4 best mattress financing options

The average lifespan of a mattress is about 10 years.

With a new mattress running anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, replacing your mattress can be an expensive proposition.

But if you’re due for an upgrade, it might be a necessary expense.

We’ve rounded up the four best mattress financing options that fit a variety of budgets and financial situations to help you find a way to get a new mattress — and hopefully a better night’s rest.

• Best for special offers: Retailer financing
• Best for installment payments: Buy-now, pay-later apps
• Best for no interest: 0% APR introductory offer credit cards
• Best for not adding debt: Paying cash
• What to watch out for with mattress financing
• How we picked these mattress financing options

Best for special offers: Retailer financing

Why retailer financing stands out: Making your mattress purchase at a brick-and-mortar retailer or purchasing the mattress on a retailers’ website might unlock opportunities for special financing deals.

Here are a few things to know about retailer financing.

• Some stores may offer exclusive promotions, such as 0% financing, discounts or gift cards with a purchase. Look for savings, especially around the holidays, and be sure to shop around for the best deal before committing to a specific store.
• Brick-and-mortar retailers often provide a range of payment options, including store credit cards, installment plans and lease-to-own payment plans.
• If you want to test and buy an online or direct-to-consumer mattress brand, such as Purple, you might be able to find it in person at a local store instead of purchasing it online.

Thinking about using a store card? Here are six things to watch out for.

Best for installment payments: Buy-now, pay-later apps

Why buy-now, pay-later apps stand out: Buy-now, pay-later apps can help you split up the cost of a large purchase, like a mattress, over time. You’ll typically be able to make equal monthly payments and might be able to select the number of months, depending on your purchase price and credit profile among other factors.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind if you’re planning to use a buy-now, pay-later app to finance a mattress.

• Some mattress companies have direct partnerships with buy-now, pay-later apps, allowing you to select the app as payment during checkout.
• Some buy-now, pay-later apps let you choose where you want to make your purchase, so you’re not limited to a certain retailer, online site or product.
• Rates might be as low as 0% if you qualify.
• You might be able to get prequalified without an impact to you credit.

Read our full roundup of the five best buy-now, pay-later apps to learn more.

Best for no interest: 0% APR introductory offer credit cards

Why 0% APR introductory offer credit cards stand out: Using a 0% APR intro credit card might be a consideration if you want to purchase a mattress interest free. But to benefit fully from the introductory rate, you’ll have to be sure to repay the amount you borrowed in full within a specified amount of time. Otherwise, interest kicks in.

Here are a few more things to know about using a 0% APR intro credit card.

• You’ll have to apply for the credit card, which will result in a hard inquiry on your credit history even if you initially prequalified.
• To avoid losing the 0% introductory purchase APR, you’ll likely have to make at least the minimum monthly payments due on your statement each month. 
• It’s important to read the fine print before applying for any credit card. You’ll also want to make sure you understand what the post-introductory interest rate is and how long you have before you lose the intro deal. 

Learn more about 0% APR offers.

Best for not adding debt: Paying cash

Why paying cash stands out: If you’re not looking to take on any more debt, you can’t go wrong with paying cash for your mattress. And you can choose to buy a mattress that fits your personal financial situation and budget.

If you’re thinking about using cash to pay for a mattress, here are a few more things to keep in mind.

• If you’re on a budget, opting for a mattress that costs only a few hundred dollars might be a better option than a luxury mattress.
• While online retailers can’t accept paper cash, you still might be able to pay with a debit card, so the funds will be taken out of your account immediately.
• Even if you don’t have cash on hand to purchase a mattress right now, you can always save up. Think about what you can afford to spend and then set a plan to put money aside until you’ve reached your goal.

Learn how to create a budget to help you save for big purchases.

What to watch out for with mattress financing

If you plan to use financing to pay for your next mattress, you might be able to spread the cost out over time, but it’s important to understand the total cost of financing — including interest and fees. Be sure to read the fine print before opening a store credit card, leasing-to-own or agreeing to an installment plan.

And remember, while you may be able to prequalify for a loan offer, completing the application usually triggers a hard credit pull that may lower your credit scores by a few points. You may also want to consider getting a personal loan.

How we picked these mattress financing options

When looking at the best ways to pay for your next mattress, we looked at several factors, including ability to prequalify, interest rates and convenience.

*Approval Odds are not a guarantee of approval. Credit Karma determines Approval Odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Karma members who were approved for the personal loan, or whether you meet certain criteria determined by the lender. Of course, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing your Approval Odds may help you narrow down your choices. For example, you may not be approved because you don’t meet the lender’s “ability to pay standard” after they verify your income and employment; or, you already have the maximum number of accounts with that specific lender.