If you are trying to determine where to buy a mattress in the USA, understanding your options can help simplify the buying process and avoid wasted time or money. Mattress shoppers in the United States can buy from a wide variety of sellers, such as local mattress stores, national chains, furniture stores, warehouse clubs, department stores, manufacturer showrooms, and online mattress companies. The best place to shop depends on factors such as your budget, mattress preference, location, and desire to try a bed before purchase.
A mattress is also a more personal purchase than many other household items. Comfort is personal, and the lowest price does not always mean the best value. Before choosing a mattress retailer, it helps to compare mattress construction, firmness, return policies, sleep trials, warranties, delivery charges, financing options, and old mattress removal.
This guide covers where mattresses are commonly sold across the United States and the factors you should consider before selecting a store.
Where Can You Buy a Mattress in the United States?
U.S. consumers can purchase mattresses through a variety of retailers nationwide. While certain stores are specialty mattress retailers, others sell mattresses alongside a larger selection of furniture and household goods.
Common places to buy mattresses in the United States include:
- Locally owned mattress retailers
- Regional and national mattress store chains
- Home furniture stores
- Warehouse clubs
- Department stores
- General big-box retailers
- Manufacturer-owned mattress stores and showrooms
- Direct-to-consumer online mattress companies
- Internet marketplaces
- Factory-direct mattress sellers
The benefits and limitations vary by retailer type. If you want to lie on and compare several beds before deciding, a mattress showroom may be the better choice. Online shopping may be more convenient for buyers who already know their preferred mattress type and firmness.
Buying From Local Mattress Stores
Independent mattress stores can be found in cities, suburbs, and smaller communities across the United States. An independent mattress retailer might run a single store or maintain multiple locations across a state or metro region.
Local mattress retailers often carry products from several manufacturers. Depending on the store, you may find traditional innerspring mattresses, memory foam beds, latex mattresses, hybrids, adjustable bases, foundations, pillows, mattress protectors, and other sleep products.
A benefit of buying from a local mattress store is that employees may be knowledgeable about the mattresses in the showroom. You can usually compare several firmness levels and mattress constructions in one visit.
To compete with larger chains, local retailers may provide services such as mattress delivery, installation, haul-away, negotiated pricing, and bundled purchases that combine a mattress with a foundation or adjustable bed.
If you are comparing local mattress stores, always review the retailer's policies for returns and comfort exchanges before you pay. Return and exchange terms are often very different from one business to another.
Buying From National and Regional Mattress Chains
Another common place to shop is a specialty mattress chain. Companies such as Mattress Firm operate stores in many markets, while other chains serve specific states or regions.
These retailers generally put mattresses and sleep products at the center of their business. A typical showroom may carry several well-known mattress brands, along with adjustable bases, bed frames, foundations, pillows, and bedding accessories.
If you want to compare many mattresses without visiting several retailers, a specialty chain can be convenient. Certain chains also show mattress availability on their websites, allowing you to research models before going to a showroom.
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. Retailers such as Ashley, Rooms To Go, and many regional furniture chains offer mattresses together with bedroom furniture, sofas, dining sets, and other furnishings.
If you are furnishing a complete bedroom, a furniture store can be convenient because you may be able to purchase the bed and matching furniture in one place.
The main drawback is that mattress selection can vary by location. Shoppers looking for more mattress-specific help may find more options at a specialty mattress retailer than at a general furniture store.
Even so, furniture retailers can be worth comparing, particularly when you want a complete bedroom package or plan to have multiple large household items delivered together.
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.
A warehouse club may be appealing for buyers seeking competitive prices, but it may not display as many mattresses as a dedicated mattress retailer. You may find some beds on display, but much of the selection may be boxed or listed through the retailer's website.
Warehouse clubs can work especially well for shoppers who understand the main mattress construction types and do not need to test many models.
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 department stores and major big-box retailers. Depending on the market, shoppers may encounter mattresses at stores such as Macy's, Walmart, Target, and other large retail chains.
The number and type of mattresses available are not consistent across every location. Some retailers allow customers to try beds in-store, 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, check the exact model and specifications before buying. A single manufacturer can offer numerous product lines that differ in construction and comfort.
Buying From Manufacturer Showrooms and Brand Stores
Some mattress brands have manufacturer-operated retail locations. Other manufacturers sell through authorized dealers that display selected product lines.
Well-known mattress brands available in the United States include Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Serta, Beautyrest, Purple, Casper, among many others.
A manufacturer showroom may make sense when you have already narrowed your choices to one brand. At a branded store, you may be able to test different models and firmness choices from the same company 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.
Buying a Mattress Online
Online retailers have become a significant sales channel in the U.S. mattress market. Many mattress companies now sell directly to consumers online and ship to homes across much of the United States.
Some mattresses arrive compressed in a box, while heavier or more complex models may be delivered at full size. Depending on the brand, you may be able to choose white-glove delivery, room-of-choice delivery, or another upgraded service.
Shopping online gives you access to many mattress brands without driving to multiple showrooms. It also makes it easier to compare mattress specifications, prices, customer policies, and construction details.
The biggest drawback is that you normally cannot test the mattress in person before placing an order. When you cannot test a bed beforehand, carefully reviewing the sleep trial and return policy is essential.
Review the Sleep Trial Before You Buy
A sleep trial gives you a period of time to use a mattress at home before deciding whether to keep it. Sleep trial periods are not standardized and can differ by brand.
Before you purchase, read the full sleep trial and return policy. Some companies require a minimum adjustment period before a mattress can be returned. Other retailers may apply pickup, transportation, restocking, or processing fees.
A lengthy advertised sleep trial does not necessarily mean there are no return-related costs. The written return terms are more important than the headline number of trial nights.
Types of Mattresses Available From U.S. Retailers
Knowing the main mattress categories can make shopping easier. Mattress stores typically organize products by common construction categories.
Innerspring Mattress Construction
Innerspring mattresses use a coil support system combined with comfort materials above the springs. These mattresses range from basic spring beds to more advanced models with substantial cushioning and pocketed coils.
Mattresses Made With Memory Foam
Rather than using a traditional spring support system, memory foam mattresses are constructed primarily from layers of foam. Memory foam is known for contouring to the body and limiting motion transfer between partners.
Hybrid Mattress Construction
Hybrid mattresses are built with a coil support core plus significant 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-Chamber Mattresses
With some premium air mattresses, sleepers can adjust the firmness of separate sides of the bed. Adjustable air-chamber mattresses should not be confused with temporary portable air beds.
How to Choose a Mattress Store
The ideal mattress retailer is not always the nearest store or the one promoting the biggest sale. Evaluate the retailer as a whole before deciding where to buy.
Key factors to compare include:
- Product selection: A good selection should let you compare different mattress types and firmness levels.
- Clear pricing: Confirm which services are included in the advertised price.
- Returns: Make sure you understand what happens if you want to return the mattress.
- Sleep trial: Find out how many nights the trial lasts and whether a return costs anything.
- Warranty coverage: Review the mattress manufacturer's warranty and what types of defects are covered.
- Mattress delivery: Ask whether the mattress will simply be shipped or placed 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 differ from one store to another, direct price comparisons are sometimes difficult.
What 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.
The cost of a mattress is influenced by several factors, including mattress size, build quality, materials, brand, height, features, and retailer. Within the same mattress collection, a queen typically falls between twin and king pricing.
Lower-priced foam and innerspring mattresses are often available from several value-oriented mattress retailers. Mid-priced mattresses may include features that are less common on entry-level models. Premium beds may include specialty foams, latex, advanced support systems, cooling materials, handcrafted construction, or adjustable features.
Price should be only one part of the decision, so also evaluate durability, support, and retailer policies.
Should You Try a Mattress Before You Buy It?
Trying a mattress in a showroom can help eliminate unsuitable options, but a few seconds of sitting on the bed is not a useful test.
When testing a mattress, try to lie in your usual sleeping position for several minutes. Side sleepers should pay attention to pressure around the shoulders and hips. Back sleepers should check whether the mattress supports the lumbar area without allowing too much sinking. Stomach sleepers generally need enough support to keep the midsection from sinking too far.
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 a limited preview of long-term comfort. That is why at-home trial periods and comfort exchanges are valuable.
What Mattress Firmness Should You Buy?
Mattress firmness is usually described with terms such as soft, medium, medium-firm, firm, or extra firm. There is no single firmness level that works for everyone.
The firmness that feels best may depend on your body weight, sleep position, mattress construction, and personal preference. Two mattresses labeled "medium-firm" may also feel different because manufacturers do not use one universal firmness scale.
Use firmness labels as a starting point rather than an exact measurement. To lower the risk of ending up with the wrong firmness, choose a retailer that provides useful comfort exchange protection.
How Mattress Delivery and Setup Work
Different mattress sellers offer varying delivery and setup options. Before ordering, ask exactly where the mattress will be delivered.
Common delivery options include doorstep delivery, delivery inside the home, room-of-choice delivery, mattress setup, and white-glove service. Depending on the retailer, the delivery team may provide cleanup and old mattress removal.
Apartment and condominium residents should confirm that building access will accommodate the delivery.
How to Dispose of or Recycle an Old Mattress
When buying a replacement mattress, you also need to plan for disposal of the existing bed. The rules for getting rid of a mattress are not uniform across the United States.
Some mattress stores provide haul-away service as part of delivery. Other disposal options may include municipal disposal services, recycling facilities, and junk removal providers.
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 your old mattress remains in usable condition, donation may be possible through some charities or nonprofit groups, but acceptance policies vary and many do not take used mattresses.
Best Times of Year to Buy a Mattress
Although mattress promotions appear throughout the year, major U.S. holiday weekends are common sale periods. Retailers frequently advertise mattress deals around 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 prices, bundles, financing promotions, and free accessory offers.
Compare the complete package. Paying slightly more may make sense when the purchase includes services that would otherwise cost extra.
Buying a Mattress Near You
Searching for mattress stores near me is a good starting point when you want to test beds locally. Major metropolitan areas across the United States generally include a mix of specialty and general mattress sellers.
Large cities 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. often give consumers access to many mattress showrooms within the surrounding area. In smaller cities and rural communities, there may be fewer nearby showrooms, which can make regional retailers and online mattress stores more useful.
Before traveling between multiple showrooms, a mattress directory can help you find and compare nearby retailers. After comparing store locations, retailer categories, brands, and services, verify directly with the retailer that your preferred models are in stock for testing.
What to Ask Before You Purchase a Mattress
Before completing your mattress purchase, consider asking the salesperson or online retailer these important questions:
- Is the mattress I want 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?
- Is there a mandatory adjustment period before I can exchange the mattress?
- Are there return, pickup, transportation, or restocking fees?
- Who handles warranty claims, the retailer or manufacturer?
- Are there foundation or bed-frame requirements under the warranty?
- Does delivery include setup of the new mattress?
- Can my old mattress and foundation be removed?
- What is the expected delivery time for this mattress?
Knowing the answers in advance can help you understand exactly what to expect from the purchase.
Where to Buy Your Next Mattress
No mattress retailer is ideal for everyone. Local mattress retailers can work well for shoppers who prefer face-to-face service and in-store mattress testing. A large chain can be useful when you want convenient access to a broad selection. Value-focused shoppers may prefer large discount-oriented retailers, while online mattress companies can offer home delivery and brands that are not available in local showrooms.
The most important point is to compare the entire purchase rather than only the mattress cost. Compare all major product and retailer factors before buying.
Use our mattress store directory to find mattress stores across the United States, compare retailers in your area, and narrow your search before visiting a showroom or ordering a mattress online. By researching your options first, you can more easily find the local mattress store right combination of comfort, size, price, and convenience.