When you begin your search for the best cheap mattress to buy, you might be surprised to learn that an affordable mattress can absolutely be comfortable and long-lasting. Years of innovation in the mattress world from bed-in-a-box brands like Simba and Emma has meant that a good night's sleep needn't cost the earth.
A budget mattress shouldn't be relegated to a guest room. There are plenty of quality products on the market that will improve your sleep, regardless of if you're a front, back or side sleeper. In fact, thanks to technical layers of memory foam and coil springs, plenty of these budget-friendly mattresses can help reduce back pain, as well as offering achy joints and muscles pressure relief. These affordable mattresses will also still help with temperature regulation.
Ultimately, a lot of the differences between the more luxury products and the more affordable mattresses are to do with ‘add ons’. These extras are not essential, but often take a product from good to excellent. Think thicker depths, removable and washable covers and built-in movement isolation. Some cheaper brands won't allow a trial period and it's not unusual to see a one to five year guarantee rather than the more common ten year warranty seen at higher price points.
Today, there's an increasing amount of mattress brands and retailers vying for your purchase, so if you're still unsure which new mattress you should invest in, read on for our top picks of the best budget mattresses.
The best cheap mattress to buy at a glance:
Don't have time to read our full guide? We've compiled our quick-fire favourites here:
- Best hybrid mattress - Simba Simbatex Essential Mattress
- Best memory foam mattress - Emma Original Mattress
- Best budget mattress - John Lewis & Partners ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress
How to choose the best mattress
Regardless of their lower price point, budget mattresses are still available in a variety of different fillings. Open coil, pocket sprung, hybrid and high quality memory foam mattresses (that won't leave you in a muck sweat) are all available for less, so there's something for every sleep style and budget.
First of all, consider where the mattress is going to be used. If it's for your primary bedroom and will be used daily, then you need to think about several key things. Are you prone to overheating? If so, consider a cooling mattress. Think about your sleeping position, too. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers have different requirements. You might want to consider a mattress with a comfort layer as well. Finally, the composition of the mattress. Do you prefer a spring mattress or a high density foam?
Also take a look at the type of bed frame you have. Slats help with airflow, so you might find you don't need a cooling mattress if you have a bed frame that accommodates temperature regulation.
What is a budget mattress?
So what constitutes a cheaper mattress? Well, there are no hard and fast rules on this subject, but knowing the market we'd suggest a UK double (which everything below is priced for), anything under £500 is regarded as budget. It might not sound like a low price point, but as mattress technology continues to move forward, mattresses are becoming increasingly expensive. Plus, a good night's sleep is truly priceless.
Best cheap mattress 2024
Simba Simbatex Essential Mattress
Firmness level: Medium firm
Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
Guarantee: 10 years
Trial period: 200 nights
Mattress depth: 19cm
Care: Rotate it 180 degrees every now and then
Why we love it: At this price from Simba, there's not much not to love. The Simbatex Essential Mattress is the brand's entry level model and its most affordable foam mattress. With three layers of foam, it uses its own 'Simbatex' foam that's a far cry from old memory foam, as its open cell structure allows for better airflow. To further help with heat control, graphite has been added into the mix, making it a great option for any hot sleepers. You're also getting a good deal for your money here, as the only feature this model lacks compared to the next one up is the edge-to-edge support. Plus, at full price it's £499, but it's currently on sale and is less than £380.
Emma Original Mattress
Firmness level: Medium firm
Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king and super king
Guarantee: 10 years
Trial period: 200 nights
Mattress depth: 25cm
Care: Rotate it 180 degrees every now and then
Why we love it: Though just a snip under £499, Emma’s Original Mattress is often on sale at multiple points throughout the year. But, for its price tag, it certainly offers plenty of value for money. Made entirely from foam, it has three breathable foam layers and moisture-wicking materials, making it a perfect starter mattress for those looking to explore the world of memory foam.
Eve Sleep The Lighter Mattress
Firmness: Medium firm
Type of mattress: Hybrid
Sizes available: Double, king and super king
Guarantee: 10 years
Trial period: 1 year
Mattress depth: 20cm
Care: No need to flip or turn, but rotate it 180 degrees every now and then
Why we love it: Eve Sleep's The Lighter Mattress is the brand's most entry level mattress comes in at under £280, and is made with two comforting layers, the Eve Lighter Mattress is just the thing for foam first-timers. The top cover is also made with moisture-wicking material perfect for hotter summer days making it a top choice for hot sleepers.
John Lewis & Partners ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress
Firmness level: Medium firm
Type of mattress: Memory foam
Sizes available: Single, double and king
Guarantee: 7 years
Trial period: 60 nights
Mattress depth: 15cm
Care: No turn
Why we love it: The high-street department store has always been a reliable choice for well made but affordable products, and its ANYDAY range pushed that reality even further. This ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress is not only an incredibly affordable mattress, but it’s very comfy, which all of our guests comment most on too after they stay over. It's made with cushioning, a high-density memory foam layer and medium firmness. At this price, you really can’t go wrong.
Silentnight Studio Eco Mattress
Firmness level: Medium
Type of mattress: Hybrid
Sizes available: Single, double and king
Guarantee: 5 years
Trial period: No
Mattress depth: 24cm
Care: No turn
Why we love it: A decent mid-range price within the 'budget' category, Silentnight's Studio Eco mattress is a hybrid style. Adhering to its eco credentials, it's not been treated with any chemicals, it has a generous 1,000 pockets springs, and at 24cm deep, it's on the more luxurious end of the cheap mattress scale too.
Nectar Essential Hybrid Mattress
Firmness level: Medium firm
Type of mattress: Hybrid
Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
Guarantee: Forever
Trial period: 365 nights
Mattress depth: 25cm
Care: No information from the brand
Why we love it: Usually priced at £600, which is still much cheaper than many other mattresses, the Nectar Essential Hybrid mattress is on sale for £480. What Nectar offers that no other brand does, is a very impressive 'forever' warranty giving real peace of mind. It's made from six layers, is a decent 25cm and uses 15cm high springs which are cushioned in between layers of premium foam. All of this helps reduce motion transfer to give a really good night's sleep.
Otty Aura Hybrid Mattress
Firmness level: Medium firm
Type of mattress: Hybrid
Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
Guarantee: 10 years
Sleep trial period: 100 nights
Mattress depth: 23cm
Care: Rotate once a month for the first 12 months, then once every 3 months. It also has a removable cover
Why we love it: When not on sale, this mattress is almost double the price, so it's a great buy considering (at the time of writing) it's just under £400. Made up of six layers, with a mixture of 70/30 foam and springs, this mattress is on the firmer side of its 'medium firm' description, but with that comes impressive movement isolation, so even the biggest wrigglers in the night won't wake up their partner.
Dusk Cool Gel Foam Hybrid Mattress
Firmness level: Medium firm
Type of mattress: All-foam mattress
Sizes available: Single, double, king and super king
Guarantee: 1 year
Sleep trial period: 100 nights
Mattress depth: N/A
Care: No flipping, just rotate regularly
Why we love it: Crafted in Yorkshire, Dusk’s Cool Gel Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung mattress is perfect for regulating body temperatures. The mattress comprises four layers, with cooling gel foam making up the top layer, as well as a layer of individually-wrapped heat tempered pocket springs in the middle.
REM-FIT 400 Hybrid Mattress
Firmness: Medium firm
Type of mattress: Hybrid
Sizes available: Small single, long single, single (UK & EU), small double, double (UK & EU), king (UK & EU) and super king
Guarantee: 15 years
Sleep trial period: 100 nights
Mattress depth: 25 cm
Care: N/A
Reviewed by: Hannah Tan-Gillies, contributing writer
Why we love it: The most affordable in REM-FIT's range of hybrid mattresses, this bed-in-a-box option combines memory foam and premium pocket springs to create a comfortable hybrid mattress. The top layer is made from hypoallergenic foam with an open cell construction that regulates temperature, wicks moisture and prevents overheating.
Mattress Online Casper Hybrid Mattress
Firmness: Medium
Type of mattress: Hybrid
Sizes available: Single, small double, super king
Guarantee: 10 years
Sleep trial period: 60 nights
Mattress depth: 24cm
Care: No turning needed
Why we love it: Mattress Online is is a great place to start your mattress hunt, especially if you're looking for a brand name, like Silentnight or Sealy, at an affordable price. The Casper Hybrid mattress has triple foam layers and zoned springs for maximum support. With edge to edge support, it's a good pick for couples. This mattress comes rolled up and boxed, making the delivery pretty hassle free.
