The 4 Best Mattresses Under $300

• Best soft mattress under $300: Wayfair Sleep 10-inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress
• Best queen mattress under $300: Linenspa Essentials 8-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress
• Best cooling mattress under $300: Linenspa Essentials AlwaysCool 10-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress
• Best hybrid mattress under $300: Wayfair Sleep 9-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

Finding the right mattress can be a daunting task, no matter your budget. But a tight budget can complicate your search since mattresses can get pretty expensive. You’ll find plenty of options under $1,000, but that’s still a significant chunk of money — an amount not everyone can afford.

The good news is that inexpensive mattresses do exist. If you’re already on the hunt, a few options might have jumped out at you already. But you may have a few concerns about their safety, construction, or durability.

It’s true that cheaper mattresses can fall short of what most people would consider good quality. Still, finding a decent mattress under $300 may not be as impossible as it seems. Our top picks can make your search a little easier.

To find the best budget mattresses, we considered four main criteria:

• Price. We focused primarily on mattress price. Every mattress on this list has a base price of $300 or less.
• Customer reviews. Reviews can provide a lot of insight into how a mattress will hold up, so we took a look at what other shoppers had to say about these mattresses. They have all received an average rating of at least 4.5 stars.
• Company reputation and transparency. When making our recommendations, we look for mattresses from reputable brands that follow federal safety practices and have good business ratings.
• Company policies. These mattresses all come with warranties and, with one exception, at-home sleep trials. Most reputable mattress brands offer sleep trials, but this is one benefit you might sacrifice when purchasing an inexpensive mattress.

Pricing guide

Unless otherwise specified, we’ve given prices for twin mattresses. Here’s how we broke down those prices:

• $ = under $200
• $$ = $200–$250
• $$$ = $251–$300

Best soft mattress under $300

Wayfair Sleep 10-inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress

• Price: $$
• Type: memory foam
• Height: 10 inches
• Firmness: plush
• Trial length: 100 nights
• Shipping and returns: free shipping and returns

Need a mattress that cushions you? This Wayfair exclusive might offer the cloud-like comfort you’re looking for.

Three layers of foam offer support and pressure relief, while the gel-infused top layer helps create the hugging sensation many side sleepers prefer. Several reviewers claim this mattress helped relieve back and neck pain and improved their sleep right away.

Ventilation helps keep air moving through the mattress as you sleep, but a few reviewers say it can feel a little warm.

While several side sleepers say this mattress offers just the right level of softness and support, stomach sleepers might find this mattress too warm and too soft. As one review notes, it may also take time for back sleepers to adjust to the plush feel.

For the most part, reviewers love this mattress, praising the value for the price and the lack of chemical smells after unboxing. Since Wayfair offers a 100-night sleep trial, you’ll have a few months to make sure it’s right for you.

Best queen mattress under $300

Linenspa Essentials 8-Inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

• Price: $
• Type: hybrid
• Height: 8 inches
• Firmness: medium
• Trial length: 100 nights
• Shipping and returns: free shipping

Linenspa, known for affordable, no-frills mattresses, offers one basic hybrid option to consider.

Hybrid mattresses offer a good middle ground between innerspring and foam mattresses. This can be helpful for people who need something a little softer than traditional coils but more supportive than just foam.

In this medium-firm mattress, the layer of memory foam over its supportive coil base is designed to provide body-contouring comfort. Some reviewers say this 8-inch mattress didn’t provide enough support, while others say it felt too firm.

This mattress has more than 15,000 reviews on Wayfair, and a good majority of reviewers give it a 5-star rating. In general, reviewers call this a comfortable mattress that offers solid (but not hard) support at a great price. Several reviewers even note this mattress helped with their low back and neck pain.

Best cooling mattress under $300

Linenspa Essentials AlwaysCool 10-Inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

• Price: $$
• Type: hybrid
• Height: 10 inches
• Firmness: medium
• Trial length: 100 nights
• Shipping and returns: free shipping and returns

Research from 2018 shows that overheating at night can reduce sleep quality, so if you can’t cool off, you might find yourself tossing and turning and having a hard time getting the rest you need. In recognition of this concern, many brands now offer mattresses designed with unique cooling technology to help you get a better night’s sleep.

Though you won’t find cooling technology in many budget mattresses, this hybrid option from Linenspa features 2 inches of cooling gel-infused memory foam over its base coils and supportive foam layer.

This gel is designed to help break up heat pockets so the mattress maintains a comfortable temperature for sleep. A few reviewers say this gel did not, in fact, keep the mattress cool, but others praise the technology and say it made a noticeable difference.

This mattress generally receives good reviews, though a few people note it lacks good edge support and motion isolation. The medium-firm surface makes it a good option for different sleeping positions, but some reviewers find it a bit too firm for their liking.

This mattress may work well for stomach sleepers, who generally need a firmer bed and often sleep warmer due to frontal body contact with the mattress.

Best hybrid mattress under $300

Wayfair Sleep 9-Inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Type: hybrid
• Height: 9 inches
• Firmness: medium
• Trial length: 100 nights
• Shipping and returns: free shipping

Not only do hybrid mattresses generally offer sturdier support than most foam mattresses, but they also tend to be more durable. Hybrid mattresses allow for more breathability, so they’re often more comfortable for people who tend to sleep hot.

Foam and softer hybrid mattresses provide a more cushiony feel, but not everyone wants to sink down into their bed. If you prefer to rest securely on top or like a firm feel, you’ll probably want to stick with a firmer hybrid, like this medium option.

Some reviewers note this mattress is firmer than they expected, though many call it comfortable and supportive in spite of its firmness.

The pocketed coils in this mattress help reduce motion transfer — an important feature when you share a bed with a partner — while memory foam provides essential pressure relief.

Several reviewers even say this mattress helped provide immediate relief from back pain. Sure, it’s a fairly basic option. But sometimes, simplicity is all you need.

If you have a strict shopping budget, you’ll probably pay more attention to price than anything else. Still, it’s helpful to take note of other mattress characteristics.

Mattress type

Mattresses come in three main varieties: innerspring, foam, and hybrid. Innerspring mattresses have become somewhat of a rarity as hybrid mattresses have grown in popularity.

Side sleepers and people who prefer softer mattresses may prefer foam. People who sleep hot or need back and stomach support may prefer a firmer hybrid.

Since hybrids offer more support, they may also be a better option for people who weigh over 230 pounds. If you’re really trying to save, though, keep in mind that hybrids often cost a bit more.

Materials

You likely won’t find the highest quality materials in the cheapest mattresses.

For example, instead of cotton and wool, you may find polyester blends in your mattress cover. Instead of latex or specially designed foam, your mattress will likely contain polyurethane memory foam.

This isn’t necessarily bad, especially when companies are transparent about product materials and meet safety regulations. But it’s still something to consider.

Mattress performance

You’ll also want to consider what benefits you need from your mattress.

For example, many lower priced options have poor motion isolation — especially hybrids with continuous coils, which are connected and move as one unit. So, if you sleep with a partner and already wake up every time they turn over, an inexpensive hybrid might not be a good option.

Restless sleepers, take note: Cheaper mattresses can also lack good edge support. You might end up feeling in constant danger of rolling right out of bed.

Cooling technology is also hard to come by at this price point.

Company policies

It’s always a good idea to take advantage of at-home sleep trials since you won’t know how you’ll sleep on a mattress without trying it out. All of our picks include an at-home trial, as Wayfair offers 100-night trials through their site.

Just know many budget mattress brands won’t offer these trials. This is especially true when they sell through Amazon or other third-party retailers.

Your mattress should also come with a warranty. Most reputable brands will back their products for at least 10 years. Read the warranty before purchasing since you might void it if you don’t set up your mattress in a certain way.

Inexpensive doesn’t always mean cheaply made, but many budget mattresses can’t compare with their higher priced counterparts.

Basic isn’t always bad, of course. You may not need a luxurious mattress with extra features. Still, you might miss out on some important benefits of higher priced options, such as:

• longer sleep trials
• longer warranties
• natural, sustainably sourced materials
• longer mattress life span
• better durability and support
• higher quality construction

The mattresses we’ve recommended do meet specific flammability criteria, and they’re also CertiPUR-US certified. This certification means the foam used meets U.S. air quality standards: It’s made without toxic chemicals or ozone-depleting components and is verified as having low emissions. This may not be the case for every mattress you find, however.

If you have allergies or sensitivities, note that the foam and other materials in your mattress may cause congestion and breathing difficulties. This makes it even more important to opt for a mattress with a trial period.

The mattresses we’ve recommended have a base price of $300 or less. In other words, our recommendations don’t account for sales. You may find many more options at similar prices or lower, depending on when you look. The holiday season is always a great time to shop.

You might also find older models of quality brands on Amazon and similar sites. If you’re buying in person, consider outlet stores, clearance sections, and other discounts. You might be able to negotiate for a lower price.

Try to avoid buying a used mattress whenever possible, but consider that some retailers (both online and brick-and-mortar) may offer open-box discounts for products that were returned but never used.

If your mattress is the same height and size as your current one, you may not necessarily need new sheets and bedding. You can also save money by purchasing a mattress that doesn’t need a box spring.

Which mattress is the highest quality?

There are a number of manufacturers making high quality queen-size mattresses for around $1,000, but your options are more limited when your price point drops. If you’re looking to spend less than $300 on a mattress of that size, Wayfair Sleep and Linenspa are brands worth considering.

Which affordable mattress is best for back pain?

Memory foam and hybrid mattresses may offer good options for back pain because they may offer cushioning comfort to pressure points while also maintaining spinal alignment. All-foam and hybrid options are each available at affordable price points.

Finding the right firmness for your preference can also play a role. A mattress that’s too soft may not offer the support you need for proper alignment. A medium-firm mattress is typically a good option.

Are any mattresses under $300 good quality?

Spending $300 or less on a mattress probably means that you’re compromising on something. It could be the life span of your mattress, its thickness, or the materials used. Still, it’s possible to find an inexpensive mattress that offers the support and comfort you need to sleep well.

If you’re shopping for a new mattress on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that there are options that provide lasting support without draining your bank account.

Low price doesn’t always mean low quality. But be sure to use the sleep trial and send your mattress back if it doesn’t work for you.

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease the stigma around mental health issues.

Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.