Returning an online mattress should be straightforward. Almost all online mattress companies clearly advertise their return and refund policies before you make your purchase. However, itโs important to remember that youโre responsible for understanding them before you check out.
Notably, mattress companies offer varying sleep trials, warranties, and return policies, which will affect how the return, exchange, or refund process works.
In this article, Iโll go through common fine print, frequently asked questions about free returns, and how to return your online mattress if you decide itโs not for you. Now, letโs get into it!
Navigating Mattress Return Policies
Sleep trials: The โtry-outโ periods a mattress company offers.
Sleep trials can range from 30 nights to 365 nights, depending on the brand. Itโs quite common for a bedโs sleep trial length to be longer when youโre ordering a more luxurious or expensive online mattress.
Almost all online mattress companies offer a sleep trial of some sort to allow you to break in your mattress and make up for the fact that you cannot physically try out the bed beforehand as you would in a brick-and-mortar shop (like Mattress Firm).
These sleep trials are typically โrisk-free,โ unless noted otherwise, meaning you can return your mattress and get a full refund if you do so before your bedโs sleep trial expires. However, some companies, such as Saatva or Brooklyn Bedding, charge a $99 return fee (this is not a restocking fee, as they cannot sell used beds, but a processing fee), which is deducted from your final refund. This is just one piece of fine print to look out for, which is why you should always check with customer service or closely review the conditions of your trial before finalizing your purchase.
Also, unless a trial is advertised, donโt expect a free trial or return if you arenโt ordering your mattress directly from the company that made it.
Warranties: When your mattress fails, but itโs not your fault.
Like sleep trials, mattress warranties can vary by brand. Many online mattresses offer 10-year to lifetime warranties. However, unlike sleep trials, warranties typically only allow you to return a mattress if something is wrong with it due to the manufacturer.
Normal wear and tear or use-related issues are not grounds for returning your mattress and receiving a full refund. But if your mattress collapses into itself due to faulty construction or is missing components, these could be reasons for a valid return and refund.
Furthermore, while lifetime warranties sound pretty impressive, many become prorated after 10 years, meaning you have to pay a portion of the replacement cost. For example, if you file a warranty claim after 10 years, you may need to pay 25% of the replacement cost; after 15 years, 50%.
In many cases, mattress brands will only exchange your faulty mattress rather than offer a refund. Furthermore, any replacement is strictly limited to the original purchaser, who must provide proof of purchase or the original form of payment (such as a purchase confirmation or credit card statement).
How to Return a Mattress
Make Sure Your Trial Dates Are Correct
First off, make sure your trial hasnโt expired before returning a mattress. This is key because companies strictly enforce trial deadlines, and unless your warranty covers your reason for returning it, theyโre unlikely to accept your bed even a second after the trial ends.
Double Check that You Havenโt Damaged It
You also want to make sure that you havenโt damaged the mattress or caused any stains (of any kind). Mattress companies will often ask you to send pictures before returning it, or have the people picking it up inspect it for any damage. This should be stated in any online companyโs fine print about the trial period, so itโs important to be careful during your trial period, and maybe use a waterproof mattress protector or approach the bed like a high-end T-shirt you arenโt sure you want to keep.
While companies suggest waiting 30 days to see if itโs the right fit, especially after letting a bed-in-a-box decompress (because it arrives vacuum-sealed), donโt act like the trial or break-in period means you can return the mattress in any shape and get a refund.
The Costco Exception: One exception to these conditions for a free return may be a Costco mattress. Costcoโs incredibly relaxed return policies may differ from those of brands like Nectar or Casper mattresses. However, itโs still important to double-check before you buy one of their mattresses, as policies can change.
Contact Customer Service
Online mattress companies will typically offer customer service via email, phone, or live chat. I would suggest live chat for the fastest results. When contacting customer service, simply say the mattress isnโt the right fit and that your sleep trial hasnโt expired.
Quite often, mattress companies may politely push back and offer mattress toppers or some kind of cooling tech so you keep your mattress, but you donโt have to accept it.
After finalizing the return with customer service, a pickup company will come to collect your mattress. This means you will not have to repackage the bed in its original, compressed mattress-in-a-box packaging. However, the company picking it up may inspect it. So, while the bed doesnโt need to be in its original packaging, they may still not accept your return if there are any stains, tears, or visible damage.
That said, if the bed is clearly in good shape and youโre returning it within the trial period, the return process should be pretty simple. But again, donโt forget that some companies may charge a return shipping fee, so itโs best to check before buying a new bed, or at least during the return process so you arenโt caught off guard when the process is finalized.
What Happens To Returned Mattresses
Legally, a mattress company cannot accept your return and resell the mattress as new. Because of this, the company usually has only a few options for handling returns.
Third-party sellers: Some companies or outlets specialize in selling used or returned mattresses that are still clearly usable for the long term. This can offer luxury mattresses for customers with lower budgets and prevent waste.
Donations: Mattress companies often have direct relationships with charitable organizations or institutions that donate used mattresses to people in need. Homeless shelters are one example of where a returned mattress can end up.
Recycling: While companies cannot resell a mattress as new, beds can still be broken down into parts that can be reused. For example, steel springs in innerspring mattresses can be melted down and reused, or foam from memory-foam mattresses can be used in carpet padding or insulation. Multiple components can be reused in other products, which also helps prevent waste.
Trash: Unfortunately, in some cases, especially when customers live in more remote areas, donating or breaking down a mattress may not be financially viable for the company. This means the company may resort to simply throwing the mattress away.
Furthermore, if local charities in your region arenโt willing to accept a used mattress (due to hygiene concerns, etc.), a company may ask you to dispose of it yourself. This is fairly rare and circumstantial, and is actually highly regulated or discouraged, if allowed at all, but can happen.
Tossing a bed in the trash is more common with cheaper mattresses found on Amazon, where picking up and processing the mattress is financially impractical for a company when a buyer is so remote or inaccessible. In that case, I suggest checking out our guide on disposing of a mattress, or posting on Craigslist if local charities donโt exist or arenโt willing to take it.
If you are an eco-friendly shopper, you can always ask customer service how they handle returned mattresses or what they plan to do with your mattress. They may not be able to answer offhand, but these are the typical protocols mattress companies use when accepting returns.
Key Takeaways
Always Review the Fine Print
Even if it says โrisk-free trialโ or โlifetime warranty,โ there may be a clause somewhere that youโre not seeing. You can often clarify this by looking more closely at a productโs FAQ or contacting customer service with any questions or concerns before making your purchase.
Third-Party Is Not the Company
If you arenโt purchasing directly from the mattress company that manufactures it, the companyโs policies likely donโt apply. Youโll also have to rely on the third-party sellerโs customer service for a return (which may not be as good as a big-name brandโs), which is why I always suggest buying directly from the company.
Take Care During the Trial
Obviously, you want to know if a mattress matches your lifestyle and sleeping patterns. However, sleep trials are not an anything-goes situation; if you arenโt sure youโre going to keep it and only have a 120-night sleep trial, make sure to keep it in tip-top shape.
Take Your Time and Choose Wisely
Donโt forget that a mattress is a long-term investment in your overall health and well-being. Try not to rush an online mattress purchase and do the research to find the mattress that works best for you.
Consider how you sleep (side or back), your lifestyle, your room size, and your partnerโs preferences (among other things). Many mattresses get used for up to a decade, so itโs essential to check the fine print, especially in case something happens down the line. I would also apply this approach to adjustable bases and bed frames.
I suggest taking a look at our top mattress picks available today, and if youโre a wary shopper or on a budget, consider checking out our best mattresses for the money review for 2026.
FAQs
Can you return a mattress you bought online?
Yes, the vast majority of online mattress companies allow returns within a specified sleep-trial period. These trials commonly range from one month to an entire year, allowing you to try the mattress out at home to make sure it is right for you. Considering that return windows and policies can vary greatly by manufacturer, make sure that you review the fine print.
How do you return an online mattress?
After reading your mattressโs return policy, you can contact customer service to initiate a return request. Many online companies make this a fairly seamless endeavor by providing detailed instructions. These can be different depending on the companyโs policies so make sure that you are following the directions they provide you. Once the return requirements are met, the company typically processes your refund in accordance with its return policy.
How long do you have to return an online mattress?
The amount of time you have to return a mattress you purchased online depends on the companyโs sleep trial and return policy. Most online mattresses offer a sleep trial lasting several months, with some allowing you to try it for a full year. However, please note that most bed-in-a-box companies also require you to keep the mattress for a minimum number of nights before initiating a return.
Do you have to sleep on a mattress for a certain number of nights before returning it?
Most online mattress manufacturers have a policy that requires you to sleep on the bed for a minimum number of nights (usually 30) before you can initiate a return. This is to ensure that the mattress has had time to break in and that your body has had time to adjust to it. Although rare, some companies may allow a return without a minimum break-in period.
Do you need the original packaging to return a mattress?
Although we canโt say this never happens, we have not encountered a company that requires you to return the original packaging (or get the bed back in the box) for a return. A bed-in-a-box expands fairly rapidly once it is out of the box and plastic wrapping, and it would be next to impossible for someone to get it back into the shape in which it arrived. However, return policies vary, so check the companyโs requirements before throwing away packaging, especially for mattresses purchased from third-party retailers.
