7 Best Affordable Mattresses for a Sound Night’s Sleep on a Budget in 2024
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
This is not a dream: The best affordable mattresses won't break the bank and don't skimp on quality.
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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 certainly appreciated , especially when you’re furnishing a guest room, vacation home, 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, twin mattresses, boxed beds or cooling mattresses, it’s more than possible to find an amazing cheap mattress for your needs without sacrificing quality.
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.
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Best overall affordable mattress
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
With nearly 43,000 five-star ratings, this Nectar memory foam mattress is a definite fan-favorite and earns our spot for best affordable mattress—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 Alex Savy, certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean. 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, certified sleep science coach and editor at Mattress Clarity.
Abby Wood, sleep health content associate at Mattress Nerd, 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 mattress protector helps regulate temperature.” Even more to adore with this medium-firm best cheap mattress: You have a full year to sleep on the mattress and, if unsatisfied, return it for a full refund—for free. Psst, this isn’t the only Nectar mattress we love!
Pros
- Made up of five layers of premium materials
- CertiPUR-US certified (meaning its free of harmful chemicals)
- The brand works with you to donate or recycle any returned mattresses
- 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
Cons
- May have a period of off-gassing smell
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Best affordable mattress on Amazon
Linenspa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress
Say hello to the Linenspa hybrid mattress, the best affordable mattress options on Amazon.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 97,000 people rate it five out of five stars, and sleep experts are equally enthusiastic about it. “It’s responsive enough to prevent the quicksand feel, but does an excellent job of relieving tension.” says Savy. 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 that you could add on a mattress topper or cooling mattress pad.
Pros
- Free and fast shipping
- Available in three thickness options
- Hybrid design offers support and comfort
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Not CertiPUR-US certified
- Coils may make sounds when bearing heavy weight
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Best affordable 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 best affordable memory foam mattress is also infused with active charcoal, which blocks moisture and odor. It’s one of the best affordable mattress picks that lives up to the hype: It’s editor-approved (check out our Zinus mattress review), plus it boasts more than 103,000 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 the body while you sleep, which provides superior support and pressure relief. Additionally, it’s available in four different height options and firmness profiles, so it feels like a custom fit.
Pros
- Features four layers of foam
- Green tea keeps it fresh and charcoal keeps it moisture- and odor-free
- CertiPUR-US certified (meaning its free of harmful chemicals)
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- May not be cool enough for some hot sleepers
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Best affordable cooling mattress
Dreamfoam Arctic Dreams Hybrid Mattress
Hot sleepers, this one’s for you! Dreamfoam’s Arctic Dreams may be just what you’ve been looking for. “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 best 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. Don’t forget to pick up a set of cooling bed sheets to seal the deal.
Pros
- Features foam-infused gel beads
- Hypoallergenic
- CertiPUR-US certified (meaning its free of harmful chemicals)
- 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty
Cons
- Only available in one firmness level
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Best affordable 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 expected from a hybrid, but with added benefits that feel fancy given its affordable price tag. Wood explains that the top layer provides a comfortable, 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 features an aloe vera–infused foam that keeps the mattress fresh. And finally, the base on this best cheap hybrid mattress consists of individually encased coils, providing excellent motion isolation, edge support and pressure relief.
Pros
- Body-conforming memory foam combined with spine-aligning steel coils
- Made with bamboo charcoal and aloe vera for added benefits
- CertiPUR-US certified (meaning its free of harmful chemicals)
- 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty
Cons
- Mattress cover should remain on due to the flame-retardant layer
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Best affordable mattress for back pain
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
If you’re searching for the best budget mattresses with 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.” He adds, “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 Robert Pagano, cofounder of Sleepline, this is also the best cheap mattress for back pain. “The 2-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. More than 2,000 of the nearly 8,000 reviews mention improved back pain, like Thomas K, who says, “I have suffered from chronic lower back pain for nearly 15 years. Since sleeping on the Layla mattress, my pain disappeared!”
Pros
- Copper foam provides ample support
- Flippable with different firmness levels
- Copper particles help you sleep cooler
- 120-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
Cons
- Shipping fees to Hawaii, Alaska and Canada
- Mattresses are made to order, causing slower delivery times
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Best affordable 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 distribute a person’s body weight. “The medium-firm mattress consists of a latex-like foam, which gives you the bounce of a latex mattress but the cushioning of coils,” says Wood. It offers superior 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. While you’re at it, snag one of the best pillows for side sleepers for the ultimate night’s sleep.
Pros
- Specifically designed for side sleepers
- Works to help with spinal alignment
- Comes with two free pillows
- 120-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
Cons
- Might not provide enough support for heavier sleepers
What to consider when buying an affordable mattress
There are a few important aspects to weigh when purchasing 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 Savy. Plus, you need to pick a mattress at the right firmness for your sleeping position 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 like firm.”
Another consideration when shopping for the best affordable mattress: If you share a bed with a partner, you want to look for a mattress that has minimal motion transfer. Temperature is also an important factor. Wood says beware of cheap memory foam mattresses. “Known to retain body heat while you are sleeping, waking up hot and sweaty throughout the night is a possibility. Look for a mattress that has cooling features, such as ventilation, phase change materials and advanced foams that promote airflow,” she suggests.
Types of affordable mattresses
- Foam mattresses: These are ideal for multiple sleeping positions and offer excellent joint pressure relief. Foam tends to trap heat, but there are some memory foam options with gel and copper infusions with built-in cooling features.
- Innerspring mattresses: These have coils, and come with a range of shapes, designs, number of coils and coil gauge.
- Hybrid mattresses: This type contains two or more materials. Most have an innerspring base layer for support and a foam layer for comfort. They are easy to move around on and offer ample cushioning for side sleepers.
- Latex mattresses: Made of a very responsive material, these immediately springs back, which allows for superior body contouring and pressure relief. The best cheap latex mattresses are also very breathable with cooling benefits, so they’re ideal for hot sleepers, too.
How we found the best affordable mattresses
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Can you get a good mattress for cheap?
When it comes to buying a new mattress, expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. “You don’t need to get a bed with all of the bells and whistles unless you have a specific sleep concern,” confirms Regulski. “At the end of the day, the two most important factors are firmness and feel. If those two elements work for your unique sleeping position and body type, you should get the comfort and support you need.”
How long do cheap mattresses last?
It’s important to note that not all budget mattresses are the same. Many of them contain weak materials that won’t withstand the test of time. When shopping for the best affordable mattress, look at its construction and height.
“Mattresses with innersprings tend to feel more supportive, and beds that are taller than 8 inches will have a longer lifespan,” explains Regulski. Pagano also calls attention to construction methods. “The mattress construction can affect its quality and how long it will last,” he says. “Pay attention to techniques such as wool tufting or hand side-stitching.”
Most importantly, always check the warranty before hitting adding to your cart. Most of the best affordable mattress brands (and all of our picks) offer at least a 10-year warranty. Two of our best budget mattresses even offer a lifetime warranty!
Is it cheaper to buy a mattress online?
“Most online mattresses are cheaper than the ones sold in brick-and-mortar stores,” says Savy. At the same time, the price difference isn’t always that impressive. “So, seeing a $2,000 mattress at the showroom, shoppers shouldn’t expect to find a similar model for $500 online,” he notes.
One positive of buying online is that you can find plenty of mattress sales. Also, you’re not locked into a mattress you buy online. Between sleep trial periods and warranties, buyers can feel safe with their purchase knowing the mattress company will make it right if it needs to be returned or replaced.
Sources:
- Alex Savy, certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean
- Elisa Regulski, certified sleep science coach and editor at Mattress Clarity
- Abby Wood, sleep health content associate at Mattress Nerd
- Robert Pagano, cofounder of Sleepline
Originally Published: July 08, 2022
