Best Cheap Mattresses of 2022

If you want to buy an affordable mattress without compromising on quality, Mattress Advisor can help you turn the dream into reality. We’ve tested and reviewed dozens of products to put together our list of best cheap mattresses, with an average starting price just over $1,000 for a queen size—not counting sales or discounts.

Compare our best budget mattresses, check out our buyer’s guide, and find out why “inexpensive quality mattress” doesn’t have to be a contradiction in terms.

Our Picks for Best Cheap Mattress of 2022

• Best Hybrid Mattress – Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Back Sleepers – Helix Midnight
• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Nectar
• Best Cooling Foam Mattress – Nolah Original 10″
• Best Mattress for Couples – Cocoon Chill
• Best Queen-Size Mattress – Leesa Studio
• Best Mattress for Back Pain – Puffy
• Best Memory Foam Mattress – Casper
• Best Mattress for Kids – Tuft & Needle
• Best Pillow Top Mattress – Dreamfoam Elements Latex

Why You Can Trust Mattress Advisor

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity in our product reviews and other content by incorporating real customer feedback, empirical testing and objective evaluations. Our results and recommendations are never influenced by the commission we may receive from brands, and products we receive are never guaranteed a positive review.

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Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid

The Bowery Hybrid is a versatile budget mattress from Brooklyn Bedding. With a layered, coil/foam design and medium firmness, the Bowery Hybrid can help a wide variety of sleepers enjoy restful nights.

Pros

This hybrid bed scores quite well on our spine alignment test (8.75/10), an encouraging sign for people with back pain. The gel memory foam topper provides a contouring feel while helping you avoid overheating.

Cons

The Bowery Hybrid scored an 8/10 in our lab for responsiveness, which isn’t shabby. However, especially restless sleepers might look elsewhere for a more responsive mattress.

Read our full Bowery Hybrid mattress review.

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Helix Midnight

At $1,199 for a queen-size, the Helix Midnight brings a lot to the table for a very reasonable price. With a middle-of-the-road firmness and supportive hybrid construction, the Helix Midnight is a back sleeper’s dream come true.

Pros

Not only great for back sleepers, the Helix Midnight accommodates side, stomach, and combination sleepers as well. It also does a great job relieving pressure (8.5/10 Mattress Advisor score), meaning sensitive areas such as your shoulders and hips will feel cushioned and supported.

Cons

We noticed an off-gassing smell as the Helix Midnight was being unboxed. This is normal for mattresses made with foam layers, but you may find it unpleasant. Once unboxed, allow the Helix Midnight to rest for several hours so the smell can dissipate.

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review.

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Nectar

When you sleep on your side, it’s important to get the right amount of give in key areas of your body, particularly your shoulders and hips. The Nectar scored an 8.5/10 in pressure relief in our testing, making it an excellent option for the side sleeper.

Pros

In terms of quality, the Nectar does not disappoint. In fact, less than 3% of Nectar’s customers end up returning this budget mattress. It offers great edge support, responsiveness, cooling air flow, and durability.

Cons

The Nectar has a cooling cover and breathable foam layers, but we give at a 7.75/10 score for cooling—not bad for an all-foam product, but not great generally. A cooling mattress topper might be a smart accessory.

Read our full Nectar mattress review.

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Nolah Original 10″

The Nolah Original 10″ is designed to keep you from overheating at night, and the price could keep your wallet from overheating at checkout. A queen size is priced at $1,149, which is quite reasonable for a bed with an overall Mattress Advisor score of 8.9/10.

Pros

The Nolah Original 10″ combines proprietary AirFoam and a breathable Tencel cover, which earns this mattress an 8/10 score for cooling—not bad at all for an all-foam bed. High scores in motion transfer (9/10) and spine alignment (9.5/10) are good signs for couples and back sleepers.

Cons

The Nolah Original’s 7.25/10 pressure relief score could be problematic for some side sleepers. Heavier people and stomach sleepers should consider a thicker mattress.

Read our full Nolah Original 10″ mattress review.

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Cocoon Chill

A good mattress for couples should perform well in isolating motion and providing support around the edges. The Cocoon Chill earns 9/10 scores in our testing lab for both motion transfer and edge support, which means that couples are (a) less likely to be disturbed by movement and (b) free to use more of the mattress surface without feeling the edges sag.

Pros

Thanks to its impressive performance in spine alignment and pressure relief, as well as its medium firmness level, the Cocoon Chill is a good match for most side sleepers. Restless sleepers who toss and turn should benefit from its responsiveness (9/10 in Mattress Advisor testing).

Cons

The Cocoon Chill’s desirability for couples comes with an asterisk. Since it has a weight limit of 500 pounds, it’s best suited for people of average weight rather than plus-size sleepers. Couples with a combined weight over 500 pounds might consider a sturdier alternative like the Brooklyn Bedding Titan.

Read our full Cocoon mattress review.

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Leesa Studio

Finding a good queen-size mattress on a budget isn’t easy, but the Leesa Studio can help you make it happen—for less than $800. A queen-size Leesa Studio goes for $799, and you get quite a bit of quality at that competitive price point.

Pros

We think side sleepers will be especially happy with this balance of comfort and support. However, we also noticed that back sleepers should benefit as well, since the mattress does an excellent job of relieving pressure in the lower back and upper shoulders.

Cons

One of the downsides of memory foam is that it’s not the coolest material, although the Leesa Studio’s twill cover and memory foam layer both incorporate cooling properties. Additionally, heavy people (230 pounds and over) and stomach sleepers might want to check out a firmer bed.

Read our full Leesa Studio mattress review.

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Puffy

The Puffy has a medium firmness that works well for sleepers who suffer from back pain, as it helps keep your spine aligned whether you’re on your back or your stomach. At $1,799 for a queen, it’s a great option for budget shoppers looking for pain relief.

Pros

The Puffy mattress has all of the benefits of memory foam with very few of the drawbacks. The high motion isolation score means that couples can toss and turn without disturbing one another, and the impressive spine alignment can help alleviate back pain in afflicted sleepers.

Cons

Over time, you may notice the Puffy sag in areas where you regularly sleep. This eventually happens to most mattresses, but especially those made with memory foam. The issue can be mitigated by rotating your mattress several times per year.

Read our full Puffy mattress review.

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Casper

The Casper is designed with four different foam layers that provide durability, soft comfort, pressure relief, and support. That means you can count on relief in high-pressure areas such as the shoulders and hips.

Pros

In our testing, the Casper stood out for its outstanding edge support and great spine alignment at a reasonable price. It also performs well in responsiveness, making it a strong option for the sleeper who shifts about throughout the night.

Cons

The Casper doesn’t perform particularly well as a cooling mattress, earning only a 7 out of 10 in our lab. That’s not uncommon with foam mattresses, although there are foam mattresses that are designed to cool, such as the Cocoon Chill.

Read our full Casper mattress review.

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Tuft & Needle

The original Tuft & Needle is a great mattress for kids, especially pre-teenagers whose smaller frames are well-suited for twin-size beds. You can get a twin for about $650, not counting sales or discounts, making Tuft & Needle a strong choice for families on a budget.

Related: Best Mattresses for Kids

Pros

Parents concerned about posture will appreciate the Tuft & Needle’s solid performance in spine alignment (8.5/10 Mattress Advisor score). The Adaptive Foam layer plays a key role in that category, in addition to providing responsiveness.

Cons

This mattress scores 7.25/10 for edge support, so children who sleep near the edge could feel an uncomfortable sagging sensation. The 7/10 cooling score is less than ideal for kids prone to overheating and night sweats.

Read our full Tuft & Needle mattress review.

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Dreamfoam Elements Latex

This mattress consists of an optional quilted plush pillow top, a responsive latex layer, and a supportive polyfoam base layer. Together, these layers create a mattress great for every sleeping position and your wallet.

Related: Best Pillow Top Mattresses

Pros

As a hybrid, this mattress does a good job of keeping you cool at night—we gave it an 8.5 out of 10 in our lab for cooling. Pressure relief also did well, with an 8.7 out of 10 for that metric, as well as an 8/10 for spine alignment.

Cons

The Dreamfoam Elements Latex only scored a 7 out of 10 in our lab for edge support. That means this may not be the right option if you need support getting out of bed, if you like to put your shoes on in the morning on the edge of your bed, or if you sleep on the edge. If great edge support is a must for you, check out the WinkBeds Luxury Firm.

Read our full Elements Latex mattress review.

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Buyer’s Guide to Affordable Mattresses

Terms like memory foam, hybrid, and pocket coils might sound like the stuff of luxury, but plenty of budget-friendly mattresses offer these features, and more. There are plenty of cheap mattresses that can help you find a happy medium between price and quality for about $1,000.

Here are some important questions and answers that can help you find the right affordable mattress for your budget and your sleep needs.

• Is a Cheap Mattress a Good Investment?
• How to Save Money on a Mattress
• What Affects the Price of Mattresses?

Is a Cheap Mattress a Good Investment?

The answer is probably yes, as long as you avoid the extremes. Buying a mattress at the lowest end of the price range—say, $300 or less—often means making big compromises not just on comfort but also longevity. A mattress that starts to wear out and sag after just a few years could turn out to be a less economical choice than a mattress with a lifespan twice as long.

Although you can’t really put a price on comfort, you should also consider the value of getting more restful sleep every night. Spending more than the rock-bottom price could make a huge difference in your health and overall quality of life, especially if you struggle with back pain and other health issues.

From a purely financial standpoint, better sleep could also mean less money spent on sleep medications, fewer trips to the chiropractor, and so on.

Related: Best Mattresses for the Money

How to Save Money on a Mattress

The best cheap mattresses do more than save you money. They also improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep without worrying about how much it costs. Follow these tips to find the right balance between spending wisely and sleeping comfortably.

Shop for Top Brands Online

Shopping online for a mattress is a fairly easy way to get an affordable, high-quality mattress. However, it doesn’t mean that a big-box retailer’s website always offers the best deal. Here are some reasons why:

• You’ll find some nationally recognized brands, like those on websites specifically devoted to mattresses and sleep accessories, but also a lot of second-tier or third-tier brands you probably never heard of. Those brands might also use an entirely different company to sell and deliver their mattresses.
• While most top mattress brands offer free shipping when you buy online, that service might not be available from a retail chain unless you sign up for a special membership (like Walmart’s W+, which costs about $98 a year).
• With discount brands sold by a big-box store, you might get a shorter sleep trial and a shorter, less comprehensive warranty.
• Top mattress websites tend to be more transparent about total costs rather than tacking on various fees (shipping charges, minimum purchase requirements, and so on).

In other words, the allure of rock-bottom prices often comes with strings attached. You could be sacrificing quality, longevity, and overall long-term value for what seems to be a smaller upfront investment.

Shop at the Right Time

Certain times of the year are ideal for saving money on a mattress. Big “sales holidays” for mattresses include:

• Black Friday
• Cyber Monday
• President’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Labor Day

Use Coupons and Bundle Deals

Even when it’s not a holiday, many companies often have ongoing promotions and discounts so you can save some money on an already-cheap mattress. Bundle deals are also a popular way to save money. If you’re getting a new mattress, you might want new sheets, pillows, or a bed frame. Bundling them into one transaction at a discount could save money in the long run.

What Affects the Price of Mattresses?

You may be wondering how there can be such a wide price range for mattresses. Actually, there are many factors that differentiate mattresses and can drive up costs. When you’re shopping for a budget mattress, think about which features and capabilities you’re willing to pay extra for, and which ones you’re not.

• Size: Larger mattresses require more materials, which of course makes them more expensive to manufacture. If you buy from a seller that doesn’t offer free shipping, more weight could mean higher shipping costs.
• Materials: High-density memory foam and organic or natural latex are higher-quality and can make a mattress more expensive (and more comfortable).
• Design: Innersprings or hybrids with zoned or targeted supportive coil layers require advanced construction and cost more.
• Brand: Some brands market themselves as luxury brands, while others target the average consumer.
• Cooling elements: Copper, gel-infused foam and other cooling technologies drive up the price of a mattress.
• Smart-bed technology: Highly engineered adjustable airbeds can cost thousands of dollars more than a typical mattress.

Most Affordable Mattress Types

Mattresses also tend to vary in price by type. Here’s a quick rundown:

—Less expensive—

 

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are by far the most budget-friendly type of mattress you can buy. These beds are typically around $300–$1,000 and have a decent lifespan around five to seven years. Foam and memory foam mattresses curve to your body and offer lumbar support, pressure relief, and great motion transfer.

Innerspring

Traditional innerspring mattresses are also usually pretty affordable, ranging around $800–$1,900. Innersprings are more firm and bouncy and have a lifespan around six to eight years. One potential drawback is that they don’t always offer the best pressure relief.

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—More expensive—

 

Hybrids

Hybrid mattresses combine innerspring coils with foam or latex materials and cost around $1,500–$3,000 plus. These mattresses are very durable and supportive and have a lifespan around six to 10 years.

Latex

Latex mattresses usually are marketed as luxury models and cost around the same as hybrids, around $1,500–$2,000, though you can find cheaper latex mattresses around $1,000. They offer the longest lifespan and are usually made with eco-friendly materials.

Airbeds

Different from air mattresses, airbeds are mattresses with customizable air chambers that you can adjust to change the firmness level. These luxury mattresses are often at least $2,000–$3,000.

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Recap: Our Picks for Best Cheap Mattress

Here’s another look at our top picks for the best cheap mattresses, along with links to coupon and deals pages:

Mattress	Award	Coupons/Deals
Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid	Best Hybrid Mattress	Coupons
Helix Midnight	Best for Back Sleepers	Coupons
Nectar	Best for Side Sleepers	Coupons
Nolah Original 10″	Best Cooling Foam Mattress	Coupons
Cocoon Chill	Best Couples Mattress	Deals
Leesa Studio	Best Queen-Size Mattress	Coupons
Puffy	Best Mattress for Back Pain	Coupons
Casper	Best Memory Foam Mattress	Coupons
Tuft & Needle	Best Mattress for Kids	Coupons
Dreamfoam Elements Latex	Best Pillow Top Mattress	Deals