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Mattress shopping isn’t what it used to be. The days of driving from store to store comparison shopping are over. No more salesmen droning in your ear. No more testing out row after row of mattresses under harsh fluorescent lighting. Thanks to the bed in a box, a growing number of consumers are shifting their search to the internet. Online mattress manufacturers now offer durable, luxurious mattresses that can be delivered straight to your door in a compact box. These days, the best bed in a box and a good night’s sleep are only a click away.
The mattress in a box movement feels relatively new, having not gained much attention until 2012. That’s when two ex-Silicon Valley entrepreneurs created Tuft & Needle, the bed in a box start-up that began it all. But the idea wasn’t theirs. In fact, the concept has been around since 2006, when Bill Bradley invented a machine that could compress mattresses. With this new technology, it became easy to ship a product that was previously a handling nightmare. What he never understood, that later start-ups did, was that with the right marketing, this product could rule the game.
Today, the bed in a box concept has grown into a $1.5 billion industry, accounting for 12% of all mattress sales. Thanks to millennials and their penchant for online shopping, those figures are only continuing to grow. It’s no wonder, either. With high-quality mattresses at such a reasonable price point, you’ll never bother wasting time in a mattress store again.
Recommended Mattress in a Box Brands
These are some of the most recommended mattress in a box brands:
What Is a Mattress In a Box and How Is It Different?
The mattresses most people are used to shouldn’t come in a box. It doesn’t make sense. Mattresses are huge, cumbersome, and awkward to move. They’re loaded with springs that making folding impossible. And yet, bed in a box companies have managed to squeeze their products into cardboard boxes no bigger than a coffee table. They’ve made this possible by challenging the way mattresses have traditionally been constructed.
Most bed in a box companies have done away with springs and coils, opting for specialized foams and gels. More porous materials make it easier to compress mattresses down to a portable size. Multiple densities of memory foam, along with latex, are stacked to create an ideal sleep experience for all kinds of sleepers.
Not All Mattresses Are Made Equally
Before you begin your online mattress hunt, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The construction materials are not the only factor separating a traditional mattress from a bed in a box. The other main difference is the sales method. Traditional beds come in various models that often differ in name and composition depending on region and retailer. Most bed in a box companies, on the other hand, make a single model, or very few models. This means you have to be extra vigilant when online shopping for mattresses and be open to exploring different brands. Just because a mattress receives consistently high ratings doesn’t mean it’s the best bed in a box for you.
Our top picks for January 2025
9.9
9.9
Hybrid
Each mattress in a box company has a specific focus. Some are all about being organic, some manufacture “smartbeds,” some have a luxury angle, and some are all about affordability. You need to know what you’re looking for in a mattress. Keep in mind the qualities that are most important to you: support, relief, overall comfort, etc. Remember that as easy as it was to ship and install your bed in a box, returning it isn’t always so simple.
Should You Purchase A Bed In A Box?
A mattress is an investment – you shouldn’t rush into it. Before you decide whether or not a bed in a box is right for you, take a moment to consider the pros and cons.
Pros
- Affordability. Because compressed mattresses are smaller and easier to handle, shipping costs are lower than for traditional mattresses. Because of the low overhead of online businesses, bed in a box companies can offer their products for cheaper.
- Good quality. Despite the lack of various models for most bed in a box companies, they are consistently well-reviewed. Most boxed mattresses receive high marks for stability, durability, and firmness.
- Hassle-free comparison shopping. Shopping for mattresses at brick and mortar mattress shops is exhausting and boring. Reading descriptions and reviews online makes comparison shopping much easier.
- Risk-free. Even with extensive research, online shopping is still a gamble, and online mattress companies know this. That’s why nearly all bed in a box manufacturers offer generous trial periods, usually 100 days, but sometimes more. If in the end you decide its not for you, you can organize a return and, in most cases, receive a full refund. And don’t worry about how to to get a memory foam mattress back in the box – these companies don’t expect you to, since you’d need special technology in order to do so.
Cons
- Fewer models. Each bed in a box company focuses on one model or a select few models. Unlike a mattress retailer, where all brands are lined up next to each other, you have to shop around.
- Can’t try before you buy. This can be an issue for shoppers who have trouble making a commitment. Most companies make up for this with long trial periods. Nectar trial periods are a full 365 days!
Check Price
More details
Eco-friendly
Adjustable design
Hybrid & all-foam options
7 zone body support
No video tutorials
Firmness Level
More details
Pick from an entry-range and superb-quality mattress
HexaGrid layer made with orthopedic consultations for optimal support
Minimal motion transfer when turning around
Generous warranty for each product
Cover isn’t removable
Considerable HexaGrid layer thickness difference in two models
More details
Medium-firm support allows comfort for all sleep positions
10 year warranty & risk-free 150 night trial
Breathable & washable top cover
Award-winning mattress
Customer support is limited
They don't dispose of old mattresses for you
Lacking edge support
What to Expect Now that You’ve Found the Best Bed In a Box For You
Most mattresses will arrive from a few days to a few weeks after ordering. On the day it arrives, it will come in a cardboard box about 1.5 by 3.5 feet. Don’t be fooled by its small size, though. Depending on the size of mattress you ordered, it can weight anywhere from 50 lbs to 150 lbs. If moving this weight is a concern for you, be sure to look for a company that offers white-glove delivery. For a fee, some companies will offer free unpackaging, installation, and even old mattress removal.
Next is the exciting part: unwrapping the mattress. Before packaging, the mattress will be compressed, folded, and rolled, then wrapped in multiple layers of plastic. Use a pair of sharp scissors or a knife to cut through the wrapping. You’ll notice the mattress immediately begin decompressing. If you have just bought a bedframe, be sure to assemble it before decompressing the mattress, as moving it will be difficult. It can take between 30 minutes to several hours for the mattress to decompress completely.
You may or may not also notice a plastic-y smell coming from your mattress as a result of a process called off-gassing. This happens when the volatile organic compounds found in memory foam begin to break down. It may be unpleasant, but the smell will usually disappear in a few hours, or at most, a few days. And don’t worry, it’s non-toxic – just stinky. You may want to open a window to help the smell dissipate more quickly. It’s important to note that not all bed in a box mattresses have this off-gassing effect.
Brands to Consider
Our top picks for January 2025
Don’t Rush To a Decision
The bed in a box has completely revolutionized the way we choose our mattresses. What was once such a hassle to buy and install had become infinitely more manageable, and even fun! Though you may be eager to tear open your new mattress and watch it decompress right away, remember that online mattress shopping requires research and consideration. Before you decide which is the best bed in a box for you, explore our site to learn more. With articles on purchasing a mattress, brand reviews, and our handy comparison tool, everything you need to know is here!
