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Shifman is a handmade luxury mattress brand that has been around since the last 1800s and has a legacy of elegant design and is found in mattress retailers and at Bloomingdales. Their mattresses are very high priced, usually well over $5,000 to start. Though they are a status symbol for some and boast hand craftsmanship, there are those that find that they provide a bad value for the materials used.
Overall Score: 7.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 7.6/10
Price Value: 7.1/10
No Back Pain: 7.4/10
Price: $2,598-$29,783
Trial Period: None
See More ScoresShifman is known for crafting their mattresses out of luxury materials such as Alpaca, latex, and high quality innersprings. Because they hand build their mattresses, there may be some quality control issues. Some may be firmer or softer depending on the craftsmanship. Though there are high quality materials in the bed, there are those that have complained about durability issues and poor customer service.
If you are concerned about the durability issues reported and interested in competitively priced mattresses, take a look at our top rated mattresses for alternatives. Especially take a look at Dreamcloud's mattress, which offers a high profile, pillowy design for a competitive pricepoint.
Shifman offers a variety of innerspring options. The names that they advertise on their website will likely be different than the names seen in retailers. We'll go through each of their offerings found at the popular retailer Bloomingdales -- these will be similar to others found in other retailers, though the names may be different. Here are the details...
Encore
The Shifman Encore is a firm hybrid mattress. Its surface layer is cotton felt, followed by 2'' of high density foams, which will be quite firm. Below that there is the innerspring structure. This mattress will be best for those that are very heavy in body shape or are stomach sleepers and prefer a firm mattress.
The pros Firm hybrid with high density comfort layers should be quite firm.
The cons: There have been durability concerns and the price is quite high for the materials used.
Price Range: $2,598-$5,998
Final Score: 7.2 / 10
Maestro
The Shifman Maestro is another innerspring mattress, and it has a pillow top on the surface that is medium firm. It's top layer is 1'' of cotton felt, followed by 3/4'' high density foam pillow, 1.5'' of high density foam below, and lastly 1'' of super soft foam underneath. This provides a mostly firm mattress with a bit of cushioned 'give' -- good for those that are heavy back sleepers.
The pros: Firm mattress with a bit of cushion for those that don't want an incredibly firm mattress.
The cons: This is not for those that want a soft mattress, and the price is high on this for the materials used.
Price Range: $4,278-$8,298
Final Score: 7.3 / 10
Soprano
The Shifman Soprano is a plush mattress with cotton felt on the top layer, followed by 1'' of high density foam, and 3'' of super soft foam underneath. This is followed by the innerspring matrix below. The mattress will sleep soft and may not be perfect for those that are heavy or stomach sleepers. Additionally, some have had issues with durability for Shifman's soft mattresses.
The pros: Soft mattress with a good mix of foam and coils.
The cons: Extremely expensive versus other high quality options. Also there have been durability issues for similar Shifman models.
Price Range: $4,278-$8,298
Final Score: 7.2 / 10
Serenade
The Shifman Serenade is medium firm and has 1.5'' high density foam, 1'' soft foam, and a innerspring matrix below. Overall, this should be a comfortable mattress for most folks, but some people had issues with durability on some similar mattresses.
The pros: Medium firm mattress will work for most folks.
The cons: Price is much higher than alternatives with similar materials.
Price Range: $3,298-$6,998
Final Score: 7.2 / 10
Majestic
The Shifman Majestic is different than the ones above in that it uses latex rather than foam. The Majestic is extremely soft (ultra plush), which means it is best suited for those that are very light and side sleepers. Above the coils is 3 layers of cotton felt, 3/4'' of soft memory foam, 2.5'' of latex, and a plush alpaca topper. This mattress isn't for everyone because it will sink for those that are medium to larger.
The pros: Soft mattress for those that prefer that.
The cons: Price is extremely high versus alternatives and there have been reports of durability issues for Shifman's soft mattresses.
Price Range: $11,243-$18,872
Final Score: 7.0 / 10
Heritage
The Shifman Heritage comes in multiple different models including a pillow top, medium firm, and firm option. The commonality is that the mattresses rely more on cotton felt and wool than memory foam. Only the firm version has foam. The rest is a matrix of innerspring coils. Overall, these are traditional old school mattresses, but they come at a very high price versus competitors.
The pros: Traditional mattresses with firmness options.
The cons: Very high prices for the materials used.
Price Range: $5,996-$13,482
Final Score: 7.6 / 10
Original
The Shifman Original offers a firm and a pillow top version. The firm version has 5 layers of cotton felt in lieu of any foam on the comfort layer. The pillow top version has 4 layers of foam, 1 layer of foam, and a wool topper.
The pros: Multiple firmness options and reliance on mostly cotton layers for comfort.
The cons: Very high price for the materials used and some have described durability issues.
Price Range: $4,425-$11,348
Final Score: 7.6 / 10
Ultimate
The Shifman Ultimate is medium firm and comes with 2 layers of cotton felt, 3.5'' of different kinds of latex for comfort. This will provide a gentle bounce on the top layer of the mattress and should be suitable for those that are medium build or back sleepers of all builds.
The pros: Medium firm mattress with all natural latex in the comfort layers.
The cons: The price is much higher than comparable mattresses on the market.
Price Range: $17,706-$29,783
Final Score: 7.7 / 10
Exquisite
The Shifman Exquisite offers a pillow top with a medium firm level of support. It comes with 4 layers of felt, 1'' of super soft latex, 3/4'' of firm latex, and a plush alpaca topper over the innerspring matrix. It has possitive reviews for comfort, but may face durability issues.
The pros: Medium firm pillow top option with a good blend of latex and luxury alpaca fabric.
The cons: Extremely expensive versus competitors and may have durability issues over its life.
Price Range: $11,243-$18,872
Final Score: 7.8 / 10
I bought my first Shifman Mattress in Bloomdales in 2001. It lasted me over ten years and was only tossed out due to the impossibility of getting such a heavy, well-made mattress down my third floor tenement stairs. I switched brands to my regret and have never gotten the good night's sleep I had with my Shifman. I can't even turn the mattress over because it is a one-sided mattress, something I was unaware of. When this one bites the dust, I'm returning to Shifman. It is a costly product and worth every cent.
I am extremely disappointed with the performance of our Shifman mattress but even more disappointed with their customer service. We purchased a king pillow top mattress 20 months ago. Within a few months, large depressions began to form on each side of the bed. I called the store and was told to turn it more frequently than the once per month recommended by the manufacturer. I followed instructions and the depressions worsened. It felt as if we were sleeping in a trough with hills on either side! I contacted Shifman and received no response. I then contacted the store where we purchased the bed. They sent out a representative as well as the Shifman rep. The Shifman rep told us this was normal and we should turn the bed 90 degrees and sleep on the short axis for a month or so until the middle of the bed compresses. He never touched the bed or took any measurements to judge the depth of the depressions. Bottom line.....they will do nothing to correct the situation. Shifman has a 10 year non-prorated warranty but, clearly, they don't stand by their product. My only hope, at this point, is that the furniture store has a higher ethical standard and will make this right. Lesson learned- price is not a predictor of quality.
$4,500 for a queen size mattress and foundation and a back ache every morning! When I called their customer service, the response was (1) it was my fault because the mattress had not gotten used to me yet (after five months?) and (2) what do you want us to do about it? Then, she hung up. A second call was even worse. Someone who said she was Eileen screamed when I protested about the first call and said 'I can put you on hold' before hanging up. The crudest, rudest people I have ever encountered in business. Needless to say, their creation is out of my house, and none will ever return.
A good nights sleep is of utmost importance! I've bought Shifman mattresses in the past and although they are bit pricey, they are top quality, comfortable and well worth the cost...you get what you pay for. I would highly recommend Shifman Mattresses!!!!
We have been had 5 different beds in 16 years. This is the first bed that is so comfortable and supportive that we are getting the best sleep we ever had.
I'm awake bc a "fell in a slope" in my 4 month mattress. Stickley stands by there low quality product. Maybe Shifman Mattresses does too....
Wow Shifman Mattresses Your refusal to uphold the warranty of your product is quite disappointing. For a product that is so expensive and allegedly so high quality I would expect more from the manufacturer!
Had my first night's sleep on my new Shifman.. It was incredible! Thanks to the amazing artisans!
I was tired of low quality mattresses and wanted a mattress that could be turned. Research led me to Shifman. The problem is it is too heavy to turnover. Even when my son helps me it is too heavy. Whats the point of having a two sided mattress if its not realistic to turn it. Big grooves develope even when you rotate it. I gave 3 stars because its made relatively well but for the money spent I'll just get a regular new mattress every 5 years.
went thru 3 of their mattresses all of which bellied within months and had to be replaced. Now on a fourth non pillowtop which may be doing the same thing. had previously owned shifman for years with outstanding performance but they seem to have changed their design to allow the mattress to bend for mechanical beds. we’ll see haw the “tradition” model holds up.
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