Best Mattress Under $1000 in 2024

What to Look for in a Mattress Under $1,000 

Buying a new mattress is an investment in your sleep health and overall well-being. While the mattress’s price is an important factor, there are also other notable qualities you should consider to ensure the bed gives you the best chance of getting a solid night’s rest. 

Type of Mattress 

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses within the $1,000 range are generally going to be good. The materials they are made of, however, are likely to vary to a certain extent.

There are two primary types of innerspring setups: interconnected coils and individually wrapped coils. Within the given price range, you could take advantage of either one. Linked/connected coils are the design that you’ve probably grown up with. Connected coils won’t absorb any motion at all, making the entire bed bounce up and down when someone moves around it. While it might provide the ultimate jumping grounds for your kid, it may not always provide premium comfort levels.

On the other hand, individually wrapped coils are often seen as superior to interconnected ones. These pocketed coils are wrapped in some sort of cloth and are conveniently lined within the bed. In certain situations, they might be filled with foam or with some other types of materials for added comfort.

Hybrid Mattresses 

There are different types of hybrid solutions available in the $1,000 price range. You can combine innerspring with memory foam and latex for a firmer, less bouncy, and more reliable sensation. The benefit of hybrid mattresses has been optimized thanks to the contemporary individually wrapped coil system of modern innerspring solutions.

If you want to diminish the cradling effect of memory foam, you can opt for a hybrid with latex that offers higher bounce and enhanced movability.

Memory Foam Mattresses 

At the given price range, rest assured that you’re conveniently set for pretty much anything available on the market for this type of bed. The quality of your memory foam mattress is likely to be top-notch, making the bed feel incredibly comfortable and providing you with longevity at the same time.

The density and durability of the foam may determine the comfort and support provided by the mattress. The higher the density is, the more reliable the product should be.

The general rule of thumb for a premium solution would be about 4 pounds per cubic foot of density concentrated in the comfort layer of the mattress. At a $1,000 price tag, you could get even better.

The thickness could range between 10 and 15 inches, but some products have slightly less height and are still high quality. This is a broad spectrum that is capable of accommodating the vast majority of sleeping positions and preferences.

Latex Mattresses 

Paying latex mattresses the necessary attention could be to your benefit, as this is a great alternative to the most traditional memory foam options for a variety of reasons. The most considerable differentiation hides behind the fact that latex, at least the majority of it, is a natural material¹. This makes it a renewable resource unlike the chemical solutions used to create memory foam, and therefore, preferable to many.

There are two types of latex available at this price point, both of which are geared towards bringing a different result: Talalay and Dunlop. Dunlop latex is very elastic and dense, and it’s a lot more affordable than Talalay. This latex type is made in thick sheets that are usually softer on top and transition into a firmer base, which makes it a great option for overweight people.

Talalay latex is the more premium option. This type uses a construction method that removes the air, giving it a lighter and softer feel.

Interested in learning more? Read our pick for the best latex mattress!

Other Considerations When Shopping for a Mattress Under $1,000

Sleeping Position 

Which position(s) you typically sleep in will have an impact on what type of mattress is best for you.

For back sleepers, you’ll want a mattress that supports the natural curve of your lumbar spine so that you don’t feel pressure in your hips or upper back. Typically, back sleepers do well with a medium to firm mattress, but to each their own. Just so long as your spine is in alignment. 

For side sleepers, you’ll probably do well with a soft or medium feel. Since side sleepers are lying on their shoulder and hip, it’s important to have a mattress that relieves pressure from these areas, which might mean a soft or contouring memory foam mattress. Side sleepers should also look for a good, high loft pillow, or even better, one that is specifically made for side sleepers to support their neck and shoulder. 

Combination sleepers will also find a medium-firm mattress comfortable. They should also consider highly responsive, bouncy beds as these can help make it easier for them to adjust positions.

Stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress so that your hips don’t sink in and throw your back out of alignment. You’ll also want a flatter or lower loft pillow so that your neck remains in healthy and comfortable alignment. 

Weight/Body Type of Sleepers 

Your weight and body type are always important to consider when buying a new mattress. How much you weigh can dictate the firmness you’ll most likely find comfortable. For example, if you weigh below 130 pounds, you’ll most likely enjoy a softer mattress. Similarly, if you weigh over 230 pounds, you’ll probably enjoy a firmer mattress the most. 

Your body type is also something to think about. For instance, side sleepers with broad shoulders may want a softer bed that can contour the shoulders more so pressure doesn’t build up. Luckily, you can find many quality mattresses below $1,000 that fit various body types and weights.

Firmness 

Mattresses come in a variety of firmness levels: extra soft, soft, medium, firm, or extra firm. The firmness describes how soft or hard the mattress feels when you lie on top of it, though the same mattress can feel softer or firmer to two different people. Mattress firmness is rated on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the softest and 10 the hardest.

The biggest factors determining how firm your mattress should be are: what position do you sleep in, and how much do you weigh? Typically, people who sleep on their backs or stomachs, as well as heavier individuals, will need a firmer mattress, whereas people who sleep on their sides or are lighter in weight will do well with a softer or medium mattress. 

Durability

Different mattresses have different life spans. If you’re looking for a mattress that will last you a long time, a latex mattress is your best bet. This material tends to last well, but that is reflected in its price point. 

A cheaper mattress, like an innerspring or poly foam bed, will wear out faster than something like latex or even a hybrid. Ultimately, this will depend on how long you want your mattress to last and how much you are willing to spend.

Cooling 

If you are naturally a hot sleeper, you know how important it is to cool down at night. You can do this by choosing cooling pajamas, cooling bedding, and cooling pillows, but perhaps most important is choosing a mattress that won’t naturally retain heat. 

Memory foam mattresses tend to be the warmest, most heat-retaining type (unless they come with cooling properties), whereas something like latex is naturally cooling. You can also pick a mattress that is specifically designed to cool you down.  

Motion Isolation 

If you sleep with a partner, especially if you are a light sleeper, you’ll want to keep motion isolation in mind when shopping for a mattress. Motion isolation describes how little a mattress moves or is affected when someone on the other side of the bed moves. 

Memory foam mattresses are typically great at isolating motion because they absorb movement. Latex and innerspring beds, on the other hand, tend to be bouncier and aren’t as good at isolating motion. 

Sex 

Sexually active couples have different preferences, so it’s important to talk to your partner when buying a new bed. If you and your partner prefer a bouncier bed, you should be able to find a quality innerspring and hybrid below $1,000. Hybrids are slightly more expensive, though, so it might be trickier to find a larger bed size under $1,000.

Either way, we think it’s important to look for a bed with a little pushback support that won’t allow you to sink too deeply into the construction. 

More Info: Best Mattress for Sex

Pressure Relief 

Pressure relief is typically provided by softer materials at the top of the mattress that conform and contour your body. Memory foam, for example, is known for its ability to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders because of how contouring it is. 

Pressure relief is especially important for side sleepers, lightweight sleepers, and people with joint pain. 

If you are having trouble with pressure ulcers, take a look at our best mattresses for pressure relief.

Edge Support

Edge support is also valuable to couples. This means that a mattress keeps the sleeper(s) well-supported along the perimeter as well, and in the case of couples, this gives both people more surface space. Beds with coils, such as hybrid and innerspring mattresses, typically offer excellent edge support. 

Value

When we talk about value, we’re talking about the quality-to-price ratio; not just how inexpensive a mattress is. Some mattresses will be inexpensive but that will be reflected in the quality. You’ll want to find a mattress that is affordable but still well-made. 

In general, innerspring mattresses are going to be some of the cheapest but will likely not last as long as something like latex, which is typically more expensive. 

Online shopping is a great way to save on top-tier mattresses. This direct-to-consumer sales model cuts out middle-men costs, so you likely won’t have to pay as much as you would in-store.

Shopping for a mattress on a budget? Explore our picks for the best budget mattresses.

Trial & Warranty

Most top brands will offer a sleep trial period and warranty for their mattresses. This is especially helpful when shopping online, where mattresses tend to be less expensive, but you don’t get the benefit of trying them out in-store. 

A mattress trial period allows you to sleep on the mattress for a certain amount of nights), and if it doesn’t work for you, you can return it. Many brands offer trial periods of around 100 nights, with some providing a full year to try out the bed.

A warranty is different than a trial period in that you can’t just return the mattress if it doesn’t work for you. The warranty will allow you to return or exchange the mattress if there is something wrong with it – some sort of manufacturer’s defect or if it begins to sag or deteriorate before a certain amount of time. Most companies offer mattress warranties anywhere between 10-20 years, though some offer lifetime warranties. 

Always read the fine print of your mattress’s warranty before you buy it. 

Pros and Cons of Beds Under $1,000

Pros

• You can find different memory foam and innerspring options for under $1,000.
• You can expect high-quality stitching in a mattress in this range.
• Many mattresses in this price range come with a good warranty – on average about 10 years.
• Mattresses in this price range should last 7-10 years.

Cons

• You’ll have fewer latex and hybrid mattress options under 1,000 dollars, especially in larger sizes
• Lifetime warranties and warranties above 10 years are sometimes only available for more expensive mattresses.
• You’re less likely to find medically-backed/specialty mattresses under $1,000.
• Mattresses above $1,000, like latex mattresses, should last longer than 10 years.

Best Mattress Under $1,000 FAQs

Julia Forbes

Lead Product Tester

About Author

Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.

Stomach Sleeper

References:

1. “THE MAKING OF LATEX”. Ace Laboratories. Webpage accessed January 27, 2024.