The best cheap mattress 2024: comfort and support at a low price

Looking for the best cheap mattress can be a dangerous game. If you don't have a huge budget and go in search of an affordable mattress, you'll find lots of options that look the part but completely fail to deliver in terms of comfort, support and durability. However we've done the research and put together a selection of cheap mattresses from big sleep brands, all of which will give you a good night's sleep at a reasonable price.

While cheap beds can't really compete with the very best mattresses on the market, all the models here offer good comfort and support for a budget-friendly price. We define a 'budget' mattress as one that costs under $500 for a queen size. A few of our picks here also fall into the 'lower mid-range' bracket ($500 to $800 for a queen), and are featured because they deliver outstanding value for money.  

You should, of course, think about more than cost when you're making your decision. We've rated every mattress in this guide according to how it can help you sleep better, and which body types and sleep styles it's best suited to. We'll also flag any issues that might mean it's not right for you. 

Mattress sales happen all year round, and we've included deals information with each product entry so you know if you're getting a good price or not. All clear? Let's take a look at the best cheap mattresses you can buy...

Quick list

The best cheap mattresses in 22024, as chosen by experts

Best cheap mattress overall

Our top budget pick, the Siena has a firm build that provides a high level of support for stomach and back sleepers. Breathable and supportive across the surface, it avoids the usual pitfalls of cheap memory foam. And it has good pedigree – Siena is owned by Resident Home, the parent company of Nectar Sleep, maker of the best memory foam mattress in America.  

Design
The Siena mattress is an all-foam bed with three layers: a top layer of memory foam gently contours to your shape to add cushioning, while the middle foam layer provides support, and the base layer adds stability. This is a fairly basic construction for a memory foam mattress, but that's not a bad thing – it's comparable to the construction of the Nectar, one of our favorite beds (read our Nectar memory foam mattress review to learn more).

Comfort and performance
This is officially a medium mattress, rated 6.5/10 on firmness. In our tests, we found it much firmer than that, collectively rating it around a 9 out of 10 – and earning a spot on our best firm mattress guide. That makes it very supportive for back and stomach sleepers, although likely too firm for most side sleepers (try the Zinus at #3 instead).

The Siena performed well in all our tests, especially for a budget memory foam bed. Cheap memory foam has a reputation for weak edges and getting warm overnight. Not a problem with the Siena. It was firm all the way from the middle of the mattress to the perimeter, making it easy to push up when getting out of bed in the morning. And the lack of that memory foam 'hug' helped air circulate, so our tester stayed comfortably cool overnight.

Value for money
You'll never have to pay full price for the Siena mattress, with the evergreen sale consistently knocking the queen down to $399. In terms of extras, Siena provides a 180-night trial and a 10-year warranty – this pales in comparison to the 365-night trial and lifetime warranty from Nectar, but it still generous for such as affordable mattress.

• Read more: Siena Memory Foam Mattress review

Best budget hybrid mattress

Finding a decent cheap hybrid mattress can seem impossible, but if that's what you're after, the Allswell mattress is as good as it gets. We expect even cheap hybrids to provide good temperature regulation and a responsive feel, but the Allswell goes beyond, offering excellent motion isolation and some decent support, even if the durability is questionable.

Design
Budget mattresses tend to be all-foam, but the Allswell is different – this is a hybrid, meaning it's built with both foam and springs. The three foam layers sit at the top of the design, adding some cushioning which contours to the body to offer pressure relief. However, the majority of the construction is devoted to springs. They're seven inches tall, individually wrapped to limit motion transfer, and give the bed a slightly bouncy feel. 

Comfort and performance
Allswell rates the mattress as firm, but our testing panel felt it was closer 7/10, making it medium-firm. This is good for front and stomach sleepers with an average build. However, those with a heavier build might find the foam to soft around the hips, while the limited pressure relief might leave side sleepers with aching shoulders.

We expect hybrids to have good temperature regulation, and the Allswell is no exception (the coils really add to the breathability). But even the best hybrid mattresses can struggle with motion isolation, due to all those bouncing springs. However, Allswell has avoided this by individually wrapping each spring – when one coil is disturbed, the rest stay still.

The biggest performance issue with the Allswell is edge support. Reviewers have found the Allswell can sag around the perimeter, making it hard to push up off the edge of the bed. In comparison, the Siena (#1) has excellent edge support – it was one of the defining differences in our Siena vs Allswell mattress showdown.

Value for money
Hybrids tend to be the priciest mattresses, and finding a good quality, cheap hybrid is unusual. At $317 for a queen, the Allswell hits the brief. And while discounts are rare, you might be able to save money with an Allswell coupon. However, be prepared to sacrifice some extras. The Allswell hybrid comes with a 10-year guarantee, but the there's no sleep trial – the 90-day returns period is only for mattresses still in the box.

• Read more: Allswell mattress review

Best cheap mattress on Amazon

The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam is a basic all-foam model that we consider one of the best mattresses on Amazon. It delivers a traditional memory foam feel with a gently contouring 'hug' and cushioned pressure relief for side sleepers. But as you might expect from cheap memory foam, it can sleep warm. 

Design
The Zinus Green Tea is a relatively simple all-foam design consisting of three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam. Simple, but not without some interesting features to explore. The memory foam has been infused with green tea extract, which, theoretically, will keep your bed fresher for longer. This is paired with a temperature-regulating ActivCharcoal infusion. Do they work? The jury's still out on that one, but it's still a notable design feature. The mattress is also available on Amazon in a range of depths from six to 12 inches. The variety is nice, but for adults, we recommend a minimum of 10 inches.

Comfort and performance
The Zinus Green Tea delivers a classic memory foam experience at a budget price, with the surface adapting to the shape of your body to relieve pressure at the back, hips, and shoulders. Zinus rates the mattress as 'medium', which is vague, but implies this will be a good mattress for side sleepers.

As we've come to expect from even cheap memory foam, the Zinus Green Tea delivers excellent motion isolation – great for couples on a budget. However, we also expect cheap memory foam to trap heat overnight, and, unfortunately, the Zinus once again meets expectations. If you tend to wake up sweaty, consider the Siena (#1) or Allswell (#2).

Value for money
Directly from the manufacturer, the 10" Zinus Green Tea typically retails at $399 for a queen. This is on a par with our preferred memory foam choice, the Siena (#1). And while the thinner Zinus mattresses are cheaper again, we don't recommend taking the hit on quality. Buying directly from Zinus will get you a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty, but you might save money buying from Amazon. However, you will sacrifice the trial period, with Amazon offering just 30 days.

Best cheap Amazon own-brand mattress

The Amazons Basics Memory Foam mattress is an affordable choice from a trusted brand (even if they aren't known for their beds). It's lacking luxury, but it's a wallet-friendly option for a guest bed or a teenager's room. And with two feels to pick between, this is a budget bed with some surprising versatility.

Design
The design is simple and functional: an upper layer of memory foam for contouring comfort, a perforated middle layer for breathability, and a dense base layer to make the whole thing sturdier. The overall build is utilitarian, but there's some room for customization, as there are four heights (six, eight, 10, and 12-inch) and two feels (medium-firm, plush) to choose from.

Comfort and performance
The Amazon Basics mattress comes in two firmness levels: medium-firm and plush. For most sleepers, we recommend the medium-firm. This will provide better support for a wider range of sleep styles, helping keep your body aligned throughout the night. The plush might have a cushion-y lure, but it's only really suitable for side sleepers with a very light build. Otherwise, the lack of support might lead to an aching back.

As a cheap memory foam, we expect the mattress to sleep slightly hot. Amazon has attempted to navigate that problem by adding perforations to the middle foam layer. Still, we imagine warm sleepers will do better with the Siena (#1).

Value for money
With a 10-inch queen coming in at around $300, this fits comfortably into the budget category. Amazon does offer a 100-day returns policy, but the mattress must be in its original condition, so we're not sure whether you'll be able to claim your refund if you've spent a few nights on the bed. Also, availability can be an issue, with the most popular sizes regularly out of stock.

Best cheap mattress for RVs

The Dreamfoam Essential (previously known as the Chill) comes in a huge choice of sizes and depths, ranging from six to 14 inches, and including RV mattress sizes. The thinner, cheaper options offer a firm support for stomach and back sleepers, while the breathable foam is appealing during those long summer nights in a stuffy RV.

Design
The design of the Dreamfoam Essential depends partly on the thickness. Go for a thinner option – six, eight, or 10-inch – and you'll get two foam layers: a cushioned gel foam top and a base of high-density foam for support. Upgrade to a 12- or 14-inch mattress, and you'll get another layer included – a middle transition layer that provides extra contouring. 

Comfort and performance
The Dreamfoam Essential comes in a variety of heights, with the height dictating the firmness. It works like this: the thinner the mattress, the firmer the feel. So the six-inch bed is firm for stomach and back sleepers, while the 14-inch mattress offers a softer surface for lightweight side sleepers. However, reviews indicate that the Dreamfoam is typically firmer than labelled. Our tester can back this up, as they tried the 10-inch, which is rated 6/10, but felt 7/10 was more accurate.

Although a cheaper all-foam build, the Dreamfoam Essential offers good breathability, meaning even warm sleepers should keep comfortable. However, the edge support is less impressive, with the perimeter compressing as you push against it. This isn't unexpected from a memory foam bed, but it's still worth noting. If you struggle with mobility, the Siena (#1) has more supportive edges.

Value for money
Here's where things get a little complicated. While the six and eight-inch mattresses are budget buys, anything thicker and you're in the lower mid-range price bracket. We wouldn't recommend these thinner mattresses for regular use. However, the Dreamfoam Essential comes with a massive amount of sizing options, including RV sizes. If you're kitting out a motor home for occasionally use, the thinner foam shouldn't cause too much back ache, so you can really make a saving – a six-inch RV bunk is often discounted to less than $300.

• Read more: Dreamfoam Essential mattress review

Best cheap mattress for back sleepers

The Layla Essential is a memory foam mattress that will appeal to a fairly specific type of sleeper. If you're a back sleeper with the bed to themselves, the light contouring and bouncy feel might be just right. However, the thinner build and poor motion transfer mean this mattress won't be for everyone.

Design
The Layla Essential has a basic two-layer all-foam design. At the top sits a dense layer of breathable memory foam and at the base is a thicker layer of support foam. At just nine inches deep, the Layla Essential is shorter than we normally recommend for an adult sleeper. However, the basic construction should still provide enough support for those with a light build.

In addition, the Layla Essential comes with a removable and washable cover. This is pretty unusual for a budget mattress, so if you prioritize easy cleaning, it's one to consider. For the rest, make sure to invest in one of our best mattress protectors (and it's worth adding one to the Layla as well, in case of big spills).

Comfort and performance
Layla gives this mattress a medium-firm rating, while our tester leaned towards medium, rating it 6/10. The memory foam provides a light 'hug' sensation, contouring to the body to offer pressure relief. Our tester found it most supportive for back sleeping, while the thinner build didn't provide enough cushioning for side sleeping. (Side sleepers might prefer the Zinus Green Tea at #3.)

The Layla Essential almost flips the script when it comes to cheap memory foam beds. Foam normally does a good job at absorbing movement and, unfortunately, heat. The Layla did the opposite: it was breathable and cool, but any movement traveled across the bed. If you share with a partner, consider the Siena (#1) instead.

Value for money
Before we get into pricing, it's worth covering how you find the Layla Essential on the Layla site. It's not under the 'mattresses' tab. Instead, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page – keep going, keep going – and there it is, under the 'Shop' heading.

Now we've got that out of the way, let's talk pricing. Typically $499 for a queen, the Layla is good value for money for a certain kind of sleeper. If you're a back sleeper with the bed to themselves, the low price, 120-night trial, and 10-year warranty will makes this an appealing choice. However, If you don't fit into that sweet apot, there are better options on this list.

• Read more: Layla Essential mattress review

Best cheap Casper mattress

The Casper Snug comes with the reliability of a well-known brand name, but the thinner build of this all-foam design means it might be best suited for a child's bedroom or a guest room. 

Design
The simple design features two foam layers: a 'breathable top foam' and a base of 'durable support foam', and Casper says it has a 'firm' feel. At eight inches tall, the Snug is definitely on the thinner side. That's good news if you need something easily transportable, but is best suited to lightweight adults, teens or children. (We typically recommend a minimum of 10 inches for most adults.) Other than that, there's not much information to go on.

Comfort and performance
Hunting for the best cheap mattress often leads to having to make a judgement call as to whether you can trust this mysterious bed brand with just three reviews. This isn't a worry with the Snug, as Casper is already a well-established and trusted sleep brand.  When you buy the Snug, you are getting the benefit of the research and testing Casper does for its premium mattresses.

How does this translate to experience? Casper describes the mattress as 'firm' which we typically recommend for back and stomach sleepers – the best mattresses for side sleepers have more cushioning at the pressure points. However, reviews indicate that if you have an average or heavier build, you might find the Casper lacks support. The majority of positive reviews recommend the Snug for teenagers, children, or guest rooms, which tracks with the thinner build.

Value for money
The Snug has a tendency to disappear from the Casper website, but you can usually find it on third-party retailers such as Amazon (where you'll also find the budget-friendly but slightly more expensive Casper Element). Regardless of where you buy it, a queen Snug typically costs around $400, with the cheapest price often via Casper, even though it's rarely included in the Casper sales. But for this low price, you sacrifice some extras – it's a final sale item, which means no mattress trial.

Best cheap mattress under $250 for a queen

The IKEA Hasvåg mattress is a hybrid bed with a utilitarian design. Its biggest selling point is the price, with a queen only $249. Super affordable, but be aware that the performance matches the price range.

Design
The IKEA Hasvåg has a basic hybrid design, combining a layer of innerspring coils with a top layer of cushioning PU foam (note that it doesn't use memory foam). There's only one depth option, and it's just over eight inches, which is thinner than we usually recommend for adults. It's undeniably basic, and if you can stretch to a bit more, the Allswell Hybrid at #2 looks to be a much better prospect all round.

Comfort and performance
As a hybrid model, even a cheap one, we expect the IKEA Hasvåg to have a breathable design. There's plenty of room for air to circulate around the coils, preventing you from overheating. However, those same coils are also likely to lead to poor motion isolation. If you share a bed with a restless sleeper, expect to feel them move.

There are also some questions of durability. Over time, that top layer of foam is likely to become worn down, while the springs might start to creak. This lack of durability coupled with the light, moveable build might make this a good stop-gap mattress – an affordable alternative to the best mattress protectors while you save money for a better bed.

Value for money
With a queen costing just $249, the IKEA Hasvåg is cheaper than all our best queen size mattress picks. It's a fantastic price for a rolled mattress and you’ll have 90 nights to exchange your mattress for a new one, if the feel isn't right. This isn't a great exchange policy, but for a mattress this cheap, it's hard to complain.

The Linenspa Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress is one of the cheapest hybrids on the market, and if you're in need of an affordable bed with decent temperature regulation, it could well be a good fit. However, the thin foam top layer offers very little pressure relief, making this bed best suited to children or adults with a lightweight build.

Design
Linenspa describes this mattress as a 'memory foam and innerspring hybrid', which is quite a mouthful. It's essentially a spring mattress with a built-in mattress topper, combining tempered steel coils with a layer of comfort foam and a layer of quilted memory foam. There are three height options to choose from – eight-, 10-, and 12-inch – and if you're shopping for an adult, we recommend choosing 10-inch or above. For someone younger, you might be able to get away with an eight-inch depth – which is one of the reasons this is among the best mattresses for college students.

Comfort and performance
The coil-heavy design of the Linenspa means it has excellent airflow, making it one of the best cooling mattresses on this list. However, those same coils are also responsible for the potentially bouncy feel of the mattress. While that can make it easier to move about, if your partner tosses and turns, you're likely to feel it.

Our tester recommends this mattress for lightweight stomach sleepers (they tried the eight-inch depth). The lack of cushioning means most side sleepers are likely to find it exacerbates any shoulder pain – the Zinus Green Tea at #3 is better if you lie on your side. And if you have an average or heavier build, it's best to steer clear. The foam offers little resistance, meaning it might feel like you're lying directly on the coils.

Value for money
A 10-inch queen costs $319, although Linenspa often offers discount codes when you visit their site. The 30-day return policy isn't great, but that's not unusual for a budget buy. However, while the Linenspa Hybrid Memory Foam mattress is certainly cheap, it isn't necessarily good value for money. The Allswell (#2) is a better hybrid mattress overall, and only a fraction more expensive.

• Read more: Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress review

How to choose the best cheap mattress

When choosing the best affordable mattress for you, there are three specific things to consider: what position do you prefer sleeping in, do you share your bed, and do you have any specific health issues that impact your quality and duration of sleep? 

For example, if you share with a restless sleeper, we recommend a cheap mattress with good motion isolation so you are less disturbed by their tossing and turning. That gives you a better chance of sleeping through the night.

Hot sleepers are better off with an affordable mattress that contains cooling materials. The Siena Memory Foam Mattress, while not a proper cooling bed, uses a specific type of foam to promote airflow to help you sleep cooler. The Brooklyn Bedding Chill takes this a step further with open-cell foam and ActivCharcoal to keep your mattress cooler and fresher, which is great if you overheat and sweat at night.

For couples and bed sharers, look for decent edge support so that you can spread out and make the most of your mattress. Because of the focus on a lower price, affordable mattresses won't have the robust edge support of premium beds, but the Linenspa has stronger edge support than cheaper rivals.

In terms of firmness, medium-firm suits most people, while side sleepers are best-suited to a medium or softer mattress, and stomach and back sleepers are better supported when sleeping on firmer surfaces.

If you decide you want something that will last much longer, take a look at our Saatva Classic mattress review that we compiled after three weeks of testing. The Classic is an exceptional hybrid that comes with a lifetime warranty.