5 things you should know about mattress guarantees before hitting the shops

Should your dream mattress turn into a nightmare, your guarantee can come to the rescue – but only if you know what you've signed up for.

When it comes to mattresses, there are plenty to choose from, so it's worth knowing what to look out for now to save you hassle later.

Read on to find out why a mattress guarantee matters and how not to get caught out by an unexpected caveat.

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1. Guarantees can differ from one mattress to another, even from the same manufacturer 

The word guarantee is often used synonymously with warranty, but there are differences between the two and it's important to know what each covers.

• A guarantee is the assurance regarding quality and lifespan, with a promise to repair or replace if the product doesn't live up to its name.
• Warranties last longer than guarantees, may offer additional protection and you usually need to pay extra for them.

Our mattress reviews contain guarantee information for brands. But bear in mind that the guarantee may differ from one mattress to another from the same manufacturer, so do check this before you buy.

A warranty or guarantee doesn't replace your statutory rights.

What's the best mattress you can buy? Our reviews are based on robust lab tests and reveal which ones won't let you down

2. It’s easy to inadvertently void your mattress guarantee 

Always check the T&Cs of any guarantee or warranty before buying. Many of us are guilty of not bothering to do this, but it's worth the extra five minutes so that you don't inadvertently void your guarantee.

Some mattress guarantees only cover issues with specific parts, such as the springs or stitching. Many won't cover problems that are caused by you mishandling the mattress, or cleaning the mattress incorrectly.

For example:

• Some guarantees won't cover you if using mattresses on the wrong type of bed frame or if you use it on a bed base with slats that are greater than a specific distance apart.
• Some have a weight limit: 20 stone/130kg for Eve mattresses, for example.
• You could also invalidate your guarantee by not cleaning or caring for your mattress according to the instructions.

Need a new mattress, but don't have a big budget? Head to our round-up of the most popular Ikea mattresses

3. Read sleep trial terms and conditions carefully: some are very specific

Sleep trials, traditionally favoured by some bed-in-a-box brands, are now more common. Some can be as long as 365 nights, so are a useful way to check if a mattress is right for you.

However, before opting for a mattress with a sleep trial, it's essential that you read the T&Cs.

Check how you need to return it if you don't like it. Some sleep trials allow you to return it for free for a full refund – and you won't even have to try and get it back into the packaging. Other sleep trials aren't so generous, though, and will only let you exchange or upgrade your mattress. You may even have to pay an arrangement fee for its collection. And some only allow free returns within a specified window.

Most sleep trials have rules about using a mattress protector during the trial and many (quite reasonably) won't accept a soiled mattress back.

Be aware that some trials also stipulate that you need to sleep on a mattress for a minimum number of nights before you can return it, so you have more of a chance to get used to it.

Find out all you need to know about how to return a mattress

4. You may not be able to return a mattress bought in-store

If you prefer shopping at a physical store, it means you can try out a mattress in person. You might be able to spend 10 minutes lying on it to give you some impression of what it would be like to sleep on. You can also ask a sales assistant for tailored advice.

However, if you get it home and then decide you don't like it, you might not be able to return it. No matter how uncomfortable it is, if a mattress bought in a physical shop is not actually faulty or damaged, you can only return it if the retailer has a returns policy – which isn't a legal requirement.

Fortunately, many retailers do provide a ‘goodwill’ returns policy, details of which will be on the retailer’s website and perhaps also on your receipt, but you can also check in store before you pay. But even that doesn’t necessarily make returning a mattress easy.

• Some shops will only offer an exchange or store credit, rather than a full refund back to the original payment method.
• Some high street retailers will only accept returns if the mattress is unused, so it will need to be in perfect condition, undamaged and in its original packaging. In these circumstances, you won't be able to change your mind once you've slept on it (unless it's offered with a sleep trial).

If you're not wedded to the idea of testing a mattress in person, there are some benefits to buying online.

For a start, it gives you a chance to change your mind – you're entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you receive goods. This means you can cancel your order at any time from the moment you order up to 14 days from the date it arrives and the seller is obliged to refund you.

5. If your mattress isn't what you ordered, you could claim a refund 

If something goes wrong with your mattress, don't be fobbed off. The first place to go is the retailer – the company that sold you the product, not the manufacturer.

If what you've been sold isn't of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or as described, then it's possibly in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. You have 30 days from taking ownership of a product to claim a refund if it's faulty. If you notice the fault after 30 days but within six months, you're entitled to a repair or replacement.

Our faulty goods complaint tool is a good place to start as it will guide you through questions about your issue and generate a ready-to-go complaint letter.

Your consumer rights apply even if your manufacturer's warranty or guarantee has expired – and retailers can't ignore this. Check how long you have to return a faulty product or what to do if the retailer refuses to help.

Don’t panic – mattress sales happen all year round

If you desperately need a new mattress, there are plenty of sales happening throughout the year. You don't need to be pressured into buying one because of a countdown timer or the promise of a large discount. 

With sales happening both in store and online, there's plenty of choice. If your heart is set on a specific brand that isn't on sale, it's worth holding out if you don't need to buy immediately. If you're a bit more flexible, then the mattress sales world is your oyster.

And if yours hasn't quite given up the ghost yet, take a look at our best mattress toppers. These will help provide a little extra comfort and support, so you can hold out a bit longer and you'll more than likely find the mattress you're after on sale somewhere before too long.

Save time and discover the best mattress deals before you head to the shops