Mattress Buying Guide: How to Shop for a Mattress

Picking a new mattress isn’t like buying a house, but it definitely requires a lot of thought and often brings about anxiety.  Purchasing a mattress is a big financial investment, so it’s important to take your time in finding the mattress that’s right for you. With so many options, the choice can become very stressful. Luckily, we know a lot about sleep, thanks to the over 10,000,000 hours of sleep that we’ve analyzed to understand what helps people sleep better. With this information at hand, we’ve put together the ultimate mattress buying guide to eliminate potential stress and help you in choosing a new mattress.

Before shopping:

When is the best time to buy a mattress? 

The first thing to know is when to buy a new mattress. The answer depends on a number of factors, but on average an innerspring mattress should be replaced every 6-7 years while memory foam and latex mattress should be replaced every 7-8 years. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before buying a new mattress:

-Are you waking up frequently during the night?

-Do you wake up with aches and pains?

-Do you notice your mattress sagging?

-Does a bed of cacti sound more comfortable than sleeping in your own bed?

Is your mattress older than 6 years?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, then it’s probably time to buy a new mattress. Of course, an old mattress may not be the cause of your insomnia or back pain, so talk to your doctor first.

What is the difference between mattress options?

How to choose the right mattress? Choosing a mattress can be a challenge, especially since one size does not fit all. Familiarize yourself with the different mattress types out there and the pros and cons of each.

Innerspring mattress: traditional and most common mattress, high motion transfer

Memory foam mattress: made of different memory foam layers, provide support and pressure relief, some tend to sleep hot, medium firmness

Hybrid mattress: combination of latex, memory, other foam types and coils, typically pricey but offer the best of both worlds, medium-soft firmness

Size matters

If you’re someone who tosses and turns in your sleep, opt for a larger bed like a king bed. If you’re on the shorter side and tend to sleep as still as a vampire in a coffin, save money by purchasing a twin size mattress. Eight offers mattresses in all sizes:

California king: 72 x 84 inches

King: 76 x 80 inches

Queen: 60 x 80 inches

Double: 54 x 75 inches

Twin: 39 x 75 inches

Twin XL:  39 X 80 inches

Should I buy a smart mattress?

Just as important as size and type, you must decide between a standard or smart mattress. A smart mattress will offer more features than a standard one, such as sleep tracking, bed temperature regulation, and even a smart alarm. These features can help optimize your sleep to make sure you get the most of every night.

What is the best mattress for couples?

Now that you know what mattress type is right for you, ask yourself if anyone else will be sleeping in it as well. Realistically, is it only going to be you sleeping on this mattress, or will a significant other be sleeping in it a majority of the time? Do your kids often crawl into bed with you? These are all factors to consider as everyone’s mattress needs are different. If you will be sharing the bed with others, choosing a foam, latex, or memory foam mattress like The Jupiter mattress will minimize motion transfer for a more restful sleep.

During Shopping:

Don’t rush

Once you’ve decided on the type of mattress that is right for your sleep needs, you may want to purchase it immediately. But don’t jump into your new bed so fast. Chances are, that “limited time sale” isn’t so limited; there will likely be another sale in a month or so. Comparing and negotiating prices can be exhausting, so let the experts do it for you. Talk to our sleep experts anytime by clicking the chat button on site or calling 1 888 699 4015.

Try before you buy

You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it, and the same should be true of a mattress. Testing a mattress allows you to check for proper support and comfort. Realistically, you won’t be able to know if a mattress is right for you by laying on it in a department store for 5 minutes. Many brands like Eight offer free 100 night trials. If you don’t love your new mattress, Eight will refund your money and pick up the mattress for free!

Where to buy

So you’ve decided on the type of mattress you want, now it comes down to where to buy it.

Purchasing in store is often pricer, but it can provide more guidance since a salesperson is there to answer all of your questions. Buying online tends to be cheaper, but you often don’t get as much information and support. With Eight, an online representative is available to chat and answer all your questions. This way, you can get a great price without leaving the uncomfort of your own bed in search of a new one.


After shopping:

Return policy and warranties

With some mattress companies, you may have to register your mattress online in order to actually protect your purchase. Knowing your mattress warranty and return policy can save you a future headache.

Out with the old

Dispose of your old mattress in an eco-friendly and easy way by donating, recycling, or selling it. Learn more here.

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