My experience shows that most people looking for a new mattress just do not know what to expect for their money. Browsing the internet will throw up thousands of different models which will no doubt leave you feeling utterly confused and somewhat dazed.
Take Silentnight for example. My price checks show that there are well over a hundred and seventy different models on offer with many retailers (such as Tesco / Argos etc ) having the same mattress components but with different names and fabric colours in order that you cannot compare like for like. This practice is deplorable. Even I, as much as I have tried, cannot tell the differences between their models in a certain price range. The most important question which you must always ask of yourself, and this is the principle I use to decide what models to sell. Namely:
Can you get a better made mattress for
the same, or less, money?
Of course you can, but to do this you will need to know the exact specifications on each mattress and from what I know – these fundamental details are very rarely mentioned on many branded mattress descriptions. It will not take you long to see that many descriptions are ‘flowery’ and not actually what you need to know!
If the description says ‘Contains sumptuous layers of premium fillings’ You should be asking ‘What exactly are they?’ or ‘Contains Memory Foam’ – How much? and How deep? If you do not know the answers to these – then there is no way you can be sure you are comparing like for like and you will be open to being potentially well ripped off.
About Cage Sprung Mattresses:
The main thing to remember is that ALL cage / continuous coil sprung mattresses are basically cheap mattresses. No matter how well it is made and no matter how pretty the fabric is and more importantly, no matter whose name is on the label. The next and only step up is Pocket Springs and even the cheapest pocket sprung mattress you can find is infinitely better pound for pound than ANY mattress with a cage sprung interior.
Every cage sprung mattress has the same or similar cage spring interior – a series of springs held together by a helicle wire.
The only difference is the thickness (gauge) of the spring used and the design of the unit. An average cage spring unit is usually six inches deep, and a cheap economy mattress usually has about one inch of compressed filling either side of the spring to make a mattress that is eight inches deep. Even worse, some budget mattresses are just 6″ deep using a smaller-cheaper four inch spring system .
A mattress should be at least 10″ deep in order to contain compressed fillings and waddings of at least 2″ either side.
Cage sprung mattresses should not be able to bend easily. Bendy thin matts are the lowest grade and you should really not be considering them at all – not even for children.. These are usually the ones termed economical or budget. Weight is another important factor – you should not be able to lift a well made mattress with relative ease.
Although cage sprung systems are not normally ‘counted’, there are about 350 connected springs in a King Size unit. Spring manufacturers have the capability of drastically reducing this number to make economical units for mattress manufacturers to produce really cheap mattresses.
What are ‘Cheap Mattresses”?
Many manufacturers produces a range of mattresses that will fall into this category. They are made with the most economical components, at best a 13.5g spring cage, and covered with the lowest grades of waddings and fabric coverings. These types of mattresses are known in the trade as ‘a bag of springs’ because that what it feels like when you lie on them.
Summary:
I know some budgets cannot stretch to mid or top of the range matts. But, there really is no need to sacrifice a fairly decent mattress by saving a few quid. There are not many matts that can offer a comfortable nights sleep for the £150 (double) mark. If there were I would have them on this site. I sell the best ones I can find but even these should be carefully considered against the ones I offer for a little bit more.
Hi, very helpful website. We have just received a (supposedly) pocket sprung (2000) mattress with memory foam topping which arrived vacuum packed and rolled up. Surely if it is pocket sprung then this treatment would damage it? I am now very unsure about the quality of what we’ve bought! I’d really appreciate your view on this -
thanks, Steve
Hi Steve, Very good question. There is a name for these kind of springs but for the life of me I cannot think what it is, Not really important as the answer is yes SOME pocket spring units can be rolled. Incidentally [probably] all cage sprung / bonnell springs delivered to the factory arrive tightly rolled from the spring manufacturer, as are most pocket spring sheets [discounting calico encased springs].
Usually, vac packed mattresses will have no kind of perimeter banding hence a lack of edge support. Foam encapsulated units utilise the foam borders as the edge support.
Vacuum packing is a major benefit to the manufacturer and retailer and to a lesser extent, the consumer. The manufacturer (and retailer) saves a small fortune in delivery and storage costs and if these are passed to the consumer then all well and good. The ONLY benefit to a consumer to have a vac pack mattress is if delivery and access is problematic.
Sorry Steve for the delay in replying. Currently a bit busy – on the road all day and back late at night syndrome. If you want to add more details then give either of us a call to discuss. Many thanks, John.
Please post more on moneysavingexpert.com
One chap Tim Deegan is always always pushing his two sided memory foam mattress. Even if customer has stated that a one sided is what they want. He is clearly advisting his business on the site all be it covertly. Please take a look.
Hi David. I only post on MSE when Tim Deegan makes some absurd comment about me or the products we sell. One posting for example contained a ‘quote’ which was from my site “Which Mattress Brand is which” in its entirety. Funnily enough additional text had been added which included the manufacturer La Romantica directly beneath Healthbeds giving the impression that La Romantica could posibly be seen as either equal to, or comparable to Healthbeds which it most definitely is NOT. John.
Please could you let me know if you have any single mattresses. I am looking for two really good quality as I have five children and would like them to last !!
Many thanks. Zoe
Hi Zoe. When choosing mattresses for longevity you will have to decide on a series of compromises each coupled with a set of pros and cons. For example, pocket springs are superior but can be easily damaged if kids use it as a trampoline. Therefore, a foam construction would be more suitable, but could not be considered as ‘good’ quality – but suitable for purpose. I am preparing an article on the lifespan of mattresses that will address many points on this subject and the conclusion will show that despite many claims of guarantees and warranties of a significant period there will be very few (if any!) that can be valid. The bottom line will be that only certain components of the mattress will be guaranteed for a time period such as a foam layer or spring system but the mattress as a whole will not. Confused? Most certainly. The terms of a five year or ten year warranty will undoubtedly carry clauses which makes a warranty completely and utterly useless.
Decide on how much you want to spend on each mattress and keep in mind how they will be used – seating and sleeping / maintained / growing weights / and then find out what components will be best at addressing these needs. John.