Your Ultimate Guide to Mattress Shopping

woman struggling to sleep in bed

Let’s face it, shopping for a mattress isn’t anyone’s favorite way to spend a Saturday (in fact, 52% of people surveyed would rather visit the DMV than shop for a new mattress). Mattress stores can be confusing and unwelcoming. Salespeople linger nearby and harsh fluorescent lights drown out a sea of white mattresses that all look alike.

And looking for a mattress online isn’t any easier. There are hundreds of brands, and it’s impossible to decode the buzzwords they use to market. Before you know it, you’ve extensively researched five different brands, read 100 reviews, and are still hours away from making a choice. Not to mention your choice will impact your sleep and overall health for years to come… and it becomes quite stressful.

Before you throw in the towel and choose the first mattress you see, we urge you to read this guide. No need to be overwhelmed. We distilled all the key information you need to shop for the perfect mattress for YOU.

Let’s break down what we cover in this mattress buying guide so you can take advantage of the endless variety of online now.

But first, why trust us? As one of the first ‘sleep stores’, Slumberland has over 50 years of experience. This guide was written by consulting many of our mattress experts on staff. We have always been dedicated to our customers and making the mattress-shopping journey easy and stress-free. We cut through the noise and hone in on the issues to solve. All mattresses are clearly marked with symbols for their type and features. Lower back pain, medical conditions like fibromyalgia, or preferences like a cool night's sleep? It’s all covered here.

Topics We Cover in This Guide:

  1. The Pain Points of Mattress Shopping
  2. Understanding Mattresses – AKA ‘the fundamentals’
    1. Types (innerspring, memory foam, hybrid)
    2. Sizes and Dimensions
    3. Firmness Levels
    4. Features (motion isolation, edge support, back support)
  3. Shopping for Mattresses
    1. How to Shop for a Mattress
    2. Other Considerations (sleep position, body type, breathability, etc.)
  4. Pulling the Trigger
    1. Where to Buy
    2. Trial Periods & Warranties
    3. Delivery

Note: Our Sleep Solutions departments are marked with simplified ratings and infographics. So, you can save time spent wandering and listening to salespeople. Compare mattresses, brands, and types. This Mattress Guide is a distilled version of the in-store experience. We hope this helps take the stress out of online shopping.

Are you ready to try a mattress in person? Visit one of our Slumberland locations today.

The Pain Points of Mattress Shopping: Start Here!

There is a lot to cover in this guide. But, don’t get overwhelmed! It’s all worth it to find the perfect mattress. Below we list the three key takeaways from this guide.

1. Keep in Mind Why You Need a Mattress

The reason why you’re buying a new bed is crucial. If you’re moving across the country and don’t want to haul your mattress but otherwise love it, we can help you find that model. If you hate your current mattress, we need to know that too! Context matters!

Usually, if you’re buying a mattress, it’s for one of six reasons:

  • You're relocating, and it’s easier to buy a new one.– If this is the case, and you’re otherwise happy with your mattress, take the mattress name (available on the law tag at the head of the bed) in a store. We can find the exact model or something very similar.
  • Your current mattress is causing you pain or not giving you proper support. – Waking up in the middle of the night to reposition your body to get better sleep? Using multiple pillows to make your uncomfortable mattress comfortable? Experiencing aches and pain in your lower back in the morning? It could be time for a pressure-relieving mattress and/or an adjustable bed.
  • Your current mattress is making you hot through the night. – Cheap (or older) beds can be heating traps. New mattress technology has come a long way in helping customers get cool, refreshing sleep. For more info, read on or check out our guide on how to sleep cool on your mattress.
  • Your current mattress is old. – Good mattresses tend to get more comfortable as time goes on. But, all mattresses will soften over time. Not to mention, there’s a hygienic factor. If you’re not using a mattress protector to keep out skin cells, sweat, and dust mites, a mattress can weigh twice its original weight in eight years. A good rule of thumb: if you’ve had your mattress for ten years, consider replacing it.
  • Someone in your family needs a new mattress. – Sometimes, the mattress isn’t for you, but for a child or an elderly parent. When you’re looking for a mattress for another person, try to bring them in store.
  • You're furnishing a guest room. – It can be tempting to rush through purchasing a mattress that won’t often be used. But, we recommend buying a quality mattress for your guest room. You never know when guests will stay for a prolonged time.

2. Don’t Worry about Your Mattress Budget Just Yet

Our mattress showroom has a huge variety of prices, from a few hundred dollars for queen mattresses to over $6,000 for mattress and adjustable base combos. What’s important is finding the mattress solution that will bring you the best sleep and support. After that, you can use Slumberland's financing options to make your ideal purchase affordable.

Plus, if you find a mattress, but its price is out of budget and you don’t want to finance it, our staff can help you find the most comparable mattress within your budget. This is why we recommend that you don’t worry about pricing at this point of your mattress shopping journey.

3. Adjusting to a New Mattress Takes Time

We offer a 365-Night Comfort Guarantee on all our mattresses (with the purchase of a mattress protector). There’s a break-in period when you get your new mattress home. If you don’t like your mattress, we come to pick it up, and you get the amount of your purchase, minus a small re-selection fee, towards any new mattress in our store.

But as great as sleep trials are, no one wants to buy a mattress just to return it. It’s a waste of time, bad for the environment, and you’re going even longer without a good night’s rest. Visiting a showroom to try a mattress in person is still so important if you can. Online-only mattress shopping has led to a direct increase in mattress returns.

Mattress Buyer Pro-tip: The longer you try a mattress in our showroom, the more likely you will notice if it will work for you.

Understanding Mattresses – Cut Through the Jargon

In this section, we get into the different mattress types so you can narrow your search.

What are the differences in mattress types?

There are three main mattress types, each marked by different symbols:

Mattress type infographic

All mattresses have three parts:

  1. The cover— This can be all kinds of different fabrics, from cotton-poly blends to wool. In some brands, it's removable and has cooling technologies.
  2. The comfort layer(s)— This is the softest layer in the mattress, located directly below the cover. A comfort layer can be more than one layer.
  3. The support layer(s)— This is generally the firmest layer in the mattress. It’s there so you don’t sink through.

Let's cover each mattress type in more detail and give our recommendations for each.

innerspring mattress icon

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are the most common type of mattress. They’re usually the mattresses everyone grew up on. They consist of a series of coils — or springs — which provide support topped with comfortable layers (various foams and fibers).

Benefits:

  • Affordable
  • Breathable
  • Bouncy

Drawbacks:

  • Transfers motion
  • Poor pressure relief

Best for:

  • Back sleepers who need firmer mattresses
  • Heavier individuals who need stronger support
  • Hot sleepers who need breathability
  • Budget-conscious shoppers

Innerspring mattresses come in traditional Bonnell coils and individually wrapped coils.

Traditional Bonnell or Open Coil Mattresses

Americans have been sleeping on Bonnell-style innerspring mattresses for more than 100 years. Open-coil mattress springs have steel-wire coils bound together by wires that help the mattress keep its shape. They are extremely durable and long-lasting. They are also cost-effective. But, open coils are also not the best for eliminating motion transfer.

Pocket Coil Mattresses

Rather than being bound together by wire as with open-coil, pocket coils (or individually wrapped coils) are independent. Each coil is encased in a fabric pocket, allowing it to move without disturbing the others. So, pocket coils are a good choice for those who share a bed, as one person’s movement will not disturb the other. Pocket coil mattresses are extremely durable and long-lasting as well. They contour to your body and provide excellent pressure relief.

Is Coil Count Important in an Innerspring?

Coils are measured by their gauge (in quarter increments), which helps determine their firmness. The lower the number, the thicker (and firmer) the coil. The thickest available coil is typically a 12.5 gauge (or very firm). Coils over 14 gauge are softer and move more easily under pressure.

The number of coils in a mattress is the coil count. The count is not as important as the gauge of the coils. You determine by a comfort test which type (gauge) of coil feels the best to you. But, as a rule, the coil count of your mattress should be at a minimum of 300 for Full, 375 for Queen, and 450 for King.

Our Expert Innerspring Mattress Recommendation:

Stearns and Foster Lux Estate mattress

For innerspring, our sleep experts recommend you start with the Stearns and Foster Lux Estate Medium mattress. It also comes in firm and soft. The Stearns and Foster Lux Estate offers the best innerspring support in a mattress at a great price!

Memory foam icon

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses achieve support with various materials, as opposed to spring coils. This could be a mixture of polyurethane foam (polyfoam) and memory foam (visco-elastic polyurethane foam), all poly-foam, or latex foam.

Benefits:

  • Pressure relief
  • Motion isolation

Drawbacks:

  • Price
  • Temperature regulation

Best For:

  • Side sleepers, who need pressure relief
  • Lighter individuals who prefer a softer feel
  • Couples who share a bed

There are several different types of foam mattresses:

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are great for providing pressure relief and comfort. Memory foam adjusts to your weight (the heavier parts of your body sink deeper) and reduces pressure across your entire body. Some memory foam mattresses – like Tempur-Pedic – are also temperature sensitive, so they conform more to your body heat. It’s only usually one or two layers in the mattress that are memory foam. The rest of the mattress is poly-foam.

Memory foam significantly reduces pressure points by contouring to your body and adjusting to your weight and shape. They are the best mattresses for eliminating motion transfer. However, memory foam tends to sleep hot.

Latex Foam

Like memory foam, latex molds to your body and evenly distributes your weight to provide pressure relief throughout your body. Latex is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to bacteria and dust mites. But there’s a major difference in feel. Latex mattresses are generally firmer and can feel a bit more like you’re “on” the mattress vs. the “in” the mattress.

When shopping for a latex mattress, check that it’s organic latex or synthetic. Synthetic latex is more affordable, but it is also less bouncy, less durable, and isn’t as eco-friendly. Natural latex mattresses tend to be the most expensive type of mattresses on the market. But they are durable and long-lasting.

Our Expert Foam Mattress Recommendation:

Nectar mattress

For foam, we recommend you try Nectar for a budget buy. Otherwise, you can’t beat Tempur-Pedic and its patented memory foam technology.

If Tempur-Pedic pulls you into the mattress too much, as people sometimes criticize, try a Purple mattress. It gives you a top-of-bed experience while still offering pressure relief.

hybrid icon

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrids are a combination of innerspring and foam. The base support layer is made of innerspring. Above that is memory foam, latex, or poly-foam that adjusts to and cradles your body. A hybrid gives the bounce of a coil mattress with the contouring comfort and support of foam.

Benefits:

  • Best of both worlds; bouncy and supportive
  • Temperature regulation
  • Durable

Drawbacks:

  • Price
  • Weight

 Best For:

  • Side sleepers, or back sleepers with a firmer option
  • Hot sleepers who need breathability

Our Expert Hybrid Mattress Recommendation:

Sealy Highpoint

Our hybrid recommendation is the Sealy Highpoint. It offers extra support in the center third of the mattress (where we carry the most weight when we sleep). It has the best support and cooling of all hybrid mattresses. Read more about the best hybrid mattresses here.

What mattress size and dimensions do I need?

Mattresses are one of five sizes: single (twin), double (full), queen, king, or California king.

In general, standard mattress measurements are:

  • Twin: 39” wide x 75” long
  • Twin XL: 39” wide x 80” long
  • Full: 54” wide by 75” long
  • Queen: 60” wide by 80” long
  • King: 76” wide by 80” long
  • California King: 72” wide by 84” long

If you’re changing mattress sizes, you’ll also probably need to buy new mattress accessories, including the foundation, bed frame, sheets, pillows, and mattress protectors.

Let’s look at the major mattress sizes and why you might pick one over the other.

Twin vs Twin XL vs Full

Twin mattresses are generally for young children or single adults living in very small spaces. If you’re 6 feet or taller, your feet may go over the edge. A Twin XL is the common size in college dorms across America. It’s the same width as a twin but is 5 inches longer. A full-size mattress is the same length as a twin but 15 inches wider, making it more comfortable if space is available.

Full vs Queen

A queen-size mattress is the most sold size to adults, whether they’re sleeping with a partner or alone. It is 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer than full. This makes it great for tall people and people who need more space on the side (whether for themselves, pets, family, or partners). The difference between the cost of a full-size and a queen-size mattress is small for most brands. Queen sizes are often worth the extra cost.

Queen vs. King

A queen-size mattress is just as long as a king-size, but narrower. A king-size mattress is 16 inches wider, making it a great option for couples sleeping together. A king-size mattress decreases the risk of feeling motion transfer when your partner moves.

King vs California King

A common misconception is that a California king (Cal king) is larger than a king. But really, what changes is the placement of 4 inches. A regular king-size mattress is 4 inches wider than a California king. But the Cal king is 4 inches longer than a regular king.

King vs Split King

Split king mattress and adjustable base

You can also buy a split king. A king mattress has the same dimensions as two twin extra-long mattresses. Customers choose a split king mattress so they can use a split king adjustable bed and lift each side independently. So, you can have your side of the bed elevated as you read at night while your partner can have their mattress flat. You could also have a soft mattress while your partner sleeps on a firm.

Note: There is a small gap between the two mattresses when you buy a split king, but it’s often hardly noticeable. The gap also has a major benefit — it eliminates any risk of motion transfer. Your sleep partner can get in and out of bed and you’ll never feel it.

What mattress firmness level do I need?

Mattress firmness levels provided by mattress brands are subjective but can still help. They serve guidelines that help point customers in the right direction.

But there’s something to clear up about firmness levels. Softer beds are not less supportive and durable than firm mattresses. The quality of the materials doesn’t change when the company makes a soft mattress. What changes are factors such as indentation load deflection (ILD). ILD is how much pressure it takes for a surface to bend.

Body weight and shape affect which firmness level you should choose. If you’re heavier than average and on a soft mattress, your hips may sink too far and put pressure on your lower back. But that doesn’t mean a firm mattress is more supportive. Support in a mattress means all the curves of your body are being supported so you don’t feel pressure.

Mattress feel rating system

That’s why we have a separate rating for feel on a scale of 1 to 5. Very firm beds are rated 1, and very soft beds are rated 5. When you come into Slumberland, you can start with a Feel rating appropriate for your sleeping position. Then figure out which number you like best after testing a few beds.

We recommend shopping for feel based on your sleeping position:

  • Side sleepers generally prefer a softer mattress with a feel rating of 3, 4, or 5
  • Back and stomach sleepers prefer a firmer feeling mattress with a feel rating of 1 or 2

Learn more about firm vs soft mattresses here.

What are all these mattress features and do I need them?

Now that we’ve narrowed down your mattress type and firmness level, let's consider which extra features you may need. Learn features like motion isolation, edge support, back support, and pressure relief. Most have special icons you can look for in store.

Motion Isolation

Motion transfer is when you can feel your partner or pet moving on the bed throughout the night. A mattress categorized as “No Motion Transfer” or “Motion Isolation” will absorb more movement during the night so you both sleep better.

Most customers have seen the wine glass test in a commercial, where a full glass is on one corner of the bed and people jump on the other side. The wine glass doesn’t fall over. That’s because of motion isolation. Even innersprings with individually wrapped coils can have motion isolation.

motion isolation symbol

We mark mattresses with motion isolation with this symbol.

Edge Support

Edge support in a mattress refers to the firmness and stability of the mattress along its edges. It’s important for getting in and out of bed, sleeping near the edge, and mattress longevity.

Back Support

Getting the right amount of back support from your mattress is critical. If you have back, spine, hip, or other issues, work on your feet all day, or are tall, back support is even more important. Mattresses provide back support by keeping your spine aligned and not letting your hips sink too far into the bed.

Back support rating system

At Slumberland, we looked at the materials used in each mattress, such as coils, types of foam, and how foam layers were arranged. Then we mapped each mattress on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the least amount of back support and 5 being the most.

If you have back pain, we recommend trying Tempur-Pedic mattresses. People often come in our doors with doctor recommendations for Tempur-Pedic. These mattresses straighten your spine and offer the most back support. We also recommend considering an adjustable base! Read more about mattresses for back pain.

Pressure Relief

Some beds use higher quality, more pressure-relieving materials. If you’re suffering from significant and painful conditions like sciatica and chronic back pain or fibromyalgia, then we recommend pressure relief.

pressure relief icon

Some brands use advanced mattress materials that offer unparalleled pressure relief. Others don’t go quite as far but still provide great pressure relief benefits. We classify mattresses in the showroom as moderate or advanced pressure relief.

How to Shop for a Mattress

Great job! Now you know about different mattress types, sizes, firmness levels, and common features. It’s time to get into how to shop for mattresses.

How can I tell if a mattress is right for me?

1. Know Your Mattress Size

When our customers have a question about mattress sizes, it’s usually one of these three:

  1. Should I get a full or a queen size? If your room is big enough, get a queen. You get more room width-wise and length-wise. Plus, there’s a good chance the sheets you bought for a full mattress will work for your new queen. Finally, there’s no huge price jump from a full to a queen.
  2. Should I get a queen or a king-size? Going from a queen to a king-size is a bigger change than going from a full to a queen. You’ll need new sheets, a new mattress protector, and a new bed frame. But you also get a lot more room.
  3. Should I get a king, split king, or cal king? There’s a common misconception that a Cal King is the biggest mattress. In reality, a California King has the same square footage as a king mattress. A Cal King is longer than a king mattress, but 4 inches narrower. We recommend Cal Kings for very tall sleepers. We recommend split king mattresses for couples with differing preferences or motion isolation.

2. Identify Your Needs

Sleeping Position:

  • Side Sleepers: Prioritize pressure relief and a soft to medium mattress.
  • Back Sleepers: Look for a medium-firm mattress with good spinal support.
  • Stomach Sleepers: A firmer mattress can help maintain spinal alignment.
  • Combination Sleepers: A medium-firm mattress that balances comfort and support.

Body Weight:

  • Lightweight: Consider a softer mattress for comfort.
  • Average Weight: A medium-firm mattress is a good starting point.
  • Heavyweight: A firmer mattress provides better support.

Preferences:

  • Temperature: If you sleep hot, look for cooling tech like gel-infused foam or breathable materials.
  • Firmness: Consider your preferred level of firmness, from soft to extra firm, detailed in the next section.

3. Know Your Mattress Type

Read the full breakdown of mattress types with product recommendations in the “Understanding Mattresses” section above. Find a quick summary below:

  • Innerspring mattresses are affordable, bouncy, and breathable. However, they have poor motion isolation and pressure relief. They are best for back sleepers, heavy individuals, and hot sleepers.
  • Foam mattresses have great pressure relief and motion isolation. But, they cost more and have poor temperature regulation. They are best for side sleepers, lighter individuals, and couples.
  • Hybrid mattresses are bouncy and supportive and have good temperature regulation. But, they usually cost the most. They are best for side sleepers, hot sleepers, and couples.

4. Determine Your Budget

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a mattress. General ranges are laid out below.

Mattress Size:

  • Twin: $120 - $900
  • Full: $250 - $1,200
  • Queen: $400 - $1,800
  • King: $600 - $2,500
  • California King: $600 - $2,500

Mattress Type:

  • Innerspring: $200 - $1,500
  • Memory Foam: $300 - $3,000
  • Hybrid: $500 - $4,000

Prices can vary based on type, size, and current sales. Find mattresses on sale here. If you are looking for the best value mattress, we recommend innerspring mattresses. The Sealy Winter Green mattress is a tried and true innerspring value choice.

5. Try the Mattress in Person

Over the past few years, buying a mattress online has become increasingly popular. And while it’s convenient to shop online for a mattress, it’s also difficult to know if you’re getting the right one.

That’s why we recommend you try the mattress in person whenever possible. The longer you spend testing a mattress, the more likely you are to know if it’ll work for you. Plus, when you try a mattress at Slumberland, you can ask a sleep expert any questions about comfort levels, support levels, or mattress types.

6. Understand the Mattress Return Policy and Warranty

Buying a mattress isn’t like buying a TV or fridge. It’s more like buying a pair of shoes. It’s going to feel different on day one than on day 30. That’s why mattress brands should always offer a sleep trial. We have a 365-Night Comfort Guarantee. When you buy a mattress and mattress protector, you have 365 nights to try out your new bed.

We ask that you give your body at least 30 days to try your new mattress before making any exchanges. After 30 days — and up to day 365 — you can come back to Slumberland and we will help you find the right one. We then credit your original purchase (minus a $99 processing fee) towards your perfect bed.

7. Keep an Eye Out for Mattress Sales

The major mattress sale holidays are Labor Day, New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Black Friday, and the 4th of July.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal on mattresses during the rest of the year. Our team will always be transparent on any upcoming mattress sales. We often run in-store promotions, such as free pillows with a mattress purchase or 0% on your purchase when you use Slumberland financing.

Other Sleep Considerations

What is my sleep position?

Generally, you’re either a side, back, stomach, or combination sleeper. Sleep position can dictate the firmness of the mattress you should have:

  • If you’re a side sleeper, you might be more comfortable on a medium or softer mattress. This is because when you sleep on your side you need the mattress to fill the dips and curves of your body. Learn more about mattresses for side sleepers.
  • If you’re a back sleeper, you’re likely more comfortable on a medium-firm or firmer mattress. When you sleep on your back, the main area of support your body needs is the small of your back. A back sleeper can enjoy a softer mattress if their hips don’t sink in deeply. Learn more about mattresses for back sleepers.
  • If you’re a stomach sleeper, you probably need a firmer mattress. Your sleeping position is working against your spine’s natural curvature. Experts recommend not sleeping on your stomach because it can add pressure to your lower back.

How can I sleep cool?

One of the most common questions is if a mattress will “sleep hot.” Sleeping hot is when your body heat gets trapped in the mattress, close to its surface, and becomes a heat trap. We’ve all been there. You toss and turn, kick the covers off, lower the AC, and still won’t get a good night’s sleep.

Luckily, most quality mattresses do work to help regulate your temperature. For example, Tempur-Pedic has the Breeze line. The Breeze line mattress uses phase change materials (PCMs) that are activated by heat. When they encounter heat, they absorb it, drawing it away from your body. The best cooling mattress we carry is the TEMPUR-Luxe Breeze.

cooling mattress icon

To make shopping easier, we use this symbol for mattresses with significant cooling benefits. If there is a cooling label on the mattress, then it has extra technology to draw heat away from your body and promote better airflow.

Do I need an antimicrobial mattress?

In our professional opinion, yes! When unprotected, mattresses can be a breeding ground for germs. An antimicrobial mattress kills or prevents microbial growth on or in your mattress. This can help with skin irritation or allergies because you’re keeping bacteria and allergens out of your mattress.

anti-microbial icon

Antimicrobial mattresses are marked with this symbol.

Note: We still always recommend you buy a mattress protector, because they go above and beyond what an antimicrobial cover can do, including keeping sweat out of your mattress.

Do I need a foundation or an adjustable base?

What you rest your mattress on is as important as your mattress. There are many different options, but one that you’ll often find is the classic foundation. These are also known as box springs, but most don’t use springs anymore. Instead, they are a very solid, rigid surface that promotes the longevity of your mattress.

You should have a foundation for your mattress. If you use an old foundation, you run the risk of voiding your mattress warranty. You also risk shortening the lifespan and overall comfort of your mattress. This is because the wood of an old foundation may start sagging, which can hurt your new mattress, causing it to sag prematurely as well.

You can also elevate your sleeping environment by using an adjustable base. An adjustable base allows you to change the position of your legs and head. When you raise your legs, you take pressure off your back.

Adjustable bases are used by many people to help with blood circulation, sciatica, lower back pain, snoring, watching movies, reading, and more. Learn about the best adjustable bases here.

adjustable base compatible icon

The good news is that almost all mattresses are compatible with adjustable bed frames. If they are, they are marked with this symbol.

Time to Buy a Mattress

Sleep Solutions department

Where should I buy a mattress?

We recommend you buy a mattress in person to try different types and firmness levels before deciding. Read on to learn about the services that made us the go-to mattress store for families for decades.

How we simplified mattress shopping

We carry several major mattress brands, including Tempur-Pedic, Sealy Hybrids, Stearns and Foster, Purple, Nectar, and more.

We wanted an easy way for our customers to compare different models across brands. So we came up with custom ratings for key mattress features, including:

  • Types of mattresses— Innerspring, memory foam, and hybrids.
  • Back Support— We rate back support on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being the least amount of back support and 5 being the most.
  • Feel— We rate feel on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the firmest and 5 being the softest.
  • Pressure Relief— Some mattresses offer close to no pressure relief. Other mattresses excel at providing pressure relief. If you don’t see a pressure-relief rating on the mattress, that means it doesn’t have any.
  • Cooling— Not everyone needs or wants a cooling mattress. For those who do, look for the cooling symbol.
  • Motion Transfer— Motion transfer is when motion can easily spread through the mattress. This means you’ll feel your partner move when they’re on their side. You can easily see which mattresses have motion isolation.

Once you have an idea of what type of mattress you want, you can better navigate our showroom. Throughout the department, you’ll see color-coded infographics. You will always know which type of mattress you’re trying, which means you can easily skip the types you didn’t like.

Then, you can narrow down your search by looking at online ratings.

What trial period and warranty should I get?

Mattress warranties are relatively standard across all the leading brands.

But here are some general tips:

  1. Look for a mattress with a 10-year warranty. A 10-year warranty is the industry standard. But, don’t be overly impressed with mattress companies that offer more than a 10-year warranty. Generally, these extra-long warranties are pro-rated and are also misleading.
  2. Look for what constitutes a defective mattress. The main thing that can happen to your mattress is that it can sag. By this, we mean that your mattress forms a “dip” or “canyon” where you sleep. If you’re buying an all-foam mattress, make sure that sags of ¾ of an inch or greater are covered. If you’re buying a hybrid or innerspring mattress, look for protection from sags of 1 ½ inches or more.
  3. Look to see how the warranty claim is verified. Most leading mattress brands will have the customer take photos of the sag and measure it. But, some brands – like Casper – generally, want the mattress shipped back to their warehouse where they can verify the claim and repair it if possible.

In terms of free trial periods, look for one with:

  1. At least a 90-day trial period. Generally, you’ll only need a good month of consistently sleeping on your new bed to know it’s the right one for you. So, a 90-day trial period gives you plenty of time without stressing about whether you have time to return it. All our mattresses come with our 365-Night Comfort Guarantee (when purchased with a mattress protector).
  2. Reasonable processing or re-delivering fees. At Slumberland, a $99 re-select fee gets deducted from the original amount you paid. If you select a different mattress that is less expensive than your original purchase, the difference, minus the reselect fee, will be issued back to you as a gift card.

What mattress delivery should I get?

Some quality mattresses are vacuum-sealed into a compact box. They are perfect for those who are looking for easy transportation. Boxed mattresses are generally packaged in 2 feet by 3 feet boxes and can weigh anywhere from 60 lbs to over 150 lbs. Boxed mattresses are marked with this symbol:

ships in box icon

We also offer full-service delivery in which delivery technicians assemble your purchase. You don’t have to worry about lifting and transporting your mattress. If you are replacing a mattress, consider our sustainable mattress removal service for a small fee.

We hope you learned how to shop for a mattress! Happy shopping!

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