Even if you haven’t shopped for a new mattress in a few years, you’ve no doubt seen the ads for the “mattress in a box” companies that allow you to order your perfect mattress online, after which it will arrive at your doorstep in a shockingly small box, given the contents inside. Open the box and allow the mattress to fluff up over the course of a few days, and you’ll find yourself with a perfectly plush mattress, which will be the size of your bed before you know it.
What started out as a novelty has grown in recent years, and now there are around 200 internet-based companies offering mattresses shipped directly to you with no showroom visit or awkward salesperson banter needed. And while many people will always prefer to visit their local mattress store and try out the product before purchasing, more and more people are choosing to skip this step altogether. In fact, online retailers now makeup 12% of the sales in the $16.5 billion mattress industry.
Casper was likely the first of these online mattress companies when it was founded in 2014, but it was quickly joined by other now well-known brands such as GhostBed, Purple and Nectar. Once these early comers began making inroads into the mattress market, numerous other brands began popping up all over the place. But what makes each mattress different from all the others? Is there a significant difference in quality from brand to brand? We’re here to fill you in about some of the top mattress companies in the “bed in a box” market.
Casper – The Original Bed in a Box
The first company on the market is still one of the most popular names in online mattress sales. When Casper took their bed in a box concept to market in 2014, they made $1 million in their very first month. Shipping an item as large as a mattress had previously been difficult and expensive, so ordering a mattress online rarely made as much sense as picking one out in a local mattress store and relying on their store-based delivery trucks to bring the mattress home. When Casper overcame the shipping difficulties, their consumer market was ready and waiting. When asked what they love about Casper, buyers point to the fast and free shipping, helpful customer service, and mattresses that are almost universally comfortable. There are multiple models available at varying price points, so almost everyone can find the mattress that is right for them. The only negative point about the Casper mattress is that many people say it “sleeps warm.” Other brands on the market are offering mattress models with cooling technology, so if you are a hot sleeper, Casper may not be the brand for you.
Layla – The Bed in a Box You Can Flip
Almost all of the online mattress retailers have different models that they describe as being more soft or more firm than their others, marketing them to side sleepers, stomach sleepers, those with chronic back pain, persistent snorers, etc. But if you are unsure about how firm you would like for your mattress to be, or if you want the ability to use the mattress for different people at different times, you can’t beat the versatility offered by Layla.
The majority of bed in a box models can be rotated, but never flipped, because they are designed to lay one way and one way only. Layla on the other hand, has developed a hybrid model that features memory foam on one side to allow for a softer sleep. If you find the memory foam layer too soft, simply flip the mattress for a firmer feel.
In addition to the versatility available, Layla mattresses are also infused with copper which has a cooling effect, making this mattress great for hot sleepers. This cooling technology and versatility comes at a price, with Layla mattresses starting out at a price somewhat higher than their competitors. Luckily Layla often puts their mattresses on sale, so you can keep an eye out for a deep discount.
Helix – Best Bed in a Box for Back Pain
Variety is the key to being the preferred boxed mattress for people who suffer from back pain, and that’s what makes Helix a top favorite. With three different memory foam options and three additional polyfoam hybrid mattresses to choose from, the Helix website can walk you through the buying process. A quiz about your body proportions and sleeping habits will steer you toward the appropriate mattress for your specific sleeping style and type of aches and pains. No matter which mattress model you choose, you can upgrade your selection to a luxury version with an extra pillow top.
While the ordering process for Helix is easy and personalized, allowing you to customize your mattress to suit your specific needs, some users have reported that Helix mattresses show noticeable indents after a few years of use, and some buyers have reported a stronger chemical smell with Helix products than with other brands.
Nectar – The Best Rated Best in a Box
Professional testers and consumers alike continually rank Nectar as the best overall bed in a box. The medium level firmness and multiple layers of memory foam make Nectar mattresses feel luxurious and offer a consistently good sleeping experience. Side sleepers report feeling well-supported at their shoulders and hips, while both back and stomach sleepers will notice a fair amount of support, keeping them from sinking too deep down into the mattress. This feature is especially helpful for couples who may not sleep in the same manner. Also a plus for couples, Nectar mattresses are particularly good at isolating motion, allowing you to continue sleeping soundly even if your partner is up and down throughout the night.
Allswell – The Best Value Bed in a Box
If you’re looking for a deep discount on a bed in a box, Allswell is well rated for it’s comfort while costing a fraction of what some other brands cost. While some users mentioned that the Allswell mattresses lack edge support and don’t feel as substantial as mattresses they are used to, others found them to be perfectly sufficient for their needs. These mattresses are a combination of memory foam and coils, and many buyers report that their back pain eased or disappeared after sleeping on the Allswell mattress for a few weeks. Allswell does offer fewer features than more expensive models, so if you are looking for something extra firm, or a model with cooling technology, this might not be the mattress for you. However, if you have a guest room that doesn’t see a lot of use, or you’re looking for a mattress for a school-age child, ordering from Allswell is a great way to make the mattress buying experience easier and more convenient while still receiving a great discount.
How to Unbox Your Bed in a Box
Once you’ve settled on a mattress brand and style, you can expect your new boxed bed to be delivered directly to your doorstep….but what comes next? First you’ll want to move the box to the room where the mattress will be used, which may not be the easiest feat. Compressing the size of a mattress does not lower its weight, so the box may be a bit unwieldy, especially for just one person to move. For example, the typical queen size model weighs approximately 75 pounds, so this may be a time when you want to phone a friend. After you have moved the box to the appropriate room, open it up and remove the mattress, placing it onto the foundation or base where it will remain. Once your mattress has expanded to its full size it will be a lot more difficult to move, so placing it appropriately first is quite important.
Next, carefully remove the layers of plastic enclosing your mattress. Sometimes this material can be somewhat thin and you want to make sure you do not cut the mattress by mistake. Before you cut the final layer of plastic, unroll the mattress onto the foundation until it is lying flat, making sure that the mattress is not upside down. Once you have the mattress in place, cut the final layer of plastic, allowing the mattress to begin expanding to its full size. This process will take around 48 hours, so don’t worry if the mattress appears flimsy and small at first.
Other Considerations
Since you won’t be testing out your new mattress in a showroom, inquire about each company’s return policy before you decide where to make your purchase. Most companies offer a guarantee that you will love their product, and will allow you to return your mattress if you aren’t satisfied. These trial periods vary, with some as short as a month and others allowing you to try your new mattress out for up to a year. You will also want to find out what is involved with making the return.
Chemical odors are another concern when it comes to purchasing your mattress online and in a box. These mattresses are almost always made of foam, and you will need to read the product information on each website thoroughly to check for certifications such as CertiPUR-US or GreenGuard – this will help you to avoid unsafe levels of chemicals. Even with these certifications, you may find that your new mattress has a distinct chemical smell. This will dissipate over the course of the first few days, so don’t be alarmed by the strength of the smell when you first open the box.
How you sleep makes a major difference in deciding what variety of mattress you need, even after you have decided which brand to go with. The key to getting a good, pain-free night of sleep is to make sure that your spine is appropriately aligned. If you typically sleep on your side, you’ll want a softer mattress that contours to your body and takes weight off pressure points in your hips and shoulders. Stomach sleepers on the other hand need a firmer surface to support them from sinking into their mattress. Those who sleep on their back need a medium level of firmness.