Where to Buy a Mattress in the United States
Where to Buy a Mattress in the United States
Blog Article
Finding where to buy a mattress in the USA is easier when you understand the available shopping options, which can help you make a more efficient purchase. American shoppers have more choices than ever, including local mattress stores, national chains, furniture stores, warehouse clubs, department stores, manufacturer showrooms, and online mattress companies. The best place to shop depends on your price range, preferred type of mattress, where you live, and whether in-store testing matters to you.
Unlike many household products, buying a mattress involves highly personal comfort preferences. Because comfort varies from person to person, the lowest-priced option may not offer the best overall value. A useful retailer comparison should include mattress construction and firmness, as well as return policies, sleep trials, warranties, delivery charges, financing options, and old mattress removal.
This guide explains the main places to buy mattresses throughout the United States and what to consider before choosing a store.
Where to Buy a Mattress in the United States
Across the United States, mattresses are available from many different types of sellers. Some specialize almost entirely in mattresses and sleep products, while others sell mattresses as part of a larger furniture or home goods selection.
The most common places to buy a mattress include:
- Locally owned mattress retailers
- Regional and national mattress store chains
- Furniture stores
- Warehouse retailers
- Major department stores
- Large big-box stores
- Brand-owned mattress stores and manufacturer showrooms
- Online mattress companies
- Large online marketplaces
- Factory-direct mattress sellers
Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks. Shoppers who want to lie on several beds before choosing one may prefer a mattress showroom. If you already know what type of mattress and firmness you prefer, buying online may offer greater convenience.
Independent Local Mattress Retailers
You can find local independent mattress stores in major cities, suburban areas, and smaller U.S. communities. Some of these businesses have a single retail location, while others operate several stores within a state or metropolitan area.
Independent mattress retailers often give shoppers access to multiple mattress brands. A local mattress showroom may offer several types of mattresses, including traditional innerspring mattresses, memory foam beds, latex mattresses, and hybrids, plus adjustable bases, foundations, pillows, mattress protectors, and other sleep products.
One advantage of shopping locally is access to sales staff who may be familiar with the mattresses they sell. A single showroom visit may let you compare several types of mattresses and firmness levels.
To compete with larger chains, local retailers may provide services such as mattress delivery, installation, haul-away, negotiated pricing, and bundled purchases that combine a mattress with a foundation or adjustable bed.
Before buying from an independent retailer, make sure you understand its return and comfort exchange rules. These policies may differ significantly between retailers.
National and Regional Mattress Retailers
Another common place to shop is a national or regional mattress retailer. Some companies, including Mattress Firm, have locations in many U.S. markets, while other chains operate on a more regional basis.
Mattress chains typically devote most of their inventory to mattresses and other sleep-focused products. A typical showroom may carry several well-known mattress brands, along with adjustable bases, bed frames, foundations, pillows, and bedding accessories.
If you want to try multiple beds in one place, a specialty chain can be convenient. Some retailers also provide online inventory information that lets you research models before visiting a store.
Major mattress chains often promote sales around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, and other holiday weekends. An advertised sale does not always mean the lowest possible price, so shoppers should compare the final cost before buying.
Furniture Stores That Sell Mattresses
Mattress departments are common at American furniture retailers. Stores such as Ashley, Rooms To Go, and numerous regional furniture chains sell mattresses alongside bedroom furniture, sofas, dining sets, and other mattress store in my area home furnishings.
If you are furnishing a complete bedroom, a furniture store can be convenient because you may be able to purchase the bed and matching furniture in one place.
The main drawback is that mattress selection can vary by location. Shoppers looking for the widest mattress selection or highly focused product guidance may find more options at a specialty mattress retailer than at a general furniture store.
Even so, furniture retailers can be worth comparing, particularly when you need several bedroom pieces or plan to have multiple large household items delivered together.
Buying Mattresses From Warehouse Clubs
Another common U.S. mattress shopping option is the warehouse retailer. copyright and Sam's Club, for example, sell mattresses from multiple manufacturers through their stores and websites.
Warehouse clubs can offer competitive pricing, but the in-store mattress selection may be smaller than what you would find at a dedicated mattress showroom. Some mattresses are displayed for inspection, while others may be packaged or available primarily through the retailer's website.
If you already understand memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses and are comfortable buying without testing numerous beds, a warehouse club may be a practical choice.
Remember to consider membership requirements, delivery arrangements, return procedures, and whether mattress removal is available in your area.
Mattresses at Department Stores and Big-Box Stores
Another place to shop for a mattress is through department stores and major big-box retailers. Stores including Macy's, Walmart, Target, and other large retail chains may offer mattresses, although selection varies by location.
Mattress selection can differ considerably by store. Some retailers maintain showroom displays for mattress testing, while others mainly sell boxed mattresses for online ordering or store pickup.
A big-box retailer may be a practical choice for an affordable mattress, a guest-room mattress, a child's mattress, a dorm-room mattress, or a convenient bed-in-a-box product.
Do not base your comparison on the mattress brand alone, check the exact model and specifications before buying. Mattresses from the same manufacturer can vary greatly in materials, coil systems, foam layers, height, and firmness.
Buying From Manufacturer Showrooms and Brand Stores
Certain mattress manufacturers sell directly through their own retail locations. Other brands have authorized dealers where shoppers can test specific product lines.
Well-known mattress brands available in the United States include Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Serta, Beautyrest, Purple, Casper, among many others.
A branded store can be useful if you have already narrowed your search to one manufacturer. At a branded store, you may be able to test several mattresses from one manufacturer without sorting through competing brands.
The limitation is obvious: a single-brand showroom does not provide the same direct comparison between competing manufacturers that a multi-brand mattress store can offer.
Where to Buy a Mattress Online
Buying mattresses online is now a major part of the U.S. mattress industry. Many mattress companies now offer direct-to-consumer purchasing with nationwide or broad U.S. delivery.
Some mattresses arrive compressed in a box, while heavier or more complex models may be delivered at full size. Depending on the brand, you may be able to choose white-glove delivery, room-of-choice delivery, or another upgraded service.
Online shopping provides access to a large number of mattress brands without visiting several stores. Online shopping can also make it easier to compare specifications, pricing, policies, and construction details side by side.
The major disadvantage is that you usually cannot lie on the mattress before ordering it. Because of this, the sleep trial and return policy are especially important.
Understand the Sleep Trial Before Ordering
A sleep trial gives you a period of time to use a mattress at home before deciding whether to keep it. Sleep trial periods are different among mattress companies.
Read the complete policy before buying. A retailer may require you to keep and use the mattress for a minimum period before becoming eligible for a return. Others may charge pickup, transportation, restocking, or processing fees.
A lengthy advertised sleep trial does not necessarily mean there are no return-related costs. Pay closer attention to the written return conditions than to the headline trial length.
Common Mattress Types Sold in the United States
Knowing the main mattress categories can make shopping easier. Most mattress stores organize their inventory around several common construction types.
Traditional Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses use a coil support system combined with comfort materials above the springs. Innerspring construction can be found in basic mattresses as well as higher-end models featuring thick cushioning and individually wrapped coils.
Memory Foam Beds
Rather than using a traditional spring support system, memory foam mattresses are constructed primarily from layers of foam. They are known for contouring around the body and reducing motion transfer between sleeping partners.
Hybrid Mattress Construction
A typical hybrid combines an innerspring-style support system with foam or latex comfort materials. Many American mattress retailers carry hybrids, which bring together elements of innerspring and foam mattresses.
Latex Mattresses
A latex mattress can be made with different forms of natural and synthetic latex. Latex generally provides a more responsive feel than the deep contouring found in some memory foam mattresses.
Adjustable Air-Chamber Mattresses
Some premium mattresses use adjustable air chambers that allow sleepers to modify the firmness of each side of the bed. Adjustable air-chamber mattresses should not be confused with basic inflatable mattresses for camping or occasional guests.
How to Choose a Mattress Store
Choosing a mattress store should involve more than simply finding the closest retailer or biggest sale. Evaluate the retailer as a whole before deciding where to buy.
Important factors include:
- Mattress selection: A good selection should let you compare different mattress types and firmness levels.
- Transparent pricing: Confirm the total cost and any extra charges for delivery or setup.
- Return policy: Make sure you understand what happens if you want to return the mattress.
- Sleep trial: Check how long you can test the mattress and whether fees apply to returns.
- Warranty coverage: Review the mattress manufacturer's warranty and what types of defects are covered.
- Delivery: Find out whether the mattress is shipped, delivered to your door, or installed in your bedroom.
- Old mattress removal: Check if the retailer provides removal of the mattress you are replacing.
- Payment financing: Evaluate the full cost of financing, not just the monthly payment.
Make sure the mattress model you tested is the same model shown on the sales paperwork. Because mattress names and product lines can vary among retailers, direct price comparisons are sometimes difficult.
Mattress Prices in the United States
In the United States, mattress prices can range from a few hundred dollars for entry-level models to several thousand dollars for luxury mattresses and adjustable sleep systems.
Price depends on mattress size, materials, construction, brand, thickness, features, and retailer. For the same model, you can generally expect larger sizes to cost more, with a queen usually between twin and king.
Budget shoppers can find entry-level foam and innerspring mattresses through online retailers, discount stores, warehouse clubs, and local mattress outlets. Mid-priced mattresses may include features that are less common on entry-level models. Premium beds may include specialty foams, latex, advanced support systems, cooling materials, handcrafted construction, or adjustable features.
Instead of choosing a mattress based only on price, compare how long you expect to use it, how well it supports your sleeping position, and the retailer's return protections.
Should You Test a Mattress Before Buying?
An in-store mattress test can be helpful, although you should spend more than a few seconds evaluating it.
If possible, lie in your normal sleeping position for several minutes. If you sleep on your side, notice whether pressure builds around major contact points such as the shoulders and hips. If you sleep on your back, consider how well the mattress supports your lumbar area. Stomach sleepers often prefer enough support to prevent the midsection from sinking too deeply.
Whenever possible, couples should test the bed together. Differences in body weight, sleep position, and firmness preference can affect which mattress works best.
Trying a mattress in-store provides a limited preview of long-term comfort. This is one reason a reasonable sleep trial or comfort exchange policy can be valuable.
Choosing the Right Mattress Firmness
Mattress comfort levels are often labeled using terms that indicate how soft or firm the bed feels. The best firmness is personal and varies from person to person.
Body weight, sleeping position, mattress design, and individual comfort preferences can all affect how firm a mattress feels to you. The term "medium-firm" is not standardized, so one manufacturer's medium-firm mattress may feel different from another's.
Treat firmness labels as general guidance rather than precise measurements. You can reduce the chance of choosing an unsuitable firmness by testing mattresses or buying from a retailer with a strong exchange policy.
How Mattress Delivery and Setup Work
Different mattress sellers offer varying delivery and setup options. Before ordering, ask exactly where the mattress will be delivered.
Typical mattress delivery choices include basic doorstep service, delivery inside the home, room-of-choice placement, setup, and white-glove delivery. Certain delivery services also include packaging removal, old mattress haul-away, or foundation removal.
Before purchasing a large mattress or adjustable base for a building with restricted access, verify that the delivery can be completed without access problems.
Old Mattress Disposal and Recycling
A new mattress purchase often creates another question, how will you dispose of the old mattress? The rules for getting rid of a mattress are not uniform across the United States.
Some mattress stores provide haul-away service as part of delivery. Other disposal options may include municipal disposal services, recycling facilities, and junk removal providers.
Several states, including California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, have established mattress recycling programs. Because requirements and recycling fees differ by location, do not assume an old mattress can be placed with normal household trash.
If the mattress is still clean and usable, local charities or nonprofit organizations may accept it, but donation standards differ and many organizations do not take used mattresses.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?
Although mattress promotions appear throughout the year, major U.S. holiday weekends are common sale periods. Retailers frequently advertise mattress deals around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday.
A major sale weekend may offer discounts, but it does not guarantee the best available deal. Throughout the year, mattress sellers may adjust prices, bundles, financing promotions, and free accessory offers.
Look at everything included with the purchase. A mattress with a somewhat higher price can still provide more for your money when valuable services or accessories are part of the deal.
Where to Buy a Mattress Near You
A search for mattress stores near me is often the easiest way to begin comparing local mattress stores. In most U.S. metro areas, shoppers can choose from independent mattress stores, national chains, furniture retailers, and department stores.
Shoppers in major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, copyright, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, Boston, and Washington, D.C. may have dozens of mattress showrooms within driving distance. In smaller cities and rural communities, local mattress selection may be more limited, which can make regional retailers and online mattress stores more useful.
Before traveling between multiple showrooms, a mattress directory can help you find and compare nearby retailers. Compare locations, store types, mattress brands, and available services, then contact the retailer to confirm that the products you want to test are actually available at that location.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Mattress
Before completing your mattress purchase, consider asking the salesperson or online retailer these important questions:
- Do you currently have this mattress available?
- What will the complete price be after delivery and other fees?
- Can I return or exchange the mattress if it is uncomfortable?
- Do I have to keep the mattress for a minimum period before requesting a comfort exchange?
- Are there return, pickup, transportation, or restocking fees?
- If I have a warranty issue, do I contact the store or the manufacturer?
- Are there foundation or bed-frame requirements under the warranty?
- Does delivery include setup of the new mattress?
- Can my old mattress and foundation be removed?
- What is the expected delivery time for this mattress?
Clarifying these details before buying can help prevent misunderstandings after the sale.
Where to Buy Your Next Mattress
The best place to buy a mattress depends on the individual shopper. Local mattress retailers can work well for shoppers who want personalized help and the ability to try multiple beds. A large chain can be useful when you want multiple mattress choices and easy-to-find retail locations. Warehouse clubs and big-box retailers may appeal to value-focused shoppers, while online mattress companies provide convenient home delivery and access to brands that may not have local showrooms.
A good mattress comparison should involve comfort, policies, services, and value as well as cost. Consider comfort, construction, firmness, mattress size, sleep trial terms, returns, warranty coverage, delivery, setup, financing, and old mattress disposal.
Our mattress store directory can help you find mattress retailers throughout the USA and research local shopping choices before you visit a showroom or buy online. A little research before buying can make it much easier to find a mattress that fits your body, sleeping style, budget, and home.
Report this page