The best cheap mattresses under $500

Shopping for a mattress on a budget doesn't mean you have to compromise on an uncomfortable bed. The best cheap mattresses under $500 still deliver on comfort, pressure relief, and durability — without the premium price tag of the best mattresses. I tested 14 budget mattresses for firmness, pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, and edge support, focusing on what matters most at this price point. Whether you're furnishing your first apartment, upgrading a guest room, or just looking for the best value mattress you can buy, these picks prove that an affordable mattress can still be a good one.

Our mattress experts always suggest to go with the best mattress you can afford, so if you can stretch your budget a little further, the best mattresses under $1,000 offer firmness customizations, cooling features, and even longer trial periods. We get that you're looking to save some money, so it could also be worth checking out the latest mattress sales to see if any of our favorite models are on sale. (Editor's tip: they usually are.)

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our picks of the best cheap mattresses

Best overall, hybrid: The Allswell Mattress - See at Walmart

Best overall, foam: Zinus Green Tea Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - See at Amazon

Best for side sleepers: Siena Memory Foam Mattress - See at Siena

Best cooling: Zinus Cooling Comfort Hybrid Mattress - See at Amazon

Best for couples: Novilla Bliss 10 Inch Memory Foam Mattress - See at Amazon

Best upgrade: Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress - See at Nectar

Best overall, hybrid

Not many hybrid mattresses cost less than $500. After testing six cheap hybrid mattresses, Allswell, a Walmart-exclusive brand, had the best offerings. I had the highest sleep quality on the 10-inch The Allswell Mattress, a medium-firm mattress best suited for side and stomach sleeping. If you're concerned that it will be too firm for you, I also like the Allswell Luxe; it's thicker, softer, and very comfortable for all sleeping positions while staying under our $500 threshold. For the most pressure point relief, the Allswell Supreme, is the brand's most luxurious offering at 14-inches thick.

• See our guide to the best hybrid mattresses

Combines gel memory foam with individually wrapped coils. Among the foam comfort layers are a top layer of high-density CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam for support, gel-infused memory foam to keep you cool and relieve pressure, and comfort foam for added body contouring. The thick layer of individually wrapped coils offers support, durability, and airflow. Thin, high-density foam at the base adds durability to the bed.

It passed most of our tests, but has some trade offs. The coils provided great edge support in our tests, and the motion isolation was also good, suggesting this is a smart choice for couples. However, the Allswell was among the hottest mattresses I tested and didn't dissipate heat well, which makes it great for people who tend to get too cold at night but not ideal for hot sleepers.

Read my full Allswell Mattress review.

Best overall, foam

The medium firmness is ideal for different sleep styles and combination sleepers. I slept comfortably on the Zinus 12-inch Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam on my side, stomach, and back. In addition to being the best cheap foam mattress, it's our best mattress for couples on a budget thanks to impressive edge support and motion isolation. Whether your partner hogs the bed and pushes you the edge or they toss and turn, their movements are less likely to disturb your sleep.

• See our guide to the best memory foam mattresses

A simple construction of three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam. This includes cooling gel-infused memory foam, soft memory foam for pressure relief, and durable base foam. In my tests, the materials did a good job of keeping the mattress cool.

The Zinus Cooling Green Tea mattress comes in four thicknesses ranging from 6 to 12 inches. I tested the 12-inch mattress, and from my experience, I wouldn't recommend going thinner than 10 inches. Otherwise, you sacrifice support.

Best for side sleepers

The softer-than-average feel makes it the best cheap mattress for side sleepers. Cheap mattresses can have a reputation of being too firm or unyielding. I slept comfortably on my side on the Siena Memory Foam Mattress,though my sleep quality was average. The Siena has three layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam.

• See our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers.

It stays cool and had good motion isolation. I especially liked that the bed stayed cool and dissipated heat, making it a great option if you tend to overheat. It has impressive motion isolation, passing my bowling ball test and showing low vibrometer readings. The edge support isn't as remarkable, but still pretty good. The side sank significantly as I sat on it, but I felt supported as I lay on the edge. These factors suggest that Siena would serve couples well. The setup was also effortless, and the initial odor dissipated after a few days.

Best cooling

This budget bed outperformed competitors in temperature regulation. Beyond never once overheating at night on the Zinus Cooling Comfort Hybrid Mattress, our use of a laser thermometer confirmed that the bed rapidly dissipates accumulated heat.

• See more of the best cooling mattresses.

The secret lies in its design. Three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foams work harmoniously: adaptable comfort foam, cooling gel-infused memory foam for pressure relief, and transition foam for balanced support. These rest atop individually wrapped coils that promote airflow while keeping proper spinal alignment. The OEKO-TEX-certified cover adds a final touch of breathability.

We recommend it for back and stomach sleepers. While marketed as medium-plush, I found it was closer to medium-firm. It earned a spot in our best mattresses for stomach sleepers guide. The Zinus Cooling Comfort is available in five thickness options, though we suggest opting for 10-inch and thicker models for optimal support.

The bed does have limitations: Motion isolation isn't its strongest feature, and the edge support is just average. Yet, these minor drawbacks are easily outweighed by its supportive comfort and outstanding cooling properties at a fraction of the cost of pricier cooling mattresses.

Read my full Zinus Cooling Hybrid Mattress review.

Best for couples

A great affordable option for people who share a bed with a partner or pet. The Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress exhibits excellent edge support, and did a great job at minimizing motion. Its edges sank less than the others; and I didn't feel like I was falling off when lying on the periphery.

• See our guide to the best mattress for couples.

We had some mixed test results. It passed my bowling ball test but had a high vibration reading on my vibrometer. These results suggest you won't be jolted awake as your partner moves at night, but you may still feel it.

A softer than average design, makes it great for side sleepers. While testing it, my sleep quality was average. I gravitated toward my side but also slept on my stomach a little. The mattress conforms to your body, but it's not overly plush. However, I wouldn't recommend this mattress for strict stomach sleepers because it lacks the support to align your spine. With rare exceptions, I've found that 10 inches is the minimum thickness for a supportive mattress. The Novilla meets this threshold with 10 inches of CertiPUR-US-certified foam, but it's also available in 12 inches for a little bit more.

Best upgrade

If you can spend just $150 more. Having slept on cheap mattresses for several months, I can tell you that $500 usually isn't enough to buy a mattress that can provide a consistent good night's sleep for most people. For just a little more, the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress is the the best mattress under $1,000 we've tested.

The Nectar also reigns as one of the best memory foam mattresses and is a top option among the best mattresses for back pain. It's made of three CertiPUR-US-certified foam layers: a cooling top layer of memory foam, a middle transition layer for pressure relief, and a supportive foam base layer. The mattress provides outstanding pressure relief and has a medium firmness that will appeal to most sleeping styles. I primarily slept on my side while testing it, and my back remained pain-free despite my history of back pain.

It's a great choice for couples, too. The motion isolation and edge support were excellent in my tests. However, hot sleepers may want to look elsewhere, as the Nectar Classic didn't dissipate heat well.

Nectar offers a yearlong trial and a lifetime warranty. That's the longest on this list. Plus they include free shipping and returns.

Read my full Nectar Classic Mattress review.

Our top picks, compared

What to look for in the best cheap mattress

Trial period: Only one mattress I tested was available in showrooms, and I don't recommend it. Since you can't try most cheap mattresses before you buy them, a long, risk-free home trial is crucial. Ensure there aren't any catches in the return policy, such as restocking or shipping fees. Our top affordable favorites offer trials of at least 90 days.

Warranty: All mattresses in our guide have warranties of at least 10 years, which is the minimum we expect for a mattress. Your mattress should remain free from major defects for at least that long, and if they do emerge, the company will replace it.

Firmness: Side sleepers, petite individuals, and older people prefer softer mattresses. Firm beds are better for stomach sleepers and heavier folks, and back sleepers fall in between.

Motion isolation and edge support: If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, motion isolation and edge support are necessary. A mattress with good motion isolation will keep you from being disturbed when your partner moves about. Good edge support gives you more space on your bed since you'll feel comfortable and supported even when lying on the periphery.

Certifications: The most common safety certification for products that use foam is CertiPUR-US, which ensures the polyurethane foam is made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP ("Tris") flame retardants, mercury, lead, and heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. It's a baseline certification for any affordable mattress. OEKO-TEX Standard is popular for ensuring the textiles have been tested to not have any harmful substances. Even if the mattresses are cheap, it should have some basic certifications.

You won't find a perfect mattress for under $500. You need to be ready to compromise on comfort and quality. This may work for guest rooms and younger folks, but if you are older and suffer from aches and pains, I recommend spending more for a higher-quality mattress if you're able. Fortunately, many brands offer payment plans and host sales.

For more detailed buying advice, check out my article on how to choose a mattress.

How we tested the best cheap mattresses

I tested all the mattresses in this guide, sleeping on each for at least 14 nights. Each mattress was subjected to a battery of tests to determine its comfort, motion isolation, edge support, and more.

Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:

• Firmness and support: We assessed overall firmness on a 1 to 10 scale and checked how well the mattress kept the spine aligned for back, side, and stomach sleeping. I noticed which positions I was most comfortable in: my side, stomach, or back.
• Pressure relief: We tested how evenly the mattress distributed weight, paying close attention to pressure buildup around the shoulders, hips, and lower back in each position.
• Cooling: We evaluated heat retention by lying on each mattress for extended periods and noting how quickly it warmed up and whether airflow helped dissipate heat. We recorded baseline temperatures, how much the mattress surface temperature increased after an extended period, and how much the temperature dropped within two minutes with an infrared thermometer.
• Motion isolation: We have two tests to see how well the mattress absorbed movement, which is especially important for couples and light sleepers. First, I dropped a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress, landing one foot from a soda can placed on the mattress. The bed didn't have very good motion isolation if the can fell over. If it stayed upright, the motion dampening was excellent. I also placed a vibrometer across the bed from where the bowling ball landed and compared the intensity of the vibrations. For reference, The Siena had the lowest vibration value at 6.8 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. The Sleepy's Basic Innerspring Mattress was the worst at 8.5.

• Edge support: I tested this in two ways. First, I sat on the edge of the mattress and measured how much it sank. If it dropped less than 4 inches, the edge support was pretty good. My other test was to lay on the edge and roll until I fell. If my body got beyond a 45-degree angle before falling, then the bed had good edge support.
• Setup: I timed how long it took to set up the mattresses without help in the morning. At bedtime, I checked whether the "new bed smell" had dissipated or lingered. I also moved the mattress around several times and noted how much it flopped around, if it had handles, and other aspects that made it hard or easy to move.
• Trial and warranty: Beyond noting the home trial period and warranty length, I combed through the small print to find any catches, such as return shipping and restocking charges. Ideally, you should expect a 90-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. All the picks in our guide meet or exceed these minimums.

Want to learn more? Check out our article on how we test mattresses.

Meet the experts behind the guide

James Brains, senior home and kitchen reporter: I have seven years of mattress evaluation experience, having personally tested and slept on over 100 mattresses and building out BI's mattress testing methodology. My blend of technical expertise, expert consultation, and hands-on testing using specialized equipment enable me to provide recommendations tailored to diverse body types and sleep needs.

Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor: I've been reviewing sleep products, including mattresses, pillows, and bedding, for five years. I've toured mattress factories and consulted with sleep experts about sleep hygiene habits and products for a good night's sleep. My coverage encompasses the belief that sleep is not a one-size-fits-all approach and I like to consider the many different preferences and needs when recommending products.

Cheap Mattress FAQ

Are budget mattresses worth it?

Cheap mattresses under $500 can offer solid comfort and support, especially for lighter- to average-weight sleepers. However, they typically use simpler materials and may not last as long as premium models.

While I've found you get what you pay for with mattresses, if you can only afford a budget mattress, it may be worth it. "There are budget-friendly mattresses that can be supportive and friendly to your wallet," said Tamara Huff, MD, a Georgia-based board-certified orthopedic surgeon. "I recommend looking for a medium to firm mattress with a good warranty."

Should I consider a more expensive mattress?

If you can afford one, yes. Unless you're looking for a mattress for a guest room or aren't picky about comfort, you'll be better off with a more expensive mattress. Based on my experience testing over 100 mattresses, you should count on spending at least $1,000 on a mattress you plan on sleeping on every night for the next 10 years.

What size mattress can I get for under $500?

Our threshold for the best mattress under $500 applied to queen size mattresses, which means their twin and full counterparts will also cost under $500. Some king and California king, like from Allswell or Zinus, still fall within the $500 range, but others, may cost a little bit more than $500.

Are cheap mattresses comfortable?

After several months of testing, I found some comfortable, cheap mattresses. Yet none offered the zoned support I crave. "Inexpensive mattresses can be comfortable," said Huff. "Ideally, look for a mattress with a return policy in case you notice discomfort one to two months in."

When is the best time to buy a mattress?

Retailers are always looking for reasons to have mattress sales. Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Prime Day, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday are great times to buy a mattress because manufacturers offer great sales. Since new lines are usually launched in June, spring is a smart time to get good deals on older models.

What mattress types are less expensive than others?

Foam mattresses tend to be the cheapest type of mattresses. All the mattresses I recommend in this guide are made primarily of foam except one. All-foam mattresses are cheaper than hybrid, latex, adjustable air, and innerspring models. I found no latex or adjustable air models for under $500. I considered six hybrid or innerspring models; the only ones I recommend are from Allswell and Zinus.

What is the average price of a mattress?

Most mattresses we recommend in our best mattress guide cost between $1,500 and $2,000. The median price for the 12 mattresses there is $1,899, which is slightly higher than my top pick, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, depending on the current sale price. Check out our article on how much mattresses cost for more details.

Do cheap mattresses have fiberglass?

Some cheap and pricier mattresses contain fiberglass, typically used as insulation or a fire retardant in mattresses. When directly exposed to the ultra-fine material, such as if you remove a mattress cover or it rips, it can cause upper respiratory, eye, and skin irritation. Here's the info I could track down for the mattresses in this guide:

• Allswell: Allswell mattresses do not contain fiberglass, according to email correspondence with a Walmart rep.
• Zinus: Newer versions do not contain fiberglass; instead, they opt for a carbon-rayon sleeve. You can read Zinus' statement about fiberglass use.
• Novilla: None of Novilla's mattresses contain fiberglass, according to a company representative. The mattresses feature fire-retardant cotton.
• Siena: Siena does not contain fiberglass.
• Nectar: Nectar no longer uses fiberglass in its mattresses. Instead, they use rayon as a fire retardant. There is, however, an ongoing suit about fiberglass exposure.

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