Why Trust The Spruce
This article was edited by Jill Di Donato, who has worked in digital media for over a decade, specializing in the lifestyle space. It was written and researched by Cristina Sanza, a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. She considered dozens of mattress retail selections, reading customer reviews, third-party articles, and brand websites to help you choose a new mattress you’ll love sleeping on night after night.
What Do You Think Of Ikea Mattresses
The Swedish furniture maker has a reputation for aesthetically pleasing, bare-bones furniture designed for modern spaces. While they are not best known for their bedding options, their beds range in price from $159 to $899, plus they offer a 25-year limited warranty.
Within this range, they also offer innerspring, foam, and hybrid constructions. Before you jump in your car and head over to Ikea for Swedish meatballs and a bed, it may help you to know that their mattress firmness levels are generally rated as Firm to Medium Firm. This means that if youre a side sleeper, you may not feel as comfortable, but if youre strictly a stomach sleeper, you may be able to find something you like.
What Factors Can Affect The Price Of A Mattress
Mattress prices might seem confusing, but several factors contribute to the sticker price:
- Size. For starters, a twin mattress will be less expensive than a queen mattress of the same construction because of the additional materials necessary to make it.
- Materials. Less expensive mattresses use more basic materials, such as foam. They may also have springs and not use much padding. Higher end mattresses may use latex and other high quality materials, like organic cotton or wool.
- Location. Where you purchase your mattress can also greatly affect price. Brick-and-mortar stores will typically have higher prices than online-only retailers.
- Policies. Any mattress company that offers flexible return policies and generous warranties will most likely cost more than those without trial periods and lengthy warranties.
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How To Choose A Mattress
Weve collected all our big-picture mattress-buying advice to help you find a bed youll happily sleep on for years.
Many all-foam mattresses, especially cheaper ones, contain fiberglass to comply with flammability standards. In reading customer reviews of mattresses in this price range, we found some owners complaining that after they opened the mattress cover, fiberglass was unleashed into their homes, causing skin and respiratory irritation. Generally this shouldnt be an issue unless the cover wears out or you remove it, which you arent supposed to do .
Theres also something very unpleasant that can happen to a cheap foam mattress. Carr told us that polyurethane foam in mattresses reacts with moisture , causing hydrolysis. That chemical reaction produces urea, one of the main components of urine. There are additives that stabilize the foam to prevent hydrolysis, but theyre expensive, and manufacturers of cheaper mattresses might cut corners to keep their costs lower, Carr said. So over time your bed might start to smell like pee. We dont know for certain whether this would happen with the mattresses we cover in this guide, but using a waterproof mattress cover or encasement may help.
Other Expenses To Consider
When budgeting for your new mattress, consider other potential costs, such as:
- Bed frames and headboards. Will you also be purchasing a new bed frame, or perhaps a new headboard? Factor these into the total cost.
- Bedding. If youre upgrading to a bigger bed, youll also need to purchase new sheets, a comforter, and possibly a new mattress topper or pillows.
- Box spring. Find out if the mattress requires a box spring. Not all mattresses do, but they can add to the cost.
If youre purchasing a mattress for the first time, here are a few common questions you may have.
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Shipping Rates Returns And Warranties
Online mattress companies have a fairly well-established protocol for shipping, returns, and warranty policies, but it pays to be aware of the options and check the fine print before buying your mattress.
Shipping
Is shipping free?Most online mattress companies offer free ground shipping via FedEx or UPS Ground in the continental U.S., even for mattresses below $200. Customers in Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada may have to pay extra.
How long does it take to arrive?Shipping can take anywhere from 1-2 days up to 2 weeks or more depending on where the mattress ships from and what method the company uses. Most companies ship out the mattress from their manufacturing facility, so if you know where the bed is made then you can get an estimate of how long it will take to arrive. Some companies offer expedited shipping for an extra fee.
How is the mattress shipped?The majority of mattresses available for purchase online are shipped as a mattress-in-a-box. This means that the mattress is compressed, shrink-wrapped, and delivered in a cardboard box. Setting up the mattress is as easy as placing it on the bed frame, carefully removing the box and plastic, and letting the bed unfurl. The mattress will expand immediately but may take a few days to reach its full size.
Returns
Warranties
Why You Should Trust Us
As a staff writer on Wirecutters sleep team, Ive covered various health and self-care topics and written a range of reviews, including our coverage of meditation apps, face sunscreens, and silk pillowcases. For this guide, I tested nine mattresses side by side at Wirecutters office in Long Island City, New York, and I slept on three of our finalists at home for a week each.
Writer Justin Redman conducted research and testing for the first version of this guide. He interviewed Stephen Carr, a professor of materials science and engineering at Northwestern University and an expert on the polyurethane foams commonly used in inexpensive mattresses. He also interviewed Christine Hibbard, vice president of consumer insights for FXI, a company that supplies foam to many mattress companies Jamie Diamonstein, chief product officer at Leesa, the company that makes one of the top picks in our foam and hybrid mattress guides and Hilary Murphy, vice president of merchandising for Mattress Firm, a national chain of mattress stores.
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Should I Consider A More Expensive Mattress
It all depends on your personal needs. As we note above, if you dont have specific sleep concerns and have a tight budget, if you move frequently, or if you otherwise dont need a mattress to last for more than a few years, you can get a decently comfortable mattress for less than $400 . A cheap mattress can also be a good choice for an infrequently used guest room. However, if you do have more-specialized needs or want to make a long-term purchase , a cheap mattress might not be the greatest idea.
If you buy a more expensive mattress, youll likely be happier with your purchase over the long term. This is especially true if youre shopping for an innerspring mattress. After testing several cheap innerspring mattresses, we found that most priced under $500 were almost unbearably uncomfortable. Though some cheap foam and hybrid mattresses still feel reasonably comfortable, more expensive oneslike those we recommend in our guides to the best foam mattresses and the best hybrid mattressestend to be made from denser foams and to be more durable. Companies that sell pricier mattresses also tend to be more transparent about how their mattresses are made, offer longer trial periods, and have more flexible return policies .
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Mattress
Presidents Day routinely has the best sales on mattresses, but that isnt the only time of year to buy a mattress. Mattresses also go on sale on Memorial Day and Labor Day. And since many people purchase cheap mattresses at Amazon or other online retailers, and Cyber Monday deals can give you good bang for your buck, too.
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What To Expect From A Cheap Mattress
For this guide, we focused on mattresses that cost less than $400 for a queen . We identified this cutoff because some of the are in this price range . After years of testing mattresses, weve found that you typically get what you pay for. So what do you get with a really cheap mattress?
Generally speaking, most mattresses in this price range are all-foam or foam-forward hybrids, rather than innerspring. Cheaper mattresses are likely to be made from lower-quality memory foam and polyfoam, have fewer layers, and offer few to no bells and whistles, such as contoured or zoned foams or cooling cover materials. Most of the under-$400 mattresses we looked at had basic, sock-style covers made from polyester or poly-jacquard , which werent particularly thick or soft.
Concerns over the durability of cheaper foams used in budget mattresses are valid.
Cheap mattresses tend to be firmer than more expensive ones. Of the nine mattresses we tested, none could be classified as being soft or medium-soft, and nearly all were at least medium-firm. This is likely because cheap-mattress companies use firmer foam to make a mattress feel more substantial and of a higher quality than it actually is. Cheap mattresses also rarely offer multiple firmness options, as many of our over-$1,000 pickslike the Saatva Classic or Loom & Leafdo.
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Full Size Mattress Features
The perfect not-too-big, not-too-small bed, a full size mattress clocks in at 54 x 74, making it an ideal choice for single sleepers of all ages. While this size can also accommodate couples, keep in mind that its a cozier fit than the more spacious queen-sized mattress. On the plus side, the compact nature of this bed makes it easier to fit into any bedroomand easier on your wallet. Whether youre looking to upgrade from a twin bed or simply wanting a versatile space-saver, this is the size for you.
At Mattress Warehouse, you can shop for a full mattress from top-of-the-line brands such as: Bedgear, Cheswick Manor, Kingsdown, Mattress 2.0, Royal, Sealy, Serta, SomosBeds, Stearns & Foster, and Tempur-Pedic.
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How We Picked And Tested
We started our research for this guide by evaluating about two-dozen cheap mattresses, using criteria similar to what we use for our main foam, hybrid, and innerspring guides. This is what we look for:
We also considered the quality of each mattress companys customer service, but in the end that didnt factor into our decision process. With the exception of a few standouts, customer service was subpar across the category compared with that of companies selling more-expensive mattresses. I got disconnected from multiple customer service calls after being on hold for several minutes, and most of the companies I contacted wouldnt reveal information, such as the foam densities of their mattresses. Several companies had average or poor ratings with the Better Business Bureau . On the whole, when you buy a cheaper mattress, you can expect to get less-personalized treatment and less access to customer service.
Eventually, I settled on five finalists: the Best Price Mattress Memory Foam, the Classic Brands Cool Gel Memory Foam, the Vibe Gel Memory Foam, the Zinus Cooling Copper Adaptive Hybrid, and the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam. I then slept on each mattress for at least one week in my apartment, and I spent a week sleeping on the Novaform ComfortGrande to assess how a more expensive mattress compared.
Best Cheap Mattress 202: Affordable Beds For Under $500
We’ve rounded up the best cheap mattresses to help you sleep better for less
Figuring out the best cheap mattress â one that offers good value for its lower price, rather than being a false economy â can be a tricky process. This guide is here to help. We’ve reviewed a load of bargain models from across the market, to help put together this ranking. The good news is trickle-down tech means we’re starting to see more advanced materials and features in today’s cheap mattresses.
We rigorously research and test the latest mattresses to provide accurate, data-driven and unbiased recommendations. We rate each mattress out of 10, and use our review data to inform our rankings.Read our full methodology
Some of the models in this list are made by brands that feature in our best mattress guide, while others come from smaller companies you may not have heard of but are well-rated by existing customers. Our selection of top-rated affordable mattresses all cost less than $500 for a queen size, and they come on a trial basis so that you can test yours at home to make sure it really is the best option for you. Bear in mind, too, that most sleep brands offer very regular mattress sales, so you might well be able to snap up a more luxurious mattress than you’d expect, within your budget.
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Should You Test Out A Mattress Before You Buy
Of course. It doesnt hurt to lie down on a mattress in a store before buying. Youll want to make sure the firmness feels comfortable for you.
Testing the edge support is also a good idea. Lie on the mattress, and see if you feel like youre going to roll off.
However, being able to test out a mattress at home over the course of 1 or 2 months is just as important, so you know how comfortable the mattress really is night after night.
Therefore, with the expansion of online mattress buying, you dont technically have to try out a mattress before you buy. Make sure you note a companys trial period or other guarantees. This tells you how long you can test the mattress to see if it works for you.
Many companies offer free delivery and free take-away if a mattress doesnt work out. But make sure you know this in advance to save yourself a headache if you need to return it.
Whats The Best Time Of Year To Buy A Mattress
If youre flexible on your timeline, wait to buy your new mattress until late winter or early spring, when many companies are running promotions. May is considered the best time to get a good price on a mattress.
However, if you cant wait, look around for any current promotions or coupon codes before you buy.
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Nolah Original 10 Mattress
The Nolah Original 10 mattress is made of three layers of AirFoam and wrapped in a soft, breathable viscose fabric cover that helps moisture evaporate to keep you dry and cool.
Combination sleepers, or people who move around often at night, need a mattress that provides a decent level of responsiveness and facilitates easy movement. For budget shoppers, it can sometimes be difficult to find a responsive mattress at a good price. But the all-foam Nolah mattress offers a good level of responsiveness and superior motion isolation.
Shipping Returns And Warranties
We recommend reading the fine print on a mattress brands shipping, return, and warranty policies before purchasing a new bed, especially if you are buying online. These policies are fairly consistent across different brands, but careful research will help you avoid hidden fees. This section includes a general overview of what to expect for mattress shipping, returns, and warranties.
Shipping
Options: The vast majority of online brands offer free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. Some also ship for free to Alaska, Hawaii, and/or Canada. Most standard ground deliveries reach their destination in two weeks or less. If standard shipping will take too long, you may be able to select expedited shipping for an added charge. A third option, if available, is White Glove delivery. This includes in-home assembly and old mattress removal, but the wait time is often longer typically two to three weeks.
Rates: Standard ground shipping is normally free within the contiguous U.S. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and other non-contiguous locations that qualify for delivery may pay anywhere from $100 to $600 for mattress shipping. Expedited shipping will also incur extra charges, but usually no more than $50. If White Glove delivery is not free, expect to pay at least $150 for in-home assembly and old mattress removal.
Returns
Warranties
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How We Test Mattresses
The Tomâs Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks – that’s roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress – and spend hours scientifically testing the performance of each product.
Mattress firmness is subjective, so each lead reviewer also forms a trusted and experienced testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, who rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria.
Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, well-balanced and data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress youâre interested in really is the best choice for you. Read our full mattress methodology for more.
Is Labor Day A Good Time To Buy A Boxed Mattress
Absolutely! Holiday weekends in general â including Labor Day weekend â are ideal for buying mattresses because you can count on the fact that there will be good deals to shop. While mattress companies may offer discounts and sales throughout the year, Labor Day mattress sales will be more competitive across brands. Especially for the bed-in-a-box category, you can expect to find great .
You can find more information about how we test and shopping tips to help you choose the perfect mattress at the end of this article. First, here’s everything you need to know about our recommendations for the best mattresses in a box, with prices listed for queen sizes.
Each boxed mattress is evaluated by the scientists and product experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab to make sure they’ll have a stress-free delivery and set up along with a comfortable feel. We review the materials, specifications, noteworthy features and any relevant performance claims from the start. We also research the brands to check for common complaints and to make sure we feel comfortable recommending the company to our readers. Sometimes mattress brands that put a lot of effort into their marketing end up having red flags for quality or customer service, so they get eliminated from our review.
Throughout this testing period, each mattress is evaluated for aspects like:
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