The Best Affordable Mattress To Improve Your Sleep

You spend about a quarter to one-third of your day in bed. So a mattress is a purchase you might understandably put a lot of thought into. As you shop around, you might cover your eyes and peek through your fingers at the various price tags. Some options might not fall into your budget. But don’t panic. You don’t need to scrape the bottom of your bank account to find a quality mattress that helps you get a good night’s sleep.

Although price can be an indicator of extra bells and whistles in a mattress, price doesn’t always dictate high quality, and a higher price doesn’t mean one mattress is better than another. Plenty of affordable mattress options can have you sleeping on cloud nine. In this article, we’ll explore the best inexpensive mattresses, what to look for, and more.

You might not think you’re doing all that much while you’re sleeping, but your mind and body remain busy during slumber.

What happens during sleep:

• Your brain undergoes neuroplasticity, the growth and reorganization of its neural network.
• Your mind consolidates your memory, replaying what you learned throughout the day and storing specifics, helping you remember key information, and facilitating recollection of past events.
• Your body undergoes physical repair, for example, adapting to the workout you did and helping you get stronger or aiding in your recovery after a yardwork session.
• Your immune system boosts production of germ-fighting proteins.

As you can see, quality sleep is crucial for your cognitive, mental, and physical health. A quality mattress can boost your chances of getting good sleep. A worn-out sagging version, on the other hand, can impede it and lead to pain, groggy days, and more.

Research is mixed on how often you should replace your mattress. Factors, such as mattress type and materials, likely mean the answer varies. But research confirms that mattresses lose quality over time with consistent use, especially after five years. So the prevailing ballpark estimate is that you should replace your mattress about every decade, or earlier if you notice a decline in comfort and quality.

So you’ve decided to replace your mattress, and you’re looking for cheap beds and mattress deals. Does a lower price have tradeoffs? First, let’s dispel the notion that price automatically dictates quality.

Yes, people do correlate price with higher quality before buying something, according to research. However, once they own and try a product, the relationship between price and perceived quality goes away.

This implies that price can sometimes create a false narrative about a product. Your experience of what you buy is all that matters for determining quality—at least to you. Price is, therefore, sometimes just a marketing tactic.

In fact, “value for price paid is a key driver in satisfaction,” reports J.D. Power, an independent researcher of consumer insights. A recent J.D. Power report also puts price into perspective. You might perceive that people are generally dropping thousands of dollars on a mattress, giving you some FOMO (fear of missing out). Some people are forking over oodles of cash, of course. But the average price point is about $1,000 for online purchases and $1,200 for in-store mattress buying.

If price doesn’t dictate quality, then what does? Here’s what we know from research.

Factors affecting mattress quality independent of price.

Whether you’re spending thousands on a luxury mattress or opting for a budget-friendly addition to your bedroom, you’ll encounter several basic mattress types.

These mattresses, made of polyurethane or memory foam layers, are some of the most affordable. They contour to your body to provide pressure relief for joints and help keep your spine in alignment. They also offer motion isolation to reduce the risk of waking a bed partner when you switch positions.

A few downsides include that they can retain heat, they may wear out faster than other mattress types, and they may not offer enough support if you prefer a firm mattress.

Latex options are made from natural or synthetic rubber. They are a bit more durable and breathable than memory foam mattresses while still providing pressure relief and motion isolation. They are also a great option if you prefer natural materials in your bedding.

One downside is that they may not provide enough support for people who prefer a firmer feel or dislike the feeling of sinking in.

Innerspring mattresses feature traditional coil springs for support and a foam, fiber, or other type of padding comfort layer. You can find budget-friendly options. Innerspring options tend to offer firmer support when compared to foam or latex mattresses. And their coils help increase airflow for breathability. Innerspring mattresses also have good edge support, so you don’t accidentally slip off mid-sleep.

The cons include that they may be too firm for people who prefer that sinking-in feeling, they don’t isolate motion as well as foam or latex, and they may sag over time, depending on mattress quality.

Hybrid mattresses combine the coil support with additional layers of foam or latex on top. You can find a mix of affordable and more expensive types. These mattresses are great if you prefer the best of both worlds: cushy foam or latex with springy coil support.

One con is that they can be bulkier or heavier, and because of their hybrid nature, they may not be pleasing to folks who want a more foam or latex experience or that traditional innerspring bounce.

Gel grid mattresses, such as Purple, use polymer or gel-infused foam. Like latex or foam mattresses, gel versions offer pressure-relief and help keep your spine in alignment. They usually have breathability and cooling features. However, they tend to be more expensive than foam or latex options.

We’ve compiled a list of some favorite affordable mattresses, based on various needs. Keep in mind that prices may vary and fluctuate, based on sale periods or manufacturer adjustments.

Side sleepers need a cushy-but-supportive option that offers pressure relief for joints while contouring to the body to keep your spine in better alignment. Consider the DreamCloud Classic Memory Foam Mattress, available in all sizes. Even the queen and some king options slide in at a base price of under $1,000. As a bonus, sometimes the manufacturer even includes sleep accessories with your purchase.

Back sleepers typically need a mattress that’s on the firmer side. One option that might fit your budget is the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid. It delivers the traditional support of an innerspring mattress with a high-density foam layer for pressure relief and motion isolation. And it comes in three firmness options: soft, medium, firm. You’ll get the comfort you desire without placing too much stress on your bank account.

When you’re outfitting a guest space in your home, you want your loved ones to be comfy and sleep well, but you don’t want to fork over oodles of cash. The mattress will undergo temporary rather than continuous use, helping it to last longer. A memory foam option is great for this purpose. Consider the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress. Your guests will hopefully appreciate the just-right medium-firm feel that also helps keep them cool. And you’ll keep your cool with the budget-friendly price.

If you’re looking for a mattress that helps prevent overheating during the night, then the Glacier Original Hybrid might be for you. As the Glacier name implies, this mattress features cooling technology with its breathable quilted cover over graphite-infused memory foam that draws heat away. But the cooling functionality doesn’t drive up the price. The manufacturer often offers sales prices at 50% off the original.

You don’t need bells and whistles for a quality mattress, so if you’re on a tight budget, think about getting back to basics. Consider the Boring AF (All-Foam) Mattress, which keeps the price point well under $1,000. Buy during a sale, and the mattress is practically a steal. Yet it provides key features, including a supportive base layer, a responsive contouring layer, and a pressure-relieving layer for sensitive joints.

You can buy your mattress online or in-person if your manufacturer of choice has a brick-and-mortar store. Some research suggests that people save about $250 by shopping for a mattress online. This may be because online-only manufactures might have some reduced overhead costs and are more able to pass savings on to the consumer.

Regardless of where or how you shop, here’s a checklist that helps you strategize regarding savings and satisfaction with your purchase:

• Is the mattress on sale? Manufacturers often slash prices on major holiday weekends.
• Does the mattress come with any add-ons, such as mattress pads or pillows? This can help you get the most bang for your buck.
• Does the mattress come with a warranty?
• Does the mattress come with a trial period, such as 120 to 365 days, allowing you to try it out worry-free?
• What is the return policy? Will you incur a processing fee?
• Does the manufacturer offer old mattress removal when they deliver your new one? This can save you from some hassle.

You might be able to purchase some mattresses and other sleep-related products with dollars from your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). Mattresses and sleep products might be eligible expenses if you’re using the product to address a specific medical condition. If approved by an independent licensed clinician, such conditions could include the following: chronic back or joint pain such as arthritis, sciatica, or herniated discs, or sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or insomnia.

If you're looking to spend your HSA or FSA funds on a mattress, you might need a letter of medical necessity (LMN). An LMN is a formal document from a licensed healthcare provider that explains why a certain product, treatment, or service is necessary to treat, mitigate, or prevent a medical condition.

Certain health products and services may be eligible for qualified customers with an LMN issued by an independent practitioner via Truemed’s clinical partner, when the item is used to address a specific medical condition.

Such purchases might include, in some cases, mattresses and adjustable bed frames, or sleep-related items, such as mouth tape to encourage breathing through your nose or a weighted blanket.

Note that in most cases, only part of the cost of a mattress is HSA/FSA-eligible. (I.e., the incremental costs of the medically necessary features.) This is because (basically) everyone needs to sleep on some form of mattress, so that cost is just the cost of living day-to-day and not medical. Truemed provides customers with a more detailed breakdown of partial eligibility; before entering your payment details, you'll complete a short survey to calculate the eligible amount for HSA/FSA reimbursement..

Truemed specializes in helping you maximize your FSA, HSA, and other health-related benefits:

• First, you can check whether a product or service is normally considered a qualifying medical expense or whether you might need an LMN.
• If an LMN is appropriate, an independent licensed practitioner (via Truemed’s clinical partner) will review your medical history, and if you qualify, they’ll issue the LMN. Truemed itself does not make eligibility determinations.
• You can then pay for qualifying products and services with your HSA’s or FSA’s debit card or get reimbursed for expenses after submitting your LMN and receipts.
• Truemed also offers support in the event you get a denial of reimbursement and need to provide substantiation documentation.

*Truemed is for qualified customers. HSA/FSA tax savings vary. Learn more at truemed.com/disclosures