Best affordable mattress: good mattresses under $500, $700 and $1,000
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. “Cheap” and “good” can live in the same mattress, as long as you know where the money goes. In our lineup, the price mostly climbs with thickness, comfort layers, coils and extras like edge support, and you don’t need all of them to sleep well. Here is every mattress we sell, sorted by today’s queen price, plus our honest picks at each budget and what you give up (and don’t) as the price drops. Every one ships brand new and factory-sealed, compressed in a box, with free FedEx shipping.
The short answer
- Under $500 for a queen: the 10" Gel Comfort Reactive (medium firm, made for back and side sleepers; queen $449) for most adults, or the 8" Gel Comfort Reactive (firm, made for back and stomach sleepers; queen $319) for a firmer bed, a guest room or a kid’s room.
- Best everyday value for most adults: the 10" Rose (medium; queen $629), with a 2" gel air memory foam top, a zip-off washable cover, a non-skid bottom and a 10-year limited warranty listed.
- Want it soft without spending a lot: the 12" Essentials Plush (queen $679).
- Want coils on a budget: the 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium (medium firm; queen $749) is our lowest-priced hybrid with pocketed coils and patented edge support.
- Save on size before you save on comfort. A full or Twin XL costs less than a queen of the same mattress, and a good fit for your body matters more than extra inches. Prices below update automatically.
Every mattress we sell, by budget (queen price today)
Grouped by today’s in-stock queen price, read live from our catalog, cheapest first. Feel and type come from our mattress comparison chart; a dash means that size is sold out or not made.
Under $500 for a queen
| Mattress | Height, feel, type | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" Gel Comfort Reactive | 8", firm, all foam | $259 | $319 | $319 | $449 |
| 10" Gel Comfort Reactive | 10", medium firm, all foam | $319 | $379 | $449 | $569 |
$500 to $699 for a queen
| Mattress | Height, feel, type | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6" Essentials Firm | 6", firm, all foam | — | $499 | $509 | — |
| 8" Daisy Firm | 8", firm, all foam | $519 | $569 | $589 | $639 |
| 10" Rose | 10", medium, all foam | $549 | $609 | $629 | $689 |
| 10" EcoCore Origin | 10", medium firm, all foam | $399 | $399 | $649 | $749 |
| 12" Essentials Plush | 12", plush / soft, all foam | $569 | $649 | $679 | $799 |
| 12" Ananda Pearl & Gel | 12", medium firm, all foam | $599 | $679 | $689 | — |
$700 to $999 for a queen
| Mattress | Height, feel, type | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12" Lavender Firm | 12", firm, all foam | — | — | $709 | $769 |
| 14" Ananda Pearl & Gel | 14", plush, all foam | $609 | — | $729 | $809 |
| 10" ActiveAlign Copper | 10", medium firm, all foam | $619 | $709 | $739 | $809 |
| 12" Copper Gel | 12", medium, all foam | $619 | $699 | $739 | $819 |
| 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium | 10", medium firm, hybrid (pocketed coils) | $549 | $549 | $749 | $849 |
| 12" iSwitch Flippable | 12", two sides: medium firm / medium soft, all foam, flippable | $659 | $759 | $779 | $899 |
| 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe | 12", medium plush, hybrid (pocketed coils) | $649 | $789 | $809 | $939 |
| 12" ActiveAlign Copper Zoned | 12", medium, all foam, zoned | $699 | $789 | $819 | $919 |
| 14" ActiveAlign Zoned Hybrid | 14", medium soft, hybrid, zoned | $749 | $879 | $889 | $1,049 |
| 12" BioPosture iSwitch | 12", two sides: medium firm / medium soft, all foam, flippable | $739 | $849 | $909 | $1,059 |
| 10" Allureluxe Hybrid | 10", medium firm, hybrid (pocketed coils) | $719 | $839 | $919 | $1,019 |
| 12" Sofinity Hybrid Essentials | 12", medium firm, hybrid (foam-encased coils) | $769 | $879 | $989 | $1,069 |
| 12" Sofinity Hybrid Signature | 12", medium, hybrid (foam-encased coils) | $769 | $879 | $989 | $1,069 |
$1,000 and up for a queen
| Mattress | Height, feel, type | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14" Allureluxe Hybrid | 14", plush, hybrid (foam-encased coils) | $799 | $939 | $1,049 | $1,119 |
Queen sold out today, other sizes available: 8" Essentials Medium, 10" Essentials Medium, 12" Gel Plush, 14" Hybrid Copper-Gel.
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
What you give up (and what you don’t) as the price drops
Here is what actually changes between our lower-priced and higher-priced mattresses, taken straight from their listings:
- Thickness. Our lowest-priced mattresses are 6" to 10" thick; most of the higher tiers are 12" to 14". Thinner is fine for kids, guest rooms and lighter adults; heavier sleepers and side sleepers who want more cushion usually do better with more. Our how thick should a mattress be guide explains it.
- Comfort layers. The 10" Rose lists a 2" gel air memory foam top over support foam. The 12" Essentials Plush lists 3.5" of gel-infused air foam over 2.5" ridge foam and a 6" Air Channel base. The 12" Ananda Pearl & Gel lists 2" pearl and gel memory foam, a 1" comfort layer and 2" of transition foam over a 7" Air Grid base. More layers usually means a more cushioned, more contouring feel, not necessarily a better fit for you.
- Coils. Every mattress in our lowest tier is all foam. Pocketed coils start with the 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium (6" edge-to-edge pocketed coils listed for reduced motion transfer and airflow). Our memory foam vs hybrid guide covers the trade-offs.
- Edge support. A reinforced edge is listed on models like the 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium, 10" ActiveAlign Copper and 12" Ananda Pearl & Gel (patented edge support system), the 12" Copper Gel (an edge support layer) and the 12" Lavender Firm (1.5" edge support). It matters most if you sit on the side of the bed or share it.
What doesn’t change: the budget picks in this guide all list CertiPUR-US certified foam, every mattress we sell ships brand new and factory-sealed, compressed in a box, and the setup instructions ask for the same thing underneath (a continuously solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2" apart). Most list a zip-off, machine-washable cover; the 8" and 10" Gel Comfort Reactive list a quilted cover with the same machine-wash care instructions.
Our picks at each budget
| If you… | Look at | Why (from the listing) |
|---|---|---|
| Want an everyday adult bed for the least money | 10" Gel Comfort Reactive | Medium firm, made for back and side sleepers; gel-infused air memory foam over an Air Channel base; compatible with an adjustable base |
| Sleep on your stomach or back and like it firm | 8" Gel Comfort Reactive or 8" Daisy Firm | Both firm; the Daisy adds a non-skid bottom and a hypoallergenic, antimicrobial listing |
| Want one safe middle for most adults | 10" Rose | Medium; 2" gel air memory foam; washable zip-off cover; non-skid bottom |
| Sleep on your side and want it soft | 12" Essentials Plush | Plush; 3.5" gel-infused air foam on top |
| Want plant-based foam | 10" EcoCore Origin | Medium firm; 2" bio-based air foam made with soy over a 6" Air Channel base |
| Want coils and a firm edge | 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium | Medium firm hybrid; 6" pocketed coils; patented edge support |
| Are furnishing a guest room, bunk or trundle | 6" Essentials Firm or the 8" picks | The 6" lists use in sofa-bed furniture and trundles; see our guest room and kids guides |
Not sure about firmness? Side sleepers usually like medium soft to medium, back sleepers medium to medium firm, and stomach sleepers firm. Our mattress firmness guide explains the scale, and the 60-second mattress quiz narrows it down for you.
Five ways to make a mattress budget go further
- Buy the size you need, not the size you’re used to. One sleeper in a small room may be happier in a full than a queen, and the same mattress costs less. Our full vs queen guide and mattress size chart help you decide.
- Spend on feel, save on extras. A mattress that fits how you sleep beats a thicker one that doesn’t. Start with your sleep position and body weight, then pick the cheapest mattress that has that feel.
- Skip the box spring if you don’t need one. Our setup instructions list a continuously solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2" apart. A platform bed or a sturdy slatted frame you already own may be all you need; our what to put under a memory foam mattress guide explains what works.
- Add a protector on day one. Our listings say liquid spills don’t qualify for warranty claims, so a protector is the cheapest way to protect what you spent. See do you need a mattress protector.
- Make it last. Rotate the mattress, keep it dry and don’t stand or jump on it, as the care instructions say. Our how long does a mattress last guide has the rest.
A complete bed on a budget
Need everything, not just the mattress? Here is a simple setup at today’s prices: a budget 10" mattress, a foundation with wood slats and its own 6" legs (no tools to assemble, and it can stand alone as an upholstered bed frame, per its listing), and a protector that fits up to an 11" mattress.
| Piece | Full | Queen |
|---|---|---|
| 10" Gel Comfort Reactive mattress (medium firm) | $379 | $449 |
| Express Mattress Foundation with 6" legs | $269 | $279 |
| Terry Cloth Mattress Protector (fits up to 11") | $33 | $34 |
| Total | $681 | $762 |
Prices read live from our catalog; a dash means a piece is sold out in that size today. Swap in any mattress from the tables above; for a 12" or 14" mattress, choose a protector that fits that thickness.
Want to sit up in bed too? An adjustable base replaces the foundation; our how to choose an adjustable base guide compares every base, from the simplest to the most loaded.
How to tell a good cheap mattress from a bad one
Wherever you shop, a low price is only a good deal if the basics are there. Before you buy any budget mattress, check that the listing tells you:
- What’s inside. The layers and their thickness, so you know what you’re paying for.
- The foam certification. Our budget picks list CertiPUR-US certified foam; the listing explains what that certification covers.
- The firmness. A clear feel (firm, medium firm, medium, plush), so you can match it to how you sleep.
- The warranty and the purchase policy. Read them before you order. Ours are on our Purchase Policy & Warranty page.
- Shipping. Whether delivery is included. Ours ships free by FedEx, and every price on this page already includes it.
Wondering how we keep prices this low? We have no showroom and no big ad budget; see why our prices are lower.
10" Gel Infused Comfort Reactive Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers
Our pick when every dollar counts: a 10" medium firm mattress for back and side sleepers at a budget price.
- Medium firm, for back and side sleepers
- Gel-infused air memory foam over an Air Channel base foam
- Quilted, machine-washable cover
- Compatible with an adjustable base (sold separately)
- CertiPUR-US certified foam
From $319 (Twin) · Queen $449 · See sizes & details
10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV
Our best everyday value for most adults: a true medium with the features that make a mattress easy to live with.
- 2" gel air memory foam over support foam
- Machine-washable zip-off cover
- Non-skid bottom fabric
- Hypoallergenic & antimicrobial
- 10-year limited warranty
From $539 (Twin) · Queen $629 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
For most budgets, start with one of these three and add a protector.
- 10" Gel Infused Comfort Reactive Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers, from $319. Medium firm 10" for back and side sleepers at a budget price.
- 10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV, from $539. A true medium with a washable cover and non-skid bottom.
- 8" Gel Infused Comfort Reactive Memory Foam Mattress - Firm, Back & Stomach Sleepers, from $259. Firm 8" for back and stomach sleepers, guest rooms and kids’ rooms.
Questions we hear a lot
What is the best affordable mattress?
For most adults on a budget, a 10 inch all-foam mattress in a medium or medium firm feel is the sweet spot. Our 10 inch Gel Comfort Reactive (medium firm, made for back and side sleepers) is one of our lowest-priced adult mattresses, and the 10 inch Rose (medium) is our best everyday value. Today’s prices for every mattress are on this page, grouped by budget.
Is a cheap mattress worth it?
It can be, if the basics are there: the listing should tell you the layers, the firmness, the foam certification and the warranty. A lower-priced mattress with the right feel for how you sleep is a better buy than an expensive one with the wrong feel. Our budget picks all list CertiPUR-US certified foam.
What do you give up with a cheaper mattress?
Mostly thickness, comfort layers, coils and extras like a reinforced edge. Our lowest-priced mattresses are all-foam and 6 to 10 inches thick; pocketed coils start with the 10 inch EcoCore Hybrid Premium, and a patented edge support system is listed on models like the 12 inch Ananda Pearl & Gel. You don’t give up free shipping or a brand-new, factory-sealed mattress.
Do I need a box spring with a budget mattress?
Not necessarily. Our setup instructions list a continuously solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2 inches apart. A platform bed or a sturdy slatted frame you already have may be all you need, which keeps the total cost down.
How can I save money on a new mattress?
Buy the size you really need (a full or Twin XL costs less than a queen of the same mattress), pick the feel first and then the lowest-priced mattress with that feel, skip a box spring if your frame is a proper surface, and add a protector so a spill doesn’t ruin it. Or text John at 818-924-3744 with your budget and he will tell you honestly what he would buy.
Tell us your budget
Tell John your budget, your size and how you sleep, and he’ll tell you honestly which mattress he’d buy for that money, even if it’s the cheapest one we sell. Text or call 818-924-3744, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, take the 60-second mattress quiz, or use Help me choose.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Specs and care wording from each mattress’s product listing; feel labels from our comparison chart; prices and budget groups update automatically. General shopping guidance, not medical advice.