When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Thanks to increased competition among brands, the quality of budget mattresses continues to improve. While premium alternatives still provide unique benefits, you’ll often find the best mattresses under $500 can still deliver outstanding support and comfort. I conducted extensive research to identify the best affordable mattresses, including touring manufacturing facilities, consulting with a medical doctor, interviewing mattress industry experts, and hands-on testing of 13 mattresses under $500. My evaluation covered key factors like temperature regulation, comfort, overall value, and motion isolation.
The Allswell Hybrid Mattress emerged as the best budget mattresses. This mattress excels in edge support and motion transfer, making it perfect for couples. Its firmer feel offers impressive support for back and stomach sleepers while maintaining a cozy warmth that cold sleepers will love. I suggest the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress for those seeking a softer alternative. At a similar price as the Allswell, it is especially well-suited for couples and side sleepers due to its adaptive support and plush comfort layer.
Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.
Our best cheap mattress recommendations
Best overall, hybrid: The Allswell Mattress – See at Walmart
Best overall, foam: Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress – See at Amazon
Best for side sleepers: Siena Memory Foam Mattress – See at Amazon
Best for edge support: Novilla Bliss 10 Inch Memory Foam Mattress – See at Amazon
Best upgrade: Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – See at Nectar
Best overall, hybrid
Allswell The Allswell Mattress (Queen)
The Allswell Mattress is the best hybrid we’ve tested for under $500. It’s firm enough to support stomach and back sleepers and ideal for couples with its impressive edge support and motion isolation.
Not many hybrid mattresses cost less than $500. I tested five for this guide, and Allswell, a Walmart-exclusive brand, had the best offerings. The Allswell Mattress is the best cheap hybrid mattress I tested because I had the best sleep quality on it. However, it was too firm for side sleeping, my preferred position. So, I mainly slept on my stomach and back. If you’re a side sleeper, you may find more comfort with the Allswell Luxe, which also stays well under the $500 threshold. It’s thicker, softer, and very comfortable for all sleeping positions. Read our Allswell Luxe Mattress review for more details on how it stacks up.
The 10-inch Allswell mattress I recommend features a series of foam layers: a top layer of high-density CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam for support, gel-infused memory foam to keep you cool and relieve pressure, and comfort foam for added body contouring. The thick layer of individually wrapped coils offers support, durability, and airflow. Thin, high-density foam at the base adds durability to the bed.
Erin Brains
The coils provided great edge support in our tests, and the motion isolation was also good, suggesting this is a smart choice for couples.
The Allswell was among the hottest mattresses I tested and didn’t dissipate heat well, which makes it great for people who tend to get too cold at night but not ideal for hot sleepers.
Read my full Allswell Mattress review.
Best overall, foam
The medium firmness of the Zinus 12-inch Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam is ideal for different sleep styles and combination sleepers on a budget. I slept comfortably on the Zinus on my side, stomach, and back. In addition to being the best cheap foam mattress, it’s our best mattress for couples on a budget. The edge support and motion isolation were impressive. You can feel comfortable laying on the edge when your partner hogs the bed, and their movements at night are less likely to disturb your sleep.
The Zinus Cooling Green Tea mattress features three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam: cooling gel-infused memory foam, soft memory foam for pressure relief, and durable base foam. In my tests, the materials did a good job of keeping the mattress cool.
The Zinus Cooling Green Tea mattress comes in four thicknesses, 6 to 12 inches. I tested the 12-inch mattress, and from my experience, I wouldn’t recommend going thinner than 10 inches. Otherwise, you sacrifice support.
Best for side sleepers
Siena Memory Foam Mattress (Queen)
The softer-than-average firmness of the Siena Memory Foam Mattress makes it the ideal choice for side sleepers, especially those who overheat.
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress’s softer-than-average feel makes it the best cheap mattress for side sleepers. I slept comfortably on my side, though my sleep quality was average. I especially liked that the bed stayed cool and dissipated heat, making it the best affordable cooling mattress option.
Erin Brains
The $399 Siena has three layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam. It has impressive motion isolation, passing my bowling ball test and showing low vibrometer readings. The edge support isn’t as remarkable, but still pretty good. The side sank significantly as I sat on it, but I felt supported as I lay on the edge. These factors suggest that Siena would serve couples well.
The setup was effortless, and the initial odor dissipated after a few days.
For more options, check out our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Best for edge support
Budget mattresses can have a reputation for weaker edge support, making simple tasks like putting on your shoes while sitting on the side and getting in and out of bed more difficult. The Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress is the best cheap mattress for edge support; its edges sank less than the others, and I didn’t feel like I was falling off when lying on the periphery.
With rare exceptions, I’ve found that 10 inches is the minimum thickness for a supportive mattress. The Novilla meets the bare minimum with 10 inches of CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
The Novilla Bliss is softer than average, making it great for side sleepers. While testing it, my sleep quality was average. I gravitated toward my side but also slept on my stomach a little. However, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress for stomach sleepers because it lacks the support to align your spine.
While the Novilla isn’t our top pick for couples, it’s still an excellent mattress under $500 — it’s around $300 — for people who share a bed. It passed my bowling ball test but had a high vibration reading on my vibrometer. These results suggest you won’t be jolted awake as your partner moves at night, but you may still feel it.
The setup was effortless. It only took about five minutes, and the initial foam odor dissipated by bedtime.
Best upgrade
Nectar Classic Mattress (Queen)
The gel memory foam of the Nectar makes it a versatile mattress that conforms to the contours of your body to relieve pressure. It’s a premium sleep experience, but its price tag is way under a grand.
Having slept on cheap mattresses for several months, I can tell you that $500 usually isn’t enough to buy a mattress that can provide a consistent good night’s sleep for most people. If you can spend just $150 more, you can get a much better night’s sleep with the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress, the best cheap upgrade mattress I’ve tested.
The Nectar also reigns as one of the best memory foam mattresses and is a top option among the best mattresses for back pain. It provides outstanding pressure relief and has a medium firmness that will appeal to most sleeping styles. I primarily slept on my side while testing it, and my back remained pain-free despite my history of back pain.
James Brains/Business Insider
The Nectar mattress features three CertiPUR-US-certified foam layers: a cooling top layer of memory foam, a middle transition layer for pressure relief, and a supportive foam base layer.
The motion isolation and edge support were excellent in my tests, making this a good choice for couples. However, hot sleepers may want to look elsewhere, as the Nectar Classic didn’t dissipate heat well.
Nectar offers a yearlong trial and a lifetime warranty — the longest on this list — as well as free shipping and returns.
Read my full Nectar Classic Mattress review.
What we’re testing next
Mattress manufacturers are coming out with more and more options for budget-conscious shoppers, and we continue to test them to make the best cheap mattress recommendations. For our next round of testing, here’s what we look forward to looking at next.
Brooklyn Bedding Select 14″ Hybrid Mattress: In our mission to test more budget hybrid mattresses, the Brooklyn Bedding Select is an ideal candidate on paper. It combines individually encased coils and cooling gel memory foam to deliver support, pressure relief, and temperature regulation. Not to mention a thick 14-inch mattress under $500 sounds incredibly luxurious.
Zinus 12 Inch Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress: Another promising hybrid prospect, the Zinus Cooling Comfort features pocket springs and cooling gel-infused memory foam. At only $260, it’s an intriguing option, especially if its motion isolation lives up to the hype.
Nod by Tuft & Needle: Tuft & Needle has impressed us with its pricier offerings. The Nod is an Amazon-exclusive line with three thickness options. The 10-inch hybrid is out of our price range ($999) for this guide but we’re curious to see how the 8-inch foam offers in terms of support.
What to look for in the best cheap mattress
Trial period: Only one mattress I tested was available in showrooms, and I don’t recommend it. Since you can’t try most cheap mattresses before you buy them, a long, risk-free home trial is crucial. Ensure there aren’t any catches in the return policy, such as restocking or shipping fees.
Warranty: Look for a warranty of at least 10 years. Your mattress should remain free from major defects for at least that long. If it doesn’t, you should be able to replace it free of charge. All mattresses in our guide have warranties of at least 10 years.
Firmness: Side sleepers, petite individuals, and older people prefer softer mattresses. Firm beds are better for stomach sleepers and heavier folks, and back sleepers fall in between. Finding a mattress that keeps your spine neutral while you sleep is key.
Motion isolation and edge support: If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, motion isolation and edge support are necessary. A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you from being disturbed when your partner moves about. Good edge support gives you more space on your bed since you’ll feel comfortable and supported even when lying on the periphery.
You won’t find a perfect mattress for under $500. You need to be ready to compromise on comfort and quality. This may work for guest rooms and younger folks, but if you are older and suffer from aches and pains, I recommend spending more for a higher-quality mattress if you’re able. Fortunately, many brands offer payment plans.
For more detailed buying advice, check out my article on how to choose a mattress.
How we tested the best cheap mattresses
Erin Brains
I tested all the mattresses in this guide, sleeping on each for at least 14 nights. I tried the queen, the most popular bed size. Each mattress was subjected to a battery of tests to determine its comfort, motion isolation, edge support, and more.
Here are some of the test results for the main attributes we tested:
Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:
Comfort: I assessed a mattress’s firmness based on my experience testing dozens of mattresses. I noticed which positions I was most comfortable in: my side, stomach, or back. Also, I wore a Garmin Forerunner 945 watch to track my sleep quality.
Trial and warranty: Beyond noting the home trial period and warranty length, I combed through the small print to find any catches, such as return shipping and restocking charges. Ideally, you should expect a 90-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. All the picks in our guide meet or exceed these minimums.
Motion Isolation: A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you undisturbed as your partner shifts. I have two tests for this. First, I dropped a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress, landing one foot from a soda can placed on the mattress. The bed didn’t have very good motion isolation if the can fell over. If it stayed upright, the motion dampening was excellent. I also placed a vibrometer across the bed from where the bowling ball landed and compared the intensity of the vibrations. The Siena had the lowest vibration value at 6.8 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. The Sleepy’s Basic Innerspring Mattress was the worst at 8.5.
Edge support: I tested this in two ways. First, I sat on the edge of the mattress and measured how much it sank. If it dropped less than 4 inches, the edge support was pretty good. My other test was to lay on the edge and roll until I fell. If my body got beyond a 45-degree angle before falling, then the bed had good edge support.
Setup: I timed how long it took to set up the mattresses without help in the morning. At bedtime, I checked whether the “new bed smell” had dissipated or lingered. I also moved the mattress around several times and noted how much it flopped around, if it had handles, and other aspects that made it hard or easy to move.
Want to learn more? Check out our article on how we test mattresses.
Cheap Mattress FAQ
James Brains/Business Insider
Are budget mattresses worth it?
While I’ve found you get what you pay for with mattresses, if you can only afford a budget mattress, it may be worth it. “There are budget-friendly mattresses that can be supportive and friendly to your wallet,” said Tamara Huff, MD, a Georgia-based board-certified orthopedic surgeon. “I recommend looking for a medium to firm mattress with a good warranty.”
Are cheap mattresses comfortable?
After seven months of testing, I found some comfortable, cheap mattresses. Yet none offered the zoned support I crave. “Inexpensive mattresses can be comfortable,” said Huff. “Ideally, look for a mattress with a return policy in case you notice discomfort one to two months in.”
Is it OK to buy a cheap mattress?
Yes. However, cheap mattresses aren’t as supportive or comfortable as pricier beds and typically won’t last as long. Sleeping on a budget mattress for a few nights here and there likely won’t negatively impact you, especially if you’re an average sleeper with no special needs like chronic pain or overheating when you sleep. Yet, if you’re going to sleep on a bed every night, consider spending a little more on an option that will give you long-term comfort.
Should I consider a more expensive mattress?
If you can afford one, yes. Unless you’re looking for a mattress for a guest room or aren’t picky about comfort, you’ll be better off with a more expensive mattress. Based on my experience testing over 100 mattresses, you should count on spending at least $1,000 on a mattress you plan on sleeping on every night for the next 10 years.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Retailers are always looking for reasons to have mattress sales. Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Prime Day, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday are great times to buy a mattress because manufacturers offer great sales. Since new lines are usually launched in June, spring is a smart time to get good deals on older models.
Check out our regularly updated best mattress sales article for the latest deals.
What mattress types are less expensive than others?
All the mattresses I recommend in this guide are made primarily of foam except one. All-foam mattresses are cheaper than the hybrid, latex, adjustable air, and innerspring models. I found no latex or adjustable air models for under $500. I considered five hybrid or innerspring models; the only ones I recommend are from Allswell: the Allswell and the Allswell Luxe.
Are spring or foam mattresses better?
It depends and comes down to personal preference. Hybrid and spring mattresses are usually more durable, supportive, and breathable with a bit of bounce. Foam mattresses are generally more affordable and do a good job of cradling your body, offering the “sinking in” feeling that some sleepers enjoy.
What is the average price of a mattress?
The median price for the 13 mattresses in my best mattress guide is $1,599, the price for my top pick, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid. Check out our article on how much mattresses cost for more details.
James Brains/Business Insider
Do cheap mattresses have fiberglass?
Some cheap and pricier mattresses contain fiberglass, typically used as insulation or a fire retardant in mattresses. When directly exposed to the ultra-fine material, if you remove a mattress cover or it rips, it can cause upper respiratory, eye, and skin irritation. Here’s the info I could track down for the mattresses in this guide:
- Allswell: According to an email correspondence with a Walmart rep, Allswell mattresses do not contain fiberglass.
- Zinus: Newer versions do not contain fiberglass; instead, they opt for a carbon-rayon sleeve. You can read Zinus’ statement regarding its use of fiberglass.
- Novilla: According to a company representative, none of Novilla’s mattresses contain fiberglass. The mattresses feature fire-retardant cotton.
- Siena: Siena does not contain fiberglass.
- Nectar: Nectar no longer uses fiberglass in its mattresses. Instead, they use rayon as a fire retardant. There is, however, an ongoing suit about fiberglass exposure.
