A new mattress can cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000 (or even more) for a queen size, and while it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, it’s also important to find a bed with high-quality materials that promote healthier sleep. I’ve personally tested every mattress on this list for durability, support, motion isolation, and more to find the best mattresses for folks on a budget.
The Sleepopolis team is made up of mattress experts and certified sleep science coaches who have tested more than 300 mattresses using 13 in-depth tests to help mattress buyers find a better night’s sleep. Our methodology covers numerous important mattress components, including support, cooling, and more.
Our Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, says it best: “Remember to balance your budget with the mattress quality and features that matter to you. Look for sales and financing options if available.”
When making this list, I only included beds that are priced at $1,000 or under for a queen size after discounts and also perform well on many of our tests for comfort and support. You can even snag some of these best budget mattresses for less than $1,000 for a queen size before any discounts are applied.
My Top Pick for the Best Cheap Mattress
I chose the Bear is my top pick for the best affordable mattresses because of the quality of its foams, which have proven to be durable and supportive, despite the bed’s relatively low cost.
Best Cheap Mattresses of 2025
- Bear – Best Overall Cheap Mattress
- Nectar – Best Cheap Mattress for Side Sleepers
- DreamCloud Memory Foam – Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Cheap Hybrid Mattress
- Titan Plus – Best Cheap Mattress for Heavy People
- Siena – Best Cheap Mattress Under $500
- Leesa Original – Best Cheap Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Silk & Snow Hybrid – Best Cheap Cooling Mattress
What I Looked for in the Best Cheap Mattresses
A good mattress balances comfort and high-quality materials, but there are a few other factors to consider depending on your sleep needs. Here’s what I considered when evaluating the picks on this list:
- Price: The first thing I looked at while searching for the best budget mattresses was price. Most of the mattresses you’ll find on this list are well under $1,000 after ongoing discounts. These options provide great value without compromising quality, making them perfect for folks on a budget.
- Materials: When shopping for mattresses under $1,000, you’ll encounter a lot of brands making promises that seem too good to be true. My team and I closely examines the construction of each mattress to determine if it’s durable enough to last a long time. I also looked for extras, like zoned support layers, cooling covers, and gel memory foam, to help you get the most bang for your buck.
- Support: A good mattress should be supportive at any price point. Proper support ensures alignment for a restful sleep, and we’ve tested each mattress for its ability to offer firm, comfortable support for different sleep positions.
RELATED: How to Return a Mattress
Compare the Best Cheap Mattresses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bear Original Mattress | Nectar Mattress | DreamCloud Memory Foam | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Titan Plus | Siena Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | Silk & Snow Hybrid Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||
| Firmness | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Hip Pain,
|
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Couples
|
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Couples,
|
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Couples,
|
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
|
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Kids |
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Seniors,
|
Hot Sleepers,
|
Best Cheap Mattress Video Review
Bear Original – Best Overall Cheap Mattress
Even though it’s made entirely of foam, the Bear has a firm, supportive feel that should be sturdy enough for back sleepers and stomach sleepers alike. Additionally, combination sleepers should be able to easily move around on its surface. You can also pay extra for a Celliant cover that may help with cooling and muscle recovery. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I found the double poly foam construction produced a firm, supportive feel. Though you’re likely to sink into its top layer of memory foam, this sinkage is somewhat curbed by the taut poly foam transition layer. This means most folks are going to be positioned more “on top” of the structure than “in” it.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
If you’re looking for a sub-$1,000 mattress that doesn’t compromise on quality, it doesn’t get better than the Bear Original. The Bear is my pick for the best cheap mattress because its all-foam construction carefully balances responsiveness, edge support, and motion isolation (earning a score of 4 or higher in these categories) to create a memory foam bed that suits a variety of sleepers. Better yet, you can often get a queen at $998 before discounts, and it even comes with a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty.
When evaluating the Bear Original mattress, our testers were immediately blown away by how well it dampened motion and awarded it a 4.67 in the motion isolation category. “I was impressed by the motion isolation on the Bear Original,” said mattress tester Riley Otis. “I could detect a very slight disturbance when my colleague got in the bed and switched positions. However, I could not tell when my colleague was getting out of bed, which was very impressive.”
“I’d recommend the Bear to back sleepers in need of a firm bed,” says Nichole. “Also, the bed is designed for athletes, so it could be good for sleepers with active lifestyles.”
Our mattress testers also gave the Bear Original a near-perfect 4.2 out of 5 for its edge support.
“As someone who tends to gravitate toward the edge of the bed, I often find that memory foam mattresses sink too much around my hips the longer I lie down on them,” said Riley. “Thankfully, the Bear Original knocked it out of the park; my hips felt lifted and aligned with the rest of my body the entire time I tested it – no matter where I was on the bed.”
Nectar Premier – Best Cheap Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Nectar Premier delivers on classic memory foam: it’s soft, contouring, and provides a slow-sinking feel. Still, it provides solid support for most light to average weight sleepers. The cushioning memory foam allows for plenty of pressure relief on pain points, like shoulders and hips. Side sleepers especially should enjoy the pressure relief. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think memory foam lovers should be happy on the Nectar. This bed has a classic memory foam feel, so there’s lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. This can be great for anyone with shoulder pain or hip pain since it gives them cushioning at sensitive pressure points.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Side sleepers looking for a supportive, pressure-relieving mattress at an affordable price should consider the Nectar Premier. This mattress has the recipe for sleep success for these sleepers: It’s slightly softer than medium firm (6 out of 10 on the firmness scale) and scored a 4.5 out of 5 in the support and pressure relief categories. A queen-size Nectar Premier is $1,664 before any promotions, but is often discounted to $700, making this bed a steal.
Folks who sleep on their side need a mattress that’s soft enough to offer the cushioning and contouring they need to relieve pressure around their hips and shoulders, yet supportive enough to ensure proper spinal alignment and prevent back pain. Thankfully, the Nectar Premier has a thick pillow top that conforms to those sensitive areas. For this reason, I gave the Nectar Premier a 4.5 out of 5 for side sleeping overall. While lying on my side, I could feel the Premier’s plush memory foam adapting to my shoulders and hips without causing me to sink so far into the cover layer that it causes discomfort.
After assessing the Nectar Premier’s pressure map, a graphic that uses color coding to measure pressure buildup in certain areas, I confirmed that this mattress offers excellent pressure relief. Below are the results from my fellow mattress tester Nichole Mondshein.
DreamCloud Memory Foam – Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress
Even though it’s an all-foam mattress, we found the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress to be firm, supportive, and responsive. This makes it the rare foam bed that’s sturdy and bouncy enough for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and combo sleepers alike. Learn more in our DreamCloud Memory Foam video review.
What our tester says:
“I think back sleepers should find a lot to love in the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress. It’s supportive and sturdy, but still offers some comfort from the quilted cover. Many stomach sleepers should also enjoy how the firm foams in this bed keep their hips propped up for spinal alignment.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
DreamCloud has become synonymous with affordable luxury, thanks to its flagship bed-in-a-box offering sleepers high-quality materials and a thoughtful design. I gave the all-foam version of this mattress the title of best cheap memory foam mattress because it’s a budget-friendly bed that offers luxury features, such as CertiPUR-US® Certified Foams, 2.5 inches of cooling memory foam, and a plush quilted cashmere blend cover. I also gave the DreamCloud mattress a score of 4.5 or higher across categories like materials, pressure relief, and responsiveness — all of which are important to look for in an all-foam bed.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Cheap Hybrid Mattress
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and sturdy coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“Given that the Signature Hybrid has some excellent bounce, I’d highly recommend this mattress for combination sleepers who often change positions multiple times throughout the night. I also think the Signature Hybrid could be a great fit for couples. You shouldn’t be overly disturbed by a restless partner on this bed, and it has nice, firm edge support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is the best hybrid mattress for folks on a budget, and a classic example of how hybrid designs can offer the best of both memory foam and innerspring models. As Dr. Raj Dasgupta says, “Hybrid mattresses generally provide a responsive feel and cater to various sleep positions, making them a comfortable and supportive choice for many sleepers.” The Signature Hybrid earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in the materials, edge support, and cooling categories. Priced at $1,332 for a queen before discounts (typically under $1,000 after promotions), the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid also offers excellent value.
I rated the materials in this bed a 4 out of 5 for their solid build. The combination of high-density foam and coils gives the bed a nice mix of comfort and durability. The variety of firmness options — Soft, Medium, and Firm — also makes it easy to find a model that works for your sleeping style and preferences. I tested the Medium version of this mattress.
I gave the Signature Hybrid’s edge support a 4.25 out of 5 because of its strong coil system. As I tested this mattress, I could feel it delivering targeted support to my lower back and other high-pressure areas, like my hips and shoulders, while maintaining a responsive feel that adapts to my movements. This support didn’t waver, even as I gravitated towards the edge of the mattress, which is especially important if you share a bed with a partner.
“I felt some slight sinkage on my back but did not feel like I was going to fall off at any point,” agreed Livvi DiCicco, my fellow mattress tester. “The soft cover makes it a little more difficult to switch between different positions after sinking in a little bit here.”
Cooling was another area where the Signature Hybrid shined. Thanks to its breathable layers of foam and the airflow provided by the coils, Livvi and I didn’t experience any heat buildup. We gave it another near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 in the cooling category. We also tested the Signature Hybrid with a thermal gun, a device that uses color-coded imaging to measure how much and how quickly a mattress heats up when someone lies down on it. After this test, I found that the temperature only went up 6 degrees, indicating good cooling capabilities.
“I didn’t feel any noticeable increase in temperature on the Signature Hybrid,” said Livvi. “When I felt around after lying on it, the bed’s surface didn’t appear to retain any heat, either. I’d say it kept things pretty temperature neutral.”
While the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has a lot going for it, it isn’t perfect. We found that the Signature Hybrid struggled in the motion transfer and responsiveness categories. In other words, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to folks with a restless pet or partner, as these sleepers would likely feel every one of their bedmate’s movements. I also wouldn’t recommend this mattress to anyone who needs a springy surface for better maneuverability.
Titan Plus – Best Budget Mattress for Heavy People
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Sleepers with bigger bodies (those weighing over 230 pounds) need a bed with strong support to keep them from sinking through the layers. Thankfully, the Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding is made to prevent sagging and ensure proper spinal alignment at an affordable price. We gave this mattress a 4 out of 5 or higher in key categories like edge support, cooling, and responsiveness. The Titan Plus starts at just $1,249 for a queen size before any discounts, and it often goes on sale for under $1,000.
To get the most accurate results possible, I asked my powerlifter friend, Paulie, to help us test the Titan Plus. While lying on the mattress, he thought the initial sinkage was comfortable and that it offered plenty of lift and support during his tests.
When it was my turn to give the Titan Plus a try, I also found that it excelled in support, earning it a near-perfect 4.6 out of 5 in the edge support category. This mattress is designed to handle 1,000 pounds of weight, with a 6-inch layer of heavy-duty coils to support even the heaviest sleepers. These heavy-duty coils provide excellent lift, preventing sleepers from sinking too far into the mattress. It also has a layer of support foam to help keep your spine in proper alignment throughout the night.
As an average-weight back sleeper, it was easy for Nichole to get comfortable on the Titan Plus. Many back sleepers prefer a firmer mattress because it prevents their hips from sinking too far into the layers, causing discomfort in their lower backs. If you are an average-weight back or stomach sleeper who prefers something firmer, this might be the mattress for you. For this reason, I gave this mattress a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief in the back-sleeping position.
“I have no trouble recommending the Titan Plus to back and stomach sleepers,” said my fellow mattress tester Nichole Mondshein. “It has enough firm support to keep their hips in line with their shoulders, promoting a straight spinal alignment. However, strict side sleepers might find the firmness a bit too much, as there was some pressure buildup at the shoulder when I tested it on my side.”
We also wouldn’t recommend the Titan mattress to lightweight individuals, as it will likely feel too firm to these sleepers. Sleepers in this weight category likely won’t get enough cushioning around their joints to offer them any sort of pressure relief.
Siena – Best Affordable Mattress Under $500
The Siena is somewhat surprising for an all-foam mattress; it’s fairly firm and is even supportive enough for stomach sleepers. Back sleepers should also be well-supported, and budget shoppers should appreciate its value price point. Learn more in our Siena video review.
What our tester says:
“The Siena has a simple, minimalistic design that gets the job done for stomach sleepers and a lot of back sleepers. I think it’s a great option for those after a firm mattress. It will keep sleepers propped up and slightly cushioned, which is especially a major win for stomach sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
The Siena Memory Foam mattress is an excellent pick for folks who need a budget-friendly addition to their dorm or guest room. At just under $500, the Siena mattress offers surprising comfort without putting strain on your wallet. Its price tag might seem too good to be true, but I saw this mattress perform well across numerous categories, scoring a 4 in motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief.
I gave the Siena a 4 out of 5 for motion isolation after lying on it with another mattress tester. While my testing partner was moving around and switching between different positions on her side of the mattress, I could barely feel any movement. However, when she hopped in and out of bed it was another story, as I could feel quite a bit of motion travel to my side of the mattress. In other words, you’ll definitely feel it if your partner wakes up early for work and gets out of bed.
For edge support, I rated the Siena a solid 4 out of 5. While sitting or lying near the edge, I never felt like I was going to roll off, and it held up well under pressure.
“Although foam mattresses sometimes struggle with edge stability, the Siena provided fantastic support across the entire surface,” said mattress tester Bridget Chapman in agreement. “I think this mattress has fantastic edge support at this price point.”
When I tested the Siena for pressure relief, it scored a 4 out of 5. During my pressure map test, I found that while the top layers of the body-adapting memory foam offered a bit of cushioning, the denser foundational foam underneath provided ample support. I sank just enough into the mattress to get good pressure relief, especially around my hips and lower back, without feeling trapped in the bed.
“The Siena has a simple, minimalistic design that gets the job done for stomach sleepers and a lot of back sleepers,” said mattress tester Bridget Chapman. “I think it’s a great option for those after a firm mattress. It will keep sleepers propped up and slightly cushioned, which is especially a major win for stomach sleepers.”
Leesa Original – Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers
While it’s an all-foam mattress on the softer end of the firmness scale, the Leesa should still offer enough support for a neutral spinal alignment, which is good news for back sleepers. Some side sleepers will also get the contouring they need at the shoulders and hips. Learn more in our Leesa video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Leesa is a great choice for back sleepers and should give them the comfort and support they desire. It could also work for some combination sleepers, as it’s bouncy enough to easily move around on.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
The Leesa Original is my go-to on this list for back sleepers seeking a less expensive yet high-quality mattress. It scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in key categories like edge support, cooling, and responsiveness. This bed is quite affordable compared to other mattresses at this level (retailing for $1,332 for a queen before discounts), and it often goes on sale for just under $1,000.
Our mattress testers gave it a 4.4 out of 5 for its stellar edge support. Unlike many memory foam mattresses, which can lack the spinal support needed for back sleepers, the memory foam inside the Leesa is solid enough to prevent these sleepers from sinking through the bed’s layers and “bottoming out.” Even more surprisingly, the Leesa remains just as supportive as you move closer to the edges, making it a home run for couples who like to spread out and folks who tend to migrate toward the perimeter of the bed in their sleep.
During testing, our testers found that the Leesa was the ideal bed for back sleeping. Erin Chiles, one of our mattress testers, found that the memory foam did an excellent job filling in her lumbar region, while the base foam provided just enough lift to keep her body in a neutral position.
“I feel extremely supported while back sleeping on this mattress,” she said. “It’s a good balance between firm and soft and my lower back is supported. I have no pain or pressure points.”
Silk & Snow Hybrid – Best Budget Cooling Mattress
The Silk & Snow Hybrid mattress is a medium-firm mattress made with cooling gel-infused foam and individually wrapped coils. This mattress has excellent cooling abilities, making it a good choice for anyone who tends to overheat at night. The medium-firm feel also makes this bed a good fit for a variety of sleeping positions and body weight. The Silk & Snow is made with high-quality materials, yet has a low price point, so you’ll get the best bang for your buck.
What our tester says:
“The Silk & Snow Hybrid incorporates cooling gel infusions, which are designed to combat the heat trapping nature of memory foam. The bed also has coils, which allow for more airflow within the bed than a solid foam bed.” – Amelia Jerden, former senior staff writer
If a mattress company is bold enough to use the word snow in its name, it better have a few tricks up its sleeve for temperature regulation. Thankfully, the Silk & Snow lives up to its promise and offers outstanding cooling capabilities. This mattress punches well above its weight at just $850 for a queen before any discounts, earning it a 4 out of 5 or higher across categories like cooling, motion isolation, and responsiveness. It’s also available in two different firmnesses: Plush and Medium-Firm. We tested the Medium-Firm.
If you’re one of the 14 percent of American adults that claim to always feel hot at night, the Silk & Snow has just what you need. Its breathable design combines high-density memory foam and zoned pocketed coils to prevent heat from getting trapped and cool the mattress down throughout the night. Its cooling fabric cover is also a nice touch; our mattress testers appreciated how cool-to-the-touch the top layer initially felt as they climbed into bed. We gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5 for cooling overall.
“I didn’t feel this mattress heating up at all,” said mattress tester Dan Caffrey. “It kept a cool temperature throughout and should be comfortable for hot sleepers.”
Other Budget Mattresses I Considered
While there are many great budget options available, I couldn’t include them all on this list. Here are some other cheap mattress brands that almost made the cut.
Novilla Quietude
Starting at just $224.99 (or around $299.99 on Amazon) for a queen-sized mattress, the Novilla Quietude was hard to leave off this list. The Novilla Quietude features charcoal-infused memory foam and breathable, skin-friendly fabrics to give customers a cool and comfortable sleeping experience. It even earned a 4 out of 5 in most of our performance categories. However, I felt this mattress was too bare-bones. While the charcoal infusions are a nice touch, many other budget mattresses on this list include more bells and whistles, so you get more for your money.
Cocoon Chill
The Cocoon Chill is a solid budget option from mattress heavyweight Sealy. As its name suggests, the Cocoon Chill is designed to help hot sleepers stay chill through the night and incorporates features like a specialized cooling cover with phase-change material. I almost included the Cocoon Chill on my list, but ultimately chose the Silk & Snow Hybrid because the latter is a little cheaper at full retail and has a layer of innerspring coils to help circulate air. I would still recommend the Cocoon Chill to folks who sleep hot but would prefer an all-foam mattress.
How We Picked and Tested These Budget Mattresses
The Sleepopolis team and I have tested hundreds of beds to determine the key qualities of a great mattress, budget or otherwise. We leverage hands-on tests and expert feedback to evaluate every bed that comes our way. Over the course of our process, we test and measure cooling, pressure relief, motion transfer, and more to determine which mattresses can best meet your sleep needs.
We work with a network of professionals, including physical therapists, chiropractors, and sleep specialists, to back our recommendations with trustworthy, real-world expertise. Using advanced tools like pressure mapping, thermal guns, and motion transfer tests, we thoroughly assess how each mattress supports different sleepers and addresses various sleep concerns. Get the full scoop on how we chose these mattresses in our buying guide below.
Pressure Relief
Our pressure map test measures a mattress’s ability to relieve pressure and pain. We use a specialized mat to get a digital thermal reading of where pressure is being alleviated and where it’s building up on our bodies. My colleagues and I place the mat on the mattress and lie on it on our backs and sides to obtain these readings. This tells us how much pressure folks should expect to feel on the mattress.
“Medium-soft to medium mattresses made of high-quality materials will offer sleepers the best pressure relief,” Dr. Dasgupta explains. “Hybrid mattresses with latex or memory foam are great for delivering relief to high-pressure areas.”
Strict side sleepers, side sleepers with joint pain, and back sleepers with back pain should keep pressure relief in mind when shopping for a new mattress. These sleepers typically experience more buildup around those sensitive pressure points.
Cooling
To evaluate the cooling performance of each mattress, we rely on our trusty thermal gun, a device that uses color-coded imaging to measure how much and how quickly a mattress heats up when someone lies down on it. We take an initial temperature reading of the bed and then a second reading after 5 minutes of lying on the bed to compare the temperature change. Here’s how we break down every result:
- 5 degrees or less: Excellent
- 5 to 10 degrees: Good
- 10 to 15 degrees: Satisfactory
- Over 15 degrees: Poor
Dr. Shelby Harris, one of our medical advisors, tells us which mattresses cool things down best based on their materials and construction: “Hybrid beds and traditional innerspring mattresses promote airflow. Latex mattresses also naturally stay cool and can help disperse body heat. Advanced cooling materials, like copper-infused foams or phase change material, can also further help regulate temperature and keep you comfortable.”
Responsiveness
My team and I switch between different sleeping positions and move around on each bed to assess a mattress’s responsiveness, paying attention to how easily we can do so. We also press our hands into the center of the mattress, holding the pressure for about 7 seconds and then releasing. We carefully observe how quickly each layer rebounds and whether it returns to its original shape.
A responsive hybrid mattress typically bounces back almost immediately, while memory foam mattresses usually take longer to regain their original form. While often more expensive, the best latex mattresses tend to offer great responsiveness as well.
Edge Support
To test edge support, I sit on the edge of the mattress and apply pressure to see if the sides feel stable or if they sag under my weight. I also lie near the edge in different positions to evaluate how the mattress holds up when sleeping close to the perimeter. This test helps us gauge if the mattress provides enough support to avoid a “falling off” feeling and if it maintains a consistent surface across the entire bed.
A mattress with strong edge support will feel stable and provide a firm foundation, even when sitting or lying near the edges. A mattress with weaker edge support may sag or feel less supportive, particularly when you’re on the side of the bed. Edge support is important if you tend to gravitate toward the perimeter of the bed at night or bear down on the edge of the mattress to get out of bed in the morning.
What to Consider When Buying a Cheap Mattress
A good cheap mattress shouldn’t feel like a cheap mattress. While a budget mattress might not have all the extras that come with premium models, it should still provide ample support and use high-quality materials. When shopping for a mattress in this price range, it’s important to keep those two things in mind, along with the basics like your body weight and preferred firmness.
Firmness
A mattress’s firmness impacts your overall comfort and sleep quality. Mattresses range from soft to firm, and the right firmness will depend on your sleep style, body type, and preferred mattress type. A medium-firm mattress (6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale) is ideal for most sleepers because it offers a good balance of support and pressure relief.
However, there are situations where a softer or firmer bed is necessary. For example, strict side sleepers or folks with sensitive joints will often prefer softer beds (6 or lower on the firmness scale) to give them the cushioning they need around their pressure points. Strict back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, often prefer something on the firmer side to keep their spines in a neutral position as they sleep.
Body Weight
Your weight determines how much support and firmness you’ll need from a mattress. Lighter sleepers (under 130 pounds) typically prefer softer beds that provide extra cushioning. Meanwhile, most people who weigh 130 to 230 pounds find that mattresses with a medium to medium-firm feel deliver the best balance of support. Sleepers with bigger bodies (over 230 pounds) should look for firmer mattresses to ensure adequate support.
| Lightweight Sleepers | Average-Weight Sleepers | Heavyweight Sleepers |
| < 160 pounds | 160–230 pounds | > 230 pounds |
Support
Support is one of the most crucial factors when choosing a mattress, especially when you’re on a budget. A supportive mattress should keep your spine aligned throughout the night, regardless of your sleep position. A good mattress will distribute your weight evenly and prevent your body from sinking too deeply into the bed, which can cause discomfort and poor sleep posture.
Hybrid mattresses have an innerspring coil base that provides better support and makes the mattress feel more bouncy than a traditional foam mattress. If you weigh more than 230 pounds or need more support, look for a mattress with higher coil counts or additional features like zoned support, which targets specific areas of the body that need extra firmness, such as the lower back or hips.
Materials
The materials used in a mattress affect its comfort level, durability, and overall performance. While budget mattresses may not feature the same level of premium materials that high-end models do, many still offer high-quality components that provide great value.
Common materials in budget mattresses include memory foam, innerspring coils, and polyfoam. Memory foam, for example, offers contouring comfort and pressure relief, but it may trap heat. Many budget mattresses incorporate cooling technologies like gel memory foam or breathable covers to help combat heat retention and regulate temperature.
Price
Budget mattresses can vary widely in price depending on the quality of materials, the coil system, and added features like cooling technologies. For example, hybrid models are typically more expensive than traditional memory foam mattresses (thanks to the added coils), but they often offer enhanced durability, support, and comfort.
A good price range to aim for when shopping for an affordable mattress is typically between $600 and $900 for a queen size after discounts. This range often offers a solid mix of durability, comfort, and value without compromising the quality of materials or features.
FAQs
How much should a mattress cost?
There is no “one cost fits all.” The cost of a mattress comes down to a lot of factors including size, materials, the type of mattress, and so on. The average price for queen-size mattresses from well-known online brands comes in around $1,500, but it’s possible to find good options at lower price points.
What is the best time of year to buy a mattress?
The following weekends tend to have the best sales: Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. That said, a lot of companies have deals going on all the time, so check out the coupons page on Sleepopolis to find exclusive discounts.
How long will a low-cost mattress last?
Many value mattresses are built to last as long as more expensive beds. When in doubt, ask a mattress company representative and check your warranty. The length and conditions of a warranty can give you a good idea of the mattress’s reliability. Be careful to follow care instructions so your mattress performs as expected over the long term.
I’m not on a strict budget. Why should I buy a lower-cost mattress?
A low-priced mattress can be a great option in certain circumstances for certain buyers, even those who don’t have to bargain-hunt. You might want to purchase a budget mattress if you need to furnish a guest room, if your child needs a new bed, if you’re sending a kid off to college, or if you need an extra mattress.
What’s the cheapest kind of mattress available?
A basic innerspring bed or a memory foam mattress are two lower-cost options. You may be able to upgrade to a mattress with higher-quality materials that will last longer and offer comfort for years to come.
How can I make a cheap mattress more comfortable?
The easiest way to make a cheap mattress more comfortable is by purchasing a mattress topper. You can even find quality mattress toppers for under $100. These accessories are designed to change the firmness of your mattress, whether it’s making it softer or firmer. This allows you to create a firmness level that’s comfortable for you and your individual sleep needs.
