Best Budget Mattress (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

With the rise of mattress-in-a-box companies and the popularity of marketplace websites like Amazon, there’s never been more choice when it comes to budget mattresses.

If you’re on a tight budget, shopping for a new mattress can be more difficult. There’s a greater discrepancy in quality levels, so user reviews are especially important. You’ll also find budget mattresses cater to what’s popular, so if you have specialized needs, you’ll want to research carefully.

For this guide on the best budget mattresses, we’ve set a maximum budget of $1,200. This gives you plenty of options to consider at a low price. All prices shown are for the queen size.

Here are our editors’ recommended best budget mattresses in 2023.

Our Top Mattress Recommendation

View on Zoma

Zoma Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 10-Year Warranty
• Designed for faster recovery
• Triangulex™ technology promotes healthy posture
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Splits

Best Budget Mattresses

We cover the features of these budget mattresses in-depth, as a reminder that a budget mattress can still offer a high-quality sleep experience.

The Zoma Mattress is our favorite budget mattress choice, specifically for athletes and those with an active lifestyle. Three layers of adaptive foam combine to evenly support the body and improve sleep quality through pressure relief. Customers say it’s easy to transition from an old mattress to the Zoma Mattress, whether you’ve used a foam mattress before or not.

Other Zoma beds include the Zoma Hybrid and Zoma Start. The Zoma Hybrid is softer than the Zoma Mattress, while the Zoma Start is firmer than the Zoma Mattress, so there’s something for everyone at Zoma!

Let’s take a look at the Zoma Mattress’s construction.

At 11 inches tall, the first layer of the Zoma Mattress contains 2 inches of Triangulex™ memory foam. This 3-zone comfort layer is made of hundreds of triangular-cut segments, designed to provide softer support to the shoulders and hips and firmer support to the head, back, and legs.

Latex-like Reactiv™ is 2 inches thick and gives a responsive bounce, keeping sleepers on top of the mattress and preventing deep sinking. This layer also makes movement easier and prevents sleepers from feeling “stuck.”

7 inches of Support+ is a high-density foam built to evenly support the body and reinforce the top layers without risk of sagging.

The Zoma Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, protecting against defects sagging greater than 0.75 inches (not caused through misuse).

The Vaya Mattress has a simple, clean design and a medium feel that will appeal to all sleepers and budgets. Despite its low price, the Vaya is made with quality, CertiPUR-US® certified foams.

Under a breathable cover sits a soft layer of Vaya Comfort Foam. This topmost layer in the Vaya Mattress responds quickly like latex, but contours closely to your curves for the ultimate pressure relief. Instead of feeling stuck or trapped in this layer like you would in traditional memory foam, you can maintain a neutral spine no matter the position you choose.

The Vaya Base Foam is the second and final layer of the Vaya Mattress. Thanks to its durable construction, the Vaya Base Foam ensures the soft layer above it won’t sag or cause back pain.

Along with the Vaya Mattress, Vaya offers the Vaya Hybrid. It features the same Vaya Comfort Foam as the Vaya Mattress and has a medium feel, but it contains pocketed coils in the place of the Vaya Base Foam. This construction provides extra bounce, making it easier to switch positions.

The Vaya Mattress comes with free shipping and an industry-standard 10-year warranty. You can try out your Vaya Mattress risk-free with a 100-night sleep trial, during which time you can return the bed if you find it’s not right for you.

The AS2 mattress by Amerisleep is a medium-firm model, a great choice for back and stomach sleepers. It’s 12 inches thick and made from three layers of superior, eco-friendly foam.

The Amerisleep AS2 features a soft, breathable cover designed to promote air circulation throughout the mattress. The airy feel of the cover keeps you cool and helps you sleep undisturbed. The cover is also easy to remove and is 100 percent machine washable.

The top layer of memory foam features 2 inches of Bio-Pur® which is more breathable than traditional memory foam. This layer helps keep you cool and relieves pressure points by conforming to the body’s natural curves. After sleeping on the bed for only a few weeks, reviewers mention how the bed has helped with their back pain and overall comfort while they sleep.

The middle layer is 3 inches of Affinity foam with HIVE®, creating zoned support for five areas of the body. Under the shoulders and hips, the mattress is designed to flex more for added pressure relief. Conversely, the head, back, and feet have less give for more support.

The bottom layer of the AS2 contains 7 inches of Bio-Core®, a high-density support foam designed to add durability to your mattress so it won’t sag or lose its shape.

Amerisleep offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty with the purchase of the AS2. In the first 10 years, customers receive repairs or a replacement without additional cost, and in the last 10 years, Amerisleep will replace the mattress at a prorated cost.

The Amore Hybrid mattress combines quality foams and firm support pocket coils. Available in medium or firm, we generally recommend the medium model since this firmness level is a great choice for most sleepers. Medium mattresses are also a good choice if you just aren’t sure what firmness to choose.

Customers can choose between organic cotton or copper ion for the mattress cover—quilted cotton breathes for excellent airflow, while copper ion is infused with bamboo cellulose and pulls heat away from the body. Wool fibers blend in to act as a natural fire retardant.

The 12-inch thick Amore Hybrid mattress starts with 1inch of FusionFlex™ gel foam which absorbs and disperses body heat while conforming to the body. 1 inch of graphite-infused memory foam enhances cooling by pulling heat away from the body while relieving pressure points for fewer aches and pains. Plus, many customer reviews talk about how sleeping on the Amore Hybrid has significantly improved their pain and was easy to adjust to.

2 inches of transitional foam and 2 inches of high-density poly-foam further contours to the body and keeps the spine in neutral alignment, with excellent motion isolation.

The 4-inch pocketed coil layer adjusts to each sleeping position for consistent support, while a thick high-density foam encircles this layer for great edge support. A 2-inch high-density foam base reinforces the structure of the bed.

Amore offers one other hybrid mattress for you to choose from, the Amore Luxury Hybrid. It’s only slightly thicker than the standard Amore Hybrid—being 12.5 inches thick versus 12 inches thick—but the mattresses’ constructions vary greatly. While the Amore Hybrid contains memory foam and poly-foam layers, the Luxury Hybrid features Dunlop Latex. Not only that, but the Luxury Hybrid’s pocketed coil base is 8 inches thick compared to the Amore Hybrid’s 4 inches.

Amore Hybrid mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty. The warranty protects the mattress against manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1 inch.

Ecosa’s one and only mattress, Ecosa Mattress is 10 inches thick and contains three interchangeable layers of foam. This way, the mattress can be adjusted to medium, medium-firm, and firm by rearranging the layers. The mattress is encased in a machine-washable polyester cover that includes an inner waterproof liner.

1.5 inches of G-7 gel memory foam neutralizes temperature by absorbing and dispersing heat. 1.5 inches of ECO-Tex memory foam uses open-cell technology to circulate air inside the mattress and add a responsive bounce, making movement easier. 7 inches of ergonomic support foam aligns the spine and offers consistent support without the risk of sagging.

Out of over 14,000 reviews, the Ecosa scores 4.8 out of 5 stars, so it’s safe to say we’re impressed. Customers mention how sleeping on the Ecosa Mattress helped with their chronic pain, back issues, and improved their sleep quality.

The purchase of an Ecosa Mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty. The warranty protects against defects and sagging greater than 1 inch not caused by misuse.

The Cypress Bamboo Gel Mattress is an affordable gel memory foam mattress, available in two different thicknesses — 11 inches and 13 inches. For the purpose of this article, we want to focus on the medium-firm feel of the 11-inch model, which is great for back and stomach sleepers and $100 less than the 13-inch model.

Of all of Brentwood Home’s mattresses, the Cypress is the most affordable option. Regardless, it still contains upcycled and sustainable materials with similar constructions as their luxury models, like the Oceano or Crystal Cove mattresses.

The Cypress mattress features a machine-washable, eco-friendly mattress cover infused with bamboo cellulose. A wool lining acts as a natural fire retardant, regulating body temperature and preventing odor.

The top layer of the mattress is made from charcoal-infused memory foam with BioFoam®. Customer reviews note how, with the help of the charcoal layers, they’ve noticed their pain has reduce and they stay cool throughout the night. Plus, the 2.5-inch memory foam layer has excellent motion isolation.

Next is a 2-inch layer of Airlux foam, a poly-foam with ventilation holes to improve airflow within the mattress. The final layer of the Cypress mattress is a high-density support base foam— it reinforces the top layers and offers full-body support without the risk of sagging.

Brentwood Home offers a 365-night sleep trial with the purchase of the Cypress mattress. They ask you to try out the mattress for at least 30 days before making a return. The mattress also includes a 25-year limited warranty, offering full coverage in the first 10 years, followed by prorated coverage for the remaining years.

The Zinus Green Tea memory foam mattress is the cheapest mattress on our list. At Zinus, there are a wide range of mattresses for you to choose from, including both hybrid and memory foam models. The Green Tea is easily Zinus’s most affordable option, next to their Cooling Gel memory foam mattress, which is also designed to be breathable.

It offers a range of thickness options including 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches— we’d like to focus on the 12-inch model. The 12-inch model is a medium-firm and, based on reviews, sleepers feel supported throughout the night while sleeping on this bed. They don’t feel trapped in their mattress and sleepers with chronic pain have noted seeing improvements.

The first layer of the Zinus Green Tea mattress is 3 inches of green tea-infused memory foam with ActivCharcoal. These materials shield the mattress from dust mites and bacteria while keeping it fresh and free from odor.

The second layer features 2 inches of high-density poly-foam. This layer relieves pressure points, aligns the spine for a comfortable sleep, and isolates motion transfer.

Two layers of 3.5-inch high-density support foam provide enhanced support without sagging. The convoluted structures of these two layers encourage airflow within the mattress for better cooling.

Zinus offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. This limited warranty covers manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1.5 inches.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide

Mattress Types to Consider

There are many different types of mattresses to consider. The four most popular types are memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid.

The majority of the best budget mattresses are made from poly-foam, memory foam, or are hybrid mattresses. Your budget will go further with a memory foam or hybrid mattress, as there are plenty of high-quality options available in a lower price range. Here’s a look at each of these mattress types.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam beds are a popular choice, especially when it comes to budget and affordable versions. They’re typically made from polyurethane, or poly-foam, although some contenders to traditional memory foam are now made with partially plant-based materials. Some foam mattresses are infused with copper, cooling gel, or graphite to help you stay cool.

Mattresses made from memory foam often have a top comfort layer, which gently compresses on impact. This gives you the feeling of being cradled without sinking in too far. This, combined with memory foam’s ability to bounce back, means you feel comfortable and supported in the right places.

Memory foam mattresses tend to be good for people who need additional pressure relief, like those with back pain. Many brands have incorporated mattress layers with targeted support and pressure point relief, designed to contour to your body and keep it in the most comfortable position.

You’ll find memory foam mattresses are less bouncy than innerspring or hybrid versions. This means they’re better at motion isolation, so you’re less likely to be disturbed by movement in the night.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses have a similar feel to memory foam mattresses, as they offer a balance of support and comfort. They offer a good level of “push back” against your body, so are a good choice for anyone looking for pressure point relief.

People who sleep hot may enjoy latex mattresses since this mattress type is naturally more cooling. They also have great motion isolation properties. If you enjoy the bounciness of a spring mattress but not the disturbance from movement, latex could be a good material to try.

The naturally hypoallergenic properties of latex make it a good mattress type for those with allergies. They’re resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites— so they’re easy to keep clean and fresh.

Latex mattresses tend to be more expensive than foam or innerspring mattresses, which is why they don’t feature in our list of best budget mattresses. While they’re a bigger investment, they also last longer on average than other mattress types. If you’d prefer a latex mattress, it may be worth saving up for and investing in one made from 100% natural latex. Alternatively, you could search for a  brand that offers a monthly payment plan.

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are a more traditional type of mattress, although they’re still available and popular today. These mattresses feature a coil system and with a layer of foam or fiber padding as a pillow top, which makes them a good choice for anyone who finds they sleep hot on a foam or hybrid mattress.

The coil system in an innerspring mattress can feature coils that are grouped together or individually pocketed. The individual coils allow for more targeted support, as they can flex more freely beneath you.

Innerspring mattresses tend to be on the firm side. They allow you to sleep “on top” of the mattress, compared to the slight sinking you feel with memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses. While this means innersprings are a suitable choice for back or stomach sleepers, side sleepers may find they need more cushioning than an innerspring mattress offers.

For people who prefer a bouncy mattress, an innerspring bed is a good choice. Movement is easier with an innerspring than other types of mattresses. This could be especially useful if you have back pain or difficulty moving around. Innerspring mattresses absorb motion transfer poorly, so you may find yourself waking at night from the feeling of movement on the mattress.

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid mattress combines two or more types of mattress technology to offer the benefits of both. Many hybrid mattresses are a mix of innerspring and memory foam, but latex is another popular material choice for the top comfort layer.

Hybrid mattresses are a great option for people who enjoy the feel of one mattress type but need the benefits of another. This could include someone who prefers the bounce of an innerspring but needs additional pressure point relief from a memory foam or latex top layer.

If your hybrid mattress features an innerspring coil system it’s likely to sleep cooler than an all-foam or all-latex bed. This makes hybrids a popular choice with people who find they wake up at night feeling too hot. Some hybrids combine the airflow benefits of a coil system with a copper or gel-infused memory foam for additional cooling properties.

Sleeping Position

We all sleep differently, and it’s important to look for a mattress to suit your sleeping position. The best mattresses should offer a mix of firm support and cushioned comfort where you need it most.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is the most popular position. While many people sleep on both sides, we only recommend sleeping on your right side. Sleeping on your left side can cause discomfort and put additional pressure on your internal organs.

In the side sleeping position, your spine is curved and your shoulders and hips rest on the mattress, so it’s important to look for a mattress offering good contouring. This will help your spine stay in the correct alignment and alleviate pressure point pain.

Side sleepers often favor a mattress with a soft to medium feel. Memory foam, latex, and hybrids are best mattresses for side sleepers. An innerspring mattress may not feel comfortable enough.

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back is often said to be the best sleeping position. In this position, your spine is naturally aligned, and there’s no unnecessary pressure on your body.

Back sleepers generally opt for a firm mattress with a comfort layer no more than a few inches thick. This gives them the right level of firm support without sinking too far.

If you sleep on your back, you may find a medium-firm to firm memory foam mattress offers a good level of support. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are also a good option for back sleepers.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping isn’t considered an optimal sleeping position, but if it’s comfortable for you it’s possible to reduce the negative effects with the right mattress.

People who sleep on their stomach should look for a firm and supportive mattress. This keeps your body aligned correctly and reduces unnecessary curvature of the spine. Stomach sleepers may benefit from a thinner top comfort layer, much like back sleepers.

Stomach and back sleepers have similar needs when it comes to mattress type and firmness level. They often favor a medium-firm to firm mattress, with a good level of support and not too much cushioning.

Mattress Budget

When it comes to buying a mattress on a budget, it’s important to know your upper limit. In this best budget mattress guide we’ve focused on beds in the $150 to $1,200 range to showcase what’s available.

If you need a more affordable solution, look for mattresses under $500. There are plenty of options out there for even the smallest budgets, which is great if you’re a student or are buying an occasional-use mattress in a guest room.

You can also watch out for mattress sales. Popular days to score a good discount on a new mattress include:

• Best Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Best Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• Best 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Best Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Best Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Best Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Best Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

Great deals on mattresses can also be found around spring when brands commonly make improvements and introduce new models. You may be able to get an impressive discount on last season’s model around this time with mattress coupons and promo codes.

The best budget mattresses we’ve featured in this guide are made from high-quality materials with generous sleep trials and warranties. If your budget can stretch further, you’ll probably have more options.

No matter your budget, you’ll be able to use expert guides and user reviews to find a mattress that’s right for you.

SEE ALSO: How Much Does a Mattress Cost?

Sleeping Cool and Airflow

When you’re asleep at night your body works hard to regulate your temperature and avoid overheating. You’ll experience the most restful sleep if your body maintains a cool temperature. Your mattress should help transfer heat away from your body.

Different mattress types encourage airflow and sleeping cool in different ways. Innerspring mattresses have excellent airflow, thanks to the natural spaces in between coils. This means they often sleep cooler than other types of mattresses.

Latex mattresses are naturally cooler than traditional memory foam, however, they may retain more heat than a spring mattress. Hybrids are also a good choice to help you sleep cool, especially if they combine multiple cooling technologies.

Temperature control used to be a common concern for memory foam mattress owners. Today, mattress companies remove this worry by combining cooling technologies with foam. It’s common to see foam layers infused with cooling gel, copper, or graphite. These elements help wick away heat and regulate temperature. You’ll also see memory foam beds featuring an open-cell structure. This is another way to improve airflow and help move heat away from the mattress at night.

Sleep Trials, Warranties, and Return Policies

Sleep trials, warranties, and return policies act as assurances to the customer that they’ve made the right choice. Always read through each, and know the details before committing to a purchase.

Sleep Trial

A sleep trial allows customers to try a new bed in the comfort of their own home. This risk-free, trial period lasts between 90 to 120 nights. If the customer is not happy with the mattress, most companies will issue a full refund.

Warranty

A warranty serves to protect a mattress from defects and sagging greater than 1 inch (this measurement may vary depending on the brand). Always read the fine print and know what to expect from the manufacturer and what the manufacturer expects of you.

Return Policy

Should a sleep trial not be offered, look at the return policy. A return policy lasts for 30 days— the same amount of time it takes for the body to adjust to a new mattress. If the customer is not satisfied with the bed, they can return it for a full refund.

Other Things to Consider

How much should I expect to pay for a good mattress?

We believe you can find a queen size mattress that meets your needs in the $500 to $1,500 price bracket. Cheap mattresses lower than $300 may contain low-quality materials and are more likely to break down within a year of ownership. This budget gives you plenty of choices when it comes to mattress types, thickness, firmness level, and features, but the price will depend on the type of mattress you choose and the size of the mattress.

Latex and hybrid beds will cost more— latex because of its natural material and hybrids because of the number of materials they contain. Memory foam and innerspring beds are often available in the low to mid-level budget range.

Are cheap mattresses worth it?

Some may say yes if they only intend on using the bed for a short time, but we would have to say no. Cheap mattresses are made with poor-quality materials that usually smell of chemicals and break down after only two or three years. While they may seem like a good deal, they’re not long-lasting and need to be replaced sooner than high-quality beds. You’re better off paying more from the get-go for a bed that’ll last you for years to come.

What’s the best budget mattress for upper and lower back pain?

Medium to medium-firm mattresses are an excellent way to relieve back pain—the right firmness depends on your preferences. Side sleepers experiencing back often find relief sleeping on a medium mattress that supports the back while conforming to the heavier shoulders and hips. Back sleepers typically find a medium-firm mattress promotes a neutral spine alignment.

What’s the best budget mattress for side sleepers?

A good mattress for side sleeping cradles the hips and shoulders while supporting the spine’s neutral position. Some budget mattresses even feature targeted support in these areas for greater effect. We recommend a mattress at least 10 inches thick, to ensure it offers plenty of cushion that’s backed up by a durable base.

What’s the best budget memory foam mattress?

A budget memory foam mattress should fully mold to the body for pressure and pain. The mattress should be well-made enough to minimize off-gassing, the process behind an unpleasant “new mattress smell.” We enjoy the foam mattresses that Amerisleep, Zoma, Vaya, and Ecosa offer and would recommend them to sleepers of all styles.

Conclusion

Mattresses should be viewed as an investment toward better sleep. We all need healthy sleep to be happy and healthy, and if we don’t replace our mattresses every so often, and try to extend the life of a saggy, uncomfortable bed, it’ll take a toll on our overall health.

There’s plenty of quality mattress choices out there, which makes narrowing down the best budget mattresses difficult. From memory foam to hybrids, there’s a solution for every preference and sleep style.

The key to finding the best budget mattress is to set a budget, then research the best mattress options available at the right price tag. From there, you can explore mattress reviews and ask questions about comfort and durability. With our useful guide and your own research, you’ll be able to find a good mattress in no time.