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A mattress is a big ticket item that only requires replacing every few years.

Here’s my experience sleeping on a cheap mattress, and how to get good sleep for less.

Siena Memory Foam Mattress unboxing

How much does a mattress cost?

Mattress pricingis a ‘how long is a piece of string’ situation, there’s that much variety.

Exploring clearance sales or sacrificing can get you a queen size mattress for cheaper but shop with caution.

Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress: was from $399$249 at Zinus

By cutting down on store costs, thebest mattresses in a boxoffer quality for less.

Last year I tested the popular (and affordable) Zinus Mattress.

And that’s the issue with most budget beds.

A 50lb weight resting oin the Zinus Green tea Memory Foam Mattress, showing noticable sink

While they can deliver comfort for less, in the long-term, you might wish you’d paid more.

Budget mattresses are an expanding market, so there are ample options to meet your immediate sleep needs.

But a lack of support can be a problem in the long-term for inexpensive mattresses.

Siena Memory Foam Mattress temperature control test

Regular use causes mattress materials to soften and sag.

Your body then sinks into these dips, causing the spine to twist and putting pressure on the muscles.

Budget mattresses use cheaper materials that often lack durability.

A woman sits on the edge of the Siena Memory Foam Mattress in a bedroom

If you often experience back pain, thebest hybrid mattressesuse springs to provide a stable and secure base.

How does it compare to more expensive mattresses?

This is linked to the quality of materials, as budget beds will often choose comfortable but cost-effective fabrics.

1. Siena Memory Foam Mattress: was from $529 $179 at Siena

When a mattress starts to sag it loses support and your body pays the price.

Even thebest luxury mattresswon’t feel comfortable if you don’t consider your sleep position and build.

A mattress trial is a set period of time to test the bed at home.

2. Allswell 10" Hybrid Mattress: $194 at Walmart

In other words, still in the box.

The industry standard is 10 years, but for a budget bed, you might expect a shorter warranty.

These low-cost options appear on third-party retailers and offer sleep at a rock bottom price.

3. The Essential by Layla mattress:was from $549$249 at Layla

For the most part, I recommend giving these brands a miss.

3 mattresses under $500 for a queen to shop today

1.

A hand feels a cheap mattress under $100 for a queen to see if it�s worth buying.

A cheap mattress on a bed frame

We test the best cheap mattress, the Siena Memory Foam, to find out if its good value

A couple go mattress shopping together

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

Bed bugs

The Saatva Murphy Bed Mattress on a Murphy bed frame lying flat, in a bedroom

The image shows the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology pillow on the left and the Coop Cool+ pillow on the right in a side by side comparison

A child lying on their side covering their eyes in bed

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor test drive review.

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Garmin Vivoactive 6 in emerald green with the Morning Report shown on the screen

2025 Toyota bZ4X at New York Auto Show.

MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) on a patio table