How Long Should A Mattress Really Last?

Try to find out how long a mattress lasts. The numbers you get will depend on the website you visit – with retail mattress sites often overestimating the figures and trying to fool you into thinking the mattress will last as long as its warranty period.

So how long do mattresses really last?

Most regular innerspring and cheap polyfoam mattresses last an average of 5-7 years. Memory foam mattresses can last 5-8 years if they are of high quality. Hybrid mattresses can last from 6 to 10 years. The life expectancy of organic/natural latex mattresses is 6-12 years.

The rest of this article will tell you how long different mattress types and brands last, as well as the 5 factors that affect the lifespan of a mattress, 3 ways you can use your mattress longer, and the 5 signs you need a new mattress.

Most mattresses last an average of 5-7 years

Mattresses last an average of 5-7 years – which typically falls short of the industry-standard warranty length of 10-25 years, as long warranties are often used as marketing tools that only kick in if there is a defect and not normal wear and tear.

Instead, the actual lifespan of a mattress depends on the quality of the materials used, the design, the care of the mattress, the weight the mattress is loaded with, and other subjective factors.

To alleviate some of the confusion, I’ve listed below how long different mattress types and brands are expected to last based on their features:

Mattress lifespan varies by type

A mattress can last up to 5-7 years on average, but depending on the materials used and the construction, they may last longer.

The following is a breakdown of how long each type of mattress is expected to last:

1: Normal mattresses last 5-7 years.
A normal mattress that is made of springs and/or polyfoam should last 5 to 7 years.

2: Innerspring mattresses last 5-7 years.
An innerspring mattress with a continuous, Bonnell, or offset coil core should last about 5-7 years, while an innerspring mattress with individually wrapped pocket springs may last a little longer because it can distribute your body weight more evenly and reduce the effects of wear and tear.

3: Hybrid mattresses last 6-10 years.
Hybrid mattresses are among the most durable mattresses and can last up to 6-10 years or longer with proper care, if the materials are of high quality and the mattress is well constructed.

4: Foam mattresses last 5-7 years.
Regular foam mattresses made entirely of cheap polyfoam tend to be some of the shortest lasting mattresses and can barely last more than 5-7 years and still provide a comfortable and supportive sleeping surface.

5: Memory foam mattresses last 5-8 years.
Memory foam mattresses, which consist of high-density memory foam in the top layer and polyfoam in the bottom support core, can last up to 5-8 years if the design is good and the materials are of high quality.

6: Latex foam mattresses last 6-12 years.
Mattresses that are made entirely of latex foam and have a high percentage of organic or natural latex foam are some of the most durable and long-lasting mattresses you can buy, and can last up to 6-12 years or longer if properly cared for.

7: Pillowtop mattresses last 5-7 years.
Pillowtop mattresses typically last between 5 and 7 years, depending on the quality and design of the pillow, the top comfort layers, and the support core – though poor quality mattresses tend to compress easily, get lumpy, and wear out faster.

8: Box spring mattresses last 5-10 years.
Box spring mattresses can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or longer, depending on the type of mattress placed on the box spring (hybrid, innerspring, foam, etc.) and the quality of the box spring frame itself.

9: Air mattresses last 3-5 years (infrequently used).
An air mattress that is rarely used can last up to 3-5 years, while an air mattress that is used every night or very regularly can only last a few months before developing a leak.

10: Crib mattresses last 3-5 years.
A crib mattress will last about 3-5 years if properly cared for, though crib mattresses that are waterproof and/or mildew resistant have the potential to last the longest because they can better resist decay.

11: Futon mattresses last 5 years.
A traditional futon mattress that is placed directly on the floor and used regularly can last up to 5 years. Modern fold-out futon mattresses that use a frame may last longer than 5 years if the mattress and frame are in good condition.

12: Horsehair mattresses last up to 80-100 years.
Some of the highest quality horsehair mattresses can last up to 80-100 years due to the material’s exceptional properties, with prices starting at a few $1,000 and ending at $200,000.

13: Mattresses in a box last 5-12 years.
Mattresses in a box can last anywhere from five to twelve years, depending on their type (latex, hybrid, memory foam, etc.).

14: Waterbeds last 5-10 years
PVC waterbeds can last 5 to 10 years or longer with proper care.

15: Double-sided mattresses last 5-7 years.
Double-sided mattresses typically last about 5-7 years, depending on the materials and design – though the double-sided feature is not an exclusive guarantee that the mattress will last longer than a single-sided “no-flip” mattress.

16: No-flip mattresses last 5-7 years.
Single-sided no-flip mattresses can last 5-7 years or longer, depending on the materials used and the design – though the single-sided design is not an exclusive guarantee that the mattress will not last as long as a double-sided mattress.

Mattress Lifespan May Vary By Brand

Some mattress brands may last longer than others.

In the following list, we’ve broken down how long each mattress brand is likely to last:

Beautyrest mattresses last 6-10 years
A Beautyrest hybrid mattress can last up to 6-10 years or longer with proper care.

Casper mattresses are expected to last 5-10 years
The Casper Wave Hybrid, Nova Hybrid and Casper Original Hybrid mattresses can last up to 6-10 years or longer due to their high-quality foam coil construction, while the Casper Original and Casper Element mattresses can last up to 5-8 years or longer due to their all-foam construction.

DreamCloud mattresses last 6-10 years.
The DreamCloud and DreamCloud Premier mattresses can last up to 6-10 years due to their high-quality hybrid spring and memory foam design.

Eve mattresses last 5-10 years
The Eve Original Hybrid, Eve Premium Hybrid and Eve Lighter Hybrid mattresses can last up to 6-10 years or longer due to their spring and foam construction, while the Eve Premium, Eve Original Foam and Eve Lighter Foam mattresses can last up to 5-8 years or longer due to their high-quality foam structure.

Ikea mattresses last 5-7 years.
Ikea’s spring and foam mattresses can last up to 5-7 years or longer.

Layla mattresses last 5-10 years
The Layla Hybrid mattress can last up to 6-10 years or longer, while the Layla Memory Foam mattress can last 5-8 years or longer due to their respective construction quality and materials used.

Leesa mattresses last 5-10 years
The Leesa Hybrid and Leesa Legend mattresses can last 6-10 years due to their hybrid construction, while the Leesa Original and Leesa Studio all-foam mattresses can last about 5-8 years.

Nectar mattresses last 5-8 years.
The all-foam Nectar Memory Foam and Nectar Lush mattresses can last up to 5-8 years or longer with proper care.

Puffy mattresses last 5-10 years
The all-foam Puffy Original, Puffy Lux and Puffy Royal mattresses can last up to 5-8 years or longer, while the Puffy Lux Hybrid and Puffy Royal Hybrid mattresses can last up to 6-10 years or longer because they have a coil core that can increase the durability and life of the mattress.

Purple mattresses last 5-10 years
The Purple Original mattress can last between 5 and 10 years due to the unique Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ top layer designed for comfort and durability, while the Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier mattresses can last up to 6-10 years due to the addition of a sturdy coil core.

Saatva mattresses last 7-10 years

Saatva mattresses last 7-10 years looking at the materials and construction of the Saatva, it appears to be a very durable mattress. The two sets of coils should give the mattress real-life, and the Saatva should last at least seven to 10 years.

Read our unbiased Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress Review

Sealy mattresses last 5-10 years.
Sealy’s hybrid and innerspring mattresses can last up to 5-10 years or longer with proper care.

Stearns and Foster mattresses last 6-10 years.
Stearns and Foster hybrid mattresses can last up to 6-10 years or longer due to their durability.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses last 5-10 years.
TEMPUR-Cloud®, TEMPUR-Adapt®, TEMPUR-ProAdapt®, TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt® and TEMPUR-breeze° mattresses can last up to 5-8 years or longer due to their all-foam construction, while TEMPUR-Adapt® Hybrid, TEMPUR-ProAdapt® Hybrid and TEMPUR-PRO Breeze Hybrid can last up to 6-10 years or longer due to the addition of sturdy coils.

Tuft & Needle mattresses last 5-10 years
The Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress could last approximately 6-10 years, while the T&N Original Mattress and the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress could last approximately 5-8 years or longer due to their all-foam construction.

5 Factors that affect the lifespan of a mattress.

The 5 most important factors that affect the lifespan of a mattress are the design, material quality, body weight of the sleeper, frequency of use, and firmness level of the mattress.

Each of these factors is explained in more detail below.

1: Design – Hybrid and Latex Mattresses Last Longer

Hybrid innerspring latex and full latex foam mattresses tend to be the longest-lasting mattress designs (about 6-12 years), while full polyfoam and regular innerspring mattresses have the shortest expected lifespan (about 5-7 years) and good quality memory foam mattresses last about 5-8 years on average.

2: Material Quality – High-density foams last longer.

While the design of the mattress can be a guide to the expected life of the mattress, this is only true if the materials used to make the mattress are of good quality.

3: Body Weight – More weight wears a mattress out faster.

The more weight that is placed on a mattress, the more likely it is that the mattress materials will wear out, shortening the life of the mattress.

If you weigh more than 230 lbs then as a general rule, you should generally opt for a hybrid mattress that is at least 10-12 inches thick and has at least a medium firmness level (if you are a front or back sleeper, consider a medium-firm or firm firmness level to maintain good posture) to avoid excessive material compression and maximize the life of your mattress.

4: Frequency of use – less use will increase the lifespan.

If you use a mattress every night, you should expect to shorten its lifespan compared to a mattress of the same quality that is used less frequently – for example, a mattress that you only use occasionally in your guest room.

5: Firmness level – A firmer mattress may last longer.

A firmer mattress can last longer than a softer mattress of the same material quality because the increased surface tension helps prevent the material from sinking in excessively, leading to faster material degradation and shorter mattress life.

However, you should NOT buy a harder mattress just because you think it will last longer – the choice of firmness is more important in terms of how comfortable you will feel in the mattress in relation to your body weight and dominant sleeping position.

Choosing the right mattress firmness isn’t an exact science, but if you’re a front, back, or side sleeper in the 130-230 pound range (about 80% of sleepers), then a medium firmness level should be comfortable for you.

If you are a lighter side sleeper weighing between 130 and 150 pounds, you should choose a medium soft, soft, or extra soft mattress for more pressure relief and comfort.

On the other hand, if you are a heavy front or back sleeper weighing over 200 pounds, you should prefer a medium-firm, firm, or extra-firm mattress to ensure ideal posture.

3 Ways to Make a Mattress Last Longer

To make your mattress last longer, flip it over every 3 months, use a compatible frame, and add a mattress topper.

See below for more details:

1: Turn your mattress to distribute the weight.

Turning your mattress 180 degrees every 3 months can extend the life of the mattress by distributing your body weight more evenly across the surface of the mattress, reducing the risk of indentation and sagging, which could make the mattress uncomfortable and shorten its life.

If you sleep as a couple with different body weights, regular mattress rotation is especially important as it helps to balance the pressure your mattress is under over time.

However, suppose you don’t have a double-sided mattress. In that case, you should rotate your mattress NOT as flipping a mattress with a single-sided design means you are sleeping on the uncomfortable support core, which can damage the mattress and almost certainly void the warranty.

2: Use the Correct Frame for even support.

You should always buy a compatible slatted base with your mattress to ensure that the mattress is well supported, making it less likely that the materials will wear out from uneven pressure and shortening the life expectancy of the mattress.

Using the right frame can also fix a noisy mattress, increasing comfort and preventing pain.

3: Use a Mattress Topper to cushion your weight.

Placing a mattress topper with the right firmness level for your sleeping style over the mattress can help the mattress last longer, as it not only protects the mattress from stains and spills, but it can also cushion your body weight better to counteract material degradation.

You can also use a mattress topper to temporarily repair a broken mattress where the springs are protruding through the top, if you are currently unable to purchase a replacement mattress.

5 Signs You Need a New Mattress

There are five signs that you need a new mattress: the mattress is older than 7 years, it has begun to sag, you are experiencing pain in the morning, your allergies are getting worse, and you’re just happier sleeping on other beds.

More details are below:

1: Age – Mattresses older than 5-7 years need to be replaced.

Most mattresses need to be replaced every 5-7 years if they are used every night.

You may be able to sleep on your mattress longer than that, but you should watch out for the other signs listed below that indicate your mattress really needs to be replaced.

2: Sagging – worn out mattresses lose their shape.

If your mattress has a sag of 1-1.5 inches or more across the entire surface of the mattress, this is a sign that you need to replace your mattress as it could be causing poor posture.

More severe dents can also cause pressure points and discomfort.

The video below shows you how to easily identify a sagging mattress:

3: Pain – Worn mattresses can cause discomfort.

If you wake up with back pain or stiffness in your body that subsides throughout the day and returns the next morning, this is a strong indicator that your mattress is worn out and no longer suitable for your body type and sleeping position.

In a study in which 59 subjects with mild musculoskeletal sleep-related pain who slept on a mattress with an average age of 9.5 years switched to a brand new, moderately expensive, medium-firm mattress, back discomfort was significantly reduced (with gradual improvement over 4 weeks) and sleep quality also improved.

4: Allergies – worn mattresses harbor allergens.

If you sneeze, have red eyes and/or a stuffy nose when you lie down on your mattress, this could be a sign that allergens such as dust mites have accumulated in the mattress.

You may be able to fix this by washing the cover, changing the sheets, or using a hypoallergenic mattress protector.

However, if this doesn’t fix the problem, the support core may be packed with allergens and you may need a new mattress.

5: Other beds feel more comfortable.

If you find that you sleep more comfortably in a different bed – such as a hotel mattress – this could be a sign that your mattress is worn out and needs to be replaced.

Bottom line: most mattresses last 5-7 years.

Despite the often exaggerated claims of mattress manufacturers, most mattresses need to be replaced after 5-7 years – although some higher quality models may last up to 10 years or slightly longer.

Be careful not to judge the potential lifespan of a mattress based on the length of its warranty, as warranties only cover certain defects, and normal wear and tear is not covered by replacements/repairs.

If your mattress is more than 5-7 years old, sagging, causing you pain and/or aggravating your allergies, then it’s best to buy a new mattress.