Should You Buy Your Next Mattress from Walmart? Here‘s What You Need to Know
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I‘ve helped countless customers find the right mattress to meet their needs and budget. And one question I get asked again and again is: should I buy a mattress from Walmart?
It‘s easy to see why Walmart is an appealing option. The retail giant offers unbeatable convenience with over 4,700 stores nationwide and fast delivery times through walmart.com. Not to mention the massive selection of mattress brands, materials, sizes and prices to choose from.
But is Walmart the best place to buy your next mattress? Or are there better options for certain shoppers?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into everything you need to know before purchasing a mattress from Walmart. I‘ll draw from my expertise in ecommerce, logistics and working with major retailers like Walmart from a seller‘s perspective.
Let‘s start with a quick rundown of the top pros and cons:
Walmart Mattress Buying Pros and Cons
Pros
- Huge selection of major mattress brands and models
- Very low pricing compared to other national retailers
- Convenient shopping experience online and in-store
- Options for home delivery or free in-store pickup
- Availability of 90-100 night trial periods on some mattresses
- Can purchase all bedding needs (sheets, pillows, frames) in one place
Cons
- Limited trial periods and strict return policy
- Mixed mattress reviews and quality concerns
- Can often find better deals direct from manufacturers
- Some delivery delays and stock issues reported
This gives you an overview of Walmart‘s advantages as a mattress retailer, as well as areas where other options may provide better value and service.
Next, let‘s get into the details on what you can expect from the Walmart mattress buying experience.
Walmart Offers an Extensive Selection of Mattress Brands and Models
As the world‘s largest retailer, Walmart uses its sheer size and buying power to offer a vast array of mattress makes and models within its stores and online. Just a few major brands you can find at Walmart include:
- Sealy
- Serta
- Beautyrest
- Tempur-Pedic
- Signature Sleep
- Lucid
- Zinus
- Tuft and Needle
- Ghostbed
- Casper
- Purple
- Leesa
Walmart also sells its own exclusive mattress brand Allswell, which we‘ll cover in more detail shortly.
Across all these brands, Walmart offers all the most popular mattress varieties:
- Memory foam
- Hybrid
- Innerspring
- Latex
- Pillow-top
- Adjustable air beds
You can also find more specialized options like oval, RV and boat mattresses.
With such an enormous selection – often hundreds of choices – Walmart is great for shoppers who aren‘t set on one particular brand and want options across a range of prices.
Walmart‘s Mattress Prices Are Typically Lower Than Other Major Retailers
One key advantage Walmart touts for mattress shoppers is lower pricing versus competitors. Walmart can leverage their massive buying power to secure deals from manufacturers. And they operate on razor thin profit margins to undercut specialty mattress stores.
To illustrate the price differences, here‘s a comparison of two popular queen size mattresses available at Walmart, Amazon and Mattress Firm:
| Brand | Model | Walmart Price | Amazon Price | Mattress Firm Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sealy | Response Firm | $352 | $599 | $749 |
| Serta | iComfort Hybrid | $1,099 | $1,399 | $1,499 |
As you can see, Walmart offers significant savings over other retailers – sometimes over $100 lower for the exact same mattress!
Across all mattress categories, Walmart‘s discounted prices make them hard to beat on cost alone. Just keep in mind that lower prices can sometimes mean compromises on features, quality or customization.
Walmart‘s Own Allswell Brand Offers Solid Value
In addition to mainstream brands, mattress shoppers at Walmart should also consider the retailer‘s own exclusive line: Allswell.
Launched in 2018, Allswell focuses on hybrid memory foam mattresses priced significantly below name brands. The standard Allswell Mattress starts at just $265 in a twin. And the higher-end Luxe Hybrid model is only $645 for a queen.
Here‘s an overview of Allswell‘s current mattress options and materials:
- The Allswell Mattress – 10" hybrid featuring 2" copper gel memory foam, 2" memory foam and 6" pocketed coils. Firmer feel.
- The Luxe Hybrid Mattress – 14" mid-level hybrid with quilted top, 2" gel memory foam, 2" memory foam and 8" pocketed coils. Medium feel.
- The Supreme Mattress – 14" premium hybrid with quilted top, graphite and copper infused foam, 2" gel memory foam, 2" memory foam and 8" pocketed coils. Plush feel.
Considering the high quality foams and coil support, Allswell mattresses rate very well for durability and owner satisfaction. The prices are comparable to budget brands like Zinus and Lucid but with better materials.
For shoppers wanting an affordable yet quality mattress from Walmart, Allswell is a great option that outperforms other value brands.
Convenient Shopping Experience In-Store or Online
Another perk of buying a mattress through Walmart is the convenient omnichannel shopping experience.
You can either:
Shop online – Browse mattresses on Walmart‘s website, compare models and order with fast home delivery or in-store pickup.
Buy in-store – Test mattresses in person at your local Walmart, then either take it home or order delivery through an associate.
Either route is designed to be quick and hassle-free. Walmart‘s website makes finding the perfect mattress simple with its filtering tools and mattress buying guide.
In-store associates can answer questions and recommend options tailored to your preferences. However, selection is often more limited in-store versus the entire inventory online.
Overall, Walmart aims to simplify mattress shopping whether you like browsing online or trying in a store.
Walmart Offers Multiple Delivery Options
Once you‘ve selected your new mattress, Walmart gives you a few delivery methods to choose from:
In-store pickup – Order online and pick up at your local store. Fastest and cheapest option.
Home delivery – For an additional fee, Walmart can ship mattresses to your door via freight carrier in 2-3 weeks. Not compressed.
Bed-in-a-box – Some foam and hybrid mattresses can ship compressed inside a box for more affordable shipping rates.
Same-day delivery – In some regions, Walmart offers convenient same-day mattress delivery within just a few hours.
Opting for in-store pickup is the best way to avoid costly shipping charges. But home delivery gives you the convenience of contactless dropping off.
Trial Periods and Product Returns
One common concern shoppers have about buying a mattress online is not being able to test it first.
The good news is that Walmart provides 90-100 night risk-free trials on select mattress brands like Allswell, Lucid and Nectar. If you decide the mattress isn‘t right, you can return it for a full refund within the trial window.
However, there are some limitations on Walmart mattress returns to be aware of:
Mattress must be in original packaging unworn and unsoiled
You need the original receipt or order number
Return shipping costs are not refunded
Third party marketplace sellers may have different policies
So while you can take advantage of a trial period, the return requirements are strict. You won‘t get a refund if you‘ve unboxed, worn or damaged the mattress.
Overall, Walmart‘s return policy is not as flexible as buying direct from some mattress brands that offer free returns after at-home trials. But having 90-100 days to test out a mattress is still a nice perk.
Warranties Provide Protection Against Manufacturing Defects
When you purchase a new mattress from Walmart, it will come with some type of manufacturer‘s warranty. Most mattress warranties are at least 10 years, covering workmanship and defects.
Here are examples of common warranty periods by mattress type:
- Memory foam – 10-15 years
- Latex – 15-20 years
- Hybrid – 10-15 years
- Innerspring – 10 years
Keep in mind that mattress warranties don‘t protect against normal wear and tear or improper support. Be sure to fully understand the warranty coverage, claim process and exclusions before purchasing a mattress.
Having a robust warranty can provide peace of mind that your mattress investment is protected against premature breakdown. Most customers report smooth experiences making warranty claims through Walmart if issues arise.
All Your Bedding Essentials in One Place
Once you select a comfortable new mattress, it‘s convenient that Walmart offers all the additional bedding gear you might need:
- Bed frames
- Mattress protectors
- Pillows
- Comforters
- Blankets
- Sheets
Being able to buy your mattress and all accessories in one order through Walmart can greatly simplify the bedding shopping process.
Walmart also has very competitive pricing on bedding essentials like quality sheets for under $20 in queen size. Completing your entire bedroom overhaul couldn‘t be easier.
Should You Buy Directly From Mattress Brands Instead?
With such a stellar selection and low prices, Walmart may seem like an obvious choice for buying a new mattress. But in some cases, you might actually save more money by purchasing directly from a mattress manufacturer.
Here are some potential benefits to buying a mattress directly rather than through a retailer like Walmart:
- Lower prices – Cutting out the retail margin can mean better discounts
- Bundle offers – Free pillows, sheets, mattress protectors thrown in
- Financing – 0% APR financing over 12-18 months
- Expanded trials – Try for up to 365 nights risk-free
- Easier returns – Often free pick-up returns versus drop-off
- Better policies – Lifetime comfort guarantees
For example, brands like Nectar, Dreamcloud and Casper offer generous bundled deals and discounted pricing for first-time direct buyers. And you can try out their mattresses for a full year versus the 90 day trial at Walmart.
The direct-to-consumer model also gives manufacturers valuable customer data to improve products and service.
However, buying direct does have some downsides to consider:
- Less ability to test in-person before buying
- Potential delays in manufacturing and shipping
- Smaller companies may have lower reliability
- Less recourse if issues arise
Whether direct mattress buying or third party retail is best for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. But it‘s always smart to compare all your options.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Walmart Mattress
Now that we‘ve weighed the pros and cons of buying from Walmart, let‘s discuss the key factors to keep in mind as you shop:
Price
Walmart‘s bargain pricing makes them hard to beat from a cost perspective. Just be wary of any mattresses that seem suspiciously cheap – quality could be compromised.
Brands
Stick to well-reviewed national brands, or give Walmart‘s Allswell mattress line a try for solid quality at low prices.
Materials
Choose mattress types that align with your sleep position and firmness preference. Test different materials like memory foam if you aren‘t sure what feels best.
Sizes
Measure your bedroom space carefully. While a larger mattress sounds better, make sure it actually fits, especially around tight corners and doors.
Trial Periods
Take advantage of 90+ day trials from brands like Nectar to test out the mattress at home before fully committing.
Return Policies
Understand the restrictions around returns in case the mattress doesn‘t work out for you. Easy returns may be better buying direct.
Thinking through these aspects will help you select the optimal mattress for your needs from Walmart‘s sea of options.
Bottom Line: Walmart is Best for Convenience and Price
As you can see, Walmart provides exceptional convenience and one-stop shopping for mattress buyers focused on getting the lowest price. With the widest selection of brands, multiple delivery options, and competitive pricing, Walmart is hard to top for budget-minded shoppers.
However, customers wanting maximum trial periods, premium materials, or bundled freebies may find better value purchasing through specific mattress brands directly.
There are solid benefits to both options. Take the time to decide what matters most for your individual mattress purchase. If cost savings and convenience are priorities, Walmart will very likely have the perfect mattress waiting for you.
I hope this comprehensive guide gives you all the tools you need to decide if Walmart is the best place to buy your next new mattress. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help. Enjoy your new quality sleep!
