bed on a beach

Few things are more essential for a happy, healthy life than getting enough sleep. Without it, almost nothing is possible.

Today, it seems that the options for getting a good night's sleep are almost endless, given the array of mattresses, pillows and other high-end sleep products that seem to appear every time we turn on the TV. But how is one to know which brands are best? Are specialty mattresses really worth what they cost?

In the interest of peeling away a few layers of this mattress mystery, I slept on two familiar specialty beds and one popular traditional mattress. I also spoke with owners of each type of bed and compared the products' relative costs and warranties. Read on to find out what I discovered.

Sleep Number Bed

The subject of numerous TV advertisements, at first glance the Sleep Number Bed sounds like a great idea. The mattress itself is inflated with air, its firmness adjustable via a remote control that either increases or decreases the air pressure. Each side of the bed inflates and deflates independently, allowing couples to customize their surfaces. The firmness level corresponds to the bed's "Sleep Number": 0 for the softest and 100 for the firmest.

  • Comfort. According to information on the Web site for Select Comfort (www.selectcomfort.com), the Sleep Number Bed's manufacturer, an individual should select a sleep number, or level of firmness, based on"height, weight, sleep position and surface preference." However, after sleeping on the bed myself, I found it very difficult to differentiate among individual sleep numbers, noticing a difference only when the spread was 25 points or more. It was very difficult to get comfortable, regardless of the position I slept in. That the bed was inflated with air was very obvious; its odd bounce made it feel more like sleeping on a camping cot than a luxury mattress. Inflating the bed was also quite loud; the sound was similar to that of a leaf blower.

  • Cost. Queen-size Sleep Number Beds range in price from around $500 on the low end to more than $3000 on the high end, the difference lying in coverings and number of air-filled cells. Some beds are also available with pillow tops. Select Comfort offers financing plans as well as free shipping on most orders in the contiguous 48 United States.

  • Warranty. Select Comfort offers customers a 30-day in-home trial of their beds, meaning that if you are unsatisfied for any reason, you can return your bed for a full refund within this time. However, customers choosing this option are responsible for all return shipping costs. For those who choose to keep their beds, Sleep Number offers a 20-year limited warranty covering defects and workmanship.

  • An owner's experience. Stacy, 52, of Portland, Oregon has owned a pillow top Sleep Number Bed for the past four years. "We bought the bed to help with morning back pain," she explains. "It didn't help much, but I do like that it allows my husband and me to customize our firmness preferences. It also holds its shape much longer than a regular bed. There's no "Grand Canyon" from sleeping in the same spot every night. For what we paid, however, I doubt that I'd buy one again."

  • Finding more information. Anyone interested in learning more about Sleep Number Beds can go to Select Comfort's Web site to order a free DVD or visit a retail store; the site includes a store locator. Those interested in trying a Sleep Number Bed without obligation can do so at any Radisson Hotel.

Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress

Although there are many types of memory foam mattresses on the market, Tempur-Pedic is the original, developed as a light-weight sleep surface for NASA by Bob Trussell, the company's founder and CEO. According to Tempur-Pedic, their beds are made from a material offering temperature-sensitive pressure relief, meaning that the warmest parts of the foam -- those that receive the most contact -- become softer, whereas the cooler parts -- those that have less contact -- remain firmer.

  • Comfort. The material used to make a Tempur-Pedic mattress is called "memory foam" because it conforms to the sleeper's body. When lying on the bed, one "sinks" into its surface, creating an indentation the exact shape of the sleeper. I found this to be very comfortable and slept quite well, but it could make things difficult for anyone who likes to switch positions often throughout the night. Memory foam is dust-mite and mildew resistant, which may be a consideration for anyone suffering from allergies. The material does not transfer motion, so partners are not jostled around when the other person moves during sleep.

  • Cost. The price of a queen-size Tempur-Pedic bed ranges from $1199 for the most basic model to $5499 for the deluxe, higher-density foam mattress. The company offers financing. Shipping costs vary for Tempur-Pedic beds, depending on the size and model, and surcharges are added for orders outside of the contiguous 48 United States. Tempur-Pedic beds purchased from dealers may have lower shipping costs.

  • Warranty. Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-day in-home trial; customers can return their bed within this time if not satisfied. However, this offer applies only to beds purchased via Tempur-Pedic's Web site or through direct factory orders, and customers are responsible for return shipping costs. All Tempur-Pedic beds carry a 20-year limited warranty against defects and craftsmanship. Individual dealers may also have varying warranty offers.

  • An owner's experience. Jeff, 50, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has owned a Tempur-Pedic bed for a year-and-a-half. He purchased it to replace his old, traditional mattress and couldn't be happier. "It's always at room temperature, and with Minnesota winters, that makes a big difference. I like that it's dust mite free. Just watch The Learning Channel when they spotlight them, and you'll see what I mean. For the price you can't get a better value, and I also got a great warranty from the dealer."

  • Finding more information. Tempur-Pedic's Web site (www.tempurpedic.com) is a good place to start. Here you can order a free information kit and/or locate a dealer. People wishing to try out a Tempur-Pedic can click on the site's "Hotels" link to locate a nearby hotel that uses the beds.


Serta Perfect Sleeper

In addition to these specialty mattress companies, a number of traditional, innerspring bed manufacturers are getting into the high-end market. Several companies now make very high quality beds that are certainly worth investigating when comparison shopping. I recently had the opportunity to try out a Serta Perfect Sleeper, one of America's most popular mattresses according to the manufacturer's Web site.

  • Comfort. The Serta Perfect Sleeper comes with a number of features that add to its comfort. Its springs are interlocked, allowing for more even support, while the entire spring structure is encased in foam. The mattress is topped with a thick pillow top and treated with a flame retardant, so that it exceeds federal fire safety standards. I found sleeping on the Perfect Sleeper to be very comfortable, so much so that I would consider purchasing one. The Perfect Sleeper is sold in most traditional furniture and bedding stores.

  • Cost. A queen-size Serta Perfect Sleeper set ranges in price from about $900 to $1000, according to the dealer. Delivery charges are generally additional and vary, depending upon where the set was purchased.

  • Warranty. Serta offers a 10-year limited warranty on its Perfect Sleeper, covering manufacturing defects and craftsmanship. Customers need to contact the dealer from which they bought their mattress in order to make warranty claims.

  • An owner's experience. Linda, 55, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, purchased her Serta Perfect Sleeper two years ago, after nearly a year of comparison shopping. "We needed a new mattress badly, but I really wanted to make sure that we chose the right one. After going to a number of stores and comparing several brands and prices, the Serta was the best deal for the money. We're very happy with it. My back has never felt better."


  • Finding more information. Serta's Web site (www.serta.com/products) provides basic information on the Perfect Sleeper's attributes, construction, and warranty. The site also has information on the company's other mattresses. A dealer locator tool is available on the site, as is a link to special promotions. Furniture stores that sell Serta products should also be able to provide information on these mattresses.


Before you buy

Get recommendations from friends or ask other Eons users what they prefer. Check your local stores for sales; you may be able to save a lot, depending on when you buy. The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress is that it's for you. Your tastes, preferences, and budget are what matter most. Everyone is different. . Be sure that you understand the warranty fully before you purchase anything. Trying out a mattress is also a great idea. Spend a night at a hotel that offers the brand you're interested in or sneak a nap at a friend's house. Be sure that you're getting what you really want. After all, a great night's sleep is priceless.

Group: Insomnia