Are Mattresses Overpriced? What’s Worth Paying For and What to Avoid
Written By: Taylor Rao
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You’ve heard the statistics about how much of our lives we spend asleep in bed (and if you haven’t, it’s about one third!) and whether that shocks or excites you, that news can become a factor in how much you are willing to spend when it comes to upgrading essential bedroom items like pillows, blankets, and mattresses.
As far as mattresses go, sometimes the price differences can seem a bit overwhelming and confusing as you start to shop around. What’s the difference between a $350 mattress and a $1,500 mattress? The higher the price tag doesn’t always mean the better the quality, believe it or not, but thanks to the endless resources available on the internet, you can do your research to find the right mattress that fits your lifestyle and your budget before you buy.
Not sure how to get started? Read below for a head start on how to detect what elements of a mattress are worth paying for and what to avoid.
Consider what you’re investing in
A helpful guide from Nectar Sleep is a great place to begin your mattress shopping journey with some education about what a smart buyer wants to look for when purchasing a new mattress. One common question that comes up is how long should a mattress last? This is a significant expense and not a household item that should be replaced every couple of years but should rather last closer to a decade if you purchase something of substantial quality.
So even though you will certainly want to avoid overpaying for a mattress, if you see a deal out there that seems too good to be true, it probably is. While the price range is significant, most consumers will be able to find a long-lasting mattress for around $1,000.
Check the warranty policy
As we said, a good mattress could last up to 10 years or more if you treat it well and take good care of it over time. But what if something goes wrong --a spill, a tear, or some sort of quality error outside of your control?
Check the warranty policy to ensure certain damages or wear and tear would be covered by the company in the event something goes wrong. Casper has a 10-year limited mattress warranty on many of their products --just make sure you read the fine print before you buy so you know what’s covered (and what isn’t). That way, you’ll feel more comfortable spending what you need to spend to get the right-fit mattress for you without worrying about the future.
Take a quiz to find your mattress style
It’s easy to get persuaded by advertisements, customer reviews, and the general look and feel of a mattress while you’re shopping around. But just because it looks comfortable or has a 4-star rating doesn’t mean it will fit your lifestyle, sleeping patterns, or budget.
Saatva’s mattress quiz asks important questions that will help guide you into the right type of product versus going blindly into a store and picking out the first bed that feels like a good fit. Your recommended mattress will be based on answers to things like how many people/pets sleep in your bed with you, what your preferred material is, what position you sleep in, and more.
Factor in the cost of shipping
With so many options available online to purchase a mattress and have it shipped to your door, it is still important to consider the cost of that convenience. Some websites could charge anywhere from $50 to $150 in additional shipping costs, which might not be worth it if you can find a comparable brand in a local store and simply pick it up at your convenience.
However, there are also ways to save on shipping when you click “add to cart” on your mattress of choice. For example, many online mattress companies offer free shipping, yes, free! And with a bonus like that, you might even be able to spend a little bit more to upgrade your mattress or add on a protection plan since you’ll save big on shipping and handling.
What’s included?
If you’re shopping for a mattress online, you might also be able to browse around and see if there are any other incentives the company is giving out so that you shop with them. For example, you might be able to score a couple of brand new pillows from the same brand, a mattress pad, or pillowcases to protect your new purchase.
Additionally, depending on the type of bed frame or headboard situation you have at home, you might also need a box spring to support your mattress so it fits properly. However today, platform beds are trending and modern brands like Saatva are handcrafted with comfort and built-in support so that you don’t need any springs or anything besides the mattress itself.
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