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Most people are willing to spend between $500 and $1,000 on a mattress. The average price of a decent-quality mattress is about $1,000, which coincides with the upper limit that the majority of people are willing to pay. So, you could say that this is the answer to your question, but it’s not that simple. You may have some trouble finding a good King-size mattress for less than a thousand dollars that’s not just a cheap slab of foam. This is to tell you that mattress size, materials, and overall quality all play a role in the price. And of course, your budget is an important factor as well.
How to Determine How Much You Should Spend on a Mattress
You definitely need one thing to begin with, and that is knowing what kind of mattress you need. Once you’ve narrowed your choice down, you’ll know the price range of an ideal mattress for you.
Here’s an example:
- You have a sleeping partner and none of you sprawls too much. The ideal size for you is Queen.
- You sleep hot and would appreciate a mattress made of natural and organic materials that cools you down. This means you probably need a latex or latex hybrid mattress. These are expensive but are a great choice for hot sleepers.
- Let’s say you paid less than $500 for your old mattress and are not happy with the quality, so now you want to invest more and would like a mattress that lasts longer. Now you’re ready to pay up to $1,500.
So, you need a Queen-size latex mattress and are willing to pay no more than $1,500. This is tight, but still possible. There are manufacturers which offer latex mattresses in this size for $1,000-$1,500, but if you really want high-quality materials, you should add one to two hundred more. You are investing in a mattress that’s going to last you for about 15 years, after all.
And if your budget is lower than that, there’s room for compromise – look for mattresses made of different materials, with fewer layers, or similar mattresses by a different manufacturer. Any of these changes can lower the mattress cost.
You can also try to negotiate the price or simply wait for a good opportunity – some periods of the year carry more discounts, such as in the early spring or winter months. Yes, there is such a thing as the ideal time to buy a mattress.
OK, so we just used the mattress type, budget, and other factors as examples of what a prospective buyer might prefer. This is not to say you have to spend that much – you can also get a relatively solid mattress for under $1,000!
Factors to Consider
As you could see from our example above, there are four factors we’ve mentioned – mattress size, mattress type, mattress quality, and budget. Quality and budget are closely tied, but the more you know about all the options, the more you’ll be able to adjust your choices and make the best final decision.
Finally, you must take your own needs into consideration. Those who can fall asleep on just about anything will definitely not have to pay attention to specifics such as whether or not the mattress is orthopedic, has zoned support, cooling properties, or is firmer or softer.
Mattress Sizes
The smallest sizes are also the cheapest because less material goes into making them. A Twin mattress just can’t cost as much as a Queen mattress.
However, when making a compromise about price, choosing a smaller size should be your last resort. This is simply because there are enough options out there that you don’t have to end up squeezing on a small bed with a partner.
Here are the prices of different mattress sizes for Nolah, so you can see how much the price differs between two sizes and how much between two mattress types. The first price is for their most affordable line, Nolah Original 10″ (all-foam), and the second price is for their most expensive Nolah Evolution 15″ (hybrid) line of mattresses.
- Twin (38″ x 75″) – $549 vs $999
- Twin XL (38″ x 80″) – $699 vs $1,199
- Full (53″ x 75″) – $799 vs $1,399
- Queen (60″ x 80″) – $899 vs $1,599
- King (76″ x 80″) – $1,099 vs $1,799
- California King (72″ x 84″) – $1,099 vs $1,799
- Split King (2x 38″ x 80″) – $1,398 vs $2,398
Please note that these mattress prices may have changed by the time you’re reading this. Still, they reflect a relevant price difference between mattress sizes and types.
Mattress Types
Mattress type plays a big role in the price. Simple foam is the cheapest kind whereas hybrid mattresses and natural latex beds fall into the most expensive group.
These are typical price ranges for each group:
- Innerspring mattress price range $300-$1,200
- Foam mattress price range $250-$1,200
- Hybrid mattress price range $500-$2,300
- Latex mattress price range $500-$2,500
- Airbed mattress price range $50-$1,000
And these are average mattress prices:
- Innerspring mattresses $800-$900
- Foam mattresses $$1,000
- Hybrid mattresses $1,500
- Latex mattresses $1,500
- Air mattress $200
Mattress Quality
You don’t need to be a mattress quality expert – you can simply focus on several manufacturers that are known to produce mattresses of excellent or at least sufficient quality.
For example, a foam mattress can start breaking down after only a couple of years if it’s made of cheap materials, but it can also have a lifespan of as much as 15 years if the quality is good.
The best thing you can do is research mattress brands and see which ones are up to par. It depends on how much time and/or patience you have for such a detailed task.
If you really don’t know where to start, you may want to check out some of these brands. They are widely popular and trusted, and they also fall into different price categories.
Your Budget
Think about your finances – what’s the sensible amount to spend at this time? If you’ll be ditching the mattress in a couple of years for whatever reason, you should invest a smaller amount; and if you’re buying it for your house and planning to keep it for at least a decade, you definitely want to think about the higher-priced mattress options.
To help you get an idea of what to expect from your new bed, take a moment to compare price ranges (have the Queen size mattress in mind, since it’s the most popular one):
- $300-$499 – These are budget-friendly mattresses. An average mattress that costs up to $500 is usually made of foam, but you may be able to find an innerspring mattress. Expect cheap materials and not a lot of pressure relief or durability. You can get one of these for a guest room, or for yourself if you need a mattress right now and you’re fine with replacing it in a couple of years.
- $500-$899– Although still on the affordable side, these aren’t cheap mattresses. Here you can find memory foam, innerspring, and even some basic hybrid beds. You’ll probably be able to get a 10-year warranty and a couple of months of sleep trial. Comfy mattresses fall into this category. If you find a mattress made of latex in this price range, it’s probably going to be synthetic latex. A natural latex mattress costs a few hundred more.
- $900-$1,499 – This is where you’ll be able to find a good quality mattress. Buyers are able to choose from a variety of materials, including higher quality memory foam, cooling properties, some organic materials, etc. Here you can find excellent support, complex mattress structure, and special features. You may find Bear mattresses interesting if you’re into higher-quality mattresses.
- $1,500-$2,499 – This price range gives you even more luxury. Think organic latex that’s going to last for at least 15 years. Here you’ll find superior quality mattresses for any sleep style. Expect more durable materials and a good night’s sleep. Check out Saatva latex models if you’re willing to pay this much.
- over $2,500 – An average person does not need this much luxury. Really expensive mattresses may cost up to 5,000 dollars or even more. But, if mattress prices go higher than $2,500, it usually means extreme durability, but also a possibly long break-in period. Tempur-Pedic mattresses are probably some of the most famous examples from this category. A lot of people with severe back or other health-related problems have found a solution in Tempur-Pedic and their proprietary foam.
A lot of manufacturers fall into several of these categories because they offer various mattress types. For example, Amerisleep has mattresses that would fit into the second, third, and fourth group above. But all of their mattresses have these things in common – the foam is made by unique processes and is certified by CertiPUR-US®, and all mattresses are made right here in the USA.
This is why you can’t just rely on the budget, or only on the mattress type. You need to look at more factors at the same time.
Other Factors and Tips for Buying a New Mattress
- Sleep trial. You want to be sure that the mattress is right for you, so it’s in your interest to get a mattress with a sleep trial period of at least three months. Most manufacturers give their customers about 90 days of mattress trial. This should be enough for the mattress to break in and for you to get used to it. Even a quality mattress needs some time to break in so that its materials become softer. If you realize it’s not the right mattress for you within this time frame, you can return the mattress for a refund.
- Warranty. Always read the fine print, especially if you’re looking at budget mattresses. Look for a warranty of at least 10 years (the Purple mattress warranty, for example), and be careful about the details. Some mattress companies have different warranties for their innerspring mattresses and memory foam mattresses, whereas others have the same warranty covering all of their mattresses.
- Sleep style. It doesn’t matter how good of a mattress you buy, if your new bed is very firm and you’re a side sleeper – you’re going to have a bad time. Like, sore-hip-painful-shoulder bad time. Some people learn this the hard way and end up sleeping in their old bed. So be sure to learn about which mattress firmness level is right for your sleeping position.
- Medical conditions. Depending on your situation, you may need to consult your doctor or physical therapist on what kind of mattress you need. People with hip problems typically need a tall mattress with good edge support, for example. Whatever your particular case is, take it into consideration when shopping for a new mattress.
- Payment plans. Many mattress brands offer flexible payments using services such as Afterpay. It’s important to check the interest rate and terms to make sure the plan fits your budget before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
There may be some additional charges. If your new mattress needs to be replaced or repaired, your warranty may require you to pay for the shipping. The same goes for returns – some companies will take your mattress for free within the sleep trial, but others may not refund you the full price in order to cover the shipping costs of a return.
If you’re having your mattress delivered, be informed about the delivery and setup, as well as the old mattress removal fees (this usually falls into the white glove delivery).
Finally, you may want to buy a bed frame, a box spring, or new sheets (especially if you’re buying a different size mattress).
The average mattress prices revolve around $1,000 dollars for Queen mattresses and about $150 for box springs.
For most people, yes. It’s too much. You do not need to pay thousands of your hard-earned dollars to get the perfect mattress.
You may find a hybrid mattress or a memory foam mattress that costs this much. It’s not uncommon for natural latex to be among the most expensive materials, as well. However, what makes a mattress that expensive is usually unique technology, special materials developed and patented by the company, as well as loads of research and innovation.
Sometimes people with specific issues, such as after a bad accident, find a solution in these mattresses, but only after trying out many other options. Others, however, may be extremely disappointed to find that a five-grand mattress didn’t alleviate their pain, or worse still,
made it worse (according to some complaints about Tempur-Pedic). All in all, one thing is for sure – high mattress cost doesn’t make a perfect mattress.
There are some differences between mattress stores that operate online and brick-and-mortar stores. First up is that the choice is not the same. When you’re online, you can pick from an insane amount of manufacturers. You also get a sleep trial of about 90 or more nights. But when you’re physically in a mattress store, you get to try it out before buying, and more importantly – you get to compare various mattresses.
Recently there has been an increase in bed-in-a-box companies that started opening their own physical stores or at least offering their products in stores that host multiple brands.
So, you do whatever feels right – there’s nothing wrong with buying a mattress online, as long as you do enough research on the brand in order to avoid getting scammed.
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With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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