Best Mattresses in a Box 2021
High-End Mattresses Compactly Packed

The concept of online mattress shopping might seem strange, but it’s actually a lot more convenient than buying in-store. 

This is thanks largely to the growth of “mattress in a box” (also known as a “bed in a box”) companies that send your mattress to your door in a box or bag. Depending on who you order your mattress in a box from, it can take anywhere from a few hours to two days for it to decompress and expand into a full-size mattress. If you’re in a hurry, there’s always the option of purchasing white-glove setup and delivery for $100-$150.

A major reason for the popularity of online mattress sellers is that they almost always offer free shipping and returns. Other top features of the best mattress companies include free trial periods (ranging from 100 to 365 nights) and long warranty periods (usually 10-25 years, and in some cases you may even be able to score a lifetime warranty for your online mattress). With these types of terms and conditions, there’s little risk in ordering a mattress in a box to your home.

Lastly, there’s the value for money. Online mattress companies have lower overheads than brick-and-mortar establishments, allowing them to charge less for the best mattresses and funnel lots of money into researching and developing the next generation of mattresses – like ergonomic mattresses, cooling sleep technology mattresses, and various types of organic mattresses or sustainable mattresses.

Mattresses are a Personal Choice

Mattresses are like food – the best one is highly dependent on your personal preference. 

• Are you a side sleeper, or a back or stomach sleeper? The position you most often sleep in can determine which style of mattress is best for you.
• Do you have a bad back? People with back pain and joint issues should consider mattresses made with lumbar support and other therapeutic designs.
• Do you like to be swallowed by your bed? Or do you like a little more bounce? Different mattresses have different levels of responsiveness. The best memory foam mattress models, for example, are plush and enveloping, while innerspring coil mattresses provide more resistance for those who prefer traditional firmness.

It’s best to consider your sleeping habits in order to find the best mattress for you. Take some time to observe your sleeping positions, habits, and preferences. This will help you narrow down your search and find the best mattress to fit your needs.

How to Compare the Best Mattresses in 2021

While everyone has different preferences, there are certain rules everyone can follow to find their best mattress. Below, we detail the most important factors for you to keep in mind when reading mattress reviews and comparing the top-rated mattresses.

Firmness

Firmness runs on a scale of 1-10, from 1 for the softest mattresses to 10 for the firmest mattresses.

• Soft (1-2). Best mattress for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers.
• Medium-soft (3-4). Best mattress for side sleepers, lightweight sleepers, combination sleepers, and couples.
• Medium-firm (5-7). Best mattress for back pain, heavy sleepers, combination sleepers, and couples.
• Firm (8-10). Best mattress for back pain and heavy sleepers

Type

The two main types of mattresses are the foam mattress and spring mattress, although these can be further broken down into numerous sub-categories. 

• Spring mattress. Ranges from medium to firm and has a lifespan of around 5-8 years. 
• Memory foam mattress. Ranges from soft to medium and has a lifespan of 8-10 years. 
• Gel-infused foam mattress. A sub-category of the foam mattress, ranging from soft to medium with a lifespan of 10-12 years. 
• Polyfoam mattress. A sub-category of the foam mattress, ranging from soft to medium with a lifespan of 10-12 years. 
• Latex mattress. Another relative of the foam mattress, usually with medium firmness and with a lifespan of 10-12 years.
• Hybrid mattress. Combination of spring and foam mattress technologies, with medium firmness and lifespan of 8-10 years.

Sizes

The queen-size mattress is the most popular of the mattress sizes, but the best online mattress companies always have all six mattress sizes in stock. The bigger the mattress, the more you pay, so that a king-size mattress or queen-size mattress always costs more than a full-size mattress or twin mattress.

• King mattress - 76” x 80” x 11”
• Cal King mattress - 72” x 84” x 11”
• Queen mattress - 60” x 80” x 11”
• Full mattress - 54” x 75” x 11”
• Twin XL mattress - 38” x 80” x 11”
• Twin mattress - 38” x 75” x 11”
  
   

Prices and financing

As our comparison chart of the top-rated mattresses shows, the best mattresses range from as little as $400 for a budget twin mattress to more than $2,000 for a premium king mattress.

The other thing to take note of is financing. The best mattress sellers usually offer financing with 0% APR for the first 12 months, rising to 15-20% APR if you choose to spread your payments over 1-3 years.

Promotional deals

One of the rules of online mattress shopping is that you almost never have to pay top dollar. Common types of promotions include:

• Substantial discounts on big orders (e.g., $200 off orders over $1,000)
• Discounts for military, healthcare, and teachers (e.g., 20-30% off)
• Bundling discounts (e.g., 30-40% off mattress + bed + pillow bundle)
• Discounts for accessories (e.g., pillows, sheet sets, mattress protectors)
• Free pillow/s with every mattress
• Flash mattress sales (e.g. mattress sale for tax season, mattress sale for Black Friday)

Free-trial period 

All the best mattress sellers offer risk-free trial periods where you can test-run the mattress and decide whether to keep it or return or exchange it for another. At a bare minimum, the free-trial period should run for 100 nights. However, the best mattresses in 2021 come with a 180-night free trial period and in some cases even 365 nights (i.e., a whole year).

Warranties

The typical mattress warranty runs from 10-20 years, although some mattress sites have been known to offer lifetime warranties (also sometimes referred to as a “forever warranty”). Before purchasing your mattress, always read the fine print to understand the terms and conditions of the warranty.

Finding Your Best Mattress in 2021

Mattresses are similar to any other consumer product in that the more knowledge you have of your options, the more likely to are to find the best mattress. The key to finding the best mattress in 2021 is to research (e.g., reading mattress reviews) and compare (e.g., lining up the top-rated mattresses side-by-side to see how they stack up on key factors). Remember: a mattress is a long-term investment, and your mattress is key to a good night’s sleep.