How to Shop for a New Mattress Online

One of the most significant purchases you will ever make for your house is your mattress. Considering we spend around a third of our lives asleep or resting, it's essential to invest in a mattress that offers us a restful, rejuvenating sleep and that makes us feel comfortable.

Whether you're a first time mattress buyer or looking for a replacement mattress, the internet can give you a convenient way to compare your options, read reviews, and take advantage of amazing mattress selling deals. In this guide, we are going to walk you through the general tips that you need to shop for a mattress online, from understanding different types of mattresses to narrowing down your options.

Understand Your Mattress Needs

Before you can really dive into the world of shopping for a mattress online, you have to understand your own needs first. You can't go searching for a metro if you don't know what you're looking for. The right mattress can improve your quality of sleep, so understanding what's going to work for you is going to save you a lot of time and confusion in the process. Here are some of the things that you should consider about your own needs before you go online to shop.

Sleep Position

The way you sleep can play a very vital role in selecting the perfect mattress. Different types of mattresses can cater to various sleeping styles, so you have to find the one that best matches yours.

• Side sleepers will generally benefit from a mattress that offers great pressure relief. If you're looking for something that is easy on the shoulders and the hips, then finding a mattress that caters to a medium or medium soft will often work best for you.

• Back sleepers may prefer a medium firm mattress. You want to prevent your spine from arching uncomfortably when you sleep, so something firmer will offer you the necessary support for this position.

Firmness Preference

The firmness of the mattress relates to how soft or hard the mattress feels under your weight. Most online retailers will categorise mattresses into firmness levels. These are soft, medium, soft, medium, medium, firm, and firm. When you're choosing the right firmness, you should think about the sleep positions mentioned earlier, along with your personal preference. 

Budget

One of the biggest considerations when you're shopping for a mattress is your budget. Online mattress shopping can give you a wide range of price points. Setting yourself a budget before you begin is one of the most essential components to choosing a new mattress because it's going to narrow down your choices for you. This prevents you from falling in love with a very expensive mattress when you know it's way out of your price range.

Health Considerations

If you have a concern about your health, such as joint issues, allergies or back pain, this should influence your mattress selection. Many online mattress brands will offer options that are designed to alleviate pain, while others are hypoallergenic.

Research Different Mattress Types

There is plenty of research to be done when shopping online for a mattress. There are so many mattress types out there, and each of them has their own pros and cons. 

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are well known for their contouring abilities. They respond well to body heat and pressure, and they provide customer support based on your weight. These mattresses tend to relieve pressure points and are really good at reducing motion transfer, which make them ideal for couples who share.

Innerspring Mattresses

These mattresses are made with a network of coils or springs, and these springs provide support and bounce. They have been around for decades, and they're often seen as the traditional mattress choice. These mattresses offer a firm and responsive support which make them suitable for stomach and back sleepers.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine all of the best features of memory foam and innerspring mattresses together. They have a typical coil base for support and then a foam layer for pressure relief and comfort. The combination of these materials together can deliver a more balanced feel, which makes them suitable for a range of sleep positions.

What to Look for When Shopping Online

Once you've considered the mattress type that you need and your firmness preferences, you have to then explore the various online mattress brands, which can feel overwhelming. By focusing on a few key factors, though, you can make the comparison process easier and find a mattress that meets your needs and your budget.

Look for Trial Periods and Return Policies

An advantage of buying a mattress online is that there usually is a risk-free trial period. Most online mattress companies will offer a trial period sufficient for getting a feel for the mattress. This gives you a chance to test out the mattress in the comfort of your own home and during this time if you find that it doesn't work for you, you can usually return it for a full refund. Some brands will even opt for the option of having the mattress picked up from your home at no extra cost.

Always check the brand's return policy carefully though. Some brands may have more straightforward processes for returns, while others may charge restocking fees or require you to arrange for that return yourself. Don't make a commitment until you can understand the return process.

Warranty Information

When you're looking for trial periods, think about the warranties that may be on offer. These can often range in duration, and they are important because they protect your investment.

You want to make sure that any metric manufacturing defects or issues with the mattress will be covered, but keep in mind that warranties generally do not cover normal wear and tear or damage caused by misuse.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

While you're shopping online, one of the best ways to compare the mattress brands is by reading customer reviews and ratings. These can offer you some insight into the comfort and durability as long as the overall quality of the mattress, which helps you to assess whether it will meet your needs.

Look for the reviews that mention long term performance and think about those that may highlight any issues such as sagging or smells. Some companies will offer incentives to customers for leaving reviews, so read through a range of options to get something more balanced.

Pricing and Financing Options

Price is a critical factor when you're comparing online mattress brands. While mattresses can range from affordable to high end, the price should be weighed against the quality as well as the features that you are getting. 

Always check for discounts or promotions that could be available, especially during large sales events in the year. Many mattress brands online will also offer financing options to spread the cost, which can make a higher price mattress way more affordable.

Customer Service and Support

Lastly, you really need to consider the level of customer support offered by each brand. Good online mattress companies will have responsible customer service teams and whether you need help choosing the right mattress or you have questions about the return process, it shouldn't be difficult to get hold of somebody. Check for contact options such as e-mail, live chat and phone support.

Order Your Mattress

Once you’ve gone through the brands out there and you've chosen your mattress, you need to order it online and it should be straightforward. Most brands will offer free shipping and the mattress will usually arrive compressed in a box. Be careful when you're unboxing, though, because it may take a few days to fully expand, but also the mattresses do have a habit of springing out. 

Many brands will often provide a white glove delivery service for an additional fee where professionals will deliver and then set up the mattress in your room. You do have to give it 24-48 hours for it to expand properly. 

Prepare for Delivery and Set-Up

When you know the day that your mattress is arriving, you need to prepare for delivery. Most mattresses will come rolled up and compressed, so follow the unboxing instructions carefully. Lay it flat on the bed frame or foundation and don't dress the bed until you give it time to expand fully. If you did opt for a delivery service, the setup will be taken care of for you and in some cases they may even take away your old mattress.

Buying a mattress online doesn't have to be difficult or scary. When you understand your specific needs, you've researched mattress types, you compared brands and read reviews, you can find a mattress that meets your comfort and support requirements with trial periods, easy returns, warranties. 

Online mattress shopping has never been easier, and it can be a great way for you to get a high quality mattress at a better price than what you might find in store. The most important part of this process is choosing a mattress that will help you to sleep better and wake up feeling rested. So, take your time, use all of the resources available to you and you'll have the perfect mattress for your style of sleep.