If you’re on a tight budget, then you might be wondering if a mattress in a box is right for you. Sure, you’ll save money in the short term by choosing a less expensive bed in a box over a more traditional mattress with a slightly higher price tag\u2014but is that really the best option for your sleep?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here at Saatva, we believe the answer to that question is no. Of course, we’re in the business of handcrafting luxury mattresses<\/a>, so naturally, we think a compressed foam bed shipped to you in a 16-by-45-inch box can’t deliver the comfort, quality, or longevity of a premium mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help you figure out whether a bed in a box (or BIAB, as it’s also called) or a more traditional mattress is right for you, we’re answering the most common questions about mattresses that come in a box. Plus, we’ll also show you how the best bed in a box options compare to Saatva’s luxury mattresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A bed in a box is a mattress that’s been compressed, vacuum-sealed in plastic, and rolled into a shipping box. Typically, a mattress in a box is made from foam (because that’s the easiest material to compress), but there are also a few innerspring BIAB options on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the mattress is stuffed into a shipping box, it’s then delivered to your doorstep via UPS or FedEx. The rest\u2014carrying it to your bedroom, unpacking it, setting it up, and throwing away the packaging\u2014is up to you. (Keep in mind that a queen-size foam mattress usually weighs more than 90 pounds.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n No. A bed in a box needs some time to inflate once it’s taken out of the packaging. It also needs some time to air out. Vacuum sealing and wrapping a mattress in plastic concentrates odors and can lead to off-gassing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Off-gassing is the term for what happens when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leak out of foams used in mattresses and other upholstery materials and into the air you breathe. Common VOCs include formaldehyde, toluene, chlorofluorocarbons, benzene, trichloroethane, and perfluorocarbons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While most off-gassing from mattresses hasn’t been proven to be harmful, it has been shown to irritate people with chemical sensitivities or respiratory conditions like asthma. Some people also report feeling nauseated or dizzy from that “new mattress smell.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The unpleasant odor associated with off-gassing is usually temporary and should dissipate within a matter of days or weeks. When it comes to a bed in a box, the worst off-gassing happens in the first few hours after unwrapping the mattress. Most bed in a box manufacturers recommend letting the mattress expand in a well-ventilated area until any smell disappears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related: How to keep scary chemicals out of your mattress<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Light foam mattresses that are compressed into a box and shipped via UPS wear out faster than other mattresses. While a high-quality memory foam mattress<\/a> can last between 10 and 15 years, a foam bed in a box may last only five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s because a bed in a box is typically made with lower-quality materials. You can tell if a foam mattress is durable by looking at the foam density. The higher the foam density, the more supportive and durable the mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium memory foam has a density of 4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot and can’t be compressed into a box. Most bed in a box brands use foam with a density of 3 pounds per cubic foot or less so it’s easier to fit inside a box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An innerspring bed in a box is also not as durable as a non-boxed innerspring mattress. At the heart of an innerspring mattress<\/a>\u2014<\/span>whether a traditional innerspring or a hybrid of springs and foam\u2014<\/span>is a support core made of tempered steel coils. In order for those coils to provide the best support, they need to be strong and durable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing is, strong, durable coils can’t be compressed, folded, and rolled. Only thin, flexible coils can. You can tell if an innerspring mattress is durable by looking at the coil gauge, or thickness. A lower gauge (between 12 and 15) usually lasts longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s what happens when you put a mattress through a crusher. It’s easy to see why this would be impossible with a high-quality innerspring or premium foam mattress.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is a mattress in a box?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can you sleep on a mattress in a box right away?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do mattresses in a box last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n