5 mattress buying mistakes to avoid, according to experts

Buying a new mattress can get complicated. There's type, firmness, price, and size to think about, and that's without considering the new brands, models, and types making their way into the market. The sleep industry is constantly growing, and the introduction of fresh mattress marketing terms only makes things more confusing. 

There's no surprise then, that it is easy to make a mistake when buying a new bed. In fact, it's pretty common for customers to be unhappy with their initial mattress purchase after buying a bed that doesn't suit their sleep needs. 

To make sure you don't do the same, we've spoken to the experts and rounded up five mattress-buying mistakes to avoid when shopping for your next best mattress online. We've thrown in a few helpful tips too to make your mattress-buying experience even easier – because everyone deserves to have a great night's sleep.

Mattress buying mistakes 

When it comes to choosing a mattress there are certain steps to take to make sure you pick the bed that's right for you. Still, you could be selecting a bed based on sleep style, price, firmness, and size as advised and still take the wrong turn. As well as checking off your mattress requirements make sure you don't get misled by false reviews, budget, policy, and more. 

5 common mistakes to avoid

Byron Golub, VP of Product & Merchandising, Saatva, and Theresa Schnorbach, content director and sleep scientist at Emma Mattress address some of the most common mattress-buying mistakes below: 

1. Buying only based on someone else's experience

Mattress reviews are always helpful in finding the best mattress for you. Great at spotlighting mattress USPs and who it would suit best, a review can offer you all but the actual feeling of lying on the bed. But reviews work best if you already have a certain mattress in mind. For example, if you know you need a mattress for back pain, it's best to first check a buying guide for the most appropriate mattress and then read a review for further details. As long as you take note of how the reviewer's experience relates to your own, you're sure to find the right bed. 

A bigger problem is when you decide to choose a mattress based on the fact your friend or family member found it comfortable. You shouldn't completely discredit their opinion, but mattresses are not a one-size-fits-all product, and just because the mattress worked for them, doesn't mean it'll offer the same benefits for you. A way to get more valuable information is to ask about brand experience, customer service, and delivery. 

2. Forgetting firmness and sleep style

One of the easiest ways to determine whether a mattress is going to work for you is by cross-referencing your sleep style with mattress firmness. As Bryon Golub, VP of Product and Merchandising at Saatva explains, 'many people confuse firmness with support and end up choosing the firmest mattress possible - but mattress firmness and mattress support aren’t the same things.' Rather, how firm your mattress is should depend on your sleep style. 

Byron Golub

Byron is the Vice President of Product and Merchandising at Saatva, where he is responsible for leading the design and development of Saatva's luxury product portfolio. 

'Different sleepers will require different levels of support and cushioning to properly align the body and ensure a great night's sleep,' adds Theresa Schnorbach, sleep scientist at Emma Mattress . 'A medium firmness rating will suit back and side sleepers and front sleepers should opt for a firmer mattress that stops their hips and shoulders from sinking.' 

Theresa Schnorbach

Theresa Schnorbach is a psychologist and sleep scientist specializing in Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology. She has completed post-graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with the German Sleep Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin (DGSM)), endorsed by the European Research Society.

3. Buying solely on price

If you're working with a budget, it can be easier to think that the cheaper the mattress, the better. Golub says that 'settling for the lowest-priced option is not the wisest decision.' Cheaper mattresses are unlikely to sleep the most comfortably nor last very long, costing you more in the long run when you're needing to maintain or replace them.  

However, he would say that - he works for a mattress company. It's easy to go too far in the other direction and overspend on an expensive bed. Where it may seem like the higher the price the more luxurious the bed, there are actually great value mattresses that offer everything you need for a reasonable price. It can be easy for mattress retailers to sell their beds at extortionate costs, for the sake of brand name. 

From regularly testing mattresses, I can confirm that it's not always 'you get what you pay for'. It has been the case that more expensive mattresses receive a lower rating than some middle-ground options. 

4. Ignoring warranty and policy

Mattresses are a big investment, so making sure you get the most out of your purchase is important. In the event you buy your mattress and find an issue or problem with your sleep experience, knowing what your warranty covers is important. Different mattress brands will have different policies on returns, refunds, and sleep trials. You don't want to have spent thousands and be stuck with a bed you're not happy with. 

Before you click checkout on your bed, you should read and understand the retailer's policies on warranties and returns. Find out things like what are the conditions for returning a mattress. Are there any hidden fees? What add-ons will ensure your warranty stays valid? The same goes for trial periods. Most mattress brands will offer an amount of time for you to try out the mattress and return it if you find it doesn't suit you. But there is often something in the fine print that can prevent you from claiming the offer. 

5. Ignoring your bed base

If you already have a bed base and are just replacing your mattress, Schnorbach advises you to pay attention to what you're working with. 'Your bed base – or frame – is responsible for supporting your mattress, so it's a good idea to check ahead of purchasing a new mattress' to ensure you're getting the correct size and style to fit your foundation.

'A good quality bed base can also increase the lifespan of your mattress,' she explains, while poor quality bed bases can cause your mattress to sag or even cause faster deterioration, leading to strain on your joints and spine. 

Mattress shopping tips

• Do your research: There are plenty of buying guides and mattress reviews out there to help you find the bed of your dreams. Look at specifications, materials, and types and consider your sleep style, budget, and needs. Take your time, because once you've found a mattress that meets your requirements for cooling, backache, or whatever it might be, you're guaranteed a great night's sleep. 
• Don't pay full price: It will be rare to find a mattress available to buy at full price. Most mattress retailers and brands have ongoing sales offering anything from 10%-30% off. Seasonal mattress sales periods like Memorial Day, Presidents Day, and Black Friday will see mattress prices at huge 50%-60% discounts too, so if you're near one of these holidays it's certainly worth the wait. If you're about to buy a new bed without a deal, then don't, you can probably find one a week later for a lower price. 
• Try and buy directly from the brand: Direct-to-customer mattress brands are arguably the best places to buy a bed from. Unlike online retailers like Amazon or Mattress Firm, mattress companies will offer better protection, warranties, and sleep trials to make the most of. If you encounter an issue, it's also easier to speak with someone who specializes in the industry to help. Lots of brands have great customer service and are happy to help resolve any potential problems with their products. 

FAQs

Buying a new mattress is a pretty big deal. Not only are they expensive, but they're something that will ideally last you for years, so getting it right is key. If you're still hesitant about whether the mattress you have in your basket is the best one for you, it's worth seeing whether the brand offers a mattress topper. Considered a smaller version of the mattress, a topper is a great way to get a feel of what the actual mattress would be, without the commitment.