As a sleep writer, I always recommend buying the best-quality mattress you can afford — which can often lead you towards shopping for a budget bed. While cheap mattresses may not have all the cutting-edge features of expensive models, there are still plenty of great budget-friendly beds out there that deliver excellent comfort, support, and value for money.
When looking for this year's best mattress to suit your budget and sleep, it's important not to be influenced by price alone. An ultra-cheap mattress may seem like an amazing deal now, but it could cost you more in the long run.
That's why I've compiled a list of the five essential features all the best cheap mattresses should have. So, if a cheap mattress in this month's mattress sales has any of the following, then you know you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.
The 5 key features of the best cheap mattresses
1. A warranty of at least 10 years
The average lifespan of the best cheap mattresses is eight to 10 years, so you should aim to replace your mattress after a decade of use. That's why a mattress warranty should be at least 10 years long, so you're covered for the whole time your mattress is in use.
Mattress warranties cover issues such as premature sagging or manufacturing flaws, plus they are a good indication of how long the mattress is expected to last. For example, a 10 year warranty signals that your mattress has a minimum life expectancy of around 8 years.
2. A CertiPUR-US certification
This isn't some fancy certification only awarded to the most premium mattresses. In fact, every mattress containing foam - no matter how small the price tag - should have this stamp of approval. The CertiPUR-US certification is awarded to mattresses as a way to verify that their foam meets certain safety and environmental standards.
To gain this certification the product must undergo rigorous testing to make sure it has low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions and is free of certain flame retardants that have negative environmental or medical effects. A CertiPUR-US certification is a good indication that your potential new mattress is non-toxic.
3. A minimum depth of 10 inches
If you're wondering how thick a mattress should be, just remember this: no mattress under 10 inches in height is worth buying. Why? Because only a height of 10 inches or more is thick enough to support most adults and sleeping styles. Anything lower is only suitable for small children or those with mobility issues.
4. A reputable brand name
While you're never going to score a bargain from the best luxury mattress brands such as Saatva or Tempur-Pedic, that doesn't mean top-rated mattress brands don't offer budget-friendly models, too. Plenty of well-known sleep brands, such as Casper, DreamCloud, and Nectar offer the best mattresses under $1000 for a queen size.
5. A trial period of at least 30 nights
When buying a mattress online, it's always a good idea to check if they offer a mattress trial, which allows you to sleep on the mattress at home for a certain number of nights, allowing you to test whether it rally is the right mattress for you.
The minimum length of time to know whether a mattress is right for you is around 30 nights or 4 weeks, but the average sleep trial is usually 100 nights. Be wary if your looking at a cheap mattress marked as "final sale" as this means no returns or sleep trials are available.
