Best Mattresses for the Money

Our Expert’s Take

A good mattress for couples needs to accommodate both parties, providing enough of what each person needs based on their sleep preferences and body type. In addition to that, a good mattress for couples needs one very important thing: motion isolation. The Nectar mattress scores a 4.5 out of 5 on our motion isolation test, meaning as your partner flops around on your side of the bed, or gets in and out to grab a glass of water or use the bathroom, you’re much less likely to be disturbed by their movements on your side of the bed. 

What We Love About the Nectar

• Memory foam mattresses tend to be on the softer side, but the Nectar provides a balanced firmness. This means that back sleepers should find the mattress provides the blend of support and comfort that they need. We highly recommend the Nectar for light and average-weight sleepers, and even heavyweight sleepers should feel great on it as well. 
• The Nectar does a great job of staying cool at night, particularly for an all-foam mattress. Foam tends to trap heat, which is bad news for people who tend to prefer a cooler sleep environment. But the Nectar felt quite cool to us as we tested it, likely thanks to the breathable cover and gel-infused foam. 

What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar

• While the Nectar works quite well for heavy back sleepers, we can’t recommend it for heavyweight stomach or side sleepers. When our heavyweight testers assumed these positions, they felt either too supported (side sleeping) or not supported enough (stomach sleeping). For heavy side sleepers, we suggest a softer mattress and for heavy stomach sleepers we suggest a firmer mattress.

Other User Reviews

The Nectar mattress has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on a whopping 50,525 reviews from the company website. Many 5-star reviewers call out how well they and their partners sleep on the Nectar. Unfortunately, some people feel the mattress is far too firm. 

Read our full Nectar mattress review. If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our list of the Best Mattresses for Couples for more great options.

Our Expert’s Take

The DreamCloud is a well-constructed, reliable hybrid mattress with an affordable price tag. Five layers comprise the DreamCloud: a breathable cashmere-blend cover, a layer of gel memory foam that helps relieve pressure, a layer of transition foam, a thin layer of sturdy foam that provides foundation, and a layer of individually wrapped coils that promotes airflow and helps keep sleepers supported. This is a classic hybrid construction that accommodates a wide range of people, and we think it has great value for the price.

What We Love About the DreamCloud

• The DreamCloud is a pretty good match for back sleepers, particularly back sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 lb. Our average-weight tester felt great when they were on their back, as the mattress sank slightly below the surface of the mattress but their spine remained aligned. 
• Thanks to its hybrid construction and gel infusion this mattress remained pretty cool as we tested it. This is great news if you’re a hot sleeper looking for a little bit of relief without having to crank the air conditioner.

What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud

• The DreamCloud has a pretty weak perimeter. We rated it a 3 out of 5 on our edge support test, because when we tried sitting and resting on the edges they sagged quite a bit under our weight. This will be an issue if you’re one of those sleepers who likes to dangle their arm off the bed. Instead, we’d recommend the Titan Plus.

Other User Reviews

The DreamCloud mattress has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 8,734 customer reviews on the company website. Most reviewers are happy and call out the DreamCloud’s outstanding comfort. Some users, however, feel that the mattress is far too firm.

Check out our full DreamCloud mattress review. If you aren’t interested in the Helix Midnight mattress, check out our list of the Best Hybrid Mattresses for more great options.

Our Expert’s Take

If you’re a single sleeper or a couple looking for a big bed that won’t break the bank, you’ll want to check out the Bear Original. Even for a king-size mattress, you are likely going to spend less than you would on other online mattresses. King-size mattresses are usually great for couples, and the Bear Original is no exception. It is, of course, large enough for couples, but it also isolates motion well. We tested the mattress out with two of our reviewers. One rolled around on the other side while the other tried to sleep. They reported they felt no disturbances. It is also a cooling mattress, thanks to its gel memory foam and breathable cover, so couples should not overheat on this king-size bed. However, if you are a larger couple and need more support, the Bear Original might not be up to the task. Consider the Titan Luxe, a mattress made just for heavier people.

What We Love About the Bear Original

• The Bear Original has that memory foam feel that many people love. When we rested on the Bear, the mattress let us slowly sink in, and it was a very comfortable experience.
• The cooling cover and cooling infusions prevent the mattress from trapping too much body heat. We personally did not sleep too hot on the Bear.
• It is good for both back and side sleepers. It scored a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale and provided a good balance of comfort and support for back sleeping. At the same time, we got enough pressure relief while side sleeping.

What to Keep in Mind About the Bear Original

• Stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress. The Bear is a medium-firm mattress and will not be firm enough for most stomach sleepers. The Emma mattress will be a better choice for average-weight stomach sleepers, and the Titan Plus will work for heavier stomach sleepers.
• Memory foam is great, but it doesn’t make it very easy to move around. Lying on the Bear Original, you might feel stuck and have trouble changing positions.
• If you are a larger person and sleep on your side, you might “bottom out” on the Bear Original. Our heavier testers felt more pressure on their shoulders and hips and needed something with a thicker comfort layer. The Titan Plus Luxe will give you better pressure relief.

Other User Reviews

According to the Bear website, the mattress scored an average of 4.4/5 with customers. Those who liked the mattress said it worked well for their teenagers and overnight guests. Customers who didn’t score it so high complained specifically about edge support and said the mattress trapped a bit of heat.

Read our full Bear mattress review. If you aren’t interested in the Bear Original mattress, check out our list of the Best King Size Mattresses for more great options.

Our Expert’s Take

As I mentioned above, Brooklyn Bedding sells great value mattresses. If you aren’t a heavy person and sleep on your back, forgo the Titan Plus and try the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid. As the name suggests, it is a hybrid mattress. It features Supreme Response Comfort Foam, Variflex Transition Foam and Ascension Indivually-Encased coils. You also have firmness options, and if you sleep on your back, the Medium model will be the way to go. When I slept on my back on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid, my hips sank in just the right amount and I felt good support overall. If anything, I wish the mattress had offered some memory foam contouring. This is not a negative per se, but fans of memory foam will want to look elsewhere.

What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

• Like the WinkBed and a few other mattresses on this list, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid comes in multiple firmness levels. No matter what position you sleep in, you should get what you need with the Brooklyn Bedding. We reviewed the Medium model and loved it for back sleeping.
• It is bouncy, responsive and makes it easy to change positions. We had no trouble rolling around on this mattress, and we never felt stuck. You may experience this with a memory foam mattress, but not the Brooklyn Bedding.

What to Keep in Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

• You’re not going to get much contouring with this mattress. While it features foam, it doesn’t offer that memory foam feel. If you like to slowly sink into your mattress, take a look at the Bear Original listed above.
• It is a simple mattress and doesn’t have some of the high-end materials found in the WinkBed or other more luxurious mattresses. It has a simpler, streamlined design overall.

Other User Reviews

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid earned a 4.7/5 rating. Customers wrote on the Brooklyn Bedding website that the brand offers excellent customer service. Others said the mattress was a good mattress for the price. However, some said the bed was not as firm or soft as they expected.

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review. If you aren’t interested in the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress, check out our list of the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers for more great options.

Our Expert’s Take

Heavy people over 230 lb often have a difficult time finding the right bed because they require more support and durable materials. But they’re in luck—Brooklyn Bedding has designed a mattress just for them.

Dubbed the Titan Plus, it’s made with highly durable materials that can easily hold up heavy people while also providing them with comfort. Its comfort layer is made with a more supportive and responsive version of memory foam called TitanFlex foam, and the base of the bed has a super-thick layer of 6″ TitanCaliber coils. Also, Brooklyn Bedding owns its own factory, so the brand is able to price its mattresses competitively. Compared to the other mattresses for heavy people we have reviewed, the Titan Plus is more affordable.

However, just note that the Titan Plus is a firmer mattress. We rated it at a 9/10, which is much firmer than average. This means heavier side sleepers will want to opt for the Titan Plus Luxe, the softer version of this mattress.

What We Love About the Titan Plus

• It is made specifically with larger people in mind. Larger people require more support, and the Titan Plus contains extra-supportive materials such as TitanFlex foam and TitanCaliber coils.
• It is a firm mattress that is a good option for heavier stomach sleepers. When you’re on your stomach, you need a firm mattress to support your hips. Our larger testers got all the support they needed when stomach sleeping on the Titan Plus.

What to Keep in Mind About the Titan Plus

• This mattress is not made with lightweight or average-weight people in mind. Our testers who weighed less than 200 lb thought it was too firm. If you are not a larger person, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Plus, one of the brand’s other affordable models.
• Heavyweight side sleepers won’t get enough pressure relief on the Titan Plus. You need more softness when you are side sleeping so that you feel less pressure on your shoulders and hips. Heavy side sleepers should check out the Titan Plus Luxe, the softer version of this mattress.

Other User Reviews

If you look at the Titan website, you’ll see that customers gave the mattress an average score of 4.7/5. Many customers who said they were on the heavier side said it gave them more support than their previous mattresses. Still, some customers noted that the mattress was softer than they expected, and others had issues with edge support.

Learn more in our full Titan Plus review. We also have other options on our roundup of the Best Mattresses for Heavy People, just in case you want to explore other options.

Our Expert’s Take

If you experience back pain, the last thing you need is a mattress that worsens your discomfort. Luckily, the Nolah is an all-foam mattress with a mix of comfort and support; this is ideal for sleepers with back pain. Its high-density foam base layer is durable and helps the spine stay in proper alignment. The Nolah’s signature AirFoam comfort layer is also more responsive than traditional memory foam. This can be great for back pain, since the AirFoam offers pressure relief and allows sleepers to sink comfortably into the mattress without getting stuck. While stomach sleeping is not the best for those with back pain, if you must sleep in this position, the Nolah will be too soft for you. Choose one of the firmer mattresses on this list, such as the Emma.

What We Love About the Nolah

• The mattress is a good option for side sleepers. It is a soft mattress, and its AirFoam offers great pressure relief. When we tested the Nolah, we felt very little pressure on our shoulders and hips.
• It offers soft pressure relief, but you shouldn’t feel stuck. The AirFoam found in the Nolah is a responsive alternative to memory foam. When our testers rested on the mattress, they didn’t have trouble moving around or changing positions.
• If you’re living with pain issues, the Nolah could be a good match. It provides pressure relief for those of you with joint pain and enough support for those with back pain.

What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah

• It is not firm enough for stomach sleeping. If you sleep in this position, you should opt for a firmer mattress, such as the Emma found further down this list.
• The Nolah is not designed with larger people in mind. If you weigh over 230 lb, the Nolah will not be supportive enough for you. Take a look at the Titan Plus mentioned above.

Other User Reviews

On the Nolah website, customers were generally pleased with the Nolah Original mattress. Like with the Titan Plus, they scored it a 4.7/5. Like us, they liked its balance of comfort and support. While it is a soft mattress, some customers said it was just too soft and others had trouble sitting near the edge without falling off.

Read our full Nolah mattress review. If you aren’t interested in the Nolah mattress, check out our list of the Best Mattresses for Back Pain for more great options.

Our Expert’s Take

Emma is another producer of good value mattresses, and one of our favorites is the firm Emma Original. The Emma Original scored 7/10 on our firmness scale, with a 6.5/10 being the standard for medium-firm mattresses. When we were testing the Emma, it felt especially comfortable for back sleeping, as it offered a balance of comfort and support. Our lightweight testers also got enough support for stomach sleeping on this firmer mattress. And, the Emma feels responsive, and though it’s all-foam, you shouldn’t get the feeling that you’re sinking really far into it. Keep in mind that this firmer mattress will be too firm for most side sleepers. Side sleepers will need something on the softer end to relieve the pressure on their shoulders and hips. We recommend the Nolah Original listed above.

What We Love About the Emma

• It has a balance of comfort and support for back sleeping. You’ll feel your hips sink in the right amount while the mattress gives you the support where you need it.
• Average-weight stomach sleepers will get enough support on the Emma mattress. It is firmer than average and will keep your hips elevated in this position.
• It is an all-foam mattress, but you shouldn’t sleep hot. It contains proprietary cooling foams such as Cloud Comfort foam and ParticleCool Premium foam. We slept coolly on the Emma and did not wake up hot and sweaty.

What to Keep in Mind About the Emma

• It is too firm for most side sleepers. Side sleepers require softer mattresses to relieve pressure on their shoulders and hips. The Nolah is a softer mattress and will be a better match for side sleepers.
• If you like a bouncy, innerspring mattress, you’re not going to like the all-foam Emma mattress. It has more of a balanced foam feel and, while responsive, it doesn’t equal the bounce you’ll get with a mattress like the WinkBed.

Other User Reviews

That 4.7 score is back again. On the Emma website, users were pleased with the trial period, warranty and value. Still, some customers complained that the mattress looked “cheap” and others thought the delivery process could have been easier.

Read our full Emma mattress review for more information. If you aren’t interested in the Emma mattress, check out our list of the Best Firm Mattresses for more great options.

Our Expert’s Take

When a company puts “Chill” in the name of one of their mattresses they’re setting expectations pretty high for the temperature regulating abilities of the product. Thankfully, through our tests, we did find the Cocoon Chill to be pretty darn good at staying cool. The Hybrid construction helped keep our body heat from being trapped inside the comfort layers, and the cover is made with phase change material, which is legitimately cool to the touch.

What We Love About the Cocoon Chill Hybrid

• Despite the hybrid construction, the Cocoon Chill Hybrid has a slow-moving feel that will appeal to memory-foam lovers. You’ll receive a good amount of pressure relief and contouring from the top comfort layers, and may almost feel as though you’re being “hugged” by the mattress. 
• The Cocoon Chill Hybrid has a medium-firm feel that works great for back sleepers. While our testers assumed the back-sleeping position they felt that their hips were supported, but still sunk into the mattress enough to feel cushioned.

What to Keep in Mind About the Cocoon Chill Hybrid

• While the memory-foam feel of the mattress will appeal to many, it does result in a lack of responsiveness. Poor responsiveness means the mattress is somewhat hard to move around on, which can be a problem for those who like to switch sleeping positions often throughout the night.

Other User Reviews

The Cocoon Chill has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 8,448 customer reviews on the company website. Happy shoppers praise the cooling comfort of the Cocoon Chill Hybrid, though some found it too soft.

Read our full Cocoon Chill Hybrid mattress review. Or you can see our roundup of the Best Cooling Mattresses for other choices.