size / dimensions: Twin QR Code Link to This Post Originally purchased for $100. Lightly used and clean Novaform Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper from Costco. Now that you know what memory foam is, the differences between memory foams, and some possible issues, it’s time to select a memory foam top layer for the bed. All of this wouldn’t be much good if they didn’t sell memory foam by itself. Luckily enough, they do – as mattress toppers. We know we’re looking for open-cell viscoelastic polyurethane foam, with a minimum density of 5lb/ft3 (80 kg/m3) . It should be reviewed well for comfort, as well as come with a wicking cover to ensure comfort in humid or warmer conditions. The only thing left to decide is size and thickness. Mattress size is completely up to you, but I suggest getting as much quality memory foam as you can afford. A thickness of 4 inches appears to be the sweet spot in terms of cost versus benefit. Anything beyond that provides little benefit, and cost increases drastically.
I’ll save you the research trouble, and just tell you who I found that satisfies our conditions. That’s not to say there aren’t a ton of vendors out there with great products – this is simply one I’ve used personally and can vouch for. Finding the best deal at any given time is going to be a little bit of work – prices and products change rapidly, but at least your evaluation method will not. In 1Q 2008 when I built my bed, Bergad Inc’s Isoform mattress division provided a very high quality, well reviewed memory foam for a very reasonable price. I purchased a 4″ queen mattress topper with a wicking (“CoolMax”) cover for approximately 215 USD. The price has increased since that time, but remains a very good value. As of the time I ordered, shipping was free to the US and Ontario. I cannot vouch for any other provinces as I live in Ontario, but to be frank I cannot believe I was not charged extra (or anything!) for cross-border shipping. I would not recommend Ebay or other assorted sites.
The deals present can be matched easily by careful shopping with more established merchants, and any deals “too good to be true” usually are. The advantage of having a company you can phone up and contact for issues such as warranty is invaluable. Here are some major manufacturers to get you started. There are actually very few companies manufacturing their own memory foam, and even fewer who do it domestically. Foam is rebranded and resold, and it can be very difficult to trace where your memory foam product really came from. If you’re aware of other companies that actually make their own foam as opposed to brokering it through other sources, please leave a comment! There are a few things you should be aware of. One, the thing is going to be heavy. Remember our density calculations in the differences between memory foams section? A 4″ queen topper will be almost 60 pounds! Make sure you’re home the day of delivery so you don’t have to go pick it up yourself, and let the delivery guy drop it in your bedroom, not your front door.
This isn’t a major issue for younger people, but if you have difficulty lifting and moving heavy awkward objects, recruit a helper! Additionally, memory foam, due to it’s open-cell foam structure, can be compressed quite compactly. This saves on shipping, but often causes people to get confused when they see a compressed shrinkwrapped thing that looks more like a Pilsbury roll than a mattress cover. It will take several hours for the topper to unroll itself and expand. Don’t attempt to “stretch” it back into shape, you could damage it. Just let it be. As the pictures show, it can take a while, especially if delivered in the cold which will cause the memory foam to stiffen up significantly. The mattress topper cover can be a pain to put on too. Easiest way I found way to lay out the cover flat, put the mattress topper on one side of it, then fold the cover over and zip it up. The weight of the mattress topper makes typical approaches to zipping it up very awkward. Remember there will be a mild odor to start.
My mattress topper had no appreciable odor after 2 days.Consumer Reports, the largest product review publication, just announced their mattress ratings and buying guide for 2013. The free, online version of the guide includes an overview of the main mattress types, top-selling brands, and tips for buying a mattress. One interesting note is their tests found several mattresses below $1,000 that performed well, often just as good as higher-end, more expensive brands. In this article, we’ll look at some of the findings in the Consumer Reports guide and offer additional tips on getting a good deal on your next mattress purchase.The full version will be available in Consumer Reports’ May edition, though some insight is available on the online edition and from a recent press release. In addition to shopping tips, the online guide offers free basic information on mattress types and the five biggest brands in the industry.CR tested 12 models from the top 5 brands, plus Ikea and Costco. Though the full results aren’t yet released, here’s a preview:The preliminary release states that finding a mattress under $1000 is indeed possible, and that an expensive mattress doesn’t always equal satisfaction.
Keep reading to see how you can avoid getting a dud, and still save money when buying a mattress.Mattress Buying Tips from Consumer Reports & Best Mattress ReviewsShoppers are often overwhelmed with the plethora of choices available, including the same bed from a single manufacturer with multiple rebranded names. This can make comparison shopping for a new mattress very difficult, as confused consumers are pressured into making purchases of expensive mattress brands they know very little about.In an effort to clear up some of the confusion, we have compiled the main points from Consumer Reports’ buying guide and from our own research into buying a mattress to help consumers make knowledgeable comparisons and wiser purchases.Whether you are buying at a brick-and-mortar location or online, you should do your research. You’re more likely to end up satisfied if you take advantage of the enormous amount of information and customer reviews on the internet. Learn from the mistakes of others rather than making your own.
If you notice a company has many complaints on a single issue or product, there is probably something wrong.If you have a health condition that may be affected by the type of mattress you purchase, talk to your doctor and see what he or she recommends. While your doctor is not likely a sleep expert, he or she will know your specific issues and will be able to help you avoid causing any harm to yourself.Consumer Reports recommends the standard 15 minute showroom test when mattress shopping. However, a recent study from Research Triangle International showed that it proves difficult to judge comfort level by a short test while awake, as our bodies react to firmness levels differently during sleep. What’s more, a recent survey discussed in our article, Buying a Mattress Online vs In Stores, showed overall satisfaction was actually significantly higher for people that bought mattresses online without prior testing.Why might that be? Well, shoppers who buy online certainly face less sales pressure, and also have more time to research their purchase.
Comparison shopping, other people’s reviews, and access to objective information online can help people determine which bed will meet their needs. Plus, people who buy online spend less, which also likely contributes to purchase satisfaction.Interestingly enough, CR’s own data says 75% of people thought testing a mattress out in a showroom was important for satisfaction, though a full 40% expressed regret with their choice.When you are testing or shopping for a mattress, remember to get the input from the people who will be using it. It may sound like common sense, but many people buy mattresses as gifts or without consulting their partner. If you are getting a gift for someone, make sure you understand the company’s return policy. You want to be able to get your money back if you need to return it.CR offers good tips on interpreting warranties and trial information. They discuss the difference between full and limited warranties, and how to ensure your bed remains covered – use a fully supportive foundation and don’t remove the manufacturer tag.
Also addressed are trial periods, in which CR mentions that shoppers should look for at least 30 days. We agree with this, as it takes time for a person to adjust to a new bed. They mention that some local stores often charge restocking and delivery fees which can be quite costly. offer 100 day trials with no restocking fees. Many consumers have felt that 30 days is simply not enough time for them to get to know a mattress, so try to get an extended trial period if you can.CR reminds shoppers that they can often bargain with mattress retailers for better deals, by getting price matches, coupon discounts, and mattress disposal or delivery perks. Other tips include waiting for sales and holidays where big discounts can be seen on innersprings. Sales featuring as much as 50% off run frequently, however it is important to not be suckered into a “sale” featuring false markdowns as they attempt to lure customers with their “lower” prices. Though specialty mattresses often have set prices, occasionally retailers will offer special discounts or closeout models at lower prices.
Another money-saving tip includes not buying a new foundation when your existing one is still in good shape. While many people often buy in matching sets, the design is usually covered in bedding. If your foundation still offers firm support and doesn’t show wear, then keep it. They do note that foam mattresses require a solid-type foundation (hard on top versus springs), and that some brands require the matching base for warranty protection, however.We would also offer that where you shop plays a big role in how much you spend. Showrooms and retail stores have high markups because they typically have commissioned staff and high expenses. In contrast, online retailers often keep overhead lower and thus tend to have lower prices.For example, we compared three mattresses to show readers that you can save on cost and often get better quality, too, by looking online. .In the Consumer Reports mattress buying guide video, their expert shopper recommended never paying more than 50% for a new mattress.
While this may be true with retail stores and mattress showrooms, online stores can differ since pricing tends to be lower to begin with. Often, you don’t have an opportunity to haggle unless you call to speak with a representative but you may get lucky with online coupon codes and holiday sales.CR recommends replacing a mattress that is older than 7-10 years or shows signs of wear and aging. This includes sagging, lumps and broken down edges. If your mattress still offers good support but is perhaps too firm, a topper might offer a cheaper solution.You may have heard that mattresses double in weight every 7-8 years as a result of accumulating skin cells, dust mites and oils. There haven’t been any scientific studies done to determine exactly how much the average mattress increases in weight over time, but according to Ohio State University, 100,000 to 10 million dust mites are in the average old mattress. Scientists who have remarked on the topic seem to think think that mattresses will gain weight, but would not double in that short amount of time.