7 Best Mattresses Under $500 for Sleepers on a Budget
Your wallet (and back) will thank you later.
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Fact: Mattresses can truly be a pricey investment. Also fact: They don’t have to be. Trust, I’ve been needing a new mattress for quite a while now, but I simply couldn’t stomach the price tag of those luxury mattresses. Lucky for me, affordable mattresses under $500 exist (and no, I’m not just talking about twin-size mattresses, because there’s no way I’m going back to a bed that just reminds me of my college dorm). Whether you’re looking for a plush foam mattress or supportive hybrid mattress, I’m happy to report that affordable and comfy mattresses do indeed exist (*gasp*), and I’ve rounded up the very best.
If you’ve made it to this corner of the internet, I can only imagine that you’re in the same predicament as me: You want a quality mattress without the luxury price tag. To save you from scouring the internet, I went ahead and found the very best mattresses under $500 (you’re welcome), ranging from super-plush to firm and springy. And while they’re not exactly luxury mattresses, these online options fit a stricter budget and will still have you snuggling and snoozing in pure bliss, promise.
Our top picks for the best mattresses under $500 of 2024:
From firmer mattresses for stomach sleepers to softer mattresses ideal for side sleepers, the affordable mattress of your dreams is waiting for ya below.
Pros
- Offers impressive pressure relief (especially for side sleepers)
- Green tea and charcoal infusions prolong freshness of mattress
Cons
- Not ideal for strict stomach sleepers
- Tends to trap heat, so not a good choice for hot sleepers
Attn lovers of plush, slow-sinking foam mattresses—you’re gonna want to check this one out. Available in multiple heights, this Zinus option is designed with pressure-relieving memory foam that contours to the shape of your body. But what’s especially cool about this mattress is its unique green tea and charcoal infusions, which help absorb moisture and fight odor buildup over time.
- Type: Foam
- Height: 6", 8", 10", or 12"
- Firmness: Medium
- Sizes: Narrow twin, twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, Cal king
- Trial period: 100 nights
Glowing Customer Review: “This bed is one-third the price of any mattress I’ve bought, yet it’s the most comfortable I’ve ever laid on by a long shot. It is very supportive but also very comfortable. For the first time in my life, I genuinely look forward to going to sleep and wake up feeling so comfortable. I recommend this to anyone and everyone. Can’t praise it enough.”
Pros
- Edge support is great
- Minimal motion transfer makes it ideal for couples
Cons
- Mattress sleeps a bit hot, according to a few reviewers
- Has thin comfort layer, so may be too firm for some
A quality hybrid mattress doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. At just a little over $300, this bestselling Allswell mattress is all the proof you need. Made with a combo of durable springs and memory foam, it offers slightly firm support for those who’d rather not be swallowed by their mattress. It’s also a perfect fit for couples, thanks to its individually wrapped coils that minimize motion transfer and durable edge support around the perimeter for added sturdiness.
- Type: Hybrid
- Height: 10"
- Firmness: Slightly firm
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
- Trial period: 100 nights
Glowing Customer Review: “So happy with this purchase! As soon as we took it out of the packaging, it expanded to probably 8 inches and fully expanded to 10 inches overnight. It doesn’t have any odor, which I’m very happy about. Also, it is the perfect balance between soft but supportive."”
Pros
- Pressure-relieving without being *too* soft
- Easy to change positions, according to reviewers
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it doesn’t fully expand to expected height
- Can sleep a tad hot
A great memory foam pick, this mattress from NapQueen (hey, are they talking about me?!) is seriously impressive. I mean, this thing has layers. You’ve got the high-density support foam for the ultimate comfort. Then you’ve got your charcoal-infused foam for extended freshness. Oh, and let’s not forget about the fire retardant barrier topped with a cozy quilted removable and washable fabric. Since it contours to your body, it’s great for both side and back sleepers, and reviewers def enjoy the bang for the buck.
- Type: Foam
- Height: 6", 8", 10", 12", or 14"
- Firmness: Medium
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king
- Trial period: 100 nights
Glowing Customer Review: “I love this bed. I like that it’s ‘firm’ in the sense that when you lay on it, it shapes exactly to your body but it doesn’t dip around you. Great for back sleepers like me but still soft enough if you’re a side sleeper.”
Pros
- Minimal motion transfer
- A good choice for hot sleepers
Cons
- Not the best for side sleepers
- More firm than some reviewers expected
Okay, yes, this is another Zinus option, but the company just does affordable mattresses so well. This high-rated one in particular is a m-a-j-o-r win for hot sleepers. Why? You can thank the gel-infused memory foam that not only provides an all-night cooling sensation, but impressive pressure relief as well. Now, combine that with the individually wrapped coils, which allow for better airflow, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
- Type: Hybrid
- Height: 10", 12", or 14"
- Firmness: Medium
- Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king
- Trial period: 100 nights
Glowing Customer Review: “It’s incredibly comfortable. All my morning aches and pains are gone, and I had the best night’s sleep in years. It feels like it’s snuggling me in the best way, without making me feel like I am sinking into it or being hard to change positions at night. I generally sleep hot, but even on a hot night, this mattress was plenty cool for me.”
Pros
- Has impressive amount of edge support
- Does a nice job of isolating motion transfer
Cons
- May be too firm for side sleepers
- Not for those who like to sink into their mattress
Please don’t sleep (pun intended) on this Amazon find from Lucid. I call this the “Goldilocks” mattress because it’s made for stomach and back sleepers alike. It combines two comfort layers—one made of buoyant latex and the other of moldable, gel-infused memory foam—as well as a support layer of pocketed coils, giving the mattress a fab balance of pressure relief and responsiveness.
- Type: Hybrid
- Height: 10" or 12"
- Firmness: Slightly firm
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
- Trial period: 30 nights
Glowing Customer Review: “We wanted a firm bed. This is the one! It is very firm but seems to cradle your curves without too much give. The latex allows a nice recoil, yet allows for movement without disturbing your partner. Love our bed!!!”
Pros
- Provides top-notch pressure relief
- Great for isolating motion (which couples will <3)
Cons
- Edge support could be improved
- Some found it sleeps a lil hot, despite gel infusions
With more than 43,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this high-rated find has won the hearts (and wallets) of thousands. The gel foam material offers 12 inches of cushy support and cooling comfort that hot sleepers (like me!) will definitely enjoy. And while it’s definitely on the soft side, it also comes in a slightly firmer hybrid version for those who don’t love that sinking-in foam mattress feeling.
- Type: Foam
- Height: 12"
- Firmness: Medium soft
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
- Trial period: Not listed
Glowing Customer Review: “A little over 24 hours after the bed had a chance to inflate, laying down was a DREAM. I sank into that sucker like a melted stick of butter. I slept the sleep of angels. Now I can’t get off of it. I’m writing this review from it. Our cat hasn’t left it in hours. We don’t even use our couch anymore. This bed is LIFE-CHANGING.”
Pros
- So! Affordable!
- Good for all sleeping positions, depending on thickness
Cons
- May take up to 72 hours to fully expand
- Testers say you can expect some off-gassing
This unassuming option is full of surprises. Ya, it may look basic, but over 16,000 five-star reviewers say this mattress works for just about any sleeping position, depending on the thickness you choose. It’s got a high-density foam base topped with gel memory foam (yawning just thinking about it), and it comes in multiple thickness options, ranging from firm and supportive to thick and plush.
- Type: Foam
- Height: 5", 6", 8", 10", 12", or 14"
- Firmness: Slightly firm to medium soft
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
- Trial period: Not listed
Glowing Customer Review: “This bed is AMAZING!! For less than $300?! STEAL!! I have had the best sleep over the last few nights on this bed. I was skeptical at first, but after 24 hours of not using it, it formed to the perfect shape. It’s more firm than soft, which I LOVE, so I have zero complaints about this bed so far. Worth every penny!”
How to choose the best mattress under $500
As much as I love a deal, cheaper isn’t always better (sry to be the bearer of bad news). With that being said, the internet can be a gold mine for cheap mattresses—as long as you do your research. Here are a few things to consider when trying to find the right mattress on a budget:
Consider the mattress type
Arguably the most important thing to know about your mattress is what kind you’re getting and the materials used to make it. Let’s get into the basics you should know about the two most common types of mattresses, shall we?
- Foam mattresses are the most popular type, especially for the picks above. This material in particular molds to your body and has minimal motion transfer, making it ideal for couples or anyone who loves that sinking-in feeling. They also tend to be one of the more affordable options when it comes to mattresses. And while all of this it great, it’s also important to note that foam isn’t always the most durable in terms of longevity and tends to hold onto heat, making it an easy choice for cold sleepers, but a tough one for sweaty sleepers.
- Hybrid mattresses are made of a combo of two or more support systems—the most common being memory foam and innerspring coils. It’s kinda like the Hannah Montana of mattresses: It gives you the best of both worlds. While the layer of memory foam offers a plush, body-conforming layer, the innerspring coils provide a strong support to increase longevity. A drawback of hybrid options, though, is that they tend to be on the $$$ side. But it’s worth the investment if you’re wanting a mattress that’ll have you snoozing comfortably for years to come.
Think about how you sleep
Depending on your body’s sleeping preference, it’s good to make note of how firm a mattress is before purchasing. Beds on the firmer side are best for stomach sleepers, heavier individuals, and some back sleepers who don’t like that sinking-in feeling. Above all, prioritizing a firmness level that allows your spine to remain neutral is key.
If you’re sharing a bed with another person, a mattress that dampens movement is a must, especially if one of you are a light sleeper. Good edge control is also beneficial whether you’re sharing the bed or someone who likes to move around. Trust, you’ll feel even more comfortable knowing that the edge won’t turn on you and dip too low.
Read the reviews and return policies
I’m a big proponent of reviews, especially when ordering something online. Since you can’t test it before purchasing, let the input of others help you make your decision. And don’t skip over the negative ones either. Those are just as helpful when determining which mattress is best for you.
Also: Check. The. Company’s. Mattress. Policies! A mattress is an investment that takes time (weeks, even months!) to see if it’s the right fit for you. Tons of brands, including ones on Amazon, offer 100+ days trial periods, free shipping and returns, and 10+ year warranties so you have time to test your mattress. To ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth, always read the fine print.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
As you probably know, Cosmo’s lifestyle team spends all day every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so that we can bring you the type of high-quality content we’d want for ourselves (and our standards are preeeetty darn high, TBH).
We try to make sure the products we feature are good for both you and our planet. If we wouldn’t buy something for ourselves, we sure as heck won’t recommend it to you—and we’re always gonna keep it really, really real. Pinky swear.
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