Buying A Mattress Online: A Complete Guide for First-Time Shoppers
Shopping for a mattress online offers convenience and confidence that showrooms can’t always provide. Instead of relying on testing in-store, you get access to detailed product descriptions, verified customer reviews, and independent ratings, all from home. Most online retailers also include generous trial periods, allowing you to experience the mattress in your own bedroom before committing, which makes the buying process more reliable and stress-free.
In this guide, we’ll cover firmness, materials, and step-by-step buying tips so you can buy a mattress online with clarity, pick the right model for your sleep needs, and avoid costly mistakes first-time shoppers often make.
Why Buy a Mattress Online?
While we always recommend that if you are near a local store, to stop in and try mattresses for yourself, as there is no substitute for personal experience, here are a few reasons for shopping online.
Wide Selection and Transparency
The online market gives you a broad choice with options across memory foam, hybrid, latex, and innerspring designs. Clear specifications, verified customer reviews, and independent testing data try to make it easy to understand the comfort and support of each mattress, helping you find the best mattress to buy online that suits your sleep needs.
Pricing and Offers
One of the biggest advantages of online shopping is cost savings. Many brands bypass retail markups by selling directly to customers, which allows for more competitive pricing. Shoppers can also benefit from added perks such as free pillows, mattress protectors, or bed frames. On top of that, seasonal deals and promo codes help first-time buyers secure excellent value without sacrificing quality.
At-Home Trial Periods
Online mattress purchases typically include extended trial periods. These allow you to test the mattress in your own bedroom over several weeks, or even months, to confirm it meets your comfort and support needs. If it falls short, most companies make the return process simple and provide full refunds for peace of mind. At New Braunfels Mattress, we offer a 99-day comfort guarantee period, whereby we will switch out your mattress if you are not completely satisfied.
Easy Delivery and Setup
Convenience is another strong reason to buy a mattress online. Mattresses arrive compressed in easy-to-handle boxes, making transport through stairways or narrow hallways stress-free. Once unboxed, the mattress expands quickly to its full size. Some retailers even provide white-glove delivery services that include professional setup and removal of your old mattress, taking the hassle out of the entire process.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Mattress Online
Sleep Position and Support
The way you sleep should guide your mattress choice.
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Side sleepers often need a medium to medium-soft mattress that relieves pressure around the shoulders and hips.
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Back and stomach sleepers benefit from medium-firm to firm options that keep the spine properly aligned.
Body Type and Weight
Your body weight also affects how a mattress feels.
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Lighter sleepers may find mattresses feel firmer than advertised.
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Heavier sleepers typically need denser foams or stronger coil systems for lasting support and durability.
Cooling and Temperature
If you tend to sleep hot, look for designs that promote airflow.
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Breathable covers, cooling gels, and hybrid constructions with coils improve temperature regulation.
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Memory foam alone may trap more heat, so pairing it with cooling features is ideal.
Mattress Materials
Understanding materials helps you match comfort to preference:
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Memory foam offers contouring comfort and reduces motion transfer.
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Latex provides buoyancy and natural cooling for a fresher sleep.
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Innerspring options deliver bounce and strong edge support, ideal for a classic mattress feel.
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Hybrid models combine coils and foam for balanced cushioning and stability.
Certifications and Safety
For better clarity, check for certifications:
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CertiPUR-US ensures foams are free from harmful chemicals.
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GOLS and GOTS certify organic latex and textiles, great for eco-conscious buyers or those with sensitivities.
Bed Frame and Room Fit
Before ordering, measure your space carefully.
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Check stairways, door frames, and hallways for delivery clearance.
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Make sure your foundation is compatible, as some mattresses require slatted bases or adjustable frames instead of box springs.
How to Buy a Mattress Online – Step by Step
Step 1: Define Must-Haves
List sleep position, firmness, size, height, and any special needs.
Step 2: Set a Budget
Having a set budget helps you narrow down options, compare value more effectively, and avoid overspending on extras you may not need.
Step 3: Shortlist 3–5 Options
Compare specs like foam density, coil count, and warranty length.
Step 4: Research Reviews
Look at lab-tested reviews for pressure relief, motion isolation, and durability.
Step 5: Check Policies
Confirm trial length, return windows, and whether refunds are full or store credit.
Step 6: Look for Sales and Bundles
Holiday sales often bring steep discounts and free bedding bundles.
Step 7: Prepare Your Space
Clear the room, measure for fit, and get a helper for unboxing.
Step 8: Test and Adjust
Sleep on it for 2–4 weeks before deciding. Keep track of the trial period.
Following these steps will help first-time buyers make informed choices and understand how to buy a mattress online that suits their requirements and bedroom setup.
Best Mattresses to Buy Online in 2025 & 2026
Beautyrest Black Series One Medium
If you’re after that “hotel-suite” kind of sleep, the Beautyrest Black Series One Medium really delivers. It’s built with a triple-stranded Pocketed Coil® system that adjusts to your body’s every move while keeping partner disturbance to a minimum, perfect if you share your bed. It’s cooling gel memory foam combined with climate control technology keeps the sleep surface fresh, making it not just supportive but also refreshingly cool all night long.
Puffy Monarch Mattress
The Puffy Monarch is designed as a true luxury option, with a plush 16-inch profile that includes 12 layers of premium materials. Its hybrid design combines individually pocketed coils, latex, alpaca wool, and high-end comfort foams to deliver cloud-like softness and sturdy support. Marketed as a luxury plush model, it excels at cooling, breathability, and spinal alignment.
Best Budget Mattress
Beautysleep Dream Weaver Firm
If you are looking for an affordable option, the Beautysleep Dream Weaver Firm offers excellent value with its reliable 815 pocketed coil system and layers of CertiPUR-US® certified foams. Standing 11.5 to 14.25 inches tall, depending on the model, it features AirCool® foam for airflow and AllCool™ gel foams for temperature control. Backed by a 10-year warranty, it’s durable, supportive, and budget-friendly.
Symbol 7″ Mattress
The Symbol 7″ Mattress is a straightforward, affordable choice designed for guest rooms, starter setups, or lightweight sleepers. At just seven inches in height, it delivers dependable cushioning and support without unnecessary frills. Its slim, lightweight build makes it easy to move and set up, while still offering a comfortable sleep surface.
Best Organic/Natural Mattress
Serta iComfortPro Kingston Firm
The Serta iComfortPro Kingston Firm is designed to deliver both structure and comfort through its innovative 5-zone support system, which promotes healthy spinal alignment and adapts to different areas of the body. It features naturally derived latex foam that provides resilient, pressure-relieving support while maintaining long-lasting durability. Paired with the CoolFeel™ Pro cover, this mattress ensures excellent breathability and a refreshing, cool sleep surface night after night.
Best Orthopedic Mattress
Beautyrest World Class Level Four Medium
This mattress comes with 1000 Density Pocketed Coil® Technology and the World Class Relief™ High Density Foam with ActiveResponse™ MAX Memory Foam, offering targeted pressure relief and reduced joint strain. Its InfiniCool® MAX Technology keeps the surface cool and breathable, promoting a healthy and restorative sleep every night.
Beautyrest Black Series One Extra Firm
Engineered for maximum firmness, this mattress prevents sagging and supports proper spinal alignment. The advanced coil system and dense foam layers make it a reliable choice for sleepers who need orthopedic-level support.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Mattress Online
Focusing Only on Price
Choosing a mattress just because it is cheap can lead to faster wear, poor support, and higher costs over time.
Overlooking Edge Support
Strong edge support extends the usable surface of a mattress and makes getting in and out of bed easier. Without it, the edges may sag or collapse over time, which can be uncomfortable for couples sharing the bed or for anyone who frequently sits on the side.
Using the Wrong Base
An unsuitable or sagging foundation can reduce mattress performance, compromise support, and even void the warranty.
Keeping Packaging Too Long
Leaving the mattress wrapped or improperly stored can trap moisture and affect expansion. Always unpack and use it as intended during the trial period.
Skipping the Trial Period Evaluation
Many shoppers forget to properly test their mattress during the at-home trial. Sleeping on it for just a night or two isn’t enough; comfort and support often take weeks to evaluate. Make sure to use the entire trial period to decide if the mattress is truly right for you.
For Mattress Discounts & Deals
Conclusion
Now that you know from this guide how to choose the right mattress online, the next step is finding a trusted place to make your purchase. New Braunfels Mattress is the best place to buy a mattress online. We offer a wide range of high-quality options, including memory foam, hybrid, latex, and innerspring mattresses. Each mattress is designed for support and long-lasting comfort, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your sleep needs. Visit us today to explore our collection and take advantage of our trial periods.