I had a Casper. I slept on it two nights and decided I couldn't do a third. It was hot, smelled like burnt toast and ammonia, and I woke up hurting all over. You're supposed to give it a longer trial, but I was done. The smell actually woke me up. Other people seem to like Casper, so maybe I'm just a delicate flower.

ETA: I misspoke. It smelled like burnt toast and asparagus pee.

That smell sounds awful! I didn't notice when I tried one out at the store, but then I wasn't "smelling" for it.

Had a Casper at our last house. DD1 sent it back. Our new house came partially furnished, and one of the few things I kept was an aloe mattress. It is SO comfortable I threaten to start sleeping upstairs.

I don't like the sensation of memory foam.

We just bought a bed from City Mattress. I would looks at the old tried and true brands.

Nothing fancy.

I agree memory foam. I was a fly stuck to sandpaper.

Wow, yikes. One of the attractive features of Casper is the trial period guarantee, you can return it. But we want it to be ready to go. Hmm, guess we'll actually have to go bed shopping.

DD’s MIL bought a Sleep Number bed for DD’s guest room to replace the firm mattress I had given DD and DSIL. Her DMIL likes a soft mattress; I like a firm mattress. The new mattress works great. DMIL sets it to soft when she visits; I set it to firm when I visit.

We have never had to wait for a mattress.

We sleep on a natural latex mattress and love it. DD and SIL have a Casper and to me if feels like lying in a bowl of jello. I guess that’s why there are so many different brands!

I helped my sister find a mattress for her Florida house. After reading Yelp reviews, I avoided the larger chains and went to a local furniture store. No brand name mattresses and all of the ones we tried felt so good. She is very happy with her new mattress (almost a year now).

We bought a Leesa (hybrid iirc) for our guest room and ended up using it ourselves when we downsized to Q from K.

To Allison’s point about no brand names, I read once that Consumer Reports refuses to review mattresses because the same mattress will be sold under multiple names depending on where it is being sold. It makes it impossible to comparison shop for prices, quality, and feel.

Go check Verlo - I believe the closest location is in Skokie - used to be Wheeling. Local-ish company.

IMO the best mattress for infrequent use is an inexpensive firm mattress with a plush mattress pad - not a mattress topper but a really good pad.

I am in the process of shopping for a new mattress too-- but for my own bed. I am currently looking at Saatva and Leesa based on recommendations from wirecutter.. and sofitel boutique. I loved my current pillow top mattress and kept it way too long because I loved it so. It's a whole new game now with so many mattresses that aren't available to test locally. I still may end up buying from a local store.

I can vouch for Sofitel, I considered buying their entire setup ... but didn't like the price for a guest room.

So I got the SOPAT Extra Thick Mattress Topper. 4.5 stars 10, 717 ratings for the Leesa. Happy with the combo.

I have liked all my other sofitel purchases -- I am tempted to take a mini getaway to try out the mattress again.

Mtn.. The Saatva and Soboutique prices are very close, no? In fact.. Saatva matches my sleep needs with the lower end Classic but i think the Hybrid is a few hundred more.

Bought a king Therapedic mattress not quite 2 years ago. It has a lower gauge coil which should be stronger. We rotate it often. Impressions have happened and I'm already thinking replacement.