mattress guides

How Long Does a Mattress Last & What Affects Its Durability?

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How Long Does A Mattress Last?

Sep 3, 2020

Can a mattress last 20 years? In theory, it is possible. In particular, it is considered that latex and purple mattresses can last up to 20 years. But should one keep a mattress for such a long time? That’s debatable.

On average, even the quality mattresses last for 7-10 years.

So, how long should you keep a mattress: for 7, 9 or maybe 15 years? What’s the clear sign that you need a new one? What types of mattresses are the most and the least durable? How can one make a mattress last longer? These are the questions we’re going to answer below.

How long does a mattress last? Looking at different types of mattresses

How often should you replace your mattress? It depends on plenty of things, including the type of mattress you are going to buy or already have. Let’s take a look at the average lifespans of the most popular types of mattresses.

Mattress type	Innerspring	Memory foam	Hybrids	Latex	Airbed
Duration (years)	8-10	8-10	7-10	10-20	6-8,5
Features	Pretty durable but require flipping to extend the lifespan and are hard to clean	Resistant to mold and dust, hypoallergenic, usually come with a removable cover, but saggy	Durability depends on the type of coils and foam, usually last long and are not noisy (unlike innerspring)	Resistant to mold and dust, hypoallergenic, temperature-neutral, pretty durable, no smells, but pretty expensive	Usually consist of 4+ layers and offer luxurious comfort. Offer effortless firmness customization: they usually have air chambers that a customer can inflate to make the mattress firmer or let out the air to make it softer. Airbeds are also quite pricey

Durability also depends on other factors like the quality of materials, the time you spend in bed, and how you care about the mattress, but the figures above illustrate how things work.

Do manufacturers offer 10-year warranties?

As you can see, on average, mattresses last about 10 years. Do manufacturers have 10-year warranties? Simply put, yes, they do. The vast majority of mid-price and luxurious mattresses on the market have a long-term limited warranty. The good news is even the cheapest mattresses you can find in online stores or in local mattress stores (at least the vast majority of them) also have a limited 10-year warranty.

In both cases, no matter what the price is, it warrants against the defects in workmanship, as well as in material, and doesn’t cover transportation, modifications, improper use, etc. Some companies offer 5-year, 15-year, or even 20-year warranty, but a 10-year one is still the most common option on the market.

Signs that you need a new mattress

How often should you change your mattress? Do you need to strictly follow the standards and get rid of your hybrid mattress exactly when it turns 7-10 years old? And what exactly does “7-10” or even “10-20” really mean?

Should you start looking for a new mattress after 8 years of using it or maybe waiting for 9 years would be a better decision?

The truth is you need to replace it when it is not comfortable anymore. Whatever the type of your mattress, you definitely need a new one if:

It’s sagging. This is one of the most common problems, in particular, because it is a problem of the most popular types of mattresses — memory foam mattresses, innerspring mattresses, and hybrids. Coils inside can start to weaken, mattresses become less supportive. The same can be said of foam mattresses — they also start sagging quick enough.
You slept much better in a hotel at a friend’s house, anywhere, but not at home. If you slept somewhere else and noticed that you felt much better, had no pain, it is a sign that there is a better option for you, to say the least.
It’s noisy. Foam mattresses or latex mattresses have nothing to do with noise, but the situation is completely different when it comes to innerspring mattresses and hybrids. It is because of coils that, unfortunately, can get rusty and therefore, noisy.
It has a certain smell, and it is not the smell of lavender-scented sheets. Mattresses can absorb smells and can even catch allergens, so it is not only unpleasant but it might be also dangerous if you are allergic.
You feel bad in the morning and okay during the rest of the day. Speaking of allergies, as we mentioned before, the mattress can even become dangerous if they absorb allergens. That is why if you suffer from the symptoms of allergy in the morning but don’t feel them in the afternoon or in the evening, this is time to look for something new for your bed.
You’re rolling into the spot. This is an indentation, and it is another common problem sleepers (especially heavy people) face. If you noticed that you don’t sleep on the flat surface, your mattress life is over.
If you feel pain in any part of your body. It might be your bed that doesn’t provide enough pressure relief and doesn’t support your body.
New circumstances are changing your life. Maybe you are moving in with your partner? Found out that you are pregnant? Sometimes, if life is changing, the mattresses need to be changed, too.

So, when to replace mattress? It’s totally up to you. Yes, there is a 7-to-10 rule and recommendations about each type of mattress, but if you notice that anything on the list is your situation, you can replace it in 3, 5, 8 years. After all, your comfort is the only thing that matters when it comes to mattresses.

According to statistics, how often should a mattress be replaced nowadays?

Yes, there is a gold 7-10 year standard in the industry, and most people used to follow it. However, times have changed, and today, the situation is a bit different.

Most manufacturers still have 5-10 years warranty, but the 2017 research has shown that people keep their mattresses for 8.0 years, which is 1.4 years less than ten years before — in 2007, buyers kept them for 10.3 years. This is explained by the fact that today consumers know more about the mattress and their durability — if someone feels back pain, this person is likely to consider buying a new mattress immediately.

Age matters, too. Recent research has also shown that:

Younger people (aged 18-35) are likely to keep a new quality mattress for 6.6. years
Middle-age consumers (36-55) keep it for 9.1 years
Older consumers (56 and older) keep it for 11.6 years

Experts say that such a situation can be explained by the fact that Millenials used to change their smartphones, laptops, and other items more often, and it’s much easier for them to buy new things.

So, we can see a very interesting buying pattern: sellers offer durable mattresses but a significant proportion of people tend to buy new items more often than in previous decades.

What can extend the mattress lifespan?

If millenials want to buy mattresses more often, they can do it. Why not? However, there are people who want their mattresses to last a really long time. Are there any ways to meet this goal? Let’s take a look at a few recommendations that work.

Don’t eat in your bed. This makes your mattress dirty + some types of mattresses can absorb odors.
Using a mattress protector will help you avoid lots of problems, including voiding your warranty (although, some companies can void your warranty if you use mattress protectors from another brand).
Don’t jump on your mattress. We know how boring it may sound but it is the best way to prolong the life of your mattress.
Pets not allowed. Dogs and cats bring dirt and allergens that can stay not only on the surface of the mattress but also in the deeper layers.
Make sure that the foundation you’ve chosen for your mattress can support it properly. This is especially important for heavy mattresses.
If you have an innerspring mattress, flip & rotate it to make it last longer.

How long should a mattress last? Final thoughts on durability

So, when to get a new mattress? The answer is simple: any mattress, whether hybrid, foam mattress, or innerspring mattress lasts as long as it provides good sleep & pressure relief, and is genuinely comfortable.

Durability is one of the essential criteria to consider when choosing a mattress, but it varies. Most mattresses last 10 years. That is a lot of nights, and it will last this long only if you care about your bed properly. If you do, you have almost nothing to worry about as since most manufacturers offer 10-year limited warranties.

FAQ

How long does a good mattress last?

A quality mattress lasts 7-10 years.

How long does a cheap mattress last?

Most manufacturers that produce low-cost mattresses have a 10-year limited warranty.

How long does a Sleep Number mattress last?

The manufacturer offers a 15-year limited warranty on the mattresses, so we can assume that it is likely to last 8-10 years. However, the warranty doesn’t guarantee that the mattress will certainly last for the mentioned time: some companies offer the lifetime warranty, so you should pay attention to how comfortable your mattress is rather than count on the warranty period.

How long does a memory foam mattress last?

Usually, memory foam mattresses last 8-11 years.

How long does a box spring mattress last?

Box springs usually last 10 years.

How long does a pillow top mattress last?

Pillow top mattresses can last from 5 to 7 years.

How long does a latex mattress last?

Latex mattresses usually last longer — from 10 to 20 years.

How long does a foam mattress last?

If you choose low-density foam, your foam mattress is likely to last about 5 years, and higher density foams usually last 8-11 years. This period is considered the average durability of all foam mattresses.

How long does a Tempur-Pedic mattress last?

It depends on the mattress you choose. On average, mattresses by Tempur-Pedic last up to 10 years, as this brand offers products made of special HQ foam developed by NASA to absorb the g-force of astronauts during shuttle launches.