The Mattress Expert

Simmons Beautyrest World Class Mattress instead of the Black Series.

Eric writes:

Hi there. 

I was reading through some of your replies on this site and found myself in a similar situation as another of your writers. After returning 2 Tempurpedic mattresses over the past 3 months and deciding to go with a coil mattress again (Beautyrest Legend, which I have not taken delivery of yet) I saw your response back to the writer which states the following: The Legend is not a Black model and nowhere near the quality of the Black models". 
From what I can tell, the Legend seems like a decent unit (although likely overpriced as you state) so I was wondering if you could elaborate further on it's inferiority over the Black series. I realize the coils are different but the Legend does seem to have the higher gauge springs (13.75) than the lower Beautyrest models which should suffice for me (150lbs) and my wife (130lbs) whereas the Black series has the triple coils throughout. I wouldn't call it a wash but not sure I would consider that vastly inferior- maybe I'm wrong.
Aside from the springs, are the foams/other materials/general construction used in the Legend that much worse than what is found in the Black series? 
I'm taking some comfort in the fact that the Legend is very similar to other models that you recommend and sell (albeit at a higher price) so maybe the fact that it's not as good as the Black series won't be that much of an issue for me.
Thanks for any feedback. Eric

Hi Eric,

The paddings used in the Legend, World Class and Black Series' are the same.

The Black models use a triple strand wire coil. It looks like a cable wire and they call it a cable coil.

This is what makes the Black Series superior to the World Class models, of which the Legend is a part.

The coils in the Black models are among the strongest on the market.

At your size, I wouldn't recommend a Black Beautyrest. It's more than you need.

Instead, I would recommend the World Class Annaoplis Place.

Shown here:

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-recharge-world-class/

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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The "Just Right" Mattress for Goldilocks, Simmons Beautyrest & Latex Topper.

 Vicki Writes:

Hi Pete,

I am in dire need of your help… I feel like Goldilocks that is nowhere close to finding her “just right!”  I am on mattress #4  in 7 months and about to go insane!  In 2014, we replaced our worn out king mattress (that we liked) with the firm Candace Simmons.  My husband wanted to try firmer and I couldn’t tell a big difference in the store so I went along.  We weren’t sure what we previously had, but I think it was a plush. My husband now thinks it may have been a pillowtop that could be flipped. Oh, how I wish I knew!

 I am a side and occasional back sleeper that is 50 pounds overweight.     Not long after the first purchase, my hips began to hurt severely; I had trouble walking and at a much later date was diagnosed with bursitis as well as having some shoulder pain from being a side sleeper.  After a battery of tests, doctors attributed it to the firmness of the mattress.  We traded the Simmons in for the Serta iComfort Prodigy, a memory foam bed.  It didn’t seem to be dense and supportive enough and so I woke with terrible back pain and stiffness. Another issue with the mattress was that my husband and I are extremely hot sleepers in general and we burned up on this bed.  This gel foam “technology” wasn’t for us and really never want to go back to anything that has a remote chance of holding heat.  That rules out a lot of options….

So, last summer I was left with hips that had not healed before buying the second mattress and now an aching back.  Two months after buying the Icomfort, we bought and then later returned the Sealy Willow plush mattress and have now borrowed my mother’s guest room mattress, the Sealy Hearth plush just to give my body time to heal before making any more COSTLY mistakes!

 I am at a total loss because even the last two plush beds felt like the sidewalk.  We have a 2 inch topper to make it bearable but I still wake up stiff all over.  It’s not miserable like the first 3 but far from being comfortable.  My husband who can sleep on anything even agrees that these feel extremely firm.   As a side note, I have found that a little incline helps some nights.   After steroid shots in October 2014 and physical therapy, my hips have now predominantly recovered and dreadfully, it is time to mattress shop again.   I know that firm is not an option with my history.  I even question the plush.  Are there varying degrees of plushness among the brands that I could look for that are softer than others?  I really have considered the pillowtops because I like the layer of softness but I know they have their own issues and don’t want to compromise back support.   Would I be better off with the traditional spring or hybrid mattress or what?  Would I do best spending the large part of my money on an adjustable frame?   I am so terrified of making another mistake (don’t forget about the heat issues).  Right now we are $3,000 in the hole and no direction to go.  I admire your knowledge and advice that you have given others.  I welcome any suggestions as well as types stay away from as well! Many thanks! Vicki

Hi Vicki,

You're more like Alice in Wonderland than Goldilocks. In Goldilocks day, (Back when you bought that two sided mattress), it was purely a question of feel.

Your problem today, isn't feel. It's quality. At the time you bought your two-sided mattress, quality wasn't an issue. It was extremely difficult to buy a bad bed.

Today, it's equally as difficult to buy a good one. It's almost like stepping into Wonderland, only to find that you're really in The Twilight Zone...a nightmarish experience when you were expecting to find your dream mattress.

The first thing you need to do, is to forget what you think you've learned. Most of what you've been told is an out-right lie....kind of like a politician's version of truth.

 The mattress industry is no longer concerned with quality. They are solely concerned with profits. Thee one, most singular item that does the most to maximize profits, is memory foam.

Memory foam is why you sleep hot and why a new mattress loses comfort so quickly. What memory foam does, is to create a comfortable sleeping surface that lasts long enough to make the sale and get them past their trial period. After that, it begins to show it's true colors.

The "Gel" that is supposed to mitigate sleeping hot works...for a few hours and then quits. 

If you sleep longer than only a few hours, you are back in the slow cooker well before it's time to get up. 

Memory foam loses comfort and support within months to a year or two...depending on your weight.

Now here comes the diabolical part. When you get off the mattress, the memory foam will return enough that to prevail in a warranty claim is almost impossible.

Since the manufacturers don't have to exchange the garbage they are producing, they've extended the warranties, which creates the illusion of quality in the minds of the consumers.

To add injury to this insult, memory foam is a chemical soup and it off-gasses the toxic chemicals from which it is made. Sinus headache is the most common side effect, but there have been reports of much worse. The fumes seem to attack your respiratory system. 

Memory foam is, without question, thee worst material ever invented for use in or as a mattress...and it's almost all you can buy in most stores.

 There are approx. 12,000 different mattresses on the market. Why? Because everyone is different. But, are we all that much different?

The human body consists of a skeletal system,  a muscular system and a vascular system....among other things.

That skeletal system is the first part that need to be addressed when buying a mattress. IT, requires some degree of firm support to keep it aligned.

The padding on top of the mattress is what you turn to to relax your muscles and to alleviate blood flow. 

In this, we are, pretty much, all the same. Body weight and shape, spinal conditions, sleeping position, ailments like fibromyalgia and arthritis, pressure point problems at the hip and shoulder...are all factors to consider when recommending one mattress over another. But, you have to understand this stuff before you can do that.

Today's sales people do not have the training, nor do they have the right quality materials to choose from, to fit you to a mattress that's right for you.

The bulk of their training is in "How To Make The Sale". Separating you from your money is what they are trained to do....period.

And, as you've seen from personal experience, they do a fine job of it.

 

While it might be painful to hear, you were on the right track with your first choice...The Simmons Beautyrest. Simmons makes a wide variety of models with an even wider choice of comfort at each level. If you look at the Beautyrests on our website, you'll notice that there are no "plush" models shown. They make them and I can get them, but will not fill an order for any of their plush models. If you search the internet for reviews on Simmons, it appears that a Beautyrest is the worst mattress made. The reason is that plush models are easy to sell...and making the sale is all that anyone cares about. The gauge of wire for the coils in the plush models is thinner than the firm models. These weaker coils loses their shape very quickly and almost always wind up as a warranty claim...to which you are not likely to prevail. But hey, they sell and sell well. A mattress is a pressure sensitive item and how it wears is in direct relation to the pressure applied to it. If you are the weight of a child, none of this much matters. However, I can assure you that you are nowhere to being alone in carrying an extra 50 pounds. As such, the mattress needs to be stronger. It's a matter of simple physics.

 

Firm Beautyrests come in a variety...extra firm, firm, luxury firm...all using the heavier gauge wire. 

The Simmons Beautyrest uses an individually pocketed coil system, where the coils move independently from on another. This coil unit was introduced in the 1920s.

Today, there are many brands with a pocketed coil unit...and not, at all, the same.

Only the Simmons uses a pre-compressed "barrel" shaped coil that starts out 9" tall and then compressed into a 7" pocket. The pockets are heat sealed at their center, which allows the coils to move separately. This provides 1) the greatest degree of contouring support and 2) the greatest degree of motion separation....so that you don't feel each other move in the bed.

Other brands use and hour-glass shaped coil that is as tall as the pocket. The pockets are heat sealed at the surface....again, not the same.

The individual movement of the coils will provide contouring support that won't fight your pressure points at the hip and shoulder.

 

It would be a Luxury Firm World Class Annapolis Place Beautyrest that I would recommend for you...like the one shown in this link.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-recharge-world-class/

But, that's not all. We still have to cushion the surface to relieve your pressure point pain, relax your muscles and allow your blood to flow freely.

All this adds up to less tossing and turning. The less you are forced to move around, the deeper the night's sleep you'll get....waking rested and with little to no pain.

This is achieved with latex foam...the original foam rubber that is all natural and chemical free. It, too, was introduced to the mattress industry in the 1920s.

Since then, it has never lost it's top spot as "The Best You Can Buy"....and, it sleeps cool....all by itself, without any gel and with no excuses.

For those with average body weight to large people who are a bit overweight, the model that works best is the 2" Soft Talalay Latex.

Shown here:

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/ 

 

Together, they are the bed you're looking for.

 

 

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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Simmons Beautyrest Brentford, Annapolis Place World Class Mattress.

Stephanie writes:

Hi Pete,
We would appreciate any help or suggestions you can give us! We are on our 2nd Beautyrest (Charleston from Sleep Country in 2006) which is a pillowtop. It's been too soft since we bought it. I think we finally realized that it isn't a firm mattress and that might be our issue. 

So we are on the hunt again for the perfect mattress.
I am a side sleeper and my husband mostly sleeps on his back, but can really sleep anywhere. :) We've gone shopping to four different stores and so far like the firm mattress with a tight top (is that what it is called?). Sears has one on closeout called the Brentford Luxury Firm. The Beautyrest label on the foot of the bed says Recharge/Pacific Series. Do you believe this would be a good bed for a side sleeper? I don't want the pressure points on my hips, etc., but I also think pillowtops are too soft.

I've read a bit on your website and it seems like you suggest the World Class series. I can't tell if this Brentford is part of that series or not. I will include a photo of the details of the bed that I took.
If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to share.
Thank you so much!
Stephanie

 

Hi Stephanie,

Pillowtops are filled with poly and memory foam and are intentionally designed to become saggy and uncomfortable in a short time.

Pillowtops and memory foam are the tools used by the mattress industry to produce comfort that sells but does not last....all in an effort to have you buy mattresses much more frequently than in the past.

Latex is the other foam...the original foam rubber. It is extremely durable and extraordinarily comfortable. 

In order for your body to have everything it needs...firm support and a comfortable sleeping surface, we recommend mattresses that are firm and topped with a soft latex topper for surface comfort that lasts. 

One of my favorite mattresses to recommend is the World Class Simmons Beautyrest, like the one you found at Sears.

The model names for the same mattress are different at every store, all in an effort to make it difficult to shop...as the prices vary widely.

That same mattress is called Annapolis Place on our website. The topper to get with it is the 2" Soft Talalay Latex Foam Mattress Topper.

Here are links to both products. Delivery is free and there's no sales tax.

 

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-recharge-world-class/

Simmons Beautyrest Annapolis Place

 

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

 

Question about all-latex mattresses, Pure Bliss & Ever-Eden.

Carrie writes:

Hi Pete,

I came upon your site and love the your insights.  Your honesty and passion for maintaining integrity in this industry really shows through in your feedback to readers and shoppers.  

I share a bed with my husband and lately (perhaps because I'm pregnant) the transfer of motion is really affecting my sleep.  We decided the solution was to upgrade to a King sized bed but someone suggested doing two twins with two box springs, topped off with a quality pillow top.  What do you think of this idea?

Also, in doing tons of research in the past week, I have narrowed down to a latex mattress because of the comfort and conform-ability of memory foam without the negatives of memory foam.  Can you recommend something?  We have a limited budget and would love to get the whole setup for about $2000.  Since we're upgrading from a Queen, we'd need to get frame, foundation, mattress, etc.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading your input.

Carrie 

 

Hi Carrie,

Motion transfer can come through the mattress, the foundation, the bed frame.....any one or any combination of those sources.

Starting with the frame, which I suggest buying separately. Most stores carry, what is called an "Instamatic" bed frame. 

It's made by Leggett & Platt and has the model number of 777R for a king size. Should run in in the $100, or so price range.

 

In a king size, you have two boxsprings. So, whatever motion that is being transferred will not easily come from there. It's much more of a problem in a one piece queen.

Most boxspring are made of steel struts with a top grid to hold them all together. It's a cheaply made product.

The foundations for latex mattresses is all wood, & specially construction  for the weight of a latex mattress.

Very little motion transfers through a latex mattress.

 

Also an excellent choice for reduced motion transfer, is the Simmons Beautyrest with coils that move independently from the rest. 

In the case of this and the latex type, the only movement that can be transferred, is lateral movement...pushing at it from the side.

You don't always sit down flat. Sometimes you'll hit it a little from the side. The Instamatic frame will help with that, as the legs do not wiggle.

 

Going with two twin-XL sets to make up the king, is the only way to avoid the lateral movement. But since the mattresses will be next to each other, the best you can hope for is a reduction and not elimination.

You have to weight this small benefit to the extra cost of 2-Twin-XL sets to the price of  one piece king...which can add anywhere from a few hundred to several hundred dollars to the total.

 

My wife and I have a luxury firm Beautyrest with a 2" layer of soft talalay latex. 

We are mindful of the lateral movement and do our best to sit gently when the other is asleep.

Feeling each other move is not a problem.

 

We carry two brand of latex mattresses...Pure LatexBLISS and Ever-Eden. Both are pure latex with no chemicals and no fillers.

The Ever-Eden shows up UPS and is dropped off. Their foundation requires assembly...but easy to do. This will be the least expensive.

SHOWN HERE:   

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/all-natural-latex/evereden-latex-models/

        

The Pure Bliss line is finished nicer and comes with White Glove Delivery, which includes set-up and removal of the packaging material.

SHOWN HERE:

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/all-natural-latex/pure-latexbliss/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

Sealy Posturepedic South Court Equivalent Mattress.

Chris writes:

 

I am looking for a Queen Size Plush bed. Currently have a full size Sealy Posturepedic South Court Plush. The fellow at the store says the equivalent today is the Sealy Santa Ana - But reviews seem poor.

In the end we need a good, firm plush queen size mattress and low box spring.
Any suggestions? 
Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris,

If you liked the South Court, then you would shop for an E-Level Posturepedic...model names differ at every store.

Queen Set of the E-Level plush runs $1099, from us, with free delivery and no sales tax.

A freshly made mattress takes approx. 2 weeks for delivery.

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

Simmons Beautyrest Black Ava or Alexia Mattress.

Kendall writes:

We have just turned 41 and our world class is 11 years old. I'm 275 lbs and wife is 125lbs. I'm combo back and side wife is mostly side sleeper. We have started having some soreness in the mornings and the old mattress has two holes were we sleep. I was looking at the Alexia for support, but would it be too much for her. Thanks, Kendall

 

Hi Kendall,

The Alexia is an excellent choice for supporting someone your size.
But on its own, it won't have enough surface comfort for either of you.
We recommend using a soft latex topper with that.
Latex is the most resilient upholstery material on the planet.
Besides supplying surface comfort enough to relieve pressure points and relax muscles for a good deep night's sleep, it absorbs much of your body weight.
The result of that is a mattress that keeps its shape much better and much longer than it would without it. 
2" of the soft Talalay is all you'll need.
Delivery is free and there's no sales tax.
Here are links for both.

http://themattressexpert.com/our-brands/simmons/beautyrest-black/


http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

Simmons Beautyrest Recharge Classic Flatbrook Mattress in the UK.

Sarah writes:

Hi,
I have a 7 yr old who has recently been diagnosed with a scoliosis of the spine. When doing an internet search your beautyrest recharge classic flatbrook mattress come up recommended for teenagers. Do you think this would be suitable for my son who is of slightly average height and very slim build? 
I'm struggling to find this mattress in the United Kingdom.Do you know a UK stockist or if the mattress is known by a different name in the UK?
Any help would be very appreciated.
Kind regards, Sarah

Hi Sarah,
The model name for the same mattress is different at every store in the US.
Look for the least expensive Simmons Beautyrest in firm...not luxury firm.
With his body still developing, the firmer the better.
You can get a latex topper to soften it later, if necessary.
I did a Google search for Simmons UK, and a number of retailers popped up.

Here is a link to our models. If you click on the different models, each of the next pages will show a list of specifications.

It's much easier to shop the specification if you want to compare apples to apples.

 

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-recharge-classic/

 

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

 

Advice on a Mattress Protectors and Pillows.

Mermel writes:

Hi Pete,

Is there a specific waterproof mattress protector that you recommend? 

Also, is there a healthy, comfortable, long lasting pillow you recommend?

Thanks, Mermel

 

Hi Mermel,

We test things at home, my wife and I. The traditional problem with water proof mattress protectors, is that they sleep hot.

Every 6 months, we go to the trade show to see what's new. 

Last year, we came across a Danish company who's mattress protector looked promising.

We took one home any tried it, and laundered it a few times.

It sleeps cool and doesn't shrink.

We've been promoting it for several months and have sold many...with zero complaints.

They are all natural.

Here is a link to those.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-protectors/

 

The very best type of pillow is all nataural latex...extremely comfortable and equally long lasting.

The two we most often recommend are on this link.

http://themattressexpert.com/organics/organic-pillows/

 

The Latex/Down pillow is an excellent choice for relieving severe neck pain.

The Natural Talalay Latex pillow is for anyone who just wants a super comfy pillow that will last. 

 

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

Simmons Beautyrest Black Mattress Sale.

Adam writes:

Are there any upcoming sales for the Simmons Beautyrest Black mattresses?
Thanks, Adam

Hi Adam,
Simmons allows a maximum 10% discount on the Black models.
Some stores offer that 10% during holiday sales only.
We offer it everyday.

Each order is freshly made...free white glove delivery...and no sales tax.

It doesn't get any better than that during any holiday sale...at any store.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-black/

Simmons Beautyrest Black

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

Hump up the center of a king, Therapedic Two-Sided Cameo Mattress & Latex Topper.

Mark writes:

If I bought your Therapedic two-sided Cameo firm, and put on a 2-3 inch latex topper would I be better off than just purchasing the Cameo plush.  What I am concerned with is that as is the case with my current Serta,  is that the non latex padding layers are what have become lumpy after 1 year and despite frequent rotations even at 90 degrees.  I am 240lbs, my wife is 120lbs and we both sleep on our sides.   The hip areas are where we get valleys.  The middle of the bed is a mountain.  Thanks, Mark 

 

Hi Mark,

Part of "the hump up the center" problem in a king size, is the two boxsprings.

The edges being stronger than the center.

The only way to avoid that, is to turn the bed sideways...with the boxsprings running side to side, instead of head to foot. The bed is almost square, so you won't know the difference.

 

There's no comparing the quality of the Cameo to anything that Serta makes.

The Cameo plush has been field tested under people who weigh more than you.

My main concern is for your wife's comfort. The Cameo firm is quite hard, and usually a problem for female side sleepers. Remember, women are curvier than men...fuller at the hip, which is their major pressure point.

 

I suggest staying with the plush. If you want to add latex to that, make it a 1.5" model.

It will protect the mattress from wearing under your size, and addition comfort for hers & your pressure points.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/therapedic-two-sided-flippable-mattresses/

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.