What are the pros and cons of buying a water bed?

Question

I'm just buying a new bed and have always had a fascination for water beds. If I was to go down this path, what are the pros and cons about water beds? I know very little about them. I have read about their setting up time and so not to get one if you move around lots. What time period are we talking here? Also, energy to heat the thing. Waste of money and emissions or not? Can you get them in double size or do they only come in queen and above as my quick little net search seemed to reveal?

Ta,

Dan.

Answer 1

Pro: Comfortable and adjustable. (I prefer the waveless models)
Cons: If you move, the drained mattress is extremely heavy. While using, you cannot just move it around a room. I have always installed two heaters because if one goes out, it's a real pain trying to get a new one under the mattress. Don't buy cheap heaters. Mine average $7 a month for heating. This is using insulated bedding on top of it and keeping it covered when not in it. I have seen smaller beds than Queen. Depends on where you buy it. Good luck.

Answer 2

A recent survey disclosed 51% of waterbed owners saying they found waterbeds more comfortable than ordinary mattresses and only 12% saying they were not as comfortable.

One European article said that good waterbeds cost $2000 and that cheap $500 beds caused most of the trouble, eg. waves, partner rolling and discomfort.

Some said they were very heavy, took a long time to drain when you move and that they were not allowed above the first floor in many apartment houses.

My suggestion is to wait until you are going on a trip, then selecting motels where they had waterbeds (phone ahead to see) and then judge for yourself if you like the waterbed. If you find one you like, make note of the brand since that seems to be the problem. Some brands do not have double sections and do not have heater options.

Answer 3

My parents had a waterbed for years...NOT fun....

PROs:
*comfortable
*fun while laying, sitting or other doing "activities" ;o)

CONs (far outweight the Pros!):
*high-priced
*outdated - not "in" anymore
*although comfy, NOT good for the back at all
*Need to be gentle - NO jumping on or flopping down!
*weight (while full) prevents any sort of moving
*very time consuming to heat/drain/fill it
*requires A LOT of water to fill
*can burst or leak causing some rather extensive & expensive water damage

The list could go on trust me. My advice?? Do NOT get one!! It's more of a hassle than anything else & is just a pain instead of a pleasure!!

Answer 4

Havent heard of anybody buying a water bed for about 15 years now. Besides the obvious, weight and water leakage, set up etc, water bed does nor give your back the proper support it needs to stay aligned.

Answer 5

there are tethers inside the mattress. once those get wet they float and support the mattress... the more $$ you spend the more tethers.
when you go to drain the bed those tethers are still wet. if they get displaced inside the mattress you are screwed.
when we drained out bed we couldn't get the mattress to fold up neat because it was still so wet and heavy... those tethers were a MESS and we had to wait until the bed completely dried out so we could fish the tethers around and shake it.... they still never landed right.

you want good advice? do NOT invest. i tore it down and moved it twice and i will NEVER do it again.

plus if you are renting - some landlords will not allow them (weight) (possible water damage from leaking/bursting)

please reconsider... they're not worth the hassle!

Answer 6

They are comfortable
They are cool

They are a biotch to move.
Takes a long time to fill/drain

Answer 7

well, its nice comfortable and relaxing. on the other hand u cant jump on one witch is wat matters, yea. jk. and the price is normaly high. also they can bust or the plug can come of. water every where. good luck