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When it comes to quality sleep, your mattress plays a pretty important role.

But that doesn’t mean you have to shell out tons of cash to buy a comfortable bed that supports good rest. These eight mattresses under $500 provide a cozy place to sleep at night without putting a major dent in your bank account.

Every mattress featured on this list meets high standards. Here’s what we looked for:

  • Safety. Each mattress meets federal flammability requirements.
  • Quality and brand reputation. You won’t find disease-prevention or other wild health claims on the brands’ sites. Each brand is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, if they have a profile.
  • Material certifications. We prioritized picks with third-party safety certifications, like CertiPUR-US.
  • Company policies. Where possible, we looked for brands that offer sleep trials and good warranties.
  • Customer reviews. Comfort is subjective, but we took a look at reviews and only recommended mattresses that are highly rated.

Pricing guide

Prices are based on queen-size mattresses. While no mattress on this list is over $500, some are much less.

  • $ = under $300
  • $$ = $300–$400
  • $$$ = over $400

Best memory foam mattress under $500

Wayfair Sleep 8-Inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: Foam
  • Height: 8 inches

With this mattress, you get three layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam, wrapped up in a polyester cover. The foam is designed to feel soft with a medium level of firmness.

It’s also designed to be breathable to prevent becoming too hot at night.

The company says the mattress’s build and materials offer low motion transfer, so partners who toss and turn won’t wake each other up.

This bed comes in a box and needs 72 hours to expand. With your purchase, you’ll get a 10-year limited warranty and a 100-night sleep trial.

Buy the Wayfair Sleep 8-Inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best latex mattress under $500

Linenspa 10-Inch Latex Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: Latex hybrid
  • Height: 10 inches

Mix latex and foam with buoyant coils and you get this responsive bed. The durable construction and medium firmness are designed so you won’t feel your partner moving and for full support underneath your entire body.

The edges are reinforced, so you can sit on the sides without sinking too far down.

Reviewers of all sleeping positions — side, back, stomach, or combination — say it’s comfy and supportive.

Test it for 100 nights to see how you sleep. If you experience any defects, there’s a 10-year warranty to back up your purchase.

Buy the Linenspa 10-Inch Latex Hybrid Mattress online.

Best hybrid mattress under $500

Lucid 12-Inch Bamboo Charcoal and Aloe Vera Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Foam hybrid
  • Height: 12 inches

Individually wrapped coils form the bottom layer of this mattress, while supportive CertiPUR-US certified foam sits on top.

Below the mattress’s cover, there’s foam infused with bamboo and charcoal, meant to minimize odors and wick away wetness. Together, these layers are made to give the mattress a softer feel.

Simply unroll the mattress onto your frame and give it time to expand. Like many mattresses that incorporate foam, there may be off-gassing (new mattress smell) for the first day or so. However, some reviewers note that the smell lingers well beyond that.

With your purchase, you get a 10-year warranty. There is no trial period, but Amazon allows refunds within the first 30 days of your purchase.

Buy the Lucid 12-Inch Bamboo Charcoal and Aloe Vera Hybrid Mattress online.

Best firm mattress under $500

Sealy Response Essentials 8.5-Inch Firm Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Foam hybrid
  • Height: 8.5 inches

For those seeking a little more support and a firmer feel, this Sealy mattress might meet your standards. It has two layers of foam designed for stability and a coil system for a firmness that’s not too stiff.

The company says the mattress’s foam construction allows for breathability, while a moisture-wicking finish keeps you comfortable through the night.

To finish, you get reinforced edges and a 10-year limited warranty. If you buy from MattressFirm, you also get a 120-night sleep trial.

Buy the Sealy Response Essentials 8.5-Inch Firm Mattress online.

Best plush mattress under $500

Sealy Response Essentials 10.5-Inch Plush Tight Top Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Innerspring
  • Height: 10.5 inches

If a plush, pillow-like mattress is more your style, you might like this mattress from Sealy. The innerspring construction is made to help you feel supported without sinking into the mattress, like you might on other memory foam mattresses.

An inch of air foam on top provides softness while enhancing airflow, the manufacturer notes. Most reviewers comment that it’s nice and comfortable for the price.

You can sleep on it for 100 nights to make sure you’re comfortable, and the mattress comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

Buy the Sealy Response Essentials 10.5-Inch Plush Tight Top Mattress online.

Best cooling mattress under $500

Classic Brands Cool Gel Ultimate 14-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Gel foam
  • Height: 14 inches

The stretch knit fabric on top of this mattress is made to help you feel great as you sleep.

The cooling, CertiPUR-US certified gel-infused memory foam is designed to help regulate your body temperature at night, so you don’t wake up in a sweat. It also conforms to your body shape for a medium-soft feel.

With this purchase, you also get two standard memory foam plush pillows.

While there isn’t a trial period, Amazon offers refunds within 30 days if you don’t like the mattress. It also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Classic Brands Cool Gel Ultimate 14-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best pillow top mattress under $500

Wayfair Sleep 13-Inch Plush Pillow Top Innerspring Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Innerspring
  • Height: 13 inches

This mattress is made of hypoallergenic materials, including a coil base and a pillow top, which the company says feels extra plush. On top, there’s a polyester designed to maximize breathability, so you sleep through the night.

Satisfied reviewers note that the pillow top provides softness while still offering good support.

You can test out this mattress for 100 nights before you decide to keep or return for a refund. With your purchase, you also get a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Wayfair Sleep 13-Inch Plush Pillow Top Innerspring Mattress online.

Best budget mattress under $500

Olee Sleep Aquarius 10-Inch Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: Foam
  • Height: 10 inches

With more than 10,000 reviews on Amazon, this memory foam mattress averages 4.6 out of 5 stars.

The medium-firm feel is made to offer support while you sleep, without getting too soft or too firm. There’s also a cooling gel top layer designed to keep you from overheating.

It’s easy to set up: Simply unbox and unroll, then remove the plastic. It’ll be good to sleep on after 72 hours.

This mattress also has a CertiPUR-US certification, meaning it’s free of harsh chemicals.

Olee Sleep offers a 10-year limited warranty. If you’re not happy with your purchase, you can take advantage of Amazon’s 30-day refund policy.

Buy the Olee Sleep Aquarius 10-Inch Memory Foam Mattress online.

Although mattresses are usually pretty expensive, you can find options that are much less. There are still a few things you’ll want to keep in mind so you’re not skimping on quality.

Materials

You can find inexpensive foam, hybrid, and innerspring options. Memory foam lets you sink in and cradles you, which some people love. But if you’re looking for something springier, consider a hybrid or innerspring mattress.

Firmness

You’ll also want to determine whether you prefer catching Zzz’s on a firm or soft mattress, or one that falls somewhere in between.

If you sleep on your stomach or back, try a firm mattress. If you sleep on your side, you may want to opt for something softer.

Trial periods and warranties

The best way to know if a mattress works for you is to sleep on it. Look for one with a long sleep trial that lets you return the mattress if you don’t like it.

Additionally, since your mattress should last for years to come, the International Chiropractors Association recommends purchasing one with a warranty of at least 10 years.

Height

When it comes to budget picks, some mattresses may be on the thinner side. You may want to consider something that’s a little thicker so it lasts you longer.

Finding a comfy mattress is important for a good night’s rest. But you don’t need to spend a ton of money. Try one of our eight picks, and you’ll be well on your way to dreamland with your wallet still intact.

Mallory Creveling, a New York City-based freelance writer, has been covering health, fitness, and nutrition for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in publications like Women’s Health, Men’s Journal, Self, Runner’s World, Health, and Shape, where she previously held a staff role. She also worked as an editor at Daily Burn and Family Circle magazine. Mallory, a certified personal trainer, also works with private fitness clients in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Originally from Allentown, PA, she graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.