Our experts have tested 69+ mattresses under $700 using our battery of objective & data-driven tests. Our best cheap mattress list analyzes all of our performance tests, data, and research to highlight the best-performing mattresses for sleepers on a tight budget.
Top Pick
Boring
The Boring AF (All-Foam) is the highest-performing mattress we’ve tested under $700. It has excellent cooling, fast material response, a balanced feel, a 365-night trial period, and free returns.
The 6 Best Cheap Mattresses
- Boring Mattress – Best Cheap Mattress
- DreamCloud Hybrid – Best Cheap Hybrid Mattress
- Nectar Classic – Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress
- SweetNight CoolNest – Thickest Cheap Mattress (12″, 14″, & 16″ options)
- Siena Signature 12″ – Best Ultra Cheap Mattress (Under $400)
- Leesa Studio – Best Cheap Mattress For Pressure Relief
| Mattress Name | Overall Score | Type | Firmness | Price | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boring Mattress | 8.72 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $699 | Review |
| DreamCloud Hybrid | 8.66 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm (6) | $699 | Review |
| Nectar Classic | 8.52 | Memory Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $699 | Review |
| SweetNight Coolnest | 8.47 | Foam | Medium (5) | $399 - $599 | Review |
| Siena Signature 12″ | 8.45 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $329 | Review |
| Leesa Studio | 8.43 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $669 | Review |
A mattress can be inexpensive, but still be of good quality. Or a mattress can be downright cheap—costing a cheap price, but also made of cheap, low-quality materials.
At the end of the day, most sleepers aren’t looking for a cheap, uncomfortable mattress. But rather looking for an inexpensive mattress that also has good performance.
The best cheap mattresses will typically skip costly extras like high-profile thicknesses, extra comfort layers, cooling covers, and natural or organic materials.
In most cases, you want to spend at least $400 for a Queen size mattress. The performance and material quality drop off below that price point is quite severe. Most of the best value cheap mattresses we’ve tested are within the $500-$700 range.
For reference, the average cost for a mattress among all types tested to date is $1,455 for a queen-sized mattress. This considers all mattress types—foam, latex, hybrid, coil, adjustable, organic, and other specialty mattress types.
In our years of testing, we have found that foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses provide the best value in most cases.
Here are the average mattress prices for a queen-sized mattress, divided between foam and hybrid mattresses, from comparing 400+ mattresses tested to date.
- Average foam mattress: $1,088 / queen
- Average hybrid mattress: $1,524 / queen
For the best cheap mattress, we’re targeting high-performing mattresses that are priced at around 50% cheaper (or lower) than the average.
So with all these things in mind, let’s dive in.
Our Testing & Selection Process
400+
Mattresses Tested
To Date
43
Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress
102
Mattress Brands Tested To Date
Each best list is put through a customized performance analysis with specialized consideration given to our objective & data-driven performance tests. In addition, we consider mattress type, design, materials, value, price, and more.
For our Best Cheap Mattress list, we based our selections on the best-scoring mattresses, according to our battery of testing and formulaic-driven scoring.
Our tests analyze performance across 8 critical factors, including cooling, motion transfer, response time, edge support, sex, pressure relief, off-gassing, and company. In addition, we also test sinkage and bounce (though these are not scoring factors).
Our tests include objective and quantifiable data whenever possible. In addition, we use subjective assessment supported by data to round out our testing process.
Our scores are based on mathematical formulas and equations that utilize inputs from our data-driven testing.
In choosing the best cheap mattresses we looked at the totality of all of our tests, scores, data, and reviews to date. We analyzed this data alongside our established best mattress framework here.
In addition to achieving a high-performance score, all mattresses on this list have an affordable price tag.
When selecting the best cheap mattress, we’re looking at a combination of overall scoring performance, price, and US availability.
To be included within this list all mattresses:
- Had to cost $700 or less for a Queen mattress
- Had to have a performance score of 8.43 or higher.
- Had to be available for purchase within the USA.
Our Testing Team
Derek
Lead Tester
Kayla
Writer
Kyle
Tester
Nathan
Tester
Samantha
Data Analyst
Boring Mattress
Best For
- Excellent cooling performance from Energex foam (a type of branded poly foam)
- Can support all sleeping positions most and body weights
- 365-night trial period
Considerations
- Pressure relief is good, but not amazing
- Heavier weighted sleepers may find comfort and support lacking (especially 300 pounds and up)
- Good, but not amazing edge support
Our Verdict
The Boring Mattress mattress is a 10″ foam mattress made of 2 distinct layers of poly foam that sit atop a 7″ support foam base. The mattress is wrapped in a thin, stretchy cover with a mesh feel for breathability.
The Boring AF Mattress is available in a single firmness level — medium-firm. This is another 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has moderate sinkage and moderate levels of bounce. That first 2″ layer of foam provides a soft feel that is easy for the body to sink into. It comes with a balanced contour and hug that won’t overly envelop sleepers. Still, the relative thinness of this layer can allow for an abrupt contact with the more solid support layer below.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.72, ranking the mattress in the top 46% of all mattresses tested to date. Where the average mattress score is 8.54, this is a great showing, especially for an all-foam model.
The Boring Mattress is $699 for a queen-sized mattress, which is 52% less expensive than average. And if you have a bit more to spend, the Boring Hybrid is another affordable option ($799) that is a solid step up in many performance areas.
Click here to read our full Boring Mattress review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Boring Mattress Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Boring Mattress |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.72 |
| Price (Queen) | $699 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.16″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.3 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 8.88 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 8.62″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.7 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Sex – Score | 8.4 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 10″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 9.6 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Dreamcloud Hybrid
Best For
- Very low levels of motion transfer – great for sleeping next to a partner
- Fast material response makes for a lively surface
- Long trial (365 nights) and long warranty (lifetime)
Considerations
- Pressure relief is good, but not amazing, with limited 3.5″ comfort material
- Cooling is similarly good, but could be better
- Slightly longer time to complete off-gassing
Our Verdict
The DreamCloud Hybrid mattress is a 12.5″ hybrid mattress made of memory foam, poly foam, a pocketed coil unit, and a thin base support foam. On top, they include a fairly thick, 1.5″ quilted cover with scalloped stitching and a breathable mesh feel.
The DreamCloud Hybrid is available in a single firmness level — medium-firm. This is a rating of 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has deep sinkage and moderate levels of bounce. The thick quilted cover offsets the dense memory foam to create a balanced contour and hug that is less exacting than a classic memory foam.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.66, ranking it right about average across all mattresses tested to date. This is not bad when you consider the cheap price.
The DreamCloud Hybrid is $649 for a queen-sized mattress, which is 55% less than average. Overall, you get a thicker-than-average mattress with quality materials for a great low price. And if you have a bit more to spend, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid (one tier up from the regular) also made our “Best Mattresses For Under $1000” list.
Click here to read our full DreamCloud Hybrid review.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
DreamCloud Hybrid Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | DreamCloud Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.66 |
| Price (Queen) | $649 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.48″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Deep |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 6.79 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.3 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.6 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 9.05″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.9 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Sex – Score | 8.5 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.5″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12.5″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Nectar Classic
Best For
- Fantastic cooling while retaining a classic memory foam feel
- Minimal sinkage, great for back or stomach sleepers
- Long 365-night trial period and lifetime warranty
Considerations
- Minimal sinkage and body contouring hug, despite memory foam
- Material responsiveness is slower than average
- Higher motion transfer than ideal (9.49 m/s²)
Our Verdict
The Nectar Classic is a memory foam mattress with an 11.5″ overall thickness. It has a thin cover and a comfort layer made of gel memory foam and poly foam. The base is a 7.5″ support foam for an all-foam design. It is the cheapest option in Nectar’s mattress lineup, but there are optional upgrades for extra cost.
This mattress is available in a single firmness, 6 out of 10, with a medium-firm feel.
The Nectar Classic doesn’t have quite a dramatic memory foam feel, as you might expect. It has a minimal level of sinkage with a limited contour around the body, and bounce levels were moderate (8.07″). This gives it a feel that’s less polarizing and a good fit for most sleepers.
The Nectar Classic earned a score of 8.42, which is slightly below average (8.54). This 8.42 score puts it within the bottom 38% of all mattresses tested to date. However, for a memory foam mattress, it is in the top 40% of performance.
When looking at price, a queen-size Nectar Classic comes in at $649. This is 55% less expensive than the average mattress. Similar to the Leesa Studio, this is a great value despite its lower overall performance. The Nectar Classic shines in its cooling performance, edge support, and company policies.
Click here to read the full Nectar Classic review.
Type: Memory Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Nectar Classic Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Nectar Classic |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.52 |
| Price (Queen) | $649 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.91″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.0 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 9.49 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 7.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.6 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 8.07″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.4 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 8.2 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11.5″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.3 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 10 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
SweetNight CoolNest
Best For
- Low motion transfer makes for fewer disturbances while sharing a bed
- Cheaper than most on this list
- Fast material response – less likely to feel stuck
Considerations
- The trial period of 100 nights is shorter than the 174-night average
- Less than stellar sex performance, largely from low bounce
- Good but not great cooling
Our Verdict
The SweetNight CoolNest mattress is a 15.5″ foam mattress made of 5 distinct layers that include memory foam, poly foam, and a base support foam. The base and top poly foam include channels cut into the foam, to help with zoned support and breathability.
The SweetNight Coolnest is available in three different heights/thicknesses — 12″, 14″, and 16″ (we measured 15.5″ for 16″ version). All versions come in a medium firmness rating that is a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has moderate sinkage and low levels of bounce. It has a fairly dramatic hug around one’s body from its particular foam design. While the feel of the mattress is lively for smaller movements, likely switching from back to side, the lower bounce makes larger movements, like the dance without pants, more difficult.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.47, ranking the mattress in the bottom 36% of all mattresses tested to date. Notably, this reflects tests on the 16″ version (the one we measured at 15.5″)
For its 14″ version, the SweetNight CoolNest is $499 for a queen-size, roughly 66% less than the average mattress price. The thickest version that we tested is still only $599. Whichever version you choose, the CoolNest is a great, cheap mattress with average performance in most key areas.
Click here to read our full SweetNight CoolNest review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium (5)
SweetNight CoolNest Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | SweetNight CoolNest |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.47 |
| Price (Queen) | $399 – $599 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.12″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 6.79 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.7 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.6 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.26″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.4 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Good |
| Sex – Score | 7.6 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 15.5″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.3 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 9.0 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Siena Signature 12″
Best For
- Extremely responsive memory foam that feels more like a poly foam
- Excellent edge support for both sitting and lying
- Ultra-low price
Considerations
- High motion transfer levels than average
- Low bounce levels hinders sex performance
- Pressure relief is good but has clear room for improvement
Our Verdict
The Siena Signature 12″ mattress is a 12″ foam mattress made of memory foam, poly foam, and support foam, all wrapped in a thin, breathable cover. The top foam is primarily for comfort, while the poly foam serves more as a transitional layer between the memory foam and the support layer below.
The Siena is available in a single firmness level — medium-firm. This is a rating of 6 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.
This mattress has minimal sinkage and very low levels of bounce. Despite its labeling as a memory foam, the 2″ topmost foam layer acts more like a poly foam that hugs around your body much less dramatically than a classic memory foam would.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.45, which is a solid notch below the average score of 8.54. While this performance may not overly impress, its price is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
The Siena Signature 12″ is only $399 for a queen-sized mattress, which is one-third the price of the average mattress. Could cooling and pressure relief be better? Yes. Even so, given the incredibly budget-friendly price point it’s hard to complain too much.
Click here to read our full Siena Signature 12″ review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Siena Signature 12″ Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Siena Signature 12″ |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.45 |
| Price (Queen) | $399 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.97″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.9 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 9.72 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.9 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.4 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 5.95″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.4 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 7.3 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Moderate |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days |
| Company – Score | 9.6 |
| Trial | 180 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Leesa Studio
Best For
- Extremely low motion transfer, (2.22 m/s²)
- Great pressure relief, especially for back and stomach sleepers
- High-quality foam materials
Considerations
- Low bounce from memory foam, which is less ideal for sex
- Edge support is lacking, especially for sitting
- Thin profile (10″) makes it less suitable for heavier sleepers
Our Verdict
The Leesa Studio mattress is a 10″ foam mattress made of memory foam, poly foam, and support foam, all wrapped up within a thin cover. It is designed as a budget alternative to the Leesa Original.
The Leesa Studio comes in a single firmness—6 out of 10 with a medium-firm feel, designed to appeal to a wide range of sleeper needs.
This mattress has moderate sinkage and very low bounce levels giving this mattress a restrained and balanced feel.
From a performance perspective, the Leesa Studio’s 8.43 score puts it within the bottom 34% of all mattresses tested to date. However, if we’re only comparing mattresses under $700, the Studio’s performance is among the top 24%.
The Leesa Studio is priced at $639 for a queen, and that is less than half of the average mattress price ($1,454). Even for a foam mattress, this is a great price. For those on a budget, the Leesa Studio is a strong contender, especially for couples looking to avoid disturbing each other with movements during the night.
Click here to read our full Leesa Studio review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Leesa Studio Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Leesa Studio |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.43 |
| Price (Queen) | $639 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.00″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 2.22 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 7.6 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.6 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.0 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 6.22″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 7.2 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 6.75″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 6.6 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 10″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days |
| Company – Score | 9.4 |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best Mattress By Category
Have a specific mattress type, sleeping position, feature, or firmness in mind? At NapLab we’ve ranked the mattresses we’ve tested in 25 different specialized best lists. These lists can help you identify the mattresses best suited to specific performance criteria.
You can also see our best mattress guide for our overall best-ranked mattresses.
Best by Features & Price
Best by Position & People
