4 Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattresses

Bed with Element mattress

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How we chose the best cheap memory foam mattresses

Traditionally, the way to choose a mattress has been to flop down on it and check it for comfort. Would you be happy sleeping on it for years?

But with mail-order and direct-to-consumer companies, it’s easier to order a quality mattress online — including cheap ones! — by looking for a few key criteria.

Here’s what we considered while making our choices:

Price. Your average queen-size mattress will run you $1,000 or more. To help you find the best budget picks, we only included mattresses that are under $600 for a queen. We also included some other mattress sizes.
Safety. All mattresses below comply with Federal Flammability Standard 16 CFR part 1633, and 16 CFR part 1632.
Quality. Some mattresses are equipped with third-party material certifications to verify they meet certain health and safety standards. We prioritized picks that come with these certifications.
Reputation. We took a look at each brand’s reputation, choosing only those that are rated well on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), have no recent lawsuits, and don’t promote their products as curing or treating specific health conditions.
Customer service. Because a mattress is an investment, many companies offer a warranty and free in-home trial. We only picked mattresses that offer these things.

Pricing guide

Prices in our list are for queen-size mattresses unless otherwise indicated:

$ = under $150
$$ = $150–$400
$$$ = over $400

Healthline’s picks for the best cheap memory foam mattresses

Best cheap cooling memory foam mattress

Casper Element Mattress

Price: $$$
Height: 10 inches

Do you sleep hot? This is your new best friend. With a perforated foam top, it fosters airflow and allows body heat to escape.

Happy reviewers say they fall asleep more quickly on this mattress and are less likely to wake up during the night. They like how there are no off-gassing odors when unboxing, and say the softer mattress is back- and joint-friendly.

The foams are CertiPUR-US certified and are regulated for low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Casper offers free shipping, same-day delivery in certain neighborhoods of New York City and Los Angeles, a 100-night trial, and a 10-year limited warranty.

Buy the Casper Element Mattress online.

Best cheap California king memory foam mattress

Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

Price: $$$
Height: 10 inches

California king-size mattresses are extra large, and they tend to be pretty expensive. But despite its size, this one from Tuft & Needle is still affordable.

The 10-inch rise and medium-firm feel make this mattress supportive, not flimsy. While it’s suited to all sleepers, the company does recommend a different mattress if you’re a committed side sleeper.

Reviewers say it’s comfortable, though some say they needed to a mattress topper for a more pillowy feel.

This mattress is built with materials like graphite, ceramic gel cooling beads, and breathable foam — all good news for people who sleep hot, since research from 2018 shows that being hot at night may affect sleep quality.

It has a few material certifications, including:

Greenguard Gold certification for low chemical emissions
CertiPur-US certification for low VOC emission foam
Intertek Clean Air certification to show that the mattress doesn’t affect the air quality in your home

Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night sleep trial and easy returns. The mattress also comes with a 10-year limited warranty for sagging or lasting body impressions, as well as material breakdown or deterioration.

Buy the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress online.

Best cheap twin-size memory foam mattress

Sealy 8-Inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress in a Box

Price: $$$
Height: 8 inches

This mattress stays cool and breathable, doesn’t bounce, and has supportive edges to keep you or your kid aligned on the bed. It works with several types of bed bases, including adjustable ones. Another bonus is that the cover can be removed and washed for easy cleanup.

Reviewers are impressed with the delivery and arrival of the mattress, appreciate the 100-night trial, and say they ordered another after realizing the mattress is good quality.

One downside is that this is a thinner mattress than many. For that reason, some reviewers complain that it felt flimsy.

Buy the Sealy 8-Inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress in a Box online.

Best cheap gel memory foam mattress

Linenspa 5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Price: $
Height: 5 inches

If you have kids with bunk or trundle beds, this one is for you because of its low 5-inch profile. With a 1-inch gel memory foam topper that cradles your body, it’s a comfy pick with a budget price.

Reviewers say it does make a certain crunchy sound when you first lie down on it, but overall that’s not enough to decrease enjoyment.

Some people say the mattress gave off a chemical smell upon opening, while others say there was no odor. Also, it doesn’t pop up and reach size immediately like some mattresses. You’ll need an hour or two to reach full potential.

Linenspa offers a 10-year warranty and free returns within 30 days.

Buy the Linenspa 5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress online.

Pros of memory foam mattresses

One of the best qualities of a memory foam mattress is that there’s no bounce. That can make it a great choice if you sleep with someone in your bed — whether a partner, kids, or pet — since the mattress won’t move when they do.

These mattresses also tend to be more affordable than other types.

Cons of memory foam mattresses

Some people may find memory foam to be a little soft. Memory foam mattresses can give you the feeling of sinking into the bed, especially compared with hybrid or even latex mattresses.

Latex mattresses are better at returning to their regular shape once you change positions. Hybrid mattresses, which combine foam and springs, may feel sturdier than memory foam mattresses.

Memory foam mattresses also tend to off-gas, or emit a chemical smell when you first set them up.

How to choose a cheap memory foam mattress

Forgo the bells and whistles

When you’re having trouble sleeping, you might assume your mattress is the problem.

While lumps, bumps, and sags can impair slumber, sleep issues may or may not be caused by a poor mattress, says Shelby Harris, PsyD, CBSM, author of “The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without Relying on Medication” and a licensed psychologist in private practice in Westchester, New York.

That’s an important perspective because it can help you slow down, do your research, and make a sound — not rushed — decision.

If your mattress is about 15 years old, you’ll want to look into buying a new one, says Harris.

That can seem like an expensive reality, but a pricier mattress “doesn’t guarantee a better night’s sleep,” she adds. Budget buys can still be high quality and just as comfortable, supportive, and cooling.

Consider your sleeping style

When shopping for a mattress, let your sleeping preferences and needs guide you.

For instance, says Harris: Do you like loads of room to spread out? Consider a larger mattress or even a California king.

Are you a cuddler? A smaller mattress will hit that need for security and intimacy. Or opt for two to make both you and your partner happy: As Harris mentions, some couples buy separate twin-size mattresses and push them together, which is a genius solution.

The No. 1 requirement when buying: The mattress needs to feel comfortable, says Harris.

Any feature that doesn’t specifically enhance your own comfort doesn’t need to be in your mattress and isn’t something to pay for, she says.

Types of memory foam mattresses

There are multiple types of memory foam mattresses, including:

Traditional memory foam: refers to the typical and classic style of mattress that is usually very soft and deeply contours to relieve pressure and reduce motion.
Open-cell foam: similar to traditional memory foam, but the difference is the foam’s cell walls are open. The open cell design provides more air movement and allows heat to escape and reduces heat retention in the mattress.
Infused foams: made with another material mixed into the foam. Foams can be infused with materials like gel, copper, and graphite.
Specialty foams: have adjustments made to their design to change the feel and density of the mattress.
High density memory foam is a heavier and more firm type of foam. It may hold up better over time than less dense options.

What affects memory foam mattress prices?

The prices of memory foam mattresses will vary based on the company, material, and other factors. When looking for the best cheap memory foam mattresses, it can be helpful to understand some of the factors that influence pricing so you still get a high quality mattress.

Here are some of the factors that affect memory foam mattress prices:

Quality of construction: Mattresses with better quality materials and more complicated designs usually cost more than simpler designs.
Foam thickness and density: Thick, higher density foam mattresses tend to cost more than thinner options.
Mattress height: Taller mattresses tend to involve more layers and materials, which increases the cost.
Extra features: Additional features like reversible firmness design, cooling components, and a brand’s proprietary material usually increase the price.

Think practically

Along with comfort, think about practicality. Where are you putting this mattress? In your primary bedroom? A guest room? Is it going in a kid’s room in a bunk bed?

This will help inform the size and thickness of the mattress you’re looking to buy.

Frequently asked questions

Does thickness of memory foam mattresses matter?

Usually, thicker memory foam mattresses offer more support and tend to last longer than thinner foam mattresses.

How long do memory foam mattresses last?

Memory foam mattresses usually last 8 to 10 years, depending on the quality of mattress and how well it’s cared for.

Can you flip a memory foam mattress?

In general, it’s best to avoid flipping memory foam mattresses. Instead, it’s recommended to rotate the mattress every 3 to 6 months. However, if you purchased a memory foam mattress with a reversible firmness design, then it can be flipped whenever you need to adjust the firmness.

How often should you rotate your memory foam mattress?

Most types of memory foam mattresses should be rotated every 6 months to make sure the material is evenly distributed.

Takeaway

Memory foam mattresses are a comfy way to get a great night’s sleep. They can be expensive, but there are a number of brands selling budget mattresses that reviewers say have given them their best night of Zzz’s in a long time.

Look for an option that lets you try before you buy, and you’ll be snoozing in no time.

Jessica Migala is a freelance writer specializing in health, nutrition, and fitness content. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two young sons, and rescue pup. Find her on LinkedIn or on Instagram.