The 7 Best Cheap Mattresses: Good Sleep on the Cheap

We get it: The struggle is real when it comes to finding a quality-yet-cost-effective mattress.

Focus too much on quality and you’re looking at dropping over $1,000 on a new bed. But focus too much on price and you’ll be daydreaming about your dorm room days.

That’s why we did the hard work for you to track down the best budget-friendly mattresses money can (affordably) buy. You’ll sleep soundly knowing you didn’t have to break the bank with these seven cheap mattress finds.

1. Best memory foam:Novilla Bliss 10″ Memory Foam Mattress
2. Best hybrid: Allswell’s The Allswell
3. Best firm: Best Choice Memory Foam Firm Mattress
4. Best bed in a box: Serta EZ Tote Mattress
5. Best for hot sleepers: Nod by Tuft & Needle
6. Best for back pain: Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Chill 8″ Mattress
7. Best on Amazon: Zinus Green Tea Luxe Mattress

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To make our picks of the top cheap mattresses, we first peeped the price points.

Our top consideration? Affordability, obvi! This is why each of our selections costs under $600 for a queen-size mattress (cha-ching!).

Because quality is just as important as cost, we also considered a variety of other factors when choosing our top cheap mattress picks, including:

• Company policies. Each mattress on our list offers a manufacturer warranty and a refund policy, so that you don’t end up stuck with a mattress that leaves you restless instead of rested.
• Manufacturer reputation. We’ve carefully vetted each company on our list to ensure they are known for making high quality mattresses, aren’t up to anything shady, and comply with federal flammability standards (aka your mattress isn’t flammable as hell).
• Variety of needs. We made sure to choose mattresses that suit a variety of sleep needs, no matter if you sleep on your side, stomach, or back, or if you sleep hot or cold.
• Reviews. We scoured reviews from actual users to see how each mattress holds up in the real world — and to make sure that each mattress’s claims are legit.

Best cheap memory foam mattress

Novilla Bliss 10″ Memory Foam Mattress

• Price: $$
• Type: memory foam
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Height: 10 in.
• Sizes available: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

With 4 layers of high density memory foam and a medium-firm feel, the Novilla Bliss is a great choice for bargain-hunting foam fans.

Its top layer is made with gel-infused foam for cooling comfort and extra body contouring, while the bottom layer has an egg-crate quality that offers advanced support and motion isolation (great for couples!). It also features a bamboo rayon cover that not only offers extra cooling but is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

Reviewers enjoy the superior support the Novilla Bliss provides, with many saying the mattress has helped ease their aches and back pains. Side sleepers, in particular, find the Bliss great for pressure relief and full-body support.

Some users, however, have lamented the Bliss’ lack of strong edge support, with a few folks even sharing that the edges never fully expanded after letting the mattress out of the box. People who weigh over 250 pounds found the unstructured edges and overall softness of the mattress inadequate in the support department.

Novilla comes with a 10-year limited warranty, and you get a 30-night sleep trial, so you don’t have to commit until you know this mattress is right for you.

Best cheap hybrid mattress

Allswell’s The Allswell

• Price: $$
• Type: hybrid
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Height: 10 in.
• Sizes available: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Hybrids generally cost more than their innerspring or memory foam friends, which is why The Allswell’s affordability makes it a great option for hybrid shoppers on a budget.

The Allswell hybrid offers the best of both worlds: its pocketed coils make it super supportive and give it a little bounce, while its graphite- and copper-infused foam layer provides comfy body contouring and cooling relief.

It also has a quilted cover, which gives it a luxury feel — at a fraction of a luxury cost!

Reviewers say this mattress provides a good balance of comfort and support. But while many reviewers find The Allswell’s medium-firm feel to be juuuuust right, some say that it’s firmer than they’d like.

Allswell offers a 100-night sleep trial, along with a 10-year limited warranty. Booyah!

Best cheap firm mattress

Best Choice Memory Foam Firm Mattress

• Price: $
• Type: memory foam
• Firmness: firm
• Height: 10 in.
• Sizes available: twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king

Not only is it super affordable, but the Best Choice Foam Firm Mattress is also super firm — making it a good option for folks looking for structured support on the cheap.

This Best Choice mattress is made with three layers of foam, including a green tea-infused top layer that controls odors and gives you that Zen feel. It also boasts a middle layer of soft, ventilated foam for improved airflow and pressure relief and a solid foam base for added support.

For many peeps, the most appealing aspect of this memory foam mattress lies in its super firm feel. Many users enjoy the firm support, saying it offers structured comfort without feeling stiff or rock hard. They also like that the top layer of foam uses body heat to contour around your shape, providing extra relief from pain and pressure points.

A few reviewers say that the Best Choice does take some time to off-gas, and the smell lingers for longer than they’d like (but does go away eventually!). Other reviewers find this mattress waaay too hard for their liking, but many of them either weren’t used to firm mattresses or prefer a softer feel overall.

This one doesn’t have a sleep trial, but it is eligible for returns or replacements within 90 days of receiving it.

Best cheap bed in a box

Serta EZ Tote Mattress

• Price: $$
• Type: memory foam
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Height: 8 inches
• Sizes available: twin, full, queen, king

If you’re looking for top-notch quality in a compact carton, the Serta EZ Tote Mattress is exactly that.

We know what you’re thinking: isn’t Serta a bit pricey? While some of the company’s mattresses can be, the EZ tote comes in at under $500, making it a no-brainer for folks looking for a budget-friendly bed-in-a-box from a well-known mattress brand.

This 8-inch mattress is super “EZ” to set up and lightweight enough to move around as needed. It’s made with 2 layers of memory foam, including a gel foam top layer to keep you cool.

Reviews rave about the balance of cozy comfort and pressure-relieving support this Serta provides, with many users amazed that all of that goodness comes in such a tiny box! Some reviewers did share that their mattress never fully expanded (or took longer than the recommended 72-hours to expand), but that didn’t take away from its comfort.

Serta is backed by their 10-year limited warranty and a 120-night sleep trial.

Best cheap mattress for hot sleepers

Nod by Tuft & Needle

• Price: $$
• Type: memory foam
• Firmness: medium
• Height: 8 in.
• Sizes available: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

With its simple, two-layer design, the Nod by Tuft & Needle offers cooling coziness without any extra frills.

This mattress uses an open-cell foam in its top layer to provide extra breathability — ideal for people who sleep on the hot side. The foam construction also offers pressure-relieving support to help maximize cozy comfort.

Most users tout the Nod for living up to its cooling claims; even the hottest sleepers say this mattress keeps heat at bay for superb snoozing. Other reviewers love the mattress’s simplicity in offering straightforward structure and support.

Some users found the mattress to be firmer than they’d like, while others found it too soft — a common mattress woe that’s all about personal preference. Others share that their bed-in-a-box took its sweet time to off-gas, and some say that their Nod never fully expanded to its 8-inch height.

Tuft & Needle offers users a 100-night sleep trial, as well as a 10-year limited warranty.

Best cheap mattress for back pain

Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Chill 8″ Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Type: memory foam
• Firmness: firm-medium
• Height: 8 in.
• Sizes available: twin, twin XL, full, short full, full XL, queen, short queen, Olympic queen, king, short king, RV king, California king, split Cal king, RV bunks

When baby’s got back pain, only a mattress with prime pressure relief will do.

The Brooklyn Chill not only offers a medium-firm foam feel that’ll ease pressure points to relax pain by providing enhanced body-contouring support, but it also provides motion isolation (ideal for partners) and strong edge support (so you don’t roll off!).

This mattress also has a stain-resistant cover, making it great for late-night snacking… or wine while marathoning “Love Is Blind” in bed.

Back and stomach sleepers are especially fond of the Brooklyn Chill, sharing that it provides the right amount of comfort while also easing pain in their lower back. Side sleepers, on the other hand, find the mattress too firm for a good night’s rest.

Brooklyn Bedding provides a 120-night sleep trial and backs their mattresses with a 10-year limited warranty.

Best cheap mattress on Amazon

Zinus Green Tea Luxe Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Type: memory foam
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Height: 12 in.
• Sizes available: twin, full, queen, king

Zinus is an Amazon fave thanks to its large variety of v affordable mattresses.

The company’s Green Tea Luxe Mattress is constructed using three layers of green tea- and charcoal-infused memory foam that gives the mattress a fresh feel (and keeps odors at bay). It also features Zinus’ patented 7-zone ventilation layer in the center, which is designed to improve airflow and circulation and relieve pressure points and joint pain.

The mattress also has a soft and luxurious cover, adding an extra ounce of cozy comfort while giving it a “luxe” feel.

Many users love their Luxe, saying that the medium-firm feel provides a great balance of comfort and support for a quality snooze. The mattress is a solid choice for all sleeping positions and can accommodate sleepers up to 500 pounds.

Some reviewers did find that the Zinus Luxe was just a smidge too firm for their needs, and others weren’t fans of the fact that the mattress can’t be flipped.

Zinus backs its mattresses up with a 10-year limited warranty, and buyers get a 100-night sleep trial with their purchase.

While budget-friendly mattresses can mean less damage to your bank account, buying an affordable mattress isn’t without its drawbacks.

Because we don’t want you to snooze on a good deal, we’ve rounded up a few pointers on how to choose the best cheap mattress for you.

Consider the following as you shop:

Sleeping position

Side, back, stomach, combo — there are many ways we can sleep, and your preferred sleep position can affect what kind of mattress is right for you.

For instance, a softer foam mattress might work wonders for side sleepers, while back sleepers may want to opt for a firmer feel. If you sleep on your tummy, you might be best served by a firmer hybrid with plenty of support.

No matter what firmness level you choose, experts recommend that you make sure your mattress of choice is supportive above all. This will help keep pain away and help you sleep like a bebe.

Mattress type

Everyone’s got a type, what’s yours?

Different mattress types offer different levels of comfort and support, spending on your specific needs. The most common types are:

• Innerspring. If you’re looking to keep it old school with minimal frills, an innerspring mattress is where it’s at. These mattresses are constructed with a set of coils (either interconnected or individually wrapped) that give them their structure and provide support. Innerspring options generally won’t offer motion isolation or thick layers of comfy foam, and they can be a bit squeaky.
• Foam. Foam mattresses are available in a variety of different foam types, like memory, latex, and gel. They form around your body, making them a great option for pressure relief. Plus, foam options often isolate motion, so you don’t have to worry about being kept up all night long by a partner (or pet) who moves around all night.
• Hybrid. Essentially the love child of other mattress types, hybrids boast a coil-supported innerspring bottom with a body-contouring foam top. Because they contain the best of both worlds, hybrid mattresses tend to run a bit pricier than other mattresses. But cheap hybrids do exist.

Firmness level

Firm, plush, or in-between — what’s your Goldilocks-level sweet spot?

Research shows that, depending on your personal preferences, sleep position, and body type, the firmness level of your mattress can affect spinal alignment, pain, and pressure points while you sleep — meaning how firm (or not so firm) your mattress is can have a big impact on your overall sleep quality.

Most manufacturers label their mattresses on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being ultra-firm.

The catch? Not all companies use the exact same scale. While anything rated at an 8 or above is generally considered firm, this isn’t always the case. This is where trial periods and in-person shopping can be of huge help.

Body type

All bodies are unique, and your body type can have an impact on what type of mattress might work best for you.

So, what type of mattress is best for *your* bodacious bod?

Generally speaking, folks with higher body weights tend to sleep more soundly on firmer mattresses or hybrids, as they provide more well-rounded support. Those with lower body weight can catch good Zzz’s on a plusher mattress, as the lack of structured support won’t cause as much sink while they sleep.

Aches and pains

The right mattress can work wonders when it comes to pain management — particularly if you’re dealing with back or neck pain. Just remember: A mattress isn’t meant to treat pain or be a substitute for medical care.

Studies suggest that opting for a medium-firm or inflatable mattress can help ease back pain and promote spinal alignment. Keep in mind that customizable inflatables can often come with a hefty price tag, so you’ll probs want to stick with other options if you’re on a budget.

Temperature

Are you too hot to handle when you sleep, or do you find yourself feeling frigid?

No matter which, body temp can play a big role in getting quality sleep. This is where mattress types and materials come into play.

Memory foam mattresses tend to retain heat, making them a cold sleeper’s dream. Gel-infused foam, however, wicks heat away from your body, so you can rest assured you won’t wake covered in sweat. Some companies also use their own special cooling technologies to help you keep your cool all night long.

To better understand how a mattress may make you feel, peep the materials list and check out what others have to say — actual users are always your best bet for honest reviews!

Materials

There’s no one-and-done recipe for mattress creation, and mattresses can be made with a variety of different materials.

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses rely on a set of coils for structure and support. These coils can be either interconnected or individually wrapped:

• Interconnected coils. Your standard, hourglass shaped coils that are all connected to form a single unit. These coils move as one, meaning they won’t provide targeted support.
• Individually wrapped coils. Aka “pocketed” coils, these are individual coils that move on their own to offer more targeted support. Think: Preventing heavier areas of your body (like your booty) from sinking into the mattress too much.

Foam mattresses can be made with a larger array of materials, like:

• Memory foam. The soft, squishy feel of memory foam contours around your body for targeted support. Memory foam does hold heat, so it’s not always best for hot sleepers.
• Gel-infused foam. What’s cooler than being cool? Gel foam! Basically just memory foam infused with gel, gel foam mattresses pull heat away from your body, letting you sleep sans body heat.
• Latex foam. Often used in organic mattresses, latex foam is super bouncy and breathable. It’s known to offer primo pressure relief for any sleeping position. It also has a long lifespan — and often a hefty price tag (sorry, bargain buyers).
• Proprietary foam. Some companies create their own special foam that is unique to their brand. Their features and feels vary by manufacturer, so it’s your best bet to carefully read their claims AND look at what real users are saying in the product reviews.

As the old proverb says, “a mattress alone does not a good bed make.”

Okay, so maybe we made that up, but let’s be real: there’s more to setting up your sleep space than just selecting a mattress. Other factors come into play, as do other costs.

Other potential costs that come with buying a new mattress can include:

• bedding (including comforters, sheets, and pillows)
• mattress cover
• mattress topper
• bed frame
• box spring
• headboard
• shipping
• assembly
• old mattress removal

While some of these things can be reused from your previous bed, others may need to be swapped out or replaced — especially if you’re upgrading to a bigger sized bed. Be sure to roll all necessary costs into your budget when looking for the cheap mattress of your dreams.

With extra costs to consider, sizing needs, and other factors, even a cheap mattress can start to add up. Luckily, there are ways to save some dollars on your next mattress purchase.

Some cost-saving tips to keep in mind:

• Sales. Seasonal sales, holiday sales, or sales just because — many mattress companies offer special deals or reduced pricing throughout the year. If you’re willing to wait for the next big blowout event, you can get your new mattress for a pretty great low rate.
• Bundles. Many mattress sellers offer bundle deals, so you can save big bucks when you buy your mattress with other bedding needs, like frames, box springs, or pillows.
• Trade-ins. Some stores will take in your old mattress (if it’s in good condition) and offer you a certain amount of money toward a new one. Other companies will also dispose of your old mattress for free.
• Discount stores/sites. There are many discount mattress retailers who sell name-brand mattresses at wholesale or factory costs, helping you save some dough on your next mattress.

How much is a cheap mattress?

TBH, it depends on what “cheap” means for you and your budget. While it’s easy to find options upward of $1,000 or more, there are quality mattresses available for less than half that price. Every mattress on our list is under $600 for a queen.

What is the cheapest, most comfortable mattress?

It’s totally possible to get a good mattress for a couple hundred bucks, but when it comes to the cheapest and most comfortable… well, that depends on personal preference.

Some folks find firm mattresses comfiest, while others want to snuggle up on something plusher. No matter what works for you, there are affordable mattresses out there to meet your needs — and that are super budget-friendly.

What type of cheap mattress is best?

All mattress types have their pros and cons. Whether you choose an innerspring, foam, or hybrid mattress totally depends on your personal preferences. However, memory foam may be your best bet if affordability is critical to your decision.

In general, memory foam mattresses are often more budget-friendly than other mattress types — particularly hybrid options, which can get pretty pricey.

Memory foam is also great for couples, as motion transfer is generally minimal. It’s not, however, always best for hot sleepers, as it can absorb heat. If you do tend to run hot while you snooze, consider looking for a gel-infused memory foam mattress rather than your standard foam fare.

Is it worth buying a cheap mattress?

Yes! A cheap mattress can be worth every penny you did (and didn’t) spend on it.

Many affordable options are super comfy and will last you quite a while. They come with a variety of features that are designed to meet your sleep needs. Whether you’re a side or back sleeper, run hot while you snooze, or don’t want to feel your partner tossing and turning throughout the night, there’s a cheap mattress out there for you.

BUT at the same time, you might be compromising on quality a bit, which can shorten the lifespan of your mattress. You might also have to forfeit a lengthy warranty or in-home sleep trial.

In the end, it’s up to you what trade-offs you’re comfortable with.

How much does a memory foam mattress cost?

Mattresses come in a variety of types and price points, but memory foam is often the most affordable type of mattress you can buy. In fact, you can find many snooze-worthy memory foam mattresses for under $300 (like some of our selections above).

Where can I buy a cheap mattress?

You can find a budget-friendly mattress both online and in stores. Many retailers offer a selection of affordable options, and some even specialize in discount or wholesale mattresses.

Mattress shopping can be overwhelming — especially when you’re faced with a hefty price tag. However, there are many affordable options out there that can offer a quality night’s sleep without breaking the bank.

When looking for a cheap mattress, consider your sleep needs (like your sleep position, body type, and if you need some pain-relieving comfort), budget, and all the extras you’ll need to set up your sleep space (bedding is a must!).

We guarantee the mattress of your dreams is out there… and it won’t be at a nightmare cost.