When it comes to investing in a new mattress, you don’t have to part with a tonne of cash to get the best mattress for your sleeping style. Sure, there are a tonne of high-quality or luxury mattresses on the market that cost well above average, but finding an affordable, plush budget mattress isn’t impossible if you know where to look.
If you’ve taken a peek online for a new mattress at the lower price point, you’ll know that there’s a lot of confusion, misinformation and general lack of trustworthiness. That said, we’ve scoured the web to take a look at all of the most popular quality mattresses and mattress companies that are perfect for those on a budget.
To ensure you’re getting the most out of your new mattress, we’ve compared a few essential features from sleeping position support, pressure relief, airflow, mattress materials, trial periods and more. We’re glad to say that even some of the most affordable mattresses on the market offer some truly outstanding, and arguably high-end features.
Choosing Our Budget Mattresses
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To help select our top budget mattresses, we considered an array of ‘essentials’ in this mattress guide to ensure the sleeping experience was top-notch and wouldn’t fade away over time.
Materials
Although high-end materials found in memory foam mattresses are generally regarded as the best in the industry, we took a look at some alternatives that offered similar feel and durability. From high-density foam, pocket springs, latex mattresses and more we analysed each mattress for the best long-term support.
Some affordable mattresses made of poor quality memory foam get the job done for a short while, for example, though, an innerspring mattress at the same pricepoint will last a whole lot longer.
Sleeping Positions
To help us choose the ideal all-rounder for our best cheap mattress, sleeping styles were a top priority in our research. Our top pick budget mattresses had to have excellent edge support for sleepers who slept close by the edge of the bed, along with an ability to alleviate back pain, pressure points and more.
All of the mattresses you’ll find on our list are ideal for everyone from back sleepers, side sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Passive Material Features
A third feature that was imperative to assessing these mattresses for quality and experience were the passive features that came from the design and materials used. We didn’t want to offer up dense, cheap mattresses that were too warm, had poor motion isolation and lacked any type of comfort foam or cooling gel.
That said, all of the best budget mattresses below offer good quality motion transfer control, breathability, hygiene perks and much more.
Other Considerations
Lastly, we made sure to consider all of the mattress essentials such as size offering, mattress type, price point, cushioning, warranty, firmness levels and delivery options. It’s imperative that once you’ve found a great, comfortable mattress, you’re able to get it to your home in an affordable way and also rest assured your bed frame fits it.
With all of that out of the way, take a look below at the best cheap mattresses on the market that can truly get you a good night’s sleep without breaking the bank.
The Best Cheap Mattresses
Osteo Support Mattress
At number one on our list, the Osteo Support Mattress is the ideal sleep partner for all sleeping positions and those looking for immediate pressure point relief.
The mattress is designed explicitly for back pain and soreness in the joints, though everyone will benefit from this. Sleepers will find that the firmness level is ideal for sinkage as well as support when sleeping on your side. There’s plenty of ‘dip’ for shoulders and hips to fall into the mattress, and that means spinal alignment is supported.
You’ll find pocket springs make up this mattress’s core, though being engineered with plenty of motion absorption and reduced firmness level, these springs are ideal for those looking for a soft, supportive new bed.
A great, somewhat thick quilted comfort layer rests atop the mattresses, making it an ideal bed for those who’d like just a little bit of that famous sinking feeling, though not as much as latex or memory foam. With the pillowtop being rather thick, this mattress offers a similar feel to dual-material hybrid mattresses that offer foam and innerspring.
Priced at less than $400 for a queen size, the Osteo Support Mattress is one of the most affordable, comfortable mattresses on the market for Australians.
- 5 Year Warranty
- 3-zone Pocket Springs
- Medium-soft Firmness
- Free Delivery
- Low Price Tag
Eva Mattress
On to an affordable mattress in a box, the Eva Mattress is a little more expensive than Osteo’s variant, though quality, back support and overall experience is arguably unmatched.
The Eva is built from a hybrid of foam and pocket springs to blend perfectly between ultra-plush and supportive. With many all-foam beds being too soft or sagging a little too far, the Eva deals with this problem by relying heavily on its more solid springs. These springs also assist in providing great motion isolation, keeping the bed stable should anyone move during the night.
There’s a medium-firm feel here, which makes the Eva an ideal mattress for all sleeping types, though side sleepers may enjoy this bed a little more than others. While the softness allows shoulders and hips to sink into the mattress a lot further than spring-only designs, the Eva is going to be the perfect partner in taking all weight off your lower back and neck.
One possible downside to Eva is the thickness of the mattress. It’s a little heftier than other mattresses because of this, however, this should only be an issue during the first time your place it in your bed frame.
There’s an outstanding 12-year warranty here, as well as a sleep trial of 120 days offered, so you’ll have plenty of time when it comes to testing out whether this pocket spring and memory foam bed solves any of your back problems, or issues falling asleep. And then there are 12 years to ensure you’re still getting the best experience.
Often coming in at between $600 and $900 for a queen, the Eva can max out the budget-level price point, though routine sales and discounts pull it well into the budget territory.
- 12 Year Warranty
- Hybrid Design
- Medium-soft Firmness
- Free Delivery
- Comparatively Low Pricepoint
Chiropractic 7-Zone Pocket Spring Latex Mattress
On to a mattress that offers one of the best experiences at a low price point, the Chiropractic EuroTop mattress by Zzz Atelier Chiropedic has been designed from the ground up to ensure comfort and affordability for all body types.
There’s an incredible 7-zone pocket spring layout here that makes sure there’s more body-contouring support than almost any other mattress on the market, high or low end. With all springs being wrapped in quality latex, this queen size mattress gives sleepers an airy, plush supportive feel all night long, and ensures there’s just enough sinkage to relieve any unwanted back pain or pressure.co
A second great perk of Zzz Atelier Chiropedic’s bed is the hypoallergenic design, making sure that dust mites and bacteria are kept at bay. The breathable design keeps you from waking up with the sniffles in the early AM.
The company also makes it known that there’s a lot of consideration in the design and layout in the core of this mattress, primarily to ensure comfort and breathability, but also motion isolation. You won’t be disturbed by a partner as you sleep, and you’ll also not need to worry about waking up in a sweat in warmer climates.
Finally, the addition of natural latex and ventilation has meant that you’re getting a similar experience to far more costly gel memory foam mattresses. This is ideal should you want this mattress for a hotter environment.
You’ll be able to find the Chiropractic 7-Zone Pocket Spring Latex Mattress from just $239 for a queen size from retailers like myDeal.
- 15 Year Warranty
- Hypoallergenic
- Motion Isolation
- Great Breathability
- A 6.5 Firm Mattress
Cloud 5 Zone Memory Foam Mattress by Nordic House
When it comes to mattress reviews, the Nordic House Cloud 5 mattress is hard to overlook. Falling well into affordable price ranges for all sizes, the Cloud 5 is your super affordable memory foam mattress that offers more than just a thin memory foam layer.
Designed as a hybrid mattress, the Cloud 5 is a pocket spring mattress and foam infused model that offers optimal back support and more than enough contouring to cradle you to sleep each and every night. With multiple materials used in this design, sleepers will find that there’s a level of support not found in all-foam or all-spring models.
The core of this mattress is a 5-zone spring set up, with gel-infused memory foam making an appearance to keep things cool and plush. You’ll quickly find that there’s plenty of bounce, a good quality topper and just the right amount of sinkage to get the weight off your joints.
A hypoallergenic design also means that the mattress is dust mite resistant and good for children and adults with allergies that wake them up during the night.
One major perk of this mattress’s design is the temperature regulation feature. With an internal layout that actively pulls heat from sleeper’s bodies and whisps it out the sides, you’re not going to be trapped in a heat sink like any other type of mattress made of foam.
Coming in at just $299, the Cloud 5 is one of the most affordable and highly sought after mattresses on the list.
- Motion Isolation
- Ventilated Design
- Dust Mite Resistant
- Comes in a Box
- Medium Firmness
Zinus iCoil Pocket Spring Mattress
One of the most well-known budget mattresses on the market are Zinus’s models; and for good reason. The company works incredibly hard at innovating affordable beds that offer all the perks (and more) of the highest-end mattresses on sale in showrooms and online.
The iCoil is a hybrid mattress designed with coil springs and memory foam to offer a great all-round comfortable mattress. You’ll find plenty of bounce and support here, and being a high-density foam and coil design, there’s more firmness and support than other softer foam beds.
Zinus has touted that both the springs and memory foam are engineered together to offer a medium-firm feel, which makes this the ideal mattress for back and stomach sleepers. There isn’t too much give when it comes to sinking into the bed, which means your spinal alignment is kept in check and there’s a reduced chance of pushing your back’s curve out of alignment should you sleep on your stomach.
A well-ventilated core inside the Zinus is also ideal for sleepers in hotter climates or those who often wake up in a sweat. You’ll be able to rest assured that you’re kept cool and that the Zinus will pull away extra body heat should you sleep with a partner.
Reinforced edges also make an appearance here, which allows for sleeping right by the edge of the bed, or sitting on the edge.
One final standout feature of this mattress is the high-density foam topping the bed’s design. While most hybrids place ultra-soft memory foam at the top, Zinus has placed a firm supportive layer, which works to hold up joints more effectively – great for back sleeping.
Priced at just $329 for a Queen, the Zinus is certainly worth considering if you’re looking for a cheap mattress.
CertiPur US Certified
- 10 Year Warranty
- Edge Support
- Ideal for Back and Stomach Sleepers
- Affordable
- Medium Firm
Navigating ‘Cheap’ Mattresses
Now that we have our top cheap mattresses out of the way, we want to offer some words of advice should you head out on your own looking for an affordable mattress.
We know how ‘murky’ the ultra-affordable bed scene is, and so we’ve come up with a few essentials to keep in mind when looking for the best budget mattress. Whether you’re on Amazon, Google Shopping or your local retailer’s website, there’s still a level of risk associated with those ‘dirt-cheap’ beds.
That said, take a look below at some tips to make sure you’re getting a cheap mattress you can trust for a good night’s sleep for years to come.
Check the Materials
One of the first things you should do is look for some information listed on materials. A lot of suspiciously affordable beds are simply an amalgamation of old, cheap materials tied into one mattress – which is a recipe for back pain.
Our biggest tip here is to look for quality pocket or coil springs, words such as ‘high density’ and ‘memory foam’ rather than a proprietary blend of polyfoams. It’s also a good idea to choose brands that offer hypoallergenic materials, or natural ones such as bamboo and latex.
Reviews are Your Best Friend
A lot of websites will have great review sections for mattresses, so be sure to take a look at these first. A mattress may have gotten your attention, though the reviews might tell another story, so take a look before you make a purchase.
It’s also good to be on the lookout for reviews that seem suspicious, don’t fall for a tonne of fake-sounding reviews when you buy a mattress, do your research and be smart about it.
In some cases, websites don’t allow reviews under their products, so we suggest you take a look on Google for the name of the mattress and some independent reviews. These online mattress reviews will give you some genuine, unfiltered advice when it comes to choosing a specific mattress, and whether customers love it or hate it.
Shipping and Handling
One big let down for an affordable mattress are huge out-of-pocket delivery fees. Again, take a look at whether delivery is free or not before getting your heart set on a specific mattress as a $100 or $200 delivery fee will throw out any savings you might’ve made.
A lot of retailers do offer pick up options, so it may be a good idea to shop local to keep the price of your mattress as low as possible.
It’s also good to remember that retailers will often have a minimum spend for free delivery or a free delivery sale, so it might be good to wait just a little before pulling the trigger on a purchase. It could save you hundreds of dollars in the end.
Understand Your Sleeping Style
Last but certainly not least is understanding how a mattress is tuned to sleeping styles. A lot of lower-end mattresses are firm, a little uncomfortable and lack a lot of ‘plush’ elements – which just so happens to be ideal for back sleepers.
A quick tip for choosing a mattress that’s cheap is understanding your own sleep style before you make any decisions. If you’re unsure of how a mattresses materials and firmness relates to how you sleep, then be sure to stop what you’re doing and do a bit of research.
If you’re a side sleeper, for example, you’ll need a bed with a soft upper layer and a firmer inner core, whereas stomach sleepers and back sleepers will need a firm upper layer and firm inner core to prevent back issues.
Side Sleeper– plenty of upper-mattress softness for hips and shoulders to sink while the spine must be held up by a firm core.
Back and Tummy Sleeper – a good firm base layer to ensure the hips don’t fall backward and push the spine out of alignment.
Other considerations include whether you sleep a little hotter, live in a warm climate, toss and turn a lot and more. Most cheaper mattresses aren’t designed with all of these factors in mind, so do your best to find one that ticks just enough of the boxes to keep you happy.
Takeaway
As you can see, there’s a tonne on offer when it comes to getting an inexpensive mattress. You don’t have to settle for a featureless, uncomfortable foam bed from yesteryear any longer; there’s a tonne of feature-packed beds for under $300 that will have you sleeping like a baby in no time.
Just be sure to do your research. Whether you go to an in person mattress store or online, check the reviews and understand how your sleeping style best suits a specific mattress brand and you’re well on the road to getting a good night’s sleep for a whole lot less.
