You know the old saying you get what you pay for, which certainly rings true for mattresses. Having a comfortable, accommodating mattress can make a huge difference in your sleep quality, and in turn, your mental and physical health. If your budget is around $1,000 or less, you’re in luck. There are plenty of quality beds on the market that cost under a grand, espe$cially when you take brand promotions and discounts into consideration.
What can you expect from a mattress around $1,000? It likely won’t have any crazy bells and whistles attached like the Eight Sleep Pod or Casper Wave, but it will be comfortable, accommodating, and long-lasting. That way, you get your money’s worth and your proper beauty rest. Are you interested in learning more? Keep scrolling to find out which mattresses our team of experts hand-picked as the best mattresses under $1,000 from the hundreds of beds we’ve tested thus far.
Top 6 Best Beds for Under $1000
- Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $1,000 :NectarStarting at $399 Shop Now
- Softest Mattress Under $1,000 :LaylaStarting at $749 Shop Now
- Best Airflow Mattress Under $1,000 :Purple OriginalStarting at $799 Shop Now
- Best Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000 :Brooklyn Bedding SignatureStarting at $599 Shop Now
- Best King Mattress Under $1,000 :Tuft Needle OriginalStarting at $745 Shop Now
- Best Custom Bed Under $1,000 :Helix MidnightStarting at $799 Shop Now
Compare the Best Mattresses Under $1,000
Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $1,000
Why Nectar wins as the best memory foam mattress under $1,000
If you’re a big memory foam fanatic, Nectar Mattress has what we consider a dense memory foam feel. The surface of the bed feels firm at first, but after a few seconds, you’ll notice the top memory foam layers start to contour and conform to your body’s curves and pressure points. It’s very comparable to TempurPedic, which is a much more expensive mattress.
Nectar’s best features
- Overall, we think the mattress comes in around a medium-firm on the soft-to-firm scale and is suitable for all types of sleepers.
- It provides an ample amount of support for an all-foam bed, ideal for back and stomach sleepers.
- The memory foam top layers do a good job of cradling your hips and shoulders if you sleep on your side.
- You almost always get two free pillows with your purchase of a mattress.
Why we picked this bed
Nectar is not only affordable, but the mattress is really comfortable (assuming you like memory foam, of course). It is truly one of the best mattresses under $1,000. The last time we were on Nectar’s website, it was about $800, post-discount, for the queen-size bed. Since it feels like other luxury memory foam mattresses on the market, this is an extremely good price. In addition, like Layla, Nectar offers a lifetime warranty on its foam mattress, reassuring us that this mattress is built to be longer-lasting than your standard Amazon foam bed.
Softest Mattress Under $1,000
Why Layla wins as softest mattress under $1,000
Layla is a flippable mattress with a soft side extra fluffy and plush. We rated it around a medium-soft on our scale, putting it among the best soft beds we’ve reviewed.
- The bed combines poly foam and copper-infused memory foam for a soft, pressure-relieving memory foam feel.
- The cover is extra soft and looks so neat that you’re tempted to skip the sheets to sleep on it.
Layla’s best features
- The internet’s most popular flippable mattress offers two sides for versatility.
- The soft side is soft and plush, but the firm side still isn’t super firm.
- The bed is excellent for side sleepers but will also work for back and stomach sleepers.
Why we picked this bed
Layla’s mattress is unique, comfortable, and has a soft feel we think most people will like, especially side sleepers. The mattress comes with a lifetime warranty, which is pretty rare for an all-foam mattress. You can get your hands on a queen size for about $1,000 if you use our Slumber Yard discount.
Best Airflow UNDER $1,000
Why Purple wins as best airflow mattress under $1,000
Purple uses a proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer that feels like no other bed you’ve tried. Being so unique, it tends to divide people a bit (even within our company). Some people love the material and others just find it too different. If you’re on the fence and want to test the material before you buy, you can reach out to Purple for a sample! Purple’s unique grid design (as you can see above) allows for a ton of airflow. Sleepers who tend to sleep hot feel more relieved because they aren’t waking up sweaty.
Purple’s best features
- The proprietary material that makes up the bed’s top layer was invented and patented by Purple’s founders before they even dreamt up a mattress.
- The Hyper-Elastic Polymer is bouncy, stretchy, and oddly supportive and pressure relieving at the same time.
- It’s great for airflow, responsiveness and motion isolation.
- If you weigh over 230 lbs., you should look into the more supportive Purple Hybrid mattresses. Though, they are also more expensive.
Why we picked this bed
Purple is one of the most comfortable beds with phenomenal temperature regulating abilities. It’s a medium in our firmness scale, making it a good option for all sleeper positions. The Original Purple is under $1,000 for the queen when they are running promotions. Otherwise, it’s at the $1,100 mark. We think it’s a really reasonable price for what you’re getting (even if you pay the $1,100 price tag), especially if you consider the cost of other effective cooling mattresses.
Best Hybrid Under $1,000
Why Brooklyn Bedding Signature wins as best hybrid mattress under $1,000
Brooklyn Bedding stands out as a high-quality hybrid mattress at a reasonable price. Keep in mind that most hybrid mattresses retail for $1,400 or more for a queen. Brooklyn Bedding manufactures all of its beds in its own U.S. facility, and in turn, cuts out the middleman and unnecessary costs. It looks much more heavy-duty than a standard foam mattress, but it’s very comparable in cost.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature’s best features
- The bed is offered in Soft, Medium, and Firm firmness levels, meaning all types of sleepers (side, back and stomach) can get what they need.
- The pocketed coils’ foundation makes the bed really supportive and a good option for people of all sizes, including heavy sleepers.
- Similar to beds like Casper and Leesa, the Signature mattress has more of a soft neutral-foam feel.
Why we picked this bed
Brooklyn Bedding Signature is an excellent value for a hybrid mattress. You can buy a queen mattress well under $1,000 or a king bed for under $1,000 during a promotion. If you want a neutral-feeling, accommodating hybrid mattress at a very reasonable price, Brooklyn Bedding Signature is hard to beat.
Best King Mattress Under $1,000
Why Tuft & Needle wins as best king mattress under $1,000
If you’re working with a particularly tight budget and need a king bed, it’s hard to find a better one than Tuft & Needle (T&N). It is surprisingly cheap, as T&N’s king mattress is under $1,000 after discount. It’s a simple, comfortable, super affordable foam mattress, and it’s incredibly popular in the bed-in-a-box industry.
Tuft & Needle’s best features
- Tuft & Needle has a tried-and-true 2-layer construction, and we think that’s part of its simplistic charm.
- The bed has a neutral-foam feel, which is bouncier than memory foam and more breathable, making it appealing to most people who try it.
- It’s one of the original online beds to make it big in the industry and is largely considered a “safe pick.”
- It’s about a “medium” on our firmness scale and suitable for all sleeping positions for most people.
Why we picked this bed
Tuft & Needle’s original bed is a comfortable, simple foam mattress you can often snag for $1,000 or under. It also has quite an accommodating feel and firmness level that appeals to a wide range of sleepers. If you’re a big and tall sleeper on a budget or want the extra room without the extra costs, Tuft & Needle is a solid, safe option.
Best Custom Bed Under $1,000
Why Helix wins as best custom bed under $1,000
The “custom” idea comes from their personal Helix Quiz, which matches your perfect mattress based on your answers.
- They offer a bed for all sleeping styles and body types. So, whether you’re 135 pounds and sleep on your stomach or 265 pounds and sleep on your back, they offer a mattress for you.
- All mattresses have coils and retail right under $1,000 for a queen.
Helix’s best features
- All of the Helix Sleep mattresses have foam and coils, but the support, thickness and firmness of those layers will depend on which specific model you choose.
- If you want a bed that’s stiff as a board, they offer that. Or, if you want a feather-soft bed, they have an option for you as well.
- Core model hybrid beds are all 12” thick, making them suitable for all body types.
- You can check HelixSleep.com for current deals, as they are almost always running some sort of promotion. If you look at the king size mattress, while it’s not under $1,000, it’s not far off after a discount.
Why we picked this bed
Helix is our top pick as a “custom mattress,” not because it’s fully customized, but because the brand offers a personalized experience through the Sleep Quiz on their website, so all sleeper positions and body types can find their perfect Helix model. Helix takes the guesswork out of shopping for a bed online. Additionally, all of the “core” models are about $1,000 pre-discount, but after applying a coupon code, they are closer to $900 for the queen-size mattress.
Why Trust Us
Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 175 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons, and personalized recommendations.
The Review Team
How We Select the Best Mattresses
The Slumber Yard has been around since the beginning of the bed-in-a-box craze. Our team has personally tested and reviewed over 175 mattresses so far, and we keep more than 150 beds in our office so we can compare them (and take afternoon naps).
When testing mattresses, we evaluate the following factors:
- Construction: We cut beds open to see what’s inside and how it’s made.
- Feel: We check if it has a stuck-in-the-mud memory foam feel, or if it’s more of a neutral foam or a plush pillow top, etc.
- Firmness: We have our own firmness scale and evaluate how that may vary depending on your body and sleeper type.
- Pressure relief: We test what’s the sweet spot for different body and sleeper types. We also look at support and how that changes by body/sleeper type
- Edge support: This is important for couples who share a bed. Would you roll out of the bed, or can you sleep confidently close to the edges?
- Motion isolation: We use the water glass test to see how the bed fares with motion transfer. This is another important factor for couples that don’t want to wake up one another when they move.
- Temperature Regulation: We use a temperature gun to evaluate if the bed warms up, stays neutral or actively cools while you sleep.
- Noise: This could be an issue in beds with coils or innerspring.
- Off-gassing: Some beds could have a smell for a few weeks after unpacking, and we try to warn you about it.
- Company policies: We also take into account policies such as shipping, returns, trial period, and warranty.
- Value: We look at a bed’s price in the context of what it offers in terms of features and quality of materials and construction.
After considering all these factors, our team picks the best beds for each category. For the best mattress under $1,000, our team took into consideration not only the price but the quality and comfortability of each bed. All of the beds on this list are under $1,000 after discount for a queen size, and some for the king size. If you’re not tethered to a specific budget, we’ve published dozens of other mattress reviews you can take a look at.
What You Should Consider When Buying a Mattress Under $1,000
Material
It’s common for mattresses under $1,000 to be made with one, two, or three of the materials listed below. Though, some materials are more affordable than others.
Polyurethane foam
- This is the most common foam you’ll see with online mattresses. It comes in various thicknesses, densities, and firmness levels and is incredibly affordable to manufacture.
- You will generally see it as the foundation for all-foam beds and even the middle and top layers depending on the mattress.
- While it’s affordable, it also can be really comfortable and many people like its more neutral feel.
Memory foam
- This is just polyurethane foam, but with a viscous material injected to make it remember shapes, hence the name “memory” foam.
- It is fairly cheap to manufacture but is usually great in terms of pressure relief and support.
- Memory foam also can be somewhat of a dividing material—some people love it and some people really don’t.
Innersprings
- Often the most well-known type of mattress, innerspring are more of a traditional support system consisting of springs and coils that give way under your weight.
- Typically, the thicker the springs and the more the mattress contains, the more support the mattress offers.
- They also allow for plenty of airflow and typically last longer than their poly foam counterparts, especially for heavy folks.
Pocketed coils
- While innerspring can have issues with motion transfer, pocketed coils tend to be much better here.
- Unlike an innerspring unit, pocketed coils are just individually wrapped coils stacked next to each other. Therefore, the motion or pressure on one coil doesn’t necessarily impact the other.
- Like innerspring, pocketed coils are generally regarded as being more durable and supportive than foam materials, particularly for heavier individuals who can wear down thin, all-foam mattresses in short order. So that you know, we’ve also published a list of the best hybrid and spring mattresses.
Latex
- This is a natural material actually made from the sap of a rubber tree. Latex (whether Talalay or Dunlop) is bouncy, airy, and really supportive.
- In fact, if you lay on an entirely latex mattress it may actually feel like the bed has springs, that’s how bouncy the material is. As such, it tends to be very resilient and you’ll end up sleeping more on the mattress rather than in it. It’s naturally cooler than a lot of poly foam products, as well.
- There are a lot of people that are drawn to latex because it’s natural (mostly), durable, responsive, and comfortable, but latex beds tend to be quite expensive, heavy, and hard to move, which is partly why you see so many poly foam beds out there.
Hyper-elastic polymer
- Invented and patented by the founders of Purple, this Hyper-Elastic Polymer offers firm support and pressure relief at the same time.
- Crafted with a temperature-neutral gel and more than 1,800 air channels, the material stays ultra breathable throughout the night so you don’t get hot. Plus, it adapts to your body, so you always have support regardless of your sleep style.
Pillow top mattress
- Typically, you won’t find a lot of pillow top mattresses under $1,000. They are reserved by the brands as a higher end product, for better or worse.
- A pillow top mattress is a bed that otherwise would be complete in its simplest form, but the company added extra layers on top to give it even more cushioning. It’s basically a mattress with a big, fluffy mounded cover.
- A couple of pillow top mattresses that come to mind are Helix Luxe, WinkBed, and Saatva. Technically, you can find the pillow top for under $1,000, but you have to reach down to the full size or smaller.
Firmness
The feel of the mattress depends on your weight and sleeper type. The same bed can feel soft if you’re heavier, while if you’re lighter, you’ll contend that it’s firm. In general, though, side sleepers prefer soft to medium-firm mattresses.
We’d suggest that you start a little more firm than you think you want, simply because all of these beds soften over time. Another thing that you should do is walk on your new bed for one minute per day to properly and evenly soften up the mattress.
So then, if you’re a side sleeper, will you want a soft mattress or a firm one? All we can say is that if you need more pressure point relief, say for shoulder pain or hip pain, you will likely want a plush mattress or something that’s on the softer end of the spectrum. If you’re more concerned with back pain, or perhaps you’re a side and back sleeper, a firmer mattress might interest you more.
We can’t say for sure whether the soft mattress vs. firm mattress is right for you. That said, we made sure to include both options on our list.
Temperature
The temperature of a bed highly relies on the material it is made with. Memory foam, for example, can warm up as it contours to your body and retains heat. It can also make switching positions a little more difficult. And it tends to feel firmer when in colder environments and softer in warmer environments — not surprisingly, some people do not like this. Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer is designed to allow for maximum airflow, so it won’t act the same as memory foam. Hot sleepers, especially, should consider finding either a cooling bed or temperature-neutral mattress.
Best King Mattress Under $1000
Shopping for an affordable king mattress can be a challenge. In fact, it’s rare to find a king-size bed for under a thousand dollars; however, we make an effort to find a bed whenever we update this list. We like Tuft and Needle as our pick for this category.
Best Queen-Size Mattress Under $1000
Offering support and softness through its memory foam layers, we think the Nectar 11-inch Memory Foam Mattress provides a good night’s sleep for an affordable price. The design provides proper spinal alignment, which is a key to resting comfortably, including support along the shoulders, hips and legs.
Feel-wise, we think it’s comparable to a Tempur-Pedic Mattress — very traditional, viscous memory foam. A queen size Nectar mattress will cost you around $950 before discounts and around $700-$750 during a promotion.
Buying a Mattress Online
When shopping online, look for free shipping and returns. Most, if not all, brands are confident you will love their mattresses, so they offer free returns with your purchase. In fact, most will give you 90 days or more to test out your mattress and you can return it if you aren’t completely satisfied. As added incentives, many brands also offer accessory incentives, such as free pillows. Also, check for online coupons and discount codes on the Slumber Yard to receive extra savings on your purchase.
Yes, you can. There are a handful of really nice king mattresses that sell for under $1,000 after discount. We’ve highlighted at least one in our post.
We get this question a lot. The answer is that it all depends on the person. If you like a responsive, bouncy feel, then you’ll probably like latex mattresses. If you want a fluffy/airy feel, well then, a pillow top mattress might make sense for you.
Most of the time, you can! A lot of the online mattress brands offer 100% free returns inside the contiguous U.S.
Yes, indeed it is. We have reviewed plenty of really nice mattresses that cost under $1,000 for the queen size.
For most people, a 10-inch mattress provides adequate support and comfort while sleeping; however, for enhanced comfort and support, a 12-inch mattress or more offers extra cushioning.
A mid-range mattress composed of foam, innerspring or a mix of quality materials, the average price for a queen mattress is around $750-$1,000.
If you already have a box spring that is still sturdy, you can use it with your new mattress — but you don’t have to. Though, you may need some base or slatted wood foundation to support it.