How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Good Mattress?

February 15, 2023

You’ve heard the old saying, “A good mattress is hard to find,” right? Some might even add that it’s even harder to pay for. However, there are times when you get the best of both worlds — a good mattress at a great price!

The average human spends about eight hours a day in bed. That’s literally one-third of your day — every day. Most people don’t spend that much time in their vehicles or their office chairs, yet spend far more time comparing prices, features, and options on these items than their mattresses.

So how much should you spend on a good mattress for your home and family? Convention wisdom says you pay more for quality. That isn’t always the case. The better you understand your options, the better idea you can have of how much to pay for the mattress that meets your needs best.

Types of Mattresses

You’ll find many different types of mattresses available on the market today. The type of mattress you purchase can greatly impact the overall costs of the mattress with varying expectations according to the quality of the mattress, and the materials used to make it.

There are five primary types of mattresses, which include innerspring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and adjustable air mattresses, sold in the U.S. today. But you’ll also find other types of mattresses, like RV mattresses, crib mattresses, and sofa mattresses.

Innerspring Mattresses

These mattresses range in price from below $700 on the low end for a queen-sized mattress to more than $1,200 on the high end.

Memory Foam

Foam mattresses vary greatly in price, starting at just under $600 for a queen-size mattress, up to more than $1,200 for a high-end mattress.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses often rate higher when it comes to costs, starting at around $1,500 for a queen, and exceeding $2,500 on the higher end.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine the best of two mattress types, and queen-sized hybrid mattresses start at around $1,500, going up to $2,200 or more.

Adjustable Air Mattresses

Adjustable air mattresses also vary widely, with low-priced queen mattresses starting at around $1,500, and going up to $2,500 or more at the high end of the price range.

There are many things that impact the costs of each different type of mattress. It’s always wise to begin by deciding the type of mattress that will meet your needs best, before digging in and exploring the factors that impact cost.

Cost Factors for Mattresses

Understanding various features for each type of mattress that affect the overall cost of the mattress can help you better understand the value of the mattress you’re buying, so you can get the best value for your dollar when exploring your options for a good mattress.

Innerspring Mattress Cost Factors

Innerspring mattresses are typically lower in price than other types of mattresses. The thing to remember about innerspring mattresses is that they are not typically as durable as some of the other types of mattresses. This means you’ll need to replace these mattresses more frequently than other types of mattresses. The factors that may affect the cost, and certainly affect the quality of your innerspring mattress, are listed below.

Coil Thickness

The gauge of the coils can be instrumental in determining the durability and quality of the mattress. The thicker the coil, the better the expected longevity.

Comfort Layer Materials

Some mattresses use polyfoam comfort layers, while others use memory foam or latex. The materials used can make a substantial difference in mattress quality.

Coil Encasement

In most standard innerspring mattresses, there is no encasement for the coils. Fabric-encased coils are considered a high-end feature that helps the coils maintain support longer.

If an innerspring mattress is a choice you prefer, look for indicators of quality while comparing prices.

Foam Mattress Cost Factors

Foam mattresses vary greatly in quality and cost, with mattresses on the lower end using cheaper materials, and delivering less comfort. High-end memory foam mattresses, on the other hand, offer supreme comfort for sleepers, but may or may not offer adequate support. These are things that impact the costs of foam mattresses.

Foam density

High-density foam mattresses often last longer than those made with low-density foam. Additionally, high-density foam is often firmer and costlier in mattresses.

Foam type

Polyfoam and memory foam are the two primary types of foam on the market today. Be warned that polyfoam is less durable, in most circumstances, than memory foam, even when it is high-density foam.

Foam infusions

Various gel or copper foam infusions can make your memory foam mattress far cooler, and more comfortable while you sleep. They are quality indicators that can also impact the price.

Many people swear by their foam mattresses for pillow-like sleep comfort, and simultaneously rail against them for their lack of support. Keep this in mind, and consider firmer options if you choose a foam mattress.

Latex Mattress Cost Factors

Latex mattresses also offer a wide range of price options, with synthetic latex mattresses on the lower end of the quality and value scale, and natural latex on the higher end. These are factors that impact the cost of a latex mattress.

Production Process

There are two production methods use for making authentic latex mattresses. Dunlop, and Talalay. Mattresses made with the Talalay method are a little plusher than those made with the Dunlop method, and often cost a little more. Some latex mattresses, however, are made with Dunlop latex cores, and Talalay top layers for added comfort.

Materials Used

The use of natural vs synthetic materials makes a substantial difference in the quality, the price, and the longevity of your latex mattress. Expect to pay more for quality mattresses made with natural ingredients.

Fillers

The highest quality latex mattresses will be made of 100 percent natural latex, without any fillers.

Latex mattresses are widely known for their firm support, and are greatly preferred by many stomach and back sleepers.

Hybrid Mattress Cost Factors

Hybrid latex mattresses often combine the features of a foam or latex mattress layer with an individually-wrapped coil innerspring core, bringing together the extreme comfort and support many people are looking for in a quality mattress. These are the things that affect their prices.

Microcoil Layers

This is something that not all hybrid mattresses offer, but one sign of a much higher quality hybrid mattress. However, evidence suggests that customers experience the same satisfaction in their mattresses whether they have the microcoils or not.

Failing to Meet Criteria for Hybrid Mattresses

In order to be considered a hybrid mattress, the mattress must have at least two inches of memory foam or latex, with a support core of individually-wrapped coils. Mattresses that skimp on the foam, or use denser foams for the core instead of coils, sometimes claim to be hybrid mattresses, but are not.

You may have to do a little homework on your own to find out about the materials used in a hybrid mattress and other quality indicators.

Adjustable Air Mattress Cost Factors

The beauty of adjustable air mattresses is that you can adjust the firmness or plushness of the mattress with the push of a button. In some beds, you can even adjust the firmness on either side to match the needs of the individual sleeping on that side of the mattress. These are some of the quality indicators affecting the costs of these mattresses.

Smart Technology or App Controls

Some adjustable air mattresses not only offer control of the firmness levels by apps, but also deliver information about the quality of your sleep via app as well.

Luxury Features

Some adjustable air mattresses feature latex, memory foam, or even microcoils in the comfort layer for added comfort and support.

Mattress Thickness

Like most mattresses on the market today, thicker adjustable air mattresses tend to cost more.

Adjustable air mattresses are the costliest, on average, and features, like those listed above, can further impact the price. Another concern buyers should consider with adjustable air mattresses involves warranties and protections for the mechanical parts that can wear out, leaving your mattress less effective.

Mattress Size and Thickness

The size and thickness of your mattress also have substantial impacts on the cost. It makes sense. Thicker mattresses require more materials, and often have heftier costs to make. The same holds true when choosing the size of your mattress. Common sizes include:

• Twin
• Twin XL
• Full
• Queen
• King
• Cal King

Some mattress makers offer split queen, king, and Cal king mattresses as well to work with adjustable bases that are split to meet individual preferences.

Just as thicker mattresses tend to be more costly, so do mattresses that offer more surface space. That means that a twin-sized mattress costs considerably less than a king-sized mattress.

Quality of Mattress Materials

The materials that go into the mattress reveal a lot about the mattress. While it would be nice to trust the word of the manufacturer about the materials, the bad apples in the bunch have made that difficult. That is why you should look for certifications attesting to the quality of ingredients used to make mattresses. Not just any certifications, though. You want to see independent certifications from organizations like:

• Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified Talalay latex and wool.
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) cotton and wool.
• Arpico 100 percent natural latex, certified by Eco-Intitut Standard 100.

More importantly, you want to know that your mattress is free of potentially harmful materials that can be detrimental to your health, the health of your family, the planet, or the quality of your sleep.

You can also check the mattress label for some information about the materials used in making your mattress. While it may not reveal everything, you may be able to see information about fillers or chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

Be prepared, however, because higher quality materials often carry higher price tags along with them. A good mattress is a high-quality mattress, though, so you will often pay a little more for the added comfort and quality.

Health Impact of the Mattress

Because you sleep so close to your mattress, often with only a mattress protector and sheet between you, it is important to make sure that your mattress isn’t going to negatively impact your health. That is a cost factor most people are only too happy to consider during the mattress-buying process.

For instance, mattresses that collect a great deal of dust can be harmful to people who have allergies or asthma. Natural latex hybrid mattresses are naturally dust-repellant, making them a good choice for people who have dust allergies.

Another problem, especially with synthetic latex, memory foam, and other polyfoam mattresses, is off-gassing. This occurs when you remove the mattress from the packaging, only to be assaulted with a horrible odor. This odor can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. In some instances, it lingers for days, or even weeks.

Finally, older mattresses are made with polybrominated diphenyl ethers as smoke retardants. These ethers have been found to promote significant health problems for adults, along with increased risks of miscarriage for pregnant women, and the potential for developmental delays and/or ADHD among children.

You want to make sure any mattress you purchase doesn’t include these materials, and other potentially harmful items that could impact your personal health and the health of your family. It is certainly worth paying extra to avoid these potential problems.

Mattress Foundation

The mattress foundation you have, or plan to use with your new mattress, is another consideration that might impact the cost – especially if you may be purchasing this foundation along with your mattress.

The weight of your mattress, for instance, may make your current foundation a poor choice. One example would be the Eco Terra Natural Latex Mattress. This mattress weighs between 59 pounds and 127 pounds, depending on the size of mattress you purchase. All of them are 11-inches thick, but the thickness with other types of mattresses may affect the cost and weight of the mattress as well.

It may also force you to purchase a different type or style of foundation to accommodate a heavier mattress, and your sleep needs.

Mattress Durability and Warranty

Perhaps one of the most important cost considerations when purchasing a mattress is the durability of your mattress. This is often reflected in the warranty for the mattress. The longer the warranty, the greater amount of time the manufacturer believes the mattress will last before it needs to be replaced.

This means that a mattress that has a 15-year warranty is expected to last double the amount of time as one with a seven-year warranty. That means that if you’re paying less than double the price, you’re probably getting a great deal.

Trial Period and Return Policies

Many mattress makers offer somewhere between two weeks and 30 days for you to decide if you’re ready to sleep on your mattress for the next seven to 10 years. Unfortunately, that is not enough time. Most people don’t get over the newness of a mattress, so they can relax into the mattress until at least 30 days.

Then they add hefty restocking and return shipping fees into the mix that make many people feel as though they are stuck with a mattress that may not work for their sleep needs.

Instead, look for companies that offer in-home trials that last at least 90 days, and full refunds of the mattress price as part of their return policies.

Online or In Store

Another factor that can impact the total cost you can expect to pay for a good mattress is whether you purchase your mattress online or in the store. Brick and mortar stores have overhead costs, including rent or mortgage for the building space, sales employees on the floor, and more.

Online mattresses retailers avoid many of these added overhead costs, and can pass those savings along to you. Therefore, you stand to save yourself substantial cash by purchasing your new mattress online.

Spend on a Mattress

Don’t forget to consider added costs and fees associated with buying your mattress. You’d be surprised at how quickly costs can add up, once you consider various fees, such as:

• Delivery fees
• Setup costs
• Mattress removal fees for your old mattress
• Return shipping if something is wrong with your mattress
• Interest rates and finance fees

You must count these costs when comparing prices and mattresses, so that you truly are making dollar-to-dollar comparisons, and so that you know exactly what you’re paying for when you buy your mattress.

Mitigating Mattress Costs

Believe it or not, you can save a bit on your mattress by taking advantage of opportunities for savings that help to reduce the costs of your mattress of choice. This includes various offers from the mattress makers.

Some of the mitigating factors may include any of the following:

• Free items shipped with the mattress. Some mattress companies will throw in bonus items like free mattress protectors, pillows, and even luxury sheet sets that help make their mattresses more cost-effective to consumers.
• Free shipping offers. Shipping for some mattresses, especially denser mattresses that are heavier, can be a beast. Companies that offer free shipping are saving you plenty.
• Set up fees. If you are wanting to have your mattress set up for you, some companies charge set up fees to offer this service.
• Free base promotions. Some companies offer free bases when you purchase their mattresses. Make sure the cost of the base isn’t factored into the price of the mattress. If it isn’t, you can save a wide range of money, depending on the type and quality of the base.
• Refer a friend. Some mattress companies offer referral bonuses. These may be in the form of cash back, discount off your purchase, or gift cards.
• Holiday sales. These holidays include Columbus Day, President’s Day, Black Friday, Christmas, Independence Day, and others. Many mattress companies offer sales on Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, and Cyber Monday, too. Mattress makers love to celebrate holidays with savings.
• Compare prices. This can save you huge sums of money when buying a mattress. Perhaps you have it down to the type of mattress you wish to purchase. Once you decide that, it’s about finding the best overall value among the options available.
• Look for discount codes online. Many online retailers offer discount codes for a percentage of your mattress purchase. Also, if you know someone who has recently purchased a mattress you like, see if they have a referral code that could save you both money in the end.
• Seek zero interest financing options. Using credit cards can double, triple, or even quadruple the amount you ultimately pay for your mattress. Some mattress companies offer zero interest financing options that are well worth it. Also, be sure to look into credit card reward points that may be an added perk.

As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do that will help you cut the cost of your new mattress.

How Does the Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress Measure Up?

The Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress offers a wide range of the features discussed above. From ARPICO 100 percent natural latex to independently wrapped coils for added support and freedom of movement, of high-quality Talalay latex. And, it has none of the harmful materials you don’t want in your mattress. With two levels of firmness, medium and medium-firm, it hits the spot with every mark of a good mattress.

While the prices vary throughout the year, the typical costs for an Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress breaks down like this:

Twin	$849
Twin XL	$949
Full	$1,049
Queen	$1,149
King	$1,349
Cal King	$1,349

 

Top it off with interest-free financing through Klarna and great Eco Terra mattress customer reviews, and you have a lot to love about a good mattress at a great price when you shop with Eco Terra.

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