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The 8 Best Affordable Mattresses Of 2023 To Get The Most Bang For Your Buck

Jack Byram
mbg Contributing Writer
By Jack Byram
mbg Contributing Writer
Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers health and wellness. He’s also spent a lot of time reviewing everything from tech gadgets to home goods, and writing about them for varying outlets.
Image by mbg creative
January 15, 2023
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

Good sleep is vital to maintaining good health, so owning a mattress that helps you snooze through the night should be a top priority. While everyone needs something a little different from their mattress—just ask the side sleepers—one of the most important factors when selecting your new mattress is budget. But while there is no shortage of expensive mattresses, there are also plenty of high-quality options available at a reasonable price point.

When shopping for the best affordable mattresses, we suggest looking within a price range of $500 to $1,500 to get the most for your money. Anything cheaper often lacks the durability and quality materials that mbg values in a product, which means you'll have to remake your purchase in just a few years.

Once you've selected the ideal cost for your purchase, you'll want to consider a few different personal elements such as the firmness level desired from your mattress, the materials you are comfortable sleeping on, and the sleeping positions supported by the design.

Need more help? Read on to see a comprehensive list of the absolute best affordable mattresses that you can purchase in 2023.

A peek at the best affordable mattress of 2023:


Types of mattresses and standard prices:

When it comes to mattress design, there are a few materials that are most often used. Each material offers its own benefits, and some are more environmentally-friendly than others. Which material is best for you depends on a number of factors such as budget, sleeping position, values, and preferences. See below for a brief description of a few common mattress types and materials.

  • Latex: Composed of either Dunlop or Talalay latex, these mattresses are generally more expensive and can range from around $900 on the lower end to more than $3,000.
  • Memory Foam: One of the cheapest options, going as low as $500, these mattresses generally use polyurethane foam, making them more affordable but less natural and sustainable.
  • Hybrid mattress: These mattresses combine a few materials—often an innerspring base with latex or foam—to give you the benefits of both materials. On the low end, you'll find designs for about $675, but they can go as high as $1,500.
  • Innerspring: These mattresses use coils, which push back against the varying weight pressures of your body. Lower-end options start around $699 and go as high as $2,000.

How we picked.

Price

Every budget is different, but you get what you pay for with mattresses. During our research, we found that mattresses in the $500 to $1500 price range offered the most bang for your buck.

Sustainability

We prioritized mattresses made with GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic cotton. When unavailable, we looked at the manufacturing process to find picks with the lowest environmental impact.

Customer Feedback

We opted for items with stellar customer reviews, as they're often the best reflection of a product. Positive customer service experiences earned extra points, as did easy access to brand representatives.

Quality

Every mattresses included offers both a sleep trial and a warranty. The former ensures you've made the right choice, while the latter guarantees your investment lasts for years to come.

Our picks for the best affordable mattress of 2023:

Best hybrid: Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress

Pros:

  • Sustainable materials
  • Individually wrapped coils
  • Water-based adhesives
  • Free shipping & returns

Cons:

  • Too firm for some
  • Higher price point

Material:

WoolCottonLatexCoils

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Warranty:

Lifetime

Trial:

365 nights

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Type:

Hybrid

While many nontoxic mattresses boast a higher price point, this more affordable pick still hits all the sustainability marks for less than $1,500. It's made with completely all-natural materials—organic cotton, organic wool, and Rainforest Alliance–certified Dunlop latex—and doesn't contain any chemical adhesives or chemical fire retardants.

The hybrid model has a base of individually wrapped 8-inch coils layered with 3 inches of premium latex. The combo allows for plenty of airflow, so it stays cool throughout the night, as noted by many reviewers. It also provides much-needed pressure relief to keep your body aligned throughout the night.

Not only does the mattress come with a tremendous lifetime warranty, but your purchase also includes sheets, pillows, and a mattress protector. And, chances are, you won't need the warranty. This mattress is great for pretty much anyone: stomach and side sleepers, couples, people with neck or back pain, and those who simply enjoy the feel of a great pillow-top mattress.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4.5 out of 5 This mattress has a slew of eco-friendly certifications, such as Rainforest Alliance, GREENGUARD Gold, and the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. For every purchase, the brand plants 10 trees through trees.org. The only con is that the mattress is wrapped in plastic for delivery.

Best affordable crib mattress: Avocado Organic Crib Mattress

Pros:

  • Sustainable materials
  • Dual-sided
  • Free shipping & returns

Cons:

  • Must use 30 days before returning
  • Only one sleep trial per product per household

Material:

WoolCottonLatex

Sizes:

Crib

Warranty:

25-Year

Trial:

30 nights

Type:

Latex

Our favorite affordable and sustainable crib mattress, this is a great pick for parents who want to feel confident about the materials their child is sleeping on. Sleep soundly knowing your little one won't be exposed to petroleum-based polyurethane foams, chemical adhesives, vinyl waterproofing, polyethylene, or flame-retardant chemicals throughout the night. Instead, this organic mattress uses 100% GOLS organic certified latex and 100% GOTS organic certified wool and cotton.

Supportive yet breathable, the flippable design will last you for years to come, with a firmer side for infants up to 1 year and a slightly plusher side for toddlers up to 4 years.

Eco-friendliness rating: 5 out of 5. Beyond using organic and sustainably-sourced materials, Avocado is a brand that walks the walk. It’s a carbon-negative company, which means the brand voluntarily offsets more than 100% of its emissions, and provides a yearly impact report on sustainability efforts.

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Best mattress under $500: Siena Memory Foam Mattress

Pros:

  • Shift-resistant cover prevents slipping
  • Integrated cooling tech

Cons:

  • Memory foam material
  • Shorter warranty

Material:

Memory Foam

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Warranty:

10-Year

Trial:

180 nights

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Type:

Foam

If you're looking for a mattress under $500, this is a great option. It's not the most sustainable, being that it's made from memory foam, but it has that sink-in comfort many people prefer. It boasts five layers of support, starting with a slip-resistant base and building up to a breathable cover. In between, you'll find sturdy 5-inch foam serving for the base, dense 2-inch polyfoam for cradling the body, and 3-inch responsive memory for pressure relief.

Although most memory foam gets a bad reputation for overheating, this pick integrates cooling gel to wick away body heat, along with a unique ripple design with air pockets to retain air circulation—so you get great sleep even if you tend to run hot. With no springs, the mattress has virtually no bounce. Instead, its motion-reducing foam allows you to sleep peacefully, even if a partner is moving around. It's a win-win. The brand rates this model's firmness at a 6.5 (medium-firm), with a perfect balance of comfort and support.

To set your Siena mattress up, simply slide it out of the box, unwrap the plastic, and allow the mattress to unroll and expand to its full size on your bed. You'll have 180 nights to decide if this is the right mattress for you.

Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. The brand's foams are CertiPUR-US certified, but there are no organic or sustainably sourced materials in this bed.

Best value: Natural Escape by My Green Mattress

Pros:

  • Sustainable materials
  • Lumbar support
  • Edge support
  • Free returns

Cons:

  • Must use 30 days before returning
  • Shipping for Hawaii, Alaska & Canada
  • Natural bounce increases motion transfer

Material:

LatexCoils

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia KingFull XL

Warranty:

20-Year

Trial:

120 nights

Firmness:

Medium FirmFirm

Type:

Hybrid

We admit: This hybrid mattress is right at the top of our included budget range. However, the design is simply too good to skip (and an extremely high value for the price). Organic latex foam has many similar benefits to memory foam: it contours to your body's curves to offer optimal comfort and pressure point relief—but it's a much more sustainable material. Individually fabric-encased coils work independently to support your body and increase motion control, so one sleeper's movement won't disrupt another. Additionally, a 3-inch layer of GOLS-certified Dunlop latex provides breathability and comfort. The mattress is topped with a quilted GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool cover, which acts as a natural flame barrier while providing a soft comfort.

The brand offers some of the best Full XL mattresses, perfect for taller sleepers who can't fit the width of a larger bed. This mattress can be used with any traditional foundation and is recommended by the brand for all sleeping positions, including back, side, and stomach. While it's a bit higher priced than other options, every button is hand-tufted, which means no glue or added chemicals.

Your boxed mattress will arrive rolled up and wrapped in plastic. There shouldn't be any off-gassing odor, thanks to the natural latex foam material, and the brand does not use any extra packaging.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. The brand clearly prioritizes sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials, with GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool. While most of the delivery materials are recyclable, the mattress is still wrapped in quite a bit of plastic.

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Best affordable queen mattress: Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress

Pros:

  • Sustainable materials
  • Individually wrapped coils
  • Free shipping & returns

Cons:

  • No handles (so it's hard to move)
  • Firmer than advertised

Material:

Latex

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Warranty:

15-Year

Trial:

90 nights

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Type:

Hybrid

This hybrid mattress opts for quantum coils, which prevent dips or sags. Designed to float independently, these springs also aid in airflow, spinal alignment, and full-body support. More importantly, the mattress balances thicker upcycled steel coils in the center and thinner on the edge to provide edge support for bodies of all sizes. It's available in two different firmness options: Medium, recommended for side sleepers, and Medium-Firm, best for back or stomach sleepers, and heavier people.

When the springs are paired with a layer of 100% natural latex, they create a plush sleeping space with just the right amount of give. Latex is naturally cooling, so hot sleepers will love this option (we've actually selected it as the best cooling innerspring mattress!) The queen size is just under $1,500—an amazing value when you consider the quality, comfort, and support it offers.

The mattress arrives compressed and rolled in a box, and (thanks to the organic latex material) there won't be any off-gassing odors—so you can sleep on it immediately. It will, however, give off a slight latex smell.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4.5 out of 5. Made with no chemicals, polyurethane, or toxins, this mattress is GOLS, GOTS, and OEKO-TEXO Standard 100 certified. The brand designs and handcrafts its mattresses in Los Angeles, California, and partners directly with sustainable farms in Asia to source its materials. Plastic is used for packaging.

Best affordable memory foam: Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Pros:

  • Flippable with multiple firmness options
  • Good for all sleep styles
  • Great for shoulder and back pain

Cons:

  • Memory foam material

Material:

Memory Foam

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Warranty:

Lifetime

Trial:

120 nights

Firmness:

SoftMedium Firm

Type:

Foam

Best for::

Back SleeperSide SleeperStomach Sleeper

Another budget-friendly pick that doesn't skimp on quality or comfort, this mattress is made from copper-infused memory foam and dense poly foam. While these materials aren't the most environmentally-friendly, it's a good pick for people who truly love the hug-like feel of memory foam. We've included it in various mattress roundups in the past, including our picks for the best memory foam mattresses and the best soft mattresses—so you know it's a soft and comfy bed. That said, this mattress is supportive enough to also have been chosen for our favorite mattresses for shoulder pain, and even the best mattresses for people with scoliosis.

Even better, the mattress is flippable, with a firm side (which the brand rates at a 7 out of 10) and a softer side (4 out of 10). Both sides offer the cradling sensation of memory foam, but if you sleep on your back or stomach, the firmer side is recommended.

The mattress is shipped in a box to your door, compressed and rolled up. Once unboxed, you'll want to give it at least a few hours to expand and let out some of the off-gassing smells. From there, you'll have 120 nights to test it, flip it, and determine your preferred side before committing.

What customers say:

Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. Layla's foams are CertiPUR-US certified, but there are no organic or sustainably sourced materials in this bed.

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Best affordable king mattress: Nolah Natural 11"

Pros:

  • Sustainable materials
  • Individually wrapped coils
  • Pressure-relieving Talalay latex
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons:

  • Heavy
  • Not ideal for stomach sleepers

Material:

Latex

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia KingSplit King

Warranty:

Lifetime

Trial:

120 nights

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Type:

Hybrid

Made with Talalay latex—which is temperature-neutral and offers built-in pressure relief—this hybrid mattress is perfect for people who are prone to overheating, as well as those seeking to relieve pain in high-pressure areas, like the back and shoulders. We recommend this mattress for people with low-back pain, who want something supportive and pain-relieving that won't break the bank. It works with any type of bed frame, including box springs, platforms, slatted bases, and adjustable bases.

The environmentally friendly pick boasts recycled steel coils, all individually wrapped and developed to offer varying levels of support based on the amount of pressure placed on it. Not to mention, the plush cotton cover is GOTS-certified, so you can rest easy knowing the organic pick is made by workers who are paid fairly, and it's produced without synthetic pesticides, insecticides, and GMOs. The brand offers traditional king, California king, and split king sizing.

Like all Nolah mattresses, this one arrives compressed and rolled up in a box. It's on the heavier side, so you'll need at least one extra set of hands to help set it up.

Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. This brand uses high quality, sustainable materials including recycled steel coils, GOTS-certified organic wool, organic cotton, and natural Talalay latex. That said, the mattresses are wrapped in plastic for shipping.

Best affordable latex mattress: SleeponLatex Pure Green Organic Latex

Pros:

  • Sustainable materials
  • Packaged in recyclable paper packaging
  • Great for back and stomach sleepers

Cons:

  • Thinner mattress

Material:

WoolCottonLatexCoils

Sizes:

TwinTwin XLFullQueenKingCalifornia King

Warranty:

10-Year

Trial:

100 nights

Firmness:

Firm

Type:

Latex

Made with natural, GOTS and GOLS certified latex, organic wool, and organic cotton, the SleepOnLatex PureGreen mattress is the ultimate non-toxic and budget-friendly pick for those seeking a firmer bed (namely, back or stomach sleepers). On the thinner side (8 inches), it has a firm 5-inch base, 2-inch comfort layer, and an organic cotton cover. The result is a firm-yet-plush, pressure-relieving design that won't overheat.

The mattress is shipped from the brand's Chicago warehouse and arrives compressed and rolled up in a box. Plus, the brand recently shifted toward wrapping its beds in paper versus plastic for additional sustainability efforts. Since it's on the thin side, the mattress is not very heavy and should be fairly simple to unbox and set up.

Eco-friendliness rating: 5 out of 5. SleepOnLatex is committed to using non toxic materials, with a stack of reputable certifications, including GOTS, GOLS, OEKO-TEXO, and Greenguard Gold.

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FAQ:

How much should you spend on a mattress?

Deciding what you are willing to spend on a mattress ultimately comes down to personal finances and individual needs. To ensure good comfortability and solid quality, we found mattresses starting at $300 and going as high as $1500. Often, higher quality, longer-lasting materials come at higher prices. So spending a bit more now could save you money down the road.

What can I expect from a cheap mattress?

A more affordable mattress can be great, but it may not check every box that you have. For example, if you are looking to go super cheap, you may be skimping on sustainable and natural materials. Or, if you are a side sleeper who is willing to compromise on your optimal firmness for price, you may not get the best night's sleep that you possibly can. You can still get a great mattress; it just might not meet all of your needs! If you're looking for something with a longer shelf life, you might consider a flippable mattress to limit wear and tear.

What are three things to look for when buying a mattress?

There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting the best mattress for you. First, think about how much money you are able to spend. Next, you’ll want to consider how much space you have, your sleeping position, whether you sleep along or with a partner, and any specific conditions you’re hoping to ease (such as back pain, shoulder pain, tendency to sleep hot, etc.). If you’re not sure where to begin, it’s always best to speak with a medical professional or expert to determine what mattress type is best for you. 

The takeaway.

Purchasing a new mattress is daunting due to all the possible options available. Knowing what you value most in a mattress can help narrow down your selection. Luckily, there's no shortage of affordable mattresses including cooling, sustainable, and pain-relieving picks from brands like Sleep on Latex, Eco Terra, and Awara. Just don't forget to recycle your old mattress when the new one comes in!

Meet The Experts

Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers health and wellness. He’s also spent a lot of time reviewing everything from tech gadgets to home goods, and writing about them for varying outlets.
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.

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