How Much Does It Cost To Make A Mattress?

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

A lot of people consider that the retail prices of mattresses are really exaggerated when compared to the actual cost of making a mattress.

But is this actually true? And how much does it actually cost to make a mattress? This article should give you all the information about the costs and factors influencing the final price of making specific types of mattresses.

How much does it cost to make a mattress?

The average cost to make a mattress is between $300 and $350 for a mid-range queen-size bed, depending on factors like staff levels, shipping costs, the size of the mattress, whether it is budget or premium, and the type of material used to make it.

With as many factors determining the final cost, it is very hard to know the exact price of making a specific type of mattress. For example, although the materials needed to make a foam mattress are cheaper than those required for an innerspring mattress, the latter might require less labor to produce.

The costs that go into manufacturing the mattress are just part of the expense of a mattress maker, which is why the actual price of a mattress before it reaches the store to be sold might remain a secret kept between the IRS and the manufacturer.

Some websites and forums talk about a mattress worth $3,000 in stores costing just $300 to make and considering that there is no backlash from mattress manufacturers, we have to believe that this is true.

What drives the mattress cost up?

During the manufacturing process of a mattress, the time to make it and the quality of the materials are among the most important factors defining its cost.

Although this, along with the profit, is what gives the price to most products, the truth of the matter is that mattresses become very expensive once they hit the retail store. There are some estimations that talk about markups of 200% or more.

This is where the mattress becomes so expensive. But we should also take into account that the manufacturer’s overheads are usually significantly lower than those of the retailer.

Retail space is usually situated in more crowded places, which makes it more expensive to rent, and considering that they have to operate during peak hours, utility bills can’t be mitigated in the same way as manufacturers would.

You might also like our articles on the retail price of a quality mattress, the cost of an Alaskan king bed and mattress, and the cost of a box spring.

And considering that most mattresses are imported from China and Asia in general, where salaries are really low, you surely understand why labor would influence the big difference in the price of the same product at the manufacturer level and retailer level.

The cost of raw materials

The building of a quality mattress starts with picking high-quality materials. The materials it is made from will not only determine its cost, but also its longevity, regardless of whether we’re talking about latex for a latex foam mattress, springs for a spring mattress, or memory foam for a foam mattress. So let’s go into a little more detail about the most common materials.

How much does it cost to make foam?

First off, not all foam is identical. If you wanted to create a foam mattress as a DIY project, you would notice that DIY foam would only cost you about $100.

But how many people choose to make their own mattresses to need DIY foam?

Foam, in general, is a rather cheap material, which is why many foam mattress companies choose to use it.

Springs: The Classic Choice

Spring mattresses, also known as innerspring mattresses, are among the oldest types of mattresses and have been around for years and years. They provide strong support and traditional bounce with the help of a core of steel coils.

The number and type of coils used inside it will dictate its cost, along with the thickness or gauge of the metal, and individual pocketed coils or other additional features. Depending on their quality, springs will usually cost between $1 and $5 each.

The Modern Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are among the most popular available on the market, and they only see a rise in popularity nowadays, due to their pressure-relieving properties. Some people consider them the best mattresses currently on the market.

This type of high-density foam will provide customized support by contouring your body while you rest. The memory foam mattress production cost, on the other hand, will be higher as memory foam creation needs sophisticated manufacturing processes, having a price range of about $60 to $90 per cubic foot.

Latex Foam: The Eco-friendly Option

Another very popular material choice for mattresses is latex foam. This is usually appreciated for its eco-friendly properties and elasticity. The material is processed from the sap of rubber trees and is a very resilient type of foam that turns into a very comfortable mattress. Latex foam mattresses are costlier due to their eco-friendly nature. They will usually cost between $80 and $130 per cubic foot.

Labour, manufacturing, and markup for a new mattress

You won’t be able to make a quality mattress just by having high-quality materials. The expenses related to distribution and marketing, the complex part of the manufacturing process, as well as the expertise of the mattress manufacturer, and the retail markup, will also add to the final mattress cost.

Labor and Manufacturing

A high degree of craftmanship goes especially in custom mattresses, which is why they come at a higher price. They will usually need to be tailored to individual customer specifications, will have to adhere to very strict quality standards, and will require skilled workers to assemble the materials, which is a very labor-intensive task.

Manufacturers spend around $100 to $200 on skilled labor alone, when making just one piece of mattress. Factory space rental, utilities, machinery maintenance, depreciation, and other manufacturing overheads will bump the production cost by 30%, which is $150 to $300 of the mattress price.

Marketing and Distribution

A lot of money goes into the marketing efforts made by every mattress brand to push their products in this very competitive market. This cost is further pushed up by delivery logistics, inventory management, and distribution.

The cost of each new mattress will be increased by up to $100 for marketing expenses. Another $50 to $100 will be added to the cost of each king size mattress for delivery to the customer, inventory management, and warehousing expenses.

Conclusion

Although manufacturers spend only about $300 to make a mattress that is sold in stores for up to $3,000, there are a lot of other expenses to consider to fully understand the actual expenses the manufacturers have and the markup of the retailer selling the product to the final consumer.