Knowing where to buy a mattress in the USA can make the shopping process easier while saving both time and money. American shoppers have a wide range of buying options, including local mattress stores, national chains, furniture stores, warehouse clubs, department stores, manufacturer showrooms, and online mattress companies. Which retailer works best for you will depend on several factors, including price range, preferred construction, location, and whether you value an in-person mattress test.
A mattress is also a more personal purchase than many other household items. A low price can be attractive, but the least expensive mattress is not necessarily the best choice. A useful retailer comparison should include the mattress itself, as well as return policies, sleep trials, warranties, delivery charges, financing options, and old mattress removal.
Below, you will find an overview of the primary places to buy a mattress in the United States along with important considerations for choosing the right store.
What Are the Main Places to Buy a Mattress in the USA?
Across the United States, mattresses are available from several categories of retailers. Some retailers focus primarily on mattresses and sleep products, while others include mattresses within a broader furniture or home goods inventory.
Common mattress retailer nearby places to buy mattresses in the United States include:
- Independent local mattress stores
- Large national and regional mattress retailers
- Furniture retailers
- Warehouse retailers
- Major department stores
- Big-box retailers
- Mattress manufacturer stores and branded showrooms
- Online mattress companies
- Internet marketplaces
- Factory-direct mattress retailers
Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks. Shoppers who want to lie on several beds before choosing one may prefer a mattress showroom. Online shopping may be more convenient for buyers who already know their preferred mattress type and firmness.
Local Mattress Stores
Across the United States, independent mattress retailers operate in large cities, suburbs, and smaller communities. Some of these businesses have a single retail location, while others operate several stores within a state or metropolitan area.
Local mattress retailers often carry products from several manufacturers. A local mattress showroom may offer a broad selection of mattress constructions, including traditional innerspring mattresses, memory foam beds, latex mattresses, and hybrids, plus adjustable bases, foundations, pillows, mattress protectors, and other sleep products.
A benefit of buying from a local mattress store is that sales staff may have detailed familiarity with the beds they carry. A single showroom visit may let you compare multiple mattress constructions and firmness choices.
Local retailers may also compete with larger chains by offering services such as local delivery, mattress setup, old mattress removal, flexible pricing, or package deals that combine a mattress with a foundation or adjustable bed.
When comparing independent stores, check the retailer's return policy and comfort exchange rules before paying. Return and exchange terms are not the same at every mattress store.
Buying From National and Regional Mattress Chains
Specialty mattress chains are another major option for shoppers in the United States. Some companies, including Mattress Firm, have locations in many U.S. markets, while other chains operate within certain states or specific regions.
These stores focus heavily on mattresses and related sleep products. A typical showroom may carry several well-known mattress brands, along with adjustable bases, bed frames, foundations, pillows, and bedding accessories.
One benefit of a specialty mattress chain is the ability to test multiple beds at the same location. You may also be able to review models and store inventory online before your visit.
Promotions are common at chain retailers around U.S. holidays and shopping events, including Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, and other holiday weekends. However, shoppers should compare the final purchase price rather than assuming every advertised sale represents the lowest available price.
Mattress Departments at Furniture Stores
Many American furniture retailers have dedicated mattress departments. Stores such as Ashley, Rooms To Go, and numerous regional furniture chains sell mattresses alongside bedroom furniture, sofas, dining sets, and other home furnishings.
Buying from a furniture retailer may make sense when you need an entire bedroom setup, since one store may carry the mattress, bed frame, headboard, dresser, and nightstands.
One possible drawback is that selection can vary considerably by store. A specialty mattress store may offer more models or more detailed mattress-specific assistance than a general furniture showroom.
Even so, furniture retailers can be worth comparing, particularly when you need several bedroom pieces or plan to have multiple large household items delivered together.
Mattresses at Membership Warehouse Clubs
Another common U.S. mattress shopping option is the membership warehouse club. For example, copyright and Sam's Club offer mattresses from multiple manufacturers through both physical stores and their websites.
Although warehouse clubs may offer attractive pricing, their in-store mattress selection can be more limited than the inventory at a specialty showroom. Depending on the retailer, some mattresses may be displayed in-store, while others are packaged or sold mainly online.
If you already understand memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses and are comfortable buying without testing numerous beds, a warehouse club may be a practical choice.
Remember to consider membership requirements, delivery arrangements, return procedures, and whether mattress removal is available in your area.
Buying Mattresses From Department Stores and Big-Box Retailers
Another place to shop for a mattress is through large general merchandise stores. Depending on where you live, mattresses may be available through retailers such as Macy's, Walmart, Target, and other major chains.
Mattress selection can differ considerably by store. Some retailers maintain showroom displays for mattress testing, while others mainly sell boxed mattresses for online ordering or store pickup.
A big-box retailer may be a practical choice for a lower-cost bed, a guest-room mattress, a child's mattress, a dorm-room mattress, or a convenient bed-in-a-box product.
Do not base your comparison on the mattress brand alone, make sure you are comparing the same model. One manufacturer may produce many mattress lines with different materials, coil systems, foam layers, heights, and firmness levels.
Buying From Manufacturer Showrooms and Brand Stores
Some mattress brands have manufacturer-operated retail locations. Other brands have authorized dealers where shoppers can test specific product lines.
U.S. mattress shoppers may encounter major brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Serta, Beautyrest, Purple, Casper, along with numerous other manufacturers.
A manufacturer showroom may make sense when you have a strong preference for a specific mattress company. At a branded store, you may be able to test several mattresses from one manufacturer without sorting through competing brands.
The limitation is obvious: a single-brand showroom does not provide the same direct comparison between competing manufacturers that a multi-brand mattress store can offer.
Where to Buy a Mattress Online
Online mattress shopping has become a major part of the U.S. mattress market. Many companies sell mattresses directly to consumers and ship them to homes throughout much of the country.
Many mattresses are packaged as bed-in-a-box products, while larger, heavier, or more complex models may arrive at full size. Certain companies also offer room-of-choice or white-glove delivery services.
Online shopping provides access to a large number of mattress brands without visiting several stores. Websites allow shoppers to review product details and buying terms before deciding.
Unlike showroom shopping, buying online generally means choosing a mattress before physically testing it. When you cannot test a bed beforehand, the sleep trial and return terms become much more important.
Review the Sleep Trial Before You Buy
With a sleep trial, you have time to use the mattress before deciding whether to keep it. Sleep trial periods are different among mattress companies.
Read the complete policy before buying. Some companies require customers to use the mattress for a certain amount of time before requesting a return. Depending on the policy, a return may involve additional charges related to returning the mattress.
A lengthy advertised sleep trial does not necessarily mean there are no return-related costs. Pay closer attention to the written return conditions than to the headline trial length.
Mattress Types You Will Find at U.S. Retailers
Knowing the main mattress categories can make shopping easier. Most mattress stores organize their inventory around several common construction types.
Traditional Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses use a coil support system combined with comfort materials above the springs. Innerspring construction can be found in basic mattresses as well as higher-end models featuring thick cushioning and individually wrapped coils.
Mattresses Made With Memory Foam
Rather than using a traditional spring support system, memory foam mattresses are built with foam layers. Memory foam is known for its close-conforming feel and ability to reduce movement across the bed.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress combines a coil support system with substantial foam or latex comfort layers. Hybrids are common in American mattress showrooms because they combine characteristics of both foam and innerspring beds.
Mattresses Made With Latex
Latex mattresses use natural latex, synthetic latex, or a combination of materials. They tend to have a responsive feel rather than the deep contouring associated with some memory foam beds.
Adjustable Air Mattresses
With some premium air mattresses, sleepers can adjust the firmness of separate sides of the bed. These products are different from temporary inflatable air mattresses used for guests or camping.
How to Choose a Mattress Store
The best mattress store is not necessarily the closest retailer or the store advertising the largest discount. Before choosing, compare all parts of the purchase, not just price.
Key factors to compare include:
- Product selection: A good selection should let you compare multiple materials, constructions, and firmness choices.
- Transparent pricing: Confirm the total cost and any extra charges for delivery or setup.
- Returns: Make sure you understand what happens if you want to return the mattress.
- At-home trial: Find out how many nights the trial lasts and whether a return costs anything.
- Warranty coverage: Check the manufacturer's warranty conditions.
- Delivery: Find out whether the mattress is shipped, delivered to your door, or installed in your bedroom.
- Old mattress removal: Check if the retailer provides removal of the mattress you are replacing.
- Financing: Compare interest rates, promotional financing terms, and total repayment cost.
Make sure the mattress model you tested is the same model shown on the sales paperwork. Because mattress names and product lines can vary among retailers, direct price comparisons are sometimes difficult.
How Much Does a Mattress Cost in the USA?
U.S. shoppers can find mattresses costing anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the product.
Mattress pricing varies according to dimensions, materials, construction method, manufacturer, thickness, features, and retail channel. Within the same mattress collection, a queen typically costs more than a twin and less than a king.
Shoppers on a tighter budget may find entry-level mattresses through online retailers, discount stores, warehouse clubs, and local mattress outlets. In the mid-range, shoppers generally see more hybrids, higher-density foams, upgraded coil systems, and thicker comfort layers. Higher-end mattresses may use specialty foams, latex, advanced support systems, cooling materials, handcrafted construction, or adjustable technology.
Rather than focusing only on the purchase price, consider expected lifespan, support for your sleeping position, and the retailer's return protections.
Is It Worth Testing a Mattress in a Store?
An in-store mattress test can be helpful, although you should spend more than a few seconds evaluating it.
If possible, lie in your normal sleeping position for several minutes. Side sleepers should pay attention to pressure around the shoulders and hips. Back sleepers should consider whether the mattress supports the lower back without excessive sinking. Stomach sleepers often prefer enough support to prevent the midsection from sinking too deeply.
Couples should test the mattress together when possible. Differences in body weight, sleep position, and firmness preference can affect which mattress works best.
Trying a mattress in-store provides useful information but only for a short period. This is one reason a reasonable sleep trial or comfort exchange policy can be valuable.
Choosing the Right Mattress Firmness
Retailers commonly describe mattress firmness as soft, medium, medium-firm, firm, or extra firm. The best firmness is personal and varies from person to person.
Your preferred firmness can depend on body weight, sleeping position, mattress construction, and personal comfort. The term "medium-firm" is not standardized, so beds carrying the same firmness label may not feel identical.
Firmness descriptions are most useful as rough reference points rather than exact measurements. To lower the risk of ending up with the wrong firmness, test the mattress when possible and look for a reasonable exchange policy.
Mattress Delivery and Setup
Different mattress sellers offer different levels of delivery service. Before ordering, ask exactly where the mattress will be delivered.
Typical mattress delivery choices include different service levels depending on the retailer. Depending on the retailer, the delivery team may remove packaging and haul away an old mattress or foundation.
If you live in an apartment, condominium, or building with limited access, check hallway dimensions, elevator rules, loading restrictions, and delivery scheduling before purchasing a large mattress or adjustable base.
Mattress Disposal and Recycling
A new mattress purchase often creates another question, how will you dispose of the old mattress? Disposal rules differ by state, county, and city.
Some retailers offer mattress haul-away when delivering a replacement. Other disposal options may include local waste services, transfer stations, mattress recycling programs, and private junk removal companies.
Mattress recycling programs have been established in several states, including California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Shoppers should check municipal or state requirements instead of assuming regular trash collection will accept a mattress.
If the mattress is still clean and usable, local charities or nonprofit organizations may accept it, but donation standards differ and many organizations do not take used mattresses.
Best Times of Year to Buy a Mattress
You can find mattress sales at many times of year, but holiday weekends are especially common promotional periods in the United States. Common U.S. mattress sale periods include Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday.
However, waiting for a holiday does not guarantee the best deal. Throughout the year, mattress sellers may adjust both pricing and promotional incentives.
Look at everything included with the purchase. Paying slightly more may make sense when the purchase includes delivery, setup, a foundation, old mattress haul-away, or a more favorable return policy.
Buying a Mattress Near You
Searching for mattress stores near me is a good starting point when you want to test beds locally. Most U.S. metropolitan areas have a mix of independent mattress stores, national chains, furniture retailers, and department stores.
Shoppers in major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, Boston, and Washington, D.C. may have dozens of mattress showrooms within driving distance. Smaller cities and rural areas may have fewer local options, making regional retailers and online mattress stores more important.
A mattress directory can help you identify nearby retailers before you start driving from store to store. After comparing store locations, retailer categories, brands, and services, verify directly with the retailer that your preferred models are in stock for testing.
Important Questions to Ask a Mattress Retailer
Before paying for a new bed, ask the salesperson or online retailer a few important questions:
- Is this mattress currently in stock?
- How much will I pay in total once delivery and additional charges are included?
- What happens if the mattress is uncomfortable, can I return or exchange it?
- Do I have to keep the mattress for a minimum period before requesting a comfort exchange?
- What fees, including pickup, transport, or restocking charges, apply to returns?
- Are warranty claims handled by the retailer or by the mattress manufacturer?
- Must the mattress be used with a particular foundation or bed frame to maintain warranty coverage?
- Will the delivery team set up the new mattress?
- Can the delivery team remove my existing mattress and foundation?
- What is the expected delivery time for this mattress?
Clarifying these details before buying can help prevent misunderstandings after the sale.
Finding the Right Place to Buy Your Next Mattress
No mattress retailer is ideal for everyone. A local mattress store may be ideal if you want personal service and the ability to test several beds. National mattress chains may offer broad inventory combined with convenient store locations. Warehouse clubs and big-box retailers may appeal to value-focused shoppers, while online mattress companies provide convenient home delivery and access to brands that may not have local showrooms.
The key is to compare more than the mattress price. Compare all major product and retailer factors before buying.
Use the directory to find mattress stores across the United States, explore retailers near you, and compare your options before shopping in person or online. By researching your options first, you can more easily find a mattress that suits your body, sleeping habits, budget, and living situation.