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PlushBeds (Eco Bliss Mattress)
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Awara (Natural Luxury Hybrid Mattress)
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When looking for the best affordable mattress, your material quality and firmness options matter as much as price. This is why Milton Sleep Co. and PlushBeds top our list.
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35-50% off on select models
Milton Sleep Co., formerly Dormae, has provided Americans with high-quality Texas-made mattresses for over 80 years. With a range of styles, comfort profiles, and price options, individuals and families can find the best inexpensive mattress types to suit their budget.
Milton Sleep Co’s budget-friendly options give users impressive levels of comfort. Their best affordable cooling mattress, the Essential CoolGel 1.0, has an inch of premium-quality memory foam with cooling gel swirled into it. This lies on top of a 7-inch high-density Milton SmartCore layer, with excellent edge support and spinal alignment ability.
The Essential CoolGel 1.0 is an affordable firm mattress available in Twin, Twin Extra Long, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King sizes. It costs $349 for a Twin size and $749 for a King model.
The next product up is the Milton PUREAir 2.0. On top of its 7-inch SmartCore layer lies a 3-inch PUREAir layer. This unique memory foam can better adjust to your body’s shape and features a high degree of temperature control.
The PUREAir 2.0 is available in medium firmness in Twin, Twin Extra Long, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King sizes. Its price ranges from $449 to $849.00, making it the best affordable king-size mattress.
Both models are among the best affordable mattress-in-a-box models, as they are rolled up for convenience.
Milton Sleep Co. mattresses have a 100-day in-home comfort trial so you can see whether it best suits your needs. There is also a 10-year limited warranty in case of unintended defects. What’s more, you get free shipping to maximize your savings.
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50% off bedroom mattresses + $599 in free bedding
Since 2008, PlushBeds has been a trailblazer in delivering all-natural, eco-friendly mattresses directly from their California factory to customers at an affordable price. Each of its best inexpensive mattress collections is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring top-notch quality. They back their craftsmanship with a 25-year warranty, making PlushBeds a trusted name in sustainable, luxury sleep.
PlushBeds’ Eco Bliss Mattress is their best budget mattress, starting at $899 for a Twin size (medium firmness, 8-inch height) with the fall sale. It features a generous comfort layer of pure natural latex—no synthetics or blends—supported by CertiPUR-certified, high-density foam, expertly crafted to resist sagging, and rigorously tested for durability and safety.
The Eco Bliss is wrapped in a proprietary knit fire barrier made from plant fibers, offering flame resistance without harmful chemicals, and topped with a super-stretch cotton cover to relieve pressure points for deeper, more restful sleep. This design provides the closest feel to a solid natural mattress among hybrids, making it a standout choice for eco-conscious comfort seekers.
PlushBeds’ focus on personalization, eco-friendly materials, and certifications like GOLS and GOTS sets it apart in the mattress industry. They also offer a unique 100-night comfort exchange, allowing customers to fine-tune their mattress choice after sleeping on it.
PlushBeds offers a 100-night trial. If you decide it’s not the perfect fit after 30 days, you can return it for a full refund. Once they receive the mattress, your refund will be processed within 72 hours.
Need help with the return? For $149, their concierge mattress removal service will take it from your bedroom and transport it to a local recycling facility—no hassle for you. Plus, any bonus items you receive are yours to keep.
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Up to 50% off some models
DreamCloud is a new kid on the block, founded in 2018 by Resident as a direct-to-consumer affordable mattress brand. With over 60 awards, it’s now the most-awarded luxury hybrid mattress brand in the United States. DreamCloud Sleep has a 4.2/5 star rating on Trustpilot out of over 1,900 reviews.
The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress starts at $419 for a Twin size and goes up to $835 for King and Cal King models. This makes them the best affordable hybrid mattresses. The memory foam layers are quilted and gel-infused for optimal comfort and cooling effect. These lie on top of individually wrapped coils, which provide motion isolation, superior edge support, and mold to your body shape.
DreamCloud’s Memory Foam Mattress is also good value for money, starting from $299 for a Twin-sized model and reaching $935 for a Cal King size.
This 12-inch mattress boasts a 2.5-inch therapeutic gel memory foam layer and a 1.5-inch transitional layer for optimal spine alignment. Its supportive and contouring quilted foams are topped with a highly breathable cashmere blend cover for even better temperature control.
All foams are CertiPUR-US Certified, too. This means they contain no ozone depleters, heavy metals, PBDEs, or other harmful flame retardants, and they also have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
DreamCloud gives customers an impressive 365-day home trial. This is perfect if you have chronic back or shoulder issues that may take time to benefit from a good mattress. You also get a Forever Warranty in case of defects, alongside free shipping and returns.
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Black Friday Deals up to 50% off mattresses
Awara is part of the Resident family of mattress brands. They aim to provide customers with affordable mattresses with as many natural materials as possible to support human and environmental health. This way, more people can enjoy the benefits of natural latex mattresses without breaking the bank.
The Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid Mattress boasts GOLS and FSC-certified organic latex and organic wool. Thick Gauge Edge Support Coils provide spinal support and add to the cooling effect of its other materials. It’s also got a 6.5/10 firmness rating, striking the right balance between comfort and support for most people.
Awara mattresses are made with Rainforest Alliance-certified Dunlop latex, so your purchase contributes to sustainable practices. There is no irritating fiberglass in Awara models, either.
Twin-sized mattresses in this model cost just $649, while King and Cal King mattresses reach $1,429.
Each Awara best budget mattress has a Forever Warranty and a 365-night trial period, so you can see whether the brand fits you.
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Black Friday $400 off every mattress on the EcoTerra website
EcoTerra makes natural latex and organic cotton-based mattresses more widely accessible to people on different budgets. With no sales floors, commission-based sales employees, or warehouses, they are better able to cut prices.
EcoTerra mattresses feature sustainable, organic latex from single-origin sources. With no blends or synthetics, their mattresses are less likely to break down, and there is no need for harmful chemical adhesives. There are also no polyurethane foams or chemical flame retardants.
EcoTerra’s Hybrid Latex Mattress twin model costs just $699. The King and Cal King sizes are $1,299 each. All sizes are available in medium and medium-firm versions.
For better control over softness (or firmness), EcoTerra boasts one of the best affordable mattress topper options. This organic latex topper costs $194 for the 2-inch version and $293 for 3 inches.
EcoTerra’s Hybrid Latex Mattress has a 15-year limited warranty and a 90-night trial. Each order includes free shipping in the continental United States, too.
Promo : Save up to 50% on mattresses
Spend $1,000 and save an additional $100—applied right at checkout
Originating in 2016, Nectar is one of Resident’s high-quality mattress brands. It’s now America’s most-awarded mattress brand, with over 200 awards and more than 100,000 5-star reviews from individual customers.
Nectar has an average Trustpilot rating of 4/5 stars from over 14,500 reviews.
Nectar offers both memory foam-only and hybrid mattresses. Its contouring memory foam relieves pressure on your hips and back. All foams are CertiPUR-US certified, and all fabrics are premium quality with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. The innerspring coils of the hybrid model provide you with edge-to-edge support, too.
Among the many awards for the Memory Foam Mattress are Sleepopolis’ 2024 prize for side sleepers and Business Insider’s Best Foam Mattress for Back Pain.
Nectar’s Memory Foam mattress ranges from $349 for the Twin model to $849 for the King and Cal King sizes, making it one of the best value king mattress brands. The Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress costs range from $499 to $999.
Like other Resident brands, Nectar offers a 365-night trial period and a Forever Warranty on all mattress orders. You can also pay with your FSA or HSA, which can save you an average of 30%.
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Enjoy up to 76% off
Layla’s founders aim to bring customers the best affordable cooling mattresses with 2 firmness options on each product.
The Layla memory foam mattress features copper gel that can carry body heat away much more efficiently. It’s also antimicrobial, preventing the growth of bacteria that compromise your health and mattress integrity while causing bad smells [1].
If you choose the foam model, you can flip between soft (4/10) and firm (7/10) sides like a futon. We consider the Layla the best affordable soft mattress for this reason. However, if you’d rather have the budget hybrid mattress, individually wrapped coils add to the support you can expect.
Layla mattresses are also compatible with a wide variety of bases, making it the best affordable mattress for platform bed users.
The memory foam mattress ranges from $599 for a Twin size to $1,099 for a King and Cal King. Hybrids are more expensive, from $1,099 to $1,699.
Layla offers generous deals to customers. You can save up to 76% on accessories and hundreds on an adjustable base. There is also a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty for sagging and loss of height or shape.
Whether you want to spend your time researching the above brands or another you can find in person, here is how to look for the best-price mattresses.
When looking for the best inexpensive mattress brands, cost, material, firmness, and returns policies all matter.
Your top priority is most likely your budget. Today, the memory foam mattresses we reviewed are the most cost-effective. While it’s challenging to find the best queen mattress under $500 unless there is a major sales event, the brands we reviewed even sell larger mattresses under $1,000.
Many online mattress brands list their firmness rating on the product page. We recommend a medium to firm mattress for most people, as very soft models can worsen back pain. However, the best affordable mattress for side sleepers will be on the softer side. Choose a mattress with a supportive core regardless of what firmness level you prefer.
Materials can change how sleeping on a mattress feels, and you may have preferences due to health and environmental concerns. You may prefer the support of a hybrid mattress’s spring layer, the contouring of memory foam, or the eco-friendly, minimal-VOC latex models. Some foams include cooling gel swirls, too, which we recommend for hot climates.
If you want the best affordable mattress for back pain, your best bet is a memory foam model that balances contouring with support.
Finally, you may not know how well you sleep with a mattress for several months. The best brands will have trial periods of several months so you can see if your new mattress doesn’t cause pain or stiffness.
Warranties, sales, and careful research are the best ways to maximize your savings when buying a new mattress.
Each brand we reviewed stocks a range of at least several mattresses with varying prices. For example, DreamCloud’s Twin-size memory foam mattress is just $299, but Nectar’s memory foam product is $349 in the same size.
We recommend making a spreadsheet to compare mattress prices across several brands or models that match your desired firmness, size, and material type.
Sleep trials mean you do not have to worry about wasting money if a mattress doesn’t suit you. We also advise choosing mattresses with as long a warranty as possible. More extended warranties mean you are less likely to get stung by minor manufacturing defects that may take years to show their effects.
There is something like the best time to buy a mattress! Many of the best brands have special offers that allow you to find the best mattress under $500. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day are some annual sales where you can find a wider range of choices that fit your budget.
Fiberglass is one mattress material we recommend you avoid. It’s a known trigger of asthma and an irritant to the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. What’s more, fiberglass can contribute to respiratory infections in workplaces where it is manufactured. Multiple consumer reports and peer-reviewed tests describe the presence and effects of fiberglass in popular brands [2].
Fortunately, cheaper mattresses do not necessarily contain fiberglass. The DreamCloud Memory Foam Mattress, which costs just over $200, contains CertiPUR-US certified non-toxic foams. None of the brands in this review were described in a 2022 paper about fiberglass and other flame-resistant fibers in mattress covers.
>>Check the best prices for our #1 pick: Milton Sleep Co.
Customer reviews from verified buyers on the official site or consumer sites like Trustpilot are a great way to research product quality and customer service.
Milton Sleep Co. has hundreds of verified reviews on its official page. For example, a customer who bought the Milton Essential CoolGel 1.0 in King/Firm wrote:
“I was amazed at how easy the mattress was to set up, and sure enough, within a day, it had plumped up to its full size. The mattress is firm but with enough give to be cozy, and the cooling layer is incredible. I haven’t woken up sweaty once since I got it (about 6 weeks ago)! If you’re looking for a new mattress, look no further [3]!”
Ask people you know about the brand to get a rounded perspective.
In his review on PlushBeds’ website, Guy W. raves about the Eco Mattress, calling it a great upgrade from his old one! He found the assembly instructions clear and loved the extra care info for the mattress and the complementary sheets and protector [4].
Meanwhile, Kun B. mentioned that the 8-inch option feels firm for stomach-sleepers. In their view, it’s a perfect fit for lighter folks who sleep on their backs [4].
A verified buyer of the DreamCloud hybrid mattress describes the importance of balancing quality with price:
“The Dream Cloud memory foam mattress is very comfortable. It is not too hard or soft. It supports your body in all the right places. I was having terrible back pain after sleeping on a cheap Amazon-brand foam mattress, and I no longer have back pain in the morning with this mattress. I love this mattress [5]!”
On a less positive note, Devin O. shared that the mattress was much firmer than expected. When he saw “cloud” in the name, he imagined something soft and bouncy, and with memory foam, he anticipated some “sink-in” comfort. Instead, he describes it as “like sleeping on a wooden board with some styrofoam [5]”.
A verified customer of Awara explains how the right firmness and height make all the difference:
“My life changed after receiving the Awara mattress. My mattress was too soft, and I could barely stand it when I woke. From the first day, my life changed for the better. I can get in and out of bed like a normal person and stand straight with no back ache. The low profile has made it easier to get in and out of bed [6].”
On the flip side, Judee Long expressed disappointment with her mattress purchase. She stated she could feel the springs under her body, which caused back pain after lying down. She tried adjusting for 30 days, hoping it would get more comfortable, but it didn’t work out [6].
EcoTerra’s verified customers note a lack of unpleasant smells and easy setup:
“We love our new mattress! When we got it, we put it on our bed and unwrapped the plastic wrap. It immediately took form and was ready for sleeping on. There was no fuss, no odor (my wife is extremely sensitive to scents), and we loved sleeping on it [7].”
Meanwhile, one customer mentioned being generally satisfied with their mattress but wished they had chosen the medium option instead of medium-firm. The firmness seemed more than they had hoped for [7].
Nectar’s thousands of reviews on Trustpilot reveal a responsible brand alongside high-quality products:
“After finding the memory foam mattress too hot, I contacted the customer service team, and they sent me a free memory foam mattress topper to see if that helped with the problem. Unfortunately, it didn’t resolve the issue, so a replacement was ordered, and a collection and refund of the old mattress was arranged.
The mattress was donated to the British Heart Foundation rather than going to landfill, which I felt was excellent and has made me an advocate for the company [8].”
Conversely, another customer reported an issue when receiving their new mattress. After unpacking it and letting it expand, they noticed a stitching error along one of the seams. The seam was split open and looked likely to unravel, raising concerns about the mattress’s durability [9].
Finally, the Layla mattress’ flippable feature does not disappoint smaller users:
“I was nervous about ordering a folding mattress online. It was simple to unpack (I did the king myself, and I am 5’2), and I even flipped it on my own. I sleep wonderfully, and my 10-year-old prefers to sleep in my bed now with me [10].”
A customer left a 3-star review on Trustpilot, noting that while the setup was straightforward (with some help to carry and unroll it), there were issues. The mattress had a strong odor that lasted a couple of weeks, and though it expanded quickly, it began sagging on the edge where they slept. This led to an uncomfortable sliding-off feeling, plus neck and upper back pain they hadn’t experienced with their previous mattress [11].
Here are the first questions people ask about the best budget mattress brands.
Milton Sleep Co.’s Milton Essential CoolGel 1.0 is a great quality cheap mattress. With cooling gel swirled into memory foam, it offers superior heat dissipation and a better night’s sleep.
DreamCloud’s Memory Foam mattress is the best affordable twin mattress at just $299 and is the most budget-friendly overall.
The average cost of a quality mattress is around $1,000. This may be more if you need or prefer a larger size or want a foam mattress. Smaller sizes and air mattresses are the best inexpensive mattress types.
With so many high-quality mattresses available for less than $1,500 or even $1,000, $3,000 is too much unless you have a high budget ceiling and specific preferences.
It is generally recommended to replace a mattress every 7 to 10 years. However, you can keep your mattress for longer as long as it isn’t moldy, damaged, or sagging.
If you have neck, back, or even shoulder issues, spending more on a nicer mattress may be best. We recommend a material such as organic latex or a hybrid with individually wrapped springs.
You don’t have to settle for the “best” cheap air mattress at a secondhand store. This guide has equipped you to make smart mattress-buying decisions ranging from cooling memory foam, hybrid, and even natural latex options. Our overall winner was Milton Sleep Co., with its cooling and contouring memory foam. PlushBeds’ CertiPUR-US certified Eco Bliss came in at a close second.
Here’s a quick recap of how to find those incredible deals:
>>Check the best prices here at Milton Sleep Co.
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