Help me buy a mattress

wandajune6 · March 2015

It's been far too long since I've bought a mattress (9 years?). Mine is dying. DH bought a mattress right before we met and it was awful- to the point that we are now sleeping on my old mattress. We're waking up achy so we know that it's time to buy a new one.

What can you tell me about buying a mattress? I know someone here used to sell them (chibiyui?) and I'm sure many of you have bought them before.

Also, do I need to replace the box spring? It looks ok but don't know how to tell if it's worn out.

theartistformerlyknownas · March 2015

Do you have an Art Van with a sleep center near you? (Pure Sleep) A friend of mine was a "sleep expert" at one and they really are great at really helping you determine the best mattress for you specifically, rather than just what's comfortable or popular.

wandajune6 · March 2015

We have an Art Van outlet store down the street from us. I think they carry non-outlet options as well. Otherwise, we have one that's not horribly far from us.

I'll give them a shot. Thanks!

themuffinman16 · March 2015

lolo883 said:
Do you have an Art Van with a sleep center near you? (Pure Sleep) A friend of mine was a "sleep expert" at one and they really are great at really helping you determine the best mattress for you specifically, rather than just what's comfortable or popular.

I have never heard of this, but it is a great idea. While I love my Simmons Beauty Rest Black Label, I have back problems that only a certain type of mattress will be comfortable for me. I have to sleep on my back, and I am curvy. I need a firm spring mattress with a pillowtop. The pillowtop mattress meets any gaps in my back to give me the support I need. There are so many mattresses because there are so many body types. The best way to tell is to try out the mattresses for yourself. Go there when it is slow, and try to take a nap on one. Then, check user reviews for durability and performance. Comfort is relative.

ShesSoCold · March 2015

I have a lower-end Sleep Number and we ADORE it. I move my sleep number around a lot - long achy day? Bump that shit up! Cozy Sunday morning sleeping in? Take it down a notch.

But I agree that you should try out different types and see what works best for you and your H.

wandajune6 · March 2015

Good point on the reviews. Comfort is definitely relative so looking at it in terms of durability and performance makes sense. I have no idea what type of bed will be the best fit for me.

I see lots of naps in my future!

wandajune6 · March 2015

ShesSoCold said:
I have a lower-end Sleep Number and we ADORE it. I move my sleep number around a lot - long achy day? Bump that shit up! Cozy Sunday morning sleeping in? Take it down a notch.

But I agree that you should try out different types and see what works best for you and your H.

I've played with the idea of a Sleep Number. I'm just having a hard time getting my head around $2K+ for a bed. It's probably worth looking into though.

mikenberger · March 2015

We have a memory foam mattress and it's amazing. I've never slept better. And we actually got it, at all places, Sam's Club.

My parents own a Sleep Number and it's great. But yes, expensive. Just hope it doesn't break... it's pretty expensive to fix. (ETA: When you're out of warranty)

lyndausvi · March 2015

Whatever you do, do not cheap out. A good mattress is worth the cost. You are in bed 6-9 hours a night. EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

That doesn't mean the most expensive bed is the best, but in general the least expensive is indeed the worse.

julieanne912 · March 2015

We just bought a Sleep Number and love it. FI likes really really soft, I tend to prefer more on the firm side, so it's great for us. It's also awesome that it's adjustable. We bought a middle range one and while it was pricey, its so worth it, and it will last a long time. They have really good warranties on them too.

wandajune6 · March 2015

We were expecting to spend around $1K on a mattress. DH has never spent more than $400 on a mattress set so talking him into much higher than $1K will be difficult.

We have a memory foam topper that we got as a wedding gift. We didn't register for it but I love it. It also traps heat which is great for this season but I wonder about it during the summer. Do they cause you to overheat?

mikenberger · March 2015

wandajune6 said:
We were expecting to spend around $1K on a mattress. DH has never spent more than $400 on a mattress set so talking him into much higher than $1K will be difficult.

We have a memory foam topper that we got as a wedding gift. We didn't register for it but I love it. It also traps heat which is great for this season but I wonder about it during the summer. Do they cause you to overheat?

We don't have any issues with overheating with our memory foam and I'm about 6hrs to the west of you

So very similar climates.

wandajune6 · March 2015

mikenberger said:

wandajune6 said:
We were expecting to spend around $1K on a mattress. DH has never spent more than $400 on a mattress set so talking him into much higher than $1K will be difficult.

We have a memory foam topper that we got as a wedding gift. We didn't register for it but I love it. It also traps heat which is great for this season but I wonder about it during the summer. Do they cause you to overheat?
We don't have any issues with overheating with our memory foam and I'm about 6hrs to the west of you So very similar climates.

That helps. Thanks!

levioosa · March 2015

I'm babysitting the dog at my parents right now. Whenever they're gone I use their tempurpedic. It's the Cadillac of beds, and I sleep like the dead every night. I'm also in the market for a new mattress in the next month, but there's no way I'll be able to afford what they have. My old twin at their house isn't a tempurpedic, but it's still pretty comfortable so I'm debating between a cheaper memory foam, or springs. I've slept in sleep numbers and I hate them. They feel like a glorified air mattress to me.

mikenberger · March 2015

wandajune6 said:

mikenberger said:

wandajune6 said:
We were expecting to spend around $1K on a mattress. DH has never spent more than $400 on a mattress set so talking him into much higher than $1K will be difficult.

We have a memory foam topper that we got as a wedding gift. We didn't register for it but I love it. It also traps heat which is great for this season but I wonder about it during the summer. Do they cause you to overheat?
We don't have any issues with overheating with our memory foam and I'm about 6hrs to the west of you So very similar climates.
That helps. Thanks!

We have something similar to this but we don't use a box spring. We just have a pedestal that it fits on. Love it. Love it. It's the best bed I've had.

southernbelle0915 · March 2015

lyndausvi said:
Whatever you do, do not cheap out. A good mattress is worth the cost. You are in bed 6-9 hours a night. EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

That doesn't mean the most expensive bed is the best, but in general the least expensive is indeed the worse.

This.

Think about other furniture - you might drop $2K on a couch that you'll sit on a few times a week for a couple hours at a time. It makes so much more sense to spend a solid amount on a bed that you will spend 1/3 of your life in. One third. Invest in it and be happy.

ShesSoCold · March 2015

wandajune6 said:

ShesSoCold said:
I have a lower-end Sleep Number and we ADORE it. I move my sleep number around a lot - long achy day? Bump that shit up! Cozy Sunday morning sleeping in? Take it down a notch.

But I agree that you should try out different types and see what works best for you and your H.
I've played with the idea of a Sleep Number. I'm just having a hard time getting my head around $2K+ for a bed. It's probably worth looking into though.

Ours was about $1,300 for a queen. My friend got one for less than that but I believe it's just one big chamber instead of two and the remote doesn't tell you what number you're on (NBD). But this was a few years ago, so prices may have gone up. We also bought ours on QVC so if you do decide on the sleep number, you might want to check there.

OliveOilsMom · March 2015

I believe that if you do not also buy the box spring with the mattress you buy, it can void any warranty that may come with the mattress. Usually the box spring isn't that expensive.

We got a bigger bed recently and bought a new mattress. It has a pillowtop, springs, and memory foam. It has like 8 layers to the mattress. The best part is that it has firmer memory foam in the middle where you back will be, so that the mattress sorta hugs your back. It is awesome and we have both been sleeping like babies since the first night!

We also purchased the mattress at The Dump. Do you have one near you? They really have great prices on high end mattress sets. I have purchased 3 different mattress sets from them for various beds at my parent's house, my house, and my parent's vacation home. I have not yet purchased a mattress that I regretted from The Dump. There usually is a high cost for their delivery if you don't meet their minimum (unless they are having a free delivery promotion). So also keep that in mind if you go with them. The first few times I purchased from them, we picked up the mattress ourselves. The last time, it was delivered because we were getting so much other stuff - delivery was free.

chibiyui · March 2015

Ha. Everyone's already give you pretty good advice.

I always recommend this site for reviews, cause honestly, if issues happen, half the time I don't hear about them, because obviously warranties are skewed in favor of the mattress manufacturers.

http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/

Make sure you look at mattresses that have a 10 year warranty (nearly all brands went to a 10yr standard, the 20-25 year warranties were costing them money) Lay on beds for at least 15 minutes, on memory foam it takes that long for you to bottom out, and in general it takes time to notice if something isn't fitting you right. The most supportive mattress in the world isn't going to do shit for you if you're uncomfortable.

I would replace the box spring, 9 years is a long time, and cost wise, the box is between 10-20% the cost of the set. You might save a hundred, two hundred bucks, but you could jack your warranty up.

!000 bucks on a queen size will get you a nice bed. 1000 bucks for King size is pretty much required, you dont' want a king size bed thats under 1000. It will not hold up.

princessleia22 · March 2015

We bought a Sleep Number a few years ago and absolutely LOVE it. Even more so after we realized how different DH and I on perfect bed firmness. He sleeps best on a soft mattress and I need one more firm or my back kills me. So, it's great having a bed that allows each of us to have ideal sleeping conditions. Yes, they can be expensive. We went with a P6 model and it cost us about $2k (it was on sale... and prices have gone up since then). I had never had a bed (or any furniture) that cost more than $500, so it was a huge purchase for us. But, we figured that we spend 1/3 of our life in bed and sleep is SO important in all other areas of your life that it was worth it. Plus, Sleep Numbers can last longer than typical mattress. Last year we added the Sleep IQ tracker to our bed and that's awesome too. It's interesting to see quality of sleep and how it changes. A few months ago I changed a medication and found myself tired all day... the sleep tracker showed that I was sleeping through the night but it was very restless sleep. So, I adjusted my meds again and slept much better.

Sleep Number isn't the only good bed out there though. But, your bed is definitely one area worth investing in because sleep is so important.

relliotts · March 2015

Sleep Number all the way! I have back, hip, and neck problems, and being able to adjust the bed depending on what hurts is invaluable. I've had mine for.... jeez, probably 15 years? It was the least expensive model as it was all I could afford afford at the time, and it has held up great. I will probably upgrade in the next few years because I'd like to go to a King size (queen now) and I'd like the adjustable/sleep tracker option. Sleep Number has an outlet store online, so I'd recommend going to a Sleep Number store and testing out some models, deciding on what you like, and then ordering through the outlet. My mom did this and I think she got her mattress for about half of retail. Also, they used to have sort of a friends and family deal where if someone referred you to them and you bought from them, you and your friend would get some sort of special deal. I got a $50 gift certificate when my mom bought her mattress, which contributed to a really nice pillow and mattress pad.

With the Sleep Number bed you will have to buy a foundation. This is their version of a box spring. Regular box springs aren't compatible with the sleep number mattress so they say.

wandajune6 · March 2015

So much feedback. Thank you all!

I think we have a lot more research to do- and quite a few naps to take!

Thank you all!

princessleia22 · March 2015

relliotts said:
Sleep Number all the way! I have back, hip, and neck problems, and being able to adjust the bed depending on what hurts is invaluable. I've had mine for.... jeez, probably 15 years? It was the least expensive model as it was all I could afford afford at the time, and it has held up great. I will probably upgrade in the next few years because I'd like to go to a King size (queen now) and I'd like the adjustable/sleep tracker option. Sleep Number has an outlet store online, so I'd recommend going to a Sleep Number store and testing out some models, deciding on what you like, and then ordering through the outlet. My mom did this and I think she got her mattress for about half of retail. Also, they used to have sort of a friends and family deal where if someone referred you to them and you bought from them, you and your friend would get some sort of special deal. I got a $50 gift certificate when my mom bought her mattress, which contributed to a really nice pillow and mattress pad.

With the Sleep Number bed you will have to buy a foundation. This is their version of a box spring. Regular box springs aren't compatible with the sleep number mattress so they say.

They regularly send stuff to Sleep Number bed owners that include coupons for Friends & Family. Usually $50 off or 10% off. And if you request the info packet from their website, the packet comes with $50 off coupon. But, they regularly have sales, so if you go with Sleep Number, wait for a sale or buy from the outlet site.

julieanne912 · March 2015

On the Sleep Number also, they usually have pretty good financing deals (if you're into that). We got 4 years no interest. We'll have it paid off well before then, but it's nice to not have to fork over the huge chunk all at once. FWIW, we have the king size p5 with their base, and sleep IQ, and had it delivered, and it ended up around $3400.

morewineplease · March 2015

I will throw another Love for Sleep number out there. We got on the Veteran's day sale and love it. FI is at like 70 and I am 25-30.

We went for the middle of the line on because my number was so low I needed the pillow top to not feel like it was a deflated air bed, but it is great.

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