What’s a Bed in a Box Mattress and Are They Good?
As online mattress shopping increases in popularity, bed-in-a-box mattresses have hit the scene as a popular, convenient choice for many people because they don’t have to go out to a traditional brick-and-mortar mattress store.
But what exactly is a bed in a box, and are they worth the hype? We’ll take an in-depth look at bed-in-a-box mattresses, their benefits, and how they stack up against traditional mattresses.
What is a Bed in a Box?
A bed in a box is a mattress that’s been compressed, vacuum-sealed, and packaged into a compact box for easy shipping and handling. The concept is beautifully simple: order the mattress online, get it delivered to your door, and unbox it in your bedroom. Once the mattress is unwrapped, all you have to do is let it expand back to its full size before sleeping on it.
Possibly the biggest advantage of a bed-in-a-box mattress is the pure convenience. Gone are the days of struggling with large, heavy mattresses on moving days or having to wait in the house for inconvenient delivery windows. At eze™ Mattress, we offer a selection of hybrid mattresses that ship right to your door in a handy wheeled box, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
How Does a Bed in a Box Mattress Work?
Bed-in-a-box mattresses are typically made from memory foam, latex, or hybrid materials, which allow them to be compressed without compromising quality. After compression, the mattress is rolled up and vacuum-sealed into a portable box.
Once delivered, setting up the mattress is simple. Just unbox it in the room you’re going to use it in, carefully remove the plastic wrapping, and let the mattress expand. Within a few hours, it will regain its original shape and firmness. For best results, we recommend waiting for at least 24 hours before sleeping on your mattress to ensure it’s fully expanded.
What Types of Mattresses Are Available in a Box?
Bed-in-a-box mattresses are available in several different materials, each suitable for various sleep styles and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of mattresses you can get in a box:
1. Memory Foam Mattresses
Traditional memory foam mattresses are one of the most popular types available in a box. Memory foam is ideal for compression and regains its shape easily after unboxing.
Memory foam contours to your body, offering comfort and support, especially for side sleepers. However, memory foam does have its drawbacks. One of the biggest is that memory foam traps and retains body heat, making it less suitable for those who tend to get hot at night. If you’re a “hot sleeper” or live in a hot climate, look for cooling gel-infused memory foam to help disperse body heat.
Memory foam is also not known for its edge support. That means if you like to sit on the edge of your mattress a lot (maybe reading or watching TV in bed), you won’t find it comfortable as the edge will sink down and won’t give you any support. Look for memory foam mattresses with reinforced edges if you think this will be an issue for you.
2. Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine layers of foam (often memory foam or latex) with a pocket spring support system. This gives hybrids the best of both worlds: the contouring comfort of memory foam combined with the responsiveness and support of a traditional innerspring mattress.
A hybrid mattress is made of a base layer of individually pocketed springs, topped by several layers of polyfoam and memory foam for comfort. Hybrid mattresses must have at least 2 to 3 inches of foam on top of the springs to be considered a hybrid mattress, and many have a lot more than that.
Hybrid mattresses can be compressed and shipped in a box, but only certain types of coils can go through this process without damage. That’s why most hybrid bed-in-a-box mattresses are made with highly flexible coils to retain their quality and durability.
3. Latex Mattresses
You can also buy latex mattresses in a box. Natural latex is harvested from the sap of the rubber tree, making latex mattresses eco-friendly as long as it’s natural and not blended or synthetic latex that’s used to make them.
There are two different types of latex used to make mattresses: Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop is firmer and bouncier and is often used in the transitional or core layers, while Talalay is softer and is usually found in the top comfort layers.
The drawbacks to latex mattresses are that they are often expensive, and there can be a distinct odour to them.
Mattresses in a Box vs Regular Mattresses
When comparing traditional mattresses against mattresses in a box, there are a few factors to consider, ranging from convenience to performance and longevity.
1. Delivery and Setup
One of the most significant differences is the delivery method. Traditional sprung mattresses are more costly and cumbersome to transport, and they often require a two-man team. Getting these mattresses through your home, up your stairs, and into your bedroom can also be a challenge, especially if you have tight hallways or winding staircases.
In contrast, a bed-in-a-box mattress arrives compressed in a compact box, which is much easier to handle. For a lot of people, this convenience is a major advantage, especially if they live in apartment buildings.
2. Durability and Lifespan
When it comes to durability, high-quality bed-in-a-box mattresses like ours are designed to last as long as traditional ones. Memory foam mattresses typically have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, while quality hybrid models can last even longer, depending on the construction and materials used.
3. Performance and Comfort
Both bed-in-a-box and traditional mattresses offer excellent comfort, but the performance can vary based on personal preference. Memory foam bed-in-a-box mattresses provide comfort and contour closely to your body, making them ideal for a range of people. Hybrid bed-in-a-box models offer more support and responsiveness because of the innerspring system, which can appeal to those needing more pressure relief and stability.
Traditional high-end mattresses often give a similar level of comfort, especially those made with luxury materials. However, these traditional options are generally more expensive than memory foam or hybrid mattresses.
Benefits of Mattresses in a Box
There are several benefits of mattresses in a box:
Best Beds in a Box 2024
Hybrid mattresses combine the supportive bounce of pocket springs with the contouring comfort of memory foam, and they come in a compact box. Here’s a closer look at each of our top hybrid mattresses:
1. eze™ Hybrid Max Mattress
The eze™ Hybrid Max Mattress was awarded the prestigious Which? Best Buy Mattress 2023 award, and is perfect for sleepers seeking a balance of support and luxurious comfort.
This mattress features advanced pocket springs combined with multiple layers of high-density memory foam, offering targeted support to relieve pressure points. It’s an ideal choice for combination sleepers who often move around at night, as the individually wrapped coils reduce motion transfer, which can be an issue with traditional mattresses.
2 .eze™ Hybrid Ultra Mattress
Another award-winner, the eze™ Hybrid Ultra Mattress, was awarded the Bestselling Pocket Sprung Mattress by Which? Best Buy, in April 2024. A great choice for those who prefer a softer mattress, the Hybrid Ultra delivers optimum support with excellent breathability, which means moisture will wick away from the surface, helping dispel body heat.
3. Cooleze™ Hybrid Deluxe Mattress
Do you get too hot at night, leading to restless and poor-quality sleep? The Cooleze™ Hybrid Deluxe Mattress is perfect for hot sleepers, offering advanced cooling technology.
This mattress combines cooling gel-infused memory foam with breathable fabric and a base of supportive pocket springs, ensuring a cool, comfortable night’s sleep.
4. Cooleze™ Hybrid Original Mattress
The Cooleze™ Hybrid Original Mattress is a great all-rounder, combining affordability with high-quality materials. This mattress uses a mix of memory foam and pocket springs to offer balanced support and comfort.
It’s versatile enough for various sleeping positions and is a great budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a hybrid mattress with cooling properties.
Bed in a Box FAQs
How Long Do Mattresses in a Box Last?
With care, memory foam bed-in-a-box mattresses can last around 8-10 years, while hybrid and latex models can last up to 12 years.
How Do You Return a Mattress in a Box?
To return a mattress in a box, simply contact the company during the trial period. They’ll typically arrange for pickup or donation.
Do I Have to Wait to Sleep on a Mattress in a Box?
We bet you can’t wait to try out your new mattress, but it’s best to wait at least 24 hours before sleeping on a bed-in-a-box mattress to allow it to fully expand.
Can You Re-Roll a Boxed Mattress?
Unfortunately, no. Once a mattress is unboxed, it’s nearly impossible to compress it back into the original packaging. If you decide to return your mattress, most companies offer pickup or donation services.
What Sizes Are Available for Bed in a Box Mattresses?
Bed-in-a-box mattresses typically come in all standard sizes, including single, double, and king-size mattresses. Some companies offer specialty sizes like split king or RV mattresses for specific purposes, but they can be more expensive than standard sizes.
