. . have never had the proper waterbed feel.

To me, temperature regulation is a most important feature. Lately the weather has gone from very hot to rather cool, then back again, rapidly and repetitively, so I've had to adjust the temperature every couple of days. Fortunately that only takes about 3 seconds.

How much water is in them also has a great deal to do with feel and slosh. I have to add water once or twice a year as it evaporates through the plastic. I don't like it too firm, but when it become too soft it won't stay made.

Waterbeds were first invented for temperature control with bad burn victims, but
they have moved to mud beds, which wrap around better.