Updated March 3, 2021

Best Mattress for the Money

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Beds range from cheap and comfortable to splurges that are worth it. Check out the top recommended mattresses for the money.

Here's a saying every shopper knows: you get what you pay for.

When it comes to mattresses, you might think you have to shell out thousands of dollars for a good bed.

The truth is, the best mattress for the money doesn't have to be the most expensive one. But it does need to give you the best bang for your buck. There are lots of comfy and supportive options at any price point.

Check out these best value mattresses for every type of sleeper. And don't miss the top 8 tricks for choosing the perfect bed at the end.

Here are the 14 best mattresses for the money:

Best Overall: Amerisleep AS3

The Amerisleep AS3 is a foam mattress that balances the comfort and support all sleepers need. Combo sleepers especially love this bed because it supports any sleeping position comfortably.

Made with soft, responsive foam layers, the bed feels like you're sleeping on a cloud. The AS3 offers a medium firm surface that stays cool through the night. It evenly distributes weight and provides pressure relief so you won't wake up with aches and pains.

Amerisleep AS3 Features

  • Free shipping and returns
  • 100-night trial period
  • 20-year warranty
  • High customer satisfaction ratings
  • Check prices >>

Downside
Since the AS3 is an all-foam mattress, it doesn't give the best support for very heavy folks. Try a bed with a coil system for better durability.

Which type of mattress is best?
There's no right or wrong when it comes to mattress type. It really depends on what you're looking for. Innerspring mattresses tend to be more supportive. Memory foam mattresses tend to relieve more pressure. If you aren't sure, a hybrid or latex bed can be a happy medium.

Best Memory Foam Mattress: Loom & Leaf

Memory foam has a bad reputation. Why? Low-quality memory foam mattresses trap heat and make you feel stuck in the mattress. The Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress puts these worries to rest.

The mattress uses sustainable, high-density 5-pound memory foam made in the United States. The luxurious foam has the perfect amount of bounce and doesn't trap heat. It works great for back sleepers and hot sleepers.

The eco-friendly Loom & Leaf is available in two firmness options: Relaxed Firm (medium-firm) and Firm. Most people choose Relaxed Firm. But the Firm is great for back and stomach sleepers.

Loom & Leaf Features

  • Free white-glove delivery
  • 180-night trial period
  • 15-year warranty
  • Great customer satisfaction
  • Check prices >>

Downside
The Loom & Leaf doesn't have much bounce. This can make it a bit harder to move around at night. If you tend to switch positions often, a latex or hybrid mattress could be a better fit.

Is a memory foam mattress worth it?
They may cost a little more, but a high-quality memory foam mattress makes a difference. Make sure you choose your memory foam mattress wisely. Super cheap foam options release more chemical smells and lack in support.

Best Hybrid Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine the benefits of innerspring and foam. The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid comes in three firmness levels, making it a great bed for any sleep position.

Side sleepers prefer the soft version. Combo and back sleepers do well on the medium option. Stomach or back sleepers get great support with the firm. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid offers pressure relief for a wide range of body types, whether you're petite or on the heavier side.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Features

  • Free shipping and returns
  • 120-night trial period
  • 10-year warranty
  • Made in the USA
  • Check prices >>

Downside
Some people prefer a lot of body contouring, like you're being hugged by the mattress. The Brooklyn Signature is too bouncy and responsive to provide that type of comfort.

How much does a good mattress cost?
Although you don't need to spend thousands on a good mattress, going too cheap isn't good either. The sweet spot for mattresses is usually around $1,000. If you can budget this much, you'll have a better chance at finding a great mattress.

Best Innerspring Mattress: Saatva Classic

Today, traditional innerspring beds are outdated and hard to come by. Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress with premium foam comfort layers and organic cotton top. It delivers great pressure relief and evenly distributes your body weight.

It's built with a high quality coil-on-coil construction for extra support that contours the body. And it even comes in three firmness levels to suit all sleeping positions: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm (medium firm), and Firm. There's really something for everyone.

Saatva Classic Features

  • Free white-glove delivery
  • 180-night trial period
  • 15-year warranty
  • Excellent customer satisfaction ratings
  • Check prices >>

Downside
Bouncy innersprings are great until your sleep partner starts tossing and turning. You'll likely feel their movements if you're a light sleeper.

Best Time to Buy a New Mattress
Shop around these times to get best mattress deals:
  • Late winter/early spring. Retailers offer discounts between February and May to get rid of old inventory.
  • Holiday weekends. Check out sales during Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and Black Friday.
  • Online, anytime. You can save 50-60% off in-store prices by shopping online.

Best Latex Mattress: Awara

If memory foam feels too mushy for you, latex foam mattresses could be a perfect alternative. The Awara organic latex mattress offers a springier foam feel that naturally stays cool. Since it has latex and pocketed coils, Awara offers the perfect amount of bounce to support you all night.

The average price of a latex mattress is $2,000, but you can get Awara for much cheaper. It doesn't skimp on quality either. Awara uses natural and organic materials like cotton, New Zealand wool, and natural latex rubber.

Awara Features

  • Free shipping and returns
  • 365-night trial period
  • Forever warranty
  • Weightless latex feel and pressure relief
  • Check prices >>

Downside
Awara comes in just one firmness level: medium-firm. If you're searching for a soft or extra firm model, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Is a latex mattress better than memory foam?
Latex foam and memory foam are great mattress materials, but the sleep experience on both feel very different. Memory foam compresses more and hugs the body. Latex is bouncier and keeps you on top of the bed.

If memory foam mattresses make you feel stuck, try latex mattresses for more support. But if you love the feeling of a mattress hugging your body, memory foam is the way to go.

Budget Friendly: Tuft & Needle

If you're on a tight budget but still want the best value, don't worry. Great comfort doesn't have to break the bank. The Tuft & Needle Original is proof of this.

This bed in a box uses special foam that cradles the body without trapping heat. The open-cell poly foam has tiny holes in it that make it breathable. And it's a medium-firm bed, which works for most sleeping positions.

Tuft & Needle Original Features

  • Free shipping and returns (except in AK and HI)
  • 100-night trial period
  • 10-year warranty
  • Good customer service
  • Check prices >>

Downside
The polyurethane foam offer plenty of comfort for most sleepers. But heavy people need a bit more support to stay comfortable through the night.

Back Pain: Tempur-Pro Adapt

Waking up with back pain is the worst. Aren't you supposed to feel better after sleeping? If aches and pains make it hard to fall sleep or wake up, try a mattress like the Tempur-ProAdapt by Tempur-Pedic for pressure relief and support.

The comfort layer really cushions the body, so you'll never struggle with pressure-point pain. The material allows you to sleep comfortably without restricting blood flow. It also comes in 3 firmness levels, plus a hybrid model: Soft, Medium, Medium Hybrid, and Firm.

These beds are known for being pricy.

Tempur-ProAdapt Features

  • Free white-glove delivery
  • 90-night trial period
  • 10-year warranty
  • Highest rated in customer satisfaction
  • Check prices >>

Downside
The biggest downside to all Tempur-Pedic beds is the price tag. You'll pay quite a bit more than you would for other memory foam beds.

Always check the manufacturer's warranty on your mattress. Be sure to use the type of foundation or box spring specified. Not every mattress needs a box spring, but many companies have base requirements. You could void your warranty if you don't follow the guidelines.

Heavy People: Purple Hybrid Premier

Heavy folks need an extra supportive mattress that still cushions pressure points. The Purple Hybrid Premier features steel coils and the unique Purple Grid comfort layer.

The Purple mattress conforms to the body without excessive sinking and sagging. It's the perfect solution for heavy side sleepers who need both strong support and pressure-point relief.

Purple Hybrid Premier Features

  • Free shipping and returns
  • 100-night trial period
  • 10-year warranty
  • Unique grid comfort layer
  • Check prices >>

Downside
The Purple Grid relies on your body weight to sink in and activate the support system. If you're very light, you might not sink in enough to fully feel comfortable on a Purple mattress.

Organic Mattress: Avocado

Shopping for an organic mattress can be tricky. Unless the mattress is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), it might not be truly organic. The Avocado Green Mattress contains a comfort layer of GOLS-certified latex, and GOTS organic wool and cotton.

Avocado contains no harmful chemicals, materials, or even fire retardants—its New Zealand wool cover is naturally fire resistant. The bed is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models. The 13-inch mattress has a 2-inch pillow top that enhances comfort for side and combo sleepers.

Avocado Green Mattress Features

  • Free shipping and returns
  • 365-night trial period
  • 25-year warranty
  • Natural materials and carbon-negative production/shipping
  • Check prices >>

Downside
If motion isolation is important to you, you might want to try a different bed. The innerspring support core is quite bouncy, so you might feel your partner move around.

Side Sleepers: Leesa Hybrid

Side sleepers need more comfort and cradling than any other sleep position. The Leesa Hybrid provides the perfect amount of body contouring and pressure-point relief for comfort all night long.

With a coil support core, the Leesa is a perfect mattress for couples who need to use the full surface of the bed without sagging or falling off. It's made with durable springs and high-density memory foam. The bed is a medium on the firmness scale—good for pressure relief around the hips and shoulders.

Leesa Hybrid Features

  • Free shipping and returns (except in AK and HI)
  • 100-night trial period
  • 10-year warranty
  • B Corp-certified for high environmental and social standards
  • Check prices >>

Downside
If you sometimes flip over to sleep on your stomach, this mattress might not feel the most comfortable. Your hips could sink too much and throw your spine out of alignment.

When setting your mattress budget, consider the cost of a bed frame, foundation, and pillows too. Plan ahead and stick to your price range to avoid overpaying.

Back Sleepers: Allswell Luxe Hybrid

Back sleepers may think they need a stiff-as-a-board firm mattress. But this can lead to aching joints and pressure points. Instead, a medium-firm bed will actually align your spine for a good night's sleep.

The Allswell Luxe Hybrid Mattress does all this while the coils keep you cool. Bonus points: It's affordable too. It's one of the best value picks on the list.

Allswell Luxe Hybrid Features

  • Free shipping and returns (except in AK and HI)
  • 100-night sleep trial period
  • 10-year warranty
  • Great value mattress
  • Check prices >>

Downside
Heavy folks should look for a mattress with denser top layers. The foam layer on the Allswell Luxe is relatively thin, so you might feel the coils through the foam.

What size mattress do I need?
Mattress SizeDimensions (inches)Best For
Twin38 in x 75 inChildren, single adults
Twin XL38 in x 80 inTall single sleepers
Full54 in x 75 inSingle adults
Queen60 in x 80 inSingle adults who need lots of space, couples
King76 in x 80 inCouples, people with children or pets
Split King(2) 38 in x 80 inCouples with different sleep preferences
California King72 in x 84 inTall couples, tall people with children or pets

Stomach Sleepers: DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid

Stomach sleepers need proper spine alignment, temperature control, and pressure-point relief. That's a tall order to fill, but the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress does it well.

It combines pocketed coils and a soft foam comfort layer. Stomach sleepers tend to overheat since the position presses your entire front side against the mattress. The DreamCloud's hybrid construction lets air flow through to cool you down.

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Features

  • Free shipping and returns
  • 365-night sleep trial period
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Includes 2 free pillows
  • Check prices >>

Downside
With just one firmness level, the DreamCloud doesn't offer much in terms of personalization. If you're looking for a custom sleep, look for a mattress with more options to choose from.

Hot Sleepers: Layla

If you get hot at night, it can make sleeping difficult. The last thing you want is to wake up in a pool of sweat. Layla mattress is a unique bed that provides cool comfort using unique copper-infused foam.

The copper material draws heat away from your body and dissipates it. It's also anti-microbial and odor-resistant. Another great perk: the Layla mattress is flippable. Try both the soft and firm side to see which one is best for you.

Layla Features

  • Free shipping and returns (excluding AK and HI)
  • 120-night sleep trial period
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Made in the USA
  • Check prices >>

Downside
Even on the firm side, there isn't enough support for larger people on the Layla mattress. But they do make a hybrid version with springs, which work a lot better.

Pressure Relief: WinkBed Hybrid

Pressure-point pain makes it hard to sleep. An extra firm mattress can make the pain worse. And a flimsy, soft one won't provide enough spinal support. The WinkBed Hybrid is a balanced mattress with supportive innersprings and specialty foam for the ultimate pressure-point relief.

You can choose your own firmness level: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, or Plus (for heavy folks). The cushioning gel memory foam feels pillowy and comfortable no matter your body type or preferred sleeping position.

WinkBed Features

  • No shipping fees on returns
  • 120-night sleep trial period
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Handmade in the USA
  • Check prices >>

Downside
This bouncy mattress does transfer some motion. If you sleep with a partner or a pet, you'll feel some movement when they move.

What to Look for When Buying a New Mattress

Whether you spend a few hundred or a few thousand dollars on a mattress, there's one common denominator—you want the best value for your money.

Consider the following when you're making this important purchase:

Mattress Types
There are 4 main mattress types: innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, and latex. In general, innerspring and hybrids offer more support. Memory foam and latex offer more pressure relief. There are also less-known options like air beds, which allow you to adjust firmness with a remote.

Support
Do you wake up with joint or pressure-point pain? Does your back feel sore in the morning? Pay attention to how well your mattress supports you and keeps your spine straight. Your mattress should keep your body aligned without sagging.

Pressure Relief
The top layer of a mattress is responsible for cushioning your body. If you feel a lot of pressure when lying on your bed, it's a sign you need a softer top layer. Memory foam beds are some of the best mattresses to take the pressure off.

Sleep Position
Many mattresses today support any sleeping position. But pay close attention, especially if you are a side or stomach sleeper. Pressure relief is crucial for side sleepers. Firm support is a must for stomach sleepers.

Edge Support
If you sit on the edge of your bed or share your mattress with someone, edge support is crucial. It gives you full use of the bed's surface. Pay attention to foam and latex mattresses, as they often lack in this department compared to spring mattresses.

Motion Transfer
No one wants to feel like they're on the Titanic when they sleep with a partner. A high quality mattress will absorb movement rather than transfer it to you. If you're a light sleeper, watch out for innerspring mattresses. These mattresses bounce the most.

Temperature Regulation
Your body temperature naturally decreases when you sleep. But if that heat gets trapped in your bed, it transfers right back to you. This causes overheating and even night sweats. Look for a mattress that wicks body heat and moisture away rather to stay cool all night.

Sleep Trials/Return Policies
When shopping for a mattress online, there's always a chance you end up not loving your purchase. Make sure the retailer has a generous return policy. And be aware of any shipping costs. You might end up paying more than expected if shipping isn't free.

How to Keep Your Mattress Good as New

A mattress is an investment, so you want to keep it in good shape as long as you can. Here are some ways to make your mattress purchase last:

Use the Right Base
Your mattress needs to well supported in order to last a long time. Make sure you find a strong bed frame and follow the manufacturer's guideline on the proper foundation.

Get a Mattress Protector or Mattress Topper
Body oil, sweat, lotion, and dust can all wear down your mattress faster. Add a buffer to your mattress to keep it looking new.

Keep Your Sheets Clean
Your body oils seep through your sheets and start to break down the mattress fibers. Always keep your sheets clean to minimize the wear.

Clean Your Mattress
Vacuum your mattress every 6 months to keep the dust and allergens at bay.

Rotate Your Mattress
If you constantly sleep on one side of the bed, it's going to wear down faster. Rotate your bed from head to toe every 3 months to extend its life.

Prevent Bed Bugs
Always check your clothes and luggage for bed bugs when you travel.To go the extra mile, get a bed bug-proof encasement that zips around your entire mattress.

Don't Jump on the Bed
As fun as it is, don't let the kids jump on your bed. It'll weaken the bed and can damage an innerspring support layer.

Don't Sleep With Pets
Of course you want to cuddle with your four-legged friend. But pet dander, oil, and urine can seep into the mattress and damage it.

Bottom Line

Just because a mattress is expensive doesn't make it great. Likewise, a cheap mattress isn't necessarily bad. Make sure you understand the qualities of a mattress before buying it.

If you're stuck, start by narrowing down your preferred mattress material:

  • Innerspring - best for bounce, support, and hot sleepers
  • Memory foam - best for pressure relief, comfort, and side sleepers
  • Hybrid - best for moderate bounce, balanced support, and couples
  • Latex - best for weightless support, durability, and allergy sufferers

From there, you can narrow down the features that are important to you and comparison shop for the best price.

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