Gone are the days when shopping for a mattress meant driving to a store, testing various options, and dealing with the hassle of delivery. With the rise of e-commerce, buying a mattress has become easier than ever. You can now shop for and set up a mattress in your bedroom without leaving the comfort of your home.
Although online mattress shopping offers convenience, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider. Here is everything you need to know about navigating the process of buying a mattress online.
How Online Mattress Stores Operate
In the past, mattress shopping was limited by geographic location and available stock. However, the introduction of Bed-In-A-Box changed the game in 2006. Today, major mattress companies have shifted their operations online, providing detailed product descriptions, images, and videos to assist shoppers in making informed decisions. Some retailers even offer sleep assessments, quizzes, and live chat support to help customers select the perfect mattress based on their preferences and sleep habits. Delivery is typically handled by major carriers like UPS or FedEx, with mattresses compressed, boxed, and delivered directly to your doorstep.
Advantages of Buying a Mattress Online
Purchasing a mattress online offers numerous benefits, such as a wider selection of products and competitive pricing. Online retailers have the advantage of vast warehouses, enabling them to offer a broader range of choices compared to traditional stores. This means you can customize your mattress with various features like pillow tops and cooling technology to suit your specific needs. Additionally, the direct-to-consumer model adopted by many online retailers helps keep prices affordable due to increased competition in the market.
Furthermore, online mattress retailers often provide generous sleep trials and hassle-free return policies to alleviate any concerns you might have about making a purchase. By taking advantage of these benefits, you can confidently shop for a mattress online and find the perfect option tailored to your preferences and budget.
Aries and above, passing the savings on to you. The mattress industry has undergone significant growth over the past two decades. While it was once dominated by brands like Sealy and Stearns & Foster, many new players have entered the market, leading to increased competition and more opportunities for savings for consumers. Shoppers can now take advantage of exclusive online discounts, direct-from-manufacturer promotions, and generous sleep trials lasting up to 365 nights.
With the rise of online mattress retailers, customers may no longer have the chance to physically test a mattress before purchasing. Instead, they can enjoy the convenience of generous sleep trials and free shipping and returns. Many online mattresses are shipped in a box, making them easier to handle and set up on your own.
However, there are some drawbacks to buying a mattress online. You miss out on the opportunity to “try before you buy,” and customer service may be limited. Additionally, mattresses purchased online may emit off-gassing odors when unpacked. Despite these challenges, online mattress shopping offers convenience and cost savings for those willing to do their research.
Your mattress may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the materials used, especially in mattresses containing polyfoam or memory foam. VOCs are more noticeable in mattresses shipped in a box due to the vacuum seal compressing the mattress, trapping the chemicals inside. These off-gassing odors can linger for a few days and may lead to short-term health and respiratory issues.
When ordering a mattress online, most companies typically ship the mattress compressed in a box via carriers like UPS or FedEx. Delivery usually stops at your front door, leaving you responsible for unboxing the mattress, placing it on your bedframe, and allowing it to decompress according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some higher-end mattress companies offer white glove service, where a professional team will set up the mattress in your desired room. They may also assist with moving your old mattress to another room or disposing of it in compliance with local regulations, as well as removing all packing materials.
Companies such as Saatva provide white glove delivery included in the purchase, while others like Helix and Leesa offer this service for an additional fee. Saatva even includes mattress removal as part of the delivery experience.
Differences between traditional mattresses and mattresses-in-a-box are primarily in packaging and shipping methods. Traditional mattresses are typically delivered full-size, often with white glove service, while mattresses-in-a-box are compressed and vacuum-sealed for shipping, requiring time to expand to their full size once unboxed.
When disposing of an old mattress, you can contact your local trash service, landfill, or look into recycling options through the Mattress Recycling Council. Donating or selling your old mattress to organizations like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, or The Salvation Army are also viable options.
Online mattress shopping has advanced beyond just memory foam options, now offering innerspring mattresses and hybrids as well. Innerspring mattresses are supported by a network of coils, providing another choice for buyers.
When you think of a traditional mattress, you likely picture an innerspring option from brands like Saatva and Sealy. These mattresses are firmer compared to other types.
Foam Mattress: Made entirely of foam, these mattresses are easy to compress into a box, making them popular choices for mattress-in-a-box options. Memory foam mattresses, such as Nectar and Tuft and Needle, offer a softer feel than innerspring mattresses.
Hybrid Mattress: Combining an innerspring base with a memory foam top, hybrid mattresses provide the support of innerspring with the comfort of foam. While they are pricier, they are highly rated by customers. Examples include Leesa Sapira and DreamCloud.
Ordering a mattress online is safe as long as you choose reputable brands with customer-friendly policies. Most brands offer sleep trials, free shipping, and returns, along with in-home setup and old mattress disposal options. Prices online can be cheaper due to the direct-to-consumer model and competitive market landscape.
If you are not satisfied with the mattress you ordered online, most brands offer sleep trials for returns. Be sure to check the specific term of the sleep trial before initiating a return.
Consider starting your online mattress shopping journey with brands like Nectar, offering affordable options with various levels of pressure relief and support, and Saatva, known for its diverse mattress options and white glove delivery service.
Saatva offers various support options, such as live chat, phone assistance, and email, among others. They provide a 365-night sleep trial and give full refunds (minus a $99 processing fee) for mattresses that fail to meet expectations. Unlike many competitors, Saatva includes white glove delivery as standard. Their delivery team will bring your new mattress, set it up in your preferred room, and even remove your old mattress if you select that option at checkout. The price is $1,349 at Saatva.
Mattress Firm stands out as a top multi-brand retailer, offering a diverse range of brands like Beautyrest, Purple, Stearns & Foster, and Nectar under one roof. Customers can easily sort through options by brand, price range, mattress size, or firmness levels. Mattress Firm also operates brick-and-mortar stores nationwide, allowing customers to test mattresses before making a purchase. Their services include free shipping, a 120 Night Sleep Trial, live shopping assistance, and haul away services for a fee. The cost is $500 at Mattress Firm.
Sealy, known for its innovative mattress designs, presents various collections including Cocoon by Sealy, Posturepedic, Sealy FlexGrid, and Sealy Naturals. With offerings in foam, springs, and hybrids across different firmness levels, Sealy ensures a choice for every sleeper. Most Sealy mattresses come with free shipping and in-home delivery service. Their delivery team not only sets up your new mattress in your preferred room but also disposes of all packaging and can remove your old mattress and box spring upon request. Sealy offers a 90-day sleep trial, free delivery, and a 10-year limited warranty. The cost is $699 for Cocoon by Sealy.
Serta, a household name in the mattress industry, offers a wide selection of mattresses, making it challenging for customers to choose. To simplify the process, buyers can categorize and shop by mattress type, whether memory foam, hybrid, innerspring, or mattress-in-a-box. Serta provides a 120-night trial, free shipping, and free returns. Customers can opt for FedEx delivery to their doorstep, threshold delivery, or white glove delivery, which includes setup, removal of packaging, and old mattress, for a non-refundable $150 fee. The cost is $1,299 at Serta.
Tempur-Pedic, known for its exceptional customer testimonials, offers four mattress collections — Cloud, Adapt, Breeze, and Active Breeze. With a range of all-foam and hybrid mattresses in various firmness levels, Tempur-Pedic mattresses are priced from $2,000 to $10,000. They provide white glove delivery with complimentary setup and removal of the old mattress, a 90-day sleep trial, free delivery, and a 10-year limited warranty. For personalized assistance, Tempur-Pedic offers access to their Virtual Sleep Expert. The cost
