Knowing where to buy a mattress in the USA can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. American shoppers have a wide range of buying options, including local mattress stores, national chains, furniture stores, warehouse clubs, department stores, manufacturer showrooms, and online mattress companies. Your ideal place to shop will vary according to budget, mattress type, location, and your preference for testing a bed before purchase.
Unlike many household products, mattress shopping depends heavily on personal comfort. Comfort is personal, and the lowest price does not always mean the best value. Before deciding where to buy, review factors such as mattress construction, firmness, return policies, sleep trials, warranties, delivery charges, financing options, and old mattress removal.
This guide explains the main places to buy mattresses throughout the United States and what to consider before choosing a store.
What Are the Main Places to Buy a Mattress in the USA?
Mattresses are sold through several types of retailers across the country. While certain stores are dedicated mainly to mattresses and sleep products, others sell mattresses alongside a larger selection of furniture and household goods.
The most common places to buy a mattress include:
- Locally owned mattress retailers
- Regional and national mattress store chains
- Furniture retailers
- Warehouse clubs
- Department stores
- Large big-box stores
- Manufacturer-owned mattress stores and showrooms
- Online mattress companies
- Online marketplaces
- Mattress factory-direct retailers
The benefits and limitations differ among these shopping options. If you want to lie on and compare several beds before deciding, a mattress showroom may be the better choice. Buyers who already know the mattress type and firmness they want may find online shopping more convenient.
Independent Local Mattress Retailers
Across the United States, independent mattress retailers operate in large cities, suburbs, and smaller communities. Some of these businesses have only one showroom, while others operate several stores within a state or metropolitan area.
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.
One advantage of shopping locally is access to sales staff who may be familiar with the mattresses they sell. You can usually compare several firmness levels and mattress constructions in one visit.
Local retailers may also compete with larger chains by offering services such as local delivery, mattress setup, old mattress removal, flexible pricing, or package deals that combine a mattress with a foundation or adjustable bed.
Before buying from an independent retailer, make sure you understand its return and comfort exchange rules. These policies may vary considerably from store to store.
Buying From National and Regional Mattress Chains
Specialty mattress chains are another major option for shoppers in the United States. For example, Mattress Firm operates stores across many markets, while other mattress chains focus on particular states or regions.
These retailers generally put mattresses and sleep products at the center of their business. Inside a typical specialty mattress showroom, shoppers may find multiple mattress brands together with adjustable bases, bed frames, foundations, pillows, and other bedding accessories.
If you want to try multiple beds in one place, a specialty chain can be convenient. Some retailers also provide online inventory information that lets you research models before visiting a store.
Major mattress chains often promote sales around well-known U.S. shopping periods such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. However, shoppers should compare the final purchase price rather than assuming every advertised sale represents the lowest available price.
Buying a Mattress From a Furniture Store
Many American furniture retailers have dedicated mattress departments. You can find mattresses at furniture retailers including Ashley, Rooms To Go, and various regional chains, where beds are sold alongside bedroom furniture, sofas, dining sets, and other home furnishings.
Buying from a furniture retailer may make sense when you need more than just a mattress, since one store may carry the mattress, bed frame, headboard, dresser, and nightstands.
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.
Furniture stores are still worth considering when comparing prices, especially if you are looking for a complete bedroom package or need delivery of several large household items at the same time.
Buying Mattresses From Warehouse Clubs
Many Americans also purchase mattresses through large warehouse retailers. For example, copyright and Sam's Club offer mattresses from multiple manufacturers through both physical stores and their websites.
Warehouse clubs can offer competitive pricing, but the in-store mattress selection may be smaller than what you would find at a dedicated mattress showroom. Depending on the retailer, some mattresses may be displayed in-store, while others are packaged or sold mainly online.
Warehouse clubs can work especially well for shoppers who already know the differences among memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses and do not need to test many models.
When comparing warehouse clubs, factor in the cost and convenience of membership and delivery, as well as return procedures and local mattress removal services.
Department Stores and Big-Box Retailers
Mattresses are also available from department stores and major general 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 can vary substantially. At certain stores you can test mattresses on display, while other retailers focus more on boxed mattresses available for shipping or pickup.
Big-box retailers can be useful when shopping for lower-priced mattresses, guest-room beds, children's mattresses, dorm-room mattresses, or convenient bed-in-a-box products.
Do not base your comparison on the mattress brand alone, make sure you are comparing the same model. Mattresses from the same manufacturer can vary greatly in materials, coil systems, foam layers, height, and firmness.
Buying From Manufacturer Showrooms and Brand Stores
Certain mattress manufacturers run company-owned stores or branded showrooms. For brands without their own stores, authorized dealers may provide showroom space for 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.
Unlike a multi-brand mattress retailer, a brand-specific showroom limits your comparison to one manufacturer's products.
Shopping for a Mattress Online
Buying mattresses online is now a major part of the U.S. mattress industry. Consumers can buy directly from many mattress brands online and have beds delivered across a large portion of the United States.
Depending on the mattress, delivery may involve a compressed bed in a box or a full-size mattress delivered without compression. Certain companies also offer room-of-choice or white-glove delivery services.
Online shopping provides access to a large number of mattress brands without visiting several stores. Online shopping can also make it easier to research mattress construction, prices, and retailer policies.
The biggest drawback is that most online purchases are made without lying on the bed first. Because of this, the sleep trial and return policy are key parts of the purchase decision.
Check the Sleep Trial Before Ordering
A sleep trial gives you a period of time to use a mattress at home before deciding whether to keep it. The length of a trial varies from one retailer or manufacturer to another.
Make sure you review the full terms before buying. Some retailers require customers to keep a mattress for a minimum adjustment period before requesting a return. Depending on the policy, a return may involve additional charges related to returning the mattress.
Do not equate a large number of trial nights with a no-cost return policy. What matters most is the actual written return policy, not simply the advertised number of trial nights.
Mattress Types You Will Find at U.S. Retailers
Understanding the major mattress types can simplify the buying process. Most retailers group their inventory according to major categories such as innerspring, foam, hybrid, and latex.
Innerspring Mattress Construction
Innerspring beds combine metal coils for support with comfort materials on top. These mattresses range from simple traditional models to premium designs with thick comfort layers and individually wrapped coils.
Memory Foam Beds
Memory foam beds rely on layers of foam rather than a conventional spring system. Memory foam is known for contouring to the body and limiting motion transfer between partners.
Hybrid Mattress Construction
Hybrid mattresses are built with springs combined with thicker foam or latex layers. Hybrids are common in American mattress showrooms because they combine characteristics of both foam and innerspring beds.
Latex Mattress Construction
A latex mattress can be made with natural latex, synthetic latex, or mixed latex materials. They tend to have a responsive feel rather than the deep contouring associated with some memory foam beds.
Adjustable Air Mattresses
Some premium mattresses use adjustable air chambers that allow sleepers to modify the firmness of each side of the bed. These products are different from temporary inflatable air mattresses used for guests or camping.
Choosing the Right Mattress Store
Choosing a mattress store should involve more than distance or the size of an advertised discount. Evaluate the retailer as a whole before deciding where to buy.
Key factors to compare include:
- Mattress selection: Look for enough choices to compare different materials and firmness levels.
- Transparent pricing: Find out whether advertised pricing includes delivery, setup, or other services.
- Return policy: Check whether returns are handled through refunds, exchanges, store credit, or comfort exchanges.
- Sleep trial: Check how long you can test the mattress and whether fees apply to returns.
- Warranty: Read the warranty terms to understand what problems qualify for coverage.
- Delivery: Ask whether the mattress will simply be shipped or placed in your bedroom.
- Old mattress removal: Find out whether old mattress haul-away is available.
- Financing: Evaluate the full cost of financing, not just the monthly payment.
Before completing the sale, confirm that you are purchasing the exact mattress model you tried. Because mattress names and product lines can vary among retailers, direct price comparisons are sometimes difficult.
How Much 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.
Mattress pricing varies according to dimensions, materials, construction method, manufacturer, thickness, features, and retail channel. For the same model, you can generally expect a queen to be priced above a twin but below a king.
Lower-priced foam and innerspring mattresses are often available from several value-oriented mattress retailers. In the mid-range, shoppers generally see more hybrids, higher-density foams, upgraded coil systems, and thicker comfort layers. Luxury and premium mattresses can incorporate specialty foam, latex, advanced support systems, cooling technology, handcrafted details, and adjustable features.
Price should be only one part of the decision, so also evaluate durability, support, and retailer policies.
Is It Worth Testing a Mattress in a Store?
An in-store mattress test can be helpful, although you should spend more than a few seconds evaluating it.
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. If you sleep on your back, consider lower-back support and whether your body sinks too deeply. Stomach sleepers generally need enough support to keep the midsection from sinking too far.
If two people will share the mattress, it is useful for both sleepers to test it together. Because partners may differ in size, sleep habits, and comfort preferences, the best mattress may need to accommodate both people.
Trying a mattress in-store provides a limited preview of long-term comfort. This is one reason a reasonable sleep trial or comfort exchange policy can be valuable.
Choosing the Right Mattress Firmness
Retailers commonly describe mattress firmness as a range from soft through extra firm. No one firmness level is ideal for everyone.
The firmness that feels best may depend on several factors related to your body and sleeping habits. 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. Testing mattresses or choosing a retailer with a good exchange policy can reduce the risk of selecting the wrong feel.
Mattress Delivery, Installation, and Setup
Mattress delivery options vary among retailers. Before placing your order, find out exactly what the delivery service includes.
Typical mattress delivery choices include different service levels depending on the retailer. Certain delivery services also include packaging removal, old mattress haul-away, or foundation removal.
Apartment and condominium residents should confirm that building access will accommodate the delivery.
Mattress Disposal and Recycling
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 old mattress removal when the new bed is delivered. Local waste services, transfer stations, recycling programs, and private junk removal companies may also accept mattresses.
Several states, including California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, have established mattress recycling programs. Requirements and recycling fees can vary, so shoppers should check local rules rather than assuming a mattress can be left with regular household trash.
If your old mattress remains in usable condition, certain organizations may accept it, but acceptance policies vary and many do not take used mattresses.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?
Mattress retailers run promotions throughout the year, but holiday weekends are common times for sales in the United States. Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday are often associated with mattress promotions.
A major sale weekend may offer discounts, but it does not guarantee the best available 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 delivery, setup, a foundation, old mattress haul-away, or a more favorable return policy.
Where to Buy a Mattress Near You
Searching for mattress stores near me is a good starting point when you want to test beds locally. In most U.S. metro areas, shoppers can choose from several different types of mattress sellers.
Shoppers in major markets 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. may have dozens of mattress showrooms within driving mattress shop distance. In smaller cities and rural communities, local mattress selection may be more limited, which can make regional retailers and online mattress stores more useful.
A mattress directory can help you identify nearby retailers before you start driving from store to store. Use the directory to compare locations, retailer types, mattress brands, and services, then contact the store to confirm that the mattress you want to test is available.
Important Questions to Ask a Mattress Retailer
Before paying for a new bed, ask the salesperson or online retailer a few important questions:
- Do you currently have this mattress available?
- What will the complete price be after delivery and other fees?
- Am I allowed to return or exchange the mattress if the comfort is not right?
- Do I have to keep the mattress for a minimum period before requesting a comfort exchange?
- What fees, including pickup, transport, or restocking charges, apply to returns?
- Who handles warranty claims, the retailer or manufacturer?
- Are there foundation or bed-frame requirements under the warranty?
- Will the mattress be installed or set up by the delivery team?
- Is old mattress and foundation haul-away available?
- 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.
Choosing the Best Place to Buy a Mattress
There is no single best place to buy a mattress for every shopper. A local mattress store may be ideal if you want personal service and the ability to test several beds. A national chain can provide broad product selection and convenient locations. Value-focused shoppers may prefer warehouse clubs or big-box retailers, while online mattress companies can offer home delivery and brands that are not available in local showrooms.
The key is to compare more than the mattress price. Compare all major product and retailer factors before buying.
Our mattress store directory can help you locate mattress stores across the United States, compare nearby retailers, and narrow your options before you visit a showroom or buy online. By researching your options first, you can more easily find a mattress that suits your body, sleeping habits, budget, and living situation.