You'll spend a third of your life on a mattress, so choosing the right mattress is important. Start with your preferred sleeping position and the amount of support you need. Here are some tips.
Should you buy a firm or soft mattress? In general, heavier people and people who sleep on their backs or stomachs prefer firmer mattresses, while lighter people and side sleepers prefer softer mattresses. Temperature is also an issue. Soft mattresses help you sleep warmer because your body sinks into the layers of fabric and foam. Keep in mind that all mattresses have a break-in period, and the way your mattress feels the first night will be different than it will feel a week or two later.
Do you need a hybrid or foam mattress? The next big question is whether you need a foam mattress or a hybrid model that has layers of foam with built-in springs. We tend to recommend hybrids as they offer more stability and support and usually stay cooler. Hybrids tend to be slightly more expensive. Foam mattresses tend to be softer, lighter, and less expensive.
What size mattress do I need? The prices below are based on queen size, but almost all mattresses come in standard sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. We recommend purchasing a mattress based on the size of your bed frame.
How easy is a bed-in-box to set up? Most of these mattresses arrive vacuum-sealed and rolled in a box. Some items are very heavy (up to 150 pounds), so be sure to have someone help you. Once you unroll your bed-in-box mattress and cut open the vacuum bag, it will begin to inflate immediately, so take it out of the box and place it on or near your bed frame. We've got a helpful guide and other tips on how to set up a mattress you buy online. Typically, the mattress will be ready for use within a few hours, but most manufacturers recommend it takes two days to reach normal condition.
Should I wait for a sale to buy a mattress? Mattresses are often on sale. If it's on sale at full price, you'll likely save hundreds of dollars by waiting for the next big sale event (every few months).
What if I don't like the mattress I bought online? Most mattresses we test and recommend come with at least a 100-night test period and a 10-year warranty. We recommend checking your company's policies as there may be nominal restocking fees.