Getting an appropriate amount of sleep every night is essential for your health; the better rested you are, the more productive and less prone to stress you will be.
Without a good mattress, however, you may struggle to attain the recommended amount of sleep. With numerous options available, many unprepared mattress-shoppers become overwhelmed and end up spending more than planned on a mattress that may not fit their needs. What’s one way to circumvent this issue? Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting if you choose to order a mattress-in-a-box.
What is a Mattress-in-a-Box?
As the name suggests, a mattress-in-a-box arrives in a box about the size of your coffee table. Manufacturers have high-powered machines that roll and compress the mattresses for shipping. These mattresses are available for order almost exclusively online. While the concept may seem novel, the mattress-in-a-box isn’t new; it has been around for 13 years.
In 2007, Bill Bradley invented a machine that could compress a foam mattress enough to fit into an average-sized shipping box. Though Bradley’s invention, and the BedInABox brand under which he sold it, were only moderately successful, numerous other mattress manufacturers caught onto the trend and continued to innovate the concept.
5 Features to Look For
Today, there are many mattress-in-a-box vendors on the market offering a similar product and service. Making a decision can be challenging amid all the marketing noise. Here are a few ways you can narrow down your search for a mattress:
- In-depth Material and Construction Descriptions– Since you will be placing your order online, you must rely on detailed descriptions and high-resolution images to give you an idea of how the mattress is likely to feel. If this information is incomplete or even missing from a manufacturer’s site, you will want to move on to another seller. Look for listings like the one for this 10-inch box mattress, which includes a detailed description of the product, cost, and services, to give you peace of mind.
- Fast and Free Shipping and Setup– Most mattress-in-a-box retailers offer free shipping in a bid to give themselves an edge over their competitors, including more conventional online vendors. However, sellers will charge you an installation fee for the labor of lugging the box into the desired room and unpacking it. Some will charge up to $100 for this service, plus an extra fee to dispose of your old mattress.
- A Long Sleep Trial– Before you commit to buying a mattress, it is wise to spend at least 10 minutes lying on it. The more time you spend feeling it out, the more confident you can be about your purchase. But since most mattress-in-a-box vendors are online-only, how can you accomplish this all-important test? A few vendors do have showrooms, and others have partnered with stores like Target to give would-be buyers the chance to try before they buy. Other sellers offer extensive at-home sleep trials.
- A Warranty: If the vendor doesn’t offer the option of a sleep trial, remember that you can always take advantage of the warranty to make sure you only spend big if you are truly satisfied. Given the stiff competition in this mattress subsector, vendors offer warranties of up to 100 days. Even more important than the duration of the warranty are the return options. Some sellers require customers to wait at least 30 days before they will allow for a mattress return.
- Numerous Payment Options– Reputable vendors will allow for all the standard payment options available at most e-commerce stores, including PayPal and credit or debit cards. Some vendors even give the option of paying in monthly installments rather than a single payment.
Mattress-in-a-Box Reviews and Comparison Shopping
Independent reviews can provide insight into a product, helping you determine what kind of value it offers. Among the things to look out for in reviews are references to:
- The Materials Used– Though most mattress-in-a-box models are all-foam, they may vary in composition, from memory foam to air foam to innerspring. Some have more significant bounce, while others offer better pressure relief or greater warmth. Each of these materials has different qualities that can make your nights more comfortable, depending on your needs.
- Try it Out– Even if your preferred vendor doesn’t have a showroom, you can give your prospective mattress a try at a physical store and then place your order online. If you will be sharing the bed with a partner, make sure to visit the store together so that you can reach a consensus.
Less Stress, More Sleep
Replacing a mattress that no longer serves you in terms of size or comfort should not be a stressful affair. Take advantage of mattress-in-a-box options to place your order from home. If you do your research well, you can trust that you will end up with a cozy, high-quality mattress to help you achieve your resting goals.