Mattresses - I need knowledge

Soldato
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Well the woolroom topper has arrived, doesn't seem as thick as I thought it would be.
Oh well, see how it goes!
How are you getting on with the wool topper? Had ours on for about 25 days I think but I'm still not sure about it. I'm still getting shoulder pain but it does add a bit of comfort to the mattress. Not sure whether to keep it or just bite the bullet, send it back and get a new mattress but that means going through the whole PITA of mattress shopping.
 
Associate
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I am in need of a new mattress since my current one is awful.

Debating between:

https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/artisan-naturals/?size=double ( Double is £1700 )

https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/product/artisan-sublime/?size=double ( Double is £4000! )

I have never spent more than £300 on a mattress which always felt expensive, but in this case I feel like it is worth it.

Any thoughts?

I bought the Artisan Naturals, had it about a week now. Its a lovely mattress but I think its too firm which is odd, since I am not particurly light...

Thinking of returning it and exchanging for this one:


I think it may be partially due to me using a solid slat bed rather than curved.
 
Soldato
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How are you getting on with the wool topper? Had ours on for about 25 days I think but I'm still not sure about it. I'm still getting shoulder pain but it does add a bit of comfort to the mattress. Not sure whether to keep it or just bite the bullet, send it back and get a new mattress but that means going through the whole PITA of mattress shopping.
Missus likes it, I'm not convinced, I said lets send it back...

Though I find I can sleep on my front better with it, so I guess its helping. I think I just cant sleep on my back.
I don't think it will last long though, can already see it squashing down, even with rotating. I don't se its worth the money you pay for it.

I think in a year or so, I will try a foam topper. I don't want to spend £4k on a mattress and have the same issue!
 
Associate
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I ordered an Emma dual sided topper thing last night to hopefully fix my Johnryan, and my upper back.

Just reporting my experience with the Emma flipper topper. Been alright, fixed my back, but still not sure i can sleep on my left side properly though as chest has felt a little tight after rolling over mid way through the night. Surprisingly not hot either, but nights have been cooler.

I'm still contemplating a cheapo mattress with this, or an Emma/foam mattress.
 
Associate
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Bexleyheath, London.
I bought the Artisan Naturals, had it about a week now. Its a lovely mattress but I think its too firm which is odd, since I am not particurly light...

Thinking of returning it and exchanging for this one:


I think it may be partially due to me using a solid slat bed rather than curved.
We had the luxury and swapped for the bespoke in superking. The luxury is very soft, in fact, it caused us to sink in too deep which resulted in us both experiencing hip pain. They recommend a month for your body to adjust. Also, they'll recommend a wool topper to soften it, which would then be the equivalent of the luxury.

https://www.devonduvets.com/wool-mattress-topper-king they have 20% off atm.
 
Soldato
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The Moon
Anyone any recommendations for something a bit more cost-friendly as a topper?
Recently got a new super king pocket sprung jobby which is fine but as its a zip and link bed the Mrs wants a topper to make the middle indentation where it links a little less noticeable.
 
Soldato
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Wilt of the Shire
Missus likes it, I'm not convinced, I said lets send it back...

Though I find I can sleep on my front better with it, so I guess its helping. I think I just cant sleep on my back.
I don't think it will last long though, can already see it squashing down, even with rotating. I don't se its worth the money you pay for it.

I think in a year or so, I will try a foam topper. I don't want to spend £4k on a mattress and have the same issue!
I removed the topper for a couple of days and we both could tell the difference, didn't sleep very well and could really feel the mattress. Topper back on now and sleeping better already so it's staying. I've no doubt we will be entering the minefield of mattress hunting again before the year is out though.
 
Associate
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Anyone any recommendations for something a bit more cost-friendly as a topper?
Recently got a new super king pocket sprung jobby which is fine but as its a zip and link bed the Mrs wants a topper to make the middle indentation where it links a little less noticeable.

For mere aesthetics one of those cheapo cotton ones would suffice? Otherwise it'll change the feeling of the bed too much, temperature included. You'd potentially be paying for a negative effect. But in saying that, get a trial one and return if no good.
 
Soldato
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For mere aesthetics one of those cheapo cotton ones would suffice? Otherwise it'll change the feeling of the bed too much, temperature included. You'd potentially be paying for a negative effect. But in saying that, get a trial one and return if no good.
I meant a little less noticeable in terms of feel, not sight.
Already have a mattress protector on it but want something to add a bit of an even layer over the whole mattress.
 
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I meant a little less noticeable in terms of feel, not sight.
Already have a mattress protector on it but want something to add a bit of an even layer over the whole mattress.

You're asking to bridge a gap which will require stiffness of a material, but not wanting to effect the rest of the mattress? I don't think that's possible, at least at a low cost.

Using some material as a filler and stitch into one side of the one mattress, so access to zipping still, would be better option. Not ideal, but cheap and would do exactly what you want.

I've never used a zip mattress, but this sounds like an obvious design floor if it's that noticable.
 
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We had the luxury and swapped for the bespoke in superking. The luxury is very soft, in fact, it caused us to sink in too deep which resulted in us both experiencing hip pain. They recommend a month for your body to adjust. Also, they'll recommend a wool topper to soften it, which would then be the equivalent of the luxury.

https://www.devonduvets.com/wool-mattress-topper-king they have 20% off atm.

Went for the topper and was overwhelmed with sheep smell... it didn't make a huge difference either. I think we need softer springs.
 
Soldato
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Portsmouth
So with the few quid left over from the sale of the Puppies, we decided it was time to replace our 10 year old Sealy Posturpedic.

We spent the bank holiday weekend visiting bed showrooms and agreed beforehand that the first salesperson that didn't harass us, as I tried each one out, would get the sale.

Benson's chap almost lost out, but our two youngest diverted his attention by finding the £15k Tempur Profiling TV bed and playing "Bed Goes Up, Bed Goes Down, TV Goes Up, TV Gets Stuck" game.

It gave me the chance to get comfy on an iGel 3500 (Benson's own brand). I have serious spine issues (4 titanium vertebrae, 5 discectomies and a cervical replacement booked for September), so I'm very, very careful about how I sleep as the wrong pressure in the wrong place can paralyse me for days.

Mattress was fantastic - we'd also tried the top end Sealy Elevate (not enough hip support), a £5k Tempur (too swampy, plus I'd want to spend five figures on the adjustable bed) and a couple from John Lewis Natural range (ridiculous prices).

The iGel range topper was the 4400 - 40cm deep and even more plush and comfy than the 3500 - it was the first time I've laid flat on a mattress and not needed two pillows under my knees.

We went to place the order: £4½k, a bit over budget, but if it lasts as well as the Sealy and the 10 year warranty isn't a sham, then we could justify it...

Then the upselling started; despite clearly stating "just give me the one figure, not x plus y plus z plus vat" - he did exactly that and I got annoyed.

I have a service dog who helps me regulate (cPTSD & Autism) - but since we were bed-shopping, I'd left her at home. When I politely tried to excuse myself and asked that he discuss the price with "The Boss", he quipped "Oh, so you wear the trousers..."

I got the girls and said we'd meet my wife in the car.

15 minutes later, my wife joined us, equally cross.

Got home, had a cuppa and a snuggle with the dog on my sofa, Google-Fu'd the iGel 4400i Zip-Link SuperKing, found it brand new & sealed for £1075 delivered, ordered it for delivery today.

It arrived an hour ago and after a bit of swearing, managed to wrestle the mattresses onto our old bed frame (new one arriving next week) and I did my favourite meditation exercise of adding the new 800TC bedding (we also bought 45cm deep fitted sheets in the M&S sale)...





I think one side of my Bell's Palsied face says it all...
 
Soldato
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Over There
So with the few quid left over from the sale of the Puppies, we decided it was time to replace our 10 year old Sealy Posturpedic.

We spent the bank holiday weekend visiting bed showrooms and agreed beforehand that the first salesperson that didn't harass us, as I tried each one out, would get the sale.

Benson's chap almost lost out, but our two youngest diverted his attention by finding the £15k Tempur Profiling TV bed and playing "Bed Goes Up, Bed Goes Down, TV Goes Up, TV Gets Stuck" game.

It gave me the chance to get comfy on an iGel 3500 (Benson's own brand). I have serious spine issues (4 titanium vertebrae, 5 discectomies and a cervical replacement booked for September), so I'm very, very careful about how I sleep as the wrong pressure in the wrong place can paralyse me for days.

Mattress was fantastic - we'd also tried the top end Sealy Elevate (not enough hip support), a £5k Tempur (too swampy, plus I'd want to spend five figures on the adjustable bed) and a couple from John Lewis Natural range (ridiculous prices).

The iGel range topper was the 4400 - 40cm deep and even more plush and comfy than the 3500 - it was the first time I've laid flat on a mattress and not needed two pillows under my knees.

We went to place the order: £4½k, a bit over budget, but if it lasts as well as the Sealy and the 10 year warranty isn't a sham, then we could justify it...

Then the upselling started; despite clearly stating "just give me the one figure, not x plus y plus z plus vat" - he did exactly that and I got annoyed.

I have a service dog who helps me regulate (cPTSD & Autism) - but since we were bed-shopping, I'd left her at home. When I politely tried to excuse myself and asked that he discuss the price with "The Boss", he quipped "Oh, so you wear the trousers..."

I got the girls and said we'd meet my wife in the car.

15 minutes later, my wife joined us, equally cross.

Got home, had a cuppa and a snuggle with the dog on my sofa, Google-Fu'd the iGel 4400i Zip-Link SuperKing, found it brand new & sealed for £1075 delivered, ordered it for delivery today.

It arrived an hour ago and after a bit of swearing, managed to wrestle the mattresses onto our old bed frame (new one arriving next week) and I did my favourite meditation exercise of adding the new 800TC bedding (we also bought 45cm deep fitted sheets in the M&S sale)...





I think one side of my Bell's Palsied face says it all...

Great result and a good write up.

Had similar from one of those sofa places a while back and just walked out and bought local indi for a much better price
 
Soldato
Joined
1 Nov 2011
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2,582
Location
Portsmouth
Oh dear. https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/bensons-for-beds

Make sure you pay on a credit card for section 75 protection Bensons are the Sports Direct of the bed world, in other words ****.
The only reason I use the Amex - I'd seen the mattress reviews (and the horrific Trustpilot), but also took recommendations from a couple of Spinal Injury & Degenerative Disc support groups I'm in - so I wasn't buying blind.

To misquote Dolph Lundgren, "If it dies, I'll let S75 sort it".

Edit: Equally glad I didn't buy direct from Benson's :p
 
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