[tyu1000]

Online mattresses became popular because of the multi-naming, multi-branded, high-margin existing world of mattress sales which was, and is, way scummier than online mattress sales are. Plus, how are you really going to judge a mattress by lying on it for a few minutes?

Wirecutter is owned by the NY Times and does very good reviews. You can also spend a few bucks to buy a Consumer Reports subscription for a month and access their huge testing database and years of experience.

[dingaling]

> how are you really going to judge a mattress by lying on it for a few minutes?

When we purchased our mattress ( a Vi-Spring ) the store only accepted our order after we had lain on a matching configuration in-store for 20 mins. Or was it 30?

If felt odd lying in the middle of a shop but apparently it was the only way to enable the softness-exchange warranty. We could switch up or down one softness grade but had to find the starting grade like that.

[SketchySeaBeast]

Where were you two weeks ago! Ah, now my next 10-20 years of sleep will be bothered by knowing my mattress, which I enjoyed last night is sub-optimal for my sleeping style!

Seriously though, thank you, I'll keep that in mind for my next major purchase.

[tyu1000]

For sure, you may have very well got a good mattress at a good price. However, things you did like price-matching don't work in mattress-land because all the companies release the same mattress under different models, brands and SKU's, precisely to defeat those tools.

Online mattress sales became popular precisely because of those scummy tactics, as well as very generous return policies, where you can actually use your bed for a significant amount of time before you make a decision on it.

[pjc50]

While we're having this conversation, how should I go about finding a good mattress for side-sleeping?

[0xdeadbeefbabe]

Are you looking to buy or build?

[davrosthedalek]

If I may high-jack: looking for good mattresses which will also be good in 2 years, I came to the conclusion that DIY is a good way to know what you get and save some bucks. Any recommendations?

My current plan is to have either a spring or dunlop latex base, with then 3 inches of firm dunlop and 2 inches of medium dunlop latex on top. Side sleeper (mostly)

[0xdeadbeefbabe]

It makes sense strangely. Did you see the emperor bed build 6 months ago? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17558719

[davrosthedalek]

I haven't. Thanks for the pointer!

[pjc50]

Buy, obviously?

[0xdeadbeefbabe]

Well yes, but the state of the market implies things about building too.

FWIW I really like purple.

[tyu1000]

Wirecutter's mattress reviews specify sleeping style.