Discover the Savings: Walmart's Big Memory Foam Mattress Clearance
That's right, Walmart is making space in its inventory, and that means some of its most popular memory foam mattresses are being cleared out. To help you sort through the options, we've analyzed the top-rated models included in the sale.
Decoding Walmart's Memory Foam Mattress Clearance Events
Retail giants like Walmart frequently update their inventory, leading to clearance events that offer significant savings for savvy shoppers. When it comes to memory foam mattresses, these sales provide an excellent opportunity to upgrade your sleep experience without breaking the bank. Understanding the types of mattresses often included in these markdowns can help you identify the best value for your needs. These events typically feature a mix of in-house brands, online-exclusive models, and well-known budget-friendly names.
Below, we explore some of the most common categories and brands of memory foam mattresses that you are likely to find during a Walmart clearance sale. By familiarizing yourself with their features and benefits, you can make an informed decision when the prices drop.
Common Mattress Types Found on Clearance
1. Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattresses
One of the most popular types of mattresses you'll see marked down is the gel-infused memory foam model. Traditional memory foam has a reputation for trapping body heat, which can lead to an uncomfortably warm sleep environment for some individuals. To combat this, manufacturers began infusing the foam with cooling gel beads or swirls. This technology is designed to absorb and dissipate heat away from the body, helping to regulate temperature throughout the night for a cooler, more restful sleep.
When you see a gel memory foam mattress on clearance, pay attention to its profile height and the density of the foam layers. A thicker comfort layer (the top layer with the gel) often provides more pronounced cooling and pressure relief. These mattresses are an excellent choice for hot sleepers or anyone living in a warmer climate who still wants the body-contouring benefits and support that memory foam is known for. They are often available in various firmness levels, from plush to firm, catering to different sleep preferences.
2. Hybrid Memory Foam Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses represent a "best of both worlds" approach, combining the pressure-relieving comfort of memory foam with the responsive support of a traditional innerspring coil system. The top layers consist of memory foam (and sometimes other foams like latex), which conforms to your body to alleviate pressure points on your hips, shoulders, and back. Beneath these foam layers is a core of individually wrapped pocketed coils. This coil system provides a classic mattress bounce, enhances breathability, and offers robust support, particularly for stomach and back sleepers.
Because of their more complex construction, hybrids can sometimes carry a higher price tag. This makes finding one in a clearance event a particularly good deal. They are ideal for couples, as the pocketed coils excel at isolating motion, meaning one person's tossing and turning is less likely to disturb the other. When evaluating a clearance hybrid, look for details on the coil gauge (a lower number means thicker, more durable coils) and the thickness of the memory foam comfort layers.
3. Green Tea or Charcoal-Infused Mattresses
Another common sight in clearance sections are memory foam mattresses infused with natural materials like green tea extract or activated charcoal. These infusions are not just for marketing; they serve a practical purpose. Both green tea and charcoal are known for their natural odor-absorbing and moisture-wicking properties. Over time, mattresses can develop odors from sweat and daily use, but these infusions help to maintain a fresh and clean sleep environment for longer.
These mattresses are a fantastic option for those with allergies or sensitivities, as the infusions can help inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The base foam composition is typically the same as a standard memory foam mattress, providing excellent support and contouring. The primary benefit is the added freshness. When shopping, you'll often find these offered by popular "bed-in-a-box" brands sold through Walmart's marketplace, which are frequently subject to inventory clear-outs as new models are introduced.
4. Mattresses from Brands like Allswell and Zinus
Walmart's own brand, Allswell, and the popular budget-friendly brand Zinus are frequently featured in clearance sales. Allswell is known for its focus on hybrid models that offer a more luxurious feel at an accessible price point. Their mattresses often incorporate high-end features like quilted cooling tops and premium memory foams. Since Allswell is a Walmart-exclusive brand, the retailer has direct control over inventory, making clearance events on these models a regular occurrence as they cycle through stock.
Zinus has built a massive online following by offering a wide variety of affordable memory foam and hybrid mattresses. They are particularly famous for their green tea-infused models and efficient bed-in-a-box shipping. Because they produce such a high volume of mattresses in many different styles and thicknesses, older models or overstocked items are often cleared out at a deep discount through retail partners like Walmart. These brands offer a reliable entry point into the memory foam world and are an even better value when found on clearance.
The Lifecycle of a Mattress: Why Retailers Have Clearance Sales
Understanding why clearance sales happen can provide valuable context for your shopping. These sales are not typically a sign of defective products but rather a standard part of the retail business cycle. One of the primary drivers is the introduction of new models. Just like in the electronics or fashion industries, mattress manufacturers release updated versions of their products annually or biannually. These new models might feature updated foam technology, new cover designs, or different firmness options. To make room for this new inventory, retailers must clear out the older stock.
Another major factor is overstock. Retailers use complex forecasting to predict how much of a product they will sell. Sometimes, a particular mattress model doesn't sell as well as anticipated, or a large bulk order results in excess inventory sitting in a warehouse. A clearance sale is an effective way to liquidate this stock and recoup storage costs. Additionally, mattresses sold online are subject to customer returns. While returned mattresses cannot be resold as new, some retailers may offer them as "open-box" items at a significant discount after they have been inspected and sanitized, though this is more common with direct-to-consumer brands than major retailers.
Answering Common Shopper Questions
When you're ready to purchase a clearance mattress, a few common questions often arise. Thinking through these can help you select the perfect bed for your needs.
How Do I Choose the Right Mattress Thickness?
Memory foam mattresses come in a range of thicknesses, typically from 6 inches to 14 inches or more. The right thickness, or profile, depends on your body weight, sleeping position, and personal preference. A mattress under 8 inches is generally considered low-profile and is best suited for children, lightweight adults, or for use in RVs and bunk beds. They offer basic support but may lack the deep pressure relief needed by many adults.
Mattresses in the 10-to-12-inch range are the most popular and offer a great balance of comfort and support for the average sleeper. They typically feature multiple foam layers, including a sturdy support base and plush comfort layers. Side sleepers and heavier individuals often benefit from mattresses that are 12 inches or thicker. These higher-profile beds provide extra cushioning for pressure points like the hips and shoulders and have a more substantial, durable support core that prevents sagging over time.
What Does "Bed-in-a-Box" Mean and How Do I Unpack It?
Many of the memory foam mattresses found at Walmart, especially online, are sold as "bed-in-a-box" models. This means the mattress has been compressed, vacuum-sealed in plastic, and rolled into a compact box for easy shipping. This innovation has made it simpler and more affordable to buy a mattress online and have it delivered directly to your door. The unpacking process is straightforward but requires a little patience.
First, move the box into the room where you plan to use the mattress, as it will be much heavier and more difficult to move once it expands. Carefully open the box and slide the rolled mattress out onto your bed frame or foundation. Next, use the included cutting tool (or a pair of scissors, being careful not to cut the mattress itself) to remove the outer layer of plastic. The mattress will immediately start to decompress. Finally, remove the inner layer of vacuum-sealed plastic, and the mattress will expand rapidly. It can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours for the mattress to fully expand to its final shape and firmness. You may also notice a slight "new foam" odor, which is harmless and should dissipate within a few days in a well-ventilated room.
Final Thoughts
Walmart's clearance events on memory foam mattresses can be a treasure trove for anyone looking to improve their sleep quality on a budget. By focusing on types like gel-infused, hybrid, or charcoal-infused models, you can find advanced features at a fraction of their original cost. Brands like Allswell and Zinus offer reliable quality and are frequently included in these markdowns. Understanding the reasons behind clearance sales and knowing what to look for in terms of thickness and type will empower you to make a smart purchase that leads to many nights of comfortable, restful sleep.
