No matter your budget, everyone wants the best mattress for the money. But the best mattress for you will meet personal considerations like sleep style and body type, along with preferences for specific materials or organic certifications. Fortunately, there are a lot of great mattresses that suit a range of requirements that are well worth their price tags. Take our pick for the best mattress for the money overall, the Saatva Classic. It’s a luxury innerspring hybrid with a choice of firmness and heights, along with high-quality materials for ample support no matter how you sleep.
No matter your budget, you want to make sure you're getting the best mattress for the money.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
Whether you prefer contouring memory foam, gently buoyant latex or an organic mattress from top to bottom, we did the research to find the best mattresses for the money. Our list includes value-based options for couples, various sleep styles and heavyweight sleepers, so you can rest assured that this big investment in a good night’s sleep is money well spent.
Responsive feel means a bit of bounce that may not appeal to everyone
With its thoughtful construction and high-quality materials, the Saatva Classic is one of the best online mattresses you can buy. It made our list of the best mattresses of 2024, thanks to its cushy Euro pillow top, responsive dual-coal design and choice of three firmness levels, which accommodates different sleep styles. Patented lumbar technology supports healthy spinal alignment in any position, while reinforced foam rails around the perimeter add sturdy edge support. The hybrid construction promotes airflow, too, and pairs with the breathable organic cotton in the cover to make this mattress a good pick for hot sleepers.
It all adds up to a really great mattress for a variety of sleep needs, and Saatva’s customer service is excellent as well. The mattress comes with free white-glove delivery and in-room setup, which includes removal of your old mattress and foundation, and it has a generous 365-night trial window.
What the reviews say: One reviewer calls the Saatva Classic “a game-changer,” and says, “I’m a back, side and occasional stomach sleeper. It has been comfortable in every position.” Another writes, “I have had this mattress going on four years now. I used to go to bed almost every night with my back killing me, due to severe arthritis. Before I got this mattress, I would wake up all night with it killing me. Now, not only do I sleep like a rock, I wake up in the morning like a new person. Zero back pain.”
May not be firm enough for dedicated stomach sleepers
Nectar has built a reputation for budget-friendly prices, and the Nectar Premier is no exception. It’s on our list of the best mattresses of 2024, thanks in part to its excellent value. A queen retails for under $950, and its gel-infused memory foam has the classic marshmallowy feel that appeals to so many sleepers. The Premier is similar to the original Nectar, but it offers dual-action cooling, better support and enhanced pressure relief. The memory foam version feels a little softer than the advertised medium-firm, so if you need the firmer side, you may prefer the hybrid version (which is still reasonably priced at $1,099 for a queen). Plus, Nectar has a lengthy year-long trial and a lifetime warranty.
What the reviews say: One reviewer calls the Nectar Premier the “best purchase I have made for my home. Great value and such an amazing mattress.” Another, who says it’s “amazingly comfortable,” writes, “It’s not too soft and not too hard. I have not woken up with back pain at all since getting this mattress. I’m super impressed with the quality for such a great value. And [it was] really easy [to] set up. Highly recommend.”
Best Hybrid Mattress For The Money
Thoughtfully Crafted To Meet A Wide Range Of Sleep Needs
Middle-of-the-road firmness suits a wide range of sleepers
Hybrid construction and optional cooling cover work well for hot sleepers
Keep in mind:
No choice of firmness
The Forbes Vetted team crowned the Star Hybrid the most comfortable mattress overall because it strikes an ideal balance of plushness and support. That’s all thanks to the cushy pillow top, responsive comfort foam layer and sturdy coil system. The mattress features nontoxic foams with CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certifications, which signifies a high level of safety. According to Bear, the optional Celliant cover upgrade is made with infrared-infused fabric that converts body heat into energy waves, which are reflected back to improve recovery and promote better sleep quality. It also helps regulate body temperature.
Another perk of the Star Hybrid? Every mattress purchase includes a free bedding bundle with two pillows, a sheet set and a mattress protector.
What our experts say: “It’s hard not to like a bed that has all the benefits of a memory foam mattress without the downsides,” writes Forbes Vetted sleep editor Mckenzie Dillon in her review of the Bear Star Hybrid. “It offers pressure relief, support and stops motion transfer, without feeling like quicksand.” Owners of the mattress are just as impressed. “I am very pleased with my new Star Hybrid mattress,” says one reviewer. “I have owned a lot of high-quality mattresses, and this bed by far beat them all. This is the most comfortable bed I’ve slept in in a long, long time.”
One of our picks of the best mattresses of 2024, the DreamCloud Premier Rest is a balanced hybrid with many of the features found in much pricier mattresses. Pocketed coils and gel-infused memory foam are topped with a cashmere-blend Euro top in this eight-layer mattress, which has a medium-firm feel that works well for a range of sleepers. For couples, motion isolation and edge support tend to be priorities, and the Premier Rest delivers on both fronts. It’s a lot of luxury, particularly when you consider the price—a queen is right around $1,300 and comes with a lengthy trial window and a lifetime warranty.
What the reviews say: Couples have great things to say about the motion-isolating Premier Rest. One reviewer says it’s “so soft and comfortable, and I don’t feel my husband move around either.” Another writes, “My husband and I are enjoying our new DreamCloud mattress. Our four furry bedmates also appreciate that when any of us move, everyone else is left quietly asleep, undisturbed.”
Best Queen Mattress For The Money
A Budget-Friendly Organic Pick
Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado Eco Organic Mattress (Queen)
Type: Hybrid |Firmness: Medium |Delivery: Free |Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
Organic certifications
Balanced medium feel
Keep in mind:
Single firmness option
Avocado made a name for itself with the Green Mattress, and the Eco Organic Mattress has all of the same impressive certifications that speak to its sustainability and safety. According to the brand, this hybrid mattress is the most affordable Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic mattress in the country. It also holds certifications from Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), GreenGuard Gold, Made Safe, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Plus, Avocado is a certified B-Corp and Climate Neutral certified—all things you can feel good about when you buy one of their mattresses. In the Eco, organic cotton and organic latex are layered over flexible pocketed coils, with zero polyurethane, fiberglass or chemical flame retardants. It has a medium feel with the gentle buoyancy of latex.
A queen is priced around $1,300, but Avocado’s frequent sales can bring that amount down to less than $1,200. Considering the high-quality materials, it’s excellent value for the money.
What the reviews say: “[It’s the] best bed I’ve ever had,” says one reviewer. “[It’s the] most comfortable and just the right firmness. The added bonus is that it’s organic, which is the main reason for the purchase. I highly recommend. It’s a great value as well.” Another writes, “It has the same level of quality with all the values that Avocado Green provides, at an even more affordable price point. I also love the satisfaction guarantee which gives you peace of mind so that you can confidently try it.”
This 15-inch hybrid mattress is full of upgraded details that boost its cooling power, pressure relief and support. A quilted Euro topper made of breathable foam and a border gusset allow body heat to escape, while a layer of hole-punched AirFoam (Nolah’s proprietary foam) is zoned for greater flexibility at the shoulders and enhanced support at the hips. That’s a great fit for side sleepers. According to the brand, AirFoam offers four times the pressure relief of memory foam but dissipates heat 20% faster. In the coil layer, 3-inch coils are grouped into three zones for additional side-sleeper support, along with reinforced coils around the perimeter. The Nolah Evolution also comes in three firmnesses: plush, luxury firm and firm.
What the reviews say: “I love my Nolah mattress for both its comfort and support,” writes one reviewer. “It is one of those Goldilocks situations where the bed is not too hard, not too soft, but just right.” Another says, “An amazing mattress. Constructed with luxuriously well-made materials that are breathable and incredibly comfortable. After almost one year of sleeping on this mattress, my husband and I are still talking about how much we love it. We both are combo sleepers and feel it’s the perfect balance between soft and firm.”
Best Mattress For The Money For Stomach Sleepers
A Soft But Supportive Pick
Leesa
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Type: Hybrid |Firmness: Medium to medium-firm |Delivery: Free |Trial: 100 nights |Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
Firm support for proper hip elevation
Channeled foam to help prevent body heat buildup
Keep in mind:
May lack support for heavier stomach sleepers
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid, which made our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, is thoughtfully constructed. The combination of premium foam layers (channeled for better contouring and breathability) and individually wrapped innersprings give this medium to medium-firm mattress the kind of deep compression support stomach sleepers need. If you share your bed with a non–stomach sleeping partner, the Leesa Sapira works just as well for other sleep styles (and isolates motion nicely, too). A soft, breathable cover and CertiPUR-US certification are two more perks of this crowd-pleasing mattress. With a queen priced under $1,500 during sales, it’s a great hybrid for the money.
What the reviews say: “We love our mattress,” says one reviewer. “We finally moved on from an old memory foam mattress that wasn’t doing us any favors. The Hybrid works great for my stomach sleeping as well as my spouse’s multi-position sleeping. I highly recommend this.” Another writes, “Very comfortable. Good combination of plush feeling and supportive coils, and a great value. Really happy with the purchase.”
May lack pressure relief for dedicated side sleepers
The Helix Plus (our pick of the best mattress for heavy sleepers) is designed to combat all of the issues that people with more weight tend to experience in a mattress: excessive sinkage, lack of firmness, overheating and premature sagging. The Plus combines layers of foams with varying densities (though still high) to deliver contouring and pressure relief without sacrificing support. According to Helix, its four-pounds-per-cubic-foot foam resists dipping and sagging while also boosting comfort. Sandwiched between its foam layers is a sturdy layer of reinforced coils from edge to edge, which provides stability no matter where you’re sleeping on the bed. The Helix Plus comes standard with a breathable knit cover, but hot sleepers can upgrade to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover for more cooling power. Even then, this mattress still comes in under $1,500 for a queen.
What the reviews say: “This mattress solved all my problems—I don’t get hot sleeping on it and I find it really supportive but still comfortable. To me, it feels like sleeping on a nice hotel bed,” says one reviewer. Another writes, “My husband is a big and tall dude who had some hip issues with our old foam bed. He needed more support, but we both loved the softness of a memory foam. This seems to be a great balance between the two. It gives us both great support but still has some softness to it. His hip issues have been much better now. I really am happy with this mattress.”
The Forbes Vetted team of writers, editors and contributors has tapped into its collective expertise to assemble a comprehensive library of sleep and mattress stories.
Mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, who assigned and oversaw this story, are both certified sleep science coaches with professional mattress testing experience.
New products and innovations are always coming up in the mattress space. We make every effort to stay on top of product releases, new models and promotions. This story was last reviewed for accuracy in June 2024.
How We Chose The Best Mattress For The Money
Our collective expertise in the world of mattresses informed our starting point. We also relied on existing Forbes Vetted reviews, consideration of varied attributes and reviews from real shoppers.
We compared mattress brands and models to identify high performers for key features, including pressure relief, spinal support, motion isolation, edge support and temperature control, before drilling down into price ranges to find those with the best value.
We made sure to review selections best for different sleep styles and a range of body types.
Our final list includes highly rated mattresses from the people who sleep on them night after night. All of the mattresses we recommend here have a 4.3 star rating or higher from real consumers.
What To Look For In The Best Mattress For The Money
There a lot of considerations that go into finding a great mattress, especially when the goal is finding the best mattress for the money. As you research options, factor in specifics like mattress type, materials, temperature regulation and firmness.
Mattress Type
Mattresses come in various constructions and material options, both of which affect performance and longevity. Choosing the right mattress type boils down to your sleep style and personal preferences.
Memory foam mattresses are made with materials that contour closely to the body so you feel like you’re sinking into the mattress. They’re known for great pressure relief and motion isolation, but not everyone enjoys the sensation and they can also trap heat.
Hybrid mattresses combine foam comfort layers with a supportive coil system. They’re more breathable than all-foam mattresses, with a bouncier sensation. Since they combine springs and foam, hybrid mattresses tend to be a best-of-both worlds pick. The spring layer can add durability, so many hybrid mattresses can be expected to last a little longer than their all-foam counterparts.
Latex mattresses are made with the sap from rubber trees, which is an eco-friendly option. The material is comparable to memory foam in terms of pressure relief, but it’s temperature-neutral and has a gently buoyant sensation that some people really like. Latex is also really durable, which is great for longevity, but it adds a lot of weight to the mattress. Latex can also be more expensive than synthetic foam.
Firmness
Firmness describes how a mattress feels when you lie down. Like just about everything related to a mattress, firmness is subjective. Individual body type and weight affects how soft or firm a mattress feels. While manufacturers offer firmness scales for an idea of how a mattress might feel, there is no universal system for measuring firmness. It’s best to consider your own body when you consider a mattress’ feel.
Your sleep style can also point you toward an appropriate mattress firmness. Back sleepers do well with medium-firm mattresses that provide the support they need for proper spinal alignment. Stomach sleepers are best suited to something slightly firmer to ensure proper hip elevation. Without sufficient support in this high-compression area, the spine can be pulled out of alignment, leading to aches and pains in the lower back. Side sleepers, meanwhile, benefit from something slightly softer to cushion the hips and shoulders and prevent pressure from building.
What Is The Best Mattress Money Can Buy?
There’s no single best mattress for everyone, and the price tag alone isn’t the best way to judge the value of a mattress. The best mattress money can buy needs to deliver on the unique needs and preferences of an individual sleeper, whether that’s cooling upgrades, superior motion isolation or enhanced support to ease back pain. Once you know the attributes you want in your dream mattress, you can start to shop for one in your target price range.
What Is A Reasonable Price For A Good-Quality Mattress?
You can find good-quality mattresses in a price range between about $800 and $2,000. Remember that the best mattress for you is about meeting your personal needs, so look for mattresses that accommodate your sleep style and preferences. Then you can compare prices and consider company policies to find a mattress that meets your requirements.
What Is A Good Mattress That Isn’t Too Expensive?
The Bear Star Hybrid is a great mattress for the money. It has all the perks of memory foam minus the drawbacks, and it accommodates a wide range of sleep styles. With discounts, a queen is less than $1,400, and each mattress comes with an included bedding bundle.
