’t like the Westin beds. I find them uncomfortable. Of course, I don’t have back pain. I bought ours at Sleep Country and it’s super thick with extra puff layers on both sides. Both my husband and I love it. I’ve had it for 10 years and it is still fabulous….probably because I put so many covers over it (dust cover and mattress pad) and we rotate regularly, etc…

  • sharon says:

    have had both tempurpedic and sleep number. Tempurpedic was really good. A little warm in summer, rolling over feels like you are rolling over in wet cement but still once you are used to it a good sleep. But recently moved up to a king so we went with Sleep Number–hands down my favorite mattress.

  • Barbara Travis says:

    Shopping for a mattress is right up there with shopping for a new car. We had a lovely pillow top which I loved & it lasted almost 20 years; nothing wrong with it but decided to replace it, hopefully for the exact same model. No such luck, manufacturers always have to improve “mess” with perfectly fine products. We bought another pillow top; too hard returned it, replaced it with a softer pillow top, now my back aches & the pillow top has started to shift, it’s 1 year old. Now I know what Goldilocks felt like – good luck with finding the “just right” mattress Maria. Be sure to let us know what you decide.

    Barbara

  • Debbie says:

    Maria, you should check out Royal Pedic mattress. Used by president Kennedy who had chronic back problems. Check out their web site to see how it’s made. All hand made with the best quality materials. You will not be disappointed.

    Regards, Debbie

    • Linda @ House of Chandler says:

      I agree with Debbie. Royal Pedic custom made a mattress for President Reagan, too. I have a Royal Pedic all cotton set with a separate latex topper. Love it. I use an all wool SnugFleece Original wool mattress pad. I learned about wool mattress pads from Martha Stewart years ago. I bought Peacock Alley high thread count sateen sheets, and then I use a down blanket or a cotton blanket depending on how cold it is. I use natural shredded rubber and contour pillows made by Sleeptek in Canada. I’m sixty-one years old and my husband is sixty-seven. We do not suffer from back problems, because I think we invested a lot money in our beds and bedding. At first, my husband pushed back at spending $10,000 plus for a Royal Pedic Cal King mattress, box spring and topper, but I insisted. I know it is a lot of money and I assure you, we are not what most people would consider to be the ones to spend so much money on a bed. However, it was the best money spent. I take very good care of the beds and bedding. It always amazes me how people will justify spending a lot of money on frivolous items, but spend as little as possible on a bed that you spend so much time on to get the best body healing sleep. Buy the best bed you can afford, even if it means you have to color your own hair, and do your own manicures.

  • megeranski says:

    oh oh oh, my Sleep Number does sort of creep away from the wall, (Full Disclosure).

    am making a winged-headboard, and will end up making a low footboard as well, just to keep the mattress in place.

    any Sleep Number folks out there have the same issue?
    any terrific solutions?
    🙂

    • Diane G. says:

      Have had sleep number/select comfort for many years. Also added Novaform topper from Costco, and ordered new pillow top mattress cover. The topper was too warm, so is now beneath the mattress. My husband LOVES the bed. The main thing I don’t like is it’s so lightweight…just air. But they have improved them since we bought ours. Never had any trouble w controls breaking. I know several people who found Temperpedic too warm.
      Check this out to add to your dilemma…and next topic…pillows!
      http://www.sleeplikethedead.com

  • Lorri says:

    Years ago, I worked at a large furniture store and I used to try out the mattressess all the time.

    The Westin Heavenly Bed is actually a Simmons mattress, but there is no way to know what model it is. You would save a lot of money just trying out Simmons mattresses and not paying the upcharge for the Heavenly name.

    As someone mentioned above, there is no way to compare mattresses sold at different stores even by the same manufacturer. The same mattress goes by different names in different stores.

    That said, here were my impressions of the spring mattresses we sold. The Simmons was hands down my favorite, though you do need to take the time to figure out which Simmons feels best to you. The Stearns & Foster mattresses were built like tanks, but most were too hard and didn’t conform to your back. The Sealy mattresses were not that great.

    We also sold Temperpedic and I hated it.

    There was a study that came out back then about customer satisfaction and Simmons had the most satisfied customers. It was the only brand with individually-pocketed coils, so if your partner tossed and turned, you wouldn’t feel it.

    I would also recommend NOT getting a pillow top because they wear out before the mattress does. It’s more cost effective to just replace the topper.

    Latex is the best topper. It stays cool and always bounces back – it gives fantastic support and conforms to your contours. Latex or foam pillows are great too.

    Aside from spring mattresses, I myself am interested in Sleep Number and Latex mattresses. I would definitely investigate them.

    • Susijo says:

      Simmons beds feel wonderful when new. BUT they no longer sew the Marshalls coil pockets together. Now they are glued and the glue deteriorates within a few years. They also tell you they use memory foam, but if you look at an actual cut-away of their mattresses, the memory foam is only about a half-inch thick and it is not near the surface, so it is of no benefit – just a marketing ploy. Their ‘box springs’ are merely an expensive foundation that will not extend the life of the mattress – no shock absorption. (This is true for a lot of the major name companies now.)

  • Sandra wheeler says:

    I own 6 Tempurpedic mattresses, between 2 houses, and I LOVE them. They have a Tempur Breeze that is made to be cool. When I travel, I can tell I am on a different mattress and I never sleep as well. You can try the mattress in home with a money back guarantee. It is wonderful for your back!

  • Julia B says:

    Expensive brand mattress got dents after one year, slept hot and went for donation. I did a thorough research and came to a conclusion it was all about marketing. I did not want to risk a large sum of money again and I went to Ikea and got one of their best spring mattresses for about $500. That was 3 years ago, and I happen to LOVE it. When my mother was moving to our state, I saved her the trouble of searching and she got the same. She loves it too!

  • Lisa Werenskjold says:

    http://www.mercola.com has some information on mattresses. In 2007 they started adding fire retardant. For chemically sensitivie people like me, it can be a death bed. The offgassing of these chemicals is not good, especially when we sleep for 7-8 hours on them! He recommends wood, but I couldn’t use it or latex. Select Comfort is supposed to be good because you don’t have the metal coils, but it will still offgas. Hope this helps!

  • Lisa says:

    Make that wool, not wood. 🙂

  • Max says:

    Another GIANT Sleep Number fan here! We have 4 of them! They’re so great since each person can adjust their side of the bed for their own needs. I even find that I prefer different settings at different times depending on how tired/stressed my back may be from my daily activities. I’ve had back issues for years and this is the only mattress that is always comfortable for me. And they’re great for guest rooms since everyone has different mattress needs – visitors can select whatever feels great for them!

    By the way, I’ve seem complaints in reviews about Sleep Number beds being hot but we’ve never had that problem.

  • Eric says:

    Do NOT do what I did. I had bad back problems, and blamed it on my mattress. I bought a latex mattress online but my back problems persisted.

    I too saw the Heavenly bed and bought it – BIG mistake! It really is all about the marketing, and it’s just a Simmons, or Serta with the Heavenly branding. The Heavenly bed developed a big dip within three years, and of course my back problems continued.

    Finally went with Temperpedic and really do love it and don’t find it hot at all. But I learned an expensive lesson. It’s not until I started really stretching my back that the pain became manageable. It’s easy to blame it on your mattress and get sucked into the black hole of mattress marketing.

    Buy a good quality mattress, but don’t expect it to solve your back issues. Yoga, stretching, exercise are the key. I just wish I wouldn’t have wasted a LOT of money jumping from one mattress to another expecting it to fix my sore back.

  • I have a temperpedic from the 1990s, so their original format. While sleeping was very comfortable, I found it hot, so added a down topper. It was extremely comfortable after that and is now in my guest room where all guests have commented on a fantastic sleep. I with my two-year new mattress, am not quite so comfortable. Can’t remember which brand but I got it on impulse at a Sears ‘sale’. Of course they are constantly on sale. Hah! Disadvantages of temperpedic: very heavy, no lug handles on the side (maybe new ones have) and there’s no bounce for those things you might like to do in bed other than sleep. Bit of a weird sensation. I’ve heard good things about Marshall mattress and wish I’d investigated them at The Bay before making my rash purchase at Sears. I quite dislike the fact that most mattresses are now so deep making them difficult to dress. I’d be looking for a shallower depth another time.

  • Mary Jane Sorensen says:

    Hi Maria,

    Wow what great timing. My husband picked us out a new mattress a few months ago, it felt wonderful at the start but soon we were both tossing and turning. So we dragged our old mattress back into our room ahhhh heavenly to be sleeping through the night again. Well we do have a comfort exchange so we dragged the new one back up again, and you guessed it not sleeping again. I really wanted a Temperpedic but hubby didn’t so we are going to exchange our mattress for a European pillow top with foam and air cool (for him because he sleeps hot) it comes Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed….
    Let’s hope you and Teerria can find a comfortable one.

  • Grace Clark says:

    We would highly recommend the Select Comfort beds. We own two and have recommended to all our friends, many who have purchased them also. You can google Select Comfort on-line as there are many stores located throughout the US. My husband has had back problems for years and we purchased our bed and he swears by it for people with back pain. You can adjust the air pressure to your own comfort as there are two chambers. My husband likes a firmer mattress and my side is softer. We have owned our King bed for 13 yrs and a Queen bed for our guest bedroom for 3 yrs. We’ll never go back to the other style of mattresses again. Good Luck!

  • Pam says:

    Ours is horrible. The cat crawls in the hole when I get up. I hear Stearns and Foster is the best and agree since I have slept on some elsewhere. It’s such an important thing for your body health. Good luck!

  • Pat says:

    No help on the mattress. I have found that in the winter I have more hip and back issues. Doesn’t matter which mattress I’m on. Best help for me vitamin D3.
    Have the doctor check your vitamin levels. You may be in short supply – pale, northern city, little sunlight for weeks – equals prime candidate for being low on this vitamin.

  • tracy mccormack says:

    I bought a Serta queen mattress from QVC without trying it out (too confusing in the stores) based on reviews and I love it. When the delivery guy brought it in, I was terrified as it wasn’t “pretty”….it looked really basic compared to the mattress set I was getting rid of after 15 years. But turns out pretty has nothing to do with comfort. I payed about $550 which included delivery and removal of the old bed. Best $550 I’ve spent in a long time.

  • Kay says:

    What a great post and comments.

    We bought a Simmons Beautyrest queen about four years ago and have been happy with it. Both of us have had problems with back pain, but this mattress does not hurt our backs. It’s also nice not to feel the other person moving or getting in and out of bed. A few years ago, in desperation because of my chronic poor sleeping caused by overheating, I splurged on pure linen sheets and duvet cover. What a difference!! They are cool when it’s warm and cozy when it’s cold. We like Rough Linen products and use just a bottom sheet, so the bed is very easy to make. We also bought their summer cover. Maria, if you try pure linen sheets I think they will really help. And one last tip from someone with long-standing back difficulties stemming from scoliosis: since I started taking gotu kola, my back is so much better that it doesn’t go out when I don’t exercise. I used to panic when I got sick because if I didn’t exercise for three days, my back went out. No more.

  • Suzan says:

    My bed is 30+ years old with a foam mattress topper from Costco and sooo comfortable. For a year I spent most of my time in it recovering from surgery. After reading all this, I am not giving it up.

    It depends on what you get from Temperpedic. My mother bought a firm Temperpedic thinking they must break down over time. I slept on it when I came home from the hospital and it was hell. The bed at the hospital was more comfortable. My cousins have the original Temperpedic and I love sleeping there. So it depends on what you get from Temperpedic. TOO MANY CHOICES!

  • Liz says:

    Hi Maria. I have a pillow ‘graveyard’ and could have a bed one too … Having fibromyalgia means wanting something plush to be cradled with, while still having a supportive mattress.
    I strongly recommend that you buy fm The Bay and take the extra ‘no matter what’ insurance on it that allows you to return it inside of 3 yr’s. Sleep Country is exchange only.
    Spend a good 20-30 min’s or more if u can, in the bed in the store, but my experience is that no matter what, it can be a different experience altogether even 3 mo’s, 6 mo’s and more down the road.
    Latex & foam is what’s most recommended for people w FM, but I found them hard and not cozy feeling. I suggest staying away fm luxurious foam toppers built into the mattress as they invariably seem to indent over time, and that’s never comfortable. I have a Stearns & Foster which I find both comfy but still supportive. Our next bed tho’ will see us splitting the king mattress into 2 twins, as what’s good for me isn’t for my partner, and vice versa. Good luck!

  • Carol says:

    We have one king-sized Heavenly Bed in a townhouse that we visit frequently. When we put the bamboo sheets on it calls to me, “Come! I’ll take you and you will sleep!”

    We also have a king-sized Sleep Number Bed in our primary residence. It’s great! I have the overlay they sell to minimize heat — but have never even needed to take it out of the box!

    Coincidently, yesterday, we stopped by a store to have our “numbers” checked on the pressure monitor and we tested the same. Love both mattresses.

    I ruled out the Temperpedic because of my fear of being too hot but I know a lot of people who really like them.

    Tough call — good luck!

  • jacqueline g. says:

    McRoskey. Serious quality & comfort. Handmade in San Francisco for over 100 years. Formidable pile of cotton batting matress fill, beautifully engineered box spring system. We’ve had ours for 10 years and it’s as new. We expect at least another 10 years of delicious comfort and proper support. We’re told people leave these matresses to loved ones in their wills. Once experienced the choice is easy, inevitable. The cost is certainly more than mass produced ones but that became irrelevant as soon as we tested it. We’re far from rich but our McRoskey is so luxurious we sleep as if we were.

    Do consider Rough Linen sheets as well. Linen is incomparable, breathable, durable comfort for hot or cold sleepers. Might just be heaven for Terreeia.

  • Cindy says:

    I agree with InfoDiva. I used to get back pain thinking it was because of my mattress until I stumbled upon some back strengthening exercises. It really worked! Good luck!

  • mrsben says:

    Maria, from my own experience I discovered that the type box spring may also play a major roll in comfort. Briefly; in one of our spare rooms it is not unusual for house guests to compliment us on the type of Queen Size mattress on its bed which is actually over ten years old, however it rests on separate foundations designed for a waveless waterbed and not a conventional box spring.

    Now keeping this in mind; a King Size bed that I have also has split foundations and is one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in and my husband who is very, very particular about where he rests his Wittle Head ☺; agrees. Conclusion: Think of it like a house. IF the foundation is not good; living in it on daily basis can become …. a nightmare.

    In summary; with all said I am also going to add the latter style of bed consists of two separate, gel pocket coil mattresses, so you may just want to consider purchasing a memory foam *gel* Mattress Topper that boasts comfort. Good luck on your hunt! -Brenda-

    Footnote: Costco online has a very good selection of them and there are a few reviews that suggest certain styles ‘n sizes can be customized for the use on one bed. My daughter purchased the Novafoam ‘reversible’ memory foam topper, and while visiting her I tried it and I have to give it a two thumbs up.

  • Judy Jensen says:

    I feel your pain. It is awful having to pick out a mattress!
    This is right up there with shopping for a bathing suit!

  • Rochelle says:

    We went through three mattresses in about 6 months – from super hard to soft. I had a perpetual back a check an d sometimes took to sleeping on the floor. Despite the already sunk costs, we had to get another one. We went outside the box and purchased something that was not a typical mattress – a Temperpedic. And I have never had a back ache since! I will never sleep on anything else.

    Since then, my mom has become quite I’ll and bedridden. We got her a single Temperpedic, which will work in a hospital bed. It has been more than a year, and, even though she never leaves that bed, she has no bedsores. Truly amazing – there really are no pressure points.

  • June says:

    I can sleep on anything! But my husband was uncomfortable on several mattresses until we got our Novaform gel mattress from Costco.

    At our little beach cabin, in the process of renovation, we sleep on a $20 queen sized air mattress made for camping. It’s on a wood platform! No complaints!

    What I can’t DO WITHOUT is my morning exercise routine. My health club gave me some “Adapt” exercises that take maybe 10 minutes at most. This morning “activation” routine makes all the difference for my back. Someone mentioned too much sitting. That definitely affects my back, too.

    Maria, your readers gave you lots of personal experiences and resources….now your life is just like that cartoon you posted! Good luck to you in your SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT SLEEP.

  • Carolyn Atkinson says:

    What an amazing response from people in regard mattresses. All I can say – and it may help – is although I live in New Zealand and the manufacturers of mattresses here are not who you have in Canada & USA I sold beds for many years. I found out that the viable life of a mattress is 10 years. A lot of people would say there mattress was only just ‘broken in’ then but the truth is it has had [usually] the combined weight of two people rolling around on it or concentrating their body mass in certain parts of it and putting it through its’ paces like a constant stress exercise for 1000’s of hours. A mattress needs a good support system – it isn’t just the mattress that fails it is the base that it sits on as well. I finally found a bed – mattress and base – that works for me and my man. It has a very firm core with a extra tempur component on it to allow the body individual support and a lot of cushion on top that is a mix of natural wool filling in a heavy pure cotton covering. The natural components are close to the skin so the fabric breathes [synthetic fabrics and fillings don’t do it for me] and absorb body heat. I do open up the bed regularly – I like to do this on a breezy sunny day to take advantage of fresh air, and I turn and rotate the mattress [two people are better than one at this] and I vacuum clean it with a hepa filter to ensure no dust mites decide to take up residence.
    In my house I am a bit of a nut for bed making and I do like my cotton quilted mattress protector and fine thread 800 – 1000 sheets to be the best I can afford. The mattress and the base should be investigated carefully when you go to buy – like any major purchase you get what you pay for. But it isn’t always the biggest name brand that is the best buy. Most people are too shy to really roll all over a bed in a shop to really ensure they are getting what they need. I have watched them demurely lie like a frozen fish – and when asked how it feels they say ‘oh yes lovely!’ then buy the bed!
    Maria – you always should approach the bed and your nightly rest and comfort like a Princess – you deserve the best.
    The saddest thing I have found after years of interior decor work is that people will spend on a new kitchen, a big TV and gorgeous sofas but all too often there is a really sad bed that they have had for centuries in their bedroom pleading to be put out of its’ misery. I often say ‘You spend far more time in bed than on the sofa – what about spending money on your health and comfort??’ They look at me as if I am mad ‘But the folks bought that for us when we got married 20 years ago!’ and act like I have asked them to sacrifice their first born child.
    Different strokes for different folks I guess.
    From personal experience popular mattresses I have sold are Serta and Sealy – do you have them in Canada?

  • Vicki says:

    Sleep number also, 20 years with the first, 9 with the second. We purchased the pillow top wrapper for the new one bed and you do not have to purchase their expensive foam for the pillow top section. Than we purchased an inexpensive 3 inch memory foam to zip right into the topper. It works perfectly. By the way, my daughter inherited the 20 yr old sleep number bed and after 9 years is about to replace it.
    I have many friends that invested in the Temperpedic and also love it. Good Luck Maria!

  • Debbie says:

    Follow-up on Royal Pedic. These mattresses are not mass produced. They only make them when you order one. All made by hand from old world craftsman done the old fashion way. First quality materials, I encourage you to check out their web site. They are very expensive but worth every penny IMO.

    Regards, Debbie

  • diane says:

    whichever one you buy, make sure they have a good return policy. Ikea has a 90-day love-it-or-leave-it policy. Surely you would know by then!

  • Kathy says:

    Don’t know if they deliver to you, but we got our latex mattress here (we tried a different mattress for a few weeks, then did their exchange to a different one when it didn’t work out): http://www.parklanemattresses.com/

    The first mattress my husband and I bought as a married couple developed major pits and was terrible for my back, but the latex one is firm enough to support us….

  • Pat Z says:

    I found this website and am going to use it while I search for my next mattress.

    http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/

  • Just me says:

    Have only bought Sealy and Ethan Allen. Love both. Queen size is best for my rooms and bedding costs much less and laundries easier.

  • Carol Trenda says:

    This simple inexpensive answer may help your back pain:
    ALWAYS KEEP YOUR KNEES BENT when sleeping.
    Never straight …When I did this I have never had any back issues again.
    I did the same things you all did..Checked out
    all the mattresses and brought home several
    foam toppers from Costco. But when I took
    this advice I have never had any back issues.

  • Erin says:

    I have had an organic cotton and wool with latex core mattress for 7 years and I still love it. We chose the firm which is very very firm. It was a little much for me so we added a 3 inch wool topper. The wool will compress into your own little ‘nest’. I love it but of course it is not for everyone. Latex mattresses are very heavy. It is like a giant piece of Jell-O. Very hard to manipulate. I need to invite people over to help if it needs to be moved. Due to the weight we had to add more bed slats (bed only came with 3..seems minimal to begin with!) and now it is great.

  • Carol says:

    Well this may not be something you would like but I
    have a lot of pain all over from Arthritis and I found I
    couldn’t sleep on my bed anymore either so I slept on
    the guest room mattress which is a Blowup mattress
    by Ozark Trail that is Elevated and rated a level 3 that
    means it will hold up to 600 lbs…………..its HEAVENLY!!!
    Geez I can’t believe it! I blow it up pretty firm and it
    supports me but is still cushy. Its a little cold in the
    winter so I put a felt throw underneath the mattress
    liner I use and the mattress and I couldn’t be happier. I don’t want to sleep on anything else! I was thinking about buying a pedestal at Ikea and putting it in the master bedroom and buying another mattress for in there if I could keep it from sliding around. It took a little getting used to but I woke up pain free and the best part is the price is so darned low I can buy 10 of them for the price of a decent mattress now-days. You might want to check it out. I think I bought it at a sporting goods store. I recommend getting one without
    the built in pillow tho. Best of Luck

  • parisgirl says:

    The mattress thing is a minefield so not going to comment as everyone has their own preferences however I did want to comment on being swayed by product reviews as per the cartoon. How many times has this happened to me….countless, whether it be for an electrical appliance, homewares or even a hotel. I just bought a new microwave which rated the best on reviews and guess what I don’t like it! The numbers on the clock are not bright enough and being all black it is hard to see the food inside. Yet it rated really well probably because it is all black and sleek looking. From now on I will read the reviews and then take them with a grain of salt unless every review for a product or service is poor. Maria, look for a bed that you like that comes with a guarantee of at least 10 years and you won’t go wrong.

    • Kathy says:

      Agree with you. We are looking for a new dishwasher and when we read all the negative reviews about all the brands we are afraid to buy anything at all for fear either something will go wrong, it will leak, or we won’t like it after spending all that money…

  • debby says:

    I highly recommend the Sleep Number Bed. Each partner can adjust his or her side separately to get the right amount of firmness for each. It is air filled so no body imprint over time. Also you can change as your back changes to find the perfect fit for you. I have had mine for two years and every night when I get in it I love it. Every morning when I wake up I love it! My husband makes comments constantly about how glad he is we bought it!

  • Aaron says:

    Hi Maria – I don’t have specific mattress recommendations but recently had to research and purchase a new mattress for my elderly mom. I got a wealth of information on mattresses, the mattress industry, and industry sales tactics from a man named Jeff Scheuer who owns a mattress store in Michigan. He’s got a series of youtube videos that make-up what he calls his “Beducation Program.” I learned a lot from watching his videos and after, confidently went to a local mattress retailer to make the purchase. Here are the links:

    Link to Jeff’s store site:
    http://www.matt-to-go.com/

    Link to Jeff’s youtube videos:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/MattressToGo?feature=

    Also a word of caution to anyone considering the memory foam mattresses. I’ve found they are not a good choice for anyone with impaired mobility. The squishiness of the foam makes it difficult and possibly dangerous for the physically impaired person to get into and out of bed and, move around / reposition themselves once in bed. This was the reason that I had to buy my mom a new mattress. After a stroke that left her weaker on her left side, her relatively new Tempurpedic mattress was no longer safe for her.

    I’d also second the person who suggested exercise and core strengthening as something to pursue first, since your current mattress is not that old and your back pain is a relatively recent development.

    Good Luck!

  • Karen says:

    Hi, Maria,
    I currently have a Magnaflex mattress, an Italian brand of memory foam mattress. It doesn’t have the off gassing that other memory foam has. I would also recommend a latex mattress from FloBeds (www.flobeds.com). They are located in Fort Bragg, California, but they have a calculator on the web site on how to configure your mat trees for the firmness you desire. Each side can be customized. It is made with different layers of latex and a zippered cover, so if you want the bed softer or firmer you can ship back a layer to get something softer or firmer. I got my current mattress on sale, but at times I wish I had gotten another mattress from FloBeds.

  • Monica says:

    A year ago I had a 2 extra long twin mattresses custom made to use in my king bed. The base consists of pocketed coils with 100% natural latex used as padding and the cover is made of organic cotton with wool. Because wool is a natural fire retardant no additional chemical fire retardants are used. On top of the mattresses we placed a 2″ king size 100% natural latex topper. It’s firm/supportive and cushy at the same time. It has helped reduce body aches and frequency of migraines. In our guest bedroom we have a 100% natural Dunlop latex mattress which is also very comfortable but I do prefer the springiness of the latex & pocketed coil combo.
    Hope this helps in your quest.

  • Angela says:

    What a timely discussion! I wanted to buy a temperpedic with adjustable base due to acid reflux issues. Was completely overwhelmed with all the models available. I will be anxious to see what you end up with!

    • Aaron says:

      Hi Angela – I too suffer from GERD and elevate my mattress when I sleep. The adjustable base you’d want is one that allows you to set the entire mattress STRAIGHT at an incline – meaning you’re not just elevating your head and bending at the waist which can cause it’s own problems. I don’t think any of the adjustable Tempurpedic bases do that. When I was shopping the simplest one I came across was one called Beds Up ( http://www.sleephealthy.com/sleepshop/bedsup_insert.shtml ). One draw back to this one is that your mattress is always at the incline and you may not like the look. There are motorized ones on the market as well that would allow you to lower the mattress flat during the day like this one ( http://www.thesleepshop.com/store/pc/Acid-Reflux-Bed-Base-p494.htm ) or this one ( http://www.spinlife.com/Sleep-Ezz-Sleep-Ezz-Acid-Reflux-Bed-Adjustable-Bed/spec.cfm?productID=103020#.UwK8H4Vnip0 ). I recently went through all this research. Being a trained engineer, I built my own version of the Beds Up solution. I leave my mattress at a constant incline. Honestly, it’s really hard to tell that the mattress is on an incline. I have a wonderful cherry sleigh bed and it looks great. I’m an aesthetic perfectionist when it comes to my surroundings and have a great eye for interior design and style (why else would an engineer be a regular reader of Maria’s? 🙂 )

      Anyway, those are my 2 cents. Good Luck.

      • Angela says:

        Aaron,
        I can only hope you see this message since it’s been a while since this was posted. I never made the connection that I needed for the entire mattress to be straight at an incline! Makes perfect sense since you mentioned it! I have ordered the Beds Up base and I’m anxious to get it. I have a wonderful iron bed but I do wonder how my bedskirt will look with the new incline! Thanks again for your post!

  • Jacinta Arnold says:

    100% latex. An investment in rest. Its amazing.

  • Jo Ann says:

    My husband suffers from arthritis in his back. He could not sleep more than 5 hours a night on our average Sealy Posturpedic mattress which was quite old. I insisted we needed a new mattress but my husband felt he needed a firm mattress. I knew he was wrong, but I couldn’t get him to think of getting a softer mattress. Finally, he agreed to shop around and spend some time lying on them.
    We started out at a Sleep Number store where we found out that our sleep number was actually the same! On the softer side! So, we decided to look at traditional mattress to compare. We went to Sleepy’s and had a computer analysis of how we sleep and got suggestions for mattresses based on those results. We ended up with a Beautyrest pillowtop (the exact opposite of which my husband thought he needed). Let me tell you how shocked I was when a few nights after we got the mattress, he slept an entire 12 hours straight! He rarely complains of back pain anymore. We love it and it was worth every penny we spent!

  • Linda Fitzgerald says:

    Having same dilemma Maria! I thought, “Oh, good maybe now I’ll get a definitive answer as to which one is THE one.” NOT! I think I’m even more overwhelmed with choices and still confused as it’s so subjective. Good luck Maria and please keep us posted about your eventual choice and experience with it.. I’ll be waiting.

  • Tessa Moore says:

    I highly recommend Tempur-pedic. I have two, one medium-soft firmness and one medium firmness. They have many choices on firmness/softness and also a few choices with a cooling factor. What I love…(1) I have minor but constant back problems and the bed really helps with this; (2) I’ve had them for years and they don’t need flipping/rotating and they still seem like new; and (3) everyone (with different prefences) who has tried loves them. I suggest at least considering.

  • Helene Belloni says:

    Hi Maria, I purchased the best mattress I ever owned online, by air beds unlimited. I had back pain before this mattress and now i cant remember how it felt. I purchased their basic model and put either a 2″ mattress cover or a memory foam topper to make it more like an upscale model. The topper is the part that flattens out and all I have to do is replace it. This bed is very well made. I am going to get the adjustable foundation model soon and move my current bed to the guest room. It is over three years old and feels like new. Anyway I just wanted to share my good night sleep with you. I would highly recommend an air mattress after owning every other kind of mattress except a latex mattress. Best wishes for your upcoming purchase!

  • PamelaG says:

    I went thru the same thing as you! When my back pain was greatly improved after staying at a Westin, I immediately went and bought a Heavenly Bed mattress. I’ve had it for over 10 years now and it is in fabulous shape. NO dips, NO dents – just perfection. Mine has the plush top and it is a no-flip mattress. Every year, I just spin it around to reposition the top/bottom. Good luck – good mattresses and the correct pillows – for your sleep style – make all the difference.

  • teresa says:

    I’m surprised noone has mentioned a pure wool mattress. i’ve had mine 20+ years. The interiors can be cleaned and refluffed and the exterior replaced., although i’ve never done that. I just roll it up every once in a while.. they’re naturally cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Not sweaty and heavenly to sleep on. However, i will say that my excruciating back pain due to an injury, never went completely away until i started swimming again. i woke up one day and realized no more pain. Swimming and Yoga, but mainly swimming. It stretches the spine and strengthens both the back and core. Can’t wait to see what you decide.

  • Lori says:

    What ended my back pain: shoes. I had a problem with my foot and my Dr. suggested Orthaheel brand shoes; and I haven’t had lower back pain since I started wearing them.

    • Karen J says:

      Me too! I haven’t given up my regular shoes, but I wear Orthaheel flip-flops 100% of the time I am at home and use their inserts in all my shoes. Huge decrease in my knee pain.

  • Paula Van Hoogen says:

    A little late, but just 2 things:
    1-Heavenly Bed DOES get scooped out…….
    2- ALL mattress toppers made of ANY synthetic
    WILL get scooped out…..The ONLY topper that will retain it’s shape is WOOL.
    The End.

  • Allison says:

    Just took over a year to decide. I had neck surgery summer 2012, and have back/neck issues – as does my husband (even though we are only 44 and average weight/build!). I did so much research, and crowdsourced on local community sites, etc. When looking, I decided to try a Tempurpedic pillow – and instantly my neck problems went away. I waiting about 6 months to be sure, and not one ounce of pain in all that time. A miracle for me. Just bought a Tempurpedic Weightless Supreme. Medium – not too soft or hard. Has more bounce than other Tempurpedics. Only have had it for 3 weeks, but all back pain is GONE. (I don’t work for them or anything! Just loving my new life without back pain). When I travel now, I bring my Tempurpedic pillow with me. They are expensive, but considering I went thourhg 3 mattresses since 2006, I am hoping this is it for a long time. I bought a mattress topper too since that helps prolong the mattress and makes it a little more comfy. When the topper breaks down, just get a new one. Mattress won’t lump in the middle this way (which has been our problem). Sorry for the long post!

  • Allison says:

    p.s. it does not sleep hot. This is a newer Tempurpedic version, and it doesn’t have the heat issues as far as I can tell.

  • becky says:

    Several years ago, I had big issues, too. I found Sears to be an excellent resource about coils, mattress features, etc. I didn’t purchase from them, but used their resource.

  • Sue says:

    Tempur Pedic hands down! Make sure you try all the different models out BEFORE buying one!! Then one we bought is very nice, but the next model we get will be a softer version. My husband loves harder beds though, and I can’t complain too much. The best part: I cannot feel when he moves at night (and he moves A LOT!). Totally worth the investment.

    TIP: No need to buy the Tempur-Pedic box-spring like we did: just buy a cheap normal one and save money!

  • JaneBIVL says:

    We have a heavenly bed…and the divot thing is real. We have to take a broom handle and smash out the lumps periodically, because with a pillow top, you can’t flip the mattress. Still, worth the trouble!

  • Tricia Rose says:

    My theory is that mattresses in the US are all too deep, so of course they will sag! I have a 5″ memory foam mattress on a European sprung-slatted base, which gives firmness, resilience and softness. Try it.
    Don’t get me started on box springs – way too tall, and really ugly.

  • KNJ says:

    Been pondering how could I add value to the decision/dilemma your facing. Exercising ur core is a good start to eliminating your back problem as much is attributable to carrying extra weight on your abdomen which changes your balance/posture. Also, wearing sensible supportive shoes. Asking your audience for advice without any info. about each will most likely get you another poor mattress regardless of how much you spend. 25 yrs. ago, we had a great firm Restonic coil mattress. We were young and probably could have slept on cement sacks. Then purchased a high quality Shifman Mattress that felt fabulous prior to purchase. However, for 3 years we suffered with tossing/turning, intermittent sleep cycles and back pain. How could we have gone so wrong after all the research we’d done. However, all hotel mattresses – sleep number, pillow tops & latex versions all gave us a better night’s sleep. Why? We went crazy reading every review, stopping at every shop that sold anything that resembled a mattress – price was not a consideration. Mattresses are truly personal-are U heavy or fit, r u physically +/- emotionally exhausted each night, ru u young, are their noises (dogs, planes, children) that easily awake you. Is your brain constantly “on?” Do all things in ur bedroom have little lites letting you know their “on” too? What do you do 1-2 hours before going to sleep? All have a bearing on which mattress is best for you. Be prepared to change your mattress more frequently as you age (peri->post menopausal). (Hot/cold, weaker feet & skeleton, heavier middle, drier skin). We finally found a double sided pillow top by Restonic (it was shipped to us-no local distributor). We change our additional toppers, featherbed, memory foam, nothing periodically during the year based upon our physical/emotional health and we relax and r getting fitter. We now sleep so much better. Good luck to you & your partner!

  • Connie says:

    All these reviews!
    Sleep Number. Me, chronic back probelm, surgery etc…Sleep Number for 10 yrs. and never one second of back pain. Spouse and I each have very different numbers and our own numbers have changed over the years. (when I lost weight for example) It is a joy to have no aches and pains from the bed. also seems like it will last forever, too. !

  • Rebecca C says:

    We have a pillowtop that was hard as a rock. I could not stand it anymore during my first pregnancy and we bought a four inch memory foam topper. Finally was able to sleep the whole night and wake up without a sore back. I dont find it hot but i do use thinner blankets as opposed to giant comforters. The only problem now is that the mattress under the topper has indentations in it, but it is almost ten years old.

  • Susijo says:

    http://www.sleeplikethedead.com is EXCELLENT!! Best web site I’ve found for mattress reviews (and believe me, I’ve done a lot of research on this recently).

    I would steer clear of Consumer Reports, which only reviews a handful of mattresses, most of which are select models of the popular commercialized brands. They are not necessarily unbiased, and since manufacturers change and re-name mattresses yearly, the reviews are not valid for very long.

    After researching beds for months now, my husband and I are ordering a memory foam mattress from Bed-in-a-Box. (www.bed-in-a-box.com). They sleep cooler than Tempurpedic, are completely U.S.-made (none of the carcinogenic chemicals in the ones from China) and at reasonable prices.

    If you really prefer a more traditional mattress, you are better off buying a firm, well-made mattress and then adding a topper that can be changed or replaced — much more cost-effective and your mattress will last longer.

    Avoid Simmons Beautyrest! We almost bought one — loved the comfort that their pocketed coils give (no motion transfer from your spouse), but the problem is that they have cut costs and the fabric around those individual coils is GLUED together, not sewn. Their mattresses only last a few years.

    The warranties touted by most companies are meaningless. Make sure you have a protective cover on your mattress because any stains or markings will void any warranty, but even then most companies will only replace the mattress if the depressions are worse than 1-1/2 inches and often at a pro-rated cost, so would you really want to replace a poor mattress with the same thing at 50 percent or more of the cost?

  • Lorraina says:

    we bought a memory foam mattress for my husbands dad when he came to live with us. He hated it, said “it draws” I didn’t understand what he meant. Now he’s gone and we have the mattress. I wake up every morning with my pj’s soaking wet Now I think I know what he meant. I don’t actually get overly warm but the clammy backside is horrible to deal with cuz nobody want to have their coffee with uncomfortable wet duds on.

  • Allison says:

    Forgot to mention: this review was very helpful from Apartment Therapy…
    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-year-in-bed-a-modest-proposa-125918

  • I too have lower back pain worst in the morning and better after I stretch. For a few months during a move my husband and I were using two twin Ikea Fidjetsun mattresses (pushed together as a king) and I couldn’t believe the improvement in my back! I dismissed it as our other mattress was three years old and just starting to sag. We bought ourselves a king Sleep Number bed that was recommended by a PT friend of ours. It has been 2 years and I have tried every dang number but none are for me. The Sleep Number was NOWHERE NEAR as good to me as the cheepo Ikea bed.
    I recommend two twins pushed together that are exactly what each of you want. Don’t mess around with your sleep OR your backs, Hon!

  • Oh yeah, one more thing! Anyone with a body should have this book:
    Fix Your Own Pain without Drugs or Surgery by Jolie Bookspan
    All the yoga (that I loved!!!) I was doing was stretching my back but some poses were also injuring it over and over again. Having danced for years I thought I knew proper body movement but this book showed me what I was doing wrong and how to stop. Way better info than I received from the Chiro-Cracker and the Acupuncturist!

  • Just found a Jade bed online. It is a bed where they use big slabs of jade instead of a boxspring. It is meant to be able to get heated up. I had to see it to believe it was true. http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/fuo/4337907474.html

    Good luck with your search!

  • Rob says:

    Well, after seeing all these post, I’ll be brief. Never knew there was any difference in mattresses up until 6 years ago, after trying out a Kingsdown in the store and almost fell asleep in less than a minute. One year later I bought it for quite a sum. Haven’t looked back since. Best advice, try them out and your body will tell you which is right for you…trust me!

  • Deborah McKenzie says:

    All I can say is wow! I to am planning on buying a mattress in the very near future. What a hot topic. I have a queen bed that I am replacing. I have a Sealy that is old school no topper and double sided that I flip and rotate about every 6 months. I have had it for about 12 years and it is wonderful. Best bed in the house. Medium firm but enough give to to be very comfortable. I was going to buy another in the queen size. I will think again and will try others before making that decision. I have slept on the sleep number and thought they were awful! Lumpy and cold was the best way to describe it. Maria please tell what you decide on. This has been very interesting.

  • Karlaintexas says:

    I recently purchased the Sealy Optimum Radiance Plush mattress [king size]. So far, I love it. It is VERY comfortable. It is a memory foam mattress with the keep cool gel. I sleep hot and this mattress really helps to cool me down at night. I also love the no motion – my husband can get up or down – and it does not disturb me at all. My back feels much better – no aches or pains when I wake up. I definitely recommend this mattress. As for longevity – that we will learn in the future, the warranty is for 25 years. I have never kept a mattress that long!

  • Jane says:

    I accidentally discovered that firm mattresses are the best and most comfortable when I bought one sight unseen and it turned out to be *much* firmer than I expected. I was afraid it was going to be too hard, but it turns out to be the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on. It’s a very firm Simmons Beautyrest. Simmons Beautyrests are also amazing to share with a sleep partner because the mattresses don’t transfer movement so you’re not woken up when your partner rolls over, gets out of bed or whatever.

    I’ve also had the opportunity to sleep on latex mattresses. These are very strange feeling when you first lay on them. It feels like you’re laying on a lump of clay rather than a bed. I slept very well in them because they are firm and transfer *no movement at all*. However, I think that they’re bad for sex. Nobody talks about this, but the truth is that most of us are used to a little bit of springiness for this bedroom activity.

    And, of course, there’s the heat issue. If you or your partner tends to get warm at night (and my partner does), steer clear of latex beds. They don’t breathe at all.

  • abby loraine says:

    I can appreciate you be exasperated in searching for a new mattress! Good grief is it a hassle. I bit the bullet and order a new mattress from mercola.com last month. It is by far the highest quality and most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on. I was initially drawn to their all natural wool bedding because my husband suffers from allergies and is very sensitive to the chemicals that are used in most mattress. Mercolas are sold as chemical free and they must be because my husband has had ZERO reaction to sleeping on the mattress. I hope you all find what fits your needs! Thanks for all the cool info on the site!

  • WillBanks says:

    I’ve had a sleep number bed for over 7 years and it’s excellent. I will likely buy another when it finally wears out. If I had any complaint about it, it is that with the two separate air compartments, there is a slight raised center in the middle, but it is really nothing. I heard of someone who has a leak in theirs after a few years, but I know many people with these mattresses and they recommend them.

  • Tiah says:

    This is great info to have read through! We had an Opus Form bed we bought through Sears 14 years ago that really needed replacing 5 years ago. We moved into a new house and decided to buy a Westin Heavenly bed because we had both slept on them independently of one another when we had been away on business and found them SO comfortable. Had to get it out of the bedroom and into the guestroom after a year as there was a massive divot in the centre when we slept in it together. Unfortunately, my husband when into the guestroom with the bed because he has bone spurs and pinched nerves in his neck and shoulders and the super soft Heavenly bed allows him to sleep for more than an hour at a time, but I wake up on it unable to stand for 1/2 an hour.

    We FINALLY bought a new bed yesterday (being delivered in 5 days so very excited) and after reading through all of these comments and reviewing http://www.sleeplikethedead.com, we purchased a latex bed with a 3″ topper from a local business in Nanaimo http://www.johnsbedrooms.com. We got firm on one side and medium on the other and are told that if the firm side is too firm, provided we have a mattress cover on, they will come and replace the firm side with a medium for us, but have asked we give it 30 days before we call. We are pretty stoked to know that they will work with us to find the right combination.

  • Melissa says:

    I bought my mattress way back 2006 and I still love it until now 🙂

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