These broad based answers can be very mis-leading. The longevity of a mattress will depend on the materials used. The longest lasting upholstery material is latex. The short lived is poly and memory foam. The gauge of wire used for the coils are also a factor. The gauge is a fractional number, so the lower the number the heavier the wire. A 15.5 gauge will likely last only a matter of months. A 13.75 gauge will last considerably longer. The number of turns in the coil is important, too....one turn for every inch of height is optimum for resiliency. A five inch high coil should be turned 5 times. Then, there's the physics of how much weight is being applied. A 150 pound man will enjoy his bed twice as long as a 300 pound man. Over the last 10 years, the overall quality of mattresses has declined, starting with going from being two-sided to one sided. The decline continued with more and more memory foam being added. Get a pillowtop, and you will experience an even shorter life than the corresponding tight top model.

This would depend on your interpretation of the mattress condition after a number of years. Some consumers are very sensitive to change and notice the slightest compression of foam after 6 months. Others have a mattress for 30 years and have no problem with it. The Better Sleep Council recently released an article stating that a well made mattress will last 8-10 years. They surveyed a number of individuals ranging in age from 18-55.

At my company, Yankee Mattress, our warranties start at 10 years and range to 20 years, all non-prorated. During this time period, an inch and a half body impression is consider normal. Anything deeper would be repaired or replaced. Lower gauge innersprings (eg. 12 1/2) will be firm but last longer than a higher gauge spring. Likewise, higher density poly foams (1.8 to 2.8) will outlast lower densities.

Keep these specifications in mind as you shop. Ask the associate what is covered under the warranty and make a choice based on you but instinct.

Good luck!

NN

3-7 years seems to be the length of a typical mattress...planned obsolescence. More dense foams and natural fibers tend to provide more longevity. Because softer beds are much more popular than they once were, many more beds made with polyurethane and cheap polyfill feel comfortable, but just don't hold up. One solution is to get a firm bed (I always recommend plant-base foams, natural rubber latex, wool or cotton) and add a luxurious topper. Replace the topper in a few years to prolong the life of your bed.

Our company sells the name brand mattresses from Serta, Simmons, and Tempur-Pedic. On the quilted top, coil/spring mattresses, the life span tends to be short in the 7-10 year range. There are definitely coil/spring mattresses from the name brands that we have had good experience with and some not. The ones that come back quickly don't stay on our floor long.

The best results on durability are from Memory Foam mattresses. The Tempur-Pedic brand, Simmons Comfor-Pedic, Serta iComfort & iComfort Directions, and Pure Latex Bliss beds. We have had hardly any warranty issues at all over many years. When people come through our doors, we try to show them the foam beds first because it's more of a sure thing that they won't come back in 6 months or two years with saggy bed.

You can expect five to seven years is normal for a mattress that contains any polyurethane foam.

It really depends on the mattress and the sleeper. If you are of slight build, even a spring mattress will out live the 10 year rule. Other types of beds will last longer than springs. Our primary brand is air technology, since air never wears out, and the rest of the parts are replaceable, the lifespan of our beds is indeterminate. They do come with a 25 year limited warranty, and they can change with you as you age and your body changes. Most people sleep on springs, and except for the very best most should be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Most air manufacturers use higher grade foam because of the longevity of their products. And most will open them up to prove it.

Hope this helps! Sleep Well!