How much does a mattress cost? We break down why mattresses cost what they do and what you should expect to spend

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• Mattress prices are influenced most by type, size, and whether it's sold online or in a physical store.
• Expect to pay $450 or less for a budget-friendly foam mattress, or at least $2,500 for a luxury latex mattress.

When it comes to buying a mattress, it doesn't hurt to pay more for a quality model that will keep you comfortable and last for years. However, it helps to be aware of what those price ranges are so your expectations aren't skewed and you don't overpay for your mattress.

But how much does a mattress cost? There are several criteria to take into account. Read on to find out what determines the cost of a mattress, and learn what you can expect to pay for budget, mid-priced, and luxury models.

We'll even explain how you can save money on a new mattress and pick up some free sleep accessories in the process.

Once you have a handle of your budget, check out our comprehensive guide to the best mattresses for every type of sleeper.

Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky

What influences the cost of a mattress?

In determining the cost of a mattress these three criteria carry the most weight:

• Type: What your mattress is made of (and how it's made) influences cost in a big way. All-natural materials tend to command higher prices than synthetic materials.
• Size: Naturally, bigger mattresses cost more. The price of a twin mattress is roughly half the cost of a king.
• Buying online: Purchasing a mattress online is less expensive than buying from physical stores, which usually have significant markups on mattresses.

Additional factors that contribute to mattress costs:

• Shipping costs: Although many popular bed-in-a-box brands offer free shipping.
• White-glove setup: This extra service can also include the removal of your old mattress.
• Returns: Some warranties may place the burden of return shipping costs onto the customer.
• Foundations and box springs, or other necessary accessories: Some of these add-ons may be a requirement for you to enjoy for your new mattress.

Mattress costs by type

Prices vary quite a bit among mattress types, and even within the individual mattress types there are differences in costs. Here's how it breaks down:

Foam mattress costs

Foam mattresses contain multiple layers of adaptable material that supports and contours your body. (Most bed-in-a-box brands specialize in foam mattresses.) Polyfoam, a high-density foam that degrades quickly with regular use, is typically found in budget foam mattresses. Memory foam and foam with specialty cooling materials are more durable but also more expensive.

Innerspring mattress costs

An innerspring mattress may be what comes to mind when you think of a traditional bed. While there's little construction-wise to distinguish today's hybrid mattresses from innerspring mattresses - both are usually made from a combination of foam and springs - many legacy mattress brands like Sleepy's, Beautyrest, and others still sell mattresses under the innerspring category. These usually denote mattresses that are a bit firmer and have the traditional bounce of a spring mattress

Hybrid mattress costs

Hybrid is a newer term to describe mattresses that blend foam and springs. Construction-wise, they're not all that different than today's innerspring mattresses, but they may have more layers, thicker construction, and a softer feel than what you think of with a traditional spring mattress.

Latex mattress costs

Latex is a more eco-friendly alternative to memory foam. However, turning latex into foam is an involved and costly process - and that's reflected in the price. Synthetic latex is less expensive than natural latex, but many latex mattresses on the market contain a blend of man-made filler and natural materials.

Air bed mattress costs

Air bed mattresses allow you to adjust the firmness via air pump, which makes it perfect for couples with different sleep preferences. This level of customization does come at a premium, however. The most expensive air beds have latex or memory foam comfort layers and include a remote control so you can make adjustments easily.

How much should I spend on a mattress?

Based on our testing, you should expect to spend between $1,000 to $2,000 for a really great quality Queen-sized mattress that is supportive and built for long-term use. Most of our top picks fall into this range. Time and time again our experts have said you should think of a mattress as an investment; you spend about a third of your life on it, and sleep quality has the ability to impact your health and well-being.

While you can spend more, in our experience, the benefits are minimal unless you're buying a bed that is specifically engineered to solve a specific sleep problem like adjustable air beds or cooling mattresses.

Our mattress picks by budget

One of our favorite mid-priced mattresses is the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress. It's made with CertiPUR-US certified foams and has a firmness that will appeal to most sleepers. Best of all, DreamCloud offers a generous 365-day trial, plus a lifetime warranty.

Premier Hybrid Mattress (small)

If price is no object, check out the luxury Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Hybrid Mattress. It's designed to keep you cool all night and provides pressure relief without that dreadful sinking feeling. A 10-year Tempur-Pedic warranty applies, but there's no trial period.

PRObreeze Mattress (Queen) (small)

As for a budget mattress, the affordable Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress starts at $198. It has excellent motion transfer and cooling properties for its price; however, the tradeoff here is poor edge support. Zinus throws in a 100-night trial plus a 10-year warranty.

Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress (Queen) (small)

How can I save money on a mattress?

Buying a mattress online is cheaper than purchasing one at a significant markup in-store. For peace of mind, online mattress sellers include a trial period so you can try your new mattress risk-free and return it at little to no cost if it doesn't work out.

The best mattress deals tend to come from brands such as Casper, Leesa, Tempur-Pedic, and Tuft & Needle. You can also find occasional discounts from stores like Wayfair and Overstock. These mattress sales can help you save as much as $500 on your purchase. Plus, many vendors like to throw in freebies, ranging from premium pillows to mattress covers.

Mattress sales typically crop up around major holidays, and we recently saw a parade of offers for sleep awareness week in mid-March. However, there are mattress deals to be found year-round - you can check some of those out below.

Save on a mattress today

• Leesa: 20% off Hybrid and Legend mattresses with code INSIDER.
• Casper: Save $100 on the Original Mattress or $200 on a Nova or Wave Mattress with code INSIDER.
• Tempur-Pedic: 30% off Tempur-Cloud with code BI30.
• Tuft & Needle: 15% off Mattresses with code INSIDER15 through April 17.