Americans Know How to Sleep Better -- So Why Aren't They? State of Sleep Survey Reveals Americans' Bedtime Preferences and Obstacles

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Mar 09, 2026, 09:00 ET

Most Americans say following a bedtime routine is important (76%), yet many still aren't getting the sleep they want, according to a new study from Mattress Firm.

HOUSTON, March 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-thirds of Americans believe there is a right way to get a perfect night's sleep, though many fall short of achieving it. According to Mattress Firm's new State of Sleep survey, conducted by Talker Research among 2,000 U.S. adults, Americans average 6.6 hours of sleep per night, compared with the 7.1 hours they consider ideal. In a typical month, they report just 10 "perfect" nights of sleep, nearly matched by eight bad nights.

One bright spot: most people are not falling for common sleep myths. Fewer than one in five believe they can train themselves to need less sleep (11%) or that naps automatically ruin nighttime rest (15%). At the same time, many feel they can read the night ahead, with nearly half (48%) saying they can predict whether they will have a good or bad night's sleep before they even go to bed.

"It's encouraging that people understand what supports good sleep and have a sense of what works best for them," said Dr. Jade Wu, board-certified sleep psychologist and Mattress Firm sleep advisor. "What's clear is that there are still challenges in translating that knowledge to action. Investing in small adjustments to routines and your sleep environment can make a meaningful difference in getting more nights of quality rest."

The survey also explores how Americans navigate sleep today, from routines and rituals to technology and comfort preferences.

Return to Routine
In a world of flexible schedules and always-on demands, people are rebuilding consistent sleep rhythms to anchor their days.

Built-in Bedtime: One in four goes to bed during the 10 p.m. hour, making it the most popular bedtime. About one in three (35%) get in bed before 10 p.m., while 37% do so after 11 p.m.
Like Clockwork: Three in four Americans closely follow a nighttime routine (76%), and of those, nearly four in five (79%) report they sleep better when they do.
Winding Down: On average, it takes people 21 minutes after getting into bed to fall asleep after turning off lights and distractions. One in three people fall asleep in 10 minutes or less (33%).

Custom Comfort
Sleep has become deeply opinionated, with people developing firm preferences about everything from bed position and pillow placement to the exact conditions they need to sleep easy.

Side by Side: 39% prefer to sleep on the right side of the bed, compared to 32% that prefer to be on the left. At the same time, 31% choose the side furthest from the door and 25% prefer the side that's closer.
Pillow Party: 75% sleep with two or fewer pillows. Beyond using them under their heads, the most common uses include hugging (33%) and placing between the legs (26%).
Sheet Showdown: 48% say a top sheet is an "absolute must," with baby boomers being the strongest advocates (59%).
Keeping Cool: Average ideal temperature for sleep is 66.3 degrees, with 68% of respondents saying they would rather go to sleep too cold than too warm (16%).

Smart Sleep Shifts
Technology is reshaping the sleep experience, from how people wind down to how they measure and manage their rest.

Plugged In: Two-thirds of respondents report that watching TV, movies, or phone scrolling is "part of going to bed," rising to 75% for Gen Z and millennials and decreasing for Gen X (65%) and baby boomers (55%).
Sound Strategy: 41% report having tried watching TV to fall asleep, and 79% of those respondents found it to be effective. Nearly one in four (23%) have tried listening to music or podcasts to fall asleep and 81% of those respondents say it helps them sleep better.
Dream data: 35% always or sometimes use wearable devices to track sleep, with Gen Z leading the way at 59%. Older generations trail behind, including millennials at (48%), Gen X at (30%) and baby boomers (16%).

"What stood out is how intentional people have become about their sleep - from temperature preferences and pillow placement to how they track their habits," said Megan Anderson, director of merchandising at Mattress Firm. "We know the bedroom environment plays a major role in achieving deeper, restorative sleep, and so do the elements of your overall sleep system. The mattress, foundation, pillows and sheets should work together to support the body and enhance comfort. When those elements align with how someone naturally rests, it can help bridge the gap between the sleep they're getting and the sleep they want."

In honor of Sleep Week, Mattress Firm is making it easier to invest in better rest by offering 15% off select mattresses, bedding and more from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily from March 9-15, using promo code SLEEPWEEK. Shoppers can also save 15% during the Daylight Saving Flash Sale from 8 p.m. March 8 to 8 a.m. March 9 with promo code DAYLIGHT. Lastly, from March 4 through April 28, any size of the Sleepy's Basic Firm mattress is available for just $219.99. With quality sleep still a challenge for many, these limited-time deals make it easier to upgrade your sleep setup.

About the Mattress Firm Sleep Study by Talker Research
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Mattress Firm and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, 2026. To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR's Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.

About Mattress Firm
Mattress Firm, the nation's largest omni-channel mattress specialty retailer, has been helping solve America's sleep problems for more than 90 years through our family of brands. Every one of our more than 6,000 passionate Sleep Experts^® are driven by a common purpose: to change people's lives through better sleep. Whether browsing online or in one of our 2,200+ stores, our highly trained team provides personalized service and advice to help customers choose the right mattress and bedding products based on their unique needs. Our expertly curated selection of products includes leading brands such as Tempur-Pedic^®, Sealy^®, Stearns & Foster^®, Purple^®, Sleepy's^®, Beautyrest^®, Nectar^®, Serta^®, Simmons^®, Tuft & Needle^® and tulo^®. Mattress Firm supports local and national charities through donations and offers employees volunteering opportunities to serve their communities. As part of this commitment, Mattress Firm has partnered with the National Women's Shelter Network, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness and providing life-changing resources to people in need. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep at night, and with this partnership we aim to create brighter mornings and a brighter future. Mattress Firm is a wholly owned business of Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE: SGI). For more information about Mattress Firm, visit http://mattressfirm.com.