Monday, July 25, 2016

Purple Mattress vs Loom And Leaf

Loom And Leaf is the second product to come out from the Saatva company.  It is a premium memory foam offering that is available online-only and appears to have had great success since its launch.  

Purple Mattress vs Loom and Leaf

Purple has made waves in the industry after a very successful Kickstarter campaign.  It has a unique top layer made from a hyper-elastic polymer and it sells online-only as well.  As these two mattresses are very popular, people naturally wonder how they compare to one another.

This article will try to highlight the major differences to make it a more clear decision for you if you are down to Purple vs Loom & Leaf.

Key Similarities

  • Both mattresses provide a great value
  • Both are in a similar price range
  • Both use good, durable materials
  • Both have good initial customer reviews
  • Both have friendly trial periods / return policies
  • Both have good motion isolation
Loom & Leaf vs Purple mattress
4.4 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience
4.6 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience

Key Differences

  • Purple is very bouncy/resilient, while the L&L has a slow-moving, memory foam feel
  • Loom And Leaf is 2.5” inches thicker than the Purple
  • Purple has free shipping and arrives compressed and rolled up; Loom & Leaf has a shipping fee and has white-glove delivery that you need to schedule
  • L&L has two firmness options; Purple just has one

Construction/Feel

Purple has a very unique construction, especially so among the online-only mattresses.  It is 9.5” thick.  The top layer is the key to the mattress.  It is 2” of something called a hyper-elastic polymer.  It is designed to relieve pressure better than any other material in the market.  To me, it feels pretty firm initially, yet it does relieve pressure extremely well.  It is also very resilient/bouncy, something that is quite similar to latex.

Purple Mattress Reviews

Purple mattress

Loom And Leaf has two layers of memory foam on top.  It feels quite different from Purple.  It is slow-moving and has a feel similar to the traditional Tempur-Pedic feel.  It isn’t bouncy at all.

Loom and Leaf memory foam mattress construction

Loom & Leaf mattress

Both mattresses use good materials that should be very durable for most people.  The real difference is the general feel.  If you prefer bounce, then the Purple will probably give you more of what you are looking for. See the Purple feel below:

Price

Purple is currently selling its Queen for $999.  That includes free shipping.

Loom And Leaf is currently selling its Queen for $999 as well, but that doesn’t include the shipping fee.

Essentially, the price is in the same range where you should just see which one you generally would like better.

Motion Isolation / Sleeping Cool

Both mattresses do well with motion isolation, so they both should be good for sleeping with a partner.  They also address the issue of “sleeping hot” very well with their construction.

Pick Purple If:

  • You Want Bounce– One major difference between the two mattresses is that Purple is bouncy/resilient, while Loom & Leaf is much, much less so.
  • You Don’t Mind Taking A Chance On A New Technology– With Purple, you have a new, innovative material in the online-only market.  It’s a new company too, so potentially you’re taking a small risk because of this.  The return policy is great though, so the risk is very minimal.

Learn more in my full Purple mattress review.

Pick Loom & Leaf If:

  • You Prefer A Memory Foam Feel– From my experience, memory foam tends to be a love it or hate it type of thing.  If you like memory foam, then chances are you will really like the L&L mattress.
  • You Want A More Luxury Feel– It certainly feels like more of a luxury experience with the Loom And Leaf.  The mattress is thicker and has more bells and whistles in its construction.  Take a look at these details and see if the extras are important to you.

Learn more in my full Loom & Leaf review.

Overall

These are two really great choices.  The differences between them are pretty clear, so take a look at what I’ve written and try to relate everything to your personal preferences and circumstances.

The post Purple Mattress vs Loom And Leaf appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Purple Mattress Vs Saatva

The Purple mattress is a unique innovation in the industry and the company has seen great success ever since it launched its kickstarter campaign.  Saatva has been around for much longer and has built a great business over the past few years.  

Purple Mattress vs Saatva

Both take advantage of the online-only business model to provide a great value to consumers.  While the companies have a similar business model, the mattresses themselves are actually quite different.  I’ll attempt to highlight those differences to help make the decision more clear if you are deciding Purple mattress vs Saatva.

Key Similarities

  • Both are great values (via the online-only business model)
  • Both are in a similar price range
  • Both use great materials
  • Both sleep cool
  • The return policies / trial period of both are really great for consumers
Saatva vs Purple mattress
4.4 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience
4.5 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience

Key Differences

  • Saatva is an innerspring mattress, while Purple is a foam mattress with a unique, hyper-elastic polymer top layer
  • Purple is bouncier/more resilient than Saatva (which has a more traditional feel)
  • Purple is 9.5” thick, while Saatva is 14.5” thick
  • Saatva has three firmness options; Purple just has one
  • Purple ships free in a box, while Saatva has a shipping charge and white glove delivery
  • Purple is a little better with motion isolation

Construction/Feel

The Saatva is an innerspring mattress with coil-on-coil construction and a euro-style pillow top.  This feel is more traditional and won’t feel generally that much different from what a lot of people are used to.  It relatively bouncy and resilient, but not close to that of Purple.  The mattress is 14.5” and the comfort layer is thicker than Purple’s.  Learn more in my full Saatva mattress review.

Saatva Mattress Reviews

Saatva mattress

Purple is very unique in the mattress industry in that it uses hyper-elastic polymer for the comfort layer.  The top layer is only 2” and the total thickness of the mattress is 9.5”.  The feel is somewhat firm yet pressure-relieving at the same time.  It is also very bouncy, especially compared to Saatva.  Whether that is a good thing comes down to personal preference.  Learn more in my full Purple mattress review.

Purple Mattress Reviews

Purple mattress

The main thing to take away is that the construction and feel are very different and you should do some analysis and reflection to figure out which type of feel is going to be best for you.  Towards the end of this comparison, I’ll highlight what type of people will probably prefer one mattress over the other.  See the different feels of Saatva and Purple below:

Saatva firmness and feel

Purple firmness and feel

Price

Saatva charges $899 for a Queen.  There is typically a shipping charge, which may vary depending on where you live.

Purple is $999 right now for a Queen.  Shipping is free.

The price difference is very small, so your decision is more about which is going to be most comfortable/durable for you.

Sleeping Cool

Both mattresses do a very good job of sleeping nice and cool, so I don’t think this is a criteria you should base your decision on because any difference here is negligible.

Pick Purple If:

  • You Want Extra Bounce– The Saatva has good bounce to it, but the Purple is definitely bouncier/more resilient.  If that’s something you are looking for, then you certainly should give Purple a look.
  • You Prefer A Foam Feel– While the Purple mattress is pretty unique in its feel, it more closely resembles a foam mattress feel (as compared to an innerspring feel), so if this is what you are used to or are looking for, Purple might be the right choice for you.
  • Motion Transfer Is a Big Issue For You– Because of the way the top layer of the Purple is constructed, the mattress isolates motion very well.  Saatva is pretty good too at this, but the Purple really stands out here.

Pick Saatva If:

  • You Want A More Traditional Feel– The majority of people still sleep on a traditional innerspring mattress.  That is the general feel you get from Saatva (although on the higher-end of the scale), so if that’s what you are looking for or are used to, you may want to take a look at Saatva.
  • You Are Bigger Than Average– One thing to consider with Purple is that the top layer of hyper-elastic polymer is only two inches, so if you are bigger, then you might want to go with a mattress with a thicker comfort layer like Saatva.
  • You Want A More Substantial Mattress– Saatva’s mattress is five inches thicker than the Purple.  If you are looking for a thicker mattress, whether for extra height or for other reasons, Saatva is the way to go.

Overall

It’s hard to say one mattress is better than the other.  They both use good materials and provide a really good value to consumers.  Take a look at the key differences and relate them to your personal preferences, and from there hopefully you can make a more informed decision.

The post Purple Mattress Vs Saatva appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Brooklyn Bedding Vs Loom And Leaf

Brooklyn Bedding and Loom & Leaf are two mattress brands that have seen great success online.  They both rely on the online-only business model to pass massive savings onto the consumer in the form of a high-quality, affordable product.  

Brooklyn Bedding vs Loom and Leaf

While they have a similar business model, the two mattresses are actually quite different in the way they feel.  This article will highlight those differences to help you if you are making the decision of Brooklyn Bedding vs Loom And Leaf.

Key Similarities

  • Similar business model (online-only) and value to the consumer
  • Both mattresses consist of all-foam
  • Both use great, durable materials
  • Both companies are known for their customer service
  • The return policies / trial period of both are really great for consumers
Brooklyn Bedding vs Loom and Leaf
4 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience
4.6 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience

Key Differences

  • Brooklyn Bedding is $750 for a Queen with free shipping; L&L is $999 and no free shipping
  • Brooklyn Bedding is shipped free in a box; L&L has a shipping charge but white-glove delivery
  • Brooklyn Bedding has 3 firmness options; Loom and Leaf has 2 options
  • Brooklyn Bedding has latex in its comfort layer; L&L has memory foam
  • Brooklyn Bedding is resilient/bouncy; L&L has a slow-moving, pure memory foam feel

Construction/Feel

The Loom and Leaf has two layers of memory foam, over a transition foam layer, over a support polyfoam layer.  The memory foam layers have 4 lb. and 5 lb. densities.  Learn more in my Loom and Leaf mattress review.

Loom and Leaf memory foam mattress construction

Loom & Leaf mattress

The Brooklyn Bedding has two layers of latex, one of talalay and one of dunlop, over a support polyfoam layer.  Learn more in my Brooklyn Bedding review.

Brooklyn Bedding Research and Rating

Brooklyn Bedding mattress

Both mattresses use good materials that should be very durable for most people.  The difference really is in the overall feel.  Brooklyn Bedding is bouncy and resilient.  The mattress conforms well, and you definitely feel that you sleep “on” the mattress.  

With L&L, it retains a pure memory foam feel that is slow-moving (although more resilient than most memory foam mattresses).  It’s awesome for pressure relief, and it sleeps cool as well.  See how the feel compares in the videos below:

Brooklyn Bedding firmness and feel (medium option)

Loom and Leaf firmness and feel (relaxed-firm)

Which feel is better?  It really comes down to personal preference.  The feel of these two mattresses is so different that you just have to decide which general feel you like better.

Price

For a Queen mattress, Brooklyn Bedding is $750 with free shipping.  You can usually get a 5% discount as well.

L&L charges $999 for a Queen.  There is also a shipping cost (usually around $99 depending on where you live), as the mattress is not delivered in a box (it’s hand-delivered).

The Loom and Leaf has a more luxury feel and has more expensive materials.  That explains the price difference.  Ultimately, you will have to decide whether the difference in price is justified.

Pick Brooklyn Bedding If:

  • You Want A Bouncy, Latex Feel– The biggest difference between the two mattresses is the feel.  If you want a more resilient mattress or you don’t necessarily like the memory foam feel, then you should go for Brooklyn Bedding.
  • You Want To Save– There is a fairly substantial price difference between the two mattresses.  Brooklyn Bedding is definitely high-quality, so you will save money and still get a good product by choosing the #bestmattressever.

Pick Loom And Leaf If:

  • You Love Memory Foam– This is definitely a pure memory foam mattress.  Some people love the feel of memory foam, and if you do, then you should without question go for L&L.
  • You Want More Luxury– Loom and Leaf definitely has the feel of a true luxury mattress.  There are more bells and whistles and more expensive materials in the mattress.  If you have the budget and want a more luxury mattress, this may be the way to go.

Overall

These are both two really good choices.  They have great sleep trials / return policies, so there really isn’t a big risk in trying out either one.  The difference in feel is pretty big though, so hopefully you can make a clear decision on which one will be right for you.

The post Brooklyn Bedding Vs Loom And Leaf appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Brooklyn Bedding Vs Tuft And Needle

Brooklyn Bedding and Tuft & Needle are two great companies that have leveraged the online-only business model to great success.  While they have a similar business model, there are clear differences between the two mattresses.  

Brooklyn Bedding vs Tuft and Needle

The differences are stark enough that if you understand them, you should be able to make a clear choice as to which will be best for you.  Hopefully this article will help you if you are making the decision of Brooklyn Bedding vs Tuft And Needle.

Key Similarities

  • Similar business model (online-only)
  • Both mattresses contain foam only
  • Both include free shipping and arrive in a box
  • Both companies are known for their customer service
  • Both mattresses have the same thickness (10”)
  • The return policies / trial period of both are really great for consumers
Tuft & Needle vs Brooklyn Bedding
4 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience
4.3 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience

Key Differences

  • Brooklyn Bedding is $150 more expensive (exclusive of any discounts from either company)
  • T&N has one firmness option; Brooklyn Bedding has three
  • The comfort layer of T&N is specialty polyfoam, while the Brooklyn Bedding has all-latex
  • The Brooklyn Bedding is bouncier/more resilient

Construction/Feel

The Tuft And Needle consists of 3” of a 2.8 lb. density specialty polyfoam over 7” of 1.8 lb. density polyfoam (learn more in my full Tuft and Needle review).

Tuft & Needle Review

Tuft & Needle Mattress

The Brooklyn Bedding #bestmattressever has 2” of talalay latex, over 2” of dunlop latex, over 6” of high-density polyfoam.

Brooklyn Bedding Review

Brooklyn Bedding Mattress

The support layer of each mattress is very similar.  The real difference comes in the comfort layer.  The two latex layers of Brooklyn Bedding make it very resilient and bouncy.  It sleeps cool and you feel like you are sleeping “on” the mattress rather than “in” the mattress.  

The polyfoam layer of T&N is less bouncy and I feel that you sink into it just a bit more.  It sleeps fairly cool as well.  I feel the firmness level of the medium Brooklyn Bedding is just a tad bit softer than the T&N (but that is subjective).

See the feel and firmness of Brooklyn Bedding (medium firmness option)

Compared to the feel and firmness of Tuft and Needle

Price

For a Queen mattress, the #bestmattressever is $750.  This is before a typically available 5% discount.  A Tuft & Needle Queen mattress is $600 and there typically is no discount.  Both have free shipping.  

Given the price difference, the main question is whether the additional cost is worth the difference in quality in materials.

Pick Brooklyn Bedding If:

  • You Have Other-Than-Average Sleep Preferences– Brooklyn Bedding offers three firmness options.  This means that if you are extra heavy or extra light, or if you have unique sleeping circumstances, you may want the option of a soft or firm mattress.
  • You Want Bounce– There is no question the Brooklyn Bedding mattress is the bouncier of the two.  If you want that bouncy, latex feel, it’s definitely the mattress you should choose.
  • You Have A Bit More In Your Budget– Subjectively, I feel the materials in the Brooklyn Bedding are a bit more high-quality, so if you have some room in your budget, then it may be the choice for you.

Pick T&N If:

  • You Want To Save– The price difference is fairly significant for some people.  If you don’t plan on having the mattress forever and want to save a bit of money in the meantime, then T&N may be the way to go.
  • You Want A More Typical, Balanced Foam Feel– If you want a more balanced, typical foam feel where you sink in a little bit and don’t have too much bounce, then the Tuft and Needle might be better for you.

Overall

Personally I prefer Brooklyn Bedding, but I am a latex mattress fan, and would be willing to spend more for the mattress.  I still think Tuft & Needle is a great mattress, especially considering the price.

The post Brooklyn Bedding Vs Tuft And Needle appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Brooklyn Bedding Vs Casper Mattress

Casper is a company that truly took the mattress industry by storm.  It has had incredible success since it launched over two years ago.  Brooklyn Bedding is another online-only company with a strong reputation for quality.

Brooklyn Bedding vs Casper

Both companies offer a great value for their mattresses by cutting out the middle man and passing the savings along to the consumer.  There are a few clear differences between the two mattresses, however.  

In this article, I will go through what those differences are in attempt to make it a little more clear which one would be right for you if you are deciding between Brooklyn Bedding vs Casper.

Key Similarities

  • Similar business model (online-only)
  • Both are all-foam mattresses
  • Both ship free and arrive in a box
  • Both companies have great reputations and customer service
  • Return/Trial policies are both very good
Casper vs Brooklyn Bedding
4 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience
4 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience

Key Differences

  • Casper is $100 more expensive (irrespective of discounts)
  • Brooklyn Bedding has 3 firmness options; Casper has one
  • Casper is latex over memory foam; Brooklyn Bedding is latex over latex
  • Brooklyn Bedding is more bouncy

Construction/Feel

The Casper mattress consists of 1.5” of latex, over 1.5” of 4lb. density memory foam, over 1.5” of 2.5lb. density transition foam, over 5” of 1.8 lb. density polyfoam.  Learn more in my Casper mattress review.

Casper review

The Brooklyn Bedding #bestmattressever consists of 2” of talalay latex, over 2” of dunlop latex, over 6” of high-density polyfoam.  Learn more in my Brooklyn Bedding mattress review.

Brooklyn Bedding Mattress Review #bestmattressever

The key difference in the construction is Casper has a memory foam layer, while Brooklyn Bedding has two latex layers.  Durability-wise, both mattresses should be pretty durable.  The general feel is where there is a fairly significant difference.   See the Brooklyn Bedding feel below:

With Casper, you sink in a bit more and the feel isn’t as bouncy as the Brooklyn Bedding.  The #bestmattressever really has that pure latex, bouncy feel.  It still conforms well to your body, but it is very resilient and bouncy.

Which feel is better?  That really comes down to personal preference.  Analyze which type of feel you prefer and see which one better fits what you like.

Pick Brooklyn Bedding If:

  • You Want A More Firm Or More Soft Mattress– Brooklyn Bedding does offer 3 firmness options.  Casper offers one and is more for people with middle-of-the-road preferences.  If you know you want a more firm or more soft mattress, then having the extra firmness options might be best for you.
  • You Want More Bounce– The feel of the Brooklyn Bedding is as if you are sleeping “on” the mattress rather than “in” it.  It is also bouncier than Casper.  If you want that extra resilience/bounce, then Brooklyn Bedding would probably be better for you.
  • You Want To Save A Little Extra Money– Not including discounts, the Brooklyn Bedding #bestmattressever is $100 less than the Casper.  If budget is a big concern for you, then that’s definitely something to note.

Pick Casper If:

  • You Have Average Sleeping Preferences/Stats– If you are middle of the range in your weight and don’t want a particularly firm or soft mattress, then you won’t need additional firmness options.  The Casper will fit you just fine.
  • You Want More Of A Sinking In Feel– Casper has a memory foam layer, so you feel a bit more like you are sinking into the mattress (not too much though).  This is a more standard foam feel, and it definitely is less bouncy than Brooklyn Bedding is.

Overall

Though these two mattresses are different, I think the choice comes down to personal preference rather than quality (I recommend both).  There are enough differences here that you should be able to make the right decision for you.  Both are definitely great options that should have you sleeping well.

The post Brooklyn Bedding Vs Casper Mattress appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Lull Vs Leesa Mattress

Lull and Leesa are two mattress companies that have had good success since their initial launches.  They both follow a similar business model of selling online-only and cutting out the middleman to provide consumers a unique savings opportunity.  

Lull mattress vs Leesa mattress

While the business model is fairly similar, there are some differences between the two mattresses.  In this article, I will go over the similarities and differences between the two mattress in an attempt to help clarify your decision between Lull vs Leesa.

Key Similarities

  • Similar cost savings compared to mattresses sold in retail stores
  • Both consist of all foam (no springs)
  • Both have free shipping and arrive in a box
  • The height of both mattresses is the same (10”)
  • Both companies have great reputations and customer service
  • Roughly same price when considering potential discounts
  • Both have one firmness option
Leesa vs Lull
4.3 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience
4.5 Reviewer
Comfort
Support
Value (Price)
Doesn't Sleep Hot
Motion Transfer
Edge Support
Materials/Durability
Company Reputation
Return Policy/Warranty
Overall Sleep Experience

Key Differences

  • Lull has memory foam on top, while Leesa has Avena (latex-like)
  • Leesa has a more responsive, bouncy feel to it
  • Lull has a 3” comfort layer, while Leesa has a 4” comfort layer

Construction

The Leesa mattress consists of 2” of Avena foam (a latex-like foam), over 2” of 3lb. density memory foam, over 6” of 1.8 lb. density polyfoam (learn more in my full Leesa review).

Leesa mattress reviews and complaints

Leesa mattress

The Lull mattress consists of 1.5” of gel-infused memory foam, over 1.5” of latex-like polyfoam, over 7” of high-density polyfoam (learn more in my full Lull review).

Lull Mattress Review

The difference in construction does produce two relatively different feels.  Durability of foam mattresses generally depends on the density of the foams being used.  Lull does not disclose the densities of their foams, but I would note that the mattress weighs 6 lbs. more than the Leesa does.  

Given they are the same thickness, Lull appears to use more dense materials in part of its construction.  Generally that would lead me to believe the Lull would be slightly more durable, but that’s just a hunch.

General Feel

The two mattresses do have a different feel.  I think they have roughly the same firmness (my subjective opinion), which is a slightly firmer than average feel.  If you read all the consumer reviews of either mattress, if someone has a complaint about the feel, it’s that it is a tad bit firm.  I think the firmness level is a good fit for most people, as long as they aren’t too heavy or too light.

The key difference is Lull has memory foam as the top layer, while Leesa has a latex-like foam called Avena.  This means the Lull has a slow-moving, quicksand feel, while Leesa has a more resilient, bouncy feel to it.  

One feel is not necessarily better than the other.  It really comes down to your personal preference.  See the difference in the feels in the videos below:

Lull Firmness and Feel

Leesa Firmness and Feel

Personally, I thought these two mattresses in particular did a great job for sleeping in any position.  Some mattresses are better for certain types of sleepers, but these two were similar in that they were great for combination sleepers like myself (I sleep on my back, side, and stomach sometimes).

Price

The Leesa sells its Queen for $890.  The Lull sells for $850.  You can usually get a $75 discount from Leesa and a $50 discount from Lull, so the difference in price is very small.

Main Points To Consider

Honestly, these two mattresses are very similar.  The price is roughly the same.  The trial periods/ customer service/ return policies are both really great.  They both have the same thickness.  Most people generally think the firmness level is about the same.

For me, it just comes down to whether you want a more memory foam feel or not.  If you do, then go for the Lull.  If you want a foam mattress but without the slow-moving memory foam feel, then go for the Leesa.  

Both are great options, and their trial periods and return policies are so friendly that there’s really no risk in giving one a shot.

The post Lull Vs Leesa Mattress appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Interview With The Sleep Sherpa

Recently I caught up with my fellow mattress reviewer, Ben Trapskin from the Sleep Sherpa!  I really enjoyed this interview because very few people know the glory and pain of reviewing mattresses day to day.  Make sure to check out his review site as well before making your mattress decision!

The Sleep Sherpa

How did you get into the mattress review business?

I think I was destined to review mattresses and anything related to sleep. I remember when I was a kid I had mono and had to rest at home for two weeks. Lots of lying in bed, sleeping, napping and watching shows. Not sure if I ever recovered from that!

Fast forward a few decades later, my wife and I wound up going through 4 different mattresses in 3 years. I heard from friends with similar experiences and frustrations. Finally, a few years  back I was having trouble falling asleep and needed to seek out professional help. During that time I realized just how important sleep is to physical and mental health.

I started sleepsherpa.com as a way for me to journal sleep research and the sleep industry. As the site grew, companies asked me to review their products which made the site what it is today. 

What’s the worst part about reviewing mattresses?

Mattresses aren’t small so moving them in and out of the house can be a workout. My kids enjoy jumping on the beds but since we don’t have any spare bedrooms, it can make the house a little cramped. 

What do you do with them once you’re finished reviewing them?

At first I started selling them to friends and neighbors. Now I mostly give them away to people that need a new mattress. 

Do you run Sleep Sherpa full time?

I just started Sleep Sherpa full time in May of 2016. Before that I had been a librarian for 13 years. I had no expectation of this turning into a full time job but I love it. 

What do you tell people your job is?

I’m still working on that one. Sometimes I say I that I’m a mattress salesman and that shuts down the conversation quickly. What I think the sites does well is to guide people to the right products for their particular need in order to avoid frustration.

What’s the best response people have when you tell them?

When people probe me enough and realize I get to test mattresses and pillows, they think it’s a “dream job”, pun intended. Some of my wife’s friends now only refer to me as the Sleep Sherpa. 

Does your wife approve of your mattress habit?

It depends on when you ask. 

What mattress do you sleep on in between reviews?

I haven’t had a permanent mattress for a while now. There are a few that I would like to have on a more permanent basis. I really like Nest Bedding products not only for their quality but the owner, Joe Alexander, is constantly working to improve his offerings. 

What are you excited about in the industry?

Sleep is becoming trendy and I think the more awareness about the importance of sleep the more innovation will occur in the space. We are already seeing some new types of mattresses such as Purple coming out that are making people rethink what their mattress can do.

What are the funniest questions you have gotten from your readers?

Back when I was starting out, I had a couple from Hawaii who were hesitant to buy a mattress online. They were interested in a mattress that I still had at my house so I offered to do a video chat where I would demo the bed. They asked  me to jump and roll around on the bed to see how it reacted. It was a little awkward but they ended up purchasing the mattresses and loved it. I was happy to go the extra mile and they were impressed with my dedication. 

What’s next for Sleep Sherpa?

I have lots of ideas in store for the site. As time allows I will be introducing some more ways to test mattresses and look to build awareness of the importance of sleep. There’s still lots of work to do!

Visit my mattress reviews page for more mattress information.

The post Interview With The Sleep Sherpa appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

LunaBed Mattress Unboxing

As you can see, unboxing the LunaBed is a very simple process.  Simply remove the layers of plastic and align the mattress, and the rest takes care of itself.  Just be careful not to puncture the mattress when removing the plastic.

The other thing to note with LunaBed is that it does take at least a few hours to decompress.  I didn’t sleep on the mattress the first night to give it some time to firm up, and I suggest you do the same.  Along the same lines, don’t worry if the LunaBed looks a little misshapen when you first remove the plastic.  As the foam decompresses, the mattress will continue to take shape.

To learn more about LunaBed, visit my LunaBed mattress review.

The post LunaBed Mattress Unboxing appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Switch Mattress Unboxing

The Switch mattress is very easy to unbox, simply follow the instructions in the video above and you are good to go!

The mattress unboxing process is very easy, just make sure not to puncture the actual mattress and you cannot go wrong.

With Switch, make sure to give it a few hours to fully decompress.  It’s going to feel much softer initially after it will when it decompresses, so make sure to give it some time.  If you’re still looking for more information on Swift, check out my full Switch mattress review.

The post Switch Mattress Unboxing appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

LunaBed Mattress Review

LunaBed has gathered some attention for its very affordable mattresses, so I was excited to give it a try for myself.  I personally tested the LunaJoy 12 inch queen, which is the most expensive in their line, but still priced below $550.

Overall I liked the mattress, but had a few small complaints as well.  Read on for my full LunaBed mattress review.

You will love LunaBed if you…

  • Want great value – LunaBed offers a great sleeping experience at a fraction of the cost of other major mattress brands, even the most popular online options
  • Sleep with a partner – in my video below you can see that the mattress does great with motion isolation, making it a good option for couples.
  • Want a socially oriented company – LunaBed donates 1 mattress for every 10 sold, providing homeless shelters with a nice mattress upgrade.
  • Want a specific firmness – LunaBed has a few options to choose from, so you can hone in on your firmness/construction that suits your sleeping style (I think LunaJoy is a good option for side sleepers).

LunaBed Mattress Review

You may not like LunaBed if you…

  • Are looking for a luxury mattress – LunaBed is great value, but if you’re looking for a luxury memory foam mattress, you can get more elsewhere if you pay (a good bit) more.
  • Want a mattress with “bounce” – if you are used to a spring, latex, or hybrid mattress, know that LunaBed is really a pure memory foam feel, aka fairly slow to respond foam.

Firmness and Feel

As you can see in the video, LunaBed has the pure memory foam mattress feel.  It is slow to respond, but offers a great comfort/support tradeoff.

The LunaJoy 12 inch is a bit softer than average, I think it would be ideal for side sleepers.  Also available in the line are the LunaWonder, LunaDream, and LunaBliss – all with different thicknesses, firmness levels, and prices.

Motion Transfer

LunaBed is all memory foam, so as expected it performs very well in the motion transfer test.  A bed with great motion isolation like LunaBed is a good mattress for couples, especially if one (or both) are known to toss and turn throughout the night.

Construction

LunaBed is very transparent about their construction and foams, which is always a good sign.  The LunaJoy is 12 inches thick in total, and consists of:

  • 2 inches of 2.5 lb density open cell memory foam
  • 3 inches of 1.56 lb density open cell memory foam with breathable wave technology
  • 6 inches of high density reflex base foam

LunaBed Mattress Cover

The cover is quilted bamboo with blue microsuede side covering.

Other things to note

  • LunaBed is sold only online
  • The mattress has a standard 10 year warranty
  • They have a 110 night sleep trial (return any time within this window for a full refund)
LunaBed Mattress
4.2 Reviewer
Summary
LunaBed is a great memory foam budget option. The line consists of four mattresses varying in thickness, firmness, and price. Overall I think LunaBed is a great option if you're looking in this price range.
Comfort3.8
Support4.3
Value (Price)4.8
Doesn't Sleep Hot3.8
Motion Transfer4.7
Edge Support3.5
Materials/Durability3.5
Company Reputation4.5
Return Policy/Warranty4.8
Overall Sleep Experience4.3

Final recommendation

LunaBed is definitely a great value, and offered me a good night’s sleep.  There are very few good quality beds in this price range, so if you’re looking for a memory foam mattress in this budget, I haven’t reviewed a mattress better than LunaBed.

The post LunaBed Mattress Review appeared first on Mattress Clarity.