Hi KinTX,
Hi, I'm new here so hopefully this post is appropriate.
Welcome ... and I'm glad you found us. Any question about mattresses is appropriate here and is the reason the forum exists.
I've always had coil mattresses with foam toppers and would like to get a latex mattress. It will be an online purchase. I am a side sleeper and husband is a back sleeper. In looking at latex mattresses prices seem to be all over the board. This is for a second home so I want to stay on the lower end of latex mattress prices. Does anyone have a recommendation for an entry level latex mattress? Thanks.
While I can certainly help with "how" to choose ... It's not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for either a mattress, manufacturers/retailers, or combinations of materials or components because the first "rule" of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best "match" for you in terms of "comfort", firmness, or PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) or how a mattress will "feel" to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress), sleeping positions, health conditions, or "theory at a distance" that can possibly be more reliable than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see
mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here
).
I'm not sure what you've read since you found the site but just in case you haven't read it yet ... the first place to start your research is the
mattress shopping tutorial here
which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice ... and perhaps more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you've read are
post #2 here
which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best "match" for you in terms of "comfort" and PPP that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn't turn out as well as you hoped for and
post #13 here
which has more about the most important parts of the "value" of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your
personal value equation
that are most important to you.
If you are considering online options then the mattress shopping tutorial includes a link to a list of the members here that sell mattresses online (in the optional online step) and many of them sell latex and latex hybrid mattresses that use different types and blends of latex that have a wide range of different designs, options, features, return and exchange policies, and prices that would be well worth considering and some of them are in your budget range.
Posts #3 and #4 here
also include a list of some of the better latex or latex hybrid options I'm aware of that are in a budget range of $1200 or less (queen size).
When you can't test a mattress in person then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart and who can help "talk you through" the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and "feel" of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness etc) and the options they have available that may be the best "match" for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the "averages" of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about "matching" their specific mattress designs to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with) than anyone else.
If you let me know your city or zip code I'd also be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I'm aware of in your area as well.
Phoenix
