7 Best Cheap Mattresses for a Sound Night’s Sleep on a Budget
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023This is not a dream: These quality cheap mattresses won't break the bank—or your back!
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The best cheap mattresses don’t sacrifice comfort
A good night’s sleep is priceless, but when it comes to finding the best mattresses, it doesn’t have to be pricey. And that’s a good thing, especially when you’re furnishing a guest room, a vacation home, a child’s bedroom or even your own bedroom, if you’re on a tight budget. Whether you’re looking for top-rated memory foam mattresses, boxed beds or cooling mattresses, it’s more than possible to find an amazing cheap mattress for your needs without sacrificing quality.
“More expensive does not mean better quality,” says Abby Wood, a sleep health content associate at Mattress Nerd. “There are many options available for every budget that will provide you with a similar level of comfort and support of a luxury mattress, without having to pay that luxury price.”
What to look for in an affordable mattress
There are a few important aspects to weigh when purchasing any mattress but especially an affordable mattress, including materials, support, durability and ease of setup. The first thing you need to know? Denser foams and thicker coils are more durable, notes Alex Savy, a certified sleep science coach and the founder of SleepingOcean. Plus, you need to pick a mattress at the right firmness for your sleeping style to support your back properly and relieve painful pressure points. “As a rule of thumb,” says Savy, “side sleepers usually feel the most comfortable using softer mattresses, back sleepers [prefer] medium to medium-firm, and stomach sleepers, firm.”
Robert Pagano, cofounder of Sleepline, also calls attention to construction methods. “The way the mattress is built can affect its quality and how long it will last,” he explains. “Pay attention to techniques such as wool tufting or hand side-stitching.”
How we chose the best cheap mattresses
We consulted industry experts to get the top recommendations for every type of sleeper, taking into account their advice about top-notch materials and construction. We also examined the most popular picks online and researched user reviews and ratings to make our selections. Read on to find the best wallet-friendly buys that won’t keep you up at night. And make sure to check out these Labor Day mattress sales to score even more deals and discounts.
Best cheap mattress overall
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
With more than 36,000 five-star reviews, this Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is a definite fan favorite—and for good reason. Its adaptive foam helps relieve pressure and encourages better spinal alignment, and its medium-firm feel can accommodate different sleeping styles, so it’s universally comfortable, says Savy. Plus, the Nectar has a slow-moving memory foam that people love. “You’ll get lots of body contouring on this bed,” explains Elisa Regulski, a certified sleep science coach and editor at Mattress Clarity.
Wood also likes this mattress for its cooling abilities. An all-memory-foam design typically traps heat, she explains, but a cooling gel-infused top layer and a cool-to-the-touch quilted breathable cover help regulate temperature. Even more to adore: It has one of the longest sleep trials on the market—three times longer than most others in the industry. You also have a full year to sleep on the mattress, and if you aren’t completely satisfied, return it for a full refund—for free. Looking to spend a little more? Read our Nectar mattress review to see how the Premier Copper Memory Foam version solved one editor’s side-sleeper problems.
Pros:
- CertiPUR-US certified, so it’s free of harmful chemicals
- Comes with two free pillows, free sheets and a free mattress protector ($499 value)
- The brand will work with you to donate or recycle any returned mattresses
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Might be too stiff if you prefer a very soft mattress
- May have a period of off-gassing smell
Best cheap mattress on Amazon
Linenspa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress
Not only is this Linenspa Hybrid one of the best cheap mattresses on Amazon, but it’s also continuously ranked one of the best-selling mattresses overall on the site. And there are options for everyone: Choose from seven sizes (including harder-to-find Twin XL, Short Queen and California King), plus three thickness profiles (8-inch medium/firm, 10-inch medium feel and 12-inch plush).
More than 90,000 reviewers on Amazon gave it five stars, and sleep experts are equally enthusiastic about it. “It’s responsive enough to prevent the quicksand feel,” says Savy, “but does an excellent job of relieving tension.” Wood adds that this mattress uses similar materials that luxury brands use—at a fraction of the cost. She also loves the “motion isolation,” which means you won’t feel your partner tossing and turning next to you. The price is so nice (under $300!) that you can easily afford to add on a mattress topper or cooling mattress pad.
Pros:
- Hybrid innerspring and foam design offers support and comfort
- 10-year warranty
- Free shipping and returns
Cons:
- The packaging process may leave behind small brown flecks called carbons
- Coils may make sounds when bearing heavy weight
Best cheap memory foam mattress
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
Green tea is all the rage, and now Zinus is using the antioxidant-rich elixir to help keep its mattresses fresh and clean. This memory foam mattress is also infused with active charcoal, which blocks moisture and odor. It is one of the best cheap mattresses that lives up to the hype: It’s editor-approved (check out our Zinus mattress review), plus it boasts more than 93,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.
“Most users appreciate its slow-moving, hugging feel,” says Savy, adding that it’s also an optimal option for people with sensitive or sore joints. Wood agrees, calling out its precisely layered foams that conform to your body while you sleep, which provides superior support and pressure relief. Additionally, it’s available in four different height options and firmness profiles, making it a good choice for almost anyone.
Pros:
- Green tea keeps it fresh, while charcoal keeps it moisture- and odor-free
- No off-gassing smell on arrival
- CertiPUR-US certified
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- No sleep trial if you buy it on Amazon
- May not be cool enough for some hot sleepers
Best cheap mattress for side sleepers
Nolah Original 10-Inch Mattress
Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, the Nolah Original 10-Inch Mattress was designed specifically for side sleepers. In this sleep position, weight concentrates around the shoulder, hip and knee, often causing soreness and pain. Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam contains billions of tiny compressed air pockets that evenly distributes a person’s body weight. “The medium-firm mattress is made out of a latex-like foam, which gives you the bounce of a latex mattress but the cushioning of coils,” says Wood. It offers great pressure relief with just enough “give” to contour and cushion your joints, without letting you sink too deeply into the mattress—something that can jeopardize spinal alignment.
Happy customers rave about it too, including one shopper who calls it “a side-sleeper’s lifesaver.” Another, who says it’s “like sleeping on a cloud,” adds: “I am a side sleeper, and this mattress is so comfortable. I barely toss and turn like I used to, and I do not feel my partner moving during the night.” While you’re at it, check out our list of the best pillows for side sleepers.
Pros:
- Helps with spinal alignment
- Comes with free pillows
- 120-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Slight off-gassing smell may bother sensitive customers
- Might not provide enough support for people over 230 pounds
Best cheap cooling mattress
Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams Cooling Gel Hybrid Mattress
Hot sleepers, this one’s for you! Dreamfoam’s Arctic Dreams just may be the best affordable cooling mattress on the market. “The encased coils allow room for airflow, and the gel-infused foam helps pull heat away from the body,” explains Regulski. Plus, a quilted plush topper uses one of the most advanced fabrics on the market—typically offered only with luxury beds—to deliver cooling relief on contact.
While customers love the medium feel and hybrid design of this cheap mattress, the temperature-regulating properties are its biggest selling point, whether they’re dealing with hot climates, hot flashes or whatever else makes them overheat at night. “I really did not think a bed-in-a-box would be a life changer, but it was,” raves one reviewer. “I put this in my vacation home in Florida, where it is always hot and humid, and I slept like a log. I woke up without any aches and pains, and no sweating! This mattress is fabulous!” Don’t forget to pick up a set of cooling sheets while you’re at it to seal the deal.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic foam
- CertiPUR-US certified
- 120-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Only one comfort level offered (medium)
- Stomach sleepers might need a firmer mattress
Best cheap hybrid mattress
Lucid Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
The best hybrid mattresses combine the responsiveness of springs with the cushioning cradle of memory foam. This Lucid model offers the well-balanced support you expect from a hybrid, but with added benefits that feel fancy given its affordable price tag. Wood explains: The top layer provides a comfortable and breathable cover, so you stay cool while sleeping. Next, there’s a moisture-wicking bamboo charcoal-infused memory foam layer that also helps regulate temperature, as well as mitigate odors. The third layer is an aloe vera–infused foam that keeps the mattress fresh. And finally, the base is made up of individually encased coils that provide good motion isolation, edge support and pressure relief.
Pros:
- Medium/plush feel is sturdy but comfortable
- CertiPUR-US certified
- 100-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
Con:
- Mattress cover should not be removed due to its flame-retardant layer
Best upgrade
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
If you want some extra features but still don’t want to spend too much, Regulski suggests this Layla Memory Foam mattress. The flippable mattress has two firmness levels—soft and firm—so it’s like getting two beds for the price of one. Her favorite feature is the copper-gel foam that helps you feel cool at night; plus it’s antimicrobial, which offers odor control. Savy is also a fan, calling it the “true embodiment of affordable luxury. This mattress feels like a gentle hug, redistributing the pressure across the body and making sleepers feel almost weightless.”
But that’s not all. According to Pagano, this is also an excellent pick for people with chronic pain. “The two-inch-thick copper-infused memory foam top layer provides therapeutic benefits by conducting heat away from the body and helping to reduce inflammation,” he explains. Add in a cooling weighted blanket, and your sleep problems will be a distant memory before you know it.
Pros:
- Reversible
- Helps reduce inflammation
- 120-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Shipping fees to Hawaii, Alaska and Canada
- Mattresses are made to order, so delivery may take longer
Sources:
- Abby Wood, sleep health content associate at Mattress Nerd
- Alex Savy, certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean
- Robert Pagano, cofounder of Sleepline
- Elisa Regulski, certified sleep science coach and editor at Mattress Clarity
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