Introduction
Have you just unboxed your new hybrid mattress only to find it flat as a pancake? It's completely normal. It's been compressed and rolled for easy shipping, but certainly doesn't look like you can sleep on it.
How long does a hybrid mattress take to expand. We'll look into how long it takes for hybrids and other types of mattresses. I'll walk you through everything you need to know about unboxing your mattress. Don't worry it's not scary or difficult.
If you're looking into buying a new mattress, check out my ultimate guide to buying a hybrid mattress. You'll have all your questions answered, I promise!
Or, if you've already decided to purchase one, my review of 7 best hybrid mattresses can make your shopping a little easier.
What To Do When Your New Mattress is Delivered
So, you ordered your new mattress online, waited patiently, and it finally arrived. But compressed in a very small box Don't worry – that's completely normal!
Buying a mattress online is convenient and cost-effective because of the "roll packing" or compression process to get it ready to ship to you. It might be the perfect mattress, but it needs time to expand after unboxing.
When your new mattress arrives and you remove the packaging material and break the vacuum seal, air begins rushing back into the materials. The foam layers will start expanding immediately.
But how long before you can sleep on a mattress that came delivered in a box?
Most manufacturers recommend waiting 24-48 hours for complete expansion, though many hybrids are usable after just a few hours.
The good news with these mattresses is that the coil system helps them expand more quickly than a memory foam mattress. It's the comfort layer material that's going to determine how soon you should sleep on it.
Average Expansion Timeline for a Mattresses
Let's go through step-by-step what to expect after you first open the box that contains your new mattress.
First few minutes. The coil system begins to push outward and the mattress will expand up to 70% of it's full height.
The first 2-4 hours. This will be the most dramatic change you'll see. But there will be uneven expansion. This is expected and no problem. The different layers and components of the mattress don't all expand at the same rate.
After 24 hours. Your mattress should be at 90% full expansion. It should be softer now and the shape should be what you expect from a mattress ready to sleep on. But the comfort level will probably not be quite what you want. Many manufacturers say that the mattress is usable an will provide adequate support this point.
After 48-72 hours. Your mattress should be at the right height and firmness level and be completely filled out. You're ready for some great sleep now!
After 7 days. If you bought a premium mattress, it may take a little longer. Those high-density foams and thick comfort layers need the extra time to fully expand. The same goes for cooling gel and natural latex that just take extra time.
What Affects Expansion Time
The expansion of your mattress after you unbox it isn't as straightforward as it might seem. There are lots of thing that will affect how soon you can sleep on a mattress. And if you've already disposed of your old mattress then you need to sleep on it soon!
A well ventilated room is important to getting your mattress to expand fully. Temperature and good air circulation also play an important role, because foam materials are temperature-sensitive. The perfect temperature is between 68-72°F (20-22°C).
Humidity levels in your home also affect the expansion process. The best humidity level is between 40-60%, which is good expansion but won't cause moisture problems.
The thickness and density of your mattress play a role in the expansion process. A thicker premium memory foam mattress will take longer to expand than a thinner budget model. No surprise there.
High-density foams will need more time to expand to their original shape. Again, you'll find these in the luxury models. These are the mattresses that will take up to 48 hours to fully expand.
Foam type matters. A memory foam mattress is very slow to expand because of it's designed to respond gradually to pressure and temperature. These are the models that can take 3-5 days to fully expand.
Latex foam expands much faster. It's natural springy structure allows it to bounce back much faster. A latex mattress can reach 90% expansion within 24 hours. Newer open-cell and gel-infused memory foams also tend to expand more quickly than a memory foam mattress.
Let's get a little more specific with what to expect from your new sleeping surface based on what type of mattress in a box you bought.
Expansion For Different Mattress Types
Not all mattresses will expand at the same rate. You need to be aware of the differences and know what to expect for your specific mattress.
Memory Foam
A new memory foam mattresses typically require the longest expansion time of all mattress types due to the dense, viscoelastic nature of the material.
A memory foam mattress has a distinctive expansion pattern where the mattress gradually rises like bread dough. The center typically expands faster than the edges.
You may notice a slight yellowing tint initially, which is normal and fades as the memory foam mattress expands and airs out.
Latex Mattress
A latex mattress, particularly those made from natural latex, expand much more quickly than memory foam models.
A latex mattress has a springy, resilient molecular structure that allows it to recover from compression quite rapidly. Any mild rubbery smell dissipates quickly, usually within the first 24 hours, and is especially minimal in GOLS-certified organic latex mattress.
Innerspring Mattresses
Traditional innerspring mattresses are rarely compressed for shipping, but newer "bed-in-a-box" innerspring designs with minimal foam layers may be compressed.
The few innerspring mattresses that do ship compressed expand very quickly due to the immediate spring-back of the coil system. Any thin comfort layers (typically quilted or pillow tops) may take slightly longer to fully fluff up.
These mattresses are often ready to sleep on the same day they arrive.
Gel-Infused Mattresses
Gel-infused mattresses incorporate gel into memory foam or other comfort layers. They're not a distinct mattress type but rather a variation of foam or hybrid mattresses.
The gel infusion can actually help speed up expansion compared to traditional memory foam. The gel particles provide structure that helps the foam maintain its shape.
Polyfoam Mattresses
Polyfoam mattresses (without memory foam) are a more responsive foam option.
Polyfoam expands more evenly than memory foam and expands to its full height faster. But it does have some off-gassing, which can take 24-72 hours to fully clear out.
Mattress Type | After 24 Hours | Full Expansion | Temp Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|
Memory Foam | 80 - 90% | 48-72 hours | Very High |
Latex | 95 - 100% | 24 hours | Low |
Hybrid | 70 -80% | 24- 48 hours | Medium |
Innerspring | 80 - 90% | 24 hours | Very Low |
Gel Infused | 60 - 75% | 24 - 48 hours | Medium |
Polyfoam | 70 - 80% | 24 - 36 hours | High |
Tips to Speed Up Mattress Expansion
You've waited for your mattress and now you have to wait for the mattress expansion process. It's frustrating if you don't have anywhere else to sleep!
But there are things you can do to speed things up. You want to make sure you can sleep on a mattress tonight.
Unbox Your New Mattress Quickly
Start the mattress expansion process as fast as possible. Getting the new mattress out of the box and on its way to full expansion of the memory foam is to your advantage.
Position Your Mattress the Correctly
Make sure your mattress is on a flat and even surface. If you already have a bed frame or platform bed, then let the new mattress expand there.
This should go without saying, but make sure the mattress is right-side up on the bed frame. It's easy to get confused when you first unbox your new mattress.
And make sure there are no walls or furniture in the way to let the mattress expand with nothing in the way.
Speeding Up the Process
While you shouldn't sleep on the new mattress in the first 24 hours of the expansion process, there are a few things you can do to help the mattress expansion.
Use the palm of your hand to press down on uneven spots on the new mattress. Don't ignore the edges and corners of the mattress. They can take the longest to expand fully.
You can also roll side to side for a minute across the mattress surface. Spend just a few minutes doing this a couple of times during the first day. Just be careful that your body weight isn't concentrated in one place on your new mattress for too long.
Expansion For Top Mattress Brands
Purple
Purple's mattresses are instantly recognizable for their unique proprietary material sits atop a system of individually wrapped coils.
The Purple Grid component expands almost instantly upon unboxing, much faster than traditional memory foam mattresses.
Casper
Casper mattresses feature their proprietary Airscape™ foam comfort layer (perforated for cooling) combined with memory foam and a zoned support system atop individually wrapped coils.
Casper's memory foam expands faster than traditional memory foam due to its ventilated design
Saatva
Unlike most bed-in-a-box brands, Saatva's mattresses (including their Classic model) are not compressed and shipped in a box.
No expansion period needed as the mattress is delivered at full height. And they even remove your old mattress.
Helix
Helix offers a wide range of mattresses with varying comfort layers depending on the model. Most feature a combination of their proprietary Helix Dynamic Foam, memory foam, and individually wrapped coils.
Helix mattresses often have a distinct expansion pattern where the middle reaches full height before the edges
Tempur-Pedic
Tempur-Pedic's hybrid models combine their proprietary TEMPUR® material (a high-density memory foam) with premium pocketed coils. Their TEMPUR-ProAdapt™ and TEMPUR-Adapt® hybrids are among their most popular models.
Tempur-Pedic mattresses contain some of the densest, highest-quality memory foam on the market, which expands more slowly than lower-density foams
What To Do If your Mattress Is Unusable
Sometimes there are problems you can't seem to solve. If you just can't sleep on a mattress, then follow these steps to solve the problem.
Confirm It's Actually a Problem
Before taking action, make absolutely sure your mattress truly has an issue that won't resolve naturally. Remember that a most mattresses need 48-72 hours to fully expand, with some premium models requiring up to a week.
If you're still within this timeframe, patience might be all that's needed.
Document Everything Thoroughly
Before contacting the company, gather comprehensive documentation of the issue:
- Take clear, well-lit photographs from multiple angles showing the problem areas
- Use a measuring tape in your photos to show the actual height versus the advertised height
- Record video if the issue is better to show with it. Like sagging
Contact the Manufacturer Directly
Mattress companies have dedicated customer service teams for handling product issues. Just ask about their process for resolving unusable mattress issues and what options are available to you.
Understand Your Options
Depending on the company's policies and the nature of the issue, you'll typically be offered one of the following solutions:
- Replacement: Most reputable companies will send a replacement mattress if yours has manufacturing defects
- Repair: Some issues may be repairable, though this is less common with compressed hybrid mattresses
- Refund: Many companies offer money-back guarantees or "comfort guarantees" that allow returns
- Partial refund or discount: For minor issues, the company might offer partial compensation
- Additional components: Sometimes a mattress topper or other accessory might be offered as a solution
Conclusion
Patience is key when waiting for your mattress to expand properly! While most mattresses will reach about 90% of their full size within 24 hours, allowing the full recommended 48-72 hours ensures optimal comfort and support.
This is especially true with a memory foam mattress. Remember that factors like room temperature, mattress thickness, and foam density all influence expansion times.
By following the tips in this guide, you'll ensure your mattress reaches its full potential, providing you with the comfortable, supportive sleep surface you invested in. Sweet dreams await on your fully expanded mattress!