I Won't buy a cheap mattress – it’s a false economy!
As a money-saving expert in the UK, recommending a premium mattress might seem counterintuitive! After all, I spend a lot of time telling people that they don't need to spend a lot of money on products and that budget ranges can be just as good as the more premium range. But for me, there are a few things that I'll spend that bit more on because of the benefits they bring to me!
I invested in a more premium mattress, and although I could have purchased a mattress for half the price elsewhere, I decided that investing in a high-quality mattress is a wise financial decision in the long run, especially for me! Here's why I think that spending more on a premium mattress makes good financial sense, particularly when considering factors like sleep quality, durability, and overall health benefits:
Health Benefits and Cost Savings
A premium mattress can significantly improve your sleep quality, improving overall health. More importantly, when I get a good night's sleep, I wake up ready for the day, and overall, I'm a much more 'efficient' person! By efficient, I mean that I can be more productive at work, I can make decisions easier, and I can make better decisions, some of which are financial and health-oriented.
I have ADHD, and if I don't sleep well, my ADHD symptoms are worse. I struggle throughout the day, further antagonising my ability to make sound decisions. Examples of this might be the ability to focus on tasks I need to complete at work or at home.
It might affect my ability to make better financial decisions, such as having the energy to go that extra mile when purchasing to check to see which cashback service is offering me the best cashback rate for the retailer I am buying from. As a result, it might mean I don't make as much cashback as I could have, which costs me money!
I might also make poor health choices, such as being too tired to cook when I get home tired from work, and so there's a higher chance that I'll buy a takeaway, which is less healthy and of course, can be expensive, or it might be that I don't go out on a walk because I'm too tired, and so don't get the health benefits from that, and all because I didn't sleep very well. I sleep well, and I benefit from increased productivity, reduced stress, and improved mental health, which are very positive! A good night's sleep can also translate to fewer sick days and better performance at work, potentially leading to financial gains in your career.
So, when buying important things such as a new mattress, you should not always look at the price tag; it's the invisible things that making a good or poor choice can make to your life!
High-quality mattresses, such as those made with natural latex or advanced memory foam, offer superior support and pressure relief, which is especially beneficial for side sleepers and those with back problems, and premium mattresses often provide better support and pressure relief, which can alleviate chronic pain issues. Inexpensive mattresses may well not offer this level of sleep support, and certainly, I've found that even the best cheap mattresses haven't been beneficial for me or my partner as the mattress doesn't have the same pressure points and spring system as the more premium mattress, turning a mattress that seems to be great value due to the lower price, into an expensive mistake, as has been the case for me!
Durability and Long-Term Value
While premium mattresses may initially have a higher price tag, they often prove to be better value in the long run due to their superior durability.
Longer Lifespan: A high-quality mattress can last 10-15 years or more, compared to cheaper options that may need replacement every 5-7 years. For example, I bought an Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, and this comes with a 15-year guarantee, ensuring long-term value for my investment. The cheaper one I bought previously only came with a 2-year warranty, and any company that doesn't have enough faith in its products to guarantee them for a decent amount of time is a red flag!
Many premium mattress brands in the UK offer extensive warranties and sleep trials. For instance, my Origin Pro mattress comes with a 200-night sleep trial, allowing us to ensure the mattress meets our specific needs without financial risk. After all, our last mattress we got rid of after a year as it wasn't working for us, and we knew a few months in that we hadn't made a good choice, but with no sleep trial, we couldn't send it back, so we were stuck with it!
Our new mattress isn't going back though; It is genuinely the most comfortable bed I've ever owned; the kind of comfort you normally only experience when staying in a quality hotel! My partner and I do have different personal preferences when it comes to mattress types, she like a softer mattress, and I prefer a firmer mattress as it helps with some niggling back problems I have, so finding the perfect mattress that suits us both isn't always easy! We trawled through several mattress company websites and looked at, and compared lots of mattress models from lots of different brands to try and find a decent one, plus checked our review sites to see which company came out best and went with Origin as they had great feedback and lots of recommendations and top picks which helped us hugely with our mattress purchase!
For us, the Origin Pro mattress seemed the best option as it has 5700 springs, which means that when I move, it doesn't then mean my partner moves as well, as it's better balanced, which is important as I am of the larger body type and this has meant in the past that when I move she tends to be bounced around and this means she gets a worse night’s sleep, plus the mattress isn’t overly soft, nor is it overly firm and so it suits us both perfectly, and also we had the 200-night sleep guarantee, so we had that reassurance that if it wasn’t suitable, we could return it within the trial period!
Financial Considerations
We paid more for our mattress than we could have bought from a generic retailer of cheap mattresses, but I would rather spend that bit more and get something different and more suitable for our needs.
I'm all for buying frugally and wouldn't buy a premium tin of baked beans, for example, when a cheaper tin of beans was available that tasted pretty much as good. However, when it comes to big and important buying decisions, such as buying the best mattresses for your needs, I'll spend that bit more to get what I want/need!
That said, my mattress wasn't any more expensive than the other premium brands. I'm comparing the cost of buying a cheaper mattress from a generic retailer to the cost of buying something more premium from a dedicated mattress manufacturer/retailer.
You can Still Save Money!
It doesn't mean you can't still save money when shopping for a new mattress, though; consider these ways you could save on a premium mattress:
Sales and Discounts: Look for deals during major sales events like Black Friday or bank holiday weekends. Many online mattress companies and UK mattress stores offer significant discounts during these periods
Financing Options: Many UK retailers offer 0% interest financing, allowing you to spread the cost over time without hurting your bank account or credit card with a big hit all at once!
Free Delivery: Many UK-based online mattress companies provide free delivery, reducing the overall cost of your purchase
Free Gifts: Look for any add-on deals that make the offer better. For example, Origin was giving away a free £99 pillow, which added extra value to the purchase. Why not have a premium pillow with a premium mattress? The difference between a premium pillow and a cheap one you bought in the supermarket is genuinely incredible!
Cashback: Is the brand listed on a cashback site? If so, you can offset some of your investment in a new mattress through a cashback refund. If not on a cashback site, see if your credit card company offer any cashback, such as Chase, where some customers can get 1% cashback on their purchases.
Choosing the Right Mattress
To ensure you're getting the best value for your money, consider these factors when selecting a mattress:
Mattress Type: Hybrid mattresses, which combine pocket springs with foam layers, often provide a good balance of support and comfort for various sleep positions and body types
Firmness Level: Your ideal firmness depends on your sleep position and body weight. Compare the different mattress materials, such as foam density and whether the mattress is made with natural latex or other eco-friendly materials, as they can affect the mattress's firmness.
Making the Purchase
Read Reviews: Check consumer reports and customer reviews to get a sense of real-world experiences with the mattress you're considering.
Try Before You Buy: If possible, test the mattress in a physical store, but as this isn’t always possible, many online mattress companies also offer risk-free trial periods.
Check the Fine Print: Pay attention to warranty terms, return policies, and any additional fees that may apply, such as delivery charges.
While it may seem weird for a money-saving expert to recommend spending more and buying a premium mattress, the long-term benefits in terms of health, durability, and overall value make it a sound financial decision. Investing in a high-quality mattress that meets my specific needs will save money in the long run through improved health, better sleep, and less frequent replacements.
Some savings may not be immediate! Sure, it's great to save money when you buy something, but in truth, you often need to look to the future at the same time - spend less now but have to buy it again in a few years as the build quality is poor and the products aren't usable anymore, comparing that with spending more initially to then have something that lasts twice, maybe three times longer and also gives you years of better sleep, I know which one I prefer, and remember that sometimes, you have to invest in yourself, and I think that investing in a decent mattress, so you can ultimately be the best you can be, is a wise investment and one that is likely to pay off in so many different ways!
If you want to try the Origin mattress for yourself, and I genuinely do recommend it, I've collaborated with Origin to get you £20 off your purchase using promo code: Al20OFF1715 , which is valid until September 27th 2024