What’s the best way to find a great mattress that does not cost a fortune for someone who has a bad back and cannot do memory foam.
We bought our mattress and box spring from Costco. It was reasonable and not memory foam. We did have to get my nephews to put it in a truck and then get it into our bedroom. I suspect you could pay someone. My friend bought hers at Sears or Macy’s and is happy with it. She liked being able to lie on the different beds.
I’ve bought two mattresses at Ikea; one inner spring, the other memory foam. Both inexpensive as mattresses go, both very comfortable (especially the memory foam.). We decided take a chance on Ikea mattresses specifically because of the price. The whole mattress industry is entirely too obscure for me. There’s no way to compare from store to store and you really have little idea what you’re paying for.
Sorry, we bought our first memory foam- it came with our adjustable bed: http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Inch-CoolBreeze-GEL-Memory-Foam-Mattress-with-Reverie-8Q-Adjustable-Base-Set-/291830254753
After hearing about how bad memory foam mattresses are, I was a little leery. After 6 months it still works great- not too hot and not too cool. H and his back also have zero complaints. we figured if we didn’t like the mattress we could try again later as the cost for it wasn’t too bad.
Sleep like the dead website has some reviews on mattresses- maybe that will help?
This was our replacement for a normal mattress, it is really great. Came in the mail LOL.
Macys has one time during the year when their mattresses are on a tremendous discount - don’t recall exactly which month it is (especially for macys credit card customers.) I too enjoy lying on the various mattresses in the store before I purchase one.
H & I are in the market for a mattress, and we have offered to buy one for our S & his girlfriend. We are all dreading the shopping experience! H & I are considering a memory foam mattress by mail, with a 100 day love-it-or-we’ll-buy-it-back guarantee. Just because we are too lazy (intimidated?) to hit the mattress stores!
We got our mattress at a local mattress factory (or at least they marketed themselves as a local factory). The guy in the show room was busy at his desk, and pretty much ignored us while we checked out everything at our own pace. He was happy to answer any questions we had, but not pushy at all. They had umpteen reasonably affordable options including memory foam and traditional spring type models.
I think the trick to mattress shopping is to just fill yourself with patience before you go into the store. We got lucky that it was a slow day, and that the salesperson was preoccupied.
Or just go when you’re busy and get it done! Child #1 went on a lunch break from work last month. Salesperson was busy with some customers. So, child just spent 10 minutes lying down on a bunch and picked the one that was the best combo of comfort and price, while referencing online reviews. Done. Took less than 30 minutes. 
You need to test various mattresses at stores. Soft/hard… Replace both the mattress and box spring. You can’t price check a certain “model” at various stores- they change the cover so it is impossible to do an apples to apples comparison. Be sure to capture at least 40% off sales. Get a name brand and not the least expensive/bargain one. Eons ago I bought my first mattress on a shoestring budget and got rid of it only 3 years- you get what you pay for in durability. Definitely use a mattress pad which you wash every time you do the sheets. There is a local ad which states your mattress needs replacing in 8 years because it doubles its weight in mites et al- not so if you cover it.
I like Sealy and Simmons brands. Sterns and Foster is too expensive for my taste. We were able to get a low box spring a few years ago so the bed height is not to tall even for my tall height. Ask about that. The underlying mattress plus minus “pillowtop” softness…
Eons ago coil count mattered, not so with our last purchase. Research the major brand sites and department store sites. They will have buying guides. Finally- once again, test them at stores.
Help! About to buy a memory foam mattress for my S today at Rooms to Go Outlet. No returns no exchanges.
Reading general reviews about potential for chemical smells with memory foam mattresses. S has asthma. He is sensitive to chemical smells.
Anyone out there have good/bad smelling experiences with memory foam mattress?
There can be an odd smell but it dissipates within 24-48 hours. Not to worry!
I’m ve been mattress shopping for a week. Im torn between the hybrid and the memory form. Simmons has a new memory foam, called Black Ice, which sleeps cool. That is a nice feature for Fl.
I don’t know what to make of our mattress purchases over the past three decades.
We’ve had an inexpensive starter mattress, a water bed, a pillow top better quality mattress, and a 3 layer latex mattress.
I’ve managed on all of them, more or less. H is our Prince & the Pea, and he has eventually tired of all of them.
He’s now on an adjustable bed, which I call his “hospital bed”, with a latex mattress, and his back is content.
Believe it or not, I am sleeping better than ever, without neck or back problems, on my Big Agnes camping air mattress I bought for $50.
What a pair we make!
Here’s a comparison of the “ice” mattress and saatva https://sleepopolis.com/mattress-reviews/saatva-vs-simmons-beautyrest-black-mattress-review/
I “need” a cooling mattress!
Well, I really like my Black by BR. And I don’t like any new poster promoting a mattress.
Any hints for hotels / mattress brands pairings to allow full night trial? It seems like I’ve heard that companies do this sort of collaboration, but I can’t recall the details.
Both Westin and Marriott sell their mattresses so might be worth testing.
I bought an on-line mattress with a 100 day money back guarantee. Mine was a Helix with adjustable sides. I would do the same again as it is super comfy. Those I know who have a Casper or a Tuft and Needle really like them.
I’ve heard really good things about Saatva, which is an online company with guarantees if you don’t like the mattress… We are still happy with our Bedinabox foam mattress bought through the online company about 8 years ago; it didn’t have any smell, was made in USA, etc. We did end up having to get a gel topper to soften it. I’d buy a mattress from either of those companies again.