Edit ArticleHow to Buy a Mattress Two Methods:Researching Before PurchasingPurchasing Your MattressCommunity Q&A Buying a mattress is one of the most major purchases you can make for your home. You will likely spend more time on your mattress than any other piece of furniture that you own. For this reason, take a few steps to make sure that you buy the best mattress for your lifestyle. Visit mattress websites to see what’s offered. If you haven’t purchased a mattress in a while, it’s good to see what options are available before going to a store. Check prices online to see what you feel is reasonable based on what is being offered. Mattress brands are often coming out with new styles of mattresses including ones that offer adjustable firmness levels and temperatures. Decide how high-tech you want your mattress to be, as some of these may only be available at specialty stores or online. Look up what special features may be offered by each mattress brand including a trial period or money-back guarantee.
If desired, you can print this information to bring to the store with you. Decide on a level of firmness. Although this is difficult to determine without first testing mattresses, a few physical factors can help direct your decision. If you have back problems, consider a medium-firm to firm mattress choice. These are best for supporting your lower back and reducing back pain. Pillow-top mattresses are best for people who aren’t too light, as they won’t have enough weight to suppress the top and the springs to a point that it makes a difference in comfort. Larger people typically find pillow-top mattresses more comfortable for this reason. Ignore the spring count that is given as proof for a mattress’ supposed quality and firmness or softness. Studies have shown that the number of springs doesn’t actually affect how comfortable the mattress is. Measure the space you plan to put the bed. Nothing is worse than finding and purchasing your perfect mattress, just to realize you can’t fit it in your house.
Check your space availability in your bedroom, and then decide on a size of mattress to fit. Twin mattresses are the smallest size, and measure on average 39”/75”. The next largest size after a twin mattress is a full or double mattress, which measures at 54”/75”. The queen sized mattress is the most commonly purchased by couples for its size and relative price. It measures at 60”/80”. King size bed is the largest standard sized mattress available. Some mattress brands and stores offer an extra large bed called the California king, which measures at 72”/84”. Be sure the mattress size you intend to purchase not only fits inside your bedroom, but also through all doors used to enter the room. Find a store(s) to shop at.In order for you to know how well you like a mattress, you must test it out in the store. Search around looking for mattresses that meet your criteria, and then lay on each to see how you like them. Lay on each mattress for at least 2-3 minutes, and up to 15.
The floor models are out specifically for this reason, so don’t be hesitant to lay in the store for a bit. Ignore descriptors on tags such as “ultra plush,” “super soft,” or “extra firm.” These aren’t regulated terms and are used freely within each mattress brand without consistency between them. Instead, just lay on the mattress to get a feel for how soft or firm it is. Try a firm, a plush, and a pillow-top mattress to get a feel for which type you prefer. Compare these types all within the same mattress brand to get the most accurate idea of which you like best. Ask to see a cutaway of the mattress if it’s available, so you can see exactly what it is you may be sleeping on. Ask about a comfort guarantee. A comfort guarantee varies between brands, but is a certain period of time after you’ve purchased your mattress in which you can return or exchange it for free. Always do this before you purchase and verify at purchase to make sure you are getting the correct information.
Find out how long the comfort guarantee lasts for, as this can be different depending on each brand. Learn if you must pay for shipping to/from your home if the mattress doesn’t work out for you. This way you won’t be surprised by extra costs later. Take it for a trial run. Purchase the necessary mattress add-ons. Although buying just a mattress is all that seems necessary, you must also purchase a minimum of a box spring to support it as well. Always buy a new box spring with your new mattress, as old box springs wear out over time and lose the desired support and firmness. Purchase a waterproof mattress protector to cover your new mattress. This not only makes cleanup easier should something spill on it, but will keep the warranty intact. Many warranties void out if the mattress is stained or spilled on.The prices of mattresses can often be lowered with a little bartering done with a sales associate or store manager. Use the numbers you found online earlier to determine if you are getting a good deal.
Include the cost of old mattress pick-up and the delivery and setup of the new mattress in the total cost.many stores will throw in free services if they are simply asked. Some stores will allow you to take a mattress home for a trial run. Sometimes there will be a small fee for this, or even a credit check. Ask around for a good retailer or brand. Word of mouth is often the most reliable tool you have when researching a new brand or model. Make sure the mattress is comfortable in the store before purchasing. Feel free to lay on it if the display allows. Do not allow the sales persons' pitch to alter your choice. You've invested a fair amount on your own, and the salesperson will most likely not be familiar with any brands or models outside their own store and inventory.We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. Sleep is something we all do every single day (hopefully). A good mattress can make all the difference in how you feel the next day.
Online-only mattress companies are becoming more popular, and their products consistently stand up to the big brick and mortar companies that have been around for years. Here are some of the best places you can buy that new mattress you’ve been stroking your chin about: Purple uses a super stretchy polymer that won’t develop body impressions or hold body heat. Pricing: Twin $699 | What they carry: Mattresses, pillows, cushions and bed bases. Casper mattresses are more dense (to get just the right amount of sink and bounce). Pricing: Twin $550 | What they carry: Mattresses (of course), pillows, sheets and a foundation. Shipping: Free shipping and returns on all orders! Sleep on Latex mattresses are 100% natural latex and are certified and tested for harmful substances. Pricing: Twin $649 | What they carry: Mattresses, toppers and pillows. Shipping: Free shipping within the contiguous USA (that means you’re screwed if you live in Hawaii and Alaska).
Select Comfort Sleep Number lets you change the firmness of the bed with just a click. Pricing: Twin $499 | What they carry: Mattresses, sheets, pillows, bedding, etc (the works). Shipping: $89.99 for standard shipping | $179 for home delivery and set up Lull uses three different layers to get the right amount of comfort, support and pressure relief. What they carry: Just mattresses. Tuft & Needle has a heat wicking layer where gel and graphite work to disperse heat away from your body. Pricing: Twin $350 | Shipping: Free shipping to the lower 48 states. Charles P. Rodgers has been around since 1855 and have been rated well by Consumer Reports. Pricing:* Twin $1499 | *pricing based on their Powercore Estate model What they carry: Mattresses, bed sets, toppers, bedding and more. A little bit of everything. Shipping: Variable— refer to the shipping chart here. Novaform uses gel-memory foam and an air channel foam to regulate your sleeping temperature.
Pricing: Twin $439 | What they carry: Well, it’s Costco, so they carry everything—but you can see the mattress collection here. Shipping: Shipping is included in the price of the mattress. Leesa puts premium materials into their product and donates one mattress for every ten sold. Pricing: Twin $525 | What they carry: Mattresses and blankets. Shipping: Free shipping to all 50 states and Canada! Bed in a Box is simply constructed and made from gel-memory foam and a firmer support base foam. Pricing:* Twin $649 | *prices based on the Pacbed Original What they carry: Mattresses, foundations, throws and pillows. Shipping: Free shipping to 48 states! Tempur-Pedic mattresses lean on the pricey side, but you get a bed that will last you a lifetime. *based on the Tempur-Flex Prima model What they carry: Mattresses, bed bases, pillows and bedding. Shipping: Free ground shipping to 48 states, with options for special shipping!
Saatva uses a “coil on coil” construction to stop motion transfer when your partner gets out of bed. Pricing:* Twin $699 | *prices based on the Luxury Firm model Shipping: $99 delivery fee Loom & Leaf designs their mattresses to keep your spine properly aligned. *prices based on the Relaxed Firm model Ghostbed has managed to find the perfect firmness balance between comfort and support. Pricing: Twin $495 | What they carry: Mattresses, pillows, box springs. Shipping: Free shipping to 48 states, with options for Alaska and Hawaii! Helix Sleep use a hybrid mattress that has pocket springs and dynamic foam to keep you comfy. Pricing: Twin $600 | Shipping: Free shipping to all 50 states! Extra charge for Canadian orders. Do you have half an hour to help us out? We love helping BuzzFeed readers find the best gifts, products, and gadgets around — but we need your help to make shopping with BuzzFeed the best experience possible!