Bed in a Box - What it is, and should I buy it?
First thing we need to understand is what does this term means - ‘Bed in a box’. Even before we do that, we need to understand that ‘Bed in a box’ and ‘Mattress in a box’ is used interchangeably. Both these terms mean the same which is that a mattress is shipped and delivered to a client in a box. To further elaborate, the mattress is manufactured with the same process as a non-boxed mattress. However, the difference is in packing of the mattress. In a mattress in a box (or bed in a box), the mattress is compressed, folded, rolled, and vacuum sealed to fit into a box which can be shipped to a customer’s address. With a non-rolled mattress, there was no cost-effective way to pack and ship a mattress with a reputed courier company.
As we say, necessity leads to invention, so was the case here. With high cost involved in shipping the non-boxed mattress, there was a need to find a way to ship the mattress at relatively lower cost. This gave opportunity to engineers and manufacturers to come up with a way to roll the mattress. Mattress in a box means that the mattress is manufactured as a normal mattress, then compressed, and then folded, and then finally rolled into a size which can be boxed and shipped to a client.
To help you make a better-informed decision before buying a mattress in a box or a non-rolled mattress, we are mentioning the pros and cons of a packed vs non-packed mattress.
Bed in a box
Pros
- Easy to handle, setup, and move within the home – As this mattress comes in a smaller packing, it is relatively easier to move around within home including taking it from main floor to upper level which typical is the case.
- Easy to ship – Due to relatively smaller size of the box, standard shipping/courier companies are open to deliver at home. This also reduces the delivery costs which in turn results in overall low cost.
- Cost Effective – As no retailers are involved and the transaction is directly between the wholesaler/manufacturer and end consumer, the overhead retail costs are minimized and passed on to the consumer.
- Durability – There is some concerns with buyers that compressing and folding the mattress will reduce the durability and strength of foam or coil springs. However, it has been a proven fact that compressing using state of the art machines has no negative impact on durability of the mattress.
Cons
- Try before you buy: As the mattress is delivered at your doorstep, customer does not have an option to feel, lay down, or experience the mattress materiel and comfort.
- Off-Gassing: Like most mattresses, bed-in-box mattresses may have some off-gassing when initially unboxing the mattress.
Non-boxed traditional mattress
All the cons for mattress in a box are pros for traditional mattresses. When customer visits a retail showroom to shop for a mattress, he gets a personal attention from the salesman. He can look at different variety of mattress available and try them by sitting, laying down to feel the support and comfort provided by the mattress.
Pros
- Try before you buy.
- More variety and quality of mattress
Cons
- Difficult and expensive to ship. Additional shipping charges are incurred.
- Difficult to handle and move within the house
- Can be expensive than bed in a box.