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If you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything at all. While I’m definitely no procrastinator (just ask my husband), this adage, unfortunately, describes my approach to determining the best mattress for our master bedroom over the years.
Embarrassing, but true.
You see, my husband and I bought a sleep number bed shortly before we started our family. That was more than 15 years ago. It seemed like a good decision at the time, but the truth is, I never really liked it all that well. How much can you really determine from a few minutes laying on a bed in a showroom anyway?
Why did we buy it, you might ask? Good question! I guess it was primarily because it was the new and different sleep technology at that time and we thought the feature of being able to pump up our individual side of the bed to our personal liking (hubby likes it firmer than I do) would be conducive to slumbering marital bliss.
Yes, we basically got “sold”.
Our sleep number bed had a 20 year or so limited warranty, so about 10 years in, I realized we needed to find something else especially once I started bearing children which caused me to find the bed ever more uncomfortable for my perpetually sore back and neck from all the physical rigors of raising children (constant stooping, bending over, carrying babies on your hip etc).
Besides a lack of comfort, I didn’t find the EMFs from a plugged-in bed right about where your head is resting on a pillow to be conducive to a good night’s sleep. Either my husband, myself or whoever changed the sheets and pumped up the bed kept forgetting to unplug it!
Not to mention the toxic substances that were being outgassed by the chemicals added to the mattress for “safety” that we were breathing all night long.
With so many checks in the “replace your mattress now” category, you might wonder why I didn’t get a new bed sooner.
That’s where the “if you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything at all” comes in.
I knew I wanted a nontoxic mattress, but I didn’t want to pay a ton of money for an organic mattress only to find it just as uncomfortable and possibly more unhealthy than the bed I currently had.
My concerns about buying a new mattress were due to the recent (2007) flameproof mattress regulation which requires all mattresses to withstand a severe open flame test (2000 degrees for over a minute). This requires acutely toxic and known, cancer-causing chemicals in or next to the surface of all mattresses – even organic ones (untreated organic wool cannot pass this test as it burns at 600 degrees). Companies are not required to disclose the chemical cocktails they use in their mattresses and often deny they use them at all.
Watch out for furniture in dormitories too. The mattresses provided by colleges and boarding schools use these chemicals too.
Given all these regulations, I honestly didn’t think that the bed of my dreams had even been invented yet – truly nontoxic with a sleep technology that actually delivered a great night’s sleep. So I procrastinated my decision and did nothing.
Then, a friend of mine who is into a green and nontoxic lifestyle shared the research she had done about mattresses and why she had settled on an IntelliBED.
Sometimes the best things that come into our lives are from the recommendation of a like-minded friend.
Isn’t that the truth?
Benefits of Gel Mattresses
I dug in and started to read the research for myself. Here are the most compelling factoids I uncovered that clinched the decision for me:
- IntelliBED uses hypoallergenic, nontoxic Intelli-GEL® instead of toxic foam or fire retardant treated organic wool to cushion your hips and shoulders. This patented gel technology reduces pressure points by as much as 80% compared to even expensive memory foam or latex foam (see pressure mapping images to the right).
- Over 900 doctors, chiropractors, and orthopedic surgeons recommend the IntelliBED for their patients. The science behind this bed blows away all other sleep technologies.
- Other gel mattresses on the market are not non-toxic and don’t perform as well as Intellibed. When tested, these knock-offs perform more like other foams and nothing like the patented intelli-GEL.
- IntelliBED uses the same patented mattress technology chosen by hospital burn units as this sleep technology eliminates undue pressure on parts of the body damaged by fire exposure which would cause excruciating pain, exacerbate inflammation, and compromise tissue healing.
- Instead of a 10 minute trial in a showroom, intelliBED gives you 90 days to try out the mattress in your own home with a full money-back guarantee if you’re not completely happy.
The combination of top of the line sleep technology which no other mattress measures up to, nontoxic, non-outgassing mattress materials and a 90-day money-back guarantee made the decision very easy for my husband and myself.
In addition to the mattress, we are using the IntelliBED pillows too, which are made from the same non-toxic, hypoallergenic gel instead of toxic foam or mold-prone down or feather pillows. We love them so much that we are purchasing an IntelliBED pillow for each of our children for Christmas and plan to replace their cotton futon mattresses with Intellibeds as soon as possible.
My husband and I are totally thrilled with our new IntelliBED. After sleeping on an IntelliBED for only two weeks, my back felt like it did before I had kids, which I never thought was possible.
How to Try IntelliBED for 90 Days Risk-Free
I contacted IntelliBED and asked if it would be possible for me to share a special coupon with my readers to try it as I know from your emails that sleep and nontoxic slumber are big issues for many. For those of you in a quandary about your mattress like I was for such a long time, this coupon plus the 90-day money-back guarantee makes the decision easy and risk-free.
Use coupon HealthyHomeEconomist to get 10% off Intellibed’s Organix line of beds including organic cotton sheets, a deluxe mattress protector, and free delivery.
Click here to find out more.
IntelliBED even offers the white glove treatment at no extra cost, with the bed delivered and set up by a team of two professionals right in your own home who will also haul off your old mattress if you like! This is what we did, and it was so convenient and non-stressful.
Bye, bye Sleep Number!
UPDATE: Since this initial article was written, we’ve now replaced our three children’s natural mattresses with Intellibed mattresses too! We even got one for my son’s bed at college (check it out in this article on healthy dorm furniture).
Included in this update post are my photos and film clips after visiting the Intellibed factory in Salt Lake City, Utah to personally verify all claims about this bed.
More Information
Hi Sarah,
I looked into the different models of Intellibed mattresses, and many of them have steel coils. What is your take on these coils attracting EMF’s (which are highly toxic to the body and also cause difficulty sleeping)? How did you resolve this issue? I understand that the non-coil mattress only lasts about 10 years rather than 20-30, and is not as supportive or therapeutic as the ones with the coils. Thanks for any input!
I’m not concerned about the coils. There is metal in the walls of homes too. Just be sure to turn off your wifi at night and don’t opt for a smart meter.
I purchased my mattress many years ago and am still SO grateful I did. At that time, the company had split off from another company and things were a little confusing, to say the least. I’m so happy that I ignored all the politics and just bought a bed. I have fibromyalgia and I don’t think I’d ever get the sleep I get on any other mattress. Now, I’m in the market for an adjustable frame for it. I think that once I get that, I might just never leave my bed!
I went ahead and purchased our IntelliBED mattress online today, and just wanted to share a few things of note that I’ve gleaned thus far via my experience with IntelliBED customer service… First, I discovered that it is possible to purchase one of their “demo model” mattresses at a considerable discount of 30% OFF the original price! These “demo models” were either in-store floor models or IntelliBEDs that were returned during the 60-day trial period. Before they are resold, IntelliBED refurbishes these demo models to virtually new condition by removing the outer fabric “casing” and replacing it with a new one, so that only the “guts” of these mattresses are re-used. I decided to go that route in purchasing one of these demo models for myself, since I’ve read reviews about the break-in period of brand new IntelliBEDs being pretty rough until the stiffness of the new materials is worn in. You do have to check with one of their reps to make sure they have a particular demo model in stock at any given time… they are only available on a “first come, first serve” basis, and luckily for me they just happened to have ONE queen-size Gel Elite demo model available when I called to inquire about getting one. They even agreed to apply the “HealthyHome” promo code retroactively to my order so that I could get the free pillows and sheet set, even though that promotion only works on their pricier “therapeutic model” mattresses now. The only drawback is that, if I wind up returning the bed for any reason, those “free gifts” will suddenly become not-so-free as the full sale price of those items will then be deducted from my refund since they can’t be returned. That’s a risk I wasn’t willing to take (those pillows and sheets are NOT CHEAP), so I had them put my free gifts on hold at the factory until the end of my trial period, once I am positive that I’m satisfied with the mattress and won’t be returning it. If I do decide to return the IntelliBED, then they can simply keep their free gifts and I’ll be able to get a full refund for the price of the mattress. (They told me that they used to let people keep the free gifts in the event of a return, but they decided to change that policy when they noticed that “people were ordering IntelliBEDs and returning them just to get the free gifts” …although that sounds odd to me considering that you can’t get the original shipping cost or the cost of the mattress cover back in the event of a return, and IntelliBED claims to have a very low 10% return rate as it is, but whatever…)
Hope this information is helpful to those who may be embarking on an IntelliBED purchase in the near future! =)
Question: If I were to try the intelliBED, and decide I don’t like it within 60 days, would I have to pay to have it shipped back to the company for a return? or can I ship it back free of charge and get a full refund?
The return shipping is paid by IntelliBED. Here is a link to the return policy: http://www.intellibed.com/trial-offer/
Also, when I enter the coupon at the IntelliBED website, it says in order to get the bonus pillow and sheet set: “Must purchase a queen size or larger, does not include the standard line” …Well, I was already planning on getting a queen size mattress, but now I also have to order one of their ‘premium line’ (more expensive) mattresses just to get the bonus gift??
Using coupon code HealthyHome you will get the 10% off no matter what mattress you order, but the price point of the standard mattresses is lower so they don’t qualify for the bonus gift. It says this right on the promo page.
Right, I understand that it states this now on the intelliBED promo page… nonetheless, this contradicts the original deal as it was described by you in your blog post. That is what I was trying to clarify here. No problem though, as I was able to get an intelliBED customer service rep to honor the original deal and include the free gift with purchase of one of their standard mattresses.
The only reservation I have left is that the 60-day trial doesn’t appear to be entirely *risk free,* as you stated, considering that the $90 mattress protector (purchase required in order to get the 60-day trial honored) happens to be a non-refundable item… plus the original shipping cost of $270 is also non-refundable. So, in reality, you actually wind up paying a $360 non-refundable fee just for the ability to try out the intelliBED, whether you end up liking it or not. I wouldn’t exactly call that “risk-free”…
At the time I wrote the blog post, the standard mattress line was not part of the product line. This is a new addition to the mattress offerings. Hence, why the clarification is now on the promo page and it wasn’t when I first wrote the article.
Your chances are good that you would like it if you do decide to try it. Alternatively, you can go to one of the IntelliBED stores if you live out West and lay on one there. Nothing in life is going to be perfect Amanda … decide if its worth the effort for you to try it out. If not, buy something else. No big deal!
Thank you for sharing this Sarah! My husband and I bought a Serta i-Series when we were first married, and thought we were getting the best thing out there. 2 years later we are getting back pain and our mattress is starting to sag. We’re so disappointed that our mattress didn’t even last two years! We have really been considering the Intellibed, and I’m so excited to show my husband your reviews as well as the coupon! Thank you a ton!
Thank you so much for this post! It made finding a new mattress for my daughter so much easier. I appreciate all your research and for sharing it with your readers. I currently have a Saatva and can’t afford a mattress for myself, but I am definitely going to get a topper. Thank you!!!
I have 5 screws in my right arm from a motor vehicle accident. I was constantly waking up , tossing and turning constantly, needless to say was very sore and uncomfortable . We purchased our intellibed 10 years ago and have been sleeping comfortably ever since then , very grateful for the technology of these beds. Even after 10 years, we can’t wait to get home to our bed, we think about it when we are away, I know sounds weird lol however that is how much we love our intellibed, no regrets plan on getting another 20 years out of it. Our daughter and her husband feel the same way about the intellibed we bought them 2 years ago????
THE WORST PILLOW EVER! I bought one of their pillows and it was such a waste of money. I tried to get used to it but it was so uncomfortable and gave me neck problems and I couldn’t sleep. I tried to adjust the pillow with no luck. I requested a refund but they said NO, sorry we don’t take back pillows, you’re out of luck! Worst customer service ever! Not even a partial refund! SO glad I didn’t buy a mattress!!
Laura, by the sounds of it your whole life is a constant whine…. better jump from a higher location next time
Hi Sarah.
While the sleep number bed has been remarkably decent for the many years My wife and I have owned it I find there are greater issues than EMF, by which I assume you mean Electro Motive Force or Electro Magnetic Field. In truth you probably get more electromagnetic radiation from the wiring in your walls and the electronics in your home and cell phone towers, power lines, neighborhood Wireless WAN and your neighbors WiFi than the inflation pump (essentially a motor driving an air pump with a pressure sensing circuit and wire connected pressure adjustment remotes.). The Pump and remotes are in sleep mode 99.999% of the time and would only “wake up” if you adjust your bed pressure. (I haven’t needed to adjust mine for over 4 years.) Some people need to adjust theirs nightly or weekly I suppose, but the pump and remotes would only turn on for the 5-10 minutes max it would take to inflate both sides up to the max 100 pressure and then deflate to your sleep number.
My issue with the sleep number bed and has been the warranty support and the resistance of Select Comfort to mix-and-match and get spare parts etc.
The main problem I found is the stiffness of the foam rubber sides. I was a hefty guy suffering from morbid obesity, diabetes and sleep apnea when we purchased the sleep number bed. At my heaviest I was 316 pounds. I found after 3 or 4 years the side of the bed where I would sit down to remove my shoes and clothes and then lay down began to collapse inward toward the air bladder. This issue got worse and worse, eventually causing the bed to shift on the underplatform (normally what would be considered a boxspring) and hang over my side of the boxspring. I unzippped the top cover many times and adjusted the foam rubber back to vertical but eventually this became a permanent twist in the side piece. This led to other issues with the eggshell foam topper below the pillowtop cover. It began to rip. When my wife wanted to replace the eggshell foam and the side foam piece we were told we would need to replace the entire mattress. “What about the 20 year warranty?” we asked. We were told it only covered the air bladders. Not the foam or even the pillowtop or fabric side of the mattress, and all of those pieces could not be bought separately. Neither could we purchase a new mattress topper (which,even though the one we wanted matched the dimensions of our bed perfectly, it was a topper for a different model of bed and they don’t sell just the toppers.)
The remotes began to have issues with displaying the pressure on the LED screens after a few years and much use (abuse?) and soon stopped displaying much of anything. I found we could still adjust the pressure blindly but it began to be too much trouble and considering it usually didn’t require a change in pressure, we generally left it alone. When I had gastric bypass surgery and lost a hundred pounds I adjusted my bed one more time. When we decided to move to another house I found another issue had cropped up. The pump and remotes had completely stopped working. The pressure in the beds remained constant but it appears we will never be able to adjust it again. Not sure if this is covered under the 20 year warranty.
All this aside. I really don’t care about flame tests, and off-gassing, “natural” and “green” products, and EMF. (Oh and there is no mold in our mattress, I’ve checked multiple times). What I am concerned with is sleeping comfortably and waking up with no pain. I can do that on the sleep number bed. (Their air bladder technology was superior to intellibed’s when I last looked.) My back pain did go away after purchasing and sleeping on the sleep number bed. However I can see sleeping on the intellibed and doing it just as well. The main positive that I see right now is the customer service and their willingness to fix the problem, no matter what. That is the clincher.
When I buy my next bed, Intellibed will definitely be the front runner in my deliberations.
Sarah, I read this review and have loved your blog but I feel like you are misleading your readers by your claims that essentially no other mattress could be natural due to the 2007 fire regulations passed by the Federal Government. After a ton of digging and stress due to your review I found the actual government regulation outline and downloaded it and read the entire thing and your description of the flame requirements and saying that wool can’t possibly pass without chemicals because it burns at 600 degrees is wrong. Let me share how. First, you are right, wool burns at 600 degrees, but you are wrong that this would disqualify a mattress from passing federal regulations. Here is the federal regulation via the CPSC that sheds light on this mystery: “The 16 CFR 1633 (Open Flame) test measures the amount of heat produced by a mattress after being ignited according to the test protocol. To pass this test, a mattress must be constructed to limit the amount of heat produced WHEN THE MATTRESS BURNS so as not to ignite other objects in the room. This regulation is required for all mattresses that are manufactured, imported or renovated after July 1, 2007. Mattresses that were manufactured, imported or renovated prior to July 1, 2007 did not have to retroactively meet this standard.” So, after further reading I confirmed that the mattress is indeed able to burn, it simply must burn at a temperature that will not cause other things in the room to spontaneously burst into flame. This IS possible via natural fibers and non flame retardant chemical laden mattresses and there are all sorts of ways natural mattress companies achieve this without dousing them in chemicals like you claim. I just thought you should know that, not even going into all the false claims intellibed makes (for instance, that they do not use poly foam when the “soy foam” they use is actually poly foam with 20% soy oil injected into it), you need to at least stop making false claims against the fire regulations and what they mean for other truly natural mattress companies.
Thanks for chiming in with your view. I think you have misinterpreted much of what was written. First of all, yes … you can get an organic mattress without any chemicals as a loophole in the regulations allow it with a doctor’s note ). But, even if you get an organic mattresses without chemicals, they just don’t hold up or give you a superior night’s sleep. This is why I chose Intellibed and was clear about this in the post: it combines complete nontoxicity and safety *along with* the technology. Organic mattresses don’t have the sleep technology behind them to either (1) last very long and (2) give you a superior night’s sleep.
Also, Intellibed doesn’t make false claims about the foam … they are very clear that the minimal foam they use is only to provide support around the edge of the bed (so you don’t slide off when you sit on it) and also that the foam is nontoxic and derived from the rubber tree … the soy foam is tested to be free from all toxins too. You can find out more about the foam here on a webinar I did with a doctor who is employed by Intellibed who explains is thoroughly (starts around 17:30). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-53Ee5jXl7M
Yes, but the problem is, you CAN get a wool mattress without the chemicals and without a doctor’s note because just because the wool burns does not mean it doesn’t pass the flammability test that only requires that the mattress not reach a certain temperature during the 30 minute test, not that it can’t burn. You stated in many of your replies to commenters that the wool had to have chemicals added to it in order to pass federal regulations and that is simply not true. I have loved so many of the things I’ve read on your blog here and genuinely want to help people not feel stressed when trying to buy the healthiest mattress for their family or themselves, whether it be an intellibed or a healthy alternative.
I am not convinced as I have said several times in the other comments. If you are convinced, that is your call 🙂