Stearns & Foster Comparison and Review
Written by Loren Bullock, Editor & Mattress Tester
Stearns & Foster offers four collections of high-end mattresses that increase in amenities and price. From lowest to highest price, they are the Estate, Lux Estate, Lux Estate Hybrid and Reserve models.
Estate is the “affordable” line. Roughly an additional $800 puts you in the Lux Estate Collection, and then for an additional $500, you’ll find yourself in the Lux Estate Hybrid collection. The added cost comes from the high-quality materials used in each mattress.
The Reserve collection is the most expensive. You take another $1,300 step up to get into this range. Reserve mattresses are thick and luxurious with cooling and support features, as well as luxurious fabrics. You can pay up to the equivalent for an OK used car (just south of $10,000) for the biggest, most luxurious Reserve mattress they offer.
The Stearns & Foster approach to mattresses also offers a wide selection of firmness levels. And every single mattress measures at least a thick 13.5 inches. As a result, Stearns & Foster mattresses do a great job isolating motion for couples sharing a bed and the reinforced edges also allow them to use the entire mattress surface as they sleep.
Bottom Line: Are Stearns & Foster Mattresses Worth It?
If you have the budget for these mattresses, their high-quality materials should live up to their prices! Though some complain that the mattress isn’t as durable or long-lasting as they’d like for the price.
Stearns & Foster Mattress Models
Which Stearns & Foster Model Is Best for Me?
Estate Might Be Good For You If….
- You are a side, back or stomach sleeper who is lighter side or of an average weight
- You enjoy Tempur-Pedic beds or a Tempur-Pedic alternative
Lux Estate Might Be Good For You If….
- You are a side or back sleeper and prefer a medium-firm mattress
- You have back pain
Lux Estate Hybrid Might Be Good For You If….
- You are a side or back sleeper
- You have back pain
- You stick to the more firm versions
Reserve Might Be Good For You If….
- You are a heavier side sleeper
- You love a more plush mattress
- The expense doesn’t send you running from the room
Best Stearns & Foster Mattress by Sleeping Position
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers who are average-size will enjoy the generous amount of foam and the conforming quality for their hips and shoulders. There is foam aplenty in the top layers of all of these hybrids throughout the four collections.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers should find the Stearns & Foster Estate mattress to their liking—just so long as they’re not too heavy and they don’t require much contouring. Any of these mattresses with a medium-firm feel should work.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers have it rough. They need a mattress type that’s soft enough to cradle their tummy as they sleep face down, but not so much that their hips fail to align with the rest of their spine. The Reserve luxury plush mattress might be good for stomach sleepers, but not those who are heavier.
Pros and Cons of Stearns & Foster Mattresses
Stearns & Foster Mattress Construction
Estate Construction
The comfort layers at the top feature standard memory foam with a layer of gel foam (gel = cooling). The craftsmanship includes a support layer with innerspring pocket coils that are encircled with polyfoam to enhance edge support and overall durability. They also have a cover made of TENCEL fabric.
Lux Estate Construction
The Lux in this iteration comes from an extra portion within the comfort layer. The comfort layers at the top have standard memory foam, a pillow top layer in the middle, and a layer of gel memory foam (gel = cooling) at the bottom. For similar options, check out our picks for Best Pillow Top Mattresses.
The support layer, again, is made of pocket coils that are encased with polyfoam to enhance edge support and overall durability. This luxury mattress includes a cover with side air vents to help with circulation and a stretch-knit fabric called TENCEL lyocell blend.
Lux Estate Hybrid Construction
The Lux Hybrid has two layers of memory foam at the top of the comfort section. And then there is a layer of gel memory foam (gel = cooling) at the bottom. The support layer, again, is made of pocket coils that are encased with polyfoam to enhance edge support and overall durability. Master craftsmen made sure to include a cover with side vents to help with air circulation and a stretch-knit fabric called TENCEL lyocell blend.
Reserve Construction
There are four sections in the Reserve comfort layers: a “hybrid, pillow-top layer” on top of gel memory foam, another pillow top layer, and standard memory foam at the bottom. Again, the coil system that makes up the support layer is wrapped in polyfoam. The cover has side vents to help with air circulation and a stretch-knit fabric called TENCEL lyocell blend.
The Stearns & Foster Mattress Buying Experience
Stearns & Foster Trial-Period
Please check with the store from which you purchase your mattress as to whether they offer a trial period. A rule of thumb for new mattresses is to sleep on them for at least 30 days before you make a decision about returning it. It takes that long for your body to adjust to a new sleep surface.
Stearns & Foster Mattress Warranty
Stearns & Foster has a 10-year limited warranty on their Sealy-backed mattresses if you buy it at a Sealy Store. If you receive a mattress with some sort of manufacturing defect, bad materials or workmanship, Sealy will decide whether it’s enough to warrant a repair or replacement for the 10 years of the warranty.
In addition, you must use the mattress on a firm, solid or adjustable base. If you don’t, you void the warranty. Also, the warranty doesn’t cover a change in your comfort preference, physical damage you cause, or any damage that results from you using the wrong foundation. You can use a box spring without voiding the warranty as long as it’s supportive enough for the bed.
If you buy from a third-party retailer, you should ask about their warranty before your purchase.
Shipping and Delivery
Varies by the seller.
Availability
You can find Stearns & Foster mattresses at retail stores throughout the country and online through Amazon, US-Mattress, Macy’s, etc. The mattress company is a Tempur-Sealy subsidiary, so you won’t have trouble finding these models.
Stearns & Foster Mattress Comparison
All of the following models may be ordered from US-Mattress. You can also find them at select retailers such as Macy’s, Haverty’s, Sears and Bloomingdale’s.
Conclusion
The Stearns & Foster line is a hybrid mattress line from the mattress experts at Sealy. There is no doubt that the S&F line does all it can to build luxurious options. In fact, the Reserve in the largest size (Split CA King) costs nearly $10,000. And it would be human to assume that means you will get a mattress with a good shot to last well over 10 years.
Stearns & Foster offers a 120-night trial period during which customers can return their bed and receive a full refund, but the warranty period only lasts 10 years. You’ll find glowing reviews about the mattress’s comfort from newer customers. But dig a little deeper and you will also find customers reviews that voice misgivings about how long these mattresses can and do last without developing indentations.
And that’s when you start thinking, “Do I need a new mattress? Didn’t I just spend thousands of dollars on this one?”
With Stearns & Foster, just be very clear about how much you’re spending and what you expect to get in return for that price.
Stearns & Foster FAQs
What are the firmness levels for Stearns & Foster mattresses?
Different firmness levels are offered for each collection. Some have just a medium firmness, while others include a range of firmnesses. Many models include pillow-top versions as well.
What is the top line mattress for Stearns & Foster?
The top line for Stearns & Foster is the Reserve Collection. This line of mattresses is luxurious, hand-tufted, and made with Tempur-Pedic memory foam.
What sets Stearns & Foster apart from other brands?
For over 175 years, Stearns & Foster has devoted time to creating some of the highest quality mattresses on the market. These beds are hand-crafted by Certified Master Craftsmen. So, they’re a great long-term investment.
