The Best Time To Buy A Mattress Is?

Photo: Matresses Direct

Right now, as it turns out! Across America, new mattress styles launch in March, so retailers put last year's stock on sale to make room for new inventory. Price-cuts run from the end of January through February.

As happens, a spot in my mattress began to sag. Likely I could have slept on my old mattress longer as it wasn't lumpy or causing me to wake up stiff, etc. But I knew it was only a matter of time. What if the sinking grew worst after the sales? So I took the plunge.

I went to 4 merchants and looked online. Oh, buying a mattress is a racket. Different style names used by each retailer for the same mattress makes comparing prices difficult! But after you decide on what type of mattress (coil vs. memory foam vs. latex vs. hybrid, plus the degree of firmness) you get a better sense.

After I visited stores to test a few mattresses I was sure I wanted to stick with a traditional wrapped coil mattress and I like a firm mattress. I also took note of the coil count just to grab onto something to make price comparisons between the same brand easier when going between stores.

How firm a mattress to buy depends on the type of sleeper you are. Back and stomach sleepers tend to prefer firm while side sleepers like a softer mattress for the comfort of their shoulders and hips. Ultimately, get whatever feels best to you! I ended up with an extra firm mattress after finding that while the extra firm is, indeed, a firm mattress, it is not hard. The cushion firm version has 2-inches of extra padding and costs $100 more, but to me wasn't more comfortable, only softer and higher. The advice is to lay on a mattress for 15 minutes to determine how you will like sleeping on it. What helped me the most was mattress hopping once I narrowed my selection down to 4 display mattresses.

For American readers the 4 mattresses I like best are made by the following manufacturers: Beautyrest (extra firm and luxury firm), Home Collection (ultra firm) and Stern & Foster (ultra firm). HC and S&F were the most expensive. By a lot! Although not as pricey, Beautyrest makes an excellent mattress. In business since 1931, it doesn't cut corners: Equipped with good coils, box spring, fabric and support; and well made. Therefore, I bought a Beautyrest extra firm mattress.

After selecting a mattress, you may wonder if you should also buy the box spring. My suggestion: Buy only what you need. However, as I said buying a mattress is a bit of a racket, so for me buying a complete set -- mattress and box spring -- was only a few dollars more than buying a mattress alone. This is Manhattan, so buying only a mattress kicked in an $85 delivery fee. (The box spring added only $119 to the cost of the mattress and free delivery. See what I mean? It's splitting hairs.) You will be told that buying only a mattress cancels the manufacturer's guarantee. But read the fine print: It is not always true. Buy out of necessity, not out of fear if it means saving big bucks.

I find the Mattresses in a Box quite comfortable but stuck with what I am used to sleeping on. My research suggests that the Mattress in a Box (a medium firm foam mattress) won't last as long as a coil/box spring combination, but they cost much less too, so if you don't mind going through this mattress buying process again a bit sooner, they are supportive and not a bad mattress choice.

Furthermore, Macy's has the best selection and prices on mattresses across the board. The store's free White Glove Delivery is awesome too. With a two-hour window, the deliverymen came on time and did more than I expected: vacuumed the bed space, dusted my frame, unwrapped and slid the mattress and box spring into their protectors and laid each on the bed frame. In no time flat! Also vital: In my experience, Macy's will make something right that goes wrong after a sale.

Buying a mattress takes a big bite out of a budget. Still, after the sticker shock wears off, I recommend buying mattress and box spring protectors. They keep out water, dust mites and bed bugs. (This is Manhattan. OMG Bedbugs!? I'm terrified!!) I got all cotton, quilted protectors for $65 total at Bed, Bath and Beyond, an excellent price. (Use your 20% coupons.) If possible avoid the enclosures with polyurethane, a plastic interior coating because over time the coating disintegrates into a big mess. In addition, I layer on top a mattress pad that I can remove and wash, saving me the hassle of sliding the mattress out of its encasement to wash often.

Another consideration if you like a firm mattress: Most mattresses get softer within 6 months. So you may want to order extra firm like I did.

While breaking in your mattress, feel free to buy a cheap foam topper. I used one the first few days but decided I don't need it. My new mattress has enough padding for comfort. But everybody is different. 

Selecting a new mattress is exhausting. After the job is done you will need a rest ... hopefully on the right mattress for you!

Extra tips: 

1) Mattresses today are higher than years ago (12-15 inches vs 7-10 inches). I didn't consider this when I chose a standard profile (9") instead of a low profile (5") box spring. So my new bed sits higher than my old one but not too high to go with my furniture. But phew, I don't have an inch to spare. So perhaps measure your nightstand to avoid "the princess and the pea" effect as a return is an expensive mistake! 

2) Turn your mattress every 3 months  -- head becomes feet and feet become head -- to extend its life by years. Nowadays new mattresses are upholstered on one side only and constructed (we are told) to make flipping over unnecessary. Call me skeptical, but do they last as long, really? Tick-tock, time will tell.


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