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Getting great sleep is a boon for your physical and mental health, and having a comfortable mattress is one way to help ensure you snooze soundly. “Sleep quality is of the utmost importance for maintaining our health, mood, and productivity,” Amy West, MD, a non-operative sports medicine physiatrist at the Northwell Health Orthopaedic Institute, tells SELF. “We spend roughly a third of our day in bed, so it’s wise to invest well [in a mattress].” But you don’t need to drop your life’s savings on your next bed. The best affordable mattresses will help you achieve all-star REM—and may even leave you with some leftover funds to buy other sleepytime accessories, like cooling sheets and supportive pillows.
Whether you’re in the market for a new mattress for yourself or you’re looking for a cheaper option to put in a guest room (where it won’t get used on the nightly), you’ll want to know what to prioritize in an affordable mattress—and also what you don’t really need. For instance, some bells and whistles that drive up prices in more expensive mattresses aren’t absolutely essential for quality shut-eye. Lower-priced mattresses that offer good support give you bang for your buck without unnecessary frills. “High-end features such as sleep-tracking smart technology, adjustable firmness options, organic materials, or cooling enhancements, can often be skipped, as they don’t play a crucial role in maintaining proper spinal support,” Robert Mancuso, MD, an interventional spine and pain management specialist tells SELF.
In our search for the best affordable mattress, we narrowed our options to beds that cost less than $1,400 for a queen (but are often on sale for much less). Our team of testers tried out a bunch, and we ultimately uncovered nine standout budget-friendly mattresses, which you can browse below.
Our top picks for the best affordable mattresses
- Best Overall Affordable Mattress: Nectar Original Memory Foam
- Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress: DreamCloud Original Foam
- Best Affordable Cooling Mattress: Cocoon Chill Memory Foam
- Best Affordable Medium-Firm Mattress: Bear Original
- Best Affordable Hybrid Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Essential
- Best Affordable Firm Mattress: Emma Hybrid Comfort
- Best Affordable Memory Foam Mattress: Leesa Studio
- Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers: Silk & Snow Mattress
- Best Mattresses Under $500: Siena Original
Also in this article
- Shop the best affordable mattresses
- What to think about when shopping for an affordable mattress
- How we test mattresses
- FAQs
Best Overall Affordable Mattress: Nectar Original Memory Foam
- Comfortably combines cushion and support, according to testers
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Can upgrade to include cooling cover
- Scored high for motion isolation, which is a plus for people who share a bed
- Doesn’t have springs, which can make mattresses more breathable
- Reviewers report delays in delivery
- Lower edge support makes it tough to lie on the bed’s perimeter
- Low responsiveness means it could be tough to switch positions
Why we picked it: The Nectar Original Memory Foam mattress is our favorite affordable mattress—an unsurprising win given that its pressure-relieving, motion-isolating capabilities helped it earn top billing as our best memory foam mattress. “It's like lying on a pile of soft dough, but it's supportive,” says one tester who owns the Nectar.
Who it’s for: Anyone who enjoys the cradling feeling of foam will like this medium-firm option, but according to Dr. West, it may be of particular interest to folks who experience aches. “Foam mattresses may provide better pressure relief in particularly painful areas,”she says. Our tester backs up that claim, citing her experience sleeping on the Nectar: “I have chronic back pain and used to wake up achy, but the Nectar has helped curb that,” she says.
Just so you know: While memory foam mattresses don’t tend to be ideal for hot sleepers because the material is known to trap heat, the Nectar scored well in our tests for cooling: We judge this category by taking a mattress’s temperature before and after a person lies on it; the Nectar went up five degrees Fahrenheit, which we classify as a good result. To make sleeping even more of a breeze, you can add on heat-wicking outer cover for an extra $99.
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Shipping: Free shipping and returns
Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress: DreamCloud Original Foam
- Our pressure-tests show it evenly distributes weight
- Has a 365-night home trial period
- Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam (more on this below)
- Has strong edge support
- Weighs more than our other picks, making it tough to rotate the bed (or move it to a different spot)
- Not the most cooling of all options
Why we picked it: With the DreamCloud Original Foam, saving money doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort; one tester wanted to drop everything and curl up for a nap when trying out the bed. Another tester says its level of cushioning is “ideal. In short, “cloud” is an apt descriptor.
Our fave features: The DreamCloud is able to balance comfort and firmness so well thanks to its stack of five layers of foam and a moisture-wicking cashmere blend top. Each foam layer is CertiPUR-US-certified, meaning the foam’s been tested to confirm it doesn’t contain substances like formaldehyde, lead, or ozone depleters.
Who it’s for: Choosing a memory foam mattress can be game-changing if you share a bed and are a light sleeper. “Foam is more stable to motion, which can help if you’re trying to prevent disturbing someone else,” says Dr. West. The DreamCloud earned a perfect 5 out of 5 score in our testing for motion isolation.
Material: Foam | Firmness: Firm (7 out of 10) | Trial period: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Shipping: Free
Best Affordable Cooling Mattress: Cocoon Chill Memory Foam
- Strong support encourages spinal alignment
- Has low motion transfer, so you’re less likely to disturb a sleeping partner
- Stayed cool during our thermal imaging test
- Cover doesn’t live up to its “cool to the touch” claim, according to testing
- Low responsiveness, which can make moving around difficult
- Only a 10-year (rather than lifetime) warranty
Why we picked it: While memory foam mattresses aren’t usually the best route for hot sleepers, Cocoon Chill scored high in the cooling category. Our testers used a thermal imaging device to measure how much the mattress heated up when someone laid on it; the temperature rose by five degrees Fahrenheit, which we classify as a good result.
Who it’s for: Anyone who is sick of sweaty nights.. Given its cooling abilities, the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam stands to help you sleep better: According to a small 2022 study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, participants who slept on a temperature-controlling mattress fell asleep faster and reported better quality of sleep.
Just so you know: The mattress’s cover may claim to be cool-to-the-touch, but that wasn't our testers' experience.
Material: Foam | Firmness: Firm (7 out of 10) | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 Years | Shipping: Free
Best Affordable Medium-Firm Mattress: Bear Original
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- Scored highly for its cooling abilities, despite being an all-foam mattress
- Has a high responsiveness, so you can move around with ease
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam
- Side-sleeping testers experienced pressure build-up at their shoulders and hips
- You may feel a bedmate move around
- Doesn’t offer much edge support, according to testing
Why we picked it: The Bear Original made our list of the best memory foam mattresses thanks to its low levels of motion transfer, high responsiveness, great cooling ability, and—of supreme importance here—affordability. It’s on the firmer side of medium-firm (let’s call it the “medium-well plus” equivalent), with our testers saying they felt like they were lying on top of the mattress, rather than sinking into it.
Who it’s for: While the perfect firmness is ultimately a matter of personal preference, “for chronic back pain, a medium-firm memory foam mattress is worth considering,” says Dr. Mancuso. SELF has also previously reported that this firmness level of mattress tends to work well for side sleepers.
Our fave features: Our testers found the Bear to be highly responsive, meaning switching positions is easy (making the bed great for combination sleepers and for taking care of those middle-of-the-night wakeups when nature calls).
Just so you know: While this mattress model is pretty firm, it lacks support at the edges. A tester noted that she felt like she was about to slip off while trying to get out of the bed, which can be a hazard for seniors or other folks with mobility concerns.
Material: Foam | Firmness: Medium-firm (7 out of 10) | Trial period: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Shipping: Free shipping and returns
Best Affordable Hybrid Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Essential
- Hybrid construction allows for great airflow and comfort
- High responsiveness makes it easy to move around on
- Testing found low levels of motion transfer
- Domestic manufacturing and direct-to-consumer shipping helps cut costs
- Doesn’t provide a service to haul away old mattresses, except in California
- May not be the most pressure-relieving for side sleepers
- Has a $99 fee for all returns
Why we picked it: The 10.5-inch Brooklyn Essential costs less than $1,000 for a queen size, but its layers of foam and coils don’t skimp on comfort. High-density foams sit on top of eight inches of individually encased coils, which help keep sleepers from overheating. “Spring mattresses allow for better airflow, which can help cool the body during sleep [to] improve sleep quality,” according to Dr. West.
Our fave features: Typically, having a thick layer of springs and thinner tiers of impact-absorbing foam would mean higher levels of motion transfer than you’d get with a mostly-foam. That’s not the case with the Brooklyn Essential. We measure how well a bed isolates movement by dropping a steel ball on it and then using a seismometer to gauge how much the surface of the bed moves. Results for this bed showed little movement, meaning you can expect to sleep soundly on this affordable hybrid mattress, even next to a tossing and turning bedmate.
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Shipping: Free
Best Affordable Firm Mattress: Emma Hybrid Comfort
- Has high levels of responsiveness for easy moving
- Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam
- Good edge support when lying down
- Machine-washable cover
- Testers found that it was noisy when they changed positions
- Old mattress removal costs extra
- Must wait 30 days before making a return
Why we picked it: The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a great pick for people who like a lot of support from their mattress but don’t want to feel like they’re sleeping on a wooden board. As a hybrid bed, it includes both foam and spring layers—with the former adding a cushiony finish atop the sturdier coils.
Our fave features: One tester called out the mattress’s edge support, which measures sturdiness along the bed’s sides. It’s an important quality to look for if you move around while you’re sleeping, because poor edge support can mean a fall risk if you inch toward those outer limits. We also love that the bed’s zoned coil system offers targeted pressure relief in sensitive areas. And if you sleep next to pets, you’ll probably appreciate the mattress’s removable, machine-washable outer cover.
Who it’s for: In addition to being named our top pick for a firm affordable mattress, we’ve also named the Emma Hybrid as a great option for couples who have back pain (largely thanks to its previously mentioned zoned support and firmer construction). With regard to bedsharing, it’s great at isolating motion; the bed earned a 5 out of 5 rating in this category, meaning a moving bedmate is unlikely to wake you.
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (7.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 365 nights | Warranty: 10 years | Shipping: Free shipping and returns
Best Affordable Memory Foam Mattress: Leesa Studio
- Costs less than brand’s original mattress model
- Customer reviewers report fast shipping times
- High motion isolation
- Offers pressure relief for back sleepers, according to testing
- Low responsiveness
- Not as breathable as hybrids that include cooling foams
- Side sleepers may find that it’s too firm
- Heavier sleepers may find it’s not supportive enough
Why we picked it: We recommend luxury brand Leesa’s most affordable mattress model to back or stomach sleepers who like a firm (but not overly stiff) bed. Its ability to isolate motion well means you can expect to sleep soundly next to a partner—even if their nighttime shifting has previously made you contemplate a sleep divorce.
Our fave features: One of our testers liked that the mattress felt supportive but still had the cushiony and inviting feel of a foam mattress—and includes a moisture-wicking cover for temperature regulation. Its three layers of foam of different densities provide a winning combination of structure, support, and padding. As a huge convenience win, it’s also available on Amazon. That means free, fast delivery for Prime members.
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm (7.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years | Shipping: Free
Best Affordable Mattress for Back Sleepers: Silk & Snow Mattress
- Features an antimicrobial cover
- Has strong edge support
- Option to add a low-cost sleep bundle with bed linens and pillows
- Doesn’t feel especially cushy, according to our tester
- 15-year (rather than lifetime) warranty
- Higher motion transfer, according to testing
- Scored low in cooling
Why we picked it: While many people prefer the feel of softer mattresses, they have their drawbacks. “A big part of [choosing a mattress] is personal preference, but ideally you want a mattress that prevents excess spinal motion,” says Dr. West. “Very soft mattresses may cause you to sink into the bed, resulting in excess spinal flexion if you are on your back.” The Silk & Snow Mattress’s firm construction is therefore a wiser pick for folks who are sick and tired of waking up with achy backs.
Who it’s for: The brand says the mattress is good for back and stomach sleepers, and our team came to the same conclusion. Our testers didn’t notice excess sinkage, a great indicator that the mattress allows for proper spinal alignment in both sleep positions.
Just so you know: If the mattress is too firm for your preferences, you can opt for a medium-firm version, which has an additional transitional foam layer (this selection carries a $75 upcharge). Also, as a reminder, all-foam mattresses generally retain heat more than spring mattresses, thanks to reduced air flow. The Silk & Snow’s top layer of gel-infused memory foam is meant to help prevent the issue, but our team still didn’t find the mattress to feel particularly cool during testing.
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm (7.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years | Shipping: Free shipping and returns
Best Mattresses Under $500: Siena Original
- All sizes cost less than $500 (not just queen)
- Has good edge support
- Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam
- Compatible with all types of bed frames, according to the brand
- Make take longer than expected to fully expand after unboxing
- 10-year, instead of lifetime warranty
Why we picked it: This mattress’s sub-$500 price tag might sound too good to be true, but we can attest it's the real deal. Put simply, our testers say the simply designedSiena Memory Foam Mattress “gets the job done.” Given that the bed is made up of four layers of marshmallowy foam, it’s surprisingly responsive and supportive at the edges. (When you account for the fact that Siena is a sister brand to Nectar—which won “best overall” for this list—that’s not as surprising.)
Our fave features: According to one tester, moving around on this bed is pretty easy; you won’t feel like you’re battling quicksand each time you get out of bed.
Just so you know: For heavier folks, we’d recommend a more supportive bed, like the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm (7 out of 10) | Trial period: 180 nights | Warranty: 10 years | Shipping: Free shipping and returns
What to think about when shopping for an affordable mattress
Sifting through mattress options to find an option that’s affordable, high-quality, and suitable to your preferences can start to feel like a full-time job. To focus your efforts on the specifications that matter most, here are the top factors to consider:
What your mattress is made from can relate to its cost—but we don’t recommend sacrificing proper support to save a few bucks “A mattress should have the right firmness level to support the spine, good material like memory foam or latex to reduce pressure points, and durable construction to maintain shape over time,” says Dr. Mancuso.
As SELF has previously reported, mattresses generally need to be replaced around the eight-year mark. However, affordable mattresses may break down even faster, according to Dr. West.
The shorter lifespans are because of the cheaper materials and quicker construction methods that are characteristic of less expensive mattresses, says Dr. Mancuso. “For example, low-density foams in budget mattresses can wear out quickly, losing their ability to provide adequate support,” he says. “Additionally, the innerspring systems in these mattresses [may] use thinner coils or fewer coils overall, which compromises their long-term ability to maintain proper support.”
Value isn’t the same as price—the goal here is to find a mattress that checks your personal must-have boxes for the least amount of money. For example, a no-frills bed might be the way to go for a little-used guest room or if you can famously fall asleep anywhere, at any time—but if you tend to sleep hot or suffer from back pain, it’ll be worth it to you to shell out more for features that address these needs.
When considering value Dr. West suggests taking the trial period and warranty into account as well. If it’s not love at first nap with your new bed, you don’t want to have to pay to make a swap. (All options on our list grant at least 100-day trials.)
Some affordable mattresses don’t have strong edge support, like the Bear Original and Nectar Mattress from our list. This might be a dealbreaker if you roll around during sleep. “Edge support provides stability and prevents sagging, ensuring the mattress maintains its shape,” says Dr. Mancuso. “This is especially important for those who sleep near the edges to avoid the feeling of potentially rolling off.” It’s also an important consideration for older folks or people with mobility issues, who might have trouble rising up off a bed that isn’t sturdy or stable.
How we test mattresses
Our testers evaluate every mattress with a series of diagnostics; they cut into them, jump on them, and lie on them to get an overall picture of their quality. You can read more about our testing process here. As a preview, here are some of the specific methods we use:
To measure firmness, our testers lie on each mattress in a variety of positions and give a rating, which we average for an overall firmness score.
Illustrations are great, but our team prefers to take a peek under the hood. They assess the layers of coils, foam, and latex that make up the mattress, which affect everything from support and airflow to pressure relief and edge support.
Our team uses three tests to score mattresses cooling effects. Testers assess how hot the mattress feels after lying on it for a prolonged period; they use a thermal imaging camera to get a visual of where it traps heat; and they look for the presence of cooling materials like gel, copper, and phase-change materials (which absorb heat and help with thermoregulation).
FAQs
We summarized some of the most important info you’ll need in order to pick the best affordable mattress.
A great way to save money on a mattress is to prioritize getting an affordable bed that only includes the features you need, with no extra bells and whistles, like cooling technology or luxury materials. It’s also smart to plan on buying your mattress around key holidays, like Labor Day weekend or Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when sleep products are often on deep sale.
Budget-friendly mattresses may have to cut corners on certain nice-to-have features, but satisfaction doesn’t have to be one of them. Take the DreamCloud Original Foam mattress, which we named as the most comfortable affordable mattress, largely thanks to its cushy five layers of foam.
If you want a mattress that’s especially durable or has added features like adjustability or cooling materials, you may want to consider mattresses at a higher price point.
Mattresses from bed-in-a-box brands tend to be less expensive than mattresses that require traditional delivery; the boxed options allow for easy portability while still offering a high-quality product. Examples include the Nectar Original Memory Foam (our top pick) and the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam (a cooling mattress).
Low-cost mattresses may not save you money in the long run. “Often cheaper models may break down more quickly, causing them to sag and need replacement more frequently,” says Dr. West. But, if you’re buying a bed for a guest room, dorm room, or anyplace where you don’t think it’ll get regular long-term use, buying a low-cost mattress can be a smart way to save.
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