How Much Does a Mattress Cost?
Here you are. You’ve taken stock of the age and state of your mattress and decided it’s time for a new one. So, how much is it going to cost you? That answer depends on several different factors, but the biggest two are size and material.
Mattress pricing may seem like an indecipherable mess. However, if you know the mattress size you’re going to get and the materials you’re interested in, you can make a pretty educated guess as to how much you’ll be paying for your new mattress.
Mattress Cost by Material
Mattress type is the biggest factor in the price of a mattress. Size does matter, but some materials are so expensive that the smaller sizes in these materials could wind up being more expensive than the larger sizes in others. For example, a latex full mattress will almost certainly cost more than a queen size innerspring and may even compete with a king size coil bed.
Innerspring
Generally speaking, innerspring mattresses are the most affordable. Their open coil spring systems are low-cost to produce. And they don’t usually come with a lot of expensive foam layers or other costly materials.
That isn’t to say that you can’t find yourself an expensive luxury innerspring mattress. Pillow tops, Euro tops, dual coil cores, and other extra features can all add substantially to the cost of your new innerspring mattress. However, these are the exception, not the rule. This is why the average cost of a queen innerspring hovers just under the $1,000 mark at $950.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a synthetic material made using petroleum products. The ingredients to make memory foam are readily available and not very expensive. That translates into an affordable mattress that’s still luxurious and fun for sleeping. If you want a memory foam mattress, you can expect to pay an average of $1,150 for a queen.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are not nearly as affordable as innerspring or memory foam beds. The reason is it takes a lot of time and effort to compile and construct a hybrid. Hybrids combine comfort layers of foam with a support core of pocketed coils (which are more expensive than traditional open coils).
The average purchase price of a hybrid mattress is $1,700. However, if you swap memory foam layers for latex foam, that cost can go up substantially. Hybrids have a huge price range, depending on their coil count and the types of foam they have. Luxury hybrid models can easily run you over $5,000.
Latex Foam
Latex mattresses don’t have as wide of a cost range as hybrids do, but they have a slightly higher average price tag of $2,000 for a queen mattress. This is because latex isn’t cheap to produce. Latex is a natural material that comes from the sap of the rubber tree. Natural latex has to be farmed, harvested, processed, and shipped.
Not to mention the increase in price for organic latex. If you want a GOLS-certified organic mattress in a larger size like a king or California king, you can easily pay a premium of over $3,500.
Mattress Cost by Size
Of course, a mattress’s dimensions can have a huge impact on its cost. But each mattress size has a wide range of possible prices depending on its construction. Keep in mind, the following ranges are just averages and may not represent luxury mattresses or cheaply made ones.
Twin
Naturally, the smallest mattresses are the most affordable. Twin size mattresses are 38 by 75 inches and will run you between $300 and $600, on average.
Twin XL
Twin XL mattresses add 5 inches of length to the standard twin. They are 38 by 80 inches and have an average price range of $450 to $750.
Full
At 54 by 75 inches, full or double beds have a lot of width over the twin size bed but are the same length. These will generally start between $600 and $900.
Queen
Queen beds are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. This is the most popular bed size because couples can sleep comfortably on it, but it still has a starting price range of $750 to $1,050.
King
The standard or eastern king comes in at 76 by 80 inches and has an average starting price tag of $900 to $1,200.
California King
California king mattresses are 72 by 84 inches. Normally, these mattresses are close to the same price as a standard king, though they can sometimes be a bit more. The Cal kings’ average starting price is $1,050 to $1,350.
Split King
Split kings have the same dimensions as regular kings. But these beds can be a little tricky price-wise because you’re technically buying two twin XL mattresses.
Many manufacturers will not charge you the same price for two twin XLs if you’re building a split king. Split king pricing usually knocks off a few bucks from the price of an individual twin XL. But a split king will still be more expensive than a standard one.
Other Factors that Impact Cost
Size and material aren’t the only factors that can affect how much you pay for your mattress. There are other considerations you should keep in mind.
Quality
Mattresses with better quality materials are obviously going to be more costly. However, keep in mind that if you spring for a mattress whose manufacturers cheaped out, you could be paying more for it in the long run because it will be more prone to wear and tear and even breakage.
Thickness
Thicker mattresses require more materials and weigh more, making them more expensive to ship. So they’re usually more costly than thinner mattresses. You can see this most clearly in mattresses with thickness options. A 9-inch thick queen size mattress will be more affordable than a 12-inch thick queen of the same brand and model.
Durability
Durability won’t impact your mattress’s initial purchase cost as much as it impacts its cost over time. For instance, an innerspring mattress’s average cost is $950, with a typical life expectancy of 5 to 10 years. Meanwhile, a latex mattress is $2,000 on average, but it will last a minimum of 20 years, if not much longer.
If you pay $950 for an innerspring mattress that lasts 5 years, you pay $190 for each year of use. If you pay $2,000 for a latex mattress that lasts 20 years, you pay $100 per year for that mattress. So a latex mattress’s cost over time can actually be a lot lower than that of an innerspring mattress.
Time of Year
If you hit the sales, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars for the same mattress. There are certain times of the year where it’s possible to get amazing deals. For instance, the beginning of the year, just before the start of summer, and big weekends are all prime times to snag a deal on a mattress. Some beds could be marked down as much as 50 percent.
Possible Additional Costs
If you’re just buying a new mattress and already have the frame and all the accessories, you should not need to purchase much beyond shipping and possibly removal for your old mattress. However, if you’re building a whole bed, you should be prepared to make several other big-ticket purchases.
Bed Frame
Your bed frame can fall into one of many price points, just like your mattress. Wooden bed frames tend to cost more than metal bed frames. And if you need an adjustable base, you should be prepared to pay over $1,000.
You might be able to save a few dollars if you get a platform bed. Unlike traditional bed frames, platform beds do not require box springs or a mattress foundation. That means you can lay your new mattress directly on this type of frame without the added cost of an additional base.
Bed Base
Depending on your bed frame and type of mattress, you may need box springs or a mattress foundation. Box springs and mattress foundations can each add up to a few hundred dollars to the cost of a bed.
It’s not uncommon for retailers to offer a set of box springs or a foundation to go along with your mattress purchase. If you have to buy a base, a reasonable price for box springs is up to $250, depending on the size and height. A mattress foundation might cost a little more: up to $500.
Bed Accessories
Sheets, comforters, duvets, pillows, and other bedclothes can add up quickly. If you don’t have any bedding at all, you may wind up paying a few hundred dollars to dress your bed. Sheets and comforters aren’t one-size-fits-all. The bigger the bed, the bigger your budget for sheets and bedcovers will be.
Delivery and Setup
Many online retailers now cover the cost of shipping to your home. They may also include home delivery in the initial purchase price. However, some brick-and-mortar stores still make you pay for shipping and delivery.
Another thing to think about is your mattress’s return terms. If you decide to return your mattress or call in the warranty, retailers may refund your purchase cost but avoid paying for return shipping. As always, read the fine print.
Mattress Disposal
You might be able to donate a lightly used mattress to make room for your new bed. However, if your mattress has seen years of use, you’ll have to recycle or dispose of it. Some retailers include old mattress disposal in their delivery services for free. Others may expect you to pay a surcharge to have your mattress removed.
Independent mattress removal could be even more expensive. And even if you decide to get rid of your mattress yourself, you’ll probably have to pay a fee at the dump or recycling facility. Conventional mattresses with springs might be cheaper to recycle because their steel coils can be used for scrap. But disposing of heavy foam mattresses can be costly.
Bottom Line
Mattress prices can be a confusing game. There’s so much variance involved, and it can be hard to tell if you’re getting good value at a fair price, especially if there’s a pushy salesperson talking in your ear.
You can pay as little as $200 for a low-quality twin to five figures for a luxury hybrid with specialty materials and a high number of coils. The most expensive bed in the world costs as much as a starter house! That can make it feel tough to even decide what’s a good sweet spot for your budget.
Don’t worry though, if you budget between $500 and $2,000, you will be able to get a quality mattress that fits your unique needs. Remember, you can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several times of year to find deals on a mattress. May is one of the best months for mattress buying. Manufacturers and retailers tend to roll out their new products at the start of summer. That makes them extra motivated to unload older units to make room for new ones.
Right after New Year’s is another good time. Christmas sales are all over and returns are rolling in. Retailers want to keep sales numbers from falling too much and turn around their returns quickly. So they sometimes slash prices.
Finally, sales weekends are always a great bet to get a deal on any kind of furniture, including mattresses. Look for three-day weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and more to snag an amazing deal.
Depending on the size and material you want, you should budget anywhere from $500 to $5,000. If you’re looking for an average bed (say a memory foam queen) at a fair price, plan to pay between $1,000 and $1,500.
Those looking for a smaller size like a twin can budget even less than that. On the flip side, those wanting a king size organic latex mattress should realistically expect to pay no less than $3,000. It all depends on what you’re looking for in a mattress.
Certifications are a good place to start when determining mattress quality. Mattresses should come with some certificate attesting to their cleanliness and non-toxicity. Common ones to look for include those from OEKO-TEX, GREENGUARD, and CertiPUR-US. These certificates indicate mattresses were made using clean processes and good materials.
Another way to tell if a mattress is a quality product is if the manufacturers offer a robust warranty. Most sellers offer some sort of warranty, but anything less than a 10-year warranty should be viewed with suspicion. Also, mattresses that sport warranties with a lot of fine print and loopholes may not be the best quality.
The same goes for sleep trials. A mattress brand, especially one that deals solely online, should offer you no fewer than 90 days to try out your mattress. This is now standard for most big box stores and online mattress companies alike. If there’s no sleep trial or only a very short trial period, you should beware.
Yes! Virtually all mattress warranties specify that coverage will be canceled if your product is damaged. The word “damage” doesn’t just include things like big tears or broken springs. Many manufacturers also won’t honor their warranties for stained mattresses or mattresses that have bad odors.
Mattress protectors can defend your mattress against pests, odors, and stains. This will preserve your mattress in the event you need to call in the warranty. Just be sure you’re getting a waterproof protector. A protector that can’t keep out liquid stains is no protector at all.
If you want a small, bottom-of-the-line innerspring mattress, you should expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $400. However, you should be aware that mattresses in this price range likely will not be very durable. They also are probably not the best at contouring or support.
On the other hand, those who want higher-end mattresses that offer greater comfort (such as gel memory foam hybrids or organic latex mattresses) should expect to budget for a much higher minimum price. Retail prices for beds like this can start in the high $1,000s.
While you don’t have to pay a high premium for a mattress, you should avoid skimping on quality to save a buck. A bad mattress can wreck your sleep and negatively impact your overall health. The right mattress that offers better sleep is worth some extra cost.