How much you spend on the greatest mattress for your requirements can sometimes depend on where and when you buy your bed.
When compared to choosing a mattress at a physical shop, prices for online mattress purchases vary greatly.
Making your purchase during yearly deals, which often coincide with federal holidays and popular shopping days like Black Friday, is another way to save money.
We’ll discuss how, when, and where to purchase a mattress depending on several considerations, as well as the most cost-effective options.
Let’s start by talking about problems that often occur when mattresses need to be changed.
Table of Contents
How Do You Know When to Replace Your Mattress?
No mattress will endure forever, despite what certain mattress companies may claim.
Although certain models are more sturdy than others, your mattress’s parts may eventually start to disintegrate.
This may influence how supportive and comfy your mattress feels, which may result in restless nights and groggy mornings.
If any of the following describe your present bed, you may want to think about getting a new mattress:
- Your neck, shoulders, lower back, and/or hips regularly give you aches, pains, or pressure spots. Over time, the mattress’ comfort layers might get softer, which can make you sink into the surface more.
- There are deep bodily imprints where you and/or your spouse usually sleep. This is a typical kind of mattress wear and tear, and if the imprints are significant enough, your warranty can cover a free mattress replacement.
- When you sit or lay down at the edge of your mattress, the edges have begun to sag more. Over time, even mattresses with strong edge support will start to droop.
- You feel worn out and exhausted when you awaken. Your sleep quality may worsen as mattresses age because the layers become less solid.
- You display signs of dust allergies. Dust mites and other allergens like mold and mildew may be drawn to old mattresses.
- The mattress has been yours for more than eight years.
In regards to the last point, a typical mattress will last six to eight years before having to be changed.
A mattress’s durability may be affected by the materials used to build each layer.
The five most popular mattress kinds’ typical lifespans are shown in the table below.
Mattress Type | Components | Average Lifespan | Durability Issues |
Foam | Memory foam or polyfoam comfort layers Polyfoam support core | 6-7 years | Foam will soften as it ages, which can cause more sinkage and discomfort for sleepers. |
Latex | Latex comfort layers and support core | 7.5-8.5 years | Latex is quite durable but, like foam, it will soften and lose shape over time. |
Innerspring | Foam comfort layers Steel coil support core | 5.5-6.5 years | Many innerspring owners report deep sagging as the foam layers deteriorate. |
Hybrid | Memory foam and/or latex comfort layers Pocketed coil support core | 6.5-7.5 years | As with innersprings, sagging and body impressions are the most common durability issues for hybrids. |
Airbed | Foam comfort layers Customizable air chamber support core | 8+ years | Airbeds offer great longevity, provided owners maintain them and address malfunctions quickly. |
Best Periods to Purchase a New Mattress
Another crucial factor is the timing of your mattress purchase.
When deals are timed to coincide with federal holidays and popular shopping days, new mattresses are often offered at their lowest sticker costs.
There are also certain seasons of the year when brands often introduce new models, and these businesses frequently provide mattress sales and discounts prior to the launching of new products.
The optimum times of the year to purchase a new mattress are shown in the chart below.
#1. Early Spring And Late Winter
When: April or March.
Why: According to Scott Paladini, CEO and creator of Bear Mattress, an online mattress provider, new mattress models will normally be available in shops by March or April.
Customers may save money by choosing an earlier model or a floor sample right from the showroom floor when new mattresses are introduced.
Why? The old has to go, and the new has to come in.
According to Paladini, the shops will eventually have to take away all of those beds and install the new versions.
What to expect: Julie Tramonte, a sleep expert at Verlo Mattress, which sells both online and in-person, says that a floor model might save you as much as 50% off the price.
Since scheduling might vary, she advises asking management when the shop intends to change its inventory.
Remember that floor models have probably already been tried out by other customers.
#2. Vacation Weekends
When: Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday are the dates.
Why: According to specialists in the mattress business, holiday weekends are the best times to shop.
Holidays bring huge promotions, but you may get discounts all year long, according to Jody Putnam, a divisional president at Mattress Firm, which sells both online and in-person.
When a big holiday rolls around, more items in the market will be marked down, according to Putnam.
“Most of the time there’s generally a few beds here or a couple there that will be at bargain pricing,” he adds.
What to expect: According to Paladini, purchasing a mattress during a holiday offer may result in savings of 10% to 20%.
#3. All year
When: Your mattress is between seven and ten years old.
Why: According to Leo Echeverria, the COO of Snuz, a memory foam mattress that is available online, “I believe you should purchase a mattress when you need to buy a mattress.” The overall opinion of the professionals? A mattress that has been in use for ten years is almost worn out.
You can tell when to obtain a new one by listening to your body.
For instance, Tramonte of Verlo Mattress claims that unless you go on vacation and sleep on a new mattress, you may not realize your present mattress is uncomfortable.
What to expect: Even if you can’t make your purchase within the hours mentioned above, there are methods to locate a decent bargain if your back or neck hurts.
Online vs In-Store Mattress Shopping: Which Are the Best?
Choosing between online and in-person purchases via a mattress retailer is often the only option when purchasing a mattress.
While choosing a mattress online has certain benefits over doing so in a physical store, there are also some advantages to in-person purchasing that cannot be matched online.
Affordability, variety, and convenience are crucial aspects to take into account when deciding where to purchase a mattress.
#1. Online Mattress Purchase
Benefits: Buying your bed online will undoubtedly result in significant financial savings.
Due to their reduced overhead expenses and lack of physical stores, the majority of online retailers have relatively small staffs and cheaper product pricing.
Additionally, ordering things online at any time of day or night and browsing products without feeling harassed by salespeople is handy.
Another benefit is having access to consumer mattress evaluations, and most online retailers provide free delivery to the 48 contiguous states.
Drawbacks: Some customers prefer to speak with experienced employees before making a purchase.
Many online retailers provide live web chat with customer support representatives, however, the availability of this service varies, particularly beyond regular business hours.
The majority of internet mattress companies provide sleep trials lasting at least 90 nights, yet many customers still feel uneasy acquiring a mattress without actually sleeping on it.
#2. Mattress Shopping At A Store
Benefits: While spending five to ten minutes resting on a mattress at a shop is not the same as sleeping on it, these first-hand encounters may offer you a general concept of how a bed feels.
If you’re uncertain about the sort of mattress to purchase, speaking with the sales staff may also be beneficial.
In some circumstances, you may even be able to bargain for a lower price.
Drawbacks: For some customers, store employees may be intrusive or overpowering.
This can induce you to get a mattress that isn’t ideal for your requirements.
Because brick-and-mortar businesses often have larger overhead expenses than online retailers, prices will also be higher there.
Another consideration is convenience, particularly if you only have access to the region on weekends or reside in a distant location.
Buy a mattress online if… | Buy a mattress in a store if… |
You’d prefer to shop without assistance from sales staff | You’d rather speak to a knowledgeable employee before choosing a bed |
You live in a remote area and must travel for the nearest mattress store | You live in an urban or suburban area with multiple brick-and-mortar mattress stores |
You have a general idea about how mattresses feel and which types you like best | You want to lie down on different beds before choosing a model |
You have a more limited shopping budget | You have a more flexible shopping budget |
What Is the Price of a New Mattress?
The price of a new mattress varies depending on a number of things, but a queen-size model should cost at least $800.
The ideal mattress for you can be more expensive or less affordable.
Making a budget based on the pricing ranges offered by several brick-and-mortar and online mattress retailers is an essential first step.
A bed’s pricing might depend on a number of factors, including the following:
#1. Size
The full, twin and twin XL sizes are mostly designed to fit one person.
Since they are not meant for several sleepers, they may be hundreds or even thousands of dollars less expensive than the queen, king, and California king sizes.
The most costly sizes are often specialty sizes like split queens or kings for couples with adjustable bases.
#2. Type
Mattress cost is significantly influenced by the materials used.
The most affordable options are often all-foam and innerspring types, which range in price from $800 to $1,200 for a queen size.
You should anticipate paying between $1,600 and $2,200 for these queen-size versions since hybrid and all-latex models are more costly.
The most expensive mattresses are airbeds, with the majority of them beginning at $2,000.
#3. Thickness
You’ll likely pay a little bit more for these models since thicker mattresses provide more layers of cushioning and support than low-profile beds.
A high-profile model bed is one that is 12 inches thick or more.
#4. Brand
Just as with other goods, some retailers just demand a higher price for mattresses.
An established firm that has a significant market presence would command a higher price for a mattress than a startup that is less well-recognized.
Online mattress businesses often price substantially less than brick-and-mortar mattress dealers owing to variations in overhead expenses, as we previously discussed.
When purchasing a mattress, whether in-store or online, there are a few more pricing considerations.
They consist of the following:
#5. Taxes
You may have to pay sales tax along with your mattress purchase, depending on the state in which you reside.
Five states—Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon—do not impose a sales tax, while the highest rates hover around 9%.
Additionally, every mattress purchase in the states of California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island is subject to a “recycling tax.” State-specific recycling costs range from $5 to $10 on average.
#6. Standard Shipping
As long as you live in the contiguous United States, basic ground shipment for mattresses will probably be free.
Shipping may be free but it may also be pricey, often costing up to $600 or more, for residents of Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S.
territory.
Before making a purchase, be careful to review the manufacturer’s shipping guidelines and standard shipping costs.
#7. Personalized Delivery
Select online and offline mattress retailers provide this service, which entails sending a crew to transport and set up a mattress at your house.
White Glove delivery includes complete assembly in the room of your choosing, as well as a planned delivery date and time.
On request, some couriers will also take away your old mattress and/or box spring.
White Glove delivery typically costs at least $150 and may not be offered everywhere.
Verify the company’s shipping rules again since certain brands and mattress types come with free delivery.
#8. Returns
For mattresses returned within the authorized sleep trial, the great majority of online mattress companies provide free delivery or free mattress pickup.
A few impose fees, usually of $100 or less.
If you choose to recycle the mattress rather than donate it to a charity, you could be required to dispose of it yourself, which will cost you more money.
#9. Bundling
You could also need new bed linens, pillows, or a base to go with the mattress.
For these products, some manufacturers provide bundles.
In comparison to purchasing these things separately, you’ll spend more overall but could end up saving money.
#10. Replacements and Repairs
Every mattress has a guarantee that protects it against production flaws or unusual wear and tear.
If the warranty is non-prorated, the only costs associated with fixing or replacing a damaged bed will be some minimal shipping costs.
If a fault arises, you could be required to pay a portion of the mattress’s original cost to have it replaced under a partly prorated warranty.
How to Get the Cheapest Mattresses?
In conclusion, here are a few suggestions for locating the greatest mattress for you at a reasonable cost.
#1. Do Your Research
To discover a high-quality mattress that won’t break the budget, do your research and comparison shop.
As many brand websites as you can discover should be checked out, and you should also think about stopping by your neighborhood mattress shop.
#2. Watch for Sales
While mattress discounts over the holidays are always welcome, keep an eye out for other offers all year long.
Make a note of the mattress manufacturers that look like the best options for you, and check their websites often for deals and discounts.
#3. Think about Shopping with a Friend
Some online mattress companies provide discounts to clients who purchase their mattresses after hearing about them from an earlier customer.
Join forces with a friend or family to combine your savings on the purchase.
#4. Read the Fine Print
While free shipping, complete refunds on returns, and non-prorated warranties are fairly typical, you may discover hidden fees for certain companies tucked away in the policy descriptions.
Always take the time to read these documents completely.
#5. Bundle with Other Products
It’s likely that you will need new bedding or a foundation in addition to your new mattress if you decide to purchase one.
A brand that offers package deals on sleep products can save you a lot of money.
The final line is that although a new mattress will be a sizable financial expenditure for most families, you shouldn’t have any issue choosing a cheap bed that suits your requirements with careful research and budgeting.