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Lifestyle habits and day-to-day happenings play into a quality night of sleep, but few things are as impactful on your rest as what you’re actually sleeping on. A luxurious night of sleep doesn’t always require a pricey bed — the best affordable mattresses provide a satisfying evening of shuteye.
When you hear the term “affordable mattress,” your first thought may be that there’s no way it can be as good as one of the more expensive options out there. These days, however, that’s not the case. “An affordable mattress doesn’t mean it’s not a good quality one,” says interior designer Soledad Alzaga of Soledad Alezaga Interior Design. “Companies have figured out how to produce better mattresses [and] streamline production, making buying a good quality mattress more affordable.”
There are many reasons to choose a more affordable mattress, including finding one for a guest room, a temporary living situation (like living in a dorm or working abroad for a year), or finding one for children who will move out in a few years. They come in a variety of sizes, from twin and full to queen and king, with a range of firmness options, too. Plus, you can upgrade these affordable mattress for your guests (or for yourself) with a great selection of bed sheets, duvet covers, luxury pillows, and silk pillowcases. If you’re interested in a more affordable mattress, look for one made with synthetic materials, which can bring the cost down. “Mattresses made with natural and organic materials, such as organic cotton or natural latex, tend to be more expensive,” says Drew Miller, VP of Marketing at Sit ’n Sleep.
Not only that, but there are multiple mattresses under $1,000 that are worth a look (and a night of sleep). Consider the most affordable mattress-in-a-box options from direct-to-consumer brands Casper and Nectar, which take that easiness to the next level by arriving in only a few days and rolling right onto your bed frame. “Not everyone can afford a high-end mattress, and choosing an affordable option allows people to get a new good mattress without breaking the bank,” Alzaga says.
We know searching for an affordable mattress online can feel daunting, so we’ve done the work for you, speaking with interior design and sleep experts to create a list of the best options. Below, discover the best places to buy affordable mattresses, and shop the best ones for a good night’s sleep. No matter which affordable mattress you choose from this list, you’ll be able to consider tossing and turning a thing of the past.
The Top Affordable Mattresses of 2023
Best MATTRESS Under $500
Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress
Type: Memory Foam
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Firmness: Medium
Warranty: 10 years
$249.99 $316.99 21% off
$249.99 $814.99 69% off
For an affordable bed-in-a-box that still delivers on comfort, look no further than the Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress. It comes in either a 10-inch or 12-inch thickness, and features gel-infused memory foam to keep you cool throughout the night. The soft feel makes it ideal for side sleepers, and the motion isolation means couples will sleep soundly right next to each other. It’s finished with a soft, breathable bamboo rayon cover and contouring support to help reduce back pain. This memory foam mattress in a box fits all bed frames, includes a 100-day trial period, has a 10-year warranty, and has racked up over 20,000 five-star ratings. When push comes to shove, it’s tough to find a better affordable mattress than this one.
What testers say: “To put it simply, this mattress has made a real, positive impact on my sleep. The gel-infused memory foam is a game-changer for anyone who values a comfortable and cool night’s sleep. It’s a relief not to wake up in the middle of the night due to overheating. But what’s truly remarkable is the quality of sleep it offers. I’ve experienced a significant reduction in aches and pains, making each morning a more pleasant experience. This mattress is a lifesaver.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $249
Best Affordable Mattress Under $1,000
Wayfair Sleep 14” Plush Hybrid Mattress
Type: Hybrid
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Firmness: Plush
Warranty: 10 years
Not only does this Wayfair Sleep mattress have a 14-inch thickness and plush comfort, it features low motion transfer and cooling technology, too. It’s also a favorite of Alzaga, who says it’s “thick, hybrid with coils and memory foam, and has a lot of features besides being hypoallergenic and very comfortable.” The bed-in-a-box is compatible with a wide range of bed frames, so it’s a great option for a guest room alongside some plush guest bath towels. Plus, it includes a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty. It’s also garnered over 11,000 five-star ratings.
What testers say: “Nice plush mattress!! So comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud. Unboxed and unwrapped it and it expanded right away. I was hesitant buying a mattress online and reading some of the negative reviews but I’m so happy I took the chance and went with this mattress!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $384.99
Best Hybrid Affordable Mattress
DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
Type: Hybrid
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
Firmness: Plush
Warranty: Lifetime
From the 365-day trial to its lifetime warranty, the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress already makes quite the case for an affordable mattress online before you ever sink into it. A twin mattress starts at just $499, while a queen will run you $799 — not too shabby for a high-profile mattress with a mix of memory foam, polyfoam, and pocketed coils. The seven-layer construction helps with cushioning, pressure relief, and spinal alignment. It even features a quilted cashmere cover for a luxurious finishing touch. The 14-inch mattress works for a variety of sleepers, including side sleepers and back sleepers, so couples will love it. DreamCloud is a favorite of Alzaga’s, who simply says, “This company has great mattresses.”
What testers say: “I was hesitant to buy a mattress without trying it out first, but since this purchase was for a guest room, I decided to give it a shot. The setup was a breeze. I waited 72 hours to let it expand. I tried it out first for a short nap and felt comfortable and had no pain afterward. Our guests loved it, and my daughter has been sleeping on it so much that we offered to buy her one. So that’s a definite five-star!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $799
Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers
Siena Memory Foam Mattress
Type: Memory Foam
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm
Warranty: 10 years
A memory foam mattress that’s under $400? When it comes to the Siena Memory Foam Mattress, that’s a definite yes. You’ll drift off to dreamland easily, thanks to the two inches of gel memory foam that help with pressure relief and support. Plus, there’s a 180-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Setup is easy, since the mattress only weighs 68 pounds — much less than other bed-in-a-box brands. The 10-inch mattress with five-layer construction is compatible with any bed frame, too. All that’s left is to slip into a pair of silk pajamas before catching your zzz’s.
What testers say: “I’ve been sleeping on this mattress for over a month and a half. It’s awesome. So glad I got it. I sleep better and I almost never wake up stiff and sore like I used to on my old memory foam.”
Price upon publish date of this article:
$399
Best Memory Foam Affordable Mattress
Casper Original Mattress
Type: Memory Foam
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm
Warranty: 10 years
$971.25 $1,295 25% off
$1,160.50 $1,295 10% off
$1.075.50
Casper’s mattress is a bit pricier than other options on this list, but it features tech and materials you’d typically find in options double the cost. The fact that the memory foam is divided into three ergonomic zones to help alleviate pressure and align your spine help justify the cost, too. “Bed-in-box mattresses like Casper are great options for affordable mattresses,” says Miller. Soft foam around the shoulders and firmer foam around the hips, waist, and lower back means your entire body gets sound rest throughout the night. Plus, it’s designed with AirScape technology that includes thousands of perforations to help heat and humidity flow away from your body while you sleep. The 11-inch mattress is finished with a knit cover and a durable base that prevents sagging.
What testers say: “They could have named it Cloud 9. I am usually tossing, turning, and waking up multiple times a night due to pain. I sleep like a rock on the Casper and feel rested in the AM.”
Price upon publish date of this article:
$971.25
Best Affordable Mattress in a Box
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Type: Memory Foam
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
Firmness: Medium Firm
Warranty: Lifetime
When it comes to affordable bed-in-a-box mattresses, Nectar is the overwhelming favorite. It’s not the least expensive mattress in a box, but it is the best. “Nectar is an all-foam mattress known for its comfort,” says Jill Zwarensteyn, editor at Sleep Advisor and certified sleep science coach. The 12-inch profile features a five-layer construction with a therapeutic, gel-infused memory foam comfort layer, polyfoam transitional and support layers, and a cooling cover. It works for a variety of sleepers, including back and side, and the memory foam relieves pressure from joint pain and hip pain. Since it is a bed-in-a-box, it will take a bit of time to decompress once rolled onto your bed frame, so just keep that in mind. Nectar mattresses also come with a 365-night home trial and a lifetime warranty, so getting those 40 winks just got a lot more appealing.
What testers say: “I absolutely love this mattress. It’s comfortable, and firm but not hard at all, and it breathes well. I sleep hot, and this mattress has been great for me. Best mattress for the money.”
Price upon publish date of this article:
$659
Best Affordable Cooling Mattress
Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress
Type: Hybrid
Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm
Warranty: 10 years
From the breeze Airgocell Foam to a temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking top cover, the Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress is an ideal affordable mattress for those looking to sleep without the sweat. It features seven different ergonomic zones that align and conform to different parts of the body, making it perfect for both back sleepers and stomach sleepers. It also features open-celled foam that isolates motion, so two people can sleep comfortably and soundly without disturbing one another. “Its motion isolation feature makes it ideal for couples,” says Zwarensteyn. Meanwhile, the medium-firm support offers all the plushness with none of the pain. With a 365-day trial and 10-year warranty, this is a mattress worth its weight in memory foam.
What testers say: “This mattress is the most comfortable one I’ve owned, at a great price, and arrived here in literally two days. 10/10 buy it.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $329
What to Consider When Buying an Affordable Mattress
- Materials: The materials used in an affordable mattress matter. Memory foam, gel foam, innersprings, coils, hybrid, the sky’s the limit with mattresses — and you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for price. “Affordable mattress brands have come a long way using new technology, better foam and coil materials, choosing better quality fabrics, and quilted pillow tops,” says Alzaga. She also notes that most affordable mattresses now include cooling technology and low motion transfer.
- Firmness: When looking for a mattress, firmness level matters. Medium-firm mattresses are typically the most universal in terms of comfort, but the firmness level differs depending on which type of sleeper you are. “Tailor your choice based on your sleeping position, with soft to medium-soft for side sleepers, medium-firm for back and combination sleepers, and firm to extra-firm for stomach sleepers,” recommends Zwarensteyn.
- Trial Period: Because buying a mattress online without testing it first can be a daunting task, be sure the one you’re choosing has an adequate trial period. Some mattress companies allow 90 days, others 180, and still others a full 365 days to test a mattress before deciding it’s the right one for you. “Look for a mattress with a generous trial period, allowing you to test its comfort and suitability over an extended period of time in your own home,” says Miller.
- Warranty: Along with the trial period, the mattress’s warranty is super important. Common warranties are either forever/lifetime, or 10 years, depending on the manufacturer. “A reliable warranty reflects the brand’s confidence in the mattress’s durability and can make a mattress more affordable if you need a replacement,” Miller says.
- Location: A more affordable mattress can be a lifesaver when you’re looking to outfit a guest room or an Airbnb. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on a mattress that won’t get as much use, opt for a bed in a box or other cheaper mattress. “An affordable mattress makes sense for an Airbnb,” says interior designer Alexis Rodgers of Home With Alexis. “If guests smoke cigarettes without permission in a no-smoking Airbnb, the mattress may harbor the stench and then the next non-smoking tenants may complain. Enter the affordable Amazon mattress and just click ‘buy again.’”
How We Chose the Best Affordable Mattresses
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To select the best affordable mattresses for this piece, we searched through multiple companies and options. We kept in mind price, as all options were under $1,000, along with firmness, thickness, cooling, and trial periods. We spoke with a variety of interior designers and sleep experts to round out our picks, and read customer reviews to enhance the ones most loved in this story. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Soledad Alzaga is an interior designer and founder of Soledad Alzaga Interior Design. She’s worked in high end residential, commercial, office buildings, and medical office projects in San Francisco, Sonoma, Atherton, New York, Martha’s Vineyard, Los Angeles, Mexico, and Argentina. Her work has been featured in C Magazine, Luxe Magazine, California Home and Design, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Rue Magazine.
Drew Miller is the VP of Marketing at Sit ’n Sleep, one of the largest mattress retailers in Southern California. He oversees the marketing strategy for the company and works closely with ad agency partners.
Alexis Rodgers is an interior designer and owner of Home With Alexis. She provides home staging and design services for realtors and homeowners in the Main Line and Greater Philadelphia Area.
Jill Zwarensteyn is the Editor for Sleep Advisor and a certified sleep science coach based in Los Angeles. She is passionate about the importance of improving sleep health, and her ultimate mission is to share her expertise in order to emphasize how important a good night’s sleep is.
Meet the Author
Jamie Allison Sanders is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles with over two decades of experience in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Her work has been published in a variety of outlets including InStyle, Well+Good, People, U.S. News 360 Reviews, Hearst’s Best Products, Today.com, Saatva’s Sleep Enlightened Blog, and Insider. Throughout her career, she has spent countless hours testing products and raving about them to her friends, family, and anyone else who will listen. For this article about the best affordable mattresses, she scoured the internet for unique mattresses across a wide variety of thickness levels and materials, analyzed customer reviews, and spoke with myriad sleep and interior design experts.
