The Best Cheap Mattress
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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Good sleep is correlated with a longer, happier and healthier life, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (and supported by statistics from the agency’s CDC division). Government agencies are careful not to recommend products within the $70B sleep-aid industry*, however, the non-profit National Sleep Foundation offers this frank advice: “Sleep on a comfortable mattress.”
*The sleep-aid industry is massive and loosely regulated. Some products have legitimate scientific merit, like cotton sheets and weighted blankets. Others are often marketed with scare tactics, like CPAP cleaners. And worst of all, some sleep aids are outright dangerous, like weighted eye masks.
Which Type of Mattress Is Best?
Mattresses come in many varieties: foam, gel, spring, water, air and latex among them. The “best” type of mattress depends on how a person is positioned in bed, according to the American Sleep Association. Here are the best mattress types for each sleep position:
- Side Sleepers — Memory foam, latex or hybrid mattresses
- Stomach Sleepers — Innerspring mattresses
- Back Sleepers — Latex and foam mattresses
- Combination Sleepers — Latex and foam mattresses
Nevertheless, clinical research suggests that the firmness of a mattress is more important than the material it is made from. A medium-firm mattress “is optimal for promoting sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment, according to a review of clinical sleep trials from 2000 to 2015.
How Much Does a Good Mattress Cost?
A traditional queen-sized mattress sells for an average price of $1,534, based on the MSRP of 115 bestsellers sold in retail stores. However, many “mattresses in a box” are significantly cheaper. A good queen-size mattress-in-a-box (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $341, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same mattresses cost around $278 while on sale: an average discount of 18%. This data also suggests that Wayfair is the best place to buy a mattress online.
What Is CertiPUR-US Certification?
CertiPUR-US is an independent, third-party testing lab that tests foam products for heavy metals, EPA-banned flame retardants and chemicals that hurt indoor air quality. But, a certification seal doesn’t necessarily mean that a mattress is “safe” or “non-toxic.” In fact, many certified mattresses use a non-chemical flame retardant that can be equally dangerous: fiberglass.
How to Clean a Foam Mattress Without Exposing Fiberglass
Never unzip the outer cover of a foam mattress. Many foam mattresses contain a protective insert that is made of glass fibers. These fibers can cause respiratory issues, itching and other allergy-like reactions, according to the National Library of Medicine. To keep a mattress clean without exposing the fiberglass “fire sock” within, consider using a waterpoof mattress pad.
Here are the best affordable queen-sized mattresses that are at least 10-inches deep (and CertiPUR-US certified, if made of foam).
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find queen mattresses with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any mattress with a price above the mid-point.
To find mattresses with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Models with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 5% of the analyzed products remain.
Serta Alverson 11.5" Firm Innerspring Mattress
Good Value: $459 | Great Deal: $435
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Trial Period: 100 Days (via Wayfair)
Warranty: 10 Years
Serta’s affordable innerspring mattress is firm, lightweight and it sleeps cool, according to several customers. Some reviewers say this mattress is firmer than they expected (and opted to use a plush mattress topper).
Sealy Response Essentials 10" Firm Innerspring Mattress
Good Value: $350 | Great Deal: $200
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Trial Period: 100 Days (via Wayfair)
Warranty: 5 Years
This Sealy mattress is comfortable, supportive and silent, according to several customers, some of whom compare it to a hotel-style mattress. Some reviewers say that this mattress is more “medium” than firm.
Sleep Innovations Marley 12-inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Good Value: $446 | Great Deal: $295
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Trial Period: N/A
Warranty: 10 Years
This inexpensive queen mattress is cool, extra firm and odor-free, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say their mattress didn’t unfold properly; others say that soft spots develop over time.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Weekender 10-Inch Hybrid Mattress by LinenSpa
Good Value: $293 | Great Deal: $237
Trial Period: 30 Days
Warranty: 10 Years
This affordable mattress is very firm and pairs well with a plush mattress topper, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the edge of the mattress sags under pressure; others complained that their mattress softened after a few months (and no longer relieved their back pain).
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Live and Sleep Resort Queen Mattress
Good Value: $268 | Great Deal: $218
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Trial Period: 30 Days
Warranty: 20 Years
This budget mattress is surprisingly firm, comfortable and good for lower back pain, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this mattress sleeps hot; others wish the sides of the mattress didn’t sink so deeply while under pressure. Some say this mattress sags in the middle after a few years of use.
Molblly 10-Inch Queen Mattress
Good Value: $238 | Great Deal: $170
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Trial Period: N/A
Warranty: 10 Years
This mattress is well-packaged and expands quickly, though it takes a few days to air out, according to several online customers. Some reviewers who suffer from back pain say that this mattress is too firm.
Sweetnight Queen Mattress in a Box
Good Value: $466 | Great Deal: $383
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Trial Period: N/A
Warranty: 10 Years
Sweetnight’s hybrid mattress has excellent reviews overall, but there are contradictory comments: Some say it is firm; others say it is soft. Several reviewers agree that this mattress is best suited for back sleepers.
Inofia Hybrid Queen Mattress
Good Value: $312 | Great Deal: $260
Trial Period: 101 Days
Warranty: 10 Years
Inofia’s hybrid mattress is firm, comfortable and relatively odor-free, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that they accidentally tore a hole in the mattress with the opener tool that’s included.
Sunrising Bedding Hybrid Queen Mattress
Good Value: $468 | Great Deal: $400
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Trial Period: 120 Days
Warranty: 20 Years
This mattress is well-made, odor free and extremely firm, according to several online customers. A few slide-sleepers say the mattress is too firm; other customers added a 2-inch mattress topper for comfort.
Ashley Limited Edition 11-Inch Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress
Good Value: $351 | Great Deal: $297
Trial Period: N/A
Warranty: N/A
Ashley’s inexpensive hybrid mattress plumps quickly, doesn’t smell like chemicals and is comfortable for side sleepers, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this mattress sinks in the center.
About the Author: John DeFeo was formerly the creative director of Debonair Magazine. During that time, he had journalistic access to houseware executives as well as textile manufacturers who produced bedding materials. Additionally, he worked in collaboration with the editorial team that published Elle Decor as well as the editors responsible for the sleep science research that was published on Live Science.
