The 5 Best Mattresses Under $300


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person sleeping on mattress

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A quick look at the best mattresses under $300

  • Best foam mattress under $300: Lucid 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best soft mattress under $300: Wayfair Sleep 10-inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress
  • Best king mattress under $300: Linenspa Essentials 8-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress
  • Best cooling mattress under $300: Linenspa Essentials Always Cool 10-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress
  • Best hybrid mattress under $300: Wayfair Sleep 9-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

Finding the right mattress can be a daunting task no matter your budget. But a tight budget can complicate your search since mattresses can get pretty expensive. You’ll find plenty of options under $1,000, but that’s still a significant chunk of money — an amount not everyone can afford.

The good news is that inexpensive mattresses do exist. If you’re already on the hunt, a few options may have jumped out at you already — but you might have a few concerns about their safety, construction, or durability.

It’s true many cheaper mattresses do fall a bit short of what most people would consider good quality. Still, finding a decent mattress under $300 may not be as impossible as it seems. Our top picks can make your search a little easier.

How we chose the best mattresses under $300

To find the best budget mattresses, we considered these four main criteria:

  • Price. We focused primarily on mattress price. Every mattress on this list has a base price of $300 or less.
  • Customer reviews. Reviews can provide a lot of insight on how a mattress will hold up, so we took a look at what other shoppers had to say about these mattresses. They’ve all received an average rating of at least 4.5 stars.
  • Company reputation and transparency. When making our recommendations, we look for mattresses from reputable brands that follow federal safety practices and have good business ratings.
  • Company policies. These mattresses all come with warranties and, with one exception, at-home sleep trials. Most reputable mattress brands do offer sleep trials, but this is one benefit you might sacrifice when purchasing a budget mattress.

Pricing guide

Unless otherwise specified, we’ve given prices for queen mattresses. Here’s how we broke those prices down:

  • $ = under $200
  • $$ = $200–$250
  • $$$ = $250–$300

Healthline’s top picks for the best mattresses under $300

Best foam mattress under $300

Lucid 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Height: 10 inches

The Lucid Comfort 10-inch memory foam mattress is a good option for any type of sleeper.

Its medium-firm surface offers comfort as well as support — experts recommend medium-firm mattresses for better spinal alignment and sleep quality.

The main layer of foam contains cooling gel to help keep the mattress from trapping heat, a problem that’s pretty typical of memory foam and can be an issue if you tend to sleep warm. Many reviewers confirm that it stays fairly cool through the night, but a few say the bed is more so temperature neutral than cool.

This 10-inch mattress isn’t the thickest option out there, but several reviewers say it still provides good support for couples and a range of body types.

Some reviewers say you may begin to notice impressions in the mattress if you always sleep in the same spot. Regularly rotating (not flipping) the mattress can help with this.

A few people mentioned some noticeable off-gassing that cleared up after a few days. This is common with boxed mattresses, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to chemical smells.

In general, reviewers call this a great mattress for the price. This mattress is available from various retailers, but Wayfair is currently the only one that offers a 100-night trial. Their 10-year limited warranty does cover product defects or flaws in workmanship, including body impressions (sagging) of more than 1.5 inches.

Buy the Lucid 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best soft mattress under $300

Wayfair Sleep 10-inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Height: 10 inches

Need a mattress that cushions you? You’re in luck: This Wayfair exclusive might offer the cloudlike comfort you’re looking for.

Three layers of foam offer support and pressure relief, while the gel-infused top layer helps create the hugging sensation many side sleepers prefer. Several reviewers confirm this mattress helped relieve back and neck pain and improved their sleep right away.

Ventilation helps keep air moving through the mattress as you sleep, but a few reviewers say it can feel a little warm.

While several side sleepers say this mattress offers just the right level of softness and support, stomach sleepers might find this mattress too warm as well as too soft. It may also, as one review notes, take a little time for back sleepers to adjust to the plush feel.

For the most part, reviewers love this mattress, praising the value for the price and the lack of chemical smells after unboxing. Since Wayfair offers a 100-night sleep trial, you’ll have a few months to make sure it’s just right.

Buy the Wayfair Sleep 10-inch Plush Memory Foam Mattress online.

Best king mattress under $300

Linenspa Essentials 8-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Height: 8 inches

“The larger the mattress, the higher the price,” is a pretty firm rule. If you’re shopping for a king bed, then, you might despair of ever finding a mattress under $300. We won’t lie: Your options are pretty limited, but limited doesn’t mean nonexistent. Linenspa, known for affordable, no-frills mattresses, offers one basic hybrid option to consider.

Hybrid mattresses offer a good middle ground between innerspring and foam mattresses, making them ideal for people who need something a little softer than traditional coils but more supportive than foam alone.

In this medium-firm mattress, a layer of memory foam is designed to provide body-contouring comfort over a supportive coil base. Some reviewers say this 8-inch mattress didn’t provide enough support, while others say it felt too firm.

This mattress has more than 12,000 reviews on Wayfair, and a good majority of reviewers gave it a 5-star rating. In general, reviewers call this a comfortable mattress that offers solid (but not hard) support at a great price. Several reviewers even note this mattress helped with low back and neck pain.

Buy the Linenspa Essentials 8-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress online.

Best cooling mattress under $300

Linenspa Essentials Always Cool 10-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Height: 10 inches

Research shows that overheating at night can reduce sleep quality, so if you can’t cool off, you might find yourself tossing and turning and generally struggling to get the rest you need. In recognition of this concern, many brands now offer mattresses designed with unique cooling technology to help you get a better night’s sleep.

Though you won’t find cooling technology in many budget mattresses, this hybrid option from Linenspa features 2 inches of cooling-gel-infused memory foam over its base coils and supportive foam layer.

This gel is designed to help break up heat pockets so the mattress maintains a comfortable temperature for sleep. A few reviewers say this gel did not, in fact, keep the mattress cool, but many others praise the technology and say it made a noticeable difference.

This mattress generally receives good reviews, though a few people note it lacks good edge support and motion isolation. The medium-firm surface makes it a good option for different sleeping positions, though some reviewers found it a bit too firm for their liking.

This mattress may work well for stomach sleepers, who generally need a firmer bed and often sleep warmer due to frontal body contact with the mattress.

Buy the Linenspa Essentials Always Cool 10-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress online.

Best hybrid mattress under $300

Wayfair Sleep 9-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Height: 9 inches

Not only do hybrid mattresses generally offer sturdier support than most foam mattresses, but they also tend to be more durable. Hybrid mattresses allow for more breathability, so they’re often ideal for people who tend to sleep hot.

Foam and softer hybrid mattresses provide a more cushiony feel, but not everyone wants to sink down into bed. If you prefer to rest securely on top or like a firm feel, you’ll probably want to stick with a firmer hybrid, like this medium-firm option.

Some reviewers note this mattress is firmer than they expected, though many call it comfortable and supportive in spite of its firmness.

The pocketed coils in this mattress help reduce motion transfer, an important feature when you share a bed with a partner, while memory foam provides essential pressure relief.

Several reviewers even say this mattress helped provide immediate relief from back pain. Sure, it’s a fairly basic option, but sometimes, simplicity is all you need.

Buy the Wayfair Sleep 9-inch Medium Hybrid Mattress online.

How to shop for mattresses under $300

If you have a strict shopping budget, you’ll probably pay more attention to price than anything else. Still, it’s helpful to take note of other mattress characteristics.

Mattress type

Mattresses come in three main varieties, though innerspring mattresses have become somewhat of a rarity with hybrid mattresses growing in popularity.

Side sleepers and people who prefer softer mattresses may prefer foam. People who sleep hot or need back and stomach support may prefer a firmer hybrid.

Since hybrids offer more support, they may also be a better option for people who weigh over 230 pounds. If you’re really trying to save, though, keep in mind that hybrids often cost a bit more.

Materials

You likely won’t find the highest quality materials in the cheapest mattresses.

Instead of cotton and wool, you may find polyester blends in your mattress cover, for example. Instead of latex or specially designed foam, your mattress will likely contain polyurethane memory foam.

This isn’t necessarily bad, especially when companies are transparent about product materials and meet safety regulations, but it’s still something to consider.

Mattress performance

You’ll also want to consider what benefits you need from your mattress.

For example, many lower-priced options have poor motion isolation, especially hybrids with continuous coils, which are connected and move as one unit. So, if you sleep with a partner and already wake up every time they turn over, an inexpensive hybrid might not be ideal.

Cheaper mattresses might also lack good edge support, so restless sleepers, take note. You might end up feeling in constant danger of rolling right out of bed. Cooling technology is also hard to come by at this price point.

Company policies

It’s always a good idea to take advantage of at-home sleep trials since you won’t know how you’ll sleep on a mattress without trying it out. All of our picks include an at-home trial as Wayfair offers 100-night trials through their site.

Just know many budget mattress brands won’t offer these trials — especially when sold on Amazon or other third-party retailers.

Your mattress should also come with a warranty. Most reputable brands will back their products for at least 10 years. Read the warranty before purchasing, since you might void it if you don’t set up your mattress in a certain way.

What to expect in this price range

Inexpensive doesn’t always mean cheaply made, but many budget mattresses can’t compare to their higher-priced counterparts.

Basic isn’t always bad, of course. You may not need a luxurious mattress with extra features. Still, you might miss out on some important benefits of higher-priced options, such as:

  • longer sleep trials
  • longer warranties
  • natural, sustainably sourced materials
  • longer mattress lifespan
  • better durability and support
  • higher quality construction

The mattresses we’ve recommended do meet specific flammability criteria, and they’re also CertiPUR-US certified. This certification means the foam used meets U.S. air quality standards: It’s made without toxic chemicals or ozone-depleting components and is verified as having low emissions. This may not be the case for every mattress you find, however.

If you have allergies or sensitivities, the foam and other materials in your mattress could potentially cause congestion and breathing difficulties. This makes it even more important to opt for a mattress with a trial period.

Other ways to save money

The mattresses we’ve recommended have a base price of $300 or less. In other words, our recommendations don’t account for sales. You may find many more options at similar prices, or lower, depending on when you look. The holiday season is always a great time to shop.

You might also find older models of quality brands on Amazon and similar sites. If you’re buying in person, consider outlet stores, clearance sections, and other discounts. For example, you might be able to negotiate for a lower price.

Try to avoid buying a used mattress whenever possible, but some retailers (both online and brick-and-mortar) may offer open-box discounts for products that were returned but never used.

If your mattress is the same height and size as your current one, you may not necessarily need new sheets and bedding. You can also save money by purchasing a mattress that doesn’t need a box spring.

Takeaway

When it comes to mattresses, the cheapest of the cheap may not provide the best long-term sleep solution. Poor sleep can affect your health, so your bed isn’t a good area to skimp.

Luckily, you still have some options when you’re trying to buy a mattress that will provide lasting support without completely draining your bank account.

Low price doesn’t always mean low quality, but be sure to utilize the sleep trial and send your mattress back if it doesn’t work for you.


Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.


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