Five ways to always get a good deal on a bedAre we buying a mattress or fixing Matthew McConaughey's space ship in Interstellar? These layers of confusing jargon do little to comfort stressed-out consumers looking for a new mattress. To help cut through the clutter, we contacted a retired industry insider known as "The Old Bed Guy." The 85-year old former bed maker and seller now runs a popular mattress consumer information site where he gives out his (somewhat cranky) advice. “Mattresses have no real value,” said 'Marshall Coyle,' a pseudonym he uses to avoid blowback from the tight-knit mattress community to which he used to belong. That statement is a rude awakening to anyone who's peeped at the price tags after taking a stroll through a mattress showroom lately. With prices running into the thousands, dreams of better "zzz's" are quickly zapped by sticker shock. Tanya Constantine/Blend Images / Today The Old Bed Guy is talking about the markup versus the actual value of the steel, foam, and wool that goes inside a bed.
For example, he said, it might cost a factory $600 to make a mattress that they sell to a big department store for $1,300. That store might then slap a price of $2,999 on it, then give it a big discount during one of the never-ending sales, he said. "The money goes for something other than what you're sleeping on," said Coyle. While every business is entitled to try to make a profit, every maker also has its own special lingo. That makes true comparison shopping difficult. Some of the differences are real. Some are just marketing vapor. Rather than try to explain it all and risk being as bewildering as the confusion we're supposed to be relieving, here are 5 tips from the perspective of The Old Bed Guy that always get you a better deal on a mattress, no matter what store or manufacturer you're dealing with. Look for stores that have their own factoriesA few smaller regional stores make their own mattresses in their own factories. That cuts out the middleman. "I don't know of a better way as far as value," said Coyle.
Stores in this category include Charles P. Rogers, McRoskey, Original Mattress Factory, and Verlo. Their stores aren't everywhere, but the savings and quality difference is enough that this reporter nearly considered a 10-hour road trip just to get a bed. Buy based on weightIf you're a fan of strong, long-lasting steel coils, a heavier mattresses usually mean there's more quality materials inside. "They have 12-15 inches to fill," said The Old Bed Guy. "You can stretch your coils and make them tall and thin." Typical mass-produced beds weigh about 90 lbs while higher grade beds can weigh around 120 lbs, he said. But you won't find this info online, you'll have to buttonhole the sales agent or bed maker to get the details. Buy at the end of the year"If anything is for real," said Coyle of the mattress business, "the periods when people don't buy mattresses see the best deals." Few buy before Christmas, saving room on the credit card for the holiday shopping spree.
The last 2 weeks of December are a prime time as stores try to unload inventory before the new year. Good savings can also be had the first two weeks of January. Be careful with Internet-only storesSome online outfits say they pass on the savings of not having any retail outlets. But it's not that hard to set up a shop and outsource manufacturing and shipping to China. That can create an accountability gap that leaves consumers in a lurch if their bed starts giving them lumps. "If they won't give you their street address, don't give them your credit card," said Coyle.Latex costs more and is worth more, period," said Coyle.Replacing your mattress can be an exhausting proposition. Not only are there hundreds of models to choose from, but a big part of what makes a good one is very personal: One person's luxury is another person's backache waiting to happen.Further, there's the matter of cost; mattresses can go for literally thousands of dollars. , an independent mattress review website."
For something that you're going to sleep on every day for 10 years, you want materials that are durable and high quality," he says. "And most likely, you won't find good materials that can withstand daily uses for under $1,000." That said, you should never pay full price for a mattress — always shop the sales, and don't be afraid to negotiate with the salesperson either for a discount or for extras (a bed frame, pillows, sheets) to be thrown in.Here's the savvy way to navigate a showroom full of mattresses with confidence:START WITH SUPPORT The first decision you have to make has to do with a mattress's core, which provides the support. There are four common types: innerspring, foam, latex, and air-filled.If you like a bed with bounce... Innerspring mattresses have that familiar bouncy feel. Still, you can choose how springy you want it to be. The metal coils are typically gauged anywhere from 12 (the thickest and firmest) to 18 (the thinnest and most compressible). Heavier folks tend to prefer a thicker gauge's support.
Coils that are interconnected are extra-durable, but individual "pocketed" coils, each covered with fabric, reduce the ripple effect that happens when someone on one side of the bed moves.Innerspring mattresses typically have either a fiberfill or foam outer layer, covered in quilted ticking. But even if you want an uber-plush feel, don't be swayed by a thick-looking pillowtop."A really puffy layer might feel great in the store, but in a few months, you'll see it compressing and not coming back," says Magnuson. It's often best to choose a firmer, well-quilted mattress, and then cover it with a replaceable mattress pad or feather bed.If you prefer an extra-firm base... Memory foam mattresses (which have a polyurethane core) have much less spring. "You sit on it, and it doesn't really sink or budge beyond the topmost layer," Magnuson says. To determine their quality, ask for the specs on a) how thick the layer of foam is, and b) the foam's density. Thickness can vary from 2 to 6 inches, which will determine how deep you'll sink.
In terms of density, 5 pounds per cubic foot is considered very high quality, while down to 3 pounds per cubic foot is less so.If you like a little buoyancy... Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam models in terms of firmness, but have a bit more spring-back. Natural latex (some mattresses are synthetic) is also antimicrobial, resistant to mold and dust mites. These mattresses can be pricey, but claim to last up to 20 years or more.There are two types of latex: Dunlop latex is more dense and heavier than the lighter Talalay latex, which has a softer feel.If you like customization... Consider an an air-filled vinyl or rubber chamber mattress, which has a remote that lets you to control how much air is inside. Many have two side-by-side chambers, which allow the mattress firmness to be customized separately for you and your partner. The top surface is similar to an innersprings: quilted fiberfill or foam. Beyond the four types of mattresses, there are other factors in their construction that you'll need to think about.
From sleep style to body type, to negotiating with a bedfellow, your lifestyle can help you make the best choice:If you tend to sleep on your side... You'll want a surface with a lot of "pressure relief" or the ability to disperse while supporting your body weight, and conforming to your shape."Imagine you're lying on a hard floor and there's a heat map showing the points at which your body is producing the most pressure," Magnuson says.Cushy memory foam or a mattress with a fluffy topper will have the most pressure relief, while a very firm mattress will offer the least. Innersprings may have more pressure relief than a foam or latex mattress. Test out mattresses lying down to get a real feel.If you tend to sleep on your stomach... Following that heat-map analogy, the last thing a stomach-sleeper probably wants is an enveloping memory foam — it would feel smothering! Instead, a firm top surface will provide the best support. Consider a dense innerspring, air-filled, or latex mattress.
If you tend to sleep on your back... Here, you'll want something in the middle — a surface that supports, but has some give so your spine is kept in a healthy alignment. You'll find happiness with any of the mattress types, but you should do your best princess-and-the-pea impression to see what feels best to you.If your partner tosses and turns all night... Consider an innerspring mattress with pocketed coils, or memory foam, latex, or a dual-chamber air-filled mattress. These will all have good "motion isolation." But remember, these models could actually be less comfortable on the body of a restless sleeper, as there's little forgiveness against one's movements.If you and your partner's preferences don't match... The air-filled mattresses with dual chambers are made just for you. If you find that the top surface isn't comfy enough, you can add a separate topper.If you tend to sleep hot... Mattresses topped with foam or latex can hold in body heat, especially if they're very soft and a lot of your body sinks in.
For this reason, you may prefer a fiberfill-topped innerspring mattress. Or — even better — use a removable fiberfill or feather mattress topper that can be removed and washed.If you have allergies... Foam and latex are both inherently antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites and mold. If you opt for innerspring or air topped with fiberfill, be sure to encase it in an allergen-resistant cover to keep irritants at bay.If you can't pinpoint what matters most ... Some savvy manufacturers make a hybrid style mattress that combines the buoyancy of an innerspring core with the motion isolation of memory foam. It's a best-of-both-worlds option that can satisfy many partner disputes and sleeping styles, though it comes at a cost — these luxury models can be pricey. A NOTE ON LIFESPAN AND WARRANTIES You may think that a longer warranty shows a confidence in the product, or a promise of a certain lifespan. But, alas, that's not the case."The warranty is a marketing thing," Magnuson explains.