The best cheap Amazon mattresses are budget-friendly, comfortable, and convenient. You can buy almost anything on Amazon, and that includes queen-sized mattresses for under $400. At that price you won’t be getting this year's best mattress, but our expert team has used hands-on testing and review analysis to find the top budget-friendly Amazon beds.
So how can you tell which cheap Amazon mattresses are worth the money? All the beds in this guide meet two strict standards: they must contain CertiPUR-US foams and measure at least 10 inches tall. From this basic criteria, we’ve found an Amazon mattress under $400 for every sleep style.
Our current number one cheap Amazon mattress pick is the Siena Memory Foam Mattress, which earned high praise from our team for its support and quality. And if it’s an inexpensive mattress you’re after, now is the time to shop: this year's Black Friday mattress deals are bringing some of the best prices we’ve seen this year.
The best mattresses on Amazon under $400: chosen by sleep experts
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Best cheap Amazon mattress overall
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress is a low cost bed that goes above and beyond its small price tag. We rate this as the best cheap mattress overall, so we're happy to see it's now available on Amazon, allowing more shoppers to try out this bed.
Created by Resident Home – the brand behind the Nectar that's one of the best mattresses on Amazon – the Siena Memory Foam has a wealth of sleep knowledge poured into its build. And you can tell. The all-foam bed offers impressive edge support, strong motion isolation, and surprisingly good temperature regulation – three features we rarely expect to see in a cheap memory foam bed.
During our testing period we found the Siena Memory Foam mattress has a firmer feel that's best suited to back and stomach sleepers. The pressure relief is good, but there isn't the traditional memory foam 'hug'. Side sleepers seeking a sink-in feel should consider the Zinus (#2) instead.
Unusually for an Amazon mattress, the Siena also offers strong benefits. As well as a 10-year manufacturer's warranty, Siena provides a 180-night at home mattress trial. This is an opportunity to test the bed and see if it suits your sleep style without the financial commitment. As our top choice, we think you'll be happy by the end of the trial. If not, you can return it for a refund.
- Read more: Siena Memory Foam Mattress review
Best cheap mattress on Amazon for side sleepers
The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress is a consistent Amazon best-seller, garnering thousands of reviews for this budget memory foam. It comes in four different heights, but for most adults we'd recommend at least the 10-inch version. That's what we tested for our review, and found that for its exceptionally low cost it offers a good night's sleep.
This medium feel model consists of three layers of different types of mattress foam. At the bottom, a 5-inch foam base for stability, followed by 2 inches of pressure-relieving comfort foam, then a top 2.5-inch slab of memory foam. That upper layer is infused with green tea and charcoal, apparently to absorb moisture and neutralize odors for a more hygienic sleep. Approach these claims with a healthy skepticism – infusions are unlikely to really make a difference to how a foam performs.
In our tests, we found it had a supportive, medium-firm feel with that classic memory foam 'hug' – you sink into this mattress, rather than lying on top of it. Like all the best mattresses for side sleepers, the Zinus has contouring cushioning at the pressure points, helping relieve pain at the shoulders and joints. The thick foams also help trap motion, so if you share with a wriggler, this is a good budget choice. While comfortable for side sleepers, our testing panel were less impressed when front or back sleeping. The Siena (#1) is a better choice for those sleep styles.
Temperature regulation is an issue with our testers finding the mattress could get warm overnight. The Siena (#1) and Linenspa (#3) offer a cooler sleep environment, but very hot sleepers should check out our guide to the best cooling mattresses, or for a cheaper option, a cooling mattress topper.
- Read more: Zinus Green Memory Foam Mattress review
Best cheap hybrid mattress on Amazon
This Linenspa is a hybrid mattress with a simple build that provides light pressure relief and decent temperature regulation. It's rare to find hybrid mattresses in this bargain price bracket, so if you're after a bed with a traditional feel, gentle contouring, and a wallet-friendly price, this is a top pick.
The Linenspa Memory Foam and Spring Hybrid Mattress is available in 8, 10 and 12-inch versions, and the deeper the mattress, the softer the sleep feel. Our expert review team tested the 8-inch version and found that the thinner, firmer build best suited young children and lightweight stomach sleepers. Overall, we recommend upgrading to the 10-inch or 12-inch version if you have the budget and particularly if you're a back or stomach sleeper. These thicker designs add extra cushioning to enhance pressure relief and avoid aching shoulders (and even the 12-inch queen costs under $400).
The Linenspa has a contouring memory foam top layer, with another layer of foam beneath, and tempered steel coils at the base. As a coil-heavy build, our testers found the motion isolation isn't ideal. If you share a bed, consider the Siena (#1) or Zinus (#2).
Best cheap Amazon mattress with multiple options
The Lucid Memory Foam mattress stands out from the pack thanks to its variety of options. We're used to seeing various sleep feels offered by the best luxury mattresses, but it's unusual for a brand in this price bracket. With three firmness levels (Medium, Firm, Plush) and six heights (although each feel isn't available in every height) you can mix and match to find your perfect bed.
As a general rule, we expect the Plush bed to best suit side sleepers, the Medium for side and back sleepers, and the Firm for back and stomach sleepers. We recommend opting for a height of 10 inches or above, with the 14 inch Lucid mattress providing a surprisingly sumptuous sleep experience (although it will set you back more than $400).
Within the Amazon reviews, customers say the sleep surface is slow-moving but without an unpleasant quicksand effect. There are a few complaints about the edges being unsupportive, so you may not be able to comfortably sit or lie on the sides, and the inflation process does seem to take a while. Unsurprisingly for a cheap all-foam mattress, this seems to sleep a bit warm (note: we were pretty impressed with the temperature regulation on this brand's topper in our Lucid Gel Memory Foam topper review).
Lucid offers a 10-year limited warranty. Finally, we were pleased to note that Lucid's parent company, Malouf, is B-Corp certified – an award given for responsible social and environmental performance, and fairly rare amongst mattress companies, on Amazon and elsewhere.
Best cheap Amazon mattress for pressure relief
The FDW Store Gel Memory Foam Mattress frequently tops the Amazon best sellers list for beds, thanks to its range of options and incredibly low price. The overall build is basic — there’s just two foam layers, even in the 14-inch version — but for this price, we wouldn’t expect much more.
Available in six different builds, ranging from 5 to 14 inches tall, the FDW Store Mattress uses the same design for every model. At the base, you’ll find a deeper layer of high-density foam, to provide support for the body. Above sits a thinner layer of gel memory foam, for contouring pressure relief (and a touch of cooling, courtesy of the gel infusion). The whole thing is then wrapped in a breathable, washable cover.
The only difference between models is the thickness of the foams — the taller the bed, the thicker the foams. FDW describes it as a medium firm mattress, typically best for back and stomach sleepers. As with other beds in this list, we recommend opting for a mattress measuring 10 inches or more.
Customer reviews are largely positive. Most find it a good mattress, although many reviews do stipulate that it’s a good mattress for the price. Reviews do indicate that it’s firmer than expected, which is good news for stomach sleepers, who tend to benefit from a firmer bed. The majority of negative reviews are for the thinner models, reaffirming that for the best sleep, opt for a mattress at least 10 inches thick.
Also consider
These mattresses don't quite crack our top five, but these Amazon beds under $400 for a queen are still worth considering if you're shopping on a budget.
Best cheap mattress on Amazon under $400: buying advice
Does Amazon sell mattresses and are they any good?
Yes, there are mattresses from top-rated, well-known brands sold on Amazon, including Nectar, Casper, Tempur-Pedic, and Linenspa. However, the retail giant is a popular destination for bargain hunters, so you may be tempted to buy a mattress from a cheaper, unknown brand. We would advise against buying from these lesser known brands, as you could end up with a low-quality model that needs to be immediately replaced.
However, that doesn’t mean that the only mattresses worth buying on Amazon are from the upscale, more costly brands. Novilla and Classic Brands, for instance, may not be as well-known as Nectar, but these Amazon Choice models are both well reviewed and affordable. If you're opting to buy a more budget-friendly mattress, just make sure to consider the essentials when buying from Amazon, such as whether it has a CertiPUR-US certification (which means the mattress’s foam meets certain minimum health and environmental standards).
How do you return a mattress to Amazon?
While most of our best mattress picks offer free returns within the trial period, returning a mattress to Amazon can be different. Generally, Amazon has a 30-100 day return policy for mattresses, but it depends on different factors.
If the mattress is unopened, you can return it within 100 days of purchase. You can arrange a return via the Returns Center (select the 'Heavy-Bulk' option).
If you’ve unboxed it, Amazon allows a refund request up to 30 days from purchase, and you can only return full-size or smaller mattresses to be resold. Larger mattresses can be donated (if undamaged) or disposed of by Amazon.
If the mattress is from a third-party seller, there may be a different warranty and returns policies, so check the Warranty and Support section of the mattress listing.
However, you can’t return the mattress outside the return period or if you damaged it after its arrival.
How to choose the best mattress on Amazon under $400
Budget is obviously a factor if you're glancing at this list, but cost alone should not be a motivating factor when choosing a new mattress. Buying a bed that doesn't mesh with your unique sleep needs will impact your health and well-being due to a lack of quality sleep. What's more, you'll end up spending more money in an attempt to land a mattress that's right for you – so it's important to get it as right as possible the first time.
When it comes to finding the best mattress on Amazon for under $400, consider the following criteria...
- Your sleep style: Most people will benefit from a medium-firm mattress. However, side sleepers may be inclined for something more plush to cushion their hips and shoulders, whilst back and front sleepers can benefit from a firmer bed that'll prevent their mid-section from dipping.
- Your body type: Generally, a heavier sleeper with a broad build will prefer something firmer than a lightweight, petite individual. However, firmness is subjective which is why it's important to test your new mattress if possible – more on that below.
- Your sleep concerns: You'll also have to pay mind to your primary sleep issues. For instance, do you overheat at night, or share a bed with a restless partner? Seek a model that'll best address those issues.
There are some good mattresses on Amazon, but there are also some rubbish mattresses on Amazon. If you're in the super-budget category, it stands to reason you'll need to make some compromises on quality and design. However, there are a few key things you should expect, even for a very cheap mattress. Here's what to look for:
- CertiPUR-US foams
A CertiPUR-US certification confirms the foams in your mattress meet certain minimum health and environmental standards. It's pretty standard across all mattresses, even cheap ones, and we'd consider it a red flag if a mattress' foams weren't CertiPUR-US certified. If it's not mentioned on the Amazon product entry, check the company website, because sometimes things like that can get missed off the Amazon listing.
- A depth of at least 10 inches
Most adults need a minimum mattress depth of around 10 inches in order to get the comfort and support they need. Heavier individuals (250lb plus) might need something thicker (12 inches) while children and petite / lightweight individuals might get away with a slightly thinner mattress (say 8 inches).
- Warranty or returns policy
Most Amazon mattresses don't come with their own sleep trial, so while you might not be able to return your mattress just because it doesn't suit you, there should be a returns process for faults. Look for warranty information on the product listing page, as well as double-checking what happens if you need to return your mattress to Amazon.
If you're buying a name-brand like Casper or Nectar via Amazon, you might be eligible for the brand's own trial period, but make sure you check and jump through the required hoops to get that activated. Alternatively, consider investing a bit more and buying direct from a known bed brand – most of today's best budget mattresses (all under $500 for a queen size) come with a trial period of at least 90 nights.
- Foam that's a least 1.8lb
Foam quality is indicated by its density – measured in pounds. Denser foams are higher quality, more durable and more expensive. This is an important spec, but it's last on our list because it's basically impossible to figure out – in the vast majority of cases, brands won't publish this information.
If you can find the info, ideally you want your comfort layer (the top tier of the mattress that defines the sleep feel), you want the foam to be at least 1.8lb. According to mattress manufacturing expert Tim Dilworth, this is the minimum density to look for in a mattress, if you want it to be comfortable and to last (you'll find more insights from Tim in our memory foam density guide). That's especially true for bed-in-a-box mattresses, because the compression process puts the foams under stress, and poor quality foams likely won't recover properly.
When's the best time to buy a mattress on Amazon?
You might expect that the Amazon Prime Day deals events – a 2-day sales extravaganza, exclusively for Amazon Prime members (or those taking advantage of the free trial), which typically takes place sometime in July. However, in reality over the past few years, good Prime Day mattress deals have been very few and far between.
In the 2024 events (Summer and Fall), we did see some interesting discounts, including money off Nectar and Leesa mattresses. Bedding accessories, such as mattress topper deals and pillow deals, often yielded the best savings. Interestingly, a number of bigger brands, have started running their own 'Prime Time' events to coincide with Amazon's sale.
The generic Amazon mattresses in this ranking do sometimes attract further discounts, but there's no real pattern to when we'll see price drops. Unfortunately, it's just a case of keeping an eye on the listing if you really are determined to snag a discount. We will highlight any significant offers that do arise though.
Is Black Friday the best time to buy a cheap mattress under $400 on Amazon?
Black Friday can be a good time to save on a cheap Amazon mattress, although as with Prime Day, we're not expecting any mega savings. There are a lot of mattress entries to comb through on Amazon, so we promise to do the hard work for you — if we see any deals worth your time, we'll make sure to let you know about it.
Should I buy a cheap mattress on Amazon?
Whether or not you should buy a cheap mattress on Amazon depends on what you're looking to get out of it.
For example, if you're moving into a forever home, then you might want to invest in something more durable since you'll want it to last a long time. However, if your mattress is for a seldom-used guest room or a kid's bedroom, then a cheaper mattress should suffice. If you need a mattress for your main bedroom ASAP, then a cheap mattress from Amazon will help fill that need before you can expand your budget and purchase something longer-lasting.
It's also important to keep in mind that Amazon doesn't offer mattress trials unlike the brands themselves, which could be a downside. Mattress brands such as Nectar and Zinus offer their own trial periods but don't always bring that perk to their Amazon storefronts. Most budget-priced mattresses don't provide such an amenity, either, regardless of where you buy.
It's crucial to allow your body time to break in a mattress – on average, it takes about three weeks to adjust. Save yourself a lot of hassle ahead of time by learning how to return a mattress to Amazon just in case. We also suggest checking the Warranty and Support section of the mattress listing on Amazon, or contact the manufacturer directly to find out if their trial and return policies apply to third-party purchases.
