Best Mattress for the Money 2024: Reviews & Buyers’ Guide

Sleep matters. And that’s why you need to invest in a mattress that will give you peaceful hours of quality slumber. However, getting a good mattress doesn’t always mean spending hefty dollars.

Instead, if you’re willing to do the research, you can also get your hands on a model that offers you a much lower price-point without compromising either quality or comfort.

Here we have a list of the best mattress for the money that offers a true bang for your buck. To put this list together, we’ve looked at aspects like product performance, brand reputation as well as reviews from real customers who’ve had the experience of using the product. And of course, the price-point remains the main criterion for this selection.

Best Mattress for the Money Caparison Chart

What to Look for in a Quality Mattress?

This implies how firm or soft the mattress feels when you lie on it. Every sleeper has a different “firmness” preference which is an important factor in determining the comfort level of the mattress. While some prefer a more unyielding surface, others may find a softer mattress more comfortable. So we recommend that you try out different models with various firmness levels to find your best match.

Every mattress has a top comfort layer with a support layer underneath. The support layer is an important consideration as it will yield a level surface which keeps your spine straight. A sturdy support layer will also ensure that the mattress doesn’t sag in the middle causing you unwanted neck, back or shoulder pain.

Models made from latex or memory foam are engineered to cradle the user’s body and conform to minimize pressure points. Other options, such as innerspring mattresses don’t contour as well and might not yield the same degree of pressure relief. So in your search for a mattress for the money that also provides maximum contouring, look for a model that features close conforming.

On average, a mattress is expected to last between 7 and 8 years. Those such as memory foam or innerspring mattresses typically have shorter lifespans with issues like sagging after extended use. Others such as airbeds or latex mattresses perform relatively longer with proper maintenance.

When you look for a mattress for the money, you don’t want to compromise on its most essential features. One of these is the edge support offered by the model. Having a strong edge support prevents the mattress from sinking at its edges where you sit when you get in or out of bed. Oftentimes, hybrid and innerspring models are reinforced with high-density polyfoam around the edges whereas foam mattresses usually lack this feature.

Models that take in movement and confine it to a specific area are considered better at motion isolation. This means that you may well sleep with a fretful partner who tosses and turns, but their movements get restricted to their end of the mattress alone. This lets you sleep better will minimal disturbance. Usually, foam or latex mattress are superior at motion isolation while their innerspring or hybrid counterparts don’t isolate motion as well.

This can be a key consideration if you tend to sleep hot or warm. Oftentimes, foam mattresses such as those with a memory foam layer can trap or absorb body heat making the sleeper feel uncomfortable and sweaty at nighttime. For such people, opting for an innerspring or hybrid, gel-infused mattress may be a better option.

Some mattresses are just noisier than others. In this respect, models with innersprings, including hybrids, can make more noise given their metal component. Others like airbeds that have electric parts may also do the same. So if you’re looking for a mattress for the money that is a quieter option, look for something in the foam or latex category.

The way you sleep will also factor in on what type of mattress suits your sleeping style best. For instance, if you’re a side sleeper, you’ll need to look for something that offers maximum contouring to support your shoulders, neck, spine and hips. On the other hand, people who are stomach sleepers will need a mattress with firm support to align their spine, yet soft enough to cushion their stomach and chest.

And then there are people who sleep on their back. If you’re a back sleeper, you’ll likely have the most flexibility in choosing a mattress. This position aligns the spine naturally and evens out the weight equally. So, what you’re primarily left with is your preference of mattress firmness.

This isn’t a reference to how soundly you sleep, but to your body weight. If you fall in the average weight range between 130 – 230 lbs, you can do well with most medium-firm to soft mattresses. Those below this weight range will also be more comfortable on models that range between medium and soft. Any mattress firmer won’t provide adequate contouring or pressure relief.

But if you’re above the average weight range you might feel better on mattresses with a higher level of firmness. This is because softer surfaces won’t offer adequate support for heavier frames, may sink more easily, and bring about unwanted pressure and pain when sleeping.

The Nectar queen sized mattress features an 11 inch profile with a plush memory foam for a comfortable sleep experience. The brand has combined the most luxurious material to provide a competent mattress that costs much less than many of its contemporaries.

This model has the fine quality of bearing weight without noise or sound. Plus, its motion isolation feature will minimize disturbance during sleep to enhance your experience. This makes it an ideal option for couples.

In order to provide premium comfort, there is one layer of PCF memory layer combined with a PCF gel memory foam. It has been specifically engineered for full body support while providing a sturdy surface for sleeping. Given its design elements, it will eliminate the pressure on your shoulders, lower back and hips improving the quality of sleep.

Its gel-infused layer yields a cooling effect to prevent heat accumulation and provides soothing sleeping space.  In addition, the breathing flow of the quilt provides ventilation for the mattress and eliminates any unpleasant smell that mattresses tend to absorb over time.

As do the best products in the industry, the Nectar Queen Mattress comes with a lifetime warranty ensuring that you get the best deal when you make the purchase. You will also get a 180-night free trial period to make sure that you will be investing in the best mattress for the money.

If you are looking for great value for your money, this $699 mattress might be the best pick to improve your sleep experience.

The Signature Sleep Contour 8 costs only $198 providing one of the best mattress for the money. For this price, the lifespan of mattress is more than expected. All Signature Sleep Contour 8 mattresses are 8 inches thick while other dimensions differ based on twin, full, queen and king sizes.

The main layer of the Contour 8 is made from individually encased progressive coil springs. These coil springs make sleeping therapeutic while soothing and eliminating back problems.

The Contour 8 is also known for its motion isolation properties giving you a firm surface to sleep on. Each spring works in isolation to make sure that vibration is minimized for light sleepers who get disrupted with the slightest motion.

The coil springs are covered in 1.25 inches of high density memory foam. To soften the texture, a 12 Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) foam has been added as another layer. The final layer is made from a cotton-blend jacquard for dissipating the heat.

The Signature Sleep Contour 8 caters really well to stomach sleepers who use pillows for sleeping. It will contour your body without making you feel buried in the mattress. This firmness level is medium at best yet it easily qualifies as the best mattress for the money based on all its features.

The Contour 8 is said to be therapeutic as it will reduce back or neck pain due to its plush texture that embraces the body instead of burdening it. It has been designed to draw air from sides as well which further prevents the mattress from heating up.

The Dream Foam Ultimate Dream mattress is a 12 inch thick and plush mattress made from gel memory foam. The innermost layer of the mattress is 8 inches of density foam base covered with 2 inches of memory foam.

The memory foam layer makes sure that the mattress feels posh and luxurious while the gel-infused layer plays a dual role. First, it embraces your body without making you feel uncomfortable while you sleep. And then, the gel memory foam prevents the mattress from heating. This cooling factor enhances your sleep quality.

The Ultimate Dreams mattress caters to all types of sleepers well. It provides the right support and firmness level to make you feel right at home. Despite the gel-infusion, this is considered a medium-firm mattress that lets you experience standard firmness without sinking into the mattress.

The dual layer of memory foam gives better cushioning, relieving pressure around susceptible points. This is a particularly useful feature for people with lower back pain who may find it difficult to find the right support for their back.

Before shipping to customers, Dream Foam is pre-off-gassed to make sure there is no smell when you receive or use it. It will be an odorless mattress even at first use.

For $549, this mattress offers a great return on your investment.

The Shiloh comes from a brand that’s been in the business for more than two decades. This 12 inch thick mattress has a 9.5 inch high density support foam covered in 2.5 inches of SureTemp Memory Foam.

That’s a lot of density and support packed in 12 compact inches! Both of these foams are used with the primary concern to enhance sleeping conditions for its buyers.

Its Duocomfort layers will offer you the best mattress for the money too. The Shiloh qualifies for head-to-toe comfort when you’re sleeping. The layers have been specifically arranged to improve body alignment with its particular pressure points that will reduce back, neck and lower back pain.

Suited for all sleeping styles, the Shiloh is generally considered a fitting option for heavier sleepers or those with a larger body frame. Its multiple support layers are made to fit different weights without depressing or distressing the mattress.

The Shiloh also qualifies as one of the best mattress for the money since it only costs an unbelievable $320 plus free shipping when ordered from Amazon. Now who would want to pass an offer like that?

You also get a 20-year warranty with your Sleep Innovations Shiloh Mattress as well.

The Zinus Ultima is a premier budget mattress with its 12 inch comfort memory foam that comes with a 10-year warranty.

This mattress model will offer you one of the best sleeping surfaces with its three-layer design. The base is made from a high-density 6-inch foam covered in 3 inches of pressure relieving comfort memory foam.  This is topped by another 3 inches of quality memory foam. There is a knitted jacquard cover to go around the three layers to keep everything in place.

The thick base foam is also certiPUR –US certified, which says a lot for its duarability, carbon emission and content.

Instead of using traditional petroleum, the Zinus Ultima has BioFoam which uses natural plant oil that retains your mattress. This also means that your mattress will not come with an off-gas smell and will be odorless from the first use.

Another useful factor is that the mattress has a no-slip quality.

For difficult sleepers, this mattress is ideal as it adheres to the body shape without causing you to delve into the mattress. The firmness ensures you a comfortable sleep with none of the discomfort of sinking too deep into the mattress.

The Zinus Ultima comes under the $500 mark at a striking $339 making up for a firm mattress that doesn’t tax your wallet.

If you’re looking for a less thick version, you can opt for the 8-inch or 10 ten varieties in the same model.