Best Cheap Mattress

Updated January 27, 2023

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice a good night’s sleep just to stay on budget. There are a number of affordable mattress products on the market today that allow you to get the most in comfort, support, and durability, all for a very reasonable price point.

But which cheap mattress is the best fit for you? In this article, we’ll summarize a few of the best, and show you what to shop for as you look for your next budget-friendly mattress.

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Best Cheap Mattress - Top Picks

• Tuft & Needle Mint - Editor’s Pick
• Nectar - Best for Side Sleepers
• Casper - Best Memory Foam Mattress
• Layla - Best for Back Pain
• Helix Midnight - Best Hybrid Mattress
• Ghostbed - Best Cooling Mattress

Tuft & Needle Mint - Editor’s Pick

The Tuft & Needle Mint premium foam bed represents one of the most advanced products on the market today; and yet, its high-level comfort and support are available to you at a relatively low price point. Made with heat-wicking graphite, it helps mediate body temperature, and its pressure relieving foam helps alleviate back and joint pain.

Learn more in our Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Great for hot sleepers Relieves pressure points Premium-level foam materials available for a smaller price tag	It only comes with one firmness option; low customization

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Nectar - Best for Side Sleepers

One of the most important principles when selecting a new mattress is to pick one that fits your sleeping position. If you’re looking for the best mattress for side sleepers, we recommend the comforting gel foam blend of the Nectar. It will contour to the shape of your body and provide just the support you need. It’s also one of the best mattresses for couples.

Read more in our Nectar mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Works well for side sleepers Excellent motion isolation Gives you a one-year sleep trial to make sure you like it	Not recommended for hot sleepers Not recommended for combination sleepers

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Casper - Best Memory Foam Mattress

Looking for that classic, enveloping memory foam feel? Casper is one of the best memory foam mattresses, and at a low price point. This supple mattress is well-suited to back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers alike. Its four foam layers offer targeted support and exemplary pressure relief.

Find out more in our compare Casper mattresses guide.

PROS	CONS
Relieves pressure and helps with even weight distribution Works well for all sleep positions	Not recommended for those who prefer a firm mattress

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Layla - Best for Back Pain

If you’re looking for the best mattress for back pain, the Layla is a mattress that may provide just the comfort you need. It’s highly supportive, and also unique for offering a plush side and a firm side. You can simply flip the mattress to get the firmness level you want.

Read more in our Layla mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Extremely responsive Different firmness options to choose from Highly ranked for those with back discomfort	May take a couple of weeks to break in

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Helix Midnight - Best Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses offer the comfort and support of memory foam, combined with the bounciness and breathability of innerspring. The Helix Midnight is great for anyone who wants a hybrid mattress on a budget. It sleeps cool and cozy across different body types, making it one of the best cooling mattresses.

Learn more in our Helix mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Sleeps cool Excellent lumbar support Works well even for heavier sleepers	Not great for couples

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Compare the Best Mattresses

As you shop for your next budget mattress, here are some comparison points that may prove helpful.

Mattress Name	Quick Overview	Special Offer
Tuft & Needle Mint	Material: Foam blend Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 1-5 business days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	Check Price
Nectar	Material: Gel memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: 2-5 business days Trial Period: 365 days Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $	Check Price
Casper	Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.1/10 Delivery: 2-7 days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	Check Price
Layla	Material: Memory foam Firmness: Flippable mattress offers soft side and firm side Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.8/10 Delivery: 4-7 business days Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $	Check Price
Helix Midnight	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 6-10 business days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 15 years Price: $$	Check Price
GhostBed	Material: Latex with gel memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.6/10 Delivery: N/A Trial Period: 101 days Warranty: 20 years Price: $$	Check Price

MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience, and the brand’s social responsibility.

Compare Features and Materials

It’s more than possible to get a quality mattress for a reasonable price point. Each of the mattresses we’ve listed here are assembled from durable, top-of-the-line materials. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find inside each mattress.

Tuft & Needle Mint	Nectar
What’s inside: Knit cover: Each Tuft & Needle bed comes wrapped in a cool-to-the-touch charcoal cover. Adaptive foam layer: Supportive foam made with graphite to wick away body heat. Adaptive transition layer: Made with gel beads to provide additional body heat regulation. Support base layer: A layer of base foam keeps the mattress sturdy and stable.	What’s inside: Memory foam quilted cover: Soft and cushioning. Gel memory foam layer: Helps evenly distribute body weight and relieve pressure points. Adaptive memory foam: Keeps you from sinking too far into the mattress. Base layer: Base foam layer keeps the mattress sturdy. Bottom cover: Prevents the mattress from slipping off the foundation.
Scored best in: Spine alignment Responsiveness Cooling	Scored best in: Edge support Motion transfer Pressure relief

Casper	Layla
What’s inside: Breathable open cell foam: The top layer is designed to promote air circulation and keep you cool Zoned layer support: Additional support that’s targeted to key pressure zones Durable support foam: Helps the mattress maintain its shape	What’s inside: Soft side: Copper-infused memory foam helps keep everyone comfortable and cool Air flow layer: Designed to circulate air and keep you cool Base support foam: Dense foam base lends the mattress structure and support Firm side: Flip the mattress over to experience a firmer version of copper-infused memory foam
Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Edge support	Scored best in: Responsiveness Edge support Pressure relief

Helix Midnight	GhostBed
What’s inside: Soft touch cover: Promotes air flow and helps you stay cool. Memory foam comfort layer: Cradles and cushions your joints. Polyfoam layer: Additional support and comfort. Pocket-coil body shape layer: 600 individually wrapped coils provide motion isolation and responsiveness. Dense foam base layer: The bottom level of foam keeps the mattress sturdy and strong.	What’s inside: Cover: Breathable fabric helps wick away heat and moisture. Top layer: Latex helps support the body and provide a responsive feel. Middle layer: Cooling gel-infused memory foam keeps you cool and supports key pressure points. Bottom layer: High-density foam keep the mattress stable.
Scored best in: Motion transfer Edge support Cooling	Scored best in: Durability Edge support Cooling

What is a Cheap Mattress?

Online mattress companies have innovated some unique ways to provide optimal comfort, cooling, and support, all for a reasonably low price point. In other words, you don’t need to settle for a suboptimal mattress just to save a few bucks. You can find a great mattress under $1,000, depending on the size requirement and the mattress materials you choose.

Shopping Considerations

As you seek a new bed in a lower price range, there are a number of considerations you’ll want to make.

Type of Mattress

Memory foam: Memory foam mattresses are popular these days, as they tend to be comfortable, long-lasting, and inexpensive. They also fare well with motion transfer, which makes them excellent for couples. Be on the lookout for memory foam with cooling gel added, which helps make this material a bit cooler.

Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses contour and adjust to the movements of your body and may also sleep a little cooler than traditional memory foam.

Latex: Latex mattresses are often a bit pricier than memory foam or innerspring. The tradeoff is that it tends to be cooler and lasts a long time.

Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses are the perfect marriage of these materials with innerspring features, offering the best of each mattress.

Performance Factors

Set-up: How long will it take you to set up your new mattress? How long will it take for you to break in the mattress? And can you expect any off-gassing when you open the box?

Pressure relief: Mattresses should evenly distribute body weight and protect your back and joints.

Spine alignment: Look for a mattress that will support natural posture and prevent you from waking up feeling stiff or creaky.

Durability: Even when you’re shopping at a lower price point, you can still find mattresses that will withstand the test of time.

Motion transfer: Motion transfer helps ensure that your movements in the night don’t disrupt your sleeping partner.

Temperature regulation: If you tend to sleep hot, look for a mattress that will keep you cool.

Responsiveness: Responsive mattresses will adjust to your movements, keeping you comfortable even as you switch positions.

Edge support: Seek a mattress that won’t have too much sinking or sagging along the edges.

FAQ About Cheap Mattresses

1. How can I ensure that my mattress is safe and non-toxic?

   One thing to look for is CertiPUR-US certification, which verifies that your mattress has passed rigorous emissions tests.

2. Do I need to buy a bed frame for my new mattress?

   Most mattresses work well with a variety of foundations, including standard box springs and slatted foundations. Check a product-specific mattress review to confirm compatible foundations.

3. How does a sleep trial work?

   With most mattresses, you’ll have a certain amount of time to try it out and see how you like it. If you decide you don’t care for the mattress, you can return it for a refund at any point during that sleep trial window.

Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best Cheap Mattress

• Tuft & Needle Mint - Editor’s Pick
• Nectar - Best for Side Sleepers
• Casper - Best Memory Foam Mattress
• Layla - Best for Back Pain
• Helix Midnight - Best Hybrid Mattress
• Ghostbed - Best Cooling Mattress

About the Author Josh Hurst

Josh Hurst lives and writes in Knoxville, TN. A recovering insomniac, he has a long-standing appreciation for the power of a good night's sleep.