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, so it’s important to understand how materials, brand, firmness, and other characteristics impact the quality of a more moderately priced mattress.
In this guide, we’ve done the hard work for you, and narrowed down our top picks for the best mattresses under $1,000 (for a queen-size). 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!
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Constructed with multiple layers of foam, the Nectar boasts a high-quality construction at a lower price than similar models. It’s known for offering consistent pressure relief, motion isolation, and support that works for most average weight and heavyweight sleepers in any sleeping position.
6
365
Lifetime
If you prefer the hugging, sinking, traditional feel of a memory foam mattress, you’ll love the Nectar. It’s constructed with a top layer of memory foam that measures one-inch thick and is infused with cooling gel, a three-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 TENCEL lyocell and cotton cover 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 alleviates aches and improves spinal alignment for side sleepers.
Read our full Nectar Mattress Review to learn more!
Most all-foam mattresses tend to deliver excellent motion isolation thanks to their high elasticity, but the Puffy outperforms even the high-end all-foam mattresses in this category. If you sleep with a partner or pet and are easily disturbed by movement and sound, the Puffy is a good mattress choice, considering it causes almost no motion transfer throughout the center of the mattress and its edges.
7
101 days
Lifetime
The Puffy Mattress is an all-foam mattress that excels in motion isolation, pressure relief, and conforming for lightweight and side sleepers. It’s manufacturer, Puffy, was launched in 2016 and specializes in all-foam bedding products. Measuring 10 inches thick, the Puffy is a medium-firm mattress that contains a two-inch gel-infused memory foam comfort layer, a second layer of temperature-resistant polyfoam that acts as a comfort layer and a transitional layer, and a six-inch high-density polyfoam support layer at its base.
The Puffy is ideal for sleepers who are interested in both pressure relief and motion isolation, as it scores highest in these performance categories. The top layer delivers pillowy pressure relief, especially for lightweight side sleepers, but keep in mind that average weight and heavyweight sleepers may find the puffy too soft.
Read our full Puffy Mattress Review to learn more!
Average and lightweight sleepers with aches in their shoulders, hips, neck, or other areas of the body will find pain relief on a budget in the Casper Element. The comfort layer of low-density polyfoam conforms to the body moderately, creating a unique sensation that falls nicely somewhere between sleeping “on” and sleeping “in” the mattress.
6.5
100 nights
10 year limited warranty
Measuring 11 inches thick, the Casper Element is a mixed-foam mattress that consists of three foam layers, including a polyfoam comfort layer, a memory foam transitional layer, and a high-density polyfoam support layer. Considered medium-firm, the Element three layers are encased in a zip-off, machine-washable polyester-knit cover. While the Element doesn’t contour closely to the body like other all-foam models, we consider this a good thing: sleepers with aching body parts and pressure points will find the perfect balance of support and pressure-relief in this affordable mattress’ design.
Read our full Casper Element Mattress Review to learn more!
Designed for people with active lifestyles, the Original Bear mattress is Bear’s flagship model. It features foams that work well for sleepers of all positions and sizes and a standout cover whose fabric blend includes Celliant, which converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery.
7
100 nights
10 year warranty
The Bear Mattress is constructed with a two-inch comfort layer of gel-infused graphite memory foam, a two-inch transitional layer of polyfoam, and a six-inch support core of high-density polyfoam. Together, these layers create a 10-inch profile and a medium-firm feel for a final product that’s conforming, without too much sinkage, provides excellent motion isolation, and is temperature neutral. However, the mattress cover is the claim to fame. The Celliant-blend fabric, as mentioned, converts heat from the sleeper’s body into energy and transmits it back to the sleeper via their skin. This process increases tissue oxygenation to help the body recover quickly from demanding workouts, making this our all-foam recommendation those who lead active lifestyles.
Read our full Bear Mattress Review to learn more!
If you sleep hot, the phase-changing material in the Cocoon Chill could be a lifesaver. This material moves from solid to liquid as it absorbs and releases heat depending on your body’s needs
8
100 days
10 year limited warranty
The temperature-regulating power of the Cocoon by Sealy is all thanks to a phase-changing material that soaks up extra body heat, then releases it if you get cooler throughout the night. The Cocoon’s memory foam construction makes it great for couples who are looking for motion isolation: it trap motion on one side of the bed so that it’s less likely to wake a sleeping partner.
The Cocoon Chill is also sold in two firmness options: medium soft and extra firm. The medium-soft version is a 4/10 on the firmness scale, while the extra-firm version is a 6/10 on the firmness scale. These options, as well as the competitive pricing, make the mattress a great choice for most people on a limited budget who tend to sleep hot.
Read our full Cocoon Chill mattress review to learn more!
If you’re shopping for a child, the Tuft and Needle Original mattress accounts for some of the special considerations that come into play when shopping for a kid’s bed: support and pressure relief, thickness, temperature neutrality, and motion isolation.
6
100 days
10 year limited warranty
The Tuft & Needle Original mattress saves you the hassle of mattress shopping and has a generous return policy if it doesn’t work. It is a quality foam mattress but is still a great option for shoppers on a budget. It can be used in a master bedroom as a nightly mattress but is also perfect if you’re a college student and need a decent mattress for several years. It is a great mattress for back and stomach sleepers, or if you like a firmer mattress.
See our full Tuft & Needle Mattress Review to learn more!
Varies
120 days
10-year limited warranty
Made by U.S.-based Brooklyn Bedding, the Signature is a hybrid model that combines two inches of gel-infused TitanFlex polyfoam and two inches of gel-infused Energex polyfoam in the top layer. Underneath is a support core containing 6-inch pocketed coils and a 1-inch high-density foam base. Measuring 11.5 inches thick all together, the mattress’ foam and innerspring layers are encased in a quilted cotton cover. Perhaps the most appealing quality of the Brooklyn Signature is that customers can choose from three firmness options (soft at 3.5, medium at 5.5, and firm at 7.5), which makes this mattress with high-quality construction at a below-average price point suitable for almost any sleeper. Keep in mind that the Brooklyn won’t have the slow, cushy response of an all-foam bed nor the spring of a traditional innerspring. Instead, the various settings offer a balance of contouring and support, with the soft version providing more contouring, the firm version providing more support, and the medium version falling in-between.
Read our full Brooklyn Signature Mattress Review to learn more!
When choosing a new mattress, it’s important to remember that the price tag isn’t the only thing to consider. Similar to the superlatives we’ve given to our top six picks, based on their strengths, it’s important to have a list in your head of what qualities are important to you. These can include the type of mattress, how well the mattress accommodates your sleeping position, its durability, whether you tend to sleep hot, and much more. If you’re unsure what to keep in mind when shopping for a mattress under $1,000, here’s a shopping guide that will show you everything you need to know.
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. Check out our best memory foam mattress page for more on these mattresses.
Latex: Latex mattresses can be all-foam or innerspring 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 a good choice for couples. See: Best Mattress For Couples
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 conforming in different degrees, 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.
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.
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.
Value refers to a mattress that is high quality or well made but sold at a low or reasonable price. We consider every mattress in our list of the best mattresses under $1,000 to be great value finds. When searching for a high-value mattress, it’s important to strike a balance between the quality of the bed and the price. Sure, there are mattresses available that cost $200 or even $100, but are they likely to hold up, feel comfortable, or deliver a great night’s sleep? The best value mattresses under $1,000 will provide long-term satisfaction because they have been made with thoughtful materials and sturdy design.
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 mattresses that incorporate cooling properties into their layers and overall design such as 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.
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 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.
Providing a detailed look at firmness requires an extensive guide, but, it’s important that we cover the basics. Budget mattresses range in firmness from soft to medium to firm. In general, the firmness level that works well for you will correlate with your body size and sleeping position. For example, average weight side sleepers who experience pressure in their shoulders and hips tend to do well on a medium-firm mattress or a soft mattress, as these styles provide contouring in appropriate areas while keeping the spine aligned. Don’t let a budget mattress’ great price tag sway you too much—ensure you have a mattress that will provide enough support and relief for your preferred position.
It can take nearly a month for your body to really get the feel of a new mattress. Most online mattress companies offer sleep trials of at least 30 nights (most offer 100 or more) during which you can return the mattress for a full refund if you’re not satisfied. We also recommend keeping things like the warranty, return policy, delivery options, and sales in mind. If you purchase a budget mattress without a warranty, you could wind up stuck if it has a manufacturing defect or another issue. Look for return policies and delivery options that are generous and don’t impose added costs.
Buying a new mattress can be a serious investment. To help you make the right decision on your mattress shopping journey, here’s a list of the pros and cons to consider for mattresses that cost less than $1,000.
Searching for a new mattress can be both an exciting and stressful time. After all, we spend nearly one-third of our lives sleeping, so we know you’re feeling the pressure to make the right decision and find a comfortable mattress that suits your budget and sleeping style. Whether you opt for natural latex, Talalay latex, hybrid, innerspring, or memory foam, we recommend reviewing the list of our top six mattresses above to get started. From there, consider the size mattress you want (keeping in mind that the king-size versions of the mattresses listed may cost a hair above the $1,000 threshold), and base your final decision off of your personalized needs by evaluating your weight, height, sleeping position, and firmness preferences. Happy mattress shopping!
| Mattress | Award | Nerd Score |
| The Nectar Mattress | Best Memory Foam Mattress | 4.7/5 |
| The Puffy Mattress | Best for Motion Isolation | 4.8/5 |
| The Casper Element | Best For Aches and Pains | 4.7/5 |
| The Original Bear Mattress | Best All Foam Mattress | 4.8/5 |
| Cocoon Chill | Best Cooling Mattress | 4.4/5 |
| Tuft & Needle Original | Best Mattress For Kids | 4.7/5 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature | Best Innerspring Mattress | 4.7/5 |
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