Memory foam mattress? That’s so last night
IF it’s been a year or two since you’ve shopped for a mattress, you’re in for some surprises. That memory foam bed that once seemed so novel? It’s now decidedly mainstream. Latex is the hot material of choice. And that’s not all that’s changed.
Choices are multiplying -- especially on the luxury end -- and prices are too.
Today, along with the traditional innersprings, you’ll find a growing selection of specialty mattresses made of hypoallergenic latex foam, gel, organic wool and cotton, even magnets (for fans of magnet therapy), not to mention the viscoelastic memory foam and adjustable air chambers that already have garnered so much attention. Many of these command $1,500 to $4,000 for a queen.
Manufacturers also are tucking layers of pricey latex or memory foam into their traditional innerspring lines, creating plush hybrid models. Yes, hybrid beds.
“It used to be rock-hard beds sold a lot,” says Larry Miller, cofounder and president of Sit ‘n Sleep, which has 18 mega-stores in Southern California. “Today we’re selling a lot of plush beds with support, a lot of latex, a lot of memory foam, a lot of air products and new types of innersprings with latex or memory foam, or a combination of foams.”
In 2001, 1 in 7 mattresses sold for $1,000 or more, according to the International Sleep Products Assn. By 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the number had risen to more than 1 in 5.
Two trends are converging: advancements in mattress technologies and the aging of baby boomers who are willing to spend money on premium products.
“Around age 50, your body really starts to change in regard to sensitivity to pressure points,” says Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks, who headed up the magazine’s most recent report on mattresses. Changes can even be felt at age 40, he says. “That mattress you found comfortable 10 years ago may no longer be so comfortable. You may want more padding on top.”
Doctors and bedding professionals used to think that a firm mattress was best for the back. Not anymore. Today, a combination of support and comfort is thought to be ideal -- whatever feels best to each person. And what feels best to many people, especially as they get older, is a mattress with a little “give.” That’s where specialty beds come in.
Viscoelastic and latex foam conform to the body’s curves, absorb motion and ease pressure points at the shoulders and hips. Many in the mattress industry are especially excited about latex, which is pleasantly springy and feels cooler than memory foam. It also is naturally hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant. “One of the reasons it’s catching on is it’s the best of both worlds,” says Sealy spokesman David Mullen. Latex “reacts more like an innerspring, it reduces pressure points, and it gives you individual support.”
Another material showing up in more beds this year: stretchy gel. Mattresses with gel layers (think Dr. Scholl’s shoe insoles) are said to distribute weight evenly and provide the comfort benefits of foam.
Then you have air beds (often with dual controls to suit each sleeper’s level of comfort), and organic mattresses of hand-tufted wool and cotton, which can be softly supportive and naturally ventilating.
These specialty beds were introduced and championed by smaller, independent mattress makers, some of which have become quite successful. Tempur-Pedic rolled out its memory foam beds in the early ‘90s; today it’s the fourth-largest mattress producer in the U.S., after Sealy, Simmons and Serta and ahead of Spring Air, according to Furniture / Today magazine. Select Comfort, which makes adjustable air mattresses, is No. 6.
Specialty mattresses in 2005 accounted for almost 10% of the beds sold and 22% of the dollars spent on beds, an increase of nearly 30% from the previous year, according to the sleep-products association.
“My guess is that eventually they’ll be half the market,” Sit ‘n Sleep’s Miller says. “As baby boomers grow older, they are more sensitive to the things these beds address.”
Mainstream mattress makers have jumped in too. Sealy introduced latex, memory foam and adjustable air product lines, and the company reported a near-doubling of its specialty-mattress sales in 2006. Last year it opened its own latex manufacturing plant. Simmons has latex, memory foam and adjustable air too, as well as gel layers. Serta offers memory foam and latex beds.
But it’s not all about health in these premium beds. You’ll find silk, cashmere and alpaca fillings, pewter and brass hardware, ticking made of Belgian damask or woven with metallic thread. Vera Wang’s Bridal Bed, introduced by Serta last year, weaves in holographic thread for a luminescent effect inspired by her wedding dresses. Italy’s Magniflex, which is set to open a Manhattan showroom this month, sells a 22-karat-gold-covered mattress for $24,000, with a matching $1,000 gold pillow.
And then there’s Hastens, a Swedish manufacturer with showrooms at the old Helms Bakery complex in Culver City and at Newport Beach’s Fashion Island shopping center. It offers a $60,000 mattress set handmade with horsehair, cotton, linen, wool and flax. Sleeping on it is said to be like resting on a cloud.
But for those whose wallets are decidedly earthbound, is a premium mattress worth $2,000 -- not to mention $60,000? Do you really sleep better?
Industry experts say that’s a question only you can answer. Some people find the basic innerspring mattresses are just as comfortable as the more expensive models. Others love the give of a memory foam bed, the cushioned support of a Euro-top innerspring or the good-for-you aura of an organic natural-fiber mattress. And they are willing to pay more to get it.
“There’s no one mattress that’s right for everybody, in terms of comfort and support and affordability,” says Nancy Shark, executive director of the Better Sleep Council. “It’s a personal preference.”
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Find a mattress that’s perfect -- for you
Consumer Reports had testers lie down on different mattresses for 15 minutes each and evaluate them. The magazine then sent some of the beds home with testers to see how they liked them over time. The magazine found that the 15-minute test was an accurate predictor of long-term satisfaction. Walk into a typical mattress store, though, and you face a sea of choices. Where to begin?
1. Evaluate needs. People with pressure-point sensitivity or extra weight or who sleep on their sides do well with plusher mattresses. Back sleepers and those with lower-back pain may prefer a medium-firm mattress. Stomach sleeping is not recommended, but a firm mattress is best in that case.
2. Research. Visit manufacturer websites for an overview. Scan websites of online mattress retailers to get product information. Look at websites of brick-and-mortar stores you plan to visit and note customerservice policies.
3. Decide on a budget. You can get a good innerspring queen for as low as $800. If you’re interested in a specialty mattress, you’ll pay more -- often $1,500 and up for the better models. Many specialty beds carry warranties for 20 years instead of the usual 10.
4. Shop with a partner. You should choose a bed that’s comfortable for both of you. If one partner is a light sleeper, a mattress that isolates and minimizes movement can be a good choice. For different firmness preferences, find a mattress that’s a happy medium or consider an adjustable air bed. (See related story on mattress materials.)
5. Take the 15-minute test. Wear comfortable clothes and slip-off shoes to the store. Try mattresses above, below and at your price range. If you normally sleep on your side, test mattresses that way in the store.
6. Ask for information. Stores sometimes have cutaways that show what the mattress looks like inside. If the salesperson is fuzzy on details, ask to look at the store’s spec sheets. If you want to comparison shop, find a mattress you like, then look for others with similar materials and comfort.
7. Get the best price. Regular and sale prices on mattresses can differ by more than $1,000. If a model is not on sale, ask if you can get the sale price now. Some stores will negotiate. Ask what’s included: Box spring, frame, delivery, setup and mattress removal can be part of a deal.
8. Buy the foundation. Unless your box spring is fairly new or you sleep on a platform bed, it’s best to replace the box spring. If you’re buying a tall mattress, consider a low-profile box spring.
9. Know the return policy. Some retailers accept returns for a certain period; others don’t allow them at all. Be prepared to pay a steep restocking fee.
10. Expect a break-in period. In the first few weeks, padding compresses. You probably won’t need to flip the mattress (most have all the padding on top anyway) but manufacturers recommend rotating it to keep depressions even. Warranties cover defects and dips of 1 1/2 inches or more, not normal settling.
--Anne Colby
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Lay it all out: the good, bad
Whether you want to stick with a traditional innerspring mattress or try out a specialty bed, here are some things you should know about each type, what’s new on the market and what to look for when shopping.
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-- Anne Colby
