Best Budget Mattress 2024
By Sarah Anderson, Certified Sleep Science Coach 
Trust Zoma for expert insights on sleep wellness. Our dedicated team, including sleep science coaches, engineers, and product evaluators, meticulously investigates mattresses using our athlete-informed product methodology. We provide precise and trustworthy articles, continually updating content with the latest scientific breakthroughs. Count on us for top-rated, personally reviewed mattresses that prioritize comfort and performance, elevating your rest to its highest potential.
Buying Guide For Best Budget Mattress
Shopping for a new mattress on a budget can be difficult. You still want a quality mattress, even if you can’t afford the most expensive model.
However, most sleepers don’t need the most expensive mattress available. There are plenty of fine mattresses for under $1000, and you can even find a few decent ones for under $500. With a little bit of searching, you can find your best mattress at an affordable price.
In this guide, we cover what to look for in a budget mattress and what you can expect from mattresses in various price ranges. We go over the main types of mattresses available and how to find a mattress that suits your sleep style. Finally, we give a few tips on how to keep your new bed in excellent condition, no matter what you paid for it.
Best Mattress Overall
1. Zoma Start
- Price Range: $599 - $1048
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: No
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King, Split King
- Athletes seeking muscle recovery and support
- Side and back sleepers looking for pressure relief
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Individuals who prefer a medium firm feel
- Affordable price point
- Cooling gel memory foam for temperature regulation
- Responsive support layer for enhanced comfort
- Designed to promote muscle recovery
In search of an affordable, premium mattress? Unbeatable comfort, support, and durability are all included in our top choice for the finest inexpensive mattress.
After putting the Zoma Start mattress through several tests, our testing crew was delighted by its athlete-friendly design.
The mattress’s ingredients help with muscle rehabilitation, essential for athletes who engage in intense training.
This mattress strikes the ideal balance between performance and affordability, with its design providing the necessary comfort and support.
To help you choose whether the mattress is right for you, Zoma also provides a 100-night sleep trial.
We selected the Zoma Start as a top-budget mattress due to its exceptional balance of comfort and affordability.
Its innovative design incorporates cooling gel memory foam and a responsive support layer, ensuring optimal sleep temperature and pressure relief.
Rigorous testing and positive feedback from athletes have solidified our belief in the Zoma Start’s ability to deliver enhanced rest and rejuvenation, making it an ideal choice for individuals seeking quality sleep without breaking the bank.
It features a breathable mesh cover of 97% polyester and 3% spandex, providing optimal airflow and a soft feel.
Beneath the cover lies a carefully layered system of foams:
Triangulex™ Memory Foam: This innovative foam is designed to contour to the body’s shape, relieving pressure points and promoting muscle recovery.
Reactiv™ Foam: Positioned above the support core, this responsive foam provides bounce and energy return, aiding in effortless transitions from sleep to wakefulness.
Support+ Core Foam: This dense foam layer offers sturdy support for the spine, ensuring proper alignment and preventing sinkage.
Our testing team found the Zoma Start mattress to provide a balanced sleep experience characterized by comfort and support.
The gel memory foam layer effectively contours the body, relieving pressure points and promoting relaxation.
The mattress also exhibits a responsive feel, preventing the sensation of being trapped or engulfed.
This combination of attributes results in a sleep surface suitable for a wide range of sleep preferences.
Sleepers reported feeling well-rested and rejuvenated upon waking, suggesting that the Zoma Start successfully promotes restorative sleep.
Best for Back Pain
2. Amerisleep AS2
- Price Range: $1299 - $2248
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: Yes
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King, Split King
- Back and stomach sleepers
- Those seeking a medium-firm mattress
- People prioritize cooling comfort
- Individuals concerned about environmental impact
- HIVE® technology for superior spinal alignment
- Bio-Pur® memory foam for pressure relief
- Refresh Cover for temperature regulation
- Eco-friendly materials for a healthier sleep environment
Can a budget-friendly mattress truly deliver the support and comfort you need? We set out to find out with the Amerisleep AS2.
This mattress is positioned as a wallet-friendly option without sacrificing quality, and we were curious to see if it lives up to the claim.
With its eco-friendly materials and medium-firm feel, the AS2 aims to provide a balance of comfort and support.
HIVE technology is at the heart of the AS2, a five-zone support system that promises to cradle your body and align your spine.
We were particularly intrigued by the Refresh Cover, which claims to regulate temperature and offer additional health benefits.
Superior Support: The AS2’s HIVE® technology provides excellent spinal alignment, making it a great choice for back and stomach sleepers.
Calm Sleep: Bio-Pur® Memory Foam and the Refresh Cover work together to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night.
Targeted Comfort: HIVE® technology offers zoned support for personalized comfort and pressure relief.
Eco-Friendly: The AS2 is made with sustainable materials, promoting a healthier sleep environment.
Soft, Ultra-Breathable Cover: The first layer is a smooth, breathable cover that helps wick away moisture and prevent overheating, promoting a cool sleep experience.
Bio-Pur® Memory Foam: A layer of Bio-Pur® memory foam is beneath the cover. This plant-based memory foam is designed to contour to your body shape, providing pressure relief and cradling support.
HIVE® Transition Layer: A key feature of the AS2 is the HIVE® transition layer, divided into five zones, each offering targeted support. The zoned design helps promote proper spinal alignment and alleviates pressure points.
Bio-Core® Base Layer: The final layer is the Bio-Core® base layer. This high-density base layer provides the mattress with core support and durability, ensuring it retains its shape for years.
According to our testers, the Amerisleep AS2’s medium-firm feel was suitable for back and stomach sleepers.
The Refresh Cover, along with Bio-Pur® memory foam, produced a very cool and cozy sleeping surface. The memory foam provided us with much-needed pressure relief and remarkable overall comfort.
One noteworthy aspect was the HIVE® technology.
Our testers had never-before-seen pressure release and focused support.
By supporting optimal spinal alignment and relieving pressure spots, the HIVE® layer’s zoned design successfully cradled our bodies.
Best Foam Mattress
3. Vaya Mattress
- Price Range: $749 - $1199
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: No
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Sleepers seeking medium firmness
- Those who prioritize comfort and support
- Individuals who sleep hot
- Affordable price point without sacrificing comfort
- Supportive foam construction for spinal alignment
- Breathable materials to regulate sleep temperature
- Versatile design suitable for various sleep styles
With the Vaya Mattress, enjoy affordability, ease of use, and comfort.
Its simple yet functional design uses two layers of Vaya Foam to provide just the right amount of support and softness.
This simplified method guarantees an affordable choice without sacrificing quality and improving comfort.
Whatever your favorite sleeping position, the Vaya Mattress provides firm support that follows the curves of your body.
Compared to other luxury options, the Vaya mattress shows a bit of motion transfer, but in this budget, you can take a pass on it.
Our review team examined its engineering to relieve pressure spots and encourage good spine alignment, assuring a pleasant slumber.
Supportive all-foam construction: The Vaya mattress features two layers of high-density foam that provide ample support for all sleeping positions.
Medium firmness: While testing, we noticed that the mattress strikes a good balance between comfort and support, making it a versatile option for a wide range of Sleepers.
Affordable price point: It is also found to be priced competitively with other all-foam beds on the market, making it an excellent option for budget-minded shoppers.
Cooling and breathable: The Vaya mattress is designed to sleep cool, making it an excellent choice for hot sleepers.
The Vaya Mattress is designed with simplicity and comfort in mind, utilizing two high-quality foam layers that work together to provide an adaptive sleep experience:
- Vaya Comfort Foam: The top layer consists of 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam, a breathable and responsive material that gently contours to your body. This foam is designed to relieve pressure points while ensuring a cool and comfortable sleep environment, making it ideal for a variety of sleep positions.
- Vaya Base Foam: Beneath the comfort layer is 9 inches of durable Vaya Base Foam. This supportive foam foundation ensures the mattress maintains its shape and provides essential support to keep your spine aligned. The base foam enhances durability, helping the mattress resist sagging over time.
These layers are encased in a soft, breathable cover that enhances the mattress’s overall comfort and cooling properties. The Vaya Mattress is crafted to deliver a balanced combination of comfort, support, and breathability, making it suitable for a wide range of sleepers.
The Vaya Mattress delivers comfortable, medium firmness that achieves a mix of luxury and support.
It is incredibly flexible, molding to the curves of your body and offering sufficient back support, according to our testers.
The mattress will feel soft but firm under your weight, adapting swiftly to your every move to provide restful sleep.
It’s crucial to remember that, although providing a pleasant sleeping experience, motion transmission is more apparent to our testers than with more expensive versions.
Best for Side Sleepers
4. Zoma Hybrid
- Price Range: $749 - $1698
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: Yes
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Side sleepers seeking pressure relief
- Combination sleepers desiring versatility
- Hot sleepers in need of cooling comfort
- Individuals prioritizing budget-friendly options
- Breathable materials for optimal airflow
- Triangulex™ technology for targeted support
- Responsive feel for effortless movement
- The competitive price point for excellent value
The Zoma Hybrid mattress, a well-liked and reasonably priced choice for side sleepers, was carefully examined by our testing team.
Our team’s impression was heightened by its cooling technology and pressure-relieving capabilities, which are particularly advantageous for side sleepers who frequently have shoulder and hip pain.
The mattress, according to the testers, has an AirCloth cover that wicks moisture and heat away and is breathable.
While the ReactivTM layer delivers a responsive feel that facilitates comfortable movement during sleep, the TriangulexTM gel memory foam layer molds to the contours of your body to provide targeted pressure relief.
Eco-friendly manufacture in the USA and a 10-year guarantee are provided.
Pressure Relief: During testing, we found Triangulex™ gel memory foam layer contours our body curves, minimizing pressure points and promoting a comfortable sleep.
Balance of Plushness and Bounce: The combination of the Triangulex™ memory foam layer and the responsive Reactiv™ support layer provides a balance of comfort and support, catering to various sleep styles.
Cooling Technology: The Zoma Hybrid prioritizes temperature regulation with its breathable AirCloth cover, which wicks away moisture and helps prevent overheating, a common concern for side sleepers.
Budget-Friendly The Zoma Hybrid offers all these features at a competitive price point, making it an excellent choice for value-conscious shoppers seeking a high-quality sleep experience.
Breathable Mesh Fabric: The top layer is a soft, stretchy mesh fabric of 97% polyester and 3% spandex. It enhances breathability and airflow, helping to regulate temperature.
Triangulex™ Gel Memory, FoamThe top comfort layer of this mattress is a 2-inch gel-infused layer with triangular cutouts for improved airflow and pressure relief.
Reactiv™ Foam: Positioned beneath the memory foam, this 2-inch layer offers a responsive feel. It helps prevent excessive sinkage and provides additional support.
Pocketed Coil System: The mattress has a 7-inch layer of individually wrapped coils that isolate motion and reduce disturbances for your sleep partner.
Support Foam: A 1-inch layer of dense support foam provides a stable foundation for the coil system and helps maintain the mattress’s shape over time.
This combination of materials creates a cushioning and supportive sleep surface that caters to a wide range of sleep preferences.
When we compared the Zoma Hybrid to other mattresses we’ve evaluated, we discovered that it offers a substantially cooler sleeping experience.
Its airy fabrics efficiently drain away moisture and heat, eliminating the unpleasant sensation of being in a heated cocoon while you sleep.
The mattress is excellent at releasing pressure points, easing tense muscles, and offering focused support.
Our morning aches and pains significantly decreased when we slept on the Zoma Hybrid.
We were pleased with the mattress’s ability to mold to our bodies without giving us a “sinking” feeling.
It provides a dynamic sensation accommodating various sleeping positions, facilitating effortless mobility and cozy rest.
Best for Active Sleepers
5. Bear Original
- Price Range: $699 - $1690
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: Yes
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King, Split King
- Active sleepers who tend to overheat
- Individuals seeking a balance of comfort and support
- Those who prefer a medium-firm mattress
- People on a budget looking for a quality mattress
- Cooling gel memory foam for temperature regulation
- Supportive Bear Dynamic Foam for enhanced comfort
- Breathable quilted cover to wick away moisture
- Affordable price point without compromising quality
After our testing, we found a mattress that effectively balances comfort and support, making it an ideal choice for those who toss and turn throughout the night.
One of our testers noted that the Bear Original Mattress offered an outstanding balance of firmness and softness. “I woke up feeling refreshed and well-rested, which is exactly what I look for in a mattress,” they said.
The mattress’s cooling gel memory foam layer is a standout feature, providing exceptional pressure relief and spinal alignment to soothe tired muscles and promote restful sleep.
Coupled with the supportive Bear Dynamic Foam, the Bear Original offers a balanced feel that caters to various sleep positions.
While the Bear Original excels in many areas, it’s essential to consider individual sleep preferences.
Additional layers of cushioning might be desired by sleepers seeking an ultra-plush feel. However, the Bear Original is a compelling option for those prioritizing support and cooling.
We selected it for its innovation capacity. Active sleepers often experience fluctuations in body temperature and require a mattress that can adapt to their movements.
The Bear Original’s cooling gel memory foam and breathable cover effectively manage heat buildup, preventing discomfort and ensuring a restful sleep.
The supportive Bear Dynamic Foam provides the necessary bounce and pressure relief to accommodate changes in sleep position, minimizing disturbances throughout the night.
The Bear Original stood out to us because it effectively utilizes Celliant® technology. It provides enhanced muscle recovery and caters to the needs of athletes and those with an active lifestyle.
Our testing revealed that the blend of cooling and supportive foams truly impressed our team.
Celliant® Cover: The mattress features a Celliant® cover designed to convert body heat into infrared energy, which is then reflected into the body to improve circulation and promote faster recovery.
Graphite-Gel Memory Foam: This innovative foam layer combines the pressure-relieving properties of memory foam with the cooling benefits of graphite and gel.
Responsive Transition Foam: Placed between the comfort and support layers, this foam provides a seamless transition, ensuring optimal body alignment and motion isolation.
High-Density Support Foam: This dense foam layer is the mattress’s foundation. It offers durable support and maintains the mattress’s shape over time.
The Bear Original has a medium-firm feel with the proper supporting structure and soft comfort.
According to our testers, the mattress cradled the body’s curves and offered good spinal alignment.
One of its most notable qualities is its cooling feeling, which is due to the efficient heat dissipation caused by the combination of the graphite-gel memory foam and Celliant® cover.
It is the perfect option for hot sleepers and people who become heated at night.
Those physically active and produce a lot of body heat may find this cooling effect helpful.
Best Hybrid Mattress
6. Brooklyn Bedding Essential Hybrid
- Price Range: $532 - $1132
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: Yes
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Budget-conscious sleepers
- Couples
- Back and combination sleepers
- Side sleepers
- High-quality materials and construction are available at an affordable price.
- Suitable for a wide range of sleep styles.
- Effective pressure relief
- Supportive core
- Breathable design Helps regulate temperature.
Through our comprehensive assessment, we have discovered that the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Hybrid mattress is a meticulously engineered sleep innovation.
It places significant emphasis on providing both comfort and support while maintaining affordability.
The mattress Boasts a sophisticated multi-layered construction tailored to accommodate various sleep preferences.
Specifically, a high-density quilted comfort layer is strategically integrated to alleviate pressure points. It works with the hyper-dense transition foam to ensure a smooth and supportive transition to the core support system.
This mattress is built to last for years with its high-quality materials and construction.
After testing the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Hybrid, I found it to be a perfect option for customers on a tight budget who want support and comfort in equal measure.
According to our research, it is an excellent choice for people who want to improve their sleep without going over budget because of its reasonable pricing without sacrificing quality.
In addition, the medium feel of the mattress is a flexible option that suits many different types of sleep preferences.
The Essential Hybrid provides enough support and pressure relief to guarantee a comfortable night’s sleep, regardless of whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach.
High-density quilted comfort layer: This top layer relieves pressure spots and provides a luxurious sensation by molding to the curves of your body.
Hyper-dense transition foam: This foam layer, which sits between the support core and the comfort layer, ensures a seamless transition for uninterrupted sleep.
High-quality coil core: Individually wrapped coils offer outstanding edge support, motion isolation, and support, all of which help you have a good night’s sleep.
Breathable fabric cover: The mattress is covered with a material that wicks away moisture to help control temperature and avoid overheating.
We experienced the mattress as providing a cloud-like sensation combined with responsive bounce.
This combination makes transitioning between sleep positions effortless and prevents any feelings of being trapped or overly sinking in.
The mattress provides a comforting medium that perfectly balances plushness and support.
The breathable fabric cover contributes to a cool and refreshing sleep environment.
Our team believes the Essential Hybrid delivers exceptional comfort and support, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of sleepers.
Best Natural Mattress
7. Avocado Eco Organic
- Price Range: $777 - $1699
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: Yes
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Budget-minded eco-sleepers
- Back & stomach sleepers
- Couples
- Allergy sufferers
- Affordable organic luxury
- Supportive & breathable
- Chemical-free sleep
- Motion isolation
We’re genuinely impressed by the Avocado Eco Organic Mattress. This isn’t just another mattress; it’s a commitment to sleep quality and environmental responsibility.
The unique blend of organic latex and individually pocketed coils delivers a supportive yet cloud-like feel.
Wrapped in luxurious organic cotton and wool, it offers exceptional breathability and temperature regulation.
It proudly carries GOTS, Made Safe®, and OEKO-TEX® certifications, ensuring you sleep on a clean and healthy surface.
By choosing Avocado Eco Organic, you’re responsible for a good night’s sleep and contributing to a healthier planet.
Above all, it provides a remarkable equilibrium between cost and natural excellence. This is a rare discovery in the mattress industry because natural materials are sometimes more expensive.
Avocado’s devotion to sustainability and openness amazed us. To offer a genuinely natural sleep surface, they employ organic cotton and wool certified by GOTS and GOLS-certified organic latex.
If you’re concerned about the environment, this mattress is a safe option because it does not contain dangerous chemicals.
The Eco Organic offers a cozy and peaceful sleep experience because it blends soft organic layers and sturdy innerspring coils.
The Avocado Eco Organic Mattress is a testament to clean, natural materials.
At its core, a supportive system of individually pocketed coils provides excellent motion isolation and spinal alignment.
This foundation is a generous layer of GOLS-certified organic latex, which is known for its durability, breathability, and pressure-relieving properties.
Enveloping the core is a luxurious blend of GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool. The cotton offers a soft and smooth sleeping surface, while the wool provides exceptional temperature regulation, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.
Importantly, this mattress is free from harmful chemicals, including polyurethane foams, memory foams, synthetic materials, and chemical flame retardants.
Commitment to purity is evident in every layer of this mattress.
Many sleepers describe the mattress as having a “cloud-like” quality due to the combination of materials, offering a luxurious feel without sacrificing support.
During tests, it feels a touch of plushness, cradling your body without feeling overly soft or sinking.
Its medium-firm feel strikes an excellent equilibrium, providing adequate support for back and stomach sleepers while offering gentle cushioning for side sleepers.
The Eco Organic delivers a comfortable and restful night’s sleep that caters to various sleep preferences.
Best Mattress for Guests
8. Casper Dream Hybrid
- Price Range: $1495 - $2990
- Made in USA: Yes
- Motion Isolation: Yes
- Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Ideal for back sleepers
- Suits combination sleepers
- Perfect for couples
- Budget Shoppers
- Features breathable foam
- Offers zoned support system
- Combines foam and spring comfort
- Provides a medium-feel mattress
A guest room mattress should be more than just a place to crash. It’s a sanctuary of comfort, a silent ambassador for your hospitality. The Casper Dream Hybrid is designed with just that in mind.
Its zonal support, which offers ergonomic alignment, and the harmony of its supporting springs and pressure-relieving foams thrilled our testing team.
Because of this unique mix, the air stays circulating all night, keeping visitors cool and comfortable.
The Casper Dream Hybrid is a fantastic option for all kinds of sleepers. It offers a supportive feel with the perfect amount of bounce.
The Casper Dream Hybrid is made to offer your visitors the support and comfort they want for a good night’s sleep.
Optimal Spinal Alignment: Our testing revealed that it provides exceptional ergonomic alignment by offering softer cushioning for the shoulders and firmer support for the lower back and hips.
Uninterrupted Sleep: We were impressed by the perfect balance of supportive springs and pressure-relieving foams, which create a sleep surface that contours the body without feeling overly soft or firm.
Cool and Comfortable: The Casper Dream Hybrid addresses this issue with its open-cell foam construction, which promotes airflow and helps regulate body temperature throughout the night.
A Dreamy Feel: Sleepers consistently rave about the Casper Dream Hybrid’s unique feel. It offers a supportive yet gentle embrace, making it a versatile choice for different sleep styles.
Breathe Flex Foam:
The Casper Dream Hybrid’s top layer features Breathe Flex open-cell foam. This innovative material is designed to excel at heat dissipation, ensuring a cool and comfortable sleep surface throughout the night.
Aligned Zoned Memory Foam
The Aligned zoned memory foam layer is divided into three zones to provide tailored support for different body parts. The middle zone is firmer and offers enhanced support for the torso and hips.
Individually Pocketed Coils
The heart of the Casper Dream Hybrid is its supportive core of individually pocketed coils, which are reinforced with a polyfoam border to enhance edge support and durability.
CertiPUR-US Certified Foams
Casper uses CertiPUR-US certified foams in the Dream Hybrid mattress, ensuring minimal emissions and no harmful chemicals for a healthier sleep environment.
The Casper Dream Hybrid mattress is designed to provide a balanced feel that caters to a wide range of sleepers. When you first lie down, you’ll notice the plush comfort of the top layers, which offer a gentle, cradling sensation. This softness is due to the combination of premium foam layers that contour to your body, providing pressure relief and support in key areas like the shoulders and hips.
As you sink into the mattress, the underlying pocketed coil system becomes more apparent, delivering a responsive, supportive feel that helps maintain proper spinal alignment. The coils also add a slight bounce to the mattress, making it easy to move around and adjust your sleeping position without feeling stuck.
Overall, the Casper Dream Hybrid strikes a balance between soft comfort and firm support, making it a great choice for those who want the best of both worlds—plushness on the surface with robust support underneath. This combination makes it suitable for various sleep positions and body types, particularly for those who prefer a medium to medium-firm mattress.
What to Think About When Buying a Budget Mattress
Price may be the foremost concern on your mind, but it’s not all you should think about as you weigh mattress choices. You should also think about how you expect to use the bed and look at a mattress’s construction to determine its quality.
Expected Usage
How long and how much you expect to use a mattress can help you determine the right budget. If you’re shopping for a guest bed or a short-term use mattress, you can invest less money than you would for a mattress you want to use regularly for several years. A high-quality mattress can last 8 to 10 years and typically costs between $700 to $1,000.
Layers
Foam mattresses typically have two to four layers. A basic foam mattress has only two foam layers— a top comfort layer and a bottom support layer. Some foam beds include a transition layer as well, which can add more responsiveness, support, and pressure-point relief.
The top layer of a foam mattress should be at least 2 inches thick. Anything thinner may be uncomfortable to lie on and might soon wear out. The bottom layer should be sturdy enough to ensure the top layers don’t sag.
Foam Density
A foam layer can be low density, medium density, or high density. The foam’s density is measured by how much it weighs per square foot. The more weight it has, the denser the foam is. We should note, though, low-density foam is not the same as low-quality foam. That said, low-density foam can wear out quicker than higher-density foam, as it’s not always as durable.
| Foam density | Weight per cubic foot |
|---|---|
| Low density | 3 pounds or less |
| Medium density | 4 to 5 pounds |
| High density | 6 pounds or more |
Coils
If you’re considering a hybrid or innerspring mattress, you’ll want to look at the quality of the coils. When it comes to coil quality, pay attention to the coil count and coil type.
Coil count refers to the number of coils in a mattress. The coil count affects the support and firmness a mattress offers. A decent queen mattress should have at least 400 coils.
Possible coil type in a mattress include continuous coils, knotted coils, and pocketed coils. We recommend the pocketed coil system, as each coil is wrapped in fabric or foam to prevent motion transfer.
Thickness
The thickness of a mattress can alert you to its likely durability, support, and comfort. Thickness can affect price, as well, since more material goes into a thicker mattress.
A good mattress is between 10 and 14 inches thick. A mattress less than 10 inches thick may not provide sufficient support. Most sleepers do not need more comfort than what a 14-inch mattress can provide.
Side sleepers and heavier sleepers often sleep better on thicker mattresses. For side sleepers, a thicker mattress can provide the plush give they need to comfortably sink into the mattress. A mattress for a heavier sleeper needs more material to better take on weight.
What to Expect From a Budget Mattress
A mattress’s materials and features change its price. A more expensive mattress might have cooling features, edge support, or lumbar support. A low-priced mattress might be made with low-quality materials.
What to Expect From a Mattress Under $1,000
We recommend a mattress under $1000 for shoppers on a budget. It’s not the constraint you might think it is, as it still leaves you with a wide variety of mattresses to choose from.
You can find quality memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, and even a few latex mattresses in this price range. Of the four, we recommend a memory foam mattress, as a good one can last about eight years.
Typically, you will find higher-quality mattress options online. Online mattress companies have fewer costs to cover, as they’re usually not paying for a physical storefront and its upkeep. An online seller can offer a good mattress at a lower price than what you would find at a mattress store.
We recommend choosing a mattress with a sleep trial and no-hassle return policy, as well as a warranty that lasts at least 10 years. All three of these policies are a sign of the company’s faith in its product.
What to Expect From a Mattress Under $500
It may take some searching, but you can still find a decent mattress for less than $500. Most of the mattresses you can find in this price range are foam mattresses, though you can find a few inexpensive hybrid and innerspring mattresses.
You cannot expect the same durability from an under $500 mattress that you would get from an under $1,000 mattress. To meet the lower price point, mattress companies use lesser quality coils and foam. The foam may fall apart and the coils may wear out within a few years.
A mattress costing less than $500 may not provide some sleepers with needed support. This is not only because of lower quality materials but also because the mattress is probably made with fewer materials. Many mattresses in this price range fall short of our recommended thickness of 10 inches or more.
An inexpensive mattress may do fine for someone younger or in good health, but it may not be the right choice for an older sleeper or someone with chronic pain issues.
You can still find a lower-priced mattress with a sleep trial, return policy, and warranty. However, in this price range, the warranties may be shorter than the standard, lasting 3 to 5 years instead of the usual 10 years.
What to Expect From a Mattress Under $100
Your choices here are typically a second hand mattress, an air mattress, or a thin polyfoam mattress, all of which we recommend avoiding if you can.
With a secondhand mattress, you’re often left wondering how clean the bed truly is. You might buy a bed filled with bed bugs, dust mites, and other allergens. While you can pay to clean the bed, it will typically cost a few hundred dollars to do so— money you could put toward a brand new mattress instead.
You may not get enough support from a used mattress. The price may be cheap, but is it worth it if you only get a few months or a year out of your mattress? If you’re considering a second hand mattress, remember warranties are non transferable and apply only to the original buyer.
You can buy an air mattress for under $100, but it may not be a bed you can rely on. You might wake up early one morning to find your mattress sprung a leak in the night, deflating around you while you slept. While you can patch up an air mattress, it’s not guaranteed to stick, and you may be shopping for another bed sooner than you would like to.
Our recommendation for a mattress under $100 would be a new polyfoam mattress, but even this has its drawbacks. The beds sold at this price are thin, often 6 inches tall or less. A bed this thin cannot provide most sleepers with the support they need for a restful night of sleep.
A foam mattress this cheap likely will not come with a manufacturer’s warranty or return policy. So if you buy one and are unhappy with it, you have no option but to buy a new one.
Setting a Budget
Once you know what you can expect from each price range, it’s time to set your budget.
Our recommended budget for a queen-size mattress is between $500 for $1,000, and up to $1,500 if you can stretch your budget that far. Higher-priced mattresses can last you at least 6 or 7 years.
To get the best prices on a new mattress, we recommend shopping online during big sales days. Some of the best sales days for mattresses are:
- New Year’s Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- The Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Veteran’s Day
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
Mattress Types
A budget can limit the type of mattress you can buy. However, you can find the four main types of mattresses at affordable prices if you do a little bit of searching.
Memory Foam
A memory foam mattress is built with layers of foam. Despite the name, you’ll only find memory foam in the bed’s top layer(s). Memory foam responds too well to a sleeper’s body to provide complete support on its own, so the bottom layer(s) contains a more supportive foam.
By contouring to your body, memory foam offers a balance of pressure relief and support. A memory foam mattress is our recommendation for sleepers with a chronic pain issue such as hip pain, as the bed soothes existing pain and prevents pressure buildup from causing more pain.
If you share a bed, memory foam might be the best type of mattress for you. The material provides better motion isolation than any other kind of mattress.
The main problem with traditional memory foam is its tendency to trap body heat, which can cause you to wake up. Many manufacturers fix this problem by adding cool gels to the foam as it’s made. These gels absorb body heat, keeping the mattress cool. Other companies add graphite, copper, or charcoal for a similar effect.
A good memory foam mattress can last about seven years, while a high-quality memory foam mattress can last eight to ten years.
Latex
A latex mattress is similar to a memory foam mattress, with a few key differences. The material molds to your body like memory foam does; however, while latex is more breathable and springier, memory foam isolates motion better.
There are two types of latex— natural and synthetic. Natural latex is made with rubber tree sap and synthetic latex is made from the organic compounds styrene and butadiene. The process to create natural latex makes it one of the more eco-friendly mattresses available.
A natural latex mattress typically comes with a high price tag. However, it might be worth it if you can afford it, as natural latex can last up to 15 years.
If you’re interested in buying a latex mattress, we recommend checking if it’s made with natural or synthetic latex. Synthetic latex has a shorter expected lifespan than a natural latex mattress. You might want a latex mattress with a pillow top, as many sleepers find latex is firmer than they expected.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are inexpensive and easy to find. Most mattress stores and some furniture stores carry innerspring mattresses. Coils act as the bed’s support, with air passing between the coils for a cooling mattress.
However, innerspring mattresses typically rank low when it comes to customer satisfaction. An innerspring mattress cannot conform to your body like an all-foam or hybrid mattress can, which can cause parts of the body to go unsupported and allow pressure to build up. We do not recommend an innerspring mattress for anyone with a chronic pain issue.
Innerspring mattresses can lack durability, as well. The coils may sag in as little as five years, leaving you in need of a new mattress.
Hybrid
To qualify as a hybrid, a mattress must have a coil support system and at least 3 inches of foam. Often the coils are wrapped to better isolate motion.
A hybrid mattress is bouncier than a memory foam or latex mattress. A hybrid mattress can be a good choice if you don’t want to “sink” into your mattress (as opposed to the cradling feel of a foam bed).
However, hybrids can be some of the more expensive mattresses on the market, and they might not be worth the money, as on average a hybrid mattress lasts about six years.
Mattress Firmness
Every sleeper has a firmness that suits them best. You can discover your perfect firmness level by considering your sleeping position and your body type.
When you go to sleep your body weight presses down on a mattress, affecting its feel. A heavyweight sleeper puts more pressure on a bed, while a lightweight sleeper puts less pressure on a bed.
You qualify as a heavyweight sleeper if you weigh more than 230 pounds and as a lightweight sleeper if you weigh less than 130 pounds. A firmer mattress can better accommodate a heavy sleeper, while a softer mattress suits a lightweight sleeper.
Mattress companies determine labels such as “medium-firm” or “medium-soft” by using the firmness scale. The firmness scale runs from 1 to 10, with 1 as the softest and 10 as the firmest.
| Firmness Scale Rating | Firmness Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Extra soft |
| 2 and 3 | Soft |
| 4 | Medium-soft |
| 5 | Medium |
| 6 | Medium-firm |
| 7 and 8 | Firm |
| 9 and 10 | Extra-firm |
The firmness scale can vary slightly from company to company, so it’s always good to double-check a firmness rating by skimming mattress reviews and customer feedback. See if anyone complains about a bed being firmer or softer than expected.
Sleep Styles
Your sleeping position can influence how well your spine stays aligned and determine what mattress firmness is right for you. If you’re unsure what your preferred position is, keep track of what position you tend to fall asleep and wake up in.
Sleeping positions are not static and you might shift between different positions in the night. If you fall asleep and wake up in different positions, you might want to consider a medium mattress to better accommodate your various sleeping positions.
Side Sleeping
Side sleeping can promote better blood flow, help the brain clear out waste proteins, and reduce pressure on the heart. Side sleepers need a soft mattress, however, to keep pressure from building up in their shoulders and hips.
A soft to medium mattress can keep side sleepers from waking up with sore hips and shoulders. We recommend memory foam mattresses for side sleepers who need pressure relief. A second pillow between the knees can keep the hips better aligned.
Back Sleeping
Back sleeping evenly distributes body weight and naturally keeps the spine aligned. A sleeper’s arms and legs are more at rest than they would be in the side sleeping position.
Back sleepers should consider a medium-firm to firm mattress. A second pillow to elevate the knees can reduce pressure and prevent back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
We do not recommend stomach sleeping and suggest sleepers try resting on their backs or sides instead. Stomach sleepers often wake up tired, with pain in their lower back and stiffness in their necks.
Sleeping on the stomach shifts gravity to the torso. If gravity pushes the torso too deep into the mattress, the spine moves out of alignment.
Stomach sleepers can help keep their spine in place by sleeping on a firm mattress, with a pillow resting under their stomach for extra spinal support.
Sleep Trial, Warranty, and Return Policy
When you’re looking at mattresses, check to see if there’s an attached sleep trial, warranty, and return policy. Some lower-priced mattresses do not come with all three policies, to keep the price down. However, we highly recommend the purchase of a mattress with all three attached.
Sleep Trial
The trial period you have to test out a mattress is the sleep trial. Sleep trials come standard with most online mattresses, and some in-store mattresses offer them as well.
Sleep trials typically last between 90 to 100 days, but some are as short as 60 days and others last an entire year. Many sleepers need a month to completely adjust to a new mattress, so a decent sleep trial covers the first 30 days at least.
Warranty
Warranties cover any damage or defects that go beyond the expected use of a mattress. These can include:
- Sagging beyond an inch
- Coils poking out of the mattress
- Torn seams
- Cracks or splits in the foam
- Damage to the mattress cover’s zipper
Many mattress warranties last 10 years, although some extend to 20 or 25 years. A few mattresses even come with a lifetime warranty. After the first decade, a mattress warranty is typically prorated, meaning you will pay part of the repair or replacement costs.
We advise reading through a warranty to check what actions can void it. Spilling on the mattress, keeping it on an improper foundation, or failing to rotate it regularly are all potential grounds for a void warranty.
Return Policy
Reading through the return policy should tell you how and when you can return your mattress. Some of the questions the return policy should answer include:
- How do you start a return? Is it through the website, or with an email or a phone call?
- When can you make a return? Some brands ask you to wait a set time before you make a return. You may also have a limited amount of time to ask for a full refund.
- Is it on you to ship a mattress back, or will the company pick up? Or do you donate the mattress instead, and show the company a proof of donation?
- Is there a restocking fee, or any other hidden fees?
If any questions are left unanswered, reach out to customer service. Our advice is to find a company that makes returns easy by picking up the mattress at your door.
Taking Care of Your Mattress
By taking the time to care for your new mattress, you can stretch out its usability and save yourself from shopping for a replacement.
Some tips to take care of your mattress include:
- Keep a mattress cover on your bed.
- Avoid eating and drinking in your bed, as crumbs and spills can break up the mattress’s materials.
- Change your bedding every week. This prevents dead skin, germs, and allergens from accumulating in your mattress. Wash the bedding in hot water to better kill any lingering bacteria or dust mites.
- Vacuum and spot-clean your mattress every month.
- Rotate your mattress at least once a year and up to every three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good price for a mattress?
In general, we recommend a budget between $500 to $1,000 for an inexpensive queen mattress. You can go up to $1,500 if you’re willing to invest for added quality. Remember that a quality bed doesn't have to be an expensive one.
What is the best time of year to buy a mattress?
Some of the biggest mattress sales happen on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and of course Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also find some good deals at the beginning of the year, as companies work to clear out older stock.
Don’t worry about having to wait for the next big sale, though. Many company websites offer coupon codes for first-time buyers.
Did We Help?
Mattress shopping shouldn’t break the bank. So our goal in writing this guide was to inform you of what your mattress options are, no matter what budget you’re working with.
When it comes to shopping on a tight budget, we recommend looking for a mattress between $500 to $1,000 if you can afford it. And while you can find decent mattresses for $500, our advice is to stay away from mattresses costing less than $100 if you can. More often than not, the mattress simply isn’t worth its low price.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.
Sarah Anderson, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Sarah Anderson is a sleep, health, and wellness writer and product reviewer. She has written articles on changing and improving your sleep schedule, choosing the right mattress for chronic pain conditions, and finding the best pillow for you. Sarah Anderson has her Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University in Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to working for Zoma, she wrote for a variety of news publications. Sarah's work has been featured on Bustle, PureWow, and other publications.
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