The 8 Highest Rated Beds Under $500 – Updated Reviews for 2023

What to Consider When Looking for Beds Under $500

Materials and Quality

Materials and their quality can sometimes be relative to the price. For example, you can expect regular foam, which is rather hot and retains a lot of heat, to pop up more frequently in this market. Therefore, it is imperative to read the specs and get familiar with a model before you buy it. There are lots of favorable options at this price point if you know where to look.

Off-Gassing

The off-gassing smell is rather common in beds at this particular price point. The reason is simple – most of them are made of memory foam and regular foam, the prevailing one is the latter. The compression/boxing process leads to the smell that you may experience.

It should last for a couple of days at most. An additional thing to be aware of is the time that these mattresses need to decompress. They usually arrive in a box, and as you put them on the bed, they will take some time to reach their intended height. That said, it should not be anything too major.
Get More Info: Toxic Materials in Foam Mattresses

Durability and Lifespan

The durability and the lifespan of beds for less than 500 dollars can vary. This is mainly due to the overall characteristics of the materials. Most of the beds will come with substantial 10-year warranties at the very least. However, you can also find ones that are covered by 25 years. If having one for a long time is something you are interested in, be sure to read mattress reviews to get the inside scoop.

Mattress Type

There are plenty of options for great mattresses under 500 dollars, especially if you’re looking online or shopping when there is a deal. Of course, some mattress types might be less available at this price point. For example, latex, hybrid, or cooling mattresses will be more available in the 500 to 1,000-dollar range. Memory foam and innerspring will be easily available at around 500 dollars. Hybrid and cooling mattresses can be found in this price range (we listed a couple of great options above), though your options may be more limited.
Find out which type of mattress works best for you. If it is a mattress on the more expensive end of the spectrum, be sure to shop during sales or look for deals online.

• Memory Foam – Memory foam mattress is made from polyurethane foam and certain chemicals. The result is a mattress that tends to provide excellent pressure relief, motion isolation, and contouring. It’s often described as a sort of cradling or “hug” feeling while you’re sleeping.
  It’s not the best, though, for those who want something bouncy or that sleeps cool, unless it is specifically marketed as a cooling mattress.
• Latex – Latex has become a popular mattress type because they are hypoallergenic, breathable, and eco-friendly. These mattresses tend to be more expensive, though they also tend to be more durable, lasting up to 15 years. Unlike a memory foam mattress, latex feels bouncier and is great at cooling.
  If you’re looking for a latex mattress, be on the lookout for the terms “Talalay” and “Dunlop,” which describe two different processes for making the mattress. Talalay mattresses tend to be softer and more consistent, whereas Dunlop feels firmer but can be less consistent.

• Hybrid – Hybrid mattresses combine the coils of a more traditional innerspring mattress with the foam of something like a memory foam or latex mattress. Generally, they consist of three layers: coils, then poly foam, and then at the top, memory foam or latex. There is a lot of variety in how hybrid mattresses are constructed, though. Hybrids have the benefit of both the bounce and cooling from the coils and the contouring and support of the foam.
• Innerspring – Innerspring mattresses are the most traditional type, and they tend to be the most affordable as well. The benefits here are: excellent edge support, price, and they tend to be cooling because the coils create good airflow.

Though the mattress market might seem saturated with fancy hybrid, latex, and memory foam mattresses, innersprings can still be a good option for those on a budget.

Sleep Position

The mattress you get will depend a lot on what position(s) you typically sleep in. If you sleep on your side, it’s recommended to get a mattress on the softer to medium side of things, so that you’ll have plenty of cushioning and pressure relief for your shoulder. Memory foam mattresses are often great for side sleepers.
If you sleep on your back, you’ll want something a bit firmer to keep your spine in proper alignment. A medium-firm memory foam, hybrid, or even latex can be a great fit there.
If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll want a firm mattress to keep you supported throughout the night.

Cooling

Cooling mattresses can be on the more expensive end of things, so if you have a budget of 500 dollars or less, it might be a little harder to find one. We think the Dreamfoam Hybrid is a great cooling mattress for this price range, but if you want to keep searching, be sure you are looking for a mattress that is specifically labeled as cooling and built with temperature-regulating materials like copper, graphite, or gel. Cooling mattress covers might also be made with moisture-wicking fabrics.
In general, hybrid and latex mattresses are great for cooling down hot sleepers, but generally cost more than 500 dollars. If you find a good deal for one in this price range, jump on it!

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation describes a mattress’s ability to isolate motion from one part of the bed to another– as in, when your partner moves on their side of the bed, you shouldn’t be disturbed. This is important for sensitive sleepers out there who share a bed.
Luckily there are plenty of mattresses that isolate motion well in this price range. That’s because foam mattresses tend to be great at motion isolation, and they also tend to be less expensive than some other types of mattresses.
Keep in mind, though, that memory foam can sleep hot unless it’s specifically designed for cooling. Plus, motion isolation might be perfect for couples while they’re sleeping, but you might prefer a mattress with more bounce, like a latex or innerspring, for other things.

Edge Support

Edge support describes the amount of support the mattress provides all the way out to the edges. The reason this is important is that an unsupportive or sagging perimeter might make it hard to get up from the bed and will likely also impact your spine’s alignment while you’re sleeping.
Edge support also means you can utilize the full mattress equally. If the edges of your mattresses are sagging and unsupportive, you’ll be stuck sleeping in the middle where there is more support. This is especially important for those sharing a bed.
Mattresses that use coils (like innerspring or hybrids) are typically great for edge support. Some hybrid models also include high density foam around the edges for this very reason. Be sure to check in the description of your mattress, and if it doesn’t say, you can reach out to the company and ask.

Firmness

Choosing your mattress’s firmness comes down to the position you sleep in and your personal comfort preference. Keep in mind, mattress firmness differs from support (which we will go over next), in that firmness is how hard or soft a mattress is, and support is how supported your spine is while you’re lying on the mattress.
Mattresses can vary from soft to super firm, but most beds are in the medium-firm range because this provides a happy medium between good back support and comfort.
If you tend to sleep on your side, a soft to medium firmness is generally recommended, where if you sleep on your back or stomach, you’ll want something medium to firm.

Support

As mentioned, support is different than firmness in that it describes whether or not a mattress keeps your spine in healthy alignment. Support also varies from person to person and mattress to mattress. For example, if a very heavy person were to lie on a softer mattress, their spine would not be in healthy alignment, so they wouldn’t feel supported. A petite person could lie on the same mattress and feel supported, their spine in perfect alignment.
This is important to note when choosing a mattress with a partner. If you two are different sizes, you might feel supported with different levels of firmness in your mattress. Luckily, many medium-firm mattresses provide a happy medium.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is an important feature in a mattress, especially for those with joint and back pain, or who sleep on their sides. If you’re shopping in the 500-dollar price range, be sure you’re not skimping on good pressure relief.
Look for mattresses that contour and support your hips and shoulders. Hybrids and memory foam mattresses are excellent at this. If you have a chance to try the mattress out (either in store or with an at-home trial), also make sure your spine is in proper alignment. This will feel like your spine is in its neutral resting position – as straight as it is when you are standing.
For More Information: Best Mattresses for Pressure Relief

Trial and Warranty

These days, many companies offer great trial periods and extensive warranties on their mattresses. A trial period is an amount of time that you can have the mattress at home, try it out, and return it at no cost if you don’t like it. This is especially important if you’re ordering your mattress online. A warranty, on the other hand, will allow you to return or exchange your mattress if there is some sort of manufacturer’s defect or if it falls apart within a certain time frame.
Keep in mind that many mattresses under 500 dollars might not offer the same sort of trial periods or warranties as more expensive mattresses.