Average Cost of a Mattress 2026

With mattresses ranging in price from £100 to £3,000 or more and needing to be replaced every 7-10 years, buying a mattress can be a significant financial investment. But buying a good mattress is integral to your health and overall wellbeing. To help you get the best night's sleep, learn about typical mattress costs in the UK before you invest in a new mattress.

How Much do Mattresses Cost?

Mattresses vary drastically in price depending on factors that mainly relate to size and composition. For example, a budget single pocket-sprung mattress could set you back as little as £100. This is fine for those on a strict budget, but it may not offer optimal comfort and a poor mattress might not only disrupt your sleep but could also cause muscular discomfort. On the other end of the scale, Tempur mattresses can cost over £3,000 and offer the most premium of quality, build and design. However, this is out of most people's budget. Similarly latex mattresses offer additional support and comfort, but at an increased price.

The good news is that there are many different mattress retailers to choose from and mattress discounts are quite common, especially around bank holidays. In addition, many online retailers will give you a coupon code to use on your first purchase, which could add up to quite a sizeable discount given mattresses are an investment purchase.

Hybrid mattresses, which combine pocket springs with memory foam or latex layers, have become increasingly popular in 2025/2026 and typically range from £300 to £1,000, offering a balance of support and pressure relief.

Average cost to buy a mattress in the UK (2026)

Cheap Mattress Suppliers

There are a number of reliable online mattress suppliers to chose from if you're after an affordable price—many of which can deliver the next business day. Here are a few top-rated options:

Average Cost of an Air Mattress

Air mattresses start from around £11-15 for a single air mattress, but for a deluxe double you can pay upwards of £30-40. Air mattresses are excellent for guests, camping and festivals. One of the biggest pros is that air mattresses can be bought for an extremely low price, as they are not intended for regular use. One of the points to note however is that air mattresses are typically only sold in single or double, with king and super king sizes proving rare to find.

Average Cost of an Air Bed

Air beds cost around £60-75 on average, ranging in price from £55 for a single up to £80 for a king size. While they cost noticeably more than an air mattress, air beds provide an extra dose of comfort and luxury and make for an ideal option for guests staying over. An air bed's raised height resembles a regular bed as opposed to an air mattress which is very low to the ground. When budgeting for an air bed, keep in mind that many now come with built-in electric pumps, eliminating the need for a separate purchase.

How Much Does Mattress Delivery Cost?

Mattress delivery is often free from major online retailers, though some companies charge between £30-£60. The trend in 2025/2026 is towards free next day delivery for most major mattress brands. For example:

• Mattress Online offers free next day delivery on most mattresses
• Mattress Next Day offers free next day delivery
• Bensons for Beds charges £39 for delivery of one item or £59 for two or more items
• Silent Night offers free next day delivery
• IKEA provides home delivery (charges vary by location)
• Amazon offers free delivery on mattress orders over £20, with more choice over delivery location and date

Many retailers also offer room of choice delivery, where the delivery team will place your mattress in your chosen bedroom.

How Much Does Mattress Recycling/Removal Cost?

The average cost to remove a mattress for recycling ranges from £20 to £55, depending on mattress size and the retailer or service used. Due to its size a mattress cannot be put in the regular waste or recycling, so you can either arrange for a special rubbish collection through your local authority, hire a local disposal company, or take your mattress to a tip or recycling point yourself—though depending on the location you may incur a charge.

Additionally some mattress companies will remove your old mattress for free or a charge when they deliver your new one, so it's worth checking in advance as this can save you time, money and effort. Here are your options for having a mattress removed:

Below we detail the current costs from popular UK mattress suppliers and mattress removal companies:

If you do use an external waste removal service, you should ensure it is legitimate to avoid possible fly tipping. Most major retailers now partner with recycling companies that ensure over 95% of mattress materials are recycled, with the remainder used for energy generation.

How Much Does Professional Mattress Cleaning Cost?

You should expect to pay between £20 and £80 for professional steam cleaning, depending on the size of your mattress. Your bed might be a comfortable place to rest your head at night, but it's also home to a host of bacteria, dust mites and in some cases bed bugs. With this in mind, it's wise to get your mattress professionally cleaned every 6-12 months. Be aware that some companies have a minimum £50-60 call out charge, so it's worth combining the job to include all mattresses in your home to avoid unnecessary costs.

In addition to the size of the mattress, some cleaning companies will also price based on the level of cleaning required and may offer add-on services such as:

• UV sanitisation treatment: £10-15 extra
• Stain removal: Usually included or £5-10 per stain
• Deodorising treatment: £5-10 extra
• Anti-allergen treatment: £10-15 extra

Professional mattress cleaning typically includes vacuuming, pre-spray detergent, brushing, hot water extraction (steam cleaning), and stain removal. Steam cleaning is considered the most effective method and is suitable for most mattress types except memory foam, which requires low-moisture dry-steam cleaning.

How Long Will a Mattress Last?

The average mattress has a lifespan of just 7-10 years, with some mattresses only lasting 5-6 years. How long your mattress lasts depends on the material used, the quality of the build, but also how well you take care of it. For example, not using a mattress protector, failing to turn your mattress often (where applicable), or allowing small children to jump on the mattress are just some of the factors which can reduce the life span of your mattress.

There is also the issue of hygiene, as mattresses can harbour dust mites and bacteria, meaning they do need to be changed every few years in addition to being cleaned regularly. Signs that you need to replace your mattress include:

• Waking up with back or neck pain
• Visible sagging or indentations
• Increased allergy symptoms
• Noisy springs or squeaking
• Poor sleep quality
• The mattress is over 8 years old

Mattress Shopping Tips for 2026

When shopping for a mattress in 2026, keep these tips in mind:

1. Take advantage of sleep trials: Most online retailers now offer 60-200 night sleep trials, allowing you to test the mattress at home
2. Look for long warranties: Quality mattresses should come with at least a 5-year guarantee, with many offering 10 years
3. Consider hybrid options: Hybrid mattresses have become very popular, offering a balance of support and comfort at competitive prices
4. Check for free delivery: Most major retailers now offer free next day delivery
5. Ask about recycling: Ensure your old mattress will be recycled responsibly
6. Read verified reviews: Check Trustpilot and other review platforms for genuine customer feedback
7. Don't skip the mattress protector: This will extend the life of your mattress and maintain hygiene

Methodology

To determine average mattress costs in the UK for 2026, we gathered current prices for pocket sprung, latex, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses in single, double, king and super king sizes from the following retailers and compared them with market research data: