What factors affect mattress prices and how to compare them? 1 czerwca 2023 |
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Discrepancies in mattress prices still surprise us. How is it possible that a mattress of the same width can have a price starting from a few hundred Polish złoty and ending up at several thousand Polish złoty? How can we find a balance between price and quality of a mattress to find a truly good mattress at the right price?
As with most products, the price of a mattress mainly depends on the size of the bed we have, which is related to the size of the living space. However, it is generally known that the price of a mattress will be lower for narrower ones and higher for wider mattresses, but these differences should not be significant. The price of an ideal mattress from an ethical manufacturer will be similar.
The amount of money we allocate for a new mattress depends mainly on our budget, but increasingly also on our knowledge. Consumers are starting to realize that functionality is the most important criteria in choosing a mattress. At the same time, mattress prices don't have to be high to be good. There is a certain threshold that cannot be exceeded in the production costs of a mattress because there are no materials that would cost more. Even with a decent margin for the manufacturer and the store. However, this price cannot be too low because good materials are usually more expensive.
Especially for the needs of the article about mattress prices, we have analyzed the prices of a 160x200 mattress, which is the most popular size in Europe. We also focused on the foam mattress, which is the most commonly chosen type. The prices are sourced from official store websites. Due to our honest approach to legal regulations, we cannot present their names.
We divided the mattress prices into four categories directly related to the budget we have for mattress purchase:
Many people believe that choosing the most expensive mattress will guarantee the highest comfort. However, basing our decision solely on the mattress price is not the right approach. It's not necessarily true that the higher the price we pay for a mattress, the better its quality will be. This doesn't mean that we should choose the cheapest mattresses that may not be good due to the low cost of materials.
Keep in mind that the market does not tolerate emptiness. Literally, in every price category, we will find mattresses with specific parameters. These parameters translate into specific functionality or the lack thereof. The quality of the mattresses also varies despite the price range, but it's not the price that determines it.
When considering mattress prices in the Polish market, you can often find two types of mattresses at too low prices. The first type consists of potentially harmful spring mattresses, which are often hybrids of coconut fiber mattresses. The second type is made up of foam mattresses constructed from materials with extremely low quality, which include closed-cell foams in their structure.
The majority of cheap mattresses offered at prices up to 2500 Polish zlotys appear to be firm mattresses that quickly lose their shape. These are unjustifiably recommended to people suffering from spinal conditions. Despite this repeated myth, under no circumstances are they good, as they cause improper body support and lack proper spinal support. Their use can lead to a range of troublesome ailments, such as headaches upon waking or reduction of cervical lordosis. They may also affect well-being, leading to issues such as insomnia.
However, mattresses priced up to 2500 Polish zlotys are the lowest quality choice. The low mattress price forces the manufacturer to cover both the production cost and the margins, along with transport expenses. As a result, a 160x200 mattress at such a low price will contain the cheapest and lowest-quality materials.
The high firmness of a cheap mattress is not due to the manufacturer's concern for the alleged spinal health, but rather from production constraints. Cheap pocket spring mattresses, including multipocket mattresses and any other type of spring mattresses, contain very hard and massive springs. These springs are the cheapest to buy for manufacturers, but their positive aspects end there.
Similarly, too cheap foam mattresses, priced at around 3000 Polish zlotys on average, are characterized by low quality and durability. They are usually made with closed-cell foams of type T, which are inexpensive but have a dubious impact on health. Their closed cell structure and high firmness initially give an illusion of comfort and durability. However, they quickly degrade and deform. After just a few months of use, a too cheap foam mattress becomes indented and, as a consequence, does not return to its original shape.
The degradation of foam in the cheapest mattresses leads to permanent indentations in the areas where we sleep. Complaints regarding this issue are systematically rejected, attributed to the inherent properties of the materials and incorrect use, such as selecting an inappropriate mattress based on weight or body structure. Even though the firmness of a mattress should not be selected based on such unscientific criteria.
As practice shows, mattresses for sleeping at average prices, around 4000 Polish złoty, are currently the most common choice among Europeans. On the most popular 160x200 mattress, we spend on average between 2000 and 4000 Polish złoty, but under the influence of sellers, it can even go up to 8000 Polish złoty.
Sometimes it may seem that the high price of a mattress indicates its quality. However, it is reasonable to expect that at a moderate price, we will get a functional, high-quality mattress if we buy it directly from an honest manufacturer. In reality, this does not always happen, as the prices of mattresses are influenced by other factors, and above all, the human factor.
Going to a typical mattress store, we can expect a common practice of selling very low-quality mattresses at a moderate price. Often, the same mattress is sold for 8000 Polish złoty, which under a different name costs 5000 Polish złoty. This is only due to the desire to optimize the margin, that is, to constantly increase the store's profit at the expense of the customer. Margins in such stores reach even 800%, which allows for the use of apparent discounts. Discounts in the range of 50-70% have become a common sight in the mattress landscape.
Alongside attaching great importance to the price of mattresses, a large portion of consumers make purchases based on visual characteristics. We assume that the mattress should match the bedroom's color scheme, look luxurious, or present nicely. Too often, we pay little attention to what specific features a particular mattress has on the inside. Yet, it is its interior that matters most.
When the price of a mattress is moderate or high, sometimes we automatically assume that the manufacturer used polyurethane foams of particularly good quality. However, the information obtained from sellers and manufacturers often contradicts this assumption. Although the chosen mattress may look very appealing visually, it does not necessarily stem from the use of high-quality foams but rather from employing non-functional, yet attractive covers.
A reputable mattress manufacturer always provides consumers with the full specifications of materials used in their production, especially the parameters of polyurethane foams. The foam designation consists of one or two letters, as well as four or five digits, which refer to the density and hardness of the specific mattress layer. For example, HR3530 denotes open-cell high-resilience foam (HR) with a density of 35 kg/m2 (35) and a hardness of 3.0 kPa (30). Although sellers and manufacturers must disclose such information, they often conceal it.
The purchase of a mattress is almost always associated with a high level of risk. Therefore, one should be careful with mattresses whose specifications and functionalities are not adequately described. Difficulties in this regard are often noticed with private label mattresses of specific stores. Sellers often encourage their purchase due to high margins.
As part of the name game technique, sellers convince us that they have the same mattress offered by a well-known brand. It is more expensive, but they can give a bigger discount on it. Consequently, the price difference is blurred. A consumer who lacks knowledge about sales techniques and mattress parameters will trust them and buy the proposed mattress.
As a result, the customer ends up with exactly the same mattress they wanted to purchase but at a higher price. Additionally, approximately 3/4 of customers who shared their experiences with other stores report that they tried to return such mattresses, but were prevented from doing so.
At ONSEN®, we are not focused on selling our own mattresses and pillows, but rather on spreading knowledge through the widespread dissemination of reliable information. We dream that everyone can enjoy a comfortable and healthy sleep. That is why we have prepared a mattress knowledge guide, which allows you to have conversations with mattress sellers as an expert.
All ONSEN® mattresses come with a full description of their properties along with the specific parameters of individual materials used. It is this transparency and direct sales that enables us to maintain the best prices for orthopedic mattresses and pillows. At the same time, we guarantee their highest quality.
Very often, the prices of mattresses composed of only two layers of dubious-quality foams are higher than the iconic Osaka Air mattress we produce at ONSEN®. This is due to the very high markups applied by most manufacturers and sellers on their products. Additionally, the production of a two-layer mattress, especially with low-quality foams, is significantly cheaper.
Having only two or three layers in a foam mattress is insufficient to achieve an optimal level of support, rebound, comfort, and durability. So, if the price of a two-layer mattress is too high and the seller is eagerly pushing its purchase, it is likely to have a very high markup applied to it. Especially when their first question was about your budget.
The highest price range for mattresses starts from 6000 Polish zloty (~1500 euros). In the case of a 160x200 mattress, it typically goes up to 16,000 Polish zloty (~4000 euros). Mattresses in this price range usually have a good visual presentation on the outside, creating an impression that they are also built with the best materials on the inside. However, this is often just an illusion.
The offer of premium mattresses includes mattresses of all kinds. These are various types of mattresses such as foam, latex, or spring mattresses, including pocket and multipocket mattresses. Expensive mattresses may also include layers of coconut coir or buckwheat, which are relatively inexpensive materials overall.
There are also mattresses made with horsehair as part of their production. One of the Swedish companies offers these mattresses. They are some of the most expensive mattresses in the world, with a price of up to approximately 150,000 dollars. This mattress model is not only made with layers of horsehair but also includes springs. The production costs are relatively low, while their functionality is minimal.
Looking at the mattress industry, one can draw conclusions that mattresses priced above 6000 Polish zloty for the popular size of 160x200 are sold by a few dominant companies in the market. These companies have their representatives in several European countries, and most of their resources are dedicated to marketing rather than improving their products. Their sales strategy is based on two elements.
The first element is to convince the consumer to buy an expensive mattress by creating an impression of its exceptionality. The foams used in these mattresses are given elaborate names. Most often, they are popular memory foam mattresses, featuring a top layer of visco foam. This foam was invented over 70 years ago and is not extraordinary, and its use in the top layer of the mattress carries a high risk.
The second element is to persuade the consumer that the most expensive mattress is also the most prestigious. Such customers often buy mattresses at the highest prices, disregarding their actual value and functionality. As a result, they often spend additional money on physiotherapists, doctors, or sleep accessories.
The quality of memory foam mattresses is often tried to be justified by their high density, which can reach up to 90 kg/m3. However, in the case of this polyurethane foam, higher density means limited air circulation, leading to more overheating and sweating during sleep.
Customers who buy the most expensive mattresses often want to return them quickly. Unfortunately, in many cases, this is impossible due to the stringent return policies in place by manufacturers and most stores. Return options typically focus on the possibility of exchanging the mattress for a more expensive model or refunding part of the payment after deducting additional costs.
The prices of mattresses starting from 6000 Polish zloty include costs related to maintaining foreign offices of large corporations, as well as TV advertisements and other forms of promotion and marketing. They are also burdened with gigantic markups by sellers who often buy them for less than half of the selling price.
As an ethical and reputable manufacturer of the highest quality high-resilience, functional memory foam mattresses, ONSEN® is aware of the value of each mattress model available in the market. We know that the production cost of a mattress priced above 6000 Polish zloty does not significantly differ from the production cost of mattresses from the average price range.
Using high-quality materials makes it very difficult to buy a standard memory foam mattress 160x200 for less than 4000 Polish zloty, as the materials themselves are more expensive. However, those priced above 6000 Polish zloty are almost always composed mainly of markup, as such expensive materials hardly exist. Opposing practices that many of us consider misleading, we discourage the purchase of expensive mattresses.
Every week, ONSEN® specialists have conversations with several people who have purchased mattresses for tens of thousands of Polish zloty and are unable to sleep on them. Such individuals often mention that their memory foam mattresses with cooling gel are extremely uncomfortable and heat up excessively. They also cause sinking and significantly increase night sweating. The feeling of sleeping on a cloud turns out to be a nightmare, and the natural change of sleep positions for humans becomes nearly impossible.
Currently, there are several channels for buying mattresses. Most of us are aware that the cheapest mattresses are sold in large, well-known furniture discount stores. However, they are often characterized by poor quality, even though they can be purchased cheaply and readily, taking advantage of constant discounts reaching 50-70% off the alleged original price.
Meanwhile, more expensive and higher-quality mattresses can be purchased both from online stores and from a wide range of brick-and-mortar mattress stores. It is quite common for customers to explore the offerings of a particular mattress manufacturer during a visit to a physical store, but they make the purchase itself through an online store. In theory, this can sometimes be a cheaper and more convenient alternative.
Theoretically, buying a mattress online allows for a statutory return within 14 days from the purchase, which many of us consider as a proper protection of our purchase. However, it turns out that for most sellers, the mattress return policy is misleading. Many sellers limit basic consumer rights to returning unopened mattresses, contrary to regulations and judgments. Instead, they may offer a one-time mattress exchange, but only for a more expensive model. Sometimes, they even require the returned mattress to be ironed and rolled, which is practically impossible.
In an attempt to comply with the absurd return conditions for mattresses, many customers try to ship them back in a different way. However, it turns out that even a complex mattress is treated by couriers as a large-sized shipment, and sometimes even as palletized cargo.
As a result, any potential mattress return, even if it is due to the seller's or manufacturer's fault, can incur high costs for the customer. Therefore, many of them opt not to return the mattress, regardless of its price. As a consequence, they endure discomfort and jeopardize their health for even several more years by sleeping on a bad mattress and suffering from health issues.
Even when store beds seem comfortable and mattress prices are particularly tempting, it's not worth making a hasty decision to purchase. Only in the comfort of your own bedroom can you test the mattress in natural conditions, that is, during sleep. At that time, our brains control our bodies, not us consciously, which also leads to a state of complete muscle relaxation.
It is impossible to determine the functionality of a mattress during a short lie-down on it in a brick-and-mortar store, where we wear several layers of clothing and are fully aware and control our body movements. The watchful eye of the salesperson who tells anecdotes about their own mattress, which just happens to be the same mattress you are lying on, doesn't help either.
It is practically impossible to find a good 160x200 mattress for less than 500 euros. To choose a good mattress, you should allocate at least 700 euros for it. However, it should not cost more than 1200 euros, as higher prices usually only reflect the manufacturer's or retailer's markup. When buying a mattress for 500 euros, you should expect lower functionality and reduced sleep comfort. Additionally, its lifespan may be up to five times shorter.
A good 180x200 mattress should cost around 1000 euros. About half of that price should account for the cost of materials used in its production. An ideal 180x200 mattress should be a high-resilience mattress, meaning it should have an open-cell high-resilience foam, HR type, as the first layer. The second layer should consist of viscoelastic foam, visco type. Only such arrangement will provide maximum sleep comfort while maintaining the proper dynamics and optimal ventilation of the 180x200 mattress.
A good 160x200 mattress costs around 1200 euros. About half of that price should account for the cost of materials used in its production. An ideal 160x200 mattress should be a high-resilience mattress, meaning it should have an open-cell high-resilience foam, HR type, as the first layer. The second layer should consist of viscoelastic foam, visco type. Only such arrangement will provide maximum sleep comfort while maintaining the proper dynamics and optimal ventilation of the 160x200 mattress.
The best bed mattress in the most popular size, 160x200, should cost around 800 euros. This price ensures that the manufacturer and retailer have not imposed excessive margins on it. At the same time, a lower price should raise doubts because the materials alone required for producing the best bed mattress cost at least half of that amount. In addition, there are transportation costs and the maintenance of the company and its employees. However, buying a mattress directly from the manufacturer can provide attractive prices and additional discounts.
A foam mattress at a good price should take into account the costs incurred by the manufacturer for its production, transportation, employment, and a fair margin. Brick-and-mortar stores often impose markups of several hundred percent on the mattresses they sell, which often means that we can buy a non-functional mattress made of low-quality materials at a high price. A good foam mattress should cost around 1000 euros. The cost of producing a good foam mattress should not be lower than 500 euros. Mattresses sold for several thousand euros are actually worth only a fraction of that price, as their manufacturers allocate a significant amount of money to marketing and advertising. It is best to purchase a foam mattress directly from the manufacturer, paying attention to the physical properties of the materials used in its production.
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