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Since the quality of your sleep impacts brain performance, mood, and overall well-being, getting a good night’s rest is crucial to your health. In fact, not getting enough sleep is linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, obesity, dementia, depression, and anxiety. One way to help you sleep better is to have a quality mattress.
Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to find the best mattress. The mattress construction, material, and features influence the cost, so consider these general rules when shopping for an affordable mattress. Memory foam and innerspring mattresses are typically lower priced at about $600–$1,200 for a queen. Hybrid (a combination of spring and foam) and latex mattresses are more expensive, averaging $1,500–$2,200 for a queen.
All mattresses in our review offer free shipping, but some brands charge $100–$200 for optional setup and removal services (known as “white-glove delivery”). Keep this in mind when determining your budget.
Our Reviews Team rounded up our top five picks for the best affordable mattresses of 2024, including the best options for couples, side sleepers, and stomach and back sleepers.
We found several important factors when researching and testing affordable mattresses, including:
Research the mattress’s return policy, trial and warranty period, potential hidden costs, and shipping or setup fees on top of the base price.
Back sleepers should look for reinforced support in the midsection and lower back, side sleepers need softer support in the hips and shoulders, and stomach sleepers need strong support in the midsection.
A medium mattress is considered the industry’s “middle ground,” but depending on your needs, you may need a softer or firmer mattress.
A high-quality mattress allows your shoulder, hips, ribcage, and backside to sink comfortably into the surface. A mattress with good pressure relief may help reduce discomfort and aches in sensitive or painful areas.
We recommend a mattress that supports sleepers’ movements, especially for those living with mobility issues or chronic pain.
Consider a mattress with a minimum 100-night trial period. A lengthy trial period allows you adequate time to try your mattress and return it if it’s a poor fit.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress balances pressure relief and support—a great combination for most sleepers, especially people who sleep on their back. While the mattress comes in three firmness options (soft, medium, and firm), we tested the medium mattress.
According to a Reviews Team survey of 600 people who recently purchased a mattress, 59% of people seeking pain relief from their new mattress cited lower back pain. The Signature Hybrid mattress is designed to offer significant pressure relief, which can benefit people seeking the best mattress for back problems. Our testers were impressed with the support and pressure relief this mattress provided.
We recommend the medium or firm options if you’re a back sleeper. A study found that a medium-firm mattress improves sleep quality and reduces the risk of developing lower back pain.
The Signature Hybrid mattress has a good bounce that aided our testers’ movements when they switched positions. We think the supportive, responsiveⓘ Responsiveness describes how much surface bounce a mattress has and how it responds to pressure or the sleeper’s movements, making it easier to move around and change sleeping positions. surface is great for sleepers with mobility issues or those living with pain.
While the mattress didn’t completely absorb motion during our motion transfer ⓘ The amount of movement felt on one side of the mattress when a bed partner moves on the other side of the bed. tests, it isolated motion well for how responsive and bouncy it is. Sleepers who need a responsive bed but are easily disturbed by movement should appreciate this combination.
“I feel myself sinking slightly into the plush mattress top, but not the way you sink into a memory foam mattress.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has a 4.7-star rating out of 5, with more than 10,100 reviews on the brand’s website. Many reviewers mentioned the easy delivery and setup. Some thought the medium option was firmer than expected, but most were pleased with the mattress.
“First impression after two weeks – tending a bit on the firm side. Will give it some time to break in. Quality is excellent. Pleased with the cooling/plush top. Fully expanded on unwrapping with no odor.”
— Steven L., verified buyer on 3/23/2024
“I love the mattress and think the quality is outstanding. I purchased the signature hybrid medium. Ordering, shipping, delivery, and setup was excellent. I do like a firm mattress, however, it is more firm than I expected. I am still getting used to it and will see how it is after 30 days.”
— Deborah S., verified buyer on 3/19/24
“I love my new Signature Hybrid mattress. It was an easy set up and sleeps great! I love the cooling pillow top as well. Great quality and customer service was awesome. Would recommend and would purchase another.”
— Kelly B., verified buyer on 1/11/24
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has a 4.4-star rating and more than 11,800 reviews on Google. While most users rated the mattress positively, some reviewers complained that it has poor edge supportⓘ This refers to the bed’s stability along the edges.
The Nectar Memory Foam is an all-foam mattress with a soft, plush feel. The mattress has three memory foam layers with deep, slow sinkage due to the top layer of gel memory foamⓘ Memory foam with small gel pods designed for cooling . When testing multiple sleeping positions, our testers felt more “in” than “on” the mattress.
We think the Nectar Memory Foam is a great option for side sleepers weighing less than 250 pounds. When in this position, our testers’ shoulders and hips sank comfortably into the mattress. The slight sinkage supports side sleepers by preventing pressure buildup and discomfort in the shoulders and hips—a key characteristic in the best mattresses for side sleepers.
While some sleepers may like this “sunken in” feeling, others may need more reinforced support. We don’t recommend the Nectar Memory Foam for stomach sleepers, sleepers weighing more than 250 pounds, or those needing a more responsive bed to support their movements. Our testers had to fight the plush mattress when switching positions, which may be difficult for sleepers with mobility issues.
The mattress also has impressive motion isolation, which is particularly beneficial for couples who don’t want to disturb their partner when moving around at night.
“There is some mild resistance to the mattress because I do have to roll out of the divot I created. But when I go into my new position I can feel the mattress adjusting, but it takes a second or two to respond to the new position.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Nectar Memory Foam has a 4.5-star rating out of five, with more than 51,500 reviews on the brand’s product page. Many reviewers mentioned how supported they felt in multiple sleeping positions. Reviewers were also impressed by the mattress quality for the price.
“I love my Nectar mattress! It was so comfortable the first night I slept on it! And I have a whole year to decide if I want to keep it. I have pretty much already decided. It will not go back. Awesome mattress for the price!”
— Melanie B., verified buyer on 6/13/24
“This is the best bed I have ever owned, honestly the price to performance is unbeatable. I have the best sleep I have had in a long time. Thank you Nectar for making affordable high quality mattresses.”
— Gabriel S., verified buyer on 5/3/24
“Ordering was easy, good price and timely delivery. Unpacking and expanding the mattress was easy, and no off gas smell at all! Excellent for a queen wall bed.”
— Jim B., verified buyer on 4/5/24
The Saatva Classic Mattress offers luxury with nontoxic materials and a hotel bed feel. It’s designed to appeal to a wide range of sleepers, offering three different firmness options: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm. We tested the luxury firm mattress, which we found slightly firmer than medium. Our testers rated it a seven out of 10 on the firmness scale. For context, 6.5 out of 10 is the industry standard for a true medium.
The two spring coil layers and high-density foam balance support and cushioning, offering a responsive surface that helps aid movement. Meanwhile, a small memory foam layer in the middle specifically targets the lower back. One of our testers had to move lower down the mattress to align their lower back with the foam layer. Once they did, they felt great pressure relief and support.
Hybrid mattresses with coils, like the Classic, offer breathability. Our testers confirmed that this mattress stayed mostly cool, giving it a 4.5 out of five for cooling.
Overall, we think the mattress’s blend of luxury, comfort, and support and its customization options make it a standout choice.
“The mattress is very responsive to my movements. I’m not fighting the material to move, and it’s easy to switch positions “
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Saatva Classic has a 4.8 out of five-star rating and more than 3,400 reviews on the brand’s product page. Many reviewers mentioned the convenience of delivery and removal services and the excellent customer service. Other reviewers were happy with the mattress support and how it helped ease their back pain.
[…] This has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made […] The delivery service was on time, courteous and very professional. We were updated and kept fully informed of delivery date and time. I wanted to wait and sleep on the mattress for a period of time before writing this review. Both my husband and I chose the luxury firm and it has provided a great support along with a cloud like cushioning on top. We both fall asleep faster and wake in the morning feeling great! We definitely made the right choice and highly recommend this company”
— Patty, on 2/28/24
“I bought a Saatva Classic mattress over a year ago and I’m still loving it. It’s a great mattress that has a plushy top layer but good support. I sleep in all positions and move around a lot in my sleep and it’s comfortable no matter how I sleep. I’ve had less back and neck pain since I bought it. Also the delivery service was great and it was so nice that they took away my old mattress. It’s also nice knowing Saatva mattresses are made with safe materials (for example they are not made with fiber glass). This isn’t a paid review – just a satisfied customer.”
— Miranda H., on 1/29/24
“I received the mattress only a few weeks ago, but so far, I have slept like a log and have woken after a good night’s sleep pain free. My back, hips and shoulders are feeling much better! Very happy with my purchase. The free delivery and take away of my old mattress was a bonus!”
— JS, on 9/6/23
On Google, the Saatva Classic mattress has a 4.4-star rating and more than 4,320 reviews. Some users said it took some time to get used to the mattress’s feel, but overall, reviewers were satisfied with the mattress’s quality and support.
Read our complete Saatva review.
The Bear Original mattress offers a balanced combination of firm support and pressure relief. The all-foam construction results in minimal motion transfer, making it one of the best mattresses for couples, especially if one partner is a restless sleeper. One of our testers noted how they thought they could jump on the bed without their partner noticing.
The mattress features a unique Celliant cover, a textile that enhances cooling and reportedly promotes recovery and blood flow during sleep by converting body heat into infrared energy. But it’s important to note that the gel memory foam may feel too firm for some side sleepers and not provide adequate support for higher-weight people. The mattress’s strong edge support is another benefit for couples. A stable edge allows sleepers to spread out and use the full mattress, giving them more surface area if needed.
Overall, this bed’s blend of comfort, support, and advanced features make it a compelling choice for couples seeking a restful night’s sleep without disturbances.
“I feel very stable and supported when sitting on and lying near the mattress edge. The edge hardly collapses under my weight, and I think I could sleep near the edge of the bed without falling off.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Bear Original has a 4.4-star rating out of five and more than 10,600 reviews on the brand’s website. Many reviewers mentioned the firm support helped their back pain.
“I got the best sleep I had in years, not because the mattress is new but because this mattress really helped support me as a side sleeper without causing any pressure pointsⓘ The parts of the sleeper’s body that are in direct contact with the mattress, such as the backside, shoulder, hips, and ribcage. . It was the right amount of firm and give.”
— Kristin B., verified buyer on 3/26/24
“ […] The first couple of nights for me were a bit of an adjustment, but my husband had zero trouble falling asleep. Once my body became acclimated to the mattress, wow! A great night’s sleep, my back pain has significantly reduced, I never disturb my husband, and the cats even love it! We’ve been very impressed, and incredibly happy with our purchase […]”
— Amy C., verified buyer on 3/23/23
“ […] I am a back and side sleeper, while my husband is a stomach sleeper. I like firmer mattresses, and he likes softer ones. This one really fits the bill for both of us! It is medium firm with great support, but also has a bit of that memory foam feel that my husband really enjoys. The mattress is also more affordable than many of its competitors. Great value and great quality!”
— Patricia L., verified buyer on 1/29/21
On Google, the Bear Original mattress has a 4.7-star rating and more than 8,300 reviews. While most users gave the mattress a positive rating, some reviewers complained that it was too soft and unsupportive.
Like the Bear Original, the Emma Original is an all-foam mattress with a firmer feel than typical memory foam mattresses. Emma classifies this mattress as a medium mattress, but our testers rated it firm, giving it a seven out of 10 on the firmness scale.
When trying different sleeping positions, our testers felt more “on” the mattress surface than sunken into it. While the mattress supported and contoured to our testers’ back, they said it could have hugged this area more. Overall, we recommend the mattress for back sleepers, especially those who prefer sleeping on a firmer surface.
We typically don’t recommend all-foam mattresses for stomach sleeping, but we think the Emma Original offers firm, comfortable support in this position. Our testers’ hips were lifted and supported without dipping into the mattress when lying on their stomach.
The mattress should support most back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 250 pounds. Unfortunately, we don’t think it’s firm enough to support higher-weight sleepers.
Some memory foam mattresses leave you feeling “stuck” or cause you to fight the material to move, but this mattress supported and responded to our testers’ movements. “For an all-foam mattress, the Emma Original is responsive,” one tester said.
Although the mattress is responsive, its foam layers help soften movement. Our testers were impressed with how well the Emma Original isolated movement with more than one person on the mattress.
“When [my testing] partner got in the bed and switched positions, I could barely feel it. People who wake easily will like the motion isolation and shouldn’t wake from partner movements.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Emma Original has a 4.7-star rating out of five, with more than 65,000 reviews on the brand’s product page. Reviewers were pleased with the mattress quality, affordability, and excellent customer service.
“The Emma mattress exceeded my expectations with its affordable price and convenient delivery. It’s an absolute dream to sleep on.”
— Jennifer, verified buyer on 5/18/23
“Very good quality mattress at a very small price. I bought Emma original about six months ago and since then I no longer have the terrible back pain.”
— Sonia C., verified buyer on 7/7/22
The Emma Original has a 4.7-star rating out of five and more than 68,000 reviews on Google. Some reviewers said the mattress helped their back pain, while others complained it was too firm.
Our Reviews Team has dedicated more than 1,000 hours to researching the mattress industry, consulting at least 10 health care professionals, and testing roughly 40 brands and 130 unique mattress models for quality and comfort. We’ve also interviewed eight older adults who recently purchased a mattress and surveyed more than 3,200 recent mattress customers to understand their experiences shopping for a new bed.
Each mattress undergoes a rigorous 36-page testing procedure to score its different characteristics, including firmness, support, and other aspects most shoppers consider. We choose the best affordable mattresses based on the below criteria while also considering price and customer-friendly policies. An affordable mattress should never sacrifice support, pressure relief, and comfort.
See how we tested the most important considerations for this review below.
Firmness
Like most mattress brands in the industry, we use a one-to-10 scoring method when testing firmness, with 6.5 being the true medium firm. Our testers rate this by lying on the surface and comparing the feel to other mattresses we’ve tested. Material density and coil strength influence firmness the most. Some of the top affordable mattresses have multiple firmness options. This can help you find a mattress that accommodates your weight, primary sleeping position, and personal preferences within your budget.
Pressure relief
We rate pressure relief on a scale of one to five, with five being the most pressure-relieving. We consider how it feels and use a pressure pointsⓘ The parts of the sleeper’s body that are in direct contact with the mattress, such as the backside, shoulder, hips, and ribcage. with sensors to visualize pressure points around the body accurately. Blue and green pressure map results show great pressure relief, while yellows, oranges, and reds indicate pressure build-up. Even affordable mattresses should provide pressure relief, an essential function of comfort.
Support
We score support on a scale of one to five, with five being the most supportive. Mattresses with strong support contour and push into the curves of your body, particularly the lower back or midsection. Not only do we feel support during testing, but we can also visualize it through pressure map results. Maps with mostly white space at the lower back show how the mattress isn’t making contact with the area, which means the mattress isn’t supportive. Good support is critical for multiple sleeping positions and easy bed movement. We considered how supportive each mattress was in addition to affordability.
Functional support
Our team developed this unique score to understand how well a mattress accommodates mobility issues, like difficulty moving around or getting up from the bed. We combined firmness (30%), support (30%), bounce (10%), and edge support (30%) to create a score between one and five, with five being the most helpful for movement in bed. While affordability is important, we also ensured that the mattresses we chose provided good functional support for mobility.
To learn more about our testing, review our sleep methodology.
Our research and testing are ongoing, so our reviews evolve over time. We test new mattresses monthly to keep our content up-to-date. Check back regularly for new insights and products.
When choosing an affordable mattress, balancing cost with quality and personal sleep preferences is important.
“A mattress has two specific functions: support and comfort,” said Michael Breus, PhD, a clinical psychologist, author, and sleep expert in Los Angeles. “Support is how well the product can get your spine aligned and remove any real pressure points on the body. Comfort is how long the product can keep you in that position. If you can get comfortable, you will get higher quality sleep.”
The firmness level is crucial to comfort. Softer mattresses (rated lower on a 10-point firmness scale) are suited for side sleepers who need shoulder and hip contouring. Firmer options offer more support for back and stomach sleepers.
Firmness is subjective to each sleeper. How you perceive a mattress’s firmness depends on your weight, sleeping position, and personal preferences. We offer mattress firmness ratings based on our testing, but the best way to determine if a mattress is right for you is by experiencing it during your trial period.
High-quality, affordable mattresses start around $500, with the average queen-size mattress costing between $1,000–$2,000. Costs can vary based on size, materials, brand, and purchase location.
Foam and innerspring mattresses typically have lower prices ($700–$1,200 for a queen), while hybrids and latex mattresses are pricier (average $1,500–$2,200 for a queen).
Airbeds, such as the Sleep Number mattress, are usually the most expensive. Some brands offer organic mattresses made with eco-friendly materials or hypoallergenic mattresses. Both are typically pricier than standard mattresses.
Most online mattress brands offer sleep trials ranging from 100–365 nights with free return shipping. Standard warranties typically cover manufacturing defects for 10 years up to the life of the mattress.
For budget-conscious sleepers looking to save on mattresses without compromising on quality or comfort, there are several strategies to consider:
When choosing mattress brands to test, we consider price, brand reputation, trial period, return policy, warranty, mattress options, and other factors to offer a wide selection to meet our readers’ needs.
Other affordable mattress brands that didn’t make our list include Tuft & Needle, Zinus, and Allswell. Like our top five picks, you can purchase these mattresses completely online. Prices range from $320–$2,600 for a queen mattress and include free shipping.
| Price | $665–1,664 | $699–$1,798 | $1,395–$2,990 | $699–$1,690 | $659–$1,459 |
| Material | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Foam |
| Mattress height | 12.25″ | 12″ | 11.5″ or 14.5″ | 10″ | 10″ |
| Our firmness rating | Medium | Medium | Firm | Firm | Firm |
| Trial Period | 120 days | One year | One year | 120 days | One year |
| Warranty | 10 days | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years |
Each of the five affordable mattresses in our review provides unique features and benefits to help you find the right mattress within your budget.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid stands out as the “Best Overall.” It has three firmness options and offers excellent pressure relief, support, and comfort, as well as one of the lowest prices on this list. We selected the Nectar Memory Foam as the “Best for Side Sleepers” since its soft, plush surface is excellent for comfortably supporting the shoulders and hips.
With its luxury design and high-quality materials, the Saatva Classic is the “Best Affordable Luxury” option, offering a premium sleeping experience.
The Bear Original is “Best for Couples” because its motion-reducing foam layers will likely prevent you from feeling your partner moving around. Finally, the Emma Original is “Best for Back and Stomach Sleepers” because the firm all-foam mattress should support most sleepers in both positions.
Yes, affordable mattresses can be comfortable, although comfort is always subjective. Advances in mattress technology and materials have enabled manufacturers to create budget-friendly mattresses without compromising comfort and quality. Many affordable options now feature memory foam, hybrid designs, and other advanced materials (like cooling gel, poly foam, and thick quilted covers) that were once exclusive to more expensive mattresses.
The best time to buy a mattress is typically during major sales events, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Presidents Day. During these times, retailers often offer significant discounts. Additionally, the end of winter and late spring are good times to shop, as companies may reduce prices to clear out inventory before new models are released.
Innerspring mattresses are often the most affordable type. They have been around for a long time and are made with simpler construction than newer types, like memory foam and hybrid mattresses. Foam mattresses, particularly those sold online, can also be budget-friendly due to lower overhead costs and direct-to-consumer sales models.
The amount you should spend on a mattress depends on your budget and needs. On average, a good-quality mattress can cost between $800–$1,500 for a queen size. Quality options are available for around $500. High-end mattresses can cost upward of $12,000. It’s important to balance affordability with quality and comfort, considering that a mattress is a long-term investment in your sleep health.
The lifespan of a mattress varies depending on its material, construction, and use. On average, a mattress can last between seven to 10 years. Innerspring mattresses may have a shorter lifespan, while high-quality memory foam or hybrid mattresses can last longer. Proper maintenance and using a mattress protector can extend a mattress’s lifespan.
We chose the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid as the best affordable mattress overall, but the right mattress depends on your sleeping position, needs, preferences, and budget. The Nectar Memory Foam, Saatva Classic, Bear Original, and Emma Original also made our top picks
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
