Written by Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
A new mattress is almost always a big investment. Even if you’re holding out for a deal, you’ll want to pay enough to ensure you’re getting a bed with quality support and safe materials. So, how do you find the best affordable mattress amongst a lot of online noise?
I’m here to help—I’ve tested and reviewed beds on the full spectrum from no-frills to total luxury. Below, you’ll find my favorite budget-friendly mattresses that should help you rest easy without straining your wallet.
Best Cheap Mattresses
- Bear Original – Editor’s Pick
- Nectar – Best Cheap Mattress for Back Pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Essential – Best Cheap Hybrid Mattress
- Silk & Snow Hybrid – Best Cheap King Mattress
- Siena – Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress
- Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Cheap Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
- Leesa Studio – Best Cheap Firm Mattress
Our Top Cheap Mattresses, Reviewed
Compare the Best Cheap Beds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bear Original Mattress | Nectar Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Essential | Silk & Snow Hybrid Mattress | Siena Mattress | Emma Hybrid Comfort | Studio by Leesa Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||
| Firmness | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | ||
| Material | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | ||||
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 15-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 180 Nights | 365 nights | 100 nights |
| Best For | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain | Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Hot Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Kids | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Kids |
How We Chose the Best Affordable Mattresses
At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person product tests.
My fellow testers and I will judge a bed’s performance across several categories, including support, bounce, motion isolation, and more.
To date, we’ve tested more than 150 beds, and our results have helped more than 2,500 readers find their next mattress.
For this roundup, we wanted to feature budget-friendly mattresses that we’d feel confident recommending—that is, they should be priced affordably without compromising on baseline quality.
What We Want to See in a Budget Mattress
Queen Sizes Priced at $700 or Less with Discounts
To qualify for a spot on this list, a mattress needs to be offered at a relatively low price. The cost of a mattress can vary greatly depending on its size, but queen-size mattresses are generally the most popular option.
Therefore, we made sure to feature mattresses with queen-size models priced at $1,000 or less. With certain sales, their price falls even further, to $700 or less.
Third-Party Certifications
You’ll find that the mattresses on this list have important third-party certifications to ensure the materials in them meet stringent standards for health and safety. The most common certification you’ll find among these beds is CertiPUR-US®, which means the foam in the mattress is free of harmful substances and has low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Good Performance
There’s understandable concern about whether or not a cheap mattress is going to be comfortable or durable. That’s why our testing process grades each bed across performance categories we can feel and measure.
Although certain beds will accommodate different sleepers better than others, we think the beds on this list should work for a wide variety of people.
Our Top Affordable Mattresses, Reviewed
Bear Original – Editor’s Pick
The Advisor Says: With a name that inspires hibernation, it’s no surprise we found the Bear Original to be an attractive all-foam mattress at its fair price. It’s got a firmer feel that’s sure to please folks looking for support—and a surprising amount of bounce.
Why the Bear Original Earned Best Cheap Mattress Overall
The Bear Original is one of the best options if you’re looking for a foam mattress that brings the support. Its firmer feel makes it a great pick for back and stomach sleepers—a rarity when it comes to foam mattresses.
A queen-size is currently valued at $998, but frequent discounts bring the price closer to $650.
Nectar – Best Cheap Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: We believe that Nectar offers a quality bed backed up by generous policies, and for under $1,000 for a queen (after discounts). If you’re looking for a firmer foam mattress on a budget, the Nectar Classic has you covered.
Why the Nectar Earned Best Cheap Mattress for Back Pain
Nectar was one of the first online mattress brands to highlight generous policies and dense foam layers at a budget-friendly price. Its flagship model, the Nectar Classic, is also a great bed if you’re dealing with back pain.
Its memory foam construction balances comfort and support, working to relieve pain as it cradles sensitive areas while keeping you lifted. It should also work great for couples, thanks to its high edge support and motion isolation scores.
It’s currently valued at $1,563 for a queen, but discounts often lower the price to approximately $650.
Brooklyn Bedding Essential – Best Cheap Hybrid Mattress
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding packs everything you might want in a bed into the Essential, making it an apt moniker. We recommend this mattress to budget shoppers looking for a bouncy hybrid that’ll get the job done without breaking the bank.
Why the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Earned Best Cheap Hybrid Mattress
The Brooklyn Essential is a mattress that balances coveted hybrid features with a budget-friendly price. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest mattresses on this list, with a full-price queen selling for less than $1,000. (With discounts, this price can lower to around $650.)
Thankfully, its low cost doesn’t signal low quality. This bed was designed to be a simple yet reliable hybrid that will withstand years of use.
Silk & Snow Hybrid– Best Cheap King Mattress
The Advisor Says: Silk & Snow charmed our testers with their supple-yet-supportive hybrid mattress—not to mention their supply-line transparency and relatively low prices. This bed is cradling on top, bracing on the bottom, and its zoned support came through for the stomach sleepers among us. Its biggest drawbacks? Its motion isolation and cooling are simply average.
Why the Silk & Snow Hybrid Earned Best Cheap King Mattress
A king-size mattress often comes with a rather regal price tag that might deter some buyers. But the Silk & Snow Hybrid provides a royal sleep experience at just under $1,000 for a king, a rarity for high-quality mattresses. In fact, when certain sales are active, you can purchase a king for around $800 and a queen for around $700.
This hybrid bed is made in Canada and feels akin to many hotel mattresses. Its medium-feel and balanced support and softness should also make it a good match for most sleepers.
Siena – Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress
The Advisor Says: For buyers on a budget, the Siena should be very appealing. It’s a simple, three-layer foam mattress with great motion isolation and a medium-firm feel. We don’t recommend it for heavier folks or for people who tend to sleep hot—both demographics will do better with a hybrid bed—but if you’re a light- to average-weight back or stomach sleeper, this is a great money-saving option.
Why the Siena Earned Best Memory Foam Mattress
The Siena is an all-foam bed that features a simple yet mindful construction; it’ll bring all the benefits of memory foam, like pressure relief and motion isolation, at a pretty decent price. A queen size is valued at approximately $800, but can sell for around $400 at the height of sales season.
Because the brand bypasses jazzy features that could ramp up the price, they can keep the cost of their mattress low while its feel stays comfortable and cool.
Emma Hybrid Cooling Comfort – Best Cheap Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
The Advisor Says: The Emma Hybrid Comfort is Emma’s answer to the affordable hybrid. With well-balanced performance scores, this bed should please a wide variety of budget shoppers, but especially those looking for a lifted, bouncy mattress.
Why the Emma Hybrid Comfort Earned Best Cheap Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Not only is the Emma Hybrid Comfort an affordable mattress, it’s also (as its name spells out) a hybrid—so you get bracing foams on top of supportive springs at a cheap price. Its construction and firm feel make it a fitting choice for people who sleep on their stomach.
It’s worth noting that I, an infamous stomach sleeper, felt hardly any sinkage from this mattress. When I say it’s firm, I really mean it! But, when we used the pressure map during our testing, we saw that despite its bracing feel, it still delivered a surprising amount of pressure relief.
This bed costs around $1,500 for a queen at full price, but we’ve seen discounts that cut the cost to $700 or so.
Leesa Studio – Best Cheap Firm Mattress
The Advisor Says: The Leesa Studio is a firm, all-foam option that shouldn’t strain your wallet as much as its competitors. Although it’s probably too hard for side sleepers, back and stomach sleepers should enjoy its bracing foam foundation. Just don’t expect too many fancy extras or cooling components at this price.
Why the Leesa Studio Earned Best Cheap Firm Mattress
If you’re looking for a firm mattress, it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, nor does it have to break the bank. The Leesa Studio mattress is a great budget option for firm fans. This all-foam bed is rated a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, a truly firm bed. But, it’s balanced out by the pressure-relieving foam at the top, which allows for a slight cradle while the supportive foams underneath work to keep you buoyed.
The Leesa Studio mattress is currently priced at $799 for a queen, closer to $600 with sales.
Other Cheap Mattresses We Tested
While these mattresses didn’t make our list, Each of these beds are great mattresses for shoppers on a budget. Check out our featured recommendations below.
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Compare Prices of the Best Affordable Mattresses
| Mattress | Best For? | Queen Price (with November 2024 Sales Active) | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Original | Best Overall | $649 | Bear Mattress Review |
| Nectar | Back Pain | $649 | Nectar Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Essential | Hybrid | $652.40 | Brooklyn Essential Review |
| Silk & Snow Hybrid | King Size | $700 | Silk & Snow Mattress Review |
| Siena | Memory Foam | $379 | Siena Mattress Review |
| Emma Hybrid Comfort | Stomach Sleepers | $695 | Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress Review |
| Leesa Studio | Firm | $559 | Leesa Studio Mattress Review |
What Is a Budget Mattress?
We all work with different budgets, so what you might consider a budget option might not be as affordable for someone else. Therefore, when it comes to what is considered a budget mattress, we say that these fall into the range of $250 to $1,000 for a Queen. Additionally, a budget mattress should last five to seven years, depending on the frequency of use.
You can find budget-friendly mattresses in every bed type, including innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, and latex. However, memory foam and innerspring mattresses tend to be the cheapest kinds.
Cheaper mattresses don’t always come with the fancy construction of those in higher price ranges, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t made with quality materials that should help you sleep well.
What are the Risks of Buying a Cheap Mattress?
“While a cheap mattress may seem like a good choice for those with a limited budget, a mattress that compromises support, durability, and material safety can be a health hazard. A mattress that lacks support or durability can lead to improper spine alignment and issues such as back pain.
A cheap mattress made of unsafe materials with higher VOC emissions can exacerbate allergies and respiratory issues. Compared to latex mattresses, cheap mattresses may have poor breathability, leading to overheating and poor sleep.
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, Sleep Medicine Expert
What to Look for in a Cheap Mattress
When shopping for a mattress on a tight budget, there are several factors to consider before hitting “add to cart.” Along with the price, you should also features related to the overall quality of the bed and its suitability for different needs and sleep styles.
According to Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, an expert in sleep medicine, “[the] key qualities of a budget mattress include support, firmness, durability, and material safety.” We’ll address all of those and more below.
Budget and Value
The price of a mattress is the focal point here. Since we’re reviewing budget mattresses, we made sure all models have a Queen-size option with a general average near $1,000. Additionally, with certain discounts running, their prices can fall to $700 or less.
These beds reflect relatively cheap prices within the mattress industry while still offering technologies, features, and materials that make them worth the money.
Material Quality
Mattresses on the lower end of the price scale are often made with cheaper materials, such as lower-quality memory foam or poly foam. These foams could contribute to early sagging in the mattress, which impacts its support and comfort.
Additionally, cheaper all-foam mattresses are more likely to have fiberglass in their interiors as a low-cost way to meet flammability standards. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, then you’ll want to shop exclusively for mattresses without fiberglass in their construction.
We asked Dr. Po-Chang Hsu about how to avoid unsafe materials when shopping for an affordable mattress. He told us:
“Material safety is paramount when choosing a budget mattress. A mattress with low VOC emissions and certifications like CertiPUR-US® suggests the mattress is not composed of harmful chemicals.”
Many affordable mattresses have certifications from organizations such as CertiPUR-US®, OEKO-TEX, and GREENGUARD Gold. These certifications ensure the mattress’s materials meet strict health and safety standards. However, some ultra-cheap mattresses may forego such certifications—keep an eye out for them as you shop.
Learn more: Mattress Certifications Explained
Sleep Trial and Warranty
Sleep trials are an excellent way to make sure that your budget-friendly mattress will work for you. These trials can last anywhere from 100 to 365 nights, depending on the brand. We advise getting a bed with at least a 100-night trial to give you enough time to know if you like your mattress. If you don’t, you can send it back.
Sleep trials differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, make sure that you have a full understanding of the trial period for your specific mattress.
Warranties vary among manufacturers, but most are at least 10 years long. Like with sleep trials, you will need to read your warranty carefully to understand what it entails. However, having a warranty is a good sign that although your mattress may cost less, the manufacturer still stands by its durability.
“A budget mattress with good durability and warranty is more likely to retain its shape and support, which benefits the spine alignment of the sleeper.”
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu
Brand Reputation
No matter the mattress price, it’s smart to look at the background of the brand you’re purchasing from. Some things to consider are whether the brand is well-known, how long they’ve been around, whether they have generally positive customer reviews, and if they have any charitable or environmental initiatives that might be important to you.
Type of Mattress
A mattress’s construction has a large bearing on its price and its feel. Expand each container below to learn about the four most common mattress types and their average prices.
Innerspring Mattresses
Traditional innerspring mattresses are the oldest type of mattress, and they’ve largely disappeared from the market in favor of more advanced hybrids. They consist of thinner comfort layers on top of a coil unit, which can have interconnected or pocketed (independent) coils.
A classic, no-frills innerspring is a good choice if you’re looking for a budget mattress without too many bells and whistles. Just be sure to monitor the bed for any sagging or poking from the coils.
Average Price: A few hundred dollars, especially for basic models with a short lifespan, and around $1,000 for more reliable versions.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is best known for its ability to contour the body, creating a responsive “cradle” as you sleep.
Like innerspring mattresses, memory foam beds made of only foam layers are some of the most affordable mattresses out there. You’ll want to ensure the quality of the foam before you buy, so look for foams that have been CertiPUR-US® certified — this designation means that they’re free of certain harmful chemicals and pass emissions standards.
Average Price: Discounted and bare-bones models can go for around $500 or less, but models with trustworthy and durable foams cost closer to $1,000 and up.
Hybrid Mattresses
Because they combine layers of foam with a supportive coil unit, hybrid mattresses can be tough to reconcile with a tight budget — they’re essentially two types of mattresses in one package.
Finding a cheap hybrid mattress may mean timing your search around holiday sales or scoping the internet for deals. You don’t want to compromise too much on the quality of the foams or the springs in the bed, so bypass any tempting offers that don’t share a lot of information about the bed’s makeup.
Average Price: Very few hybrids are available for less than $1,000. You’re more likely to pay $1,500 and up for these beds.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses incorporate latex foam, a poly foam alternative derived from the sap of rubber trees. It’s a relative newcomer to the mattress scene, and its advantages — heightened cooling, a comfortable yet springy feel, and impressive longevity, to name a few — mean it’s priced a bit higher than more traditional materials.
For many shoppers, the natural and eco-friendly origins of latex foam make it a desirable choice. However, as with all mattress materials, latex can be processed and utilized in different ways. Before buying, consider how a mattress brand manufactures and certifies their latex.
Average Price: You’ll typically pay over $1,000 for a quality latex mattress, so keep an eye out for deals if you’re looking for a budget model.
What Type of Mattress is the Cheapest?
Foam beds are generally the cheapest type of mattress on the market. They consist entirely of memory foam and poly foam layers, rather than incorporating metal coils or other costly materials.
Other Considerations When Shopping for a Budget Mattress
Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleeping position is always an important factor to consider when shopping for a mattress.
Generally, we recommend softer beds to side sleepers who need something to relieve pressure on the shoulder and hip. Medium-firm beds, which provide a nice balance of firm support with softer pressure relief, are usually best for back and combination sleepers, and firmer beds that keep the hips lifted are better for stomach sleepers.
Weight/Body Type of Sleepers
You should always consider your body type and weight when shopping for a budget mattress.
While many heavyweight sleepers should be well served by the higher firmness levels in some budget mattresses, the extra weight may cause the cheaper materials and construction to break down more quickly. This may lead to issues with spinal alignment and the need to replace the mattress more quickly. Conversely, very petite sleepers may not sink into these beds as rapidly, but they should still look out for softer options so they experience enough cushioning to avoid that ‘sleeping on a rock’ feel.
Many average-weight individuals are likely to sleep fine on a budget mattress. Nonetheless, they will still want to consider the firmness level and how it correlates with their preferred sleep position before purchasing a budget bed.
Firmness
Firmness reflects how soft or hard a bed feels. Many budget beds have a medium-firm feel, which can serve a large population of sleepers.
However, it should be noted that many cheaper mattresses don’t offer multiple firmness options. Therefore, if you are someone who prefers a much softer bed, you may have issues finding one in a lower price range.
Cooling
Considering that many budget mattresses are made from memory foam or poly foams, which tend to trap heat, temperature regulation may be a big concern when shopping for a budget-friendly mattress. Although it may not be economically feasible for manufacturers to incorporate the same kind of cooling technology that they do in their higher-end models, many of them incorporate gel or other cooling materials in their budget mattresses to help keep sleepers from overheating.
Learn More: Best Cooling Mattresses
Motion Isolation
If you sleep with a partner or pet, preventing their nightly movements from waking you is a priority. Fortunately, many budget mattresses are made from memory foam, known for its motion-isolating properties. This means that many budget mattresses should do an excellent job keeping your partner’s movements from traveling to the other side of the bed.
Sex
Sexually active couples typically enjoy responsive beds. If your bed is responsive, it can be easier to move around during intimacy without feeling stuck. Further, the amount of bounce that a mattress possesses is another feature that can help make sex more enjoyable.
Beds made from innerspring coils and latex are likely to provide optimal performance for sex, but unfortunately, it may be somewhat difficult to find a suitable budget mattress with latex because most latex models are on the more expensive side. Many budget mattresses are made from foam, which is much slower to respond and may not have a lot of bounce.
If bounce and budget are top priorities, a great solution is a traditional innerspring bed, which can provide plenty of bounce at a lower price.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is important for sensitive areas like the shoulders, knees, and hips. If a mattress is too hard, pressure can build up around the parts of the body that come in contact with it because it won’t have enough contouring. However, mattresses that are too soft can allow sleepers to sink too far into a bed, and this lack of support may also cause abundant pressure.
Related: Best Mattresses for Pressure Relief
It’s important to look for a mattress to support you and disperse your body weight evenly. A good place to start is with medium-firm beds that typically provide the right balance of support and pressure relief to most sleepers, and fortunately, many budget beds have a medium-firm feel.
Edge Support
Couples and those who have a tendency to sleep on the edge of the bed will want to see if the outer perimeter has been reinforced. Reinforced edges are usually made by putting extra-strong coils or high-density foam around the outside of the bed.
However, this could be an area where budget mattresses decide to cut costs. Therefore, if this is an important consideration for you, you will want to ensure it’s a feature in the bed of your choice.
Read more about bed edge support here.
How to Make a Cheap Mattress More Comfortable
- Add a mattress topper – A mattress topper is an excellent way of improving your sleep without buying an entirely new bed. Toppers can enhance your bed’s firmness and feel, pressure relief, support, and surface-level cooling.
- Rotate your mattress – Rotating your mattress should help you get even wear and tear. If you sleep in one spot only, you might eventually make a dent in that area of the mattress, so rotating it once or twice a year could help prevent that.
- Use an adjustable base – An adjustable base makes it easy to sleep on an incline by raising the head of the bed. This can make the mattress more comfortable to sleep on by easing pressure on the lower back. However, you should always double-check if your bed of choice is compatible with an adjustable base because not all beds are.
How to Save Money on a New Mattress
Buy Online
Buying online gives you easy access to numerous mattress brands and models, but one of the biggest advantages is that it can save you money. When you buy online directly from the manufacturer, you’re cutting out overhead costs that can come up when shopping in a traditional brick-and-mortar store.
Shop During Holidays and Sales Events
Mattress companies typically provide deals throughout the year, but they offer even bigger savings around major holidays and sales events. Along with slashing mattress prices, many top brands will offer special bundle deals to include some accessories with your purchase. Some popular times for mattress sales include Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Do Your Research
Doing your research beforehand can also help you save on a new mattress. This might include narrowing down what’s most important to you as a consumer and picking out beds that align with those needs. For example, if you’re not a hot sleeper, it wouldn’t make sense to splurge on a very cooling bed.
It’s also helpful to look into any specific return policies and whether this might incur additional costs if you don’t like the bed. Most online brands offer generous sleep trial periods, but in some cases, you may have to pay a return shipping fee. This isn’t always the case, but it’s good to know beforehand to avoid unwanted surprises.
Best Cheap Mattress FAQs
How long do cheap mattresses last?
Cheaper mattresses typically last five to seven years, though this will depend on factors such as whether the bed is used daily or only occasionally as a guest bed, as well as the sleeper’s body weight since added pressure could cause the materials to wear faster.
Therefore, it’s important to look for durable materials. Additionally, many budget mattresses provide warranties, and depending on what is covered, these warranties may help you replace your mattress if it wears out too quickly.
What should I look for in a cheap bed?
We mentioned Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace as options earlier. Not only can you find used mattresses on these platforms, but many local furniture stores also run specials advertising their beds at rock-bottom prices to attract a local market.
However, a good place to search for deals is on Amazon. As the world’s largest marketplace, you can find almost anything you need there, and it can often reflect some of the lowest prices. If you want to spend less than $500, Amazon may be a good place to start, as well as the web pages of many other mattress manufacturers.
Find Out More: Top Rated Beds on Amazon
Are Ikea mattresses good?
For their price, IKEA mattresses are often considered a good deal. They can last a while and offer similar designs to most other major mattress retailers.
The Swedish furniture maker is known for their aesthetically pleasing, bare-bones furniture designed for modern spaces. Their beds range from $159 to $899 and come with a 25-year limited warranty.
Within this range, they also offer innerspring, foam, and hybrid constructions. However, before you jump in your car and head over to your nearest store, it may help you to know that their mattress firmness levels are generally firm to medium-firm. This means that if you’re a side sleeper, you may not feel as comfortable, but if you’re a back or stomach sleeper, you may be able to find something you like.
Looking for more information? Read our Ikea mattress review.
Julia Forbes
Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
About Author
Julia is a product tester at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach