Simmons Mattress Reviews -- What They Reveal Between the Lines

When you begin checking out Simmons mattress reviews online, it's important (as I have said elsewhere on this site) to keep some perspective about consumer-based mattress ratings in general: negative mattress reviews are very common, something I explain in more detail in this article on bed mattress reviews in general.

Comparing Mattresses and Mattress Reviews -- Posturepedic vs. Beautyrest

It's difficult to evaluate Simmons mattress reviews en masse without comparing them to those of their main competitor, Sealy.

On innerspring coil mattresses, it is safe to say that Sealy is the winner overall. What that means is that out of hundreds of reviews, with a maximum of five stars, Sealy rates between a three and four rating. Simmons ranks a bit below that, around a three.

Note: Since most reviews are about the flagship product lines of these mattress giants, Sealy Posturepedic and Simmons Beautyrest, those are the brands we'll compare here.

When you consider Simmons mattress reviews on an individual basis, however, the picture changes. The fans of Simmons are just as likely to rave over their choice as the Sealy devotees. They use terms like "best mattress I ever slept on" and "I can't wait to get into bed" so it does seem that positive reviews are equal to, maybe even better than, Sealy.

Most Common Complaints in Simmons Mattress Reviews

As an overview, the most common complaints of the Simmons Beautyrest line include

• Permanent body impressions in the mattress shortly after purchase
• Mattress wearing out too quickly, sometimes in a couple years or less
• Mattress not meeting expectations of comfort
• Problems with aches, pains and poor sleep were not resolved after purchasing the mattress, as they had hoped
• Poor customer service, especially poor warranty coverage
• Price was not reflective of value

Most Common Praise

What did most people who gave positive reviews like about the Simmons Beautyrest line? Comfort. The pocketed coil design resonated with a lot of people who found it a pleasant and restful sleeping experience. They also appreciated the reduced motion transfer.

Thoughts on Simmons Mattress Reviews

Body impressions are a common complaint among Simmons mattress reviews. The use of plush padding and pillowtops, which Simmons actually promotes (as do all the big mattress companies) are most often to blame, which is why we recommend avoiding these thick layers built into the mattress. It not only hikes up the mattress thickness, causing bed-making hassles, but jacks up the price as well.

Pillowtops and thick foam pads feel luxurious and wonderful in the store, but after months and years of use, they simply get flattened down. Memory foam in particular may develop body impressions that become permanent.

Some people like this quality, but according to the reviews, many are greatly bothered by it, even though, strangely enough, it's used as a selling point by manufacturers. That is a bit unrealistic. It is almost as if mattress companies don't have a clue about how their mattresses behave over time.

When a pillowtop caves in, there is no remedy even if the main core of the mattress is still in excellent condition. Considering that some of this top padding is 3 or 4 inches thick, it can be quite uncomfortable when it fails the long-term resiliency test.

A mattress should wear out all at the same time -- and that is not happening right now with plush padding getting compressed and flattened long before the springs begin to weaken.

Lesson learned? Don't buy thick pillowtop mattresses unless you are certain that they work well for you. Thin, lightweight people might have more leeway on this. Also, those with arthritis, fibromyalgia and pressure points do need more plush padding than others. Just make sure it is made from durable materials (hint -- natural latex is best).

Durability Issues

The main selling point of the Simmons Beautyrest mattress is the pocketed coil design. This is a major competitive edge against Sealy and Serta (at least in the U.S., where these two competitors are not offering this type of spring).

Unfortunately, these coils seem to wear out a bit faster than the other type, making many Simmons mattress reviews turn negative on the subject of durability. Simmons Beautyrest mattresses seem to need replacing a bit sooner than others.

This is not true in all cases, however. The use of the mattress is also a crucial factor. Simply allowing your kids or grandkids to jump on your mattress will greatly compromise its lifespan.

But... if you are a heavy person whether because of height or weight, keep in mind that construction and mechanics may need to take a higher priority for you.

Simmons Warranty Issues and Customer Service

The way to avoid warranty issues is to understand upfront what they cover and what they don't. Many people have unrealistic ideas of what the warranty covers and even more importantly, what might void the warranty.

Since most problems that warranties cover show up in the first six months of purchase, make preventive care number one -- this means doing whatever you can to avoid staining the mattress, as even one drop of blood or other liquid can void the warranty no matter how awful the mattress turns out for you!