How do I decide which latex mattress to buy?
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Hi, great site with excellent information. Like a lot of readers, we are about to purchase a new mattress and base after a good 10+years on our current Kingsize Sealy posturepedic 1200 and sprung divan base which both have now seen better days. That was until I came across your site. I totally agree now with your argument for not requiring to ‘try’ out a mattress in store, based on how little knowledge the staff at the sheds generally have and how long you would actually ‘try’ it for – about 3mins if your lucky!
I have done a bit of research and understand pocket sprung is much better than open coil. memory foam is generally hotter etc. We had been looking at the J.Lewis natural range and deciding between the 5000 and 6000 when it occurred to me that for around the same price, you offer a 100% Latex Fusion 3 or 80/20 Fusion 2 . I am around 12st4 and a sound side sleeper but don’t like to be too hot. My wife is around 9st.8 and likes to be warm and toasty, we both prefer a medium to firm mattress and have in recent months, both been complaining of bad backs on waking and both putting it down to the long deterioration in our current mattress. So my 1st question would be are we better off with the latex than the traditional pocket sprung with a budget of around 1000gbp?
or stick with pocket sprung with something like your Artisan Naturals?
With a relatively small weight difference, would we get away with same tension or need a zip link type if the Artisan?
I’m guessing, having read about your love of toppers that you may recommend we use one, would that be still the case with a Latex Fusion 2or3?
Aesthetically, I would prefer a new bedstead than a new divan base, but with so much ‘stuff’ my missus stores in her 2 drawers, I don’t think she’d cope without the storage – would a sprung divan base be better or solid base divan?
JL sales stated they could not guarantee their mattress for 10yrs, unless it was on a slatted base?
We recently bought our 6yr old daughter a new JL basic Memory single mattress which I now realise after reading your advice rather than the well meaning, but ultimately unknowledgeable reviews on the JL website, was probably a poor choice, especially on a cheap fixed slatted base (which I shall now be sure to board out with 4mm mdf, Thanks to your advice!) >
Hi Rob,
Thank you for your questions.
Latex or pocket sprung?
- Latex is fantastic for pressure relieving and being responsive, this is where it trumps a pocket sprung mattress in that it accommodates pressure ie hips, shoulders slightly faster than a pocket sprung. It springs back and allows for all sorts of variations in pressure.
That said it is hotter than a traditional mattress. So for your wife latex maybe fantastic but less so maybe for you.
Rather than a solid core mattress I would advise that a topper on a traditional mattress maybe better. This is because the thinner layer of latex won’t keep the heat in as much as a solid core. It all depends just on how hot you find latex, which is nearly impossible to guess! It is far cooler than memory foam though as a comparator.
Mattress Bases, to Divan or not to Divan?
- The difference between a sprung edged and platform top divan is relatively straight forward.
The sprung edged divan will slightly soften the over all feel of the mattress Rob.
As if the entire bed is on suspension of sorts. The platform top will keep the mattress at its stand alone tension meaning the mattress does all the work. The sprung edge is more advanced in that it allows the base to also take some strain and soften every so slightly the sensation of the mattress. The storage options available are 2-4 drawers and the bases we offer come in a number of fabric colours and textures.
We also offer matching headboards.
If you choose a non divan we would advise you look for something with a consistent surface, i.e. no slats.
Slatted bases - Slatted mattress bases are usually the elephant in the room. For foam and contemporary beds, like your daughters, we don’t recommend them as the foam conforms to them and you get lumps and bumps. You can use them for traditional beds but as you have read, your putting a expensive quality mattress on slats which over time may impact the mattress in terms of settlement and dips. Our advice is either board them over or go for a consistent base like a divan. Its not worth the risk to the mattress As for the JL advice about guarantee I can’t for one minute think why they would guarantee one with their mattress over a divan!
Which beds the best for you?
- Based on your query I would advice you maybe think about pairing up a traditional mattress like the Artisan Naturals with a latex topper Rob. Especially if you like the idea of latex but are concerned about heat. It will get you the soft pressure relief you want without unnecessary heat which you’ve raised concerns about but also a turnable high quality mattress which is suitable for both your weights.
I know there’s a lot of advice here so please call us once you have digested it. The office number is 0161 437 4419.
Many thanks and hope that helps - Lee
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