Mattress-shopping tips from a Major National Retailer™ mattress store worker
So it's Memorial Day Sale season in the US, and since a lot of people are thinking about getting a new mattress this time of year, I'll share some insight.
Long story short: Mattress shopping is as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. You can do all the research in the world before going into the store, but in most cases, doing this is just overwhelming as hell and gives you decision paralysis. Go into a physical store, try some beds out in person, and talk to someone who knows more about mattresses than most people will ever need to know in their life. They'll be able to make it way easier for you, especially if you have particular needs that need met in a specific budget.
General tips:
If you have any measurements you need to take (need a specific height, need to know how much space you'd have in your room if you're thinking between different sizes), take them beforehand. It'll save you a lot of time.
A genuinely supportive king-size mattress will likely put you out at least a thousand bucks.
If you have a budget that you need to stick to, mention it up front.
If the store you're going to has a promotion that includes a free adjustable base with the mattress you're buying, take it. Elevating your head actually opens up your diaphragm and makes it easier to breathe! Very good to help with snoring, sleep apnea, acid reflux, allergies etc.
Different mattresses address different sleep disruptors (temperature, pain, tossing and turning, etc), so let the employee know what keeps you from getting your best night's sleep. They'll be able to help you find a bed that addresses those needs, or at least the best one for those needs that's in your budget.
Also mention if you have latex allergies!! Some mattresses have latex layers. Since latex would be an added layer for pressure relief, this is mainly only an issue if you're shopping for luxury beds.
Plan to purchase the mattress a week or so before you'll actually need it, so your delivery options will be flexible. For all that is holy please do not wait until the last minute to get a new mattress. If you wait until the exact day or the day before you need the bed, your options are going to be limited to the carry-out options in the store, which is going to give you a very small selection.
Order in the store, from the salesperson you worked with. If someone helps you find the one you like, and then you go home and order it online, they won't get credit for their work-- profits will all go to corporate.
If you're shopping on a tight budget:
Go on the weekends!! For some of the value zone beds, there are often sales that you won't find on the weekdays. So if you can't spend more than $1000, shopping on the weekend will make a lot more options available to you.
If your local store had some remodels done recently, ask if there are any floor model closeout deals!! It's a good bang for your buck if you need to get something more supportive in your budget (plus the employees will probably be very glad to have it out of their showroom).
This also goes for box springs. At my store, it seems like every time we get a new display bed for the floor, they also bring a new box spring. The new bed just replaces one that was taken. We have the bases already. For the love of god stop bringing us so many box springs our back room is packed we're begging people to take these at heavy discounts lmao
If you can't afford a decent mattress, investing in a good pillow can actually go a really long way. A pillow is 25% of your sleeping surface.
Check to see if your store has any outlet/clearance options. God, I wish more people knew about this. Where I work, we have a 120-night sleep trial when customers buy a new bed. If it ends up not being the right feel for them (this very often happens when customers buy online instead of trying it in the store first), we take them back and put them through a three-day medical grade sanitation process so they're as hygienic as the brand new ones, and we sell them on clearance up to like 50-60% off. (We don't take them back if they have any damage or stains and whatnot. They have to be in perfect condition). Other reasons a bed might be on clearance: discontinued model, delivered to a customer who declined it upon delivery, wrong size got delivered. Whatever the case, we can't sell them at full price anymore because the original packaging was taken off. I don't think a lot of stores do this beyond the chain I work at, but I really wish it was more common. It's a very, very good way to get a better bed on the budget you have.
Mattress shopping can be intimidating. I get that it's not fun. It's common to get sticker shock if you're not sure what mattresses go for these days. It's certainly not the biggest purchase you'll make, but I do think it's the biggest purchase that many people tend not to think much about.
Ultimately, we spend a third of our lives on these. Beds really are an investment in your sleep health, and in turn, how you heal, feel, and function. A quality one truly is worth saving for.
