Last week I gave Sara and myself a little on-the-spot quiz. It went like this: Quick! How much do you expect to pay for a "good" mattress and box spring (or the equivalent)? I found that the answer is very revealing and one of the central issues in the bedding industry. My own price was stuck around $450, with an upper end of $1,000 for a splurge. Both of these prices were the last and second to last price I'd paid in my life for a mattress. (I have never bought a box spring.) Sara said $2,000.
Were you at the low end of the spectrum? The high end? What does that say about you? About us?
In thinking about all this, I'm developing some "Bed Buying Theories" that I hope to test this year.
To begin, my guess is that the bulk of us fall in the middle to low end of the spectrum, and that all of our choices are somewhat predictable.
Here's why (or rather, here are my only lightly tested hypotheses so far).
First of all, a "good" bed is an extremely relative term, and you can get one for almost any price. I remember the first time I graduated beyond a futon and paid over $300 and it felt like I was buying the Taj Mahal. It was soooooo comfortable (relative to my futon on the floor!). So "good" probably changes depending on who we are — particularly as we grow older.
Theory 1 — Older People Spend More On Beds
As we get older we not only tend to earn more, but we also get more sensitive about what we sleep on and the how well we're sleeping. This means that we'll tend to shop harder and most of us will spend more on "sleep technology" later in our life.
If this is true, then you may have partially answered the quiz above based on your age.
To me, this means that the high end of the bedding industry and all their ads for plushness and comfort are aimed at older folks, baby boomers, etc, who have become sensitive sleepers AND have the money to pay for it. So, unless you're a rock star, you probably won't see lots of young people trawling around fancy bed stores. And while high end mattress companies advertise scantily clad young things on their beds, their clientele is most likely NOT them, and probably not most of the readers of Apartment Therapy (which tends to skew younger).
BUT you are in the mattress companies' future, and they know it.
Theory 2 — Women Spend More On Beds
To make a gross generalization, I would also bet that women — in general — are
a. better at pricing what they'd actually spend on a bed than men and
b. that they'd be more interested in spending a little more.
While I'm coming to appreciate the differences between beds, I'm less conscious of it than Sara and VERY resistant to spending a lot on a bed. Don't know why. I just don't think it's necessary. As an interior designer, I've also noticed that, in my experience, while couples split their input into what they want in their home, women usually control the bedroom.
And the only big public bed buying moment I can imagine for younger people is as a wedding purchase, and most of this also seems aimed at women (see Vera Wang).
If this is true, then you may have answered the quiz above based on your gender.
Theory 3 — Most Beds Are Simply Not "Good"
This is the most controversial theory and one that will require a lot more research, but I'm going to put it out there anyway.
Despite everything I've already said, I think many people would rather spend their good money on a more noticeable purchase than what lies under the sheets, and that many more people don't have much choice. Everyone needs a bed to sleep on, but even at a few hundred dollars, a bed is a big ticket item and a lot of money for most people.
Therefore, to make another gross generalization, I would also bet that most people will seek to underspend and buy a cheaper mattress/boxspring, so they can spend or save more elsewhere.
Which could be the reason that, while there may exist a thriving high-end mattress business, it is SMALL. Meanwhile, there's a HUGE low end mattress business, AND there's a perverse incentive for most bed makers to give you the illusion of quality while keeping things as cheap as possible.
Which means that most beds are made out of inexpensive, non-natural foams and fabrics (poly, poly, poly), coated in flame retardant and sold with lovely names. These beds are totally non-recyclable and non-renewable and going straight to landfill. Which is crazy, when you think about it.
But, to make a "good" bed is simply too expensive. Even when I've talked to some of the natural bed companies, they all have to offer hybrid products (natural + unnatural) beds to reach the lower price points that most people are willing to pay.
Which means it's a tough business to be "good" and "green" in, but a very interesting one.
I'll have more later on, and I'll be researching and testing my theories to see if they hold up. In the meantime, what do you think?
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You know, I asnwered this question using the lower end price. I've done a bit of research on a few beds and I must say it's just not that big a deal for me. Needing to make this decision soon I will probably not buy a boxspring. I am leaning towards a platform frame though . Some folks insist on high end, some insist on futons I plan to buy what is comfotable. But hopefully spend not more that $300 bucks!!
I paid about $1.8K for my king sized mattress set by Stearns and Foster. It has a pillowtop and was on sale at Mattress Discounters (style name Chestnut Street). My previous set was about 10 years old and within 3 days of sleeping on the new set my back and hip pain was gone.
I think you are right on with your bed hypothesis. 24 years ago, my husband and I "graduated" from a mattress on the floor to a box springs/mattress combo. We got a mid-price model at Sears, and have been sleeping on it ever since. I don't think it's very great anymore, and we have decided to replace it when we build a small, green home in a few years. But what will we be willing to spend when push comes to shove?
I suspect a truly green bed will give us extreme sticker shock, and we will be weighing its expense against other costs of building.
It's going to be a tough choice.
I was willing to spend around $500 or $600 for an old-fashioned (not foam) mattress/boxspring combo this year. I did a lot of research, and decided to buy mine from the Original Mattress Factory. I had to pay another $400 to have it shipped from Cleveland, but, after looking at all the alternatives, I think I it was absolutely the right decision...for me.
From a purely profit-minded point of view, it's also not in the mattress business' interest to sell you a high-quality product that you only need to buy every 15 or 20 years.
But yes, I think in general people really underestimate what a good mattress costs, and how do you even figure out what "good" is? Not all of us have the luxury of test-driving a bunch of mattresses to find the best one for us. You go eeny-meeny-miney-moe in your price range, and that's what you're stuck with until you can't stand it anymore or you can afford to replace it.
We spent a fortune on our marital bed, for a Sealy Perfect Sleeper and it was worth every penny. We see it as an investment for the next decade or more. We spend a lot of time in this bed, are raising our family in this bed and, most importantly, are trying to become well rested in this bed. Well rested couples are happy couples.
I don't have cervical or lumbar spine issues so I try to spend as little as possible. It's just not that important to me.
The bed itself is more important than the mattress and/or box spring. I need a really quiet bed so I can screw my partners in comfort.
I'm sure I'm in the minority here as I'm 67 years old and a total futon lover! I went the opposite direction: started with horrid mattresses and went to blissful comfort with my first futon - which, btw,lasted for TWENTY years - I don't know how, though I did turn it every week and aired it 4 times a year. My next futon (3 years ago) was a shock because it weighed about 1/10 of the first one yet was more comfortable.
All that said, I have been lying down on Ikea mattresses the last few times I've been there....but I'm a total platform person even with a mattress. I cannot stand the jiggle that box springs give - making it hard to sleep in a hotel - or a friends! :)(:
I bought an Ikea upper-range Sultan mattress/box spring combo, which set me back almost $700, about $120 of that was the box spring. I had intended to purchase the second to lowest tier mattress, but went twice and found that model out of stock, and the third time I went I just sucked it up and paid for the spendy one in order to get off the air mattress that I'd had in the interim - one of the best purchases I've ever made, and I can't imagine sleeping on a cheaper matress again. You can really feel the difference.
Oh boy, have you asked this at the perfect time! My fiance and I (we're 32 years old) each lived in NYC for about 10 years. We did the New York thing of moving to a different apartment each year, inheriting previous renters mattresses, losing mattresses to break-ups, etc. But we were young, we were drunk half the time, so we barely noticed. Then last fall we left NYC and have been house-sitting and subletting in different cities; in that process, we have slept on heavenly beds, and really shitty beds, small beds and large ones. The last one was an air mattress - the last straw!
A few weeks ago we bought our first home. Our first priority? Invest in a super-comfy KING size bed. How hard could it be?! Well damn it if shopping for a bed isn't one of the most horrible experiences. It's impossible to comparison shop, because each store carries "exclusive" models that are really just re-named versions of brand-name beds. We thought about Craigslist, but were skeeved out by bedbugs; we considered buying from an online retailer, but couldn't commit to spending that much $ without feeling it in person. But trying out a bed in a store is nothing like sleeping on it for a night.
We ended up spending about $1k for the mattress and boxspring + delivery (kings are significantly more expensive than queens, but SO worth it). It's about twice what I thought I'd be willing to spend. I guess we were swayed by the industry. But now I sleep through the night for the first time in months. And I think you're right - the older you get, the pickier you get about sleep quality because you realize how critical it is for your health and well-being.
Ironically, for our guest bed, we purchased a queen size of CL for $200 - and it's pretty darn comfy...
I'd always had hand-me-down beds and mattresses until a couple of years ago when I decided to "splurge" at a mattress outlet store. I probably would've just taken the cheap path, but after spending two Christmases at my boyfriend's parents in the best bed I'd ever slept it, I found that a great night's sleep on a great mattress was worth the investment. It was amazing how much better I slept. I spent a whopping $450 on a mattress and box spring set, and they started to sag and creak after just 6 months. Then, earlier this year, two friends of ours broke off their long relationship and gave us their pricey king size bed. Again, best sleep ever, and since it's a high-quality set, it's good as new even though it has a few years on it. The next time we buy a mattress, we're going to pay for the best sleep we can afford.
Definitely, you get to an age when you realize you need a really good mattress. My husband and I are there. Our sleep gets interrupted all the time, and it is really hard to fall back asleep. I'm a side-sleeper, and am tired of shoulder pain; I spend an hour every morning cracking and unkinking my back. We are both tired and get snappy when we haven't slept well.
We absolutely believe in putting serious money into a mattress -- it affects our quality of life too much. We are looking at either a VI-Spring Classic Supreme or Savoir Bed no. 2.
All I can say is that we spent $2000 for our Simmons Beautyrest Black Label california king mattress and there's not one day that we regret our decision. Think about it: (1) this is SLEEP we're talking about - a precious necessity (2) you'll have this purchase for around 20 years. I see this as an investment in my health and well-being. Plus 8+ hours of sleep makes me a nicer person!
I'll be shopping for a new mattress in a couple years to replace the $500 Serta I bought on special from Macy's when I broke up w/ the ex 8 years ago - and when I do I'll be considering a Keetsa or custom McCroskey mattress in the $1500 range.
...I know those are like comparing apples to oranges - but I want something that's quality, comfortable and will last a good long time.
I have a joint disease so a "good" mattress is quite important to me. Even so, I can't afford to spend more than $500 on a full-sized mattress.
I didnt know how good sleep could get until I invested in a Tempurpedic mattress. HOLY MACKEREL -- it is complete BLISS and it was worth every cent of the $3000 (CDN) I paid for it. I still congratulate myself daily (5 years later) for having made the committment to spend BIG BUCKS on sleep.
Oh, this gush of mine looks like a paid advertisment but I have absolutely NO connection with that company at all :)
My husband and I recently had to replace our IKEA mattress which was, quite frankly, too old, too stiff and too darn heavy to move with us when we left our old apartment. We went to the mattress store and tried out all the mattresses there. The salesman didn't even get up from his chair to say "They are all not as good as the Tempurpedic." And he was right. As we bought it, the salesman went on to say that most people convince themselves to buy something else, only to ultimately opt for the Tempurpedic and have to pay for the shipping to switch.
That being said, we're very happy with it. It wasn't fun to pay for, but when you figure how important sleep is and that you'll be sleeping on it for ten years, it's worth it.
I totally agree with you that we tend to buy more expensive mattresses in search of the illusive better night's sleep as we get older. That has been true for my husband and I. We still wish we had kept our 1970's waterbed, discarded during a 1990's "upgrading" moment Why oh why do we fall for such hype?
I also agree that most beds are not comfortable, lasting quality (something that lasts is not good for future sales) and are manufactured with non-recyclable materials. This last point is very important for our health and the earth. Polyurethane foam is not recyclable in most states. It off-gases VOCs and doesn't really decompose. Mattesses are also made with fabrics which are most likely treated with pesticides, stainproofing, and fire-proofing chemicals. This is what we breathe and touch for 6 or more hours a night as we sleep.
Purchasing the expensive bedding doesn't avoid these issues unless the purchase is from an organic manufacturer. Yes, it is possible to buy mattresses made from natural untreated materials such as latex foam, kapok, wool, cotton, hemp, and linen, but they are generally more expensive and most people think they can't afford them. As a furniture reupholsterer, I get this. A cubic inch of polyurethane foam costs a third of what a cubic inch of natural latex foam costs. Sadly, petro-chemical products (like polyurethane foam) are cheap, if you don't count the cost to our health and the environment, and generally easier to obtain.
Another advantage to natural, organic products is that they are sustainable and recyclable. Their manufacture helps support people in remote parts of the world as they raise and harvest the raw materials.
On a side note, my elderly parents bought a temperpedic (sp?) mattress, but prefer the futon that came with their RV. Go figure.
I'm in the camp that worth of a great night's sleep is priceless!
We recently tossed our 6 year old Sealy - around 700$ - it sagged, was lumpy and creaky. We knew it sucked but we slept OK (we're in our late 20's) and spending the $$ was scary. So we postponed and dealt with it for more than a year until a spate of travelling and sleeping in other peoples beds proved we weren't getting good rest.
We bit the bullet and tested the higher end beds and ended up with a Tempurpedic at around $3000 and LOVE IT. We fall asleep instantly and have no aches.
Yes it was a big outlay, but we know that this mattress will last way more than 5 years.
Thanks for posting this question. I have been very curious about this lately.
I have slept on a hand-me-down mattress my whole life, and recently have come to terms with the fact that I may be purchasing my next mattress myself within the next few years. Although I would rather not spend the money, the idea of buying a mattress doesn't bother me because at least I know I'll have something good to sleep on at night. In fact, I'll even admit I'm excited about the idea. I put down that I'd spend $1200-$2000 but who knows. I sleep on a platform, so I'll be passing on the boxspring.
Our last bed doubled as a trampoline for our son - but we live in nyc and have no yard, and I could totally see that he had to jump somewhere... so it lasted 8 years.
Last year we bought a new mattress and box from Macy's for about 2.3K. (our son has outgrown the jumping phase) And it made a huge difference - lost a lot of morning back ache and sleep very well on it. So I'm with the, it's well worth the investment group.
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for . . .
And I don't get the age factor -- my mother always insisted on good mattresses, and even as a youngster I knew the difference.
But fast forward -- we bought the same mattress for our two homes, but later on we got a new bed frame from Room & Board that did not accommodate a box spring for our CT place. That mattress, which is used only 2 or 3 nights a week, has become unbearable and will need to be replaced. The one still paired with it's box spring is fine. If you plan to use a platform bed be sure to get a mattress designed to work without a box spring (rare, but they are out there) or go the futon route.
A natural latex mattress is expensive, but will last you 25 years. It's extremely comfortable and has no off-gassing. In the long run, it's worth the price.
I guess one should spend what they can afford meaning pay cash not on credit card pay later mentality. Or put money aside each month towards something you may not afford today. I am doing the later. I hope to get a latex royal pedic mattress and get a simple inexpensive platform maybe one from west elm or elsewhere. I find by the time you pay for a box spring and get a bedskirt its the same price or more for a simple platform frame. I would rather put the money into a good mattress and sheets.
I don't like sleeping up high and its better for my dog not to jump so high from the bed.
I had a royal pedic mattress queen size and when my ex and I moved in together he wanted to keep in stupid cheap king size bed..I had paid 3,000 10 yrs. ago live and learn.
I have that same exact picture of the Royal bed at Versailles that when I saw this post, I was a little freaked out. Anyway, I bought a new mattress 5 months ago. I purchased a mattress and boxspring for $680. It it from an independent company, and it has a lot of nice details that more expensiive mattresses have. It has individually wrapped coils, a 2" natural latex topper, and its fabric is made out of bamboo. I love my bed. I went to a big San Diego furniture chain store, and there cheapest mattress started at $1100. That was the first storeto which I walked in, so I was made to expect $1600 was a good median price. Good thing I listened to my intuition. :)
By the mid-40's, a "good" bed was necessary to maintain my health, productivity, sociability, and general quality of life. Sleeping pills are no substitute. Sleep is as much a necessity as food, water, and air--worth whatever money you have to pay. Chronic sleep deprivation can cost you everything.
What do I think? That you really shouldn't be allowed to theorize, first of all. You've recommended in Daily Finds a $6,000 plus bed frame and things like a the $1000 Charme chair (which functions as well as any dining chair at Ikea), and AT used to run "reviews" of pricey designer desk chairs -- yet you want to be niggardly on a bed?!?!? It's hard to resist the urge to rant (although I am trying, really, really hard) when the post insults large swaths of folks (you apparently don't think this is a problem if they're not readers putting $ on your table), and insults the rest of us by making "predictions" that are really just projections of your own opinion. I'm so infuriated I can't and don't even want to calmly point out the wrongheadedness of your post.
If you are one of those that "would rather spend their good money on a more noticeable purchase than what lies under the sheets," perhaps that is because if doesn't afford you the opportunity to proclaim to the world how clever or well-fixed you are.
As much time as you spend in bed, it doesn't make sense to me to cheap out on a mattress. Especially if you have to replace it every 5 years or whatever, and it gets uncomfortable or develops a sag.
We just bought a new King size bed and we went as high as we could afford on the mattress (I answered in the $2-3K range). It's the Sonna Versa and it's warrantied for 15 years. That's $180/year. $15 a month. 50 cents a day. Not that prohibitive if you think about it in a cost-per-use sense.
Plus, it freaking ROCKS. I sleep so much better now.
I had an low-end Ikea mattress for a few years that gave me terrible back pain. When I moved into my new home two years ago I bought the Costco version of the Tempurpedic mattress. It is fantastic, was a good bargain and I'd definitely recommend. I have a platform bed frame, so no box spring.
skimp elsewhere. buy expensive shoes and mattresses.
A few years ago, when we were thinking about starting a family, my husband and I decided to invest in a king sized mattress and box spring. We went to several different stores, lay down on a bunch, and ended up paying over $1000 for a Simmons Beautyrest something or other. (I want to say $1200? with delivery?) That was five years ago, and still, at least three times a week, one of us will groan as we lay down "I LOVE our bed." Seriously, one of the best purchases ever. I'd rather sleep on a fantastic mattress and drive a cheap car.
Seeing as I have backpain, a good mattress is VERY important. That being said, I'm also on a budget, so when it came time to buy one, I saved up, bit by bit, until I could afford what I felt comfortable buying: $1200 (not including delivery, which was free) for a queen bed, with memory-foam topper and box springs. I've had it for four years, now, and expect it to last AT LEAST that long, once again. During the time I've had it, I've also changed the position in which I sleep (from backsleeper to side or stomach) and the mattress has accommodated all those positions. It's the Westin Mattress, but I didn't buy it from the Westin Store. There's another company that sells the same bed and manufactures them for Westin Hotels.
And I'm not "old": I'm 27. With a screwed up back. <sigh>
It was simply time for us to get a new mattress so we spent $1,200. We were specific in what we wanted and in less than 3 weeks there was a lump in the middle of our mattress. We exchanged it for another costing $700.00. Two weeks later, same thing. Finally we ended up paying over $2,000 for our last mattress. We ended up giving it my daughter, less than 3 months later and purchased a Sleep number bed for close to $1,300... I've never had trouble sleeping before we set out to purchase new mattresses. The sleep number bed - is by far the worst one. We're stuck with it so I purchased a feather bed and use that to make it as comfy as possible. Problem is my husband weighs a lil over 200lbs. I weigh much less. He likes a firm mattress, I like a comfy Not stiff like a board one. We thought our last investment would do the trick, sadly it didn't.
Absolutely, buy sensible, healthy mattresses and shoes, and eye glasses lenses with current prescriptions. When skimping, instead skip superfluous superficialities and little luxuries. Of course, this perspective is from 50-something, and one size definitely does not fit all when it comes to life style.
I think it's kind of sad that there are people who will spend more money on a pair of shoes, a decorative pouf, or a suit than on a bed that you will spend around 1/3 of your time on. My mother in law sleeps on a horrible mattress that's over 30 years old and gives her a crappy night of rest. She complains, but instead of buying a decent mattress, she spends her money on Starbucks, shoes, and anything with Golden Retrievers on it. I don't understand it.
I fully anticipate that on our next bed purchase, that $1500 will be our low end.
I'm for cheap and I'm older - 60+ - I like a very firm mattress on solid rather than flexible slats. Too much "give" in the mattress makes my back ache.
And by the way, the ostrich feathers on the Versailles bed must get very dusty, I feel a sneeze starting!
I spent the equivalent of $1500 (£1000 - pretty much a month's takehome pay) on my bed. I have back and hip problems, and had never slept comfortably. I went for a memory foam mattress with a sprung core and I love it. Have had it for two years now and I really notice the difference when I sleep away from home. I'm a side sleeper, and my bed is the only one where I can sleep the way I like.
For that price, I got the mattress and a nice solid wooden base which gets compliments from people when they see my room.
i'm female, so as the theory goes i'm not cheap, and i prefer the best workmanship i can find.
my dream bed? a king airflex. we're talking big money here. my current was over a grand, and i'm just itching for any small reason to upgrade.
@elankat, It really is sad and hard to understand when people have money, yet won't spend it on their own health even when they're suffering. There's no substitute for good sleep. Sedatives, and stimulants like coffee, only worsen sleep problems in the long run. It's much healthier to buy a "good" bed.
I just bought a new Queen bed in July. Went to Macy's "4th of July" sale and got a Sealy? or Serta? with memory foam. It was originally over $5k, but with tax and delivery I paid $2,700. And I got a free 22" LCD TV - which I don't want or need and will try to sell on Craigslist.
I think $2700 is a lot for a bed! But I was so uncomfortable in my old bed, and rationalized that I spend 1/3 of my life in bed, so made it okay to spend that much. I do love my bed though...
My first mattress that I bought (and by bought I mean my parents paid for but I did the shopping in exchange for not asking them for help during undergrad $$) was about $650 for the mattress. It was about 8 years ago. I also got a full sized mahogany sleigh bed from the 1840s. I had to get a custom box spring (more like a box, no springs) for it.
I am thinking I will end up spending between $500 and $950 for a new mattress/box set in the next 2-3 years. I am thinking of upsizing to a queen as well! My current mattress is so comfortable, but I will be getting springs in my box this time around!
I've never understood why people flip ou over spending a couple thousand for something thy spend 1/3 of their lives in, but will go out & drop $30-$40k on a car, which theyay keep 5 hears before trading it in.
A good night's sleep has immeasurable value. As an arthritis & fibromyalgia sufferer, sleeping well is vital for my daily survival. That said, I suppose in my mind my estimate would be around $2000. The best bed I've ever slept on is the Marriott bed, manufactured by Jamison. It is well within my budget & will be purchased very soon!
Can you buy a "healthy" bed for a reasonable price? I would like a list of sources. Sleeping on an "unhealthy bed" encased in a protective cover and topped with 2 inches of organic latex.
Vexed to think I had to create the healthiest bed I could afford and wade through a maze of deceptive marketing in the process.
bepsf - I found out the Keetsa are made in China which was very disappointing for me because of their Eco green story. Its dam hard to find the right mattress I don't want one that is going to off gas for that price.
I sleep in a DUX, which cost me about $1500 (hubby sleeps in a similar one and they are tied together at their feet). The frame should last a few decades, three at least, whereas the top mattress would need to be changed every ten years or so.
I don't know how much the top mattress costs by then, but if we go with 1500 per ten years, it would mean $150 per year, or 150/365=$0,41 per night. Adding a new top mattress and cutting the frame price in two makes it extremely cheap over 20 years - and the frame should last maybe 40 years even.
I honestly don't understand people's complaints about too high a price when choosing yet another cheap but crappy bed, which might have to be replaced as often as every five years.
Bad sleep is as we know tightly connected to unhealth and therefore becomes very expensive for society.
Oh - I like your theories. I would have to say I'd agree with them all too! One question. While you are testing beds, are you keeping the same pillows? Perhaps that is next year's test once you've found the "best" bed for you? :-)
BTW - ninakk - totally agree with you, I love my DUX bed and did a similar calculation over 30 years!
We bought a stupidly expensive Vispring mattress and divan (I assume that's the same as a boxsping) which cost well over £3k (GB pounds). IT IS AMAZING! We are always so glad to get home into our own bed. There is no way I would downgrade from this. Luckily it's still in perfect condition after 5 years and I expect it to last 20.
My husband and I are currently sleeping on a queen sized mattress that we were given by someone who had it in their second home and it wasn't being used. It's ok, for being free. But, we are planning to move in about a year, and when we do, we are absolutely going to buy a king sized bed. That said, we already know we're going to have to spend around $1000 to get a basic mattress set. If we wanted to get a green bed, I really can't imagine what the price would be for a king. The difference between a queen and king sized mattress is significant. AND the bedding always seems to cost a lot more for king sizes. But as some others commented, a king is worth the extra expense. I can't WAIT until we have our king bed!
Making it harder to choose a bed good for you is that some sleep-related problems can't be corrected by even an expensive bed, so the bed may be blamed wrongly. Consult your gerontologist, allergist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, or neurologist about symptoms like pain and undue fatigue.
I've tried Tempurpedics in stores, for 15 minutes at a time, and HATED them. About 3 years ago, I bought a mattress from Mattress Giant for $900, and think I overpaid. I recently read, in Consumer Reports, that it is possible to bargain with store personnel when buying a mattress, and I intend to do that next time.
I dropped about $800 on my first bed ten years ago (just out of grad school) without hesitation. But then, I am female. I did reason in part that BECAUSE I was young I'd get a long stretch of use out of it before I got married or whatever and might have to swap it out.
It was my first queen, too. Quoth my mother: "but why does a single girl need a QUEEN sized bed??"
I love my bed so much. It's some ordinary brand like Beautyrest witha pillowtop, but back in the day when house guests would get the bed and I'd sleep on the floor, people would exclaim over its extreme comfort. My brother came to stay and slept for 15 hours straight.
Now my husband and I constantly renegotiate whose mattress we're going to use as our primary, and which as our guest. He loves his plush top. I don't know what the difference is, but I think my pillow top is plumper. No pressure points, just softness. Ahhhhh I love thinking about my bed.
Oh, but when it comes time to replace? I'll go organic to be healthy, etc. I just hope they're comfortable!
I have been researching beds and I've had my sights on the Royal Pedic Latex mattress which I've had before but I feel it is more than I need to spend only because I do have travel plans this year and next.
I did find this place which appears to be a happy middle ground-
100 % natural latex, no off gassing made in the Bay Area and from the reviews it looks promising. Approx 1600.00 vs. 3800.00 which I was looking at paying.
http://www.thenaturalmattressstore.com/index.html
We started our married life on a cheap mattress ($300) and graduated to a soft-side waveless waterbed when we bought our house 3 years later. We kept that mattress for about 25 years, then thought it was time to buy a "real bed." We got the Select Comfort with dual controls and used it for about 10 years. But alas, it sprung a leak and we moved to the Sealy's version of the Temperapedic. I can honestly say, nothing compares to that waterbed, which welcomed you by lightly heating your sheets and cuddled you in pressure-less comfort. I never woke up sore or creaky until we got rid of the waterbed. What were we thinking?
I would appreciate thoughts on California king size beds. Is it difficult to find bedding. Does anyone have one, who wishes they had bought a different size? Our king bed is between two windows. We can't put a headboard on it, because it would block the windows. I'm thinking California king for that reason. I want to "grow up" - ditch the water bed and have a headboard!
Investing in a Hastens is not only extremely comfortable but also very good for your health and well-being. To sleep soundly in a perfectly balanced bed, along with the fact that you are in 100% natural filling materials, far away from toxic out-gassing foams and synthetic fillers, is something we all deserve but seldom think about.
We spend 2/3 of our life making and spending money, yet the other 1/3 is often overlooked. Think about it,... the past ten years you spent an average of 3 1/2 years in bed. If when you lie down in your bed it's not with a smile and a great big "Ahhhh", something is horribly wrong.
Another fact that is often not known, true Hastens is the manufacturer of one of the most expensive beds in the world -The Hastens Vividus- , this however is just one of Hastens models. Hastens have many different models in many different price classes. All Hastens models come in different firmness, size and color. When it is time for you to invest in a new bed or mattress, go to a Hastens showroom first and learn what a real bed should feel like. After that, it will be easier for you to compare. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding Hastens or beds in general. http://www.best-rest.blogspot.com
Peter Tornell
i bought my first mattress over 10 years ago -- spent $1000. I think it was a great investment. I sleep at least 8 hours every night so I figure I spend 1/3 of my life in my bed. $1000 seems like chump change to make sure 1/3 of my life is comfortable -- FOR 10 YEARS (and counting).
I know some people who just don't care about their mattress/bed -- at least they didn't -- but now that they are getting older, they're seeming to care more.
I'm surprised that no one has commented on the mattress industry. Several years ago I read extensively about mattresses with the idea of replacing the mattress I had. I found out that this industry is full of hype and marketing. Identical mattresses made by the same company have different names depending on the store that sells them. This is designed to make it difficult/impossible to compare prices. The only way to know what you are talking about is to know spring wire thicknesses, coils per inch, and number of springs per unit area -- things even the salespeople won't know! I concluded that the best traditional bed to buy was the cheapest one that was comfortable for you, regardless of where you found it.
Other useful bits of info:
*no-turn mattresses are one name for mattresses that do not get turned over, but another name would be 'CAN'T TURN' because they truly only have one side. Other than that, they do not differ from regular mattresses that have to be turned.
*pillowtop mattresses are a very bad idea. The soft pillowy top is sewn to the mattress so, in a few years, when the memory foam flattens, you are left with a deflated top attached to still-good main mattress. FAR better to get a simple mattress and buy a *separate* mattress topper for it (and there's a lot of variety out there so you could swap off in different seasons: featherbed in winter, egg-crate foam in fall, synthetic down in summer).
*mattresses are home to several microscopic beasties that live off of our dead skin particles. Ewww, I know, but true. These are NOT bedbugs, by the way. These critters cannot survive in foam, but if the mattress only has some foam, they will be all right.
*firm mattresses are cheaper than softer ones at least as far as traditional mattresses are concerned.
Several moves later, I still haven't bought the mattress I decided on, but I am now in the market again. My preference is for ultra-firm mattresses -- only the floor is too firm -- and for a synthetic non-memory foam (sorry, but I don't like to be 'gripped' in my sleep, your preferences may differ). My decision is based on my reading and on my experiences of sleeping on a latex foam topper for several months. I ordered samples of foam from Foam Sweet Foam (http://www.foamsweetfoam.com/mattresses) and was impressed by their customer service as well as the ability to customize the mattress to my desired firmness level, even after purchasing. Queen-sized beds range from $1300 to $2200, so not cheap, but one other advantage of fully latex mattresses is that they last much longer than others, 20 years is the norm.
For those who need different firmnesses on each side of the bed, there are foam mattress companies out there that will custom-pour your mattress so each side is as firm or soft as you like.
fyi, here's a link to an interesting article documenting the marketing ploys and gimmicks that exist in this industry: http://www.slate.com/id/93956/pagenum/all/