How We Tested the Best Mattresses Under $1,000
When putting together this list, we considered more than just the price of each mattress.
Value
Just because someone pays less for a mattress doesn’t always mean that they’ll get a great “value” purchase. On the front page of Amazon, for example, there’s dozens of mattresses under $1,000, but they can’t all be winners. That’s why we looked at what you’re getting for the price. There’s plenty of beds under $1,000 that, to be frank, make sense why they’re priced as such.
The beds on our list are made of high-quality materials, shipped from factory to you, cutting out any middleman fees. They come with sleep trials ranging from 100 nights to an entire year, offer returns, and warranties that can last you up to a lifetime. More than that, they performed well in our performance tests and simply don’t feel like cheap mattresses. All of this speaks to how far you’re stretching your dollar for a quality product.
Durability
Most people think of “cheap” as something that’s made quickly and wears out just as fast. Budget mattresses don’t have to be like that, though some definitely are. Thankfully, there are a few things you can check to get a sense of how well a mattress will hold up over time.
First, check out the bed’s construction. In general, innerspring coils add stability and help a mattress last longer, but they can be harder to find on a sub-$1,000 budget. For foam mattresses, pay attention to the layers. Look for denser, firmer foams at the bottom. Don’t hesitate to contact customer service for more details. You can also check the mattress brand’s warranty to get an idea of how long the bed is expected to last.
On our end, we evaluate the edge support of the mattress. How much the perimeter sags under weight is a good indicator of how likely it is to sag over time. We test edge support by sitting and lying down right at the edge of the mattress to see how secure we feel. We also place weights on the edge to simulate different weight categories sitting there and measure the sinkage depth with a tape measure. These two tests help us determine the mattress’s overall edge support score. A higher score means the bed is less likely to sag prematurely.
Firmness
Most studies recommend medium-firm mattresses as the best option for keeping the spine properly aligned, helping prevent discomfort and issues like back pain. This firmness level also works for a variety of sleepers with different preferences, which is why we aimed to find mattresses that fall around this versatile firmness—though there are some exceptions.
We rate firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being super-soft and 10 being rock-hard firm. Typically, medium-firm mattresses land around 6.5/10. They offer a nice balance of softness and support. Depending on your body type or sleeping position, some people might prefer something a little firmer or softer, which we’ll break down below.
What Else Is Important When Buying a Mattress Under $1,000?
There are other factors and preferences you might want to consider before making your final decision on any mattress, not just a budget option. Let’s dive into these factors and some of the features people often look for.
Body Type
Different body types will feel mattresses differently, which can influence your preferences when shopping for a new mattress. Generally, people over 230 pounds tend to find mattresses softer than expected because they sink in more easily. On the other hand, sleepers under 130 pounds might not sink in enough or get the contouring they need from the surface.
This is why we typically recommend firmer, more supportive mattresses for sleepers with larger bodies, while lighter sleepers should opt for softer beds. Of course, your preferred sleeping position also plays a role in determining what will work best for you.
Sleeping Position
It’s always crucial to consider your preferred sleeping position when choosing a mattress. For instance, a mattress that works well for stomach sleepers might not be the best choice for side sleepers, and vice versa.
Generally, side sleepers should go for a softer mattress to get enough pressure relief on their shoulders and hips. Back sleepers should look for something closer to medium-firm for a good balance of comfort and support. Stomach sleepers should choose a firmer mattress to help keep their spine aligned. Combination sleepers may want a more responsive mattress to make shifting positions easier, so a bed with coils might be a good fit.
Cooling
It’s also important to consider whether a mattress will keep you cool or warm throughout the night. Even if a bed is priced under $1,000, it might not be worth it if it causes you to wake up sweating. Studies show that sleeping in a cooler environment can promote more restorative sleep.
The materials used in a mattress play a big role in how well it regulates temperature. If you’re opting for an all-foam mattress, look for beds with layers infused with gel, graphite, or other cooling agents. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses generally have better airflow through their coils, while latex mattresses tend to retain less heat than foam beds. You should also look for features like specialized cooling covers.
When we test how cool a bed is, we use a thermal gun to check the surface temperature twice: once before any testing and again after lying on it for seven minutes. The temperature rise tells us how well the bed cools and helps determine its score. A 7-degree increase is typical for decent cooling, and beds that have less of a rise usually get a 4.5 or 5 out of 5. If the temperature goes up more than that, it probably means the bed won’t be great for hot sleepers. We also take into account whether the bed felt warm or cool while lying on it, which can impact the final score.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is key if you share your bed, since it shows how well the mattress absorbs movement before it spreads across the surface. Our Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, points out that “good motion isolation is the sign of a high-quality mattress.” That’s because mattresses with low motion transfer typically have thicker comfort layers, like slow-moving foam or a pillow top.
We test motion isolation in two ways. First, we put a glass of water on one side of the mattress and move around on the other side. How the water reacts tells us how much movement is spreading across the bed. Then, we have another tester climb into bed with us while we're blindfolded. Whether or not we can feel them moving around—getting in or switching positions—tells us how well the bed isolates motion. Both tests affect the final score out of 5.
Company Policies
When you're shopping for a budget mattress, it's important to check out the company behind it and what they offer. Many online mattress brands include sleep trials with your purchase, letting you test out the bed before making a final decision. As long as you return it within the trial period, you can get your money back.
Don't forget about the warranty, either. Most mattresses come with a 10-year warranty, but some even offer a lifetime one. It's great to find a budget mattress that's built to last, and having that safety net in case your mattress starts to wear out or show defects early on is definitely a plus.
