Essentia Mattress

We are still in my trail phase of figuring out if the Essentia mattress is the right one for us. But I wanted to leave a review regarding the process so far. We purchased the mattress from Dylan at this store. The purchase and delivery were seamless. The one thing I can say without a doubt is that you do not receive customer service from other mattress stores, like you would from this one. If you are interested in an Essentia mattress, see Dylan. You will not regret it and you will feel great about your purchase.

I am so disappointed in the Essentia Classic 8 mattress my husband and I purchased from this store I cannot even articulate my disappointment in words.
I am only giving this store two stars because we appreciate the diminished environmental impact generated in producing this mattress in comparison to other mattresses, and my husband has noticed reduced numbness in his arm since we began sleeping on our Classic 8.
BUT, the whole reason we spent months researching mattresses and ultimately purchased with Essentia is because of my back and hip joint pain. Based on reviews, feature articles, inclusion in TV programming from sources we trust, and blog posts comparing mattresses, we thought the Classic 8 would relieve my pain.
When the mattress did not at all relieve my pain — in fact, it has increased since I began sleeping on the Classic 8 — I called the company’s customer service number. Sadly, I made this call just after the 60-​day trial period ended. After I asked if my weight might be a factor, the customer service rep replied that it is true that the intended benefits of Essentia mattresses may not be experienced as readily by overweight people as by thinner people, and that the Classic 8 may not have been the best choice for us.
Awesome. The clerk in the store who helped us in person when we shopped there might have told us that. He saw how big my husband and I are (both my husband and I are ~40−60 pounds overweight). He might have warned us.
The customer service rep went on to suggest I purchase another layer of foam from Essentia for approximately $ 1,000.00. WHAT?!? I already bought your company’s mattress on credit (there was unnecessary drama on that front, too — entirely caused by the clerk who helped us at the store running two credit requests, for some reason unbeknownst to me – but I’m too tired to write about it at the moment) because it’s so expensive, yet relief of my back pain seemed worth the expense to my husband and me. Now the best suggestion you can offer is to recommend I spend another grand? Absolutely not.
I finally decided to write this review tonight — nearly a year after purchasing our Classic 8 — because I am lying in bed with awful back pain on a mattress that I thought would relieve that pain and serve my husband and me well for 20 years. I was mistaken.
This is the first negative review I have ever written.
I’ll be researching mattresses again soon. If anyone knows of any company that produces exceptional mattresses with minimal impact on the environment at every stage of the production process, please let me know.

I purchased Essentia’s Classic 8 in 2011 from this location (before they opened a store in Seattle). I’ve decided it’s time to buy a different mattress, which I’m disappointed about since I invested in this thinking I’d keep it for 20 years. It’s just not firm enough. The firmness scale suggests it’s on the firmer side, but this is the softest mattress I’ve ever had. I realized recently how much better I sleep in my partner’s bed, and having spent a bunch of money on this isn’t reason enough to keep it when I’m just not sleeping well.
I love that this is made with natural materials and is non-​toxic. It does keep you reasonably cool in the summer. I haven’t tried Essentia’s other mattresses but for the price I wouldn’t purchase this knowing what I know now. If you’re considering an Essentia mattress I would recommend spending the extra money for a firmer, more supportive mattress.
Less important, but this mattress is also extremely heavy! Much, much heavier than I imagined it would be. I have the queen size and it’s pretty much impossible to put on a bed platform by myself. It is simultaneously substantial and floppy, making it really cumbersome. This mattress has become infamous among my friends who’ve helped me move. (If you are moving, my recommendation is to roll it up as much as you can and secure it with rope. Helps a lot.) Though on the plus side, it will fit up tight staircases and whatnot because it’s so malleable.
Unless this product has been significantly re-​engineered, my advice is only buy the Classic 8 if you’re looking for a soft mattress.

Did lots of research on mattresses and found my way to the natural latex type. I am so glad I did! This was a new experience so being able to try the bed out in the store was very helpful. Very efficient and knowledgeable staff… low pressure, which I appreciate. Slept on this bed for a couple months now and I actually look forward to bed time! Using the bed as a place to rest, read, take a nap as well… and this is all new behavior for me! My husband is happy because I am happy… he did not have the same back and restlessness issues… but we are both sleeping much better! In fact, today I just ordered another mattress for our bed at a second home… it’s very hard to sleep on anything else now. Wait for a sale promo… they seem to come around fairly regularly. The pillows are nice, too!

This is an incomplete review for now — just speaking to the customer service we’ve received at Essentia over the weekend. When the bed arrives and we have countless nights of blissful sleep, I will follow up.
We have been looking for a natural mattress for quite some time. We spent a lot of time all over the city, at all the stores you would expect. Essentia stood out for many reasons, one being the knowledgable, non-​pushy, straight forward help we were given from Donna and Dylan. They answered all of our questions and allowed us space to roam from one bed to the next. They also never spoke negatively about any of their competitors, just the differences between products. I think they even loved our little dog as much as we do :)
Overall, Donna and Dylan really eased the whole mattress buying gig and helped us make the right choice for us.

We purchased a Beausommet and could not be happier with the mattress. Plush yet firm, small profile, and incredibly supportive. Every morning I wake up, so grateful to be rid of my old mattress and the kinks and aches that came along with it!

Visited the store today. Disappointed. Saleswoman didn’t know technical details of her product– didn’t really understand the difference between open cell and closed cell foam, which really matters when selling foam mattresses. Also, they have small selection plus very high prices. The mattress we liked was $ 4,300, the one we bought elsewhere in Berkeley was $ 1,650.
The mattresses are comfortable. The store just needs to train their people better and maybe be more competitive price wise.

The product sells itself.
The only reason why the storefronts exist is simply because most people will not buy a mattress without first taking it for a spin.
The comfort is absolutely amazing, the past year I have looked forward to hopping into bed and being cradled every night. I’m using the term ‘hop’ very loosely, as any owner will know there is no hopping or funny business on this baby, just DEEP, restful sleep.
Sign up for their newsletters & typically you’ll get 15−20% off or a couple of free pillows.

I didn’t end up buying the same day but I will say that the manager of the store was really helpful. Dylan seems to really know his stuff, and I will eventually purchase a mattress from him. I believe the product is excellent but slightly expensive, but I like the company profile and the way the bedding is made.
I can’t wait to get myself one of the beds.
Thanks for your time and patience Dylan
You made our day!

UPDATE: Adam was no longer at Essentia. Jason was very responsive in getting to me. He told me to send a picture showing the dents (using something like a ruler as a gauge for how deep the dents go) and then he may be able to help.
I don’t know that the dents I’m talking about are big enough for anything to happen but I appreciate his continued attention.
PREVIOUS:
This doesn’t feel great to have to post this after writing such a killer review — HOWEVER…
The mattress I got (not sure if Jeanius or the Classic 8) is very uncomfortable — major «dents» in the mattress.
I contacted Adam, the manager I worked with at the time who left a good impression on me. However, I sent two emails (starting one week ago) with my questions and still have gotten no response.
Just not sure this was bang for my buck, so to speak — and feeling uneasy not hearing back.

It took us a few weeks to receive our bed, but we’ve had it now for almost a year and couldn’t be happier with our purchase. We had originally purchased a Tempurpedic from Healthy Back Store, and while it was comfortable the chemical smell of the bed persisted for months on end, prompting us to return it. The Essentia had a very mild latex aroma when it was first unrolled, but that soon dissipated.
We found our experience in the showroom to be positive. The beds aren’t cheap, but you get what you pay for. The salesman was very patient with our questions, and had no problem with our lengthy testing of the different models to decide on the one we wanted.
The salesman suggested the pillows pretty strongly, and we’re very glad we took his advice. The pillows add a lot to the comfort of the sleeping experience.

One of the worst interactions I’ve ever had with a merchant and I’m blown away by the other five star ratings. While the beds are comfortable, this store is highly untrustworthy. I visited the store, and after I saw that the prices were out of my range, the manager in the store offered to sell me the floor model at a large discount (60%), which had been on the floor for nearly a year and needed to be replaced. I had been in the market for other mattreses and it was during Labor Day, so other stores were offering sizable sales. When I committed, I asked if he needed me to pay or how to handle delivery, and he said he would need to wait for a new mattress to arrive to replace the floor model, but that it would be within 2 – 3 weeks and that he would call to arrange delivery. When after 5 weeks passed, I called to learn about the status of my order and Adam the manager said that the previous sales rep had been fired and that he wouldn’t be able to honor the deal deal we had already finalized. Within the first 10 seconds, even before I had a chance to respond, Adam was hostile and treated me as if I were a beggar from the street and that in no way it was his responsibility to oversee or manage what his store reps said or did. When I mentioned that not only was I upset that I missed out on the Labor Day deals from other stores, but also that it was my responsibility to inquire about the status of the order that he already had booked (and which he had a record of – only he didn’t feel it was necessary to call to tell me not to expect either the deal or the mattress). He was incredibly rude and defensive, and took the completely unaccountable approach of «it’s out of my control — there’s nothing I can do». What a lousy argument — you’re the manager of your store and it’s your job to stand by the credibility of your staff and to make your customers angry.
When I mentioned that I was attracted to the store by Unilocal and that as a furious customer I would be writing this review, he became furious, began backpedaling on what he had said earlier (saying maybe he could cut me a dea, and that he would need to call me back, which again I was forced to call him rather than the other way around), and inciting that I was trying to blackmail him by writing an untrue review.
No, Adam, I’m simply telling the world how you treat your customers, and that’s called transparency. In no way is this review untruthful, even though I expect him to write back saying it is. I’m usually a very easy-​going person and have very little incentive to write a review (whether positive or negative), but this store and Adam specifically doesn’t deserve to be in business and it’s worth sharing my experience so that others are wary, even though the company does make a good product.

This review is in regard to my recent experience in the store, not the Essentia products (which I did not have the full opportunity to try). Yesterday, in the late afternoon my husband and I entered the store and were greeted by a small black dog that jumped all over us and started nipping at my ankles. The saleswoman was speaking with another customer, and I assumed it was the customer’s dog.
The dog continued to jump on my husband and I as we attempted to look at the mattresses, and at several points, the dog actually jumped up onto the floor model mattresses, rolling around on them. The customer left, and it was then I realized that the dog belonged to the saleswoman! The dog then continued to jump on my husband and I as we tried to ask questions, and then the saleswoman said nonchalantly «oh, is my dog bothering you». When I said that the dog was in fact a bit distracting, the saleswoman did nothing, continuing to let the dog run around the store.
My husband and I went into this store fully intending to buy a high quality organic mattress. We left as soon as we realized this saleswoman was allowing for such an atrocious customer service experience. Aside from being outright rude, allowing a pet to roll around on floor model mattresses is unacceptable and unhygienic, especially for those customers who might have pet allergies. I mean, most people who care enough to get a mattress made of organic/​hypoallergenic materials don’t want to touch or test floor models that a dog has rubbed and rolled and ran around on. Gross.

We are loving our new bed! Hands down, the nicest mattress I have ever slept on.
Yes, it is expensive… but if you consider how much of your life you spend on this thing, how much more productive you are when you rest well, and how important it is to not be breathing toxins while you sleep, it’s a no brainer.
And their customer service is awesome. Adam was very patient and accommodating.
Great product. Great store. 6 stars.

Superb shopping experience. Adam was low-​pressure and incredibly knowledgable and helpful. Mostly he let the quality mattresses speak for themselves, and only interjected when it seemed like we had questions or needed help. He went above and beyond and helped us to a cost comparison «out the door» with tax for the various mattresses we considered. If you’ve got the budget for it, I highly recommend Essentia mattresses, and in particular, this Berkeley location.

Hands down the best shopping experience you’ll ever have in a mattress store, or in any retail store for that matter! We’ve been looking for a mattress for some time and tried out quite a few, including Tempurpedic. We liked the feel of the memory foam, but not the smell, so we wanted to give Essentia a try. Adam was outstanding and his assistance was key to our completing the purchase. He patiently answered myriad questions, and helped us every step of the way without making us feel pressured. I often hear people say that you can’t get great customer service anymore: well, you can at Essentia Berkeley! Thank you, Adam!

How do I know the mattresses here are the best in the world? Thanks to the great customer service at this store, I was able to learn a lot about the process of making mattresses in a short amount of time. I also really liked the clean, spacious layout of the store, the hip music playing on the stereo, and the rotating art displayed by local artists.
What do I want in a mattress? First and foremost, it has to be comfortable since that’s where we all spend about a third of our lives. Second, it has to provide the right amount of support. I’m a chiropractor so I am asked about the firmness level of mattresses on a regular basis (more on that later). Third, I personally care about the health of the planet, but even if you don’t, you should care about the toxicity (or lack thereof) of the ingredients in your mattress because you WILL be breathing in any fumes it gives off. Finally, the quality and value needs to be there. Essentia mattresses cost a little more the day you buy them, but they will last two to four times as long as conventional mattresses so they will save you money in the long run.
Comfort: If you’ve ever tried a memory foam mattress, you know it’s like floating on a cloud. I’ve been using a TempurPedic for the past 15 years so really appreciate all the advantages of a mattress that conforms to the shape of my body. But the moment I tried the Essentia mattress, I was blown away that they were able to make an even more luxurious experience. You should walk in and try it out… there is no way words can replace feeling the mattress for yourself.
Support: My advice to patients is that you should experiment and find the right amount of firmness for you. Some people like a little more firmness and others want their bed to be softer. There is no inherent «correct» density for all people, which is why couples who like different styles often try out a Sleep Number bed. A superior option is to go with memory foam since it will conform to the shape and size of your body, even responding to the exact position you are in every time you move. Again, this is something you’ve got to try if you’ve never experienced it. Since Essentia makes a softer and firmer density, you can choose the one you prefer, and on one model, you and you partner can even get your side of the mattress in your preferred density.
Healthiness: Most mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses, are made from ingredients that are not healthy for you, (or the planet), and are sprayed with fire-​retardant chemicals, and held together with glues that off-​gas noxious fumes. Research this thoroughly before you invest in something as important as the bed in your bedroom. What could have as big an impact on your health as the mattress you sleep on? Essentia controls every step of the manufacturing process themselves (unlike most other manufacturers) to ensure a completely healthy end-​product. They start with natural latex, and then use very expensive, organic plant oils to turn it into a squishy foam. Then the layers are held together with a manufacturing process that is glue free. When you are done with a mattress like this, it can be recycled, or if sent to the landfill, you can at least feel good knowing it’s one of the most natural things you’ve ever thrown away.
Value: Most of the mattresses at Essentia come with a 20-​year warranty and are designed to last at least 25 years! That means your mattress could outlive you! If it doesn’t, two Essentia mattresses probably would! They are guaranteed to maintain their perfectly rectangular shape for 20 years, without needing to be flipped, so if there is a «dip» of three quarters of an inch after 19 years, 364 days, you are entitled to exchange it for a new one. People who buy coil spring mattresses are told to expect a «dip within the first 3 – 6 months»! This company is so sure you’ll love their mattress, that they offer a money back guarantee. If you don’t want it within the first 60 days, you can ask for your money back. They aren’t going to insist you exchange it for another one, they are going to give you your money back (less a 9% recycling fee) and then they will actually recycle the ingredients of your old mattresses into new products (but they have less than a 1% return rate).
I’ve still got some life left in my current mattress, but I am counting the days until I need to get a new one so that I can upgrade to an Essentia mattress. Also, once I have kids, I would only consider something of this quality for them so am glad that they make baby/​kids sizes too.

I bought a mattress here about a month ago and I am pretty happy with it. I like that they list all the chemicals (I did quite a bit of research beforehand, and this seemed like a good choice), and they are much more transparent about price than other shops, even if their prices are higher than a sleep train, for example.
Adam is the manager at this location and he is great – very helpful, informative, and a problem-​solver. He answered my never-​ending questions and made it a good experience to buy the mattress (which took two visits and a few phone calls).
My mattress is a little more stiff than what I’m used to, but I was looking for that, so I am happy with it. Enjoy!

This is the best mattress. My fiancé and I are both sleeping far better than we were on our last bed. And we are both sleeping more soundly, more comfortably, more quietly and more restfully. It is just plain awesome. It is expensive but you really do get what you pay for. Go to the Berkeley store and ask all your questions. I think you will be glad you did. If you care about having a non-​toxic mattress, that actually really is 100% non-​toxic, then Essentia is an excellent option for you.