Yes, you can buy an actually good mattress online — here’s what to look for

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Shopping for a mattress is intimidating — especially online. There’s firm, there’s foam and don’t even get us started on the labyrinth that is pillow shopping. However, according to experts we spoke with, buying a mattress online can be an incredibly successful endeavor because there are so many online, direct-to-consumer options that aren’t available in stores. 

But how can you ensure you buy a mattress that you like online? And, worst-case scenario, what happens if you buy something online and don’t like it? To answer these questions and more, we spoke with sleep experts for their best tips and tricks.

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The short answer: Yes, you find a great mattress online. “Buying a mattress online isn’t inferior to visiting a showroom and testing one in person,” says Jeff Kahn, sleep expert and CEO and co-founder of the sleep app Rise Science. “That’s because you might not gain as much from lying on a mattress in-store for just a few minutes as you may think. Research suggests that it can take several nights to a week to fully adapt to a new mattress.” Because of that, there’s really no difference between shopping in a store or online. Beyond that, a store can only stock so many different types of mattresses. When you shop online, your options are endless, allowing you to really hone in on the type of firmness, support and more that will work best for your particular sleep needs.

If you want to shop for a mattress online, it’s helpful to arm yourself with some tools and tactics to make sure you make the best purchase possible. Below, things our experts recommend you keep in mind when shopping for a mattress online: 

• Do your homework: There’s a lot of mattress lingo and if you don’t understand it, you may pick the wrong style for you. For example, most mattresses will list their firmness level. A firm mattress is best for those who sleep on their back because they help maintain spinal alignment where a slightly softer mattress helps do the same for side sleepers, says Kahn. You’ll also notice a lot of talk about the types of materials used. High-density foams and natural latex tend to provide more support, while gel-infused foams and cotton or wool construction mean a mattress will be more breathable and better for hot sleepers, says Ben Trapskin, creator of Yawnder, a platform dedicated to educating people about the importance of sleep. 
• Look for a good return policy: Both of our experts agreed that this might just be the most important thing to consider when shopping for a mattress online. You may need to try several mattresses to find the best for you, says Kahn. “Sleep trials and return policies really are critical when shopping online without testing,” says Trapskin. “Look for at least 100 days to ensure the mattress suits your needs.” 
• Pay attention to reviews: Online sites are filled with long reviews on various mattresses you can buy online. They can be very helpful, but it’s also not a bad idea to approach them cautiously. “Be mindful of affiliate relationships that could bias reviews. This doesn’t mean their reviews are automatically untrustworthy, but it’s wise to approach them with some healthy skepticism,” says Kahn. For more impartial insights, seek out reviews from real users or websites that utilize experts who do not financially benefit from the sales of certain brands or types of mattresses.

Want to shop for a mattress online but don’t know where to start? The below sites offer a variety of highly rated options.

Amazon

You can buy just about anything on Amazon — like travel accessories, coffee makers and dog food. So, it only makes sense you’d consider the online retailer for your mattress, too. Amazon offers popular brands like Nectar, Zinus and Tuft & Needle. One thing to pay attention to: Each brand has a different return policy, so you’ll want to pay close attention to that when shopping.

Walmart

Along with well-known brands like Sealy and Casper, Walmart has its own mattress brand called Allswell — which offers various sizes and firmness levels. I have three different Allswell mattresses in my home (one in my room, one in my daughter’s room and another in our guest room) and they all are incredibly comfortable and have held up well over many years. One of the best things about Allswell? Most of itsmattresses come in well under $1,000. Allswell mattresses come with a 90-day return window. 

Mattress Firm

While this well-known mattress retailer has several brick-and-mortar locations, you can also shop online. Mattress Firm carries popular mattress brands like Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, Beautyrest and more. You can filter mattresses by firmness, price and size. Mattress Firm offers a 120-day trial on its mattresses and sells items like box springs, pillows and bedding to help you set up the perfect bedroom. 

Purple

Purple offers an online mattress quiz to help you find the best style for you. The brand is known for its proprietary GelFlex Grid, which offers comfort and pressure relief and is cooling, according to the brand. The brand (which has a pillow that won a 2023 NBC Select Bed and Bath Award) has an essential, hybrid and luxe collection — each of which offers mattresses of different firmness levels and various padding options. 

Casper 

Casper makes one of our favorite dog beds — but they are really known for its high-quality mattresses. The brand has a 100-day trial period and offers five different types of mattresses, including a cooling model, a hybrid mattress and more. Like Purple, Casper also has an online mattress quiz to help you find the best option for your sleep needs.

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Jeff Kahn is a sleep expert and CEO and co-founder of the sleep app Rise Science.
• Ben Trapskin is the creator of Yawnder, a platform dedicated to educating people about the importance of sleep. 

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on how to shop for a mattress online.