Our pillowtop Serta didn't perform very well for very long. Now I'm not sure what brand to get or whether to get a pillowtop or a regular one and then buy the foam topper???? thanks!
If we get the foam topper, do we need to buy bigger sheets then? (we have a Queen bed now).

http://www.selectcomfort.com/

go to a matress to and try a lot of them out, when you think that you have found the one that you want....leave it and try out a lot more and come back to it. if you still like it then that is the one, but make sure not to go to the matress store when you are tired, because anything will feel good. just take one day and go in and try hundreds of mattresses. i know it's boring but it is the best way. don't rush to a decision, becuase then you may end up with something you hate. everyone is different, just find what is most comfortable to you.

Pillowtops are pretty much crap, in my opinion. Same thing happened with mine, very uncomfortable now - i sleep better on the couch!

Can't even flip most pillowtops, which is recommended to prolong a mattress' life.

Quality varies little from brand to brand. There isn't a lot of technological advances in mattresses unless you get into the Sleep Number beds or the ones that raise the head & feet.

Try to find mattress stores that offer 30 day returns w/ no questions asked, since in-store tests aren't accurate at all, unless you have the time to actually sleep in the store for a few hours a day for at least a week (and they let you). The real tests can only be done at home. Just do your best not to mess it up (spill stuff on it, rip it, do... other things...).

Hi, My bed was hard but still had good support so I just bought a memory foam topper from Costco and I didn't need a new mattress. Our sheets still fit the bed with the topper. If your mattress is worn out support wise then a topper won't solve the problem and it is time for a new mattress. Take some time and do some research on the different types of beds such as memory foam and spring pocket coil systems.
Personally I prefer the memory foam as it relieved the pain I was having in my hips.

Then go to a reputable mattress store in your area and take a look at what is available. A good salesperson should be able to provide you with a lot of information about the different beds. You need to look at materials the mattress is made out of, firmness and size you require.

Take into consideration your budget and don't be upsold anything that you cannot afford.

Keep in mind your sleeping style do you sleep on your side, stomach? Do you need a lot of personal sleep space if you are sharing the bed with someone else a king, queen or double.

Be sure to try the beds out and make sure you know their return policy. There are some stores that will let you return the bed within a certain time frame if it is not working out for you.
This is important as who can really tell from lying on it in a store if it will be right for you for a whole night. My friends thought they wanted a firm mattress but are miserable on it and didn't buy from a store that would let them return it. Take a look at some consumer reviews on the Internet at amazon or consumer reports(can also look at at your local library). Take your time as sleep is important for your health and how you feel during the day. Since you spend a 1/3 of your life in bed you should spend some time getting the right mattress for you. Hope this helps.
http://www.bestratedmattresses.com/
http://www.bestratedmattresses.com/memory-foam-mattress.html