Spindle recently shipped out their mattress to us to test, and I’m here to let you know some of the very important details of this product to help you decide if it may be a good choice to meet your needs. This product is constructed using Continuous Pour Dunlop Natural Latex. Latex is one of the most durable mattress materials on the market, so you can typically expect to get your money’s worth. So, without further adieu, let’s go ahead and jump into the nuts and bolts of this product.
Spindle Mattress Review Video
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What to Expect When You Order
When you order, you do have the option to have Spindle help you determine the right firmness for you. Now, ultimately, the choice is yours, but, when you use their site, they will ask a few questions specific to you such as your height, weight, and preferred sleeping position. After you enter this information, Spindle provides you with their recommendation.
It’s worth noting that, if you have a sleep partner with different preferences than you, there are no blended or dual products available that cater to each person. In this case, I’d recommend you go with a medium firmness as this is typically the most accommodating for the average consumer.
You will also have the opportunity to add the Spindle foundation for $199 during checkout. I did opt for this, and it matches the mattress and adds a degree of aesthetic appeal.
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A Walk Through the Assembly
In most mattress-in-a-box cases, you slice open the plastic wrap and the bed pops out completely assembled. However, when you receive the Spindle mattress, you receive it in various boxes. This is because Spindle sends the product to you disassembled. Each layer of latex is outside of the cover, and you use the instructions provided to determine how your firmness setting is to be set up.
Spindle provides a convenient chart in their instruction manual, and it shows you their recommended construction based on your firmness. While you may think putting the mattress together for yourself sounds daunting, consider the fact that you have the ability to mix and match the layers to see if there may be another combination that better suits your preferences. This gives you more freedom to enjoy the right comfort for your needs.
I chose a product in the medium firmness, and this consists of two layers of medium firmness on top with an ILD of 17.5 to 20.5. This is on the lower end of the medium firmness scale, but the final layer of firm latex has an ILD of 29.5 to 32.5. This offers just enough additional support to work well for my needs. Spindle also offers a comfort adjustment option which allows you to order an additional layer of latex. As of 2018, Spindle offers a 365 day comfort guarantee. They have eliminated the comfort adjustment fee and will now exchange a layer within 365 days of your purchase at no extra cost.
Shake It Like a Rug
One of the properties of latex is that it does tend to stick to most surfaces it comes into contact with, and this includes other layers of latex. When you place the second and third layers onto the cover during assembly, you’ll likely notice that it can be a little difficult to move it around to fit squarely with the layer beneath.
A great way to get it as close as possible is to shake the latex kind of like a rug. This causes a wave that manipulates the product into place. It’s nearly impossible to get the layers perfectly stacked, and that’s okay. As long as it’s close, it will zip up in the cover just fine.
Foundation Assembly Tips
If you do choose to receive the optional foundation, this, too, will need to be assembled at home. However, it only takes around 15 minutes. No tools are required. However, since I moved my foundation, I found that the wing nuts can be a little difficult to remove if you want to disassemble the product. Therefore, be prepared with a pair of pliers if you want to take yours apart.
Organic Cotton Cover
One of my favorite aspects of the Spindle mattress is its organic cotton cover that’s knit in South Carolina. I found it very soft to the touch, and it looks nice as well. It also incorporates the use of natural wool batting which provides a flame barrier without added chemicals. Since it also keeps moisture out, this can help keep your mattress fresh and help with thermoregulation. The cover features a circular knit to maintain the true feel of the latex that lies beneath, so let’s take a moment to examine the layers you’ll quickly become very familiar with if you decide to purchase this product.
Indentation Load Deflection Expectations
Indentation load deflection is a gauge to help you get an understanding of the firmness of a product without being able to lay on it for yourself. When you choose to save money shopping online, this is a great tool to understand. We took a brief look at the ILD’s in both the medium and firm layers, but, to give you a better idea of what this means, I’ll give you a key to help you better understand these numbers. An ILD of 12 is very plush, and 50 is very firm. Again, the Spindle features:
- Medium
17.5 to 20.5 pounds - Firm
29.5 to 32.5 pounds
Spindle will send different combinations of these layers based on your pick of firmness, and, again, you can try out different layer placements to see what you like best.
Weight Limitations
Weight is an important aspect to consider when you’re shopping for a mattress, and an important number to know is your body mass index. This is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. Once you’ve calculated your BMI, the following chart helps you determine the right firmness for you:
BMI below 19 — SOFT (Underweight)
BMI between 19 and 25 — MEDIUM (Average)
BMI between 26 and 31 — FIRM (Overweight)
Unfortunately, if you have a BMI of more than 31, Spindle doesn’t currently have a product available to meet your needs. This would typically be indicative of someone who is considered to be obese. This product isn’t able to provide the level of support you’ll need. That being said, this product will accommodate higher weights as well or better than most mattresses in its price range.
Low Volatile Organic Compound Emissions
Dunlop latex has been made the same way since the 1920’s, and mattresses containing it have met or exceeded GreenGuard’s standards for low volatile organic compound emissions. I didn’t notice any off gassing when I opened my Spindle layers. The Spindle mattress is Oeko-Tex certified, and this assures that consistent, independent testing and certification was performed at all levels of processing.
Comfort and Support
I am not shy to say that I have really enjoyed the comfort offered by the Spindle mattress, and this product is definitely among my favorites. I think the cover does a great job complimenting the latex beneath, and it proved to offer just the right combination of hug and bounce to help you feel comfortable without making it difficult to move around during the night. I think you’ll also enjoy the quick response of this product. When you push down on all three layers as a combined unit and then release pressure, it nearly instantaneously resumes its original form. This can be a great feature for anyone who may have mobility issues that can make getting in and out of bed difficult.
While the upper layers of latex offer great comfort, the bottom layer of firmer latex provides the support necessary for me to maintain proper spinal alignment. If you’ve been sleeping on a mattress that’s worn out or simply doesn’t offer the right support, you’d be surprised at what a difference this can make in the way you feel when you wake up.
Edge Support
When you invest in a mattress made completely of foam or latex, edge support is often lacking, and this can pose issues if you sit on the side of your bed a lot. Many dismiss this aspect. After all, you likely do spend the majority of your time in bed laying down sleeping. However, don’t overlook those moments when you do rely on the edge of your mattress. In my case, I had my hands full with my day planner and computer to sit down to pay my bills. When I sat down on the edge, I almost fell off with all my stuff in my hands.
When you lay or sit on the very edge of the mattress, it does sink in quite a bit. Now, I have tried mattresses that sink in a lot more, but there is considerable sinkage. On the corner, there is even less support. Therefore, if you do spend a lot of time sitting on the edge or you’re considering buying a Spindle for your child and expect to sit on the edge to tuck them in every night or maybe read them a bedtime story, this may be problematic for you. In these cases, I’d recommend you check out something with an innerspring unit. However, the mattress does have really good bounce.It’s really easy to move around if it takes you a minute to find the right position.
Motion Transfer Reduction
If you plan to use your Spindle with a sleeping partner, then motion transfer reduction is an important aspect to consider. If you’ve ever been awakened when your partner rolls around or gets in and out of bed, it can be difficult to get back into those deeper stages of restorative sleep. This is more disrupting than you may realize. The good news is that the Spindle does a great job at counteracting motion transfer. I tested this product using two 20 pound medicine balls. I placed one on one side of the mattress and dropped the other next to it. When I did this, the dropped ball had very little impact on the resting ball even when I dropped the other ball really close to the resting one. I would recommend that, if you do have a partner who moves around significantly, to consider a larger model such as a king.
Temperature Regulation Features
Many people associate bed with getting snuggled in nice and warm under a heavy blanket. However, have you ever noticed that, once you have attained that position, you find yourself sticking your feet out… maybe even your arms and legs? Or maybe you find that you end up ditching the heavy blanket all together and replace it with a sheet or lighter blanket. This is because the body must attain a slightly lower temperature in order to slip into the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep.
We always ensure we test our mattresses to see how well they are able to disperse heat, and we do this using a thermal imaging camera. After lying on the bed for a period of 30 minutes in a room temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, I recorded the cooldown with my thermal imaging camera. It took this product 13 minutes to return to room temperature. Of the products I’ve tried so far, the average time it takes to return to normal is about 10 ½ minutes, so this is a little higher than others, but it’s still far less than some products which have taken as long as 17 minutes to return to room temperature.
Smell and Offgassing
With many products out there, you will notice a smell when you first open them. For instance, you may notice this with a new pair of sneakers or a can of fresh paint. Mattresses are no different due to the way they are manufactured, and this is caused by the release of volatile organic compounds. Now, offgassing typically doesn’t last any longer than a day in my experience when it comes to sleep products, but, if this is something that’s particularly bothersome for you, there’s good news. I didn’t notice any offgassing when I opened this product. If you should detect a slight smell, it won’t take long for it to dissipate.
Sinkage Test
To demonstrate for you how much sinkage you can expect with your Spindle, I performed a test during which I stood in the middle of the mattress, thus applying my 130 pounds to an area of around nine by seven inches. The resulting sinkage was about 6 ½ inches. Compared with other medium-firm products I’ve tried, this is very comparable. However, if you choose a firmer or plusher product, you can expect this number to change slightly.
Maintenance, Protection, Care, and Warranty
In my experience, the Spindle mattress was highly comfortable, and I enjoyed the fact that you do have the liberty to mix and match the various layers to provide that additional degree of optimization. As I mentioned, this mattress is in my top three favorites, and I’ve tested quite a few sleep products! While it does lack slightly in edge support and is a little below-average in heat transfer capability, I have found the comfort and support features to be superior enough to overshadow these shortcomings.
Restrictions on Returns
Spindle offers a 10 year limited warranty, and as of 2018, they offer a 365 day comfort guarantee. They have eliminated the comfort adjustment fee and will now exchange a layer within 365 days of your purchase at no extra cost.
Easy Pricing
One of the many great things about buying a mattress online is that you get to avoid many of the overhead costs involved with traditional mattress sales. That’s why you are able to enjoy quality products like Dunlop latex at such an affordable cost. Since latex is known to last, your investment in a Spindle is one you can expect to last for several years. Because of this, I found the pricing of this product to be more than reasonable. Take a look at the following price chart to see which option would prove to work the best for your budget.
- Twin- $1,099.99
- Twin XL- $1,099.99
- Full- $1,399.99
- Queen- $1,499.99
- King- $1849.99
Spindle Reviews and Feedback
I have provided you with my honest opinion of my experience with the Spindle mattress, and some of the information provided throughout this review is based on my opinion. However, I want to ensure I provide you with an unbiased review. That’s why I took a moment to see what other consumers had to say about this product.
Pros
- Great comfort and support
- Customizable
- Uses natural products
- Great motion transfer reduction
Cons
- Low edge support
- Slightly lower than average heat transfer capability
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Who We Recommend This Product For
Spindle does use natural materials, so this could prove to be a great fit if you enjoy doing your part in reducing the many strains on our environment. It’s also ideal for those who appreciate independence when it comes to the placement of their layers. Due to the lack of edge support, it may not be the best choice for a small child, and it’s not recommended for anyone who is considered obese. However, if you’re looking for a customizable product that offers superior comfort and support, I would definitely point you in Spindle’s direction!
Our Final Verdict
I had a great experience with the Spindle mattress, enough so that I will say it’s a personal favorite. I really liked the feel of the cover and the way it works to accentuate the latex beneath. It does lack a bit in edge support and heat transfer, but I found the firmness, comfort, and overall support to be spot-on for my needs.
While the latex is capable of withstanding the weight of those who are considered normal or even overweight, those who are obese should seek other options, and this would be constituted by a body mass index of 31 and over. However, if you are within the appropriate weight parameters, I think you’ll enjoy the ability to mix and match the comfort layers and really get to know your mattress. You can also be excited in knowing that, since latex is known for superior durability, you should be able to enjoy the product for a long time in mattress years.
The Spindle Mattress Specs
| Offgassing | Firmness Level | Trial Period | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| I experienced none | 5 | 365 day comfort adjustment | 10 Year Limited |
| Material | Thickness | ILD |
|---|---|---|
| Organic cotton cover | ½ inch | n/a |
| Continuous Pour Dunlop Natural Latex | 3 inches | 17.5 – 20.5 lbs. |
| Continuous Pour Dunlop Natural Latex | 3 inches | 17.5 – 20.5 lbs. |
| Continuous Pour Dunlop Natural Latex | 3 inches | 29.5 – 32.5 lbs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Foundation Needed?
Spindle recommends a support structure with: Slats that are spaced no more than 3″ apart A rail under the slats running head to foot in the middle Two supports underneath it that touch the floor Slats at least 3/4″ thick and made of solid wood and not a composite or plywood like material.
Is a Mattress pad or protector needed?
Yes, this will protect your mattress as well as your warranty.
Does it work on adjustable beds?
Yes.
Are Returns Hassle Free?
Spindle does provide a full refund up to a year. The hassle comes with having to find somewhere to donate the mattress and then show proof of donation, as well as remove and mail back the mattress tags in order to receive a full refund.
What’s the Warranty?
10 year limited warranty on each component of the mattress. Spindle also offers a 30% off any component of your Spindle for 25 years. Example: if you need to firm up your mattress you can purchase one layer of latex for 30% less the listed price. This proves to be much better than any prorated warranty.
Is There A Trial Available?
Yes, 365 day comfort adjustment.
Does It Need To Be Rotated?
Yes, Spindle recommends rotating layers head to foot and even moving layers from top to middle or middle to top every 3-6 months. This will make a more even body impression on the latex layers and potentially extend the life of the mattress.
What's the firmness?
Medium.
Is there offgassing?
Minimal.