Should you buy a mattress online?

by Wesley Vaughn [Guest Blogger] April 23, 2022 5 min read

Why not ditch the old way of shopping for a mattress and switch to online shopping? There are several advantages to online mattress shopping. It is more convenient to sit at home and order a mattress online. Online prices are generally lower, and the sleep trials are longer. You can also find unbiased reviews of the mattress you're interested in. So why not give it a try?

Since the launch of the Casper Mattress in 2014, online mattress sales have exploded. BedInABox had been selling online since 2006, and Tuft & Needle since 2012, but this was the big push, with many online mattress companies selling mattress-in-a-box models, which are compressed, rolled, put into boxes, and shipped by package carriers such as UPS and FedEx.

Those who have always purchased mattresses in stores may wonder why they should buy one online. At the same time, online shoppers may wonder why anyone would shop for a mattress in a store.

Assuming you're looking for an online mattress:

There are several advantages to online mattress shopping. The Online prices are generally lower, and the sleep trials are longer. It is more convenient to sit at home, order a mattress online, and be able to try out the mattress in your home for many nights to learn if it is a good fit for you.

When you buy a mattress in a store, you're generally stuck with it. If it's not comfortable, you're out of luck. But when you buy a mattress online, you can often try it out for a few weeks or even months before making a decision. This is because many online mattress companies offer sleep trials.

Sleep trials are great because they give you the chance to really test out a mattress. You can see how it feels after a few nights of sleep and decide if it's right for you. Plus, you don't have to worry about lugging a heavy mattress around if you decide you don't like it.

Another advantage of online mattress shopping is that the prices are often lower than in stores. This is because online mattress companies don't have the same overhead costs as traditional stores. They don't have to pay for rent, employees, or other expenses. This means they can pass the savings on to you in the form of lower prices.

If you're looking for a new mattress, consider shopping online. You can often find a great deal and you'll have the chance to try out the mattress before you commit to it.

The main concern people have with buying a mattress online is that they can't try it out beforehand. Another worry is that the delivery person won't take away the old mattress.

Here are a few pointers to help you in shopping for a mattress online:

Decide What Kind of Mattress

There are different kinds of mattresses:

Innerspring mattresses consist of coils with fiber or foam padding (usually no more than an inch thick) and a fabric cover. Four basic innerspring types are Bonnell coils, offset coils, continuous coils, and pocket coils. Many are two-sided and can be flipped for longer wear. Pocket coils are perfect for compressing and rolling to be boxed. Offset coils are second.
Memory foam mattresses were introduced by Tempur-Pedic in 1991. Memory foam relieves pressure by conforming to the user. Denser memory foam collects more heat than less dense foam, but it is more conforming. Less dense memory foam responds more quickly. The support base of the mattress is very firm polyurethane foam.
Latex is bouncy. All-natural latex foam is made from rubber tree sap. Synthetic latex is made from petroleum. The support base may be very firm latex or very firm polyurethane foam.
Hybrid mattresses have at least 2” of memory foam and/or latex over coil support, usually pocket coils. Some hybrids use newer latex-like foams or replacements for memory foam.
Adjustable Airbeds support sleepers with air chambers. The pressure can be adjusted for comfort and support. The biggest brand, Sleep Number, is sold mainly in stores, but the best-rated airbed, Air-Pedic, can be ordered online and shipped assembled. Sleep Number has only one air chamber for each sleeper. Air-Pedic and a few others have three chambers per sleeper for mid-section support.
Waterbeds provide even support with pressure relief. However, they are bulky and extremely heavy when filled. They are sold online, and you put the water in.
Unique Materials – Foam is not the only cushioning material for a mattress. Other means have been tried, but a currently successful material is the polymer grid used in the Purple Mattress.

Find the Brands of Your Kind of Mattress

If you know what kind of mattress you want, look for it online. See what brands are online. Here’s a sample: Spindle Mattress (latex), Brooklyn Bedding (hybrid), Cocoon by Sealy (memory foam), Select Comfort (airbed), Innomax (waterbed), and more.

Determine Which Mattresses Fit You

Size and Weight: Your size determines the minimum mattress size, thickness, and firmness suitable for you. Heavier sleepers typically need firmer mattresses, but check with the company to make sure that the mattress will be a good fit for you.
Sleeping Position: The conventional wisdom is side sleepers need a softer mattress than back sleepers or stomach sleepers.
One or Two Sleepers: If one, Twin, Twin XL, and Full size might do. If two, Full is the minimum size, and Queen or King is preferable.
Hot or Cool: If you sleep cool, memory foam may be fine. If you sleep hot, seek a cooler mattress, one with ventilation.
Health Conditions: Take physical conditions – such as fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, arthritis, acid reflux, back pain, COPD, and others – into consideration when buying a mattress.
Read Unbiased Online Mattress Reviews Online mattress reviews should give you an indication of how well customers feel about the mattresses they bought. However, not all reviews are unbiased. Not all independent reviewers are that independent. Several review sites belong to the mattress companies.

Compare Specifications and Prices

An old saying is, “The devil is in the details.” Details matter when shopping for a mattress.

Height – How high a mattress do you want? Does it make it harder or easier to get into bed?
Firmness – What is the best firmness for you? Most people (but not all) prefer medium-firm (6-6.5 on a 10-point scale).
Materials – Do you want memory foam or latex? Do you prefer natural ingredients? Do you have allergies to any materials?
Construction – How is the mattress put together? Is the cover removable?
Durability – How long is this mattress expected to last?
Off-gassing – How much gas is released by the foam, and for how long?
Noise – Does the mattress make any noise when sleepers move around?
Foam density – How dense is the foam? This is more important with memory foam, since the density relates to how conforming it is and how much heat it absorbs.
Be Sure to know where it is made. Some other countries are not known for quality. For mattresses, especially those with memory foam, this is a serious consideration. Memory foam made in some places has inconsistent quality. Mattresses made in North America and Western Europe are usually higher quality, but not guaranteed.
Try it if you can. Many online mattresses are available for testing in certain stores. You can check them out and either order one at the store or buy it there and take it home if it’s a boxed bed.