Why Buy a Queen Size Mattress?
Couples like the queen size because it’s bigger than a full size mattress, but not as space-consuming as a king size mattress. Taller people or people who sleep with a pet may also appreciate the extra room, as might people who simply like a lot of space to sprawl out. Since they are so popular, queen size mattresses are almost always available, even in mattress models with limited sizing options.
On the other hand, queen mattresses are not the most practical choice for people who have a small bedroom. Queen mattresses also weigh more than smaller mattresses, making them more difficult to move. Couples who prefer to sleep in separate beds, people who frequently change houses, or hotel rooms and guest rooms with changing clientele may all prefer to use twin mattresses.
What to Consider When Buying a Queen Mattress
In the following section we’ll cover some buyer considerations when shopping for a queen size mattress, including model, firmness, and practical information.
Material
Foam
Polyfoam and memory foam mattresses tend to offer excellent pressure relief and motion isolation, and they are virtually silent when bearing weight. This makes them a popular choice for couples. Found in all budgets, many foam mattresses offer additional advantages such as special foams that reduce heat retention. Lightweight sleepers, average weight sleepers, and side sleepers can all benefit from the close conforming of memory foam.
Average price (Queen): $1,044
Expected lifespan: 5 to 6 years
Innerspring
Anyone who grew up on an innerspring mattress will recall that this model offers excellent bounce, temperature neutrality, and edge support. The firm surface makes innerspring mattresses especially suitable for stomach sleepers and heavyweight individuals. Along with foam mattresses, innersprings are usually among the most affordable options.
Average price (Queen): $1,038
Expected lifespan: 4 to 6 years
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are popular with heavier individuals because the pocketed coil layer provides more support than the polyfoam base found in an all-foam mattress. Thanks to the thick foam comfort layers, many hybrids are also suitable for lighter individuals. Decent responsiveness, edge support, and temperature regulation make hybrids a good all-round choice, the only drawback being the price.
Average price (Queen): $2,077
Expected lifespan: 6 to 7 years
Latex
Latex forms a cushioning cradle that relieves pressure for most sleeper types. It’s a quiet material that limits motion transfer, just like memory foam, but is more resilient and therefore better for sex and for combination sleepers. Natural latex is breathable, durable, and eco-friendly but has a correspondingly high price-point.
Average price (Queen): $1,971
Expected lifespan: 7 to 8 years
Airbed
Airbeds are expensive but offer the major advantage of being able to customize the firmness level on each side of the bed, making them much appreciated by couples with wildly different sleep profiles. These durable mattresses usually have foam comfort layers that provide good pressure relief.
Average price (Queen): $2,283
Expected lifespan: 7 to 9 years
Firmness and Feel
The first thing that most people notice about a mattress is the firmness level. Mattress firmness is usually described on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely plush and 10 being extremely firm. A mattress that is too plush allows sagging and eventually leads to back pain, while a mattress that is too firm causes pressure points. This is why the vast majority of people prefer mattresses that are in the 5 to 7 range.
Preferred mattress firmness is subjective and varies from person to person, although it’s generally understood that lightweight sleepers and side sleepers often choose plusher mattresses and heavier sleepers and stomach sleepers tend to prefer firmer mattresses.
If you’re planning to share your queen mattress with a sleep partner, it may be difficult to agree on the firmness level. This is especially true in cases where each person has a different body type or preferred sleeping position. Couples who have trouble agreeing on their preferred firmness level may be interested to know that some mattresses have a different firmness level on each side, so each sleeper can choose a feel that works for them.
Bedding and Bed Frames
If you’re upgrading to a queen after years of using a smaller mattress, you’ll also need to invest in queen-size bedding, a queen-size bed frame or box spring, and perhaps an extra pillow. These are important decisions in their own right that will help you get the most out of your new mattress.
How To Find a Cheap Queen Size Mattress
Unfortunately, the queen size often represents a jump in price from twin and full size mattresses. That being said, there are many things you can do to get the best price possible.
The rise of online mattress companies has made it easier to access high-quality queen size mattresses at reasonable prices. These mattresses often come with free shipping and a generous sleep trial with free returns that minimize the risk for shoppers, although it always pays to double-check these fees before buying. Sales on major holidays, coupon codes, deals for veterans, and exclusive discounts for Our readers further lower the price of a queen mattress.
For people who still prefer to try the mattress in a brick-and-mortar store before buying it, it helps to scout out inventory clearance sales and sales on public holidays. Many times these events are announced on the radio or in the local paper. It may also be possible to negotiate the price with the salesperson.
