Getting a good night’s sleep shouldn’t be absurdly expensive. You really can get an affordable mattress that’s made with high-quality materials and backed with a generous sleep trial and robust warranty without breaking the bank. The best place to look is online. Bed-in-a-box mattresses are often much more affordable than the ones you see in department stores, yet they offer the same high standards of edge support, motion isolation, pressure relief and overall comfort.
There are plenty of great values in the online mattress space, including affordable innerspring mattresses, hybrid mattresses and memory foam mattress products. In this guide, we’ll take a look at a few of our most-recommended contenders tested by the experts at Mattress Advisor in partnership with SPY. We hope this mattress review guide helps you identify the mattress that best fits your sleeping position— and your budget.
1. Nectar Mattress
BEST OVERALL
As you consider your different mattress options and look for the best overall value, there’s more to consider than just the price tag. Take the Nectar mattress as an example. Yes, it’s priced affordably, but it also has a full year-long sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. For these reasons, we think it represents the ultimate bang for your buck. Plus, its all-foam construction provides ample support for couples, and for sleepers of all types.
2. Bowery Hybrid
BEST HYBRID MATTRESS
Hybrid mattresses are increasingly popular these days, representing the best of all possible worlds. Take the Bowery Hybrid, which offers cushioning support through its foam layer, but also has innerspring coils to provide responsiveness and pressure relief. The result is a high-quality mattress that fits sleepers of all types… and, it’s a highly affordable mattress to boot. In fact, it’s one of the best mattresses under $1,000 we’ve tested yet.
3. Nolah Original 10″
BEST FOR SIDE SLEEPERS
The Nolah Original 10” is made with AirFoam, including shock-absorbing air pockets that make it one of the best mattresses for side sleepers on the market today. Those air pockets also provide a great deal of support for anyone who struggles with back or joint pain. We’ll also note that, compared with other foam beds, the Nolah excels in cooling with its ability to regulate body temperature.
4. Leesa Mattress
BEST FOR COUPLES
Memory foam is typically the best mattress type for couples. This is because foam fares well in the motion transfer category, which basically means if you have to get up in the night or if you toss and turn in bed, you won’t wake up your partner. In our testing, the Leesa scored especially well in this category, which makes it one of our top picks for couples who share a bed together.
5. Layla Mattress
BEST FLIPPABLE MATTRESS
How firm do you want your mattress to be? The answer depends both on your body type and your preferred sleeping position. The great thing about the Layla is that it’s effectively two mattresses in one, and thus can accommodate a wide range of sleepers. You can try out the firmer side, and if you’re not satisfied with it, flip it over to enjoy the soft, more plush version. We’ll also note that this memory foam bed is infused with copper, which helps with inflammation and provides relief for sleepers with arthritis, muscle aches or lower back pain.
6. Casper Element
BEST BUDGET MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS
There are several good memory foam mattresses on this list, but in terms of capturing that classic memory foam feel, Casper is our overall top choice. Its layers of foam help you feel fully supported throughout the night, even as you enjoy that great sensation of being hugged to sleep. The Casper’s support foam also scores very high marks in edge support, making this an outstanding pick for anyone who prefers sleeping at the edge of their bed. One more thing: The Casper mattress is one of the lowest-priced entries on our list, so you can relish the cradling of this true memory foam bed without breaking the bank.
7. Tuft & Needle Mattress
BEST MATTRESS FOR COMBINATION SLEEPERS
Some mattresses work better for certain body types, or certain sleep positions. We love the Tuft & Needle mattress because it addresses the needs of everyone. Everything about it, from its medium-firm feel to its sturdy all-foam construction, is designed to maximize comfort across the board, no matter what sleep position you end up in. We’ll also highlight its excellent edge support, and of course its competitive price point.
8. Allswell Mattress
BEST COOLING MATTRESS
The Allswell is known primarily for its disruptive price point; you can get a queen size mattress for under $400, which makes it the most affordable option on this list. With that said, you’re not scrimping on quality here, especially if you’re a hot sleeper. Cooling graphite is infused in the bed’s gel layer which helps to absorb and draw heat away from the body. But that’s not all. We find that the Allswell holds up pretty well in such categories as spine alignment, pressure relief and cooling thanks to its innovative design of individually wrapped coils to secure its edges and limit motion transfer. You’ll forget you’re sleeping on a bargain mattress with the Allswell because of its luxury design and feel.
Conclusion
Looking for a new bed at a low price? Any of the options on this list will provide you with comfort and quality, without the risk of sticker shock. Even at the lower end of the price range, these mattresses provide pressure-relieving comfort, protection against overheating and more. No matter which type of mattress you prefer, you can find one for an affordable price.
- Nectar — Best Overall
- Bowery Hybrid — Best Hybrid Mattress
- Nolah Original 10″ — Best for Side Sleepers
- Leesa — Best for Couples
- Layla — Best Flippable Mattress
- Casper Element — Best Memory Foam Mattress
- Tuft & Needle — Best for Combination Sleepers
- Allswell — Best Cooling Mattress
Josh Hurst lives and writes in Knoxville, TN. A recovering insomniac, he has a long-standing appreciation for the power of a good night’s sleep.