10 Highest Rated Budget (Cheap) Beds for 2023

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Mattresses are notoriously expensive purchases. Thankfully, there are savings to be had by shopping online and having a bed delivered to your door. This bed-in-a-box concept grants you easy access to the best affordable mattresses available, along with generous trial periods to ensure that you’re satisfied.

Sleep Advisor has reviewed more than 70 beds, and we know that a budget-friendly price can be a big selling point. We’ve picked out our favorite affordable mattresses that should help you rest easy and avoid sticker shock.

10 Best Budget Mattresses

Our Top 10 Affordable Mattresses, Reviewed

Best Budget Mattress in a Box

Helix Midnight

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Hybrid Mattress
  • Best for Side Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 6-7/10
  • 100-Night Trial
  • 10-Year Warranty

The Helix Midnight offers an all-around quality bed without the hefty price tag, earning it the title of best budget mattress in a box. It’s a hybrid model that combines memory foam, high-grade poly foam, pocketed coils, DuraDense foam, and a soft knit cover.

The Midnight’s mid-range firmness should work well for many sleepers. Side sleepers in particular should enjoy the pressure-relieving memory foam, one of the best materials for easing achy joints for comfortable rest.

Why we chose it

  • Even in its largest sizes, the price of a Helix Midnight doesn’t exceed $1,500, making it an affordable mattress for both single and partnered sleepers.
  • The Helix Midnight comes with a 100-night trial, giving you more than enough time to decide whether you like this mattress before solidifying your purchase.

Best Affordable Mattress for Couples

Signature Hybrid

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Hybrid Mattress
  • Best for Back, Stomach, and Side Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 6/10 (Medium)
  • 120-night Trial
  • 10-year Warranty

The Signature Hybrid’s customizable construction makes it a sound, versatile, and affordable pick for couples—especially if you have slightly different sleep preferences from your partner. You’ll have your choice of three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. The medium is the most universally appealing firmness, and tends to suit most sleeping positions well.

Check out some more options on our Best Mattress for Couples page.

This bed also features patented TitanFlex™ foam, which is designed to provide the contouring of memory foam with the responsiveness of latex. There are two foam levels on top of the individually wrapped Ascension® coils, lending the bed added support and motion isolation.

Why do we love it?

  • Brooklyn Bedding is proud to have its beds manufactured in the U.S.A. at a facility located in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Hybrid beds with comparable features are typically more expensive, but the Signature Hybrid is a great value for its price.

Best Affordable Mattress for Active Lifestyles

Bear Original

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best for Stomach and Back Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 7/10
  • 120-Night Trial
  • Lifetime Warranty

If you lead an active life, you know all too well the value of a great mattress. The Bear Original is designed with active individuals in mind. The company incorporates Celliant®, an innovative performance textile, into the Bear’s cover. Celliant® can reportedly increase blood flow and reduce inflammation by converting body heat into infrared light.

The Bear features additional high-quality materials, including graphite-gel memory foam and two poly foam layers. While the memory foam relieves pressure points, the graphite gel prevents the foam from overheating. The first poly foam layer is a transitional piece, easing the sleeper into the firm support base below. Lastly, the six-inch poly foam support core ensures your body is supported to prevent back pain.

What makes this unique?

  • Bear’s Celliant® cover is unique in the bedding industry, which could prove highly useful for active individuals looking to get the most out of their mattress.

Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers

Nolah Original

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Foam Mattress
  • Best for Side Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 5/10
  • 120-Night Trial
  • Lifetime Warranty

Side sleepers typically benefit from a mattress that’s plush enough for their hips and shoulders, two places that accumulate extra pressure in this position. We’ve rated the Nolah Original at a 5 on our firmness scale, which should be a good fit for most side sleepers. Sleepers looking for other options should check out our best mattress for side sleepers page.

The Nolah Original’s all-foam design includes two inches of proprietary Nolah AirFoam™, which Nolah says sleeps cooler than traditional gel memory foam and is more durable than latex. Below the AirFoam™ layer is an inch of latex-like support foam, helping to ease the sleeper from the softer top foam to the dense foam base. The final layer of the Nolah Original is a 7-inch highly-dense poly foam for stability and support.

What makes it special?

  • The Nolah AirFoam™ should give a soft cushion against your hips and shoulders for side sleeping, helping to alleviate uncomfortable pressure build-up.

Best Affordable Mattress for Joint Pain

Nectar Original

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best for Side and Back Sleepers
  • Firmness: 6.5/10
  • 365-Night Trial
  • Forever Warranty

Nectar is an online retailer offering exceptional value. The company has created a memory foam mattress that combines pressure relief, temperature regulation, and high levels of motion isolation, so it should be a good fit for those struggling with joint pain. 

People who experience painful pressure points should appreciate the top comfort layer that contours the body, which is why it’s a favorite among side sleepers but will suit most sleeping positions. Additionally, Nectar claims that its ability to conform to every curve will help minimize joint aches and pains.

What stands out?

  • The brand creates an equilibrium of comfort and support for a great night’s sleep without cutting any corners for the cost.
  • Nectar offers a full 365-night trial period to see if you will fall in love with the bed, which is longer than the industry standard. The trial is risk-free, and you'll get a full refund if it doesn’t live up to your satisfaction.

Best Affordable Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Siena

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best for Back and Side Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 6/10
  • 180-Night Trial
  • 10-Year Warranty

The Siena is Nectar’s answer to a budget memory foam mattress. Nectar launched Siena with the goal of providing consumers with a top-quality bed at a more affordable price. 

The Siena’s construction starts with a cover that’s designed for softness and breathability, which should be ideal for those who are more vulnerable to overheating throughout the night. The second layer is a responsive memory foam for optimal pressure relief. Below the memory foam is a denser polyfoam for added comfort and support. The base of the Siena is a strong 5-inch thick foam to foster firm support as it bears the sleeper’s weight.

Why do we love it?

  • Despite the lower price point, the Siena doesn’t skimp on quality. From the breathable cover to the memory foam and supportive polyfoams, shoppers should enjoy this mattress.
  • The Siena’s medium-firm feel should work well for most sleep styles and body types.

Best Affordable Memory Foam Mattress

Layla Original

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best for Side, Back, and Stomach Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 4/10 (Soft Side), 7/10 (Firm Side)
  • 120-Night Trial
  • Lifetime Warranty

Layla’s Original model gives you a lot of bang for your buck. The Layla is a flippable mattress that has one soft side and one firm side. Therefore, you have the convenience of getting two firmness levels in one product, so you can easily choose to use whichever side feels best.

For more mattress options, check out our best memory foam mattress page.

If you have the soft side up, Layla’s construction includes copper-infused memory foam, which not only melts away pressure buildup but also keeps things cool by conducting heat. The second layer is the Air Flow Support Foam, which features an egg crate design for additional temperature regulation. The bed’s primary support unique is 4-inch thick foam, followed by another layer of copper-infused foam. 

What makes it special?

  • Layla’s direct-to-consumer model allows you to get a high-quality dual-sided mattress at an affordable price.
  • Your purchase comes with an impressive 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty.

Best Budget Hybrid Mattress

WinkBed

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Hybrid Mattress
  • Best for Side, Back, and Stomach Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 4.5/10 to 7.5/10
  • 120-Night Trial
  • Lifetime Warranty

If you’re looking for a budget hybrid mattress with customizable features and luxury-level quality, the WinkBed offers both at a relatively attractive price point. It comes in four firmness options—Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm, and Plus—to accommodate different kinds of sleepers. The Soft version cradles the pressure points that often plague side sleepers, whereas the Plus version stays pleasantly firm to suit the needs of heavier bodies.

The WinkBed’s hybrid design is likewise versatile: the layer of gel-infused foam just beneath the cover helps to minimize motion transfer, while the individually wrapped coils at the base promote airflow and support.

What makes it special?

  • Instead of memory foam, which often retains heat, the WinkBed has a layer of gel-infused foam that should work with the springs below to keep you cool.
  • The Extra-Edge™ support system around the perimeter of the mattress ensures that you won’t feel like you’re slipping off the bed at its edges.

Best Affordable Firm Mattress

Cocoon Chill Memory Foam

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • All-Foam Mattress
  • Best for Side, Back, and Stomach Sleepers
  • Firmness Level: 6/10
  • 100-Night Trial
  • 10-Year Warranty

The Cocoon Chill Memory Foam should delight sleepers who want a firm mattress at a budget-friendly price. Its memory foam layer molds to the body’s contours without uncomfortable sinkage, thanks to a layer of responsive, cushioning foam and a sturdy foam base. Although heavier sleepers may want an even firmer mattress, this model should provide enough robust support for most sleeping positions.

True to its name, the Chill Memory Foam mattress promotes a cool, comfortable snoozing experience. Its knit cover incorporates a proprietary phase change material that works to first take in and then release excess heat.

What makes it stand out?

  • All of the foams inside the Chill are CertiPUR-US® certified, which means they never contain certain hazardous materials such as formaldehyde and ozone depleters.
  • For an additional fee, you can increase your Chill’s cooling abilities by opting to infuse the memory foam layer with the same phase change material that’s in the cover.

Best Mattress Under $500

Dreamfoam Essential

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best for Back and Stomach Sleepers
  • 5-7/10 (Medium Firm)
  • 120-Night Trial
  • 10-Year Warranty

Shoppers looking for a quality mattress under $500 should consider the Dreamfoam Essential as one of the best and most versatile options. Dreamfoam offers five height options.

The 6-, 8-, and 10-inch models are dual-layer mattresses more on the firmer and medium side. On the other hand, the 12- and 14-inch feature three layers and are more on the softer side for those who like more sinkage. All models feature open-cell technology in all their layers, which should help with breathability and cooling. 

Why we like it

  • The Dreamfoam Essential, especially the firmer models, does a great job of isolating motion.
  • This luxury memory foam bed is under $500, so you can still get the luxurious sleeping experience without breaking the bank.

Why You Should Trust Us

The Sleep Advisor team reviews each mattress in person so we have a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs. To begin, we unbox the mattress and place it onto a bedframe. We first asses the cover, looking for features like cooling, softness, and cushioning. The next step is to evaluate how the bed performs under pressure, first by applying pressure with our hands and then in each sleep position. Lying in different positions lets us know how supportive the bed is and if it’s good at relieving pressure. After that, we’ll perform a series of tests for additional features, such as bounce, motion isolation, and edge support. The final testing portion is to determine if there are any new mattress smells present, which is known as off-gassing. These smells usually go away within a day or two, but it’s helpful to know if you can expect any right away, particularly if you’re sensitive to odors. We then take all the information we’ve gathered to rate the bed in individual categories as well as how it stacks up overall. This gives us a thorough idea of who we would recommend this product to, helping our readers find the right mattress for their needs.

How We Picked These Mattresses

The process of picking the right mattresses to include in our lists is a thorough one. We start by researching the market and cutting out the mattresses with poor customer reviews, warranties, and trial periods. Next, we check the price, comparing it with the mattress’s features, specs, pros, and cons. This way, we ensure that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks and that the entire mattress is worth the price. Lastly, our team tests the beds to see how they perform in terms of comfort, support, motion isolation, pressure relief, and more. Below we detail specific qualities we look at for the beds on this list. 

  • Price – 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 or slightly above the 1,000-dollar mark. These beds reflect affordable prices within the mattress industry, while still offering technologies, features, and materials that make them worth the money. 
  • Materials – We made sure all the budget mattresses we reviewed feature top-notch materials. This ensures that despite the lower price, you’re not missing out on quality. The most commonly used materials in affordable mattresses are memory foam, cotton, polyester, gel-infused foam, poly foam, and pocketed coils. 
  • Durability – Durability is usually a major concern for most people shopping for an affordable mattress because they may fear that these beds won’t last as long as the most expensive models. The models we included come with long-lasting warranties, which is often an indicator of a durable mattress and shows the company backs up their products. 
  • Sleeping Position – We tested these beds in all sleeping positions to make sure they fit a range of sleepers shopping on a budget. This way, we were able to tell which beds could be the best for side, back, and stomach sleeping. 
  • Firmness – Without the right firmness, you may find even the most expensive mattress uncomfortable. Firmness reflects how soft or hard a bed feels. Many of the beds we include feature medium-firm feels that can work for most sleepers. However, we also include models that have softer or firmer feels, as well as those that come in multiple firmness levels. This allows the list to cater to all types of sleepers. 
  • Pressure Relief – We tested each bed, especially those marketed as good for side sleepers, to see whether they relieve pressure in sensitive areas like the shoulders, knees, and hips.
  • Sales – Who doesn’t love a good sale? The Sleep Advisor team looked for special brand sales to find the best deals on affordable mattresses, making it easier to get all the benefits without breaking the bank.

Types of Affordable Mattresses

all types of mattresses illustration

The price of your mattress will be somewhat dependent on what’s inside it. Certain materials and features are reliably cheaper than others, with the best budget-friendly beds boasting a marriage of high-quality components and affordable price points.

Affordable Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are the oldest and likely the cheapest type of bed available. They consist of thinner comfort layers on top of a coil unit, which can have either interconnected or pocketed (independent) coils.

If you’re looking for a budget mattress without too many bells and whistles, a classic, no-frills innerspring is a good choice. Just be sure to monitor its feel for any sagging or poking from the coils.

Average Price: A few hundred dollars for especially basic models with a short lifespan, and around $1,000 for more reliable versions.

Affordable Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam is best known for its ability to mold to the contours of your body when you lie down, creating a responsive “cradle” as you sleep. It’s just one of many types of poly foams used in mattresses today.

Like innerspring mattresses, all-foam and memory foam beds 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, but models with trustworthy and durable foams cost closer to $1,000 and up.

Affordable Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses incorporate latex foam, a poly foam alternative that’s 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. But as with all mattress materials, latex can be processed and utilized in different ways. Be sure to look into how a mattress brand manufactures and certifies its latex before buying.

Average Price: You’ll typically pay more than $1,000 for a quality latex mattress, so keep an eye out for deals if you’re looking for a budget model.

Affordable 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 mattress in one package.

Finding a cheap hybrid mattress may mean timing your search around holiday sales, scoping the internet for deals, and just plain getting lucky. 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: There are precious few hybrids available for less than $1,000. You’re more likely to pay $1,500 and up for these beds.

Affordable Airbed Mattresses

The term “airbed” can mean two different things: a portable inflatable air mattress, or a hyper-fancy modern mattress with air chambers inside that can inflate or deflate to adjust the bed’s feel.

Air mattresses, like the kind that you can store in a closet and bring out for guests, are extremely affordable compared to traditional mattresses. You can find robust models out there for a couple hundred dollars, and basic ones for even less than that. However, they aren’t typically meant for long-term use, and don’t have the right kind of support to function well as “regular” beds.

Airbeds, on the other hand, are the peak of customizability and luxury. They often have separate controls for each side of the bed so you and a partner can change the firmness to suit your individual preferences. They’re high-tech and high-comfort, so they’re one of the most expensive kinds of mattresses on the market.

Average Price: Adjustable airbeds typically cost $2,000 or more. The most budget-friendly options will probably still be $1,000 and up.

How To Shop for a Budget Mattress

Holiday Sales

Holiday sales are an excellent opportunity to save even more money on premium mattresses. Most brands offer extra discounts during holidays, so you can find many models at reduced prices. However, one thing to keep in mind is that you may have to be quick. These sales are often so affordable that you have little time before all the mattresses are sold out. For this reason, it’s best to do your research before the sale so that you know what you want.

Coupons

Coupons are another great way to get a discount on a certain mattress you’re interested in. Shopping with coupons is easy since all you need to do is enter one at checkout. Most brands offer this way of shopping, so you’ll probably find your favorite mattress in no time, getting a lot off the original price.

In-Store vs. Online

You have a better chance of finding an affordable mattress when shopping online rather than in a store. Beds that are only available online are often cheaper because there are no middlemen between you and the brand. Buying directly from the brand allows them to cut costs, which then results in cheaper prices. 

Read More: How to Buy a Mattress Online

Pros & Cons of Budget Mattresses

Pros

Affordable Price

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a comfortable mattress. Instead, you can find a quality model that fits your budget and sleeping habits. This is easy to do with a bit of research and patience because you may have to wait for your mattress to be on sale. As said, some brands offer holiday sales and may even accept coupons, giving you a discount. The best way to go about this is to research and wait until the mattress you’re interested in is available at an affordable price you’re comfortable with.

Decent Quality

Many people think only the most expensive mattresses are worth the attention. There’s a common misconception that cheaper beds are low-quality and won’t last you long, showing signs of wear and tear quickly. While this may be the case for some models, it’s easy to tell if that’ll happen to your bed of choice. First, look at the foam density. Low-density foam will sag in time, whereas high-density foam will retain its shape for a longer period. Next, look at the brand reviews. Checking out the mattress reviews is a good way of getting a glimpse of how the bed performs in terms of comfort and quality without buying it. Additionally, longer trial and warranty deals usually indicate it’s a better-quality mattress.

Cons

Off-Gassing

You’ll hear a lot of mentions of “off-gassing” while you research the best mattress for your budget. Off-gassing happens when you open up the box your new bed came in, and you’re hit with a chemical smell. The smell occurs because the materials in the foam (and sometimes the cover) contain Volatile Organic Compounds1 (VOCs).

There’s some controversy about whether or not off-gassing is harmful. While we do know that the smell is caused by the release of chemicals, scientists haven’t determined one way or the other if they’re harmful.

illustration of a man unboxing bed in a box

In some cases, cheap beds contain chemicals that, when off-gassed are likely to be dangerous. These chemicals are referred to as ozone-depleting chemicals and include CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), formaldehyde, benzene, and a handful of others.

The main thing you should look for is a certification called CertiPUR-US2. This certification means the mattress contains safe amounts of VOCs that this third party has deemed safe for adults and children.

Interested in exploring further? Read more about toxic materials in foam beds.

Mattress Sagging

We discussed earlier the differences between high and low-density foams. As a reminder, lower-density material is less durable, has more air pockets, and can sag over time, which can become highly uncomfortable.

If you’ve ever gotten the feeling that you’re sinking into the bed, you’re probably the victim of sagging. While not all cheap beds are prone to sagging, you should pay extra close attention to the density of the foam and the length of the warranty policy before buying anything.

Need help? See our tips on how to fix a sagging bed here.

Wear & Tear

Sagging isn’t the only indicator that a bed is past its prime. Again, daily use can cause your mattress to age, and cheaper brands should show wear and tear faster.

One thing you can look at to help evaluate how well it will stand the test of time is the cover. Is it made from quality fabric with solid stitching, or does the stitching look like it’s holding up by a thread, literally?

Also, look for brands that have removable covers. Since stains can void a warranty, you’ll want to take extra care to keep the surface clean. A removable cover should allow you to do regular and thorough cleanings.

View Our Full Guide: Top Rated Mattress Protector

Illustration of a Mattress Cover

Foreign Materials

Many top-range brands are made in the USA. That’s not necessarily a reflection on quality, however. Usually, the biggest reason a product is made domestically has to do with shipping costs.

Mattresses are big, bulky, and awkward to transport, so it makes sense that most bedding companies would choose to manufacture in the United States. However, some brands are manufactured overseas, and many of them are also high-quality.

The only thing we would advise caution about is the foam, which should still be CertiPUR-US certified if it’s being sold in the U.S.

How Mattresses Are Priced

Mattresses are available at a range of prices, so you can find many expensive and budget models. The price depends on many things, such as materials, technologies, preference-based features, certifications, and more. The price also depends on the construction, so you’ll see hybrid mattresses are more expensive than innerspring models, although they both have steel coils. Cheaper mattresses usually have fewer layers, so fewer materials are used. 

More expensive beds usually have excellent support, pressure relief, motion isolation, edge support, and cooling. More affordable models may not perform as well, although this sometimes depends on a few things, like the type of mattress and materials used. However, the direct-to-consumer sales model has given shoppers access to premium beds at more budget-friendly prices.

Budget Bed Buying Considerations

Long vs. Short-Term Solution

The amount of time you plan on keeping your bed plays a role in how much you’ll decide you’re willing to pay.

For example, if you plan on sleeping on this mattress for several years, it’s worth it to spend a little more for a higher level of comfort and durability. A bed priced between 750 and 1,000 dollars should last seven to ten years. Beds in that price range also have much longer warranties, which you should also take into consideration.

However, if it’s for short-term use or won’t be used every day (such as guest room beds), you can get away with paying less. However, even though you’ll save money by buying a cheaper bed, you have the risk of paying more in the long run because you may have to replace it more frequently.

For a budget-friendly short term solution, make sure to check out our Best Twin XL Mattresses that maximize comfort for small spaces and smaller budgets.

Over time, you could end up paying roughly the same amount, whether you get a 300-dollar bed now that needs to be replaced every three to five years, or one that’s 750 to 1,000 dollars that will last for ten years.

Learn More: How Much Does A Mattress Cost

Who Should Consider a Budget Mattress?

  • People with a guest room You probably want the best that money (or your budget) can buy if it’s for you and you'll be sleeping on it every night. However, if it’s for the guest room, quality and durability aren’t nearly as important because the mattress won’t be under the pressure of everyday use. This may mean that even if you're spending less, you want a pick that feels like a great bed for the money, no matter what that price range is or what you're trying to get for it.

    For More Details:
    Best Rated Mattresses for Guest Room


  • Parents with teenagers If it is for a teenager, consider that they’ll likely be moving out of the house soon for college or their own apartment, and may not need a long-lasting bed. However, if it’s for an adult, they may be more selective and require a higher-end experience.

  • Stomach sleepers Stomach sleepers can often get away with firmer beds with less pressure relief. However, side and combination sleepers might want more features like additional comfort layers or targeted support.

Who Shouldn’t Consider a Budget Mattress

  • Heavy sleepers Adults who are heavier will naturally put more weight and pressure on a bed. For this reason, if one or more of the sleepers weighs over 230 pounds, they’ll probably need a firmer and higher quality mattress for maximum comfort and support.

    For More Details:
    Best Mattresses for Heavy People


  • Couples If you’re sleeping solo or you have a partner, your preferences may vary. For example, higher-end beds in the 750 to 1,000-dollar range have customization options where you can have one side of the surface be firmer, softer, and even cooler than the other side. If you’re sleeping by yourself, however, this feature won’t matter so you won’t even need to consider paying extra for it.
    Learn More: Best Mattresses for Couples
illustration of a couple with different body sizes relaxing on one bed

Materials & Type

While you can find good-quality, inexpensive beds, don’t expect premium luxury. Many beds at these price points will be memory foam models, and while some companies offer higher-end options like hybrid mattresses, high-density or proprietary foams, and Euro or pillow top layers, keep in mind that the materials won’t likely be as top-tier as high-end brands.

However, don’t be discouraged. Again, the advent of online bed offerings means that you can still get a quality mattress at a price lower than you might expect.

Another option if you are tight on a budget but are looking for a better night's sleep, check out our Best Mattress Toppers here.

Shipping, Warranties, & Returns

In addition to the price of the mattress itself, there are often costs associated with getting it to your home—or returning it, if it doesn’t turn out to be the right bed for you. Investigate all of these terms as you shop so you aren’t surprised by new charges after you’ve ordered your budget mattress.

Shipping: Most online mattress companies will ship their beds for free within the contiguous United States. Others might charge for shipping, and those dollars can tack a substantial fee onto the initially affordable price point. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada, make sure to double-check the company’s shipping policies.

Warranties: A mattress’s warranty is the window of time in which the company will cover the cost of defects or damage. It may entitle you to a full replacement of your mattress, depending on the circumstances. Five-, ten-, and fifteen-year warranties are commonplace for affordable mattresses, whereas longer warranties may be correlated with higher-priced beds.

Returns: When you’re looking at budget mattresses, always read over the return policy. You don’t want to end up with a cheap, low-quality bed that you can’t even send back. A decent return policy will give you a trial period during which you test out the mattress. If you decide not to commit, you should be able to return the mattress to the seller for free or at a minimal cost.

Most companies will issue you a full refund if you return the bed during the trial period, though they may subtract a portion of the refund for shipping and/or processing costs.

Price Ranges for Affordable Mattresses

Under $1000

If you’re searching for a mattress under $1000, you have considerable options, especially if you’re buying online. We’ve found that online mattress companies are often able to offer premium quality at about half the cost of brick-and-mortar retailers because they cut out the middleman. In fact, many online mattress stores carry premium options at just under 1,000 dollars.

With this budget, you’re not limited to just memory foam mattresses, either. For people who love memory foam beds, you can get a top-of-the-line bed in this price range. When you’re buying a foam mattress, it’s important to remember that not all foams are created equal.

They come in varying levels of density, and higher densities generally perform better than lower ones. While evaluating different brands, you’ll see numbers ranging from 2.5 to 7.0 pounds per cubic foot.

Animated Image of Choosing a $1000 for Price Range

Low-density foams are not inherently awful; however, they usually contain less material, which is one of the reasons they’re cheaper. There’s less material, so these cheaper mattresses are also liable to soften quickly and lose support, shortening the life of the mattress. Low-density foam beds tend to last five years (or less), while medium to high-density foam could serve you comfortably for up to 10 years.

If you come across a cheap bed with low-density foam, don’t discount it as low-quality right away. Many higher-quality mattresses have multiple layers of foam of varying density.

They work together offering a combination of support and comfort to give you a superior night of sleep. For example, you may see a high-density foam for the base layer and a very low-density number for the top layer.

Under $500

There are some genuine mattress deals under $500 out there, but you’re going to have to look a little harder and give up on a few of the luxury features.

At this inexpensive price point, you may be limited mostly to pure foam mattresses, though there are a few notable hybrid exceptions. Overall, the materials won’t be high-end, and you’ll sacrifice some durability.

For example, the coils you might find in beds less than 500 dollars may not maintain the same buoyancy and support as the years go by. The foam can also be a lower grade. Again, as we mentioned above, lower-density foams tend to degrade more quickly.

Something else that should be a major consideration is how much support a lower-priced mattress might provide. In addition to breaking down faster, low-density foams tend to provide less support.

For some people, this isn’t a deal breaker. People who like the feeling of sinking into their mattress may find this beneficial, provided they don’t develop any back pain. However, back and stomach sleepers, as well as combination sleepers who switch positions throughout the night shouldn’t compromise on support.

Still, if you’re on a tight budget, but you don’t want to sacrifice too much quality, you can find a gem or two that won’t break your wallet or your back.

Under $300

Best Mattress Under 300 Dollars

While you can certainly get a fair-quality product in this price range, we may not recommend this route to everyone. You’ll find that your options are more limited, and the durability of these beds might be subpar.

Like the 500-dollar range, you should find that these cheap mattresses are mostly memory foam, though again, there may be a few hybrids available. Again, the quality will not be the same as the beds that cost between 500 and 1,000 dollars. However, there are some instances where this might be your best bet.

For example, if you’re looking for a short-term bedding solution, you might not want to spend a lot of money. If you’re in a short-term lease, it’s for a college apartment, or you are extra budget-conscious, you may find yourself needing a bed that’s a lower price.

Get More Info: Mattresses Under $300 or compliment your mattress with some Affordable Sheets.

Under $200

Your options are going to be limited, but there should be a couple of choices. Again, you’ll be sacrificing durability and support by getting a mattress at this cheaper price, but if it’s genuinely a short-term buy, then it might make more sense than splurging on something pricier.

Like the 300-dollar range, you should find mostly memory foam beds at this price, along with a few hybrids with lower-quality materials.

One trick we should mention is that if you’re particularly budget-conscious, consider sizing down from a Queen to a Full. You may be able to save anywhere from 30 to 100 dollars by scaling down.

Our recommended Queen mattress choice is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. Full mattresses are 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. 

If you're looking for more options, check out our King Size Mattresses pages.

If you’re buying the bed for a kid or teen or if you sleep alone and don’t need much space, you can save money without losing out on quality just by downsizing.

View Our Full Guide: Best Mattresses Under $200 and if you're looking for more products, make sure to see which Affordable Pillow will fit into your budget.

Under $100

Illustration of a Mattress Store With a Sale Sign on the Door

When looking for a mattress under 100 dollars your options will likely be more narrow, but you still have some choices including a blow-up air mattress. The best chance you have of finding something decent that isn’t an airbed is to check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

If you choose this route, it's crucial to inspect the condition of the product before committing and be careful about who you're talking to. While most transactions tend to be positive, it's still critical to be cautious when meeting someone from the internet.

While buying a used mattress is not for everyone, it's not uncommon to find a mattress from a barely used guest bedroom that's still in excellent condition, so don't lose hope.

We also advise cleaning the bed thoroughly before sleeping on it and possibly letting it air out before putting it on your bed frame. Throw one some fresh sheets and you could enjoy a mattress that feels good as new.

While it's fun to find inexpensive treasures online, we do recommend purchasing a new mattress for the best sleep, if your budget permits it. A quality product with fewer years on it could last you much longer and offer more bang for your buck in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions about Budget Mattresses

Where should I look for 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 dollars, 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

What do you think of Ikea mattresses?

The Swedish furniture maker has a reputation for aesthetically pleasing, bare-bones furniture designed for modern spaces. While they are not best known for their bedding options, their beds range in price from 159 to 899 dollars, plus they offer 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 Ikea for a bed, it may help you to know that their mattress firmness levels are generally rated as 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.

Conclusion

In our research, we discovered that quality and price aren’t always 100 percent correlated. We’ve been able to find premium quality mattresses at less than 1,000 dollars. Even better is the fact that you can get something cheaper if you’re not using it in your master bedroom, or you plan on using it for only a short time.

With all of the bed-in-a-box companies emerging in the marketplace, prices have come down over the past five years, and we’ve also noticed that quality and durability have also improved with the increasing competition.

Content Writer

Rachael is a content writer for Sleep Advisor who loves combining her enthusiasm for writing and wellness. She’s had a passion for writing since she was a kid when she wrote awful poetry. She’s honed her craft quite a bit since then and considers herself a lucky duck to get paid to do what she loves.

Embracing the remote work life, she occasionally takes her work on the road and lives out her travel writer pipe dream.

In her free time, she attempts to meditate regularly, rides her bike to Trader Joe’s, and enjoys trying every type of food that she can get her hands on.

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