When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
I tested 13 mattresses that cost less than $500. These six affordable mattresses balance value and comfort.
Siena, Novilla, Allswell, Zinus; Business Insider
Even if your budget is limited, you can still find an affordable mattress that matches your needs to get the good night’s sleep you deserve. Among a sea of low-cost mattresses, I’ve determined the best cheap mattresses that are comfortable and supportive while offering quality and value — features I seek in my best mattress picks.
I consulted a medical doctor, toured a mattress manufacturing facility, and tested 13 mattresses under $500 for comfort, motion isolation, heat dissipation, and more to find the best budget mattress. My top pick is the Allswell Mattress; its motion isolation and edge support are great for couples, the firmness appeals to stomach and back sleepers, and cold sleepers will like how warm it stays. I recommend the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress if you want something softer. It’s similarly priced but caters better to side sleepers and couples.
Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.
Our best budget mattress recommendations
Best overall, hybrid: The Allswell Mattress – See at Walmart
Best overall, foam: Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress – See at Amazon
Best cooling: Lucid 10 Inch Memory Foam Plush Mattress – See at Lucid
Best for side sleepers: Siena Memory Foam Mattress – See at Amazon
Best for edge support: Novilla Bliss 10 Inch Memory Foam Mattress – See at Walmart
Best upgrade: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress – See at Nectar
Best overall, hybrid
Not many hybrid mattresses cost less than $500. I tested five for this guide, and Allswell, a Walmart-exclusive brand, had the best offerings. The Allswell Mattress is the best cheap hybrid mattress I tested because I had the best sleep quality on it. However, it was too firm for side sleeping, my preferred position. So, I mainly slept on my stomach and back. If you’re a side sleeper, you may find more comfort with the Allswell Luxe, which also stays well under the $500 threshold. It’s thicker, softer, and very comfortable for all sleeping positions. Read our Allswell Luxe Mattress review for more details on how it stacks up.
The 10-inch Allswell mattress I recommend features a series of foam layers: a top layer of high-density CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam for support, gel-infused memory foam to keep you cool and relieve pressure, and comfort foam for added body contouring. The thick layer of individually wrapped coils offers support, durability, and airflow. Thin, high-density foam at the base adds durability to the bed.
The Allswell Mattress passed the bowling ball test about half the time, suggesting it has good motion dampening.
Erin Brains
The coils provided great edge support in our tests, and the motion isolation was also good, suggesting this is a smart choice for couples.
The Allswell was among the hottest mattresses I tested and didn’t dissipate heat well, which makes it great for people who tend to get too cold at night but not ideal for hot sleepers.
Read my full Allswell Mattress review.
Best overall, foam
Editor’s note: In 2022, Zinus faced a class-action lawsuit claiming that fiberglass in the company’s mattresses has led to serious health issues. According to Classaction.org, the case was dismissed in October 2023. As of December 2023, the Green Tea Gel Memory Foam is listed as fiberglass-free in its Amazon listing. A Zinus spokesperson confirmed with Business Insider that newly manufactured mattresses now use a carbon-rayon sleeve to protect customers in the unlikely event of a fire, and the company is indicating which mattresses are fiberglass-free in product descriptions. You can read Zinus’ statement regarding its use of fiberglass as a fire safety material and that the outer covers should not be removed from the mattress.
The medium firmness of the Zinus 12-inch Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam is ideal for different sleep styles and combination sleepers on a budget. I slept comfortably on the Zinus on my side, stomach, and back. In addition to being the best cheap foam mattress, it’s our best mattress for couples on a budget. The edge support and motion isolation were impressive. You can feel comfortable laying on the edge when your partner hogs the bed, and their movements at night are less likely to disturb your sleep.
The Zinus Cooling Green Tea mattress features three layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam: cooling gel-infused memory foam, soft memory foam for pressure relief, and durable base foam. In my tests, the materials did a good job of keeping the mattress cool.
The Zinus Cooling Green Tea mattress comes in four thicknesses, 6 to 12 inches. I tested the 12-inch mattress, and from my experience, I wouldn’t recommend going thinner than 10 inches. Otherwise, you sacrifice support.
While the trial period is the shortest in this guide — only 30 nights — it should be long enough to tell if the bed is right for you.
Best cooling
To test the best cooling mattresses, I use a laser thermometer to measure the surface temperature before I sleep on it and compare it to the temp right after I get up. Then, I measure it again two minutes later to assess how well it dissipates heat. Only two mattresses stayed cool and dissipated heat well: the Siena and the Lucid 10-inch Memory Foam Plush Mattress. The Lucid is the best cheap cooling mattress overall.
The $340 Lucid Plush mattress gets its cool feel from the top layer of gel-infused memory foam. Below is a layer of transition foam, then a bamboo charcoal-infused base foam for durability. All foams are CertiPUR-US-certified.
You can choose from three firmness options: firm, medium, and plush. I chose plush because softer mattresses help align my spine when I sleep on my side. Stomach and back sleepers may want to opt for the firmer options.
The Lucid mattress passed my bowling ball test for motion isolation. However, the edge support was awful. The edge sank significantly, and I felt uncomfortable sitting or laying on it like I would fall off.
While the mattress was easy to set up, the initial odor stuck around after I unboxed it.
Best for side sleepers
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress’s softer-than-average feel makes it the best cheap mattress for side sleepers. I slept comfortably on my side, though my sleep quality was average. I especially liked that the bed stayed cool and dissipated heat, second only to my best cooling pick.
The Siena mattress was great for side sleeping.
Erin Brains
The $400 Siena has three layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam. It has impressive motion isolation, passing my bowling ball test and showing low vibrometer readings. The edge support isn’t as remarkable, but still pretty good. The side sank significantly as I sat on it, but I felt supported as I lay on the edge. These factors suggest that Siena would serve couples well.
The setup was effortless, and the initial odor dissipated after a few days.
For more options, check out our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Best for edge support
A bed with outstanding edge support keeps you comfortable and secure lying on the edge, maximizing the surface area. It also makes putting on your shoes while sitting on the side and getting in and out of bed easier. The Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress is the best cheap mattress for edge support; its edges sank less than the others, and I didn’t feel like I was falling off when lying on the periphery.
With rare exceptions, I’ve found that 10 inches is the minimum thickness for a supportive mattress. The Novilla meets the bare minimum with 10 inches of CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
The Novilla Bliss is softer than average, making it great for side sleepers. While testing it, my sleep quality was average. I gravitated toward my side but also slept on my stomach a little. However, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress for stomach sleepers because it lacks the support to align your spine.
While the Novilla isn’t our top pick for couples, it’s still an excellent mattress under $500 — it’s currently under $310 — for people who share a bed. It passed my bowling ball test but had a high vibration reading on my vibrometer. These results suggest you won’t be jolted awake as your partner moves at night, but you may still feel it.
The setup was effortless. It only took about five minutes, and the initial foam odor dissipated by bedtime.
Best upgrade
Having slept on cheap mattresses for several months, I can tell you that $500 usually isn’t enough to buy a mattress that can provide a consistent good night’s sleep for most people. If you can spend just $150 more, you can get a much better night’s sleep with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, the best cheap upgrade mattress I’ve tested.
The Nectar is featured in my guides to the best memory foam mattresses and best mattresses for back pain because it provides outstanding pressure relief and has a medium firmness that will appeal to most sleeping styles. I primarily slept on my side while testing it, and my back remained pain-free despite my history of back pain.
While it’s a little more than our $500 limit, the Nectar is worth it.
James Brains/Business Insider
The Nectar mattress features three CertiPUR-US-certified foam layers: a cooling top layer of gel memory foam, a middle transition layer for pressure relief, and a supportive foam base layer. Even when my bedroom was hot, I stayed cool while sleeping on the Nectar. When I got up, the heat dissipated quickly.
The motion isolation was excellent in my tests, and the edge support was good but not great. Still, this is a good choice for couples.
Nectar also offers a yearlong trial and a lifetime warranty — the longest of any mattress on this list — as well as free shipping and returns.
Read my full Nectar Mattress review.
What to look for in the best cheap mattress
Trial period: Only one mattress I tested was available in showrooms, and I don’t recommend it. Since you can’t try most cheap mattresses before you buy them, a long, risk-free home trial is crucial. Ensure there aren’t any catches in the return policy, such as restocking or shipping fees.
Warranty: Look for a warranty of at least 10 years. Your mattress should remain free from major defects for at least that long. And, if it doesn’t, you should be able to replace it free of charge. All mattresses in our guide have warranties of at least 10 years.
Firmness: Side sleepers, petite individuals, and older people prefer softer mattresses. Firm beds are better for stomach sleepers and heavier folks, and back sleepers fall in between. Finding a mattress that keeps your spine neutral while you sleep is key.
Motion isolation and edge support: If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, motion isolation and edge support are necessary. A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you from being disturbed when your partner moves about. Good edge support gives you more space on your bed since you’ll feel comfortable and supported even when lying on the periphery.
You won’t find a perfect mattress for under $500. You need to be ready to compromise on comfort and quality. This may work for guest rooms and younger folks, but if you are older and suffer from aches and pains, I recommend spending more for a higher-quality mattress if you’re able. Fortunately, many brands offer payment plans.
For more detailed buying advice, check out my article on how to choose a mattress.
How we tested the best cheap mattresses
To test edge support, I sat on the edge of the mattress and measured how much it sank.
Erin Brains/ Business Insider
I tested all the mattresses in this guide, sleeping on each for at least 14 nights. I tried the queen, the most popular bed size. Each mattress was subjected to a battery of tests to determine its comfort, motion isolation, edge support, and more.
Here are some of the test results for the main attributes we tested:
|
Attribute |
The Allswell |
Zinus Cooling Green Tea |
Novilla Bliss |
Siena |
Lucid Plush |
Nectar |
|
Firmness (1 softest to 10 firmest) |
7 |
5.5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
|
Motion isolation (1 awful to 10 best) |
7 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
Edge support (1 awful to 10 best |
7 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
Heat dissipation (1 traps heat to 10 stays cool) |
4 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
|
Trial period (nights) |
90 |
30 |
100 |
180 |
100 |
365 |
|
Warranty (years) |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Lifetime |
Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:
Comfort: I assessed a mattress’s firmness based on my experience testing dozens of mattresses. I noticed which positions I was most comfortable in: my side, stomach, or back. Also, I wore a Garmin Forerunner 945 watch to track my sleep quality.
Trial and warranty: Besides noting the home trial period and warranty length, I combed through the small print to find any catches, such as return shipping and restocking charges. Generally, you should expect a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty.
Motion Isolation: A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you undisturbed as your partner shifts. I have two tests for this. First, I dropped a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress, landing one foot from a soda can placed on the mattress. The bed didn’t have very good motion isolation if the can fell over. If it stayed upright, the motion dampening was excellent. I also placed a vibrometer across the bed from where the bowling ball landed and compared the intensity of the vibrations. The Siena had the lowest vibration value at 6.8 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. The Sleepy’s Basic Innerspring Mattress was the worst at 8.5.
Edge support: I tested this in two ways. First, I sat on the edge of the mattress and measured how much it sank. If it dropped less than 4 inches, the edge support was pretty good. My other test was to lay on the edge and roll until I fell. If my body got beyond a 45-degree angle before falling, then the bed had good edge support.
Setup: I timed how long it took to set up the mattresses without help in the morning. At bedtime, I checked whether the “new bed smell” had dissipated or lingered. I also moved the mattress around several times and noted how much it flopped around, if it had handles, and other aspects that made it hard or easy to move.
Want to learn more? Check out our article on how we test mattresses.
Cheap Mattress FAQ
The Linenspa, Sleepy’s Basic, and Allswell mattresses were among the hybrid/innerspring mattresses I found that cost under $500. The Allswell is the only one I recommend.
James Brains/Business Insider
Are budget mattresses worth it?
While I’ve found you get what you pay for with mattresses, if you can only afford a budget mattress, it may be worth it. “There are budget-friendly mattresses that can be supportive and friendly to your wallet,” said Tamara Huff, MD, a Georgia-based board-certified orthopedic surgeon. “I recommend looking for a medium to firm mattress with a good warranty.”
Are cheap mattresses comfortable?
After seven months of testing, I found some comfortable, cheap mattresses. Yet none offered the zoned support I crave. “Inexpensive mattresses can be comfortable,” said Huff. “Ideally, look for a mattress with a return policy in case you notice discomfort one to two months in.”
Is it OK to buy a cheap mattress?
Yes. However, cheap mattresses aren’t as supportive or comfortable as pricier beds and typically won’t last as long either. Sleeping on a budget mattress for a few nights here and there likely won’t negatively impact you, especially if you’re an average sleeper with no special needs like chronic pain or overheating when you sleep. Yet, if you’re going to sleep on a bed every night, consider spending a little more on an option that will give you long-term comfort.
Should I consider a more expensive mattress?
If you can afford one, yes. Unless you’re looking for a mattress for a guest room or aren’t picky about comfort, you’ll be better off with a more expensive mattress. Based on my experience testing over 90 mattresses, you should count on spending at least $1,000 on a mattress you plan on sleeping on every night for the next 10 years.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Retailers are always looking for reasons to have mattress sales. Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Prime Day, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday are great times to buy a mattress because manufacturers offer great sales. Since new lines are usually launched in June, spring is a smart time to get good deals on older models.
What mattress types are less expensive than others?
All the mattresses I recommend in this guide are made primarily of foam except one. All-foam mattresses are cheaper than the hybrid, latex, adjustable air, and innerspring models. I found no latex or adjustable air models for under $500. I considered five hybrid or innerspring models; the only ones I recommend are from Allswell: the Allswell and the Allswell Luxe.
Are spring or foam mattresses better?
It depends and comes down to personal preference. Hybrid and spring mattresses are usually more durable, supportive, and breathable with a bit of bounce. Foam mattresses are generally more affordable and do a good job of cradling your body, offering the “sinking in” feeling that some sleepers enjoy.
What is the average price of a mattress?
The median price for the 13 mattresses in my best mattress guide is $1,399, the price for my top pick, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid. Check out our article on how much mattresses cost for more details.
Do cheap mattresses have fiberglass?
Some cheap and pricier mattresses contain fiberglass, typically used as insulation or a fire retardant in mattresses. When directly exposed to the ultra-fine material, if you remove a mattress cover or it rips, it can cause upper respiratory, eye, and skin irritation. Here’s the info I could track down for the mattresses in this guide:
- Allswell: According to an email correspondence with a Walmart rep, Allswell mattresses do not contain fiberglass.
- Zinus: Newer versions do not contain fiberglass.
- Novilla: According to a company representative, none of Novilla’s mattresses contain fiberglass. The mattresses feature fire-retardant cotton.
- Siena: Siena does not contain fiberglass.
- Lucid: The representative refused to say either way but noted, “All of our mattresses have been tested and do meet or exceed the federal, state, and municipal safety standards.”
- Nectar: Nectar uses fiberglass to make its mattresses fire-resistant.
I will update this guide as I learn about the fiberglass content of other mattresses we recommend.
Allswell; Marianne Ayala/Business Insider
There aren’t many hybrid mattresses under $500; we tested three for this guide, and this Walmart brand hybrid was the best. I had the best sleep quality on this bed, but it was too firm for side sleeping, my preferred position. So, I mainly slept on my stomach and back. If you’re a side sleeper, you may want to check out the 12″ Allswell Luxe. We often see it on sale for under $400. It’s thicker, softer, and very comfortable for all sleeping positions. Read our Allswell Luxe review for more details on how it stacks up.
The base Allswell we recommend has two layers: a top layer of charcoal and copper gel-infused, CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam to keep you cool and a bottom layer of individually wrapped coils for support, durability, and airflow. The coils provided great edge support in our tests, and the motion isolation was also good, suggesting this is a smart choice for couples.
The Allswell was among the hottest mattresses we tested and didn’t dissipate heat well, which makes it great for people who tend to get too cold at night but not ideal for hot sleepers.
Read our full Allswell Mattress review.
Zinus; Vicky Leta/Business Insider
Editor’s note: In 2022, Zinus faced a class-action lawsuit claiming that fiberglass in the company’s mattresses has led to serious health issues. According to Classaction.org, the case was dismissed in October 2023. As of December 2023, the Green Tea Gel Memory Foam is listed as fiberglass-free in its Amazon listing. A Zinus spokesperson confirmed with Business Insider that newly manufactured mattresses now use a carbon-rayon sleeve to protect customers in the unlikely event of a fire, and the company is indicating which mattresses are fiberglass-free in product descriptions. You can read Zinus’ statement regarding its use of Fiberglass as a fire safety material and that the outer covers should not be removed from the mattress.
For an affordable foam mattress, the medium firmness of the Zinus 12-inch Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam is ideal for a broad range of sleepers, making it well-suited to different sleep styles and combination sleepers. It’s also our top pick for couples. The main features to evaluate when assessing how well a mattress suits couples are edge support, motion isolation, and firmness. The Zinus checks all the boxes.
While sleeping on it, I was comfortable on my side, stomach, and back. The edge support and motion isolation were among the best mattresses under $500 that we tested, so you can still feel comfortable laying on the edge when your partner hogs the bed, and their movements at night are less likely to disturb your sleep.
The Zinus Cooling Green Tea mattress features three layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam: cooling gel-infused memory foam, soft memory foam designed to offer pressure relief, and durable base foam. In my tests, the materials did a good job of keeping the mattress cool.
It comes in four thicknesses, from 6 inches to 12 inches. I tested the 12-inch mattress, and from my experience, I wouldn’t recommend going thinner than 10-inches. Otherwise, you sacrifice support.
Novilla; Marianne Ayala/Business Insider
At $300, the Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress is the cheapest mattress we recommend. It also has the best edge support. A bed with outstanding edge support offers more space between you and your partner, as you can feel comfortable lying on the edge. It makes putting your shoes on while sitting on the side easier and helps you get in and out of bed. The Novilla’s edge sank less than the other models in this guide, and I didn’t feel like falling off when lying on the periphery.
With rare exceptions, I’ve found that 10 inches is the minimum thickness for a supportive bed. The Novilla meets the bare minimum with 10 inches of CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
The Novilla Bliss is softer than average, making it great for side sleepers. While testing it, my sleep quality was average. I gravitated toward my side but also slept on my stomach a little. However, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress for stomach sleepers because it lacks the support to keep your spine aligned.
While the Novilla isn’t our top pick for couples, it’s still an excellent mattress under $500 for people who share a bed. It passed my bowling ball test but had a high vibration reading on my vibrometer. These results suggest you won’t be jolted awake as your partner moves at night, but you may still feel it.
The setup was effortless. It only took about five minutes, and the initial foam odor dissipated by bedtime.
Siena; Marianne Ayala/Business Insider
The softer-than-average feel of the Siena Memory Foam Mattress makes it an ideal mattress under $500 for side sleepers. I slept comfortably on my side, though my sleep quality was average. I especially liked that the bed stayed cool and dissipated heat, second only to our best cooling pick.
The $400 Siena has three layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam. It had impressive motion isolation, passing my bowling ball test and showing low vibrometer readings. The edge support wasn’t as impressive but was still pretty good. The side sank significantly as I sat on it, but I felt supported as I lay on the edge. These factors suggest the Siena would serve couples well.
The setup was effortless, and the initial odor dissipated after a few days.
Amazon; Marianne Ayala/Business Insider
To test the best cooling mattresses, I use a laser thermometer to measure the surface temperature before I sleep on it and compare it to the temp right after I get up. Then, I measure it again 2 minutes later to assess how well it dissipates heat. Only two mattresses stayed cool and dissipated heat well: the Siena above and the Lucid 10-inch Memory Foam Plush Mattress. The Lucid did the best overall.
The $350 Lucid Plush mattress gets its cool feel from the top layer of gel-infused memory foam. Below is a layer of transition foam, then a bamboo charcoal-infused base foam for durability. All foams are CertiPUR-US-certified.
You can pick from three firmness options: firm, medium, and plush. I chose plush because softer mattresses help align my spine when on my side. Stomach and back sleepers may want to opt for the firmer options.
The Lucid mattress passed my bowling ball test for motion isolation. However, the edge support was awful. The edge sank significantly, and I felt uncomfortable sitting or laying on it like I would fall off.
While the mattress was easy to set up, the initial odor stuck around after I unboxed it. Another negative is the short trial period: only 30 nights.
Nectar
Having slept on cheap mattresses for several months, I can tell you $500 usually isn’t enough to buy a mattress that can provide a consistent good night’s sleep for most people (though experts may disagree.) If you can spend just $200 more, you can get a much better night’s sleep with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, the best mattress I’ve tested for under $1,000.
The Nectar is featured in our guides to the best memory foam mattresses and best mattresses for back pain because it provides outstanding pressure relief and has a medium firmness that will appeal to most sleeping styles. I primarily slept on my side while testing it, and my back remained pain-free despite my history of back pain.
The Nectar mattress features three CertiPUR-US-certified foam layers: a cooling top layer of gel memory foam, a middle transition layer for pressure relief, and a supportive foam base layer. Even when my bedroom was hot, I stayed cool while sleeping on the Nectar. When I got up, the heat dissipated quickly.
The motion isolation was excellent in our tests, and the edge support was good but not great. Still, this is a good choice for couples.
Nectar also offers a yearlong trial and a lifetime warranty — the longest of any other mattress on this list — as well as free shipping and returns.
Read our full Nectar Mattress review.
Trial Period: Only one mattress I tested was available in showrooms, and I don’t recommend it. Since you can’t try most cheap mattresses before you buy them, a long, risk-free home trial is crucial. Ensure there aren’t any catches in the return policy, such as restocking or shipping fees.
Warranty: Look for a warranty of at least 10 years. Your mattress should remain free from major defects for at least that long. And, if it doesn’t, you should be able to replace it free of charge. All of the mattresses in our guide have warranties of at least 10 years.
Firmness: Side sleepers, petite individuals, and older people tend to prefer softer mattresses. Firm beds are better for stomach sleepers and heavier folks, and back sleepers fall in between. The key is finding a mattress that keeps your spine neutral while you sleep.
Motion isolation and edge support: If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, motion isolation and edge support are necessary. A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you from being disturbed when your partner moves about. Good edge support gives you more space on your bed since you’ll feel comfortable and supported even when lying on the periphery.
You won’t find a perfect mattress at the under $500 price point. You need to be ready to compromise on comfort and quality. This may work for guest rooms and younger folks, but if you are older and suffer from aches and pains, we recommend spending more for a higher-quality mattress if you’re able. Fortunately, many brands offer payment plans.
For more detailed buying advice, check out our article on how to choose a mattress.
Erin Brains/ Business Insider
I tested all the mattresses in this guide, sleeping on each for at least 14 nights. I tried the queen size of each mattress, the most popular bed size. Each mattress was subjected to a battery of tests to determine its comfort, motion isolation, edge support, and more.
Here are some of the test results for the main attributes we tested:
|
Attribute |
The Allswell |
Zinus Cooling Green Tea |
Novilla Bliss |
Siena |
Lucid Plush |
Nectar |
|
Firmness (1 softest to 10 firmest) |
7 |
5.5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
|
Motion isolation (1 awful to 10 best) |
7 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
Edge support (1 awful to 10 best |
7 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
Heat dissipation (1 traps heat to 10 stays cool) |
4 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
|
Trial period (nights) |
100 |
100 |
100 |
180 |
30 |
365 |
|
Warranty (years) |
10 years |
10 years |
10 years |
10 years |
10 years |
Lifetime |
Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:
Comfort: I assessed a mattress’s firmness based on my experience testing dozens of mattresses. I paid attention to which positions I was most comfortable in: my side, stomach, or back. Also, I wore a Garmin Forerunner 945 watch to track my sleep quality.
Trial and warranty: Besides noting the home trial period and warranty length, I combed through the small print to find any catches, such as return shipping and restocking charges. Generally, you should expect a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty.
Motion Isolation: This aspect is important if you share a bed. A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you undisturbed as your partner shifts at night. I have two tests for this. First, I dropped a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress, landing one foot from a soda can placed on the mattress. The bed didn’t have very good motion isolation if the can fell over. If it stayed upright, the motion dampening was excellent. I also placed a vibrometer across the bed from where the bowling ball landed and compared the intensity of the vibrations. The Siena had the lowest vibration value at 6.8 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. The Sleepy’s Basic Innerspring Mattress was the worst at 8.5.
Edge support: I tested this in two ways. First, I sat on the edge of the mattress and measured how much it sank. If it sank less than 4 inches, the edge support was pretty good. My other test was to lay on the edge and roll closer to the edge until I fell. If my body got beyond a 45-degree angle before falling, then the bed had good edge support.
Setup: I timed how long it took to set up the mattresses without help in the morning. At bedtime, I checked whether the “new bed smell” had dissipated or lingered. I also moved the mattress around several times and noted how much it flopped about, if it had handles and, other aspects that made it hard or easy to move.
Want to learn more? Check out our article on how we test mattresses.
James Brains/Business Insider
Are budget mattresses worth it?
While I’ve found you get what you pay for with mattresses, if you can only afford a budget mattress, it may be worth it. “There are budget-friendly mattresses that can be supportive and friendly to your wallet,” said Tamara Huff, MD, a Georgia-based board-certified orthopedic surgeon. “I recommend looking for a medium to firm mattress with a good warranty.”
Are cheap mattresses comfortable?
After 5 months of testing, I found some cheap mattresses that are comfortable. Yet, none offered the zoned support I craved. “Inexpensive mattresses can be comfortable,” said Huff. “Ideally, look for a mattress with a return policy in case you notice discomfort 1 to 2 months in.”
Should I consider a more expensive mattress?
If you can, yes. Unless you’re looking for a mattress for a guest room or aren’t picky about comfort, you’ll be better off with a more expensive mattress. Based on my experience testing over 70 mattresses, you should count on spending at least $1,000 on a mattress you plan on sleeping on every night for the next 10 years.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Retailers are always looking for reasons to have mattress sales. Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Prime Day, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday are great times for buying a mattress because manufacturers offer great sales. Since new lines are usually launched in June, spring is a smart time to get good deals on older models.
What mattress types are less expensive than others?
All the mattresses I recommend in this guide are made primarily of foam except one. All-foam mattresses tend to be cheaper than the hybrid, latex, adjustable air, and innerspring models. I found no latex or adjustable air models for under $500. I tested three hybrid or innerspring models for consideration, and I only recommend one, the Allswell.
Are spring or foam mattresses better?
It depends and comes down to personal preference. Hybrid and spring mattresses tend to be more durable, supportive, and breathable with a bit of bounce. Foam mattresses are usually more affordable and do a good job of cradling your body, offering the “sinking in” feeling that some sleepers enjoy.