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Best Mattress Under $1,000 in 2026
Sleep Foundation
Why Trust Us
Our mission to create a healthier, more well-rested world demands that our product reviews be best-in-class. You won’t find more expertise on mattresses and sleep products anywhere else.
The Sleep Foundation product testing team uses an industry-leading evaluation process paired with real world consumer feedback to come up with objective recommendations so that you can feel confident in your product decisions.
Although a mattress is often a big investment, many manufacturers sell high-quality models at reasonable prices. Even on a budget, mattress shoppers have no shortage of options, so you will need to narrow your search to find the best model for you. The main details to consider are your weight range, sleep position, and personal preferences, as these attributes affect support and comfort. Note that while some queen mattresses we’ll discuss list for over $1,000, smaller sizes and/or promotional discount pricing fall below this price-point.
The Clear Winner: Nectar Classic
With over 35,000 5-star customer reviews and strong performance across the board, the Nectar Classic is our top pick. Our team praised its close yet even contouring to support the body’s heaviest areas, alleviating pressure without sinking or sagging too much.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Mattress
:Nectar Classic
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Best Mattress Under $500
:Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam
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Best Mattress for Back Pain
:Nolah Original 10
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Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
:Bear Original
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Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
:Silk & Snow Hybrid
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Best Mattress for Couples
:Layla Memory Foam Mattress
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Best Cooling Mattress
:Cocoon Chill
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Best Mattress for Kids
:Helix Kids
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Best Mattress Deals for Presidents’ Day
- Save $450 — Nectar Classic
$649(List Price $1,099) - Save $199 — Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam
$466(List Price $665) - Save $507 — Nolah Original 10
$942(List Price $1,449) - Save $299 — Bear Original
$699(List Price $998) - Save $150 — Silk & Snow Hybrid
$800(List Price $950)
How We Tested the Best Mattresses Under $1,000
Testing Criteria
There are many strong mattress options in the $1,000 or less price bracket, but let’s nail down what makes a top-performing bed on a budget — especially since you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality for cost. The following factors informed the criteria we tested against when evaluating mattresses for this list.
Price & Overall Value: Affordability is the foundation of this category, but price alone doesn’t define quality. We focused on mattresses priced less than $1,000 that deliver solid performance for the cost, offering a balance of comfort, support, and durability without markups.
Customer Ratings & Reviews: Real-world feedback provides valuable insight into how a mattress performs over time. We prioritized models with consistently positive customer ratings and reviews, paying close attention to long-term comfort, durability, and overall satisfaction reported by verified buyers.
Lifespan & Durability: Budget mattresses tend to wear out faster than higher-priced models, so durability was a key consideration in our testing. This is because more expensive mattresses tend to use higher-quality materials. We looked for mattresses that maintain their shape, support, and comfort longer than typical budget options, helping sleepers avoid premature sagging or breakdown.
Quality Materials & Construction: Even at lower price points, thoughtful design matters. We prioritized mattresses made from dependable materials, including foams and coils. We also evaluated how construction delivers reliable support and structural integrity while meeting our high performance standards.
How We Evaluated
With such a wide range of mattresses priced at $1,000 or less, we filtered our choices using a set of quantitative benchmarks, including:
- A retail price under $1,000
- Strong overall performance ratings
- High-quality construction
- A variety of firmness levels
Our expert Seattle Test Lab team assessed each mattress for key performance categories like support, pressure relief, motion isolation, and overall comfort, while also considering construction quality and expected lifespan relative to other budget options. After that, they assigned accolades to each individual bed they tested, ultimately selecting the top options that performed the best at a budget.
Our Testing Team
Logan Foley
Editorial Director
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Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content
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Jeremy Klein
Senior Product Testing Manager
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Brad Nehring
Senior Product Analyst
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Colin Simpson
Product Research Manager
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Best Overall Mattress: Nectar Classic
Best Overall Mattress
8.7/10Test Lab Score
Nectar Classic
A pressure relieving memory foam bed at an amazing value.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds, as well as back sleepers under 230 pounds.
- Feel: Inviting, with noticeable but gentle contouring around pressure points. Enough pushback to prevent feeling like you’re sinking.
- What It’s Made Of: Top layer of gel-infused memory foam, a second foam layer of responsive polyfoam, and the base is thick, high-density polyfoam.
- What We Don’t Like: Too soft for sleepers over 230 pounds, especially back or stomach sleepers.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is one of the Nectar Classic’s defining strengths. All of the foam layers collectively work together to absorb movement and prevent ripples of motion transfer from spreading elsewhere on the mattress. Couples and co-sleepers should appreciate this quality.
Pressure Relief
The Nectar Classic excels at pressure relief thanks to its design, which features a plush and adaptive memory foam layer on top and dense foam layers in the support system. This creates deep cradling at the surface level to soothe sore spots and pressure zones, but also ensures ample reinforcement to prevent the midsection from sinking too much.
Temperature Control
While the Nectar Classic doesn’t absorb as much heat as many competing memory foam mattresses, sleepers may still notice some warmth on the surface. Cooling components work to offset this. The result is a memory foam model that doesn’t sleep excessively warm, but may still be uncomfortable for people who run very hot in bed.
Edge Support
Edge support for the Nectar Classic is so-so at best. While this mattress is firmer than many competing all-foam models, the perimeter is fairly adaptive and still sinks quite a bit when weight is applied. Those seeking maximum edge support should consider a mattress with steel coils in its support core, or possibly an all-foam bed that rates as 8 or higher on the 1-10 firmness scale.
Ease of Movement
The Nectar Classic is firmer than a lot of competing memory foam beds, but most of our team still struggled to move across its surface without feeling “stuck” in the top foam layer. This can make changing sleep positions more difficult if you’re a combination sleeper.
Durability
Like most all-foam mattresses, the Nectar likely won’t last much longer than the average lifespan of seven years or so. This is because memory foam is among the least durable mattress materials and tends to develop impressions and unevenness over the course of several years. That being said, the foam is fairly dense, and the Nectar durability is about average for its type.
Best Mattress Under $500: Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam
Best Mattress Under $500
8.6/10Test Lab Score
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam
Hugs and soothes pressure points for restful sleep.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds and back sleepers up to 230 pounds, as well as couples and hot sleepers.
- Feel: Medium firm (6). Plush and adaptive with extra pushback around your torso and hips.
- What It’s Made Of: Thin layer of adaptive polyfoam sewn to the cover, followed by two memory foam layers infused with copper fibers. Support system is three-zone transitional foam and two layers of high-density polyfoam. The cover is cooling GlacioTex fabric.
- What We Don’t Like: Initial odor for up to 72 hours after unboxing. Too soft for most stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
The CopperFlex Memory Foam provides great motion isolation, with our testers clocking almost no motion transfer across the bed during movement. This is due to the all-foam construction—with memory foam comfort layers and an all-foam base, there is little means for one side of the bed to affect the other.
Pressure Relief
This bed provides excellent pressure relief, which notably reduced pressure on the shoulders and hips compared to other beds. With a thick foam comfort layer and a foam base, the bed conforms close to the body and ‘hugs’ the sleeper quite a bit.
Temperature Control
As an all-foam bed, the CopperFlex is inevitable going to trap a decent amount of body heat. Luckily, the top layer of quilted polyfoam isn’t very dense, allowing for some airflow. We don’t find copper-infused foam to make too much of a difference in cooling.
Edge Support
Like most all-foam beds, the edge support of the CopperFlex memory foam is mediocre. The high density support core provides a bit of support, but there’s definitely some noticeable sinkage when sitting around the edges. Perhaps not the best choice for those with mobility issues.
Ease of Movement
As an all foam bed with a memory foam comfort layer, it’s no surprise that our testers found the CopperFlex Memory Foam a bit hard to move around on. The foam conforms close to the body, giving you that sinking sensation, and it definitely requires a bit more effort to roll around on the bed, especially for heavier sleepers.
Durability
Best Mattress for Back Pain: Nolah Original 10
Best Mattress for Back Pain
8.0/10Test Lab Score
Nolah Original 10
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers under 230 pounds, particularly those under 130 pounds. Also good for couples.
- Feel: Medium (5). Cradling around lower back, hips, and shoulders but won’t cause you to feel like you’re being enveloped.
- What It’s Made Of: Top two layers are proprietary copper-infused AirFoam. The base is a thick layer of sturdy polyfoam.
- What We Don’t Like: Too plush for most sleepers over 230 pounds. Return fee of $99.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
Pressure Relief
Temperature Control
Edge Support
Ease of Movement
Durability
Because of its all-foam construction and medium feel, the Nolah Mattress loses some points in its durability score, as coil support and firmer options perform better over time. Even still, sleepers can expect the typical six or seven years of mattress life because of its multiple foam layers, including strong polyfoam in the base, which is a bit denser than memory foam.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Bear Original
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
7.8/10Test Lab Score
Bear Original
An affordable foam bed designed for those with an active lifestyle.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, back sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds, and stomach sleepers weighing under 130 pounds.
- Feel: Firm (7), with gentle cradling. Couples feel only minimal motion transfer.
- What It’s Made Of: Top layer is gel-infused memory foam. The second layer is a responsive polyfoam, and the bottom layer is dense polyfoam. There’s an optional cooling Celliant cover.
- What We Don’t Like: Odor after unboxing, lasting up to a few days.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
Like many memory foam mattresses, the Bear Original has an above-average ability to isolate motion. Because memory foam reacts only in the area where weight is placed directly upon it, only limited vibrations spread across the mattress surface.Since the Bear Original has a firm (7) feel, its memory foam does not hug the body as much as on some beds. This means that you’ll probably be aware when your bed partner tosses and turns or gets out of bed.
Pressure Relief
The Bear Original scores well for pressure relief. Most of our testers didn’t experience too much pressure buildup. In most cases, the memory foam provided sufficient cradling for their sore spots.However, the Bear Original didn’t get standout scores for pressure relief because the memory foam layer is relatively thin. Some of our testers, especially side sleepers and people with higher body weights, felt the memory foam layer lacked the heft needed to fully cushion their joints.
Temperature Control
Memory foam tends to trap heat. This mattress doesn’t hug too closely, but it still contours to the body and can restrict airflow around the skin. The gel-infused memory foam is designed to cut down on heat retention, and the optional Celliant fabric cover is engineered to dissipate heat.For hot sleepers, a memory foam bed may not be the right fit. If you have your mind set on memory foam, the Bear Original’s temperature control is on par with other competing models.
Edge Support
The Bear Original offers limited edge support. We didn’t feel like we were going to roll off the bed, but noticed deeper sinkage around the perimeter. This is a common issue with all-foam models, and can be a problem when you sit or sleep near the edge of the bed.Given its firmness level, the Bear Original has better edge support than many foam models. But for people who want robust edge support, a hybrid or latex mattress may be a better match.
Ease of Movement
The Bear Original is middle-of-the-road for ease of movement. Memory foam tends to hinder movement because it conforms to your body. However, the Bear is firmer than most other foam beds, so it doesn’t seriously impair movement.Without a springy material like latex or coils, there’s nothing to aid your movement on this mattress. As a result, you are likely to encounter at least some resistance. This can be a problem if you frequently change your sleeping position during the night.
Durability
The Bear Original is an all-foam bed, which inherently lowers its longevity when compared to beds with coil support. On the positive side, the mattress is firm (which typically means a longer life), and the layer of gel memory foam is supported by a stronger polyfoam layer and a high-density polyfoam base. Sleepers should expect to get around six or seven years from this model.
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief: Silk & Snow Hybrid
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
7.8/10Test Lab Score
Silk & Snow Hybrid
An affordable hybrid mattress with close-conforming foam layers.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side and back sleepers under 130 pounds (medium soft). Side and back sleepers over 130 pounds (medium firm).
- Feel: Medium soft (4) version conforms very closely, resulting in a deep body hug. Medium firm (6) design is more balanced with gentle contouring, light bounce, and solid edge support.
- What It’s Made Of: Top is polyfoam and breathable fiber quilted into the mattress cover. A 2-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam and a support core of pocketed steel coils that are reinforced around the edge and under the midsection.
- What We Don’t Like: Too soft and not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
The Silk and Snow Hybrid isolates motion to prevent sleep disturbances when your partner switches positions or gets in or out of bed. The mattress performs well in this category because of its contouring foams that isolate vibrations from movement.In particular, the plush model offers standout motion isolation thanks to its two layers of memory foam. However, most couples will sleep soundly on either version of the mattress without being stirred awake when their partner moves.
Pressure Relief
In our testing, both firmnesses offered impressive pressure relief, but the plush model had the edge. With two layers of contouring memory foam, it demonstrates a strong ability to cradle heavier parts of the body and avoid pressure buildup. That said, many stomach sleepers may find that these same characteristics are problematic, since they can cause the abdomen to sink in deeply and fall out of line with the rest of the spine.
Temperature Control
The Silk & Snow Hybrid offers average temperature control. That said, the medium firm (6) model uses gel-infused foams to counteract heat buildup and the coil support core promotes plenty of interior airflow. The plush model sleeps warmer. It has thicker layers of memory foam, which means more hug and less air circulation.If you’re a hot sleeper, you may overheat on the Silk & Snow Hybrid. If sleeping hot isn’t a problem for you, this mattress shouldn’t cause temperature issues.
Edge Support
The design of the Silk & Snow Hybrid is intended to improve edge support. In the support core, a thick wall of high-density polyfoam runs along the perimeter, which hedges against excess sinking in the top layers.With this design, the edges of the mattress feel pretty sturdy even though you’ll notice the foam compressing. On the plush model, though, the perimeter is noticeably weaker because of the additional layer of soft memory foam.
Ease of Movement
While the Silk & Snow Hybrid isn’t the easiest mattress to move around on, it doesn’t pose major barriers to movement, either. Most of the time, memory foam seriously inhibits ease of movement. But on the Silk & Snow Hybrid, our testers found that the coils provided enough bounce to move without resistance.Sleepers over 230 pounds are more likely to encounter difficulties when trying to move on this bed because they will sink more into the contouring foams.
Durability
While the pocketed coils of the Silk & Snow Hybrid should provide long-lasting support, the memory foam in the comfort layer may eventually become uneven. However, it uses high-density memory foam, which will likely resist degradation better than standard types. Overall, this bed should last around seven to eight years, which is about average for hybrids.
Best Mattress for Couples: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Best Mattress for Couples
8.4/10Test Lab Score
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
The gold standard of dual-sided mattresses with a pleasant memory foam feel.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Couples, as well as side sleepers and most back and stomach sleepers under 230 pounds.
- Feel: One side is medium soft (4) firmness, and the other is firm (7). Both sides cradle pressure points, but there’s a deeper degree of hug on the softer side.
- What It’s Made Of: Copper-infused memory foam. The soft side has a layer of resilient and adaptable polyfoam. Both sides share a core made of sturdy, high-density polyfoam.
- What We Don’t Like: Softer side may lack firmness for sleepers over 130 pounds. “New mattress smell” after unboxing.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
Thanks to the memory foam on both sides, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress effectively reduces the amount of vibration that spreads from one side of the bed to the other.That said, in our testing, it was clear that the softer side provided considerably more motion isolation. For couples who want a plush feel that limits motion transfer, the Layla Mattress is a solid fit.
Pressure Relief
Memory foam contours to your hot spots and pain points, giving the Layla Mattress a solid level of pressure relief. However, many sleepers will find that they only get enough support from one of the two sides.For example, the medium soft (4) side is too plush for many sleepers, especially back and stomach sleepers and people over 230 pounds. The firm (7) side is too hard for many side sleepers but can deliver great support to many back sleepers.
Temperature Control
Heat retention is noticeable but not excessive on the Layla Memory Foam Mattress. With a thinner layer of memory foam, the firm (7) side tends to resist heat buildup far better than the medium soft (4) side.Layla incorporates cooling features like copper-infused and aerated foams to try to enhance temperature regulation, but this mattress may still be too warm for hot sleepers.
Edge Support
Edge support is one of the weak points of the Layla Mattress. While it doesn’t feel totally unstable, the foam layers are considerably weaker around the edge of the mattress. As you would suspect, there’s more sinkage around the perimeter on the medium soft (4) side.
Ease of Movement
The conforming feel of memory foam can impede movement – something all of our testers noticed. With the additional plushness on the medium soft (4) side, it was a struggle to switch sleeping positions. Movement was quite a bit easier on the firm (7) side.For most people, reduced ease of movement isn’t reason enough to pick a different mattress. But it may be a serious issue for combination sleepers or anyone who frequently turns over or adjusts their body’s positioning in bed.
Durability
For an all-foam bed, the Layla Memory Foam mattress has decent durability, but without any coils to add support, it likely won’t last beyond the typcial six- or seven-year mattress lifespan. The construction includes a 3.5 PCF memory foam (which is considered medium density), plus two inches of stronger polyfoam. Sleepers have the option to sleep on the soft or firm side, which can make it more versatile.
Best Cooling Mattress: Cocoon Chill
Best Mattress Cooling
7.6/10Test Lab Score
Cocoon Chill
Memory foam or hybrid options at great value and with cooling tech.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side and back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, as well as hot sleepers.
- Feel: Medium firm (6) with moderate contouring that helps cushion high-pressure areas like the hips, lower back, and shoulders. Doesn’t have excess sinkage and doesn’t retain heat.
- What It’s Made Of: A cover with a temperature-regulating phase change material and a breathable memory foam. The middle layer is dynamic polyfoam, and the base is 6 inches of dense and durable polyfoam.
- What We Don’t Like: Weaker around the edge of the mattress. Not enough midsection support for stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
Our testing team praised the motion isolation of the Cocoon Chill Mattress. The memory foam top layer absorbs vibrations, which eliminates a major source of sleep disruptions for couples.You can confidently rely on this mattress to contain the vast majority of motion that comes from the other side of the bed.
Pressure Relief
Across all our test team members, we found that the Cocoon Chill provided decent pressure relief. It was best for side sleepers under 230 pounds who appreciated the close conforming around heavier areas of the body.On the other hand, back and stomach sleepers generally felt that the contouring was too deep, especially around the midsection.
Temperature Control
The Cocoon Chill Mattress’ cover is made with phase change material intended to maintain a neutral temperature. But we found that the cover couldn’t completely counteract the memory foam’s heat absorption.Sleepers over 230 pounds experienced the most heat buildup. They were more closely hugged by the foam, making it easier for heat to get trapped around the body.
Edge Support
A weaker perimeter is a common issue in all-foam mattresses, and the Cocoon Chill doesn’t buck the trend. We found that the foam compressed substantially anytime we sat on the edge of the bed. The compression was a bit less when lying down near the perimeter.Overall, the mattress’ edge doesn’t feel totally unstable, but people who want a robust feel from edge to edge may prefer a hybrid or latex mattress.
Ease of Movement
Like many mattresses with memory foam, the Cocoon Chill can restrict movement on the surface. The more the foam envelops the body, the more resistance you encounter when you try to roll over or switch your position.While all of our testers noticed some difficulty moving, the lowest ratings in this category came from people over 230 pounds and people who sleep on their stomachs. These sleepers felt that they sank further into the foam, which reduced their ability to move freely.
Durability
The Cocoon Chill is a medium firm, all-foam mattress with some good qualities, but durability is not its strong suit. For starters, it only has a 10-inch profile, and there’s no coil support like you would find in a hybrid model. Memory foam is also not the best material when it comes to longevity, as it’s prone to sinkage over time. Expect this bed to last around six years.
Best Mattress for Kids: Helix Kids
Best Mattress for Kids
8.3/10Test Lab Score
Helix Kids
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Children between 3 and 13. Kids under 7 usually prefer the medium firm (6) side, while those over 8 tend to get better support from the medium soft (4) side.
- Feel: Light cushioning and considerable bounce. Kids feel comfortable and supported while allowing them to move around easily on the mattress.
- What It’s Made Of: The core is springy pocketed coils that have a reinforced edge. The softer side has a layer of gel-infused memory foam, and the firmer side features a responsive and resilient polyfoam. The cover is Tencel material.
- What We Don’t Like: May lack support for kids who are over 13. If only one side of is used, it may affect durability.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
SELECT AN ICON TO VIEW DETAILS:
Motion Isolation
Pressure Relief
Temperature Control
Edge Support
Ease of Movement
Durability
The Helix Kids mattress is a hybrid with a flippable design that should be suitable for kids through age 12. It uses memory foam on the softer side and polyfoam on the firmer side, as well as a pocketed innerspring support core. If it’s used by smaller children as intended, it should last them through grade school.
Watch Video: We Tested the Best Mattresses Under $1,000 – Here Are Our Favorites
Our sleep experts offer an in-depth look at some of our top mattress picks under $1,000. Watch the video below to see how each mattress performed when put to the test in our lab.
How to Choose the Best Mattress Under $1,000
Just because you’re working with a limited budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for a low-quality mattress. While a higher spending limit can open up more options, plenty of great mattresses are available for under $1,000.
When shopping for an affordable mattress, there are several details to consider. If you want to find the best possible deal, weighing these factors can help you find the most cost-effective option for your needs and preferences.
What to Look for in a Mattress
When shopping for a mattress, you’ll probably come across an abundance of mattress terminology and marketing promotions. While it’s easy to be drawn in, you’re most likely to be happy with your purchase if you focus on the nuts-and-bolts of the mattress.
These factors are the most essential to look for, and thinking about which matter the most to you lets you shrink your options and clarify which brand and model is the best match for you.
Price
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find something that will suit your needs. Many budget models perform well in key areas regardless of their cost. More importantly than price, however, shoppers should consider value. An inexpensive mattress may ultimately cost the consumer more if it needs to be replaced sooner due to quality issues. At the same time, a more expensive mattress could be a better value if it has a long lifespan and an enhanced performance.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping position is essential to consider when you shop for a mattress. It may be especially critical for budget shoppers, since they may not have the extra funds to modify their surface with a topper or other accessories if the mattress isn’t ideal. If you’re a side sleeper, you should generally look for a model that is highly rated for pressure relief. Back and stomach sleepers typically need a firmer model with enough support to promote proper spinal alignment.
Quality Materials
Although shopping within a budget might make it difficult to get a mattress with certain features, you should still be able to find a model with high-quality components. Selecting the best quality possible can improve the bed’s life expectancy.
Firmness Level
The firmness level can often impact how well a mattress performs for certain body types and sleep positions. Generally, most sleepers prefer a medium or medium firm mattress. However, individuals who weigh less than 130 pounds may favor a softer model, especially if they sleep on their sides. Those who weigh more than 230 pounds may need a firmer option for extra support, particularly if they sleep on their backs or stomachs.
Pressure Relief
If you need relief for pressure points, such as your shoulders or hips, consider a mattress with memory foam, polyfoam, latex, or other materials that contour to the body to redistribute its weight. While certain types of innerspring coils can also provide pressure relief, mattresses with substantial foam layers usually perform best in this area.
Motion Isolation
Light sleepers sometimes wake up at the slightest hint of movement from their partners. A mattress with strong motion isolation absorbs these vibrations to reduce sleep disruptions. Memory foam and polyfoam models tend to perform noticeably well in this area, but other materials can also limit motion transfer.
Temperature Regulation
If you tend to get uncomfortably warm in bed, you may prefer a mattress with strong temperature regulation. Breathable materials allow heat to escape, but other components, like phase change materials and special infusions, are designed specifically for cooling.
Edge Support
One of the most common problems with low-cost mattresses is sagging. A sturdy edge can enhance the structural integrity of the bed and allow you to use the full surface of the mattress. Models with coil cores usually earn the highest marks in this category, but firmer all-foam models can also perform well.
Contouring
Contouring refers to how well the materials of a mattress cradle the body. When a mattress conforms to the sleeper’s shape, it spreads out their weight to relieve pressure and support the spine. Contouring can be especially important for side sleepers since their hips and shoulders typically press harder against the sleep surface.
Mattress Type
The most common types of mattresses include innerspring, hybrid, all-foam, and latex. Innerspring and all-foam models are usually most affordable, but all mattress types have potential benefits that may make them ideal for some sleepers.
Mattress Types
There are a few different styles of mattresses on the market today, and each has slight variations that make it distinct. While there are some commonalities between mattresses of the same type, each model is unique, so performance may vary.
Hybrid
A hybrid model combines elements from two or more other mattress types. Coils typically make up the support core, while the comfort system usually uses polyfoam, memory foam, and/or latex. This combination of materials typically results in a mattress that rates well in many different categories.
Hybrid models are often more expensive than other mattress types, but budget-friendly options are also available.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses have been popular for over a century, and they are often very cost-effective. While coils are usually the main component, many modern models also include additional thin layers of polyfoam or memory foam for cushioning.
While innerspring models usually excel in responsiveness, temperature regulation, and edge support, they may not provide the motion isolation and pressure relief some sleepers prefer. However, some budget shoppers may choose to buy an innerspring mattress and a topper to create a hybrid-like feel.
Foam
As the name implies, an all-foam mattress uses memory foam, polyfoam, or a combination of both. The comfort and transition layers may use memory foam or polyfoam, while the core generally consists of high-density polyfoam. Budget models often rely more heavily on polyfoam, which tends to be more breathable and responsive than memory foam. However, it also doesn’t hug as closely to the body and low-density varieties may be less durable. Some foam models also add layers of latex, but these are typically less common and more expensive.
An all-foam mattress can be particularly suitable for side sleepers who experience pain from pressure points, as the materials cradle the shape of the body to spread out its weight.
Latex
Latex mattresses may use natural, synthetic, or blended latex. Natural latex models are the most common, and they’re usually more expensive than other models due to the cost of this material. The advantage of latex is that it relieves pressure while also pushing back against the sleeper’s body, which means sleepers shouldn’t sink too far into the mattress. Some sleepers compare this to a floating sensation.
Natural latex also tends to be more environmentally friendly than most synthetic foam, making it a popular choice with eco-conscious shoppers.
While the higher price-point of a high-quality latex model may not appeal to some budget shoppers, the durability of the material may make it a good investment.
What Can Affect the Price of a Mattress?
Multiple factors can impact the cost of a mattress. When you’re working with a limited budget, it is important to consider these details to find the best option for your money.
Quality and Type of Materials: Price depends partially on the type of materials used in a mattress’ construction. For instance, memory foam and natural latex often cost more. Coils and polyfoam tend to be much more cost-effective, and high-quality options can be highly durable. However, low-quality polyfoam and coils may prematurely sag or show other signs of wear.
Durability: The less durable your mattress, the more likely it will be to develop issues like sagging that limit its usable lifespan. Durability is usually linked to the quality of the materials, so shoppers who want their mattress to last may prefer to select the highest quality model that accommodates their needs, preferences, and budget.
Mattress Layers: Mattresses with more layers are typically thicker and pricier due to their extra materials and more complicated constructions. While their additional layers may improve the performance of some models, shoppers can often save money by selecting an option with a simpler design.
Density: The density of foam affects its performance and durability. Lower-density polyfoam and memory foam typically cost less, trap less heat, and respond more quickly to changes in pressure. However, they also tend to be less durable and not as exceptional at pressure relief and motion isolation.
Proprietary Technology: Some mattresses use proprietary materials, and this almost always results in a higher price due to costs associated with development. Some special components can improve the performance of a mattress, however, so they may be worth the extra expense for some shoppers.
Shipping Rates, Returns, and Warranties
Shipping, return, and warranty policies can differ quite a bit from one mattress manufacturer to the next. When you add retail stores into the mix, these details could get even more confusing.
Shipping
While there are differences between how each mattress manufacturer or retailer will ship their products, most of them take a very similar approach. With that being said, a few variances can impact when and how you receive your new mattress.
How Long Will It Take to Arrive?
Many companies assemble the mattress upon receiving an order, and this process can take a few days, adding to the shipping time. Once sent, shipments originating from your region may take just a couple of days to arrive, but those coming from across the country can take a week or more.
How Is It Shipped?
Most manufacturers work with a shipping company to send your mattress to your front door. Mattress-in-a-box models are typically compressed, wrapped in plastic, and encased in a box. Some companies also offer White Glove delivery, which means they will send a team to deliver and set up the new mattress. Old mattress removal may also be included. This service usually costs extra, but a few companies include it at no charge.
Is Shipping Free?
Many mattress manufacturers and retail mattress chains offer free shipping. Most of these services include to-the-door-delivery. However, a few companies include White Glove delivery at no additional cost.
Returns
If you’re shopping on a budget, a good return policy may be especially useful to ensure you have recourse if the mattress isn’t ideal for you. Most online mattress sellers include a trial period to give you a chance to adjust to the bed before you make an official decision. These policies typically last between 90 days and a year.
How Are Returns Handled?
Three return methods are most common. Many companies ask you to donate your unwanted mattress to an eligible local charity and send them proof of the donation. Some will also help arrange for the charity to pick up the mattress. Other companies send a team to remove the mattress from your home. A few manufacturers may ask you to send the mattress back to them, though this is not standard due to the difficulty of packing a mattress for shipment.
Are Returns Free?
Although many companies offer free returns, some may require you to pay transportation and/or service fees.
Warranties
Mattress manufacturers usually offer a warranty to protect against eligible defects in manufacturing and materials. The terms of mattress warranties can vary quite a bit, so reading them carefully can give you a clearer idea of the level of coverage.
What Does a Warranty Cover?
Mattress warranties typically cover specific defects in the materials or manufacturing, like splitting foam and indentations greater than a certain depth. Changes in personal preferences and damage from mishandling, abuse, and accidents are not covered.
What Should You Look for in a Warranty?
The main detail to look for is warranty length. While some companies offer a 5- to 10-year warranty, others provide warranties that last 20 to 25 years. The terms can also be important, as they will define how returns work and how they deem a mattress to be defective.
How Much Does a Warranty Cost?
Typically, mattress manufacturers offer warranties at no additional cost. However, the mattress owner may be expected to pay associated transportation and/or handling charges should they make a warranty claim. Some policies also include a prorated fee structure for repairs and replacements based on how long you’ve owned the mattress.
Additional Mattress Costs
When purchasing a new mattress, it may be necessary to consider related costs. These expenses could easily add up and become an issue for shoppers with a limited budget. Whether you choose to limit extra expenses or set aside money for them, you should be aware of additional costs you may incur and how they can impact your experience and budget.
Bed Frames and Bedding: If you purchase a different mattress size than what you previously owned, you’ll likely need a new frame and bedding to accommodate it. Similarly, high-profile mattresses require deep pocket sheets, so you may need a new set if you select a thicker model. High-quality mattress covers, protectors, and sheets can also improve the lifespan of a bed, so they may be worth the expense to protect your investment.
Shoppers should keep in mind that many mattress warranties require that a reliable foundation support the mattress. Before purchasing a new frame or using your existing foundation, read through the terms of the warranty to ensure you don’t inadvertently void the policy.
Mattress Removal: Old mattresses must be disposed of appropriately, which may be an extra expense. These services are sometimes provided by mattress companies and retail stores for an additional fee, though a few include it at no additional cost. If old mattress removal is not available, you’ll need to look into local regulations to ensure you discard it correctly. Recycling is usually the best way to dispose of a mattress that’s no longer usable.
Expert Assembly: Boxed mattresses typically come with unpacking instructions. While most new owners find it relatively simple to set up their new bed, expert help can come in handy if you’re unsure, have physical limitations that make moving large objects difficult, and/or can’t enlist a friend or family member to assist you. White Glove delivery includes unpacking, assembly, and setup. This service often carries an additional fee, though a few companies include it in the purchase price.
How to Get the Best Deal on a Mattress
A new mattress can be expensive, but useful strategies can help you save money. These methods could easily cut your costs by hundreds of dollars, which might allow you to consider a bigger mattress, new bedding, or other related accessories to complete your bedroom setup.
Shop During Mattress Sales
Both retailers and mattress manufacturers often have sales during holidays or special sale events, such as Black Friday. These sales are typically offered at least once every few months, so you might want to check prices around the next holiday to see what deals are available.
Buy Online
Customers can often save money by buying a mattress directly from the manufacturer’s website. This can eliminate some of the usual overhead costs that get passed on to consumers, like the operating expenses associated with brick-and-mortar retail locations. Additionally, while some mattress and furniture stores charge for delivery, most direct-to-consumer mattress companies ship for free.
As an added bonus, buying online allows you to comparison shop and carefully weigh your options without pressure from salespeople, which may make it easier to find the best value for your money.
Coupon Codes, Referrals, and Discounts
Mattress companies frequently offer savings through coupon codes, referrals, and other discounts. While these deals are often displayed on the product page, you might also receive offers if you sign up for emails from the company.
Comparison Shop
Comparing prices between different mattress types, brands, and models can give you a better idea of what is available within your budget. Once you think you’ve found the right bed for you, you might continue comparison shopping to determine whether you can get a better price through the company’s website or a third-party vendor. Note that shipping and delivery policies may vary between sellers, so it’s important to pay attention to the fine print.
How We Test: Your Comfort Is Our Science
Our industry-leading product testing team cares deeply about improving your sleep. Having a holistic understanding of a mattress’s role as part of a sleep system is paramount to our testing process. Since a bed’s comfort and feel depend largely on body weight and sleeping position, our testing team represents a wide range of body types, sleep positions, and comfort preferences.
In our Seattle-based Test Lab, we use an objective, hands-on process to evaluate mattresses across performance categories. The following are the key guidelines that inform our performance ratings. Our ultimate goal is to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best purchase decision for you.
Construction analysis: Mattress construction plays a major role in our ratings system. We begin our testing with a top-to-bottom analysis of each mattress, making note of its materials, firmness, thickness, and other physical attributes. Price-point is another major factor as we assess quality of materials and overall value.
Quantitative product testing: For hands-on testing, our team members take turns lying and moving on each mattress. This immersive process helps us evaluate beds for performance categories like motion isolation, pressure relief, ease of movement, and temperature control.
Field testing: Once we’re finished testing a mattress in our lab, one of our team members takes it home and sleeps on it in their own bedroom for two to three weeks. Field testing helps us understand how each mattress performs in the long term.
User feedback: In addition to our team’s testing data, we draw from customer surveys and product reviews to calculate our final ratings. This helps us ensure our findings are consistent with real-world experiences.
How We Determine Our Overall Scores
To determine a mattress’s overall score, we assign weighted percentages to performance categories based on how important they are to the individual sleep experience. For instance, areas like pressure relief and temperature control tend to matter more to people than something like off-gassing, and because more people sleep on their side and back than on their stomach, we weigh those positions more heavily
Performance Categories
Motion Isolation
This criteria alludes to the amount of motion a mattress absorbs when a sleeper moves on the surface. We use two testers lying side by side to evaluate motion isolation, who each feel for transfer while the other person moves on the mattress.
Temperature Control
To determine how well a mattress regulates temperature, we perform temperature tests and look closely at its materials and construction. Many mattresses are designed with cooling components meant to reduce heat retention.
Pressure Relief
A bed with strong pressure relief excels at preventing pressure from building up in areas like the shoulders and hips. Beds with even contouring and weight distribution are top performers when it comes to pressure relief.
Off-Gassing
A mattress in a box may release unpleasant chemical odors for a short period after you’ve unboxed it. The initial smell may be strong but typically fades within 2 or 3 days.
Ease of Movement
This criteria reflects how easily a sleeper can move across a bed’s surface. Responsive surfaces made of latex typically perform better than foam surfaces, which can inhibit movement.
Edge Support
We perform sit tests along a bed’s perimeter to measure how well the edges push back against weight. Mattresses with strong edge support have minimal sagging when sleepers sit on or lie close to the perimeter.
Dive Deeper – Mattress Guides by Price
If you want to expand your search for a new bed beyond mattresses under $1,000, take a look at our recommendations categorized by mattress price.
Still have questions?
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market.
Send an email to AskAnExpert@sleepfoundation.org with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.