Best American Mattress Review in 2020

American Mattress

American Mattress is a huge mattress retailer headquartered in Chicago. But its 100 stores serve the broader state of Illinois, as well as Indiana. Normally, you’d find here some of the household labels in the industry. Think Tempur-pedic, Sealy, and Serta. You’d be surprised to come across bed-in-a-box brands, too.

The family-owned company turned 30 last year. But it has maintained its culture of friendship and family, which is what it treats its customers like.

Although it’s a place where prices are driven by operational and maintenance costs, the American Mattress also manages to provide personalized service.

Let’s look at a few of the top brands the company carries in its stores.

Table of Contents

Best American Mattress Review

1. Tempur-Pedic Mattress

Tempur-Pedic Mattress- American Mattress Review

American Mattress carries the lines under the Tempur-Pedic brand. You may know them as Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt, Tempur-Pedic Flex Elite, Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt, among others. This company is tried-and-tested in the mattress business. It traces its origins back to a bed developed by NASA. 

One of its bestselling products is the Tempur-Pedic Contour Elite Mattress. This bed features the SmartClimate System, which wicks away moisture and keeps you cool. The comfort layer is made up of Tempur material Memory Foam. This gives the mattress is a firm feel, which benefits back and stomach sleepers. The support and base layers also use the same material. They distribute weight evenly and handles ventilation, respectively.

While Tempur-Pedic is a trusted name, it remains one of the pricier options on the market. A Queen retails at $2,799. Shipping is free. And you can upgrade it to a white-glove delivery if you add around 100 bucks. You may reach out to Tempur-Pedic for questions or concerns regarding manufacturer warranty.

Pros
  • Firm enough for back and stomach sleepers.
  • Distributes weight evenly.
  • Sleeps relatively cool.
  • Cover is removable and washable.
Cons
  • It can be expensive for some.
  • May be too firm for side sleepers.
Why we like it
  • Good for back and stomach sleepers.
  • Great weight distribution.
  • Sleeps relatively cool.

2. Restonic Mattress

Restonic Mattress- Best American Mattress

Restonic is one of the oldies in the mattress industry. It’s been creating beds since 1938. But unlike their peers, some of its designs do not break the bank. Restonic ComfortCare models are pretty functional at affordable prices. You should add these to your list if you’re after the best deal. Choose from collections according to firmness: Pillowtop, firm, Euro top, or cushion firm.

The comfort and support layers benefit all types of sleepers. But it’s the individually wrapped coils that give ComfortCare mattresses their identity. Across all models, the prices range from $769 to $3198.

Pros
  • Comfortable and supportive.
  • Various firmness options.
  • Individually wrapped coils for zoned support.
  • Affordable options for ComfortCare models.
Cons
  • Some may find it too firm.
  • Some users question durability.
Why we like it
  • Combines support and comfort.
  • Comes in multiple firmness options.
  • Zoned support via individually wrapped springs.

3. Nectar Mattress

Nectar Mattress- Best American Mattress Review

Sure, you may order the bed-in-a-box directly from the company. In turn, you get access to a risk-free trial spanning 365 days. If you fall in love with the mattress, there’s no need to return it. But what if you don’t? Nectar will pick it up for free and refund your money. But… you need to buy a new mattress, right?

American Mattress eliminates this potential problem by letting you test drive the bed in-store. You can feel the firmness–medium firm (5.5 to 7.5 on the scale). You get to check its 4-layer foam construction. This model offers pressure relief and support while preventing sinkage. And it’s made to wick away heat, keeping you cool while you sleep.

You can check out these features for yourself. And you won’t be pushed by salespeople if you happen to decide it’s not for you. A Queen costs $949.

Pros
  • Bed-in-a-box design.
  • Supports and alleviates pressure points.
  • Medium firmness for universal comfort.
  • Comes at an average price.
Cons
  • Polyfoam may sleep hot.
  • May be too firm for some.
Why we like it
  • Supports and relieves pressure well.
  • Medium firm feel for many sleeper types.
  • Affordable prices.

Read our full review of the Nectar Mattress here.

4. Serta iComfort

Serta icomfort- Best American mattress

Serta is known for comfort and luxury. The iComfort models remain true to this reputation. They come in various firmness options and as hybrid or foam. You’ll like this collection for its cooling properties, deep support, and cushioning comfort. There is also a good price range of $1,099 to $2,799.

If you want the all-foam version, you can enjoy the cooling and supportive benefits of TempActiv. The designs in this category use premium foams as well. The prices are really competitive at $1,199 to $2,499. See if the American Mattress store near you has the plush to the firm model range of Serta iComfort foam beds.

Pros
  • Offers comfort and support.
  • Choose between hybrid and all-foam.
  • Multiple firmness options.
  • Cools the body relatively.
Cons
  • Too expensive for those on a tight budget.
  • Some Serta models are not available online.
Why we like it
  • Blends comfort, cooling, and support.
  • Comes in hybrid or all-foam.
  • Personalized firmness via several options.

5. Sealy Mattress

Sealy Mattress

The name Sealy is synonymous with high-quality. The popular line connected to it is Sealy Posturepedic. Posturepedic Technology enables most of its models to target pressure points. This is due to the bed’s zoning features, which cradle the heavier parts of your body better. In turn, you get deeper compression, stronger support, and maximum comfort. It dishes out 3 lines:

  • Response Line
  • Conform Line
  • Hybrid Line

Sealy Posturepedic is not the most affordable brand. A queen version But you know it has a high value because hotels use it in their rooms. Prepare to cash out at least $1,000 when you’re eyeing a Sealy design. Warranty coverage is only for 10 years.

Pros
  • Zoning features.
  • Multiple firmness options.
  • Caters to many sleeper types.
  • Can provide deep compression.
  • Hybrid line for better breathability.
Cons
  • One of the more expensive choices.
  • Warranty coverage is only 10 years.
Why we like it
  • Zoning features for targeted support.
  • Multiple firmness options.
  • Offers deep compression.

Read our full review of Sealy mattress models here.

Know Before You Buy

Construction & Materials

When you’re shopping online, you can read about the construction and materials of the mattress on your store of choice. In a physical location, you will be able to ask the salesperson about these details. It follows that he or she must be well-versed about the product. You can’t afford to buy a bed without fully understanding what’s used to make it.

For a start, you can talk about layers. All-foam, hybrid, and innerspring types all have comfort layers–the top layer which your body comes in close contact with. Then, you have the support layer, usually a layer or more of high-density foam. The base foam or spring system complete the design. 

Materials vary. Some use organic and/or natural foam. Others go for the less expensive options, like polyurethane. Look for certifications like CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).

Firmness & Feel

Firmness is more of personal preference. Your definition of plush or hard may differ from your bed partner, let alone a stranger. But there’s a metric we can use to have an idea of what’s more or less universal comfort. This is known as the Firmness Scale.

Legend

  • 1 is soft, 10 is firm
  • Ultra Soft – 1-2
  • Soft – 3-4
  • Medium – 5-6
  • Firm – 7-8
  • Ultra Firm – 9-10

Take note that some mattress brands created their own scale as well. For instance, Zinus Mattress uses a Firmness Scale in which 1 is firm and 10 is soft. Ask the salesperson or feel it for yourself. That’s one of the advantages of buying in a store like American Mattress.

Motion Transfer

Movements can transfer from one part of the bed to another. This is what is known as motion transfer in the industry. In the past, coils possessed a lot of motion transfer. This could interrupt the lightest sleeper. But over time, mattress types have become better at isolating motion.

All-foam, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses have varying capacities when it comes to minimizing motion. Mostly, all-foams are great at this. But they also tend to limit movements as part of the trade-off. If you’re a combo sleeper, you might want to test hybrids instead. These days, pocketed coil systems reduce motion transfer significantly. Side, back, and stomach sleepers can check those out.

Cooling

Foams, particularly memory foams, can leave sleepers feeling warm or even sweaty while they snooze. Traditional foams are such heat traps. Because they’re compact and dense, they don’t often promote airflow well. Changes in technology have made it possible to use foam without turning the bed into a sauna.

This is referred to as the cooling property of a mattress. Some interchange it with temperature regulation. Without getting bogged down by terms and their definition, let’s just look at some of the materials companies use to keep you cool. Gel and copper are the most common elements infused in foams. Phase Change Technology is another–particles adapt to skin temperature, cooling or warming to let you stay comfortable all night.

Edge Support & Sinkage

Edge support is another important feature in the industry. Having a strong perimeter means being able to sleep on most of or the entire surface area of your bed. This prevents you from hogging the center zone, especially if you’re sharing the space. And even if you doze off the edge, you won’t feel unstable. No rolling over to the floor.

Aside from gaining peace of mind in your slumber, you can also do non-nighttime activities freely with great edge support. Do you like to sit on the bed while tying your shoes? Do your kids jump up and down the mattress to play? No need to worry about premature sagging here. 

And what about sinkage? This is the ability of the mattress to compress deeply. Your body is cradled by the comfort layer down to the support layer. The best ones should not make you feel like you’re drowning in foams and sheets. Plus, a solid base should be able to support your weight to keep you from sinking all the way to the bottom.

Pricing

Having reviewed many mattresses, we have developed a sense of how much you should pay for a high-quality model. We say you should pay at least above $500 and no more than $2,000 for a bed if you have a set budget. If money is not a problem, then you can pay higher to take home premium brands like Sealy and Tempur-Pedic. You can still opt for lower-cost ones.

Anything ranging from $100 to $300 should be examined carefully. Although some good brands make such highly affordable models, they are a rare set.

Other Factors

Last but not least, ask about the incentives. You should clarify with the salesperson if the mattress is shipped free to your home if you are eligible for a trial and for how long, and if return requests are honored. Some brands offer white glove delivery and mattress setup for additional $$$.

Warranty is also a tricky factor. Basically, know the length, if it’s prorated/limited, and what counts as a warranty claim. There’s more harm in leaving this unanswered. If the store has a customer-centric culture, like American Mattress, your salesperson should be able to go through your questions actively but patiently.

The Verdict

You’ve read about the top 5 brands available in American Mattress stores. You may also find other familiar names, like Beautyrest, Therapedic, and Glideaway. 

The best part of visiting a physical store is that you can ask real people directly about the products. American Mattress promises to treat customers like family, so we also expect a great overall sales experience.

The downside is that many of the mattresses cost higher than their online counterparts. But if you’d like to touch and feel your bed before buying it, a trip to the store has got to be the best way to do it.