As an entirely subjective point - I went from fully sprung, to a Tempur (all foam) and both had benefits and both weren't 'right'
Currently have a 'Simba' (Just one of the UK's many internet mattress brands) which has coil+foam - https://simbasleep.com/products/mattress and think it gives the best of both worlds.
Sorry, I now realize this sounds like an advert - but I'm fascinated how 'online mattresses' have become 'a thing'
Previous online examples (say amazon with books) were just higlighting that online can provide the same item you could checkout offline, for less.
Mattresses should be an item you have to check out in person - but due to the outrageous markups, people will now happily buy sight-unseen online.
Not only that, but traditional mattress shops still use some of the highest pressure sales tactics I've experienced. It only takes once to make you never want to set foot in one again.
It's interesting how entire industries take on a personality. Like, there's plenty of competition or seems to be, and yet pretty much any mattress store you go into feels the same. And if I take my car to a body shop, pretty much any body shop, I almost feel like I need to call the police.
I actually recently bought a mattress at a local shop for my son, and it was one of the nicest shopping experiences I've had. He kept trying to guide me to the cheaper options because that's all a kid needs.
He also had a bunch of religious stuff around, so I think he felt it was part of his Christian mission to give people fair treatment. Either way, next time I need a mattress I will go there.
I was honestly concerned about whether I'd like the materials in person but I definitely passed out on it in various stages of construction to confirm I was going in the right direction.
Nowadays you probably have a friend or two who's ordered an online mattress you can try out.
I wonder if it's actually better to buy online. Firstly you get something you've researched, not something the salesman pressured you into buying by claiming it's the mattress they have at home as well. Secondly, most people end up buying too soft beds, because it feels nicer when laying down and testing for a minute or two compared to a firmer mattress. Avoid that online.
Really, though? I feel like part of the whole scam with online mattresses is that the review sites where people think they're conducting all this independent "research" are mostly in on the racket, getting freebies and kickbacks and taking payment for top recommendation spot, etc— Fast Company had a big expose on this a few years ago, but they're far from the only ones who have tried to blow the door off it:
I checked out a Temperpedic at a mattress store and liked it, but didn't like the $3-4K price tag. After checking on Amazon, I bought this one, figuring that for less than $300, if I hated it and bought the $3K mattress, an extra $300 isn't important:
My partner and I lost a good chunk of our clothes and lots of time to a cheap $300 mattress. The fiberglass in the firesock leaked, and the first symptom was a very itchy running t-shirt. It took us almost a week to figure out what was going on. The tiny fibers are essentially impossible to remove, and very hard to see unless you know what to look for.
I went and checked out mattresses at our local "Mattress Firm" chain of stores. They mostly had traditional mattresses like the "Simmons Beautyrest Achiever Firm" that I was replacing. I bought it in 2001 (please don't judge me) with a bonus check and felt pretty cool spending over a thousand dollars on a mattress after years of $50 futons.
I ended up taking a chance and went with an online purchase Leesa Hybrid [1] mattress that combines foam and pocket springs. I am mainly a side sleeper and the mattress feels really, really good. In fact, I think I might take a nap right now!
I really wasn't keen on the idea of buying a mattress without testing it, but then the more I thought about it the more I realised that spending a few minutes on it in a showroom is not even remotely indicative as to what a whole night would be like.
I caved and purchased a Nectar mattress (I'm also in the UK), mostly because you got a year's (!) money back guarantee. Best choice I ever made - it highlighted how poor my old mattress was and I never needed to use the guarantee.
My Simba pillow - essentially made from mattress offcuts - has collapsed quite a lot in around 6 months. It's fine for now but I worry about the future. On the other hand, the throw is lovely.
Sorry, I now realize this sounds like an advert - but I'm fascinated how 'online mattresses' have become 'a thing' Previous online examples (say amazon with books) were just higlighting that online can provide the same item you could checkout offline, for less.
Mattresses should be an item you have to check out in person - but due to the outrageous markups, people will now happily buy sight-unseen online.