Local option (Portland Mattress Makers) vs. factory-direct shipped (DLX or Engineered Sleep)

This is a continuation of a recent post about trying to find a new mattress that is comfortable for my partner. After laying on a bunch at our local manufactor, she landed on one model in particular for being supportive while also the most cushy/soft/comforting. Here’s the information about the mattress she liked:

Boothbay Combo -Layers -1 sided
1016 Combi Quantum Edge Pocket Coil
1” layer of 3# memory
1” Dunlop c1 latex foam
1” Soft Quilted Fabric Top

We would also most likely opt to upgrade to a 2 sided option, which would mirror the comfort layers.

Beyond this we are considering either ordering a DLX Premier (probably soft, but maybe medium) or the Engineered Sleep Duo Memory Plus. The appeal of these two is partially online recommendations, but also price considering they are both currently running Black Friday sales which means they’d be almost 50% less than our local option.

We are definitely willing to pay more if it’s the better option, but since we will also need a new platform frame, linens, and bedding as we plan to upgrade in size, any money saved on the mattress will definitely be utilized elsewhere.

Would love to hear some expert insights amongst these options. Seems like Portland Mattress Makers has a good reputation online (great locally), but the fact they don’t list the product specifications online is somewhat of a hurdle for more broad and true evaluation.

1 Like

Not listing the specifications of a mattress can sometimes be a red flag, but not always. If a manufacturer has a strong reputation, with few complaints, and is thoughtfully and logically designing their mattresses, there could still be a hidden gem in their offerings. Bedding Industries of America, which manufactures brands like Millbrook, Hemingway, and Eclipse, makes excellent mattresses, but they do not list all the specifications—only the materials used.

For comparison, having access to mattress specifications can be helpful, as it provides a basis for making informed decisions. When you look at their website, they say all the right things, and it seems they’ve been in business for a long time. However, that still doesn’t define the comfort level that’s best for you. I have no doubt that they can create a mattress you’ll love, and they may even be willing to customize things further, such as splitting the comfort layer, since they are the manufacturers.

On the other hand, @DLX and @EngineeredSleep are also capable of making similar modifications if needed. @EngineeredSleep, in particular, is known for its flexibility and willingness to accommodate almost any customization request. Both brands offer mattresses that allow you to adjust the firmness at home, which is a nice feature. Should you need a firmer, softer or even a different material, ie. latex vs polyfoam, both DLX and ES can accommodate you, now or in the future without sacrificing the entire mattress. DLX, for example, can split the internal comfort layer, so you can have one side soft and the other medium. I did this for my mother-in-law, who is elderly and couldn’t try the mattress before purchasing. She found the firm side to be perfect and never needed to try the medium side, as she only sleeps on that side. There was no need to make any changes.

With Engineered Sleep, you usually don’t need to swap anything. You can simply flip the core layer to adjust the firmness to your preference. If you do need to swap the comfort layer, that’s always an option too.

The additional TMU promotion can also make the pricing more appealing.

I would expect the customer service from all three brands to be similar. However, it’s important to consider what happens if the mattress doesn’t work quite as expected. Make sure you understand each company’s return, exchange, or warranty policy. It’s important to have a safety net in place, just in case.

Ultimately, price, customer service, adaptability, and the ability to customize after purchase are key considerations. Your preferences may change in five years. While your mattress may not “expire” at that time, your body might be telling you something different. What will your options be then? Even with a 25-year warranty, if comfort adjustments aren’t covered, you may find yourself starting over. While a long warranty is a nice perk and often a sign of a company’s confidence in their product, you also need to have confidence that the mattress will continue to meet your body’s needs over the long term.

I know this might not make your decision any easier, but there are some important factors to consider.

I wish you all the best with your final decision and look forward to hearing about it once you’ve made it.

Maverick

Hi @Seanmells - thank you for the info! We use Texas Pocket Springs vs the Leggett unit that you have spec’d. I know DLX used Leggett so they could have that exact spec - I am sure they will chime in.

As far as what we can do - here are some options. If you are going to buy a standard product from us I would recommend the Duo Memory (potentially the Memory Plus). We can chat that out if you are interested.

We could also turn one of our Classic Hybrids (flippable) into a similar spec to what you have above. We have 1" 3lb Memory Foam and 1" Dunlop or Talalay Latex. We love the TPS Springs that we use for support and edge support.

We would love to help in anyway that we can! The Duo has its advantage in the separation of comfort and support; and the ability to flip the support to change the feel (plus you do get one Comfort Exchange where you can swap out the Comfort Layer if needed).

Good luck in your search and we are here if you need us!

1 Like

Super helpful @EngineeredSleep, we really want to make this decision soon, but also don’t want to rush into it! Hahaha.

I’m not sure if this would be better done privately (I can follow up with you that way as well), but I was hoping you could help us understand both the difference in pocketcoils and how your standard offer Duo Memory Plus (which we were leaning towards) compares to the custom spec’d option you offered.

It’s potentially helpful to mention our local manufacturer had two similar lines that used different pocket coils in them. We preferred the firmer more supportive line, yet were leaning towards the plushiest of their comfort layers.

1 Like

Sean,
If you feel more comfortable discussing your options privately, just click on the Trusted Member’s name of your choice and click on “message.” Of course, once you make a decision and experienced your choice, feel free to post your praise here in the forum. Yes, if there something you dont like, feel free too, but please discuss it with the professionals you have chosen, so they are aware you need additional guidance.

The folks here are looking out for your best comfort and eagerly try to satisfy every sleeper they encounter who can and wants to have their best nights sleep. You can always give them a call too.

Best of luck to you.

Sorry for hijacking the conversation.

Maverick