Your complete guide:
Online mattress shopping

Because buying a place to rest your head shouldn’t leave you with a headache.

The mattress-in-a-box craze has lots of us jumping for joy. Because let’s face it: The old way of buying a bed stunk.

But online shopping for your next cozy sleep isn’t without its complications, especially with so many options to choose from.

We help you narrow the search to make the best decision for your budget and needs, including perks and drawbacks for the top online mattress brands on the ‘net.

Pros and cons

Browsing for your next mattress buy is easy, for sure. But it doesn’t come without potential drawbacks, however much they’re part of any online purchase.

Pros to buying a mattress online

Save time and money. Driving around town to hit your local mattress warehouses won’t guarantee you’ll find that bed of your dreams. You might even save on the overhead costs of a physical store by going with a digital provider.
Get a risk-free trial. You can’t lie on your mattress before you finalize your order. But nearly all online mattress companies offer a risk-free trial period — some as long as 100 days. Hate how it feels? Get your money back, no questions asked.
Free shipping and returns. To compete with traditional mattress retailers, most online brands offer free, hassle-free delivery and returns, often with free pickup.
Easy setup. If you’ve never ordered a mattress in a box, there’s no need to worry about setup. Most mattresses are easy to unpack for easy sleep.

Cons to buying a mattress online

You can’t try before you buy. Even with a risk-free trial, some of us prefer the chance to sit, lie and bounce on a mattress before bringing it home. With online shopping, that’s just not an option.
Limited firmness options. While a few online brands offer a range of firmness levels, the majority do not. If you’re picky about how soft or firm your mattress is, you might find yourself taking advantage of a return policy or two.
Returns might be a chore. Luckily, many online brands are so sure you’ll love them, they’re willing to haul away your return for free. Still, in the meantime, you’ll need to store your old one and arrange for a pickup day.

Types of mattresses available

When you buy a mattress online, you’ll run into different makes and materials that include:

Foam. Today’s foam mattresses are a lot different from your traditional memory foam. Most materials now offer special cooling and comfort features to reduce heat and those extreme body indents characteristic of older foams.
Hybrid. A hybrid mattress typically comprises a combo of foam layers and coils to offer the best of both worlds.
Latex. Latex mattresses are made of a type of foam rubber created through a specific manufacturing process, including Talalay and Dunlop.

Pros and cons of each mattress type

Mattress Type	Pros	Cons
Foam	Reduces motion transfer Contours to your body	Can retain heat and “sleep hot”
Hybrid	Provides the benefits of both foam and coils Can be a solid choice for a wide range of sleep positions	Typically on the pricey side
Latex	Environmentally responsible materials and process Durable	Can be on the firm side

How to choose the best mattress online for you

Choosing the right mattress from among online brands doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as you’re willing to do a little legwork before making your final decision.

When shopping for a mattress online, keep these top tips in mind:

Know your must-haves. What’s the most important feature for you — is it staying within a budget? How about comfort or durability? Know what you absolutely can’t sacrifice, then mold your decision around those qualities.
Compare shipping and return policies. Trial periods vary by brand, so learn how long you have to sleep on your mattress before giving it the green light. Shipping costs also vary, especially if you live in Alaska, Hawaii or Canada.
Get in touch with support. How quickly did you get help? Were reps able to answer your questions? Were they friendly? Answers can really matter down the road if you need help, want to make a warranty claim or require a return.

Top online mattress retailers

We break down 10 of the most popular online mattress retailers to highlight what makes them standouts.

We know that everyone's situation is unique and we aim to help you find the right product for you. We may receive compensation when you visit our partners' sites or are approved for their products. You can read more about how we maintain editorial independence and how we make money here.

Category	Brand	Type of mattress	What to know	More info
Most popular	Casper Mattresses	Foam	Casper is one of the first and most popular online mattress brands. It also makes beds for your pup!	Shop Now Learn more
Most high-tech	Eight Sleep	Hybrid & foam options	Links to Amazon Alexa, the Nest thermostat, fitness trackers and more.	Shop Now Learn more
Best value	Tuft & Needle	Foam	T&N mattresses can run about $300 cheaper than competitors without sacrificing quality.	Learn more
Most unique	Purple	Hyper-Elastic Polymer	Purple mattress are made of a unique polymer for cooling and comfort.	Shop Now Learn more
Most personalized	Helix	Hybrid	Offers a quick online quiz for sleep customized to your needs.	Shop Now Learn more
Most luxurious	DreamCloud	Hybrid	Nectar’s luxury hybrid mattress can lull you in luxury.	Shop Now Learn more
Most hypoallergenic	PangeaBed	Latex	Talalay manufactured with copper-infused latex.	Shop Now Learn more
Best warranty	Nest Bedding	Hybrid & foam options	Offers a generous lifetime warranty.	Shop Now Learn more
Most charitable	Live and Sleep	Foam	Donates proceeds to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.	Shop Now Learn more
Most patriotic	Leesa	Foam	Generous 12.5% discounts to military members and families, first-responders, teachers and students.	Shop Now Learn more

How can I finance my online mattress?

If you’d rather make smaller monthly payments on your big sleep purchase, you’re in luck. Many online retailers offer third-party financers similar to those you’ll find at your local furniture store.

Say you’ve got your eye on the Nest Bedding Alexander Signature Hybrid mattress, priced at $1,199 for a queen. To finance your purchase, you’d choose Affirm from your payment options at checkout. Affirm give you an instant answer about eligibility along with a breakdown of your options. If you’re approved for 0% interest financing, your monthly repayment could be as low as $199.83 for six months.

Mattresses made in America

When it comes to buying a new mattress, an important selling point for many Americans is that it’s made right here in the US.

Luckily, more online brands than you might think are made in the United States.

Read our guide to the top 10 made-in-America mattress brands

Shop our top brands

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Bottom line

Buying a new mattress can be daunting. After all, you might be sleeping on this big purchase for the next 10 years or so.

But a new wave of online mattress brands means you’ve plenty of options to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Our advice? No need to rush. Read through reviews and guides like this one, weigh costs against your budget and you’ll eventually narrow down the mattress of your dreams.

Frequently asked questions about buying a mattress online

Top mattress deals April 2018

Eight Sleep	$50 off any smart mattress	Coupon code expires 29 Apr 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 25 Apr 2018	Show code AP**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Helix Sleep	$125 off any mattress	Coupon code expires 1 May 2018	Plus any other product	Last verified 19 Apr 2018	Show code SP**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Eight Sleep	10% off any order for students	Deal expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 16 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	10% off any order for first responders: police officers, firefighters and EMTs	Deal expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 16 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	10% off any order for military	Deal expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 16 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	Student discount: save 10%	Deal expires 1 Jan 2019		Last verified 13 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	Military and veterans take 10% off	Deal expires 1 Jan 2019		Last verified 13 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	First responders take 10% off	Deal expires 1 Jan 2019		Last verified 13 Apr 2018	Get deal
DreamCloud	$200 off select items	Coupon code expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 12 Apr 2018	Show code SH**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Helix Sleep	Create your perfect mattress, customized just for you.		Personalized comfort at a comfortable price.	Last verified 12 Apr 2018	Get deal
Helix Sleep	Risk free trial and 0% financing			Last verified 11 Apr 2018	Get deal
Mattress Firm	Same or next day delivery		Get it when you need it with set-up and haul-away options.	Last verified 11 Apr 2018	Get deal
Mattress Firm	Interest free financing and no credit needed purchasing available			Last verified 11 Apr 2018	Get deal
Casper Mattresses	Free shipping and returns included with your order		Plus Casper does their best to donate every returned mattress to a local charity.	Last verified 9 Apr 2018	Get deal
Casper Mattresses	All mattresses come with a 100 day risk-free trial		Don't like your new mattress? Casper will pick it up and give you a full refund.	Last verified 9 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	$25 off any product	Coupon code expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 7 Apr 2018	Show code SL**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Eight Sleep	$50 off mattresses plus free shipping and returns	Coupon code expires 30 Dec 2018	Exclusions may apply.	Last verified 7 Apr 2018	Show code EI**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Eight Sleep	Free shipping with all products	Deal expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 7 Apr 2018	Get deal
Eight Sleep	100 night free trial with all mattresses	Deal expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 7 Apr 2018	Get deal
PangeaBed	Get $30 off copper pillow	Deal expires 25 Mar 2022	T&Cs apply	Last verified 3 Apr 2018	Get deal
Live and Sleep	Free 2 Day Shipping -		Free Shipping on all orders shipping in continental US	Last verified 30 Mar 2018	Get deal
PangeaBed	Take $100 off any mattress	Deal expires 24 Mar 2023	Plus 2 free fresh pillows ($200 value). T&Cs apply	Last verified 29 Mar 2018	Get deal
Nest Bedding	Get the Love & Sleep mattress with payments as low as $53 per month	Deal expires 30 Jun 2018		Last verified 9 Jan 2018	Get deal

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Your complete guide:Online mattress shopping