Finding an affordable mattress can be a time-consuming and frustrating process.

If it’s within your means. How many metres does a yard of string go? These are the types of informative responses one might anticipate when inquiring about a reasonable budget for a mattress.

 It’s not at all evident, there is a plethora of options, and upselling is sort of part of a salesperson’s job description, so you can’t really blame them for resorting to such vagaries.

As I’ve just started climbing the housing ladder, I’ve been looking forward to buying lots of shiny new things. However, I’ve been disappointed by the lack of pricing clarity across the board.

As the article’s title implies, I’m going to start my quest by looking for the best mattress. Yet since I’m on a tight budget and constantly mindful of my mounting student loans, I refuse to willingly part with any cash lest I be taken advantage of. I’m going to battle for my cheap mattress if necessary. and it’s probably for the best.

As the narrative deepens, the unsavoury reality of mattress prices is revealed

I had a bad experience with a major furniture retailer, so I went online to do some serious research. Immediately, I landed into a detailed, slightly unsettling article that exposed some of the hideous schemes that mattress manufacturers employ to market their products at exorbitant costs.

For instance, you might not be aware that many of the major manufacturers sell the same mattress to multiple stores under different brand names.

 Or that they frequently cover up the mattress with a new cover to hide the deception? And I won’t even begin to talk about the hidden fees for things like shipping and God alone knows what else.

Having read this illuminating expose, I have come away with the following 5 observations:

Don’t pay attention to the flashy mattress  labels

Rather, consider the mattress’s qualities (such as its comfort layers, number of coils, ) and advantages while making your choice (comfort, support and durability).

Before you go shopping for a new mattress, have a look at the label on your old one and jot down the specifications. Your salesperson can use this information to find out why you didn’t like it and steer you away from comparable options in the future.

 If you liked using it and are only looking to replace it, you may easily locate alternatives that offer the same level of comfort.

Examine bed mattresses face-to-face

Get a feel for them by lying down on as many as possible for as long as you need to. Comfort levels can only be determined by you. The most firm mattress in a set should be tried first, followed by more plusher options.

Check in with how your back, hips, and shoulders feel. If you want to be confident you’ve made the right decision, you should try out mattresses from multiple price points until you find one that seems comfortable, and then spend several minutes lying in that mattress

Don’t believe the urban legend that says a firm mattress is good for your back since it will help you sleep better.

On the flip side, many ‘orthopaedic’ mattresses are only labelled as such because they are firmer than standard mattresses. Instead, you should shoot for a happy medium between softness and firmness, keeping in mind that a hard mattress will seem much harder after a full night of use.

Invest in a mattress set, which consists of the mattress itself, the box spring, and the base. This will ensure that you get the most out of your mattress and that it will last as long as possible. If you don’t, your warranty can be nullified.

Don’t be duped by unnecessary add-ons that are offered for free. They are commonly produced to deceive gullible consumers into purchasing an overpriced item.

Avoid making your mattress purchase on the spot

Wait for a better deal to come to you if the salesperson asks for your contact information. Even if they don’t, simply threatening to leave may be enough to make them realise they’ve made a mistake and offer you a lower price.

Avoid what seem to be extremely low-priced mattresses

Potentially inflated by exorbitant markups (up to 500%, allegedly!) to lure customers in with low prices, these items may have been marked down to entice sales.

Subtly enquire about free delivery, free removal of your old mattress, and whatever extra you can arrange before you handshake on a deal. It’s possible, but not guaranteed.

I know this has been a long sidetrack, but if you really want to get the most out of your mattress, it’s important to do your research.

The Mattress Price: How Much Should You Spend?

Discreet sales methods aside, how much should you expect to pay for a high-quality mattress? After several hours of compulsive research and  getting a good deal, I was able to come up with a general estimate of what a Regular mattress with a reasonable reasonable expectation and a right amount of flexibility and springs should cost.

(Don’t cite me on them; you may very well be more ruthless than me in hunting out the best deal, in which case, I applaud you.)

Pricing for a 4 by 6 Orthopeadic mattress, regular mattress and spring  mattress, ranges between N70,000 and  N300,000

Student mattresses range between N18,000 and N39,000.

To what extent do these costs correspond with what you’ve encountered? I’m curious as to how much you spent on your mattress. 

Help out fellow consumers and share your pro shopping tips in the Comment section.