Boxsprings....why the price differences???

[stuntman]

I bought a mattress/boxspring combo at Sears. Went to pick it up and it turns out it is only the mattress.

The mattress is a good deal but I need a boxspring and people say boxsprings are all the same and don't cost a lot.

So I went to look at the boxsprings and they ranged from $80-$500 all made by the same company! Does it matter what boxpring I get for a mattress?
What is the difference?

[stuntman]

should this question be under the shopping discussion forum?

[kellymisty]

From Consumer Reports Mattress Buying Guide, April 2012: (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/mattresses/buying-guide.htm)



Assess your need for a new box spring

Foundations can sell for as much as the mattress, even though they're generally just a wood frame enclosing stiff wire and covered with fabric to match the mattress.

We found that companies frequently pair the same foundation with mattresses in different price ranges. You can save by buying a higher-priced mattress and a lower-priced foundation. Once the bed is made, no one will know. If your current foundation is only a few years old, with no rips, warps, creaks, or "give," consider using it with a new mattress. If the old box has bouncy springs instead of stiff wire, it should be replaced.

If your new mattress is ultrathick, consider pairing it with a "low profile" foundation, 4 to 6 inches thick.