Futons need no introduction; they are omnipresent. In this article, we will walk you through a J-Life Futon Review.
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Bedrooms in Japan are almost impossible to picture without futons. They have been an integral part of Japanese bedrooms since time immemorial.
The traditional futon mattresses were nothing fancy; their best property was that they were easily foldable and could be stored in the wardrobe for the times when they were not in use. Gradually, the design evolved and is now an easy option in space-challenged rooms almost everywhere globally.
J-Life is a renowned name for traditional Japanese products. In this article, we will review J-life Futon. For a quick summary overview, go through the pros and cons of this futon below:
Pros
- Easy to store
- Comfortable
- Available in all standard sizes such as twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king
- Available in 3 and 4-inch thickness variations.
- Odor-free
Cons
- It can become easily damaged if you don’t use a futon cover.
You might also like to read: Emoor futon review
What Are the Types of Japanese Futons?
Visit the Japanese countryside once, and you are likely to spot traditional futons drying outside houses. Let us briefly discuss three common types of Japanese futons depending on their purpose and place of use.
Shikibuton
Shikibutons are meant for spreading on the floor and sleeping atop it. These are a bit like mattresses, but they are thinner, and in case you are wondering how thick a Shikibuton should be? The answer is about two and a half inches or three inches. The J Life Shikibuton is available in two options- a four-inch variant and a three-inch variant.
Kakebuton
Japanese Kakefuton comforters are another internet rage. Kakebuton is essentially a thick blanket or a comforter. Its thickness can be anything, depending on the amount of cold outside. When it gets really cold, a towelette is used along with the Kakebuton.
Zabutons
Zabutons are cushions essentially used for sitting on the floor.
What To Look For In A Futon
Take into consideration the following before selecting which futon would work the best for you. The market has so much variety, and choosing the best may get overwhelming. We are here to help.
Storage
Living in a studio apartment, rental, or otherwise small space, we all wish to maximize the space by whatever means possible. So, if storage is the concern in your case, too, you will need a futon firm, sturdy, flexible, and of superior quality.
Aesthetics
Don’t we end up buying products that we like and then have a hard time looking for products to maintain them. Cushion covers can be one such thing. If aesthetics can’t take a back seat, check out the cotton Shikifuton covering the brand’s range before deciding which futon to purchase. This wisdom while buying will spare you the cover hunting pangs later.
Comfort
Be clear about the user group and their requirements and demands, if any. Are you purchasing for your parents or your little one? The product must be super comfy and gentle. It should provide the perfect amount of support and cushion. Check the reviews carefully for arriving at a final ground.
Are J-Life Futons Good?
Yes, I know this is the question that has landed you here. There are mixed reviews on this, and I will walk you through multiple parameters for the same in the following lines. Keep reading to discover.
Quality
The four-inch futon is thick, heavy, and super good quality. I could spot many 5 star ratings on Amazon for the product quality.
Comfy
Back pain is a common problem with futons. However, multiple users have given a thumbs up for any such issues with the four-inch variant. The product is firm and comfortable. The product is a thumbs up for your kids and parents.
Material
The J life futon is made with good quality materials. The memory foam futon mattress innerspring futon mattress comprises multiple chemicals. If you are making this purchase for your toddler, you would want to be extra careful and study all the factors that go into a futon’s making even carefully. The all-natural Shikibuton mattress is made of toxic-free cotton and is all-natural and safe for you and your loved ones. The rule- As you spend more, you will receive a better product.
Price point
J life futons are generally reasonably priced. The prices vary from range to range, which is priced, named based on the materials used in their making. The All-Natural Cotton Shikibuton Mattress in queen size can have a price like 349$ or so. Ordering online during sales, special offers coupled with other website-specific perks would prove even beneficial. You can order from the J-life international online store; if you shop for above 499$, you can also enjoy free shipping. All in all, the price points range from affordable to luxury, depending on the product material.
Sizing
There are so many reviews on the sizing. The sizing is a little off. The products turn out smaller than the actual conventions about those labels.
Aesthetics
The brand offers a wide range of choices that way. Aesthetics play a crucial role when the futon you are to use will also double up as a sofa or something of the sort where aesthetics influence the decor.
As a whole, J-life’s futons are a good purchase. Try them once, and you will know what the Japanese idea of good sleep is. Nevertheless, you can look at Japanese mattresses merely as an alternative to the Western ones if you aren’t interested. Over the years, the brand has had many satisfied customers, and you could be one of them.
JLife Futon: Pros
- Easy to store: Super lightweight and easy to quickly roll and place in the cupboard makes futons a convenient option. Interestingly, the futon’s ability to roll and fold is one of the reasons why a futon was invented in the first place.
- Comfortable: When it comes to sleep, there should be no compromise. Generally, people face troubles while sleeping on the side of Japanese Futons. However, many people have given a thumbs up for side sleeping on JLife Futons.
- Sizing: J life futon is available in all standard sizes such as twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king. The company makes quality products. Hence, you can rest assured that the measurements you have based your order on will match the actual product post-delivery. The futon is well built and available in 3 and 4-inch thicknesses.
- Odor-free: Odor becomes an issue with inexpensive futons at times. But, surely not with the all-natural Shiki futon mattress. The J-life Futon is made of all things natural and has no odor issues so far. Positive reviews on Amazon are a testimony of this trait.
- Variety: There are so many options. Futon covers are of good quality and come in a variety of attractive colors.
JLife Futon: Cons
- Longevity of the product: Reviews on Amazon mention that the J life futon rutted out at some points and became difficult to use after merely one year of usage. However, some users suggest purchasing futon covers to deal with care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleeping on a Japanese futon comfortable?
Yes, thick and superior quality Japanese futon mattresses are utterly comfortable. Choosing the right kind of futon hence is imperative.
Product Quality
You may end up sinking into a poor-quality futon. The futon is ideally meant to be firm and thick enough for you to enjoy a sound sleep. Unfortunately, mattresses made without chemical fire retardants are usually on the expensive side. So it will make all sense when you discover the chemicals that go into making certain futons. The list comprises harmful formaldehyde, carcinogens, and whatnot.
Bed frame
A Japanese futon may get uncomfortable when you use it on a slat bed frame. These beds are meant for use with western futons, which are relatively thicker than the Japanese ones. If you are using a Shikibuton with such a bed, you are likely to feel the slacks of the wood on your back, making it highly uncomfortable.
A solution to this can be placing or fixing a hardboard over the slats. You can call the carpenter, and they will give you a solution. If you are yet to get your hands on a bed frame, look for a flat frame. The flatter the bed, the more comfortable you will reap from your futon.
Backache and the futon connection
Surprisingly, sleeping on futons is considered way more advantageous than other mattresses. It is said that they help align the spinal cord, and many reviews on the internet mention that using futons has cured their back pain-related issues tremendously.
Is it OK to sleep on a Japanese futon every night?
Bed or futon, the purpose they must serve is comfort and adequate cushioning and support for your body. Therefore, invest in a high-quality futon, and you can sleep on it as often as you like. It will even help you in getting rid of issues related to back pain. Therefore, if your Japanese futon is worthy of providing the same, it is OK to use it for sleep each night.
It is not just OK, but many users describe it as addictive. You will forget every other medium of sleep if the mattress is firm enough. Japanese futons can give you baby sleep if you are fortunate enough to get your hands on the right ones.
How long does a Japanese futon last?
Ask the Japanese, and they will tell you that they have been using the same futons for as many as fifteen years. I know this sounds rather unbelievable. But, the Japanese know exactly how to take care of the futons. Typically futons last anything between five to ten years.
How long a mattress lasts has to do with its usage. If you use one only on rare occasions, it will certainly last you a while.
However, on this note, I would highlight a review of the J-life futon on Amazon reads. It mentions how after using the futon each night, a couple found the futon in an utterly bad state, with it peeling and rutted at multiple points.
All in all, futons are not very rough and tough; they might require extreme care to last you a good while.
Do I need a tatami mat for use with a futon?
Users on online sites do mention using the J-life futon in conjunction with a Tatami mat to maximize its benefits. Tatami mats serve the purpose of acting like a protective layer between the floor and the futon.
The tatami mats prevent dirt or moisture from entering directly into the futon. Keeping your futon directly over a cemented floor will result in the futon being destroyed in minutes if accidentally water, a beverage, or anything else is spilled on it.
However, a futon positioned on top of a tatami mat reduces the damage. Furthermore, they provide a bit of cushioning for a futon user.
Original tatami is made of grass with medicinal properties, as they were in ancient times. Tatami is a good purchase in all aspects, making it a good purchase. Tatami of good quality may be hard to find, but it is well worth the effort. There is this pleasant scent characteristic to Japanese homes, Ryokans in Japan. No prizes for guessing; it is the fragrance of the tatami and becomes prominent when the humidity is high. Merely writing this makes me wanna go to Japan. Ah! I see major nostalgia kicking in.
Tatami Beds or Platform Beds?
Tatami beds are good for use by senior citizens and in spaces where you have ample room to not bother about rolling the bedding and storing it until further use.
Ratings
Below are my unbiased ratings on JLife Futons:
- Storage: 8/10
- Aesthetics: 8/10
- Comfort: 8.5/10
- Longevity: 8.5/10
- Overall Rating: 8.25/10
JLife Futons Are Great if You Take Good Care of Them
J-life futons are comfortable, good quality, offer a variety of choices, price options. Do let us know what you think about the J life futons and your experience with them.
Also, share this piece with your friends and family who might consider investing in a futon.
