Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer
If you’re after a comfortable and affordable starter mattress, you may want to check this AmazonBasics model. This budget-friendly and versatile bed is an excellent choice for a range of sleepers, and this mattress may be particularly appealing if you’re already familiar with Amazon’s online store.
When evaluating this mattress for a review, we focused on its performance, construction, motion isolation, and other factors people often consider when buying a mattress. We’ll also talk about some pros and cons to help you decide if this AmazonBasics bed is for you. This mattress comes in several size and construction variations, but we will focus on their 12-inch medium-firm memory foam mattress.
AmazonBasics Memory Foam Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Who We Recommend The AmazonBasics For:
- Budget shoppers – The low cost of this mattress makes it a great option for guest rooms or people in need of an inexpensive bed they plan to use for just a few years.
- People with pressure buildup – This bed contains memory foam on top, one of our favorite materials for relieving pressure buildup.
- Side sleepers – This bed utilizes memory foam in its top layer, which we think could provide adequate pressure relief to side sleepers, who usually need that in a mattress. However, we think this bed would only be ideal for lighter to average-weight side sleepers.
Who We Don’t Recommend The AmazonBasics For:
- People who want a bouncy bed – Unfortunately, as an all-foam bed with memory foam, we feel the AmazonBasics mattress won’t have the bounce of a latex or innerspring mattress option. These shoppers may want to read our take on the best latex mattress.
- Heavier sleepers – We think heavy sleepers weighing over 230 pounds may prefer a hybrid mattress instead since the addition of coils can provide them with more pushback support. However, if you have your heart set on an all-foam Amazon bed, we’d suggest getting the Firm model specifically.
First Impressions: Firmness & Feel
Firmness Scale: 5/10
Please remember that firmness is a subjective characteristic and your shape will dictate how you experience a bed. A heavier person whose weight can more easily push through softer comfort and support layers may experience a bed as softer than a lightweight person. The way you are shaped could also play a role here. Consider your weight, shape, and size when evaluating firmness scores.
Mattress firmness is a crucial factor to consider when buying a new bed. It reflects how soft or hard a mattress feels.
We’d say the AmazonBasics mattress falls at a 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. This is medium firmness, although some may experience it as softer or firmer, depending on their body weight. Nonetheless, a medium firmness is a good option for many people. That being said, Amazon also offers a Firm version, which we think could appeal to those needing extra support, stomach sleepers, or anyone who simply prefers a firmer bed.
How Does It Feel?
Lying on this mattress should feel comfortable and supportive, and we like that Amazon focused on including a soft-to-the-touch cover for additional comfort at the surface.
We think you should experience a nice balance of cradling and support, given the combination of memory foam, along with two firmer support layers. Plus, the addition of several cooling features should keep this bed more temperature-neutral, though not exceptionally cooling like a hybrid, innerspring, or latex bed.
What We Like About the AmazonBasics
- The affordability – Not everyone wants to pay thousands for a new mattress, which is why we always try to mention as many budget options as possible. This AmazonBasics model is one of the best beds to use in your dorm room, guest room, or anywhere else where you don’t need an expensive mattress.
- The gentle contour – As you lie on the AmazonBasics bed, you should feel the memory foam gently contouring your curves. The top foam layer is designed to ease you into the mattress, cradling the pressure points to relieve any tension in sensitive areas such as the hips and shoulders.
- Medium firmness – We rate this bed a 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which we’d say is medium firmness. A medium feel should be comfortable for many people, including lighter and average-weight sleepers.
Our AmazonBasics Complaints
- Too soft for stomach sleeping – We think stomach sleepers will need something firmer. These people often need maximum support to prevent the hips from sinking, and while this AmazonBasics model should do a good job of supporting back and side sleepers,we think it will be too soft to keep your hips aligned when you lie on the stomach.
- Possibly too basic – It’s called an AmazonBasic for a reason, right? Well, this mattress might just be too basic for some people. If you’re after innovative technologies and unique features, this mattress might be too simple for your taste.
Testing the AmazonBasics Mattress: How it Performed
We test mattresses in various ways to evaluate who would each model fit the most. Qualities we evaluate include motion isolation, pressure relief, support, edge support, bounce, and cooling. Additionally, we like to see how a mattress performs in different positions since not every bed will necessarily accommodate each posture.
For more on our testing methodology, visit our product review process page.
Sleeping Positions for Different Body Types
There is no specific weight limit for this bed, but we have a few guidelines to help you decide if it’s good for you based on your weight. This is an all-foam mattress, and they don’t usually have as high of a weight capacity as hybrid models. Another thing to consider is the firmness. No matter the weight limit, this bed has medium firmness that may not be enough to support people over 200 pounds.
| Weight | Side SleepersIcon | Back SleepersIcon | Stomach SleepersIcon |
| Lightweight Sleepers (-130 lbs) | ★★★ | ★★☆ | ☆☆☆ |
| Average-Weight Sleepers (130-230 lbs) | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ☆☆☆ |
| Heavyweight Sleepers (+230 lbs) | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆ |
Side Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – We think side sleepers under 130 pounds should like the medium firmness of the AmazonBasics mattress. The plush cover eases you into contouring memory foam, so there’s virtually no chance of pressure buildup.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – Average-weight side sleepers may experience a deeper hug, but we think they would still feel nicely supported by the AmazonBasics medium firmness.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Heavier side sleepers are likely to do better with a firmer mattress because the AmazonBasics model is too firm to keep the hips and shoulders aligned for those weighing over 230 pounds.
Back Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Most lightweight back sleepers should experience a nice balance of pressure relief and support around the lower back and shoulders. The mattress provides just enough sinkage so that no pressure builds up in these critical areas.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – Average-weight sleepers will sink more into this bed, especially if they’re closer to 200 pounds, which can affect support for the lumbar area. Although this bed could work for some, overall, we’d recommend something more supportive.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Heavy back sleepers will likely experience the hips sinking too deeply into the top layers. This is because the mattress isn’t firm enough to support the body in alignment for those over 230 pounds.
Stomach Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Stomach sleepers need firm support. Even for lightweight sleepers, we don’t the medium-firm model will hold up. Instead, they might want to consider the Firm option.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – Average-weight stomach sleepers will want a firmer mattress because the AmazonBasics one is too soft to keep the hips aligned in this position.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – We don’t think this mattress is a good choice for stomach sleepers over 230 pounds.
Pressure Relief
3/5
The pressure relief you experience from this bed will depend on your weight and sleeping position. We think it could do well for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers, who should get plenty of contouring from the memory foam unit at the top, and while back sleepers might get lots of cushioning, they likely won’t get enough support. As a result, these people could wind up experiencing excess pressure in the lower back and eventually, pain.
Is the AmazonBasics Mattress Good for Pain Relief?
While we think this mattress could be helpful for some people dealing with hip or shoulder pain, it’s likely not supportive enough to alleviate back pain. Instead, we would recommend a more supportive mattress for back pain that has coils, which typically provide enhanced pushback support.
Back Pain
We would not recommend the AmazonBasics for back pain, particularly if you’re a back sleeper or stomach sleeper with this. This mattress will likely be too soft for you to remain lifted for a healthy spine alignment.
Hip Pain
We think the memory foam and softer medium feel in the AmazonBasics mattress could help side sleepers who are lighter or average in weight. Heavyweight sleepers will likely sink into the dense foam layers, which can worsen their hip pain.
Shoulder Pain
As with hip pain, we think lightweight and average-weight side sleepers navigating shoulder pain should do okay on this mattress, but heavyweight people will push too far into the top layer to experience pressure relief at the shoulder.
Support
3/5
We think this mattress should offer adequate support to lighter-weight and average-weight people who sleep on their side. However, it may not provide enough lifting for those who sleep on their back and stomach. Instead, these folks might consider the Firm variation of this bed.
Motion Transfer
4/5
We think the AmazonBasics should do a good job of isolating motion thanks to its all-foam construction. The foam layers absorb movement enough to make this mattress a good choice for couples and co-sleepers.
Temperature Regulation / Cooling
3/5
Cooling is a big factor for many people when they shop for a new mattress. Unfortunately, this bed may not be the best choice if you’re after a particularly cooling mattress with a cool-to-the-touch cover.
The AmazonBasics mattress is an all-foam bed and these are known for trapping heat. The gel infusions and airflow channels in the foam layers help keep it cool, but this may not be enough for extremely hot sleepers.
Bounce
3/5
When we tested the AmazonBasics mattress, we found it to be more responsive than traditional memory foam beds. Although it contains memory foam, which is known for its slow response, this mattress still has a bit of a bounce to help foster easier repositioning.
Edge Support
2/5
The truth is that this mattress doesn’t have the best edge support, so some people may experience compression when sleeping in this area, though the material should compress even more when sitting in this area.
Performance for Couples
3/5
The AmazonBasics mattress could be a good mattress for couples with similar sleeping habits and body types. Although we don’t think motion transfer would be an issue here, couples in which one partner is a back or stomach sleeper could consider something else. Nonetheless, the bed sports a bit of bounce, which is helpful for couples who are sexually active.
AmazonBasics Memory Foam Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Preference-based Features
- Multiple Height Options
Buyers can choose between 10 and 12-inch high beds to find what suits their needs the best.
- Certified Foams
The materials in this mattress are certified by CertiPUR-US®, a third-party testing organization that helps ensure they are safe to use.
- Bed-In-a-Box Shipping
Amazon ships this mattress in a box, allowing easy maneuverability and setup. We think bed-in-a-box mattresses are convenient and easy to move from the doorstep to the bedroom. Although there may be some off-gassing, this type of shipping has more pros than cons.
Construction (Materials & Quality)
The AmazonBasics mattress is made entirely out of foam, so you can use it on flat surfaces with slats that are close together. This way, you ensure stability and endurance, preventing the bed from dipping over time. Additionally, the foams in the AmazonBasics bed are CertiPUR-US® certified to ensure they meet important health and safety standards.
The cover of this mattress is quilted and is designed to be soft to the touch for your comfort. This bed is available in a variety of height and firmness options, but we’ll review the 12-inch medium-firm model. Additionally, the company does offer a latex alternative model for those more interested in a different construction.
- The comfort layer is made of a 2-inch thick memory foam that is infused with gel. The gel is meant to prevent the foam from overheating, while the memory foam provides a cozy cradle for maximum pressure relief in various positions.
- The transition layer is 3 inches tall and features airflow channels to enhance cooling. This layer is firmer and as such, it is also meant to provide added support to keep your body aligned and keep you from bottoming out to the base of the mattress.
- The base of this product is a 7-inch high layer that is made from foam that increases structural support and adds more durability to the mattress. This foam layer is the firmest to further prevent sagging and sinking.
Unboxing & Off-Gassing
As mentioned, this mattress comes in a box, so it’s easier to move from your doors to the bedroom, though we suggest you get a friend or a family member to help you move it around.
Once you remove the mattress from the packaging, Amazon recommends allowing the mattress up to 72 hours to fully decompress in a well-ventilated area, which can also help with any initial off-gassing smells.
Certifications
- CertiPUR-US® Certified – The foams in this bed are CertiPUR-US® certified. CertiPUR-US® is a third-party program that ensures the foams meet rigorous health and safety standards. This means they don’t contain harmful substances like ozone depleters, PBDEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. They should also have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Coupons, Trials, Warranties, and Shipping
- Shipping – Shipping is free throughout the U.S.
- Trial – This mattress comes with a 100-night trial, which we think is enough for most people to test how it fits their needs.
- Warranty – The AmazonBasics comes with only a year-long warranty.
- Return Policy – According to Amazon, this mattress is eligible for a return, refund, or exchange within 100 days of your receipt.
| Size | Dimensions (inches) |
| Twin | 39” x 75” x 12” |
| Full | 54” x 75” x 12” |
| Queen | 60” x 80” x 12” |
| King | 76” x 80” x 12” |
| Cali King | 72” x 84” x 12” |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an AmazonBasics mattress cost?
The Amazon Basics mattress is an affordable one, with all sizes under 500 dollars.
Are AmazonBasics mattresses good quality?
We wouldn’t say AmazonBasics mattresses are the best quality options out there, which is why we’d recommend them for those who are looking for a guest room bed or something they plan to use for just a few years. However, these mattresses do have some notable attributes, such as CertiPUR-US®-certified foams, gel memory foam, and a breathable middle layer. Plus, they come in several height and construction options, including a latex alternative model.
How firm is the Amazon Basics mattress?
We rate this AmazonBasics mattress a 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, in which 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. However, this bed is also available in a Firm version.
Where are Amazon Basics mattresses made?
Amazon Basics mattresses are made in China.
AmazonBasics vs. Other Brands
AmazonBasics vs. Nectar
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Who We Recommend the AmazonBasics For
- Budget shoppers
- Lightweight people
- Side sleepers
Who We Recommend the Nectar For
- Couples
- Those who need a longer trial
- Side and back sleepers
Read our Nectar mattress review if you think the Nectar is right for you
AmazonBasics vs. Dreamfoam Essential
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Who We Recommend the AmazonBasics For
- Lightweight sleepers
- Side sleepers
- Budget shoppers
Who We Recommend the Dreamfoam Essential For
- People who need firmer support
- Average-weight stomach sleepers
- Sleepers with back pain
Read our full review of the Dreamfoam Essential if you think this all-foam bed is for you.
Our Verdict
We think the AmazonBasics is an affordable bed that could be a good starter option or something that is used on occasion.
In our opinion, the people who will benefit most from this specific model are lightweight and most average-weight side sleepers, who should receive quality cushioning while still feeling supported enough. Conversely, we wouldn’t recommend this bed to heavier people, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers because these folks may not get the support they need. However, Amazon does offer this mattress in a Firm variation, which may work better for these shoppers.
Overall, we gave the AmazonBasics mattress a 3 out of 5.
Olivera Jancikin
Content Writer
About Author
Olivera is a content writer for Sleep Advisor and is enthusiastic about sleep. She firmly believes in the benefits of daytime naps on top of getting a full 8-hour sleep at night.
Combination Sleeper