Buying a Mattress Online: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re starting your hunt for a new mattress online, you might feel overwhelmed by the quantity of choices and the variety of options at your disposal. To help you weed through the hoopla and avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed, we have broken down the ins and outs of buying a mattress online, so that you have everything you need to know before you click “buy.”
Types of Mattresses- Memory Foam vs Spring vs Hybrid
One of the first steps of buying a mattress online is to decide what type of mattress you’re looking for. While there is an abundance of options, the three main options are memory foam mattresses, innerspring mattresses and hybrid mattresses.
For those who currently have a traditional spring mattress and have no problems with it, it may be wise to stick with a spring mattress because why mess up a good thing? That being said, they don’t typically provide as much pressure point relief as memory foam mattresses and can lose up to 16% of their support in the first year alone. When looking to switch from a spring mattress, please be aware of the adjustment period that needs to happen when changing the type of mattress you sleep on; it can often take up to a month to get used to a new mattress.
Another option when buying a mattress online is a memory foam mattress. Memory foam provides optimal pressure point relief and helps relieve aches and pains, but some complain that memory foam tends to sleep hot. If this is your concern, look for a mattress that has gel memory foam, which helps dissipate body heat. Muse Sleep memory foam mattresses not only offer gel-infused memory foam, but also a phase-changing fabric cover that is cool-to-the-touch so that you won’t overheat at night. A high-quality memory foam mattress will also evenly distribute body weight and isolate motion transfer, which will allow you to sleep peacefully if your partner or pet moves around.
The third option when shopping for mattresses online is a hybrid mattress. A hybrid mattress provides a unique feel by combining innersprings with either memory foam or latex foam. If you and your partner can’t agree on foam vs innerspring, this may be the best compromise. A hybrid mattress does a better job of contouring to your body curves than a traditional innerspring mattress, but it’s not as firm as a memory foam mattress. This unique feel often comes with a higher price point, so don’t have sticker shock when shopping hybrid mattresses.
Does It Work With Your Bedframe?
One important piece that most people don’t think about when shopping for a mattress online is ensuring the mattress they are looking to buy is compatible with their current bedframe. Some mattresses require a box spring, while some don’t work with adjustable bedframes. Being cognizant and aware of your current situation is important when shopping for a new mattress because you’re already spending a significant amount of money on a new mattress, the last thing you want to do is finally decide on a mattress and then realize it doesn’t work with your bedframe.
Know Your Budget
When looking at mattresses online, the amount of options and price points can be overwhelming. You can find mattresses as low as $300 and as high as $2,500. When considering price, the first step is to decide what is the most you are willing to spend. Things to also keep in mind when thinking about price include whether the company provides free shipping and returns, and whether your mattress will be a good long-term investment. Not all mattresses are made the same; try looking for a mattress that was made in the US to ensure that your mattress will go the distance and not need to be replaced in less than 5 years.
Know How Long it Takes to Deliver Your Mattress
Keeping your needs in mind, as far as a timeline go, is vitally important when looking at mattresses online. Some companies have mattresses that are made-to-order, while others have them ready to ship, and some even have their mattresses available on Amazon Prime. Whether you’re moving and not wanting to bring your old mattress with you or have already scheduled a pick-up for your old mattress, you need to make sure the mattress you are looking at can be delivered within the time you need it, so you’re not stuck sleeping on the couch while you wait for your delivery. Shipping time varies greatly company to company, so be sure to ask what the expected time to deliver your mattress before you buy it.
Sleep Trials
One of the best benefits that most online mattress companies provide is a mattress trial period. It’s hard to tell if you’re going to like a mattress you’ve purchased sight unseen, which is why mattress companies offer these sleep trials. That being said, some sleep trials are longer than others; if you are switching the type of mattress you’re sleeping on and will require a longer trial to allow for an adjustment period, don’t go with a company that only offers a one-month trial period. While a shorter trial period shouldn’t be a deal breaker, it is definitely something to keep in mind when shopping for a mattress online so that you don’t get stuck with a mattress you don’t like.
What Happens If You Don’t Like Your Mattress Purchase?
While the hope is that you absolutely love the mattress you picked out, it is important to be prepared just in case it’s not the mattress of your dreams. For starters, know the company’s return policy and procedure. Are the returns free? Do they require you to get rid of the mattress on your own or do they provide a pick-up service? It’s also important to know what is included in your warranty and how long your warranty lasts. A company’s customer service is very important when you’re not happy with your purchase, so make sure that they will accommodate you in the event that you need to return your mattress.
Now that you now know everything to look for when buying a mattress online, it’s important to also know the pros and cons of buying a mattress online versus buying a mattress in a store so that you can make the right decision for your needs.
The Pros of Buying a Mattress Online
When shopping online for a mattress, you’ll find a lot of benefits, but one of the biggest benefits is the lower price point. Not only is the price better, but most online retailers offer promotional codes for holidays and for signing up for their mailing list. These additional discounts should not be overlooked because they can really sweeten the deal.
Another benefit of buying a mattress online is that you won’t have to deal with pushy salesmen. Often times when buying a mattress in a store, you will have a sales associate follow you around trying to convince you to buy a mattress from them so they can benefit from the commission. Buying online cuts that hassle and gives you an honest price from the start.
Online mattress retailers know that it’s not easy to buy a mattress without trying it first. It’s very possible you won’t like the mattress you buy, and most online retailers have top-notch customer service in order to make your experience as good as possible.
The Cons of Buying a Mattress Online
While buying a mattress online has its pros, it’s not for everyone. There are definitely some cons to be aware of before you decide go the e-commerce route for a new mattress. Buying a mattress online requires you to do your own research, which some people find very overwhelming because of the vast amount of options available.
The most obvious disadvantage of buying a mattress online is that you don’t get to test out the mattress before you buy it. To counteract this inconvenience, some online mattress companies have started partnering up with retail stores so that you have locations to try out their mattress. Even the companies that haven’t partnered up with a brick-and-mortar store try to combat this disadvantage by offering sleep trials, so that you can return your mattress if you don’t like it.
When buying a mattress in-store, they will often take your old mattress when they deliver your new one. When buying a mattress online, you will more than likely be responsible for disposing of your old mattress on your own. Some may find this an inconvenience, especially if they live in a rural area where charities won’t do pick-ups.