Recently I was invited to partner with Serta and they hosted me at their headquarters in the Chicago area. They were incredibly gracious and provided flight, transportation, accommodations, meals, a Serta iComfort Directions bed, and compensation. It was a fascinating trip where I learned a lot about how mattresses are made and was able to test out a new incredible mattress line complete with an impressive adjustable base. I thought I’d share a few photos here complete with cameos of the adorable Serta Sheep.
One of the first areas we visited was the R&D department. It was filled with all kinds of machines and testing equipment.
I was interested in this quilting machine. It works quickly and large enough for a technician to walk underneath.
Then we got a look at what a spring mattress looks like on the inside.
After this we were able to see how Serta puts their mattresses through rigorous testing.
The roller test was my favorite. It runs 100,000 cycles and simulates rolling over in bed. This drum goes up to 240 lbs but they do have one that can go up to 330 lbs.
Here’s a video of the roller drum in action:
This next machine tests gives a firmness reading as well as measures air flow. Many people have trouble with foam mattresses because of heat build up. The Serta mattresses with gel help transfer heat away from the body which assists in regulating body temperature as you sleep.
Next up was the body impression test. It also runs 100,000 cycles and goes from a 3 lb load to a 230 lb load and then stops to take a reading. It reveals whether the firmness of the mattress changes in the spot it is continually compressing to simulate getting up out of bed every day.
We also had the chance to see coil testing in progress.
There was an interesting test with a dummy suspended over a bed. It’s a pressure point test that measures the average pressure as well as peak pressures. This is important because if you have too much pressure on one area of your body your limbs fall asleep and you wake up often throughout the night and don’t get a good sleep.
They also have an environment controlled room where they can see how the various temperatures affect the memory foam. I was interested to learn about the friction test as well. It makes sure the two surfaces have enough friction so the mattress doesn’t slide off the bed.
As we headed out of R&D I saw a giant Serta Sheep lounging in a corner. Isn’t he adorable? I know Kora & Logan would have loved to see this! He was bigger than either of them!
Next up we headed to the Serta Showroom. There were mattresses as far as I could see.
We took a peek inside a memory foam mattress. I was interested to learn that the more money you spend the thicker the quilt is and the better the upholstery is. The insulator pad then makes sure that springs don’t wreck the mattress. There is also an edge support that helps you from feeling like you are going to fall out of bed.
The Serta Sheep showed up again. See the baby 1/16th with the pacifier? So cute!
Then it was on to Serta iComfort Directions Series.
I was excited to learn as much as I could about this series because we will be receiving one for review! It’s an incredible mattress that has two types of gel in the foam. One is for support and the other helps with temperature regulation. I love that the material the mattress is made with is a performance fabric that wicks away moisture and is super soft. What a great idea!
I was also excited to learn about the Serta Motion Custom Adjustable Base. It has 9 features and can be raised at the head and the feet or both. There is also a lumbar support.
I was impressed to learn that you don’t have to return to flat when adjusting and it’s all adjusted through an easy to use remote control.
I also love that it has a magnet on the side so you always know where the remote is. And see the USB ports next to the remote? How brilliant is that? No need to run extension cords any more. It makes it easy to charge a variety of devices.
There are many other incredible features of the Serta iComfort Directions Epic Mattress and Motion Custom Adjustable Base. I can’t wait to reveal more of them in a series of upcoming posts and videos. I had a chance to lay on the mattress and play with the controls and I honestly couldn’t stop smiling!
Stay tuned to check out the upcoming posts. I may even write them from the comfort of our new Serta bed!
Pressure points – that is why I can’t sleep lol – maybe someday I can get one of these mattresses
I’m thinking my next bed will be an icomfort direction series – thanks for sharing!
I SO want that adjustable base! My husband has a terrible time adjusting his pillows when we read or watch TV in bed and always ends up with a terrible neck ache. And we both have bad backs and raising our knees when we sleep was recommended by our back doctor.
wow didnt know there was such a vigorous testing done on their mattresses!
Sounds like a fun trip. I’d love to try the adjustable bed.
Sleeping on the job! The blogging life doesn’t look so hard.
USB ports on a bed?!?! That’s just crazy… I so need one of those beds!
oh, i love this! we NEED a new mattress. ours was “great” quality when we got it 7 years ago but honestly? it’s awful :(
i would love to try out a serta bed, especially the one that reclines upward!
I love finding out how stuff is made so that sounds like a fantastic trip!
What a great review! Looks like an awesome time!
What an awesome experience! I know you will enjoy your new bed!
This was an enlightening behind the scenes and informative post. Who knew!
Wow, didn’t realize so much work went into creating a mattress. You look mighty comfy in that Serta bed!
How cool that you got to see all of this and share it with us! We have Serta mattresses and love them.
How lucky to get a new mattress to review! I would love a new mattress. I really like the Serta Motion Custom Adjustable Base. That would be great for when you are laying in bed reading or watching TV.
Very impressive! Almost like an episode of ‘How It’s Made’. It would be fun if they had videos of the machines at work. I am sure it was fun to see in person. Thanks for sharing.
We have a serta mattress and love it.
So interesting to see the cut away of a mattress!
So is it fair to say you got a good nights sleep on this trip? (Sorry I couldn’t help myself) I think the coil testing would’ve been cool to see at Serta headquarters.
This is my DREAM bed. (Pun intended?) I’ve always said that I want a combo of gel foam with adjustable – and now I’ve learned that it does exist! Thanks for the info on the mattress and fascinating look at the factory. I’ll be interested to hear how you like the new bed.
That looks like such an interesting trip! A good mattress is so important to our health.
How amazing! I missed this trip because of my girls but am going in a few weeks. This makes me even more excited – I love Serta!
Looks like a very interesting place to visit. I have always wanted a Serta mattress. I heard they are super comfy! I like being able to see how they are made.
I have always liked to go to factories to see how things are done…it is just amazing to see the process. I am not feeling like taking a nap! :D
That looks like a really neat (and cozy) trip!
Oh now that is a cool process! That is awesome you got to go see how the mattresses are made and tested. That is very cool!
That sounds so fun and near. We have a new iComfort bed and love it!
WE SOOOO SOOOO SOOOO NEED A NEW BED.
and a sheep.
I love that sheep
If someone gave me a Serta bed I would totally be writing my posts from the comfort of my bed! That’s awesome! :)
Ooh how cool and fun that must have been. I love seeing things behind the scenes, thanks for sharing with us. That motion bed looks out of this world, that must be a dream to sleep on!
Sounds like you know everything there is to know about mattresses now! Sleep well! :)
How cool! Lucky girl. Enjoy your bed.