Mattress Firm operates as a specialty retailer focused almost exclusively on sleep, offering a vast selection of mattresses from top brands like Serta and Tempur-Pedic. In contrast, Ashley Furniture is a large-scale home furnisher that includes a curated selection of affordable mattresses as part of its broader catalog, often bundled with stylish bedroom sets.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right retailer for your bedroom and budget.
Mattress Firm: The Sleep Technology Specialist
Mattress Firm is one of the nation’s largest mattress retailers, positioning itself as a destination for consumers serious about improving their sleep quality. They provide a high-touch shopping experience with sleep experts trained to guide customers through an extensive inventory of brands, materials, and technologies. This focus makes them a top choice for anyone with specific comfort needs or health concerns, such as back pain or temperature regulation.
- Product mix: Primarily mattresses, adjustable bases, box springs, and sleep accessories like pillows and protectors from leading brands such as Sealy, Serta, and Tempur-Pedic.
- Style/vibe: Function over form. The aesthetic is centered on sleep technology, performance fabrics, and ergonomic design rather than decorative style.
- Price point: Broad range. Entry-level mattresses start around $200, but mid-range options are typically $500–$1,500, with luxury models exceeding $3,000.
- Quality: Offers good to excellent quality, with options including advanced memory foams, hybrid coils, and cooling gels. Warranties are robust, often covering 10 to 20 years.
- Sales: Frequent sales and promotions occur year-round, especially during major holidays, with discounts, bundle offers, and attractive financing deals.
- Return policy: A major benefit is the 120-Night Sleep Trial, which allows customers to exchange their mattress or return it for a refund if they aren't satisfied.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers full-service white-glove delivery, including setup of your new mattress and removal of the old one.
Mattress Firm is ideal for shoppers who want expert guidance and a wide selection of technologically advanced mattresses from well-known brands.
Shop Mattress Firm: mattressfirm.com
Ashley Furniture: The Affordable All-in-One Home Furnisher
Ashley Furniture is a global leader in home furnishings, known for providing stylish and affordable furniture for every room in the house. While they are a one-stop-shop for living, dining, and home office setups, they also offer a solid range of budget-friendly mattresses. The appeal of buying a mattress from Ashley often lies in the convenience of purchasing a complete, coordinated bedroom set at a highly competitive price point.
- Product mix: Extensive home furniture collection with a curated selection of mattresses, primarily from their own private label brands. Focus is on bundling mattresses with bed frames, dressers, and nightstands.
- Style/vibe: Style-driven. Their mattresses are designed and marketed as part of complete bedroom collections, with styles ranging from modern farmhouse to contemporary glam.
- Price point: Highly affordable. Most mattresses are priced between $150 and $700, making them a go-to for budget-conscious buyers and guest rooms.
- Quality: Focused on value. Mattresses are typically made from innerspring or basic foam constructions. Quality is suitable for the price, but warranties are shorter, usually around 5 to 10 years.
- Sales: Constant sales events and clearance deals, with particularly good value found in their bedroom package deals.
- Return policy: Very restrictive. Returns for in-store purchases are often required within 48-72 hours, and opened mattresses are typically not eligible for return or exchange.
- Delivery & Assembly: Provides delivery, setup, and old mattress removal services, making it easy to outfit an entire room in one transaction.
Ashley Furniture serves customers looking for stylish, budget-friendly bedroom solutions and the convenience of one-stop shopping.
Shop Ashley Furniture: ashleyfurniture.com
Mattress Firm vs. Ashley Furniture Comparison
Price Comparison
Ashley Furniture is the clear winner on price for entry-level mattresses. With options often starting under $200 and rarely exceeding $700, it's a fantastic choice for anyone on a tight budget. The value increases significantly when you bundle a mattress with a bed frame or full bedroom set, making it perfect for first-time homebuyers or furnishing a guest room.
Mattress Firm, on the other hand, offers a much wider pricing spectrum. While they have budget options, their strength lies in the mid-range to premium categories. You'll find high-tech mattresses from top brands here that aren't available at Ashley, but you should expect to pay more for the advanced materials and longer durability.
Style & Aesthetic
This comparison comes down to function versus fashion. Mattresses at Mattress Firm are sold based on their comfort features and sleep-enhancing technology. Their design is clean and functional, meant to be covered with bedding.
Ashley Furniture integrates its mattresses into its larger furniture collections. Here, the mattress is part of a complete aesthetic. Their showrooms and website showcase how a bed looks within a fully decorated room, catering to shoppers who prioritize a coordinated and stylish bedroom design.
Quality & Construction
Mattress Firm has the edge in quality and overall construction. By stocking brands like Tempur-Pedic and Serta, they offer products made with premium materials like high-density memory foam, phase-change cooling fabrics, and advanced coil systems. These mattresses come with longer warranties (often 10+ years), signaling better long-term durability.
Ashley Furniture's mattresses are built for value. They often use more basic innerspring and foam constructions that are perfectly adequate for many sleepers, but may not offer the same longevity or advanced support as pricier models. Their shorter warranty periods reflect this focus on affordability over long-term performance.
Product Selection
As a specialist, Mattress Firm boasts a significantly deeper and broader selection of mattresses. You can choose from dozens of models across various types (innerspring, foam, hybrid) and firmness levels from multiple respected brands. Their wide inventory allows shoppers to find a mattress tailored to very specific needs.
Ashley Furniture's selection is more limited and consists mainly of their in-house brands. While they cover all standard sizes and basic types, the goal is not to overwhelm with choice but rather to offer a handful of solid, affordable options that pair well with their furniture.
Shopping Experience
Shopping at Mattress Firm is a consultative process. You'll be greeted by a "Sleep Expert" who will ask questions about your sleep habits and guide you toward suitable options. It's a focused experience designed to troubleshoot sleeping problems.
The experience at Ashley Furniture is that of a traditional furniture store. Sales staff can assist with mattresses, but their expertise generally covers the entire home furnishings catalog. It's a great experience for someone looking to efficiently furnish a whole room or home at once.
Return Policies
This is one of the most significant differences. Mattress Firm’s 120-Night Sleep Trial is an industry-leading policy that provides a huge safety net. If you don't love the mattress after trying it for a few weeks, you can exchange it, giving you peace of mind.
Ashley Furniture's return policy is far stricter, especially for mattresses. Most stores have a short return window (sometimes just 48-72 hours), and mattresses that have been removed from their packaging are often final sale. This makes the purchase a bigger commitment from day one.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your priorities - are you investing in years of quality sleep, or are you focused on furnishing a space stylishly and affordably?
Choose Mattress Firm if:
- You prioritize sleep quality and long-term durability.
- You have specific needs like back pain or sleeping hot and need expert guidance.
- You want to test mattresses from well-known brands like Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, or Serta.
- A generous trial period and return policy are important for your peace of mind.
Choose Ashley Furniture if:
- You are on a strict budget and need the most affordable option.
- You are furnishing an entire bedroom and want a coordinated, stylish set.
- The mattress is for a guest room or secondary bedroom that won't see daily use.
- You prioritize the convenience of one-stop shopping for all your home furnishing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mattress Firm or Ashley Furniture cheaper?
Overall, Ashley Furniture is cheaper. Their business model is built around offering affordable, stylish furniture, and their mattresses follow this strategy with prices mostly in the $150-$700 range. Mattress Firm's prices start low but extend into premium categories, making their average price point higher.
Which has better quality mattresses?
Mattress Firm generally offers higher-quality mattresses from specialized brands known for durability and advanced materials like cooling foams and hybrid technology. Ashley’s mattresses offer good quality for the price but are designed with affordability as the primary goal.
Can you return a mattress to both stores?
This is a key difference. Mattress Firm provides a 120-Night Sleep Trial, allowing you to exchange or return a mattress if it's not the right fit. Ashley Furniture's return policy is much more restrictive, many locations consider opened mattresses final sale or only allow returns within a couple of days.
Who has a better selection of mattresses?
Mattress Firm has a far superior selection. As a specialty retailer, their entire business revolves around carrying a deep inventory of different brands, types, and firmness levels to suit any preference.
Is Mattress Firm good for people with back pain?
Yes, Mattress Firm is an excellent choice for a person with back pain. Their sales staff are trained to help diagnose comfort issues, and they carry many mattresses with advanced support systems, like those from Tempur-Pedic, specifically designed for pressure relief and spinal alignment.
Is Ashley Furniture a good place to buy a complete bedroom set?
Absolutely. This is a primary strength of Ashley Furniture. They excel at offering stylish, coordinated bedroom sets - including a bed frame, dresser, nightstands, and a matching mattress - at a very competitive package price.
How long do mattresses from each store last?
A mattress from a premium brand at Mattress Firm can be expected to last 8 to 12 years or more, thanks to higher-quality materials and robust warranties. A budget mattress from Ashley Furniture will likely provide comfort for 5 to 7 years before it may need to be replaced.
Do both stores offer financing?
Yes, both Mattress Firm and Ashley Furniture offer a variety of financing options to help customers manage the cost of their purchase, often with promotional periods of zero interest.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
