There are lots of things that can keep you awake at night: stress, your job, a partner karate-chopping ninjas in their dreams. But your mattress shouldn’t be one of those, and neither should the price tag attached to your mattress. Creating a budget and sticking to it can be hard. Finding the right mattress within your budget shouldn’t be.
In this guide, we’ll help you:
Want to skip ahead to the best mattresses for each budget? Click on the button below.
The cheapest mattress may not be the same as the best mattress. If your social media feed is peppered with ads for mattresses at a crazy low cost that sounds too good to be true—it probably is. Ads often use a “starting at” price (which refers to their twin-size mattress price), and twin-sized mattresses are going to be significantly less than a king.
The same goes for mattress stores; you may get to physically test out a mattress for a few minutes, but sticker prices can be overwhelmingly higher when (and if) you find one you like. When you buy a mattress from a mattress store, you’re also paying for much more than the actual mattress. Think showroom fees, warehouse markups, shipping and storage fees, commission-based salespeople…the list goes on.
But not to worry. With so many online mattress options available, it is possible to find a great, quality mattress within your budget. Today, you can find a high-quality mattress for around $1,000 or less when you buy from an online-only mattress brand. (For comparison, a quality mattress from a mattress store will typically cost you between $3,000 – $5,000.)
Mattress costs vary depending on the size of your purchase, so it’s important to consider what size mattress you’ll really need to help you stick to your budget.
If it’s just you and your pup sharing the space, a twin XL or full-size mattress may do the trick. If it’s you, your pup, and your significant other, a twin size may be a tight squeeze. The most common mattress size for couples is a queen-size mattress. It allows space for both people to sleep comfortably, and will fit in most bedrooms.
King-size mattresses have gained more popularity in recent years because they offer even more space for couples, plus some extra room for pets or squirmy kids. California king mattresses are not as wide as kings but are longer. So if you happen to be super tall or just prefer more space while you sleep, then a king or California king might be worth considering.
It is worth noting that you’ll find a wider range of sheets and bedding that are made for queen-size mattresses, so decorating your bedroom can be more affordable.
Before deciding on which mattress size might be best for you, make sure you’ve planned ahead for how it will fit in your space. A studio apartment may not be able to fit a queen- or king-size mattress, but may be just right for a full-size bed. Be sure to measure your space and plan out how the rest of your furniture will fit. Knowing that your new mattress will fit in your room (along with your other furniture or on your bed frame) saves you time and money in the long run.
If you’re more of a visual person, there are a number of free tools available to help you see how your room will come to life. We like Roomstyler 3D Home Planner which allows you to customize your room layout and already has different bed sizes and standard furniture pieces pre-loaded.
Here are the dimensions* for standard bed sizes so you know what to expect:
*Note: mattresses differ in their height, which is why we are only providing width and length as standard dimensions.
When looking for a mattress on a budget, you need to consider what you’re getting for that price. If you find a mattress under $500, it typically means the manufacturer cut corners or used cheaper materials (which means you’ll likely be waking up sore and achy, and looking for a new mattress in due time). But that might be fine if you’re looking for a temporary bed or something to put in your guest bedroom.
There are four different categories of common material used in mattresses, and determining what’s inside your mattress gives you an idea of how much it should cost. Here’s a quick rundown of the types of mattresses on the market:
When mattress stores were the only place to find a high-quality product, you’d have to drop a good chunk of change to take home your new bed. (Or drop another chunk of change to have other people deliver it.) It was an investment piece and one that was meant to last for years.
Today, it really only takes a budget of around $1,000 to buy a quality queen-size mattress online. And most online mattress companies will include free shipping and free returns, so you won’t pay extra for getting it home or sending it back if you decide it’s not for you. (Sweet!)
A $1,000 online mattress purchase also comes with guarantees that you may not find in specialty stores. There’s a generous trial period that allows you to test out your new mattress – most mattress brands give you 100+ days to see if their mattress is a keeper. (That’s about a third of the year to test your new nest!) Most trial periods are risk-free, so if you wake up on Day 38 and decide it’s not the right bed for you, you can return it, usually for free.
Starting your budget at around $1,000 gives you wiggle-room to find the best mattress for your space, your sleeping positions, and your ideal support.
Below we’ve listed the best mattresses for three different budget ranges to help you find the best mattress for your personal budget. If you have a little extra to spend, we’ve included a list that highlights high-quality mattresses under $2,000. Mattresses are listed from lowest to highest standard price, but many of them include special promotions or discounts.
Navigate to the section that works for you.
“Tuft & Needle has brought new meaning to the term ‘budget mattress.’ You don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot with this mattress. And their happy customers agree.”
Under $600
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Plush - 4/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Budget-friendly memory foam mattress
Type: Foam blend
Firmness: Medium-firm: 6-6.5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Budget-friendly mattress for the average sleeper
Type: Hybrid: memory foam and pocket coils
Firmness: Medium-firm to firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Affordable luxury hybrid mattress
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Choose between Medium or Firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Summary: Affordable foam mattress with responsive surface
Under $700
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Budget friendly Casper model
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Budget friendly foam mattress that sleeps cool and dry
Type: Gel Memory Foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 10-year full coverage warranty
Summary: Gel-infused memory foam mattress that sleeps cool and supported
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium - 5/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Budget-friendly mattress by Brooklyn Bedding
Type: Gel memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 5.5-6/10
Trial Period: 365 days
Warranty: Lifetime warranty as long as you own the mattress
Summary: Affordable quality mattress with excellent trial period
“The Leesa is one of our highest rated mattresses on Mattress Advisor because it really is that good. It has the perfect balance of firmness and comfort. It’s worth every penny.”
Mattresses in the $700s
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year-limited warranty
Summary: Open-cell memory foam mattress
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 75 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Gel memory foam mattress with supportive core and removable cover for washing
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Offered in soft, medium and firm
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Mattress Firm's budget friendly foam mattress offered online and in stores
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium soft: 5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Made with shape matching technology to perfectly conform to your body shape
Type: Memory foam mattress available in soft or firm; classic or chill
Firmness: Soft: 6/10; Firm: 8/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Versatile memory foam mattress by Sealy
Type: Latex mattress with gel memory foam
Firmness: Medium-firm - firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period: 101 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Affordable latex mattress
Mattresses in the $800s
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Adjustable: medium, medium-firm, or firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
Summary: Memory foam mattress with adjustable firmness and waterproof/bed bug proof cover
Type: Gel memory foam mattress
Firmness: Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Universal memory foam mattress for the average sleeper
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary:
Type: Memory foam with graphite gel
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Known to help relieve pressure points and aid in muscle recovery
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium-firm: 6-6.5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Foam mattress designed to keep you cool and reduce motion transfer
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium: 5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: One-step up from the original Tuft & Needle while still being a budget-friendly mattress
Type: Copper-infused memory foam; flippable
Firmness: Soft side: 4-5/10; Firm side: 7/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty
Summary: Flippable memory foam mattress known to help people with back and joint pain
Mattresses in the $900s
Type: Hybrid: foam and pocket coils
Firmness: Choose between soft, medium or firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Affordable hybrid mattress with options to customize
Type: Hybrid: memory foam and pocket coils
Firmness: Choose your preference: Available in soft, medium or firm
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Responsive hybrid mattress
Type: Innerspring
Firmness: Medium firm: 7.5 out of 10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: An all-natural, handcrafted innerspring mattress that is great for kids
Type: Air foam mattress
Firmness: Medium firm: 5 - 6 /10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
Summary: Temperature neutral AirFoam mattress known for offering great pressure relief
Type: Hybrid: memory foam + coils
Firmness: Choose between medium soft and medium firm
Trial Period: 365 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Hybrid mattress designed for individualized support and airflow/breathability
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Universal firmness mattress for the average sleeper
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Foam blend mattress that's ideal for the average sleeper
Type: Hybrid: foam combo with microcoils
Firmness: Customizable: Varies based on selection
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Customizable hybrid mattress great for couples and all sleep styles
Type: Hybrid: hyper-elastic polymer and foam
Firmness: Medium firm-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Proven pressure relief for people with back pain; good for back and side sleepers
Type: Hybrid: copper-infused memory foam and latex
Firmness: Choose from Soft, Medium or Firm
Trial Period: 110 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Responsive hybrid mattress available in 3 different firmness levels
“The Brooklyn Aurora is in a league of its own. It has all the bells and whistles you could dream of in a mattress, including the fact that it sleeps cool.”
Mattresses in the $1,000s
Type: Hybrid: foam + coils
Firmness: Three firmness levels: plush, luxury firm and firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Hybrid mattress providing support and comfort
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium soft: 4/10
Trial Period: 120-days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Soft memory foam mattress with cooling properties
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Available in soft, medium and firm
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
Summary: Premium memory foam mattress with firmness options
Type: Hybrid: coil on coil and memory foam with euro pillow-top
Firmness: Available in plush soft: 3/10; luxury firm: 5.5-6.5/10; and firm: 8/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
Summary: Customizable luxury hybrid mattress
Mattresses in the $1,100s
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period: 101 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Memory foam mattress that is great for side sleepers
Type: Hybrid: memory foam and pocket coil available in 3 different firmness levels
Firmness: Choose between Plush, Medium, Luxury Firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Summary: Premium hybrid mattress made by Nest Bedding
Type: Hybrid: memory foam, latex and pocket coils (available in 3 firmness levels)
Firmness: Plush: 3.5/10; Medium: 6.5/10; Firm: 8.5/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Premium hybrid mattress with great edge support
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Firm: 8.5-9/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Memory foam mattress with cooling technology (part of Amerisleep's Firm Collection)
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Available in Medium or Luxury Firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: Limited-lifetime warranty
Summary: Great for combination sleepers
Mattresses in the $1,200s
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Memory foam mattress that cools, contours, and supports.
Type: Hybrid: foam + coils
Firmness: Medium-firm
Trial Period: 101 days
Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
Summary: Luxury hybrid mattress that provides temperature control and motion isolation
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Firm - 7/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Memory foam mattress with cooling technology (part of Amerisleep's Firm Collection)
Type: Memory foam mattress with cooling gel; available in relaxed firm or firm
Firmness: Relaxed firm: 6/10; Firm: 8/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 15-year limited warranty
Summary: Luxury memory foam mattress made by Saatva
Type: Hybrid: Natural Latex and Pocket-Coils
Firmness: Available in plush, medium and firm
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: Limited-lifetime warranty
Summary: Natural hybrid mattress that's great for side sleepers and those with allergies.
Mattresses in the $1,300s and $1,400s
Type: Proprietary airfiber
Firmness: Firm - 9/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: A Japanese mattress made with proprietary airfiber known for its extremely firm surface
Type: Hybrid: foam + coils
Firmness: Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: A hybrid spring and foam mattress that aids in recovery with its Celliant technology.
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium: 6/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Memory foam mattress with cooling technology (part of Amerisleep's Soft Collection)
Type: Hybrid: natural latex and innerspring
Firmness: Medium-firm to firm: 7/10 (6/10 with European pillow-top option)
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
Summary: Eco-friendly hybrid offering good back support
Type: Hybrid: memory foam + coils
Firmness: Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period: 365 days
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Summary: Luxury hybrid mattress with cradling technology and plush comfort
Type: Hybrid: foam + coils
Firmness: Medium-soft
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
Summary: A handcrafted, eco-friendly hybrid mattress
Type: Gel memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm: 5.5/10
Trial Period: 101 days
Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
Summary: Gel memory foam mattress designed for ultimate cooling
Type: AirFoam
Firmness: Two firmness levels: soft and firm
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: Limited-lifetime warranty
Summary: Double-sided, temperature neutral AirFoam mattress
Mattresses in the $1,500s and $1,600s
Type: Proprietary airfiber
Firmness: Firm: 9/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Firm, customizable mattress that provides unmatched support for superior spine alignment
Type: Hybrid: pocket springs and foam
Firmness: Medium-firm - firm: 7/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Luxury hybrid mattress by Leesa offering great edge support and motion isolation
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: TriZone Firmness
Trial Period: 365 days
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Summary: A foam mattress built with tri-zone support to keep your spine aligned
Type: Luxury Hybrid: patented foam and pocket coils
Firmness: Available in soft (3/10), medium (5/10) or firm (7/10)
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Luxury hybrid mattress that sleeps cool
Type: Hybrid: latex, innerspring and foam
Firmness: Medium firm
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Hybrid mattress designed to provide quality support for individuals with a bigger figure
Mattresses in the $1,700s to $2,000
Type: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium-soft to medium: 5.5 - 7
Trial Period: 101 days
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Summary: Luxury memory foam mattress the sleeps cool.
Type: Foam combo
Firmness: Medium-firm - firm: 7/10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
Summary: Higher-end Casper model with advanced pressure relief
Type: All-natural latex mattress; flippable
Firmness: Soft side: 4-5/10; Firm side: 7-8/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 20-year limited warranty
Summary: Durable natural latex mattress by Saatva
Type: 100% Natural Latex
Firmness: Customizable firmness anywhere from 5-9 out of 10
Trial Period: 100 days
Warranty: 25-year manufacturer's warranty
Summary: All-natural APRICO organic latex mattress made with organic wool at cotton.
Type: Hybrid: latex + coils
Firmness: Medium firm: 6/10
Trial Period: 120 days
Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
Summary: 100% natural hybrid mattress for precise comfort
Finding a high-quality mattress within a strict budget is not impossible. And that doesn’t mean you need to take shortcuts, buy from sketchy sellers, or go the used-mattress route. You can get a brand-new mattress that meets your needs, within your budget, and with a click of your mouse, without putting a major dent into your credit card.
If you still have questions, or if you bought a mattress on a budget and love how you’re sleeping at night, let us know about it in the comments below.
Take our mattress quiz and find the perfect mattress for your budget and sleeping style in minutes.
Take Mattress QuizSo glad to see reasonable prices on mattresses!! Would def agree that Cocoon is worth the price—much better than expected.
Elaine – isn’t it great to know you can get a quality mattress without trading a limb?! We hear you on the Cocoon – it’s a great deal!
This is where it’s at. I thought I had to decide between a good mattress and a mattress that fit in my budget. But I guess I can have my cake and eat it too. 🙂 Will be ordering one of these soon!
Tyrone – we’re pumped for you and the new mattress you’ll be getting! (You deserve it!) And we agree – it’s great to know that you don’t have to blow your budget to get great sleep. Glad we were able to help you out!
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