Consumer Reports: Should you buy your mattress online?

Should you buy your next mattress online? Consumer Reports' latest tests of 38 queen-size mattresses include a few that are sold primarily on the Internet. The prices aren't bad, but how risky is it to buy a mattress sight unseen?

Consumer Reports has long said that the best way to make sure you get a mattress you like is to try it in the store.

But what if you don't want the hassle of shopping at a store and you'd rather buy online?

Consumer Reports tested two queen-size foam mattresses primarily sold on the Internet: the Casper for $850 made of latex and memory foam and the foam Tuft and Needle Ten for $600.

To test the mattresses, Consumer Reports used its standard test to see how well a mattress will hold up to eight years of simulated use, a test to check how much support you get on your side and on your back and a test that checks if the mattress resists bouncing, so it doesn't transfer vibrations from one side to the other.

It turns out those mattresses sold online are pretty impressive.

"The Casper memory-foam mattress got high ratings for side and back support," said Chris Regan of Consumer Reports. "And it resists bouncing, so you are less likely to wake up your partner."

Plus you get a 100-day trial period. If you don't like it, the company will pick it up for free and refund your money.

As for the $600 Tuft and Needle, Consumer Reports calls it a bargain buy.

"It held up nicely in our durability test, same as the Casper, and it offers decent side and back support," says Regan.

Tuft and Needle's return policy isn't as generous; 30 days instead of 100. But Consumer Reports says a month is plenty of time to decide if you like it, or returns are free.

If you buy a mattress in a store and want to return it, you often have to pay for shipping or a "restocking" fee.

Both the Tuft and Needle Ten and the Casper mattresses are made of foam. If you prefer an innerspring mattress, Consumer Reports found some Best Buys: the Charles P. Rodgers St. Regis Pillowtop for $1,100 and the Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Trust Cushion for around $1,200.

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