How to Choose the Best Mattress?
What we looked at to compare value mattresses
Mattresses, similar to each of us, are different; which can sometimes make searching for a new mattress overwhelming and a bit intimidating. When evaluating the mattresses above, we took into consideration sleep position, back pain relief and pressure relief, sleeping style (whether you sleep hot or sleep as a couple), construction materials and quality of materials, as well as company policies and values – but all things above considered we evaluated these in addition to how it compared to the price point of the mattress.
The price point is a very important factor for most people looking to purchase a new mattress – not everyone has $2,000 - $3,000 to put towards a mattress. We understand this and took this into heavy consideration when putting together this list of the best budget mattresses.
Each mattress performed well within a number of categories, but the rating was conducted based on those that were ideal for certain situations and certain circumstances. When you’re looking for a new mattress, you tend to consider quite a few qualities you are looking for and aspects of a mattress you don’t want to sacrifice – we did the same. We put ourselves in your shoes and tried to understand what you are truly looking for and what’s important to you in a memory budget-friendly mattress.
Similar to each of us, is different, which can sometimes make searching for a new mattress overwhelming and a bit intimidating. When evaluating each of the mattresses above, we took into consideration sleep position, back pain relief and pressure relief, sleeping style (whether you sleep hot, co-sleep with a partner, or sleep by yourself), construction materials, and the quality of each, as well as company policies and values. We included company policies and values because each company has a varied level of customer service – this might include their sleep trial, their return and exchange policy if they give back to the community, and other aspects of the values and policies of each mattress company. These should be important to you when purchasing a new mattress as well.
Each rating we provided for the beds was based on the categories mentioned – we gave an honest rating that truly provided valuable information on each mattress and helped you compare and contrast which one will work best for you. When you’re looking for a new mattress, you will consider the features you won’t want to sacrifice, the features you don’t mind if a mattress has, and the ones you don’t want – we did too! We put ourselves in your shoes and tried to understand what you are truly looking for and what’s important to you in a mattress.
Which best budget mattress is right for me?
Purchasing a mattress doesn’t have to break the bank – there are thousands of quality mattress options on a budget, but not too cheap and quality is sacrificed. With this list, we evaluated the best budget mattress that doesn’t cost a fortune but also doesn’t skimp on quality – you spend a lot of your time on your mattress, so you need one that provides exceptional comfort and support, however, not everyone has $2,000-$3,000 to drop on a mattress.
Each one on this list is fantastic for all sleep positions and body types, but whether you are looking for an exceptionally cool mattress, one that provides the right support and pressure relief for your muscles and joints, or one that simply contours your body as well as you need it to. Overall the Nectar mattress took home the win for the best overall budget mattress – if you don’t have any super particular requests when it comes to your mattress, you may find that the Nectar offers you the quality and comfort you’ve been looking for in a new bed.
When it comes to shopping for a new mattress, there are a lot of things you may have to consider – do you want a bed that is the best for support and pressure relief, you may want this if you struggle with chronic back, shoulder, or hip pain. Are you looking for a mattress that can keep you cool throughout the night, as some traditional mattresses are constructed with materials that tend to trap heat around your body instead of dissipating it throughout the mattress?
While everyone is looking for something different in their new mattress, the first thing to look at when determining which mattress is right for you, is what your priority is – what do you hate the most about your current mattress? Do you have complaints about the back pain your current mattress is causing you? Do you wish your mattress would keep you cooler throughout the night? Do you want improved motion isolation because you co-sleep with a partner? All of these are valid things to consider when you’re looking to purchase a new mattress – and they’re all valid.
While it can be overwhelming and intimidating to look at new mattresses, it doesn’t have to be if you have a guide to help you understand what to look for, which is exactly what this is! Overall, we rated DreamCloud the best mattress overall, so if you’re unsure of where to start, starting with DreamCloud may be the best option! It is great for all sleeping positions and allows airflow and comfort throughout the night to keep you cool and relieve pressure.
What to avoid when buying a new mattress
We all spend a great deal of time on our beds, and when it’s time to buy a new one there are a few red flags you want to keep an eye out for to avoid being unhappy with your new mattress. We’ll be honest here, mattresses are one of those purchases where price equals quality – so you want to avoid buying a super cheap mattress as those have gotten quite low satisfaction ratings from customers. For a queen mattress, the average price for quality is between $800 - $1500. Sticking within this price range will ensure you’re getting a quality mattress.
When it comes to how the mattress is constructed and the materials being used, you’ll want to avoid thin mattresses and low-density foams. Generally speaking, thinner mattresses have received an abundance of low comfort ratings from customers because it doesn’t provide a lot of cushion or contouring for your body. The same goes for low-density foams that not only won’t last but also provide little to no support as your mattress should.
There are a lot of options out there as far as mattress manufacturers go – so when you’re shopping for a new bed, you’ll want to be wary of the brands and companies with little to no warranty, no return or exchange policy, and brands that overprice their mattresses. All reputable mattress retailers will understand that mattresses are the type of purchase that may not fit you how you thought it would – meaning all of them should have some type of return or exchange policy to accommodate when the mattress doesn’t fit your needs. When a brand or business doesn’t offer this or does but has a very small warranty or none at all, that’s another red flag that they know the mattress quality is low.
Buying a cheap mattress online vs in-store
When you think about buying a new mattress, you often think about going to a mattress store and laying on various ones until you think you find the one that works. Today, many things are available online and mattresses are no exception – but what are the pros and cons of buying in-store versus online?
It comes down to a few things, but the most important is what you prefer when it comes to shopping. Do you enjoy going into a physical store and shopping around, or do you prefer to shop online in the comfort of your own home? Brick-and-mortar stores do offer advantages such as being able to feel and see the product in person, having a salesperson right there to answer any questions, and the ability to compare shops easier with many choices in one spot. That being said, there are disadvantages as well, some of which are solved by shopping online.
When you attempt to shop for a mattress online, you don’t have to travel to multiple stores to find the entire range of mattress options that are available to you, or the ones that might work best for you. Online stores allow you to understand what mattress may be ideal for your body type and sleeping position, they may even have quizzes that you can take to get the mattress recommendation for you. Additionally, most if not all mattress retailers online now have trial periods and hassle-free returns and exchanges, making it easy to test and trial a mattress for a significant amount of time. When you’re shopping in-store, 2-3 minutes of laying on a mattress will not give you the full picture of whether it’s a good fit.
Online shopping provided a different benefit than shopping in-store – you can actually test your mattress in your natural environment, your home! With purchases made in a store, there are mattresses to test out, but you can hardly get a feel for how they truly work unless you’re in your natural sleep environment. Another added benefit of shopping for a mattress online is you’re not bombarded by salespeople throughout your research, you can simply browse various websites in the comfort of your own home and couch – making it easy to make a rational decision.
What to look for when buying a budget mattress
Each mattress and each mattress brand is treated slightly differently when it comes to value and quality – most brands and manufacturers will try to maintain a high-quality while providing affordable pricing to customers, but others might try to attract customers with low prices while the quality suffers.
When you’re looking for a budget mattress, you’ll want to pay close attention to the quality – this mattress should last you at least 5 years, if not more. In terms of budget-friendly quality, latex and steel coils are the way to go to keep the durability of a luxury mattress without spending money. In terms of quality of support, heavier individuals might want to take into consideration spending a bit more money on a better quality mattress – these usually provide a substantial amount more support than a budget-friendly mattress; making sure you get all the support and pressure relief you need.
The budget mattresses on this list were carefully vetted, but not every company is going to be as wonderful as these – before you purchase a mattress on the cheaper end of the spectrum, you’ll want to conduct thorough research into the brands and companies that offer budget-friendly mattresses. Similar to how you do with other products, check the reviews to see what other customers who have purchased that mattress are saying about it – is it worth the money, is it providing a level of quality and support that customers expect? These are all important things to consider when looking for a budget-friendly mattress
The Verdict: Which Affordable Mattress from 2023 is for you?
Alright, so here it is – the Nectar mattress is the overall best offer in terms of quality and budget-friendly mattresses. Not only does Nectar offer a 365-night home trial and a forever warranty which already provides significant value, but the price also doesn’t equal poor quality when it comes to comfort and support.
After comparing 10 of the most common and popular memory foam mattresses, the best overall rated mattress in many categories and based on customer reviews was the Nectar. It provides customers with comfort, support, and cooling and is affordable for the quality you get. Shopping for a mattress doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful, and you don’t have to sacrifice quality or comfort – making the DreamCloud the best overall choice if you’re in the market for a new memory foam mattress.
The Nectar can provide quality materials and comfortable support for all sleeping positions. Whether you are co-sleeping or sleeping by yourself, the Nectar provides technology that forms your body, even if you toss and turn throughout the night, which means you’re always supported. The cooling technology allows heat to dissipate away from your body, keeping you cool, and the 365-night sleep trial will ensure you’re happy with your mattress for an entire year!
Quality is the most important aspect of a mattress, and to provide you with pressure relief, and spinal alignment, and allow you to enjoy your mattress – comfort is the key. The Nectar provides this with no need to cut corners, making it the most affordable mattress of 2023.
FAQ
Where to buy a cheap mattress?
Today there are many options available for buying a new mattress, if you prefer the in-store shopping experience there are many places that have affordable mattresses available in showroom styles. That being said, if you prefer to shop from the comfort of your own home, you may want to consider the links to the mattress we listed above – they are all online and are either shipped in a box directly to your door or delivered ready to use.
It comes down to a few things, but the most important is what you prefer when it comes to shopping. Do you enjoy going into a physical store and shopping around, or do you prefer to shop online in the comfort of your own home? Brick-and-mortar stores do offer advantages such as being able to feel and see the product in person, having a salesperson right there to answer any questions, and the ability to compare shops easier with many choices in one spot. That being said, there are disadvantages as well, some of which are solved by shopping online.
When you attempt to shop for a mattress online, you don’t have to travel to multiple stores to find the entire range of mattress options that are available to you, or the ones that might work best for you. Online stores allow you to understand what mattress may be ideal for your body type and sleeping position, they may even have quizzes that you can take to get the mattress recommendation for you. Additionally, most if not all mattress retailers online now have trial periods and hassle-free returns and exchanges, making it easy to test and trial a mattress for a significant amount of time. When you’re shopping in-store, 2-3 minutes of laying on a mattress will not give you the full picture of whether it’s a good fit.
How much does a mattress cost?
Depending on the brand, perks, and mattress quality, it ranges from $400 to $2,000 – there are quality options on the lower end of the spectrum to make sure you’re staying within your budget.
The Nectar mattress, which we rated the best overall mattress, ranges from $599 to $1,500; if you’re just looking for the mattress itself, it's around the $599 mark – however, you can add on a headboard, bed frame, sheets, pillows, and pillowcases to make the most of your new mattress.
On the other hand, another mattress can range from $1,095 to $2,915 once again, depending on any additional products you want to add to your purchase and the mattress size you need. Everyone has a different budget when looking for a new mattress – most companies try to keep this in mind and keep mattresses within the market value. If you’re looking for extra quality or add-ons, you’ll spend more at the end of the day.
A mattress is an investment; some see it as a major purchase. You sleep on your mattress nearly every day, and you want it to provide you with comfort and support – money sometimes factors into that quality, and it’s a major factor for people when purchasing a new mattress.
You will want to avoid purchasing super cheap mattresses, so it’s important to keep this price range in mind – when you’re shopping for mattresses there may be some great deals, but it’s crucial to remember that price equals quality, generally speaking. Just with most larger purchases in life – buying a cheap mattress can only lead to issues with quality and materials or not lasting as long as you’d like it to. While affordability is something you’d want to consider, you don’t want to purchase an extremely cheap mattres
What affects the price of the mattress?
While the price of a mattress varies depending on the materials used in its construction and the manufacturing process, there are ways that brands have come up with to create affordable mattresses while keeping that same high-quality material. Materials that are harder to find or not as common, tend to make the mattress overall more expensive – similar to other products in the market.
Most items on the market, especially those on the larger purchase side, have quite a bit of a factor that affects the price. The first and foremost is quality when mattresses are created with expensive or high-quality materials, this will cause the price of the mattress available to customers higher than the price of a low-quality product. For example, the high-density and high-quality memory foam mattresses will be more expensive than a hybrid or especially a traditional mattress – not only do they use different materials, but they utilize a different construction process as well which often leads to more expenses.
Here are some examples of the type of materials that cause a mattress's price to increase. High-density memory foam is thicker and denser than regular memory foam, and because this foam is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCM), it’s quite heavy in relation to the regular memory foam, therefore more expensive to purchase and to create mattresses out of.
Organic and natural latex, as you as a consumer are probably already aware, natural and organic products are typically more expensive than any other materials because they are non-manufactured or man-created – making them rare than say polyurethane. When materials are not man-made or manufactured, it means that the materials are rare and hard to find making them most costly to create – therefore you as the customer pay a higher price.
Cooling elements are another luxury aspect of mattresses that causes the price to increase. These cooling elements can range from copper or even gel microbeads, they’re often infused directly into the cover or one of the memory foam layers to create a cooling surface to lay on throughout the night and to help remove heat from your body.
Other aspects that may affect the price of a mattress include the company's return or exchange policies – many have great policies that allow for seamless returns and repairs – others, however, don’t exactly cater to that need and may charge extra for returns or shipping.
What mattress is best for me?
When determining what the best mattress is for you, you’ll want to look at what sleep position you are often comfortable in, your body type, and what properties of a mattress you want to prioritize – do you want one that’s exceptionally great at cooling, do you want one that offers more support and pressure relief? Each person is going to feel differently about various mattresses and finding the right one for you lies in figuring out what you didn’t like about your old mattress.
Each individual may find certain things more beneficial than others when it comes to finding a mattress – which is why we looked at so many different factors throughout the process. From support for back pain and spinal alignment to cooling technology and comfort. You may find that the Nectar Mattress is the best for you in the long run, as we rated it best overall for hitting the mark in quite a few categories. That being said, you may find that Layla or Molecule mattress is better suited for your needs and requirements. Only you can understand the needs and requirements you want to prioritize when looking for a new mattress, but thankfully this comprehensive guide should point you in the right direction for what to look for and where to find it.
Most find it hard to switch back to a traditional mattress after looking at hybrid and memory foam options – many customers say they are soft and cozy while providing support and relief when and where they need it. Most say they regret not switching to one of these mattresses sooner but are glad they did, with reviews like “The most comfortable mattress ever. Also, the cooling aspect of it is amazing”.
Customers are looking for a mattress that meets their unique needs, and most of them hit the mark or exceed it – but with memory foam, the best part about it is over time, it truly does conform to your body and adapt to your sleeping position making it the perfect mattress for you specifically. Most customers rave about the quality of a memory foam mattress over a traditional one – but the traditional support from a hybrid mattress is a quality some look for.
Your mattress is the place you go at the end of the day to decompress and recoup after a long and stressful day. You want a mattress that can address your comfort needs while relieving pressure from your back and spine, not making it worse. Memory foam is well known for fitting you better as you use it compared to when you sleep in it for the first time – because it truly does adapt to your position, and movements and it has helped a lot of customers with their back and spinal pressure.
How to get the best deals on mattresses
If you’re looking to score a great deal on a quality mattress, the best time of year to shop for a mattress would be holidays like President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday (if you’re an online shopper Cyber Monday is a great one too). Holidays are when most, if not all, stores have sales, added discounts, and major savings for big-ticket items.
Since Black Friday is around the Christmas holiday, there are often deep discounts for bigger items like mattresses. If you’re not shopping on a holiday, most of the websites linked in this article often have regular discounts and savings available for you to add to your already affordable mattress.
In addition, most if not all retailers – both online and in-person – should have great deals and discounts that you can take advantage of outside the holiday season. Some may even have a program that will price match the same brand of mattress that’s being sold at a different retailer in order to get your business.
What are the most comfortable mattress types?
Based on customer reviews, the most comfortable mattresses are memory foam and hybrid mattresses. These offer the best comfort and support for all sleeping positions and body types – memory foam has the unique ability to conform and contour around your body allowing your joints and muscle to decompress and relax. When it comes to staying cool, there are newer memory foam mattresses with gel and copper infusions that help to promote air circulation and typically perform better than a traditional mattress.
A traditional memory foam mattress is made with layers of foam in various thicknesses on top of providing additional support and comfort You can find traditional memory foam mattresses in most furniture and mattress stores in your area, and many don’t need any special form of memory foam to feel improvements in their sleep.
Many traditional memory foam mattresses will have the bases covered when it comes to layers of support, both of high-density foam and thinner foam to add cushion where you need it – the difference between traditional memory foam and the other types of mattresses below, is there additional features that add to the level of comfort and quality in a mattress.
A plant-based memory foam uses plant-based ingredients, typically soy, unlike using petroleum-based chemicals to manufacture a mattress. Purchasing a plant-based memory foam mattress can provide you with the peace of mind that your purchase is environmentally conscious and that you are contributing to a company value that aligns with protecting the planet. When plant-based mattresses are manufactured there are fewer emissions and fewer chemicals being put out into the atmosphere – which may help you sleep better at night, to begin with.
Like other plant-based products, it provides the same quality and comfort as a regular memory foam mattress – but it produces fewer emissions and is overall better for the environment when it comes to production than traditional memory foam mattresses.
Unlike traditional memory foam, gel-infused memory foam uses the technology from gel microbeads that are infused directly into the material to help move heat away from your body as you sleep. This infusion allows a more breathable foam and prevents heat from getting trapped around your body, keeping you warm. Many customers struggle with overheating throughout the night and wake up feeling sweaty and uncomfortable – traditional mattresses have a design and material that tends to trap body heat close to you. The gel-infused foam allows more airflow and breathability that circulates air throughout the mattress, creating a much cooler feel.
Copper-infused foam combines traditional with copper gel beads while the foam is being poured. This provides additional cooling properties and helps dissipate heat throughout the mattress. We discussed a few copper-infused memory foam mattresses that provide an additional form of air circulation than the gel-infused yet. Along with back pain and pressure, cooling is one aspect of a mattress that not many want to sacrifice. Like gel-infused memory foam, copper-infused helps circulate the air throughout the material and keeps it from becoming trapped around your body – causing you to feel cooler.
This type of mattress is ideal for those that sleep hot or even co-sleep – as it will help keep you and your partners’ body heat circulating throughout the mattress instead of getting trapped underneath you. Co-sleepers are often the ones that complain that a mattress is too hot, as two people mean more body heat, to begin with, and if you have a mattress that doesn’t allow for airflow, it can be quite uncomfortable; which is why investing in a copper-infused mattress can solve this problem.
How to get rid of an old mattress
There are a few ways you can get rid of your old mattress once you finally purchase a new one. The first and best options are either donating it or repurposing it, like using it for a spare bedroom or making the mattress into a large cushion. You can also recycle and throw the mattress away, but we encourage you to try to donate it, repurpose it, or recycle it if you can; throwing it away tend to be the last option.
While getting a new mattress is exciting and going to greatly improve your sleep, you’ll still want to be conscious of what you’re doing with the old one. Depending on where you purchase the new one from, they may offer to remove your old bed for free, which is a great option to have!
Are budget mattresses worth it?
They can be – as long as you do your research, look into the right brands and companies, and keep an eye out for red flags. Purchasing a mattress can seem stressful enough, and when you have a strict budget to adhere to, it can make it feel that much more overwhelming. Keeping in mind that affordable mattresses are available that don’t skip out on quality, giving you peace of mind that you’re purchasing something that will last long but a purchase you won’t feel guilty about in the long run. You don’t have to feel as though you need to spend thousands of dollars on a mattress to get the quality and comfort you’re looking for – so many customers have raved about the above-linked brands and mattresses that there is sure to be one that fits your needs as well.
When looking at budget mattresses, it’s important to keep an open mind – as it may even perform better than a mattress that’s two or three times the price you paid for the budget mattress. Cost doesn’t necessarily equal quality in all cases – as mentioned earlier, there are other ways that manufacturers can use quality materials and quality processes to make a mattress that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t force retailers to charge customers an unreasonable amount.
What we determine as worth our money truly depends on what we value in a mattress and what each individual brand can provide. Not only are there a lot of mattress brands and manufacturers, but each one caterers to a different concern and targets a specific need. If you can obtain and reach the same goal with a budget mattress that you can by spending two to three times that price on a mattress – it makes more sense to purchase a budget mattress.
Which mattress brand is the best?
With this comprehensive mattress comparison, the best overall brand for mattresses was Nectar Mattress. We gave it a rating of 9.9 out of 10 as it’s a luxury hybrid mattress, has a 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty, has a medium-firm feel with a 6.5 on the 10-point firmness scale, and customer reviews showed it performed highly on all levels of comfort, support, price, and customer support from the brand itself.
Nectar clearly prioritizes luxury materials at an affordable price – which is something that customers look for when purchasing a new mattress. With a medium-firmness that allows you to sink in just the right amount without sagging too far down and without feeling like you’re sleeping on a rock.
While all brands are slightly different and people may find a brand that suits them more, based on our expert reviews of the best affordable mattresses of 2023, Nectar was by far the best overall. As you’ve seen – each mattress has a unique feature that some people will find better suited for them than others. Some people may want more structure for their back and spine, while others may focus on cooling technology that keeps them cool throughout the night. Even still, others may want a combination of this for their ideal mattress.
Many customers have stated they won’t return to a traditional mattress after switching to a hybrid mattress. The materials and construction of these mattresses offer peak performance for relieving back pain and aligning your spinal column while you sleep.
Traditional mattresses don’t have body contouring properties, so the mattress acts like a flat surface compared to hybrid-memory foam that contours with your body and adapts to where your body needs the most support. Due to the coils in a traditional mattress, there is less support from foam that can truly support your body no matter what position you sleep in.
Unlike traditional mattresses, hybrid-memory foam mattresses are less likely to sag and take quite a bit longer to stop providing the support your back needs to relieve pressure and decompress your spine. Memory foam has a natural quality that allows it to return to its original shape when it’s not in contact with force – most traditional mattresses don’t have that quality, while traditional mattresses have the ability to provide comfort, they do not mold or conform to your body. This is only unique to memory foam, which makes it a popular choice for back pain sufferers and individuals with issues in their shoulders and hips as well.
Back pain typically occurs when the lumbar region of your back is not getting enough support, and your spine is slightly curved while you sleep. When your spine is curved throughout the night and your lumbar region is not properly supported, it causes poor spinal alignment and pain. Memory foam mattresses are inherently designed to conform to the contours of your body and provide support where you need it – like the lumbar region of your back.
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