It can be hard to tell when it’s time to swap out a mattress. Because you sleep on it every night, you’re likely not noticing the small changes that occur gradually over time. Plus, mattresses are rarely replaced based on aesthetic reasons—after all, it’s completely covered up by bedding (and sometimes a mountain of throw pillows or stuffed animals).
You’re more likely to think about buying a new mattress when you start feeling those uncomfortable hills and valleys or routinely wake up tired and achy. But how can you replace your bed before you reach that point?
The best way to answer ‘How often should you replace your mattress?’ is to understand its expected lifespan and learn how to assess its condition and impact on your health before you’re losing sleep over it.
There are a few telltale signs that it’s time to replace your mattress with a new model. When inspecting your mattress, keep an eye out for:
It’s also important to consider your sleep experience. Physical signs that you may want to replace your mattress include:
Keep in mind that you’re especially likely to notice these issues if you’ve had your mattress for some time.
Mattresses generally last five to 10 years, but the same bed can have a very different outcome in different environments., For instance, a mattress isn’t going to hold up as well in a popular vacation rental as it will in a well-kept guest room.
Even still, some truths are universal—mattresses degrade over time, particularly under areas that receive consistent high pressure. At some point, all materials break down and lose their ability to rebound.
Mattresses can be broken down into four types based on materials. Under the same circumstances of original quality level, use, and care, you can typically expect the following lifespans:
Did you catch that “under the same circumstances of original quality level” note above? The original quality of a mattress’s materials and construction plays a huge role in longevity—that’s why consumers will sometimes pay a premium simply for a certain brand name.
There are a few ways you can judge quality when you’re shopping for a new mattress. In particular, you want to look for:
You can also look for third-party certifications, including:
Just as important is knowing what materials to avoid. These include:
Better mattresses will also often share information on test results related to:
Ultimately, by paying attention to materials, certifications, and test results, you can identify your new dream mattress.
Even the best mattresses won’t last forever, but with the right care and use, you can preserve yours for longer.
To get the most out of your mattress, make sure to:
Additionally, protect your mattress by avoiding the following:
Finally, if you do have signs of wear and age, you can consider adding:
A quality mattress is designed to provide a great night’s sleep for many years, but loss of support over time can lead to poor sleep and exacerbate medical issues. That means buying a replacement mattress isn’t just an investment in your household furniture—it’s an investment in your health and comfort. And research supports this.
According to a joint consensus statement from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, adults aged 18 to 60 years should get seven or more hours of undisturbed, good-quality sleep per night. Without this, adverse health outcomes can include:
That being said, new mattresses—particularly high-quality ones—don’t come cheap. So, how can you invest in your overall health without spending an arm and a leg?
While a mattress that serves your needs is an investment, you don’t have to have cash up front or sign up for costly financing to make your new mattress dreams a reality. Instead, consider lease-to-own if you want a better mattress now without running into credit barriers or sacrificing your financial flexibility.
With Katapult’s lease-to-own solution, you can bring home a new mattress and other home furnishings with no pressure. Decide later whether to convert your lease to full ownership or return an item you no longer need or have changed your mind on.
Make monthly lease payments that build toward owning the furniture outright, with the flexibility to cancel the lease at any time and return the item with no obligation (other than for any past-due amount).
It only takes minutes to apply for up to $3,500 in pre-approved lease-to-own power and start shopping for what you need in-person, online, or with the Katapult app.
There’s no credit required, no surprises, and no late fees—ever. Instead, Katapult helps you access purchasing power by looking beyond credit scores to understand your journey, so you can complete the path from “need” to “own” without stress.
Looking for more information on how long furniture should last? Check out “How Often Should You Replace Your Couch” and other helpful articles on our blog.
Sources:
Sleep Foundation. How Long Should a Mattress Last? https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-long-should-a-mattress-last
Healthline. Does a Good Mattress Lead to Better Sleep? https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/does-a-good-mattress-improve-sleep#how-to-shop
Sleep Advisor. Mattress Certifications Explained: CertiPURUs, Greenguard Gold, and more. https://www.sleepadvisor.org/mattress-certifications/
National Library of Medicine PubMed Central. Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4434546/