The Best Mattresses Under $1,000

Catch some Z's without spending a fortune with one of these top-rated mattresses under $1,000.

By Jasmine Harding | Updated Sep 6, 2022 1:23 PM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more.

Best Mattresses Under 1000 Options

Photo: amazon.com

A bad mattress can lower sleep quality, aggravate injuries, and contribute to stiffness and back pain. With so much time spent in bed—as much as one-third of our lives, according to studies—it’s important to find a supportive and comfortable mattress, regardless of your budget. Luckily for consumers, the bed-in-a-box trend has made mattresses under $1,000 more accessible than ever. Nowadays, plenty of brands deliver high-quality, affordable mattresses right to your front door.

We’ve rounded up some of the best cost-friendly mattresses based on performance, comfort, trial period, and price. Yet with so many types of mattresses available, folks may appreciate some solid intel on how to choose the right one. Use this guide to learn what to look for when shopping and read descriptions of some of the best mattresses under $1,000 so you can enjoy superior sleep.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Nectar Mattress
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Zinus Pressure Relief Cloud Memory Foam Mattress
  3. BEST FOAM: Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
  4. BEST MEMORY-FOAM: Leesa Studio Mattress
  5. BEST INNERSPRING: Beautyrest BR800 Plush Innerspring Mattress 
  6. BEST HYBRID: Lucid 12″ Latex Hybrid Mattress
  7. BEST FOR COUPLES: SweetNight Dreamland Hybrid Innerspring Mattress
  8. BEST FOR GUEST ROOMS: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
  9. MOST SUSTAINABLE: Sleep On Latex Pure Green Organic Latex Mattress
  10. ALSO CONSIDER: Casper Element Mattress
Best Mattresses Under 1000 Options

Photo: amazon.com

Types of Mattresses Under $1,000

The first deciding factor in any mattress search is determining your ideal mattress type. Gone are the days where shoppers needed to visit a brick-and-mortar store to test out mattresses briefly and hope for the best. Sub-$1,000 mattresses are available with lengthy trial periods and in all the popular mattress types, including innerspring, foam, hybrid, and latex. Each mattress type comes with its own benefits and drawbacks, explained ahead.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are built around metal springs or coils to offer support. This type tends to have more “bounce back” so sleepers remain on top rather than sink deeply into the mattress. There are two main types of innerspring mattresses: continuous coil and pocket coil.

Continuous coil mattresses have one interlocking system made of circular coils. These mattresses have that classic bouncy feel associated with traditional spring mattresses. They offer great support, but their bouncier feel can transfer motion across the mattress, which can disturb some sleepers, especially if a partner gets into bed.

Pocket coil mattresses have individually wrapped pocketed coils that provide more targeted support. Since the coils are individual, they’re better at limiting motion transfer than continuous coil mattresses, so an incoming bedmate may be less likely to disturb a sleeping partner.

Foam

There are several different types of foam used for mattresses. The most popular types include polyurethane foam and memory foam, as well as latex, which is in a class by itself.

Polyurethane foam offers a pleasant sinking feeling when reclining on it. However, while poly-foam mattresses are among the most affordable, low-quality versions are not very durable; they tend to become less supportive and sag over time. It’s hard to beat the affordability of many polyurethane foam mattresses, so shop for one from reputable brands to ensure a longer-lasting and more comfortable product.

Memory foam is essentially a type of polyurethane foam but with a slightly different chemical makeup that makes it much denser. Denser foam mattresses tend to be more comfortable to sleep on, which is one reason memory foam tends to be more expensive than poly foam. Memory foam is known for its ability to conform to the body quickly and keep that impression, offering a lovely, soft sinking feeling.

Latex

The latex used to create this type of foam mattress can come from natural (rubber trees) or synthetic sources, whereas polyurethane and memory-foam mattresses are always synthetic. Naturally derived latex can be an eco-friendly and natural choice for sustainability-focused shoppers.

Latex mattresses have a springier feel than poly- and memory-foam mattresses. Instead of sinking and keeping an impression, they bounce back to shape pretty readily. They also tend to sleep cooler than other foam mattress types. However, these benefits come at a price, and latex mattresses (especially natural ones) are typically more costly than other foam mattresses.

Hybrid

As the term suggests, hybrid mattresses combine qualities of innerspring and foam, appealing to folks who want the best of both worlds. They usually have a base layer of innerspring coils that provides excellent responsiveness, support, and breathability. A top foam layer creates a softer, more contouring and pressure-relieving sleeping surface.

Hybrid mattresses are a good choice for sleepers that want the traditional support of an innerspring mattress with a pressure-relieving soft surface to sink into. They can also be a good compromise for partners who prefer opposing mattress types.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mattress Under $1,000

Armed with intel about mattress types, shoppers can further narrow their search by understanding the key factors and features that go into mattress selection. These include firmness, sleeping position, motion transfer, edge support, and temperature regulation.

Firmness 

Mattress firmness is a crucial aspect when it comes to support and comfort. Mattress firmness ranges from ultrasoft to extra firm. Just like in the story of Goldilocks, there’s a “just-right” mattress for each person. Ideally, the mattress should be soft enough to contour to the body while also providing enough support for neutral spine alignment.

Mattress firmness can be evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being a very soft mattress (like a waterbed) and 10 indicating very firm. Medium-firm mattresses are often assigned a score of 6.5.

Soft mattresses (often assigned a rating of 5 and under) tend to feel enveloping, contouring to the body and encouraging users to sink into the mattress. Medium-firm mattresses (6 to 7 on the firmness scale) usually have a soft upper layer with firmer support underneath for a balance between body contouring and a lifted, supported feeling. A firm mattress (8 to 10 on the firmness scale) has little give so that the body feels as though it is on top of the mattress rather than sinking in.

How firm a mattress feels can differ slightly from person to person, so it’s best to get a feel for the mattress in real life. Many of the best mattress companies offer a trial period so shoppers can put their mattresses to the test. Those with back pain and stiffness may prefer a firmer mattress, like one of these great mattresses for back pain. One factor in determining ideal firmness is sleeping position, explained below.

Sleeping Position 

How do you wake up in the morning: on your side, stomach, or back? Your most common sleeping position can help determine the ideal mattress.

Side sleepers often benefit from a soft-to-medium firmness, which allows the body to sink into the mattress slightly. This pressure-relieving and contouring effect helps maintain alignment of the hips and shoulders. Look for a mattress with enough support to keep the spine neutral while also preventing pressure points on the shoulders and hips. For more tips on choosing a mattress, and a list of mattresses for side sleepers, consider these great mattresses for side sleepers.

Medium, medium-firm, and firm mattresses can all be great for back sleepers. These mattresses will conform to the natural curve of the lower back while still supporting the back and legs for proper spine alignment.

Stomach sleepers should go for a medium-to-firm mattress. This extra support helps to prevent the torso from sinking into the mattress while lying facedown, keeping the spine aligned.

Motion Transfer and Edge Support

When sleeping with a partner, motion transfer is an important aspect to consider. Motion transfer refers to how much movement is transferred across the mattress when a person moves—in short, how much the mattress wiggles and shakes when your partner gets into bed and rolls over. Traditional innerspring mattresses are notorious for excessive motion transfer, although good pocket coil systems improve motion isolation pretty significantly.

The soft surface and contouring effect of full foam mattresses allows for less motion transfer. Generally, the more give the foam has, the less motion transfers. Memory-foam mattresses are among the best for motion isolation. Poly-foam and latex mattresses can have more or less motion transfer, depending on how soft or firm the mattress is. Hybrid mattresses also perform fairly well for motion isolation (again, depending on the firmness) since their top layer is often made of foam.

A good mattress will offer excellent support, all the way to each mattress edge. In general, innerspring mattresses often have the best edge support since their coils help to distribute support evenly across the mattress surface. Foam mattresses (especially softer foam versions) usually have the least edge support. Some foam-mattress manufacturers reinforce the edges to provide better all-around support.

Temperature Regulation 

A comfortable body temperature is key to restful slumber; feeling too hot or cold during the night can disrupt restorative sleep. Those who often wake up feeling hot or sweaty are colloquially known as “hot sleepers,” while those who wake up feeling chilly are “cold sleepers.” Different mattress materials can feel warmer or cooler to sleep on, which can affect shoppers’ sleep quality if they’re on one side or the other of this spectrum.

Foam mattresses have a reputation for sleeping hot because the material is less breathable. This insulating effect can be great for cold sleepers, but hot sleepers may find it uncomfortable. Out of the main foam types, latex tends to be more cool than poly foam or memory foam.

Hot sleepers who are set on a foam mattress should consider a product with cooling features, like more breathable open-cell memory-foam or cooling-gel foam mattresses. Heat dissipation is a common problem for foam mattresses, so any cooling features will often be readily displayed in promoting products.

Air can circulate pretty easily through innerspring mattresses due to their coil system, so they sleep cooler than foam mattresses. Hybrid mattresses fall somewhere in between and can also include top foam layers with extra cooling properties.

Our Top Picks

As more brands cater to the demand for quality, affordable mattresses, consumers no longer must choose between buying a good mattress and sticking to a $1,000 budget. We’ve rounded up the best options under $1,000, all based on the price for a queen mattress.

Best Overall

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Nectar Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

When shopping for a new mattress, it’s important to make sure it’s likely to be “just right” before committing for the long run. With a lengthy 365-night home-trial period and a “Forever Warranty,” Nectar has the shopper’s best interests in mind.

The brand’s original Nectar Mattress is affordable but packed with features. This medium-firm mattress is a gel memory-foam mattress that features excellent weight and heat distribution. The mattress has five layers. A quilted, cooling poly-blend cover and 3-inch-thick gel memory-foam layer offer cooling comfort, while a responsive transition-foam layer and supportive base-foam layer offer support. Lastly, a nonslip bottom cover makes sure the mattress stays in place in the bed frame—no box spring required.

Nectar’s 365-day trial period and Forever Warranty set this mattress apart from the competition. Shoppers can sleep on the bed for up to a year at home, and the brand offers a lifetime warranty on construction, material, and quality defects.

Product Specs

  • Type: Memory foam
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • 3 comfortable and supportive foam layers
  • Yearlong trial period
  • Forever Warranty

Cons

  • Might feel too soft and sinking to some, especially larger people

Get the Nectar mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or at Nectar.

Best Bang for the Buck

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Zinus Pressure Relief Cloud Memory Foam Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

The Zinus Pressure Relief Cloud Memory Foam Mattress provides a restful night’s sleep for well under a $1,000. Though affordable, this mattress has a combination of foam layers to provide soft-to-the-touch support.

A high-density base layer and second layer of pressure-relieving foam provides most of the support. These layers are then topped with a soft and responsive memory-foam layer, infused with green tea and charcoal (a natural odor absorber), which Zinus claims will keep the mattress smelling fresh. The mattress is finished with a plush microfiber quilted-top cover.

Though Zinus describes this model as medium firm, it has a more plush feeling because of its top foam layers. This mattress comes in 8-, 10-, and 12-inch thickness options to suit different bed frames. Each mattress comes with a 10-year warranty, and shoppers who order directly from Zinus qualify for a 100-night trial.

Product Specs

  • Type: Memory foam
  • Available sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Plush but supportive
  • Various mattress thickness options

Cons

  • Some users found the mattress did not expand fully

Get the Zinus mattress under $1,000 at Amazon, The Home Depot, Target, or Zinus.

Best Foam

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

The Tuft & Needle Original Mattress offers a modern take on foam mattresses. Instead of the typical heat-trapping poly foam of the past, this mattress is made with the brand’s patented Adaptive foam, which boasts several benefits over standard polyurethane foam.

The Tuft & Needle foam both contours to the body and provides a bounce-back feel. This offers comfort without the deep body impressions often associated with foam, making this mattress a good pick for those who dislike that sinking, soft-foam feeling. A bottom layer of supportive base foam offers excellent support for a medium-firm feel.

To counter the heat-trapping effects of foam, this mattress is infused with heat-conducting graphite and a cooling gel to draw body heat away. Open-cell cooling technology also helps users to sleep cooler. Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty.

Product Specs

  • Type: Foam
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • Doesn’t sink like memory-foam mattresses
  • Balanced and bouncier support
  • Sleeps cool

Cons

  • Not the best edge support

Get the Tuft & Needle mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or at Tuft & Needle.

Best Memory-Foam

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Leesa Studio Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

The Leesa Studio Mattress makes it affordable to sink into memory-foam slumber. This memory-foam mattress is excellent for those who want that enveloping feeling on a budget. The Leesa Studio features three foam layers: a durable and supportive base layer, a pressure-relieving middle layer, and a top layer of responsive but breathable memory foam.

Leesa calls the combo of a supportive firm base with a soft memory-foam top a “relaxed-firm” mattress and claims it to be suitable for all sleeping positions. The mattress comes with a breathable, attractive mattress cover.

Memory-foam mattresses have a reputation for smelly off-gassing when initially set up, but this is less of a worry with the Leesa Studio since it’s Greenguard certified, which means it has low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. Like many other bed-in-a-box brands, Leesa offers a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty.

Product Specs

  • Type: Memory foam
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Relaxed firm

Pros

  • Designed for all sleep positions
  • Breathable and soft cover
  • Low VOC emissions

Cons

  • Few cooling features

Get the Leesa mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or at Leesa.

Best Innerspring

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Beautyrest BR800 Plush Innerspring Mattress
Photo: wayfair.com

For shoppers who prefer the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the Beautyrest BR800 Plush Innerspring Mattress is a budget-friendly pick. Beautyrest, a well-known, reputable brand for decades, builds this firm innerspring mattress with its signature Pocketed Coil Technology for responsive support as well as subdued motion transfer.

Along with excellent support from the innerspring base, this mattress also has Beautyrest’s DualCool Technology. This antimicrobial cooling top cover keeps the mattress fresh while also wicking heat and moisture away from the body. Lastly, a gel memory-foam lumbar top support layer adds a bit of soft pressure relief to this firmer mattress. Beautyrest offers a 100-night home trial, as well as a 10-year warranty.

Product Specs

  • Type: Innerspring
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Firm

Pros

  • Firm comfort
  • Gel memory-foam lumbar support
  • Antimicrobial and cooling cover

Cons

  • Not a mattress in a box; delivered full-size

Get the Beautyrest mattress under $1,000 on Wayfair.

Best Hybrid

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Lucid 12" Latex Hybrid Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

The Lucid 12-Inch Latex Hybrid Mattress combines several types and materials to create a stellar hybrid product. This mattress starts with an innerspring base made of individually wrapped steel coils. This supportive layer increases airflow while also isolating motion.

Next, plush foam layers, including a memory-foam later, provide the soft, contouring feeling associated with foam. To counteract an overly soft feeling, this mattress is topped with natural latex to give it a bit of spring back. This combination makes this medium-firm mattress an excellent choice for those who want the support of an innerspring; comfort of memory foam; and breathable, hypoallergenic benefits of latex.

Although this mattress has an innerspring layer, it still comes compressed and shipped in a box for easier setup. To make sure the mattress is a good fit, Lucid also offers a 100-night trial period and 10-year warranty.

Product Specs

  • Type: Hybrid
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • Combines materials for balance between a “sink” and “spring” feeling
  • Excellent support
  • Good airflow

Cons

  • Cover is not removable

Get the Lucid mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or Lucid.

Best for Couples

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: SweetNight Dreamland Hybrid Innerspring Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

The wrong mattress can make sleeping with a partner unpleasant, especially if they sleep hot or toss and turn often. The Sweetnight Dreamland Hybrid Innerspring Mattress has several features to combat these common complaints.

First of all, as a medium-firm hybrid mattress, it’s a good compromise for couples who can’t decide between an innerspring or foam mattress. The bottom innerspring layer has zoned, individually wrapped coils that provide equal support and weight distribution. Paired with the foam layers, this zoned innerspring offers great motion isolation and enhanced edge support, which helps sleepers deal with a rolling partner.

The top foam layers provide pressure relief, so this mattress is comfortable for any sleeping position. The top layer is made of cooling-gel memory foam, which enables the mattress to wick away heat and is perfect for a partner who tends to sleep hot. This mattress also comes with a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Hybrid
  • Available sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • Zoned innerspring base
  • Great motion-isolation and cooling features
  • Good for all sleep positions
  • Enhanced edge support

Cons

  • Very little “sinking” feeling despite memory-foam layer

Get the SweetNight mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or at SweetNight.

Best for Guest Rooms

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

To satisfy a host of different sleepers, consider the Layla Memory Foam Mattress. This memory-foam mattress has a unique flippable design, with one soft side and one firm side. This feature makes it ideal for a guest room: Simply turn it over to give different sleepers their desired level of support and softness.

Along with its useful flippable design, this mattress’s foam is infused with copper gel, which purports to keep sleepers cooler by carrying heat away from the body. The copper foam is also highly responsive, reacting to increased pressure with a firming response to provide adequate support where needed while feeling soft and conforming overall. Layla mattresses come with a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty, which is longer than the standard for most brands.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Memory foam
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Soft and firm

Pros

  • Flippable, with a soft side and a firm side
  • Copper memory foam is supportive and cooling
  • Long trial period and lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Mediocre edge support, especially on the soft side

Get the Layla mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or Layla.

Most Sustainable

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Sleep On Latex Pure Green Organic Latex Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

The Sleep On Latex Pure Green Organic Latex Mattress has several attractive features for those who prefer natural and sustainable products. This latex mattress is crafted from solid organic latex foam, organic cotton, and organic wool to create a cozy, organic, and eco-friendly mattress.

As a latex mattress, it offers the contouring feel of foam but with more bounce back, breathability, and durability than other foam types. When shopping directly from Sleep On Latex, shoppers can choose between a medium or firm mattress.

The mattress is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard)-certified organic, and Fair for Life (fair-trade) certified, which back up its organic and sustainability claims. Each mattress is hand sewn, assembled, compressed, and packaged in recyclable paper (not plastic) for shipping in the company’s Illinois factory. Like other mattress brands at this price point, Sleep On Latex offers a 100-day trial period and a 10-year warranty.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Latex
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Medium or firm

Pros

  • Certified organic materials
  • Breathable, supportive, and springy latex material
  • American made
  • Wrapped in paper, not plastic

Cons

  • Some users objected to natural smell of latex and wool materials

Get the Sleep On Latex mattress under $1,000 on Amazon or Sleep On Latex.

Also Consider

The Best Mattresses Under 1000 Option: Casper Element Mattress
Photo: amazon.com

Casper is a known name in the bed-in-a-box sphere, and those who want an affordable mattress from this reputable brand should consider its Element product. This mattress, Casper’s least expensive offering, packs appealing features into a more cost-friendly package.

This mattress has two layers of foam: a durable and supportive base foam layer and an AirScape top foam layer. The AirScape layer is soft and body contouring, with perforations to increase airflow and reduce heat and humidity. This medium-firm mattress isn’t too soft or too firm, maintaining a good balance of responsiveness and motion isolation. For a finishing touch, it boasts a breathable cover with a premium look and feel.

Casper’s polyurethane foams have been tested for low VOC emissions, making this mattress a safer choice for indoor air quality than some competitors. It’s backed by Casper’s 100-night trial period and 10-year warranty.

Product Specs

  • Type: Foam
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • AirScape perforations add breathability
  • Premium feel at an affordable price
  • Good balance between responsiveness and motion isolation

Cons

  • Some users had trouble with returns when ordering from third-party retailers
  • Contouring foam may not offer adequate support for heavier individuals

Get the Casper mattress under $1,000 at Amazon, Target, Wayfair, or Casper.

Our Verdict

Made of high-quality materials and with a lengthy trial period and warranty, the Nectar mattress under $1,000 is the best option for those on a budget. Those who want an excellent but even more affordable option should consider the Zinus mattress under $1,000, which offers the comfort of memory foam for an even more economical price.

How We Chose the Best Mattresses Under $1,000

Buying the right mattress depends heavily on personal preference, but there are a few factors that set apart a good mattress, regardless of how it feels to the individual sleeper. We looked for mattresses that were best in their category according to comfort, support, and durability.

To judge this criteria, we considered the mattress’s specifications, the brand’s reputation, and shopper reviews. The mattresses on our list boast great specs for their affordable price, come from respected brands, and have good consumer reviews—backed with hassle-free trial periods. No mattress made it to our lineup without holding its weight in comfort features, whether it’s a cooling layer, enhanced edge support, or plush memory-foam top.

When evaluating mattress prices, we looked at queen mattresses, as king mattresses tend to be more expensive, nudging some excellent affordable brands out of our price range. Queen mattresses are a commonly bought size (especially for couples) with excellent affordable options.

FAQs

Don’t lose sleep over finding a mattress you can afford! There are many affordable quality mattresses on the market, some even from the top mattress brands out there. Still considering what’s best for your bedroom? Read on for some frequently asked questions and answers on shopping for a mattress on a budget.

Q. Can I get a good mattress for under $1,000?

Absolutely! There are plenty of good mattresses under $1,000 from some of the best mattress brands worldwide. Many come with a long trial period for a fairly risk-free process.

Q. What is the best mattress for the price?

With supportive and soft foam layers, a long trial period, and a lifetime warranty, the Nectar mattress under $1,000 offers excellent value for its price.

Q. Can I find a king mattress under $1,000?

While less common, it is possible to find a good king mattress under $1,000. Some of the budget-friendly brands on this list have king mattress options at the $1,000 mark.

Q. Do I need to buy a box spring for my mattress?

It depends on the mattress. Most mattress-in-a-box options don’t need to be paired with a box spring. When in doubt, ask the mattress manufacturer.

Q. How long should my mattress last?

A high-quality mattress should last around 10 years. The best mattress cleaning services can help keep your mattress clean throughout its lifespan.