Best Cheap Mattress

Best Cheap Mattress:
3 great beds under your budget

Better sleep is literally the most important self-care decision you’ll make this year. Here’s the problem: it’s so expensive. Mattresses, pillows, sheets, and bed frames all add up fast, creating a huge dent in your wallet, leading to more sleepless nights wondering how you’ll pay for it all.

Luckily, the price of a good mattress has never been cheaper. Unluckily, the market is flooded with cheap mattresses, some of them great, some – uh – not so great. So what do you do when you want to find the best cheap mattress? You’re doing it right now! Here’s our guide to the best mattress that lets you sleep for cheap.

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

Cheap Mattress Summary

What do we look for in the best cheap mattress? Three simple ideas: comfort, support, and longevity.

Our top 3 mattress recommendations are the Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam, Classic Brand’s Innerspring Pillow Top, and Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam

[/su_note]

[su_box title=”Our Top Choices” style=”default” box_color=”#4D59A7″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”5″]

 

[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]

[/su_column][su_column size=”1/2″]

Zinus Ultima Comfort 10”

Best Memory Foam

This is taking the old school version of a memory foam mattress and giving it a well-needed remix. Give it a try and see for yourself the difference a new mattress with heat-wicky foam and gel makes in your sleep.

CHECK PRICE

[/su_column][/su_row]

 


 

[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]

[/su_column][su_column size=”1/2″]

Classic Brands Innerspring Pillow Top

Best Innerspring Pillow Top

This mattress is a great deal. An individually wrapped coil mattress can go for a thousand dollars or more, making this a steal at this price point.

CHECK PRICE

[/su_column][/su_row]


 

[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]

[/su_column][su_column size=”1/2″]

Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam

Best Mid-Range

If you like a little more support and foundation in your mattress, then this mattress is perfect. It has a very neutral sleep temperature, unlike a lot of memory foam mattresses that can sleep too hot. That’s definitely a comforting feeling.

CHECK PRICE

[/su_column][/su_row]

 

[/su_box]

 

What to Look for in a Budget Mattress

Comfort, support, and longevity. Repeat these to yourself. Find a mattress that masters those qualities and you’ve found the best affordable mattress. Simple? Yup. Easy to find? Nope. So how do we start our research? Just like a supreme athlete (which we definitely are NOT), we focus up and listen to our bodies. Here’s how to find the best cheap mattress.

    1. Know what you’re looking for before you start. Think about these questions: What position do you sleep in? What level of firmness do you prefer? How big a bed do you need? Answering these questions before you start searching will help you narrow your search and give some good parameters when looking at reviews.
    2. It’s a good idea to take advantage of the try-before-you-buy policy that comes standard with most mattresses these days. Many offer extended trial periods of a month or more that will clue you into how you’ll sleep in that particular bed. This is important because it can take up to a week before a bed breaks itself in. Sort of like a baseball glove, but bigger and way more fun at night.
    3. Listen to your body the morning after. Duh, right? Your body is going to give you the most accurate review of a mattress the night after you sleep on it. Do you feel any problem areas? Is your arm asleep in the morning? Do you wake up to aches and pains? Still feel tired? These aren’t normal, so if you’re feeling them right away on a new mattress it’s a sure sign you have the wrong one. On the other hand, if you have a mattress that makes you feel like a kid again, it’s time to stop your search. Congrats, you just found the best cheap mattress.

 

1. Best Memory Foam Budget Choice: Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 10”

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

Zinus might sound like the last name of a super villain in this year’s newest summer blockbuster, but it’s actually quite the opposite: the Zinus has become the hero in the fight for better sleep. For years Zinus has made great mattresses for people on a smaller budget, becoming one of the most popular mattress brands in the process. No really, we’re not kidding. They have over 12,000 Amazon reviews at the time of publication. While they offer all sorts of mattresses (from gel to hybrid to latex), their comfort memory foam 10” mattress has gotten a lot of publicity for being, well, just so dang comfortable. What makes it that way? Let’s take a deeper look.

Support: The Zinus memory foam mattress takes its cue from previous memory foam mattresses by combining three different types of foam to create a combo of pressure relief, support, and memory foam. Zinus didn’t skimp out on the materials, using all CertiPUR-US certified foam (which is basically a fancy way of saying that it’s high performance and durable.) We found this bed to lie profoundly in the middle of the “medium-firm” range of mattresses, which means that it should be supportive enough for folks who like that, while still retaining enough comfort to make more delicate sleepers happy too. How comfortable is it? SO comfortable.

Comfort: In our opinion, this is where Zinus really gets it right. Their three inches of memory foam on top makes it great for heat-wicking, meaning that this bed doesn’t sleep too hot which was often a problem in earlier memory foam beds. Under it, the two inches of comfort foam make sure that the problem areas of your body (like the neck and shoulder) are properly cared for and contoured around. Contouring is a big buzzword in mattresses these days, but it’s worth noting when it’s done right. Zinus does it right.


The Bottom Line

This is a superb value for a very well made mattress. The use of bioFoam makes this mattress even more desirable. No longer does it have the petroleum smell of old memory foam, the use of plant-based essential oils keeps it smelling fresh.

This is taking the old school version of a memory foam mattress and giving it a well-needed remix. Who loves a good remix? Everybody, that’s who. Give it a try and see for yourself the difference a new mattress with heat-wicky foam and gel makes in your sleep.

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

[/su_note]

 

2. Best Innerspring Budget Choice: Classic Brand’s Innerspring Pillow Top

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

This is the mattress so nice, it’s on our lists twice (to appropriate a quote from the immortal Michael Scott). Not only is this mattress a great value, but it’s also on our list of mattresses that are great for larger people. That’s for good reason: this is a relatively inexpensive innerspring mattress that is no-frills, firm, and fun to sleep on. We’re serious, this is one of the best value bets on this list. Classic Brand just delivers a superior sleep experience — especially if you dig a firm mattress.

Support: The support on this Classic Brand mattress is really its strength, both literally and figuratively. This mattress has 792 individually wrapped coils which give a firm, supportive sleep night in and night out — especially important if you’re the sort of person who tends toward back problems. While the comfort is a little more in the eye of the beholder, there’s no denying that this is one supportive mattress. This mattress is like a good friend after an extremely bad breakup — extremely supportive.

Comfort: OK, so the comfort of Classic Brand really depends on your sleep style. If you’re looking for a more sunk-in, contouring feeling then this might not be the mattress for you. If, on the other hand, you like a little more support and foundation in your mattress, then this mattress is perfect. We also like that it has a very neutral sleep temperature, unlike a lot of memory foam mattresses that can sleep too hot. This is a mattress that keeps cool under pressure, no matter how much pressure you put on it. That’s definitely a comforting feeling.


The Bottom Line

This mattress is a great deal. An individually wrapped coil mattress can go for a thousand dollars or more, making this a steal at this price point. While it is definitely a conscious decision towards a more firm mattress, we’re betting if you’re looking for an innerspring mattress that this is what you want anyway.

Plus, the option to add a pillowtop is a nice touch for those who need a little softness with their support. Definitely, a value mattress that gets its name because it puts an emphasis on adding real value – not just that it’s cheap.

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

[/su_note]

 

3. Mid-Range Best Choice: Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam (standard)

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

Another of our mattresses that appears multiple times on our list, Tuft & Needle has made a name for themselves as one of the most popular mattress brands on the internet. One needs only look at their insane number of reviews online to see that far and wide people love sleeping on a Tuft & Needle mattress. That’s because they offer the most traditionally popular support (medium-firm) while sprinkling in new advancements in foam technology. This is like when your grandma finally got an iPhone, the mix of new and old shouldn’t work as well as it does — but somehow it just makes you happy. Grandma is now a social media influencer AND this bed is more comfortable than it has any right to be. The future is weird, but we’re into it.

Support: The Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam formula is proprietary bed technology that gives plenty of support, but still has enough bouncy response if that’s more your jam. What do we mean by bouncy? Well typically that’s found in premium latex mattresses (which cost tons of money), but Adaptive Foam can mimic those qualities in a fraction of the price. T&N uses high-grade foam, and that’s definitely born-out in the sleep experience. No more cricks in the neck when you wake up, those are a thing of the past. This mattress is so, so supportive.

Comfort: You know how you never want to call someone a nickname they pick for themselves? Well, that’s how we felt when we heard that Tuft & Needle describes themselves as “the internet’s most comfortable mattress.” Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for us, it turns out to be true. They did it by pairing things down. Simple is better. Just two different types of foam are found in this mattress, the adaptive foam and then a base layer. It’s great for giving a little bit of bounce back and responsiveness while still keeping a good amount of support. We love it, and we have to say they’re right, the internet does think this is a comfortable mattress.


The Bottom Line

This is the perfect example of less is more. Fewer layers than your average bed, sure, but you’re getting way more value from the layers you DO have. We love the medium-firm feel, and the fact that it has a ten-year warranty is just icing on the cake. Plus, the integration of graphite and cooling gel into their cover means that it’s quite breathable, wicks heat, and makes for a cooler sleep than your average foam bed.

Give it a try. They even give you a 100-night sleep trial so that you can make up your own mind about how comfy it is. We have a feeling you’re going to agree with the rest of us.

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

[/su_note]

 

Buying Guide for the Best Cheap Mattress

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

Here are our criteria and a guide for buying the best cheap mattress. We’ve busted this into a couple of different easy-to-read categories so you can conduct your own research at your leisure. Remember that a good mattress conforms to your lifestyle — not the other way around. Here are some simple ways to start your search for a mattress that won’t break the bank OR your back.

How to Tell a Quality Mattress From a Bad Mattress

All mattresses aren’t created equally. Let’s start there. From how they sleep to how they hold up, mattresses can vary wildly in the quality. Just because you’re looking for the best cheap mattress doesn’t mean you should focus on the CHEAP part of the equation. We’re looking for quality here.

So where do you start? Much like assessing a new relationship, we have to look at how we feel when we’re in the throws of a new mattress. Here are some physical signs that the chemistry between you and your mattress is built to last — or that you need to swipe left ASAP.

Your mattress gives you support and comfort all over.

Sure, this can mean support for all over your body, but we’re also talking about the mattress itself. A bad mattress will tend to sag at the edges. This is specifically a problem for cheaper memory foams, which tend to droop when there isn’t good support to hold them up. If it feels like you’re falling off the side of the bed, or that your mattress is melting, that means your bed is bad. On the other hand, if comfort and support are even throughout the mattress it means you’ve got a winner on your hands. We’re looking for consistency here.

You feel good when you wake up.

Again, no duh right? But like a bad relationship, it’s amazing how often people make excuses for a mattress that makes them feel terrible. If you’re waking up with back or shoulder pains, don’t blame it on getting older — that’s a mattress that doesn’t have the support you need. Got a dead arm that always feels asleep when you wake up? That’s not because you have bad circulation, it’s because your mattress doesn’t have enough give to it.

Listen to your body. It’s not hard. The best cheap mattress is going to leave you feeling well rested, springy, and able to face the day — not clunky, sore, and overly tired. Your bed is a place of peace, it starts with a good mattress.

The best mattress sleeps the same every single night.

You might not think it, but a mattress actually changes over time. Box springs wear out, memory foam degrades — but a good mattress mitigates these changes with superior design and quality materials. This is why we recommend taking advantage of the trial period for any mattress you get. It takes about a week for a mattress to break-in. You should also use that period to make sure that once it IS settled that your mattress has the support and comfort you need. Doing this makes sure that you’ve got a great bed that’s built to last and not a lemon. Don’t be the kind of person who just drives a car off the lot for the first time and buys it — do your research and take your mattress for a couple of test drives before making a final decision.

[/su_note]

 

Risks of Buying a Cheaper Mattress: Don’t Skimp Just for the Deal

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

What can happen when you buy a cheap mattress that doesn’t live up to the hype? A lot of sleepless nights. When considering what mattress to buy, think about this: you’re going to have this mattress for a long time. On average, a mattress is going to last you for around a decade. That means that you’re going to want to invest some funds and time into figuring out which one is going to give you the best sleep possible.

What happens when you don’t sleep well? There are all kinds of problems that can happen. Beyond feeling aches and pains, not sleeping enough can lead to neurological problems, health woes, and yeah, even an increase in mortality risk. One study showed a 12% increase in mortality for people who didn’t sleep at least six hours. Yikes.

Is this dramatic? Sure, but also think about this: life isn’t just about getting a good deal. When you sleep well, you live well. Just going for the cheapest mattress means you aren’t seeing the forest for the trees. That’s dumb, and it’s going to bite you in the butt down the road. Get a good mattress and make a friend for life.

[/su_note]

 

How Cheap is Cheap? The Budget Buyer Options Broken Down by Price

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

Cheap isn’t a universal term. What’s cheap to one person might be expensive for another. We thought we’d take a second to break down the tiers of “cheap” mattress so you can get a better picture of how to find the best mattress in your price range.

Under $1,000: The Big Names (Serta Perfect Sleeper, Pure Green, Casper)

If you budget a grand or less you can expect to find some pretty big names and some amazing mattresses. We’re talking Serta, Pure Green, Casper, Sealy, Leesa, and more. While these may not be the highest tier of bed that these companies offer (at $900 for a Queen, the Serta Perfect Sleeper is the budget version of their mattress), they still adhere to a higher quality than other mattresses.

These beds are typically foam or foam hybrids. They’re made from multiple memory foams and memory gel which can help with overheating. Often they’ve got great warranties, guarantees that the foam is made sustainably and adheres to all US safety and environmental standards. It’s likely that you’ll find a quality mattress in this price range, and one that will last you for a decade or more without noticeable degradation.

Under $500: Good Value for the Bargain Hunter

It used to be that finding a mattress for under $1000 was a fool’s errand. Nowadays, thanks to advances in memory foam and reduced shipping costs it’s absolutely possible to find a good cheap mattress for under $500. These are the mattresses that are almost always advertised as “bed in a box” types, often made from a few layers of memory foam that decompress after 48 hours in your bedroom. Tuft and Needle has a great mattress for under $500.

These mattresses may not have quite the warranty OR the quality of materials of the higher tier, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t find some quality options. Hunting for a bed in this price range means being diligent about your research into their materials and how they might manifest in a night of good sleep. What are you looking for? Support? Comfort? It’s possible to find these in this price range, though your durability may suffer. Still, these beds are a great option, especially if you don’t have the extra cash to burn.

Under $250: The Mystery Bin

You know the bin of DVDs at a lot of stores that are just a mish-mash of weird kung fu movies, made-for-tv-schlock, and the occasional great find? That’s exactly what this price range feels like. You might find a winner, but you’re going to have to dig deep through some, uh, rougher fare. That’s not to say it isn’t possible, it just means that you’re going to have to really look.

You’re also not going to be dealing with a name brand (unless you consider Zinus a name brand). That’s ok, but it also means that most of these mattresses don’t have any significant warranty or trial period. It also means that they’re only using one or two types of memory foam and probably don’t have the support or comfort of a higher tier mattress. If you’re a college student though, and you’re hoping for a mattress that you can chuck on the floor and forget about — you can definitely find something here that works. Durability? Maybe not. You have to sacrifice something, and that’s usually the first thing to go.

Under $100: Why Are You Doing This to Yourself?

This is like the unknown part of the map, the part where old-timey sailors say “Here be dragons or monsters or whatever.” Are you just aimlessly surfing craigslist looking for a mattress? Are you cruising the streets looking for derelict college mattresses left out in the rain, their box springs worn, their exteriors droopy and sad? Don’t do this to yourself. Like, learn to love yourself enough that you’ll spend more than $100 on your mattress.

Needless to say (but we’ll say it), It’s basically impossible to find a mattress at this price. They do exist, you can find them on the internet, but they’re not good, and we’re not going to point you in that direction. It’s just sad. Be better. We want more for you than what a $100 mattress can give. Bonus: avoid these and also you won’t get bed bugs from some dirty street mattress. That’s priceless.

[/su_note]

 

Does Size Matter? In a Word: Yes

Size matters for the cost of a bed. Buying a queen is going to cost more than a twin. That’s simple math. Here’s the thing: bigger isn’t always better! Measure your room, then make sure to pay attention to how big the mattress’ dimensions are on their website. You can get a better idea of the size you’ll need for the space you have. Sure, most companies adhere to the same mattress measurement, but knowing this exact amount will make deciding on size easier — and you’ll be able to budget accordingly.

 

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

Conclusion: Love Your Bed, Love Yourself

We get it. You love a great deal and you love to sleep. Hopefully, by using this guide you can find the bed that works best for you. Remember our three big tenets for finding the best cheap mattress: comfort, support, and longevity. If you keep those ideas in your head, you’ll find the mattress of your dreams.

While great mattresses come in all price ranges, we hope that by breaking down each by the price range, you’ll be able to see the difference in going up or down a tier. No matter what price range you ultimately settle on, make sure your mattress enables you to wake up refreshed, renewed, and fully rested. Anything less and you’re not finding a bargain — you’re settling. This year give yourself the gift of a great night’s sleep, every single night. Doing so will change your life for the better. It might sound dramatic, but that’s the true power of finding the best cheap mattress. Good luck!

[/su_note]

 

 

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000″]

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

[/su_note]


Posted

in

by

Tags:

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *