Best Online Mattress to Buy in 2022

Thanks to the new bed in a box trend, people are increasingly doing their mattress shopping online. It’s pretty convenient, especially because the mattress is shipped straight to your doorstep. You even get a sleep trial allowing you to try out your bed for up to three months with the option to return it for a refund.

But searching for a new mattress online can be exhausting. And if you’re sharing your bed with someone else, you probably want one that suits both of your sleep preferences. Add in the stress of a budget, fitting your new bed in your space, and health considerations, then suddenly finding the best online mattress isn’t as easy as you thought. 

That’s why we built this guide. We want to offer a few recommendations as well as other important considerations before you invest in a new bed. You can shop online confidently without ever leaving your house!

Best Online Mattresses Overview

• Best Online Mattress Overall: Amerisleep AS3
• Best Online Hybrid Mattress: Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid
• Best Online Memory Foam Mattress: Zoma
• Best Online Budget Mattress: Vaya
• Best Online Latex Mattress: Avocado
• Best Online Mattress for Couples: Purple®

Amerisleep AS3

The Amerisleep AS3 is the online mattress brand’s bestseller. It’s made of eco-friendly, innovative materials. Each mattress is carefully crafted in the USA.

The AS3 is the medium mattress in their lineup of 5 memory foam beds. Each mattress has a different thickness and feel. This allows Amerisleep to offer beds for every sleeping style. You can tell the thickness of the Bio-Pur® in each mattress by the number in the name except for the AS1 and the AS5. For example, the AS3 has 3 inches of Bio-Pur®. 

Let’s break it down layer by layer. Under a soft, breathable cover sits the comfort layer—3 inches of Bio-Pur®. This foam isn’t like traditional memory foam. Instead of being made with 100 percent petrochemicals, this memory foam contains some plant-based castor oil. This addition makes the foam more responsive and breathable than the memory foam you’ll find in most online mattresses.

Underneath the Bio-Pur® is a unique transition layer called the Affinity layer. The hexagonal cutouts in this layer come from the HIVE® technology. HIVE® stands for Harnessing Intelligent Ventilation Energy. To put it simply, the HIVE® layer supports you where you need it and cushions you where you don’t need as much support. The hexagonal cut-outs are grouped close together at the head, back, and legs, and farther apart at your shoulders and hips. 

The final layer of the all-foam AS3 is high-density Bio-Core®. This layer keeps everything in place, prevents the softer layers from sinking down too far, and extends the mattress’s lifespan. Every Amerisleep mattress comes with a generous 20-year warranty, and part of that is thanks to the durable Bio-Core®. 

The 20-year warranty covers sags ¾ of an inch deep or more. During the first 10 years of the warranty, Amerisleep will pay for repairs or replacements (as long as you didn’t cause the damage). After the first 10 years, the customer is responsible for a portion of repair costs.

If you’re still not sure the Amerisleep AS3 is the best online mattress for you, take advantage of the 100-night sleep trial. Amerisleep offers free shipping to the lower 48 states and free returns. 

Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid

Amerisleep’s foam mattress line-up made them a top contender in the online mattress industry, and now they’ve released a hybrid line. The hybrids combine their eco-friendly foams with pocketed coils. The targeted support means each coil responds individually to your movements. You won’t feel trapped or stuck in this hybrid. 

A variation of Amerisleep’s softest mattress, the AS5 Hybrid is perfect for side or combo sleepers who prefer a softer bed but still need the bouncy response of coils. What’s more, the pocketed coils in the AS5 Hybrid won’t sag like coils in traditional innersprings do. 

The top layer of the AS5 Hybrid is 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, which wicks away heat and responds quickly to movement. Unlike traditional layers of foam, this material won’t cause pressure build-up from being stuck in your own imprint.

Beneath the Bio-Pur® sits 2 inches of Active Flex, a layer only found in the traditional AS5 and the AS5 Hybrid. Active Flex acts as a transition foam to keep you from sinking down too far and feeling stuck, and it also bounces back quick so you can experience a softer mattress while still feeling lifted. A common concern with soft mattresses is poor support. With the Active Flex layer, this problem is solved.

8 inches of zoned support coils, each one pocketed in fabric, respond to your movements and limits motion transfer.  The 1-inch thick base foam at the bottom holds everything up and keeps the surface stable and sag-free.

All Amerisleep mattresses come with free shipping, free returns, a 100-night trial, and a 20-year warranty.

Zoma 

The Zoma brand is rather new to the mattress scene, but the unique mattress design gives them an advantage over other online offerings. The Zoma Mattress was made with comfort and recovery in mind. It works with anyone who lives an active lifestyle and needs targeted support.  Zoma’s three layers combine to deliver customized comfort that meets all your sleep needs.

The first layer of the Zoma is gel memory foam with Triangulex™ technology. This layer has triangle-shaped cutouts meant to support your body in different ways. Under your hips and lower back, Triangulex™ is softer and relieves pressure. At the head and feet, the triangular cut-outs react to movement, offering support as you change positions throughout the night.

Beneath the comfort layer is a latex-like foam called Reactiv™. Like its name implies, this foam contours to your body and minimizes motion transfer. It reacts to movement without letting you feel a thing! You’ll sleep undisturbed and peacefully all through the night.

The base layer is called Support+. This layer ensures the other layers do their job without letting you sink too far and get stuck. That “stuck” feeling is common to many foam beds, but not with the Zoma. 

The Zoma Mattress comes with free shipping and free returns, as well as a 100-night sleep trial. If during this sleep trial, you decide the mattress isn’t for you, Zoma will arrange for a pick-up and donate or recycle it. 

A 10-year warranty comes with every Zoma mattress purchase. During those ten years, Zoma will cover any repairs or replacements your mattress might need. 

Vaya

The Vaya Mattress is available exclusively on Amazon and includes free shipping. It’s one of the best online mattresses, especially at its lower price point. 

On Amazon, you can read customer reviews to get a sense of people’s experiences. You can even ask questions about the mattress, answered by the brand or customers who recently purchased one.

The Vaya has a soft, stretchy cover. Under that is the special Vaya comfort layer. This foam, simply called Vaya Comfort Foam, relieves pressure points and cradles your body. The ability of this foam to conform closely is balanced by the Vaya Base Foam.

The Vaya Mattress won’t trap heat, so you’ll stay cool and comfortable all night. The foams in every Vaya Mattress are CertiPUR-US® certified, which means they’re made without ozone depleters, heavy metals like mercury and lead, and PBDEs (toxic fire retardants), and they’re low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). So when you unbox your mattress, the off-gassing smell common to most foam beds will be minimal.

The warranty lasts for 10 years and covers sags ¾ of an inch or deeper as well as manufacturing defects such as a broken zipper or bunched-up foam.

Avocado

The Avocado Mattress is one of the few 100% organic mattresses on the market today. The best part is you can shop for it completely online. Made with Dunlop latex and other high-quality materials, the Avocado is one of the spendier options, but it could also be one of the most durable. Natural latex has been known to last up to 15 years.

Not only does the Avocado contain GOLS certified latex, but it’s also made with 100% GOTS Certified New Zealand Wool, and the cover is made of 100% GOTS Organic Certified Cotton. Basically, the Avocado is one of the most eco-friendly online mattresses you could buy.

The top layer of the Avocado is responsive Dunlop latex. Dunlop latex is processed from rubber tree sap and then aerated. Even though it rests on top as the comfort layer, it doesn’t conform as closely as typical memory foam comfort layers you might be used to. Under this 2-inch comfort layer sits the individually-wrapped coils.

Avocado uses a coil support layer by Leggett and Platt called the Quantum Edge® Elite Combi Zone®. In this layer, each coil is wrapped in fabric so it can respond to every movement individually. The coil base also provides edge support to make it easier to get out of bed. 

Perhaps the biggest selling point of the Avocado Mattress is what it doesn’t have: no fire retardants, polyester, petrochemicals, and no heavy metals. You can’t say the same about many foam mattresses available online.

The Avocado Mattress comes with a 1-year sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty, giving you ample time to decide if the bed is right for you. 

Latex foam has a firmer feel than most memory foams. If you prefer a softer bed, Avocado offers a plush pillow top for an extra cost. 

Purple®

The Purple Mattress is one of the most unique online beds on our list. Instead of being made with solid memory foam layers, Purple® has something called the Purple Grid™. Made of Hyper-Elastic Polymer™, the grid molds to your shape and supports you every time you shift positions. This also limits motion transfer, making it a good choice for couples. The entire bed is hypoallergenic and made in the USA.

The Softflex™ Cover is made of a stretchy, knit fabric. The tiny perforations in the fabric allow air to pass through, keeping you cool and preventing overheating.

Two inches of the Purple Grid™ cushion sits on top as the comfort layer. This layer has built-in No Pressure® Support. In other words, your body won’t experience any pressure build-up as long as the Purple Grid does its job. 

Below the Grid is something called the Dual Layered Comfort Foam. Split it into two layers, this section of the mattress provides soft cushioning on top of a firmer, supportive base foam. The base layer ensures the softer layers above it won’t sag prematurely. You’ll stay comfy and supported on the mattress all night. 

The Purple® comes with a 100-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty, free shipping, and free returns.

Online Mattress Shopping: Additional Considerations

Shopping for a new mattress is time-consuming. Shopping online can cut that time in half, but you have to know what you’re looking for in order to find the best mattress.

If your basic needs don’t go beyond needing a place to rest every night, skip all the extra features. A basic memory foam mattress could be the ticket to a good night’s rest.

But if you struggle with sleep or share your mattress with somebody who does, your sleep health could be at risk if you choose the wrong bed. Finding the best online mattress means considering things like your dominant sleeping position or whether or not you snore. 

Sleeping Positions

The way you sleep has a huge impact on your health and the mattress you’re most comfortable on. Though most of us are combination sleepers (we switch to different positions all night), each of us has individual needs when it comes to comfort and firmness level.

When shopping online, you’ll notice a lot of brands target their mattresses to certain sleeping styles. Knowing your sleeping style can help you make the right online mattress purchase. 

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position. There are actually a few variations of it, too:

• Fetal (the most popular): In the fetal position, the legs are bent and the knees are curled up into the chest. 

• Yearner: Yearners sleep with their knees bent into their chest, but their arms are above their heads (usually under the pillow) or out to the side. In this position, numbness in the arms can be a problem.

• Log: Log sleepers choose one side and sleep with their legs and arms straight on that side. In this position, you’re least likely to wake up with numbness or weird aches.

• Sprinter: The Sprinter sleeps with their arms up and their legs out behind them (like a runner in motion). 

Sleeping on the right side may have a positive impact on heart health. Side sleepers, in general, should choose a supportive pillow to keep their head from sinking down too far onto their arms, which can lead to numbness.

Recommended Firmness: Medium, medium-soft, or soft to prevent numbness, shoulder pain, or misalignment.

Recommended Mattress Type: Memory foam, latex foam, and some hybrids (many hybrids are naturally firmer than most memory or latex foam beds, so choose carefully).

Stomach Sleeping

We can’t recommend sleeping flat on your stomach because of the back and neck pain it could cause. Your abdominal muscles aren’t meant to support the weight of your whole body as you sleep. When sleeping on the stomach, gravity presses down on your back, making your spine twist out of alignment. 

To breathe in the stomach sleeping position, you have to turn your head to the side. That increases the risk of neck pain. If you’re a dedicated stomach sleeper, try switching to your side. Practice by sleeping with a body pillow or a pillow between your legs. 

While we don’t suggest sleeping on your stomach, you should still sleep on a supportive mattress as long as you’re in the habit. Stomach sleepers will find enough support on a firm or medium-firm mattress. With minimal cushioning, this firm feel will ensure you don’t sink down too far and injure your back and/or neck.

Recommended Firmness: Firm or medium-firm to prevent back pain, neck pain, or misalignment.

Recommended Mattress Type: Memory foam, latex foam, some hybrids (innersprings lack the proper support).

Back Sleeping

Back sleeping isn’t all that popular, but it’s easy on the spine. Because the spine is relatively neutral in this position, you probably won’t wake up with back pain. But if you have breathing problems like sleep apnea or snoring, sleeping on your back could make them worse.

To avoid breathing issues, we recommend back sleepers choose a medium-firm or firm mattress. This way you won’t sink down too far, and gravity won’t cause the soft tissues of the throat to collapse (one of the main causes of snoring). For sleepers with sleep apnea, please see our section on the best mattresses for sleep apnea sufferers.

Recommended Firmness: Firm or medium-firm to maintain neck and spinal alignment.

Recommended Mattress Type: Memory foam, latex foam, or hybrids (innersprings lack adequate support for back sleepers).

Combination Sleeping

Most of us are combo sleepers. We like to switch from our stomachs to our sides, backs to stomachs, and everything in between. Besides needing a larger sleep surface for sprawling out, combo sleepers also need a mattress that comfortably supports all those sleeping positions.

To get the most out of your various sleeping positions, choose a medium mattress. A medium feel is the ultimate balance of soft and firm. Firmness is subjective depending on the brand, so if you can, try out some different “medium” beds in a showroom. 

Recommended Firmness: Medium.

Recommended Mattress Types: Memory foam, latex foam, or hybrids.

Health Considerations

About 50-70 million adults in the United States suffer from some kind of sleep disorder. A good many others have health conditions that negatively impact their sleep, like back pain or arthritis. In this section, we’ll discuss the four most common sleep disruptors, how you can treat them, and how to find the best online mattress if you suffer from one of these.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is sometimes lumped together with snoring, but they are different disorders. Sleep apnea is the more serious of the two. There are a few types of sleep apnea, but the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA. 

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is caused by an obstruction in the airway, usually because of soft, fatty tissue in the throat. Some risk factors for OSA include obesity, high blood pressure, family history of OSA, and sleeping on the back. OSA is often misdiagnosed as snoring because snoring is one of the most common symptoms.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Central Sleep Apnea occurs when your brain does not tell your respiratory muscles to move, causing you to stop breathing. 

A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the best way to treat sleep apnea. Try one of the best adjustable beds to help ease the obstruction, but only if you have OSA. For those with sleep apnea, we recommend a medium-firm or firm mattress to prevent sinking down too far. 

If you’re dealing with a form of sleep apnea, it’s critical that you choose an online mattress with a risk-free trial. Sleep trials allow you to test the mattress for 30-100 days (sometimes longer). You may realize after sleeping on your new bed for a few nights that it only makes your breathing problems worse. But if you need to return it, you’ll still get a full refund. Don’t risk buying an online mattress without a sleep trial.

Snoring 

Snoring affects the sleep quality of 29 percent of adults worldwide. It’s second only to insomnia, which affects 37 percent of adults. Snoring is caused by the common cold, allergies, obesity, or even genetics. Snoring occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse, causing noisy vibrations. 

Men are more likely to snore, as are people with a family history of snoring. But some of the risk factors for snoring are easier to control, like allergies or weight gain. Snorers could benefit from an adjustable bed. Adjustable beds allow you to elevate your head and feet. Elevating the head can prevent that soft tissue from collapsing. Some adjustable bases even come with a “snore button” on the remote. So if your partner is the snorer, simply press the button to lift their head.

As far as beds go, a medium or medium-firm mattress is usually best for a snorer. Avoiding super-soft layers will keep you from getting trapped in the mattress.

Chronic Pain

Fourteen percent of adults worldwide say that chronic pain keeps them from healthy, restorative sleep. Of chronic pain diseases, back pain seems to be the one that affects sleep the most.

A study published in 2011 found that 58.7 percent of the participants experienced disrupted sleep due to back pain. The more intense the pain, the more sleep was lost. A new mattress won’t cure your pain, but it may help you sleep a little better at night. If you experience severe chronic pain, talk to a medical professional about appropriate treatments.

One research study revealed that a medium-firm mattress is the best mattress for back pain. Most online brands offer more than one mattress firmness option, and some even single out one of their models as the best for back pain. Read mattress reviews to see if customers with similar health issues have found relief.

Insomnia

Insomnia can be chronic or short-term. One of the most common precursors to insomnia is stress. Other risk factors include shift work, depression, anxiety, or trauma. These things can set off short-term insomnia or even lead to long-term sleeplessness. 

Sleep deprivation does more than make you sleepy. It also leads to poor memory retention, below-average academic performance, and possibly neurodegenerative diseases. It can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. In short, treating your insomnia can set off a domino effect, impacting your health for good.

Body Type

Deciding on a mattress without considering your body type is a risky move. Thankfully, most online mattress brands sell more than one model to suit the needs of many, including overweight or petite sleepers who need more customized support. 

Everyone needs pressure relief from their mattress, and sinking down too far can result in the opposite⁠—pressure build-up. That’s why you have to think about your weight as well as your sleeping position.

Heavy

Mattress brands classify a “heavy” person as weighing 230 pounds or more. It’s crucial to choose a mattress that won’t sag too deeply or bottom out. Check the weight capacity of any mattresses you’re considering. And don’t forget about mattress thickness⁠—anything thinner than 10 inches won’t be supportive enough for heavier folks.

Because heavier people compress the top, soft layers of the mattress more deeply into the bed, they run the risk of hitting the firmer base layer (ouch!). The soft layers on top will then wear out more quickly. So how can you find a high-quality mattress that will hold up? Look for CertiPUR-US® certified foams. Try to choose mattresses made with highly responsive foams too, that will retain their shape long-term. 

If you’re heavy and prefer a luxury firm mattress, choose one that’s no thinner than 10 inches. If you like a softer mattress, a thick one won’t be hard to find since the best soft mattresses are between 12-14 inches thick.

Petite

Petite sleepers weigh 130 pounds or less. They don’t compress the layers on top as deeply, and so they can be comfortable on a softer mattress. If you’re petite and prefer a firm bed, we recommend a medium-firm mattress with just a hint of cushioning. That way, even though you won’t sink down too far, you’ll still get the firm support you need without sacrificing comfort. 

Average 

When it comes to mattress compatibility, an average person weighs between 130-230 pounds. Most mattresses available online will work for the average-size sleeper. A medium feel is a good balance, but depending on your other concerns, anything between medium-firm and medium-soft is probably a good place to start. Mattresses with body contouring abilities like memory foam will suit most average sleepers and give them needed pressure relief.

Mattress Type

It would be nice if there was one universally comfortable mattress that fit everyone’s needs and sleep preferences. But there isn’t! That’s where online mattresses come in. Online, you’ll find hundreds of different firmnesses and mattress types appealing to all sorts of people. 

Online brands also come with the benefit of customer reviews. Look for reviews written more than 3 months ago. This will give you a more complete perspective of a customer’s buying experience as well as how their new mattress fits their needs (or didn’t).

Memory Foam 

Memory foam is a popular choice online. That’s because the material is soft and compressible, making it easy to roll into a box and ship straight to the customer’s door. You’ll find many online brands showcase memory foam in their mattresses. 

Memory foam is made using polyurethane fillers to give it that responsive feel. When you press your weight into memory foam, it springs back while leaving a temporary imprint. As you sleep on memory foam, it conforms closely to your curves and springs back into shape as you move, so you won’t feel trapped.

A downside of memory foam is that the dense structure easily traps heat. Many online brands offset this problem by infusing the foam with cooling gel, graphite, copper, or ceramic beads. Others use partially plant-based foams which are naturally more breathable and emit low VOCs. 

Gel memory foam and other cooling materials are sometimes combined with other foams in the comfort layer for even more cooling, but these features can increase the price.

Latex Foam

Latex foam is not as widely available as memory foam. It’s made from renewable materials and the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly. For this reason and the fact that latex is quite durable, it’s popular for anyone who wants an eco-friendly bed.

There are two latex types most often used to make mattresses: Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop is firmer and has no added polyurethane fillers. It’s incredibly durable, and most manufacturers of Dunlop follow eco-friendly practices to ensure it maintains its quality over time.

Talalay latex is soft because of the polyurethane fillers added to it during production. It’s popular because it’s cheaper to produce than Dunlop, but it doesn’t last as long. 

Both Dunlop and Talalay latex feel like memory foam. They’re slightly bouncy and soft, but each one has its own distinct, subtle feel. Memory foam conforms more closely than latex, and it takes a little longer to bounce back. If you’re not super familiar with the two materials, you might not be able to tell a huge difference except in the firmness.

If you’re allergic to latex, you can try synthetic latex. It’s completely man-made and not eco-friendly, but it’s a lot cheaper. It feels like latex, but it’s not as long-lasting.

Poly-Foam

Poly-foam sometimes gets confused with memory foam, but they are two different materials. Memory foam starts out as polyurethane foam, but it has fillers added to it to give it a “viscoelastic” feel. Poly-foam is cheaper and less responsive. It’s also not as durable. Many cheaper online beds are made with poly-foam. These beds might seem like a good deal, but most start to break down after only a couple of years of use. Some, however, are designed to last longer depending on their manufacturing process and the other materials infused.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are everywhere. They were once the only type of mattress you could buy, but now memory foam is becoming popular because they are among the best beds in a box. Most coil mattresses cannot be compressed into a box, so you’ll find most of them in mattress showrooms.

Innersprings are popular because they’re bouncy and the quilted pillow top offers just enough cushioning for a good night’s rest. But because of the coil base, innersprings are known to sag very quickly. Sometimes they lose support as soon as 5 years after they’re purchased. 

If you like the bounciness of a coil mattress but want a guarantee of lasting support, try a hybrid. Hybrids have more memory foam and the coils are usually wrapped, which decreases the risk of sagging.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses have at least 2-3 inches of memory foam built into the comfort layer. Along with this pressure-relieving foam, the coil base in a basic hybrid has wrapped coils. Each coil sits in a pocket of fabric or foam, allowing the coils to respond individually to movement. This leads to better pressure relief and less sagging or feeling “stuck” in the bed.

Even though hybrids are a better alternative to innersprings, their lifespan isn’t much longer. Most hybrids only last around 6-7 years before they start to sag. Comparatively, the average innerspring lasts up to 5 years.

Mattress Firmness

You’ve probably noticed by now that mattresses, especially the best online mattresses, are labeled with a certain firmness. The most common firmness is medium—it’s a good balance for combo sleepers or couples with different sleep preferences.

Firmness can be subjective—what one brand calls “medium” might be “medium-firm” to another. So how can you tell, especially if you’re buying online and won’t be able to try out the bed before you buy?  

You can refer to the firmness scale, which runs from 1-10. 1 is super-soft and 10 is extremely firm. You won’t find many mattresses on the far ends of the scale. In fact, most mattresses are somewhere between 3 and 9. 

Firmness and Feel:

• 1 (Extremely Firm)
• 2-3 (Firm)
• 4-5 (Medium-Firm)
• 6-8 (Medium)
• 9 (Medium-Soft)
• 10 (Soft)

Budget and Cost

Your budget is another key consideration as you decide which bed to buy. With online mattresses, you get a lot of bang for your buck. That’s because direct-to-consumer brands can offer high-quality materials for a good price thanks to the elimination of middlemen. Online, there are no salesmen, no rent costs, and little overhead. 

If you’re on a budget, don’t worry! Even the top online mattresses go on sale and many are even sold as “packages.” That means you can re-do your whole bedroom when you find the perfect deal on the best budget mattress.

Finding Mattress Sales

Many online mattress companies clear out their stock in May. That’s historically a good time of year to look for mattress deals. Pay attention to long weekends, too, since most mattress brands participate in sales during these times:

• Presidents Day
• Memorial Day
• 4th of July
• Labor Day
• Black Friday
• Cyber Monday

Most mattress companies offer bed bundles or packages for a reduced price. You can buy an adjustable bed base and a mattress for cheaper than it would cost to buy both separately. Other brands offer free pillows or sheets with your mattress purchase.

Factors Affecting Price

If you’re in the market for a basic mattress, it shouldn’t be hard to find one within the range of $1000-$2000 for a queen-size. Other features can sometimes increase the price, but not always (thanks to the online business model). 

The most common features that increase a mattress’s cost are:

• Organic, certified materials such as CertiPUR-US® Certified Foams, Oeko-Tex® Standard Textiles, Greenguard Gold Certified materials, and USDA Organic cotton.
• White-glove delivery. This service is sometimes offered with your purchase, but most of the time it’s something you can add on for an extra cost. For many people, it’s worth it because the delivery team will take down your old bed, remove it, and set up your new one.
• Longer than average warranties. The standard mattress warranty is 10 years long. A longer warranty often denotes a higher-quality mattress. Sometimes this can increase the cost.

Beware of Too Cheap or Too Expensive Mattresses

Cheaper beds in the range of $300 or less might seem like a good deal, but these mattresses don’t last. On the other hand, beware of beds that are marketed as “luxury” and cost upwards of $3,000. These mattresses usually come with “special features” like hand-tufted buttons, gold threads, or fabrics with diamond dust in them. Ultimately, these pricey features don’t add anything to the comfort and support of the mattress, which should be your number one concern.

Warranty

Mattress warranties last 10-20 years on average. Warranties that last longer than 10 years are usually prorated, meaning the customer pays for repairs or replacements after the first decade. The most important thing to look for in a warranty is how much sagging they will cover. 

For example, most online mattress brands will offer to fix sags deeper than 1 inch. By the time you’ve got 1-inch sags in your bed, it’s probably beyond uncomfortable. Some brands will fix sags ¾ of an inch deep, which gives you more time to fix the problem before the mattress becomes unusable.

Every mattress warranty has protections against damage or manufacturing defects not caused by improper use. Take care to put your mattress on the correct foundation, too, since using the wrong one can void your warranty. The right bed frame can make or break your mattress.

Memory foam, latex, and hybrids work well on platform or slatted foundations as well as adjustable bases. They should not be used with box springs because that foundation type lacks sufficient support. Only use a box spring with an innerspring bed. 

To protect your mattress from spills and stains, which could also void the warranty, use a mattress protector or encasement. Lots of online mattress brands sell their own protectors, ensuring you get one that’s compatible with your mattress.

Sleep Trials

Like we mentioned earlier, always look for mattresses with a sleep trial. Since you usually can’t try the bed out beforehand as you would in a showroom, a sleep trial lets you experience your new bed risk-free for a month or more.

The trial period for most online mattresses lasts 90 days or longer. Some brands ask that you refrain from initiating a return until the first 30 days have lapsed. That’s because it takes about 21-30 days for your body to adjust to your new mattress. So at first, the mattress may feel uncomfortable, but only because you’ve been sleeping on an unsupportive bed for such a long time that you’ve gotten used to it. 

If during the sleep trial, you decide to return the mattress, most companies will come and pick up the mattress for you. This is the most convenient option, so we recommend avoiding online bed companies that make you dispose of the mattress yourself.

Some online bed brands just offer a return policy or customer satisfaction guarantee. This only allows you to try out the bed for 30 days during which you can return it for a refund. 

FAQs About the Best Online Mattresses

Is it a good idea to buy a mattress online?

Yes! It might seem risky since you can’t try out the mattress before you buy, but sleep trials protect you from ending up with a bed you don’t like. After reading our guide, you should be equipped with enough information to confidently choose the right online mattress. If you’re still unsure, read lots of mattress reviews and visit showrooms if you can. Many popular online brands have brick and mortar showrooms where customers can try out the beds before placing an order.

When is the best time to buy a mattress?

Any big sales weekend of the year is a good time to look for a new mattress. Almost all online mattress companies participate in these sales, plus they offer bed package deals, too. Historically, May seems to be a popular time for mattress sales. Check out these other sales weekends, too:

• Memorial Day
• Labor Day
• Black Friday
• Cyber Monday
• Presidents Day 

What is a good price for a mattress?

It varies on the features and size, but the average queen size mattress is around $1,000 to $2,000. That’s for a high-quality, long-lasting mattress, too. Watch out for beds cheaper than $300 or more expensive than $3,000, since they probably won’t offer much in the way of comfort or support for their price tag.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to move on from your old mattress, online shopping is the way to go. How can you tell it’s time for a new mattress? If your bed is 7-10 years old, starting to sag, or you wake up in pain every day, it’s not a bad idea to start shopping. Decide which mattress type appeals to you (and your partner), consider your budget and health restrictions, and go from there. You’ll get the most comfortable mattress delivered to your door in no time. 

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.