So, you are in the market for a new mattress. You are going from store to store, collecting information, trying out beds, seeing what is on sale and what the best deal is you can find. One of the questions you ask of the salespeople you meet is, "How long will this mattress last?" And the response from the salesperson is almost always how long the warranty is. But that is not the right answer! The mattress will not usually last as long as the warranty. In fact, I have included links here to many of the nation's top retailers. Each of them suggests replacing your new mattress every 5, 7 or 8 years! I will bet you none of the salespeople told you that $2000 mattress would need replacing in 5 years, did they? Not likely.

Sleep Train in California - Every 5-7 years

Mancini's Sleep World every 5-7 years

Of course, the reason they don't tell you this in the store is you won't buy a 2, 3, 4 thousand dollar mattress if it is going to need replacing in 5-7 years, will you? Why do companies use such deceptive practices?

The mattress industry is dominated by big name brands, which are publicly traded, and basically they need you back in the stores buying new mattresses every few years to pad their bottom line. If they saw you once every 10-12 years, they would not be as profitable. So, they make mattresses which are, by design, made to last a very short amount of time. If they recommend replacing in 5 years, that means it will likely start to break down in 3-4 years. 

All mattresses are not made this way. For example, the mattresses we carry from Bed In A Box and the Nest Organics are designed to last 10, 12, 15 years and longer, depending on the model. Take care of them with a good, waterproof, breathable cover and you can expect them to provide clean support for years.

So, the next time you are shopping, do your homework first, and find out how long the brand you are considering really lasts, what it is made from and not just how long the warranty lasts. Warranties do not cover normal wear and tear.