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How long will your mattress last?

Simon asked
1st March 2015

My wife and I currently have one of the original Tempur 20cm King-size mattresses and we love it. It now needs replacing after 9/10 years use, mainly due to my weight (we never expected it to last the full 15 years of the warranty), so we are looking for the closest non-Tempur match at a more reasonable price. I like the honesty and detail of your website and am torn between your Genesis 2 and the Ergo flex you compare it with as these seem the most likely to be a match for our old Tempur. The Ergoflex uses the same 85kg density foam as the Tempur so initially that sounds a better match. I am overweight (varies between 16st and 24st unfortunately) and acknowledge that I will have to replace a mattress more often than most. I am always sceptical of mattress warranties – too many exclusions to be of any use. Having said that, they do give some guidance as to the expected longevity and your three year warranty vs ten for the Ergoflex and fiften for the Tempur doesn’t compare well. I don’t expect it last the full quoted amount but maybe 50-65% of the expected ‘normal’ weight period. So with an overweight sleeper such as myself, would you expect the whole mattress to need replacing or just the topper? >

1 Answer
Lee Staff
answered 8 years ago

Hi Simon,

You’ve uncovered some wider questions about memory foam and guarantees. There is a significant difference between a guarantee and a warranty Simon. We only offer a old fashioned no fuss guarantee rather than a American style warranty which sets out limitations and a service should you need to repair or return the bed.

Tempur and other sellers use a proportional warranty, so every year you’ve had the bed depreciates the compensation or fix you may be offered if the bed fails, sags or dips. We are more transparent and offer a full repair or replace guarantee rather than a percentage basis. If the bed is going to fail we know this is generally within the first year or two as well the higher the quality/composition of the bed the higher our guarantee.

There are significant costs with returning mattresses, which some companies don’t show on their warranty. Take the example of mattress/” title=”£500″>£500 mattress you’ve had for 3 years and it fails on a 5 year guarantee, so you’re offered maybe a 20-30% return for your failed mattress say £100-£150, but there was a £75 inspection charge and £75 delivery charge, you end up better off buying a new bed as the return you get is zero. I know thats a extreme example but I’m using it to highlight the issue with proportional warranties.

Back to the suitability of the Genesis 2 memory foam mattress we no longer sell this product (AUG 2018). I wouldn’t recommend this mattress for your size and requirements. You will find it far too soft for your bodyweight. Ergoflex and Tempur use a higher density which is firmer for your bodyweight. Memory foam by nature should have some soft progressive comfort to it and the higher density foams for your average 12 stone sleeper are simply too firm. This is why Tempur have released the Cloud and Sensation, as the feedback on the web was that the original was a really firm mattress.

We do now sell a range of mattresses for heavier sleepers called the Resilience models, which are specifically designed for weights of 18 st to 30 st. These are solid high density foam core mattresses with a separate topper to add that comfort layer.

Other manufacturers import 85kg density foam from China which brings in other concerns re the fire retardant safety and quality levels as they have different legislations on foam safety. I don’t know of any UK based foam manufacturer that offers this density so bare that in mind when scrutinising other suppliers. With your weight fluctuating you will need something that can accommodate you at your highest weight without punishing you at the lower weight.

This is a tricky problem. I would only recommend a high density foam, if you’re adverse to springs, maybe with a softer topper.

Your BodyweightThis will feel
Under 10 StoneUltra Firm
10-12 StoneUltra Firm
12-14 StoneUltra Firm
14-16 StoneFirm
16-18 StoneFirm
18 Stone PlusMedium to Firm

Kind Regards Gary

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