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. 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. The best place to shop depends on your budget, preferred mattress type, location, and whether you want to test a bed before buying it.
Mattress buying differs from most routine home purchases because comfort is highly personal. Because comfort varies from person to person, the cheapest mattress is not always 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.
Where Can You Buy a Mattress in the United States?
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:
- Independent local mattress stores
- Large national and regional mattress retailers
- Furniture retailers
- Membership warehouse clubs
- Major department stores
- Big-box retailers
- Brand-owned mattress stores and manufacturer showrooms
- Online mattress companies
- Online marketplaces
- Factory-direct mattress sellers
The benefits and limitations differ among these shopping options. Shoppers who want to lie on several beds before choosing one may prefer a mattress showroom. Buyers who already know the mattress type and firmness they want may find online shopping more convenient.
Independent Local Mattress Retailers
Independent mattress stores can be found in cities, suburbs, and smaller communities across the United States. An independent mattress retailer might run one local showroom 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. Policies can vary greatly from one business to another.
National and Regional Mattress Retailers
U.S. shoppers can also buy from national and regional chains focused on mattresses. Some companies, including Mattress Firm, have locations in many U.S. markets, while other chains operate within certain states or specific 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.
One benefit of a specialty mattress chain is the ability to test multiple beds at the same location. You may also be able to research available mattresses on the retailer's website before heading to the 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. An advertised sale does not always mean the lowest possible price, so shoppers should compare the final cost before buying.
Furniture Stores That Sell Mattresses
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.
Furniture stores can be convenient when furnishing an entire bedroom because you may be able to purchase a mattress, bed frame, headboard, dresser, and nightstands from one retailer.
The main drawback is that mattress selection can vary by location. A specialty mattress store may offer more models or more detailed mattress-specific assistance than a general furniture showroom.
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
Many Americans also purchase mattresses through large warehouse retailers. Retailers such as copyright and Sam's Club sell mattresses from a variety of manufacturers through their websites and stores.
Although warehouse clubs may offer competitive mattress prices, their in-store mattress selection can be more limited than the inventory at a specialty showroom. Depending on the retailer, some mattresses may be displayed in-store, while others are packaged or sold mainly online.
If you already understand the major mattress categories and are comfortable buying without testing numerous beds, a warehouse club may be a practical choice.
Remember to consider membership requirements, delivery arrangements, return procedures, and whether mattress removal is available in your area.
Department Stores and Big-Box Retailers
Mattresses are also available from department stores and major general retailers. Depending on where you live, mattresses may be available through retailers such as Macy's, Walmart, Target, and other major chains.
Mattress selection can vary widely from one retailer or location to another. At certain stores you can test mattresses on display, while other retailers focus more on boxed mattresses available for shipping or pickup.
A big-box retailer may be a practical choice for an affordable mattress, a guest-room mattress, a child's mattress, a dorm-room mattress, or a convenient bed-in-a-box product.
When comparing mattresses, compare specific models instead of assuming every mattress from one brand is similar. A single manufacturer can offer numerous product lines that differ in construction and comfort.
Manufacturer Showrooms and Brand Stores
Some mattress brands have their own stores and showrooms. Other brands have authorized dealers where shoppers can test specific product lines.
Examples of widely recognized mattress brands sold in the United States include Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Serta, Beautyrest, Purple, Casper, and many others.
A manufacturer showroom may make sense when you have a strong preference for a specific mattress company. You may be able to compare multiple firmness levels and models from that brand without sorting through unrelated products.
Unlike a multi-brand mattress retailer, a brand-specific showroom limits your comparison to one manufacturer's products.
Where to Buy 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 shipped to their homes in much of the country.
Many mattresses are compressed and shipped in a box, while larger, heavier, or more complex models may arrive at full size. Some mattress companies also provide premium delivery options that place the mattress inside your home.
Online shopping provides access to a large number of mattress brands without visiting several stores. It also makes it easier to compare mattress specifications, prices, customer policies, and construction details.
The biggest drawback is that most online purchases are made without lying on the bed first. When you cannot test a bed beforehand, carefully reviewing the sleep trial and return policy is essential.
Check the Sleep Trial Before Ordering
With a sleep trial, you have time to use the mattress before deciding whether to keep it. Sleep trial periods are not standardized and can differ by brand.
Make sure you understand the complete policy before ordering. Some retailers require customers to keep a mattress for a minimum adjustment period before requesting a return. Others may charge pickup, transportation, restocking, or processing fees.
Do not equate a large number of trial nights with a no-cost return policy. Pay closer attention to the written return conditions than to the headline trial length.
Common Mattress Types Sold in the United States
Knowing the main mattress categories can make shopping easier. Mattress stores typically organize products by the type of materials and support system used.
Innerspring Mattress Construction
An innerspring mattress is built around springs that provide support beneath comfort layers. These mattresses range from simple traditional models to premium designs with thick comfort layers and individually wrapped coils.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam beds rely on foam-based construction instead of traditional coils. These mattresses are often chosen for their conforming feel and ability to isolate movement between sleepers.
Hybrid Mattress Construction
A hybrid mattress combines a coil support system with substantial foam or latex comfort layers. Many American mattress retailers carry hybrids, which combine coil support with foam-based comfort.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses use natural latex, synthetic latex, or a combination of materials. Compared with some memory foam mattresses, latex beds often feel more responsive and less deeply contouring.
Adjustable Air Mattresses
Some premium mattresses use adjustable air chambers that allow sleepers to modify the firmness of each side of the bed. Adjustable air-chamber mattresses should not be confused with basic inflatable mattresses for camping or occasional guests.
Choosing the Right Mattress Store
The best mattress store is not necessarily the closest retailer or the store advertising the largest discount. Evaluate the retailer as a whole before deciding where to buy.
Important factors include:
- Product selection: Look for enough choices to compare different materials and firmness levels.
- Transparent pricing: Ask what is included in the advertised price and whether delivery or setup costs extra.
- Return policy: Check whether returns are handled through cash refunds, product exchanges, credit, or another process.
- Sleep trial: Review how long the mattress can be tested and what return charges may apply.
- Warranty: 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: Ask whether your existing mattress can be hauled away.
- Financing: Compare interest rates, promotional financing terms, and total repayment cost.
Before completing the sale, confirm that the model on your receipt matches the mattress you tested in the showroom. Retailer-specific model names or product lines can complicate side-by-side mattress comparisons.
How Much Does a Mattress Cost in the USA?
In the United States, mattress prices can range from a few hundred dollars for entry-level models to several thousand dollars for luxury mattresses and adjustable sleep systems.
Price depends on mattress size, materials, construction, brand, thickness, features, and retailer. A queen mattress usually costs more than a twin but less than a king within the same product line.
Budget shoppers can find entry-level foam and innerspring mattresses through online retailers, discount stores, warehouse clubs, and local mattress outlets. Mid-priced mattresses may include features that are less common on entry-level models. Luxury and premium mattresses can incorporate specialty foam, latex, advanced support systems, cooling technology, handcrafted details, and adjustable features.
Rather than focusing only on the purchase price, consider expected lifespan, support for your sleeping position, and the retailer's return protections.
Should You Try a Mattress Before You Buy It?
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 evaluate pressure relief around the hips and shoulders. Back sleepers should consider whether the mattress supports the lower back without excessive sinking. Stomach sleepers often prefer enough support to prevent the midsection from sinking too deeply.
Whenever possible, couples should try the mattress at the same time. The right mattress for a couple can depend on the individual needs of both sleepers.
Even a careful showroom test is limited compared with sleeping on the mattress overnight. That is why at-home trial periods and comfort exchanges are valuable.
Choosing the Right Mattress Firmness
Mattress firmness is usually described with terms such as soft, medium, medium-firm, firm, or extra firm. No one firmness level is ideal for everyone.
Body weight, sleeping position, mattress design, and individual comfort preferences can all influence the firmness you prefer. Because there is no universal firmness scale used by every manufacturer, two mattresses labeled "medium-firm" can feel different.
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 and Setup
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. Some retailers will also remove packaging, an old mattress, or an old foundation.
If you live in an apartment, condominium, or building with limited access, check hallway dimensions, elevator rules, loading restrictions, and delivery scheduling before purchasing a large mattress or adjustable base.
Mattress Disposal and Recycling
A new mattress purchase often creates another question, how will you dispose of the old mattress? 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. Depending on your location, mattresses may also be accepted by several local disposal and recycling services.
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, certain organizations may accept it, but acceptance policies vary and many do not take used mattresses.
When to Shop for Mattress Sales
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.
However, waiting for a holiday does not guarantee the best deal. Prices and promotions can change year-round, including bundle offers, financing deals, and free accessory promotions.
Compare the complete package. A slightly higher mattress price may still represent better value if it includes delivery, setup, a foundation, old mattress removal, or a better return policy.
Buying a Mattress Near You
If you want to shop in person, searching for mattress stores near me can provide a useful starting point. Most U.S. metropolitan areas have a mix of independent mattress stores, national chains, furniture retailers, and department stores.
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 numerous mattress retailers within the surrounding area. People living in less populated areas may have a smaller local selection, increasing the importance of online sellers and regional retailers.
Before traveling between multiple showrooms, a mattress directory can help you see which stores operate in your area. Use the directory to compare local stores and their offerings, then contact the store to confirm that the mattress you want to test is available.
What to Ask Before You Purchase a Mattress
Before completing your mattress purchase, consider asking the salesperson or online retailer these important questions:
- Is this mattress currently in stock?
- How much will I pay in total once delivery and additional charges are included?
- 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?
- Are warranty claims handled by the retailer or by the mattress manufacturer?
- Must the mattress be used with a particular foundation or bed frame to maintain warranty coverage?
- Will the mattress be installed or set up by the delivery team?
- Can my old mattress and foundation be removed?
- How soon can the mattress be delivered?
Getting these answers before purchase can prevent misunderstandings later.
Where to Buy Your Next 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 large chain can be useful when you want multiple mattress choices and easy-to-find retail locations. Warehouse clubs and big-box stores can be attractive for price-conscious buyers, while online mattress sellers provide convenient delivery and access to brands without nearby physical locations.
The key is to compare more than the mattress price. Compare comfort, mattress construction, firmness, size, sleep trial terms, return policies, warranty coverage, delivery, setup, financing, and old mattress disposal.
Use the directory to find mattress stores across the United States, explore retailers near you, discount mattress stores and compare your options before shopping in person or online. By researching your options first, you can more easily find a mattress that suits your body, sleeping habits, budget, and living situation.