Not Costco, Not Amazon: Consumer Reports' Best Place To Buy Mattresses

Hunting down a new perfect mattress is no fun at all. Unfortunately, it's something that needs to be done regularly, as you should be replacing your mattress at least every eight to 10 years. There are a lot of options, both online and in person, which makes it hard to decide exactly where you should shop. Thankfully, Consumer Reports helped to narrow down your choices by announcing the best retailer to buy your new bed from. The Original Mattress Factory won that distinction, even beating well-known companies like Amazon and Costco. 

Consumer Reports ranked The Original Mattress Factory highest because of its impressive customer scores on multiple fronts. This company came out on top in key areas, including service, cleanliness, and selection. According to Consumer Reports, the floor models are generally clean, the shipping is fast, and the products arrive in good condition. Additionally, the store has a one-year Comfort Policy that allows customers to swap out their mattress for a new one for 25% of the new bed's price.

To get a well-rounded opinion, Consumer Reports based its rankings on a survey of nearly 10,000 members who had recently bought a mattress. For many, one positive aspect of The Original Mattress Factory was the price. Other companies received pretty unimpressive ratings for their prices, but this company was one of the few that had great scores from customers when it came to cost. Reviews of The Original Mattress Factory online are also generally positive, supporting Consumer Reports' claims. Some other positives include the mattresses' comfort and the up-to-12-year warranty. 

The Original Mattress Factory has over 100 stores in the United States, and it offers online shopping all over the country. It has its own mattresses, but it also sells some from other companies. The physical storefronts make it an accessible option for many people wanting to try out a mattress before making a purchase. It doesn't require a membership like Costco, nor is it restricted to online-only shopping like Amazon.

The Original Mattress Factory has one limitation: Its physical stores are only in certain regions. In fact, unless you live in the eastern part of the United States or the Midwest, you likely don't have one near you. This can be a problem when it comes to picking out a mattress if you aren't sure what you want.

Normally, buying online-only isn't the worst. With return policies and trial periods, you still get the chance to find your perfect bed. Unfortunately, this isn't really possible with The Original Mattress Factory. Though it does have the one-year Comfort Policy, some customers aren't happy that the company doesn't do normal returns. Any accessories, like bed frames and pillows, can be donated for a full refund within 30 days. However, when it comes to the mattress itself, there is no refund option.

Despite these drawbacks, The Original Mattress Factory is a great company to buy from. But you still need to figure out how to choose the best mattress, especially if you don't have a store nearby to try one out first. This will boil down to first determining the type of material you want, such as memory foam or latex, and then deciding on the size, the firmness, and the breathability. Take some time to do your research and feel out a few different materials and firmness levels before making your final purchase online. Since you spend roughly a third of your life in bed, this is the one bedroom essential Nate Berkus says you should splurge on every time.