Estate Pillow Top - Soft

I was on the Sterns & Foster estate plush and the beauty rest black series 3 plush pillow top today. I loved them both. Any thoughts between either of the two being better?

Appreciate your perspective. I’m a fan of Costco for mattresses for a different reason. I purchased a Novoform maybe 8 years ago, to replace a Stearns and Foster. Honestly, hated it from day one, just wasn’t the right fit for us. However, Costco was so gracious and offered to pick up the mattress for a no questions asked return. Instead, we gave the mattress, sleigh bed and all, to a family member and bought a Stearns and Foster. About to upgrade our guest room, so I’m purchasing the pillow top Stearns and Foster from Costco. They won my trust with the last purchase.

The Novoform felt hard to me, and it also had that weird memory foam sink. When I’d flip over, it felt I needed to “climb out” of the hole if that makes any sense. So I realized as a side sleeper, I need an interspring. I’ve loved my last Stearns and Foster, and realize the Lakeview pillow top won’t be the same as what I’ve got, but I expect it will be nicer than many hotel beds. That’s all I want.

We bought a Novaform California King from Costco. Absolutely hated it within a month or so. They were incredibly gracious and offered to pick it up and refund us. Instead, we gave the Cal King Sleigh Bed away, mattress and all, as we decided it is easier to outfit a standard king with linens. Ended up buying a Sterns and Foster, which we still love. We are looking at the Costco Sterns and Foster Lakewood for our guest bedrooms. Our experience was exceptionally positive.

Hi there- I've been struggling for over a year - bought a Spring Air back supporter mattress -14.5G zoned coils and eurotop - my hips sink down in foam and then have hip pain and although it feels soft, I also get shoulder pain. I've tried so many different toppers and nothing has worked- Currently making my own zoned topper (softer foam 10ILD for shoulders and HR 28ILD firmer foam for hips to keep hips from sinking) but would much prefer a mattress that did not need a topper. I'm a petite (5') lightweight side sleeper with shoulder bursitis flares so shoulders need soft but hips need a medium-soft. I wish I could find a plush mattress with a zipper that would allow me to put a shim in the hip section. Seems so hard to find a medium-soft 4/10 mattress- all the soft ones are way too soft for my hips and every medium mattress 5 or 6/10 is too firm for me. Latex does not work. Trying to avoid zoned coils as it did not work well with the Spring Air. I see that some companies are now zoning the foam or using a shim piece. Would prefer a hybrid as I have never had an all foam mattress and I do sleep hot so not interested in all memory foam. Tempurpedic did not work- I tried the lux adapt medium hybrid- great for back, but terrible on my side. And their soft versions, I sank and then hit hard surface. I tried the BR world class 4 plush and it was way too soft. The level 3 plush felt too firm in the store so I thought the 4 would work but nope. I previously had a Stearns and Foster from 2016 that was a luxury plush pillowtop - always was a bit too firm for my shoulders but hips never sank and I was ok until 2 years ago when I was sleeping slanted as the edge support is too good. I tried the Stearns lux estate medium hybrid and it arrived defective - big hump in the center and I hated the deep divets. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

This is exactly the reason for the split king though. I'd just make sure you're hitting the same profile. You don't want the bigger partner on a 13" extra firm and the lighter one on a 15.5" soft pillow top. You could have a soft luxe adapt and they could have a firm luxe breeze, same profiles but completely different feels and temp sensitivity. Or you could get a Stearns Estate soft pillow top and they a Stearns Estate firm pillow top. Or a Beautyrest Black Series 3 Plush pillow top and Firm pillow top (this will probably be the biggest difference in feel and support of any mattresses from the same line, because Beautyrest actually has a plush coil for the plush BR Blacks and a firm coil for the medium and firm BR Blacks). Although you both might actually like the BR Black Series 3 medium pillow top, because it does have a pretty cushy immediate feel, and the lighter partner may not even engage the support coils.

Stearns & Foster has a very heavy construction (both in weight and strength). Their soft pillow top feels more firm (to me) than a Beatyrest Black medium. That could be good or bad for you, depending on what kind of plushness you're looking for. But if you need that extra support S&F could be a good bet.

Hey, former Mattress corporation exec here: of all the brands you mentioned, only Stearns and Foster has a reputation of true durability. But if you want a mattress that will really last 15+ years, you need to drop over $3k. The components to make a good mattress has become increasingly expensive, the quality that would have been a $700 mattress 20 years ago, is easily $3k now.

THIS! Yes, the Stearns estate line is a decorated Sealy, once you get to the luxe estate series, they start to stand out. But latex and Wool, as well as hand tufting, all good signs for a mattress

Avoid those perfectly rectangular hybrid mattresses, they start warping at the top seams. If you care about a lasting mattress NEVER buy a BIAB. A BIAB is a half made mattress, as a Kingsdown is an excellent brand, they are the only brand that runs durability tests every mattress that leaves their plant. You can get one on sale for $3k, or haggle the price there. No matter what you choose, expect a month of discomfort to acclimate to the increased support. If you’re coming off a really shitty lumpy bed to a nice one, your back will find discomfort as you’re using new muscles to help straighten your back. Mattressfirm legit has the most value for the buck, but more important is they have a good return and exchange policy as long as the bed is bought new (not clearance) and it ain’t scuffed or damaged. Of all retailers, they tend to be the safe bet, and they’ll price match anyone if you have proof.

Hey, former Mattress corporation exec here: of all the brands you mentioned, only Stearns and Foster has a reputation of true durability. But if you want a mattress that will really last 15+ years, you need to drop over $3k. The components to make a good mattress has become increasingly expensive, the quality that would have been a $700 mattress 20 years ago, is easily $3k now.

Avoid those perfectly rectangular hybrid mattresses, they start warping at the top seams. If you care about a lasting mattress NEVER buy a BIAB. A BIAB is a half made mattress, as a Kingsdown is an excellent brand, they are the only brand that runs durability tests every mattress that leaves their plant. You can get one on sale for $3k, or haggle the price there. No matter what you choose, expect a month of discomfort to acclimate to the increased support. If you’re coming off a really shitty lumpy bed to a nice one, your back will find discomfort as you’re using new muscles to help straighten your back. Mattressfirm legit has the most value for the buck, but more important is they have a good return and exchange policy as long as the bed is bought new (not clearance) and it ain’t scuffed or damaged. Of all retailers, they tend to be the safe bet, and they’ll price match anyone if you have proof.

I got to try it out locally first :) I tried the S&F Estate and the DreamStar and could hardly tell the difference between the two. The DreamStar was quite a bit cheaper. We had ordered the Douglas Alpine without trying it and ended up returning it. It was just too firm for me, I experienced shoulder, and across the back pain. We just bought it in August, so time will tell. Ours did come with a 15 year warranty though.

I bought the Helix Sunset Luxe about a month ago when it was on sale. I really like it so far! I had an ultra plush Stearns & Foster for years that was killing my back. I like that the Helix has more support. It's not super firm or super soft, it's a medium feel and I'm liking that better than the ultra plush. I'm mostly a side sleeper, sometimes back. I was able to try a few different models in person at the Big Sandy Superstore before buying.