Serta Icomfort request for advice
Apr 10, 2011 8:51 PM
Joined: Apr 10, 2011
Points: 4
Greeting mattress experts and lurkers,

I am a once-a-decade mattress buyer in need of assistance.  Can anyone provide input for the Serta Icomfort foam mattress line?  Specifically, I'm interested in the Revolution model king size.  My initial search led me towards the Tempurpdic Rhapsody.  However, many reviews suggest Tempurpedic's sleep "hotter" than spring or other foam mattresses.  My wife is furnace so I dare not bring a mattress home which amplifies that issue.  So, my next focus was the Simmons ComforPedic.  My wife laid on every model and said they were "too springy" compared to the Tempurpedic and the iComfort.  So we are down to one option right now, the iComfort.  What I'm asking for help with is advice and comparison.  The iComfort line of Serta is very, very new and this is possibly why there is no data or opinions on the internet.  My heart is not set on the Revolution for $2,000 and I am genuinely interested in hearing advice and comments even if that information leads away from iComfort completely. 

Thoughts?

Much appreciated,
Bronson

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #115 Jul 12, 2011 1:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
moonshine30 - I've felt a Tempurpedic Cloud Supreme which was pretty good in the store.  I'm a side sleeper and pressure on my shoulders felt pretty low.  But at $3k new for a twin XL, forget it.  The contour beds (original, adavatage, etc..) feel a good bit firmer on my shoulder and I don't like the original covers they have.  Plus, I felt a Natural Mattress Store organic 3" latex over individuals coils with some wool and cotton cover that blows anything I've ever laid on away.  I just can't do the $1900 for a twin XL and no refund policy of this store this time around.

Plus, we have a local mfr. that sells direct to the public out of his showroom in front/warehouse in back.  Low prices.  That's my next move if below doesn't work out ...

-------------------------

My iComfort Revolution is due for delivery tomorrow from Sears.  It is coming as my one time comfort exchange after having my S&F set for 3 weeks.  The Revolution is more expensive.  My plan is to put the S&F set in another room and not let them take it until I've checked out the Revolution best as possible.  I'll try to feel the Revolution a bit while still in the bag, if possible.  I won't sign for the Revolution if it feels nothing like the store models (I've tried it in 3 different stores for lots of time.  They are all very similar).

I don't believe one bit in a 'break in' period for these Revolution beds.  They are simply a 7" layer of polyurethane support foam, 2 3/4" of gel memory foam and 2" of 'Kool Komfort' memory foam on top layer.  I don't want to have to walk around on my mattress or any other stuff that Sleep Train mentioned might be necessary to loosen up some Tempurpedic beds.

If I don't sign for the Revolution, I need to hurry and push for a return on the S&F set.  The 30 days is up on the 17th. btw, the S&F set is a Plush tight top.  It's ok, but as a side sleeper, I'm seeking maximum pressure relief for shoulders.  S&F 'Variable Response Technology' (fancy name for polyurethane foam) does not provide pressure relief anything like quality latex (couldn't find good latex bed at Sears, so next best is memory foam, I hope)

If the Revolution in only good after a week or so, I return it and will take the 15% restocking fee hit.  If it's really good for a couple weeks, likely will keep it.

This is a wild guess, but I sometimes wonder if the manufacturers put in premium materials on the retail floor models, then they put cheaper or lower grade foams and materials into the units delivered to customers.  The reason I suspect that is the equivalent of my S&F base model mattress in Sears has apparently been a floor model two years.  I don't see body indentations on it.  Mine formed body indentations after a week.  There is also some wrinkling my top fabric/ticking which indicates compressed foam.  Mine compresses and a floor model doesn't?

This message was modified Jul 12, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #116 Jul 13, 2011 3:43 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
It's at my house folks.  A Serta iComfort Revolution twin XL with box spring.  A Revolution has 7" core support foam, 2 3/4" Gel memory foam, then 2" more of 'Kool Komfort' (sp?) memory foam on top.  It is listed as a Plush feel.  At Sears, the twin XL w/ box spring sells for $1,599, full $1,799 and Queen $1,999.  These are made by Serta as stated on law tag.  Serta makes an adjustable base with a pretty nifty control.  It is $1,600 for the twin XL size (half King) so that will need to wait.

The mattress arrived in a plastic bag and in a cardboard box, the box spring in a plastic bag only.

It's an exchange for the S&F set I had for almost 4 weeks.  The total cost for the Revolution twin XL set with tax is about $1,537 (they gave me a $200 discount for some reason when doing the exchange.  I was surprised as Sears will lose money reselling my 4 week old set.  Didn't mean to be a jerk exchanging, but I'm trying hard to get the best set I can this time around.  'Bout time).

I've been sticking my nose into the fabric and there is no strong odor.  I think I smell the faintest odor in the room, but I can hardly tell.

The set is sitting on a 2 month old $110 metal bed frame with 6 legs, so that will not be a problem at all.

Laying on it, it feels pretty much like the ones in the store.  It has the Revolution tag on it and was manufactured 2 days ago at Serta in Moreno Valley, CA.

So, I'm excited about it!  I really hope it goes very well with this mattress.  I will let it air out and put the bedding on tonight.  I will be using a premium Protect-a-Bed waterproof cover (the very thin terry material) and 100% cotton sheets.

I'll keep you posted.  I hope to have good things to say about it. Lord knows I laid on it long enough in the store to pick it out. 

This message was modified Jul 13, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #117 Jul 14, 2011 9:56 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
I've only slept one night on my new iComfort Revolution, but why not give advice right away when needed?

Smell?  What smell?  I don't smell anything.  I mean nothing.  Folks, there is no foul odor in the room with the bed.

I woke up with no backaches or neckaches and I don't have any to begin with.

I felt a little bit warmer than usual at one point in the night, but being too warm was not an issue this first night.  I slept with the same sheet and comforter as my conventional bed.  The weather is a little cooler than usual, so I'll need to see how it does on warmer nights (we don't have A/C, many people near the SF Bay don't).  50 miles East of here like in Tracy, you need A/C, but not here.

It is surprisingly easy to turn over in this bed.  Helps with sateen sheets, but still I'm surprised.  There's no quicksand feeling.  It doesn't have the springy feeling of a conventional, but turning over and having it mold to your new position happens really quick.

Pressure relieving.  Sure seems more pressure relieving than my new Stearns and Foster Plush bed I had for 4 weeks. This iComfort is pretty impressive to lay on*.

There was no warranty card that came with the bed or 'congrats for buying' card.  Sears was not so great in handling this exchange.  I had to call them to push it through by phone, they did not send a receipt.  I had to call back for salescheck number and go to the store for a computer screen print resembling somewhat of a receipt.  Hello, I have a $1,500 sleep set and I wouldn't have anything resembling a receipt for it if I hadn't busted butt. 

* Durability, only time will tell about that.  I expect it to bounce right back to its original shape for years to come.  It's a 25 year warranty on this bed.  I know it may not have Tempurpedic durability since the price is much less than a similar Tempurpedic.  But, I'm looking for a good middle of the road here.  It's still a $1,400 + tax twin XL set (Sears gave $200 discount) with box spring, and that's not inexpensive.

This message was modified Jul 14, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #118 Jul 15, 2011 1:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Thinking back to Astinia's posts how her Revolution iComfort bed was very firm, nothing like in the store.  It must have been defective or somehow they put a Revolution tag on a Genius.  Don't know.   But my Revolution is anything but firm or too hard.  It is very much like in the store.

I don't want to brag too much about the Revolution now, it's only been 2 nights on it.

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #119 Jul 17, 2011 12:54 PM
Joined: Jul 17, 2011
Points: 1
My husband and I bought the iComfort insight bed, king size.  We had previously purchased a new bed about 4 years ago (i loved it, he hated it - traditional pillow top, individually wrapped coils, etc).  Anyways, he really liked this bed.  We both prefer something a bit firmer, i feel it's better as with a softer bed i get a sore back.

The day it arrived it STUNK.  day 2 smell isn't so bad, but still there.

I've slept on it for 2 nights now.  The first night my DH said he slept like an angel.  I was undecided.  I just woke up from the second night and my  back HURTS.  i'm not sure if it's an adjustment period going from coil to memory foam or what? maybe it's too firm?  i know that for $1,600 i better love this damn bed.

i do get the 3 (4?) month trial period, but i a) can't get my old bed back and b) don't get my money back to go elsewhere - i'd still have to buy from this particular store.  and if what i like is cheaper, i do not get a refund of the difference, only store credit. 

so what is the proper length of time to give this bed a fair shot?  i shouldn't have hot/sore shoulders and same with my lower back, right?

for reference, i am 5'7, 150 pounds and my DH is 6'3, 260 pounds.

thanks for any help you may have.  at this point i am regretting this purchase, but hopefully it will get better.

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #120 Jul 17, 2011 2:05 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Ok.  I've been on my iComfort Revolution for 4 nights at this point.  Here's the issue for me .... this memory foam bed DEFINITELY sleep hotter/warmer than a traditional springs and foam mattress.

That's the only issue for me.  No back or neck aches.  I wouldn't say it's the most pressure relieving bed I've felt.  The EcoCloud bed at Natural Mattress Store was BY FAR the most pressure relieving bed I've ever laid on.

The iComfort is comfortable and supportive for me, but it sleeps warmer.

The heat buildup is between my body and the mattress and I feel it mostly in upper body.   It's starting to make sense now - memory foam is much more dense than regular foam.  There is almost nowhere for the heat to go.

So, at 4am, I woke up, laid there, turned the comforter down.  used only top sheet.  Didn't like that.  Up at 4:30am, took protect-a-bed off.  The warmth without protect-a-bed was the same as with it, so protector is not an issue.   And the thing is, the weather is not hot right now.  It's been overcast everynight since I have the bed.  What's going to happen when it warms up?

I was not sweating in the bed, but warm enough to wake.  One embarassing thing that might be an issue is I ate too much ice cream after 6pm last night.  All that sugar in my system might be a problem and sure doesn't make it good for sleeping through.  I'll knock that off

We don't have air conditoning and I was thinking, how stupid for other people to turn up the air conditioning to compensate for a mattress that sleeps too hot.  Waste of energy.

So, now, I'll switch out my comforter for a light blanket over sheet tonight.  ... I'll give it a couple weeks with this bed, of course I hope it works out, but I'll have another picked out in case.  That other will definitely have latex for cushioning.

This message was modified Jul 17, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #121 Jul 18, 2011 2:36 PM
Joined: Jul 18, 2011
Points: 1
Note: I realize you were asking especially about the Revolution king. My comments below are about the Genius queen size; however I too found reviews lacking when I was considering this purchase, so I offer this in the spirit of "every bit of information helps."

 

We recently bought the iComfort set at the Sears 4th of July sale. We looked at the Revolution, and we both liked it, but I found it a bit too squishy, so we went with the "Genius" in queen size, which we also both liked. From what I could tell reading the materials, the Genius lacks an additional top layer of foam present in the Revolution, but has an extra layer of stiffer structural foam inside to provide extra support. We've  had it about two weeks and couldn't be happier. There is enough of the memory foam on top to isolate motion and prevent any kind of "rolling to the center," which could be an issue with my old Sealy innerspring mattress.

No problems at all with heat. We do sleep with the a/c on (typically turned down to 75 F at night in the summer). If anything, the iComfort may be cooler than the old mattress. I've noticed especially the area down by our legs keeping that nice "cool sheets" feeling. It's so comfortable we both actually slept an unintentional extra hour (a Sunday) after the first night. I don't know if it's Serta's vaunted "cooling gel" doing its work, or if its simply the fact that the memory foam on top is not so soft and deep that it really "envelops" you. You lie on top of this mattress, but it does conform to your shape and isolate each sleeper from the motions of the other. She has back issues, and so far has found this mattress to be terrific.

I'd recommend the Genius model highly based on our experience so far (obviously I cannot report on durability at this point). I like a firm bed, and she likes a soft bed, and it seems a good compromise for both (she's as pleased as I am).  I think the push for increasingly "plush" mattresses has to be balanced with the reality that anything you really sink down into is going to retain heat by default. It's also nice to be able to sit on the edge of the bed without sinking down so far that you can't put on (or take off) a pair of shoes or what have you. In the store, I noticed that the Revolution was too squishy to allow this, while the Genius provided a nice supportive edge.

We love it.

Good luck.

 

Edit: Just saw all the comments regarding a strong odor with this mattress.  Ours has no odor at all. There was a slight smell when it was first delivered, which seemed to come from the plastic bag it came in, but it dissipated entirely within a few hours. The delivery guys advised us to air the mattress out before putting on the linens and we did. No problem. My SO is odor sensitive and can get headaches from powerful perfumes, etc., and she likewise noticed the faint "plastic bag" scent on delivery, and that it dissipated completely after a few hours. Just smelled "new" to us. We have two dogs who sleep in the master closet, and they've shown no hesitation in coming into the room as usual, although I think the little one's annoyed that the new mattress is taller than the old one, so she can barely get her paws up on the edge to pester us as she loves to do. 8)

This message was modified Jul 18, 2011 by OrlandoGenius
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #122 Jul 18, 2011 11:26 PM
Joined: Apr 27, 2011
Points: 89
needagoodsleep wrote:

My husband and I bought the iComfort insight bed, king size.  We had previously purchased a new bed about 4 years ago (i loved it, he hated it - traditional pillow top, individually wrapped coils, etc).  Anyways, he really liked this bed.  We both prefer something a bit firmer, i feel it's better as with a softer bed i get a sore back.

 

The day it arrived it STUNK.  day 2 smell isn't so bad, but still there.

I've slept on it for 2 nights now.  The first night my DH said he slept like an angel.  I was undecided.  I just woke up from the second night and my  back HURTS.  i'm not sure if it's an adjustment period going from coil to memory foam or what? maybe it's too firm?  i know that for $1,600 i better love this damn bed.

i do get the 3 (4?) month trial period, but i a) can't get my old bed back and b) don't get my money back to go elsewhere - i'd still have to buy from this particular store.  and if what i like is cheaper, i do not get a refund of the difference, only store credit. 

so what is the proper length of time to give this bed a fair shot?  i shouldn't have hot/sore shoulders and same with my lower back, right?

for reference, i am 5'7, 150 pounds and my DH is 6'3, 260 pounds.

thanks for any help you may have.  at this point i am regretting this purchase, but hopefully it will get better.


If you read my previous posts, my wife and I had similar issues.  We are 2 ex collegiate athletes who are still in good shape and this bed gave us aches as well.  We have since switched to the Vera Wang Natural Poise Super Pillow Top and I couldnt be happier.  We were stuck with buying a Serta/Vera Wang or Tempurpedic due to the comfort exchange as well.  We went with this bed with the hopes that it will remain as comfortable as it still is.  We got it around late April/early may and the bed is still great.  We have rotated it but you can see a bit of an impression starting to form as you will with all pillow tops.  The bed is still extremely comfortable and I have never owned a mattress I loved more than this one.  I can deal with the impressions as long as the comfort remains unnaffected.  Good Luck.
 

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #123 Jul 19, 2011 1:32 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
OrlandoGenius wrote:

 

Edit: Just saw all the comments regarding a strong odor with this mattress.  Ours has no odor at all. There was a slight smell when it was first delivered, which seemed to come from the plastic bag it came in, but it dissipated entirely within a few hours. The delivery guys advised us to air the mattress out before putting on the linens and we did. No problem. My SO is odor sensitive and can get headaches from powerful perfumes, etc., and she likewise noticed the faint "plastic bag" scent on delivery, and that it dissipated completely after a few hours. Just smelled "new" to us. We have two dogs who sleep in the master closet, and they've shown no hesitation in coming into the room as usual, although I think the little one's annoyed that the new mattress is taller than the old one, so she can barely get her paws up on the edge to pester us as she loves to do. 8)


I found the exact same thing you found.  I stuck my nose right into the mattress and there was no strong smell.  And like you said, there was a faint odor lingering, but I could hardly tell it was there.

By contrast, 2 weeks prior I purchase a 2" memory foam topper from Sleep Innovations to try on my S&F set.  That topper definitely had the memory foam smell of death ... formaldehyde or whatever nasty chemicals were in that.  I only kept the thing a day, but it was stinking the next day when I packed it up.

So, again, no strong odor from the iComfort Revolution I received, and I was happy about that.
 

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #124 Jul 19, 2011 1:43 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
needagoodsleep wrote:

My husband and I bought the iComfort insight bed, king size.  We had previously purchased a new bed about 4 years ago (i loved it, he hated it - traditional pillow top, individually wrapped coils, etc).  Anyways, he really liked this bed.  We both prefer something a bit firmer, i feel it's better as with a softer bed i get a sore back.

 

The day it arrived it STUNK.  day 2 smell isn't so bad, but still there.

I've slept on it for 2 nights now.  The first night my DH said he slept like an angel.  I was undecided.  I just woke up from the second night and my  back HURTS.  i'm not sure if it's an adjustment period going from coil to memory foam or what? maybe it's too firm?  i know that for $1,600 i better love this damn bed.

i do get the 3 (4?) month trial period, but i a) can't get my old bed back and b) don't get my money back to go elsewhere - i'd still have to buy from this particular store.  and if what i like is cheaper, i do not get a refund of the difference, only store credit. 

so what is the proper length of time to give this bed a fair shot?  i shouldn't have hot/sore shoulders and same with my lower back, right?

for reference, i am 5'7, 150 pounds and my DH is 6'3, 260 pounds.

thanks for any help you may have.  at this point i am regretting this purchase, but hopefully it will get better.


It seems to be a bad sign that your back is hurting.  If it's from the bed, that's bad.  I really don't think you go through a period where your back hurts, then you adjust, then it's all good.  In the right bed, your back won't hurt at all.

You've probably already thought about this, but if you have an exchange option, it's good to have an exchange in mind even before buying the first bed, a plan B. 

If you do have to pick out another bed, don't be too shy to spend 1/2 hour laying on the top pick in the store.  I spent lots of time laying on the Revolution at a couple different stores. 

I think you can tell if your back is going to tweak by laying for a while in the store just the way you sleep.

One thing that is not discernible is heat buildup.  After all that time trying the Revolution, I never sensed it sleeps a little hotter than conventional beds.  Can only tell that at home in my opinion.

I've been curious for a couple months about memory foam beds. Now I've got one.
 

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