Serta Memory Foam 3-inch Mattress Topper

IF THIS POST IS TOO LONG, SIMPLY READ THIS FIRST PORTION:IMPORTANT INFORMATION:A mattress of 3? thickness with 3lb density is wonderful for light-average individuals and will provide the comfort/support needed (approx 100-150lbs).A mattress of 3? thickness with 4lb density is ideal for light ? above average individuals, 100-200lbs.A mattress of 4? thickness with 3lb density is ONLY suitable for light individuals, or those who require a very soft mattress. If you are over 150lbs you will begin to lose needed support. If you are over 200lbs this will not provide you with the support you require and may not be appropriate for you.A mattress of 4? thickness with 4lb density is suitable for average ? husky individuals, 150-250 lbs. The extra inch (over 3?) will give you the extra needed cushion so that you don?t sink straight through the mattress and the 4lb density will provide you with the much needed support. </BR> ------------------------------------------------------ I spent a great deal of time doing research on memory foam toppers before deciding to make a purchase. I'm a very meticulous person and I like to evaluate all of my options before selecting an item, specially one over a certain price, and if I would consider it a luxury item.First off, I want to say that I have nothing but praise for this memory foam, and I will attempt to aid any person reading this in deciding whether or not this is the correct item for them.When looking at memory toppers, if you are looking for both comfort AND support, then you should automatically eliminate anything with a depth of 2.5" or lower and 5.5" and higher. (Do not choose 2.5 < or > 5.5).A thin mattress topper of below 2.5" may provide you with a comfortable feeling, but it will not provide you with the actual support you need, if you are only looking for comfort, and not physical benefit/support, then below 2.5" is for you. One caveat to this is if this mattress topper is intended for a child or very light individual, they will depress the visco-elastic material less then a (older) teenager or full grown adult, in that circumstance a mattress topper of 2.5" will be supportive/beneficial.A thick mattress topper at/over 5.5" will be quite deep and you will find that you sink into the mattress (unless you are a child or an extremely light person, below or at 100 pounds, at which point your body will not sink, but you still will not receive the appropriate support for your body). For an average weight adult, you will not find the comfort you want as your movements will be restricted and support will now become uneven as the heavier parts of your body will sink too low and you will be unable to achieve the spinal/body support that is required for a healthy nights rest.------------------------------------------------------The optimal range for thickness of a memory foam mattress is 3? - 4". This range will accommodate the standard adult build (greater then 100lbs and less then 250lbs or approximately 45kg ? 115kg, these figures are products of my own analysis and consumer reports).-If you are a light-average build, 100 ? 200 pounds, you will likely find the comfort/support you require from a 3? thick topper.-If you are average-husky, 150-250 pounds, then you should review a 4? topper to accommodate for ?sinking? into the topper.There is an overlap of 50 pounds in the weight range(s), this is on purpose as you must consider that this topper may not be used by only you, but a significant other as well.*I personally weigh 175lbs, whereas my fiancée rings in between 100-108lbs (please don?t tell her I posted her weight, hahaha). We found that the 3? topper provided excellent support/comfort for our weight ranges and have had nothing but approving responses from friends/families over the comfort of our mattress.---------------------------------------------------------Density is the second factor you must consider.3lb and 4lb is optimal density for the average consumer, someone weighting 100 ? 250 lbs and the density you require will differ based on size, obviously, the more you weigh the greater the density you will need.Avoid exceeding 5lb density as you will begin to sacrifice comfort in the memory foam topper. 5lb density is suitable for husky ? ?large? build individuals 250+ lbs, you would also look at a thicker mattress 4-5? in that weight range.---------------------------------------------------------Brand names: They actually matter for this product! Non-brand name foam mattresses have an indeterminable length of usability for their product. After reviewing an incredible amount of products from different suppliers I have found some of these products are meant to only last 1 ? 2 years, while others can last 5, 10, or 15 years. More often then not, the name brand products last longer. Overstock.com is fortunate that it has a large selection of quality toppers.----------------------------------------------------------Heat Distribution: As this mattress is not a ?vented? mattress it will trap heat a little more then an ordinary mattress topper. I have been using this on warm nights and have not found any discomfort from this small amount of added heat, in fact, as the mattress is able to retain my heat, it softens up a little more the longer I am resting on it, making my rest more on more comfortable as I lay there.----------------------------------------------------------If your partner happens to be a wrestles individual or someone who practically jumps into bed at night, then this mattress topper will help reduce the vibrations you feel and will allow you to sleep better without being disturbed. I speak as a perpetrator of literally ?jumping? into bed every night.-----------------------------------------------------------Washing/Cleaning:Good luck. Don?t get it dirty in the first place! Use a damp rag to wipe off any spills that may get into it. Never lay it directly on your floor (especially carpet), it will grab EVERY piece of dirt/filth there is and you will NEVER get it out.?oops------------------------------------------------------------------Personal Opinion:Overall I couldn?t be happier with my purchase. I haven?t slept this well in years! I have been having a very bad problem with being unable to wake up in the morning for the past few years. I have 3 alarm clocks (yes, 3 individual alarm clocks, 2 of them with 2 separate alarms, so 5 alarms), my cell phone with 3 alarms, and my computer with a morning alarm. In total, 9 alarms go off in the morning, and I have a tendancy of sleeping through ALL of them, even when they are at full blast. I had not been getting a real rest when I slept! To make matters worse, my partner moves around a lot, as such, I haven?t been getting a really good deep sleep in years, with minimal REM cycles?(dreams)?I have been exhausted constantly. All of that changed when I slept on this topper. For the first time in 4 years I am having vivid dreams that I remember when I wake up, this is an indication of a deep sleep, which your body/brain needs to recharge! Additionally, I wake up immediately at the sound of just one alarm at half volume! As I?m no longer thoroughly exhausted I can actually get up in mornings and have been making it on time to all of my appointments, and scheduled events! I can?t believe how much the memory foam changed my life!Do yourself a favor and BUY IT!------------------------------------------------------------------------*1 last note, when the package arrives, OPEN IT IMMEDIATELY and let it decompress/air out. Ours took only 1 hour to fully decompress as it was only in shipping for a few days. The majority of the smell left after a few hours and wasn?t bad to begin with. The odor completely left after 2 days, but was mild enough that we slept on it with no complaint the very first night we received it.