How to buy a mattress online

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How to buy a mattress online

Sleep specialists share how to navigate mattress specs, spot red flags and score better deals online than you would in-store on brands like Saatva, Nectar and Casper.

Kristine Solomon

Contributing Writer

Sat, January 24, 2026 at 3:21 AM UTC

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Introduction

In this story

Research shows buying your mattress online often saves you money. (Getty Images)

Chalk this up to yet another baffling human behavior: 35% of shoppers said they bought their mattress online without ever lying down on it first, according to a 2025 Consumer Reports survey. Which is wild, considering how personal sleep becomes once your body stops forgiving bad decisions. I’ll concede that it kinda makes sense that young folks buy mattresses online. With youth comes the uncanny ability to crash anywhere — a friend’s ratty sofa, a sleeping bag, your parents’ La-Z-Boy. But that flexibility doesn’t last.

As full-fledged adults with creaky bodies and stiff backs, we need a very specific balance of comfort and support to feel human in the morning. Surely these online mattress shoppers must have some deep regrets … right? Quite the opposite. JD Power’s most recent customer satisfaction survey shows the majority of online mattress buyers were actually happier with their purchases than in-store shoppers, and not just because of convenience. They reported higher satisfaction in terms of cost, value (they spent an average of $258 less), features and overall service. (Huh! Color me intrigued.)

Is buying a mattress online better?

For many shoppers, the answer is yes — with a few important caveats. "Online resources can help shoppers better understand what they're buying,” says Mary Helen Rogers, spokesperson for the Better Sleep Council and the International Sleep Products Association, a leading mattress trade organization. JD Power backs this up, noting that online mattress shoppers are more likely to thoroughly research their options, read online reviews and even contact the brand to clear up questions before purchasing, which all leads to higher satisfaction rates.

No matter how you buy your mattress, remember: “It takes the body about 21 to 30 days to adjust to a new sleep surface, so the long home-trial of an online mattress actually provides a better trial period than a five-minute test in a store,” says Dr. Azizi Seixas, associate director of the University of Miami's Center for Translational Sleep and Circadian Sciences.

Ahead, we’ll walk through how to shop for a mattress online with confidence — including which features matter most, what the fine print really means and how to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.

How to narrow your mattress options before you shop

There are so many mattresses on the market proclaiming to be the best, but the “best mattress” is, well, subjective. Before you start scrolling endlessly, pinpoint what matters most to you. Here are the main factors to consider:

Mattress type

“Comfort, support and spinal alignment are highly individual and depend on factors such as sleep position, body weight, health considerations and personal comfort preferences — not just mattress type,” says Rogers. Translation: The right choice is personal, not universal.

While there are many mattress variations — and mattress sizes — on the market, we’re narrowing our focus to the four most common mattress types: foam, innerspring, latex and hybrid.

Foam mattresses are known for isolating motion, making them a solid choice for light sleepers or co-sleepers. Because some foams retain heat, hot sleepers may want to look for cooling features, such as gel infusions or breathable covers.
Innerspring mattresses tend to be more budget-friendly and resilient, offering “better airflow and bounce — which can help people who feel ‘stuck’ sinking into a foam mattress,” says Seixas. (If you want a little more cushioning, you can spring, so to speak, for a pillowtop.)
Latex mattresses are technically foam mattresses, but they’re often treated as a separate category because latex feels more responsive and springy than memory foam, and tends to sleep cooler and last longer.
Hybrid mattresses, which are a mash-up of foam and springs, are often considered "the best of both worlds, combining the support of coils with the comfort of foam," says Seixas.

Firmness level

Once you’ve narrowed the type of mattress you’re considering, firmness becomes the next — and often more important — decision. Mattress firmness is all about how soft or hard a mattress feels when you lie down on it. It’s a matter of your personal perception and individual comfort. (After all, one person’s perfectly soft mattress is another person's too-firm.) Most brands use a mattress firmness scale to describe that feel, which, by the way, is not a universal or regulated system. (Each brand sets its own scale and definitions.) Firmness labels are meant to help shoppers compare options — not to serve as an exact or standardized measurement, according to the National Council on Aging.

When shopping online, you’ll usually see firmness described along a 1–10 scale, like this:

Very soft (1–2): Deep sink, high contouring
Soft (3–4): Noticeable sink, pressure relief focus
Medium (5): Balance of contouring + pushback
Medium-firm (6–7): Light contouring with stronger support
Firm (8–9): Minimal sink, flatter surface
Extra-firm (10): Very rigid, little to no contouring

If you're unsure, experts often suggest staying near the middle of the mattress firmness chart. “From a clinical perspective, medium-firm is the general winner for the average person,” says Seixas. “Research consistently shows that medium-firm mattresses provide the best balance of pressure relief and spinal support for the widest range of people.”

Sleep position

Seixas calls sleep position “the primary driver of spinal alignment in order to obtain good sleep health.” Here’s what that means when you’re shopping for a mattress online:

Best mattress for side sleepers: Side sleepers need pressure relief. “They should seek mattresses with thicker comfort layers, such as memory foam or latex, to cushion the shoulders and hips and help prevent pins and needles,” Seixas says.
Best mattress for back sleepers: Back sleepers require a balance of support and contouring. “A medium-firm surface helps prevent the lower back from sinking too deeply, which can contribute to morning stiffness,” he explains.
Best mattress for stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers typically do best on a firmer surface. “If the mattress is too soft, the pelvis sinks, causing them to arch their back and strain their neck and spine,” Seixas says.

Body weight

One reason two people can share the very same mattress and have completely different takes on how it feels is body weight, which directly influences how much a mattress compresses beneath you.

Best mattress for lighter-weight sleepers: The less you weigh, the softer a mattress tends to feel. “Lighter individuals often find standard mattresses too firm because they don’t apply enough pressure to sink into the comfort layers,” Seixas says. Softer models or thicker comfort layers can help.
Best mattress for heavier-weight sleepers: The more you weigh, the firmer a mattress will feel — and the more support it needs to provide. “Heavier individuals require more robust support systems, such as high-density foams or reinforced coils, to prevent ‘bottoming out,’ which is when the mattress compresses so much that it no longer supports the body properly,” says Seixas. “A mattress that’s too soft won’t provide the necessary structural support.” Many mattresses list weight capacity recommendations — often around 500-700 pounds for a queen — which can be a useful benchmark if you're concerned about durability.

Budget

Mattress prices are no drop in the bucket, ranging from a few hundred dollars to well into the five figures, but most shoppers land somewhere in the middle. Research suggests that the average queen-size mattress costs around $1,000 — with innerspring and memory foam models typically on the lower end, and hybrid and latex mattresses averaging closer to $2,000. But according to a 2025 survey of 1,751 mattress buyers, online shoppers spent an average of $984, while in-store shoppers spent $1,242.

That doesn't mean you should just chase the lowest price, though. "A higher price does not automatically guarantee better sleep," says Rogers. "Value is about suitability and durability, not price alone."

So how do you save money without ending up with a mattress that falls apart in a year? Shop smart: Buy during major sales events and holiday weekends, choose direct-to-consumer brands and skip pricey add-ons that don't meaningfully affect comfort or support.

Bed-in-a-box vs. traditional mattress: what’s the difference?

When shopping for mattresses online, you'll come across two options: traditional mattresses and bed-in-a-box mattresses — the latter popularized by online-only brands like Casper, Nectar and Tuft & Needle. “They differ primarily in delivery method, not in their ability to support sleep,” says Rogers. Skeptical? Don’t be: “Modern compressed foam and hybrid technology have advanced to the point where many online brands can rival — or exceed — the quality of traditional mattresses,” says Seixas. In fact, Rogers adds that “both can be designed to meet comfort and support needs — simply evaluate both using the same comfort, support and material criteria.”

Bed-in-a-box mattresses

Examples include online-first brands like Casper, Purple, Nectar, Leesa and Tuft & Needle.

Tend to be more budget-friendly
Often include a longer trial period
Take 24-72 hours to fully expand — and may have a noticeable smell (called off-gassing) for the first day or two as the foam airs out
Are often more convenient for delivery

Traditional mattresses

These are often sold by legacy brands like Sealy, Serta, Beautyrest or Stearns & Foster — typically through brick-and-mortar retailers.

Offer more material and construction options, including coils
Tend to have better edge support, meaning the perimeter stays firm when you sit or sleep near the edge
Are generally cooler because they don't rely solely on foam
Often have white-glove set-up and mattress removal options

How to read online mattress descriptions

Fluff might be great for your new pillows, but it’s not your friend when you’re shopping for a mattress online. Some brands lean heavily on flowery marketing language to sell their products, which makes it especially important to read between the lines — and focus on what’s actually being said (and what isn’t).

“If a description is overly vague — relying heavily on buzzwords like ‘luxury,’ ‘cloud-like’ or ‘premium comfort’ without explaining why — that can be a red flag,” says Rogers. “Instead, look for specific, functional descriptors that explain how the mattress is designed to support sleep.”

Here’s a simple rule for shopping online: If a brand makes a claim, the description should also explain what’s inside the mattress that makes that claim possible. If it doesn’t, keep shopping.

Before you even consider buying, a mattress description should clearly spell out:

Mattress type (foam, innerspring, hybrid, latex)
Materials used in each layer
Firmness rating with context
Trial period and return policy
Delivery method (boxed vs. flat, setup options)

Here’s the difference between vague marketing language and a description that actually tells you something:

Vague: Luxurious cooling comfort for the best sleep of your life. Specific: Gel-infused memory foam in the top 2 inches draws heat away, while a breathable cotton-blend cover promotes airflow.

Vague: Firm support that cradles your body. Specific: Individually wrapped coils provide targeted support, with a 2-inch transition foam layer that cushions pressure points.

If a brand's description leaves you with more questions than answers, keep scrolling.

What to look for in online mattress policies

About a third of mattress buyers say warranty information influences their decision when choosing a mattress brand, according to Better Sleep Council research. Which makes sense — when you can't flop down on a mattress in a showroom, the fine print matters as much as the foam layers. Rogers suggests reviewing a warranty's:

Trial period and conditions: Trial periods typically range from 30 nights to a full year. During that window, most brands require the mattress to be free of stains or damage to qualify for a return.
Return process: Look for a straightforward return process — ideally a quick online form or phone call — with the company handling pickup or donation. Since mattresses bought from third-party retailers like Amazon may have different return policies, it’s super important to read all the fine print.
Coverage and exclusions: Most warranties cover manufacturing defects or internal flaws, but they don’t cover normal wear and tear — such as softening over time or minor impressions.
Hidden fees: An ideal warranty should have zero fees, including no return or restocking fees. That said, some of our favorite mattresses, including the Avocado Green Mattress, do. The important thing is to know all the info upfront before you buy.

When’s the best time to buy a mattress online?

If you can hold off on your purchase, timing matters. These are the best times to snag a deal:

Three-day holiday weekends: Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day are the trifecta of mattress sale holidays. Sales can sometimes start at the beginning of the month and run for several weeks.
Summer savings: Celebrate your sleep with 4th of July mattress sales. You won't be the only one: Nerd Wallet reports that July through September consistently see the highest mattress sales volume.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: While the discounts often aren’t as steep as they are for three-day holiday weekends, you can still score a solid deal over these “holidays.”

Bottom line: You can buy a mattress online with confidence

Buying a mattress online doesn't have to feel like a gamble. With generous trial periods (often 100+ nights), detailed product specs and return policies that beat the awkward five-minute store test, you've got more room to make a smart, informed choice than you would in person. The key is doing your homework upfront: know what you need, read the fine print and don't let marketing fluff distract you from actual materials and construction details.

"Where a mattress is purchased and how it's delivered is a personal choice," says Rogers. "What matters most is doing the homework." And if you've made it this far? You've already done it.

Need more help? Learn how to choose the best mattress for you — aka shopping tips for a quality night's sleep!

FAQ

What is a sleep trial and how long should it be?

A sleep trial often gives you 90 to 120 nights (sometimes more) to sleep on your new mattress and return or exchange it if it doesn't work out. Most brands require a short break-in period — usually two to four weeks — before you can start a return, since your body needs time to adjust to a new sleep surface.

Do online mattresses come compressed?

All bed-in-a-box mattresses bought online come compressed. They’ve been rolled, vacuum-sealed and tucked into a fairly compact box for shipping. After you unbox, unwrap and set-up your mattress, it takes between one and three days to fully expand, though you can often sleep on it while you wait.

How do online mattress returns work?

Most online mattress brands offer at-home sleep trials that let you return the mattress for a refund if it doesn’t work for you. To start a return, contact customer support within the trial period. There’s usually some combination of chat, email or phone customer service options available.

In many — but not all — cases, you don’t need to ship the mattress yourself. Brands may arrange pickup, ask you to donate the mattress or coordinate recycling. To qualify for a return, the mattress typically must be clean and undamaged, and some companies require a short break-in period before returns are allowed. While many brands offer free returns, some charge return or pickup fees, so it’s definitely worth checking the fine print before you buy.

Meet our experts

Azizi Seixas, MD, associate director of the Center for Translational Sleep and Circadian Sciences at the University of Miami
Mary Helen Rogers, spokesperson for the Better Sleep Council and the at International Sleep Products Association

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.

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