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.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. Show more unanswered questions 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.