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- Best hybrid mattress under $1,000: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Best soft mattress under $1,000: Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress
- Best king mattress under $1,000: Tuft & Needle T&N Original Mattress
- Best overall mattress under $1,000: Nest Bedding Love & Sleep Mattress
- Best memory foam mattress under $1,000: Brentwood Home Cypress Affordable Memory Foam Mattress
Buying a mattress is typically a pretty significant investment, and higher cost usually goes hand in hand with better quality. Thankfully, the rise of the bed-in-a-box market is making mattresses more affordable and accessible.
It also means there are more mattresses than ever to choose from. It can be challenging to figure out whether an attractive price tag is too good to be true.
We’ve rounded up some of the highest rated mattresses under $1,000, so you can spend less money and time shopping and more time getting a good night’s rest.
Pros
- Offers a range of firmness level to fit your preferences
- Options for affordable add-ons to provide added comfort
- More expensive doesn’t always mean better quality
- Many come with trial periods to test them out
Cons
- Limited options for organic or natural latex material
- Tend to be less durable and more prone to sagging
- More likely to produce off-gassing smells
- Good quality yet affordable mattresses may be harder to find as they’re not often advertised
- Price. First and foremost, we made sure all our picks were under $1,000.
- Customer reviews. We also made sure all our picks have overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers who’ve actually tried them.
- Company reputation and transparency. We took care that all the products on our list are made by companies with a good reputation, and that they engage in transparent and ethical business practices.
- Company policies. We also only included mattresses that come with a lengthy in-home trial period allowing customers to try out and return the product if they’re not satisfied. All these mattresses also have a warranty of at least 10 years.
Pricing guide
Pricing is based on the queen-size version of each mattress. The exception is the category specific to a king-size mattress under $1,000.
When budgeting for a new mattress, don’t forget to consider sneaky added costs like delivery, taxes, setup fees, bedding, and other accessories. Thoroughly read through return policies to find out whether sending it back will cost you extra.
- $ = $500–$800
- $$ = $800–$999
Best hybrid mattress under $1,000
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Height: 11.5 inches
A hybrid mattress delivers the best of both worlds with an innerspring core and foam on top for extra comfort — and the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is no exception. And it gets bonus points for its budget-friendly price tag.
The mattress contains responsive foam and a cooling gel layer. Reviewers seem to agree that this hybrid model’s cooling qualities reliably wick sweat away on those sweltering nights. You can choose from multiple firmness levels and select the ideal option for your go-to sleeping position.
Best soft mattress under $1,000
Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 10 inches
This bed-in-a-box solution from a well-known mattress brand features a stretchy knit cover designed to regulate body temperature. Its triple-layer foam can adapt to body movements and sleeping positions. It’s also available in a medium-soft option that’s ideal for side sleepers.
It’s highly rated, but some reviewers were unimpressed with the model’s edge support.
Best king mattress under $1,000
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
- Price: $
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 10 inches
There are few decent king-size mattresses available for under $1,000, but we managed to find one. The T&N Original Mattress has thousands of rave reviews. The medium-firm feel is comfortable yet supportive enough to cradle your neck, back, and shoulders. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty, and you can try it out for 100 nights.
Best overall mattress under $1,000
Nest Bedding Love & Sleep Mattress
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 10 inches
With thousands of positive reviews and an affordable price tag, the Love & Sleep mattress steals the top spot on our list. It’s Greenguard Gold certified and features high density foam, which means it’s durable. Reviewers love this mattress and say it’s the best available for this price point.
You can choose between either a firm or medium feel, but both firmness levels should provide the same cooling effect. While some people found the surface too firm, you can decide for yourself by trying it out for 100 nights.
Best memory foam mattress under $1,000
Brentwood Home Cypress Affordable Memory Foam Mattress
- Price: $
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 11 inches
Both versions of the Cypress mattress (all foam or hybrid) are well under $1,000. The foam is CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified. The mattress is protected by natural flame retardants and contains OEKO-TEX standard 100 certified wool.
You can take up to a year to sleep test the Cypress mattress, and it comes with a 25-year warranty. The company also donates a portion of its profits for every mattress sold to the National Forest Foundation.
When you’re shopping for a low cost mattress, you may have to skip a few of your wish list features. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a careful and considerate shopper.
Here’s what to keep in mind when mattress shopping on a budget:
Mattress type
There are a bunch of mattresses types to choose from, but foam models tend to be the cheapest of the bunch. Look for a mattress with higher density foam if you’re opting for an all-foam model. It’s known to be more durable.
Some companies also achieve a similar feel to high density foam by stacking multiple layers of lower density foams. You can sometimes find hybrid models under $1,000, but they usually come with the highest price tag.
Materials
Budget mattresses won’t contain luxury materials, and you’d be hard-pressed to find organic options in this price range. However, there’s often the option to select add-ons, like a pillow top, for a minimal additional cost.
Mattresses at this price point won’t be as durable as pricier models. However, it’s still possible to find a quality product in this price range.
Firmness
Because it’s more a question of preference than anything else, you’ll likely have a wide range of firmness level choices even at a budget price point.
Keep in mind that a firmer mattress doesn’t necessarily provide more support. Medium-firm mattresses — which have some give — are typically more supportive and pressure relieving than a hard mattress.
Motion isolation
This is an essential consideration if you’re sharing a bed with someone else. Mattresses with good motion isolation prevent you from feeling your partner’s nocturnal or early morning movements. Foam mattresses tend to be great at isolating movement.
Cooling
Temperature control is of particular importance if you sleep hot. A poorly ventilated mattress surface that does a crappy job of wicking away sweat can leave you feeling damp and uncomfortable throughout the night.
If this tends to be a problem for you, consider avoiding memory foam because it tends to trap heat, and always check out customer reviews to verify if the mattress actually stays cool.
Try before you buy
Regardless of the mattress model you settle on, it’s super important that you try before you buy. We don’t recommend buying a mattress from a company that doesn’t let you test it out for at least a few months.
Most reputable companies offer lengthy trial periods so you can decide whether a mattress is right for you. There’s nothing that quite compares to testing a mattress in the comfort of your own home.
While it’s not totally true that high quality mattresses have to cost a ton of money, there are some potential downsides to a tight budget you should consider.
Off-gassing
Your brand new mattress-in-a-box has arrived on your doorstep. You lug it to your bedroom only to discover a pungent chemical smell emanating from the just-opened box. This is what’s called off-gassing.
It happens due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside of foam materials. Cheaper mattresses are more likely to produce off-gassing smells. To avoid exposure to these fumes, check for mattresses with CertiPUR-US certified foam.
Less durability
It’s unfortunate, but lower priced mattresses tend to be less durable than more expensive models because of the materials used to make them. Lower foam densities used in construction make budget mattresses prone to sagging and premature wear and tear.
Look for a company that offers a solid warranty that covers sagging and body indentations.
More expensive mattresses are made using materials that not only cost more (like spring coils, higher density foams, and latex foams), but are also known for increasing a mattress’s longevity.
Mattresses under $1,000 are typically less durable because of the materials used to keep prices down (like all-foam construction, lower density foams, and synthetic foams), but many of those listed above come with the same warranty periods as their pricier counterparts.
While you won’t find a luxury-style mattress fit with a pillow top and organic materials under $1,000, you can definitely snag a quality model that offers a comfortable sleep surface.
But keep in mind that the lower the cost, the higher the risk of ending up with a mattress that can’t handle your weight and causes more problems than it solves.
Notice an attractive price tag? Steer clear of very thin mattresses (under 6 inches). They tend to sag quickly and offer poor support.
You’ll want to avoid mattresses made with a single layer of low density foam. Always read reviews to see how others genuinely feel about their mattress purchase.
Save on extra costs like bedding and add-ons by purchasing them at the same time as your mattress. Most mattress companies offer great deals on bedding bundles.
Regardless of the time of year, there’s bound to be at least one company having a sale, but you’ll see the biggest discounts with holiday sales.
And always, always, always check for a coupon code before you hit checkout. Do a quick Google search or quickly scan the header or footer of the mattress company website for any discount codes.
What type of mattress is the most budget-friendly?
You can still buy inexpensive mattresses in a variety of types, but ones with all foam or innerspring mattresses usually have the lowest price. Hybrid mattresses can cost more, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get 5 to 7 years out of this type of mattress.
Are there mattresses under $1,000 that are worth it?
What’s considered a good mattress varies due to your preference when it comes to sleep. While a high end mattress is appealing, you may find you get the best sleep with a less expensive mattress.
Of course, if you have your eye on one that’s out of your price range, wait for the sale, or watch for coupons. As long as you can sleep comfortably without pain, you might find an inexpensive mattress suits your needs perfectly.
How long should my mattress last?
Taking care of your mattress can extend its life span. You might want to consider a mattress protector to not only prevent stains on the mattress, but also to provide a barrier against dust and other allergens. This can help prolong its use.
Mattresses don’t expire, but they should last about 7 to 10 years for an innerspring, and 10 years or longer for a hybrid or latex mattress. Your best indicator is how your body feels after sleeping on it, or whether it’s starting to feel lumpy.
How can you make a budget-friendly mattress more comfortable?
Even if you need to get the cheapest mattress, there are a few things you can do to make the most out of it and ensure a good night’s sleep. These include:
- adding a mattress topper for added cushion
- using a breathable, cooling mattress protector
- choosing a mattress for your sleep type (firmer for back and stomach sleepers, softer for side sleepers)
- sleeping with a body pillow, or a pillow between your knees
- flipping your mattress to help it wear evenly
Buying a mattress doesn’t have to break the bank, but before you start shopping, you should know what to expect out of a budget mattress.
Avoid ultra-cheap deals. They’re often too good to be true. Opt for mattresses that come with a trial period, do your research by reading reviews, and carefully read about the contents and materials in a mattress before you buy.