Things to know before shopping for a mattress
The only thing more exhausting than sleeping on a bad mattress is shopping for a new one. First, you have to withstand mattress salespeople — almost as much pressure as shopping for a car. Then, you can’t really compare choices among stores because manufacturers make proprietary mattress models for each. And, finally, there are the frustrating warranties, which don’t cover most of the things that go wrong with mattresses.
Mattress shopping will never be dreamy, but you can make it easier. As a reporter, when I struggle to write a story, I go back to the “five Ws and an H” taught in journalism school: who, what, where, when, why and how. Those same guideposts can help me write this mattress-shopping article and help you choose a mattress.
Who
You, if you wake up stiff or achy. That’s a good indication that you need a new mattress. If you find that you always sleep better and feel more refreshed after a night in a hotel, that’s another sign.
When
Experts say mattresses wear out about every 10 years. Of course, that can vary based on the quality of your mattress. It can also vary based on the quality of your body! Some experts suggest that people over age 40 replace their mattresses every five to seven years, because we need better support and are more susceptible to pressure on our joints.
Where
Many people default to a chain mattress store or a department store, which tend to carry the most mainstream mattress brands, most of which seem to begin with an S. But these days there are other options, including online mattress stores and makers, high-end sleep shops and local mattress stores.
Consider shopping around with three types of sellers to educate yourself; perhaps one chain or department store, one online store and one other option. Consumer Reports then suggests that you lie on each mattress for at least 15 minutes, because its testers found that the same mattress they liked after 15 minutes was the one that they liked after a month.
Once you’ve shopped around, buy from a store with a generous return policy. That way, if after following all of the steps here you’re still not happy, you have an out. Many mattress chains, department stores and warehouse stores allow mattress returns. And most online mattress sellers do because they realize that you have no way of testing their mattresses before you buy them. Make a note of any store’s required time frame, and also ask about restocking fees and who is responsible for the effort and cost of getting the mattress back to the store.
Why
You’re probably going to spend a third of the next decade on this mattress. Even though this all may seem time-consuming, it’s worth the effort.
What
There are four main types of mattress, and which you choose is purely preference: innerspring, memory foam, latex or adjustable air. That said, some types tend to work well for people with certain body types or sleep styles. Here are the Good Housekeeping Institute’s recommendations for who might like what.
How
When you shop for a mattress, you should haggle. Yes, it’s similar to shopping for a car in more ways than one. Negotiating at chain mattress stores is routine, and you should be able to get 20 to 50 percent off. But even at high-end stores and online stores, you can often cut a deal by requesting a recent sale price or asking them to throw in extras. At the very least, go for free delivery and pickup of your old mattress. And, finally, write a “no substitutions” clause into your contract so that after doing all this work you can rest easy knowing you got the mattress you actually wanted.