About the Mattress Nerd

How do I access the user comments below? Looking for the answers to some of the questions.

I would like a mattress like the Hilton Serta Serenity, or Suite Dreams. Any idea what to look for in a store?

Latex is must more resilient than memory foam. Getting coils underneath is just as good as getting latex as far as durability goes. The mattress just has a different overall feel if it's all latex. Some people like that.

Fantastic site - thank you! When I figure out which mattress, I'll be sure to use your links for the purchase. Here's a question: I'm sold on latex top and want to try it. But I want a firm base as well (my wife and I are side sleepers, but I prefer more of a firm feel). Should I go with latex-top over a firm inner-spring, or should I just buy the entire mattress made from latex? I got the feeling reading here that memory foam will lose support over time, but I'm not sure if that's the same with latex, hence my question. Thanks!

Thank you for the information on your site. After going to several local mattress stores and trying out mattresses we came back and did some research online and found your site. We ended up ordering from one the recommended sites you have and got the mattress we were looking for at a better price than local stores and plus a warranty included. (Was surprised to find out that for the same price as we ordered online, getting that same price in the stores did NOT include a warranty :-/ ) Thanks again.

Looking at st Regis King from Charles p Rogers. Any thoughts? My problem is I am looking for a bed at vacation house currently and will not have a long break in/test period. This will be my bed when there so do want something comfortable.... Thank you for any help John

Thank you very much -- helpful!!

1) I have never seen a study showing that synthetic materials are harmful for the end user. I've read studies that show there are some risks for the factory workers who are inhaling large amounts of the stuff every day as it's being made. However, in my experience, it's futile to try to change somebody's mind on the issue. 2) Pillowtops are a cosmetic feature. That's just when you sew a cord around the mattress and put an indent above it. You can make the exact same mattress, same height, same foams, everything, without the pillowtop. 3) That depends on the company. Generally, the mattress-in-a-box companies look to donate the mattress, and if there aren't any in the area, they recycle them. Retail stores will often recycle the cheaper mattress, and resell the more expensive ones. (Note, they do not get resold as new. There are companies that specialize in refurbishing mattresses, and those mattresses are clearly labeled as refurbished. A company like Mattress Firm or Sleepy's will sell their mattresses to one of those refurbishing companies for a steep discount, and they'll clean it up and sell it).

I read your site and it's really helpful -- thank you! I do, however, have a couple of additional questions to which I couldn't find the answer. (1) Many sites offer suggestions "if you're concerned about all-natural materials." But no one has addressed *if* I should be concerned with all-natural materials. Have there been any studies? Are there health risks associated with synthetics? (2) Do you recommend pillow tops? Or is that just a new invention to get people to pay more money? (3) Many companies offer free returns. But then what do they do with the mattresses? Re-sell them? Or add to earth's waste? Recycle? THANK YOU!!!

You can either use a daybed with a twin mattress, or get an adjustable base with a twin.

Jack, I'm ecstatic I found my way to you/your site. Interesting reading as I contemplate a new direction. I'm planning on downsizing my entire living space. Given that, a bed/mattress/box/etc requires (alot of) space in a room, a decent expense, for an item(s) that is critically important to one's well being both mentally and physically but is an eyesore in a studio apt. I've seen what I'm looking for but don't know how to categorize it and what options you suggest. Basically I would like to check out twin - full size chaise type sleeper with the ability to elevate upper torso for utilizing to say, read/write/relax. And then to retract for more level sleeping at night. Also i need to elevate my feet but can accomplish that with pillows underneath. I'd like this to be part of some frame that obviously supports what I've described. This way, in my apartment it can look like a piece of furniture like a chaise lounge during the day. And of course, ONLY I would be allowed to use the chaise but that's another (feng-shui) matter. This may be the dumbest question you ever got but found your website to be informative and user-friendly. Can you help me with what's it called, what do you suggest and any retailers to check out or online. I thank you in advance. Dee

There are a lot of problems with this. 1) I have no such database 2) Prices change all the time. It varies based on retailer and time of year. I don't have the ability to scrape pricing data from a dozen different websites 3) Not everybody feels the same firmness on the same mattresses. For example, compare a plush mattress to a firm pillowtop. A heavier person might sink further into the pillowtop, and say it's softer. A light person will only feel the firmer foams, and claim the pillowtop is firmer. It varies based on purson.

seems to mea great asset would be a listing / database of mattresses in order of quality. One could then narrow search on brand/ price/ firmness/ etc. my assumption is that you already have a database similar to this but not sorted in this way, therefore would not be a big project for you. I imagine starting with this would allow a consumer to narrow their search in hours instead of weeks!

I think the Leesa is a good option if you don't want much hassle and as a way out of "analysis paralysis." You can just get it, and if you sleep well on it, great. If you don't, then you get a full refund and you didn't really lose anything. This is the "simple solution" you're talking about. For the frame, get something with slats close together, or get a solid flat platform. If you want to go back in the store and negotiate, you might be able to have some success with it, but it isn't always easy. To get the best deals, you often have to commit to going into several different stores over the course of days. A lot of it depends on which salesman you get. When I was working in a mattress store, I was usually pretty easy going about matching prices, but then again, I wasn't the "best" salesman.

Hi Jack, I am a first time mattress buyer....you know the whole new apartment, new job, new salary, new life kinda thing. I went into Sleepy's for the first time ever after reviewing your website - spoke to a greasy salesman, who tried to sell me an i series pillowtop firm ( i have realized that I am happy with medium to firm beds, comfort 3-4) for 2000+ No bargining, no boxspring, no frame, no pillows - needless to say I wasn't satisfied but I was instantly turned off from store shopping. I spent an easy hr n half in the store testing the beds so I am comfortable on what I think I want. I then searched US mattress......OVERWHELMED! Then I looked deeper into your Leesa reviews and I was interested in leaning in that direction But now I am seeing different frames leading to better or worse results, flex frames, 3 inches spaces, 2 in spaces - use this don't use that... Any help on a simple solution? should i go and try to bargin in store on US mattress prices again? for a better deal on an iseries? Leesa + floor; or is there the "perfect bedframe"? sorry for the length and top notch job on the website, you have opened my eyes to the subtle details of a good night's rest!

Jack saved me over $500 on a mattress purchase. This is no joke, he has got skills and my wife and I cannot thank him or this website enough. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Sleepy's does not carry the Black line, and the mattresses aren't all that similar. They're both higher end Beautyrest lineups, but the coils and foams are different.

I hope you can help me, as this is most definitely a blind item when it comes to comparing mattresses. I went to Sleepys and actually paid for the k.s. legend pillow top, but have put it & the delivery on hold until I am sure which mattress I want. I then sent my husband to compare prices for this mattress at Raymour & Flannigan. They compared it to the black Evie mattress. There is almost a $1000.00 difference in price between them, with Sleepys being higher. Neither my husband or I are large people, but I do have concerns about the pillow top showing indentations. I did go back to Raymour & Flannigan to try the mattresses. For comfort I preferred the Legends plush pillow top over the Evie—when it came to the firm –Evie had a firm pillow top whereas the legend was not a pillow top for the firm. They both seemed to feel almost the same. I am assuming the Sleepys also has the Black line so I could actually compare them at the same time for comfort. I told both salesmen I would try to be back to them by tomorrow night. I know that is short notice, but quite honestly I just found your website. Your help would be most appreciated.

Thank you ! My daughter says it is working perfectly and she is sleeping better.

Any word on the testing of the newly formulated Novosbed?

Jack, Thanks for this website and the helpful reply to my inquiry. We took the plunge and ordered a mattress from Mattress.com. Not only did I get the best sales price amongst the similar mattresses in your cross reference table, your website gave me the extra awareness of a coupon code that saved me even more (all summed, a total savings of about $250 vs. the equivalent but renamed ~$800 mattress). The biggest uncertainty after deciding on the mattress was the delivery, so to your readers that live in a "Zone 3" delivery area, I'd like to note that our bed arrived within the 2-3week window as advertised!

I can't thank you enough for your comparison chart. You guys are JUST AWESOME. I was able to save almost $500 on my mattress with a price match guarantee. I'll recommend you to everyone!

Jack, Thanks for the help sorting through the FUD in a new mattress purchases. The information you provide on your site is very useful and the questions you answer for me were a tremendous help. Buying a mattress should not be as hard as it has been made to be. Thanks for helping to blunt the confusion. I have bookmarked your site for future reference and will share it with anyone I know who is shopping for a new mattress. Thanks again, Dan

[…] Jack has a unique business. He runs a site called The Mattress Nerd. The site itself is a detailed review site to help mattress shoppers cut through marketing jargon and sales obfuscation and do legitimate mattress comparisons. There are many sites like that and although The Mattress Nerd is very good that is not what sets it apart that prompted my blog post. […]

Jack, Your site is so helpful, useful and informative. Thank you so much for saving us hundreds of dollars!! Wish there was some way to repay you for this information!! Can't wait to share this website with our friends who are also looking to buy a new mattress. It is great to know this stuff before you even think about buying a mattress. You totally ROCK!!

Jack, your site has helped me save soooo much money that I feel I've won the lottery!! To make a long story short Mattress Firm refunded me 1145.10 because of there price match policy. Thank you Jack! You ROCK!!!

Hey Jack! With your suggestions I approached Sleepy's about their Legends King Plush. I showed them your letter you e-mailed me and they confirmed all you stated. The Manager then surprised me when he stated Sleepy's owned U.S. Mattress and could get any mattress they advertised even though Sleepy's doesn't carry many of their web advertised models in their showroom,"e.g. Beautyrest Black Models" Furthermore he would beat U.S.Mattress prices by at least 20%. I asked about the Ava model in the Black Series of Beautyrest. King,Plush with Standard boxspring. He matched their,"U.S. Mattress" advertised "lowest" price,plus threw in the boxspring for free,"a stated $360.00 value on U.S. Mattress web site" and included 2 king beautyrest pillows plus no tax,no delivery fee.I told him I'd go double check at Raymour and Flanigan"s...their stated nemisis and major competitor,if I was 100% happy with that model" Black Ava". I left Sleepy's,went down the street to Raymour and Flanigan's,and did as I said I would. Content,I was approached by a saleswomen. After explaining the deal Sleepy's offered me,she approached her Boss with my offer,then offered her own. Same deal,plus a mattress protector for free which allows me 45 days to confirm my satisfaction with this mattress or exchange it for another and 3 day free delivery. Also getting 2 King Temperpedic pillows valued at $159.00 each. SO....In all I feel I achieved an excellent deal on an excellent mattress with some nice perks. On the printed Raymour and Flannigan invoice where its marked "COMMENTS"is printed "Pricing to take out of market from Sleepy's.." I think I did all right on this one. Thanks again,Jack! Appreciatively,Herb

Jack got back to me within a few minutes of my initial email (a question about different names for the same mattress I was looking for), then followed up with a detailed email outlining my options and reco that saved me about $650. Wow. Is this real life??? Thank you Jack!

Hi, my wife and I are in the market for a new mattress. I suffer from analysis paralysis which makes me research for a very long time. My last mattress purchase was a temperpedic which turned out to be uunsatisfying. I have looked at consumer reports and google. Thats how I got to you. Im looking for a very good quality queen with alot of support. I saw a link on your site for a brand I never heard of. As consumer reports recommended, I started with looking at the serta perfectday applause. But this is a difficult decision. Any suggestions? Thanks, Rick