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First off, let me apologize up front for jumping the gun by posting this request for help right away. I've read through random posts over the last 6 pages of this forum, but being as tired as I am its hard to make much sense of it and to go on reading more. I was pretty close to making an uninformed purchase yesterday or today. I was gonna go with either a $700 Serta Trump Home mattress (this was what I considered the high end of my price range) or just go really cheap for now with a lower end $400 Serta mattress. Then I found this forum with the general consensus being that S-brands are crap and now I don't know what to do. The problem is it seems, from what I've read, to get a decent mattress you have to spend $1000+ to get even a decent mattress. That's a little out of my price range, I'm 26, single, and fresh out of college and don't really have that sort of money to spend on a mattress right now. I just need something cheaper that will be nice and comfortable for a good 5-6 years. Anything will be better than my current situation, a $100 8-inch futon mattress that I've had since September. I haven't had a good nights sleep in weeks, I wake up every hour or 2 because its so uncomfortable and I have to to readjust. I took the mattress off the frame the other week because the bars were poking through, but now I just feel the floor through the mattress. For the six years before that, I slept on another $100 futon mattress, but it had springs and was at least comfortable for about a year. Before that I slept on a twin mattress my parents bought me from the age of 3 to the age of 19. So in my 26 years of life, I've had a pretty crappy sleep history. Sorry for going off-topic there, just wanted to share how desperate I am for a good nights sleep. Here are the qualities I'm looking for in a mattress: - Firm to med-firm core (I'm a stomach sleeper) - Reasonably soft upper layers, but don't want to sink into them too far. - Something that doesn't get too hot. I live in Phoenix and I had a girlfriend with a memory foam mattress and couldn't stand it, it got way too hot. Right now I'm leaning towards the cheap $400 mattress, I mean it will last me a couple years at least right? I really don't think I can make it through another week of research, I am just too damn tired. I realize this is my fault for waiting to the last minute. Anyways thanks in advance for any input. |
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You didn' say the size you were looking for but you could do a lot worse than any of these three ... all of which are factory direct outlets. http://www.bedphoenix.com/ (linked to Arizona premium mattress co) http://www.rsmattress.com/ (linked to Brooklyn bedding) http://www.sleepez.com/innerspring-mattresses.htm (linked to sleepez) Phoenix This message was modified Dec 6, 2010 by Phoenix
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If I were you I would pick up a cheap air mattress (I've seen some for as little as $20) and see if that lets you get some sleep. If you find it uncomfortable try adding a topper - maybe your futon top, maybe some thick blankets, etc. This will give you some insight into what you find most comfortable in a mattress, and also take the pressure off so you can make a more informed decision... Good luck, Steve |
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Big thanks for the help! I'm gonna check out R&S mattress today and hopefully the other two places tomorrow. In the meantime I'll stop at Walmart and pick up a cheap air mattress, thats a good idea. I don't think I got more than an hour or two of sleep last night... Btw sorry for not stating what size; I'm looking for a queen. This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by MrThunderMakeR
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Thunder, I’m new here and although not as qualified to offer recommendations as some of the others, I have an additional suggestion for you to consider. Since you stated you might originally spend up to $700.00. On your visit to bedphoenix or Arizona Premium Mattress Co. look into just a queen sized 5.5 in latex core. You don’t state what your height and weight are so you will just need to tryout the different ILDs to see what you might prefer. I would consider going with the firmest core that you could be happy with and still provide support. The idea here is you can always add the plush layer at a later date. See http://www.mattresses.net/5-5--queen-talalay-processed-blended-latex-core.html. You could use a regular queen bed frame by just cutting some 1” x 4” slats to place under your new latex mattress until you wanted to add buy a foundation or platform later. You could also pickup an inexpensive mattress cover at a Walmart or other discount dept. store for now, I think for less than $50.00. Here is a 10% off coupon for Az premium mattress:http://www.az-coupons.com/shopping/Mattress/Arizona-Premium-Mattress-l198.html
As an alternate also see: http://cgi.ebay.com/6-INCH-QUEEN-MATTRESS-Talalay-Latex-not-memory-foam-/270674296764?pt=Mattresses&hash=item3f0571ffbc, in Glendale with free shipping. You will need to get a little education on the different latex ILDs to make a selection on what firmness here. In all I think you get a lot more bed for your money and have something that will last much longer than going the inexpensive route. The bonus is having the ability to upgrade on this starter bed down the road as your needs and preferences change. Best of luck, Robert (I have no affiliation with any of the above vendors nor do I sell any bedding products.) This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by Cowboy
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Cowboy, thanks for the suggestions. I haven't done much research on Latex because I thought they would be out of my price range, but that link you sent looks promising. Hopefully I can try out some Latex mattresses when I visit the AZ Premium Mattress warehouse and that will give me an idea on the ILD's i like. I am about 5'5" and 130lbs so I don't need the firmest mattress, but I do sleep on my stomach most of the time. Also thanks for the coupon! I've heard that Latex doesn't have the heat storage problem like memory foam, but how does it compare to a normal interspring mattress with no latex/foam layers? This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by MrThunderMakeR
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You are welcome, I've heard that Latex doesn't have the heat storage problem like memory foam, but how does it compare to a normal interspring mattress with no latex/foam layers? Honestly it's been a long time ago, that I slept on a mattress without some type of foam and I'm guessing you would be looking at some premium dollars to find one. Again, I'm not the expert here but foam is such a common ingredient in most mattresses to cushion the intersprings. It has an impressive feel when you first try it out but one often doesn't realize how warm they get after a few hours of laying one. The worst in my experience was my 3" memory foam topper on a latex core. It felt really good when I set it up at home in the cool part of the year, although I noticed the extra warmth even in the winter. I would sink into the foam so much, by the time summer rolled around I felt like a turkey in a roasting bag. After 26 months the foam would no longer hold me up and being a side sleeper, I would wakeup with lower back aches and sore shoulders, (I'm 6-3 and 230lbs.). I recently replaced the memory foam with a 3" latex topper from Az. Mattress, http://mattresses.net/3-king-latex-mattress-pad.html. It's dunlop latex, so it's a little more firm than the Talalay, but I'm just getting used to the feel of it vs the memory foam. I can tell you that temp. wise, it's like night and day. I really like the coolness. I may eventually even place a more plush layer of Talalay over this. To answer your original question I would suspect that a conventional mattress without foam would be as cool or even have more circulation than latex but it all depends on how much you might sink into the top. My memory tells me they are about the same. Being warm natured myself I have no reservations about sleeping on latex. One might think, since they are both foam they would all be hot sleeping, but there is a big difference for me. Best of Luck, Robert |
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It sounds like heat isn't really a problem with Latex, thats good news.
So looking at the link to the 5.5" Queen Size core from mattresses.net, if I pick up just the core, then all I need is a zippered cover and a bed frame to have a sleepable bed? I'm a little confused about buying just the core, reading their website they says it is just a replacement component and not a full mattress. Is this (http://store.mattresses.net/queen--premium--protect-a-bed-mattress-cover.html) the sort of cover I need or is that just a protector? Or what about this from Walmart (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Invacare-Zippered-Mattress-Cover/13181326)? As far as the bed frame, what if I buy a bed frame like this (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39849860) from Ikea with a set of slats (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/25844409) or even the nicer ones (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60125969). Would it still be necessary to add a foundation to protect the Latex core? Thanks again for the help its really appreciated! This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by MrThunderMakeR
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I stopped by both SleepEZ and R&S Mattress yesterday and was impressed. Both stores seemed to have better deals than what I had seen at the big retial stores with the S-brands. I am having trouble finding any info or reviews for the mattress I tried though. Here is what I found: From R&S Mattress: http://cheap-latex-foam-mattress.com/3108-four-seasons-marquee-plush-5-0-queen-mattress.html - $599. I'm not sure this is the exact one I tried but its close. On the tag it said Spring Air Marquee II, which I can't find anything on google for, but the salesman said it was a Four Seasons and this looks pretty similar. The salesman said it was a $1300 mattress in normal retail stores, the tag said original retail was $1200 with R&S price normal price being $11000. The $599 was the salesman's quote. Either way it seems like a really good deal, the mattress was really comfortable and it seemed like it had the perfect combination I'm looking for with a firm overall support but a soft top layer. The salesman also said it had individually wrapped coils. Also no pillow top or memory foam, so I don't think it will get too warm. The mattress was wrapped in plastic though so I didn't get to verify that. My only issue with this mattress is it was REALLY tall and thick. I guess this is good as far as quality and comfort but I like my bed closer to the ground. If I do go with this mattress I deffinitely won't be using a box spring. http://cheap-latex-foam-mattress.com/size/5480-hannah-ultra-plush-latex-top-5-0-queen-mattress.html - $550. Again I'm not sure this is the exact same mattress but its close. According to the salesman it had a non-laytex foam core, with an all natural latex top. The tag said it was a Brooklyn Hannah Ultra Plush Latex Top. I like this mattress because I like the idea of getting away from an innerspring mattress and this seems about the best I can do without getting a full-latex core mattress (too expensive). I'm worried about the quality of the non-laytex foam core though. From SleepEZ: Miracle Bedding Latex Top, non-Latex Foam Core - $550. I can't find any info for this mattress online. According to the salesman it was a mattress that they bring in from another manufacturer (Miracle Bedding in CA) and they just recently got it in and hadn't sold many. He said it had a "poly-foam" core with a topper made of all natural laytex. This seemed pretty similar to the Brooklyn Hannah above as far as quality and layout, but I think it was a little too soft in comparison. On the other hand I was really impressed with the mattresses that SleepEZ made themselve's, though they were out of my price range. But the impression I got was they make quality mattresses which makes me think they wouldn't bring in a poor quality mattress from another distributor. Anyways I'm gonna stop by the bedphoenix.com (AZ Premium Mattress) location after work today and see what they have to offer. Right now I'm leaning towards the Four Seasons from R&S as it seems like too good of a deal to pass on. Unless I find something better at AZ Premium, or you guys recommend against it, I will likely go back to R&S and purchase the Four Seasons tonight. Also, I did pick up the Malm bed frame and slats from Ikea last night for ~$280. |
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I would probably tend to avoid the nature's rest. Thicker ... expecially that thick ... usually means more expensive ... and worse. Too much polyfoam probably in all the wrong places. It's just like buying really expensive foam that you don't need at all and you would likely very quickly develop depressions and support issues. Even though R&S is factory direct for Brooklyn bedding, they also sell other brands. I would tend to stick with the Brooklyn brand there. There are two miracle beddings both in California. One of them is a really small outfit without even a website and doesn't make any latex mattresses (I called them to find out) The other one is out of business so I don't now what they made. Perhaps there is a third or they just were able to get a really good price for the remaining mattresses. I'd be interested to know. In any case, if a manufacturer uses a good quality polyfoam under latex, that and latex over innersprings would be the "next best thing" to an all latex mattress. Some people may even prefer latex over innersprings in it's feel even though it would (should) be less. At Sleepez I would probably also go with the poly/latex combination as well. Good quality poly in the support layers is not the same problem as poly in the upper comfort layers. The other advantage to a foam mattress is that it doesn't need a box spring under it and your slatted foundation and bed would do great. An innerspring mattress usually (not always) needs a boxspring rather than a slatted foundation There should also be some good options at Bed Phoenix. Once you've been there ... I would wait a day or two before you bought and post your options here so you can get a sense of what you think may be best. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 8, 2010 by Phoenix
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Thanks for the opinions Phoenix.
So it sounds like there is a reason the Four Seasons innerspring is discounted so much. With that info, I'm leaning towards the Brooklyn Polyfoam/Latex mattress now. I'm still going to check out Bed Phoenix, but I'm not really expecting much. I checked out their address on google maps and it basically looks like someone's house out on the edge of the city. Unless I find something really impressive there, I'm going to return to R&S and buy the Brooklyn tonight. I really don't think I can make another couple nights, even on an air mattress. I should also mention that R&S does give a 30-day comfort guarantee so I'll have an option to swap the Brooklyn if it doesn't work out. This message was modified Dec 8, 2010 by MrThunderMakeR
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