Classic Brands Mattress Reviews
Classic Brands has a great history. (I am about to write the most 70s sentence ever written.) Classic Corporation started manufacturing waterbeds in 1971. Then Classic Corporation became one of the world’s leading waterbed manufacturers before changing the company name to Classic Brands in 2002. Then they expanded their range of mattresses and accessories. It’s a great backstory for a brand that now makes affordable mattresses for all types of sleepers and budgets.
Classic Brands in 2019 has coast-to-coast reach, making mattresses in Baltimore and have a warehouse in Los Angeles. Their product line is also broad—from mattresses to bed frames and pillows. They offer innerspring, hybrids, memory foam, cool gel foam mattresses, as well as sofa and futon mattresses.
The budget brand doesn’t have an online or brick-and-mortar store. Classic brands sells everywhere you expect to find mattresses for a good price—Amazon, Walmart, US-Mattresses.com, etc. Availability varies by location, but Classic Brands makes a good-faith attempt to provide a more luxurious experience—using cool gel foams, latex, and wrapped innersprings—at an affordable price.
Classic Brands Collection Overview
Classic Brands offers seven mattresses collections— Cool Gel, Memory Foam, Hybrid, Innerspring, Latex, Futon, and Specialty Sofa mattresses. Each collection contains a number of models that differ in thickness and firmness.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Classic Brand has two memory foam mattresses that feature layers of foam of different densities — an 8-inch model and a 12-inch model. Both come have a medium plush feel. The Classic Brand memory foam mattresses hug the contours of the body to relieve pressure but keep your spine aligned. As with other memory foam mattresses, customers might worry about the materials retaining all of your body heat. Classic Brand says their memory foam has more of an open-cell structure. That’s code for “not so dense that heat gets trapped.” Open cells should equal more airflow to keep you and the mattress cool enough to sleep well.
The Classic Brands memory foam options are on the softer side of medium, in terms of firmness. Remember medium firmness mattresses are more universal; they’ll please most sleepers. Keep that in mind if you’re a heavy person or just prefer a firmer mattress.
Cool Gel Mattresses
The Cool Gel memory foam mattresses from Classic Brands uses a special, amped-up version of their basic memory foam. The material is shot through with gel particles that work to keep the foam cells more open so that air flows more efficiently through it. You’re meant to sleep cooler on this surface. Classic Brands says this material is “self-ventilating.” People who sleep hotter than most and need a little more intervention to stay cool should take a look at the cool gel mattresses.
Classic Brands offers cool gel foam mattresses in seven heights and nine different models, all of which vary in firmness.
- Cool Gel 6-Inch (medium-firm)
- Cool Gel 7-Inch (medium-firm)
- Cool Gel 8-Inch Ventilated (medium-firm)
- Cool Gel 9-Inch Ventilated (medium-firm)
- Cool Gel 10.5-Inch (medium-firm)
- Cool Gel 12-Inch (medium-plush)
- Cool Gel 1.0 Ultimate 14-Inch (medium)
- Cool Gel 2.0 Ultimate 14-Inch (medium)
- Cool Gel 14-Inch Quilted (medium)
The cool gel material that gets infused into the memory foam keeps the foam cells more open. Since the cells are more open, this memory foam breathes more readily, allowing heat to escape more efficiently than traditional memory foam.
Innerspring Mattresses
The innerspring mattresses from Classic Brands are exactly what they say they are—the new-age version of age-old classic metal coils. These beds are made with tempered steel coils that both give the mattress its shape and adapt individually to the body’s curves to relieve pressure, reduce motion transfer and provide plenty of pockets for air to move through and carry away body heat. Normally either a full-coil or hybrid mattresses with coils are the best choices for people who carry more weight than average. Innerspring mattresses are usually quite durable, so they’re great if you’re looking for a mattress that will last for a longer period of time.
Classic Brands has five different heights in their innerspring offerings and all of them have a firm feel.
- 6-inch Bonnell Coil Innerspring (made with an hourglass-shaped coil that is not wrapped in fabric)
- 7-inch Bonnell Coil Innerspring (features individually wrapped coils)
- 10-inch Bonnell Coil Innerspring (features individually wrapped coils)
- Regular 8-inch (features individually wrapped coils)
- Advantage 8-inch (features individually wrapped coils)
Classic Brands uses tempered steel coils to give their innerspring models their shape. Some models have coils that are wrapped individually. That decreases friction between the coils and creates a peaceful surface where bed partners aren’t disturbing each other as they move around at night. The individual treatment of each coil also enables them to respond independently to the contour of the body, adapting and supporting in equal measure to relieve pressure. Coils also make these mattresses more durable than other materials.
Hybrid Mattresses
Classic Brands brings you six hybrids using coils coupled with either latex or types of memory foam to give you a good mix of durability and mattress that will form around and cradle your body’s shape. When it comes to hybrids in the Classic Brands line, you can pick and choose what might work best for you because there are several permutations.
The models in the hybrid collection include:
- Synergy (medium-firm)
- Decker (firm)
- Sutton (firm)
- Celadon (firm)
- Mercer (medium-plush)
- Gramercy (plush)
The 9-inch Synergy is made of memory foam and unwrapped coils for a medium-firm feel and is offered in 5 models. The 10.5-inch Decker has a Eurotop along with memory foam layers and a wrapped coil layer that end up giving this model a firm feel. The firm 11.5-inch Sutton has layers of gel foam and different memory foams on top of the wrapped-coil layer. The 12-inch Celadon is the latex hybrid in the group. It’s the closest thing to organic and natural. It also has a firm feel. The 12-inch Mercer has both a pillow-top and cool gel foam among its layers that are “cushion firm.” (Cushion firm is CB-speak for a durable, firm-feeling base with conforming layers on top. ) The 14-inch Gramercy is among the thickest in the entire line, stacking several layers of gel memory foam on top of the wrapped-coil layer. This one also has with that “cushion firm” feel.
In general, hybrids get a lot of air flow through the coil layer. If you need something sturdy, durable and cooler, but want enough contouring and comfort at the top, try these hybrids.
Sofa and Futon Mattresses
You have to admire a brand that covers its bases. This is a value brand, which is cheaper than most and still trying to offer options and design features for cooling and conforming like other brands. In this case, Classic Brands puts those features into mattresses that fit standard-sized sofabeds and futons. You can outfit your sofabed with a 4.5-inch mattress of memory foam, cool gel foam or innerspring coils. You can also buy an 8-inch futon mattress of innerspring coils in either black or brown.
Most Popular Models
Here are the top models as rated by Amazon customers. All of these Classic Brands mattresses have a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars or higher.
14-inch Cool Gel Foam Ultimate 2.0 mattress
Amazon customers rate the 14-inch Cool Gel Foam Ultimate 2.0 mattress as a 4.3 out of 5 stars. This mattress combines two types of foam with cool gel and a high-density base foam for an attractive 14-inch profile. The foams are all made with open-cell construction. They’re not the old-school type that holds onto body heat with a death grip. They’re a new type that keeps cells open so air flows and heat gets carried away.
8-inch Cool Gel Foam Ventilated Mattress
The 8-inch Cool Gel Foam Ventilated mattress has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Amazon. There are two types of memory foam here—a thin piece of gel-infused memory foam to conform to your body and a higher density base foam that helps with pressure relief and spinal alignment. The foam will feel slightly firmer than its thicker brother, the 12-inch we look at below.
12-inch Cool Gel and Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress
The 12-inch Cool Gel and Ventilated Memory Foam mattress has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 from Amazon customers. This is one of the thicker cool gel memory foam options from Classic Brands. It has the cool gel foam and another of poly gel foam on top of a thick and dense support foam base. The materials are naturally hypoallergenic. If you like a more plush feel, this one comes in at medium-plush.
10-inch Serena Pillowtop Innerspring Mattress
The 10-inch Serena Pillowtop Innerspring mattress has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Amazon. It’s a hybrid of foam and coils with a pillow-top made of quilted knit materials. The Serena has a 2.5-inch layer of foam for comfort and coils that move independently to adapt to your body.
8-inch Advantage Innerspring Mattress
The 8-inch Advantage Innerspring mattress has a rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 by Amazon customers. It’s extremely affordable due to the coil and foam construction and relatively thin profile. But the coils are individually wrapped and the top cover is quilted for some comfort above a foam layer. This mattress should look and feel familiar to most people who haven’t slept on anything but an innerspring mattress.
Which Classic Brands Mattress Is Best for Me?
The Cool Gel Memory Foam Might Be Good For You If….
- You are a side sleeper or back sleepers
- You have back pain because memory foam conforms and supports
- You need extra help (cool gel) keeping cool as you sleep
The Innerspring Might Be Good For You If….
- You love a firm mattress
- You sleep on your back or stomach
- You need a firmer mattress because you carry more weight
The Classic Memory Foam Might Be Good For You If….
- You are a side sleeper
- You have back pain
- You already know you love memory foam
The Classic Brands Hybrids Might Be Good For You If….
- You need a mid-range firm mattress for side, stomach and back sleepers
- You have a sleep partner and need something durable with good edge support
- You need more durability as a heavier person.
Pros and Cons of Classic Brands Mattresses
Pros
Cons
- Variety of materials, firmness levels, and prices
- Lower price point than luxury versions with similar construction
- Availability at multiple retailers
- Selling via multiple retailers makes it difficult to compare pricing, trial periods, etc.
- Lower pricing can reflect the quality of the mattress
- Most of the models won’t work for people who weigh above average
- Customers have issues with durability
Pricing and Specs
Model Dimensions
Regular Mattresses
- Twin: 39” x 75”
- Twin XL: 39” x 80”
- Full: 54” x 75”
- Queen: 60” x 80”
- King: 76” x 80”
- Cal King: 72” x 84”
Sofa Mattresses
- Twin: 33” x 75”
- Full: 53” x 75”
- Queen: 58” x 75”
Pricing
Hybrid Collection (**WalMart prices, though all are sold out as of August 2019; *US-Mattresses.com prices; Amazon prices)
MODEL
TWIN
TWIN XL
FULL
QUEEN
KING
CAL KING
Synergy** $140.54 $139.73 $231.00 $21.25 $267.04 $273.41 Decker* $279 $289 $339 $389 $649 $649 Sutton $285.96 $309.99 $389.99 $469.99 $609.99 550.00 Celadon $195.52 $184.70 N/A $231.04 $336.95 $315.87 Mercer* $339 $349 $409 $529 $799 $799 Gramercy* N/A $449 N/A $549 $849 $849Cool Gel Collection (Amazon prices except where noted; *US-Mattresses.com)
MODEL
TWIN
TWIN XL
FULL
QUEEN
KING
CAL KING
6-inch* $209 $219 $279 $299 N/A N/A 7-inch $152.10 $182.23 $226.29 $212.05 N/A N/A 8-inch ventilated* $249 $259 $319 $349 $599 $599 9-inch ventilated $185.10 $209.32 $374.37 $311.27 $373.88 N/A 10.5-inch ventilated* $299 $319 $399 $499 $749 $749 12-inch* $339 $349 $459 $519 $829 $829 1.0 Ultimate 14-inch* $429 $439 $529 $599 $929 $929 2.0 Ultimate 14-inch $354.71 $334.67 $448.95 $508.97 $594.42 $609.49 Quilted 14-inch $361.47 $357.99 $521.23 $552.99 $658.99 $655.99Memory Foam Collection(Prices pulled from Amazon)
MODEL
TWIN
TWIN XL
FULL
QUEEN
KING
CAL KING
8-inch Classic $120.41 $195.50 $196.20 $231.67 N/A 293.56 12-inch Vibe Gel $178.32 N/A $274.22 $305.88 $321.65 $369.87Innerspring Collection (Prices pulled from Aamzon)
MODEL
TWIN
TWIN XL
FULL
QUEEN
7-inch $159 $169 $209 $239 8-inch Advantage $219 $249 $279 $309 10-inch $269 $279 N/A $449Sofa Mattresses (Prices pulled from US-Mattress)
MODEL
TWIN
FULL
QUEEN
Cool Gel $199 $269 $289 Memory Foam $199 $249 $269 Innerspring $139 $169 $179
Construction by Mattress Type
TYPE
CONSTRUCTION
FIRMNESS
THICKNESS
Hybrids Latex, gel foam or memory foam comfort layer, with Bonnell coil support layer Available in firm, medium-firm and cushion firm Available in 9-inch, 10.5-inch, 11.5-inch, 12-inch and 14-inch heights Cool Gel Foam infused with cooling gel Available in medium, medium-firm and medium-plush Available in 6-inch, 7-inch, 8-inch, 9-inch, 10.5-inch, 12-inch and 14-inch heights Memory Foam Memory foam comfort layer and high-density foam support layer Available in medium and medium-plush Two styles in 8-inch and 12-inch heights Innersprings Coils, coils, coils everywhere! Firm: 8/10 Five styles in 6-, 7-, 8-, and 10-inch heights Sofa mattresses Offered in gel foam, memory foam or innerspring Available in plush and medium-plush 4.5 inchesClassic Brands Buying Experience
Availability
You can buy Classic Brands mattresses at a handful of retailers starting with Amazon and US-Mattress.com. Those are your best options to start. From there, Classic Brands says you will find models at WalMart, Wayfair, Overstock. Home Depot, Macy’s, Hayneedle, Cymax, Jet, ATG Stores or Weekends Only. We say you “might find them” because availability and prices vary by site.
We also discuss first where you might buy these mattresses to reinforce that prices, trial periods, warranties, delivery, and financing will vary according to where you purchase a Classic Brands mattress.
Trial Period
There is a 100-night, risk-free trial from Amazon that starts on the date you receive the mattress. You can return it anytime up to 100 days.
US-Mattress.com offers a 120-night trial. You must sleep on it at least 30 days before you start a return. (FYI—We always recommend sleeping in a new mattress at least 30 days to break it in!) US-Mattress.com will try to find you a replacement before they accept a return. You’ll pay a $139 processing fee to make the return.
Warranty
Amazon gives you a 10-year warranty. Classic Brands discusses the warranty on their website, but basically it is just telling you to keep your receipt and warranty for reference and proof in case you need to use it. Also, Classic Brands says to make sure to talk to the customer support team representing the place from which you purchased the mattress in the first place.
At US-Mattress.com, you can research warranty terms by going through a step-by-step questionnaire that’ll lead you to the right one for your Classic Brands mattress. Some things not covered by any of the warranties are normal wear and tear, damage from using the wrong type of frame or base and a change in comfort preference. US-Mattress will contact Classic Brands for you, so you need to keep that receipt. Classic Brands gives 1-year (e.g. sofa bed mattresses), 5-year (innerspring, thinner cool gel foam) or 10-year (other thicker mattresses of all types) limited and prorated warranties.
Shipping and Delivery
Amazon ships these mattresses compressed into boxes. They are delivered to your door for free. Be advised that rates for delivery of large items from third-party sellers can vary depending on where you live, i.e. a house or apartment.
US-Mattress.com ships anywhere in the lower 48 states for free. Actually, their prices include shipping & handling, though they say their prices often beat competitors’ pricing before adding S&H. They can deliver to Alaska and Hawaii for a rate. You can receive a shipment at late or during the weekend for an additional fee.
Financing (if applicable)
Amazon does offer no-interest, 12-month financing on items over $499 via an Amazon.com credit. You’ll see a year’s worth of interest added to your total if you have not paid off the item in the 12-month time frame.
US-Mattress.com offers financing through your choice of four different financial institutions—Affirm, Synchrony HOME, PayPal and Progressive Leasing. Additionally, US-Mattress.com will match other prices online and give you a 10% discount if you can find your mattress for a cheaper price online.
Conclusion
There is plenty to like about Classic Brands if you know something about mattresses and can spot a solid deal when it hits you in the face. Classic Brands did not just pop out of the shadows. The company has been around nearly 50 years and has been making all different types of mattresses that entire time.
Fast forward to 2019 and you can easily buy hybrids, memory foam, latex, and cool gel foam mattresses for decent prices through Classic Brands. You can find them through online retailers like Amazon, US-Mattress.com and Wayfair, and regular stores like Walmart and Home Depot. You will find some 49 different models on the Classic Brand website.
But you should know that availability, pricing, shipping, financing, etc., will vary from site to site. Your shopping experience will vary from place to place even if the mattresses are manufactured by Classic Brands. If you’re willing to sort through all of that, you’re going to find a bunch of different models of mattresses priced in a way that will not cause cardiac arrest.
These mattresses are good to test the waters with memory foam if memory foam is new to you. They are good for temporary housing situations, like dorm rooms, guest rooms and AirBNB rentals. If you’re not expecting to get 10-years out of the mattresses, these are also good options.
