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 #240 Dec 9, 2011 6:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
trautpa wrote:

 Buridiebo,

Thanks for the information.  I having been sleeping on a new iComfort Insight for the past week or so and I don't think I am happy with it considering the price we paid.  I was wondering if you could give your opinion on the complaint that the Tempurpedic smells really bad.  The sales person said that when they got the new Tempurpedic's in recently it smelled up the store for a week or so.  That and the price is why I got the IComfort, but I am now thinking of returning the iComfort as I was promised a full refund if I am not satisfied.

I did notice that the Tempurpedics in the store have a stronger smell.  Does that eventually go away?
 

My Revolution odor was less than my Tempurpedic, not that either was a big deal.

I can give you a really good account from my new TempuPedic Cloud -  I bought a Cloud and TP Comfort pillow the same week.  The odor is not strong, but noticeable.  I noticed it the most when entering room with door closed.

At 30 days, switched adjustable base to a fixed Tempurpedic foundation.  TP foundations obviously use quite a bit of adhesive which smells.  So at 30 days, I had another new item needing to 'off-gas'.

At 60 days, I was still smelling a little bit of odor when entering closed room.  Keep in mind, foundation was only 30 days old at that point.

At 90 days now, I haven't noticed the odor.

One last note, the odor never kept me from sleeping.  Ony noticed it when entering room when it had been closed.  The odor is the downside of the mattress and even I worried/worry a bit about the effects, but I had to have something I can lay on my right shoulder on, so I accept it.

 

This message was modified Dec 9, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #241 Dec 9, 2011 6:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
DaveStro wrote:

 


All memory foam mattress sets are going to sleep warmer than an inner spring mattress with no memory foam. Memory foam is a temprature sensitive foam and it changes the compression of the foam itself according to temprature. So as you lay on a memory foam mattress it absorbs your body heat to soften up and conform to your body. Once you find the right comfort level for you they are great for circulation and as circulation improves you will also feel warmer. This is the nature of memory foam and dont fall for the Gel and cool fabric marketing. Gel is a negitiave as it fills the open cells of memory foam and reduces the breathability of the foam which over time will also make it warmer. 

Comparing iComfort to Tempurpedic is very comperable in terms of feel and both are very good quality. The way iComfort has been able to get the cost down for such a high density memory foam is to not use all memory foam in the mattress. The core support layer of iComfort is not memory foam. It is a standard high density 6 to 7 inch poly foam. only the cushining layers are the high end memory foam. Where tempurpedic is using the High End memory foam in their enitre mattress and not substituing it with a less expensive poly foam.

Comfort wise they are similar, but durablty wise the Tempurpedic is going to out last the iComfort by far.


Ah, but big differences in the quality of their fixed foundations.  I've owned both. 

The Tempurpedic fixed foundation is a heavy, sturdy, wood piece of furniture.  I was able to pull the bottom fabric aside enough to see the vertical piece of wood and reinforcements fully supporting the wood top, right down center from head to toe.  That foundation will not sag one iota.

I looked hard at the iComfort 'Stabl' base foundation.  My twin XL foundation was like almost all other 'box spring' foundation which these days use vertical 'V' shaped support rods.  I could plainly see there was an 8" measured gap between vertical rods on the iComfort.  Between those vertical rods there are surface rods that fill in the center, but with nothing to support down to the base slats, the center bent down about 1/4 to 1/2 inch mostly in the hips / butt area in a few weeks.  No abuse of mattress whatsoever.

btw, I weight about 190 lbs.

The other thing is the wood slats that form the base of the Stabl base foundation is very prone to flexing down.  it's very similar to a Simmons box spring foundation.  I liked the pattern of the Stearns and Foster / Sealy foundations -they have a consistent 5" spacing between the vertical rods which fill in the center area better.

I don't sell mattresses, nor do I work for any mattress mfr in anyway.    I have MUCH more confidence in my Tempurpedic foundation.
 

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #242 Dec 9, 2011 6:42 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
DaveStro wrote:

 


All memory foam mattress sets are going to sleep warmer than an inner spring mattress with no memory foam. Memory foam is a temprature sensitive foam and it changes the compression of the foam itself according to temprature. So as you lay on a memory foam mattress it absorbs your body heat to soften up and conform to your body. Once you find the right comfort level for you they are great for circulation and as circulation improves you will also feel warmer. This is the nature of memory foam and dont fall for the Gel and cool fabric marketing. Gel is a negitiave as it fills the open cells of memory foam and reduces the breathability of the foam which over time will also make it warmer. 

Comparing iComfort to Tempurpedic is very comperable in terms of feel and both are very good quality. The way iComfort has been able to get the cost down for such a high density memory foam is to not use all memory foam in the mattress. The core support layer of iComfort is not memory foam. It is a standard high density 6 to 7 inch poly foam. only the cushining layers are the high end memory foam. Where tempurpedic is using the High End memory foam in their enitre mattress and not substituing it with a less expensive poly foam.

Comfort wise they are similar, but durablty wise the Tempurpedic is going to out last the iComfort by far.


Dave, not sure where you found your specs on Tempur-Pedics mattresses...but they are not memory foam all the way throughout.  Just like in the iComfort's the base foam layers in Tempur-Pedic mattresses are simply standard 2.2lb polyfoam like the stuff used in most sofas.  However the actual density of the memory foam layers they use does seem a lot more significant on average than what Serta is offering in the iComfort beds.

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #243 Dec 9, 2011 10:09 PM
Joined: Nov 19, 2011
Points: 76
Comparing iComfort to Tempurpedic is very comperable in terms of feel and both are very good quality. The way iComfort has been able to get the cost down for such a high density memory foam is to not use all memory foam in the mattress. The core support layer of iComfort is not memory foam. It is a standard high density 6 to 7 inch poly foam. only the cushining layers are the high end memory foam. Where tempurpedic is using the High End memory foam in their enitre mattress and not substituing it with a less expensive poly foam.

Comfort wise they are similar, but durablty wise the Tempurpedic is going to out last the iComfort by far.

While I agree that I think the Tempurpedic will last longer; I do so because it HAS lasted longer than anyone else's memory foam/visco bed out there... the Original Bed is almost the same as it was 25 years ago. However, the statement about the foams is incorrect. both beds are using a polyurethane or poly/blend base foam. the Tempur "airflow" base foam allows air to circulate to reduce the amount of heat build up, while the iComfort uses a soy-based polyurethane foam for the time being (I believe the cost will determine how long they will use the soy version)

I would include here that to my knowledge, Serta has done more testing for longer on these iComfort beds than most of the other big manufacturers to feel confident in putting the 25 yr warranty, etc. on these beds and think they should do well over time... but only time will tell.

Remember Bronson, many salespeople (of which, I admit, I am one, will try and TELL you what you need or should do... if you have a concern that truly is yours (and not someone else crying "wolf") I think that most of us on here would love to help or give our own feelings or experiences. While different areas of the country can offer quite large variances in what you can test in a store, etc. your back (and that of your partner) are the true best determiners of comfort... spend about 15 minutes on your favorite mattress (or two) and see if you can feel your back muscles relaxing as you lie in your sleeping position; if they relax, that is a pretty good indicator of a good support layer inside the bed. If you think there are any drawbacks, ask your consultant, write down his/her answers and bring those responses back here and let us help with their validity.

Lastly, I think that density has become a very casually used and often misrepresented word. iComfort and tempurpedic both have a 5.3lb density foam... and they feel very different. In fact, Tempurpedic has a 5.34lb density comfort layer and a 5.34lb support layer of Tempur Material that actually feel very different from each other (we have cut several beds apart in our quest to understand the memory foam world)... Tempurpedic's claim is that cell size has more to do with the end result in "feel"  and durability (or how long it lasts) than anything else...

 

I hope this has helped Bronson... sleep well!

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #244 Dec 10, 2011 3:22 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 116
I'm willing to bet Serta has done no testing of the icomfort foam.  They are like any major 'S' brand.  They will buy it from a foam manufacturer that will give them the best price.  A manufacturer like Carpenter.  In fact, you can buy the same gel memory foam topper from Costco.  I believe Sleep inovations is the name.  Buy that 3" topper and a poly base and you have an icomfort for less than $500 (king size).  You can replace that topper when it compresses in 2 years.  That seams like the way to go.  Serta sells marketing, not beds.  They don't manufacture anything.  They assemble beds.  These beds are new to the market and if you bought one, your the guinea pig.  Good luck, you bought a story.  Give me a review of these beds in 2 years.  By then they will have the next generation of the greatest bed ever with a different story to them.
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #245 Dec 10, 2011 4:13 PM
Joined: Nov 30, 2011
Points: 4
trautpa wrote:

 

Buridiebo,

Thanks for the information.  I having been sleeping on a new iComfort Insight for the past week or so and I don't think I am happy with it considering the price we paid.  I was wondering if you could give your opinion on the complaint that the Tempurpedic smells really bad.  The sales person said that when they got the new Tempurpedic's in recently it smelled up the store for a week or so.  That and the price is why I got the IComfort, but I am now thinking of returning the iComfort as I was promised a full refund if I am not satisfied.

I did notice that the Tempurpedics in the store have a stronger smell.  Does that eventually go away?
 

I just wanted everyone to know that I have given up on my icomfort Insight.  I can say that at first I was willing to give it a chance, but after using it for more then 2 weeks I called the store and scheduled a return.  I am not exacly sure what it is about the serta icomfort that is so uncomfortable but it just is not comfortable.  I do have a minor lower back problem and this matress has made it much much worse. 

I decided to go with the Vera Wang Natural Poise, I got for $1,200 saving me about $1,400.  We decided to go with a standard box spring and are returning the serta adjustable base.

 

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #246 Dec 12, 2011 4:25 PM
Joined: Oct 19, 2011
Points: 2
chi123 wrote:

 

 

 

Hi, Bronson:

 

 

Let me just say that I am NOT a salesperson.  I, too, have been looking to others for advice on a new mattress and/or pillow for a while.

Two years ago, we broke down and bought a Tempurpedic.  In the store, it was nice and soft.  We didn't buy the top of the line, but the way it appeared in the store, it seemed we did not need to.

When it arrived, it really gave off a smell.  That smells lasted for days! Also, my husband and I aren't heavy people (110 and 150).  We would lie on the mattress and it wouldn't give at all.  Very weird and hard to explain.  After living with it for a couple of weeks, we decided to return it within the time period allowed.  We bought it at a furniture store, so our only other choices were even MORE expensive Tempurpedic mattresses or your standard coil mattresses.  We thought we needed something firm so we ended up with a pretty firm Laura Ashley mattress.  After a while, we bought a gel memory topper and decided to "make do," even though one or both of us would wake up each morning with lower and/or upper back pain.

We thought about the Sleep Comfort bed, but with the mixed reviews I kept reading on quality, I was reluctant to even try one because or our experience with the Tempurpedic (which also gets mixed reviews, but we had decided to take a chance).

One day, I had enough, so we went to "look" at mattresses at a mattress store and tried the iComfort.  We chose one that was not the best seller, but the one a step above that (in price and firmness).  We tried an even more firm one, too, but that seemed like the bed we already had, so we went with the semi-firm one.  We also broke down and got the adjustable base.  This was a huge splurge, I know, but we went with the 3-year, no interest deal, which allows us to pay it over time and makes the cost a little more palatable.

Mind you, I should add that this was also at a point where I was even trying new pillows on our existing bed, hoping that maybe I could get away with having to spend less because it was the pillow's "fault,"

We've had the bed for 3 nights, now.  I think we got the iComfort "Prodigy."  The mattress had very minimal odor, which was something we had been worried about.  The salesperson said we could place a cut apple on a plate on the bed (obviously while we weren't in it) to help absorb odor, but honestly, we didn't need to.  The first night was a little getting used to, but even after that 1st night, we both woke up with NO back pain.  It's the perfect firmness for my hip support.

One thing I need to work on, still, however, is my pillow. We got them to give us the iComfort pillow for free, and I also ordered a Talay latex one. So, while the bed supports our hips and back perfectly, I still have an issue with my shoulder.  So, it's like I need a little LESS firmness for my hips, and a little something else for my shoulder, as my arms and shoulders get a little numb while sleeping (so, maybe its too hard on the shoulder area??).  I'm trying my Side Sleeper Pro pillow with the bed tonight to see if that works.

But, for now, it is SO worth it to not hobble around like an 90-year-old when I get out of bed in the morning.

And, we absolutely LOVE the adjustable feature. So much more comfortable to sit up in bed!

I'll try and post how things are after a couple of weeks.

After nearly 2 months on our iComfort Prodigy, we are at mixed reviews.  We added our gel memory foam topper to the mattress, and that seemed to help my shoulder issues, but it was a little soft for my back.  So, we were at a conundrum.  Seems like I couldn't get my both my back and shoulder happy.

I tried cutting out a piece of the memory foam to put just under our shoulder area, but that didn't work.  So, we put the whole thing back on the bed (the cut piece slipped right in to the cover, at our feet, to become part of the whole pad again).

Let me add that we did try one night again without the pad, and it wasn't bad.  I think what we'll do is try that again and see.  What happens over time is that the mattress gets softer, so while the gel foam memory topped may have helped make the bed nice at first, perhaps the mattress softened somewhat now so that it is not needed.  I'll post again.
 

Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #247 Dec 12, 2011 7:15 PM
Joined: Dec 12, 2011
Points: 1
Here is a bit of first hand knowledge advise.  If you like the Florida NO DO BUY this mattress from Rooms To Go.  I first purchased a pillowtop Serta ($1699). After 4 weeks it started to bow.  A tech came out and deemed it defective.  I returned to the showroom and chose the the iComfort.  The mattress was so comfortable that I purchased it on the spot ($2000).  When the mattress arrived my husband signed for it. I came home and sat on the bed and it was like sitting on CONCRETE!  It was so bad that my husband and I were forced to sleep on our couches.  I called the store and was told that perhaps it was COLD and after it warmed up it would soften up.  When it did not I was told to JUMP ON THE BED for 2 weeks and it would be soft thereafter.  I informed the manager that I didn't want to do that and wanted to return it.  I was told that as long as the tag correctly identified the mattress it was the mattress I chose.  I asked why the mattress was so much different than the one that I tested in the showroom.  The manager told me that it was because so many people lie on the bed.  I asked my I wasn't informed this before I bought the bed and was told the salesman is not obligated to tell me this.  Now I am stuff with a $2000 brick.  Stay away from that mattress.  It has yet to soften and gives us both backaches. 
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #248 Dec 12, 2011 10:25 PM
Joined: Dec 12, 2011
Points: 1
We are getting ready to move in our new house and are going to purchase a new bed and mattress.  We have looked and tried the Sleep Number beds and the I Comfort (both adjustables).  After reading all the posts on the beds... I'm scared now to put that much money in one of these...... 
Re: Serta Icomfort request for advice
Reply #249 Dec 15, 2011 2:42 PM
Joined: Dec 3, 2011
Points: 2
I bought a Serta icomfort Revolution at the end of September and loved it.  After a few weeks, I noticed that it seemed to be getting soft on the side I slept on.  After a couple of more weeks, it actually became very uncomfortable.  I called the store I bought it from and they just sent an inspector over to look at it.  As soon as he sat on it, he immediately said it was defective.  Now, instead of taking another change on Serta again, I think I am going back to Tempurpedic.  We had one for over twenty years and never had a problem with it.  The only reason we got rid of it was that my wife felt it was time for a new mattress.

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