WHY ARE MATTRESSES SO EXPENSIVE? Here's Why

When it comes to furniture, we spend a lot of time looking for the best deals. If you’ve recently decided to purchase a new bed, you’ve probably wondered, “Why are mattresses so expensive?” Mattresses can be more expensive than other types of furniture, so you’re not the only one. But there’s a good reason for it. We spend one-third of our lives sleeping. That takes longer than driving, and cars are much more expensive than mattresses.

We’ve all had to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, and we know there’s nothing worse than the restless night that follows. That is why it is crucial to invest in a good mattress for the sake of your sleep. Let’s go over some of the common factors that influence how expensive mattresses are, so you can make the best decision for your money and your sleep quality.

Why are Mattresses so Expensive Now?

Mattresses range in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the brand and model. You can easily see why you might wonder, “Why are mattresses so expensive?” in light of this. Before you purchase a mattress, you should understand what goes into its cost.

Materials, special features such as extra thickness or greater edge support, and the length of time a mattress typically lasts a household are all factors that contribute to this price range.

Most households require mattresses. While their general purpose remains the same, the technology and research behind a mattress, its density, and the high demand for a good quality mattress all contribute to rising prices.

Aside from that, delivery and shipping for a mattress, as well as buying in-store, will frequently increase the cost of a new mattress. Furthermore, there isn’t much demand for used mattresses, so your options for purchasing a mattress remain in-store or online.

Continue reading to learn more about what goes into a mattress, what some special features might mean for you, and how where you buy your mattress can affect the price.

Reasons Why Mattresses Are So Expensive

Mattresses are expensive for five reasons: buying in a store rather than online, deceptive marketing tactics, a lack of a second-hand market, paying more for higher quality materials, and increased costs for specialized needs.

#1. You are purchasing from a store

When you buy a mattress in a store, you will almost always pay more because retailers raise their prices to cover advertising costs, sales commissions, rent, payroll, and other expenses. According to those who work in or have extensive knowledge of the mattress industry, you can expect the average showroom mattress to be marked up by 40-50%.

The Sunday Morning Herald, on the other hand, claims that markups of 200-300% are possible and that beds selling for $4,000 are manufactured in China for $400 in an article that references a ‘Fairfax investigation’ and includes quotes from industry experts.

While the precise markup figure and degree to which the mattress industry may be exploiting consumer ignorance can be debated at length, shopping for your new mattress online can often save you money.

Because DTC (direct-to-consumer) online mattress companies typically eliminate many of the additional steps in the supply chain that cause markup percentages to compound up to the final sale price when purchasing from a showroom. Thus, purchasing your mattress directly from the manufacturer through their website can result in significant savings for you.

#2. Marketing strategies

Mattress manufacturers and retailers may collaborate to make it more difficult for you to save money. For example, a mattress manufacturer may make very minor changes to a single mattress model, such as the ticking or pattern, to change the name and distribute ‘different’ models to each retailer.

This tactic then makes it more difficult to compare prices and shop around for the best deal because, while all retailers are stocking the same mattress, the different labeling makes it appear that each model is unique to the casual buyer, making it more difficult to compare prices.

Shopping online can help you avoid this problem because you can often find an exact breakdown of the materials, layering design, and overall structure for each mattress so you can compare them and ensure you’re not paying more for a mattress that’s nearly identical to a cheaper alternative.

#3. Limited second hand-market

Very few people want to sleep on a used mattress due to hygiene reasons, the risk of bed bugs, and material degradation (potentially up to 60-70% after 7 years). This means that the secondary market does not affect the primary mattress market in terms of lowering the average price of a new mattress.
However, there is a second-hand market that can be used to your advantage if approached correctly.

#4. Higher quality materials

As a general rule, you can expect to pay more for mattresses that contain a high percentage of certified organic material than a mattress that is packed with cheap polyfoam.

If you have allergies or don’t want to risk damaging your home when fiberglass unexpectedly escapes from the mattress when you remove the cover, an organic mattress or a fiberglass-free mattress may be worth the extra cost.

The following materials are likely to raise the price of your mattress:

GOLS-certified organic latex.
GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Natural fibers.
Natural flame retardants like wool
Proprietary memory foam.
Higher-density memory foam and polyfoams.
Individually wrapped coils.

#5. Expertise requirements

Choosing a mattress with some of the following special features can raise the price of a bed:

Orthopedic qualities, such as firmer or zoned support, alleviate pain and support your joints.
Edge support (via firmer springs or higher-density foams) to prevent the mattress’s edges from sagging.
Is hypoallergenic to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions to the materials themselves and to potentially prevent allergens such as dust mites from penetrating the mattress cover.
Additional cooling capabilities, such as gel foam, infused cooling and moisture-wicking materials, perforated foams, and corrugated designs, aid in temperature regulation.
Extra thickness or padding: Choosing a thicker mattress for greater depth of support and cushioning (and/or a pillow top or Euro top for more pressure relief) can significantly increase the price.

Factors That Affect why Mattresses are Expensive

Mattresses come in a wide range of sizes, materials, and additional characteristics. Prices can vary from model to model based on these factors, so let’s talk about how they might affect the price of your mattress.

#1. Mattress Sizes

There are typically four sizes of mattresses. These are, in order of importance, the smallest to the largest:

Twin
Full
Queen
King

Certain manufacturers may also offer larger mattress sizes, such as a California King. Larger mattresses are more expensive to produce because they require more material.

#2. Mattress Material

For various price points and sleep requirements, there are numerous mattress materials. Mattresses come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the following are the most typical:

Innerspring
Memory foam
Gel-infused foam
Polyfoam
Latex
Hybrid mattresses

While other mattress types range from mid-tier to luxury in price, innerspring mattresses typically come in a variety of budget to luxury models.

#3. Density of Mattress

Mattress density can also make foam or hybrid mattresses more expensive. Denser mattresses are typically more expensive because they require more material to produce. Denser and therefore more expensive, firm mattresses are typically available. Dense mattresses may be thicker, but thicker does not always imply higher density.

Mattress density is determined by measuring the indentation load deflection of a mattress (ILD). This is the amount of weight required to make a dent in your mattress, measured in pounds per cubic foot.

The following ILD scores are used to categorize mattress firmness:

Low firmness (1.5 to 2.5 lbs per cubic foot).
Medium firmness (2.5 to 4 lbs per cubic foot).
High firmness(4 to 8 lbs per cubic foot).

Border support, where the mattress is dense around its edges, is a feature found in many different foam mattresses. This reduces the dipping effect that occurs when sitting on the edge of the bed, making it easier to get out of bed. Mattress support is a factor that may increase the cost of your mattress.

#4. Premium Features

There are also popular premium features that can improve your sleeping experience while increasing costs. Popular premium mattress features include:

Cooling layers — For hot sleepers, cooling layers increase mattress ventilation, allowing your mattress to trap less heat.
Adjustability — Mattresses that are compatible with adjustable beds are required. Without compromising support, these mattresses can withstand a variety of mattress positions.
Zoned Support — Zoned Support refers to the use of different materials throughout a mattress. For instance, the lower end of this mattress may be softer than the middle, where your back requires more support.

Steps to Find Your Perfect Mattress

Because a mattress is an investment, it’s natural to be concerned about making the right choice. Follow these steps to find the ideal mattress and make the most of your investment.

Step 1: Make a budget

Before you start looking, decide how much you can afford to spend on a mattress. This will help you clear your scope and avoid overspending. Consider the following:

Will you finance your mattress?
How much are you willing to spend each month?
Do you need to buy a new bed?

Step 2: Select a mattress type

Once you’ve determined your budget, decide what kind of mattress you want. If you’re not sure, go to a mattress showroom where you can try out different mattresses and even lay on them.

Step 3: Try it out

Casper offers a 100-day trial to see if your mattress is a good fit, whether you have the opportunity to try it in-store or not. Getting used to a new mattress typically takes about 30 days.

Step 4: Make it stick

Once you’ve found the perfect mattress, you’ll want to take care of it and make it last as long as possible. To get the most out of your new mattress, use the proper bed frame, and a mattress protector, and rotate it every six months or so. These small habits will help to preserve the quality of your mattress.

Does a mattress have to be expensive to be good?

Mattresses aren’t necessarily of higher quality just because they are more expensive. While most mattress companies offer luxury options for customers who want the best, the best mattress for your specific needs may be on the cheaper side—and there’s nothing wrong with a good deal!

Why are mattresses in a box cheaper?

Because they are much less expensive to manufacture, ship, and deliver.

Does a good mattress make a difference?

Yes. Sleeping on a medium-firm mattress, particularly one with adjustable firmness, appears to promote comfort, proper spinal alignment, and quality sleep. If you suffer from body aches and pains, research suggests that the surface you sleep on affects your comfort.

Do mattresses actually matter?

The answer is YES if you want to wake up with more energy and less pain.

How much should a nice mattress cost?

The majority of mattresses sold today range in price from $200 to $1500. Premium mattresses, on the other hand, can cost $5000 or more.

How long do mattresses last?

Most mattresses should last seven to ten years. However, numerous factors can affect the mattress’s lifespan.

Conclusion

Despite being more expensive than ever before, mattresses are also more stylish. The high cost of a new mattress can be attributed to several factors. They use better materials and place a greater emphasis on meeting individual needs than in the past.

Your bed can have a direct impact on your life by influencing how you sleep and can last a decade or more. Choosing a high-quality mattress made of durable materials will extend the time before you need to replace a mattress.

You can also save money by shopping online or looking for brands that offer 0% APR mattress financing and free shipping on their products. It is also simple to find a good deal and save money by shopping online.

WHY ARE MATTRESSES SO EXPENSIVE? Here’s Why

Why are Mattresses so Expensive Now?