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Best Mail Order Mattresses – 2022 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Written by Tuck Staff

Quick Summary

Over the past decade, mail order mattresses have become quite popular among consumers. Also known as “bed-in-a-box” models, these beds are compressed using vacuum-sealing technology and shipped to customers via standard mail. Online mattress brands face low overhead costs compared to companies with brick-and-mortar stores.

As a result, mattresses in a box are relatively affordable. Customers in the contiguous U.S. who order a mattress by mail usually receive free ground shipping, as well.

This guide will take an in-depth look at mail order mattresses. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best mail order mattresses sold today. These selections are based on ratings and reviews from verified mattress owners, as well as our own product research and analysis.

Further down, you’ll find a detailed buyer’s guide that covers important considerations for mattress shoppers, a breakdown of the shipping process, and answers to a few common questions about mail order beds.

Best Mail Order Mattresses
First Time Buying a Mail Order Mattress?

Hop down to our Buyer’s Guide for a crash course on finding the best mail order mattress.

 

Best Mail Order Mattresses - Reviewed

Best OverallNectar Premier

Best Overall – Nectar Premier

Highlights

  • Medium firm (6)
  • 365-night sleep trial
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Precise body-contouring
  • Excellent motion isolation and no noise
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Best OverallNectar Premier

nectarsleep.com

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Many mattress buyers assume a “luxury mattress” must cost thousands of dollars. However, many brands offer well-made beds with premium materials at very affordable price-points. Case in point: the Nectar Premier a luxuriously soft memory foam bed that cradles sleepers for a cloud-like feeling akin to sleeping “in” – rather than “on” – the mattress. The Nectar Premier’s medium firm (6) feel is best suited to side and back sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds.

Like other memory foam models, the Nectar Premier absorbs motion to eliminate most transfer when movement occurs in bed. The mattress is virtually silent when bearing weight, as well. These attributes make the Premier a great choice for couples and co-sleepers. Thanks to its lower-density comfort layer of open-cell foam, the mattress is also fairly breathable on the surface and offers better-than-average temperature neutrality for a memory foam bed.

The Premier is a bit pricey for a memory foam mattress, but Nectar offers free shipping to customers in the contiguous U.S. The mattress is also backed by a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty, both of which are much longer than average.

The Bottom Line.

The Nectar Premier is a memory foam bed designed to cushion sleepers and alleviate pressure points throughout their bodies.

  • People who weigh at least 130 pounds. The mattress has a medium firm feel and offers moderate body-contouring. Sleepers in the average weight and heavyweight groups will probably feel most comfortable on the Nectar Premier.
  • Sleepers who prefer the body hug of memory foam. The Nectar Premier forms a mold around the sleeper’s figure as they sink into the mattress, resulting in a feeling of sleeping “in” – not “on” – the mattress.
  • Couples. Co-sleepers should experience fewer sleep disruptions on the Nectar Premier due to its excellent motion isolation and noise-free construction.
  • Those who sleep hot on all-foam beds. The mattress has a top layer of breathable, open-cell memory foam infused with gel and phase-change material that absorbs minimal body heat.

Not Recommended for...

  • People who weigh less than 130 pounds. Sleepers in the lightweight group will likely find the Nectar Premier too firm and sink excessively.
  • Sleepers who prefer more responsive mattresses. Due to its memory foam construction, the Nectar Premier lacks the noticeable bounciness of all-latex, hybrid, and innerspring models.

Best ValueTuft & Needle Original

Best Value – Tuft & Needle Original

Highlights

  • Medium firm (6.5)
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • 10-year warranty
  • Mixed-foam construction provides good pressure relief
  • Great motion isolation and minimal noise
Read Our Full Review
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Best ValueTuft & Needle Original

tuftandneedle.com

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A quality all-foam mattress from a trusted brand, the Tuft & Needle Original is a great value pick if you’re ordering by mail. The Tuft & Needle’s mixed-foam construction makes it a great bed for couples and those with chronic pain and comes at a below-average price point.

The comfort layer of the T&N Original consists of three inches of low density, gel- and graphite-infused polyfoam. While the lower density isn’t quite as durable, it doesn’t comform as closely to the body and thus prevents as much body heat from getting trapped within the mattress. The graphite and gel infusions are designed to make the comfort layers even cooler. Under the comfort layer is a 7-inch support core of high density polyfoam.

The Tuft & Needle Original scored well in pressure relief, motion isolation, and noise. Good pressure relief means less pressure points around the hips and shoulder, making this a great option for those with chronic pain. Good motion isolation and minimal noise means minimal disruptions for light sleepers who sleep with a partner.

Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night sleep trial, a 10-year warranty, and ships for free within the contiguous US. For an additional fee, they offer white glove delivery and old mattress removal.

The Bottom Line.

With a quality mixed-foam construction that results in great pressure relief and motion isolation, the Tuft & Needle Original is a great option at this price point. Those who experience pain at night will enjoy its close-conforming polyfoam comfort layers, while couples will enjoy the great motion isolation and minimal noise.

  • People who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. The mattress has a medium-firm (6.5) feel with moderately high conforming and average support. This makes it best suited to sleepers in the average weight group.
  • Couples. With great motion isolation and a quiet, all-foam construction. Co-sleepers who are easily disrupted by movement and noise will enjoy this bed.
  • People with chronic pain. The polyfoam comfort layers conform fairly close to the body, easing pressure points and minimizing aches and pains.

Not Recommended for...

  • People who weigh more than 230 pounds. The polyfoam support core may not be supportive enough to keep heavyweight sleepers’  spine aligned, especially side sleepers.
  • Those who like a traditional memory foam feel. The polyfoam comfort layers conform moderately closely, but this mattress does not have the slow-responding deep body-cradle associated with memory foam.

Best LuxurySaatva Classic

Best Luxury – Saatva Classic

Highlights

  • Multiple firmness options (4, 6, 7.5)
  • 365-night sleep trial
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Supportive coil-on-coil design
  • Very good temperature neutrality
Read Our Full Review

Best LuxurySaatva Classic

saatva.com

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Many people naturally run hot, and this can cause them to feel uncomfortably warm in bed – especially if their mattress absorbs and traps body heat. The Saatva Classic regulates temperature very well thanks to its design.

The mattress features a Euro-top cover with comfort layers of polyfoam and memory foam, followed by a transitional layer of pocketed minicoils and a support core of recycled-steel bonnell coils. Both coil layers circulate air very well to keep the mattress at a comfortable temperature and prevent sleepers from overheating.

Customers can choose from three firmness levels for their Saatva Classic: medium soft (4), medium firm (6), or firm (7.5). The mattress also comes in profiles of 11.5 and 14.5 inches. This wide selection ensures most shoppers can find a comfortable option regardless of their body type, normal sleep position, or firmness and thickness preferences.

Saatva offers free White Glove delivery within the contiguous U.S. This service – which includes in-home assembly and old mattress removal – normally starts at $100. The mattress is also backed by a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

The Bottom Line.

Saatva redefines the innerspring mattress with a supportive coil-on-coil model built from high-quality materials.

  • Sleepers who like very responsive mattresses. The Saatva Classic’s coil-on-coil design gives the surface a very springy feel.
  • People who prefer thicker mattress profiles. The Saatva Classic is available in 11.5-inch or 14.5-inch profiles, both of which are reasonably thick compared to other beds sold today.
  • Hot sleepers. Thanks to two coil layers, the Saatva Classic provides great temperature regulation even compared to other innerspring models.
  • Those who would rather not set up the mattress themselves. Saatva offers free White Glove delivery for all orders, so buyers don’t need to worry about assembling their Saatva Classic or removing their old mattress.

Not Recommended for...

  • People who prefer close body-conforming. Even with its softest firmness levels, the Saatva Classic does not provide the same pressure-relieving body hug of all-foam beds.
  • Lightweight side sleepers. The Saatva Classic’s firmness selection ensures most sleepers can find a suitable option, but side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds may find all three a bit too firm.

Most ComfortableAwara Premier Latex Hybrid

Most Comfortable – Awara Premier Latex Hybrid

Highlights

  • Medium firm (6)
  • 365-night sleep trial
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Sustainably sourced materials
  • Exceptional durability and responsiveness
Read Our Full Review
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Most ComfortableAwara Premier Latex Hybrid

awarasleep.com

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Many mattresses made with natural and organic materials can hold a higher price-point, but the Awara Premier Latex Hybrid is a notable exception. The latex-over-coils construction makes the mattress comfortable and supportive in equal measure.

The mattress features a cover of organic cotton and natural wool, followed by a comfort layer of GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex. These sustainable materials are also highly durable, giving the mattress a long expected lifespan. However, the mattress has a price-point that is much lower than that of the average hybrid model.

Breathability is another key strength of the Premier Latex Hybrid. The latex layer is ventilated to allow strong airflow to the surface, while the wool in the cover wicks away moisture from the sleeper’s body to keep them cool and dry. The mattress also features a support core of pocketed coils that promote steady airflow, which can help maintain a reasonable temperature for sleepers.

The support core is zoned, as well, with thicker coils reinforcing the edges. This results in excellent support and very little sinkage when people sit or lie near the edges.

On top of a low asking price for the mattress, Awara provides free delivery anywhere in the contiguous U.S. The bed is also backed by a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty, both longer than average.

The Bottom Line.

The Awara Premier Latex Hybrid is a durable, eco-friendly latex hybrid that provides excellent cooling, responsiveness, and support.

  • People who weigh at least 130 pounds. The Awara Premier Latex Hybrid has a medium-firm feel, and the latex has a responsive feel with minimal conforming. These qualities make the mattress best suited to sleepers in the average weight and heavyweight groups.
  • Sleepers who prefer very responsive mattresses. Latex is naturally flexible and bouncy, and a thick coil system reinforces the bed’s exceptionally springy feel.
  • Hot sleepers. The Premier Latex Hybrid keeps sleepers cool with a moisture-wicking cover, breathable comfort layer, and a support core that circulates air very well.
  • Value seekers. Compared to other latex hybrids with natural and organic components, the Awara Premier Latex Hybrid is very affordable.

Not Recommended for...

  • People who weigh less than 130 pounds. the Awara Premier Latex Hybrid may feel too firm and not conform closely enough for sleepers in the lightweight group.
  • Couples. The mattress is very responsive and does not isolate motion very well. The coils may produce disruptive noises from time to time, as well.

Mail Order Mattress Buying Guide

Read on to learn more about choosing and purchasing a mail order mattress. This buyer’s guide includes some tips for selecting a mattress model, an overview of standard shipping policies from online brands, and answers to some common questions about the mattress by mail delivery process.

Buying a Mail Order Mattress

Most online mattress brands make purchasing a bed fairly straightforward and convenient. However, buyers should research different mattress types and designs to determine which model best suits them. Important considerations for mattress shoppers include:

Mattress Type

Most mattresses sold today fall into one of five product categories. These are:

  • Foam: Foam mattresses feature polyfoam and/or memory foam comfort layers over high-density foam support cores. These mattresses usually conform closely to the body and provide great pressure relief. Other key strengths include strong motion isolation and no noise. However, foam beds may trap heat and sleep warm for some, and they often sag around the perimeter due to weak edge support.
  • Latex: Latex is a substance derived from the sap of rubber tree plants. The material is naturally flexible and durable. As a result, most latex mattresses feel fairly responsive and have longer-than-average lifespans. Latex beds also sleep cool due to the material’s natural breathability. That said, most latex mattresses do not isolate motion or alleviate pressure as well as foam beds.
  • Innerspring: Innersprings feature foam comfort layers over open coil systems. These mattresses feel very responsive and bouncy, and most offer strong edge support. They are also temperature-neutral due to strong airflow through their coil layers. In terms of weaknesses, innersprings provide minimal pressure relief for most sleepers. Many models have questionable durability, as well.
  • Hybrid: A hybrid is usually made with latex and/or memory foam comfort layers and a pocketed coil support core. These beds provide body-contouring and pressure relief much like all-foam and all-latex beds, but also offer the strong support and temperature neutrality of innersprings.
  • Airbed: An airbed is equipped with adjustable air chambers. Owners can add or release air from the chambers to change the bed’s firmness. This level of customization is not available with other mattress models and many airbeds offer dual-firmness designs for couples with differing preferences. The biggest downside to airbeds is the price-tag, as they tend to be very expensive, and the air chambers may produce disruptive noises when in use.

Firmness

Firmness refers to how soft or firm the bed’s surface feels. We evaluate mattress firmness using a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most beds sold today have firmnesses that fall between 3 (soft) and 8.5 (firm).

Soft to medium soft (1-4.5) beds conform very closely to the body. Sleepers sink deeply beneath the surface and experience a cradle-like sensation as the comfort layers alleviate pressure. These firmness levels are best suited to lighter sleepers. Heavier people often find soft to medium soft beds uncomfortable and prone to excessive sagging.

Medium to medium firm (5-6.5) beds have a more balanced feel. The comfort layers conform somewhat to the body but the mattress also feels supportive and keeps sleepers on an even plane. People in the average weight group often prefer medium to medium firm feels because they experience some contouring without sagging too much.

Firm to extra firm beds (7-10) conform very little and feel exceptionally supportive. Heavier people tend to like these firmness levels because they don’t sink into the mattress too deeply and feel more supported. Lighter people, on the other hand, may not experience enough contouring to alleviate their pressure points.

Pricing

Online mattress brands typically offer their beds at lower prices than companies with brick-and-mortar locations. This is due to lower overhead costs of maintaining a website compared to the expenses of operating physical stores and employing onsite sales staff.

Prices vary by brand, as well as by mattress type. Foam and innerspring models tend to be the cheapest options, with average price-points in the $800 to $1,200 range for queen size beds. Hybrids usually have mid-range price-points. Expect to pay $1,500 to $2,200 for a queen size hybrid – though some brands (including the Awara listed above) offer hybrid models at much lower prices.

Latex beds can be somewhat pricey with an average queen size price range of $1,500 to $2,500. Airbeds are easily the most expensive mattress type. The starting price for most models is at least $1,800, and the price-tag for some exceeds $3,000.

Shipping and Delivery

Once customers have picked out a model, they should look into the brand’s shipping options, delivery timetable, return policy, and other variables related to purchasing the mattress by mail. In the next section, we’ll break down the important details to look for when coordinating a mattress delivery.

What to Expect When Ordering a Mattress by Mail

Key considerations for mattress deliveries include the following.

Shipping Options: The vast majority of online mattress brands offer free shipping within the contiguous U.S. via FedEx, UPS, or USPS. Some brands also ship for free to Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, but customers in these locations will probably need to pay extra delivery charges for mattresses from U.S. brands.

Expedited shipping is often available for an extra charge – often $50 or less. White Glove delivery may also be an option. This service includes in-home assembly and old mattress removal, and customers can usually coordinate a delivery date and time. For most sellers, the starting price for White Glove delivery is $100, but a small number of mattress brands offer free White Glove services.

Although expected wait times vary, buyers who opt for standard delivery usually receive their delivery within 10 days of the original order. Expedited deliveries arrive sooner – in as little as one to two days, depending on the specific shipping terms.

UPS, FedEx, and USPS will email customers with an order number that allows them to track their mattress once it has shipped. For White Glove deliveries, the courier will make arrangements with the customer regarding a specific day and time.

The Delivery Date

Unless otherwise specified, online mattress brands that offer free ground delivery will compress their beds and ship them in a box. This process makes the package much more compact and easier to move. The compression does not damage the mattress (please see the FAQ below for more information).

For standard and expedited ground deliveries, the courier will leave the mattress in its box on the customer’s doorstep. If the purchaser lives in an apartment, the courier may leave the box with someone at the front desk. A customer signature is not required for these deliveries, and no one needs to be present at the residence when the mattress arrives.

Mattress buyers should receive a call or email from White Glove delivery personnel to coordinate a delivery date and time. Two- to four-hour delivery windows are fairly standard. After arriving at the pre-agreed time, White Glove couriers will set up the mattress inside the customer’s residence and remove all mattress packaging from the premises. Upon request (and sometimes for an extra fee), they will remove the homeowner’s old mattress.

Please note: for White Glove deliveries, an adult 18 or older must be at the residence to receive and direct personnel. A recipient signature is usually required.

Trial Period and Returns

Nearly all online mattress brands offer sleep trials, during which customers can test out the mattress for a certain length of time and return or exchange the bed if they are not satisfied. Some sleep trials begin on the date of purchase, while others kick off after the mattress has been delivered.

Every company has a different return policy. Some require customers to complete a 30-night break-in period before requesting returns, while others allow returns at any point of the trial. In either case, those who wish to initiate a return should reach out to the company before the sleep trial ends.

The brand may send couriers to fetch the mattress from the customer’s residence and transport it for recycling or donation. Alternatively, they may ask the customer to dispose of the mattress and hold their refund until receiving proof of disposal.

Mail Order Mattress FAQ

  • Does Anyone Ship Mattresses for Free Outside the Contiguous U.S.?

    A small number of mattress brands will ship for free to Alaska, Hawaii, and/or Canada. However, customers in these locations should expect to pay additional charges when ordering from U.S. brands. Canadian shoppers may find more reasonable rates by purchasing their mattress from a Canada-based brand. Visit our Best Mattresses from Canada guide to learn more.

  • Will Compressing the Mattress Cause Damage?

    Most mattresses from online brands – often referred to as “bed-in-a-box” models – are designed to be compressed for shipping. The vacuum-sealing and roll-packing should not cause any damage to the bed. After unboxing, allow up to 48 hours for the mattress to expand.

    If damage occurs during delivery, it is likely due to a defect with that particular bed and not an inherent flaw with the product. Contact brand representatives immediately if the bed is torn, misshapen, or otherwise damaged from shipping.

  • What if a Customer Needs to Change Delivery Information after the Mattress Has Shipped?

    Standard shipping is coordinated through third-party couriers such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS. If a customer needs to update their address or other shipping details after a mattress leaves the manufacturing facility, they should contact the courier – not the mattress brand – to make the necessary changes.

    White Glove delivery information can be changed at any time, since these mattresses are hand-delivered to the customer’s residence. That said, customers should contact their White Glove couriers as soon as possible if changes need to be made.

  • What Should Customers Do if They Have Security Concerns about a Mattress Delivered to their Doorstep?

    Customers can contact third-party couriers with special instructions if they are worried someone might steal or damage their mattress after it is delivered. The courier may be able to leave the package in the doorway or hide it in a secure location on the property.
    Customers may also want to consult with a trustworthy neighbor about picking up the package until they return home.

  • What Happens to Returned Mattresses?

    If a mattress is picked up by brand personnel, it will either be recycled or donated to charity. Mattress brands never restock used beds for the purpose of reselling them.

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