Best Affordable Mattresses

Finding a balance between comfort and support in a mattress with the right price tag can be a hassle. You don’t want to end up with a cheap mattress that leaves you with aches and pains and gives you a bad night of sleep. However, it is possible to find a bed that works for your comfort preferences and your wallet. In this guide, we will teach you what to look for in a mattress and what the appropriate price range is for a decent mattress. One of our top picks is sure to be the right mattress for your body type, comfort preferences, and your budget.

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The Best Affordable Mattresses For Your Budget

• Nectar – Best Affordable Mattress in a Box
• Cocoon by Sealy – Best Cheap Queen Size Mattress
• Layla – Best Affordable Mattress For Back Pain
• Studio by Leesa – Best For Pressure Relief
• Casper Element – Editor’s Pick
• Tuft & Needle – Best Affordable King Mattress
• Zinus Green Tea – Best Cheap Mattress on Amazon
• Allswell – Best Affordable Twin Mattress
• Nest Bedding Love & Sleep – Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress

The Nectar Mattress is 11-inches of gel memory foam. It is good for all positions; back, stomach, side and combination sleepers. If you like close-body contouring and need pressure relief in your back, stomach, and shoulders the Nectar would be a great option for you. The mattress is topped with a Tencel cover to help carry heat away from the sleeper’s body. It is also an excellent choice for couples since it minimizes motion transfer and helps keep each partner asleep.

The Nectar’s flagship mattress is made of high-density premium memory foam. If you are looking for an affordable mattress for you and your partner who have different sleepers positions, the Nectar is a perfect fit. The edge support, motion isolation, cooling properties, and full-year trial make it one of our top picks for the best cheap mattress. A queen size Nectar mattress sells for approximately $800. 

Read our full Nectar Mattress Review to learn more!

The Cocoon Chill mattress by Sealy is a fantastic value product for its cheap price: a queen size of this mattress comes in at only $930 without any discounts or sales. The Cocoon’s two options for firmnesses – medium soft and extra firm – are perfect for back, stomach and side sleepers who want a mixture of support and cradling comfort. Depending on the firmness level you select, the base layer of foam will differ in density. Sealy’s Perfect Fit memory foam will top off this mattress regardless of the firmness you choose.

The motion isolating element of the Cocoon Chill is perfect for couples trying to sleep as peacefully – and cheaply – as possible without rolling over and disturbing each other. The phase-changing material in the mattress cover also has a cooling effect so sleepers can stay comfortable throughout the night.

See our full Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress Mattress Review for more information.

Layla is a great memory foam mattress option for those who aren’t sure which firmness level they prefer because you can flip the mattress. One side is soft and the other is firm, and sleepers can simply flip the mattress to choose which one they want to use. Another benefit to the Layla mattress is it’s copper-infused memory foam layers which help keep hot sleepers cool through the night. Copper is also known for its pressure point and pain relief so you get a more restful sleep. A queen Layal sells for approximately $999.

Read our full Layla Mattress Review to learn more!

Leesa is known for making high-quality mattresses at a lower price point than the competition. The Studio by Leesa is no exception. Leesa’s newest mattress features a no-frills 3-layer design measuring 10 inches. The support base is topped with a layer of pressure-relieving foam that takes all the tension off of your hips, shoulders and neck.

The mattress is topped with a layer of breathable comfort foam, ensuring that your body stays cradled and cool. These features are essential for side sleepers, but the mattress is made to suit any sleeping position. If you’re looking for an affordable guest room mattress to impress, or simply have a tighter budget, the Leesa Studio may be a great option.

Read our full Studio by Leesa mattress review to learn more.

The Casper Element Mattress is Casper’s baseline, budget model. It is a medium-firm mattress constructed with three layers of open-cell foam to promote airflow, keeping sleepers cool at night. The design of the Element is simple, which is reflected in the price point but is still thoughtful enough to provide sleepers with the needed support at the back, belly and side sleepers. 

Casper is continually refining its design based on customer feedback and testing to make their mattresses better. The Casper Element comes with an easy to remove and clean, zip-off cover, making it perfect for kids, adults and teenagers alike. If you are looking for a durable, affordable, comfortable mattress, the Casper Element may be a perfect fit for you. A queen-size Casper Element mattress sells for approximately $600.

Read our full Casper Element Mattress Review to learn more!

The Tuft & Needle Original mattress is Tuft & Needle’s flagship product. It is a firm, memory foam mattress that was built to accommodate a large range of sleepers. It is constructed with proprietary Adaptive foam to provide comfort and support without the sinking feeling. Beneath that is a supportive base of high-density polyfoam to keep you lifted and aligned.

The Tuft & Needle original mattress is a mattress that’s great for a wide range of sleepers and shoppers of all budgets. The Tuft & Needle Original provides great support, cooling properties, and relief to your pressure points. The firm feel of this mattress is best for back and stomach sleepers who need more support for their lower back and hips. A queen-size Tuft & Needle Original mattress sells for around $600. 

Read our full Tuft & Needle Mattress Review to learn more!

The Zinus Green Tea is a gel-infused, memory foam mattress that is available in multiple sizes and has a medium-firm feel. The mattress gets its name because its Certipur foam is infused with green tea and ActivCharcoal to reduce the off-gassing smell associated with most memory-foam mattresses. These additions make the Zinus perfect for those looking for a clean, cool sleep.

‘The Zinus Green Tea is known for its pressure-relieving properties. The Zinus is created with multiple layers of support foams, to make sure. Great motion isolation you’d expect from a mattress with memory and comfort foam layers, but due to the added high-density foam, it has better support than traditional memory foam mattresses. It is a great bed for all sleep positions and a great hypoallergenic option for those with skin sensitivity and allergies. The Zinus Green Tea sells on Amazon for approximately $250.

Read our full Zinus Green Tea Mattress Review to learn more!

The Allswell is a budget hybrid mattress that is great for back sleepers, couples, and sleepers who like a firmer mattress. It is constructed of charcoal-infused memory foam, an innerspring base, and a quilted covering.

The Allswell is a hybrid mattress made of memory foam and pocket coils. Overall the mattress has a medium-firm (4.5-6.5/10) feel but offers a comfortable and supportive sleep for most anyone. It is one of the more affordable choices of bed-in-a-box brands. The queen Allswell mattress sells for approximately $375. 

Read our full Allswell Mattress Review to learn more!

The Nest Bedding Love & Sleep is a budget-friendly memory foam mattress that is made with CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified foams. It has a soft feel overall, but can be purchased in either a medium or slightly firmer option. The foam is infused with cooling gel to help regulate body temperature and contains an egg-shaped layer to help promote airflow. The Love & Sleep is a great mattress for side sleepers and back sleepers alike.

Read our full Nest Love & Sleep Mattress Review to learn more!

What Does a Good Mattress Cost?

How much should you pay for a decent mattress? Mattress price is largely dependent on size and type and can range anywhere from $300 to $7,000 for a queen. But beware, you get what you pay for.

You might be wondering what’s the big deal between a lower end mattress and one that is more expensive? Sure, there mattresses out there for $300 that provides a place to lay your head, but that’s about it.  When shopping for a mattress, consider how it will hold up in the long run and how it will affect your sleep quality. All in all, it boils down to what your sleep is worth to you. You’ll come to find, a good night’s sleep is worth much more than a couple of hundred bucks.

Mattress Types by Price Point

Of all the different mattress types available, the most budget-friendly is memory foam. Memory foam mattresses range anywhere from $250 to $1,000 and last roughly 7 years.

On the other hand, you’ve got hybrid and latex mattresses that typically have a higher price tag. A decent hybrid mattress ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 and lasts about 10 years. Hybrids are more durable than memory foam, and you will pay for that. Latex mattresses can reach prices up to $3,000 because of there naturally sourced materials, which cost more to produce. However, like hybrids, latex mattresses are highly durable, lasting up to 15 years when properly cared for.

Regardless of the type of mattress you buy, you can find a decent bed for under $1,000, especially if you shop online.

Mattress Prices Online vs. In-Store

When debating mattress price, quality is key, but the price tag is important too. If you don’t want to compromise on quality but are worried about spending too much, shop online. You will generally find cheaper prices when shopping for a mattress online than you would in a store. That’s because online mattress retailers cut out all the middle man costs, floor markups and salesman tricks. Online mattresses are sold direct-to-consumer, so you don’t have to worry about a salesman trying to make a commission off you. Plus, online retailers often have incredible sales on the best mattresses.

Risks of Sleeping on a Budget Mattress

Beware that if you go the cheaper route and purchase a lower quality mattress, you put yourself at risk for a number of negative physical symptoms. These include low back pain, joint pain, waking up achy, and sleep loss that can lead to memory issues, increased blood pressure, weight gain, and depression. 

Our best advice is to take your sleep trial period seriously and pay attention to how your body adjusts to the new mattress. Is it supportive enough? Does it wear out easily? Does it limit motion transfer enough? Is there enough edge support? Is your sleep suffering from being on the mattress? Most brands give you an average of 100 nights to try the bed out, so take it seriously and pay attention to how your sleep changes as a result of sleeping on the mattress.

Invest in Your Mattress and Your Sleep

Investing a high-quality mattress isn’t something that should be taken lightly. Sleep is when we rest, recover, and refuel ourselves for the next day. When you’re on the hunt for your next mattress, don’t get overwhelmed. Weigh your choices wisely, test out your mattress if you can, and find the one that will fit you and your wallet appropriately.

Recap: Top Rated Cheap & Affordable Mattresses