Featherbed
Ratings and Reviews -- Based
On Data From 476 Actual Owners
Page
last updated May 1, 2009.
What You Need To Know
Based
on data collected from over 475 actual featherbed topper-pad owners,
the
clear majority of owners (92%) say that their featherbed improves comfort.
The topper improves sleep quality / quantity for a significant percentage
of owners (10%). Durability / longevity is generally good. In regard
to price, paying more does not tend to result in higher satisfaction,
and there
tends to be little if any difference among the various brands in terms
of satisfaction.
More
info based on owner data
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disadvantages
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About Our Research
The research findings below are based on at least 476 reviews / comments
of actual featherbed pad-topper owners collected from dozens of different
sources, namely online message boards / discussion groups and retailers'
websites. Our high sample size and diverse sources mean that our findings
are credible. Click here for more information on our research methodology.
Terminology
The terms "featherbed," "featherbed topper" and
"feather pad / topper" are used interchangeably. It should
be pointed out that a featherbed is not an actual bed or mattress,
but rather a mattress topper.
Research Findings
Comfort Rating
Of the 476 featherbed owners included in our research, 92% said that their featherbed provided an improvement in comfort. Four
percent of the owners said that the topper made no difference in comfort,
and 4% said that the topper was uncomfortable, usually due to feather
poking or clumping of the feathers.
Sensation of Lying on Featherbed
Owners often compared sleeping on their featherbed to "sleeping
on a cloud," and the words "cozy," "soft"
and "fluffy" were often used to describe the topper. Those
who said that the featherbed makes no difference in comfort often
described the product as "too thin" and that it flattened
when lied upon.
Better
Sleep
Ten percent of owners report better sleep due to the topper.
Some indicate that their sleep is more efficient in that they spend
less time in bed. Others say that they sleep more because of the improved
comfort.
Pain Relief
"Pain relief" has to do with whether the featherbed relieves
or eliminates preexisting pain, namely back pain, joint pain, fibromyalgia,
arthritis or chronic pain. Six percent of owners included in
our research said that their featherbed helped with such pain. Some
of those in this 6% said that their pain was lessened not just as
they slept but during the next day as well.
Tossing and
Turning
Two percent of owners indicated that they toss and turn less
since sleeping on the feather pad.
Durability
/ Longevity
Owner data indicates that feather toppers generally last at least
four years. Life expectancy of the featherbed can be improved by turning
it occasionally to avoid consistently sleeping on the same part and
consequently wearing it out.
Price
Most owners in our research paid between $50 and $130 for their
featherbed, with the average price paid being $73. Within this
$50-$130 range, there was overall virtually no discernible difference
in owner satisfaction. In other words, paying more does not tend to
result in more comfort, better sleep, etc. However, paying less than
$45 does tend to result in somewhat poorer owner satisfaction.
Sleep Temperature
Three percent of owners said that they found the featherbed
to be warm for sleeping, usually in a positive sense. Less than
one percent complained of the toppers being too hot or acting
as a heat trap. No owners complained of it being cold.
Odor
Three percent of owners complained of a bad smell coming from
the topper. They often said it was the smell of the feathers and that
it would generally go away after a few days, sometimes longer.
Allergies
and Dust Mites
Traditionally, people with allergies and asthma have been encouraged
to avoid featherbeds because they were thought to aggravate allergies
more than the synthetic alternatives, which are often referred to
as "hypoallergenic." However, some studies have shown that
more dust mite allergen can be found in synthetic bedding than in
feather bedding. Recent research reported at the 56th Annual Meeting
of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI)
shows that synthetic bedding may contain more allergens than their
feather counterparts.
Baffling
Generally, the more baffled a featherbed is the better. Baffled channels
typically keep the feathers in place and therefore prevent clumping
and the formation of peaks and valleys. Feather clumping can not only
cause discomfort, but can also give the bed a lumpy and uneven appearance.
In addition, a highly baffled featherbed will tend to reduce the need
to fluff the pad. If you buy a featherbed that is not baffled or not
baffled adequately you will likely have substantial clumping issues
and a need to fluff the pad at least a couple times a week, possibly
every night.