Bed Price: What Should You Be Paying?

There is no doubt that buying a bed is a stressful process for many. This is largely due to there being so many different bed systems, types, materials, comfort levels and all at different price points. How should you decide on the type of bed you need and how much you should be paying for it?

We can feel your panic levels rising, take a breath, we are here to help and guide you through this process.

The Investment into sleep

First, we need to understand why there are so many different beds on the market at so many different price points. In recent years, the sleep industry has experienced a boom which has led to several different sleep related innovations, more products and more bed offerings.

A 2017 McKinsey report has estimated that the sleep-health industry is collectively worth between $30-billion and $40-billion and has historically grown by more than 8% per year, with few signs of slowing down. Why are we seeing this boom? The short answer is that globally people are battling to sleep. This is often related to stress, health issues, economic pressures, family life and more. The result of this lack of sleep is often health and performance related problems that impact work and daily life. Sleep impacts everything we do and if we are not getting enough good sleep, we could be negatively affected.

This growing need for a good night sleep has created a booming market for sleep related products. At the top of this list are beds. The result has been a flood of products on the market that speak to sleep innovation, more competitor brands and products that are all at different price points. Ultimately, investing in a good night’s sleep is an investment in your health.

Buying a new bed is not just an investment in your health and wellbeing, it is also a financial investment that will stay with you for up to 10 years. When looking at the type of investment you will need to make, you need to look at the value of money in relation to the bed and the following:

1. The quality of the materials that have gone into the manufacturing of the base and mattress.
2. Investigate the pros and cons of the different types of mattresses available.
3. Scrutinise the confidence that the manufacturers have in their product, largely demonstrated by the length of the guarantee and warranty they offer.

To gain some insight into why beds cost what they do, we need to look at the criteria that bed manufacturers use to determine these prices.

What Criteria do bed manufacturers use to determine bed prices?

Many mattresses look incredibly similar, but under the fabric, different elements influence how comfortable the mattress is and how much you are going to be paying for the bed. These criteria include:

• Systems – there are several different mattress systems, these systems make up the core of the mattress and ensure comfort, support and quality sleep.
• Materials – different materials are used in mattresses for different purposes such as foam, latex, springs etc. Each come with their own unique price points.
• Thickness – mattress thickness impacts the support of the bed which is important in getting a good night’s sleep. The thicker the mattress the more expensive it will be.
• Density – a higher density foam mattress is more durable, longer lasting and offers great support, it is also more expensive than a lower density foam mattress.
• Durability – different mattress materials and systems are more durable than others which impacts their longevity.
• Performance – this refers to the comfort levels and support that the mattress provides over a period of time. Mattresses with proven performance over time are generally more expensive. 
• Lifespan – talks to the durability and longevity of the mattress and is an indication of how often you would need to buy a new mattress.

Each of these elements play a role in the cost of a bed but other criteria that also need to be taken into account are firmness, body type, body temperature, special needs, sleeping positions as well as partner needs. Each of these impacts the type of bed that you should be looking at.

Different types of beds available on the market

Currently there are four main types of bed systems on the market and each have their own sets of benefits. When researching different kinds of beds, do not only look at the price point, you need to look at the system, technology, materials etc. and make a decision based on your sleep needs as well as budget. The different bed systems include:

1. Innerspring beds

• Innerspring beds are often your cheaper options and feature polyfoam comfort layers and coils.
• These are simple beds that are suitable, but not recommended, for small children, teens who have no special needs, and slim young adults.
• The bed system’s quality is reflected in its price and will generally only last 3 to 5 years.

2. Memory foam

• Low-density foams are softer and tend to deteriorate quickly and are most often used in relatively cheap mattress models. High-density foams are firmer and tend to last longer; they are usually used in models with more expensive price-points.
• Memory foam uses your body’s heat to mould to your body shape, not only does this provide a comfortable night’s sleep but it provides optimal spine alignment and is known to reduce pain in pressure spots.

3. Latex

• Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam, but with a big difference. Most memory foam mattresses use synthetic materials, but latex is natural and offers different levels of firmness and comfort.
• Latex beds are good for adults who desire comfort, need good support, tend to sleep on their sides and as such, need pressure point relief to avoid daily aches and pains.
• Latex mattresses usually last a lot longer than any other type of mattress.

4. Hybrid

• Hybrid mattresses, like the  Genie mattress, combine two or more support systems such as individually pocketed springs, natural latex or high-density memory foam.
• Hybrids offer the best of both worlds: sturdy support as well as comfort, and usually suit all types of people and sleeping positions.
• Hybrid beds are top-of-the-range best-of-everything beds. They are the most value-added bed you can buy and provide high comfort and support for the majority of people, heavier people (up to 200 kg), athletes and those who have special needs like back pain and arthritis.
• Hybrids offer pain relief from arthritis and chronic back pain and in the case of the Genie mattress, a combo of natural latex and zoned springs are good for the non-transfer of movement.
• Hybrids are usually pricier, depending on the supporting technology used and other materials.
• They are exceptional for back problems due to their individually pocketed springs, and high-density latex.

Now that you know what types of mattress systems are available, we need to look at what other elements should be considered when choosing the right bed for your needs.

What to consider when buying a bed – to avoid returning it

Comfort plays a large role in why many people return mattresses once they have been purchased. There is nothing worse than having an uncomfortable night sleep. Many elements influence the comfort of a mattress such as being too soft or too firm, if you get too hot, if there is an odour, if it does not provide you and your partner with enough support, poor motion isolation and if it agitates your already existing health issues like back pain. 

It is important to research each of these elements when choosing a bed. To make this process a bit easier we have created a list of important elements that you should look out for. These include:

Firmness

• The firmness of a mattress is often quite subjective, this is because each person has their own specific comfort needs and how firm a bed feels will vary based on age, gender, body type, weight, etc. 
• Mattress firmness must be chosen according to your individual needs to prevent pressure pain caused by weight distribution and sleeping positions, which we will dive into in a bit.
• In essence, body weight plays a large role in choosing the right firmness, the lighter you are, the softer your mattress should be. The heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be.

Support Potential

• Many people liken support with firmness but the two are very different. A mattress does not need to be firm to offer support.
• Support refers to how a mattress supports your body with spine alignment and the relief of pressure points.
• Support is largely linked to the comfort of the bed, the more supported your body is, the fewer aches and pains and the better you wake up feeling.

Longevity

• The longevity of a mattress is related to the technology and material used in the mattress.
• Cheaper innerspring mattresses generally have a shorter lifespan than hybrid or memory foam mattresses and you need to take this into account when purchasing a bed.

Body Temperature

• Body temperature plays a larger role in comfort and if you are getting too hot while sleeping it is going to lead to restlessness and a bad night’s sleep.
• If you get overly hot when you sleep, looking at what materials the mattress is made of will be important.
• A mattress that allows for air circulation, like a hybrid bed, should be at the top of your list.

Sleeping position

• Believe it or not, your sleeping position will impact how comfortable a bed is.
• Different sleeping positions require different levels of support for example when you sleep on your side you are putting more pressure on your shoulders and hips.
• When you side-sleep, indented areas between your body and the mattress are formed. These indented spaces need support that a combination of individual pocket springs and natural latex provide so that the weight is spread more evenly to avoid pain from pressure caused by sleeping on your side every night.
• Similarly, those who sleep on their backs will need support from individually pocketed springs and natural latex to prevent back pain.
•  Many people who sleep on their stomach do so to avoid back pain, but it is the least recommended position because it places tension on the neck from sleeping with your head turned to the side.

If this is you, choose a mattress that is either medium-firm or medium-soft; it has to be firm enough for support, but not so firm that it is uncomfortable or so soft that you sink in.

Pain Relief

• If you are someone who suffers from back or joint pain, you need to carefully choose your bed.
• Memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses are a great option for those who suffer from back pain specifically because of the support they provide the body.
•  Although, memory foam may not be a good option for the elderly who battle to get out of bed.

Partner Needs

• When buying a bed for a couple it is important to remember that each person in the partnership has different needs, so finding a bed solution to match both sets of needs is important. 

Return Policy

• Choosing a bed is a process, and one that you might not get right the first time around, which is why it is important to ask about the store’s returns policy and if there are any restrictions that you should know about.
• Many mattress brands now offer a trial period which will enable you to try out the bed for a period of time to see if it suits your needs. It is important to ask if this is an option that you can take advantage of.

Easy Assembly

• You should always ask/research how easily a bed is to assemble as there is nothing worse than having your bed arrive and you are unable to put it together.
• This is often something that not all of us think about when buying a bed but it is important, the last thing you want to do is to have to pay extra to have someone come and assemble it for you.
• Luckily, there are several innovative mattress companies around that have thought about this process, like Genie Beds, where the assembly is as simple as unbox, position, unwrap and unroll.

We have covered several different elements that need to be considered before buying a bed, but one of the most important factors for many is the price and what options are available within your budget.

What should you be paying for a bed?

What is a good bed price? The answer is subjective and depends on your budget and what you are looking for. We have looked at the different bed types on the market in terms of their technology, materials and systems but now it is time to look at what options fit what budgets.

Bed type	Price Range
Innerspring beds	Often the cheapest option and prices range from R3500 – R10000 for a double bed.
Hybrid beds	Usually pricier, depending on the supporting technology used and other materials. You will be looking at between R4500 – R25000 for a double bed.
Latex beds	Usually last a lot longer than any other type of mattress. It will cost you between R4500 – R15000 for a double bed.
Memory Foam beds	The higher the density, the better the quality and the higher the price. You will be looking to pay about R4500 – R10000 for memory foam, depending on density and how much of the mattress is made from memory foam. When the gel is added, the price increases to about R6500 – R15000 for a double bed.

Different elements drive bed prices, these include:

• Materials – for example not all hybrid beds are made using the same materials. Different materials not only drive quality but price as well.
• Health benefits – beds that answer health needs such as reducing back and joint pain, or ones that have been specifically designed for people with osteoporosis will be more expensive.
• Bed sizes – different bed sizes drive bed price; more materials are used when manufacturing a queen or king mattress than a single mattress.

We have discussed what to consider when buying a new bed as well as bed pricing but now we need to look at when the best time is to buy a new bed.

When is the best time to buy a new bed?

There are several tell-tale signs that you might need a new bed, specifically related to how you are sleeping. If you are not sleeping comfortably, have developed allergies, if your mattress has lumps, is sagging or has tears, if the coils are squeaking and if you feel stiff when you wake up you need to invest in a new bed. When buying a new bed look out for:

Holiday and seasonal sales

• When buying your new bed look out for different holiday or seasonal sales, these kinds of sales usually have great deals and discounts, helping you to get the bed you want at an even better price.

Online stores and special offers

• You may also want to do your bed shopping online. Online stores often offer better pricing because they do not have to pay for the storage of mattresses in a shop. This cuts down on costs allowing for better pricing on products.
•  Online stores also often offer a trial period to ensure that you are happy with your purchase and that the bed fits your needs. For example, Genie Beds offers a 100-night trial when purchasing any of the beds.
• This allows you to test out the bed and gives you time to decide if it is a good fit for you.
•  Buying a mattress online is a quick and convenient process where everything is done at the click of a button, saving you on time and effort.
  

Any add on costs

• We often get so caught up on buying a bed that we forget to look at different add on costs that might apply so you need to ask questions such as the following:
  • •  If delivery fees apply?
    • What the return policy is and if there are costs involved?
    • Do they offer a mattress exchange service?
    • What is the warranty and if there are any exceptions to the warranty?

Choosing the right bed for you

Choosing the right bed is a process that requires research. You need to find the right balance between budget and your sleep and health needs. This requires you to take several different factors into consideration. Genie Beds is here to help. Our range of innovative hybrid mattresses have been designed with comfort and support in mind, to give you a great night sleep. Not only do we have a mattress to suit different needs, firmness levels and body types but we offer a 100-night trial on our beds. Giving you the option to test out our technology and experience a great night sleep. Choose a better bed, choose Genie.