Many shoppers put off buying a new mattress because of the price. While price often corresponds to craftsmanship and performance, a quality mattress doesn’t need to cost a small fortune.
After thorough research, our team of sleep experts compiled their picks for the best mattresses under $1,000. Aside from value, we chose the models based on factors like material quality, durability, and overall performance. In addition to reviews of these affordable beds, we’ll also discuss what affects mattress pricing and provide tips for how to get the best deal on a mattress.
Find Your Perfect Mattress
We know mattresses work differently for different types of sleepers. Use the filters below to help narrow down your options for your best bed.
Read on to see why the following 3 options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses under $1,000.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
Tuft & Needle Original
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Tuft & Needle Original offers excellent pressure relief, like many competing foam beds, but it stands apart from the competition with a slightly responsive feel that keeps your body from sinking too deep. This model was especially popular with back and stomach sleepers on our team.
Buy From Tuft & Needle
Combination Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Moderate
Pros
- Offers a balance of contouring and bounce
- Open-cell polyfoam designed to keep sleepers cool
- Versatile medium firm (6) feel
Cons
- Only available in medium firm (6)
- Side sleepers under 130 pounds may need a plusher bed
Also known as the T&N, the Tuft & Needle Original is an all-foam mattress that performed well across our range of tests. Featuring above-average pressure relief and temperature control, it conformed closely to our testers without absorbing as much heat as many foam models.
Why We Like It
A soft and lightweight knit cover made from a blend of micro polyamide and polyester boosts the breathability of the comfort system. Our testing showed that the mattress performs well for back and stomach sleepers across all weight groups, though side sleepers over 130 pounds also enjoyed its balanced feel.
We found the Tuft & Needle Original a good fit for combination sleepers and partners with different position preferences. Its balanced performance and economical price-point give it broad appeal.
How Does It Feel?
The two-layer construction starts with 3 inches of polyfoam, which contoured to our testers’ bodies to relieve tension. Because the polyfoam is more responsive than memory foam, our team members didn’t sink excessively or create lasting indentations. The foam also contains gel and graphite infusions designed to draw heat away from sleepers.
For the support core, 6.5 inches of high-density polyfoam promotes spinal alignment and increases the mattress’ durability. Some all-foam mattresses can trap heat, but the Tuft & Needle Original uses open-cell foam engineered to promote breathability. Our surface temperature readings showed that this design didn’t trap a lot of body warmth.
Both foam layers also absorbed movement effectively in our series of motion isolation tests, so excess vibrations or noise shouldn’t be a factor. While the denser polyfoam helps prevent deep impressions from forming, sagging along the edges may occur over time. Our testers over 230 pounds also noted that they didn’t feel completely secure lying along the perimeter.
Most Comfortable Mattress
Dreamfoam Copper Hybrid
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Dreamfoam Copper Hybrid combines the cushioning of foam with a sturdy coil base to produce a comfortable balance of contouring and support. With two firmness options to choose from, most of our testers found an option that catered to them.
Buy From Brooklyn Bedding
Hot Sleepers
Medium (5), Firm (8)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Excellent
Pros
- Available in two firmness levels
- Thick comfort layers designed to ease pressure points
- Pocketed coil core helps reduce motion transfer
Cons
- Foam may produce temporary off-gassing odors
- Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may find the softer model too plush
Of all mattress types, hybrids tend to be the most expensive since their designs are more complex. With its very approachable price tag, the DreamFoam Copper Hybrid by Brooklyn Bedding shows that you don’t have to pay a premium for comfort and quality.
Why We Like It
A 6-inch support core made from individually wrapped coils gives the mattress some bounce while limiting motion transfer. We noticed that minimal vibrations traveled across the surface when we dropped a kettlebell on one side of the bed. The pocketed springs are also designed to increase air circulation, which contributes to the mattress’ above-average temperature control. The perimeter is reinforced with sturdier coils for more uniform support. Our testers felt they could utilize the full mattress surface without the edge sinking out from under them.
Coming in at a fraction of the cost of many similarly constructed models, the DreamFoam Copper is ideal for shoppers who want an affordable hybrid. With a generous comfort system and responsive design, all of our testers rested comfortably on at least one of the firmness options.
How Does It Feel?
Shoppers can choose between a medium (5) or firm (8) feel. Most of our back sleepers and stomach sleepers preferred the firm model’s support, as did our side sleepers over 230 pounds. The medium option performed better for our side sleepers under 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. Both firmness options have nearly identical constructions, but the medium version has a slightly thicker memory foam comfort system for added plushness.
Each version is topped with a soft woven cover designed to feel cool to the touch. The comfort system starts with graphite- and copper-infused memory foam engineered to cushion the body without causing heat retention. We recorded very little lingering warmth on the surface after our testers got up.
Another layer of memory foam offers additional contouring that eased our team members’ pressure points. Firmer polyfoam forms a transitional layer that encourages spinal alignment while absorbing some of the shock from the steel springs.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Silk & Snow Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Silk & Snow Mattress is an all-foam mattress with a thick memory foam layer on top. This layer closely cradles your body, making the bed an excellent choice for side sleepers seeking strong cushioning for the hips and shoulders.
Buy From Silk & Snow
Side Sleepers
Medium (5)
Close-Conforming Foam
Moderate
Pros
- Three layers of foam designed to enhance pressure relief
- All-foam construction absorbs sound and motion
- Machine-washable cover
Cons
- Only available in a medium (5) firmness level
- Sleepers over 230 pounds may sink uncomfortably deep
At 10 inches thick, the Silk & Snow Mattress has a three-layer design made entirely from foam. The medium (5) feel appealed to our testers who sleep on their sides, particularly those under 230 pounds. The mattress’ extra cushioning was also well suited to team members under 130 pounds of any preferred sleep position.
Why We Like It
The entire mattress is encased in a stretchy polyester-spandex blend cover that is machine-washable. The zippered cover has a silver infusion, which is intended to reduce bacterial buildup and related odors.
Thanks to its close contouring, the Silk & Snow Original is a good match for side sleepers under 230 pounds seeking pressure relief. Its quiet design and strong motion isolation also make this model a good option for sleepers who are easily awoken.
How Does It Feel?
The comfort system uses 2 inches of medium-dense memory foam to cradle the body and ease pressure points along the spine. Memory foam that closely contours to the body tends to trap heat, but the Silk & Snow contains gel infusions designed to draw heat away from sleepers. Our team members felt the surface stayed relatively cool throughout the testing process. A 2-inch transitional layer of high-density polyfoam helps straighten the spine while preventing the body from sinking too much.
For the support core, 6 inches of sturdy polyfoam stabilizes the mattress and enhances the performance of the comfort system. Because foam absorbs vibrations well, you’re less likely to be disturbed by your partner’s movements. We noticed little motion transfer when testers lay side by side. Solo sleepers who are sensitive to sound should also appreciate the mattress’ whisper-quiet construction.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our sleep specialists test mattresses with varying price-points to compare very economical models with luxury-oriented designs. We can therefore attest that not every top-performing mattress comes with a premium price tag.
We assess models based on strict product testing methodology across categories like pressure relief, temperature control, and durability. After stacking these and other performance features against relative cost, we came up with a curated list of the best mattresses under $1,000 that takes into account all types of sleep styles and body sizes.
How to Choose a Mattress Under $1,000
Higher quality is generally associated with steeper costs, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Budget-conscious shoppers can still find outstanding models without breaking the bank. Knowing the relationship between price, construction type, and materials can help you find a bargain without sacrificing quality.
Price
A mattress with a suspiciously low sticker price may be too good to be true. Very low prices often indicate inferior materials or shoddy craftsmanship, which usually means a shorter lifespan. An inexpensive but low-quality model might backfire in the long run, as it will likely wear down at a much faster rate.
Mattress Type
Mattress type also plays a role in pricing, since certain materials and construction methods are more costly than others. A simple two-layer foam model is typically less expensive than a complex five-layer hybrid. With that said, every mattress category has its bargain buys.
Sleeping Position
To get the most comfort and support, we recommend factoring in your sleep style when shopping for a mattress. Most side sleepers do well with a softer model that cushions pressure points on the shoulders and hips. Stomach and back sleepers, on the other hand, generally fare better with a firmer mattress that can support these heavier areas.
What Affects the Price of a Mattress?
Mattress costs may seem random at times, but several factors consistently influence pricing. Size, thickness, and material type all affect sticker price. Purchasing a mattress online tends to be more affordable than shopping at a brick-and-mortar store.
Mattress Size
Cost goes up with size, so a king size mattress is a bigger investment than a twin bed. If you’re trying to furnish a guest room on a budget, buying a full size mattress instead of a queen may save you money. Similarly, couples can shave off cost without compromising quality by opting for a queen instead of a king size model.
Mattress Layers
Mattresses with fewer layers are generally less expensive than more complex designs. Thicker layers also correspond to higher prices. However, we’ve found that thinner comfort or support systems are less likely to withstand the test of time.
Where You Buy the Mattress
The shift to online purchasing in recent years has resulted in dramatically lower prices for shoppers. Brick-and-mortar stores have higher overhead, which often means less competitive pricing than online retailers.
The mattress-in-a-box business model revolutionized the bedding industry. Professional installation generally isn’t necessary, and shipping is commonly free. Online shopping usually offers more discounts, either directly on the mattress company’s website or through other retailers who sell their products.
Quality and Type of Materials
Certain materials are inherently more expensive than others, especially if they use cooling technology or sustainable components. Memory foam and latex models are usually costlier than polyfoam or innerspring mattresses. Traditional innerspring mattresses are much less expensive than hybrids, which generally use more sophisticated coil systems to reduce motion transfer and heat buildup.
Material quality and density also impact price. A thinner mattress made from relatively lightweight foam might be affordable, but it’s unlikely to hold up to normal wear and tear over time. Natural or organic materials are usually more expensive than their synthetic counterparts, especially when it comes to latex.
Mattress Type | Typical Price Range (Queen) |
|---|---|
Foam | $900 to $1,200 |
Latex | $1,600 to $2,200 |
Hybrid | $1,600 to $2,200 |
Airbed | $2,000 to $2,400 |
Bedding and Other Accessories
Of course, a mattress isn’t the only component of your sleep environment. We suggest you consider a bed frame, pillows, sheets, and a comforter when budgeting for a new bed. Your old bedding or foundation may not be compatible with your new mattress, in which case you might have to spend an extra few hundred dollars or more to complete your bed setup.
Other costs might include installation services or delivery fees, especially if you live outside of the contiguous U.S. If you need your old mattress or foundation removed, you’ll likely have to purchase White Glove delivery unless the service is included. White Glove service often runs around $150.
How to Get the Best Deal on a Mattress
Sometimes you might chance upon a bargain mattress, but finding a good deal often involves knowing where and how to shop. We recommend comparison shopping and capitalizing on holiday sales and coupons to hunt down a below-average price.
Shop Mattress Sales
Mattress sales are fairly common throughout the year and typically coincide with holidays, like Labor Day and Memorial Day. Companies usually advertise the sales well in advance, and the deals can last anywhere from a day or two to a few weeks. The lowest prices of the year often occur on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, which are right after Thanksgiving.
Shop Online
Purchasing online directly from the manufacturer can shave off cost since it removes the overhead and the intermediary. Shipping is often free, and some companies include free bedding or old mattress removal.
Comparison shopping is also much easier online since brick-and-mortar stores frequently have limited inventory and brand diversity. Online sleuthing gives you a more comprehensive view of market pricing.
Coupons and Discounts
Even if you’ve missed one of the big holiday sales, coupons and discounts are regularly available. Some retailers price match, so it can pay to dig around for the lowest asking price. While it’s certainly easier to locate discounts online, you can always try price negotiation at a physical store.
Finding bundle deals can also help cut down on costs. Many online companies offer significant discounts when you purchase bedding accessories, like sheets and pillows, along with a mattress.
Browse Different Brands
With so much information at your fingertips, the internet makes comparison shopping quick and easy. Shoppers can compare prices and warranties of comparable models from a variety of brands. Reading customer reviews can also shed light on mattress performance, durability, and value.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
- POSITION: Side sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Wolf
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