Simmons Futon Mattress Review

Simmons futon mattresses are one of the few nationally recognized mattress brands that specializes in futons. If you’re in the market for a Simmons futon mattress or just a futon mattress in general, this guide can help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Simmons Futon Mattress Licensing

The Simmons brand futon mattress is typically a futon made by a private label company under a license from Simmons to print their label on their mattresses. This isn’t to say that the mattresses are “fake” or “phony”. Many of the products you use every day, from cell phones to carbonated soft drinks, are distributed on similar licenses. What you do need to realize are two key factors in this equation: cost and quality.

Futon mattress manufacturers selected to carry high-end labels like the Simmons futon mattress brand have been thoroughly inspected by Simmons to meet their criteria for quality, efficiency, and capability. The manufacturer has proven that they have the precision machinery and skilled workers needed to craft a high quality futon mattress. They have also demonstrated their access to high quality raw materials at discounted rates due to their buying power and market presence. In addition, the manufacturer in question must have implemented a top notch quality control process and an efficient production cycle to keep costs down. Big name brands like Simmons futon mattress are careful when selecting manufacturers, as the consumer will associate the quality of the final product with the Simmons brand.

On the other side of the coin, you must understand that a portion of the final product price is passed from the retailer to the manufacturer, and another portion is passed from the manufacturer to the licensor. This roughly translates to a higher overall cost. This is justified by the exceptional quality you will receive when ordering a thoroughly refined product, specifically a complete Simmons futon set.

Simmons Futon Sets

One thing to know about Simmons Futon Sets: they look exactly the same as advertised, if not better. I’m sure that you’ve had an experience, perhaps with a tasty hamburger from a fast food restaurant, where the final product looked nothing like the picture your ordered from. It’s become so commonplace in marketing that we’ve begun to accept and expect to be presented with a picture that grossly exaggerates the products quality. Many futon sets you order online look nothing like the pictured item, usually because the picture includes a mattress that is over twice as thick as the futon “pad” you will receive, and is wrapped in a futon cover that could easily cost 8 times the value of the cover that is included in the futon package. Not so with Simmons futon sets.

Simmons futon sets include thick wood frame that is heavy by futon standards. The operation is smooth and many of the frames have features not found on any other futon frame, such as magnetic latches for storage bins and fold-away side trays. The included futon mattresses are supportive, offering a comfortable sleep that rivals many traditional mattresses. The mattress casing is tufted to fit the futon snugly; the casing will never sag or wrinkle like a poorly sized futon cover. The mattress looks more like upholstered furniture than anything else. Simmons futon sets include everything pictured, even the coordinating pillows! While definitely pricey (expect to pay over $800 for a full size) Simmons futon sets are the easiest way to get that “magazine home” look.

Simmons Futon Mattresses to Avoid

Switching gears, it’s important that we talk about the lower end Simmons mattresses. Remember that a low end mattress that is built to be economical is sold at very little markup, and you will inevitably get what you pay for. Because of the licensing cost, it is important to consider what percent of your purchase is invested in materials.

Let’s pretend that licensing the Simmons brand to your futon mattresses costs $20 per mattress. In an $800 futon set, this equates to 97% of your money being applied to building a great futon mattress and frame, and only 3% going to Simmons for the licensing and the name. However, when buying an entry-level Simmons futon mattress for $199, you’re essentially buying a $179 mattress for more money. Considering how much of that money goes to shipping the materials from overseas, labor costs, and shipping the mattress to you, the final product may not be much more than a thin pad with a Simmons label attached. In this particular instance, you might be better served buying a generic brand mattress, or manufacturer direct.