It’s going to be a challenge to find a free mattress to replace your old one, if not impossible.
- Daily Goodie Box - Grab a GIANT box of free samples from some of the world's most popular brands.
- Try Products - What's better than one giant box of free stuff? TWO giant boxes of free stuff. Join Try Products to get even more free samples shipped right to you.
- Survey Junkie - Test new products, keep them, and get paid for your feedback. Sign up for free to get started.
Mattresses are included in big-ticket shopping lists in most households, but if you need one NOW, there are places you can actually get one either free or super cheap.
Of course, any free mattress you find in the world may not be worthy of bringing into your home.
Read on to discover all the places to find free mattresses and learn the signs of whether they’re still usable or more suitable for the garbage bin.
Is there such a thing as Mattress Testing or Mattress Trials?
Mattress companies do not give away mattresses, but you can find a brand with a trial policy, buy a mattress and return the mattress after 90 days to several months to get a refund. Different companies have different terms.
Here are some examples…
20 Companies with Free Mattress Trial Programs
You need cash upfront because you’re actually buying the mattress first. Once the trial period is over, you’ll get your money back as a refund from the company. If the company doesn’t charge restocking fees, you’re essentially getting your entire deposit back.
Repeat the process all over again, but with another mattress brand below.
Buy any Amore mattress, try it out for 100 days and return it risk-free if you’re not satisfied.
Amore also has attractive financing options available if you’re ready to stick to the brand.
Aviya offers a 100-day, in-home trial with no restocking fee. The company will also pick up the mattress from your home totally free of charge.
Bear has a 120-night, risk-free mattress trial so customers could experience “hibernation-level” sleep. The trial program is only valid with retail pricing. Bear products sold as “closeout” or “clearance” are final sale and cannot be exchanged, returned, or refunded.
Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night “no drama” trial period with no return fees, no shipping fees, and no hidden fees.
The company offers a 100-night trial period for any of its mattresses. Returns are free and even include bed frames and other Casper products bundled with the trial period.
Dreamfoam exchanges or refunds are available after you’ve tried the mattress for at least 30 days from the date of delivery. The 120-night comfort trial can only be used once per customer per calendar year.
It's a giant box of free samples and it comes right to your door at no cost.
Click here and get yours.
This company has one of the longest trial periods in the market with a year’s worth (365 nights) of trial. You are also not charged for return shipping, restocking, or any other hidden fees.
This USA-based mattress manufacturer offers a 101-day trial for people to try their mattresses. The company also has an awesome financing plan for those who can’t afford the entire amount.
Get a 100% refund if you return the mattress between days 31-100 after delivery. The Helix 100 Night Sleep Trial is legit and has no hidden fees.
Try out a memory foam mattress from Lull for 365 nights and receive a full refund if you return the mattress.
Luxi’s 1000-night trial for its Luxi 3-in-1 Mattress is a first in the industry. The company also has a risk-free 100-night trial for other mattress designs.
Not only does Nectar Sleep have an impressive 365-night trial, the company also offers a Forever Warranty to all its products.
The company used to have a 100-night trial, but has extended its program to 365 days! Check terms before ordering.
PlushBeds give you a 100-night sleep trial with free returns.
Get a FULL refund if you return the Puffy mattress anytime within 101 days after delivery.
The Purple offers a 100-night mattress trial and financing plans.
The company’s eco-friendly mattresses can be tried for 120 days. You can request a full refund within this trial period and enjoy no restocking fees. But there will be a $90 transportation cost.
Tuft & Needle’s 100-night trial policy comes with free delivery.
The company only offers 90 days trial, but Tempur-pedic is one of the most modern brands around with AI and sleep technology embedded into its products.
From the makers of Marpac, Yogabed is the company’s memory foam brand. You can get a 101-night free trial with zero delivery fees and no hidden costs.
If you plan to take advantage of these trial programs, make sure to ask the mattress company these 3 things:
- Is there a restocking fee? If so, how much?
- Will the company pick up the mattress for you? If not, how much shipping fee are you required to shoulder for the returns?
- What condition should the mattress be in order to have it returned?
There are other companies that only offer 30-day trial periods, such as Avocado Green Mattress, which I think is too quick and can be more of a hassle if you’re just going to return the mattress after this month-long period.
Remember that these companies will only allow one free trial per customer.
Are there other mattress product testing gigs that do not require money upfront? Can you get free mattresses for reviews?
Unfortunately, companies rarely do mattress testing programs that involve their customers. They test out mattress products extensively, but this is often done in-house.
Do stores give away used floor models?
No, you can’t get a free mattress from floor models. However, some companies sell these for very low prices when on sale.
Note that floor models are considered “used” items and are not eligible for return or exchange, so keep this in mind when buying floor models in stores.
Other Places to Get a Free Mattress
Not everyone can take advantage of mattress companies with trial policies. If you don’t have the funds to pay for a mattress upfront, here are 7 other places you might find a totally-free mattress:
Family and friends
Always be on the lookout for family or friends who are moving to another city or migrating to another country.
Sometimes, people change mattresses when kids have outgrown their baby or toddler beds.
If you need one, ask families with young kids. You’ll be surprised that many people will happily give you the mattress free if you handle the pickup yourself.
Hotels, motels, and apartments
These places usually have a system that dictates when they need to replace their mattresses and bedding.
It wouldn’t hurt to ask the manager of these places if they’re looking to dispose of a mattress of two.
If they don’t have one available to give away now, maybe they can inform you when they plan to change existing mattresses with new ones.
Furniture stores
Some furniture stores may have a mattress stored and ready for disposal.
Ask if they’re willing to give it to you either free or for a low price.
If you’re buying a bed frame, some furniture stores may give you a free mattress as part of a promotion. Royal Furniture and Modloft are known to host these promos.
Charities and other non-profit organizations
The government doesn’t have free mattress programs for low-income families, but many non-profit organizations do. These includes:
- Furniture for Families – Helps families from El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova, CA.
- Cribs for Kids and Beds4Kids – These non-profit organizations help families with kids in need of a safe bed and mattress.
- Love Inc. – This charity is all-around, so you could ask for free beds, free mattresses, or even free food.
- Samaritan House – Free furniture is available for low-income families once every 6 months.
Visit other well-known charities like Salvation Army, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Red Cross, and United Way as well.
Online sources
- Craigslist – Check the freebie section of your local Craigslist.
- Facebook Groups – Freebie groups and local Facebook groups are populated by people who are near you and may be willing to give you a free mattress. Example: Furniture for Families.
- City websites or online groups – Many communities these days have an online group on Facebook, Viber, Discord, or even on their own website. If your condo, apartment complex, village, or small town has one, check the posts and try to ask if someone nearby is disposing of a mattress.
- Freecycle – If you live in a town with an active Freecycle network, you’re lucky. Browse the items currently being given away, or make a “wanted” post asking for a free mattress.
Make sure you’re accompanied by two or more people when collecting a free mattress from any of the methods above. Mattresses are pretty bulky and heavy – it’s impossible to carry by yourself.
When to Take Home the Free Mattress or Not
If you got lucky and had a chance to take home a free mattress, here are things you should look out for:
- Bedbugs – The worst of the worst, nobody wants to lie down on a bed with bedbugs, right? When you get a mattress, inspect for small spots of red, rust, or brown color on the top of the mattress. These spots could be a sign of crushed bedbugs. If alive, bedbugs are pinhead-sized black or dark spots, while eggs of bedbugs look like 1-millimeter husks.
Bedbugs usually hide under the mattress tag, seams, or piping, so make sure to inspect these areas first. And if you’ve proven that bedbugs do exist, decide if you’re going to throw the mattress out immediately or if the money you’re going to spend cleaning and disinfecting the mattress is worth the trouble.
- Mold and mildew – Unlike bedbugs, these issues are more manageable. They look like black or gray streaks. Many products in the market are advertised as mold cleansers, but you can actually make a DIY version with just alcohol and warm water combo or a solution made of 3 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide.
- Stains – The severity of stains should probably be the biggest clue if you’re going to keep the mattress or not. Bloodstains are definitely a no-go for most people, but a mattress with other stains (food, ink, dirt, etc.) that can be removed by stain removers is ideally salvageable.
If you solved any of the issues above, make sure to dry and air out the free mattress in sunlight before actually bringing it into your home.
Check out other freebies that you might like to have in your home, such as candles, books, or bikes. You can also learn how to get free money or free visa gift cards, which you can then use toward purchasing your own, brand new mattress.
