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The Best Mattress Under $200
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Olee Sleep Gel-Infused Mattress -
Most Comfortable Mattress
Classic Brands Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Best Price Green Tea Mattress - 6"
Best Overall Mattress
The Olee Sleep Gel-Infused Mattress has an enhanced plushness that sets it apart from other foam beds. During tests, we found the bed offered strong pressure relief and motion isolation, and was best suited for side sleepers under 230 pounds.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Isolates motion well, so movements won’t travel
- Plush feel appeals to people who want to feel hugged by their mattress
- Virtually silent in response to movement
Cons
- Too soft for sleepers over 230 pounds
- Lack of bounce can increase the feeling of being stuck in place
- Produces an off-gassing odor upon being opened
Ratings
Our Take
Most Comfortable Mattress
The Classic Brands Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is a low-profile bed best suited for sleepers who want a foam mattress with a little less sink. During testing, the bed earned the highest marks from side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available in four profile options
- Great for sleepers weighing 230 pounds or less
- Effectively isolates motion to prevent sleep disruptions from a bed partner’s movement
Cons
- Lacks support for sleepers over 230 pounds
- Edges may fold under body weight, limiting the usable bed surface
- Lacks responsiveness and may inhibit movement
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The 6-inch model of the Best Price Green Tea Mattress offers an even mix of cushioning and support, with a firmer feel than some competing foam beds. Our testers recommend this bed for side sleepers who enjoy a firmer feel but still need some cradling.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Green tea infusion designed to promote temperature regulation
- Available in a short queen size for use in RVs
- Comes with a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year limited warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t adequately support back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds
- Too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| Olee Sleep Gel-Infused Mattress | Foam | Side Sleepers | Good Value | 100 days |
| Classic Brands Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress | Foam | Back Sleepers | Fair Value | Varies by seller |
| Best Price Green Tea Mattress - 6" | Foam | Couples | Fair Value | 100 days |
What Affects the Price of a Mattress?
Multiple factors affect the price of a mattress, including the mattress type and materials, size, brand, special features, and shipping policy. While price often roughly corresponds to quality, it’s not always the case that a more expensive mattress is better than one with a lower price tag.
| Factor | Description |
| Mattress Type | Mattress type is determined by internal materials, which are a key driver of mattress prices. Because foam is more economical to produce, all-foam mattresses are a budget option. Coil-based innerspring mattresses are also frequently inexpensive. In contrast, hybrid, airbed, and latex mattresses involve more expensive materials and are rarely available for under $200. |
| Size | A larger mattress almost always costs more than a smaller one of the same brand and model. This is because a larger mattress size requires more materials and more packaging. Even among low-cost models, queen or king sizes may cost more than $200. In addition, most budget mattresses have a considerably shorter height than more expensive models. |
| Brand or Manufacturer | Some well-known brands and manufacturers command a premium because of their reputation or recognition in the market. This premium sometimes, but not always, corresponds to better quality. As you would expect, luxury brands almost never sell mattresses for less than $200. |
| Material Quality | As a general rule, the more a manufacturer spends on materials, the higher the price of a mattress. It’s rare to find the highest-quality materials or handcrafted construction in a mattress under $200. Eco-friendly and organic materials also usually exceed this price-point. Standard foams and metal coils are more commonly used in budget mattresses. |
| Special Features | Special mattress features often come with a higher price tag. For example, many proprietary materials, cooling technologies, zoned support systems, pocketed coil systems, reinforced perimeters, pillow-tops, and reversible firmness designs cost significantly more than $200. |
| Shipping and Delivery | The costs for getting a mattress to your home can impact the total price. For most mattresses under $200, you’ll get a mattress that comes compressed in plastic and shipped in a box that arrives at your doorstep. This packaging method helps reduce shipping costs, but it means that you have to unbox and set up the mattress on your own. |
Materials and construction play a big role in a bed’s sticker price. If you’re looking for a mattress on a limited budget, try starting with foam and innerspring models. These beds offer excellent pressure relief and are often more affordable than latex and hybrid beds.
How to Shop for a Mattress for Under $200
No matter your budget, it’s natural to want to get the best return on investment. But when you’re limited to choosing a mattress under $200, it can help to apply certain tips for getting the most value for your dollar.
Shop Online
When you buy a mattress online, you have access to a wide selection of products, far exceeding anything you’ll find in a single physical store. This makes it easier to compare models and browse for the best prices. Coupon codes and discounts can bring prices down even more.
The online shopping experience is more convenient, and you can save on time and gas by shopping from the comfort of your home. Most online mattresses also come with free shipping and a sleep trial that allows you to test the mattress out.
Browse Holiday Sales
Holidays and long weekends are among the best times to buy a mattress because most in-store and online retailers have major sales.
President’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day are often regarded as the best official holidays for mattress sales. In addition, unofficial shopping holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day often lead to significant price cuts on a wide range of mattress types at different price-points.
Utilize Sleep Trials and Warranties
A sleep trial is the mattress industry term for a return policy. During the sleep trial, you can try out the mattress in your home and return it for a refund if you aren’t satisfied. This helps ensure that you don’t get stuck spending money on a mattress you don’t like. Most online mattresses come with a sleep trial.
A warranty provides longer-term protection against defects in your mattress. However, it’s important to know that warranties rarely cover wear and tear or minor softening of the materials.
Consider Additional Costs
If you’re setting up a bedroom, keep in mind that you may have costs beyond the mattress itself. Items like a bed frame, a box spring, pillows, and bedding can add to the total amount you have to spend.
If you need multiple items, look for a bundle deal, which can cut down on the overall price and reduce the likelihood that you’ll have to pay for shipping for any individual item.
Video: How to Shop for a Mattress on a Budget
Finding a mattress that is both affordable and high-quality can seem impossible. Thankfully, there are plenty of great, budget-friendly options that don’t require you to sacrifice quality construction.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
If you want to explore other top mattresses in other categories, check out our in-depth buying guides.
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How We Test
When we test mattresses, we use a well-tuned process to see how all the options measure up. This includes objective testing of heat retention and pressure relief, as well as subjective input from our testing team.
We have team members with different body weights and sleep positions, and their diverse perspectives enable us to identify all the benefits and downsides of each mattress. After researching and testing a host of brands and models, we use both the objective data and subjective ratings from our team to determine which mattresses offer the best performance and value.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best mattress under $200 is one that cushions your body for comfort and pressure relief but doesn’t sink or sag in a way that jeopardizes spinal support. While you may not get every feature you want in a budget mattress, you should find one that lets you settle into sleep and avoid aches and pains in the morning.
A decent mattress generally costs between $150 and $500 depending on the mattress size. The lowest-cost mattresses usually involve some sacrifice in terms of the design, materials, or features. While you always have to work within your budget, you also want to look for a balance between what you can afford and what meets your sleep needs.
All-foam mattresses are generally the most affordable mattress type, but innerspring beds are also available for around the same price-point. Foam mattresses have two or more layers of foam, which could be memory foam or polyfoam. Innerspring mattresses are made with metal coils that have a thin layer of fabric on top.
Whether a soft or firm bed is better depends on your sleeping position, body weight, and personal comfort preferences. In general, a softer mattress is better if you weigh under 130 pounds and sleep on your side. A firmer mattress is better if you weigh over 230 pounds or sleep on your back or stomach.
For many sleepers, a medium (5) or medium firm (6) mattress offers the best balance of comfort, pressure relief, and support.
