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A mattress should be supportive and able to adapt to your body.
But when you don’t get either from your bed, sleeping becomes a problem. Your nights get shorter, and you risk waking up with body aches.
Getting a great mattress can be the simplest solution here.
But how do you get a great mattress without breaking the bank? In today’s post, I will give you some shopping tips and share our reviews of 5 best cheap mattresses that will guarantee sound sleep like no other.
A Quick Preview
![]() | Best Mattress for Back Pain Nectar | Shop Now on NectarSleep.com Read more about this mattress |
![]() | Best Cheap Mattress in A Box Zoma | Shop Now on ZomaSleep.com Read more about this mattress |
![]() | Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress Green Tea by Zinus | Shop Now on Amazon Read more about this mattress |
![]() | Best for Pressure Relief Brooklyn Bowery by Brooklyn Bedding | Shop Now on BrooklynBedding.com Read more about this mattress |
![]() | Best for Cool Tension Release Nolah | Shop Now on Nolahmattress.com Read more about this mattress |
Our Reviews of 5 Best Cheap Mattresses
Best Budget Mattress for Back Pain - Nectar
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Highlights
- excellent cradling;
- offers proper heat removal;
- great motion absorption.
Recommended for:
- Active sleepers and their partners. Low motion transfer of the Nectar mattress helps you sleep without any interruptions if you or your bedmate tosses and turns often.
- Back pain sufferers. Awesome cradling properties of this memory foam mattress ensure that your spine will be aligned and relaxed in any position you choose, which may help you reduce pain.
- Hot sleepers. Unlike many memory foam mattresses, the Nectar sleeps cool due to the gel-infused foam layer and Tencel cover.
Cons:
- may need a sturdier bed foundation to ensure uniform support;
- might have slight off-gassing during the first couple of nights.
Best Cheap Mattress in A Box - Zoma
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Highlights
- zoned comfort layer for better contouring;
- temperature-neutral design;
- sturdy foam base.
Recommended for:
- Those who appreciate good cradling. The zoned comfort layer and pretty responsive transition layer are united to deliver to you that familiar hugging feel without trapping your movements.
- Individuals with a demanding lifestyle. Once you lie on the Zoma, you’ll instantly doze off. This mattress feels like a cradle and relaxes your muscles, so your sleep will be deep and uninterrupted.
- Active sleepers and their partners. The Zoma comes with good motion isolation, so even if you share a bed with a restless sleeper, you can still get a sound sleep for yourself.
Cons:
- the mattress might need a good bed foundation to compensate for weak edges;
- may take some time to properly expand.
Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress - Green Tea by Zinus
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Highlights
- infused with green tea extract for better antimicrobial properties;
- offers a balance between support and cradling;
- good durability.
The next model on today’s list of the best value mattresses is the Green Tea memory foam model by Zinus. It has great pressure relieving properties and offers that generous amount of sinkage typical of memory foam beds.
This Zinus mattress is specially infused with natural green tea extracts and charcoal to preserve its freshness. These substances help draw the moisture away and reduce the growth of bacteria.
Now, this model has four layers. The top memory foam is effective when it comes to relieving the body’s pressure points, and the high-density polyfoam layers below ensure excellent spine alignment and equal support for different body parts. I was testing the 12-inch option, but you can choose other configurations that might match your sleeping position and preferences more closely.
The Zinus Green Tea happens to be one of the cheapest memory foam mattresses on the market, with all the qualities for a sound sleep. With various configurations available, it will work well for all kinds of sleepers who love the cradling feel of all-foam mattresses. Plus, it’s an ideal choice for people with a sensitive nose (due to the green tea infusion).
Recommended for:
- Fans of the memory foam feel. The Zinus can gently hug all your pressure points while remaining supportive for your spine.
- Sensitive sleepers. The subtle green tea scent masks the typical foam odor pretty well and may help people with a sensitive nose sleep without discomfort.
- Petite sleepers. The hug that the Zinus gives is perfect for lightweight side sleepers to relax muscles in their hips and shoulders.
Cons:
- might make you feel trapped, which makes switching positions difficult;
- might not suit stomach sleepers because of the softness level.
Best for Pressure Relief - Brooklyn Bowery by Brooklyn Bedding
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Highlights
- high-grade proprietary materials;
- great pain-relieving properties;
- works for almost any sleeping style.
Recommended for:
- Individuals with pain issues. The Brooklyn Bowery features proprietary foams with great cradling and pressure-relieving effects, so it can support your spine and help alleviate pain.
- Mixed sleepers. Medium is an optimal firmness level for those who shift between different positions during sleep.
- Couples. The Brooklyn Bowery has incredibly low motion transfer due to the foam construction. It can be a perfect pick for those who share a bed with a restless sleeper.
Cons:
- because of the proprietary materials, it’s hard to predict the durability;
- might not work for heavy users.
Best for Cool Tension Release - Nolah
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Highlights
- hugging memory foam comfort layer for effective pressure relief;
- proprietary AIrFoam for cooler sleep;
- breathable Tencel cover for improved air circulation.
Recommended for:
- Those who hate sleeping hot. The Nolah has a smart construction that allows it to remain neutral all through the night.
- Side and combination sleepers. This mattress has a medium or a soft-to-medium feel (depending on your weight) and would work the best for side sleepers or those who often switch positions during the night.
- Users seeking a mattress with good pressure-relieving properties. The Nolah uses conforming foam in its construction and does a great job of minimizing pressure points.
Cons:
- not stiff enough for strict stomach sleepers;
- may not be supportive enough for larger folks (heavier than 230 pounds).
What Makes a Good Budget Mattress
I bet we can all agree that good mattresses are often expensive. So, finding the right one at an affordable price is golden.
For those who are contemplating buying a new mattress, starting with planning a budget might be a sensible thing to do. But let me clear one thing up:
Budgeting doesn’t immediately mean lowering your standards for the cheapest product.
It merely means planning your finances appropriately to afford a new bed.
So, before you go shopping for just any kind of low-cost mattress, let’s take a look at some of the qualities a great mattress must have. Generally, it should:
- Provide comfort. The level of firmness of your bed is very crucial. Your sleeping position affects how firm you need your bed to be. You want to avoid beds that are either too soft or too hard. Both are not ideal for a decent sleep.
- Be supportive. It is important to go with a mattress that ensures even distribution of your weight and supports all parts of your body equally well. The last thing you need is a bed that feels saggy or allows too much sinkage, as this means constantly waking to backaches.
- Be suitable personally for you. A good affordable mattress should cater to your individual needs. For instance, if you are a couple, you want to enjoy lying next to your partner without being constantly woken at their every toss and turn. So, you definitely want a bed that can absorb noise and isolate motion, etc. In the same manner, if you are a hot sleeper, then it is ideal to get a mattress that withdraws body heat.
- Stay within budget. You want to make sure that you are not overpaying for the features you possibly don’t need. Therefore, look for the models that offer good value for the money.
FAQ
How to make a cheap mattress more comfortable?
The easiest way to enhance the comfort of a cheap mattress is to invest in a mattress topper. You can choose the needed thickness and firmness level and alter the feel of your bed to make it more comfortable.
How long does a cheap mattress last?
Typically, the lifespan of a cheap mattress will be at least 2-3 years shorter than that of a mid-priced one. However, you can still make the most of your bed if you take proper care for it (clean, rotate, use a protector on it, etc.)
How much is a cheap mattress?
Generally, any model under $1,000 is considered affordable. But if you search thoroughly, you can find a decent mattress even under $150.
Conclusion
The modern market allows you to easily find a mattress for any budget. And some beds, including those reviewed above, will offer you almost the same level of support as some higher-end brands.
The main recommendation when buying a cheaper mattress is to be careful and go for options with a trial period. Also, choose brands with some history on the market, real user reviews, and trusted certifications — in this case, you’ll decrease the chances of disappointment.
Speaking of my favorite among the cheap mattresses, it’s the Nectar. I love that this bed delivers that familiar memory foam feel, which relaxes your body and sets you to sleep. Along with that, the Nectar doesn’t sleep hot and is durable enough to serve you for years.
Which of these low-cost mattresses appealed to you the most? Do you believe that a low price doesn’t always mean worse quality? You’re welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section below!
References
- The National Sleep Foundation (n.d.). National Sleep Foundation Recommends New Sleep Times. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/press-release/national-sleep-foundation-recommends-new-sleep-times
- Infographic: 10 Reasons You’re Getting Poor Sleep (2015, January 13). Retrieved from https://share.upmc.com/2015/01/infographic-10-reasons-youre-getting-poor-sleep/
- Sean Mallon (2019, March 19). What Are the Health Risks of Low-Quality Memory Foam Mattresses? Retrieved from https://www.healthworkscollective.com/what-are-health-risks-of-low-quality-memory-foam-mattresses/
Our research
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Mattresses Considered
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Hours of Research
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Sleep Experts Consulted