Check out this new Comforpedic by Beautyrest infographic, It details why Comforpedic mattresses are a great choice for your next bed! Â Love it!
Monthly Archives: October 2013
To Pillow Top, or Not To Pillow Top?
Pillow tops are a source of much debate, and some pretty strong opinions. Â I’ll admit, I’ve owned a few, and I’ve sagged a few. Â I find them comfortable, but I don’t own one right now (my beloved Comforpedic is a plush firm). Â So what’s the deal with pillow tops?
What is a pillow top?
A pillow top mattress is a mattress that has a separate looking piece on top, that looks like a pillow. Â It is attached to the bed, and is not removable. Â They usually consist of various padding layers. Â The SOLE purpose of a pillow top is to add extra padding to the mattress, thereby making the mattress softer.
Who is a pillow top good for?
Anyone that wants a softer feel combined with firm support.
Who is a pillow top not good for?
Anyone that wants a firmer feel. Â You’d be surprised how many people come into mattress stores and want a hard bed, but want a pillow top. Â It’s just not possible, people. Â More padding equals softer bed. Â While there are firmer feeling pillow tops, none are going to be hard as a rock.
Some people have an extreme hatred for pillow top mattresses, which usually stems from a previous purchase sagging or dipping over time. Â I understand being once bitten and twice shy, but there have been so many advances in mattresses, even in just the past five years. Â The way that pillow tops were made ten years ago is DRASTICALLY different from how they are made now.
Higher density foams, such as memory foam and latex have replaced easily compressed foams, making sagging and depressions a thing of the past. Â Pillow tops are also now “tacked down” from the top of the bed all the way down to the coil system, about every three to four inches across the bed. Â This stops shifting and bunching. Â Also, since all mattresses are now one-sided, the pillow top is never smashed under the weight of the coil system and the sleepers, so it maintains it’s loft and feel for much longer.
A note on body impressions and being realistic…if you think that you’re going to be able to purchase a soft, comfortable mattress, and have it look exactly the same after ten years of sleeping on it every night for eight hours, then you’re crazy. Â If you sat on your couch for eight hours a day, every day, would you expect it to look exactly the same after ten years? Â What about the driver’s seat in your car? Â Mattresses are made out of foam, and foam will compress. Â Consider that you’re laying your entire body weight on that bed, and not moving much for 6-8 hours. Â The foam that you’re laying on is going to compress, and eventually, it won’t be able to recover back to normal. Â This is perfectly acceptable. Â Body impressions in your mattress don’t change the feel, support, or durability. Â They are just a by-product of you sleeping on the mattress. Â If you want a bed that will be exactly the same after 29,200 hours of a 160 lb person laying on it (that’s ten years of 8 hours a night), then you should purchase a slab of granite, not a mattress.
Sorry for the snarkiness, but it’s true.
So if you’re in the market for a new mattress, take a look at a pillow top mattress: they are more durable, and more comfortable than ever before. Â One might just be your key to sweet dreams!
By the way – great options for a pillow top mattress, as chosen by me:
Beautyrest Recharge Flatbrook Plush Pillow Top – for those who like a soft feel
Beautyrest Recharge World Class Trident Luxury Firm Box Top – for those who like a medium feel, with the extra support and durability of a coil system in the pillow top!
BeautySleep Fancy Pillow Top – budget conscious, but still super comfy!
The NEW CURV Beds are Here!
I posted on the new CURV by Simmons beds a few weeks ago, and we’ve finally gotten them listed on the website! You should really check them out, the product is great, and the price is even better.
Here’s some quick info on CURV beds:
- They aren’t price regulated. What does that mean to you? That we have the lowest prices, guaranteed. We shop everyone else, and make sure that we’re the cheapest.
- The two better models have gel memory foam. What? A cool night’s sleep for under $1000? It’s possible.
- All models come with a ten year warranty.
- All models work great on adjustable bases.
- All models are designed and built in the USA.
- All models are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning that they passed the non-toxic tests, and you can breathe easily.
- They’re marketed towards the “Millenial” generation, but they’re great for anyone to sleep on every night, for guest rooms, for kids, for RVs, for anything!
- The queen set prices range from $643 to $888 on our site. INCLUDING DELIVERY. You seriously can’t beat that with a stick.
- All of the models are on the firmer side, with the middle one (the Swanky) being the softest of the three, but still quitre firm.
- The three models have 1.5″, 2.5″, and 3.5″ of memory foam, respectively.
If you’re in the market for cheap memory foam, then the CURV beds are a great option. They are the ONLY ones in this price range that are made in the US, most others are manufactured in China. They are one of the only product lines that has gel memory foam at this price point. The amount of memory foam in each bed is pretty generous, and the patented form of the memory foam increases air flow and comfort.
The new CURV models are:
- Amazing Style (aka The Latest Thing in stores) – This mattress is firm, has 1.5″ of memory foam (without gel), and is 8″ thick. We have it listed at $643 for the queen set.
- Swanky (aka All The Rage in stores) – This mattress has a plush firm feel, with 2.5″ of gel memory foam. It’s 9″ thick. We have it listed at $697 for the queen set.
- So Chic (aka Vogue in stores) – This mattress has a firm feel, with 3.5″ of memory foam, some with gel. It’s 10.5″ thick, and we have it listed at $888 for the queen set.
So, check it out, tell your friends, and sleep better for less!
iComfort vs Comforpedic: The Smackdown
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the differences between iComfort by Serta and Comforpedic by Beautyrest. Sure, both are gel memory foam beds, but what are the real differences?
I have set aside my obvious love for Comforpedic to learn about the iComfort, and to give an honest evaluation. And I must admit, I was surprised by some of the features and reviews of iComfort. Check out the comparisons:
Construction: Memory Foam with Gel
iComfort calls their foam “Cool Action Gel Memory Foam”, which is memory foam infused with Serta’s Micro Support Gel. Comforpedic calls their foam “AirCool Memory foam with TruTemp Gel”, which is memory foam infused with TruTemp Gel. I couldn’t find any info on either company’s proprietary formula, meaning that I can’t compare the amount of gel that’s actually in the foam. So, we’ll call this one a draw.
Pressure Relief
Like all memory foam, both of these manufacturer’s beds offer exceptional pressure relief. Memory foam, by design, evens out the pressure and holds the body in it’s most natural position, allowing for muscles to relax. Both the iComfort and the Comforpedic do this well. This category is also a draw.
Increased Targeted Support
iComfort advertises that their “MicroSupport” beads gather in areas that need extra support, like the small of your back. Comforpedic makes no such claim, they advertise increased support over the entire bed. Edge: iComfort.
Comforpedic Air Flow Diagram
Temperature Regulated Sleeping Conditions
Due to the gel that both manufacturers blend into their memory foam, all of these mattresses will have a cooling effect, and will be cooler than other types of memory foam. In lab tests, Comforpedics have proven to dissipate heat 2.8 times faster than the competition, but the word “competition” is never defined by manufacturer. Therefore, we can’t be sure that iComfort was tested. Comforpedics also have ventilated edge support and mesh borders, which are designed to increase air flow. However, because of the I’m scoring this one as a draw.
Warranty
Both iComfort and Comforpedic have 25 year limited warranties. Both are 15 year full replacement, and 10 years pro-rated. Score: Draw
In-Home Trial
Both companies offer an in-home trial, Serta iComfort’s is 120 days, Comforpedic is 365 days. According to the Serta website, you can return the bed for a refund, less a 15{d066f20f781a5b527d275b31e1f8758c7870657f3e5775941a299b25a4f5af5a} disposal fee, and a $200 return shipping and handling charge. These fees and charges are the same in the case of exchange also. Comforpedic’s exchange has no fees, and in the case of www.drsnooze.com, we only charge the return shipping fee of $176. Comforpedic does not offer a return for refund program. Both companies mandate that you must sleep on the mattress for a minimum of 30 nights. Due to the lesser exchange fees, and the extended exchange period, I’m giving this round to: Comforpedic.
Ease of Movement
Comforpedic claims that their proprietary formula allows for easier movement on the mattress. According to review site SleepLikeTheDead.com, they give iComfort a C- in ease of movement, and give Comforpedic a C. Slight advantage: Comforpedic
Adjustable Bed Friendly
Both manufacturer’s entire line-ups are adjustable bed friendly – this one’s a draw.
Latex Options
Serta offers iComfort Directions, which is a sister line to the iComfort. These mattresses have latex layers in them, in addition to memory foam. Comforpedic does not offer latex in any of their mattresses. If you’re looking for latex and memory foam, iComfort wins this round.
Firmness Predictability
According to SleepLikeTheDead.com, 14{d066f20f781a5b527d275b31e1f8758c7870657f3e5775941a299b25a4f5af5a} of iComfort owners state that the feel of their mattress at home is significantly different than the firmness that they felt on the floor sample in-store. There is no data on the site regarding Comforpedics, but I will tell you that I haven’t heard many complaints about different feels between home and store, definitely much less than 14{d066f20f781a5b527d275b31e1f8758c7870657f3e5775941a299b25a4f5af5a}. Edge: Comforpedic.
Owner Satisfaction
Again, according to SleepLikeTheDead.com, 81{d066f20f781a5b527d275b31e1f8758c7870657f3e5775941a299b25a4f5af5a} of iComfort owners are satisfied with their purchase. 83{d066f20f781a5b527d275b31e1f8758c7870657f3e5775941a299b25a4f5af5a} of Comforpedic customers are satisfied with their bed. While these numbers are close, Comforpedic wins this round.
Price Comparison
I did my best in trying to compare specifications and layers, but it’s difficult to find exact layers and densities of the iComfort beds. From the information that I found, I deciphered that “Renewal Redefined” by iComfort is closest to the Restored Spirits/Enlightened days”. Both of these beds in a queen size set are priced at $2499 by the manufacturer. I also figured that the iComfort “Genius” is closest to the Comforpedic “Advanced Rest/Alive”. The Genius is listed in a queen set at $1599, while the Advanced Rest/Alive is listed in the same size at $1299. Serta’s iComfort line seems to be price regulated, as every site that I went on had the exact same pricing, with no available discounts. Comforpedic is not as stringent – some sites (ahem), run sales with discount codes, or gives a lower sale price when the item is added to the cart. For example, that Restored Spirits/Enlightened Days on www.drsnooze.com pops up in the cart at $2157.17. Due to the fact that even the regular price is better with Comforpedic, I’m giving them this round.
So, really, they are pretty even in many ways. Overall, there were five draws, two votes for iComfort, and five for Comforpedic. Both mattress line-ups are similar, and I can honestly say that going with either one wouldn’t be a bad choice. The only factor that I didn’t evaluate was feel, since I don’t have an iComfort to sleep on. However, since this is such a personal decision, it’s probably better that I left that out.
If you’re trying to decide between iComfort and Comforpedic, hopefully this comparision is helpful and informative. Let me know in the comments which one you chose!