Quick Answer: How Much Does a Mattress Cost in Canada?
A decent queen mattress in Canada costs between $600 and $1,500. The average is around $800-1,000 for mid-range quality. Budget options start around $300-400 but may not last. Premium mattresses run $1,500-3,000+. The sweet spot for most Canadians is $700-1,200, where you get quality materials without paying for marketing fluff.
The Real Price Ranges in Canada
Let's cut through the noise. Mattress pricing in Canada falls into clear tiers, and understanding them helps you spend wisely.
Budget Tier: $200-500
At this price, you get basic materials. Thin foam layers, lower coil counts, lighter gauge springs. These mattresses work for guest rooms, kids who will outgrow them, or temporary situations.
The honest truth: budget mattresses often start sagging within 2-3 years. If you sleep on it every night, you will probably replace it sooner than you planned. The per-year cost might actually be higher than buying something better upfront.
Mid-Range Tier: $600-1,200
This is where most Canadians should shop. You get denser foams, better coil systems, and materials that hold up for 7-10 years with proper care.
At this price point, you can find memory foam mattresses with decent density (3+ lb/ft³), hybrids with individually wrapped coils, and some latex options. The construction quality jumps significantly from the budget tier.
Premium Tier: $1,500-3,000
Higher density materials, better edge support, enhanced cooling, longer warranties. You are paying for durability and specific features like zoned support or organic materials.
For most people, the difference between a $1,500 mattress and a $3,000 mattress is harder to feel than the difference between $600 and $1,500. Diminishing returns kick in at the higher end.
Luxury Tier: $3,000+
Brand name premiums, specialty materials like Talalay latex or European horsehair, handmade construction. Some people genuinely need these features. Most do not.
Average Queen Mattress Prices by Type
- Innerspring: $400-900 (basic coil systems, widely available)
- Memory Foam: $500-1,200 (varies hugely by foam density)
- Hybrid: $800-2,000 (coils plus foam layers)
- Latex: $1,000-2,500 (natural latex costs more than synthetic)
- Two-sided/Flippable: $800-1,500 (becoming rare, but worth it)
Why Prices Vary So Much
Two mattresses can look identical online but cost $500 different. Here is what actually drives the price:
Foam Density
This is the biggest factor most people overlook. Memory foam density ranges from 2.5 lb/ft³ (cheap, breaks down fast) to 5+ lb/ft³ (premium, lasts much longer). A mattress with 4 lb density foam costs more to make than one with 3 lb density, but it might last twice as long.
Coil Count and Gauge
More coils generally means better support and less motion transfer. Spring gauge matters too. Thicker wire (lower gauge number) provides firmer, more durable support. A 1,000-coil system with 14-gauge wire costs more than a 600-coil system with 15-gauge wire.
Cover Materials
Organic cotton, bamboo blends, and cooling fabrics add cost. Basic polyester covers are cheap. The cover does not affect support, but it affects temperature regulation and feel.
Brand Marketing
Some brands spend millions on advertising. That cost gets passed to you. A mattress-in-a-box company with celebrity endorsements has higher overhead than a local manufacturer selling direct.
The Markup Game
Traditional mattress retail involves significant markups. A mattress that costs $400 to manufacture might sell for $1,200 at a big-box store after distributor margins, retailer margins, and floor space costs. Direct-to-consumer brands cut some of this, but they spend heavily on online marketing instead. The best value often comes from local stores that buy from Canadian manufacturers and keep overhead low.
What You Actually Get at Each Price Point
At $400
A basic foam mattress or low-end innerspring. Thin comfort layers (1-2 inches). Standard polyester cover. Might work fine for a year or two. Not built for long-term nightly use.
At $800
A solid mid-range mattress. Thicker comfort layers (3+ inches). Better foam density or individually wrapped coils. Should last 5-7 years with proper care. This is the entry point for quality.
At $1,200
A good quality mattress with enhanced features. Zoned support, better edge construction, improved cooling. Expect 7-10 years of comfortable sleep. For most Canadians, this is the sweet spot.
At $2,000
Premium materials throughout. High-density foams, strong coil systems, quality covers. Should last 10+ years. Worth it if you have specific needs (chronic pain, temperature issues, heavy weight) or plan to stay in your home long-term.
The Cost-Per-Night Calculation
An $800 mattress that lasts 8 years costs about 27 cents per night. A $400 mattress that lasts 3 years costs 36 cents per night. And that does not count the sleep quality difference. Buying cheap often costs more over time.
Size Matters: How Much More for Bigger Sizes?
In Canada, expect these rough price increases from queen size:
- Twin: 30-40% less than queen
- Double/Full: 10-20% less than queen
- King: 20-30% more than queen
- California King: 25-35% more than queen
A queen mattress priced at $1,000 typically has a king version around $1,200-1,300. The material cost increase is real, not arbitrary.
Where to Buy in Canada
Big Box Stores
Costco, The Brick, Leon's, IKEA. Wide selection, regular sales, but limited expertise. Sales staff may not know mattress construction details. Good for shoppers who know what they want.
Online Direct-to-Consumer
Endy, Douglas, Casper, Juno. Lower overhead means lower prices. The trade-off: you cannot try before buying. Sleep trials help, but returning a mattress is a hassle.
Specialty Mattress Stores
Sleep Country, local independents. More expertise, ability to try mattresses, but potentially higher prices. Quality varies widely. Some focus on education, others on upselling.
Local Independent Stores
Often the best value. Lower overhead than chains, direct relationships with manufacturers, staff who actually know their products. Worth seeking out in your area.
Mattress Prices in Brantford
We price our mattresses to compete with online direct-to-consumer brands. No inflated prices, no fake sales. The number you see is the actual price. We work with Canadian manufacturers to keep costs down without cutting quality. Come compare. If you find the same mattress cheaper elsewhere, we want to know about it.
When to Buy: Canadian Sales Calendar
Mattress prices fluctuate throughout the year. Best times to shop in Canada:
- Boxing Day (Dec 26): Genuine discounts at most retailers
- Victoria Day (May): Spring sales, good selection
- Labour Day (September): Back-to-school and end-of-summer clearance
- Black Friday: Hit or miss. Some deals are real, some are manufactured
Avoid buying right after new year or mid-summer when sales are rare and prices are highest.
Red Flags: Signs You Are Overpaying
- "Was $3,000, now $1,200" - fake original prices are common
- High-pressure sales tactics - good mattresses sell themselves
- Vague specs - if they will not tell you foam density, there is a reason
- Confusing names - retailers sometimes rename mattresses to prevent comparison shopping
- "Limited time" offers that last forever
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a mattress in Canada?
For your primary bed, aim for $700-1,200 for a queen. This range gets you quality materials that will last 7-10 years. Spending less usually means shorter lifespan. Spending more gives diminishing returns unless you have specific needs like chronic pain relief or temperature regulation issues.
Why are mattresses so expensive in Canada?
Several factors: smaller market than the US means less volume, import costs for materials, Canadian manufacturing wages, and high retail markups. That said, Canadian mattress prices are comparable to US prices when you adjust for exchange rate. The key is finding retailers with low overhead who pass savings to customers rather than spending on massive marketing campaigns.
Is it worth buying an expensive mattress?
Up to a point, yes. The jump from $400 to $800 is usually worth it. The jump from $800 to $1,500 is worth it for many people. Above $1,500, you are paying for specific features or brand prestige that may or may not matter to you. Focus on foam density and coil quality rather than brand names or fancy features you may never use.
Are mattress-in-a-box brands cheaper?
Often yes, but not always. They cut retail overhead but spend heavily on online marketing. Some offer excellent value (Douglas, Juno). Others charge premium prices for average construction. Read the specs carefully. Foam density and construction details matter more than the brand story. Also consider that you cannot try before buying, which is a real trade-off.
How often do mattresses go on sale in Canada?
Major sales happen around Boxing Day, Victoria Day, Labour Day, and Black Friday. Some retailers run monthly promotions that are less significant. Be wary of stores that always seem to have a sale, as this usually means the "regular" price is inflated. The best approach is knowing what a mattress should cost based on its construction, regardless of what sale is running.
Want to Know What Your Mattress Should Cost?
Bring us the specs of any mattress you are considering. We will tell you if the price is fair, what you are actually getting for your money, and whether there is a better option. No pressure, no games, just straight answers about mattress value.
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
519-770-0001
Family owned since 1987