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Written by
Bill Fish
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Savvy shoppers want to make the most of every dollar they invest in any product, and because a mattress is a significant investment, it comes as no surprise that many people want to find the best mattress for the money. With growing competition in the industry, especially with online mattress options, there are huge values available at multiple price points.
Ultimately, the best mattress for the money still depends on how much you’re looking to spend. For that reason, we’ve identified our top picks in three categories: affordable, value, and luxury.
Among our selections you’ll find a diversity of brands, mattress types, and firmness options. As you think about your mattress needs and preferences, these options help ensure that you get a great return on investment regardless of the size of your budget.
After reading through our top picks, you can find our buying guide that walks through the most important background information that you need to find the best mattress for the money.
Offering excellent pressure relief, the Nectar proves that memory foam doesn’t have to break the bank.
Memory foam mattresses frequently have a price point that falls solidly above what most people would consider to be affordable, but the Nectar is a welcome exception. With a competitive price and multiple layers of memory foam, it’s a compelling pick for people looking for pressure relief.
The first layer of memory foam in the Nectar’s comfort system is quilted into the bed’s cover. The memory foam is gel-infused to try to fight against heat retention, and the Tencel cover works in conjunction to boost breathability.
The second layer of memory foam has a thickness of 3 inches, and it sits on top of a 1-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam. With 5 total inches of this material, the Nectar mattress provides considerable cushioning to match where the body most needs it, and as a result, it plays an important part in proper spinal alignment.
The Nectar has a medium firm feel that is sturdier than many other memory foam mattresses, meaning that it doesn’t cause the body to sink deeply into the bed. For this reason, it is a good option for most side sleepers, particularly those over 130 pounds, as well as many stomach and back sleepers who weigh under 230 pounds.
Even at an accessible price, a mattress is still a big investment, and Nectar recognizes that by allowing customers to try it out for 365 nights with the option to return it for a full refund. They also provide a lifetime warranty that includes coverage of potential mattress defects.
The Allswell is a perfect fit for budget-shoppers who want a firm, responsive mattress.
It’s a challenge to find another quality mattress that is as affordable as the Allswell Hybrid. Even with its budget price point, it contains solid components and even some extra features that are more often found in much pricier models.
The support core of the Allswell is made up of individually pocketed coils with perimeter reinforcements for added edge support. This type of coil system fosters significant bounce while reducing motion transfer thanks to the ability of each spring to compress more independently of the other coils around it.
The comfort system is composed of graphite- and copper-infused memory foam. This layer helps cushion pressure points but does not have deep hug like traditional memory foam. Along with the pocketed coils, the memory foam contributes to slightly above-average motion isolation.
The overall feel is firm, which makes the Allswell a great fit for most back and stomach sleepers. The bounce from the coils makes it easy to move on top of the bed, making it a strong option for combination sleepers who frequently adjust their position during the night.
Even with its low price, the Allswell comes with a no-risk sleep trial that lasts for 100 nights. A 10-year warranty provides customers with a remedy in case of a defect in materials or workmanship.
The Birch mattress provides high-quality performance through the use of natural materials at an accessible price.
The Birch mattress is an eco-friendly latex hybrid mattress made using natural and organic materials. Latex hybrids combine the powerful support of innerspring coils with the resilience and pressure-relieving capabilities of latex. While its price-point may be higher than some other mattresses on this list, it is a great value considering the bed’s hybrid construction, natural latex, and certified organic materials.
The Birch’s construction emphasizes the use of natural, eco-conscious materials and avoids the use of harmful chemicals throughout. The mattress is wrapped in a cover made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton. Right underneath is a blend of wool and rayon that acts as a natural fire barrier, rather than using a chemical flame retardant.
A comfort layer of organic wool provides some cushioning and natural temperature regulation. Wool helps sleepers stay warm when it’s cold, while also staying breathable and wicking away moisture to keep the mattress sleeping cool when it’s hot. Next is a layer of Talalay latex, which adds more responsiveness and cradling to the bed’s surface. The latex is certified by the Rainforest Alliance, meaning that it is sustainably and responsibly harvested.
The bed’s core consists of a bed of individually pocketed innerspring coils that provide strong support and help to isolate movements on the surface somewhat. The edges are reinforced with a set of strong coils, making it easier to get in and out of bed.
The Birch’s medium firm (6) feel, Talalay latex, and innerspring core system give it a balance of support and cradling that works for a wide range of weights and preferred sleeping positions. Co-sleepers with different preferences in a mattress will likely find the Birch offers a solid middle ground. The hybrid construction helps the mattress breathe and dissipate heat, making for a cool night’s sleep.
Birch ships for free to all 50 states. The mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial as well as a 25-year warranty. Birch also offers a 10-year accident protection plan on the bed for an additional fee.
A robust hybrid design drives the comfortable and reliable Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress.
Standing strong in the value category is the Brooklyn Bedding Signature. This competitively priced hybrid mattress utilizes a combination of foams on top of pocketed coils to deliver excellent performance in multiple categories.
Two foams are used together to create the Signature’s comfort system. The top layer is 2 inches of TitanFlex foam. This proprietary latex-like foam is gel-infused and has an intermediate level of conforming and bounce. The second layer is 2 inches of Energex polyfoam, which has slightly more responsiveness and limits exaggerated sinking into the bed. Thanks to these two layers, the Signature can relieve pressure, promote spinal alignment, and prevent most motion transfer across the mattress.
The support core is 7 inches thick and made up of 6 inches of individually pocketed coils plus 1 inch of high-density polyfoam at the bottom of the mattress. These coils step up the edge support and responsiveness of the Signature.
Customers can choose from Soft, Medium, and Firm models, which means that almost any sleeper, regardless of their weight or primary sleeping position, can find a Signature mattress that fits their body.
Brooklyn Bedding has an established reputation dating back decades, and they have invested in making the Signature a top value among their product line. It comes with a 120-night sleep trial as well as a 10-year limited warranty.
Zoned innerspring coils and multiple foam layers allow the Dreamcloud to offer both bounce and contouring.
With a robust innerspring design, the Dreamcloud provides a “best of all worlds” type of feel at a wallet-friendly price, making it a top pick in the value category.
The Dreamcloud has a six-layer design that starts with a quilted Euro-style pillow top that is soft and stylish. The topmost comfort layer is made with gel-infused memory foam that earns the mattress high marks for pressure relief and conforming. Firmer polyfoam sits beneath the memory foam, offering a stable layer to prevent significant sink.
The support core is made with pocketed innerspring coils that cultivate considerable bounce without causing much in the way of motion transfer. The coils are arranged in five zones to offer more support to the parts of the bed that hold up heavier parts of the body. The coils rest on a base layer of high-density polyfoam for shock and noise absorption.
The Dreamcloud has a medium firm feel that provides both comfort and cushioning for side sleepers, especially those over 130 pounds. It is also a good fit for many back and stomach sleepers that want a degree of contouring from their mattress.
Customers who want plenty of time to try out a mattress appreciate that the Dreamcloud comes with a 365-night sleep trial. It has a lifetime warranty that provides coverage for defects in materials and craftsmanship for as long as you own the bed.
The Propel Mattress is a well-built hybrid that shows that innovative materials can be found at a competitive price.
The Propel Mattress is a special offering from Brooklyn Bedding, and it allows customers to take advantage of some of the newest developments in mattress materials. Despite its advanced construction, the Propel has a competitive price that places it among our best value picks.
A key element of the Propel is the Upcycle fabric in its cover. This material receives the body’s heat and then reflects it back as infrared rays, which studies have indicated may assist in more pronounced bodily recovery during sleep. In addition, this material works to prevent heat retention.
Another reason the Propel stays cool is the phase change material (PCM) on the surface of the comfort system. The PCM helps hold a stable temperature by pulling in or dissipating heat as necessary.
The top cushioning layer of the Propel is 1.5 inches of copper-infused polyfoam. Below this is 2 inches of latex-like Energex foam and then one inch of gel-infused memory foam. By using an assortment of foams, the Propel creates a sleeping surface with solid cradling, pressure relief, bounce, and motion isolation.
The support core is 6 inches of pocketed coils that are cushioned by a bottom layer of one inch of high-density polyfoam. This core props up the rest of the mattress with additional bounce and edge support. The medium firm feel is a great fit for people in most sleeping positions, especially side sleepers.
The Propel comes with a 120-night sleep trial to test out the mattress and a 10-year warranty covering defects in materials and manufacturing.
The Brooklyn Bedding Spartan doesn’t cut corners; it’s a trustworthy mattress with exciting features to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.
It’s no coincidence that Brooklyn Bedding mattresses appear multiple times in our list of the best mattresses for the money. Meticulous design drives value throughout their product line, including in the Brooklyn Bedding Spartan, a top luxury pick.
This 13.5-inch mattress has three different materials that form its comfort system. At the top is 1.5 inches of CopperFlex, a specialty polyfoam that is infused with copper and topped with phase change material. These features help the foam resist heat buildup while still effectively cushioning the body.
The second layer is 2 inches of TitanFlex latex-like polyfoam, which enhances responsiveness to make it easy to move on top of the mattress. The third layer is 1 inch of contouring gel-swirl memory foam that can relieve pressure and reduce motion transfer.
The support core is hefty; it’s built with 8 inches of pocketed innerspring coils on top of one inch of high-density polyfoam. The coils help maintain stability around the perimeter of the mattress and give a strong, stable base that allows plenty of ventilation to stay cool.
Brooklyn Bedding offers Soft, Medium, and Firm options, so no matter your sleeping position or body weight, you can find an option that aligns with your support needs and comfort preferences.
The Spartan mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial for in-home testing of the mattress and a 10-year warranty to make sure you’re covered in case of a mattress defect.
The Latex for Less is a flippable all-latex mattress that provides many of the hallmarks of the type at an affordable price.
Due to their constructions, latex mattresses tend to be a bit pricier than other mattress types. The Latex for Less Mattress is a notable exception to this rule, as it is consistently available for around half of the average price-point of a latex bed. However, Latex for Less Mattresses offer the same levels of temperature neutrality, pressure relief, and support as many higher-priced all-latex models.
The Latex for Less is a flippable mattress available in both 7- and 9-inch profiles. Each bed is constructed of a 6-inch base of sturdy Dunlop latex, covered on both sides by comfort layers of wool. Latex is a naturally breathable material that allows cooling air to flow through it during the night, while wool adds some natural temperature regulation by wicking away moisture.
The thicker model adds a 2-inch layer of bouncy Talalay latex, which is lighter, bouncier, and more responsive. As a result, the thicker version of the Latex for Less mattress allows sleepers to sink further into the bed, offering a stronger degree of pressure-relief and motion isolation.
The Latex for Less’s two sides rate at a medium firm (6) and a firm (7-8), making the bed a great choice for back and stomach sleepers who require a bed on the firmer end of the spectrum. The 9-inch model has more material, so it provides better support and room to sink in for all kinds of sleepers. The flippable firmness makes the Latex for Less a good option for couples, as sleepers of any size will likely be able to find a side that works for them. Side sleepers and those who weigh less than 130 pounds will probably enjoy the medium firm side, while stomach sleepers and those over 230 pounds will probably prefer the firm side.
The Latex for Less mattress ships for free to the contiguous U.S. It is backed by a 120-night sleep trial period as well as a 20-year limited warranty.
Shopping online is one of the best ways to get the most for your mattress dollar. While you can find deals when shopping in a brick-and-mortar store, it’s a trickier task that usually requires good timing and savvy negotiating. Online, though, significant competition makes values far easier to find.
A benefit to shopping online is that it lets you browse at your own pace, researching from the comfort of your home computer. You can learn about the benefits and downsides of different options, read independent reviews, and comparison shop to determine your best options.
Many mattresses sold online are available for the best price when purchased directly from the manufacturer; however, you can find models available from third-party sites like Amazon. Sellers range from smaller, online-only brands to mattress industry powerhouses like Sealy and Tempur-Pedic.
While there are times of the year that almost always feature sales, including most major holidays (Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc.), promotions are common year-round for mattresses sold online. Discounts are often displayed from the get-go, and if not, you can check third party sites for coupons. These offers can deliver meaningful savings, in many cases cutting the final price by 10% or more.
Standard shipping is almost always included in the price of a mattress sold online. Some sellers offer financing plans, but you’ll generally need to pay up front (with a credit card, Paypal, or other electronic payment). These mattresses normally have a sleep trial, letting you return the mattress within a set window of time to get a refund.
Whether you’re looking in the affordable, value, or luxury category, it’s essential that you find a mattress that allows you to get consistent amounts of restorative sleep. That means choosing an option that doesn’t just have a great price but more importantly is the right fit for your needs.
The bevy of brands, products, and marketing lingo can make it tricky to know what to really look for when shopping for a new mattress. Stay on the right track by focusing on these key factors:
As you start shopping for a new mattress, you’ll find that prices can be all over the map. Understanding what affects the price of a mattress can help you detect a good value. Some of the most important factors to know include:
If you’re in the market for a new mattress and shopping online, you might be wondering about how shipping, returns, and warranties are handled and if they end up affecting the cost of your new bed.
Basic ground shipping to your home is almost always free for a mattress bought online. With standard shipping, the mattress is compressed to fit into a large box that is delivered to your door. When it arrives, you take the box to your bedroom, and when you remove the packaging, the mattress will retake its complete size.
Standard shipping normally takes a few business days depending on where you are located and where the mattress ships from, which is usually a production facility or warehouse. Before shipping, some companies require a few extra days to process your order and/or build the mattress.
This delivery method is usually free for customers who live in the contiguous United States. Standard shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or international locations is offered by some companies but generally with an extra cost.
Another option for delivery includes actually setting up the mattress in your bedroom. This service often includes removal of an old mattress at the same time.
A few companies provide White Glove delivery for free with the purchase of a mattress. Others offer it for an extra charge, and in some cases, there may be different prices for installation alone as opposed to installation and removal of an existing mattress.
White Glove delivery may not be available in all areas, including in places outside the contiguous 48 U.S. states. In those places, customers in need of these services can look for third-party companies that help with these types of projects.
Generous return policies are commonplace in the online mattress industry. With most brands, you can expect to have a sleep trial that lets you try out the bed at home with the option to return it if it doesn’t work for you.
Most sleep trials are around 100 nights, but some last for even a full year. In many cases, you’ll be required to keep the mattress for a period of time — usually up to a month — before starting a return so that your body can adjust to a new sleeping surface.
If you want to return the mattress, you won’t need to try to get it back in the box. Many companies will send someone to pick it up from your home, and then the company will donate the bed. This is a simpler method, although you may need to move the mattress to your front door or curb.
Other companies don’t pick the mattress up but instead require that you donate the mattress and provide a copy of the donation receipt. If you are unable to personally coordinate donation, you can speak directly with the manufacturer for assistance.
The majority of companies offer a sleep trial that has no restocking or return shipping fees; however, you should always check because in some cases there are costs deducted from your refund. Costs above-and-beyond the mattress itself, such as for expedited shipping or White Glove delivery, are almost never refunded if you opt for a return.
These typical return policies apply to mattresses purchased directly from the manufacturer. If you purchase from a third-party retailer (like Amazon), the length and terms of the return policy may be different.
A warranty is a guarantee against defects in a mattress. These warranties cover abnormal or premature deterioration but not typical wear-and-tear. A minor amount of sagging that occurs gradually over time is expected from most mattresses and won’t usually be covered by a warranty.
Mattress warranties can have complicated terms. One component is the length, which often runs from 10 to 25 years. Another component is the remedy, which is what the company will do if a defect arises. Most often, the company will have the choice of either repairing or replacing a defective bed.
Whether you have to pay anything, including shipping costs, as part of this remedy also depends on the terms. A prorated warranty provides less coverage over time, requiring you to pay an increasing portion of the repair or replacement costs based on how long you’ve had the mattress. A non-prorated warranty offers the same coverage no matter how long you’ve had it.
The most valuable warranties are long, cover a broad range of defects, are non-prorated, and do not require the customer to pay any shipping costs.
The cost of the mattress itself is not the only item to account for as outfit your bedroom. While these won’t apply for every shopper, they are important to think through as you plan to make your mattress purchase.
The following sections give an introduction to the five key types of mattresses. Within each mattress type, you can expect commonalities, but it’s important not to assume that all mattresses within a category will have the same performance. There can be variation depending on the specifics of how the mattress is built, the quality of its materials, and other factors.
Definition: As the name indicates, a hybrid makes use of multiple different materials. A hybrid always has a support core made with innerspring coils. The comfort system, though, can utilize memory foam, polyfoam, latex, micro-coils, and other textiles. The comfort system is thick and noticeably affects the overall feel of the bed.
Balanced Performance: The goal of a hybrid is to provide the benefits of various materials without triggering their drawbacks. A hybrid can provide the responsiveness and edge support of an innerspring but with the pressure relief and comfort of a foam mattress.
Definition: Innersprings have one central component, which is a coil system. The coils, or springs, compress and bounce back as you move on top of the mattress. The comfort system is sparse or inexistent, featuring at most thin layers that are usually made with cotton or polyester.
A Low-Cost Building Block: Some customers choose to “DIY” their own hybrid by first purchasing an innerspring mattress and then placing their preferred mattress topper above it to serve as a comfort system. This requires separate purchases but offers flexibility and can bring cost savings.
Definition: The performance of a latex mattress is driven by latex rubber. The latex used in mattresses is usually natural, meaning that it is derived from trees; however, latex can also be produced synthetically. Natural latex can be made using the Dunlop or Talalay process, which will affect its overall feel.
Responsive With Contouring: Latex has an appealing mixture of cushioning and bounce. It can lightly cradle the body, but it’s also easy to move on top of, which keeps you from feeling stuck in the bed.
Definition: The defining feature of an airbed is its support core that is made with an air chamber. That chamber can inflate or deflate, changing the firmness with the touch of a button on a remote or smartphone. Comfort systems above the air chambers vary widely and can include foam, latex, wool, cotton, and/or fiber fill.
Choose Your Own Firmness: Customers who want the ability to adjust their mattress firmness are big fans of airbeds. In addition, each side has a separate chamber, which works great for people who share a bed but have diverging firmness needs.
Definition: Foam mattresses are built with an array of layers that can include polyfoam, memory foam, and latex. No coils or spring are used in foam beds. The feel of a foam mattress depends in large part on the type of foams used and the thickness of the layers.
Standout Contouring: Foam mattresses, especially memory foam options, lead the pack when it comes to contouring and pressure relief. This can promote healthy spinal alignment and make the bed more comfortable for people with pronounced pressure points.
| Mattress Type | Average Lifespan | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Innerspring | 5 to 7 years | $900-$1,100 |
| Foam | 6 to 7 years | $900-$1,200 |
| Hybrid | 6 to 7 years | $1,600-$2,000 |
| Latex | 8 years or longer | $1,600-$2,000 |
| Airbed | 8 years or longer | $2,000-$2,400 |
One of the best ways to get the best mattress for your money is to score the best deal possible. The next sections explain some helpful steps to be a savvy mattress shopper.
A little bit of research can go a long way in helping you save money on a mattress. Understanding the normal price ranges and what influences price can fine-tune your ability to spot a good deal.
Comparison shopping is another useful money-saving strategy. Without the pressure of a salesperson, you can collect information at your own pace and see how similar models are priced. Knowing about competitors’ pricing enables you to more effectively negotiate and ask for price matching or other deals.
When doing your research, make sure to be on the lookout for bundles, especially if you also need a new bed frame, pillows, or bedding. Many companies offer free extras, or you can negotiate for them to be included with your purchase.
Holiday sales are a big deal in the mattress industry. Historically, brick-and-mortar stores offered the best values on a handful of holidays because of the nature of the mattress sales cycle. New models were regularly launched in the early summer, creating a motivation to clear out inventory with big sales around Memorial Day. The Fourth of July and Labor Day anchored sale events to promote the new mattress lines. In addition, other major shopping days, like Black Friday, have been a staple for retail mattress stores.
Fortunately for shoppers, the online mattress industry has followed suit, offering great values on holidays to compete with brick-and-mortar stores. They’ve even added new holidays – Prime Day and Cyber Monday – to the list.
| Holiday | When it Happens |
|---|---|
| President’s Day | 3rd Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Independence Day | July 4th |
| Amazon Prime Day | July 15th |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Veterans Day | November 11th |
| Black Friday | The day after Thanksgiving |
| Cyber Monday | Monday after Thanksgiving |
If you can shop on these holidays, you likely won’t have to look hard to find promotions. Retail stores publish ads and flyers, and online companies have banners and pop-up ads that show major savings. You can usually find reduced prices, free accessories, or both.
If you aren’t able to make a purchase around these dates, it can still be useful to make note of holiday deals. Keep a record of the details, and then later, you can ask for the same pricing. While this negotiating tactic won’t always work, some sellers will end up giving you the price offered during a prior sale.
