We’ve compiled a list of the best mattresses under $500 so you don’t have to. Most of us have plenty of essentials that require our hard-earned cash, such as rent, gas, and food. When it’s time to buy a mattress, there might not be much left in the bank. However, it could be argued that a mattress is as important as any of those other necessities. After all, we spend a third of our lives in bed.
Our list of these high-quality options is supportive, comfortable, and won’t bleed the customer dry. For those who can afford a super-expensive mattress, congratulations, I’m truly happy for you. For everyone else, read on to find a great affordable bed!
Best Mattresses Under $500: Our Top Picks
- Siena Original – Best Online Mattress Under $500
- Dreamfoam Essential – Best Cooling Mattress Under $500
- Allswell – Best Mattress Under $500 for Back Pain
- Lucid 10″ Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress Under $500
How We Chose Our Products for the Best Mattress under $500
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
When choosing the best mattresses under $500, we started with a very simple and specific requirement: they all had to cost less than $500 after discounts. From there, we picked beds that scored especially high for their corresponding superlative.
Video Review: Best Mattresses Under $500
Compare the Best Mattresses Under $500
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| Siena Mattress | Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress | Allswell Mattress | Lucid Hybrid 10" | |
| Rating | ||||
| Firmness | Soft: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Sleep Position | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back & Stomach | Combination |
Siena Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
180 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Siena Mattress
The Siena mattress comes from Nectar, but it's sold at a value price. It's a great option for lightweight sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
180 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Siena Mattress
The Siena mattress comes from Nectar, but it's sold at a value price. It's a great option for lightweight sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
180 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We love the convenience of purchasing mattresses online. For a great deal, take a look at the Siena mattress. A discounted queen runs just under $500.
It’s an all-foam bed providing plush pressure relief for your hip and shoulder if you sleep on your side. Lightweight back sleepers should feel a good amount of body contouring, too. This mattress has a great trial period (180 nights). This means you have plenty of time to decide if this mattress works for your needs. If you keep it, it has a 10-year warranty.
Pros of the Sienna Mattress
- It’s an outstanding memory foam option for shoppers looking for an affordable mattress.
- Lightweight back and side sleepers should find good pressure relief and body contouring.
- The Siena mattress comes with free returns.
Cons of the Sienna Mattress
- The Siena didn’t receive the best score for edge support. While testing, we noticed the edges collapsed quite a bit. This could be a deterrent for those who like to sleep close to the edge of the bed.
Read our full Siena Mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Online Mattresses for more great options.Â
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
The Dreamfoam Essential is a cooling, affordable memory foam mattress that comes in multiple thicknesses.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
The Dreamfoam Essential is a cooling, affordable memory foam mattress that comes in multiple thicknesses.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
If you’re looking for a memory foam mattress that costs less than $500 and is good for hot sleepers, take a look at the Dreamfoam Essential. It’s a high-quality, affordable bed-in-a-box with some great heat-dissipating materials.
Dreamfoam is an affordable offshoot of Brooklyn Bedding, known for its wide variety of great mattresses. Also, Dreamfoam beds are made in the USA and boast some impressively high-quality materials for a low price point.
Pros of the Dreamfoam Essential
- The Dreamfoam Essential features a cover designed to promote airflow through the top of the mattress.
- Its memory foam is infused with gel to keep the mattress from trapping too much heat.
- It comes in five different heights (6″, 8″, 10″, 12″, and 14″), giving you multiple firmness options. We reviewed the 12″ model and found it has a great balance of comfort and support for back sleepers.
Cons of the Dreamfoam Essential
- Stomach sleepers over 130 pounds probably won’t find adequate firmness or support on this mattress.
Read our full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Cooling Mattresses for more great options.
Allswell Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Allswell Mattress
The Allswell is a supportive mattress that should be a great fit for back and stomach sleepers, and it is also a very good value.Â
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Allswell Mattress
The Allswell is a supportive mattress that should be a great fit for back and stomach sleepers, and it is also a very good value.Â
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
When we think of stores offering great deals, I’m sure most of us think of stores like Walmart. The big-box store is so large that they can sell quality products with a much lower profit margin. It’s no surprise that, in the last few years, Walmart jumped into the bed-in-a-box game with its line of Allswell mattresses. The original is their most affordable, and it’s available for under $400.
Its firmness and support make it an ideal choice for stomach sleepers and back sleepers. Those who suffer from back pain can benefit since this is a firmer mattress that supports spine alignment.
Pros of the Allswell Mattress
- It contains supportive coils and then a thin foam comfort layer above that. On our firmness scale, the Allswell was close to a 7.5/10, making it one of the firmest mattresses on this list.
- It’s a significantly responsive mattress, so sleepers shouldn’t get the feeling of getting stuck.
- The company also offers the Allswell Luxe and Allswell Supreme.
Cons of the Allswell Mattress
- Because the Allswell is a firmer mattress, those looking for a plush feel or extra pressure relief, such as side sleepers, will want a softer option.
Read our full Allswell mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Back Pain for more great options.
Lucid Hybrid 10"
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
30 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Lucid Hybrid 10"
The Lucid Hybrid mattress is a great value and features a balance of comfort and support
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
30 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Lucid Hybrid 10"
The Lucid Hybrid mattress is a great value and features a balance of comfort and support
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
30 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
While customers can choose from several models with varying thicknesses and designs, I received the Lucid 10″ Memory Foam Hybrid to review. It contains two layers of memory foam, as well as innerspring coils. When I lie on my side, that memory foam melts the pressure away, so it’s a great bed for side sleepers. When I move to my back, the coils offer me the support I need while the memory foam contours to my body’s curves.
Pros of the Lucid Mattress
- The memory foam is infused with charcoal, a material known for helping with heat dissipation.
- Also assisting with temperature regulation are gel-infused foams and breathable coils.
- The coils make it easy to move around on the mattress, even though it contains soft memory foam.
Cons of the Lucid Mattress
- Stomach sleepers weighing over 130 pounds require a firmer mattress than the Lucid 10″ Memory Foam Hybrid.
Read our full Lucid mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Hybrid Mattresses for more great options.
Buying Guide
You can find a quality mattress for under $500 if you know what to look for. Be sure to read mattress reviews, compare models, and keep an eye out for mattress coupons and sales. Additionally, shopping for one of the best online mattresses is a great way to save money, since direct-to-consumer sites have less overhead than brick-and-mortar stores. This means they can sell mattresses at a more affordable price.
You can also opt for a smaller-sized mattress made of higher-quality materials. After all, the smaller the mattress is, the cheaper it is to make. If you’re deciding between mattress sizes, check out our article on Queen vs. Twin Beds.
Pros and Cons of Mattresses Under $500
Pros
- Perfect for budget shoppers. Mattresses are quite the investment, with many costing over $1,500. If you need a mattress ASAP but don’t want to break the bank, you can find many options under $500. Keep an eye out for sales and discounts as well, especially around holidays.
- Ideal for temporary sleeping situations. If you know you’re only living somewhere for a short amount of time and will have to eventually trash your mattress, chances are you’ll avoid a $3,000 luxury option. It might be best to opt for a budget option under $500.
- Great for guest rooms. Mattresses are expensive enough when buying one for yourself, and it can be difficult to shell out another thousand or so for a guest mattress. This provides a good opportunity to decide on a mattress under $500.
Cons
- Not ideal for those with back pain or joint pain. If you find yourself staying up at night because of your pain, a $500 mattress is probably not going to be the solution. You’ll likely need a mattress with quality foams and supportive coils that prevent premature sagging. This should keep your joints eased and your spine in neutral alignment.
- Not super durable. Like many cheap things, they don’t last forever, and mattresses under $500 are no exception. The materials are likely to wear faster than a mattress that costs $1,500 and uses quality materials.
- Not always good for the environment. Because mattresses under $500 don’t always use the best materials on the market, many of these materials may not be certified for materials or production. If this is important to you, we suggest you take a look at our list of the best organic mattresses.
Factors to Consider for Mattresses Under $500
In addition to finding a mattress within your budget, make sure you consider the following factors during your search:
Mattress Materials
Your mattress’ lifespan is directly impacted by the quality of its materials. Try to get a mattress made of high-quality materials, such as high-density foam, to get the most out of it.
Cooling Features
If you typically sleep hot, look for a cooling mattress for under $500 that enables greater temperature regulation at night. Mattresses with gel infusions, such as the Dreamfoam Chill, can prevent the bed from trapping too much heat.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is an important factor for couples to consider. Motion isolation refers to the amount of movement you feel when someone else shifts in a bed. Memory foam is particularly good at reducing this motion transfer.
Mattress Type
Consider the factors that are most important to you and the type of mattress that best meets those preferences. Memory foam mattresses are typically the most affordable options, while latex mattresses tend to be the most expensive. Still, different types of mattresses are best for different situations. For example, innerspring mattresses tend to sleep cooler than memory foam because of their layer of coils, which creates more airflow. Memory foam mattresses are great for couples because they result in less motion transfer.
Sleeping Position
Side sleepers often need a thicker, softer comfort layer, while stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress with a thinner comfort layer. Back sleepers are usually satisfied with a two-inch comfort layer that helps fill the gap in the lumbar area. For more, see our article on the Best Mattress for Your Sleep Position.
Mattress Constructions
There are many different mattress constructions available on the market, all with different strengths and weaknesses. Check out our chart below to learn a bit more about the most common mattress constructions: memory foam mattresses, innerspring mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and latex mattresses.
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What Is It? |
Common Qualities |
Who It’s Good For |
Average Price (Queen) |
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These all-foam beds typically incorporate memory foam in the comfort layer, which is made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam. |
They’re known for providing unmatched contouring and pressure-relief. |
Couples should love how well foam isolates motion. Side sleepers, those with chronic pain, and those wanting a softer feel should like the plushness of memory foam. |
$1,200 |
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These beds are known for their sturdy layer of springs at the base. Their comfort layers are on the thinner side. |
They have a bouncy, traditional feel. The springs make these beds supportive and extremely cooling. |
Heavier sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those requiring more support should feel comfortable. Hot sleepers should also be happy. |
$1,500 |
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Famous for being the best of both worlds, the hybrid incorporates the comfort layer of an all-foam mattress with the coils of an innerspring. |
Because they can have different material combinations, they often vary in feel. Typically, they’re durable and cooling. |
Back sleepers and those looking for a balanced feel should opt for a hybrid. However, many models work for stomach or side sleepers. |
$1,500 |
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These eco-friendly mattresses have constructions derived from rubber trees. |
They’re known for their cooling ability, durability, and responsive nature. |
Anyone wanting a long-lasting mattress should like latex beds. Eco-conscious shoppers and hot sleepers should find something to enjoy. Combination sleepers should like the ease of movement. |
$1,800 |
How to Make Your Mattress More Comfortable
For those who think they need a new mattress but are worried about spending too much, consider these other ways to make your mattress more comfortable. These tips will also help make your mattress last longer.
- Use a Mattress Topper: A mattress topper is a great way to spruce up an old mattress without having to invest in a new one (many toppers are less than $100). A topper can change the feel of the mattress as well as its firmness. For instance, a memory foam mattress topper can add some of that slow-moving pressure relief to the top of an older mattress, and it can also make the mattress considerably softer. Mattress toppers can also help cool down a hot sleeping mattress, as there are a variety of toppers that contain gel, graphite, and copper, all designed to create a much cooler-sleeping surface.
- Rotate or Flip Your Mattress: Most mattresses nowadays don’t need to be flipped, but if you have an older mattress that does require flipping, doing so can lengthen its life and help keep your spine in neutral alignment. Before rotating or flipping your mattress, check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Try a Mattress Pad: While thinner than a mattress topper, a mattress pad can provide an additional layer of comfort to an uncomfortable bed for a much cheaper price than buying a new one. A mattress pad is typically attached like a fitted sheet, and some options can help prevent dust mites and allergies in addition to comfort.
Not sure if you need a mattress topper or a mattress pad? We dive into the differences in our article, Mattress Topper vs. Mattress Pad.
Overall
Here’s a recap of our top picks for the best mattresses under $500:
| Mattress | Superlative |
| Siena Original | Best Online Mattress Under $500 |
| Dreamfoam Essential | Best Cooling Mattress Under $500 |
| Allswell | Best Mattress Under $500 for Back Pain |
| Lucid | Best Hybrid Mattress Under $500 |
Other Mattress Options by Price
Check out some of our other pricing guides if budget is a big factor in your decision:
- Best Mattresses Under $1,000
- Best Mattresses Under $2,000
- Best Mattresses for the Money
- Best Cheap Mattresses
- Best Luxury Mattresses
If anyone has a question about these mattresses or even want a personal mattress recommendation, leave a comment below!
FAQs
What's the best, least expensive mattress?
There really is no one best affordable mattress. However, I really do believe that one of these six companies is a good place to start: Dreamfoam, Allswell, Zinus, Brooklyn Bedding, Lucid, and Linenspa.
What's a good price for a mattress?
Online mattresses can range in price from the low hundreds up to many thousands of dollars. It's important to consider the quality of materials, as well as comfort, support, and durability. Keeping that in mind, paying under $500 for a nice bed-in-a-box mattress is a good deal.
Why are mattresses so expensive?
First off, mattresses can be expensive because they contain premium materials. Latex, high-end memory foam, and pocketed coils can also drive up the price. Second, mattresses sold in-store are often more expensive because of markup and large profit margins. Online mattresses are usually sold for less than those found in-store.
Where can I buy a cheap mattress?
Shopping for mattresses online is a good place to start. As mentioned above, mattresses sold in-store are frequently more expensive due to their markup. All of our favorite mattresses under $500 that we listed above are bed-in-a-box mattresses that you can purchase online!
Is $500 a lot for a mattress?
No, $500 is considered an affordable price for a mattress. We would say the average price for a mattress is around $1,000, but you can find quality options for more money and even less.
