Creating a comfortable sleep environment is essential for maximizing the quality and quantity of your sleep. If the mattress you’re sleeping on causes joint pain or makes you feel too hot, it will be harder to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. But a new mattress is an investment, which is why some people delay the purchase. Fortunately, mattresses today come in a range of prices, from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy. If you’re focused on affordability, the key is finding the best mattress in your price range to meet your specific needs and preferences while taking advantage of seasonal sales and promotions.
To help you sleep better and stay within your budget, we researched and tested 18 different mattresses and narrowed them down to our top seven most affordable choices for a variety of sleepers.
Best affordable mattress overall
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress is the highest quality and most versatile option offered at an affordable price according to our hands-on testing. Our mattress testers gave it a six on the firmness scale (10 being the highest), an overall brand rating of 9.2 out of 10, and noted that this mattress is well-balanced and offers exceptional targeted support.
Our picks for the best affordable mattresses
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best mattress overall
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: Best hybrid mattress
- DreamCloud Memory Foam: Best memory foam mattress
- Bear Original: Best firm mattress
- The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress: Best for side sleepers
- Cocoon Chill Memory Foam: Best cooling mattress
- Titan Plus: Best for heavy people
What you need to know about the best affordable mattresses
We chose the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid as the best affordable mattress overall because it’s a versatile, high-quality mattress at an affordable price.
Affordable mattresses can be just as comfortable and durable as luxury-priced mattresses.
The best time to buy a mattress is during a holiday sale or shopping event—especially surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday when the best promotions are offered.
Many mattress brands offer discounts for public service workers.
Compare the best affordable mattresses of 2024
| Price | $665–$1,599 | $739–$1,499 | $839–$2,178 | $786–$1,690 | $699–$1,798 | $619–$1,389 | $699–$1,499 |
| Firmness | 6/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Memory foam | Memory foam | Memory foam | Memory foam | Hybrid |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years |
| Trial period | 120 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| Best for | All sleeping positions | Back and stomach sleepers | All sleeping positions | Stomach sleepers | Back and side sleepers | All sleeping positions | All sleeping positions |
The best affordable mattresses reviews
Best affordable mattress overall: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Our final verdict on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has five layers of foam, springs, and quilted material, and comes in a box with an easy setup. Unlike mattresses with traditional spring coils connected to one another, this hybrid A type of mattress made with both foam layers and spring layers. uses coils that are individually encased to help isolate motion for targeted support.
We think this is a great option for combination sleepers People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. who change positions throughout the night because the mattress sinks just enough to cradle the body’s contours gently, but not so much that the sleeper feels like they have sunken into the memory foam.
From our tester
This mattress seems to have a great balance between support and pressure relief. It’s hard to have one because you tend to lose the other, but this seems to have found a balance.
Since comfort is specific to each person, we especially like that you can customize your mattress and choose from three different types of firmness options—soft, medium, and firm—at no additional cost. Our testers tried out the mattress with “medium” firmness.
You can also choose to add the Cloud Pillow Top, which can be sewn onto any Brooklyn Bedding mattress you order. The pillow top gives an extra 2-inch layer of contouring material made from cooling fibers.
Also making this a more affordable option, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 30 percent discount to members of the military, first responders, medical workers, educators, and students.
Best affordable hybrid mattress: Emma Hybrid Comfort
Our final verdict on the Emma Hybrid Comfort
The Emma Hybrid Comfort uses a mix of Aircogell open-celled foam (a porous foam designed to store and retain heat as well as provide good air circulation) and coil support. Hybrid mattresses are often preferred by people who change positions throughout the night because the coils offer better bounce, providing greater ease of movement than all-foam alternatives. However, our testers found that they felt best supported when lying on their back or stomach, and noted that side sleepers might need a bit more sink in the mattress to cushion their hips and shoulders.
This mattress incorporates a high-density transition layer that elevates the sleeper slightly “on top of” the mattress. Our testers found this layer collaborates with the coil structure to deliver substantial support, resulting in a firmer feel compared to other hybrid options. We think this mattress is a great choice for couples who sleep together and are sexually intimate. We gave the Emma Hybrid a five out of five rating for motion isolation, which means you probably won’t be disturbed if your partner moves throughout the night, and we gave it a 4.5 out of five for responsiveness . Good responsiveness means the mattress has a bouncier surface that responds to pressure or the sleeper’s movements, making it easier to move around and switch positions. . Mattresses with high responsiveness scores are usually good choices for sex, since they offer ease of movement. High responsiveness is also a good quality for people who change positions throughout the night for the same reason.
From our tester
This is a good bed for back and stomach sleepers, but since it doesn’t sink enough for the hips and shoulders, it’s probably not a great choice for side sleepers.
We found that the various types of foam used in the construction of this mattress give it a soft cradling feel when lying down, while the coils help the bed keep its shape and allow air to flow through the frame of the mattress. This hybrid combination, along with the temperature-regulating UltraDry mattress cover, was designed with breathability in mind for those who tend to sleep hot.
Best affordable memory foam mattress: DreamCloud Memory Foam
Our final verdict on the DreamCloud Memory Foam
The DreamCloud Memory Foam has seven layers of CertiPUR-US CertiPUR-US is a certification that shows the foam in the mattress has been crafted with no ozone depleters. foam with a cashmere-blend quilted cover. We like this mattress because it’s a true medium-firm mattress, and our testers found it comfortable in a variety of sleeping positions. The material’s responsiveness also made it easy to move around and change positions. This mattress gets a 4.5 out of five for pressure relief, making it ideal for sleepers with back pain.
From our tester
“There was some delay for the mattress to regain its shape after I moved, but it was easy to roll out of the small divot my body created.”
If you’re looking for a memory foam mattress that guards you from being woken by your partner’s movements or a pet jumping onto the bed, we gave DreamCloud a five out of five on our motion isolation scale.
Like many other mattress companies, DreamCloud offers promotions that run around holidays or during different seasons. If you want to buy a DreamCloud mattress outside of a promotional period, the company offers a 30 percent discount for military personnel, health care professionals, and first responders.
Learn more in our DreamCloud mattress review.
Best affordable firm mattress: Bear Original
Our final verdict on the Bear Original
The Bear Original mattress is a firm, three-layer memory foam mattress that comes in a Tencel A brand of sustainable cellulose fiber made from wood pulp, which is used in clothing, footwear, home linens, carpets, mattresses, and pillows because it’s highly breathable, hygienic, and comfortable. cover. The combination of moisture-wicking Tencel and the cooling gel memory foam layer makes this a possible choice for hot sleepers.
This mattress holds its shape well and offers light contouring, which makes it a great choice for those who prefer a firmer bed. Our testers think this is the best fit for stomach sleepers because the firmness level of this mattress kept their hips from sinking into the mattress and maintained spinal alignment.
While our testers gave Bear a rating of 3.5 out of five for cooling, we also think the Tencel cover makes this a great mattress for those with sensitive skin. That’s because it’s moisture-wicking, breathable, and static-resistant, which prevents dust and other allergens from clinging to the material.
From our tester
“When lying on the mattress I felt slightly cradled by the first layer of thin memory foam, but then I was met with a firm surface underneath.”
When testing the movement isolation for this mattress, our tester noted they barely felt movement even when someone was jumping up and down on the other side of the mattress. We think this makes the Bear Original mattress a strong choice for people with pets that get on and off the bed throughout the night, or whose sleeping partner tends to toss and turn.
Bear offers a 40 percent discount for military personnel, teachers, first responders, and health care workers.
Best affordable mattress for side sleepers: The Nectar
Our final verdict on the Nectar
The Nectar is a 100 percent foam mattress with five layers of material, including CertiPUR-US certified foams. Our tester felt like this mattress was soft but still helped keep her spine aligned while lying on her side and back, which can be a hard middle ground to find with a mattress that’s on the softer side. We scored this mattress a 4.25 out of five for pressure relief while in a side-sleeping position.
But as with other mattresses that are considered soft, we don’t think The Nectar is a great fit for stomach sleepers. It still keeps the body in a neutral position, but because of the sinkage, it can make the head and neck feel uncomfortable.
From our tester
“My spine feels neutral when lying on my side. It’s also supporting my midsection well. My hips and shoulders are sinking into the mattress, but in a good way. I don’t feel crunched to one side.”
The cover is made of breathable and cooling material that can technically be removed and gently washed. However, if you choose to take off the cover, you should know that doing so will void all warranties. Instead, Nectar recommends spot-cleaning the cover.
Despite the cover removal policy, we think the forever warranty Nectar offers is one of the best. If there’s a defect during the first 10 years of owning your mattress, Nectar will replace it for free. After 10 years, Nectar will completely repair and re-cover your mattress or replace it for a $50 fee. If Nectar finds there is a defect when you return the mattress for replacement or repair, they’ll waive the $50 fee.
Read more in our Nectar mattress review.
Best affordable cooling mattress: Cocoon Chill Memory Foam
Our final verdict on the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam
The Cocoon Chill mattress is a three-layer, all-foam mattress made by well-known mattress manufacturer Sealy. We chose this as the top affordable cooling mattress because its cover is made of a stretch-knit fabric interwoven with phase change materials A substance that changes its phase (or matter state) depending on its temperature. It will store or release heat to keep a constant temperature. . This high-tech fabric actively absorbs and disperses body heat, which gives the mattress an exceptionally cool sensation. Many mattress manufacturers market their mattresses as having cooling technology, but it’s rarely as effective as advertised, while memory foam is known for holding onto heat. However, we found that the Cocoon Chill was successfully cool.
From our tester
“True to its name, the Cocoon Chill offers the rare experience in a cooling all-foam mattress, while also providing spinal alignment and little sinkage.”
The cooling effects of this mattress make it a clear choice for someone who is a hot sleeper, but we think this mattress is also an ideal choice for couples. First, the responsive foam layer helps isolate motion and ensures minimal disturbance from your partner’s movements during the night. We rated this mattress a 4.5 out of five when we tested its motion isolation properties. Second, its cooling cover makes it particularly beneficial for two sleepers, since a shared sleeping space tends to run warmer from combined body heat.
Overheating in bed is highly disruptive because the brain can’t easily initiate or maintain sleep when our core body temperature is too high. Night sweating may cause chills as the sweat cools down our skin, which may make sleepers uncomfortable and restless.
Chelsie Rohrscheib, head sleep expert and neuroscientist at Wesper in New York City
One tester, who’s lightweight with a small frame, felt like the mattress gave good pressure relief, specifically when lying on their back. The pressure map also supports this, radiating blue (low pressure) instead of red (high pressure). The thick top layer of memory foam on this Cocoon Chill will hug you while sleeping, but since it’s constructed with all memory foam it has little to no bounce, which might be difficult for higher-weight sleepers.
Best affordable mattress for heavy people: Titan Plus
Our final verdict on the Titan Plus
The Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding is a five-layer hybrid mattress specially designed for higher-weight people. What really makes this mattress a great choice for heavy sleepers is the thoughtful construction that was built for durability and comfort. The TitanCore coils are made of steel to prevent sagging and are individually encased to keep motion isolated.
Since the structure of the mattress is built to support heavier weight and prevent sag, this mattress is recommended for sleepers who weigh over 250 pounds. It’s possible that the Titan Plus can also offer comfort to average-weight sleepers, particularly those who sleep on their back or stomach. However, lightweight individuals weighing 130 pounds or less may not be able to compress the layers enough to achieve contouring or pressure relief.
From our tester
“While there might be a little sinkage for heavier sleepers, overall, we found our weight was evenly distributed and comfortable.”
We love that Brooklyn Bedding created a bed specifically for heavier people, since many mattresses don’t provide enough internal structure to properly support sleepers over 250 pounds. One tester noted that the mattress slept on the warmer side, but those who generally sleep hot can add a Glaciotex cooling cover to balance out that temperature.
Since Titan is made by Brooklyn Bedding, it comes with a 30 percent discount for military, first responders, medical workers, educators, and students.
Pros and cons of cheap mattresses
What to consider when purchasing an affordable mattress
Choosing any mattress is a big decision, regardless of what it costs. As you research options, remember to keep these considerations in mind.
Trial period
The best way to decide if a mattress is a good fit is to sleep on it, which is why sleep trials are so valuable. Many affordable mattresses don’t come with the same generous sleep trials as more expensive options, but there are exceptions. If possible, look for a mattress with a sleep trial of at least 30 days. If that’s not an option, make sure you’re clear on the refund and exchange policy.
Warranty
A warranty indicates a company’s confidence in its product. Ideally, you should opt for an affordable mattress with a warranty of at least 10 years.
Materials
Mattress materials have their own characteristics and can influence how a mattress feels. Memory foam, for instance, has a hugging sensation that contours closely around the body and offers excellent pressure relief. Certified foams can have different densities for more or less support and firmness.
Mattress type
You can find affordable mattresses in various constructions, from all-foam to hybrid to innerspring. Heavier sleepers may benefit from the enhanced support in hybrid mattresses, which combine foam layers with innerspring coils. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses, both of which promote airflow for better breathability, can be a good option for hot sleepers. Being mindful of your sleeping type and specific needs can help you decide on an appropriate mattress type.
Sleep position
Your dominant sleep position can steer you toward the right mattress. Back and stomach sleepers benefit from mattresses with firm support that keep the spine neutral and the hips properly elevated. Side sleepers need something slightly softer to ensure ample cushioning around the hips and shoulders. Combination sleepers should look for a mattress with a touch of bounce so it’s easy to switch positions in the night.
People’s sleeping positions and surfaces can significantly impact pain. An improper sleeping position or a mattress that is too firm or soft can put added pressure on certain areas, leading to pain and discomfort. Other factors to consider include the pillow’s height and type, as well as the quality of the mattress.
Peter Hinz, doctor of chiropractic at Cool Springs Chiropractic in Franklin, Tennessee
Our testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “sex” and “family” scores.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
From our tester
“When I started researching mattresses, I found that there were more affordable options available for less than what I was mentally prepared to spend. They also had promotions here and there. I thought mattresses were going to cost a lot more, especially the ones available online.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130 to 250 pounds), and heavy (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are many mattresses that are less expensive and also offer high-end comfort. For example, our testers thought the Brooklyn Bedding Hybrid mattress was one of the most comfortable mattresses, and a queen-size mattress costs less than $1,000.
When choosing a mattress, the most expensive options and materials aren’t always better. While premium materials might be a better choice for one type of sleeper, there isn’t a rule that all luxury materials and brands are best for everyone. Instead, focus more on finding a mattress with the best construction for your sleep style.
The best time to buy a mattress is around the end of the year or generally around any major holidays. The end of the year is packed with holidays and special sales events, from Thanksgiving and Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, so expect to find many sales and inventory discounts around that time. In February, the weekend leading into Presidents’ Day is also traditionally the time when many mattress sellers offer big discounts.
How much you should spend on a mattress depends on the material and size of the mattress. The retail cost of the mattresses on this list ranges between $998–$1,332 for a queen-size all-foam or hybrid made of foam and coil. With promotions, the price could decrease anywhere from 20–50 percent.
Mattresses made of all-foam materials tend to be less expensive than hybrid materials (foam and coil) or all-innerspring mattresses. This is because foam is generally a cheaper material.
The rule of thumb is typically around seven to 10 years. But rather than focus on a set period of time, consider replacing your mattress if:
- You’ve noticed that your quality of sleep has recently decreased.
- The mattress you have now is sagging, damaged, or has lost support over time.
- You find yourself sleeping better in other beds.
- You wake up not feeling refreshed, or you wake up with stiffness in your back, neck, or limbs.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sleep and sleep disorders: Adults. (2022, November 2). Link
- National Sleep Foundation. How much sleep do you really need? (2020, October 1). Link
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sleep deprivation and deficiency. (2022, March 2). Link
- Scott, A.J., Webb, T.L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. Link