Mattresses are a "blind" purchase: They look the same on the outside, while most of the true value is hidden on the inside. So it’s natural to feel unsure, especially given the high prices.

Fortunately, you can gain confidence by familiarizing yourself with the mattress landscape. To find your perfect match, spend half an hour or so researching at home and take your time trying mattresses in-store. "You’re not being fair to yourself if you spend less than that to make a decision on something you’re sleeping on for the next 10 years," says Mike O’Donnell, a mattress salesperson who has worked at Charles P. Rogers, Mattress Firm, and Mattress Warehouse.

5 Key Factors to Consider
Surface feel: How much do you like to sink into your mattress? A lot or not at all? These preferences are largely satisfied by mattress type: innerspring (including hybrids), foam, and adjustable air (see facing page).

Size: Find the widest mattress that fits your budget and bedroom, so you can comfortably sprawl out. We test queen-size mattresses because they’re the most popular. But if you share your bed, consider a king. After all, the width of a king is the equivalent of that of two twins. Anything less than a king, and each half of a couple might be stuck with a space that’s narrower than what they slept on in a college dorm.

Choose a Good Store
Loving your mattress depends on not just the company that made the mattress but also who sold it to you. After all, it’s the retailer that guides you as you browse. Instead of hitting every showroom in your area, be picky. "The more you go to, the more confusing it might be," says David Binke, CEO at mattress brand King Koil.

Consider which type of store you’d like to shop in. In our 2023 mattress store survey, in which more than 6,000 CR members told us about their recent experiences, stores of all types received high scores in overall customer satisfaction. (See the top five stores from the survey at CR.org/mattress-stores.) But your best bed source depends on your situation.

If you’re interested in a range of brands—or don’t know which brands you’re interested in—try a furniture and mattress store or a mattress retail chain, both of which sell a variety of popular brands. Mattress retail chains also often have good inventory, so they’re a logical choice if you need to buy right away. The Original Mattress Factory was among the rare retailers in our survey to receive the topmost score for sales-help service and customer support, says Martin Lachter, who leads our survey research on mattresses and mattress stores.

For a more curated selection, you might consider independent mattress retailers, where it’s not unusual for the owners to be on the sales floor helping customers. Some retailers also manufacture their own mattresses, so you’re not paying a third party. That’s why I chose to buy my mattress at Charles P. Rogers in New York City, where I found my innerspring, the Estate SE-GL. If you decide to go this route, ask how long it might take for delivery. Some manufacturer-retailers may make their beds to order, so there might be a wait.

If a particular brand appeals to you, go to the branded store (such as a Saatva showroom or Casper Sleep Shop). That’s your best place to have all your product questions answered and to try that brand’s offerings. You’ll often find the best return policies there too. Saatva rated particularly highly for sales-help service and customer support in our 2023 survey.

Even if you choose a top retailer from CR’s surveys, it’s worth a quick scan of Google or Yelp reviews to get some insight on the best store and salesperson in your area. Johnnie Morrison, who has sold mattresses in Pennsylvania retail stores for decades, says happy customers often shout out helpful salespeople in their reviews. If a name comes up consistently, ask for that person when you get to the store.

Narrow Your Options
Set yourself up for success at the store by wearing a comfortable top and pants; no dresses or skirts. Go in the morning (because any mattress can feel good when you’re tired at the end of the day), and take your mattress list and sleep partner with you. If you’re starting out with a list of six, you’ll want to whittle that down to three or four favorites quickly. So take a minute in the store with each one you’re considering. At this point you’re simply figuring out whether you like the general feel: Is it fluffy, springy, soft, or firm enough for you? Does it seem substantial or flimsy? Do you sink in so much that you feel stuck? Or can you move about freely? If your first impression is "meh," cross that mattress off your list. "That’s why the showroom experience is invaluable," says Linda Klein, president of Charles P. Rogers. If you don’t love it there, you’re unlikely to love it at home.

Try the bed with your partner and see how much tossing and turning (motion transfer) you can feel. Sit on the edge to make sure you don’t slide off. If your partner or pet hoards space, try lying on the perimeter too.

Good materials tend to be neatly tailored; a foam model’s covering shouldn’t sag or feel thin. "A quality manufacturer won’t display a sample with skipped stitching, uneven piping, or dents on the side," says Carlitz at Bedding Industries of America.

Note the three or four mattresses that appeal the most to you. You’ll revisit them in step 3, below.

Zero In On Support and Pressure Relief
Once you’ve narrowed down the options, figure out which mattresses will keep your spine aligned while cushioning your pressure points. To do this, ask for a pillow (the retailer should offer a disposable pillowcase) and spend at least 10 minutes on each contender, trying every position you sleep in. If salespeople hover, let them know you’ll grab them if you have questions. Don’t be shy—a good pro is trained to understand the importance of spending time on a mattress before buying, says Jody Putnam, chief retail officer at Mattress Firm. Instead, do the following:

Lie on your back. Your spine should feel comfortably neutral, with the lower back’s natural curve supported, not strained, says Ahmed Radwan, PhD, a physical therapy professor at New York’s Utica University. Do your hips, knees, and shoulders feel nicely cradled? They should.

Turn to each side. With the proper pillow filling the space between your head and shoulders, your neck and spine should feel comfortably aligned, not twisted or flexed. Your shoulders and hips should feel cushioned, not compressed.

Lie on your stomach (if you must). Radwan advises avoiding sleeping on your stomach; it’s bad for your neck. But if you can’t help it, we think it’s worth finding a mattress that minimizes harm. Skip the pillow. Make sure your spine isn’t overarched and your belly and rib cage feel cushioned.

According to an internal Mattress Firm survey, what worries people most when mattress shopping—in addition to making a poor choice—is overpaying. But recognizing a highquality mattress and being familiar with what that costs (as noted in the previous pages) puts you in a better position to know whether you’re getting a fair shake. Remember, too, it’s okay to go home and think about it, and return when you’re ready. 

Landing on a Fair Price
Walk away from unhelpful salespeople. If they steer you toward a specific brand, they may be more focused on nabbing a larger commission than addressing your concerns. A helpful salesperson, says Putnam at Mattress Firm, "will ask you questions to understand your sleep needs and budget, then tie your answers to various products and various price points."

Never buy a mattress that ’s not on sale. There is almost always a sale. The biggest events take place around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday, but smaller sales happen throughout the year. Consider shopping at the end of the month too. Depending on pay structure, store managers may need to hit sales goals—and could be more open to a deal. (Sales staff may have a different pay structure.)

Just ask for a better price. Our 2023 Mattress Stores Winter Survey shows that the median amount saved when haggling was $258. A third of those who haggled simply asked for a better price, and 61 percent of them received that.

Mention that you saw a better deal elsewhere. If you found a cheaper price online or elsewhere, say so. Our survey found that 69 percent who tried this got the sale price matched.

Say you’ll shop around. Even if you haven’t seen a better deal (or bothered to look), mentioning browsing at other stores may spark a price drop: Sixty-three percent of those who tried this tactic snagged a discount.

They might be offered free, or to entice you to pay extra. Here’s when to say yes—or no.

Mattress encasement: This is a must. Choose a six-sided waterproof one to help protect from dust, spills, and stains. It will also prevent mildew that forms from sweat, says Philippe Knaub, chief technology officer at foam manufacturer FXI.

Box spring: If you’re using a standard steel bed frame, you need a box spring to support the mattress. Otherwise, you can put your mattress directly on your platform or slatted frame, if that satisfies the condition of the warranty.

Adjustable frame: If it’s free, it’s often barebones. But you might want one that raises both your head and legs (for lower-back pressure relief). Independently moving sides (paired with a split mattress) can be helpful for raising a snoring partner’s head.

Mattress topper: This (in a twin size) is helpful if one partner prefers a softer feel than the other. It’s also a fix for a new purchase that feels firmer than you expected. Contact customer service; they may send you one free or at a discount.