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Mattress recommendations

Posted by bowm0052 @bowm0052, Oct 9, 2025

Hi! This is a very broad, open-ended question, but I'm hoping you might be able to help. I'm going to start looking for a new mattress for my bed because it does a horrible job at supporting my sacrum tailbone and low back. I get severe pain in those areas and having a bed where I feel like I'm constantly sinking in is not helping. I obviously want a mattress that is firmer and more supportive, but I have no idea what to try, and what to look for, and what to avoid. Is there a particular brand that really works for you, and what materials work best for pain. I currently have a twin bed, and my mattress is probably 15 years old, memory foam with gel, with the mattress topper made from those same materials.
Thanks for your suggestions! Amanda

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htolan | @htolan | 2 days ago

I have had a bad back most of my life (73 years old) and I finally got an air mattress. Sleep Number is the best known brand, but we got ours from Louisiana. We got a remote controller so we can make it more firm or less firm in seconds. We have an adjustable bed platform so I can easily move if I wish to be more comfortable.
We had a full year warranty on the bed. I was pleased.
Happy hunting.

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thudbranch | @thudbranch | 4 hours ago

I had several types of tradional spring mattresses and several traditional foam mattresses over my 80 years. Last 15years I have a 100% latex rubber foam mattresses from Sleep On Latex. First Sleep on Latex lasted 12 years. On my second now. Most comfortable and longest life of any I have owned.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "I love the Beautyrest Black Ice mattress. This mattress is smooth on the top with no..." + (show)
Profile picture for covidstinks2023 @covidstinks2023

I love the Beautyrest Black Ice mattress. This mattress is smooth on the top with no buttons. It is a dark grey
in color. If your mattress is too soft, you will hurt worse. I learned that the hard way. This mattress is medium firm and it's a memory foam. Memory foam can sleep a little warmer, but, this one does not sleep hot like other memory foam mattresses.

I have arthritis all over and other painful issues. This mattress has helped. After 5 years, there is not one
indention or sunken place in it. We bought it at Mattress Firm.

It is so hard to choose a mattress by just lying down on it for a few minutes in the store.

Wishing you the best. Blessings & Prayers.....

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Thank you for your thoughtful response!

I've been sleeping on a firm Tempurpedic mattress for well over 15 years - and it's all foam, not a hybrid with inner springs.

I lost weight over the last 2 years, going from 190 lbs to 150 lbs. I'm 71 and 5'10" tall. I have many, many problems with my lumbar spine, but haven't needed surgery due to my fitness level and strong core muscles. I'm in the gym everyday, spinning 5x/week and then doing resistance training with a trainer 2x/week.

I sleep on my side, and since the weight loss, I wake up with extreme stiffness in my lower back, specifically around the hips. It takes about 15 minutes to loosen up. I don't feel the stiffness when I'm sleeping. I now start sleeping with the back of the mattress at an incline and on my back. It's ok, but I'd rather sleep on my side.

I did some research, and at 150 lbs, I'm sleeping "on" the firm bed rather than "in" a softer bed - a more supportive way to sleep.

I reviewed a lot of mattresses, and was ready to buy a Helix Medium Hybrid. I went to the furniture store, and the salesperson suggested I try the Beautyrest Black Plush Hybrid Series 3 XCS. "Plus" is the same as "Soft". By trying the Helix and Beautyrest at the same time, it felt like I settled better into the Beautyrest. I have always thought soft or plush mattresses would be too soft, but at this weight, I decided to try the plush bed.

I won't get the bed until early/mid August. I'm curious, how do you like your Beautyrest with medium firmness? Is it a Series 3 or a Series 4? I think other than medium or plush, we have the same mattress.

Thanks so much!

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @mothermary1 "I think a mattress is a very personal to each person. I will say my frame..." + (show)
Profile picture for Joanne Narna @mothermary1

I think a mattress is a very personal to each person. I will say my frame can elevate my head and my legs and having that is what really helps me a great deal.
I always pick a mattress that has a 90 day trial and or a small restock fee if it doesn’t work out. The frame is so important. I need the elevation of both my head and legs so I recommend that as a must. Best of luck. Laying on it for 15 minutes inna store really doesn’t help much.

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Thanks Joanne.

I agree that it's impossible to tell from a "test rest" at a mattress store how well a mattress will work for a given person.

I just bought a new Beautyrest, to be delivered in August, and I bought the protective cover they sell. These are required if you might want to return the bed within 120 days.

I also found that a knowledgeable sales person is better than a Dr at making mattress suggestions. Given that we spend 1/3rd of our lives in bed, it's best not to skimp on price, and to find a company that provides a return window if the bed doesn't work out.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @jdgrambo1 "@jdgrambo1 never mind. I was in a teaser area that didn’t share the whole post." + (show)
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@jdgrambo1 never mind. I was in a teaser area that didn’t share the whole post.

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Great reply!

I use a frame that allows me to raise the bed for my head and for my feet. I start sleeping propped up and a large bolster under my knees. This helps a lot, given an arthritic, curved lumbar spine………

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @bettes "I have just been through this. I went to Mattress Firm and an extremely good sales..." + (show)
Profile picture for bettes @bettes

I have just been through this. I went to Mattress Firm and an extremely good sales associate was very helpful. I was getting ready for hip surgery and couldn’t get on my old mattress because it was too high. Plus, it didn’t support my lower back, so it was impossible to sleep. I picked a new mattress and it was delivered. It, too, was too high. I guess the platform it was on at the store was lower than my own, AND it was too short, even though I had measured the length of my old one. Apparently, the way I measured was different than the way the manufacturer does. Aagh. Anyway, I talked to my sales guy and he found a 12 inch mattress for me and had it delivered. Well, I could get on it, but it was as hard as a rock. Meanwhile, I had my hip replaced and realized that the hard mattress had to go back. This time I had to pay a $150 pick up and delivery charge, but was able to exchange the mattress. My caregiver brought me in to the store and I tried mattresses again ( I do know that this is getting old) and ended up with a Sterns and Foster Elite. It is incredibly comfortable and supportive, and my new hip allows me to hop on. So all is well, and I hope there are some lessons for you in my crazy tale!

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Thanks Bette!

It sounds like you had a firm, 12" high Tempurpedic. They now make "hybrid" beds that combine foam layers with inner coils.

My back has gotten worse over the years, even though I'm in the gym everyday and weight is low. I'm going to try a soft Beautyrest and see if that will allow me to sleep well on my side.

A good sales person is a must when buying a bed, as is a test period of 3-4 months. A protective cover has to be used, but that's worth it if the bed doesn't work out.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @lamd "Everyone has different needs in a mattress, so it’s nearly impossible to rely on recommendations. My..." + (show)
Profile picture for lamd @lamd

Everyone has different needs in a mattress, so it’s nearly impossible to rely on recommendations. My husband and I had tempurpedic mattresses with adjustable base for years. We have 2 twins pushed together on adjustable bases. Anyhow, he has always hated his mattress with constant complaints of shoulder pain, while I like it…however I really think it’s the adjustable base that is the game changer. Last year he bought a prana karma elite hybrid plus 13 mattress and loves it. In fact, if I get a new one, I think I would get that also. We call it the cloud. It provides lots of support, but so comfy. I mostly sleep on my back and he on his side and this mattress works for both of us. However, everyone is very different. Some people hate tempurpedic, some love them for instance. The pranasleep karma elite hybrid may be worth testing out.

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The original Tempurpedic mattresses were all foam. Now they make a "hybrid" version with steel coils and foam.

I have found these beds to be much more supportive. A good sales person and a test period are "must haves" when selecting a new mattress.

Joe

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