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Last Updated January 25, 2025
Buying a mattress used to mean walking into a store, lying on a bunch of them, and picking the one that felt the best. But times have changed, and now most mattresses are bought online. That means no awkward showroom visits—but also no way to test the mattress before you buy it.
So, how do you know you’re picking the right one? Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to choose a mattress without trying it first. From figuring out what kind of support you need to spotting the best deals, we’ve got you covered!
Key Takeaways:
Let's look into the details of how to buy a mattress without trying it first:
Before starting your search, take time to evaluate your unique sleep requirements. Consider your sleeping position, body weight, and any specific health concerns that impact your comfort. The better you understand these factors, the easier it will be to find a mattress tailored to your needs.
Your preferred sleeping position plays a significant role in determining the ideal mattress firmness and support level. Let’s break this down further:
Your body weight impacts how a mattress feels and performs, influencing your overall comfort and support:
If you experience specific sleep issues, prioritize mattresses designed to address them:
Understanding the different types of mattresses will help you select one that best suits your needs. Each type comes with its own set of features, benefits, and drawbacks, which are outlined below:
Memory foam mattresses are known for their superior contouring abilities and pressure relief. They’re beneficial for side sleepers who need cushioning around their shoulders and hips. Moreover, memory foam minimizes motion transfer, making it ideal for couples. However, traditional memory foam tends to retain heat, so consider models with cooling gels or open-cell designs to combat this issue.
Innerspring mattresses feature a coil-based support system and are typically firmer than foam models. They provide excellent support for stomach sleepers and those who prefer a more traditional, bouncy feel. The open coil structure promotes airflow, which keeps the mattress cooler. However, innerspring mattresses may lack the contouring and plushness some sleepers desire.
Hybrid mattresses combine layers of foam or latex with an innerspring core, offering the best of both worlds. The innerspring core typically consists of pocketed coils, which are individually wrapped to reduce motion transfer and enhance contouring support. These individually wrapped coils provide a responsive feel and promote airflow, helping to regulate temperature.
Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic rubber and are highly durable. They offer a responsive feel, making them great for combination sleepers. Natural latex foam is also hypoallergenic and eco-friendly, ideal for environmentally conscious buyers. These mattresses tend to be slightly firmer and pricier than other options.
Air mattresses allow for adjustable firmness levels by using air chambers that can be inflated or deflated. They are particularly useful for couples with different firmness preferences. While versatile, airbeds are often more expensive and may require additional setup and maintenance.
Setting a budget is a critical step in buying a mattress online, as it narrows your options and ensures you make a practical decision. Mattresses are available in a wide range of prices, from under $500 to over $3,000. Understanding the factors that affect pricing can help you allocate your resources wisely.
Base Price: Budget mattresses often use basic materials and construction methods, which may suffice for short-term or guest room use. Mid-range mattresses, priced between $800 and $1,500, offer a balance of quality and affordability with better materials, cooling features, and longer warranties. Premium models, costing over $2,000, usually include advanced technology, natural materials, or luxury design elements.
Additional Costs: Remember to include costs for shipping, accessories like waterproof mattress protectors or pillows, and potential assembly fees or disposal fees for old mattresses. White-glove delivery services might add convenience but increase expenses.
Long-Term Value: While budget-friendly options might seem attractive initially, investing in a durable, high-quality mattress can save money over time by reducing the frequency of replacements. Evaluate the durability, comfort, and warranty to ensure that the mattress offers value beyond its initial cost.
Customer reviews provide an essential window into a mattress's real-world performance. To make the most of reviews, focus on authenticity and relevance to your personal needs.
Verified Purchases: Prioritize reviews from verified buyers, as they are more likely to reflect genuine experiences rather than promotional or biased opinions.
Patterns in Feedback: Look for recurring themes in reviews. For example, if many users praise the mattress for its back pain relief, it’s likely effective in that area. Conversely, consistent complaints about durability or sagging should raise concerns.
Similar Needs: Pay attention to reviews written by individuals with similar sleep habits, body types, or preferences. If a reviewer mentions relief from shoulder pain and you experience the same issue, their feedback is particularly valuable.
Detailed Comments: Don’t rely solely on star ratings. Read the detailed feedback to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mattress's performance, including both its strengths and weaknesses. Some reviews may also include tips on setup or maintenance that could be helpful.
While reviews are helpful, balance them with expert opinions or testing data to make a fully informed decision. This dual approach ensures you aren’t swayed by outlier comments or overly positive testimonials.
Before purchasing, thoroughly review the company’s policies on sleep trials, warranties, and returns to ensure you’re fully informed:
Sleep Trial: Most online mattress companies offer a sleep trial period, typically from 90 to 365 nights. This trial allows you to test the mattress in your home and return it if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Ensure you’re aware of any conditions, such as a required minimum trial period or packaging requirements for returns.
Warranty: A quality mattress should include a warranty that covers defects like sagging or material failure. Standard warranties range from 10 to 20 years. Review the terms carefully to understand what is covered and whether any fees apply for repairs or replacements.
Return Policy: Returning a mattress can be a straightforward process or a complicated one, depending on the brand. Some companies offer free returns and full refunds, while others may charge restocking fees or provide store credit. Clarify these details upfront to avoid unexpected costs if the mattress isn’t a good fit.
Maximize your research by leveraging the wealth of tools and resources available online to simplify your decision-making process. Many mattress companies and review sites offer valuable features to help match you with the perfect mattress.
Mattress Finder Quizzes: These tools analyze your sleep preferences, weight, and concerns to recommend suitable options. By answering a few targeted questions, you can receive personalized suggestions that align with your needs.
Virtual Showrooms: Some of the best online mattress brands offer augmented reality (AR) tools or 3D visualizations to help you see how the mattress fits in your space. This can be helpful for ensuring it complements your bedroom aesthetic.
Comparison Charts: Use side-by-side comparisons to weigh the pros and cons of different mattress models, including factors like firmness, material composition, and price. These charts make it easier to evaluate your top choices objectively.
Purchasing a mattress during sales events can help you secure a high-quality product at a more affordable price. Timing and research are key to finding the best deals.
Holiday Sales: Retailers often offer significant discounts during holidays such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Keep an eye out for these events and plan your purchase accordingly.
Newsletter Promotions: Sign up for brand newsletters to receive exclusive discounts, promotional codes, or early access to sales. Many companies reward first-time subscribers with additional savings.
Bundles: Look for package deals that include essential accessories like pillows, sheets, or mattress protectors. These bundles often provide better value than purchasing items separately.
Price Matching: Some retailers offer price-matching policies, ensuring you get the lowest price available. If you find a better deal elsewhere, contact customer service to see if they will match it.
When your mattress arrives, proper preparation can ensure a smooth and stress-free setup experience.
Unboxing: Most online mattresses are delivered compressed in a box. Carefully remove the packaging and allow the mattress to expand fully. This process can take 24-48 hours, depending on the materials used.
Off-Gassing: A slight odor, known as off-gassing, is common with new mattresses, especially those made of foam. Ventilate the room by opening windows or using a fan to help dissipate the smell within a few days.
Setup Assistance: If the mattress is heavy or difficult to maneuver, consider enlisting help. Many companies offer white-glove delivery services, which include in-home setup and removal of your old mattress for an additional fee.
Once your mattress is set up, take advantage of the trial period to ensure it meets your expectations. Sleep on it for at least 30 nights to allow your body to adjust and monitor its performance.
Support and Alignment: Pay attention to how well the mattress supports your body, particularly in sensitive areas like your back, shoulders, and hips. Proper spinal alignment is crucial for preventing pain.
Pressure Relief: Assess whether the mattress alleviates pressure points, especially if you sleep on your side or experience joint discomfort.
Comfort: Consider how comfortable the mattress feels overall. Do you wake up feeling refreshed and free of aches? Comfort can vary based on factors like temperature regulation and firmness level.
Durability: Monitor for signs of sagging or wear during the trial period. A quality mattress should maintain its shape and support over time, ensuring long-term satisfaction.
Shopping for a mattress without trying it first doesn’t have to be a headache. Once you understand your sleep habits, body type, and any comfort issues, the rest will fall into place.
Use the available tools—such as sleep quizzes, customer reviews, and sleep trials—to ensure that you’re picking a perfect match.
And don’t forget about those sweet sales and bundle deals—they can really save you a few bucks.
A little research goes a long way, and before you know it, you’ll be catching some serious Z’s on a mattress that actually works for you!
Ideally, you should try a mattress before buying it to ensure that it feels comfortable and supportive. But if that’s not an option, many online mattress brands offer generous trial periods. This means you can try the mattress at home and return it if it doesn’t work, which is a great backup plan.
To determine which mattress is right for you, consider your sleep position, body weight, and any specific needs you might have, such as back pain or getting too hot while you sleep.
For example, side sleepers often need a softer mattress for pressure relief, while stomach sleepers might prefer a firmer option to keep their spine aligned. If you're on the heavier side, look for a mattress with extra support to avoid sagging.
Also, consider your comfort preferences—do you like a bouncy feel, or do you want something more plush and contouring?
Reading customer reviews and taking online mattress quizzes can help guide your decision. And most importantly, make sure you choose a mattress that comes with a solid sleep trial so you can test it out at home and make sure it’s the right fit for you.
Yes, most mattress stores let you test mattresses before buying. You can lie down, feel the mattress, and decide if it’s the right one. If you’re shopping online, look for brands that offer risk-free home trials so you can try them out after delivery.
You can sleep on your new mattress right away. If it was shipped rolled or vacuum-sealed, it might take a few hours
to fully expand and air out. Giving it 24 hours to breathe is ideal, but if you’re excited to use it, go for it!
For back and stomach sleepers, a firmer mattress is key to maintaining proper spinal alignment. Back sleepers benefit from a medium-firm to firm mattress, like a hybrid with innerspring coils and Talalay latex, for a balance of support and comfort.
Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to prevent their midsection from sinking, with options like firm memory foam or Dunlop latex being ideal for support.
Both types of sleepers should look for mattresses with good edge support and minimal motion transfer to enhance comfort and reduce discomfort.
Buying online offers convenience, better deals, and generous sleep trials that let you test the mattress at home for
weeks or months. You also avoid the pressure of salespeople and can read reviews to make an informed decision.
On the other hand, buying from traditional mattress stores allows you to physically test mattresses, which can help if you’re unsure about firmness or comfort preferences.
Most stores and online brands have return policies that let you return a mattress if it doesn’t work out. You may need to try it for a few days before being able to initiate a return. You usually get 30 to 365 nights to decide, and some brands even offer free returns. Just check the store’s policy to see if there are any fees for restocking or pickup.
Yes, customer reviews can provide valuable insight into the quality and comfort of a mattress. However, it’s important to read a variety of reviews to get a balanced perspective.
Look for reviews that mention aspects important to you, such as comfort, durability, ease of setup, and the effectiveness of customer service.
Keep in mind that individual experiences can vary, so also look for patterns in the reviews (e.g., many customers mentioning a specific issue like firmness or a particular feature).
To ensure you’re getting a good deal, compare prices across multiple retailers. Be sure to factor in extra costs like shipping, taxes, and potential return fees. Many brands offer discounts or sales events, so keep an eye out for promotions or holiday sales.
Also, look for value-added benefits like a long trial period, a strong warranty, and customer support services.
While a mattress may have a higher upfront cost, a longer warranty and trial period can make it a more cost-effective investment in the long run.
Researching and reading reviews will also help you make an informed decision about whether the mattress is worth the price.
While buying a mattress without trying it in person does involve some risk, online mattress brands have worked hard to minimize this risk through generous trial periods, return policies, and customer service.
The biggest concern is that the mattress might not feel as expected when it arrives. However, brands offer 30 to 365-night trials, giving you ample time to decide if the mattress suits you. If it doesn’t, you can return it for a full refund or exchange it for a different model.
Always read the return policy carefully to understand any potential fees and the return process.
Related blog posts:
1. Online vs. In-Store Mattress Shopping
2. How Can I Make My Mattress More Comfortable
4. How Much Does a Mattress Weigh?
Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
