We all know that quality sleep is very important to all of us, and sometimes a new mattress is the right place to start. If you’re finding it hard to sleep at night, suffering from back pain or just not waking up as fresh and well rested as you used to, it might be time for a new high-quality mattress.
If you’ve been holding out for a while out of fear of a huge price tag, then we’re glad to say that mattress price ranges have widened significantly over the past few years. You don’t need to spend thousands to get your hands on a quality mattress, in fact, even high-end gel memory foam mattresses are coming down to just a few hundred dollars in price.
That said, if you’re looking to make joint pressure relief and a good night’s sleep your top priority this year, then we have a great list for you below. You don’t need to break the bank to replace that old, sagging mattress of yours, so take a look at our suggestions.
Zinus Ultima Comfort – Memory Foam
Coming in at number one, the Zinus Ultima Comfort is our top pick for an affordable mattress under $300 when sold at a discount by retailers or Zinus.
The mattress is made from a fantastic breathable, conforming high density foam that supports joints and provides optimal pressure relief when sleeping. You’ll find that after a few nights on the Ultima Comfort that issues like back pain and pressure in the hips and shoulders will fade away.
At an ideal 8 inches thick, the mattress is thick enough to allow full sinkage of the joints for pressure point relief. You’ll also find that side, back and tummy sleeping positions are all evenly supported on this mattress, so there’s little to worry about when it comes to the way you like to sleep.
With a certification from CertiPUR-US you can also rest assured that there’s no potential issues with this mattress, it’s durable, reliable, promises healthy spine support and the motion transfer is almost non-existent.
One thing to note is there’s a somewhat overpowering chemical/foam smell when first opening this mattress.
Perks
Very Conforming to the Body
Layered Foam Promotes Airflow
Firmness is Ideal for All Sleeping Positions
Designed to be Durable and Long-lasting
Vibe 12-inch Gel Memory Foam
Another affordable memory foam model is the Vibe 12-inch that routinely falls below $300 at retail stores and online.
The relatively thick 12-inch mattress is a standout on our list as it’s able to comfortably support side sleepers without issue. No matter how far your shoulders have to extend into the 12-inch memory foam, the mattress will accommodate. In fact, the 7-inch high-density foam works perfectly with the remaining comfort foam to provide support, comfort and pressure relief all in one.
To add to comfort, there’s a hypoallergenic feature that prevents bacteria, dust mites and mould spores from ever making their way into the mattress. That said, you’ll be able to sleep comfortably without worrying about sparking your asthma or hay-fever which is always good news.
The mattress falls into the very firm category which is, again, ideal for back and tummy sleepers who should always be on the lookout for a supportive mattress. The upper comfort foam levels will help to add some soft comfort, however.
Customers have touted that because of the very firm foam, there’s ideal edge support and great pressure relief for stomach sleepers who find lower back pain to be an issue. Additionally, there’s a quilted fibre cover that adds a touch more softness to the pillow top, which makes upper softness just right for most sleepers.
Perks
Hypoallergenic Assurance
Very Firm for Back and Tummy Sleepers
Good Edge Support
Cooling Gel Infused for Temperature Regulation
Certipur-US Certified
Zinus Gel-Infused Green Tea Mattress
Another 12-inch deep mattress, the Zinus Green Tea Gel-infused memory foam mattress is a rather luxurious model that’s also affordable.
There’s a cooling gel in the mattress that’s been created with green tea extract to add a nice kick to the aroma and adds odour control features to the mattress. In time, as most mattresses begin to show age and a little musk, the Zinus Gel-infused variant will be able to last a little longer.
Adding to the great odour-removal perks, the mattress also boasts a 3.5 inch thick airflow layer of support foam that ensures there’s no ‘heat sink’ issues here. You’ll be able to comfortably sleep on this mattress in summer and winter without worrying about being too hot, or too cold.
This mattress may not be ideal for back sleepers and stomach sleepers as it’s a little soft, though side sleepers who need some sinkage for shoulders and hips will be right at home here. There are three layers of foam here that ensure you’re getting a comfortable mattress with optimal pressure relief.
One final thing to keep in mind is that heavier sleepers may not be comfortable on this medium-firm mattress as there isn’t optimal edge support. That said, with a queen size and sleeping in the centre, you’re still able to be comfortable on the memory foam layers.
Perks
Odour Control Features
Three-layer Comfort, Support and Memory Foam
Good Temperature Regulation
Great Comfort for Side Sleepers
LinenSpa 8-Inch Hybrid
To an affordable king size now, the LinenSpa 8-inch is the best of both worlds as it’s a good size mattress and comes in the form of innerspring and memory foam. As a start, this is one of the best price mattresses on the list with a King coming in at below $300 in most stores.
If you’re someone who likes a good solid base to sleep on, and just a little bit of ultra-soft upper cushioning, then this is your ideal mattress. The upper layers of memory foam are what relieves joint pain, whereas the lower innersprings are here for added support.
A blended spring mattress with memory foam also offers a great medium-firm firmness level that hybrid mattresses are best at. The plush top also adds just a little dash of extra softness to the mattress, perfect for elbows, knees and other joints that would like some extra sinkage.
Thanks to the innersprings, there are no breathability problems here and the mattress stays sufficiently cool at all times. You may notice, however, that the mattress cover or comfort layer does get a little warm when waterproof toppers are used.
Overall, the LinenSpa 8-inch is a good mattress for the price and king size, and works well with all body weights thanks to the coil springs in the heart of the mattress.
Perks
Hybrid Materials Offer Firmness
Comes in King Size
Contouring Foam Layer
Affordable Price
Olee Sleep 10-Inch Memory Foam
To a dual-foam mattress now, the Olee Sleep’s 10-inch mattress comes in with gel memory foam and high-density memory foam to offer a great well-rounded support system.
After a short analysis and test of the Olee Sleep, it’s safe to say that this model might be the most ideal for all sleeping types, and offer one of the best sleeping experiences at under $300. Being a gel mattress, the Olee Sleep’s 10-inch foam is ideal at creating a body contouring shape that takes almost all pressure off the joints and keeps sleepers from waking up in pain.
Another perk of the gel is fantastic temperature regulation. All-night temperature sustainability is a major feature of this mattress as there’s been a tonne of development in keeping it cool. In line with this, the cool memory foam remains a little firmer than most, making it a back and tummy sleeper’s paradise, offering great shoulder, hip and lower back support.
It’s good to note that your first couple of nights on this mattress may not live up to expectations and the gel memory foam takes around 72 hours to get from a bed-in-a-box to being a fully fledged mattress.
With a 10-year warranty included, Olee makes sleepers comfortable trusting their mattress.
Perks
Great for Back and Tummy Sleepers
10-year Warranty
Durable Materials
Optimal Heat Distribution
Classic Brands 12-inch Cool Gel
To a mattress that has been engineered to keep cool, the Classic Brand’s Cool Gel mattress is your perfect partner for beds in a warm climate or holiday home.
Anyone in the market for well-designed, well-ventilated affordable mattresses for a complete home makeover will be awestruck by these options. With a tri-layer foam, the Cool Gel series comes in with a medium-firm firmness level that’s ideal for all sleeping types and boasts a great level of support and sinkage in one.
The best part however, is the mattress’s cool gel memory foam that rests at the very top of the mattress. This is ultra-soft and cool at all times, so whether you’re in a hot climate, or a cool one, you’ll always find yourself sinking into a refreshing mattress come bedtime.
To add, the 12-inch thickness is ideal for side sleepers who would like to see their shoulders and hips fall further down into the mattress for pressure relief on the lower back and neck. There’s also CertiPUR certification which assures all sleepers that they’re on a safe, posture-focused bed.
Finally, being hypoallergenic, the Cool Gel mattress keeps mould, bacteria and other nasties from making their way into the mattress, keeping it fresher, safer and more hygienic for a lot longer.
Perks
Fantastic Foam and Gel Layering
Upper Comfort Focused
Industry-leading Temperature Regulation
Washable Cover
Optimal Airflow and Breathable Materials
Choosing an Affordable Mattress
As many consumers believe that mattresses have to be expensive to be good, a lot of us have looked over the cheaper variants entirely. However, many leading mattresses can be nabbed for under $300 like the ones on our list.
If you’re not sure of what to look for in a mattress, take a look at a few of our tips below.
Choose Good Materials
To kick things off, you should always select materials that will improve your sleep based on your sleeping position and where you live. A memory foam variant may not be ideal in a warmer city (unless it has specific heat dispersion technology) so opt for hybrid models and innerspring designs.
Keep an Eye for Hypoallergenic Features
Another good perk to look out for is hypoallergenic features. Not only will these additions make sleeping on the bed more comfortable, but they’ll also increase the lifespan of the bed. You’re less likely to see the mattress fill up with dust mites, for example.
Go a Little Thicker
We all know thin mattresses make it almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep, so when you can, go as thick as possible. We suggest looking at above 8 inches as a place to start. You’ll want plenty of sinkage and comfort focused foam after all.
