Best Cheap Mattress for 2024

Much goes on behind the scenes to curate our best lists, including countless hours of mattress testing to find out which beds are truly worth your money. Our CNET Sleep editors, including myself, curated this best affordable mattress list by choosing our top favorite cheap beds from the 300+ we’ve tested. With that being said, here are a few honorable mentions below that could also be up for your consideration. 

Bear Original mattress: The Bear Original mattress isn't the cheapest bed we've encountered, but it offers excellent value. When it’s on sale, which it normally is, you can snag a queen size for under $700. The Bear Original is made with graphite-gel memory foam, so it doesn't retain heat like older types of memory foam mattresses used to, and it provides that signature hugging feel memory foam has become known for. One of the best parts -- besides the budget mattress price -- is the optional Celliant-infused cover; however, this is an added charge. 

Bear Original $998 at Bear

Dreamfoam Essential mattress: Dreamfoam offers affordable mattresses that we love -- as you can see, two of its beds already made this list. The Dreamfoam Essential is also cheap, you can get a queen mattress around $525 and discounts usually knock off another $100. It’s available in multiple thicknesses that will affect the firmness level. However, it didn’t make this list because it doesn’t feel like the Dreamfoam Hybrid or Doze. The mattress is firmer and denser than those two models, so it might not appeal to a wide range of sleepers.  

Dreamfoam Essential $524 at Dreamfoam

My fellow CNET sleep editors and I chose mattresses based on firmness, feel, performance, durability, features and the brand’s policies. However, with this list specifically, price and value were two of the main metrics we examined. The mattresses we considered “cheap” are anywhere from $300 to $800 (after discounts are applied) and are very basic, often flagship models. They don’t have to have any fancy bells and whistles, yet the chosen mattresses are still comfortable, quality beds at affordable prices.  

Read more on our sleep team, our mattress warehouse and how we test mattresses.

With any cheap mattress, you get what you pay for. That said, there are cheap mattresses out there that are both worth the money and comfortable to sleep on each night. You can't expect any crazy bells and whistles, but that's not typically what you look for in a cheap mattress, after all. 

• Construction: The type of mattress you need is determined by your body type. People over 230 pounds should opt for a hybrid mattress because the construction includes steel coils that help to provide more support and durability. People under that weight can opt for an all-foam mattress. Those who are petite or average should also consider thickness; the thicker the mattress, the more supportive and firm it is. 
• Brand reputation: It’s important to do your own research when looking for the best cheap mattress, especially on Amazon. Some companies try to sell knock-offs of popular cheap beds like the Tuft and Needle Nod, so be vigilant. 
• Firmness: The best firmness level for you depends on your sleeping position. Side sleepers should consider a soft mattress, whereas back and stomach sleepers may want something on the firmer end for ample back support. 
• Price: Remember, you get what you pay for. You likely won't find a bed under $100 or even $200 unless it's designed to fall apart in a year or is already used. 

It's important to also state possible downsides of buying a cheaper mattress:

• They typically aren't as thick or durable as an average foam or hybrid bed
• Unless they have specific cooling technology, cheaper beds can sleep hotter than a regular mattress
• Unless it's a hybrid, a cheap mattress likely isn't supportive enough for someone over 230 pounds.
• Cheap mattresses are made with cheaper or fewer materials to achieve a lower price.