5 Key Takeaways From Our Sleep Survey

1. Nearly all respondents were happy with their purchase

About 94 percent of respondents reported being either “very happy” (66 percent) or “somewhat happy” (27 percent) with their new mattress. Six percent were neutral, and only one respondent said they were “somewhat disappointed.”

The buying process had its share of challenges. Despite high overall satisfaction with their decision, respondents were split on which part of the buying process was hardest: Thirty-two percent said they were unsure which mattress was best for them. Another 32 percent reported feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and didn’t know where to start. “The hardest part was researching all the different types of mattresses that are available,” one respondent said.

A further 20 percent of respondents said the hardest part of shopping for a new mattress was wanting to try beds in person, but struggling to find a convenient place to do so. If you’re facing a similar challenge, you may consider buying from a company that offers generous terms such as long trial periods (at least 120 nights), warranties or white-glove delivery, which is when a company removes your old mattress and sets up your new one. “There are so many options and price differences, but the offers for free delivery, set up and haul away make the deciding process a bit easier,” one respondent wrote. 

2. General discomfort was the main reason for buying a new mattress

Nearly half (48 percent) of respondents decided to replace their mattress because their old one “was no longer comfortable.” At 13 percent, the next most common reason for buying a new mattress was wanting to improve poor sleep, and around 10 percent of respondents said they were experiencing pain and wanted to see if a new bed would help.

“If your mattress is more than seven to 10 years old and has visible indentations where your torso rests, it may no longer keep your spine in alignment,” says Dr. Shady Hassan, an interventional pain and sports medicine physician in New Jersey.

3. Comfort matters more than cost

Eight in 10 respondents chose “overall comfort” as one of the primary qualities they sought when shopping for a new bed. Mattress firmness and cost were the second and third priorities, selected by 64 percent and around 63 percent of all participants, respectively. These findings show that while affordability matters, comfort matters more for many older adults. One respondent wrote that they “would have paid anything to eliminate the pain.

4. A new mattress helped relieve pain for most older adults

Among respondents who bought a new mattress to help ease pain, back pain was the most common issue, affecting 65 percent. Hip pain was the second most common, at around 11 percent, followed by neck pain at 7 percent and shoulder pain at 6 percent.

According to respondents, the purchase paid off — 93 percent reported that their new mattress helped relieve their pain either "a lot" or "a little." A small minority (around 5 percent) noticed no change, and only one percent of respondents reported worsened pain.

5. Spending more doesn’t guarantee satisfaction

It’s easy to assume that a more expensive mattress means greater comfort or satisfaction, but our survey results show this isn't always the case. The majority (65 percent) of respondents had a budget of $1,500 or less. Those in that range reported satisfaction levels comparable to those who budgeted between $2,000 and $5,000. 

Of the respondents who budgeted under $1,500, about 93 percent reported being “somewhat happy” or “very happy,” compared with 95 percent of those who budgeted more than $2,000.

For their next mattress purchase, 61 percent of respondents said they would spend the same amount again because they were “very satisfied.” Thirty-three percent said they “might” spend that much again, while 5 percent said they would “spend less because [they] don’t think the price was worth it.”

Although most respondents noted the overwhelming number of options on the market, the majority were satisfied with their choice in the end. “My mattress buying experience was confusing due to too many choices, but ultimately satisfying once I found the right fit,” one respondent said. 

Our AARP Smart Picks team is here to help reduce the amount of legwork you have to do when searching for the best mattresses or sleep accessories. We perform in-depth, objective evaluations of every product we recommend, so you don’t have to sift through endless options on your own. 

Our independent older-adult testers also provide unbiased, firsthand feedback on each of our top picks. So whether you’re seeking the best mattress for hip pain or the coolest pillows for hot sleepers, we’ve got you covered.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.