We’ve compiled a list of the best mattresses under $500 so you don’t have to. Most of us have plenty of essentials that require our hard-earned cash, such as rent, gas, and food. When it’s time to buy a mattress, there might not be much left in the bank. However, it could be argued that a mattress is as important as any of those other necessities. After all, we spend a third of our lives in bed.
Our list of these high-quality options is supportive, comfortable, and won’t bleed the customer dry. For those who can afford a super-expensive mattress, congratulations, I’m truly happy for you. For everyone else, read on to find a great affordable bed!
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress Under $500?
Our expert reviewers chose the Siena Original as the best mattress under $500 for its plush and supportive memory foam and great trial period.
Best Mattresses Under $500: Our Top Picks
- Siena Original – Best Online Mattress Under $500
- Dreamfoam Essential – Best Cooling Mattress Under $500
- Allswell – Best Mattress Under $500 for Back Pain
- Minocasa Hybrid – Best Hybrid Mattress Under $500
Video Review: Best Mattresses Under $500
Compare the Best Mattresses Under $500
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| Siena Mattress | Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress | Allswell Mattress | Minocasa Hybrid Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||
| Firmness | Soft: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | -- | -- | -- | ✓ |
| Sleep Position | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back & Stomach | Back & Stomach |
How We Chose Our Top Picks
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
When choosing the best mattresses under $500, we started with a very simple and specific requirement: they all had to cost less than $500 after discounts. From there, we picked beds that scored especially high for their corresponding superlative.
Siena Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
180 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Siena Mattress
The Siena mattress comes from Nectar, but it's sold at a value price. It's a great option for lightweight sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
180 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Siena Mattress
The Siena mattress comes from Nectar, but it's sold at a value price. It's a great option for lightweight sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
180 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Our Expert’s Take
We love the convenience of purchasing mattresses online. For a great deal, take a look at the Siena mattress. A discounted queen runs just under $500.
It’s an all-foam bed providing plush pressure relief for your hip and shoulder if you sleep on your side. Lightweight back sleepers should feel a good amount of body contouring, too. This mattress has a great trial period (180 nights). This means you have plenty of time to decide if this mattress works for your needs. If you keep it, it has a 10-year warranty.
What our testers say: “While I don’t think this bed is a perfect choice for some heavyweight sleepers, most average-to-lightweight sleepers should find some good pressure relief on the Siena mattress. If you’re on a budget and want memory foam, or just don’t want to drop a lot for a guest room, the Siena is a good choice!” – Elisa Regulski, Reviewer
Pros of the Sienna Mattress
- Offers pressure relief
- Has free returns
- Has that slow-moving foam feel
Cons of the Sienna Mattress
- Not the best edge support
Read our full Siena Mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Online Mattresses for more great options.
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
The Dreamfoam Essential is a cooling, affordable memory foam mattress that comes in multiple thicknesses.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Dreamfoam Essential Memory Foam Mattress
The Dreamfoam Essential is a cooling, affordable memory foam mattress that comes in multiple thicknesses.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re looking for a memory foam mattress that costs less than $500 and is good for hot sleepers, take a look at the Dreamfoam Essential. It’s a high-quality, affordable bed-in-a-box with some great heat-dissipating materials.
Dreamfoam is an affordable offshoot of Brooklyn Bedding, known for its wide variety of great mattresses. Also, Dreamfoam beds are made in the USA and boast some impressively high-quality materials for a low price point.
What our testers say: “I tested the 12” model. I think this was a good fit for back sleeping. And if you’re on a budget, the Dreamfoam Essential can really help out in a pinch. I didn’t find it particularly supportive or pressure relieving in other positions, however.” – Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer
Pros of the Dreamfoam Essential
- Shouldn’t trap heat
- Comes in multiple height options
- Offers body contouring for back sleepers
Cons of the Dreamfoam Essential
- Not the most durable mattress
Read our full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Cooling Mattresses for more great options.
Allswell Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Allswell Mattress
The Allswell is a supportive mattress that should be a great fit for back and stomach sleepers, and it is also a very good value.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Allswell Mattress
The Allswell is a supportive mattress that should be a great fit for back and stomach sleepers, and it is also a very good value.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Our Expert’s Take
When we think of stores offering great deals, I’m sure most of us think of stores like Walmart. The big-box store is so large that they can sell quality products with a much lower profit margin. It’s no surprise that, in the last few years, Walmart jumped into the bed-in-a-box game with its line of Allswell mattresses. The original is their most affordable, and it’s available for under $400.
Its firmness and support make it an ideal choice for stomach sleepers and back sleepers. Those who suffer from back pain can benefit since this is a firmer mattress that supports spine alignment.
What our testers say: “The Allswell is a good budget mattress for firm mattress lovers. The coils make it nice and bouncy and easy to move around on. I found it a little too firm for side sleeping. It doesn’t offer a lot of pressure relief. But I found my hips were very supported while stomach sleeping.” – Joe Auer
Pros of the Allswell Mattress
- Good for firm mattress lovers
- Bouncy and responsive
- Good for back and stomach sleepers
Cons of the Allswell Mattress
- Too firm for side sleepers
Read our full Allswell mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Back Pain for more great options.
Minocasa Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
180 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Minocasa Hybrid Mattress
The Minocasa is a supportive hybrid that is also a great affordable option.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
180 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Minocasa Hybrid Mattress
The Minocasa is a supportive hybrid that is also a great affordable option.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
180 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
The Minocasa Hybrid mattress is a quality mattress, and one of the few hybrid models that costs below $500. It contains zoned coils, multiple layers of high-density foam, and a cooling cover. When sleeping on your back, you should feel a balance of comfort and support, so it’s a great bed for back sleepers. Side sleepers may feel a bit of pressure in the hips and shoulders.
What our testers say: “Hybrids are the best of both worlds with both memory foam and innerspring coils. The memory foam on the Minocosa mattress offers some good comfort for back sleepers, and I felt supported on my stomach, too. However, I think this is too firm for side sleeping.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
Pros of the Minocasa Hybrid Mattress
- Won’t trap heat
- Affordable
- Good for stomach sleepers
Cons of the Minocasa Hybrid Mattress
- Not supportive for side sleepers
Read our full Minocasa Hybrid mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Hybrid Mattresses for more great options.
What to Consider When Buying a Mattress Under $500
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a new mattress. Let’s take a look at the most important elements:
Quality
When it comes to mattresses, you tend to get what you pay for. If you have a $500 budget, you will probably need to replace your mattress after five years. Many budget-friendly beds contain low-quality materials that don’t have long lifespans.
To get the best bang for your buck, we recommend purchasing a hybrid mattress that contains durable coils and soft foam. If you’re comfortable extending your budget, we recommend looking for one of the best mattresses for the money.
Construction
Most budget-friendly mattresses are either hybrids or all-foam beds. Hybrid mattresses contain innersprings, which give them a bouncy and responsive feel. All-foam mattresses don’t contain coils, so they tend to feel slow-moving and plush.
Latex mattresses are great for hot sleepers, but they have a higher price tag. To learn more about this durable and eco-friendly mattress material, take a look at our list of the best latex mattresses.
Materials
Most of the time, budget-friendly beds have basic cotton covers and polyfoam comfort layers. In the support layers, you’ll find either high-density foam or innersprings.
These baseline materials can offer a great balance of comfort and support, but if you have more specific sleep needs, you may need to spend more money. For example, hot sleepers may prefer beds with copper-infused memory foam and cooling covers. Eco-conscious shoppers will want to look for mattresses made with certified organic wool and cotton.
Cooling Features
If you tend to sleep hot at night, you’ll want to find a mattress that can dissipate heat. Most budget-friendly mattresses won’t have top-of-the-line cooling features, but some, like the Dreamfoam, contain cooling gel. Others, like the Allswell, contain coils that promote airflow. If you need more help staying cool at night, take a look at our list of the best cooling mattresses.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is particularly important for couples. If your bed doesn’t isolate motion well, you’ll likely feel your partner’s movements whenever they switch sleeping positions. In general, all-foam mattresses isolate motion the best. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses tend to feel bouncy, which can annoy couples during the night.
Mattress Types
While there are many different types of mattresses on the market, most budget-friendly beds are either hybrids or all-foam. Hybrid mattresses have coils, and they tend to feel bouncy and responsive. This makes it easy for people to move around on top of the mattress, but hybrid mattresses don’t isolate motion well.
All-foam mattresses work well for side sleepers who need pressure relief along their shoulders and hips. Foam mattresses tend to contour the body and cushion joints. They also isolate motion well! But on the flip side, all-foam beds often trap heat, and they can make people feel “stuck inside” them.
Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position plays a major role in what kind of mattress you should get. Back sleepers, for example, should look for a firm or medium-firm mattress that promotes the proper spinal alignment. Side sleepers need more pressure relief, so soft and medium-firm mattresses often work best. Stomach sleepers need firm mattresses that will prevent their hips from sinking out of alignment.
How to Save Money on a Mattress
It’s often expensive to update your mattress, but with some helpful tips and tricks, you can ease the strain on your bank account.
Coupons
Here at Mattress Clarity, we not only want to make your shopping experience quick and easy – we also want to help you get the best savings possible! Purchase with our coupon links for the best deal.
Best Holidays for Mattress Sales
You can also save big if you buy during a major holiday. Here’s a quick rundown of the best times to upgrade your bedding:
| Holiday | Date Range |
| Memorial Day | Last weekend of May |
| Independence Day | July 2 – 5 |
| Labor Day | First weekend of September |
| Winter Holiday Season | November 20 – 28 |
How to Make Your Mattress More Comfortable
Not ready to buy a new mattress just yet? Here are some easy and cost effective ways to make your current bed feel more comfortable.
Use a Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers can help revitalize your bed – without breaking the bank. Memory foam mattress toppers offer additional pressure relief, while latex toppers make your bed feel more breathable and cool. Take a look at our list of the best mattress toppers for some options.
Rotate and Flip Your Mattress
To ensure your mattress remains supportive and comfortable, we recommend rotating it every three to six months. This helps prevent the mattress from sagging, and it can extend the lifespan of your bed.
If you have a flippable mattress, you can also turn the mattress upside down and experience a renewed sense of comfort and support. It’s important to thoroughly understand your mattress’s construction before flipping it, however. There aren’t many flippable mattresses on the market these days.
If you turn over a mattress that is not designed to be flipped, you won’t feel comfortable at all. Most mattresses contain support layers at the bottom and comfort layers on top. If you rest directly on the support layer, you could develop joint pain.
If you’re looking for a flippable mattress, check out Layla. This bed has a soft and a firm side, which allows sleepers to customize their level of support.
Try a Mattress Pad
Mattress pads protect against spills and stains, which extends the life of your mattress and offers some peace of mind. For even more cozy comfort, opt for a heated mattress pad that can soothe muscle tension and keep you warm.
Overall
Here’s a recap of our top picks for the best mattresses under $500:
| Mattress | Superlative |
| Siena Original | Best Online Mattress Under $500 |
| Dreamfoam Essential | Best Cooling Mattress Under $500 |
| Allswell | Best Mattress Under $500 for Back Pain |
| Minocasa Hybrid | Best Hybrid Mattress Under $500 |
Mattresses Under $500 FAQs
What’s the best, least expensive mattress?
There really is no one best affordable mattress. However, I really do believe that one of these six companies is a good place to start: Dreamfoam, Allswell, Zinus, Brooklyn Bedding, Lucid, and Linenspa.
What’s a good price for a mattress?
Online mattresses can range in price from the low hundreds up to many thousands of dollars. It’s important to consider the quality of materials, as well as comfort, support, and durability. Keeping that in mind, paying under $500 for a nice bed-in-a-box mattress is a good deal.
Why are mattresses so expensive?
First off, mattresses can be expensive because they contain premium materials. Latex, high-end memory foam, and pocketed coils can also drive up the price. Second, mattresses sold in-store are often more expensive because of markup and large profit margins. Online mattresses are usually sold for less than those found in-store.
Where can I buy a cheap mattress?
Shopping for mattresses online is a good place to start. As mentioned above, mattresses sold in-store are frequently more expensive due to their markup. All of our favorite mattresses under $500 that we listed above are bed-in-a-box mattresses that you can purchase online!
Is $500 a lot for a mattress?
No, $500 is considered an affordable price for a mattress. We would say the average price for a mattress is around $1,000, but you can find quality options for more money and even less.
