It needed to air out for the day, the new smell was strong. the height is good, my feet touch the floor when sitting on the side of the bed. Many of the new beds are impossibly tall, my old one was. I had a pillow top and it did not stand up, I only had it 1 1/2 years. The pillow top compressed in spots. This new one is not pillow top and I am looking forward to many years of comfort.