Difference between a $200, $400 or $600 mattress?

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atikovi

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After probably 20 years sleeping on the same mattress (that I do flip every 6 months or so) and having a sore back every morning for months, I need to get a replacement. Just need a conventional firm spring style full size mattress. Nothing with memory foam or fancy pillow top. Copied a few examples. Is there much difference between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones?

$160 https://www.mattressfirm.com/basic-8-25-firm-innerspring-mattress/5637163800.p
$185 https://sleephappens.com/collection...per-reedley-firm-mattress?variant=33959463052
$285 https://www.mattressfirm.com/rest-9-5-firm-innerspring-mattress/5637163768.p
$300 https://www.mattressfirm.com/essentials-sudley-8-5-firm-mattress/5637152508.p
$380 https://www.mattressfirm.com/perfect-sleeper-elkins-ii-10-firm-mattress/5637157941.p
$585 https://www.mattressfirm.com/br800-11-25-firm-mattress/5637157626.p
 
atikovi said:
After probably 20 years sleeping on the same mattress (that I do flip every 6 months or so) and having a sore back every morning for months, I need to get a replacement. Just need a conventional firm spring style full size mattress. Nothing with memory foam or fancy pillow top. Copied a few examples. Is there much difference between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones?
Click to expand...
That's like asking if there's a difference in protection between synthetic and conventional oil.
Both will do the same job, but the difference will be in the level of quality and protection.
In this case it'll be the quality of rest you receive (measured in overall wellness) and how long you plan on going between changing you mattress (replacing it).

We usually get a 1k mattress that we replace every 8-9 years.
For the first 5-6 years, it performs beautifully. After that the quality of rest, sore muscles etc. start to creep up in frequency.

Think of it this way.
The better the sleep you get at night, will determine how you feel during the day.
 
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Stretch out on all the store has, without looking at the price. Let us know what feels good and how much it cost.
 
For some years I have been buying inexpensive mattresses from my wholesale club and then replacing them every few years. Caution: I'm a heavy guy, so I wear out a mattress. Your mileage may vary.

Using more expensive mattresses in the past did not change the results. They didn't last any longer, so there isn't much difference (my experience and opinion). Possibly the $thousand(s) models would be better, but I'm not going to spend that kind of money to find out.
 
atikovi said:
The question was, Is there much difference between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones? I know people love to post wiseazz remarks, but that doesn't even address the question.
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i think it has do do with spring count and the quality of the padding
 
atikovi said:
After probably 20 years sleeping on the same mattress (that I do flip every 6 months or so) and having a sore back every morning for months, I need to get a replacement. Just need a conventional firm spring style full size mattress. Nothing with memory foam or fancy pillow top. Copied a few examples. Is there much difference between the cheaper ones and the more expensive ones?

$160 https://www.mattressfirm.com/basic-8-25-firm-innerspring-mattress/5637163800.p
$185 https://sleephappens.com/collection...per-reedley-firm-mattress?variant=33959463052
$285 https://www.mattressfirm.com/rest-9-5-firm-innerspring-mattress/5637163768.p
$300 https://www.mattressfirm.com/essentials-sudley-8-5-firm-mattress/5637152508.p
$380 https://www.mattressfirm.com/perfect-sleeper-elkins-ii-10-firm-mattress/5637157941.p
$585 https://www.mattressfirm.com/br800-11-25-firm-mattress/5637157626.p
Click to expand...
At quick glance, the biggest difference in price is the depth of the mattresses.
 
The solution is to find a local vendor who makes their own mattresses *in house*. Only then will you know what you are really getting.

A good vendor will show you a bare set of springs, explain what gauge of steel it is, and show the padding, and explain the differences to you. And no, it doesn't have to cost thousands to do it this way either.

Many mattresses now are one sided. so you won't even be able to flip it anymore.
 
Read the bottom if buying at the Mattress Firm.

Modern mattresses no longer need a a box spring. A real pro to the modern mattress is being able to use a platform bed frame which places the mattress higher and allows a higher height under the mattress to store off-season clothes, oil stash...?? Get a bed skirt to hide what's under the mattress and make the bed look good.

Modern innerspring mattresses have several layers of varying materials and many such mattresses will have a layer of memory foam for added durability, even though the mattress manufacture won't advertise the mattress as a memory foam mattress because it's not.

Full size mattresses are a dying size because they are too short and the same 75" length as a twin.

Growing up in a tall family, my brothers, my two sisters and I had to have twin XL's because where you place your pillow on the head, stretch out, have your feet stretched out, made even my shorter 5'10" sis need a twin XL.

The feel of a mattress will be different without a fitted sheet on it. Stores don't put fitted sheets on mattresses in the showroom.

I hate the feel of a mattress pad. I use two fitted sheets on the mattress which isn't perfect, but protects better than one.

One guest bedroom mattress is from U.S. Mattress and the other bedroom mattress is a Restonic spring mattress from Amazon-not in a box.

Wife and I got our current mattress at the Mattress Firm.
The Mattress Firm wanted more money for the same mattress delivered vs buying it online. We pointed the price difference out and the salesman matched the price.
 
I also am not a fan of pillowtop or memory foam, but absolutely love my mattress from Purple. They use a polymer grid that's flexible, but doesn't sag like other soft mattresses. I previously had a ~$1500 conventional mattress, and like others have mentioned, started feeling stiff in the mornings around year 7-8. This mattress I have now is fantastic.
 
I also believe that it depends on the condition of your body/neck/spine/leg/restless leg syndrome etc. I mean, some people can sleep on anything including the cold ground without any issues. So therefore they can get away with less expensive mattresses. On the other hand I have a disc, vertebrae & sciatic nerve problem. So therefore I want a mattress that caters to my issue. I am willing to spend more money and more often if need be.
 
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You should definitely go to a mattress store and lay on all of them to find that out. You may find out that you like pillow tops or memory foam, or maybe you won't care for it. Sleeping like a baby is definitely worth taking the time to find out what mattresses you like.
 
You probably will find 30-50% difference in cost depends on the sales and marketing cost. Those showroom and sales commissions aren't free. Also depends on your back some people may or may not like those pillow top, memory foam, all foam mattresses, you really have to try it out to see. My wife's ideal mattress was actually a $600 mail order foam mattress one instead of the $4k one.

Check mattress underground to see what mattresses construction is like and try similar construction mattress in store, to see what you like and what you don't. This is the only way to know how to shop for what type of mattress. With these test sleep and research I found out that we need 1.5" medium density poly foam comfort layer and about 8" support layer of foam or spring, no pillow top no memory foam. You need to find out what works for you by breaking down how you like it build.
 
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