Best Mattress for the Money
One of the most important factors shoppers in the market for a new mattress have in mind is price. Unless you’re ready to invest heavily in an expensive mattress, most people appreciate saving a few hundred dollars on their purchase. With that said, there’s a fine line between a high-value mattress, which balances quality materials and a reasonable price point, and a cheap mattress that simply doesn’t perform well.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best mattresses for the money. By our standards, this means the mattresses in this list will give you excellent value for their respective costs and strike a nice balance, providing high-quality materials, performance, and comfort for the body types and sleeping positions they’re targeted for at a great price.
That doesn’t mean that these are the cheapest beds on the market, though. Some are more expensive than others, but we determined that their craftsmanship make them well worth the price points—in other words, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Keep reading this mattress review for our top online mattress picks for the money; if you’re only interested in a good cheap bed, head over to our best affordable mattresses article.
The Best Value Mattresses 2026
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Nerd’s Pick
- DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress for the Money
- Helix Midnight Mattress – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers for the Money
- Leesa Original – Best Foam Mattress for the Money
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Mattress for Couples for the Money
- Saatva Classic – Best Innerspring Mattress for the Money
- Nolah Original Hybrid – Best Firm Mattress for the Money
- WinkBed Mattress – Best Durable Mattress for the Money
- Birch Natural Mattress – Best Organic Mattress for the Money
Top Deals
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Save Up to 50% on Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – Save Up to 60% Off Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- Helix Midnight Mattress – 20% Off Sitewide with Code LDW20; 25% Off Luxe Mattresses with Code LUXE25; 30% Off Elite Mattresses with Code ELITE30
- Leesa Original – Up to 30% Off Mattresses and 35% Off Mattress + Adjustable Base Bundles; 25% Off Bedding
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – 30% Off Sitewide with Code LABORDAY30
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
Unsurprisingly, some of the best mattresses on the market come at a pretty high price, but so, too, do some not-so-great mattresses. Knowing whether or not a mattress is worth the cost can be difficult, so we’ve compiled this list by assessing a series of factors, including value, quality of construction, and company policies. Remember, not every “best mattress for the money” is cheap. These products earned spots on our list by justifying their price with excellent craftsmanship and generous warranties. To learn more about how we review a mattress, check out our testing process.
Video: Best Mattresses for the Money
Nerd’s Pick – Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress
Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
When you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck, it’s difficult to beat the Nectar Classic memory foam. Retailing for $699 (for a queen-size), this bed strikes a balance between pressure-relieving support and the slow-moving sinkage you’d expect from an all-foam mattress, all while maintaining a surprisingly cool temperature.
According to our testers, back and side sleepers should feel the most comfortable atop the Nectar Classic because it contours around the body and gently supports key pressure points for these sleep positions.
The Nectar Classic performed well across the board in our testing, earning an overall score of 4.3 out of 5, as well as near-perfect marks in our cooling (4.8) and motion isolation (4.7) categories. This is good news for hot sleepers and couples alike, making the Nectar Classic one of the most versatile mattresses on our list.
The one drawback of this mattress is the edge support, which our testers scored at 3.7 out of 5. We weren’t surprised given the all-foam construction, but sleepers with mobility concerns may want to consider firmer options.
Check out our Nectar Classic Memory Foam review for an in-depth look at this mattress.
Best Hybrid Mattress for the Money – DreamCloud Classic Hybrid
DreamCloud Classic Hybrid
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The DreamCloud is a medium-firm hybrid that features two comfort layers (one of which is gel-infused), a transitional layer of polyfoam, a support core of 8-inch pocketed coils, and a 1.5-inch polyfoam base. The DreamCloud is a medium-firm on the firmness scale and is a great affordable luxury option.
High-value mattresses can be difficult to find for heavier sleepers, for whom appropriately suited mattresses typically incorporate more materials to achieve a proper support level and, therefore, have higher price points.
The DreamCloud is an exception to this rule, with 5.5 inches of comfort and transitional layers that provide the support heavy sleepers need to prevent sinking, enhance edge support, and more. The DreamCloud costs less than $1,000 in all sizes and comes with a 365-night trial, free shipping, and a limited lifetime warranty.
Read our full DreamCloud mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the DreamCloud mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers for more great options.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers for the Money – Helix Midnight Mattress
Helix Midnight Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Side sleepers will find the pressure relief and comfort they’re after with the Helix Midnight. This mattress earned an overall score of 4.3 out of 5 during our testing, and an impressive 4.33 for pressure relief. Our tester said the bed’s memory foam top layer allowed him to sink just enough, while the individually wrapped coil support system worked to relieve pressure in the hips and shoulders—the two main areas of concern for side sleepers.
The Helix Midnight also impressed our testers in the edge support category, earning a 4.4 out of 5. This indicates the bed allows sleepers to spread out on the mattress without sacrificing support.
The one callout our testers had after trying out the Helix Midnight pertained to the cooling category. Our testers noticed the bed warming up underneath them after lying down for about seven minutes, which caused us to dock the cooling score down to a 3 out of 5. If you sleep particularly hot, you may want to look elsewhere.
Read our full Helix Midnight Mattress review for even more details and test results.
Best Foam Mattress for the Money – Leesa Original
Leesa Original
Product Details
Our Recommendation
While the Nectar Classic is our Nerd’s pick, the next best foam mattress for the money, in our opinion, is the Leesa Original. This bed is firmer than the average all-foam construction, but still maintains a balance of support and cushioning. Our testers loved the Leesa, awarding a 4 out of 5 or higher in every testing category, which led to an overall score of 4.5 out of 5.
What differentiates the Leesa Original from other foam mattresses is a layer of GreenFlex BioFoam placed over the memory foam. This layer works to keep the mattress cool and responsive, which earned the bed perfect 5-out-of-5 scores in both categories.
We rated the Leesa Original a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, as well, which is pretty firm for an all-foam bed. However, our testers were still able to sink comfortably into the mattress, noting particular relief around the hips, shoulders, and lower back. Ultimately, we awarded a score of 4.4 out of 5 for pressure relief.
This mattress is a bit more expensive than the Nectar Classic, retailing for around $1,332, but we’ve seen it on sale for as low as $999.
If you want to learn more, read our full Leesa Original mattress review.
Best Mattress for Couples for the Money – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Brooklyn Signature is a hybrid mattress that features a couple layers of gel-infused polyfoam, a 6-inch core of pocketed coils, and a 1-inch layer of base polyfoam, all of which are encased in a quilted cotton cover. Overall, the bed is 11.5 inches thick and provides a nice balance of support and pressure relief for practically any body type and sleeping position.
That’s what we love most about the Brooklyn Signature: It’s highly versatile for such a low-cost mattress. The Signature comes in three firmness levels, which include a soft model for pure side sleepers, a medium version that can accommodate any sleeping position, and a firm model that’s targeted toward back and stomach sleepers.
Additionally, because it has more of a neutral, soft foam feel, it isn’t as polarizing as a deep-cradling memory foam mattress, so most sleepers find it comfortable, accommodating, and supportive. Best of all, the Brooklyn Signature retails for less than $1,000 in the queen size.
Read our full Brooklyn Signature mattress review to learn more.
Best Innerspring Mattress for the Money – Saatva Classic
Saatva Classic
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Saatva Classic mattress comes in two heights (11.5 and 14 inches) and three firmness options (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm). The construction includes a layer of traditional innersprings, a layer of transitional foam, a layer of shorter pocketed coils, a layer of memory foam, and a Euro pillow top, making this one of the best hybrid mattresses in our book.
The feel of the bed will depend on the firmness option you get, but it’s generally reminiscent of a traditional innerspring mattress. You’ll feel supported by the coils and their responsiveness will make changing positions throughout the night easy if you’re a combination sleeper.
All in all, the Saatva is a phenomenal value pick because it retails for much less than other high-quality hybrid and innerspring mattresses; a queen-size bed is just $1,100. The Saatva comes with a 120-night trial, a 15-year warranty, and free white glove delivery, which includes removal of your old mattress, as well.
Read our full Saatva mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Saatva mattress, check out our list of the best innerspring mattresses for more great options.
Best Firm Mattress for the Money – Nolah Original
Nolah Original 10″ Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Memory foam mattresses tend to be a more affordable option than hybrids, which is good for the budget. That said, you typically sacrifice firmness with foam mattresses. The Nolah Original isn’t the cheapest memory foam mattress on the market, but if you’re looking for a foam bed that delivers on quality and firmness, it’s tough to beat.
While many other memory foam mattresses struggle to keep you cool, the Nolah uses AirFoam and a Tencel cover to improve breathability and comfort. It also doesn’t have the same “hugged” feeling that many other foam beds have. Instead, you’ll experience a balanced feel with plenty of pressure relief.
This mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a two-year full warranty, with longer durations on pro-rated coverage.
Check out our review of the Nolah Original to learn more. We also rounded up the best memory foam mattresses if you’re looking for more great foam options.
Best Durable Mattress for the Money – The WinkBed
WinkBed Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The WinkBed, which offers a balanced hybrid feel, is a versatile and high-quality mattress for the money. It also has multiple firmness options: softer, luxury-firm, firmer, and plus. Regardless of your body type, sleeping position, and personal preferences, you should find something to love about the WinkBed.
Many are impressed by the WinkBed’s durability, which scored a 5 out of 5 on our scale. With its excellent materials and stellar edge support (a great indicator of durability), this mattress should last you around seven to 10 years. This makes it a great long-term investment. Additionally, hot sleepers should enjoy how cool this mattress sleeps, with breathability and airflow from its innerspring coils and gel-infused foam.
WinkBed frequently has discounts and promotions, too, which can cut a few hundred dollars off of the final cost, and the brand offers free shipping and returns, as well. The WinkBed comes with a 120-night trial period, so you’ll have a good amount of time to try out the bed, and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty if you decide to keep it.
Read our full WinkBed mattress review to learn more.
Best Organic Mattress for the Money – Birch Natural Mattress
Birch Natural Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Organic and inexpensive aren’t usually two words you hear next to each other, and the Birch Natural mattress is no exception. While it’s not the priciest organic bed you can find, it isn’t a budget buy, either. Instead, you’re paying for quality materials that are GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS-certified.
Made with wool and latex, this mattress is breathable, responsive, and pressure-relieving. It also offers solid edge support, which is helpful for folks who need a sturdier surface to use when they’re getting in and out of bed. We did find that the steel coils in this mattress can be a little squeaky, but it shouldn’t bother anyone but the lightest sleepers.
You’ll also get a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty with the purchase of the Birch mattress.
Interested in more results from our hands-on testing? Read our Birch mattress review.
What Does “Best Mattress for the Money” Even Mean?
If you’ve made it this far and still don’t know what the difference is between “Best Mattress for the Money,” and “Best Affordable Mattress,” we get it. Admittedly, the differences are quite subtle. Think of it this way: Our best affordable mattresses are the best possible beds you can get for a low price.
Conversely, the best mattresses for the money are ones that we deem to be great bargains. This means that not all of the best mattresses for the money may be what you would consider cheap. Rather, if a $1,200 mattress makes this list, it’s because we think that it is worth considerably more than $1,200, and therefore, your dollar goes a long way. Make sense? At the end of the day, just know that we love all of the mattresses that made this list.
Best Mattress Types for the Money
The type of mattress you choose will greatly impact how the mattress performs in various categories, so we’ll cover mattress types first, as well as how much you can generally expect to pay for them.
Foam
All-foam mattresses combine memory foam, polyfoam, and proprietary foams, or exclusively use one type of foam in their construction. They’re known for their close conforming and pain relief, and they’re widely available and have below-average price points.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses combine steel coils with a thin layer of polyfoam. Considered the most traditional mattress type, innerspring beds excel in breathability and are affordable, but they can be too firm and noisy for some.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam or latex comfort layers with pocketed support coils, taking from the best of both all-foam and innerspring mattresses. These styles come in a wide variety of firmness levels and often have specialized features, but they tend to be expensive.
Latex
Latex mattresses combine a latex or high-density polyfoam support core with a natural or synthetic latex comfort layer. While similar to foam beds in general, latex mattresses are more cooling and responsive. Like hybrids, latex mattresses usually cost quite a bit, but their durability and lifespan (also similar to hybrids) make them quite worth it.
Considerations
Sleep Trial and Return Policy
Most online mattress companies now offer customers a sleep trial period, which allows sleepers to test out the bed for a limited number of nights. During the trial period, shoppers can return the mattress for a full refund if it doesn’t suit their needs. To learn more about purchasing a mattress online, read our full guide on the best online mattresses.
Sleep trials range from 30 to 365 nights, and some trials require a 30-night break-in period. We recommend thoroughly reviewing the sleep trial and return policies for the value mattress you choose, as some mattress companies have frustrating fine print written into their policies, like fees that cover the shipping cost of returns.
Durability
Discovering a mattress with high-end materials at a great price is exciting, but before you pull the trigger, we recommend learning about the bed’s durability. On average, most mattresses last about seven years. The bed’s support system and the quality of its materials will play into this. Typically, more durable beds will have high-performance ratings for edge support, sagging, and motion transfer, so these characteristics can serve as clues. For more information on mattress lifespan, head over to our guide on how often you should replace your mattress.
Price Range
As we mentioned earlier in this review, a high-value mattress doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be the most affordable mattress on the market. Rather, the best mattresses for your money will deliver on quality, durability, comfort, and policies for a great price relative to these qualities. We recommend choosing a price range you feel comfortable with but that doesn’t overextend you financially. And don’t forget to check out our article on the best times to buy a mattress if you want to save some money.
Shipping
Most mattresses now come with free shipping in the contiguous U.S., but if you live in Hawaii, Alaska, or another U.S. territory, you may incur shipping fees, which you’ll want to account for when considering your new mattress budget.
It’s common for online mattresses to ship as a bed-in-a-box, but some mattresses arrive as-is and will require more than one person to be transported into your designated sleeping area.
How to Pick the Right Mattress
Sleep Position
Most sleepers have a primary sleeping position that they gravitate to, whether it’s their back, side, or stomach. Sleepers who rotate between two or more of these primary positions throughout the night are called combination sleepers. Your sleeping position greatly impacts the level of firmness and support you need in a mattress. Before settling on a value mattress, consider the position you most often find yourself in when you wake up.
If you’re a side sleeper, mattresses with thicker comfort layers almost always provide the contouring you’ll need around your hips and shoulders to sleep soundly. If you sleep on your back or stomach, firmer mattresses will support the hips and shoulders to help keep your spine in alignment. If you’re a combination sleeper, look for medium to medium-firm mattresses with some level of responsiveness, which will make it easier to change positions throughout the night.
Keep in mind, too, that these recommendations are for average-weight sleepers; if you’re lightweight, you’ll need a softer mattress to achieve these same sensations, and if you’re heavyweight, you’ll need a firmer mattress.
Pressure Points
All sleepers have pressure points, and they vary depending on your sleeping position. For example, the primary pressure points for side sleepers are the hips and shoulders, whereas back sleepers come into closer contact with the mattress along the full length of their spine.
While pressure points are normal, they can become troublesome if these areas become painful or ache during the day. If you experience back pain or have aches in certain areas of your body, we recommend looking for a value mattress that is pressure-relieving and conforming. These mattresses typically have thicker cushioning layers with materials like memory foam, which allow for greater sinking and body-cradling.
Size of the Bed
Most mattresses are available in the standard sizes, which include twin, twin XL, full (or double), queen, king, and California king. Some mattresses may be available in split sizes, which include split queen, split king, and split California king.
The mattress size you choose should fit nicely into your budget while suiting your body type, personal preferences, and stage of life. For example, a queen-size mattress is often the right pick for single adults who like to sprawl out and couples who don’t mind cuddling up at night, whereas a king-size mattress is a good pick for couples investing in a new mattress who want additional space.
How Much Should You Spend on a Mattress?
Making Your Mattress Last Longer
Of course, in order to truly get the most out of your new mattress it is essential that you take proper care of it. The products listed here may be very well crafted for their costs, but their lifespan can be shortened significantly if you don’t follow maintenance guidelines.
Rotating your mattress frequently, using appropriate accessories, and finding the most appropriate support system can all help to keep your mattress in tip-top shape. For a more comprehensive breakdown, head over to our guide on how to take care of your mattress. If you’re already at the point where your bed’s structural integrity has been compromised, we have a guide on how to fix mattress sagging that may help you.
For more recommendations, read our full guide to the best mattresses.
Best Mattresses for the Money FAQs
How do you make your mattress last longer?
Rotating your mattress frequently, using appropriate accessories, and finding the most appropriate support system can all help to keep your mattress in tip-top shape.
What is the difference between “Best Mattress for the Money,” and “Best Affordable Mattress”?
Admittedly, the differences are quite subtle. Think of it this way: Our best affordable mattresses are the best possible beds you can get for a low price. The best mattresses for the money, on the other hand, are ones that offer a great value, even if the price is a little too high to be considered “cheap.”
How often should you replace your mattress?
Most mattresses are designed to last between seven and 10 years. However, once you hit the seven-year mark, it may be time to start looking for signs that your mattress is wearing out. If your mattress is sagging, you wake up with new pains, or you can’t get comfortable anymore, then your mattress has probably met its useful life. If you experience any of these issues sooner, then you may have to replace your mattress sooner than seven years.
What kind of mattress lasts the longest?
Typically, hybrid mattresses will last the longest due to their combination of foam and coils. Latex mattresses are also known to be very durable and should last for a long time. However, if you get a hybrid or latex mattress that is not made from high-quality materials, you may not experience these long lifespans. Make sure to invest in a high-quality mattress if you want it to last several years.
Can you put a new mattress on an old foundation?
Yes, you should be able to use your old foundation for your new mattress. Foundations aren’t going to sag because they are made from wood and reinforced slats. If a foundation starts to break, then you need to replace it regardless of the age of your mattress. Old box springs should work for new mattresses, as well, though they may start to sag before your new mattress has reached the end of its lifespan. Make note of the age of your foundation or box spring before you put a new mattress on top.
Recap of The Best Mattresses for the Money
| Mattress | Award | Firmness |
| Nectar Classic Memory Foam | Nerd’s Pick | 6/10 |
| DreamCloud Hybrid | Best Hybrid Mattress for the Money | 6/10 |
| Helix Midnight | Best Mattress for Side Sleepers for the Money | 6/10 |
| Leesa Original | Best Foam Mattress for the Money | 7.5/10 |
| Brooklyn Signature Hybrid | Best Mattress for Couples for the Money | 5/10 |
| Saatva Classic | Best Innerspring Mattress for the Money | Varies |
| Nolah Original | Best Firm Mattress for the Money | 6.5/10 |
| The WinkBed | Best Durable Mattress for the Money | Varies |
| Birch Natural Mattress | Best Organic Mattress for the Money | 6.5/10 |
