With thousands of mattresses available online, finding a model under $300 is easier than it’s ever been before. Budget-friendly mattresses come in construction types and firmness levels to suit nearly every sleeper. To choose the best mattresses under $300, we relied on findings from our sleep lab testing and sleep product experts. We put dozens of inexpensive mattresses to the test and highlighted the models that are not only a good value, but comfortable and supportive as well.
Our review of the best mattress in a box also has plenty of wallet-friendly options. Many of the models included in our picks for the best mattress of 2025 are a good value, too.
If you’re shopping with a tight budget, the 8″ AmazonBasics Memory Foam Mattress – Plush gives you considerable bang for your buck. Plush comfort layers adapt to your body, while the dense support core is convoluted to circulate air throughout the interior. You won’t find many mattresses below $300 that are this thoughtfully constructed.
Ideal forSide Sleepers
FirmnessMedium (5)
FeelPlush, Close-Conforming Foam
ValueGood Value
Pros
Plush comfort layers cushion the body to align the spine and reduce pressure buildup
Convoluted base layer stabilizes the mattress and promotes steady airflow
Excellent motion isolation for couples
Cons
Strong off-gassing odor for the first few nights after delivery
Indentations likely to appear after a few years of use
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
9.0/10
130-230 lbs
8.0/10
Above 230 lbs
/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
/10
130-230 lbs
7.0/10
Above 230 lbs
6.0/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.5/10
130-230 lbs
6.0/10
Above 230 lbs
5.0/10
The AmazonBasics collection includes a handful of affordably priced all-foam mattresses ideal for guest rooms, kids, and shoppers with limited budgets. One of the most popular entries in this series is the Memory Foam Mattress – Plush, which consists of three individual layers built onto an 8-inch profile. A medium soft (4) feel with close contouring makes this model well suited to side sleepers, particularly those weighing up to 230 pounds.
Why We Like It
The mattress feels quite plush and contours deeply to the body. As such, we’re recommending it for side sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or less and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. People who use these positions and weigh more did not receive enough support from the mattress — a firmer, thicker model should be a better fit.
Motion isolation is a major strength of this mattress. Since the foam layers absorb movement so well, neither you nor your sleep partner should notice much motion transfer when the other person changes positions or gets up during the night. We also noticed above-average temperature control during our tests. We’ve attributed this to steady circulation through the convoluted base layer.
How Does It Feel?
The mattress feels quite plush and contours deeply to the body. As such, we’re recommending it for side sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or less and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. People who use these positions and weigh more did not receive enough support from the mattress — a firmer, thicker model should be a better fit.
The topmost layer is composed of adaptive memory foam that softens when it comes into contact with body heat and forms a close mold around your figure’s unique curves. This cloud-like cradling effect can help align your spine and alleviate painful pressure points in the shoulders, lower back, and hips. Dense transitional foam provides additional cushioning.
The high-density base foam layer features a convoluted design similar to that of egg-crate foam toppers. This allows air to pass through the mattress interior and offset heat retention in the upper foam layers. A breathable cover made from a cotton-polyester blend encases the mattress. You can also select this mattress in 6-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch profiles.
The Ashley Chime Signature Design is a foam hybrid that strikes a balance between pressure-relieving foam layers and robust support from the coil system. A mid-range firmness level made this mattress comfortable for most of our testers who weigh up to 230 pounds.
Ideal forCouples
FirmnessMedium (5)
FeelPlush, Supportive Surface
ValueFair Value
Pros
Isolates motion well, especially for a hybrid mattress
Foam comfort system provides deep pressure relief
Available in multiple profiles, including bunk bed and RV-friendly options
Cons
Below-average edge support
Lacks the strong structure needed by back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds
Not as responsive as other comparable hybrid models
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
6.0/10
130-230 lbs
9.0/10
Above 230 lbs
6.0/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
9.0/10
130-230 lbs
6.0/10
Above 230 lbs
4.5/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
6.0/10
130-230 lbs
6.0/10
Above 230 lbs
4.5/10
The Ashley Chime Signature Design Mattress has an exceptionally comfortable feel, especially considering its low price-point. The hybrid mattress has a medium (5) firmness level that successfully blends responsive coils and pressure-relieving foam.
Why We Like It
The back and stomach sleepers on our testing team who weigh up to 230 pounds particularly enjoyed this model’s support level. Our testers found that the foam layers were particularly helpful for side sleepers who were prone to aches around their hips and shoulders. The coils are individually wrapped to reduce motion transfer, which ensures that you can switch sleeping positions without disturbing your bed partner. Hot sleepers in particular will likely appreciate this mattress, as the gel-infused foam and pocketed coil core work in tandem to control temperature. The coils allow air to flow freely throughout the mattress, while the gel infusion is engineered to keep the foam layers cool.
You can purchase the Ashley Chime Signature Design Mattress in five sizes, including California king.
How Does It Feel?
High-density polyfoam is quilted directly into the mattress’ polyester cover, and the surface has a plush feel that cushions joints and relieves pressure. The gel-infused memory foam transitional layer further alleviates pressure buildup by hugging your body’s shape and absorbing impact.
The pocketed coil support core offers a slight bounce and strong support. The coils around the perimeter are higher-gauge than the center coils, which our testers found increased the mattress’ overall edge support. In total, this model measures 10 inches tall.
The Linenspa Innerspring is specifically designed to accommodate growing bodies. A low profile allows you to put the mattress in a bunk bed or other small spaces while allowing kids to get in and out of bed on their own. The firm feel also promotes spinal alignment for young kids.
Ideal forBunk Beds
FirmnessFirm (7)
FeelBouncy, Supportive Surface
ValueFair Value
Pros
Coil support core offers strong edge support
Low profile works well in small spaces
Excels at remaining cool throughout the night
Cons
Significant motion transfer
Too firm for most adults
Minimal cushioning may be uncomfortable for some kids
The Linenspa Innerspring Mattress has a compact and lightweight design, making it a practical choice for kids. At 6 inches tall, it fits easily within bunk beds, RVs, boats, and other tight spaces. This innerspring model ranks as a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, giving it a traditional firm feel that especially suits stomach sleepers.
Why We Like It
Though this model’s construction isn’t as complex as other designs, our testing team found it to be quite durable, which is unusual for mattresses at this price-point. Our tests showed that the low-profile design and excellent edge support make the mattress a good option for stomach sleepers who sleep hot. The robust support extends around the mattress’ perimeter, allowing kids to sleep at the edge of the bed without sinking. Hot sleepers also enjoyed this model during our testing. Our tests showed that air moves easily through the mattress’ coils, allowing for very good temperature control.
How Does It Feel?
The Linenspa Innerspring has a simple design that incorporates two layers. The first is a layer of polyfoam quilted into a polyester cover. The material has a cushioning effect that keeps the surface from feeling too firm despite the bed’s strong support system. This is followed by the support core, which consists of Bonnell coils that offer consistent support across the bed’s surface.
Mattresses have a wide price range, and you can pay less than $200 or more than $4,000 for a queen size mattress. Prices depend on factors like material quality, mattress size, type, performance, special features, and brand reputation.
Factor
Description
Mattress Type
Mattresses with complex constructions tend to be more expensive than simpler models, because they require more materials and labor. Hybrid, latex, and airbed mattresses usually cost more than foam or innerspring beds for this reason.
Where You Buy From
Online retailers have an advantage over storefronts because they don’t have to pay for retail space. Many companies extend those savings to customers. However, when you shop online you don’t get to try a mattress before buying it.
Material Quality
Quality of materials is one of the biggest factors that affects mattress price. Durable, long-lasting materials usually cost more to create, which price tags reflect. Inexpensive mattresses sometimes use lower-end materials to make products more budget-friendly.
Mattress Size
The bigger the bed, the higher the price. Larger mattresses require more materials to create, so expect costs to increase with size. The same is true for profiles. Taller mattresses may cost more, because they contain more materials.
Special Features
Extra features that go beyond what’s standard typically increase a mattress’ overall price. For example, cooling technology, adjustable firmness, unique sizing, and zoned support systems are all more expensive for manufacturers to produce.
Shipping, Delivery, and Setup
Online retailers often provide free shipping, but that cost may be built into the total price-point. Some companies offer free White Glove delivery, which can save you money if you need help assembling or moving your new mattress. Addresses outside the contiguous U.S. or in rural areas may not qualify for free shipping or setup help.
“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.”
Tips for Shopping for a Mattress for Under $300
It’s possible to find the right mattress for your needs on a $300 budget, especially if you consider some of the best ways to save money.
Browse Holiday Sales
Mattresses are often deeply discounted on and around American holidays and celebrations. If there’s a mattress you’ve got your eye on but it’s a bit too expensive, wait to purchase it until one of these mattress sale windows to save some cash. You can often get significant savings by shopping on Labor Day, Memorial Day, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, or Black Friday.
Shop Online
Online retailers have an advantage over brick-and-mortar mattress stores when it comes to pricing mattresses. Storefronts have more overhead costs than online sellers do, because they have to pay for retail space and the bills that come with it including labor, power, rent, and insurance. Companies have to charge customers more to cover these costs. You can save even more when shopping online by taking advantage of online coupon codes and other discounts.
Take Advantage of Sleep Trials and Warranties
Most mattresses carry a warranty, whether you buy yours in-store or online. Often, they cover manufacturing defects, as well as cracks, deep impressions, or sagging. If you’re looking to save money, consider opting for a model with a shorter or pro-rated warranty.
If you buy a bed online, it will most likely come with a sleep trial that lets you try it for a set window of time and return it for a full or partial refund if it’s not quite right. Using a sleep trial can help ensure you don’t spend money and end up stuck with a mattress that doesn’t work well for you.
Consider Extra Costs
A mattress isn’t the only thing you’ll need to buy to get your bed set up. If you don’t already have them, you’ll also need a foundation, sheets, blankets, pillows, and any other accessories that will make you comfortable. Some mattress companies bundle mattresses with pillows, mattress protectors, box springs, or bed frames to entice shoppers. Shopping these deals is an excellent way to save money on all these items
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
Trying to find the perfect mattress but not sure where to start? Take a look at some of our most popular buying guides to help you on your journey.
In our sleep lab, we use a time-tested methodology that allows us to understand who a mattress is best for, and whether it’s worth the money. We perform tests that measure the qualities most important to sleepers including pressure relief, motion isolation, and temperature control. Our team members also try each mattress personally and rate how comfortable and supportive it is for their weight group and sleeper type.
To pick the best mattresses under $300, we looked at factors like material quality and brand reputation in addition to sleep trial results. The budget-friendly mattresses we chose are supportive, comfortable, and from reputable brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mattress under $300?
The best mattress under $300 is one that supports your spine while providing the right cushioning level for your weight and sleep position preference. Innerspring and foam mattresses are often less expensive than hybrid and latex models, because they are simpler for companies to manufacture. Choose an innerspring if you prefer a structured, responsive feel, or opt for a foam mattress if you enjoy pressure relief and contouring.
How much should you spend on a mattress?
There is no perfect dollar amount to spend on a mattress. Instead, focus on finding the best value mattress that’s within your budget. If you buy the least expensive mattress you can find, it may not be a good long-term value, especially if it doesn’t provide the right support level for your body.
Also, check reviews highlighting a model’s durability. Spending a bit more initially may save you money over time, because you can use a more durable mattress longer before having to purchase a new one. The best mattress is one that strikes a balance between overall value, your individual needs, and your budget.
What is the cheapest mattress type?
The least expensive mattress types are innerspring and foam mattresses, which you can find for as little as $200. They have simpler constructions than hybrid, latex, and airbed mattresses, which means companies can afford to sell them for less. However, you can always save money on other types of mattresses by planning purchases around the best time to buy mattresses and shopping sales or bundles.
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night's rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
