Best Mattresses Under $1000
Written by Livvi DiCicco, Author
While a great night’s sleep on a luxurious mattress may be one of the best experiences money can buy, not everyone wants to splurge on a mattress. Thankfully, today’s bedding market is saturated with options, making it easy for shoppers to find a mattress on a budget that doesn’t sacrifice comfort or support.
However, finding a quality mattress without breaking the bank can be a bit more challenging. Higher prices are often associated with increased durability and long-lasting comfort in the industry. In this guide, we delve into the details of each mattress, including the firmness level, construction, and purchase policies. No matter what you’re looking for, your perfect mattress is on this list!
Bottom Line: What is the Best Mattress Under $1,000?
According to the Mattress Nerd team, the Nectar mattress is the best mattress under $1,000 because it offers value pricing without sacrificing comfort, support, or great policies.
The Best Mattresses Under $1,000
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Nerd’s Pick
- Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam – Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $1,000
- Leesa Original – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers Under $1,000
- DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000
- Bear Original Mattress – Best Mattress for Back Pain Under $1,000
Top Deals
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Save Up to 50% on Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam – 25% Off Sitewide with Code LABORDAY25
- Leesa Original – Up to 25% Off Mattresses and 30% Off Mattress + Adjustable Base Bundles; 25% Off Bedding
- DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – Save Up to 60% Off Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- Bear Original Mattress – 40% Off Sitewide with Code NERD40
Best Mattresses Under $1,000: Video Review
Check out this video where the nerds tell and show you everything you need to know about the best mattresses you can find for less than $1,000.
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
Our team of expert mattress testers curated this list of beds that fall under $1,000 for a queen size, using our links. We included mattresses that performed well in our mattress lab testing, excelling in factors such as pressure relief, motion isolation, temperature control, and more.
Nectar Classic – Nerd’s Pick for Best Under $1,000
Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
If you prefer the hugging, sinking, traditional feel of a memory foam mattress, you’ll love the Nectar. It’s constructed with a thick, gel-infused top layer of memory foam, a four-inch secondary comfort layer of gel memory foam, a transitional layer of polyfoam, and a support core of high-density polyfoam.
It’s covered in a cooling poly-blend that’s both breathable and machine-washable for easy cleaning. The two comfort layers conform closely to the body without sinking too deeply, creating a hugging sensation that helps alleviate aches and improve spinal alignment for side sleepers.
We chose the Nerd’s Pick based on its price point, policies, and well-roundedness, rather than its overall score. We believe that the Nectar works for the widest variety of people at just under $700 for a queen.
What our testers say:
“Nectar is like Tempur-Pedic on a budget—similar feel; lower price. It offers slow-responding foam with a bit of responsiveness, plus great pressure relief in our pressure map testing. And a year-long sleep trial never hurt anyone.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Nectar
- Back sleepers – Our team preferred the mattress in this position, as it provided a good blend of lift and pressure relief.
- Couples – The Nectar’s excellent motion isolation should ensure you don’t feel your partner’s movements from your side of the bed.
- Sleepers with back pain – For a foam mattress, the Nectar provides firmer support, which ensures the spine remains aligned, while there’s a good bit of contouring relief for pressure points.
Who Might Not Like the Nectar
- Seniors – The Nectar’s edge support is just so-so, which may cause instability when sleepers try to transfer in and out of bed.
- Side sleepers with hip or shoulder pain – You may need a softer mattress to ensure these areas get more sinkage, which will reduce strain and pressure buildup.
What users say:
With thousands of reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average 4.7-out-of-5-star rating. The majority of negative reviews found the bed too firm, too soft, or thought it started to sink too quickly. But positive reviews praise its comfort and cushioning ability.
Read more in our Nectar mattress review.
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex – Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $1,000
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Foam mattresses like the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex are a popular choice for folks on a budget. They provide quality and comfort without an exorbitant price, though sometimes their construction can mean less support. That’s not the case here—the CopperFlex’s firmer feel means you’ll feel buoyed on its lifted surface.
Unlike many other foam beds, this mattress also boasts some surprising bounce and edge support. These are areas this mattress type usually lacks. You’ll find it easy to move around and spread out on top of the CopperFlex, which can benefit combination sleepers who tend to toss and turn. The best part is that you can purchase a queen-size of this bed for as low as $650, depending on sales and coupons.
What our testers say:
“This is a good bed if you like to feel ‘on top’ of your mattress. It’s super firm, especially when you consider the price. It’s especially bouncy for an all-foam bed, but it still isolates motion, which is rare.”– Livvi DiCicco, Expert Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the CopperFlex
- Stomach or back sleepers – There’s not much give to this mattress, so it’s a better fit for those who rest on their back or stomach.
- Heavyweight sleepers – Those weighing over 230 pounds shouldn’t sink very far into this mattress, which should ensure they receive the proper support in whatever position they take.
- Folks who want a mattress for sex – The combination of strong edge support and responsiveness is also a bonus for shoppers who want a good bed for intimacy, as it means better ease of movement and more surface area to work with.
Who Might Not Like the CopperFlex
- Side sleepers – Most side sleepers won’t find the sinkage and pressure relief they need on the CopperFlex, since it’s on the firmer side.
- Sleepers who run hot – The CopperFlex gets its name from its cooling copper infusions, but we found this bed felt the same as many other all-foam models we’ve tried—not too cooling.
What users say:
With hundreds of reviews, the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex earns 4.5 out of 5 stars from customers. Most customers praise the mattress’s value for its construction quality and performance. However, a number claim the bed isn’t as cool-feeling as advertised.
Our Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex mattress review is still in the works. In the meantime, you could read about the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid, a value hybrid by the brand.
Leesa Original – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers Under $1,000
Leesa Original
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Research has found more people sleep on their side than in any other position. Side sleeping is incredibly comfortable, but it’s also important for a mattress to cater to and support this position. Side sleepers need a mattress that allows the hips and shoulders to sink in and be cushioned, but not so soft that it throws the spine out of alignment.
That’s where the Leesa Original comes in—and at typically $999 for a queen. This all-foam mattress boasts a firmer support layer to keep you supported and aligned, while its softer upper layers contour to your body. The result is a balanced, affordable bed that’s built for side sleepers. It even excelled in a number of areas we don’t typically associate with memory foam, like responsiveness and responsiveness.
What our testers say:
“Our testers were able to sink quite comfortably into the Leesa Original. Though many noted its initial firmness, the overall consensus was that the mattress provided relief around the hips and shoulders.”– Livvi DiCicco, Expert Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Leesa
- Hot sleepers – The Leesa felt cool and breathable throughout testing, with our experts noting they couldn’t feel the mattress heating up beneath them.
- Combination sleepers – For a foam bed, the Leesa is incredibly easy to move around on, as our testers didn’t sink very deeply into the surface.
- Back and stomach sleepers – Aside from side sleepers, these folks should enjoy the bed’s balanced feel, which supports each position while providing a touch of pressure relief.
Who Might Not Like the Leesa
- Folks who want a soft mattress – This bed felt firmer than expected, and while it does offer some great cushioning for side sleepers, our testers didn’t sink in as much as they would on a super-plush foam bed.
- Fans of tall mattresses – At 10″ tall, the Leesa is on the lower end of bed heights. This may be too thin for certain sleepers, like those who weigh over 230 pounds, but it’s also a great pick for small spaces or bunk beds.
What users say:
This mattress has thousands of reviews on Leesa’s site, helping it to earn a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews focus around the bed’s firmness and feel, which is largely subjective, with some mentioning the bed’s off-gassing smell. Many customers enjoy the extra firmness of this bed for added support to address back pain.
Read more in our Leesa Original mattress review.
DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000
DreamCloud Classic Hybrid
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Hybrid beds combine the best of both worlds: foam and coils. The DreamCloud is one of our favorites in this category, coming in at about $700 for a queen size, a hard price to beat. It only gets better when you consider its above-average performance and high-end feel, thanks to its plush pillow top and supportive coils.
This bed was a star all-around, offering bounce and motion isolation in equal measure because of its hybrid construction. Its medium-firm feel is also a good starting point for most sleepers, as it can suit multiple sleeping positions, body types, and even act as a good compromise for couples.
What our testers say:
“The balance of support and softness that the DreamCloud offers should relieve pressure around sensitive parts of the body for a number of sleepers. Some might want to tread cautiously, especially if you sleep on your side.”– Livvi DiCicco, Expert Tester
Who Might Like the DreamCloud
- Combination sleepers – Regardless of which position you take, the DreamCloud’s medium-firm feel and excellent bounce means finding comfort and falling asleep should be easy.
- Couples – We thought the DreamCloud offered a good blend of responsiveness, motion isolation, and edge support, all of which should appeal to sleepers who share the bed.
- Fans of a hotel-bed feel – This mattress comes outfitted with a thick, cushy pillow top that lends it a luxurious feel despite its hard-to-beat price.
Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud
- Especially for light sleepers – The DreamCloud does well at absorbing motion, but our testers could still feel the occasional movement from their partner, which could disturb folks prone to waking.
- Heavyweight stomach sleepers – These folks will sink too far into the mattress, with their hips likely falling out of alignment and causing lower back pain.
What users say:
On DreamCloud’s site, this mattress has a 4.6-out-of-5 rating out of thousands of reviews. Most negative reviews discuss that the firmness is either too firm or too soft for the customer’s taste. The majority of customers say they’ve been sleeping much better on their DreamCloud mattress and praise its comfort.
Read more in our DreamCloud mattress review.
Bear Original – Best Mattress for Back Pain Under $1,000
Bear Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Bear Original is an all-foam bed with a 7 out of 10 firmness level, which works best for back and stomach sleepers because it keeps you elevated on the mattress surface. You can snag a queen-size Bear for around $650, along with value-added policies like a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
When it comes to alleviating back pain, the Bear Original uses three foam levels to contour to your body and provide exceptional pressure relief at the lumbar spine. Its responsive feel up top should also help with repositioning to find a comfortable position.
What our testers say:
“The best part of lying on the Bear mattress was its contouring abilities. This resulted in a perfectly aligned spine, which we found is key to preventing back pain.”-Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Bear Original
- Back sleepers – Our team of testers enjoyed this position the most on the Bear Original; it’s a good balance of
- Hot sleepers – If you overheat at night, the Bear’s breathable construction and cool-feeling cover should help keep your body temperature low.
- Combination sleepers – Switching between positions on the Bear Original feels seamless thanks to its flat and responsive surface.
Who Might Not Like the Bear Original
- Traditional foam fans – The Bear Original doesn’t offer much sinkage or contouring like softer memory foam mattresses.
- Some side sleepers – If you don’t like a firmer feel or have a smaller frame, you may struggle to sink deeply into this mattress. This could compromise alignment and lead to pain, rather than relieving it.
What users say:
According to Bear’s website, the Bear Original scores about 4.7 out of 5 stars. The majority of reviewers praise the bed’s comfort and construction after upgrading from an old mattress. Negative reviews tend to focus on the bed being too firm or too soft, indicating personal preference issues.
Read more in our Bear Original mattress review.
What to Look For in the Best Beds Under $1,000
Type of Mattress
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses contain layers of memory foam in the comfort portion of the mattress, a transitional layer, and a support core. If you like the feeling of sleeping “in” a mattress and the sinkage that comes with foam, consider a memory foam model under $1,000. Keep in mind that the cradle can come with a cost, as many memory foam models tend to trap heat and sleep warm. Look for models with gel beads, graphite, and copper in the top layers, which can help mitigate this issue.
Don’t worry if you notice a slight scent when you unbox your foam mattress; this is called off-gassing and it is very normal. See: Is Mattress Off-Gassing Dangerous?
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses contain a coil core and are usually made with a sturdy base. They are typically among the least expensive mattresses available. These mattresses are also known for their edge support, bouncy surfaces, and temperature neutrality due to the airflow that passes through the coils at the core.
Many advanced innerspring mattresses are made today that cost thousands of dollars, but there’s an even wider variety of innerspring mattresses available under $1,000. Innersprings are an excellent choice for back and stomach sleepers who need more support to achieve healthy spinal alignment throughout the night.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses provide the best of both worlds, combining the properties of all-foam mattresses and innerspring mattresses. They typically incorporate several inches of memory or polyfoam in their comfort layers, which sit atop a pocketed coil core. The core provides added support, responsiveness, and breathability. The foam layers provide pressure relief, support, and a conforming feel, depending on the materials used and the firmness level achieved.
Hybrid mattresses tend to have a higher price tag due to their advanced construction, but there are models available under $1,000, such as the Brooklyn Bedding Signature.
Latex
Latex mattresses can be all-latex or hybrid mattresses, but they always contain latex in the comfort layers. Latex is naturally breathable and durable, and it has a bouncy feel and average contouring for most sleepers. One of the most appealing characteristics of latex mattresses is that they can be made organic, natural, and eco-conscious. They also isolate motion transfer very well, making them some of the best mattresses for couples.
Sleeping Position and Body Type
Stomach sleepers, back sleepers, side sleepers, and combination sleepers each have unique needs when it comes to the firmness and support levels of their mattresses. For example, side sleepers require more conforming for the hips and shoulders, which otherwise would experience too much pressure when coming into contact with the firmer layers of the mattress.
Alternatively, back and stomach sleepers require firmer sleeping surfaces that will prevent sagging in the hips or shoulders and encourage proper spinal alignment. We recommend reading our Mattress Firmness Guide if you’re unsure about the best firmness levels and mattress qualities for your sleeping position of choice.
Cooling
If you sleep hot, temperature neutrality should be a consideration regardless of the price of the mattress you’re considering. If you sleep hot, look for the best cooling mattresses that incorporate special features into their layers and overall design. These features include copper-infused foams, gel beads, inner springs, and cooling covers.
Also, keep in mind that all-foam mattresses tend to sleep hotter than their hybrid and innerspring alternatives. Breathable airflow through pocketed and traditional coils in innerspring and hybrid mattresses make them among the most attractive mattress types for those who sleep hot.
Features for Couples
If you sleep with a partner, which could be your spouse, significant other, pet, or your child, there are a few things to consider. Motion isolation, which refers to how well a mattress reduces the transfer of motion throughout its surfaces, will be an important aspect to consider if you are easily disturbed or woken up and have a partner who goes to bed at a different time, wakes early, or stirs throughout the night.
Also, consider that your partner’s sleeping position and tendency to sleep hot may differ from yours. Ensure that whatever mattress under $1,000 you choose can accommodate both of your sleeping needs. For more options, see our roundup on the best mattresses for couples.
Durability
Truth be told, it’s rare to find a mattress under $1,000 that has exceptional durability, or the ability to hold up for years and years. Price is closely correlated to quality, which is why more expensive mattresses are often marketed on the basis of not only their comfort and special features but the fact that they can last up to a decade. That being said, there are many options under $1,000 that offer reasonable durability relative to their price point.
We recommend using the individual mattress reviews on our website to get a sense of the durability of the product you’re considering and don’t underestimate the power of browsing through customer reviews on the brand or third-party retailer’s website to see how shoppers say it holds up over time. And remember, there are ways to prevent or fix mattress sagging if you begin to notice normal wear.
Pros of a Mattress Under $1,000
- Save you money that can be put towards other important items required to outfit a room, including sheets, pillows, nightstands, bedding accessories, and more.
- They can be a good fit for temporary or lightly used sleeping accommodations, such as college dorm rooms and guest bedrooms, and shoppers on a budget, such as newlyweds, first-time transplants to a new city, and college graduates.
- Many mattresses are available that cost less than $1,000 that vary in style, size, firmness levels, materials, company shipping, and return policies, and more—meaning that you’re likely to find what you’re looking for even with a limited budget.
- Inexpensive mattresses can be discounted even further on holidays like Black Friday and Presidents’ Day, and they sometimes come bundled with other bedding accessories.
Cons of a Mattress Under $1,000
- Although there are many mattresses available under $1,000 that are relatively high quality, mattress price is still generally correlated with mattress quality. Oftentimes, the best, most comfortable, most durable mattresses are still the most expensive ones on the market.
- Inexpensive mattresses, like those sold on Amazon and by the brands mentioned above, may have durability issues and break down after just a few years.
- In a lower price range, you may find that companies are less likely to have generous shipping, return, warranty, and delivery policies.
Recap of the Top Rated Mattresses Under $1000
| Mattress | Award |
| Nectar Memory Foam | Nerd’s Pick |
| Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex | Best Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000 |
| Leesa Original | Best Mattress for Side Sleepers Under $1,000 |
| DreamCloud | Best Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000 |
| Bear Original | Best Mattress for Back Pain Under $1,000 |
Final Thoughts
Searching for a new mattress can be both an exciting and stressful time. Whether you opt for natural latex, Talalay latex, hybrid, innerspring, or memory foam, we recommend reviewing the list of mattresses above to get started. From there, consider the size mattress you want, and base your final decision off of your personalized needs by evaluating your weight, height, sleeping position, and firmness preferences. Happy mattress shopping!
FAQs
What is the highest-rated affordable mattress?
Our favorite affordable mattress is the Nectar, which has tens of thousands of positive reviews. It’s an all-foam bed with a medium-firm feel, which can accommodate multiple sleeping styles and tight budgets. You can expect to pay around $700 for a queen size.
Is a $1,000 mattress worth it?
The answer will always depend on your circumstances. If you’re looking for a temporary mattress that just needs to provide you with a place to rest, then there is really no need to spend $1,000. You’ll want to start considering a higher budget if you’re looking for a mattress that will last you upwards of ten years and provide you (and your partner, if you have one) with exceptional sleep. For more info, check out our article, How Much Does a Good Mattress Cost?
What mattress to stay away from?
Stay away from beds that are too soft or too firm for your desired sleeping position and body type. You may want to consider other factors like how warm you feel during sleep, whether you share the mattress, and if you need assistance getting in and out of bed.
Also, when searching for a budget mattress, be careful to read the manufacturer’s details carefully. The last thing you want to buy is a bed with fiberglass or harmful materials. The beds on this list are all fiberglass-free and boast multiple certifications for sustainability and safety.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers under $1,000?
Side sleepers put a lot of pressure on their shoulders and hips, so it’s essential to have a mattress with adequate pressure relief. Foam mattresses are known for their softer feel and can be great for side sleepers. But if you’re looking for additional support, opt for a hybrid mattress with a thicker comfort layer.