The best mattress under $1,000 in 2025: Queen-size comfort for less than a grand

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a cozy, supportive mattress if you don’t want to — just look at our list of the best mattresses under $1,000 for a queen-size. Our sleep team have tested dozens of mattresses, and we're rounding up the top performers that cost less than a grand for a queen, the most popular bed size in the US.

Naturally, you’ll find many of these beds in our best mattresses of 2025 guide, as they deliver a high level of quality and comfort but at a reasonable price. Our favorite queen mattress available for less than $1,000 is the DreamCloud Hybrid, a bed-in-a-box with a look and feel reminiscent of our No. 1 rated mattress overall, the Saatva Classic, but at less than half the cost.

All of the mattresses in this guide are perpetually discounted during regular mattress sales, although there are some instances where you may want to wait for the upcoming Presidents’ Day sales to score even more money off. (We’ll detail those below.) But before you shop, have a look at our expert picks for the best mattresses under $1,000 for a queen-size, based on our testing......

Best queen-size mattresses under $1,000 in 2025

Best mattress under $1,000 overall

The DreamCloud Hybrid is the best queen mattress for less than $1,000, providing hotel-level comfort and excellent build quality for a very affordable price. Hybrid mattresses typically cost much more than all-foam models, and amongst other things tend to deliver better breathability (as the springs create space for air to circulate within the mattress) and a more luxurious feel. Both are true of the DreamCloud. This tops our best affordable mattress list. 

A dreamy combo of innersprings, gel-infused foam, and a cashmere-blend top cover, the DreamCloud mattress was a boon for our testers with back and hip pain, sufficiently alleviating pressure and discomfort along our hips and lumbar. Our hot sleepers found the DreamCloud comfortably cool, and co-sleepers who fidget won't be disturbed thanks to the DreamCloud's superior motion isolation. We rate the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid as one of the best hybrid mattresses because of its highly adaptive pressure relief and full-body support.

DreamCloud mattress sales are a constant, and a queen-size DreamCloud Hybrid has been holding steady at $665. Add the 365-night trial period and lifetime warranty, and you have a stellar value for money. We consider it a budget-friendly rival to the Saatva Classic mattress, our favorite mattress of 2025 overall. 

We will be re-testing the DreamCloud Hybrid in the new year as it's had a slight change in design since we initially tried it  (Notably, the springs are now reinforced along the perimeter for edge support.). Stay tuned for our updated testing notes.

• Read more: DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress review

Best budget mattress under $1,000

The Siena is our favorite cheap queen mattress and our top budget buy if you’re looking to spend well below $1,000. Since launching in 2022, the Siena has always been up to $300 off the MSRP, with a queen-size currently going for $399.

What makes the Siena a remarkable value is its overall build quality — it doesn’t feel or look like a cheap mattress, with a 4-layer build reminiscent of its sibling brand, Nectar. It’s a 10” all-foam build with a 1.75” gel memory foam comfort layer, a 8.25” dense foam base, and a breathable cover with a shift-resistant bottom.

This culminates in a firmer-than-advertised feel, so we recommend it for front and back sleepers. Side sleepers will miss that ample cushioning for their joints, so the Nectar (#4) will be a better choice in that case. That’s not to say there isn’t any pressure relief at all, but the lack of a transition layer results in a subtle hug from a modest layer of memory foam.

Performance-wise, the Siena did an excellent job of dampening movement in both our objective and real-world tests. We also found the sides of the bed sturdy for sitting, although we didn't feel as comfortable sleeping right up to the edge. The breathable cover and lack of prominent sink likely prevented our main tester from overheating during balmy summer nights, but we’d sooner suggest the specialist Cocoon Chill (#x on this list) for chronically hot sleepers.

The Siena Memory Foam mattress comes with an 180-night trial, which is generous for the cost. (The warranty is a standard 10 years.)

• Read more: Siena Memory Foam Mattress review

Best Luxury Mattress Under $1,000

Our luxury pick, the Sleep Number c1 narrowly meets the threshold — but a queen-size smart mattress for under $1,000 is an outstanding value, especially since it comes from a brand that's a pioneer in the smart bed space. 

Released in 2024, the Sleep Number c1 is an entry level smart mattress with the same adjustable firmness, responsive support, and integrated sleep tracking found in the brand's higher-end models. Its 8” profile comprises a 1.25" layer of comfort foam atop the 6” air chamber that influences the overall feel of the surface. This results in a lack of profound sinkage, even at its softest setting — but the adaptability of those air chambers kept our tester in proper alignment at all times.

Of course, at this price point you’ll be making some concessions since you’ll be foregoing the advanced tech found in the best smart beds and smart mattresses. For instance, there aren’t any manual temperature controls here, although the ceramic gel in the comfort foam purportedly helps limit any overheating. 

Still, as an introduction to smarter sleep, we think the Sleep Number c1 is a fine choice on a modest budget. Keep in mind that $999 is the retail price, and it’s excluded from further markdowns. Also, in-home delivery and setup costs an additional $249 but you may be able to avail of free shipping during a Sleep Number sale to keep your purchase to under $1,000 for a queen.

• Read more: Is the Sleep Number c1 smart bed worth it?

Best memory foam mattress under $1,000

The Nectar Classic is our top-ranked memory foam mattress overall — and it's also a tremendous value compared its mid-range rivals. A queen-size regularly goes for $649, and it comes with a full year's trial and a forever warranty. 

So why choose the Nectar over the DreamCloud at the top of this list? The Nectar Classic is an all-foam mattress with a slightly softer bed feel, albeit it's still medium-firm. It's packed with a pressure-relieving comfort foam that molds to every nook-and-cranny of your body, followed by a duo of responsive foam and dense foundational foam to keep your spine in proper alignment. The result is a well-balanced bed that's suited to most types of sleepers. (However, if you weigh over 250lbs, you may prefer the hybrid construction of the DreamCloud.)

Along with the Siena (#2), the Nectar has some of the best motion isolation we've observed on a mattress, so we strongly recommend it for couples. The upgraded cooling cover is a nice touch and helped our testers remain comfortable throughout the night. While the edge support has improved from the Nectar Original, it's slightly above average — the Plank (#) is all-foam beds with remarkably stable sides and corners.

Still, the Nectar Classic features what we liked about the Nectar Original plus much more. It's an excellent all-rounder and one of the best cheap queen mattresses you can buy.

• Read more: Nectar Classic Mattress review

Best cooling mattress under $1,000

Specialist mattresses for hot sleepers tend to cost a premium, but we consider the Cocoon by Sealy Chill the best cooling mattress on a budget. This all-foam mattress is pretty similar to the Nectar (#4) but adds a cool-to-the-touch knit cover that delivered impressive temperature regulation in our tests. Even the hottest sleeper among our testing panel didn't break a sweat whilst lying on the Cocoon Chill memory foam mattress. 

This 10" mattress features three foam layers which work together to deliver excellent pressure relief. It’s supportive and cushioning, but you lie closer to the surface of this mattress rather than sinking in for that classic memory foam hug feel. Based on our experience, we especially think it'll suit side sleepers best (heavier people and back / stomach sleepers might prefer something firmer for sturdier support). Couples who sleep with a restless partner will appreciate the low motion transfer – this mattress isolates motion very well, and there's no noise when changing sleep position.

A constant Cocoon by Sealy mattress sale shaves 35% off the Cocoon Chill foam mattress, with free bedding thrown in to sweeten the deal. You'll also avail of a 100-night trial, with free returns plus a full refund if you're not satisfied. Otherwise, your purchase will be backed by a 10-year warranty.

• Read more: Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress review

Best latex mattress under $1,000

The Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress has been discontinued in a brand relaunch and replaced with a new natural mattress, the Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid. A similar design to the original, we will be reviewing the Natural Luxury Hybrid soon to see if its natural credentials stand up to its predecessor. For now, a queen Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid Mattress is $849 in the Awara sale.

Latex mattresses are known for their durability and breathability, but they're also notorious for their premium price tags. However, Awara is constantly discounting their most popular bed, the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress, so you'll always pick up a queen size for under $1,000.  

This 10" hybrid mattress features breathable materials such latex, innersprings, and organic cotton, so all our testers slept cool and comfortable (even the warmest sleepers among us) and enjoyed the luxurious feel. We awarded the mattress a high score for its pressure relief, which supports the spine and alleviated pressures no matter which position you sleep in, but lightweight and side sleepers may find it too firm. 

A constant Awara mattress sale knocks $765 off the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress, with a discounted bedding bundle. You'll also get some generous extras which boosts the organic bed's value for money: 1-year sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a lifetime warranty. 

• Read more: Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress review

The best firm mattress under $1,000

The Plank is a dual-sided mattress with a Firm side and an Extra Firm side. Our favorite firm mattress overall, this two-in-one design also comes at an attractive price, with a queen-size normally selling for $999 on sale. 

When we tested the Plank — which consists of a 6" layer of high-density foam bookended by a pair of 0.75” quilted covers — we were shocked at how much we enjoyed it. Yes, this is a decidedly firm bed, either way you flip it, but the flat top of Extra Firm side did give way to some very minimal contouring that felt great against our backs. The Firm side, which adds a 2” layer of comfort foam and has a track-and-jump quilt pattern, added subtle cushioning and kept our hips steady whether we were on our back or bellies. (We personally preferred the Firm side for front sleeping as there was less pressure against our hips that way.)

The edge-to-edge support here is incredible, as we could comfortably use every inch of the bed. It supports up to 950lbs, so it’s a great mattress for heavy people, too. Our one qualm is temperature regulation, as the dense foam doesn’t allow for much air to flow through. You can add a GlacioTex cooling cover, which will put it over the $1,000 limit for a queen, but we’d sooner suggest opting for a hybrid like the DreamCloud (#1).

Unsurprisingly, we advise against the Plank if you or your partner favor your side, as there’s just not enough give for the shoulders and hips in this position, (Our head tester occasionally woke up with a dead arm when she transitioned to her side.) For combination side sleepers, we like balanced firmness of the Nectar Classic (#4). Otherwise, if it’s a firm bed you want for less than $1,000 in a queen, we can’t recommend the Plank Firm enough.

• Read more: Plank Firm Mattress review

HOW WE TEST MATTRESSES UNDER $1,000

The Tom’s Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks - that's roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress - and spend hours scientifically testing the performance of each product.  

Mattress firmness is subjective, so each lead reviewer also forms a trusted and experienced testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, who rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria. 

Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, well-balanced and data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress you’re interested in really is the best choice for you. Read our full mattress methodology for more.

Best mattress under $1,000 FAQs

How to choose the best mattress under $1,000 

If you're seeking to purchase a cheap queen mattress, price is obviously a motivating factor in your final decision. But it shouldn't be the only one (nor the most important). Below are other essential criteria to consider when choosing a budget mattress:

• Your sleep preferences: These include your dominant sleep style (back, front, side), desired firmness, plus any issues you hope to remedy (such as back pain, overheating, or a restless partner).
• User reviews: But don't limit it to the glowing 5-star feedback or sassy 1-star reviews; most sleepers' experiences will be somewhere in the middle. You'll also gain insight from reviewers who have needs similar to yours.
• Trial period and returns: Your body takes 21 days to adjust to a new mattress; most mattress brands offer a 100-night trial, with a select few providing a full year to test it out. Also know what to expect if you decide to send it back — some manufacturers charge return shipping fees.
• Warranty terms: The longer the warranty, the more confident a brand is in the integrity of its mattress. Even so, understanding how mattress warranties work will save you any hassle should anything go wrong.