Plushbeds Memory Foam or Latex - or Other?

Talk To The Experts
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As a recent cancer patient, I am seeking a “safer” mattress with as few chemicals as possible. I am small - 5’3", 115 lbs and very small-boned with arthritis and a side sleeper, so most beds are too firm for me. My hubby is 5’11", 162 lbs and a side sleeper and not fussy.

The best bed I ever had was a Serta from 1988 ish that had a cushy top that but was also supportive, so I think I’d be happiest on a soft hybrid.

Right now I am sleeping on an older Serta that was too firm so bought a Sleep on Latex 3" topper, but the topper continually moves, and although the bed is more comfortable it’s old, and I’d rather have an “all-in-one” solution with no topper.

I came across PlushBeds because I saw a review that said the Signature Bliss is good for side sleepers. Then I saw their Arctic Bliss Hybrid which is a hybrid bed with a memory foam pillow top and was intrigued because I’ve read memory foam is better for side sleepers than latex although I know it’s probably personal preference.

I’ve stayed away from memory foam hybrid beds because of all the chemicals, fiberglass, off-gassing and quicksand feeling, but PlushBeds claim their memory foam is none of these things. Is this just a marketing ploy?

Is it true that memory foam has more give and is better for pressure point relief than latex, or does it depend on the type of latex? My 3" Sleep On Latex Topper is supposedly a mix of Dunlop and Talalay. Does depth of the mattress matter? And is a Hybrid generally less prone to sagging than a full foam bed? Durability is important to me. Are zoned coils better?

Bottom line, I am considering Plushbeds Signature Bliss Latex Hybrid, Luxury Bliss Latex Hybrid or their Arctic Bliss Memory Foam Hybrid. And I’m certainly open to other brands. Someone mentioned Brentwood Home Oceano memory foam hybrid but they seem to use proprietary foams like Bio-Foam and AirLuxe foam so I don’t even know what the foam is. My budget is no more than 2k. I can’t find any reviews on the Arctic Bliss Hybrid.

I’m curious about the quality of these, and certainly open to other manufacturers that are quality products and might make a “soft” version for side sleepers.

Is there such a thing as “safe” memory foam, because I think I might prefer a memory foam hybrid vs a latex hybrid. Or is latex just a safer (less chemically-laden) product. All I see is CertiPUR-US certification for memory foam. Is that all I need to look for?

I live in zip code 29466 and there aren’t many options here for good mattresses (that I have found) - just the usual Sealy, Serta type beds.

Thank you.

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Hi Mcdebbie and first time MUGster,
Welcome to the MattressUnderGround, we are happy to have you here.

I am going to allow some of our Trusted Member Experts to chime in on all your questions as you posted in that category. I think you will find their experience and advice quite valuable.

I know you mentioned Plushbeds, I am familiar with the brand and while I do not have any personal interactions with them, this is a quote from another popular mattress forum. While I cannot verify the statement one way or the other, it is on their Avoid list.

Plushbeds. Plushbeds also works with some of the scummiest affiliate link spammers around. We’ve banned dozens and dozens of these folks over the last two years. There are too many solid latex options to support a company with dishonest business practices.

I would point you in the direction of a few of our latex foam hybrid manufacturers and retailers who are here as Trusted Members to provide honest customer service, quality, and advice.

@TheCleanBedroom offers Naturepedic a quality brand with similar offerings as Plushbeds. @Sleep_EZ offers organic mattress hybrid options. @My_Green_Mattress, quite frankly the name says it all. @FloBeds a user of talalay latex in an all-latex build format as is @EXP-CST Custom Sleep Technology with their fantastic, segmented mattress options. @CozyPure offers several options with split comfort and interchangeable layers within a zippered cover. These are just a few options for you to peruse while we can address all of your important questions.

Keep in mind that no one is going to be able to tell you what you like. It is important to note that The Trusted Members do this thousands of times per year and see every conceivable scenario. They are experts at taking your information and producing a plan that in most cases is over 90% successful. While it is great to be able to get out there and try a mattress. I view those trials as a way to eliminate what is absolutely not going to work. Our tutorials are a wonderful way to get familiar with mattress and mattress materials, the approach to purchasing and what to look out for 5 Steps to the perfect Mattress

It is great that you have provided valuable information about your body profile and experiences of the current and past. You are correct in moving away from the synthetic memory foams on the market, although viscoelastic memory foam provides excellent pressure relief, it will become the weakest link in the mattress. This is important to remember when choosing a mattress, either pre-built or DIY.

A mattress is only as successful as the weakest link/layer will allow it to be. When one layer fails it can take the comfort of the entire mattress with it. Mattresses with zippered comfort layers will allow for changes in weight, temporary medical or physical conditions that require different comfort levels when those requirements present themself.

There are certainly recommended specifications of material density and weight, softness and firmness that are recommended for both durability and comfort, and our TM’s will discuss that with you when they gather all the necessary personalized information.

I would not totally discount the use of a topper because of your current experience. Toppers are sometimes necessary to fine tune a mattress system and in some cases are designed as part of the engineering of the bedding construction. When it is part of the construction you will find they do not slip around like what you have recently experienced.

All the best,

Maverick

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Thanks so much. So are you saying I should no longer be looking at memory foam hybrids and should stick with latex hybrids even though the comfort and pressure point relief will likely be less?

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So, I dont want to mislead you away from something you may have your heart set on. Our job here at TMU is to offer unbiased guidance. We pride our site, Trusted Members (all the retailers and manufacturers) to be transparent and offer he best advice on the information provided.

Factually speaking, quality manufactured latex is simply a more durable, longer lasting more resilient material vs viscoelastic memory foam. That is not to say someone would never use or recommend memory foam. In some cases as a topper, it can improve pressure relieve and add some contouring. I would suggest it is better as an exchangeable component if its usage is necessary or mandatory for the sleeper.
The other thing you have to be cautious of is “terminology” all memory foam in the common terminology is polyurethane based, all polyurethane is not viscoelastic memory foam (tempur style foam). Brooklyn bedding for example will call components in their mattress “memory foam” but what they call memory foam is also classified as HD High Density Foam which tends to be quite firm and has almost no response, and sometimes HR High Resilient foam which is an open cell polyurethane product that rebounds very quickly, much like a latex alternative product.

There are several ways to get some pressure relief if your latex or latex hybrid is not offering enough. Talalay latex does a nice job of this. A nice topper made from natural fibers can offer nice pressure relief.

I have a Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe, they call it a memory foam hybrid. They call the HD 1.8lb 36ILD foam, “memory foam without memory.” Personally, I dont love the terminology, as it confuses people. I see many foam sites are separating out the HD and HR foams and leaving off the word memory to it, even when there are additives added to create the foam.

I would not go on the belief that latex hybrids offer less comfort and less pressure relief. The comfort and pressure relief that any individual wants, when accomplished with any material, is really the final word on it.

Maverick.

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Thank you. Is there a way to screen your Trusted Partners for those that offer organic/natural latex hybrid beds - i.e., one that have all the certifications other materials that PlushBeds does?

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Hey MacDebbie,

I am not sure I can filter Trusted Members for their Certifications, but a quick look at the following have the major certifications.

@TheCleanBedroom - Naturepedic for certain
@Sleep_EZ
@Latex_Mattress_Fact1
@My_Green_Mattress
@Foam_Sweet_Foam
BioSleepConcept

As you may be aware, Talalay can not be certified organic. Therefore any bed system with100% natural talalay, while natural and made with minimum of chemicals, can not meet the organic standard.

I have only listed TM’s who list their certifications on their website. Many use organic wool, cotton and Latex, but if they do not list their certifications on their web site, I did not list them.

Below are some Trusted Members who can not be classified as organic, but use natural products and have some certs such as green guard. I may have missed someone and if I did, I apologize as I did a quick run of the TM’s.
@FloBeds
European Sleep Works

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Our Naturepedic, Obasan and Naturally Organic Hudson lines are all certified organic - GOTS and GOLS. We are going into our 20th year, as are most of our mattress lines. Anything we offer uses only natural materials, no harsh chemicals, no synthetics.

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Also our sister store, Healthy Choice mattress has GOTS and GOLS certified mattresses. All organic materials.

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I am also looking at PlushBeds new organic pillowtop mattress. @Maverick I have not seen this quote about PlushBeds anywhere. Can you please share the link? Also, how old is it? Most forums don’t allow affiliate links anymore. And, what does an affiliate link have to do with the quality of PlushBeds products? Every mattress company works with affiliates. It is impossible for each mattress company to track all of their affiliates, all of the time.

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In tracking down that quote, the author in reddit deleted it.
Here is a thread on plushbeds, during that period of time where one of the authors deleted that quote.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Mattress/comments/up2enc/experience_with_plushbeds/

I reached out to the author of the quote and this was his response and why he deleted it. While he deleted the post, there are still are folks that have expressed disappointment with them. Now you could chalk it up to folks who just had a bad experience, voicing their grievances or business practices that consumers take issue with. The only way to find out is to read more recent independent reviews.

That was from the old brands to avoid list that I deleted. Plushbeds has since reached out to apologize, and since I hadn’t seen any of their scammers in more than two years, I tentatively removed them from the list.

It’s clear from that response that there were quite a few questionable activities for a significant period.

It’s reassuring to see that they’ve taken steps in the eight months since the quote was posted on the other mattress forum. Hopefully, they’ve adjusted their affiliate strategies. If this leads to a positive change, that would be fantastic.

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