Comparison shopping is something we all engage in. Whether you’re weighing your options on a frivolous Amazon purchase, making an expensive purchase like buying a new car, or choosing where to eat lunch today, we like to compare this to that. It’s just one way that the human mind processes information and makes sense of the different options (and their advantages) before making a decision.
So, what do you know about premium innerspring mattresses? When it comes to top mattress brands that continue to primarily utilize traditional innerspring designs, there are two behemoths in the industry – Stearns & Foster and Simmons Beautyrest. In fact, here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, mattress shoppers routinely ask our mattress and sleep experts for their help in comparing these well-established innerspring mattress brands. In particular, we get tons of questions asking us to compare Stearns & Foster with Beautyrest’s luxury mattress line, Beautyrest Black.
That’s why today we’re doing a quick investigation of Stearns & Foster vs Beautyrest Black to discover the similarities and differences between these two luxury innerspring mattress brands. Join us, and by the end you’ll hopefully have a better idea of which mattress has the most to offer you!
Stearns & Foster vs Beautyrest Black | Mattress Brand Head-to-Head
The first thing to understand is why these two mattress brands get compared so often. Both Simmons Beautyrest and Stearns & Foster have been in the mattress game longer than just about anyone else. This is an integral part of each company’s reputation. Additionally, both manufacturers specialize in quality innerspring mattresses, however they’ve both begun to experiment with new additions in the hybrid mattress category.
Founded in 1846, Stearns & Foster has been continually crafting mattresses for the better part of two centuries. This makes them the longest-running, best-established brand in the mattress industry. In 1983, they became an independent division of Sealy, who in-turn merged with Tempur-Pedic in 2012. For over a decade, Stearns & Foster has now operated alongside siblings Sealy and Tempur-Pedic as its own independent brand.
From the start, Stearns & Foster has always emphasized their handcrafted manufacturing process, luxurious feel, and premium materials. As a result, Stearns & Foster has a very high pedigree as a sophisticated, luxury brand. Why else would they be the exclusive mattress vendor to premier hotels like The Ritz-Carlton? Okay, but how about Simmons Beautyrest?
While not quite as old as Stearns & Foster, Simmons is still world-renowned for their many contributions to the industry. First opening in 1870, they would go on to pioneer some of the first innerspring coil mattresses by 1889. In 1925, they debuted their future namesake, the Beautyrest mattress. This was yet another first of its kind, as this brand new mattress had the very first pocketed coil springs, allowing for better motion isolation and individual support. In fact, Beautyrest mattresses sold so well, it eventually became part of the brand name.
As for Beautyrest’s direct competitor to Stearns & Foster, the luxurious Beautyrest Black mattress brand, was first established in 2006. Since 2010, Beautyrest Black and the rest of Simmons Beautyrest have been a part of the Serta family of mattress brands.
Stearns & Foster vs Beautyrest Black | Products, Pricing & Features
Now that you’ve got a general feel for both brands, let’s have a closer look at the mattresses themselves. By browsing their available products – along with their features, construction, materials, and pricing – we’ll come away with a better sense of what both Stearns & Foster and Beautyrest Black have to offer.
[Editor’s Note: Please keep in mind that the products, pricing, and features below are current as of Fall 2023. However, these items are subject to change.]
Beautyrest Black Mattresses for 2023
As of 2023, Beautyrest Black makes a total of 8 mattress models, split between 4 different product tiers. This includes the 4 Beautyrest Black innerspring mattresses, each one more luxurious than the one before – the B-Class, L-Class, C-Class and K-Class. Similarly, the 4 Beautyrest Black Hybrid mattresses are also arranged into product tiers with the equivalent BX-Class, LX-Class, CX-Class and KX-Class mattresses.
Every mattress in Beautyrest Black’s lineup boasts their patented Zoned T3 Pocketed Coil Technology, a moisture-wicking / heat-wicking cover, and a gel memory foam layer. As you progress towards their higher-end mattresses, you’ll see additional features like their BlackICE Cooling Technology, breathable memory foams with air channels for ventilation, and additional pressure-relieving latex comfort layers. Regardless of mattress choice, Beautyrest Black has mattresses that will suit any sleep position, body size or shape. This is due to their wide span of mattress feels, including plush, medium, firm, extra firm, plush pillow top, medium pillow top, and firm pillow top.
As of the writing of this article, queen size Beautyrest Black and Beautyrest Black Hybrid mattresses start at around $2,000 and $2,200 respectively. On the higher end, a queen mattress from Beautyrest Black can range upwards to just under $5,000 depending on the model and comfort options chosen.
Stearns & Foster Mattresses for 2023
By contrast, Stearns & Foster currently handcrafts a total of 5 mattress models, with a number of different variants to each. In order from most affordable to most extravagant, this includes the innerspring Stearns & Foster Studio, Estate, Lux Estate, and Reserve mattresses. In the hybrid category, Stearns & Foster offers mattress shoppers their cutting-edge Lux Hybrid mattress.
The foundational features of every single Stearns & Foster mattress include independent encased coils, breathable Tencel covers, the Airvent system, and handcrafted details signed by a certified master craftsperson. Starting with the best-selling Estate and Lux Estate mattresses, you gain luxury additions like TEMPUR-Indulge foam layers made for Stearns & Foster by Tempur-Pedic and patented IntelliCoil springs.
Stearns & Foster mattresses are available in a variety of mattress feels ranging from soft, medium, and firm, to soft pillow top, medium pillow top and firm pillow top. As for pricing, regularly-priced Stearns & Foster queen mattresses currently start at $1,799. For the innovative Lux Hybrid mattress in queen size, prices start at $3,299. However, their top-of-the-line innerspring model, the Reserve, starts around $5,299 aside from sales periods or ongoing promotions.
[Editor’s Note: For a much more detailed breakdown of their current mattress lineup, don’t miss our lineup review for Stearns & Foster’s latest mattresses new for 2023!]
How Do These Mattress Lineups Compare?
When it comes to their product catalogs and what they offer mattress shoppers, these brands are far more alike than they are different. This is great because it really makes one-to-one comparisons possible. Additionally, Stearns & Foster and Beautyrest Black both operate on a step-up system where each product builds on the previous model’s features.
Not only do Beautyrest Black’s B-Class, L-Class, C-Class and K-Class mattresses correspond almost directly with Stearns & Foster’s Studio, Estate, Lux Estate and Reserve mattresses, but so do their feature sets and pricing. Both the B-Class/BX-Class and Studio mattresses are somewhat stripped down, affordable, “entry level” premium mattresses. Meanwhile, both the K-Class/KX-Class and Reserve mattresses are so over-engineered and loaded with luxury features that they’ve rightfully earned their place on any top-tier, luxury mattress list.
But How Are They Different?
On average, prices are slightly lower for Stearns & Foster mattresses than for their Beautyrest Black equivalents in most of these head-to-head mattress matchups. However, the prices are usually within a few hundred dollars and may be closer once you factor in different comfort options and promotions. Also, Beautyrest Black has far more options for those shopping specifically for hybrid mattresses.
For Beautyrest Black, their designs seem to focus a bit more on cooling elements with features like their BlackICE Cooling Technology. While Stearns & Foster mattresses do have cooling Tencel covers, their design really prioritizes airflow with elements like their ventilated PrecisionEdge coils and Airvent system.
Lastly, the inclusion of TEMPUR-Indulge foam in most of Stearns & Foster’s product lineup is a pretty big deal. That’s because these are the first non-Tempur-Pedic mattresses to ever feature TEMPUR material of any kind. Also of note is IntelliCoil’s superior coil-within-coil design, which gives sleepers better contouring than any other innerspring on the market. Finally, the Lux Hybrid mattress’ proprietary IntelliFlex hybrid coil system is the first mattress of its kind to add foam to each and every independently pocketed coil.
Stearns & Foster vs Beautyrest Black | Warranties & Guarantees
But what about the buyer’s peace of mind? In this area, both Stearns & Foster and Beautyrest Black are quite comparable.
Both brands offer customers a respectable 10 Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty. They also both offer mattress shoppers peace of mind with similar in-home mattress trial periods. With that said, Beautyrest Black’s 100-night sleep trial is 10 days longer than Stearns & Foster’s 90-night trial.
Shop Stearns & Foster Mattresses and Much More at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet!
Got more questions about Stearns & Foster, Beautyrest Black, or other popular mattresses on the market? Still unsure about whether a hybrid, foam or innerspring mattress is the best type of mattress for you? Don’t forget that our mattress experts are just a convenient web chat away. Ask away!
At Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we’re here to help you make the choice that’s right for you. Whether that be a mattress from Beautyrest Black, one of the many mattresses we carry from Stearns & Foster, or something else entirely! Keep in mind that while Stearns & Foster and Beautyrest Black craft some of market’s most popular luxury innerspring mattresses, there are other high quality innerspring mattresses on the market as well. Most others will not have all the bells and whistles you’ll find on a top-of-the-line Stearns & Foster mattress, but there are other innerspring options out there.
If you think that a Stearns & Foster mattress might be right for you, we invite you to swing by one of our six Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet stores to see and feel the comfort for yourself! In addition to the feature-loaded and elegant Stearns & Foster mattresses on our showroom floor, we also have quality innerspring mattresses and hybrid mattress options from other top brands like Sealy, DreamCloud, Nectar, Tempur-Pedic, Purple and more. Hope to see you soon!
