How to Buy the Best Mattress

The ultimate guide to the best mattress types and brands.

tempurpedic

Latex Mattress vs. TempurPedic: Our Opinion

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When you are shopping for a new mattress and looking at all of your options, one of the comparisons that will surely make at some point is a latex mattress vs. TempurPedic memory foam. You’ve probably already seen one of the top ranking articles on Google that makes it sound like TempurPedic mattresses are hot, wear out after a few years, and are somehow toxic. But notice that the article is written by someone selling organic latex mattresses. I would think that in general, there is probably an incentive to promote what a company sells in comparison to a brand that it doesn’t carry. Here are some facts about TempurPedic mattresses:

  • They have a 25 year limited warranty. That doesn’t jive with “loses memory in 3 to 5 years,” if you ask me.
  • They were ranked as the top mattress by Consumer Reports in 2012.
  • TempurPedic uses a type of memory foam that was originally invented by NASA scientists as a pressure absorbing material for astronauts during liftoff. A Swedish company licensed and developed the foam for use as a mattress in the 1990s, which eventually became the TempurPedic company you know today. They have continued developing the material ever since.

There’s no question that TempurPedic mattresses are expensive. But I have personally owned one for almost 10 years, and it is still exactly as good as it was when I originally purchased it. It was the best mattress purchase I have ever made, and well worth the money I spent buying it at full retail. TempurPedic says that a 2010 Blackstone Group Tempur-Pedic Owners Study showed that 9 out of 10 people who bought one of their mattresses would buy one again. (Although they don’t specify how long after the purchase they said that.) And they also claim that 94 percent of owners are satisfied with their purchase.

With all that said, I am not saying that latex mattresses aren’t any good. In fact, latex mattresses have quite a few advantages of their own. One issue you have to consider, however, is that TempurPedic is one brand, using its own memory foam. Latex mattresses come in many forms, from many different manufacturers.

You might buy a high quality latex mattress that you like better than a TempurPedic, or a crappy cheap one that you think is worse than any mattress you’ve ever slept on. There are many other types of memory foam, and many brands of memory foam mattresses. So don’t say “TempurPedic” unless you are referring to that specific brand. There are plenty of cheap and terrible memory foam mattresses out there that are other brands.

There’s a lot of work you’ll have to do as a consumer to figure out if you are getting your money’s worth with a latex mattress. That’s because there are a ton of different variables with a latex mattress, and any of them can affect the price, the longevity, the comfort level, the quality of materials and more.

Natural latex is a product that comes from a rubber tree. A mattress can be made of natural latex, or synthetic latex, or a blend of the two. If you are looking for a high end, “natural” option for your bed, then latex is going to be a good way to go. You can buy a completely organic, natural latex mattress. Natural latex will last for many years, and many of the top organic natural latex mattress brands have up to a 20 year warranty.

That being said, there are plenty of blended latex mattresses that are still very high quality mattresses, that are very comfortable. Buying 100 percent “natural latex” guarantees that your price is going to be higher, but it doesn’t guarantee the highest level of comfort. Why? Because you still have to consider the other materials in the mattress, how much latex is being used, where the latex layers are in the mattress, which process was used to make the latex, etc.

What you have to be careful with is that many mattresses are called latex, but it’s rare to find a mattress that is just one big slab of 100 percent latex rubber. Latex mattresses are actually made of lots of different materials. So you don’t know how much latex rubber is actually part of the mattress without checking. It might just be a thin layer at the top of the mattress, instead of being part of the core. Many latex mattresses are part latex, and part memory foam.

Here is an example of a competitively priced latex mattress that comes well reviewed on Amazon, and on many of the mattress forums.

Do you already own a Tempur-Pedic or a latex mattress? Tell us about it, below!

Amazon has some good options to consider at surprising low prices.

Adjustable Beds Are Not Just for Hospitals Anymore

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CC Flickr photo courtesy of soschilds. Adjustable beds aren't just for hospitals anymore!

When most people think of adjustable beds, they instantly think of hospital beds. And while a few years ago many of them resembled hospital beds, today’s adjustable beds are more aesthetically pleasing. There are more younger people using adjustable beds today than in the past for a variety of reasons, most commonly because they get a better night’s sleep.

Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Adjustable Bed

Before running out and buying one of the many mattresses on the market, you will need to consider the mattress especially made to fit on an adjustable bed, as not all mattresses will work on them so you will need to research how to choose the right mattress. Remember, when you buy an adjustable bed, you are buying the foundation and it is the mattress you are going to be sleeping on. It is important for your sleep comfort to choose your adjustable bed mattress carefully.

Knowing how these beds work will teach you how to choose a mattress for this type of bed. In most instances the traditional inner spring mattresses will not be a good choice for an adjustable bed as they don’t “give” when the bed folds and could slide out of position on the foundation. This will reduce the sleep quality of the mattress.

You should buy an adjustable bed from a reputable manufacturer with experience in the industry. Many will help you know how to choose a mattress for their style of foundation. You will also want the adjustable foundation that is easily assembled and moved and doesn’t require an engineering degree just to use it. The adjustable bed mattress should provide the same comfort regardless of the position the bed is in.

Tempurpedic now makes an adjustable bed that you might have seen on TV commercials.

Craftmatic is another adjustable bed brand that you are probably familiar with.

And the big name in mattresses, Sealy, also has an adjustable bed line.

Simmons also makes an adjustable bed.

Adjustable Beds: Things to Keep in Mind

Adjustable beds may not be for everyone. If you sleep on your side the bed will likely remain in the flat position, but if you watch television or read a lot in bed, finding the right adjustable bed mattress during your waking hours can make it a good investment provided you know how to decide on the right mattress for this type of bed.

There are many different types of adjustable bed mattresses such as the air filled mattresses, memory foam and adjustable mattresses made especially for them. The key thing to remember when you think about choosing a mattress is that it is going to be on an adjustable base. If the mattress is too rigid, it may not adjust to the same levels as the foundation. Even some of the best mattresses that do adjust properly may not be suited for your individual comfort needs.

When you go the store talk to someone who knows how to choose a mattress for the specific foundation you’re looking to buy, then spend some time lying on the mattress to make sure it’s comfortable for you. Another point when considering how to choose the right mattress should be the warranty.

Regardless of what the sales person may tell you about the bed and the adjustable bed mattress, if the promises are not in writing, it is not part of the warranty. The foundation warranty will typically be different from that of the mattress and probably provided by a separate manufacturer.

Do you own an adjustable bed? If so, tell us about the brand and what you think about it. Did we miss anything important with this post? Leave a comment!