If you’re willing to spend up to $1000 on a mattress, you know that you’re getting serious about sleep.
The good news is that with so many online-only ecommerce mattress companies (cutting out a lot of costs of the retail model), you can get some truly high quality mattresses for this price. And no, you won’t be missing out on the Tempurpedic or Beautyrest mattresses that cost thousands of dollars more.
The really difficult part about this price range is that so many companies are now creating mattresses at the $800-$1000 price range, I get a lot of questions from readers that don’t know how to begin to choose. Since you’re not laying on them in a store, it’s harder to choose between them for yourself. I’ll give a few of my top picks, but just know that there more and more quality mattresses available in this price range. I can’t list them all out, but there’s lots of good opportunities to get a great value in the marketing right now.
Below I put some of my top picks, but more importantly explain my experience and why I like them. Use this post as a starting guide to help you differentiate between the many mattress options out there!
Top 6 Mattresses Under $1000
No mattress is one-option-fits-all, so I broke the best mattresses under 1000 dollars into four categories:Hybrid, Innerspring, Memory Foam, and Personalized.
These mattresses also rank highly amongst other categories on the site, as well as holding top spots in my overall mattress reviews.
Top Mattress Picks Compared
Layla
Layla is certainly a great choice for foam lovers, in fact it sits in my best memory foam mattress list.
The foam is very high quality, and in addition to a flippable option the memory foam is copper infused, so the mattress sleeps cooler than most memory foam options.
Unlike Saatva, Layla is relatively new to mattress game, but has quickly built a strong reputation for quality and customer service. Learn more about my experience with the mattress and company in my full Layla mattress review.
Helix
Helix uses quality materials, but the real story is the ability to personalize. Before purchasing a Helix mattress, you can take a quiz that will tell you which of their mattresses is right for you.
Based on the quiz results, Helix will customize your mattress to suit your preferences. You can even take the quiz for each size of a mattress, making them our top mattress for couples.
At under $1000, Helix is the only company I now to offer this level of customization. Learn more about my experience (and see my quiz results) in my Helix Sleep review.
Lull
Hybrids is the most popular option for online-only companies, and Lull is no exception. They have a memory foam over latex-like foam construction, giving the general support/comfort tradeoff of memory foam with a little more “spring” to it.
You can read the specs in my full Lull mattress review, but the short of it is that I just happen to find the mattress incredibly comfortable (note – this is my subjective opinion). A unique aspect of the mattress is that it is comfortable in all sleeping positions, I like it for both side sleeping and stomach sleeping.
For this category, you can get a Lull King size for $900 – giving it plenty of cushion under $1k.
Saatva
Saatva is one of the few online-only companies to provide an innerspring mattress option, and on top of that they offer firmness options.
The company has been around for a number of years, having great reviews as well as good durability ratings.
Though memory foam mattresses are increasingly popular, some people still prefer the feel an bounce of an innerspring mattress (they are a certainly better mattress for sex). At this price point, I’m convinced that you can’t do better than Saatva.
Bear
Bear mattress is a great memory foam mattress, but also to note is that its construction includes Celliant, which is thought by some to help with muscle recovery.
Though I’m not an expert in Celliant technology, I recommend the Bear as a memory foam mattress due to its great comfort and support. It’s definitely a solid option for a sleeper with average preferences. Learn more in my full Bear Mattress review.
Final Recommendation
The good news is that at this price point, you’re getting pretty much the best mattress money can buy. There are a few mattresses under $2k that have a few extra bells and whistles, but generally you’ll be very satisfied with the products at this price point.
See also our best mattresses overall article
Joe Auer
Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site.
He likes things simple and take a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications.
Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.
Latest posts by Joe Auer (see all)
- 5 Best Firm Mattresses 2019 - June 13, 2019
- Lucid Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Review – A Great Value? - June 3, 2019
- Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Review – Affordable Comfort? - May 30, 2019
Hi there,
I am 107 lbs, female and am trying to find a good mattress for myself. I’ve been mostly interested in the hybrid versions. I don’t LOVE foam mattresses, but I do like soft. I’ve been looking at pillow tops, winks, dream clouds, and also now this Tomorrow mattress. Its been hard bc the softer, lighter ones, seem to only be 10 inches high, and I prefer a thicker mattress (12 inches ideally). Do you have any others I should look at or recommendations? I am mainly a side sleeper, but I do move around a lot. I am currently on a Velky bed and while its fine, its a little too firm and I feel like I’m stuck in the mattress when I roll around. Any advice would be great!
I think the Tomorrow Sleep would be a good fit for you actually.
I”m looking to spend about $600-$800 on a new mattress and someone in the industry told me to stay away from today’s memory foam matteresses, but to go with latex with polyurethane as a secondary material. Do most places that sell mattresses carry those? And are inner spring mattresses usually latex? Thanks
I don’t know what that person is talking about. I would just take a look at the picks here on this page.
So glad to have found your site in my mattress search! I have had a Tempurpedic bed for a very long time (14 years) and I need a new one. I love my Tempurpedic mattress! It has obviously now broken down and too soft for me. I really want to stay with a memory foam, but I need something under $1,000. I sleep on my back and usually move to my side (may be because my mattress is too soft). When I’ve shopped around I like a medium-firm mattress.. the medium works, but I don’t like to sink in necessarily. I am 5’9″ and 160 lbs. I have looked at Layla (I’m hesitant on this one as it looks like it may be a little too soft for me?), the Bear (still researching, but it looks promising) , and Nectar (concerned about the initial softness when you lay down, when does the firmness kick in?). Any others you would recommend? I’m interested in your recommendation. Thank you!
The Nectar should be good actually.
Some places you recommend tomorrow beds other places you don’t mention as a good choice, help!
Tell me a little bit about yourself and I’ll make a personal recommendation!
Hello, I’m a 220lb side sleeper with back problems. My husband is 175 regular build side/back sleeper who has low back problems. Our current mattress is probably 15-20 years old with a memory foam mattress topper on top to mask the old mattress. I find us both sleeping hot and tossing and turning and recently me having shoulder hip pain. Suggestions? Our max budgetis $1500 and looking for a king.
The Purple is temperature neutral and relieves pressure very well. I’d take a look there.
Hi, thanks for your reviews of Tuft and Needle vs. Casper. After much agonizing, we decided to go for TnN based on your comments. We’ll keep you posted!
Please do!
“At under $1000, Helix is the only company I now to offer this level of customization. ” typo! should be “know”. Love your information. Thanks a bunch!
Hi Joe! I’m pretty sure I’m going with Lull but have a couple others in mind. I’m mostly a side sleeper but occasionally sleep on my back. I weigh about 130lbs. I like the quality and value of Ghostbed but I’m worried I might not be heavy enough to sink into the memory foam layer and that it may be too firm. I also just researched Leesa but still think maybe the Lull is my best bet (as a side sleeper) since the memory foam layer is on top. I’ve watched your videos for all three but still so confused! And I like the feel of both memory foam and latex.
I think the Lull would be the best fit for you actually.
Have you reviewed the Nectar? It is between the Lull and Nectar
See here, https://www.mattressclarity.com/reviews/nectar/.
I AM HAVING THE HARDEST TIME PICKING A KING GEL MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS THAT IS SOFT & THAT IS UNDER $300 ,THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM .ANY SUGGESTIONS ?
Joe,
Have you reviewed any of the Amore Mattresses?
I would be very interested to see your opinion on the Medium Firmess one.
Hi Laureen – please see my Amore review.
Really like your excellent teviees on mattresses. Ive been resding like a gazillion. Ever hear of ZINUS on amazon looling at 12 inch memory foam ultra plush cloud like king size price is 348.00 for the king on Amazon. Let me know it has great reviews??? So confusing. Im a zide sleeper do ti my artificial hips
Thanks for your detailed reviews. I wonder what you have learned about chemicals like flame retardants and pesticides in the mattresses?
I thought you rated Loom and Leaf higher than Layla, so was surprised to not see it for the memory foam category.
Hey Laura! I don’t consider L&L a sub-$1k mattress. It is more than that depending on the size, but they also charge for shipping, which puts most sizes at least a little over $1k.
Trying to decide on which mattress is best for me. I am a right side sleeper and I wake up with shoulder pain each morning. I prefer a plush softer type mattress over medium firm or firm. Been researching a lot but still so ????. Wondering if I should try the Saatva Plush Soft or latex or only thing I’m concerned about memory foam is sleeping hot which I don’t want to do. Hard to know which would be best. I need help!
Would your rankings be the same for obese individuals under 300 lbs
Hi Dottie – no they would not be. I’m working on a new article for heavier people, keep an eye out!
I am looking to buy a mattress and someone recommended a Hypnos mattress. Have you heard of it and is it good?
Thank you
Sheila
Hi Sheila – sorry have not heard of them!
Thanks for reviewing the Aviya bed, there are not many inner spring bed reviews out there. I am leaning towards going with the Aviya, but how is yours holding up? Do you recommend it over the Lull (yes, I realize they’re two completely different bed types)? I’ve never had a foam bed before, so this is all new to me and I don’t know what to expect! Thanks!
Hi Shelby! I only review the mattresses for 1-2 weeks, so I don’t have an impression (for any brand) on long-term durability. I really like both Lull and Aviya at this price range, but totally different feels, so really it comes down to preference!