Online Mattress Shopping Guide

Reviewer:  Aaron Creighton | March 23, 2019 

Buying a mattress has changed completely and that’s a good thing– today you can get the best sleep of your life for a fraction of the cost.

 

Mattress Shopping Overview

I bought a cheap mattress 7 years ago from a mattress store in my neighborhood. For $400 I got a hard, springy mattress and a box spring. It was terrible, but I got used to it. I only recently realized how uncomfortable I had been. When I started looking for a new bed, I realized that buying a mattress has completely changed since the last time I purchased. Nobody goes down the street to buy their mattress anymore, they buy beds online because it’s easy, risk-free (meaning that you’re never stuck with a mattress that isn’t comfortable) and the beds are AMAZINGLY comfortable.

How to Tell if Your Mattress Needs Replacing

I’m a stomach sleeper so I prefer to sleep on hard or at least generally firm surface. So a hard mattress isn’t a problem for me generally, but when I started feeling individual springs, I new it was time for a new bed. Here are the questions I had to HONESTLY answer for myself:

Did I have energy in the morning?

Did I fall asleep quickly and deeply?

Was I waking up with shoulder or back pain?

Were my allergies getting worse?

I answered all of these questions with a big “Yes”, so I knew it was time to start shopping for a new bed.

Where to Start

Here’s the big question, and you’ll need to be honest with yourself again. Can you really see yourself buying a mattress online? The hurdle most people face is buying a mattress that they haven’t been able to test drive, which is perfectly understandable. If you’re on the fence, here are a few reasons you should consider buying your next mattress online.

Fortune Favors the Bold: Why Buy a Mattress Online

Low Risk

Most people think that they’re stuck with the first mattress they try, but this is totally untrue. Most reputable online mattress retailers (and all of the mattresses we reviewed) have a generous return policy for their products, and some are good for up to a year.

Also, consumers have spoken, over 90% of people who buy a mattress online are satisfied with their purchase, which is actually higher than the satisfaction rate of people who shop in stores. Only 87% of people who buy their mattresses in stores are ultimately satisfied with their purchase. What does that mean? It means that shopping for mattresses online is here to stay.

Low Cost

The rent for that mattress store down the street is expensive. So are the salaries of their sales teams. When mattress makers can avoid these expenses and sell directly to you through an online store, everybody wins. You can get a better bed for less by shopping online. To sum it up, your dollar goes further when you shop for a bed online.

More Options

Materials in bed mattress construction have improved dramatically over the last few years. Where once the only mattress-in-a-box was made of memory foam (think Temperpedic), a wave of new companies have sprung up and have been designing incredible beds with other materials that can improve the sleep experience even if you hate memory foam beds and prefer bouncy springs. These materials include latex foams, variable density memory foams, variations on the traditional spring mattress, and countless combinations of all the above.

Foam mattresses were once the only good options for people who slept on their side or on their back, while everyone else complained about their limbs falling asleep overnight. This is a problem that has been solved, and choosing the right materials and brand can ensure that everyone gets the best night’s sleep of their life for a fraction of the cost.

Know How You Sleep (And Other Uses for Your Bed)

The first thing you need to determine is how you and your partner sleep. This is perhaps the biggest consideration you’ll need to make in picking your mattress. Sleep face down? Sleep upside down? Sleep in every possible position throughout the course of an average night? That’s totally fine, there’s an online mattress that will not only work for you, but quickly become the best purchase decision of your life. Your job is to figure out your needs and this guide will help get you into the right bed.

In addition to sleep, we use our mattress for um… other things. Subtle enough? If not I’ll get more specific. Many people find that a traditional memory foam mattress do not provide enough bounce for people who use their mattress for sex, while others prefer to sink into their mattress and enjoy the fact that their mattress is quieter and less bouncy. If you prefer a bouncier bed during sex, consider a latex foam mattress. These are generally firmer, but also have a springier feel than memory foam.

Here’s a breakdown of the different materials and how they match with sleep styles. 

Sleep on your side? Consider a spring or hybrid mattress.

Sleep on your back? Try a mattress with more support, like memory foam or latex. These tend to be firmer.

Sleep on your stomach? Try a firmer mattress, I prefer latex but a firmer memory foam is good too, as long as you don’t sink in too much. Heavier sleepers may prefer a hybrid or spring mattress.

Change positions frequently? A mattress that minimizes motion transfer like memory foam or latex would be a good fit for you and your partner.

Online Mattress Types and Materials

When you buy a mattress online, you’ll run into different makes and materials that include:

Foam. Today’s foam mattresses are a lot different from your traditional memory foam. Most materials now offer special cooling and comfort features to reduce heat and those extreme body indents characteristic of older foams. Foam ranges in densities, but if you’re heavier or sleep on your stomach, you may prefer a denser foam.

Hybrid. A hybrid mattress typically comprises a combination of foam layers and even coils to offer the best of all worlds.

Latex. Latex mattresses are similar to foam, but have some very beneficial qualities. First, they’re bouncier and don’t sink in the way a traditional memory foam mattress would. Also, they are more environmentally friendly than many other types of foam because latex is a natural material.

Spring. Spring mattresses are considered the “traditional” mattress type and contain metal coils sandwiched in between layers of other materials added for comfort. There are some great online options for spring mattresses with innovative materials.

Pros and Cons of Different Materials:

Foam

Reduces motion transfer

Contours to your body

Can retain heat and “sleep hot”

Hybrid

Provides the benefits of both foam and coils

Can be a solid choice for a wide range of sleep positions

Typically on the pricey side

Latex

Environmentally responsible materials and process

Durable

Can be on the firm side

Spring

Can be very supportive

Tends to stay cool

Uneven support across different areas of your body

Noisy

Transfer motion from one side to the other

Safe Buying

Know your must-haves. What’s the most important feature for you — is it staying within a budget? How about comfort or durability? Know what you absolutely can’t sacrifice, then mold your decision around these answers.

Compare shipping and return policies. Trial periods vary by brand, so learn how long you have to sleep on your mattress before giving it the green light. Shipping costs also vary, especially if you live in Alaska, Hawaii or Canada.

Get in touch with support. How quickly did you get help? Were reps able to answer your questions? Were they friendly? Answers can really matter down the road if you need help, want to make a warranty claim or require a return.

Where to go from here

We’ve done the heavy lifting by rating some of the best options available. Check out our top picks and reviews of our favorites for every type of sleeper. Do your research, pull in customer reviews, consumer reports, everything! Being comfortable with the company is the first step towards being comfortable on a new bed.

Final Thoughts.

It’s a great time to be alive. And an even better time to be asleep. Online mattress shopping has dramatically improved the lives of millions of Americans by reducing mattress costs, improving sleep with better informed sleep science, and removing the hassle of dealing with mattress stores and salespeople.