How Much Does a Mattress Cost?

August 27, 2021 | Casper Editorial Team

One of the key components of sleep hygiene is the quality of your mattress. As the foundation of your comfort, your mattress is one of the most important objects in your home. You deserve a quality mattress that’s supportive and comfortable—without breaking the bank, ideally. But how much does a mattress cost?

New mattresses routinely cost anywhere between $450 and $2,500+1, making a new mattress an important investment for most people. Not only are there technical aspects to consider—extra plush vs firm mattress? Foam, innerspring, or hybrid? Queen mattress or king-size? Bed frame and foundations?—but these all factor into the price, as well, meaning it’s a tad more complicated than just comparing one price tag to another when shopping for the perfect mattress.

Fortunately, your sleep is in good hands. Below, we’ll cover all you need to know about buying a new mattress, from the average mattress cost to the factors that impact it. Before you know it, you’ll stop counting dollar signs and start counting sheep on your brand-new mattress. 

Whether you want a supportive and affordable mattress or a more luxurious king or queen size mattress, Casper has what you need for a price that’s worth it. With that said, let’s move on to the mattress buying guide packed with all you need to know about mattress cost.

Average Mattress Cost by Type

From hybrid mattresses with ergonomic zones to innerspring types packing continuous coils, a good night’s sleep is serious science. It’s important to know what you’re getting in a mattress, as well as the average mattress cost by type, so you can decide whether the extra cost is worth it.

How much does a mattress cost when it’s made of memory foam, or innersprings, or both? Well, you’ll get a very different answer depending on which mattress type you’re asking about and what mattress company you buy from.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses weren’t just some passing fad in the 90s. They’re here to stay, and for good reason. The benefits of a memory foam mattress include:

  • Body-conforming comfort – Foam mattresses are crafted with pressure relief, alignment, and comfort in mind, which means your foam mattress will contour to your body and support every inch of you while granting you a plush top layer to sink into.
  • Pain relief – By adjusting to your body’s natural curvature, memory foam supports healthy spinal alignment that leaves your joints and muscles feeling better than ever not like that old mattress. A truly high-quality memory foam mattress will feature zoned support with softer foam layers around the shoulders and firmer construction around the lower back for optimal pressure relief and proper support.
  • Limited motion transfer – If your partner is known to toss and turn at night like a ship at sea while you hardly move, you have probably wondered how to keep a mattress from sliding throughout the night. Luckily, you (and your relationship) might benefit greatly from the motion absorption qualities of foam mattresses. They can move and shake as much as they please without disturbing your restful slumber.

And perhaps the most important benefit? The cost. At an average price of $8602 for a queen, sleepers can get the contour-hugging benefits of memory foam at a reasonable price. 

But why settle for average? Starting at $995 for a queen size, the One is our most affordable mattress option. The design features three layers of breathable polyurethane foam to give you an exceedingly comfortable night’s sleep that rivals the competition. 

Innerspring

Whenever you hear the memory foam vs spring debate, a lot of the time they are referring to an innerspring mattress. For a long time, most people thought about mattresses and immediately defaulted to innersprings, the most traditional mattress type. Constructed by surrounding a layer of coils with comfort material, innerspring styles are notable for their support. Stomach and back sleepers, as well as heavier individuals in need of a firmer mattress, will find innerspring mattresses ideal. 

Other benefits include:

  • Variety and selection – Because innersprings have been around for so long, there are numerous styles and constructions to choose from. Whether you want an extra-firm or extra-soft mattress, there’s an innerspring mattress for you.
  • Bounce – While not traditionally thought of as a benefit, a mattress’ level of bounce impacts the quality of sleep in several ways. For instance, bouncy mattresses tend to make it easier for people to get in and out of bed. They also make it easier to switch from one sleeping position to another.

As for their cost, innersprings are known to be budget-friendly. On average, they cost $9501 for a queen size. 

However, there are a few drawbacks to innerspring mattresses. For starters, springs tend to squeak and creak even more as the mattress ages. Innersprings can also wear out quicker than foam. Nevertheless, for the traditionalist in need of more support, an innerspring mattress is a classic, affordable option.

Latex Foam

Although latex foam is similar to gel memory foam in terms of its ability to contour to the sleeper’s body, it differs greatly in its responsiveness and bounce. And while memory foam is made from man-made polyurethane, latex foam can be constructed from natural materials, making it the perfect eco-friendly foam bed. 

Further benefits of latex mattresses include:

  • May help with pain – Like memory foam mattresses, latex foam provides support to often unsupported areas of the body by contouring to each person. However, latex foam is better at maintaining spinal alignment due to its lighter contouring and greater elasticity.
  • Environmental impacts – Since natural latex mattresses are made with natural rubber, they’re the most organic mattress available. Latex mattresses are also naturally hypoallergenic, meaning they repel microorganisms known to cause allergies, perfect for anyone seeking a low-maintenance mattress.
  • Durability – On average, natural latex mattresses last between 12 and 20 years, making them the perfect choice for people seeking long-term comfort.

Although there are many advantages to latex mattresses, they tend to cost more than memory foam. On average, you can expect to pay $1,6001 for a queen-size latex mattress. However, if you’re looking for an exceptional foam-based mattress, you’ll notice the added value when you lay down at night.

And the best part? Latex is often combined with other foams and materials to create a truly luxurious sleeping experience. For instance, Casper’s Wave Hybrid mattresses take the hybrid model to the next level, combining a layer of latex with polyurethane memory foam to create an incredibly breathable, supportive mattress. 

Hybrid

By combining the support of an innerspring system with the pain relief and contouring abilities of foam, hybrid mattresses represent the best of both worlds. Not only are they highly breathable and supportive but their spring system also gives that classic bouncy feel. 

Other benefits include:

  • May help ease pain – The innerspring system gives support while foam layers target crucial spinal points, raise the hips, and help align the spine.
  • Reduced motion transfer – Although not as effective at reducing motion transfer as memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses that include pocket coils can isolate motion by accepting the pressure only where the weight is placed.
  • Versatility and customization – Hybrid mattresses give you the ability to choose from a wide variety of comfort materials, such as latex or polyurethane, to layer with your spring system. This allows you to construct or find the right mattress that best suits your needs.

Because hybrid mattresses provide an unparalleled sleeping experience, they tend to be the most expensive. On average, hybrid mattresses cost $1,8501 for a queen. However, it’s possible to find exceptional mattresses with affordable price tags. The Casper Original hybrid mattress, for instance, includes three levels of cooling foam for $1,695 which comes just below the average cost for a bed.

For an even more decadent mattress, consider Casper’s Wave Hybrid, a mattress that incorporates five layers of foam and cooling gels for a lavishly comfortable experience. And at $2,895 for a queen, the Wave Hybrid is well below the price of similar high-end models.

Average Mattress Cost by Size

Because mattress price varies greatly depending on the type of mattress and potential add-ons, determining the cost of mattresses by size is difficult without accounting for other factors. However, the average mattress price by size generally breaks down like this:3

  • Twin – Ideal for single sleepers and small spaces, twin-size mattresses cost between $100 and $500, with $300 as an average rate. For twin XL mattresses, expect to pay an additional $50 to $200.
  • Full – Best for young adults and guest rooms, full-size mattresses typically cost between $200 and $600.
  • Queen – The most popular size, queen mattresses typically cost anywhere between $300 and $2,000, depending on the type.
  • King – For couples who love to sprawl out or share their space with kids and pets, king-size mattresses are ideal. Because of their expansive, luxurious size, they tend to be on the pricier side. You’ll rarely find a quality king mattress for less than $1,000 and the higher-end models can cost upwards of $5,000. Although less common, California kings are around the same price point. This mattress size is also ideal for people who are unusually tall.

Factors That Impact Mattress Cost

While construction type and size are the most important factors that impact a mattress’ cost, the following factors can also tip the scales up or down:

  • Cooling technology – An increasingly popular feature across lots of quality mattress types, cooling technology usually adds several hundred dollars to your final bill. This technology uses gel pods, perforations, and breathable foam layers to carry heat away from the body. For habitually hot sleepers, the extra price is worth it.
  • Layered support – While hybrid and latex foam may cost more than the average memory foam or innerspring mattress, the combination of several high-quality supportive materials can increase the price, as well. Each layer serves a unique purpose from airflow to back support to plush comfort for an all-around stellar sleep. 
  • Shipping – While some companies like Casper offer free mattress shipping within both the continental United States and Canada, others don’t. In general, you can expect to pay an additional $100 for mattress shipping.3
  • Foundations, frames, and accessories – When buying a new mattress, you should also factor in the cost of bed frames and box springs. On average, bed frames cost around $215 and box springs cost between $100 and $250.3

Whichever type you choose, don’t expect a fluffy and comfy experience right away. If the mattress is too firm, some of the ways to make it softer include breaking it in, flipping it over, covering it with a mattress topper, etc.

Investing In a Good Mattress with Casper

You spend roughly a third of your life asleep. Shouldn’t you make that third as comfortable as possible? Investing in a good mattress is more than a commitment to better sleep. It’s a commitment to a higher quality of life. So, it’s time to say goodnight to a bad mattress and invest in a bed that will elevate healthy sleep levels.

Not only will you better enjoy the time you have with your mattress but you’ll also prolong that time by starting out with a more durable, better-constructed mattress. Instead of losing its support or bounce after only a few years, your slightly more expensive mattress will make up for the extra upfront cost by lasting longer in the long term.

When mattress shopping, it’s always important to remember the best mattress for you will address your needs. Whether you’re in the market for a hybrid mattress or innerspring, king-size or California king, Casper has you covered—at a fraction of the price of other brands. 

Sources:

  1. Business Insider. How much does a new mattress cost? https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-a-mattress-cost
  2. Best Mattress Reviews. How Much Does A Good Mattress Cost? https://www.bestmattressreviews.com/how-much-does-a-good-mattress-cost/
  3. Consumer Affairs. How much does a mattress cost? https://www.consumeraffairs.com/furniture/how-much-does-a-mattress-cost.html