How to Shop for a Mattress Online (Without Buyer’s Remorse One Year Later)
Let’s talk sleep. You know by now having a good night’s rest is absolutely vital for basically everything in your life—from your immune system to your metabolism—but the one item you may still skimp on? Your mattress. And that’s a shame, considering there are so many incredible ones to choose from these days. In fact, it’s the rise of all of those boxed mattresses (otherwise known as beds in a box) that can make it hard to know where to start. How do you shop for a mattress online—and actually commit to shelling out hundreds of dollars—when you haven’t laid down on it first? And what are you actually getting when you order one?
First, it’s key to know the difference between these new mattresses and the traditional kind you’d buy at a store. “A bed in a box is condensed and rolled into the convenient packaging of a box that can be delivered straight to your door,” explains Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of bedding company Parachute. “A traditional mattress is sold and delivered in ready to sleep form, so you don’t need to unroll it.”
Most online mattresses also work as direct-to-consumer brands, which cut out the middleman and allow customers to shop for high quality materials without as high of a price tag, since there isn’t a separate store tacking on a profit as well. They also offer pretty generous return policies so that you can try out the mattresses in your bed over several weeks (or even months) to help determine whether they’re right for you.
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What to Look for When Shopping for a Mattress Online
“With any mattress purchase, shoppers should consider how they sleep and choose a mattress that fits those needs,” explains Kaye. “’Bed in a box’ used to mean that a mattress was exclusively made of foam, but now, there are several options available, from innerspring to latex to hybrid.” If you know how firm you’d like your mattress, it’s easier to determine which material is best for you.
Here’s a guide to the most commonly used materials:
Memory foam: A memory foam mattress allows your body to sink into the mattress, which creates more of a cradled feeling, according to Kaye. One con, however, is these mattresses tend to retain heat, so they’re not the best option for a warm sleeper. They also are often treated with flame retardants that can be harmful to your health, and if you’re environmentally conscious, you may want to stay away: Foam doesn't decompose.
Innerspring mattresses: These mattresses are more like a traditional mattress, as the springs react to your movements. They often feel firmer than foam. The interconnected coils are extra-durable and reduce the ripple effect that occurs when you move from one side of the bed to the other.
Latex mattress: This type of mattress is both responsive and has pressure-relieving capabilities. They are also hypoallergenic (which is a plus!), and they combine latex with either springs or reflex foam to make sure the surface is super durable and supportive.
Hybrid mattress: A hybrid mattress combines a little bit of everything—typically coils and other soft materials like foam, wool or cotton. Sleepers can experience both the pressure relief of the foam layers and the sturdy feel of a classic spring mattress.
“Beyond the actual feel of your new mattress, shoppers should consider mattress haul-away services, especially if they need help lifting the new mattress to the room, and time to allow the bed in a box to unroll and decompress,” insists Kaye.
Sometimes, new mattresses also come smelling like chemicals, which is a result of the lack of airflow in the compressed packaging. The smell usually comes mainly from the foam and adhesive elements of the mattress—and although the exact chemical makeup varies, the gases can include benzene, toluene chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and formaldehyde. These can cause nausea and headaches—and lead to more intense health issues over time—but mostly the smells dissipate in a couple of days. If you can keep your mattress in another room or outside in the hallway for part of the decompression process, this can help relieve the after-effects. This is obviously different from uncompressed mattresses that don’t have this strong smell, but other benefits, like the ability to try the mattress out in your own home and the cheaper price point, may just swing you to buying a mattress online.
Our Top 10 Places to Buy a Mattress Online
1. Casper
The original bed in a box, Casper offers four mattresses to choose from, ranging from all-foam to hybrid, and a 100-night trial period so you can be sure you really love it before you commit.
2. Bear
Providing both foam and hybrid mattresses, Bear has some pretty great cooling technology if you’re a hot sleeper, and (as you might expect) it’s ideal for tropical climates.
3. Nectar
For sleepers who need that soft, memory foam feel, Nectar offers one of the best mattresses your entire body will just sink into.
4. Tempur-Pedic
If you suffer from any back or neck pain, consider Tempur-Pedic. With medium firmness to relieve pressure and the ability to adjust to your body’s pressure points, it’s a solid option for those with sensitivities.
5. Allswell
Despite being incredibly affordable, Allswell does not skimp on quality. With a hybrid foam and coil construction, it ranges from soft to firm, so you can find which option suits your sleep style the best.
6. Birch
The Birch uses organic cotton and wool for a medium-firm feel, which helps to remove the bounce you’d get from traditional memory foam options.
7. Parachute
The Parachute mattress is made of wool, cotton and coil to provide a mattress that’s firmer in the middle and softer at the edges, so you can pretty much get the best of both worlds.
8. Purple
The Purple mattress uses its own signature gel grid, which contains hybrid coils for a very squishy feel. If you’re looking for some pressure relief, this is the mattress for you.
9. Avocado
If you want a high-end, organic mattress, this is it: Handmade in California from latex materials, it’s a non-toxic mattress that even offers a vegan option, so you can shop guilt-free.
10. Tuft & Needle
Tuft & Needle mattresses offer multiple foam layers, providing medium-to-firm support throughout their options. This brand is perfect for back and side sleepers.
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