Best Cheap Mattresses (2025): Top Budget Picks From Sleep Experts

When it comes to mattresses, a lower price tag doesn’t necessarily equate to a lesser product. If you’re looking for a high-quality, versatile mattress that won’t break the bank, look no further than Brooklyn Bedding’s new CopperFlex. This mattress recently hit the market, and some of our certified sleep science coaches and product experts tested it out to see how it stacked against the competition. During bed boot camp, the CopperFlex scored a 4 out 5 or higher in back pressure relief, cooling, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness. These consistent scores, plus praise from our testers and a sub-$700 price tag for a queen, made the CopperFlex an easy pick for the best overall cheap mattress. 

My colleague and certified sleep science coach Riley Otis cut a section from the side of this mattress so that she could conduct an up-close inspection of the materials. After checking out the construction, Riley and I were even more impressed that Brooklyn Bedding brought the CopperFlex in at such a budget-friendly price. For well under $1,000, you’ll get a bed with copper- and gel-infused memory foam that provides comfort, support, and cooling. 

Although some people eschew memory foam because it is not known for its temperature-regulating capabilities, from the cooling tests I conducted, the CopperFlex is out to prove those stereotypes wrong. When I aimed the thermal temperature gun at the surface of this mattress, I got a reading of 66.5 degrees. After spending 5 minutes on the bed, I retook it and saw that it had only gone up by 5.6 degrees, almost a whole degree less than the average mattress temperature rise. Take a look at our thermal gun results below.

This mattress also Copper-flexed its muscles on pressure relief for back sleepers of all body types — lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight. Riley, who represented sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds, said, “The alignment is REALLY, REALLY great. I feel no sinkage around the hips. I feel ‘on the bed’ rather than ‘in the bed,’ and that is pretty rare for a memory foam mattress.”

It is also somewhat rare for our lightweight and heavyweight testers to have similar takes on pressure relief, but that was the case for the CopperFlex. My colleague Marten Carlson was the heavyweight tester, and he said, “This is good alignment! As a bigger guy who needs a little more support in the lumbar area, I am digging this mattress.”

However, as great as the pressure relief was for back sleepers, our testers didn’t feel the same way when they were on their sides. All three testers reported feeling pressure in this position and rated it a 3 out of 5. Also, though Brooklyn Bedding states that this mattress is adjustable base-compatible, I didn’t find this to be true. When the base was in zero-gravity, lounge, TV, or anti-snoring modes, the bed didn’t conform well, leaving a wide, gaping hole between the mattress and the base. My clothes also started to bunch up around me when the bed was moving, and I found this off-putting. 

Read our full review to learn more about the CopperFlex. If you’re looking for a cheap mattress that is better for side sleepers, check out the Nectar.

Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Sleepopolis Scores

Athletes dedicate a lot of time and energy to caring for their bodies, including their sleep health. However, if you don’t yet have LeBron money, take comfort that you can get the high-quality Bear Mattress, specifically designed for athletes, for less than $1,000. The Bear is my pick for the best affordable mattress for athletes because its all-foam construction carefully balances responsiveness, edge support, and motion isolation (earning a score of 4 or higher in these categories) to create a memory foam bed that suits a variety of sleepers. Better yet, you can often get a queen at $998 before discounts, and it even comes with a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty.

When evaluating the Bear Original mattress, our testers were immediately blown away by how well it dampened motion and awarded it a 4.7 in the motion isolation category. “I was impressed by the motion isolation on the Bear Original,” said mattress tester and certified sleep science coach Riley Otis. “I could detect a slight disturbance when my colleague got into the bed and switched positions. However, I could not tell when my colleague was getting out of bed, which was very impressive.” Superior motion isolation could be vital for couples with different training schedules. If you and your partner get in and out of bed to hit the gym at different times, the Bear will help prevent you from waking the other. 

Riley also gave the Bear Original a top-end score of 4.2 out of 5 for its edge support.

“As someone who tends to gravitate toward the edge of the bed, I often find that memory foam mattresses sink too much around my hips the longer I lie down on them,” said Riley. “Thankfully, the Bear Original knocked it out of the park; my hips felt lifted and aligned with the rest of my body the entire time I tested it, no matter where I was on the bed.”

We were also surprised by the Bear Original’s responsiveness. Typically, memory foam’s ability to provide excellent motion isolation comes at the cost of making it more difficult to switch between different sleeping positions, but that’s not the case with the Bear. Our mattress testers gave it a 4 out of 5 in this category because of how swiftly they could maneuver and change positions on this bed.

Conversely, our testers weren’t as comfortable on their sides on this mattress. This isn’t surprising, as the Bear Original is surprisingly firm for an all-foam mattress, and side sleepers typically need a softer mattress to give them deep contouring around the shoulders and hips. I also wouldn’t recommend this mattress to lightweight sleepers, as these sleepers will likely struggle to find any pressure relief on a bed this firm.

Want to learn more about the Bear Original? Check out our full Bear mattress review for more info about this bed. If the standard Bear doesn’t quite meet your needs, check out the Bear Pro Hybrid for more features at a slightly higher price.

Bear Sleepopolis Scores

Side sleepers looking for a supportive, pressure-relieving mattress at a cheap price should consider the Nectar Premier. This mattress has the recipe for sleep success for these sleepers: It’s slightly softer than medium firm (6 out of 10 on the firmness scale) and scored a 4.5 out of 5 in the support and pressure relief categories. A queen-size Nectar Premier is $1,664 before any promotions, but is often discounted to $700, making this bed a steal.

Folks who sleep on their side need a mattress that’s soft enough to offer the cushioning and contouring they need to relieve pressure around their hips and shoulders, yet supportive enough to ensure proper spinal alignment and prevent back pain. Thankfully, the Nectar Premier has a thick pillow top that conforms to those sensitive areas. For this reason, I gave the Nectar Premier a 4.5 out of 5 for side sleeping overall. While lying on my side, I could feel the Premier’s plush memory foam adapting to my shoulders and hips without causing me to sink so far into the cover layer that it causes discomfort.

After assessing the Nectar Premier’s pressure map, a graphic that uses color coding to measure pressure buildup in certain areas, I confirmed that this mattress offers excellent pressure relief. Below are the results from my fellow mattress tester Nichole Mondshein.

Using Nichole’s results as an example above, you can see primarily blue and green on her side, which indicates minimal pressure buildup across her body in that position.

 I also gave this mattress a 4.5 for pressure relief because it also showed solid results while back sleeping.

“This deep sinkage and body contouring could be nice for side sleepers or folks who like a pressure-relieving feel.” says mattress tester Nichole Mondshein. “I think this should be a fantastic mattress for side sleepers and back sleepers with back pain and hip pain.”

If I had to critique something about the Nectar Premier, it would be its responsiveness and edge support. Like most memory foam mattresses, the Nectar Premier effectively prevents motion from transferring from one side of the bed to the other, which is great if you sleep with a restless partner. However, this comes at the price of less-than-stellar responsiveness. While testing the Nectar Premier, I found it somewhat challenging to switch between different sleeping positions. I still gave it a 4 out of 5 here because it should work for most sleepers who only change positions once or twice at night, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who frequently tosses and turns.

I also wouldn’t recommend this mattress to folks who need a super supportive surface to bear down on while getting up in the morning.

“Its edge support isn’t the worst I’ve seen on a memory foam mattress,” explained Nichole. “However, its soft foam and slippery cooling cover may make it difficult for folks with mobility concerns to hoist themselves out of bed.”

For more, read our full Nectar Premier mattress review. You can also check out the original Nectar, which is also affordable and a bit firmer than the Nectar Premier.

Nectar Premier Sleepopolis Scores

DreamCloud has become synonymous with affordable luxury, thanks to its flagship bed-in-a-box offering sleepers high-quality materials and a thoughtful design. I gave the all-foam version of this mattress the title of best affordable memory foam mattress because it’s a budget-friendly bed that offers luxury features, such as 2.5 inches of cooling memory foam, and a plush quilted cashmere blend cover. I also gave the DreamCloud mattress a score of 4 or higher across categories like materials, pressure relief, and responsiveness, all of which are important to look for in an all-foam bed.

As soon as I lay down, I felt the plush quilted cashmere blend cover, which was not only soft, but also breathable. This, paired with the gel memory foam, helped maintain a cool, airy feel during testing. At this price point, it’s hard to find another mattress that offers such a high-quality blend of materials, which is why I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in this category. While DreamCloud typically retails for $1,664, it frequently goes on sale for just under $800, making it an exceptional value for the performance and durability it delivers.

During testing, the DreamCloud’s gel memory foam kept me cool and provided relief at key pressure points. I gave it 4.5 stars in the cooling and pressure relief categories. My fellow mattress tester Amelia Jerden agreed with me. “While I found the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress to be on the firmer side overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how it alleviated pressure on my back, making it a great option for spinal alignment and comfort,” she said.

That said, while the DreamCloud is great for back sleeping, it might not be the best pick for side sleepers. “When lying on my side, I noticed some pressure buildup around my hips and shoulders,” said Amelia. “It just wasn’t as comfortable as I expected for side sleeping.”

As for temperature regulation, I tested the mattress with a thermal gun and was surprised to see that the temperature only rose by about 7 degrees — quite impressive, considering memory foam is known for trapping heat. This earned the DreamCloud a solid 4.5 out of 5 for cooling. You can see our thermal gun results above.

For more detailed insights into the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress and its performance, be sure to check out our full DreamCloud Memory Foam review. If you prefer a natural mattress with a similar feel, consider the Avocado Green, a luxurious hybrid made with eco-friendly materials.

DreamCloud Memory Foam Sleepopolis Scores

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is the best hybrid mattress for folks on a budget, and a classic example of how hybrid designs can offer the best of both memory foam and innerspring models. As Dr. Raj Dasgupta says, “Hybrid mattresses generally provide a responsive feel and cater to various sleep positions, making them a comfortable and supportive choice for many sleepers.” The Signature Hybrid earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in the materials, edge support, and cooling categories. Priced at $1,332 for a queen before discounts (typically under $1,000 after promotions), the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid also offers excellent value.

I rated the materials in this bed a 4 out of 5 for their solid build. The combination of high-density foam and coils gives the bed a nice mix of comfort and durability. The variety of firmness options — Soft, Medium, and Firm — also makes it easy to find a model that works for your sleeping style and preferences. I tested the Medium version of this mattress.

I gave the Signature Hybrid’s edge support a 4.3 out of 5 because of its strong coil system. As I tested this mattress, I could feel it delivering targeted support to my lower back and other high-pressure areas, like my hips and shoulders, while maintaining a responsive feel that adapts to my movements. This support didn’t waver, even as I gravitated towards the edge of the mattress, which is especially important if you share a bed with a partner.

I also invited our chief medical product tester and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Joe Tedesco, to offer his opinion on the Signature Hybrid’s support and pressure relief. He was impressed with its performance across the board and said he felt comfortable on his back, side, and stomach. Dr. Tedesco also recommended it for folks with joint pain.

“If you’re a back or side sleeper with shoulder pain, this could be a great option,” said Dr. Tedesco. “My shoulders feel neutral. They aren’t being pushed back or forward, and I don’t feel any pressure points building up.”

Cooling was another area where the Signature Hybrid shined. Thanks to its breathable layers of foam and the airflow provided by the coils, Livvi and I didn’t experience any heat buildup. We gave it another near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 in the cooling category. We also tested the Signature Hybrid with a thermal gun, a device that uses color-coded imaging to measure how much and how quickly a mattress heats up when someone lies down on it. After this test, I found that the temperature only went up 6 degrees, indicating good cooling capabilities.

“I didn’t feel any noticeable increase in temperature on the Signature Hybrid,” said Livvi. “When I felt around after lying on it, the bed’s surface didn’t appear to retain any heat, either. I’d say it kept things pretty temperature neutral.”

While the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has a lot going for it, it isn’t perfect. We found that the Signature Hybrid struggled in the motion transfer and responsiveness categories. In other words, I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to folks with a restless pet or partner, as these sleepers would likely feel every one of their bedmate’s movements. I also wouldn’t recommend this mattress to anyone who needs a springy surface for better maneuverability.

For more information about this bed, check out our full Signature Hybrid mattress review. There’s also another affordable model from the same brand called the Brooklyn Bedding Essential.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Sleepopolis Scores

The Leesa Original is my go-to on this list for back sleepers seeking an affordable yet high-quality mattress. It scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in key categories like edge support, cooling, and responsiveness. This bed is quite affordable compared to other mattresses at this level (retailing for $1,332 for a queen before discounts), and it often goes on sale for just under $1,000.

Our mattress testers gave it a 4.4 out of 5 for its stellar edge support. Unlike many memory foam mattresses, which can lack the spinal support needed for back sleepers, the memory foam inside the Leesa is solid enough to prevent these sleepers from sinking through the bed’s layers and “bottoming out.” Even more surprisingly, the Leesa remains just as supportive as you move closer to the edges, making it a home run for couples who like to spread out and folks who tend to migrate toward the perimeter of the bed in their sleep.

During testing, our testers found that the Leesa was the ideal bed for back sleeping. Erin Chiles, one of our mattress testers, found that the memory foam did an excellent job filling in her lumbar region, while the base foam provided just enough lift to keep her body in a neutral position.

“I feel extremely supported while back sleeping on this mattress,” she said. “It’s a good balance between firm and soft and my lower back is supported. I have no pain or pressure points.”

We also noticed minimal pressure buildup during our pressure map test. Most of the map was blue, indicating low pressure in our testers’ backs and hips, which confirms the mattress is great for relieving tension in the lumbar region. Based on their test results, we gave the Leesa Original a solid 4.5 out of 5 for pressure relief.

“The pressure relief feels really nice on my back,” said mattress tester Sosha Lewis. “My back pain is relieved by the way the mattress supports and contours my lower lumbar spine.”

The Leesa Original also earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for cooling, which is impressive for a memory foam mattress. Thanks to the breathable design, our testers didn’t notice much heat buildup, even after lying on the mattress for an extended period.

The Leesa performed so well across the board that the only two flaws we could find with it are its seated edge support and limited trial period. While the Leesa had excellent edge support overall, our testers noticed more sinkage while sitting on the corner of the bed. Its slippery corners could make it difficult for folks with mobility concerns to sit down and tie their shoes.

Leesa also only offers a 100-night sleep trial. While 100 nights isn’t the worst we’ve ever seen, we prefer to see something more generous, like a 180- or 365-night trial. A generous sleep trial gives sleepers the opportunity to find out if a bed is really a good fit for their lifestyle.

For more details on how the Leesa performed, check out our full Leesa Original mattress review. If you’re not sure the Leesa is right for you, the Helix Dawn is another great choice for back sleepers who prefer a firmer feel.

Leesa Original Sleepopolis Scores

If a mattress company is bold enough to use the word snow in its name, it better have a few tricks up its sleeve for temperature regulation. Thankfully, the Silk & Snow lives up to its promise and offers outstanding cooling capabilities. This mattress punches well above its weight at just $850 for a queen before any discounts, earning it a 4 out of 5 or higher across categories like cooling, motion isolation, and responsiveness. It’s also available in two different firmnesses: Plush and Medium-Firm. We tested the Medium-Firm.

If you’re one of the 14 percent of American adults that claim to always feel hot at night, the Silk & Snow has just what you need. Its breathable design combines high-density memory foam and zoned pocketed coils to prevent heat from getting trapped and cool the mattress down throughout the night. Its cooling fabric cover is also a nice touch; our mattress testers appreciated how cool-to-the-touch the top layer initially felt as they climbed into bed. We gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5 for cooling overall.

“I didn’t feel this mattress heating up at all,” said mattress tester Dan Caffrey. “It kept a cool temperature throughout and should be comfortable for hot sleepers.”

The Silk & Snow Hybrid did just as good in the motion isolation category, earning a strong 4.7 out of 5.

“I could feel a little bit of movement when my colleague Kate got in and out of bed, and once when she switched sleeping positions,” said Dan. “But the vibrations were still very low and I don’t think you’re likely to feel your partner tossing and turning unless you’re an especially light sleeper.”

However, we wouldn’t recommend the Medium-Firm model to side sleepers with shoulder pain. We invited Dr. Joe Tedesco, our chief medical product tester, to test the Silk & Snow Hybrid with us and give us his opinion. While he said the Silk & Snow could work for back sleepers with sensitive joints, he did not recommend it for side sleepers experiencing shoulder pain.

“I’d recommend this for people with shoulder pain if they are back sleepers, but not for side sleepers,” said Dr. Tedesco. “I don’t think side sleepers will get enough support to alleviate pressure buildup around their shoulders. I sank too much in this position and felt a lot of pressure buildup in my shoulders.”

Edge support is another weaker point for the Silk & Snow Hybrid. While the foam-encased coils provide some reinforcement, our testers experienced noticeable sinkage when sitting on the edge, leading them to give the bed a 3.6 out of 5 in this category. While the bed feels stable when lying along the edge, it may not be ideal for those who sit on the edge frequently or have mobility concerns.

That said, at its price point, the Silk & Snow Hybrid offers incredible cooling, comfort, and support, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a cooling mattress on a budget.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Silk & Snow Hybrid mattress review. If you’re looking for another responsive, affordable option with better edge support, consider the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress.

Silk & Snow Hybrid Sleepopolis Scores

Sleepers with bigger bodies (those weighing over 230 pounds) need a bed with strong support to keep them from sinking through the layers. Thankfully, the Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding is made to prevent sagging and ensure proper spinal alignment at an affordable price. We gave this mattress a 4 out of 5 or higher in key categories like edge support, cooling, and responsiveness. The Titan Plus starts at just $1,249 for a queen size before any discounts, and it often goes on sale for under $1,000.

To obtain the most clinically sound data possible, I asked Sleepopolis’s chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, DPT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, to test the Titan Plus and give us his opinion. He found that it offered solid pressure relief across common pressure points on his body, but most notably around his shoulders, which is surprising given how firm the Titan Plus is.

“I think this could be a good mattress for people who have shoulder pain,” said Dr. Tedesco. “The support I feel on my side is definitely enough to relieve pressure from building up around my shoulders. With a good pillow and your arm away from your body the way it should be, you should find ample relief.”

When it was my turn to give the Titan Plus a try, I also found that it excelled in support, earning it a near-perfect 4.6 out of 5 in the edge support category. This mattress is designed to handle 1,000 pounds of weight, with a 6-inch layer of heavy-duty coils to support even the heaviest sleepers. These heavy-duty coils provide excellent lift, preventing sleepers from sinking too far into the mattress. It also has a layer of support foam to help keep your spine in proper alignment throughout the night.

As an average-weight back sleeper, it was easy for my testing partner, Sosha Lewis, to get comfortable on the Titan Plus. Many back sleepers prefer a firmer mattress because it prevents their hips from sinking too far into the layers, causing discomfort in their lower backs. If you are an average-weight back or stomach sleeper who prefers something firmer, this might be the mattress for you. For this reason, I gave this mattress a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief in the back-sleeping position.

“I have no trouble recommending the Titan Plus to back and stomach sleepers,” Sosha said. “My shoulders feel like they are at the same height as my bottom and I can feel the mattress pulling tension away from my lower lumbar area. However, strict side sleepers might find the firmness a bit too much, as there was some pressure buildup at the shoulder when I tested it on my side.”

We also wouldn’t recommend the Titan mattress to lightweight individuals, as it will likely feel too firm to these sleepers. Sleepers in this weight category likely won’t get enough cushioning around their joints to offer them any sort of pressure relief.

If you’re a sleeper who needs more support, the Titan Plus is sure to deliver. Check out our full Titan Plus mattress review for more details. Want to explore other options for sleepers with bigger bodies? Check out the Helix Plus.

Titan Plus Sleepopolis Scores

The Siena Memory Foam mattress is an excellent pick for folks who need a budget-friendly addition to their dorm or guest room. At just under $500, the Siena mattress offers surprising comfort without putting strain on your wallet. Its price tag might seem too good to be true, but I saw this mattress perform well across numerous categories, scoring a 4 in motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief.

I gave the Siena a 4 out of 5 for motion isolation after lying on it with another mattress tester. While my testing partner was moving around and switching between different positions on her side of the mattress, I could barely feel any movement. However, when she hopped in and out of bed it was another story, as I could feel quite a bit of motion travel to my side of the mattress. In other words, you’ll definitely feel it if your partner wakes up early for work and gets out of bed.

For edge support, I rated the Siena a solid 4 out of 5. While sitting or lying near the edge, I never felt like I was going to roll off, and it held up well under pressure. 

“Although foam mattresses sometimes struggle with edge stability, the Siena provided fantastic support across the entire surface,” said mattress tester Bridget Chapman in agreement. “I think this mattress has fantastic edge support at this price point.”

When I tested the Siena for pressure relief, it scored a 4 out of 5. During my pressure map test, I found that while the top layers of the body-adapting memory foam offered a bit of cushioning, the denser foundational foam underneath provided ample support. I sank just enough into the mattress to get good pressure relief, especially around my hips and lower back, without feeling trapped in the bed.

“The Siena has a simple, minimalistic design that gets the job done for stomach sleepers and a lot of back sleepers,” said Bridget. “I think it’s a great option for those after a firm mattress. It will keep sleepers propped up and slightly cushioned, which is especially a major win for stomach sleepers.”

A mattress this affordable is bound to have a few quirks, and heat retention was one of them. As someone who tends to sleep hot, I immediately noticed myself getting a little toasty after testing the Siena mattress. I wasn’t too surprised, considering most memory foam mattresses trap heat. I gave it a 3.5 out of 5 because I think most folks should feel comfortable on the Siena, but I wouldn’t recommend it to hot sleepers who tend to get extra sweaty at night.

Unsurprisingly, the Siena also has a weaker warranty than some of its more premium competitors. While a 10-year warranty isn’t necessarily bad, we would have liked to see a more generous lifetime warranty. Still, for its extremely affordable price tag, this mattress should be durable enough to last most sleepers for a few years.

Think the Siena’s price tag is too good to pass up? For more info, read our full Siena mattress review or check out the Dreamfoam Essential for another value memory foam mattress.

Siena Sleepopolis Scores