Skip to Search Form Skip to Page Content Get Extra Savings on Already Low Sale Prices “The delivery of my new bed (Simmons Curv) was also excellent, on time, and completely set up for me.” “Rick listens to your feedback and helps suggest different beds to fit your qualifications that are within your price range.” “Needless to say, we were happy to take our business back to Charlie at Sleep City.” Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Sleep City.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.Larry Sohn likes to say he was born into the mattress business, and he's seen all kinds of mattress shoppers: Angry shoppers, confused shoppers, shoppers with pages and pages of notes on legal pads, even shoppers who want to do as little thinking about their purchase as possible."We get people who come in and say, `We'll take the blue one,' and they don't even try it," he says.Sohn's family has been making mattresses in Chicago for 95 years. Originally known as Sohn Brothers, the company today is the Mattress Factory, 2850 W. Irving Park Rd. It sells primarily to commercial and institutional customers, but Sohn also will sell directly to the public for about 20 percent above wholesale cost.Mattresses are a major and long-term investment, so we asked Sohn for some shopping tips. Here's what he told us to look for, no matter whom you buy from:- Establish what feels best for you. Ignore price tags and lay down on every mattress in the showroom.
Once you figure out a standard of comfort, see how close you can approximate it at a price you can afford.- The mattress models you see advertised on TV are usually a manufacturer's top-of-the-line. In other words, don't assume every mattress made by Sealy is a Posturepedic.- Not everyone can manage $500 and up for a mattress set, but keep in mind that there usually aren't any terrific bargains at the lower end-manufacturers bank on the willingness of budget consumers to pretty much accept whatever they can afford.- Don't be seduced by coil numbers. The gauge of the coil can make "a huge difference in the feel of the spring," Sohn says. He makes four 312 coil mattresses, each with a different feel-and two of these models are actually firmer than his 660 coil models.- Padding also has an effect on firmness, but sometimes less padding can actually make a mattress softer. That's because different types of foam have different compression ratios and densities. There's no set rule about what kind of padding is best, though Sohn prefers an egg-crate style padding.
Again, the bottom line: Buy what feels right. Do be aware, however, that the more padding does provide protection, and the more a mattress has, the more durable it probably will prove to be.- It's true that the firmer the mattress, the longer it will last. "But if you're uncomfortable for one night," adds Sohn, "it doesn't matter how long the mattress lasts." Also, firmness becomes increasingly relative as you grow older. What's comfortable to a 20-year-old may feel like torture to a 55-year-old. And, if you'll be using the mattress with a member of the opposite sex, know that women usually prefer a slightly softer mattress, since it better cushions the contours of the female body.- Skinnier lasts longer. The wider the mattress, the weaker the middle, and the sooner it will sag. Bad news for fans of California Kings, good news for any couple whose sleeping arrangements are similar to Rob and Laura Petrie on the "Dick Van Dyke Show."- Comparison shopping for mattresses can be tricky. Just as automakers produce virtually identical cars that are then sold by different model names, so do mattress makers produce identical bedding with different coverings that is sold under different names.
A salesperson may even tell you that you won't be able to find the same mattress anywhere else, which, strictly speaking, is true. Your best bet is to shop around based on what features you've determined make you happiest.- Read the warranties. Most cover only structural defects. Some manufacturers will offer a "comfort guarantee" for a limited period of time, but usually only on the pricier models.- Of course, most salespeople would rather sell you a bedding set-a mattress and box spring. But a box spring isn't absolutely necessary. A mattress will feel firm, if not firmer, when placed on the floor or a platform bed.So why get a box spring? It will lift the mattress above floor drafts and provides some protection against mattress wear (though you can compensate by using a mattress cover).- If you want a new set, can't afford it and have a mattress that's still in reasonably good shape, think about buying just the box spring. It will make the old mattress feel firmer while you save up your money for a new model.