Nothing is more relaxing than snuggling into bed after a long day. But buying a mattress? That event is almost ZERO parts zen. There's much to consider when hunting for the centerpiece of your bedroom -- but the mattress-buying process doesn't have to be a nightmare. Here's a quick briefing that will ensure your shopping trip is as smooth as a midday nap. There is indeed a "cheapest" time to buy. Most experts recommend purchasing a mattress near a holiday -- like Presidents Day, Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and Memorial Day -- or in the month of May, when mattresses are usually marked down in showrooms. In January, you can start prepping for your mattress purchase at "white sales," which are deeply discounted sales for bedding. Higher prices does not mean better sleep. One of the biggest complaints when buying a mattress is price, and figuring out why they cost so damn much. This is usually attributed to large markups, which depends on the brand. We recommend staying in the $500 to $1200 range, as anything over that price doesn't necessarily indicate better quality or better sleep, and probably has the same amount of cushioning and support as more expensive mattresses.
You can negotiate your price. Though it may surprise most people, it is possible to negotiate the price at most of the bigger mattress chains. Robin Wilson, an eco-friendly interior design expert, says that if you bargain "at a department store, you might be able to get tax taken off the mattress price, or delivery for free." You'll also have a better chance of getting a discount or redeeming a coupon if you go to the store to purchase a mattress, rather than buying online. "Firm" mattresses are not the same "firmness" everywhere. Yes, labels may tout a mattress's level of firmness, but one brand's "firm" may be another brand's "soft," according to Consumer Reports Expert Shopper Tod Marks. "The only way to determine if the cushiness and the firmness is right for you is to lie down on the bed and try it for yourself," he says. It's harder to return a mattress than you think. Most mattress retailers (from IKEA to Tempur-Pedic) will allow you to try out your mattress for up to 90 days, but they differ on the amount of money you'll get back if you return it.
Other stores require an exchange fee or disposal fee, which can cost hundreds of dollars. There are organic options. The squishy foam on mattresses is often made from petroleum oil, which (not surprisingly) can cause health problems for some. Organic mattress brands like Keesa use their own foams that put plant oils into the mix. While they may be more costly, all-natural mattresses are worth it, says Wilson. "We spend one third of our lives sleeping," she explains. "Consider your mattress a health investment." You can order a mattress online as easily as you can order a pair of shoes. Yup, you'll find mattresses right in the Amazon store, many listed with free shipping. And a whole new suite of boutique mattress retailers (like the newly-popular Casper) operate solely online, sending mattresses to your door in a nice, neat box. These new online retailers often allow returns for a full refund, without any fees or charges whatsoever. But the old standby brands -- which you might find on discount sites like Overstock -- likely won't do the same, so it's smart to go test them out in a store first.
You don't need to buy your mattress from a brand you've heard of. The aforementioned Casper is an online retailer that aims to ease everyone's mattress-buying headache with a 100-day trial period and sleek design. Other sites like Saatva (which has an eco-friendly focus) and Novosbed (which also boasts free delivery, free trial periods and free returns) also deliver to your door in a snap. Hop on the bandwagon, because this is the future of mattresses.We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page. Bedding is one of those rare things that we literally use every single day, and some people have strong feelings about it. We asked the BuzzFeed Community where they get their sheets, and if there are any brands, materials, or stores they swear by. These are the most recommended stores. $32-43 for flat sheets Most recommended for: comfortable, super-affordable sheets and duvets.
Pricing: Sheets range from $6 to $357 and comforters/duvets range from $13 to $1,113. Most recommended for: Beautiful textiles, pillow cases, and brightly patterned quilts. There are often big sales on bedding as well. Pricing: Sheets and sets range from roughly $30 to $250 and comforters/quilts range from $150 to $400. Submitted by marym46f7c8519 and many others. Most recommended for: Custom artwork printed onto super-soft microfiber duvet covers, or pretty much any other type of textile. Choose from thousands of designs created by artists around the world. Pricing: All duvets cost $99. Any of these prints can be made into duvets. $99 - Flannel queen set $309 - Queen size down comforter Most recommended for: Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel sheets and down comforters, for their long-term durability and super soft materials. Pricing: Sheets range from $23 to $189 and comforters range from $65 to $509. Submitted by shanalc and a few others.
$190- Queen memory foam mattress topper $49- Queen microfiber sheet set Most recommended for: Mattress toppers, mattresses, and reduced-price, high-thread-count sheets. Note: You can order online from Costco without a membership, but you’ll be charged an extra 5% of your total order. If you’re buying anything over the price of $1,100 (meaning you’d have to pay an extra $55 surcharge), it’s worth it to get the $55 yearly membership. Pricing: Sheet sets range from $40 to $150 (for queen size) and comforters range from $45 to $200. Submitted by KarenRyan and many others. Most recommended for: 100% bamboo sheets (the company makes only bamboo products), which are on the pricier side but valued for their durability, softness, and eco-friendliness. Pricing: Sheet sets range from $99 to $239 and their only comforter costs $279. Submitted by Kenneth Mishkel, Facebook. $129- Queen sheet set Most recommended for: Being insanely comfortable, luxurious, well-made, and responsibly produced.
Parachute is a small company that specializes in basic home textiles like sheets and towels that are casual but sophisticated. Pricing: Sheet sets range from $89 to $189 and comforters range from $119 to $299. Lilly Pulitzer collection- $48-198 Most recommended for: Bright, colorful patterns, soft flannel sheets, and kids bedding. Pricing: Sheets range from $24 to $295 and comforter and duvet covers range from $15 to $295. $149 - Queen duvet cover $49 - pillowcase set Most recommended for: Beautifully patterned duvet covers and sheets, affordable Bed-in-a-Bag style “Snooze Sets.” Pricing: Sheets range from $29 to $109 and comforters range from $89 to $199. Submitted by Breanna Ingram, Facebook. $79 - 300 count queen sheet set $69 - Standard down pillow Most recommended for: Pillows, quilts, and basic sheets that last for an extremely long time. Pricing: Sheet sets range from $12 to $279 and comforters range from $20 to $300.
Submitted by Leah Sexton, Facebook. $329- Queen sheets set Most recommended for: Italian linen, extremely luxurious and splurgeworthy sheets and duvets. Pricing: Sheets range from $30 to $400 and comforters range from $219 to $579. Bed Bath and Beyond $110-200- Wamsutta Dream Zone sheet set $189- Kate Spade queen comforter Most recommended for: Sheets (specifically the Wamsutta brand Dream Zone sheets) and huge selections of basics like pillows, comforters, and mattress toppers. Pricing: Sheets range from $10 to $600 and comforters range from $18 to $1,000. Most recommended for: Duvet covers, affordable down comforters, and down-free alternatives that still keep you warm. Pricing: Sheets range from $3 to $50 and comforters range from $15 to $129. Submitted by Melissa Schmidt (Facebook) and a ton of other commenters. Most recommended for: Jersey, flannel, and organic sheets as well as the Bed-in-a-Bag sets that include a set of sheets, pillow cases, and a comforter for around $100.