Best Cheap Mattresses – Save Some Money!

While some higher-end bed-in-a-box mattresses can cost upwards of $3,000, there are plenty of more affordable products out there that still offer a good night’s sleep. That’s why we put together this roundup of the best affordable mattresses. We’ve found these six beds to be some of the best cheap mattresses out there, covering a variety of price points and features for different types of shoppers.

The Best Cheap Mattresses for Your Budget

• Dreamfoam Essential – Best Cheap Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Nectar – Best Cheap Medium-Firm Mattress
• Tuft & Needle Hybrid – Best Budget Mattress for Combination Sleepers
• Brooklyn Bedding Bowery – Best Affordable Hybrid Mattress
• Cocoon Chill Memory Foam – Best Budget Cooling Mattress
• Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam – Best Budget-Friendly Memory Foam Mattress

How We Chose the Best Cheap Mattresses

Our sleep specialists at Mattress Clarity have reviewed over 150 mattresses using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We score our mattresses based on a few factors, including support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.

For this roundup, we added price as an additional factor and only included mattresses that are at or below $1,700, with the cheapest option on this list coming in at around $230. If you’re looking for the cheapest options available with the best quality, check out our list of best mattresses for your money. If you still can’t decide what mattress is best for you and your budget after browsing through our recommendations, try taking our mattress quiz for more personalized suggestions.

Best Cheap Mattress for Back Sleepers –  Dreamfoam Essential

The Dreamfoam Essential is a memory foam mattress with several models available. Consumers can choose from the 6,” 8”, 10”, 12”, or 14”, each with a different firmness. We recommend that back sleepers opt for either the 6″, 8″, or 10″, all of which should offer the right balance of comfort and support. But no matter which option you choose, you’ll feel the benefit of Dreamfoam’s classic slow-moving memory foam.

What Makes The Dreamfoam Essential Stand Out?

• It provides excellent lumbar support and promotes a neutral spinal alignment.
• Per its name, the mattress features numerous cooling features such as open-celled foams, a breathable cover, and a gel infusion in the comfort layer.
• Before discounts, a Queen is currently priced at $524.

Read our full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review. Or for other options, check out the Best mattresses of 2022.

Best Cheap Medium-Firm Mattress – Nectar

A medium-firm mattress is likely to have a good balance of comfort and support that should appeal to a lot of different sleepers. The Nectar embodies this beautifully with its flagship bed — an all-foam mattress with a thick layer of gel-infused memory foam up top. After that, the mattress gets progressively firmer toward the bottom with a transition layer of soft conventional foam and a support layer of high-density foam. This construction should bode well for side sleepers and back sleepers, who should get some decent pressure relief from the gel memory foam without feeling like they’re getting swallowed up by the bed.

What Makes the Nectar Stand Out?

• Because of the gel infusion and a soft, breathable cover, the Nectar sleeps fairly cool.
• If you want more support, you can pair the Nectar with an adjustable base.
• Before discounts, a Queen is currently priced at $999.

Read our full Nectar mattress review. Or for other options, check out our best medium-firm mattresses.

Best Budget Mattress for Combination Sleepers – Tuft & Needle Hybrid

Tuft & Needle has quickly become one of the best bed-in-a-box brands on the market. Their three mattresses, the Tuft & Needle Original, the Tuft & Needle Hybrid, and the Mint, provide an excellent balance of comfort and affordability. What sets the Hybrid apart from the brand’s other models is its layer of coils, which add bounce to the mattress. Because the hybrid is more responsive, it’s a great choice for a variety of sleepers, including combination sleepers.

What Makes the Tuft & Needle Hybrid Stand Out?

• It should be especially comfortable for combo sleepers who switch between their back and side during the night.
• Thanks to its cooling features, the mattress promotes airflow.
• Before discounts, a Queen is currently priced at $1,995.

Read our full Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress review. Or for other recommendations, check out the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Best Affordable Hybrid Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Bowery

When it comes to value, Brooklyn Bedding is always a good place to start because the company owns their own factory. They sell their mattresses direct-to-consumer and are able to price them particularly low. Out of their ever-growing line of products, the Bowery is one of their most affordable, with a streamlined construction of quilted gel memory foam, a transition foam layer, and a support layer of Ascension X coils. The top layer of foam is especially soft, but the coils add support and responsiveness, allowing sleepers to easily move around at night.

What Makes the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery Stand Out?

• It’s a particularly good fit for lighter back and side sleepers. That being said, heavier sleepers might have a different experience on this mattress.
• The Bowery contains breathable foams, so it shouldn’t trap an extreme amount of heat.
• Before discounts, a Queen is currently priced at $874.

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Bowery mattress review. Or for other options, check out the best hybrid mattresses.

Best Budget Cooling Mattress – Cocoon Chill Memory Foam

The Cocoon Chill is a memory foam mattress that boasts excellent cooling features like Phase Change Material. This makes the top of the mattress feel cool to the touch! While it does have memory foam in its construction, it has more of a responsive foam feel instead of a soft foam feel.

What Makes the Cocoon Chill Stand Out?

• It’s a firm mattress, making it a great fit for stomach and back sleepers.
• There’s also a hybrid model available for anyone who prefers coils in their mattress.
• Before discounts, a Queen is currently priced at $1,239.

Read our full Cocoon Chill mattress review. Or for other recommendations, see our list of the best cooling mattresses. 

Best Budget-Friendly Memory Foam Mattress – Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam

Hopping onto Amazon, customers will find a wide number of Zinus products. They make everything from tables and couches to, yes, mattresses. There are a significant number of Zinus mattresses currently available, and I’m a particular fan of the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress. Based on their sleeping position, customers can decide on whether they want an 6″, 8″, 10″, or 12″ model and, since I spend a good amount of time sleeping on my side, I opted for the 12″, one of their softest models. Regardless of which bed you choose, they all feature an infusion of green tea and airflow-enhancing comfort foam, making the Zinus a very good fit for hot sleepers.

What Makes the Zinus Stand Out?

• Lying on the 12″, I feel myself sink into that memory foam. The comfort layer is so thick, I feel very little pressure on my shoulders and hips.
• If someone needs more support, they can choose the 8″ or 10″ model.
• Before discounts, a Queen is currently priced at $369, making it the least-expensive mattress on this list by a long shot.

Full review coming soon!

Not sure the Zinus is for you? Take a look at our recommendations for the best memory foam mattresses. 

Marten’s Take

My opinion on these mattresses is based on my own personal experience. Since I’m 5’9″ and 160 lb, I thought it would be a good idea to ask Marten, a larger member of our team, to try out these mattresses for himself. Here’s what he thought when it came to the best mattresses for heavy people:

So, Joe made this list of the best cheap mattresses, but larger people like me often have to spend more money to find a mattress that is both comfortable and supportive enough for heavier weights. However, these really are some quality mattresses, and a few of them are a good fit for someone of my size.

The Nectar is a particularly good match for heavier people. This memory foam mattress feels great while back-sleeping. My hips sink in the right amount, I get good lumbar support, and I’m also getting some contouring from the slow-moving memory foam. Side-sleeping, I sink into the mattress and feel some awesome pressure relief on the shoulders and hips. That being said, the Nectar is too soft for stomach-sleeping.

If you’re a heavier sleeper who prefers a hybrid bed, I would recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery. 

How Much Does a Good Mattress Really Cost?

Mattresses can cost anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.

You may be wondering how much you really need to pay for a mattress and at what point you’re just paying for extra bells and whistles that you don’t really need. Mattress costs vary according to a number of factors, but the largest influence driving the price of a mattress is the materials used in its construction.

Use my chart below as a general guideline for what you can expect to pay for different types of mattresses.

Mattress Type	Average Price Range
Memory Foam	$300–$1,000
Innerspring	$900–$1,200
Latex	$1,500–$2,000
Hybrid	$1,500–$2,000
Airbeds	$2,000–$3,000+

Memory foam and foam blend mattresses are usually the cheapest type of mattress you can buy. Traditional innerspring mattresses are also on the lower price range. Latex and hybrid mattresses both can get pretty pricey and exceed the $2,000 price mark, though the ones on the lower range of the price spectrum around $1,000–$1,500 are typically good mattresses. There are even more affordable hybrids like the Brooklyn Bedding Bowery.

Airbeds are the most luxurious mattress type and easily can cost over $3,000.

RELATED: Best Mattress Under $2,000

In addition to the quality of materials used, other factors that influence the price of your mattress include:

• Mattress size
• Where you purchase your mattress
• If your mattress has cooling features
• If your mattress is made or organic or natural materials
• Shipping costs (if purchased online)

Finally, make sure you keep in mind any additional costs you may incur, such as a box spring or bed foundation, when deciding on your mattress budget.

 How to Save Money on a Mattress

• Consider what type of mattress you want.
• Get a smaller mattress size if you can.
• Shop online instead of in stores.

The first two bullet points I’ve already covered in the previous section. To save money on a new mattress, it’s important to consider what type and size of mattress you really need. Shoppers on a budget should shy away from luxury mattresses like airbeds or any smart mattresses with advanced technology. Also, keep in mind that twins, twin XLs, and full-size mattresses will be cheaper than larger sizes like queens, kings, California kings, and split king mattresses.

Where to Buy a Cheap Mattress

Buying a Mattress Online

Purchasing a mattress online is typically cheaper than purchasing one in-store because there’s less overhead to operate an online store, frequently resulting in more affordable options. Mattresses on Amazon are often budget-friendly, and shopping on direct-to-consumer sites can help you find a good deal.

The downside to buying a mattress online, though, is that you aren’t able to test out the mattress before purchasing. Companies usually try to balance this out by offering buyers sleep trials. A good rule of thumb is to look for sleep trials that are at least 100 nights so that you can really get a good feel for your mattress and decide if it’s right for you.

Buying a Mattress In-Store vs Online

One of the best ways to save money on a mattress is to shop online vs. in stores. Mattress prices online are considerably cheaper than those in stores because bed-in-a-box mattress companies that ship directly to the consumer (DTC) cut out the cost of the middleman.

Shopping online also comes with several benefits like being able to easily compare prices of many different mattress models, brands, and retailers — all from the comfort of your couch. You can also scour the web for coupons and promo codes or take advantage of sales periods during big holidays to save a few hundred dollars on a mattress.

Finding Coupons

Around President’s Day, the Fourth of July, Amazon Prime Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas, there are a ton of great deals to watch out for. Check out our overview of some of the best holidays and sale periods to buy mattresses below.

Best Holidays for Mattress Sales

Holiday	Date
Presidents’ Day	Third Monday in February
Memorial Day	Last Monday in May
Independence Day	July 4th
Labor Day	First Monday in September
Veterans Day	November 11th

Best Mattress Sales to Buy a Cheap Mattress

Sale	Date	Details
Winter White Sales	January	Winter white sales are typically held throughout January, as many big box stores and online retailers discount home accessories to get rid of inventory. The sale dates differ from retailer to retailer, so be sure to keep an eye out for deals throughout the month.
Amazon Prime Day	Varies	Amazon Prime Day (which has evolved to be a two-day event) is held during a different time each year. During Prime Day sales, consumers can find great discounts from well-known online mattress companies (including some of the ones listed in this best cheap mattress roundup)!
Black Friday	The day after Thanksgiving	Black Friday is one of the most well-known shopping holidays. Consumers can find discounts both in-store and online, and deals often last for several days as they blend in with Cyber Monday.
Cyber Monday	The Monday after Thanksgiving	Traditionally known as the best day to get discounts online, Cyber Monday has evolved to be Cyber weekend, often encompassing the weekend after Black Friday as well.
New Year’s Eve	December 31st	Mattresses are frequently on sale during the post-holiday season, specifically as a New Year’s Eve event. If you’re looking for a good deal, this could be an ideal time to buy.

Are there Risks to Buying a Budget Mattress?

As with anything you spend your money on, there are always risks involved. But particularly when you’re shopping for a cheaper mattress, there are a few concerns.

To protect your purchase, look out for the following factors before buying a cheap mattress:

• Check for a reasonable return policy (at least 30+ day window) with refunds.
• Check for a reasonable mattress warranty (10+ years) and make sure it covers manufacturer defects.
• Check for real customer reviews to see what other buyers have to say.

It’s very reasonable to find a good mattress under $1,000 online, but it’s always wise to approach the cheapest mattresses with a bit of skepticism.

What to Look For When Buying a Cheap Mattress

Quality

The quality of your mattress will depend greatly on the type of material the mattress is made from and the quality of the materials used. Most good-quality memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses should last between 7 and 10 years, while latex mattresses should last between 12 and 15 years, but lower-quality materials may cause mattresses to sag sooner than that and cause discomfort while sleeping. To avoid this, try to aim for well-built mattresses in the $1,000 to $2,000 range if possible.

Durability

To get the most for your money, you need a mattress that is durable, so it needs to be made well. This means making sure that your mattress materials are high-quality, but also be sure to look for mattresses that are designed well with layers that are built to last long-term.

Firmness

No matter how much you spend on a mattress, you want it to be comfortable, and much of your comfort will come from the firmness of your mattress. You can check out our walkthrough on which firmness level is best for you to get a feel for what to look for in a mattress.

Edge Support

Being able to use the entire surface of your mattress ensures that you get the most value out of it. However, some mattresses sink in around the edges. If you find a mattress in your price range, be sure to check that it has decent edge support so that it lasts longer.

Typically, hybrid mattresses tend to have better edge support since the combination of springs and foam tend to be a bit sturdier than other mattress types. Some hybrid mattresses even have a reinforced perimeter to further support around the edges, so it’s great to be aware of features like this when you’re shopping for a mattress.

Pros and Cons of a Cheap Mattress

Pros	Cons
Cheap mattresses are better for your budget and can save you some money.	Cheap mattresses may wear and tear faster over time, meaning they need to be replaced more often.
Depending on the level of firmness you like, a cheaper option may be better for you as cheap mattresses might be firmer than more expensive ones.	High-quality mattresses made from decent materials may be harder to find for lower prices.

Overall

In the end, “cheap” is a subjective term. One can get a mattress on Amazon for $150, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be comfortable or supportive. However, I can attest that these six mattresses are not only a good deal, but are also well-made quality mattresses.

Mattress	Superlative
Dreamfoam Essential	Best Budget Mattress for Back Sleepers
Nectar	Best Medium-Firm Mattress
Tuft & Needle Hybrid	Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Brooklyn Bedding Bowery	Best Affordable Hybrid Mattress
Cocoon Chill Memory Foam	Best Cheap Cooling Mattress
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam	Best Memory Foam Mattress

While this is a list of the best affordable mattresses, you can find even more options with our best mattresses under $500.

Still searching for your perfect mattress? Take our mattress finder quiz to receive tailored recommendations!

Featured image: Tekkol/Shutterstock

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