Mattress Shopping:
How, When, and Where to Find Your Perfect Mattress

Sleep is vital to our well-being, so choosing the right mattress is crucial. However, shopping for a mattress can be intimidating. There are hundreds of models available, dozens of features and types to choose from, and, with the advent of online shopping, there are more ways to buy than ever before. 

But, don’t worry! In our guide, we give you simple tools to make buying a mattress easy. We’ll walk you through every step of mattress shopping, starting with how to know when it’s time to replace your old bed. From there, we’ll explain how to find the best deal, where to buy, and what to consider when choosing a mattress. 

A mattress that no longer provides necessary support can disrupt sleep, cause soreness, and even exacerbate allergies. However, mattresses don’t usually break down suddenly — their performance declines over time. It’s sometimes hard to be sure whether you need a new one. 

Fortunately, there are a number of signs to help determine whether your current mattress should be replaced:

• Your mattress is more than 6 to 8 years old

• It’s sagging excessively

• You wake up with stiff or sore muscles and joints

• You notice an increase in nighttime allergies or asthma

• You wake up with skin irritation

• You find lumps or damage in the mattress

• Springs are excessively noisy

• Your mattress suddenly has an unpleasant or chemical odor

Mattress costs vary widely, from as little as $250 to well over $3,000. While shoppers of all budgets should be able to find a bed, the broad range of prices can be overwhelming. 

The cost of a mattress depends on a number of factors including the quality and type of materials, the construction methods and location, the brand, the mattress size, the point of purchase, and any shipping or delivery charges. 

While quality of mattress correlates loosely with price, the most expensive mattress is not always the best choice. There are plenty of excellent and affordable mattresses available. We recommend finding a mattress that most closely fits your needs and preferences while staying within your budget. 

Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a Mattress

You can save significant money on a mattress with a little bit of planning and research. Many brands offer deals and discounts to correspond with national holidays like the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Memorial day, so choosing the right time to buy can pay off. Sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday tend to offer the most savings. Also, coupons and discounts from online retailers are commonly offered throughout the year.

Many sellers offer price-match guarantees, so it helps to research and do comparison shopping. Also, some companies offer discounts when you bundle items by purchasing bedding or a foundation at the same time as a mattress. 

You can buy mattresses either online, or at a brick-and-mortar store. Both options come with advantages and drawbacks, and ultimately, the best place to buy a mattress will depend on your personal preferences. 

Mattress stores allow you to see a bed and try it out before you buy. Often, a salesperson will be present to answer questions and help you select a bed. Also, thanks to the limited selection, choosing a mattress from options in a store may feel less overwhelming than buying one online. 

While you can’t try out a bed before buying it when shopping online, many online mattress purchases include a sleep trial. A trial lets you try a mattress at home for a specified amount of time and return it if you’re not satisfied. Shopping for a mattress online also gives you access to a wider selection, lets you shop according to your own schedule, and allows for easier comparison shopping. 

Direct-to-consumer websites often deliver more savings, since they don’t have to pay for the overhead of a store. Also, while you’ll usually have to arrange delivery for a mattress bought at a brick-and-mortar store, many online sellers offer free shipping. Some also offer premium White Glove Delivery, where professionals take your old mattress and assemble the new one. 

Mattress Shopping Online vs. In-Store

	Online	In-Store
Pros	Excellent value Free shipping Wide selection Sleep trials	Try out the mattress before you buy Salesperson available More focused selection
Cons	You can’t try the mattress before buying Potentially overwhelming No one-on-one help from a salesperson	Higher prices Mattress transport may cost extra Smaller selection

Sleep Trials

Sleep trials let you try out a mattress in your own home, often risk-free, for a specified amount of time, usually anywhere from 60 days to an entire year. If you’re not satisfied with the mattress for any reason, you can return it for a refund during a trial period. Trials let you shop with peace of mind, especially when you’re not able to try a mattress beforehand. 

Not all mattresses include sleep trials, but they are quite common with online and direct-to-consumer retailers. Each trial offers different terms. For example, some require you to sleep on the mattress for at least 30 days before initiating a return, and others charge a small restocking fee. Read the company’s policy carefully to be sure it aligns with your expectations. 

Mattress Warranties

A mattress is a sizable investment, and a warranty can ease your worries about its lifespan. 

Warranties protect against manufacturing defects, and their length may range anywhere from a year to a lifetime. In the event of a problem not caused by abuse or normal wear and tear, the company may opt to either repair or replace the mattress, depending on the issue. 

Policies vary by manufacturer, and sometimes, even by the mattress model, so read the company’s terms carefully before making a purchase. 

The best mattress is not the fanciest, the most expensive, nor the one with the most features — it’s the one that most closely fits your needs. However, while each sleeper’s situation is unique, there are several key factors to consider in relation to your preferences when choosing a mattress. 

Support and Feel

A mattress with strong support offers a balance of cushion and responsiveness to promote proper spinal alignment. The right amount of support for you depends largely on your sleeping position and body type. For example, a heavier individual will likely need a more responsive surface to avoid excess sinking. 

The feel of a mattress can also be subjective depending on body type and weight. However, materials and construction also affect the way a mattress feels. For example, memory foam provides a contouring surface that conforms to the sleeper’s body, while latex retains its shape. 

Mattress Construction

Mattress types are grouped based on their materials and construction. The most common types available are foam, hybrid, latex, innerspring, and airbed. Each type performs differently and excels in different areas. We encourage you to look carefully into each mattress type and consider their pros and cons in relation to your own needs before making a purchase. 

Mattress Firmness

We rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very firm), with most models falling somewhere between 3 and 8. The way a sleeper experiences firmness depends on their sleeping position and body weight. For example, a lighter individual might find a medium firm mattress too stiff, while a heavier individual could find that the same mattress is too soft. 

Sleeping Position and Body Weight

Your sleeping position and body weight are two of the most important factors that help determine your ideal mattress. In general, side sleepers prefer less firm mattresses that offer more cushioning, while stomach and back sleepers need a sturdier surface. Plusher mattresses typically meet the needs of lighter individuals, while firmer models accommodate those who weigh more. 

Pain Relief

If you suffer from aches and pains, it’s important to find a mattress that provides support, promotes spinal alignment, and relieves pressure. The mattress should prevent excess sinking while providing cushion at pressure points. 

You may also want to consider a mattress that offers targeted or zoned support. These beds use multiple firmness levels to provide different amounts of cushion and support to different parts of the body with the intention of keeping the spine on an even plane. 

Durability

The lifespan of a mattress depends on the quality and type of materials in it, as well as how it is used. Replacing a mattress is costly and time-consuming, so it pays to invest in a mattress that will last. Also, many mattresses include a warranty to help protect your investment. 

Sharing a Bed

If you share a bed with a co-sleeper, there are additional factors to consider while shopping. First, the mattress you choose should take into account your needs as well as those of your bed partner.

Also, you should consider the mattress’ edge support and motion isolation. Mattresses with strong edge support prevent sagging at the sides of the bed, which allows you and your partner to use the entire surface area. Motion isolation refers to how well the mattress prevents movement from spreading across the surface. On a mattress with strong motion isolation, there’s less risk of one partner waking the other when they toss, turn, or get out of bed. 

Knowing exactly what to look for in a mattress can feel overwhelming, so our sleep experts are here to walk you through everything you need to know to choose the perfect mattress for your needs and budget.