Best Mattresses Under $500

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Shopping for a mattress on a limited budget can sound like a challenging task. The majority of mattresses range anywhere from $1,000 to over $3,000. Lucky for budget-conscious shoppers, the growth of the mattress industry has meant the introduction of lower-cost mattresses that are relatively comfortable, quality beds for their price.

That’s why we put together this list of the best beds out there, starting at under $500. Our top picks for the best mattresses under $500 prove that you don’t have to sacrifice quality and comfort with a lower price tag.

Disclaimer: Most of these prices reflect frequent sales or discounts, and often refer to a twin-size mattress purchase.

Bottom Line: What is the Best Mattress Under $500?

According to the nerds, the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex is the best mattress under $500 because of its firm, robust support that includes strong edges and surprising response for an all-foam option. This mattress starts out at $499 for a twin-size, which we think is a fine deal for the level of quality and comfort you’ll enjoy on this bed.

The Best Mattresses Under $500

Top Deals

Several of our top picks are currently available at a discount. See the details below to save on your next mattress.

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

Our team has tested mattresses across a wide range of price points, allowing us to offer exceptional options for budgets of all sizes. Although these mattresses cost less than many of their competitors, they still performed exceptionally well in many categories. Showcasing that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a comfortable bed that helps you fall into a restful night of sleep. We’ve rounded up our top six mattresses under $500 and feel confident that the right one is waiting for you. To learn more about how we make our selections, check out our review process.

nerd mattress testing lab

Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex – Nerd’s Pick

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Nerd’s Pick

Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam

brooklyn bedding copper flex memory foam
A budget-friendly foam mattress, the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex has a firm feel, with an infusion of copper to help wick away moisture. This bed is both more supportive and responsive than your average memory foam mattress.
Nerd Score
4.4 / 5

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
7.5/10
Sleep Trial
365 nights
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Average Customer Rating
4.5 / 5
Pros:
Excellent responsiveness 
Strong, firm support from center to edge
Good option for stomach sleepers and those over 230 pounds
Cons:
Not as cool as advertised
Too firm for some sleepers
Not the best pressure relief

How We Select the Nerd’s Pick

It can be difficult to find a mattress within a $500 budget, let alone one that deserves our pick. But we can safely say the CopperFlex mattress will check all the boxes for shoppers who want a supportive, durable, and extremely affordable mattress that’ll bring them comfortable sleep.

This mattress gets its name from its copper-infused foam layers, which are meant to absorb excess heat and act as a natural antimicrobial barrier. While our testers found this bed’s cooling to be just so-so, we were more impressed with its ability to keep us lifted and aligned. Stomach and back sleepers who need a firm, supportive feel — especially those dealing with back pain — will likely enjoy this bed. Moreover, it offers rock-solid edge support and a responsive feel up top, which should help you move around on the bed with ease without feeling like you’ll slide off.

This mattress starts out at about $499 for a twin-size model. You also get 120 nights to try it out. After that, it’s covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

What our testers say: “This is a good pick if you like to feel ‘on top’ of your mattress. It’s super firm and especially bouncy for an all-foam bed, but it still isolates motion, which is rare. If that’s your preferred feel, you’ll love this bed’s low price tag, too.”– Livvi DiCicco, Expert Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the CopperFlex

  • Fans of a bouncy bed – We found this mattress was super responsive, which will make moving around on its surface feel seamless.
  • Couples – The CopperFlex’s strong edge support and balanced responsiveness and motion isolation makes this a great bed for co-sleepers — it’s also an excellent option for sex.
  • Stomach sleepers – The CopperFlex’s extra-firm feel, around a 7.5 out of 10 on our scale, should be best suited to this position. 

Who Might Not Like the CopperFlex

  • Some side sleepers – These sleepers may not find enough sinkage or pressure relief around the hips and shoulders. 
  • Folks who want a cooling mattress – Despite claiming to have multiple cooling features, we thought this mattress felt temperature-neutral, not super cool. Most sleepers should do fine, but those who run especially hot may find themselves overheating. 

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. However, you can read our Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review to find out more about another popular value bed by the same brand.

Nectar Classic Memory Foam – Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $500

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Best Memory Foam

Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress

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The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.
Nerd Score
4.3 / 5

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-Firm 6.5/10
Sleep Trial
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Average Customer Rating
4.7 / 5
Pros:
Balances support and pressure relief
Surprisingly cool-feeling cover
Medium-firm feel
Cons:
Doesn’t offer much sinkage
May not offer pressure relief some side sleepers need
Lacks slow-moving, hugging sensation of other memory foam beds

The Nectar mattress is a popular all-foam choice for shoppers who want a high-quality, medium-firm bed without paying a premium price. But this bed still looks and feels premium; it’s outfitted with multiple foam layers and a specialized cooling cover, which give the bed its support, pressure relief, and cool-to-the-touch feel.

Our testers highly recommend this bed for back sleepers who want spine-aligning support, plus the gentle contouring of memory foam. Despite its excellent motion isolation, this mattress is still fairly responsive, a boon for combination sleepers, sexually active folks, and those with mobility concerns. Best of all, this mattress starts at just $349 for a twin-size and comes with a whopping year-long sleep trial and lifetime warranty. 

What our testers say: “Nectar is like Tempur-Pedic on a budget—similar feel; lower price. It offers slow-moving foam with a bit of responsiveness, plus great pressure relief for back sleepers. And a year-long sleep trial gives you plenty of time to decide if it’s right for you.” – Loren, Lead Product Tester

Who Might Like the Nectar

  • Most back and stomach sleepers – We felt more “on top” of this mattress, so we recommend it for back and stomach sleepers who want a bit of contouring from their bed. 
  • Light sleepers who share the bed – You shouldn’t feel much of your partner’s movements from your side of the bed, which means couples will sleep soundly through the night. 
  • Sleepers with back pain – Medium-firm mattresses like the Nectar Classic are often recommended for folks with back pain, as they strike the best balance of support and softness to keep the spine aligned and cushioned. 

Who Might Not Like the Nectar

  • Side sleepers with hip or shoulder pain – We didn’t sink very far into the Nectar, so some side sleepers who have sensitive joints may notice pressure buildup where they dig deeper into the mattress, like the shoulders and hips.
  • Fans of a traditional foam feel – While it’s dubbed a “classic” memory foam bed, the Nectar doesn’t have that traditional slow-moving, deep-hugging feel you associate with softer foam mattresses.

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.

DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress Under $500

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Best Hybrid

DreamCloud Classic Hybrid

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The DreamCloud is a luxury hybrid bed that features a cashmere cover and gel-infused foam. It rates highly in motion isolation, temperature regulation, responsiveness, and every other category we rated it on.
Nerd Score
4.7 / 5

Product Details

Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-Firm 6.5/10
Sleep Trial
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Average Customer Rating
4.6 / 5
Pros:
Bouncy, responsive hybrid
Firm support and pressure-relieving pillow top
Excellent pick for back sleepers
Cons:
Not the best for motion isolation
May not be firm enough for sleepers over 230 pounds

Hybrid mattresses combine the best of foam and innerspring beds in their construction. This yields an enviable balance of softness and support that can’t be beat. However, it’s difficult to find a cheap hybrid, since coils often cost more than all-foam options, but you needn’t look any further than the DreamCloud. This bed starts out under $400, but it feels and performs like a luxury mattress.

The DreamCloud boasts a plush pillow top that provides pressure relief right at the surface, while the springs below ensure you’re lifted — and that you can move around with ease. This bed should feel medium-firm to slightly firm for most folks, accommodating a wide range of sleeper types. It also impressed us in our edge support tests.

What our testers say: “I really like this for back sleepers. It is really supportive and keeps my spine in neutral alignment, while also still cushioning my bony areas (like my hips and shoulders). Overall, it is just really comfortable on my back.” – Riley, Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the DreamCloud

  • Combination sleepers – Because this bed is so bouncy, combination sleepers should have no trouble switching between their preferred positions.
  • Seniors – Older adults will appreciate this bed’s pressure-relieving top and robust edge support. It means it should feel easy on the joints, while the strong perimeter can help with transferring in and out of bed. 
  • Most side and back sleepers – Side and back sleepers who like to rest more “on top” of their bed should enjoy this balanced hybrid.

Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud

  • Light sleepers who are extremely prone to waking – While the DreamCloud earned favorable results in our couple’s test, I’m hesitant to recommend it to super-light sleepers, like yours truly. You may still feel your partner’s movements beside you, which could potentially disturb your night’s rest. 
  • Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds – Though this mattress should work for most heavyweight side and back sleepers, those who rest on their stomach may want something even firmer. 

What users say:

On DreamCloud’s site, this mattress has a 4.6-star 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 Firm Mattress Under $500

bear original hero
Best Firm

Bear Original Mattress

bear original hero
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. The bed’s standout cover includes Celliant, which converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery.
Nerd Score
4.6 / 5

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-Firm 7/10
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Average Customer Rating
4.7 / 5
Pros:
Cool and breathable construction
Supportive, responsive feel
Built for athletes
Cons:
Not much sinkage for side sleepers
Too thin for some sleepers over 230 pounds

Firm mattresses are a popular choice for sleepers who need more support, like stomach sleepers, those over 230 pounds, or anyone who likes to feel “lifted” on the surface of their bed. If you’re after a firm bed that costs less than $500, check out the Bear Original mattress.

This is a firmer-feeling memory foam mattress that’s geared toward athletes, but it should appeal to anyone looking for a budget bed that brings the support. Unlike many foam beds, it’s rather responsive, cool to the touch, and offers strong edge support. All of this complements the Bear Original’s spine-aligning lift. 

As for its price, the Bear starts out at around $499 for a twin-size mattress. You also get 120 nights to try out the mattress for yourself, then it’s covered by a limited lifetime warranty. 

What our testers say: “Made with recovery, pressure relief, and comfort in mind, the Bear mattress is ideal for back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs, as well as heavyweight side sleepers. As a bonus, it’s affordable, especially considering its high-tech additions.” – Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Bear Original

  • Hot sleepers – The Bear Original features breathable foams and a proprietary Celliant cover, which purportedly converts excess heat into rejuvenating infrared energy. While we can’t speak to its effectiveness, we thought the mattress felt plenty cool throughout testing.  
  • Back sleepers – Our testers preferred the Bear mattress for back sleeping, as its firmer feel kept their top and bottom halves aligned, while the upper foam layers filled in the gap at their lumbar spine. 
  • Couples – Co-sleepers should be able to spread out to either side of the mattress without feeling unstable, all while the all-foam construction absorbs any movement across the surface. 

Who Might Not Like the Bear Original

  • Side sleepers – Firm mattresses like this one aren’t always the best choice for side sleepers. They will likely want something softer with more contouring for the hips and shoulders. 
  • Some heavyweight stomach sleepers – Even with its firmer feel, the Bear Original is only 10″ thick, which could pose a problem for those over 230 pounds. They could sink in too far, which might cause pressure buildup as they “bottom out” on the support layer. 

What users say:

According to Bear’s website, the Bear Original scores about4.7 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.

Siena Original – Best Queen Mattress Under $500

siena mattress
Best Queen

Siena 10″ Signature Memory Foam

siena mattress
The Siena Original is a value bed that comes from the mattress and bedding brand, Nectar. This all-foam bed features five layers that combine support with comfort. It has an overall soft firmness level and works best for lightweight body types.
Nerd Score
4 / 5

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-Firm 6/10
Sleep Trial
180 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Kids
This bed is ideal for young sleepers and will help support their growing bodies.
Average Customer Rating
4.5 / 5
Pros:
Excellent motion isolation
Soft for light sleepers
Responsive for an all-foam bed
Cons:
Not great for heavy sleepers
Traps heat
So-so pressure relief

The Siena Original is a value bed that comes from the mattress and bedding brand Nectar. This all-foam bed features five layers that combine support with comfort. It has a soft overall firmness and works best for lightweight body types. The top two layers have exceptional pressure relief, which is perfect for side sleepers who need a cushy surface for their shoulders and hips to sink into without any pressure or pain buildup. 

Expect an impressionable and engulfing feel from the memory foam layers. Your body will sink into the surface and feel contoured all around. Lightweight body types won’t sink too far into the surface, which will help to maintain proper spinal alignment. 

While many of the beds on this list only come in at under $500 for their smaller sizes, like twin, twin XL, or full, a queen-size Siena can be purchased at a premium price. It’ll typically run you about $350.

What our testers say: “The Siena mattress offers great pressure relief, making it one of the best mattresses for side sleepers.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Siena

  • Couples – The Siena has excellent motion isolation, meaning co-sleepers shouldn’t feel their partner tossing and turning
  • Sleepers under 130 pounds – While this bed doesn’t have perfect pressure relief, the Siena’s all-foam design is a great choice for lighter sleepers, regardless of sleeping position.
  • Combination sleepers – If you’re looking for easy movement between preferred positions, this mattress could be one of the best all-foam beds on the market for you.

Who Might Not Like the Siena

  • Heavyweight sleepers – For heavier sleepers, the Siena doesn’t offer the most support, nor is it very durable in the long-term.
  • Hot sleepers – If you tend to sleep hot, foam beds, which trap body heat, may not be ideal for you.

What users say:

On the Siena website, this mattress scores approximately a 4.4 out of 5 stars from thousands of reviews. Users praise the support this mattress provides, especially for side sleepers. There were a few complaints of people experiencing back pain due to it being too soft of a mattress.

Read more in our Siena mattress review.

CopperFlex Essential – Best Cooling Mattress Under $500

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Best Cooling

Dreamfoam Copper Mattress

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The DreamFoam Copper is a memory foam mattress with a copper-graphite infusion to help sleepers stay cool. It provides excellent pressure relief for side sleepers, but it’s too soft for most stomach sleepers.
Nerd Score
4 / 5

Product Details

Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple Firmness Options
Sleep Trial
365 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7 / 5
Pros:
Available in five different heights and firmnesses
Some cooling capability
Incredibly diverse size range
Cons:
Not supportive enough for heavyweight people
Sub-par responsiveness
Some options are on the thinner side

Note: This mattress was formerly known as the DreamFoam Essential mattress.

Many mattresses have temperature-regulating features, such as copper infusions and gel memory foam. These technologies are designed to prevent mattresses, particularly memory foam mattresses, from overheating while you sleep. While often effective, they can raise the price of a mattress significantly. The CopperFlex Essential (formerly known as the DreamFoam Essential) is an excellent cooling mattress without the exorbitant cost.

While it may not sleep as cool as a state-of-the-art hybrid mattress, the CopperFlex Essential keeps relatively cool for the affordable price. The top layer of swirl memory foam has impressed many customers by preventing too much heat from becoming trapped in the mattress.

In addition to the cooling, we found the CopperFlex Essential performed quite well for lightweight and average-weight back and side sleepers. Also, this bed is available in five thicknesses, each corresponding to a different firmness level. Just note that the taller and softer models will cost more. 

What our testers say: “Considering memory foam beds tend to retain body heat, the gel swirl layer on top of this mattress should mitigate some of that heat. You can also prevent overheating by pairing this bed with cooling sheets, too.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the CopperFlex Essential

  • Sleepers under 230 pounds – Light to average-weight sleepers of all positions should appreciate the soft and medium firmness options of the DreamFoam Essential.
  • Folks who run hot but like foam – The cooling technology present in the DreamFoam Essential should provide much-needed temperature regulation for hot sleepers.
  • RV and camper aficionados – The CopperFlex comes in a multitude of sizes designed specifically for RVs, campers, and small spaces. 

Who Might Not Like the CopperFlex Essential

  • Heavyweight sleepers – This won’t be the most supportive option for sleepers over 230 pounds, especially if you opt for one of the thinner models.
  • You like a bouncy bed — The CopperFlex Essential did not perform the best in our responsiveness test, so keep that in mind if you’re a combination sleeper.

What users say:

On DreamFoam’s website, the CopperFlex Essential earns a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews center around people finding the bed too firm for their liking. Positive reviews say the bed is a perfect fit, with most customers using it in their campers or RVs.

Read more in our DreamFoam Essential mattress review.

What to Look For in the Best Beds Under $1,000

When deciding on the best mattress under $500, comfortability and your budget are two of the most important considerations. However, there are other factors to consider, which we outline below.

Type of Mattress

Memory Foam

The best memory foam mattresses typically contain layers of memory foam and a high-density support core. While they typically have a lower lifespan than hybrid and innerspring mattresses, especially at the under $500 price point, they offer the best pressure relief and motion isolation of all mattress styles.

We recommend looking into memory foam mattresses under $500 if comfort, minimal motion transfer, and pressure relief are at the top of your list. Alternatively, if you’re concerned about temperature neutrality, edge support, or durability, other mattress styles may be a better choice for you. Also, memory foam mattresses are the most likely to emit an off-gassing odor when unboxed, but it usually fades within 24 hours. To find out more about off-gassing, check out our article: Is Off-Gassing Dangerous?

Innerspring 

Innerspring mattresses are the most traditional types of mattresses on the market, and they’ve been around the longest. A traditional innerspring mattress combines a grid of coils with a top layer of wool or padding. The spring systems of innerspring mattresses offer a high amount of durability and support, but some complain that the springs aggravate pressure points and are uncomfortable regardless of the amount of cushioning in the top layers. 

If you like a bouncy, responsive feel and don’t require much pressure point relief, an innerspring mattress could be a good choice for you. Innersprings also tend to be the most inexpensive mattresses on the market, which is an added bonus if you’re purchasing the bed for a temporary living setup or have a very tight budget. 

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses are among the most expensive mattresses available today—and for good reason. These beds combine comfort foams, transitional layer foams and pocketed innersprings into a single construction, taking from the best of both worlds. 

The best hybrid mattresses have foams that provide pressure point relief and can create a variety of firmness feels, while the pocketed coils at the bed’s core provide bounce and durability and improve breathability. Despite hybrid models’ costly tendencies, some are available for less than $500.

Latex

Latex mattresses, made from latex sourced from rubber trees, are growing in popularity thanks to their eco-friendliness, breathability and excellent pressure relief. However, it is difficult to find a latex mattress for less than $500 that isn’t made with synthetically produced latex foams. 

If you do find a latex mattress on a budget, be sure to pay attention to the process through which the latex is made, and discern whether the latex will suit your needs. Dunlop and Talalay latex are the two types of latex, and each type has unique properties. If you like the feeling of “floating” on a mattress, you may enjoy a latex bed. 

Sleeping Position

Stomach sleepers, back sleepers, side sleepers, and combination sleepers each have unique needs when it comes to firmness, pressure point relief, and other mattress qualities. The mattress that’s best for you will depend largely on your sleeping position.

Side Sleepers

If you sleep on your side, you’ll generally want a mattress that’s on the softer side—around 4/10 on the firmness scale. For $500 or under, you’ll likely want to stick to memory foam options, as hybrid mattresses with substantial comfort layers are hard to come by at that price. To learn more, check out our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers tend to have the easiest time find a mattress that suits their needs. Still, we recommend a middle-of-the-road firmness that will keep you comfortably afloat on the surface of the mattress while still allowing your shoulders and hips to sink in a little bit. Head over to our list of the best mattresses for back sleepers for more info.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need a mattress that keeps them almost entirely on top of the mattress rather than sinking inside of it. This is because even a slight dip in their shoulders or hips can throw their spine out of alignment and lead to bad back pain. Most extra-firm mattresses cost more than $500, but it still might be worth heading to our best mattresses for stomach sleepers page to get a better idea of what you should be looking for.

Company Policies

Sleep Trial Period

Most mattresses sold online now come with a sleep trial, which provides customers with a predetermined number of nights to adjust to the new mattress and return it if it isn’t a good fit. This allows you to have several weeks or months (sometimes even up to a year) to decide if the mattress suits your preferences and sleeping style. Most mattresses at average and higher-than-average price points come with sleep trials, but these can be more difficult to find among low-cost mattresses. Still, among the best affordable mattresses shoppers can still discover great policies. We recommend looking for an affordable mattress with a sleep trial period of at least 30 days, given that affordable mattresses are more likely to be made with low-cost materials that may not feel comfortable to every sleeper.

Mattress Warranty

A mattress warranty covers physical defects in the mattress including sagging, coils breaking or popping out of the side, foams on top bunching, and more. Some of the mattresses we’ve listed above come with a 10-year warranty, but we recommend reading the fine print to ensure that what the warranties cover is substantial. That being said, since your mattress will ultimately cost less than $500, a generous warranty period with great coverage shouldn’t be a dealbreaker in your decision like it would be if you were investing in a high-end mattress.

Shipping and Return Policies

When purchasing a bed-in-a-box mattress online, oftentimes shipping is free. This has become the industry standard for most mattress companies and third-party mattress retailers, and it is maintained in the under-$500 price category. Access to free shipping will vary based on where you live. For example, many companies do not ship to Alaska and Hawaii for free, as they aren’t considered part of the contiguous U.S. Many returns are free and include a full refund minus shipping costs.

We recommend reviewing the company or retailer’s return policy prior to purchase. Make note of whether the mattress company or third-party retailer will pick up the mattress from your home and re-box it if you decide it isn’t for you.

Other Performance Categories

Temperature Neutrality

If you or your partner sleep hot, we recommend looking for mattresses that incorporate materials and designs that improve breathability. For example, most all-foam beds retain heat, but some manufacturers will infuse the top layer with temperature-neutral materials like copper and gel. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses tend to sleep cooler, thanks to the airflow allowed through the mattresses’ springs.

Edge Support

What is edge support in a mattress? Edge support refers to the mattress’s ability to maintain its shape when pressure is exerted on the outer edges of the mattress. This is an important feature to consider if you have trouble getting in and out of bed, as sagging edges can make this much more difficult. Edge support can be tested by sitting on the side of the mattress and measuring how much sagging occurs. The best mattresses have thick foam encasements to improve edge support, but some cheaper mattresses have steel rods on their sides.

Durability

Durability is one mattress quality we recommend looking for regardless of the style. How “good” a mattress feels is subjective, but the ability to hold up year after year isn’t. A mattress’ lifespan is determined by its structure, the quality of its materials and how well it is cared for.

Most average-cost mattresses last between 7 to 10 years, but we think a good life expectancy for a mattress under $500 is three to seven years. Also, keep in mind, there are ways to prevent or even fix mattress sagging.

Accessories to Make a Cheap Mattress More Comfortable

Even if your mattress doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that a $2,000+ mattress might have, that doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve similar comfort through a little bit of accessorizing.

Mattress Topper: A mattress topper can have a significant impact on the quality of sleep that you get on your mattress, and they cost substantially less than a new mattress. Head over to our best mattress toppers page for more information and some great options.

Pillows: Pillows may not affect the feel of your mattress per se, but they are an affordable option for improving your sleep situation overall. You’ll want to pick your new pillow based on several factors, including body type and sleep position. Once you find the perfect pillow for you, you’ll find that you sleep much more comfortably, regardless of your mattress. Check out our best pillow guide for more info.

Sheets: Does your mattress not keep you as cool as you’d like? No problem! A nice set of sheets can do wonders when it comes to temperature regulation. Head over to our article on the best bed sheets to see some great options.

Recap of the Top Rated Mattresses Under $1000

MattressAward
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlexNerd’s Pick for Best Mattress Under $500
Nectar Classic Memory FoamBest Memory Foam Mattress Under $500
DreamCloudBest Hybrid Mattress Under $500
Bear OriginalBest Firm Mattress Under $500
Siena OriginalBest Queen Mattress Under $500
CopperFlex EssentialBest Cooling Mattress Under $500

Final Thoughts

Finding a mattress when you have a tight budget is easier than ever thanks to today’s wide variety of options and readily available online retailers. What’s difficult is deciding which mattress to purchase. Use the style of mattress and your budget to steer you in the right direction. From there, use our list of shopping considerations in the buyer’s guide to making your decision. We hope this guide to the best mattress under $500 gets you started off on the right foot in making your budget mattress purchase with confidence!

If you still need guidance in your mattress buying journey, check out our ultimate mattress buying guide and our best mattresses of 2026.

FAQs

What’s the most comfortable cheap mattress?

It depends on your preferences, but we consider the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex to be the most well-rounded, affordable mattress on this list. 

What is a reasonable price for a mattress?

While you can get a good mattress for under $500, it likely won’t hold a candle to the mattresses you can purchase if you’re willing to spend $1,000 or more. For a high quality mattress that will last you upwards of ten years, you should expect to spend a good deal more than $500. Even if you go up just one price tier, it’ll be much easier for you to find a product that meets all of your needs. Check out our list of the best mattresses under $1,000 for some of these options.

How often should I replace my mattress?

A quality mattress with a solid construction should last you between eight and ten years if properly cared for. If you purchase a mattress from this list, it may not maintain its structural integrity as long as a more expensive mattress would. In short, it’s really up to you how often you replace your mattress. Once you begin to notice sagging or dipping, though, you’ll definitely want to consider purchasing something new.