‘I Bought A $200 Mattress From Amazon—Here’s How I’ve Been Sleeping’
Related: I Tried Sleeping on a Hard Floor for a Week
Made of three inches of memory foam, two inches comfort foam, 3.5 inches airflow high-density foam, and 3.5 inches airflow high-density base support foam, the Zinus is covered in a knitted fabric that makes it look much more expensive than it really is. It’s CertiPUR certified, meaning it’s made without toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and flame retardants, and it comes with a five-year warranty. You can choose between various thicknesses from six to 12 inches. I opted for the 12-inch. It’s also infused with green tea extract and castor oil for odor relief.
Even with these specs, when I pressed the order button, I was more nervous than excited.
My new bed arrived a few days later in a cardboard box wrapped in plastic—nothing glamorous. I had my 19-year-old brother help me carry it up to my third-floor walk-up, and while I won’t say it was easy, neither of us threw out our back, either. As soon as I took it out of the box and rolled it out, it started rising. Some reviewers on Amazon have said their beds smelled weird, but mine didn’t emit any particular odor. I unpacked the rest of my stuff and went shopping. By the time I got back about 10 hours later, it was 12 inches thick and ready for me to get some shut-eye.
Related: How to Have Bed She’ll Actually Love Sleeping In
I didn’t expect much from the Zinus. But compared to all the beds I’ve slept on in recent years—the three I had during undergrad, the one for grad school, the $2,000 pillow-top at my parents’ house—the Zinus really is my favorite.
It’s a bit firm (maybe too firm for some), but whether I’m on my back, side, or stomach, the Zinus conforms to my body and supports me in the exact right position for a restful night. Unlike the ultra-plush mattress at my parents’ house, which gave me backaches, I’ve woken up pain-free every morning. And although some people complain that foam mattresses make them overheat, I’ve never woken up in a sweat, despite it being the middle of summer.
Find out how to get a better night’s sleep:
I’ve only slept in this bed alone so far, so I can’t say for certain whether or not it’s a good option for couples. But it seems to do a great job of absorbing shock: A few days ago, I had just put a plate of avocado toast on my bed when I tripped and landed hard on the mattress. The plate didn’t budge.
The bottom line: I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another Zinus mattress. It’s no longer at that rock-bottom $160 price, but even now, it’s only $229 for a queen.
(Once you find the right mattress, here are a few ways to improve your sleep.)
The article I Bought a $200 Mattress From Amazon. Here’s How I’ve Been Sleeping originally appeared on Men’s Health.