PCS Move Mattress Guide: What to Do With Your Mattress

By /

PCS Move Mattress Guide: What to Do With Your Mattress

Recommended Picks on Amazon (Live Prices)

MASVIS Trifold Mattress, 4 Inch Memory Foam

MASVIS Trifold Mattress, 4 Inch Memory Foam Foldable Mattress with Washable Cover, Tri-Folding Floor Bed for Camping, Full

  • Tri-fold Memory Foam Mattress: This full size tri-fold memory foam mattress features a skin-friendly white woven air layer on the surface, which will provide you with enhanced comfort. The sides are made of a mesh breathable fabric that allows air to pass through with ease, releasing heat in time. The non-slip bottom is an added safety enhancement
  • Premium Construction: This foldable mattress takes a 4 layer construction. The first jacquard air layer fabric cover is skin-friendly and soft, providing you with extreme comfort. The second memory foam allows you to fit the floor bed perfectly and release pressure effectively. The third support base foam is highly supportive and ensures that your body is separated from the floor without feeling damp. The non-slip bottom ensures safety, you don’t have to worry about the mattress slipping
  • Easy to Use and Store: The tri-fold design of this folding mattress allows it to transform into multiple forms in seconds, so you can use it as a sofa, recliner or bed at any time according to your actual needs. It’s also great for entertaining unexpected visitors to your home. When not in use, you can fold it down to its smallest size and put it in the included storage bag, it won’t take up much space

List Price : 104.99 $

Offer: 94.49 $

Go to Amazon
QQS Air Mattress Queen with Built in

QQS Air Mattress Queen with Built in Pump, 18'' Raised Inflatable Bed, 660lb Support Blow Up Mattress, 3 Mins Quick Self-Inflating for Home, Guest & Camping

  • 【Instant Setup for Unexpected Guests】Equipped with a powerful built in electric pump, this inflatable queen size air bed fully inflated in just 3 minutes. It’s the perfect temporary sleeping solution for holiday visitors or overnight friends, offering a stress-free setup that saves time and effort.
  • 【35-Coil Ergonomic Spine Support & Stability】This Inflatable Mattress featuring a patented internal beam construction, our air mattress provides firm support to align your spine and prevent sagging. It holds up to 660 lbs, ensuring a stable, non-wobbly surface that feels like a traditional real mattress for a restful night’s sleep.
  • 【Skin-Friendly Waterproof Flocked Top & Thicker Build】This Queen air mattress is designed to replicate a premium sleep experience. The soft flocked top feels like velvet-smooth, and skin-friendly. Built with reinforced PVC and strong seams for long-lasting durability and reliable air retention. The 18″ raised and integrated pillow design helps keep you off the cold ground, making it perfect for everyday use or hosting guests with hotel-level comfort.

List Price : 89.99 $

Offer: 72.98 $

Go to Amazon

A Permanent Change of Station move brings a long list of decisions, and your mattress is one of the most logistically complicated. Mattresses are bulky, difficult to transport without damage, and not always worth the cost of shipping — yet replacing a mattress at every duty station adds up quickly over a military career. This guide walks through your options and helps you make the smartest choice for your specific situation.

Option 1: Include It in Your PPM/DITY Move

If you’re doing a Personally Procured Move (PPM, formerly DITY), including your mattress in the shipment adds to your total weight — and potentially to your government reimbursement. Mattresses typically weigh between 50 and 150 pounds depending on size and construction, with heavy hybrid and foam mattresses on the higher end. However, mattresses require careful packaging to avoid damage during transport. Without a proper mattress bag or box, your mattress can develop permanent indentations, moisture damage, or soiling that effectively destroys its value.

Option 2: Include It in Government-Arranged Shipping (HHG)

When the government arranges your household goods (HHG) move, the movers will typically transport your mattress. However, the handling quality of government movers varies significantly. Mattresses transported in HHG moves should always be wrapped in a mattress bag before the movers arrive — this is something you do yourself before the packing crew comes. If a mattress arrives damaged from an HHG move, document the damage immediately and file a claim through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS).

Option 3: Store It

If you’re moving to temporary lodging, student barracks, or overseas housing where your mattress won’t fit or isn’t needed, storage is an option. The government provides Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) for household goods, including mattresses, when a member is deployed, attending training, or moving to a location where family cannot join. Private storage units can also work for shorter periods. Always store mattresses flat or slightly elevated — standing a mattress on its side for extended periods can distort the internal structure, particularly for foam and pillow-top models.

Option 4: Sell and Buy New

Many military families find that selling a used mattress locally and purchasing a new one at the next duty station makes more financial sense than shipping. Facebook Marketplace and installation-specific for-sale groups make it relatively easy to sell a quality used mattress for $200–$500. When buying new, most major mattress brands offer military discounts of 10–25%, often running to hundreds of dollars in savings. If you time your purchase around a major sale event (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Presidents’ Day), you may be able to buy a new premium mattress for close to what you’d get for your used one.

Option 5: Donate

Many military installation thrift shops and family services organizations accept mattress donations. Some Veterans Service Organizations also coordinate mattress donations for veterans transitioning out of service who need household goods. If your mattress is too old or worn to sell but still functional, donation is a dignified alternative to disposal.

Mattress Buying Recommendations by PCS Scenario

If you’re PCSing to your last duty station before ETS or retirement, it’s worth investing in a higher-quality mattress with a long warranty — you’ll have it for years. If you’re mid-career with multiple moves ahead, prioritize value, durability, and mattress brands that offer compressed-box delivery that makes moving logistics easier. If you’re moving overseas to a SOFA agreement country, check whether your housing will accommodate a US-standard mattress size before purchasing, as European beds often use different dimensions.

Protecting Your Mattress During a PCS Move

Invest in a quality mattress bag before any move. Heavy-duty mattress bags are available at U-Haul, Home Depot, and on Amazon for $15–$40 and can protect your mattress from moisture, dust, and physical damage during transport. For foam mattresses, avoid leaving them in a hot moving truck for extended periods — high heat can permanently alter the foam’s structure and feel.

Find Your Military Mattress Discount

The following brands offer verified military discounts for active duty service members, veterans, National Guard, reservists, and military spouses. Click any link to check current pricing and verify your eligibility.

Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Shop the Best Mattress Deals for Military Families

Shop Best Mattress Deals on Amazon Shop Memory Foam Mattresses Shop Hybrid Mattresses Try Layla Sleep – Risk-Free Trial

As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Scroll to Top