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Real Bed Mattress Review – Do You Need the Topper?

There’s not much information available about the Real Bed mattress brand at the time of writing.

So if you’re thinking about making a purchase, you might be wondering if the Real Bed mattress is any good or not.

The Real Bed mattress is a good quality mattress because it’s made by the highly experienced and longest continuously operating bedding manufacturer and retail company in the USA: Charles P. Rogers – established in New York way back in 1855.

But just because a mattress is well made isn’t a guarantee that you will be comfortable in it.

Because comfort is a highly subjective outcome; based heavily on how your individual body weight, body type, and dominant sleeping position interact with the qualities and properties of a mattress over time – since it can take over a month for a new mattress to adjust to your sleeping style (hence why lying on a mattress for 5 minutes in the store isn’t a completely accurate way to gauge final comfort levels).

That’s why I’ve taken the time to write this Real Bed mattress review – where I will help you to get a better estimate of how this mattress is likely to feel based on your body weight, body type, and preferred sleeping position.

Two People On The Real Bed Mattress.
The Real Bed Mattress (RealBed.com)

I’ve also explained how the features of the Real Bed mattress are likely to influence the secondary comfort dimensions such as temperature regulation, allergy control, and mobility.

And finally, I’ve also outlined how adding the Real Bed natural latex mattress topper is likely to influence the comfort levels relative to your physical characteristics and sleeping style.

I honestly think that reading this review is going to give you a great idea of how suitable the Real Bed mattress and topper are likely to be for you without sleeping on it first.

But because finding your perfect mattress is a highly personal process and not an exact science, you can click the links and buttons on this page to ensure that you buy directly from Real Bed – allowing you to take advantage of their 100-night sleep trial if you live in the USA so that you can return the mattress if it’s not quite right for your comfort requirements after 30 days of use (when used in conjunction with a mattress protector).

Sleep trials that last longer than 30 days are the most effective way to protect yourself against disappointment in my opinion because this will cover the break-in period risk-free so that you can buy with confidence.

Alternatively: see the best mattresses to buy online here.

Custom Infographic Showing the Suitability of the Real Bed Mattress and the Topper for Different Sleeping Styles.

Real Bed Mattress and Topper Review

This is a very detailed and in depth review of both the Real Bed mattress and the topper.

So here’s a quick summary of my findings based on my extensive research and my own personal knowledge of how these kinds of mattresses tend to work:

The Real Bed mattress by itself is ideally suited to front and back sleepers in the 130 – 230 lbs range; whilst the addition of the topper increases the cushioning and softness to make this combination better for side sleepers (especially under 150 lbs) but consequently LESS suitable for front sleepers over 200 lbs and back sleepers over 230 lbs due to the risk of your back over-arching.

Beyond the differences in comfort and feel, you can expect good pressure relief, adaptive support, good motion isolation, and be able to sleep cool – either alone or as a couple – when you choose either the Real Bed mattress by itself or with the addition of the topper.

That’s basically it, but I encourage you to read this review from start to finish to get a better idea if the Real Bed mattress and topper is right for your sleeping preferences.

Mattress (Alone) Recommended For:

  • Front sleepers in the 130 – 230 lbs range.
  • Back sleepers in the 100 – 250 lbs range.
  • Combination sleepers under 230 lbs.
  • Edge sleepers up to the 200 – 230 lbs range.
  • Couples with sleeping styles that are each compatible with the mattress.
  • Environmentally conscious sleepers looking for a ‘green’ mattress made with natural materials and without harmful chemicals.

Mattress (Alone) Not Recommended For:

  • Side sleepers may find the mattress to be too firm on their hips and shoulders.

Mattress + Topper Recommended For:

  • Side sleepers (especially those under 150 lbs) looking for greater pressure relief on their hips and shoulders.

Mattress + Topper Not Recommended For:

  • Font sleepers over 200 lbs and back sleepers over 230 lbs may find that the topper makes the mattress too soft to the point where your back may over-arch and result in discomfort.

Design Analysis – Eco-Friendly Hybrid-Latex Structure

The first step in estimating the potential comfort level of a mattress is to look at how it’s designed and its resulting properties.

The Real Bed mattress is 12 inches thick with a hybrid spring-latex design.

This means that the Real Bed mattress is 2 inches thicker than the industry average of 10 inches; which better positions it to accommodate greater body weight whilst still maintaining good postural alignment.

And although this mattress actually has an 8 layered design that’s almost vertically symmetrical around the 8″ spring core, the Real Bed mattress CANNOT be flipped over for dual-sided use because the organic cotton cover is only present on one side of the mattress.

This means that you should NOT flip this mattress in an attempt to increase the lifespan of the mattress because doing this will almost certainly void the warranty and may impact the comfort levels.

However, I believe that the zoned support core that provides firmer support around your hips and more sinkage around your shoulders DOES follow a horizontally symmetrical arrangement which means that you can ROTATE your Real Bed mattress 180° periodically (usually once every 3 months) to distribute the cumulative surface load more evenly and potentially increase the lifespan of the mattress.

There are handles sewn into the sides of the mattress so that you can turn it more easily.

The Real Bed Mattress Set Up.

And although the Real Bed mattress is NOT 100% organic, the cover is organically certified to the GOTS [1], the natural latex layers are certified by OEKO-TEX® [2], and the other layers of the mattress contain a high percentage of natural materials such as Australian wool.

The layers of the Real Bed mattress are not held together by chemical adhesives or glues but instead uses nylon cords that run vertically through all of the mattress layers and secures them with English felt wool tufts (softer and less annoying than plastic buttons) at either end of the mattress.

Not only is this more eco-friendly than the gluing alternative, but this anchoring compresses the layers slightly to increase their surface tension to mitigate lateral shifting of the upper comfort layers as you switch positions; which may also guard against premature indentations and thus positively impact the durability and lifespan of the mattress.

See below for a more detailed breakdown of each layer of the Real Bed mattress and what their construct potentially means for you.

DesignHybrid: spring + latex
No. of Layers8
Materials UsedOrganic cotton, eucalyptus-based rayon, wool, natural latex, steel springs
Flippable?No
FirmnessMedium-firm (medium-soft with topper)
Thickness12 inches (14.5″ with the topper)
Max Weight CapacityUnknown
CoverOrganic cotton, eucalyptus-based rayon + wool
Comfort Layer3″ natural latex
Support Core8″ Powercore springs
Edge Support3 rows of firmer support coils
Zoned Support?Yes – firmer at hips
Certified Organic?Not completely – but in parts
Adjustable Base Compatible?Yes
Manufactured InUSA (New Jersey)
Warranty10 – 25 years non-prorated + prorated (component dependent)
Sleep Trial100 nights (conditional on protector usage)
The Exact Layers of the Real Bed Mattress.
The Exact Layers of the Real Bed Mattress (RealBed.com)

1: Cover – Highly Breathable and Natural

The most functionally significant aspect of the Real Bed mattress cover is its breathability and therefore its potential to keep you cool.

Because perhaps one of the most significant factors in influencing the temperature regulating qualities of a mattress is its ability to circulate air throughout the mattress.

And the combination of breathable organic cotton, eucalyptus-based rayon (used as a fire barrier), and wool in the cover/upper surface layers of the Real Bed mattress helps to encourage surface airflow in conjunction with the pinhole design of the latex, and the coil core (more on these features soon).

The thin rayon fibers can certainly help with cooling, but if you’re a sweaty sleeper then I’d still recommend covering your mattress with a bamboo fitted sheet because bamboo is excellent at wicking away moisture to help keep you dry.

The Global Organic Textile Standard certification means that the cotton used in the cover either doesn’t contain – or limits to an acceptable threshold – certain harmful elements like toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, chemical bleaches, phthalates, and more [3].

2: Comfort Layer – Good Pressure Relief, Mobility, and Durability

The comfort layer of a mattress refers to the upper section of the mattress that your body will primarily be in contact with beyond the cover.

The comfort layer critically affects the comfort potential of the mattress because it primarily influences how well the mattress will relieve the pressure on prominent areas like your shoulders and hips; as well as having influence over other secondary elements like temperature regulation and how well you can move around in the materials.

The comfort layer of the Real Bed mattress consists of 3 inches of latex that carries the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® label – meaning that it has been tested for harmful substances and has been certified as ‘harmless in human ecological terms’ [4].

And in terms of comfort, the presence of this latex layer means that you can expect a balance of good pressure relief with a degree of responsiveness.

This means that the mattress should have more ‘give’ to it and feel less abrasive on your body than a spring mattress with an upholstered top layer; whilst retaining some of the ‘bounce’ to allow you to move around in the materials smoothly – unlike many memory-foam-topped mattresses that have a gloopy sand-like texture that can bog you down as you switch positions.

Furthermore, the pinhole core of the latex layer can help to keep you cool through a ‘pump and suck’ motion that pushes out warm air and replaces it with cooler ambient air as you move around.

And lastly, latex is highly durable – which positively contributes to maximising the lifespan of the Real Bed mattress.

3: Support Core – Adaptive in the Right Areas

Beneath the latex comfort layer sits 8 inches of individually encased, zoned support coils with reinforced edge support.

This means that the pocket coils adjust one-by-one to your body shape to cradle your spine and joints more effectively than the fused coil core of a regular spring mattress potentially can.

Furthermore, the zoned support means that the coils are firmer across the width of the mattress to provide a better foundation where the most amount of weight is typically applied to the mattress and thus minimize the chance of your spine dropping out of alignment to improve back support.

Conversely, the springs around your shoulders have more give to them to allow these areas to compress more deeply for greater comfort.

And the perimeter of the mattress is reinforced with 3 rows of firmer support coils to guard against compression and roll-off when sitting or lying on the edge of the bed.

Comfort Analysis – Excellent For Front and Back Sleepers

Scale Showing the Firmness Level of the Real Bed Mattress.

The Real Bed mattress is listed as having a medium-firm level of firmness.

This predisposes the mattress to being suitable for a wide range of sleeping positions with a slight bias towards those who prefer a mattress with less ‘give’ to it overall.

However, accurately gauging comfort is far more complex than simply looking at the firmness level – how your body weight, body shape, and dominant sleeping position interact with all of the features of the mattress must be considered.

If you don’t know anything about mattresses then this is likely going to be pretty hard to figure out on your own.

That’s why I’ve done all of the leg work for you and summarised how the mattress is likely to feel based on the above variables below.

Please keep in mind that these are estimates – since comfort cannot be predicted with 100% accuracy in every case – but I think they are a good starting point to help you with your purchasing decision.

Let me know in the comments section if you need further guidance and I’ll do my best to help you.

Under 130 lbs130 – 230 lbsOver 230 lbs
FrontFirm – idealIdealIdeal – soft
BackFirm – idealIdealIdeal – soft
SideFirmFirm – idealIdeal – soft
ComboEasy to moveFairly easy to moveModerate mobility
EdgeGood supportGood supportFair support

1: Front Sleeping – Suitable for Most Body Weight Ranges

Overall, the Real Bed mattress is a good choice if you’re a front or strict stomach sleeper because the medium-firm level of firmness provides enough surface tension to keep your hips aligned whilst the zoned support and individually encased pocket coils adjust with an excellent degree of precision to bolster spinal alignment.

Whilst at the same time, the latex comfort layer works to provide just enough pressure relief on your elbows, hips, and knees to remove discomfort in these areas that can otherwise be problematic when sleeping on your front.

More specifically, if you’re in the 130 – 230 lbs weight range then your body weight should interact with these features of the Real Bed mattress optimally.

Whilst sleepers under 130 lbs will likely find this mattress to feel a bit firmer because you’ll naturally be putting less pressure on the mattress which in turn causes you to lie more ‘on’ the materials than ‘in’ them – which can increase compression forces in your joints.

However, I think that the latex comfort layer and the adaptive springs are enough here to make front sleeping in the 100 – 130 lbs range a comfortable experience for the most part; unless you’re very averse to a firmer feel.

If you’re a heavier weighted front sleeper in the 200 – 230 lbs range then I think that the support is still sufficient for you to avoid back ache for the most part.

But once you get beyond the 230 lbs mark, then you’re starting to get into the danger zone; where you’re more at risk of your lower back ‘hammocking’ and placing force on your lower back.

If you’re a front sleeper over 230 lbs then you might be better suited to the Fleur Firm or the Balcony Extra Firm mattresses from Restonic.

2: Back Sleeping – Ideal For Most Weights

If you’re a back sleeper then I think that much like stomach sleepers, you’re going to feel comfortable in the Real Bed mattress; more specifically if you weigh anywhere from 100 – 250 lbs.

I think that you can push the maximum weight up to the 250 lbs mark (and maybe a bit beyond) in the back sleeping position because it tends to be less precarious in terms of sparking back pain when compared to the front sleeping position on the whole (but individual variance doesn’t make this a hard and fast rule).

Again, you can expect a firmer feel the lighter you are, and a softer feel the heavier you are.

But overall, I feel that the zoned support and latex comfort layer does an excellent job of balancing comfort and support in the back sleeping position.

3: Side Sleeping – The Topper is Advised for Side Sleepers

If you’re a side sleeper under 150 lbs then listen up.

Because when sleeping on your side on the Real Bed mattress you should expect a much firmer feel on your hips and shoulders when compared to the back and stomach sleeping positions.

However, whilst many medium-firm mattresses on the market today are often unsuitable for lighter weighted side sleepers altogether, I think that the zoned support coils and latex comfort layer makes the Real Bed a viable option for side sleepers in some cases.

More specifically, if you’re in the 150 – 230 lbs range and you don’t mind a firmer feel then you might be ok with this mattress as it is.

However, for most side sleepers (especially if you’re under 150 lbs), you’ll probably want to go ahead and purchase the optional Real Bed latex mattress topper because it will make the mattress softer and more forgiving on your hips and shoulders (more on this soon).

Alternatively, if you’re ok with an all-foam mattress, then the Puffy Original could be a better choice for you if you’re a side sleeper under 150 lbs due to the greater capacity for material compression in this position.

4: Combo Sleeping – Pretty Easy to Move Around in at Most Weights

If you’re a combination sleeper then sinkage is your biggest enemy because it makes it harder to switch between positions – a common complaint with many all-foam, memory foam mattresses.

However, I think that you should find it pretty easy to move around in the Real Bed mattress if you’re a combination sleeper under 230 lbs due to the responsive latex layer and the buoyancy of the springs that bleeds through to guard against excessive material compression.

You may find it harder to switch positions once you get above the 230 lbs mark but not to the extent where the mattress is a complete write-off in my opinion.

5: Edge Sleeping – Superb Edge Support to Guard Against Roll-Off

If you’re an edge sleeper that likes to hug the edge of the bed then I think that the Real Bed mattress is a good choice for sleepers up to the 200 – 230 lbs mark (and maybe a bit more).

This is because the edge of the mattress contains three rows of reinforced coils to specifically counter excessive compression and guard against roll off.

Cushioning – Shallow But With Good Pressure Relief

The cushioning of a mattress refers to how far you sink into the mattress whilst the pressure relief describes how well the materials remove discomfort on the most prominent areas of your body – such as your hips and shoulders in the side sleeping position.

The level of cushioning can affect the amount of pressure relief a mattress can provide but this is not an exclusive influence since the materials of the upper comfort layers and even the lower transition layer (through a collateral effect) can alter the pressure relief.

The upshot is that although the latex comfort layer provides a relatively low level of cushioning when compared to many memory foams – the pressure relief is still pretty good.

This means that if you’re below 150 lbs, you’re going to sink less into the mattress materials than a heavier individual will, but you can still expect a decent amount of pressure relief in the front and back sleeping positions if you have a lighter frame with more prominent bones and joints.

However, you’ll probably want to add the topper if you’re a lighter weighted side sleeper with a lighter frame for better pressure relief.

This trend continues for average and athletic builds; where the depth of cushioning increases slightly whilst still providing good pressure relief in the back and front sleeping positions but less so in the side sleeping position.

If you have a softer build then you’ll find that the materials will contour more closely with your body – which may increase your sleeping temperature slightly due to reduced airflow – whilst you can expect a deeper level of compression as your body weight increases.

Other specific considerations are if you’re a side sleeper with broader shoulders then the topper might be a good addition to offset the concentration of pressure on your shoulders.

Slight BuildAverage BuildSoft BuildAthletic Build
Light cushioning with fair pressure relief in the front and back sleeping positions – less in the side sleeping position.Light to moderate cushioning with good pressure relief in the front and back sleeping positions – less in the side sleeping position.Moderate cushioning and closer contouring with good pressure relief in the front and back sleeping positions – less in the side sleeping positionLight to moderate cushioning with good pressure relief in the front and back sleeping positions – less in the side sleeping position.

Benefits

The comfort analysis section above details what I personally think will have the most influence over how happy you are likely to be with the mattress relative to your body weight, body type, and dominant sleeping position.

However, there are several other secondary dimensions that can influence the final comfort levels depending on your requirements.

I’ve split these up below into what I think can be considered ‘benefits’ and ‘considerations’ – although I encourage you to reflect on how they relate to your specific mattress preferences.

1: Good For Compatible Couples

If you sleep as a couple and both of your body weights, body types, and sleeping styles (as described above) are compatible with the Real Bed mattress then there are some further benefits that I think make this a good mattress overall for you both:

  • Good motion isolation – although this is a spring mattress, because the coils are individually encased, the feeling of you both moving around and sitting on the edge of the bed should be dampened significantly to hinder disturbance. The latex also does a fair job at dampening cross-mattress movement; admittedly less so than some all-foam, memory foam mattresses.
  • Quiet – although the springs are not totally silent, their individual encasement makes it less likely that you will be disturbed by the sound of springs pinging under movement – although an all-foam mattress is typically superior in this department.
  • Maximum surface usage – the reinforced edges can help you to make full use of the mattress area by helping to guard against excessive compression as you get closer to the edge of the bed and limit the chance of roll-off.

2: Sleeps Cool

If you’re a warmer sleeper then the Real Bed could be a great buy for you because the breathable cover, the aerated coil core, and the pinhole design of the latex comfort layer all combine to maximise airflow and regulate your temperature.

Also, because the compression capacity of the latex comfort layer is relatively shallow, then unless you’re over the 230 lbs mark and/or have a softer body type, then you’re not going to sink as far into the materials and so the airflow should be much better than that of a memory foam mattress that hugs your body more closely.

Check out the video below to see how the pinhole design of a latex layer like the one found in the Real Bed mattress can help to keep you cool by replacing warm air with cool air as you move around.

EB Latex Mattresses Are Breathable. (European Bedding)

3: Easy to Move Around and Sit Up In the Mattress

Unless you’re over 230 lbs, I think that you’re going to find it quite easy to move around and sit up in the Real Bed mattress.

This is because the latex is more responsive than many memory foam mattresses that are typically slower to respond to pressure changes; whilst the coil core helps to provide more ‘bounce’ to make turning over easier.

And the coil core also makes it easier to sit up in this mattress when compared to most all-foam mattresses because the springs provide more resistance when you put concentrated pressure on the mattress using your arm.

This is good news if you have issues getting in and out of bed; plus the mattress works with adjustable frames too, and the deeper 12 inch profile can work in your favour when combined with a frame of a suitable height to stop you from dropping down too low and putting extra stress on your joints.

4: Minimal Toxicity and Off-Gassing

The chances of you having an allergic reaction to the materials used to make this bed are minimal in my view.

This is because the cotton used in the cover is organic, the latex is certified as ‘harmless’ by OEKO-TEX®, the fire barrier is made from eucalyptus-based rayon (rather than fiberglass) and the layers are held together by tufting rather than chemical adhesives.

Because of this, you shouldn’t experience the unpleasant ‘off-gassing’ effect that typically stinks out your room (and can be potentially toxic) when unpackaging a low-quality memory foam bed in a box mattresses from places like China where regulations can oftentimes be laxer.

And whilst the Real Bed mattress isn’t 100% organic (the coils are made of steel; which does make them recyclable), the certifications and use of natural materials make this a great ‘green’ mattress choice if you’re environmentally conscious.

5: Compatible With Most Frames – Including Adjustable Bases

Your Real Bed mattress should be compatible with most frame types including platform bases, high quality box springs, and slatted frames where the slats are no more than 2 inches apart – king and queen beds should also have a center support that has contact with the floor.

You can also use an adjustable base with the Real Bed mattress to help with mobility issues and enhance comfort.

Independent tests showed that bunching along the folds was minimal as the bed was elevated – although this did increase somewhat when the topper was added.

6: Potential to Last Up to 7-10 Years

Estimating the lifespan of a mattress is very difficult because it depends on many subjective factors such as the weight and weight distribution that the mattress is exposed to over time, plus how often you rotate the mattress (once every 3 months is good guide if you sleep as a couple with differing weights), and how well you guard against spills and stains.

But I would typically expect a hybrid latex mattress like the Real Bed to last up to 7-10 years or more with the proper care.

(Learn how to make your latex mattress last longer here).

7: 100 Night Sleep Trial

If you buy your Real Bed mattress directly from RealBed.com (using the links and buttons on this page) and you live in the USA then you can qualify for the 100-night sleep trial.

This means that you can return the mattress during the 30-100 night period if you’re not happy with the comfort levels.

However, you must use a mattress protector to qualify for the trial (see the ‘considerations’ section below for more info).

8: Made In the USA

Real Bed make their mattresses in the Rogers factory in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

This is good because you don’t have to worry about the potential toxicity issues that can sometimes come from ordering low quality mattresses from places like China where regulations often aren’t as strict.

9: Good Value for Money

Hybrid spring and latex mattresses typically cost around $1500 – $2000 on average.

So at just $950 for a queen, you’re getting a great deal on the Real Bed mattress in my view given everything that it offers – in particular the natural materials, certifications, and quality latex that’s absent of harmful chemicals.

See below for a full pricing table for the Real Bed mattress and the optional topper relative to the size that you order.

Mattress SizeMattress PriceTopper Price
Twin$700$380
Twin XL$780$430
Full$850$460
Queen$950$500
King$1250$650
Cal. King$1250$650

10: Pay On Finance to Increase Affordability

If you click the button below, you can apply for financing for the Real Bed mattress and/or topper via the Real Bed website to make payments more affordable.

Considerations

The Real Bed mattress has a lot going for it, but there’s also a few important things to keep in mind – as mentioned below.

1: You’ll Need to Use a Mattress Protector to Qualify for the 100 Night Trial

This is really important.

According to the Real Bed website, you MUST use a mattress protector to qualify for the 100 night ‘comfort trial’.

Note that a mattress protector is NOT the same as buying the additional topper – it’s a separate thing.

2: You Can’t Return the Topper Unless You Buy it With the Mattress

The 100-night sleep trial doesn’t apply to the topper if bought alone – but it does apply if you buy it with the mattress.

3: Mostly a Prorated Warranty

The springs for the Real Bed mattress are covered by a 25 year non-prorated warranty – which is good.

However, things like indentations greater than 1.5 inches are covered by a 10 year prorated warranty that sees you pay 10% of costs in year 2; increasing by 10% each year up until year 10 where you pay for 90% of the costs associated with replacing qualifying parts.

Also, you’ll have to pay the shipping costs for making a return against the warranty.

I recommend having a good look at the terms of the warranty here because there are many conditions that you need to be aware of before purchasing the Real Bed mattress.

4: Arrives in a Heavy Box

This is a bed in a box mattress which means that the Real Bed mattress comes compressed and rolled up in a neat box.

However, because of all of the springs, the box is pretty heavy – 139 lbs for the queen size to be exact.

So you’ll probably need additional help to carry the box to your sleeping space.

Final Ratings

I’ve covered a lot in this Real Bed mattress review so here’s a quick qualitative summary of my findings in table format for your convenience before I move on to reviewing the Real Bed mattress topper below.

Pressure ReliefGood
Overall SupportGood
Edge SupportVery good
Moving AroundEasy up to approx. 230 lbs
BounceModerate
ResponsivenessModerate – more than memory foam
Motion IsolationGood for a mattress with springs
NoiseMinimal for a mattress with springs
Allergy ControlGood – minimal reactive chemicals
Off-GassingMinimal
Pain ReliefGood – balance of support and pressure relief
DurabilityGood – 7-10 years approx.
Sagging RiskLow – strong support core
Indentation RiskLow – no memory foam
Set-UpFairly easy – box is heavy
Price v ValueVery good value for money
Price (queen)$950
Worst Sleeping PositionSide: under 130 lbs
Best Sleeping PositionBack: 130 – 230 lbs
WarrantyFair: 10 – 25 years non-prorated + prorated (component dependent)
Sleep TrialFair: 100 nights (conditional on topper usage)
Financing Available?Yes: 0% APR available

How Does the Topper Affect the Comfort and Feel?

Scale Showing the Firmness Level of the Real Bed Mattress Topper.

If you decide to buy the Real Bed mattress topper then the main thing that you need to know is that it will make the mattress feel softer – more in line with the feel of a medium-soft mattress.

This is potentially ideal if you’re a lighter weighted side sleeper under 150 lbs because it will allow for greater sinkage and reduce pressure on your hips and shoulder.

Crucially, however, this softening effect makes it generally a BAD idea to add the topper if you’re a heavier weighted front sleeper over 200 lbs because it increases the risk of your back over-arching and causing pain.

I would also express caution if you’re a back sleeper over 230 lbs for the same reason, whilst combination sleepers should also note that the added softness may make it harder to move around once you get above the 200 lbs mark too.

So do you actually need to buy the Real Bed natural latex mattress topper?

You should only buy the Real Bed natural latex mattress topper if you’re a side sleeper looking to decrease pressure on your hips or shoulders, or if you’re a front, back, or combination sleeper who is definitely ok with a softer feel. Front sleepers over 200 lbs and back sleeper over 230 lbs should proceed with extreme caution.

Check out my Real Bed mattress topper review below for more details on how this product can potentially affect your sleeping experience when used in conjunction with the Real Bed mattress.

The Real Bed Mattress Topper.
The Real Bed Mattress Topper (RealBed.com)

1: The Topper Increases Cushioning

If the Real Bed mattress were a delicious cake, the Real Bed topper is kind of like a little slice of it with a bit of extra frosting on top.

I say this because the topper has a very similar – but not totally identical – layering structure to that of the mattress.

More specifically, the topper is 2.5 inches thick with an organic cotton cover sitting on top of 1 inch of natural latex followed by a mini ‘nano spring’ layer and a eucalyptus-based rayon base.

The primary outcome of this design is that of a topper that has deeper cushioning when compared to the mattress.

This means that you can expect greater pressure relief, deeper sinkage, and closer contouring with your body – good news for lighter weighted side sleepers but not so great for heavier weighted front sleepers.

The Exact Layers of the Real Bed Latex Mattress Topper.
The Exact Layers of the Real Bed Latex Mattress Topper (RealBed.com)

2: Air Flow Isn’t Negatively Affected

You might have thought that placing the topper on the mattress would hinder airflow – but this doesn’t appear to be the case.

Because users have reported that their temperature remained the same when using the topper versus the mattress alone.

I believe that this is down to the aerated design of the topper that combines a spacious base layer with the breathable latex, nano springs, and cotton cover to encourage airflow.

However, if you are on the heavier side and/or have a softer body type, then you may find that the materials hug closer to your body which could trap air and increase your temperature slightly.

Otherwise, I think that the topper should be fine for sleeping cool for most other body types.

3: Responsiveness Is Similar

Although the softer feel does lend itself to slightly deeper cushioning when compared to the mattress alone, the responsiveness is still pretty good due to the inclusion of the latex and nano springs.

This means that you should have little issue moving around in the mattress if you’re below 200 lbs, whilst heavier users may need to apply a bit more effort.

The zip-off cover tends to help the topper cling to the top of the mattress so that it stays in place as you move around.

4: Edge Support is Reduced Very Slightly

Because the topper doesn’t contain any reinforced springs and has deeper cushioning, you’ll probably experience greater sinkage at the edges of your mattress when the topper is in use.

This may affect the comfort levels if you’re an edge sleeper whilst couples may find it harder to spread out and make full use of the mattress area.

5: It’s Still Good for Couples

Providing that you and your partner have sleeping styles that are compatible with the mattress plus the topper then you shouldn’t find that the topper causes any extra difficulties other than the changes to the edge support noted above.

This means that you can still enjoy a quiet mattress with good motion isolation properties so that you can both sleep undisturbed.

6: Bunching May Increase With an Adjustable Base

One more thing to consider is that if you’re using an adjustable base, the addition of the topper may cause extra bunching along the fold regions.

This is possible simply because of the addition of the extra layers and their relatively loose arrangement.


Real Bed FAQs

I’m going to close out this review by answering some common questions relating to the Real Bed company and their mattress and topper.

1: Who’s Behind Real Bed?

The company behind the Real Bed brand is Charles P. Rogers – who have been in the business of making beds since 1855.

2: How Long Will the Real Bed Mattress Last?

I personally estimate that a Real Bed mattress could last up to 7-10 years or more with the right care and whilst this may vary case-by-case, I would expect the Real Bed mattress to outlast many spring and even some memory foam mattresses on the market today due to the use of the durable springs and materials used.

3: Is the Real Bed Mattress and Topper Toxic?

The Real Bed mattress and topper shouldn’t be toxic because the mattress is made with natural OEKO-TEX® certified latex, GOTS certified organic cotton, and doesn’t include petrochemicals, solvents, or glues.

4: How Do You Set Up the Real Bed Mattress?

The mattress will arrive at your doorstep in a compressed box that weighs 139 lbs (for the queen) and you will therefore likely need the assistance of a second person to move the box to your sleeping space.

From here, you should open the box, take out the rolled-up mattress and place it on your bed frame; unwrap the outer plastic layer to allow the mattress to unroll, flip the mattress if required to ensure that the logo is facing upwards, and then cut away the final plastic layer to allow the mattress to start expanding.

5: How Long Does it Take for the Real Bed Mattress to Expand?

Your Real Bed mattress should be fully expanded within 48 hours.

6: Where Do Real Bed Ship To?

Real Bed ship to the 48 contiguous US states, and you can request a call back to discuss shipping to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and international locations.

7: Where’s the Best Place to Buy the Real Bed Mattress?

The best place to buy your Real Bed mattress and topper is directly from the Real Bed website using the button below.

Because this way you’ll be positioned to qualify for the 25 year warranty, 100 night sleep trial, and be able to apply for 0% APR financing.


Sources and References

[1] Global Standard – Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Accessed 31/5/20.

[2], [4] OEKO-TEX® – STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. Accessed 31/5/20.

[3] Global Standard – General Description. Accessed 31/5/20.

Image Attribution and Licencing

All images used with permission under the terms of a private affiliate agreement.