Next Steps for Shopping?

Mattress Talk Needs & Personal Preferences
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Hi! In the middle of mattress shopping to upgrade our queen to a king and looking for some advice on next steps.

After a lot of reading on TMU and feeling very overwhelmed, my partner and I decided to take the first step and just “flop around” on a bunch of mattresses at RoomsToGo. Our top 2 in the store were Sealy Colliford (innersprings with memory foam) and Therapedic Whexley (coils with memory foam), over all of the more expensive beds they had. However, this is really just based on quick “feel good” tests, and not able to compare all of the things that we care about: the right support and comfort, cooling, durability, customer service (good return policy), and bonus points for sustainability.

Our current situation: Queen Nectar mattress purchased in 2018 for $700 (there is no more specific name in my email receipt so maybe they only had one model). Him - 5’11 / 240lbs / back sleeper mainly but ends up sometimes on his stomach. He is not very picky other than preferring a softer mattress. Me - 5’4" / 170lbs / side sleeper that often has shoulder and neck pain (although I have a bunch of different types of pillows and my needs seem to vary depending on the day and season). I sleep hot and have trouble going back to sleep if woken up. Most nights I end up on the couch because of temperature and comfort (I like sleeping against the back of the couch). For some reason I seem to sleep more comfortably across the matress we currently have than the regular way. Honestly I dont have significant complaints about our mattress (especially for the price) and feel like upgrading to a King will give me a lot more temperature relief and allow me to toss and turn more freely. Oh, also we have a nonnegotiable 60lb dog who sleeps in the middle, contributes to the heat issue, and can kick you in the middle of the night.

After we tested mattresses, I came back and did a lot more research to try to figure out what to do next. Unfortunately there really isnt a lot of specific info available for both the beds we liked in the store, including from the store’s customer service. I don’t love this or the lack of a free trial. And from the info here I feel like I want to avoid these big brands if possible. They did feel the most comfortable out of the ones we tried in the store (probably 40ish beds, most seemed to be some variations of hybrid, a few that were memory foam or spring). However I am not really sure how to “translate” those feelings into what qualities to look for due to the lack of specs. For this price range ($1300 -$1700) we are ok with just buying either one of those or an online one with a good return policy so that we aren’t continuing to expend a lot of time and energy into researching and trying different things. If we don’t love it after a few years, it’s at least an improvement above my current sleep situation without a huge investment of money, time, and energy. Are there any better alternatives that would feel comparable to these two?

The other rabbit hole I have gone down during my research is looking at more expensive custom latex mattresses like Sleep EZ or Flobed. I like the custom sides and ability to swap out layers, but without trying any fully latex mattress in person (any suggestions near Memphis, TN?) I feel uncomfortable just buying one at the more expensive price range, even if they have a free trial period. It seems like if the general “feel” is right, they would easily meet my priorities in a mattress listed above. Does anyone have any insights on which of those two might fit our needs better? Should we go with the general recommendations based on our height/weight vs changing his side to a softer foam (he prefers softer beds than me)? Also, are there any benefits to having some of the base layers as a single vs a split if they are the same density (would it feel more comfortable for laying in the middle?) We are planning on buying an adjustable base if that makes a difference in anything.

Thanks for anything you might be able to share! I am grateful for all these resources that TMU offers, and will definitely report back on our experience over time to pay it forward.

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Hi memphisgrizz,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround and welcome to the community.

It sounds like you’re doing a great job navigating the mattress shopping process! Since you found the Sealy Colliford and Therapedic Whexley comfortable in-store, they could be a good starting point, but the lack of a trial period is a drawback. Am I to understand, the lack of trial policy, they are not returnable.

I did get this off their website:

ROOMS TO GO 90 NIGHT SLEEP TRIAL POLICY

For some customers it can take at least 30 nights to adjust to a new mattress. That’s why we are offering a one time, 90-night Mattress Sleep Trial, which allows you to exchange your new mattress for a different mattress if you are not completely satisfied after the 30-night adjustment period. This trial is for an exchange, not a refund.

Here is how it works:

  • This 90-night Mattress Sleep Trial is only available to you 30 nights after delivery and before 90 nights after delivery. So, if you are not comfortable with your new mattress on day 31 after your mattress delivery, you can exchange it within 90 nights of your delivery date. This 90-night Mattress Sleep Trial applies only to your original mattress - one mattress exchange per purchase. Mattresses that have already been exchanged under a manufacturer’s warranty are not eligible for this sleep trial.
  • The exchange fees you will be charged are: (a) $99 for the reselection and (b) a pickup, return to vendor, and redelivery fee of $69 for a total fee of $168.
  • The mattress you reselect must be the same or larger size.
  • If you reselect a mattress of greater value, you are responsible for paying the price difference. If you reselect a mattress of lesser value, you will not be entitled to a refund or store credit for the price difference.
  • If the mattress you are exchanging is stained, damaged, or in any way unsanitary, or the law tags have been removed, it is not eligible for this 90-night Mattress Sleep Trial. Consider protecting your mattress with a mattress protector.
  • If a mattress manufacturer has a sleep trial period that is longer than 90 days, > Rooms To Go will apply the manufacturer’s extended sleep trial period subject to the other terms outlined in this policy.
  • This 90-night Mattress Sleep Trial is not applicable to: (a) floor models, (b) outlet or clearance center sales, and (c) pillows, mattress protectors and encasements, sheets, furniture, or adjustable bases.

You might also consider alternatives such as @BackScience, @sleepez, @Arizona_Premium and a few others, that offer both all foam or hybrid options, that are within the price range. @FloBeds makes a great mattress, true they are a bit more expensive as they use all Talalay processed latex, but do offer a system where you can swap out layers, rather than replace an entire mattress, much like a couple of the other mattress companies I mentioned. While Flobeds is a pricier than the others, I dont see Sleepez as being in that higher price category, but everyone has their own budget, which is perfectly acceptable.

Most of the Trusted Member Mattress Manufacturers offer mattresses that are known for their adaptability of their foam layers, that balances support and comfort, and offer generous trial periods and good customer service.

If you want to try the online route, Nolah and Bear Mattress is another option, focusing on cooling technology(take that with a grain of salt) and good support, especially for side sleepers.

If you’re interested in custom latex options, @Sleep_EZ or @Arizona_Premium offer modestly priced customizable options and @FloBeds or @CST as I mentioned offer premium customizable mattresses that could help accommodate your differing comfort needs.

Sleep EZ and APM has a strong reputation for durability and good customer service, while Flobeds and CST are known for its unique layering system, which could be beneficial for adjusting firmness over time.

In consideration of your sizes, you do have a 70 pound differential. The great thing about the TMs at TMU is that they will collaborate with you to best provide the most likely successful combination on the first attempt. They interact with sleepers every day from all different weight classes, comfort preferences and have a vested interest in getting it right the first time. They do not trying to sell you a floor model or something they can walk away from after the sale, because it was a showroom model.

Regarding the benefits of split versus single layers, split layers allow for customization on each side, which is advantageous if your partner prefers a softer feel. In contrast, a single layer could create a more seamless feel in the middle but may not offer as much individual customization. Having said that, most split internal comfort mattresses are hardly noticeable to the sleepers.

To enhance your search, you could opt to check out local retailers or specialty stores that carry latex mattresses. Testing options in person is valuable, especially if you find knowledgeable staff who can guide you based on your needs. Additionally, ensure that any mattress you consider is compatible with your planned adjustable base, as this can help with cooling and managing your dog’s space.

Given your budget, a combination of in-store testing and online shopping may serve you best. Prioritizing options with good return policies is wise, and once you’ve narrowed down your choices, don’t hesitate to take advantage of any trial periods, online stores offer them for a reason, the better, more engaged professionals tend to get you sleeping comfortable right from the first choice.

Keep in mind, the folks mentioned are all professionals with years of experience dealing with compromised sleepers. There are plenty others too choose from. Just look down the TM list, all have been vetted for this specific purpose. Since you named a couple in your question, I simply mentioned them in my response.

Good luck with your search, and your future feedback will surely help others in similar situations!

Maverick

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Thank you so much! I did find that Sleep EZ has some free samples on their website, so am waiting for those to get here. The Rooms to Go policy you found is not ideal, since they charge some for replacement plus you still have to buy a mattress from them!

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Update: the Sleep EZ samples got here yesterday. It was very helpful to be able to feel the different firmnesses and the difference between Dunlop and Talalay latex. I just ordered a 13" with split sides. I used the website’s suggestions for the layers based on our weight/sleep position, but upgraded the 2nd of 4 layers to Talalay as well to see if it will help give us more cooling and comfort. Look forward to trying it!

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The bed got here within 4 days and we just set it up yesterday. WHEW! This was a struggle even for two people, so if you are used to the “bed in a box” concept prepare for some extra work. The layers are heavy and our bedframe was so tight around it making it difficult to tackle the edges. Also, the zipper was not easy to open or close by hand - pliers are your friend here. The entire setup took roughly an hour of intense labor. If I had known that going in, I may have just gone with the 10" instead of the 13" :slight_smile:

All that being said, the first night sleeping on it exceeded my expectations. The mattress does feel much cooler compared to our old one. The separate sides do not feel weird (there is no noticeable gap or hard transition in firmness). The free pillows it came with are now my new favorites. I did not feel any neck or shoulder pain this morning. Initially I had some concerns about motion transfer issues with latex, but I didn’t feel that was a problem (the king size definitely helps with that though). It also works well with our adjustable base.

So far very promising and worth the extra effort!

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I would say the juice was worth the squeeze! Yes, sometimes these cover zippers can be a little challenging. I find that “starting one corner” then sliding the layers into the cover, then slowly zipping one of the “90 degree right angles” and pulling the cover against the layers, so the rest of the sides are easier to zip as they are not as tight.

Regardless, the most important thing, and the way you should look at it, for one hour of intense labor, you will have 10 years or more of sleep comfort. Sounds like a reasonable good trade off.

Congratulations on your comfortable mattress. I am so happy the Sleepez worked out for you!

Maverick

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