The Unbiased Mattress Buying Guide: Making Sense of the Process

As you’ve probably gathered from all the mattress ads everywhere on Facebook, TV and podcasts, this sleepy (pun intended) industry is abuzz with lots of new brands and options. Here’s a rundown of things that have changed in the last several years:

1. Get online. It’s ok to buy a mattress online these days. In fact, it’s now considered cool. Whether or not that matters is up to you, but know that a lot of reputable, high quality brands now sell mattresses online.
2. Pay less. You can get a FANTASTIC mattress for less than $1,000 now. For less than $700 even.
3. Don’t flip. Most modern mattresses are one-sided and shouldn’t be flipped (but should still be rotated). And many don’t require box springs.
4. Shipped in a box. Mattresses can get shipped to you in a box. A small, heavy box. That you might have to lug up the stairs. You don’t need a delivery truck and 2 guys. But don’t worry - if you don’t like the mattress, you don’t have to try to stuff it back in the box to return. :)
5. A different kind of innovation. Mattress innovation today isn’t all about coil type or lumbar support. Instead, you can get mattresses made of non-toxic materials, that are affordably customizable or that have “smart” features (like sleep tracking or temperature control) inside.

Expect to pay $600-$1,000 for a reputable queen-size mattress
In general, expect to pay at least $600 and up to $1,000 for a high-quality queen-sized mattress that will retain its support for a reasonable amount of time (ie: 7-9 years). There are plenty of options in this range, particularly from the online/factory-direct retailers, that feel super comfy and will suit most sleepers. If you are looking for a “luxury” mattress experience, good options exist in the $1,000 - $2,000 price range. They might feel a bit plusher, be better-constructed or come with unique features. These mattresses are typically the ones you purchase in a traditional mattress or department store (although a few great luxury online brands have emerged), and you can sometimes negotiate pricing or take advantage of a sale. In this range, you are often paying a premium for a certain brand’s experience. There are also numerous options for $2K+ (up to even $25K!), but most sleepers will likely find the incremental benefits and features of these high-end mattresses to not be worth it.

Is it worth paying a premium for some brands?
The dozens of mattress manufacturers out there make the industry very competitive. Many use the same basic materials and technologies, with marketing being the main difference between them. That doesn’t mean that all mattresses these days feel similar, but this also doesn’t mean you need to try a long list of mattresses during your search. The specific way brands create their mattress -- which materials they use, how they layer foams, the types of coils they use or how they construct it -- will drive the unique feel of a brand’s mattress. Depending on how sensitive and “picky” you might be about mattress comfort, that might determine the degree to which you worry about finding the perfect fit. 

Another reason some brands command a premium is that they offer additional value with differentiated features -- such as adjustable firmness, a focus on natural/eco-friendly materials or adding connected (ie: “smart”) features.

Most of the online mattress retailers focus on offering foam mattress types (as these are the easiest to ship direct) so if you’re interested in a foam mattress, you’re more likely to find a great value among the direct-to-consumer online brands. That being said, a number of online brands still focus on innerspring/coiled mattresses.

You'll find promotional codes for significant savings on many online brands. Mattress review sites often offer these codes, or you can search for promo offer codes in Google. Note: Tuft and Needle is an online mattress brand known for not typically offering promo codes, but they do offer one of the lowest price points on their mattresses in the space everyday.

Factor in warranties, return policies, shipping and other fees
Most mattresses come with warranties that last about 10 years (some more, some less) and cover manufacturer defects. They do NOT cover comfort issues so make sure you’re comfortable with the return policy. Read the fine print, as these warranties often come with a lot of restrictions. For example, most warranties will be voided if you do not use an appropriate foundation to support the mattress, such as a boxspring or platform bed.

It is usually not necessary to purchase an extended warranty. By the time your normal warranty is up, chances are you’ll be ready for a new mattress, or the problems you’re having fall outside the scope of the warranty.

Thanks to the online mattress retailers, return policies have gotten more generous, and in most cases, you can return a mattress for a full refund. Many online retailers have 100-day trial periods and free returns. Most also pick up and donate the returned mattress to a local charity. Regardless of where you purchase your mattress, make sure to read the fine print for the return policy. Some charge a return shipping fee or disposal fee.

Traditional retailers may also charge for delivery and setup, but the delivery team will set the bed up in your home. Most online retailers will ship the mattress to you free in a compressed state. These compressed mattresses can be very heavy so make sure you have some brawn to get it into your bedroom.

No doubt, more sophisticated factory-direct and online retailers have changed the mattress industry in the last few years -- making the shopping process easier, more transparent and less frustrating. But brick-and-mortar stores still have their advantages. Consider these pros and cons before you decide where to look for your next mattress.

Mattress speciality stores and department stores

Pros: Can feel/try the mattress, have a variety of models, personal customer service, ability to haggle on pricing (in some cases), readily available set-up help with delivery

Cons: “Sales-y” environment, less transparent pricing and markups, choice can be overwhelming

Online retailers

Pros: Simplified choice and offering, good value (cuts out the middleman), transparent pricing, generous shipping and return policies, convenient (buy from home)

Cons: Can only try at home after buying*, limited choice and mattress types, most don’t have “white glove” delivery/setup

*Some online retailers have showrooms in large cities or are partnering with brick-and-mortar places where you can experience the mattress.

Big box stores like Costco and Ikea

Pros: Stripped down pricing/good value

Cons: Limited selection, mattresses are not their specialty, limited customer service

With the surge of competition in the mattress industry, it’s difficult to keep track of all the mattress brands. Here are the top manufacturer brands for consideration:

Sold in mattress specialty and department stores:

Innerspring and hybrid models - Serta, Sealy, Beautyrest by Simmons, Sealy, Keetsa (eco-friendly)

Foam (Memory + Latex) - Tempur-Pedic, iComfort, The Dream Bed, Nest (eco-friendly)

Adjustable - Sleep Number, Craftmatic, Leggett and Platt (base only)

Luxury and handmade - McCroskey, Sterns & Foster, Aireloom, Kluft, Hastens, Hypnos, RoyalPedic

Sold primarily online, direct-to-consumer:

Innerspring and hybrid models - Saatva (eco-friendly), WinkBeds, Avocado Green (eco/organic), Naturepedic (eco/organic, wool), Keetsa (eco-friendly), Nest (eco-friendly)

Foam (Memory + Latex) - Casper, Tuft & Needle, Purple, Leesa, Loom & Leaf (eco-friendly), Lull (eco-friendly), Amerisleep, Ghostbed, Yogabed, Brooklyn Bedding, Cocoon by Sealy, Bear Mattress, Novosbed, Amerisleep, The Dream Bed, Nectar, Layla, Zenhaven (eco/natural), Plushbeds (eco/organic), Love & Sleep from Nest (eco-friendly), Nest (eco-friendly)

Adjustable - Luxi, Helix (personalized), Amerisleep

Luxury and handmade - Duxiana, Brentwood Home Oceano and Coronado, Wright, Sapira (by Leesa)

One thing to note is that, among the long-time major brands (eg Sealy, Serta), model names do not mean much. The major mattress manufacturers sell similar mattress models and types across different retailers, but they name all the models differently from retailer to retailer. That’s to make it more difficult to comparison shop prices. Our advice: focus less on brand in these cases and more on features and feel.

So which brands are the best? The short answer is: it depends. Be clear first on your needs. This mattress buying guide can help you clarify those. Then seek out the mattress brands that offer something that fits those specific needs or has those features.

If you just want a comfy, quality mattress but don't have specific feature requests to narrow the field...honestly, most of these mattress brands above offer similar products within the mainstream price ranges. If you look at reviews for these mattress brands, the majority are positive. Differences are a lot about marketing. Return policies are better now, which minimizes the risk. So if you read this guide through, hopefully a key takeaway is "don't sweat the choice too hard."

It's not a bad thing to choose on price or offers. For traditional in-store mattress brands, try them in the store. For online brands, check out mattress comparison sites. See our last section below for more tips on the shopping process.

Mattress type is usually one of the most important deciding factors for which mattress to choose, as preferences here are quite subjective and strong. Most brands focus on a specific mattress type. 

Almost all mattresses are either:1) innerspring/coil, 2) foam or to a much lesser extent, 3) adjustable air.

“Hybrid” mattresses are increasingly available; as the name suggests, these are mattresses that feature a combination of these options, particularly coil + foam.

Innerspring/coil mattresses:
When you think of a traditional mattress, this is an innerspring mattress, which is composed of steel coils and is usually tufted (has indents on the surface). These types of mattresses have more of that expected bouncy feel.

• You’ll find the widest price ranges and broadest selection within the innerspring mattress category -- from the very low end up to the highest-end  
• These are more traditionally sold in mattress specialty stores and department stores
• Many versions come with cushioning layers, pillowtops or gels to increase their comfort and luxuriousness
• Four types of coils are available: Bonnell (least expensive, least durable), continuous (single piece of steel, durable), tied (connected coils, good for back pain, lots of motion transfer) and Marshall (softer, individually-wrapped). Consumer Reports doesn’t see a significant enough difference to warrant worrying about the type of coil. However, more premium mattresses are increasingly using Marshall or individually-wrapped coils, which conform to your body better and reduce motion transfer (so you’re less likely to be awoken by your partner’s movement)
• 600-1000 coils is usually the number of coils in superior mattresses. Beware of some mattresses that use thin-gauge coils just to boost the coil count
• You might hear the term “edge support,” which is the encasement around the edge of the mattress. Edge support is only found on innerspring mattresses, not on foam, because it’s needed to support the springs. Although some mattress retailers will say that this edge helps you stay put if you prefer to sit at the edge of the bed in the morning, it’s pretty inconsequential in a purchase decision for most sleepers

Pro Tip: you might get enticed by a mattress’ super comfy pillow top, but over time, this layer will compress and sag. Instead, go for a mattress with a quality quilting cover, and use a mattress pad or feather bed to get that extra cushioning if desired, as these extra components can be replaced over time as they wear

Choose an innerspring mattress if you:

• Prefer a more traditional mattress feel
• Prefer a plush type of comfort material (like polyester or cotton-based) on your top layer (vs. a foam-like layer - which tends to conform to your body and inhibit moving around too much on the mattress)
• Are looking for an “extreme” in experience and reflected in pricing -- either a much cheaper or really high-end mattress
• Like the bounce for sex (yes, we think that’s a key consideration)

Foam mattresses:
Foam mattresses comprise foam material in various combinations; there are no coils or springs in the mattress. Foams are a soft material and absorb movement well. They give that sinking, squishy, body-conforming feeling. And they come in different densities, varying the level of sinking vs. springiness that you feel.

Many of the mattresses available online are foam, as these are easier to compress and ship. Marketers tend to claim these mattresses are more pressure-relieving than innerspring mattresses. We believe the level of comfort and support you feel is really subjective though.

Foam mattresses typically have a sturdier support foam layer on the base, covered with softer top layer foams that give the mattress its distinct feel. Usually this top layer is comprised of memory foam or latex.

Foam mattresses will not transfer movement as much as most innersprings. They have less of a bounce factor. Although, latex tends to have a springier feeling to it vs. memory foam (which has more of that sinking feeling).

The top layer foam will change your experience in various ways:

• Feeling: While all foams have a squishy kind of feel distinct from a coil feel, the two main foam types (memory foam and latex) have different feel properties
  • Memory foam has a slower, sinking, contouring feeling; as you apply pressure lying on it with your body, it’ll hug and contour to your pressure points
  • Latex will give you a bit more springiness and bounce as it compresses, with a faster response time as you toss and turn on the bed. It feels more elevating and “pushes back” vs. sinks in
    • Two types of latex are created as a result of different processes: a) Talalay latex and b) Dunlop latex.  When comparing the two types, Talalay is a more expensive, lighter and airier latex compared to Dunlop which is denser and heavier
    • Note: you’ll hear conflicting things from brands that use memory foam vs. latex about which is more pressure-relieving. If you tend not to toss-and-turn, memory foam will allow you to slowly sink in to get deep pressure relief throughout the night

• Chemicals: Memory foam is usually made from polyurethane, but sometimes can be soy-based. Latex can be all-natural (which tends to be more durable) or a blend of natural and synthetic latex. If chemicals are a concern, look carefully at the mattress brand’s materials sourcing, use of flame retardants and certifications for purity and safety

• Heat retention: Older memory foam models retained heat and got a reputation for sleeping hot. Modern memory foam mattresses have cooling gels and other additives that make them more breathable and cooler. Latex tends to sleep cooler and is more breathable than most memory foams naturally

Memory foam density
If you are considering a memory foam mattress, you’ll also want to consider the density of the foam, which is expressed in pounds per cubic foot. The density will factor into how firm the mattress feels.

• Low-density: 3 pounds/cubic foot - is softer, you’ll sink in more quickly, less durable, less support, more affordable
• Medium-density: 4-5 pounds/cubic foot - balanced blend of comfort, durability and affordability
• High-density: 6 pounds/cubic foot or higher - superior pressure-relieving support and durability, can sleep hotter, more expensive, might feel stiff at first

Choose a foam mattress if you:

• Prefer a more pressure-relieving, contouring material that "hugs" your body, without the bounce of a traditional mattress
• Prefer to purchase from one of the online direct-to-consumer retailers, as most of these retailers focus on foam options

Hybrid mattresses:
Hybrid mattresses are typically built with a base of coils covered with a thick, flat top layer of foam. They are quite trendy right now and are meant to give you the best of both worlds. These mattresses have a distinct feel, which is somewhere between the slow-response, contouring feel of a foam mattress balanced with the bounce of a traditional innerspring.

These mattresses tend to be a bit more expensive than similar-quality foam or innerspring mattresses, and a lot of that premium is in the marketing. We recommend exploring this if you’re more interested in an innerspring mattress but want something that will hug and contour to your body a bit more.

Adjustable air mattresses:
An adjustable air mattress is one that you can adjust and inflate to achieve a desired level of firmness. Think the Sleep Number bed. There is an electric pump attached to the bed, and usually each side of the bed can be adjusted separately to suit different preferences between sleeping partners. These mattresses have comfort layers on top made of materials like foam or polyester.

Note: some people complain that the middle section between each side of the bed can be uncomfortable to roll over on or sleep on (if you’re cuddling with your honey).

Choose an adjustable air mattress if:

• You and your partner greatly disagree on preferences for firmness
• You prefer different firmness levels based on your sleep position

Size and Height
Of course, the most basic thing you’ll need to determine is the mattress size that fits your needs. Among adults, queen size mattresses are most popular. Here are the dimensions of each size option in US stores:

• Twin (38” x 75”) / XL Twin (38” x 80”)
• Full (53” x 76”) - with a less popular XL Full (53” x 80”)
• Queen (60” x 80”) - with a rarer option called an Olympic Queen (66” x 80”)
• King (76” x 80”)
• Cal-King (72” x 84”)

Mattress heights can range from 8" up to 18". You may want to consider mattress height in relation to your bed frame (and box spring, if you have one), as this can affect the height of your bed overall. If your bed is too high or low, it may be difficult to get into and out of. Your bed frame may also necessitate a certain height of mattress; for instance, trundle beds may require a thinner mattress.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to buy sheets if you change bed sizes from your current. And if you get a mattress with a particularly tall pillowtop or added topper, you may need to buy extra-deep pocket sheets to fit.

Support and firmness
The most important factor when purchasing a mattress is almost always how comfortable and supportive it is for your preference. And it is a preference; sleeper’s perceptions of what is most comfortable is highly subjective, and scientific studies bear this out.

Comfort is related to pressure-relief. If your mattress puts too much pressure on points of your body, it will affect circulation, giving you pins and needles and cause you to toss and turn.

For some people, the type of mattress -- innerspring, foam, hybrid or adjustable air (as described above in more detail) -- will factor into perception of comfort, as each type of mattress feels distinctive. Foam mattresses are generally considered to be more pressure-relieving than innerspring mattresses, but many sleepers just do not like the sinking-in feeling of foam.

Mattress comfort is often correlated to your sleep position so that your body remains in neutral alignment -- meaning your head, neck and shoulders stay in a straight line. In general:

• Side sleepers tend to prefer softer mattresses, so hips and shoulders don’t withstand too much pressure and can sink in
• Back sleepers prefer a medium-firm mattress
• Stomach sleepers are recommended to sleep on a firmer mattress without a lot of sink, to minimize the distance between the mattress surface and the head

Almost all of us toss and turn at some point, and many people share mattresses with a partner. So don’t take these guidelines as gospel.

A major contributor to comfort and support is the firmness level, and these preferences are subjective. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• A common perception is that a firm mattress is better for your body and for pain relief. This is actually not true. Again, comfort relative to firmness is subjective
• Firmness is relative to the mattress manufacturer; one manufacturer’s “firm” will be soft in another, which is why reviews and trial are important
• Your body type -- height, weight, build -- will also factor into how you perceive firmness
• Among foam mattresses, particularly from online brands who only offer 1 option, some mattresses have various layers of different foam types, which brands claim help the mattress adjust to the sleeper and accommodate multiple sleep types
• If you and your partner have vastly disparate preferences, consider a dual-chamber adjustable air mattress or use mattress toppers

Heat Retention and Breathability
One of the most common complaints in mattresses, particularly for memory foam ones, is that some people think it sleeps hot or lacks breathability. Temperature control is a hot topic in sleep. Because this has been such an acute issue, most mattress manufacturers have sought ways to ensure their mattress sleeps cool. So this issue is becoming less of a problem in modern mattresses. But it is something to certainly ask about in your shopping journey if that is a concern.

Organic/eco-friendly/natural
Given how many hours we sleep on a mattress during a time when our body is detoxifying, it makes sense that more shoppers are concerned about the materials used in the making of their mattress and the impact on health. Off-gassing -- when we breathe in odors and vapors emitted from potentially toxic chemicals in our mattress -- can be of concern, particularly for foam mattresses.

The health and safety of mattresses and all the considerations around buying a natural, organic or eco-friendly mattress could be the subject of an entirely separate (and long) post! If you’re interested to delve deeper, we cover many of these topics in another blog post here.

While most sleepers do not experience short-term ill effects from sleeping on conventional mattresses, a number of mattress brands offer more eco-friendly, organic or natural options to accommodate sleepers who are looking for alternatives.

Because the information can be confusing, to make things easier, look for certifications that indicate a mattress meets a certain level of safety standard. The most popular certifications include:

• CertiPur-US - relevant for foam mattresses, this forbids the use of certain flame retardants and tests for chemical emissions
• OEKO-Tex - tests for potentially harmful chemical emissions and sets limits on volatile organic compounds; it also bans the use of certain flame retardants and dyes that are allergens and carcinogens
• Global Organic Textiles Standard - GOTS - sets standards for organic textiles

You can also look for mattresses that use cleaner, less chemical-intensive materials, which include wool, natural latex and organic cotton.

Motion Transfer and Bounce
For those of you with sleeping partners or who like to participate in “extracurricular activities” in the bedroom beyond sleeping, you may want to consider how much motion transfer you’ll get with your mattress.

If you or your partner is a light sleeper, you/they may be easily disturbed by the movement on the other side of the bed. Foam mattresses tend to have less motion transfer so partners can sleep side-by-side undisturbed. If you prefer an innerspring mattress and this is a concern, opt for individually wrapped coils, which will minimize weight transfer.

When it comes to sex, just know that one of the more common complaints about memory foam mattresses (particularly high-density foam) is that you don’t get that satisfying bounce. Innerspring mattresses typically provide a healthier bounce than foam mattresses, although some new foam mattress brands brag that their products do just fine in the intimacy department (thank you very much).

Special Features
Finally, here are a few more specific features that differentiate brands, which may be of interest:

• Customization and personalization - a few brands make it easier to get personalized firmness and comfort levels
• Adjustable height and reclining - these mattresses allow you to adjust the height of the foot and head of the bed to help with muscle tension, acid reflux, snoring and other complaints
• “Smart” capabilities - these mattresses are Wi-Fi connected and often include sleep tracking, temperature regulation and alarm features

If you’re ready to try some mattresses (or perhaps just click BUY), here are some helpful hints:

Online and Club Warehouse Shoppers (where you can’t try before you buy)

Do your research on online brands: Alongside the blossoming online mattress industry, multiple online mattress review sites have emerged. While most of these sites earn income from affiliate relationships, they still provide very useful information and informative reviews that help make sense of the online mattress options. If you're really struggling to decide between a few options, these sites get into the nitty-gritty details about differences in feel and other factors that may sway your decision. Two of these resources include Sleep Sherpa and Sleepopolis.

Even if you plan on buying online, still consider trying mattresses in-store: If you have no idea what kind of mattress you’re looking for -- or are just open -- go to a mattress store and try some out, even if you plan to shop online to get a better value. Sure, this may be the part you wanted to avoid by going online. But if it’ll be another 10 years before you buy another mattress, it might just be worth seeing what else is out there.

Mattress Store and Department Store Shoppers

Lie on it for 10 minutes or more: After you’ve narrowed your choices to a few options that seem compelling, lie on them in the store for at least 10 minutes in various sleep positions. Plan to take a nap or bring a book. Wear loose clothing. You’ll want to see how the mattress reacts to pressure points as your body sinks in over time. If you find yourself tossing and turning, unable to stay in one position for too long during that 10 minutes, that is a definite sign the mattress is disturbing your body too much.

Pro tip: Try the top-of-the-line mattresses in a mattress store to help you better gauge how picky you really need to be. It’ll give you a sense of what level of comfort is possible and if it’s worth spending more money. Challenge the mattress salesperson to help you find a similar model at a more affordable price.

Look for holiday promotions and sales: Most sales and promotions at mattress stores are timed to coincide with holidays. January is also a good time to buy when stores run white sales, as well as May when stores mark down inventory.

Don’t be scared. Mattress salespeople won’t bite: Most people prefer not to spend their Saturday in a mattress store. Mattress store sales people aren’t as bad as their rap though. They really aren’t trying to sell you snake oil. Practically-speaking, they have every incentive to get you into a good fit because they lose commissions on returns. Salespeople also don’t want you to walk out the door because they know they’ll never get you back again. Be clear about your price range and expectations, and most will refrain from putting on the hard sell too much.

Be willing to negotiate: Many specialty mattress retailers, especially ones that sell multiple brands, are willing to negotiate pricing and have room to come down. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

Some extras are worth it, some not:

Not worth It

Extended warranties - As discussed above, the additional coverage is not typically worth the added expense.

Mattress pad - If it’s a new, comfortable mattress, chances are you won’t benefit from a mattress pad (since hopefully, you’ve bought a comfy mattress right off the bat!). You can always get one later if you’re looking to refresh the comfort of an older mattress.

Worth It

Mattress protector - Always protect your new mattress with a waterproof or liquid-resistant mattress protector to extend the life of your mattress. (Even better if it’s one that keeps out bed bugs and dust mites.) This is something that is convenient to get at the same place you buy your mattress, to ensure a proper fit. That being said, plenty of great protectors are available online as well.

Depends

Box spring - Because many modern mattresses are one-sided and no flip, they no longer require a box spring in order to offer adequate support. You will still need a hard, flat surface though, but that means you can often use a quality platform bed or adjustable base. You may also be able to reuse your old box spring with your new mattress if the box spring is still in good condition. Again, be sure to read your warranty carefully, as it can be voided if you do not use what the manufacturer would consider to be adequate support.

In-store and Online Shoppers

Balance your timeline - Give yourself time to shop and research options. But again, don’t fall into analysis paralysis and take forever. You can do a lot of research and try a number of mattresses in-store, but the best way to tell if a mattress works for you is to sleep on it. Once you  pick a new mattress, give it about 3 - 5 weeks to adjust to it.

Don’t forget the pillows - After you’ve spent hundreds (even thousands) on a new mattress that suits you, mattress stores might throw in a few free pillows. That’s nice, but after you’ve spent all this time and money on a great new bed, wouldn’t you want to optimize your pillows too for your best sleep?

Now would be an ideal time to explore the great pillow options for optimal sleep. Pillows are worth spending a bit more time and money on, as much as the mattress. Here are a few informational links to help with your pillow search:

Why it makes sense to upgrade your pillow

Slumbr’s Pillow Guide - the basics of what to look for in a fantastic pillow

Or if you don’t have time for that, let Slumbr help you. We want to make it simple to find the comfiest pillow for the way you sleep. We vetted 250+ pillow options and tested with real sleepers to create our Pillow Menu and Pillow Quiz. These are high quality, comfortable pillows with time-tested, clean ingredients. Take the Pillow Quiz today to find your fit.

Check carefully on delivery day: After your mattress is delivered or unwrapped, inspect it for any tears, stains or other issues. Be sure to keep the law label (the white tag that’s sewn into the seam of the mattress) on, in case you need to reference it in the future.