Best Mattress Under $500

If you are looking for an affordable mattress, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of the primary varieties that are available.

Innerspring

An innerspring mattress is a traditional mattress that uses a network of metal coils for support. If you are looking for the best mattress under $500, you’ll typically find Bonnell coils, which are hourglass-shaped and interconnected. While not as durable as higher-end pocketed coils, they can still offer decent support and responsiveness.

Memory Foam

Known for its pressure-relieving properties, memory foam contours to your body to provide you excellent comfort throughout the night. Budget memory foam mattresses often use lower-density foams. While they may not be as durable as their more expensive counterparts but can still offer good value.

Hybrid

By combining an innerspring core with foam layers, hybrid mattresses are providing the best of both worlds. In the under $500 category, you might find models with a thin layer of memory foam or polyfoam atop a Bonnell coil system.

Polyfoam

All-foam mattresses made primarily of polyurethane foam are common in the under $500 category. They do offer a great balance of support and comfort, but they don’t always have the same pressure-relieving qualities as memory foam.

Key Considerations for Budget Mattresses

The following considerations should be kept in mind when evaluating mattresses that fall within this pricing range.

Density and Firmness

Lower-priced mattresses often use lower-density foams, which can affect durability and support. When searching for a mattress you want to look for models with a minimum density of 1.8 pcf for polyfoam and 3.5 pcf for memory foam in the comfort layers.

Coil Count and Gauge

For innerspring and hybrid models, a higher coil count generally indicates better support. In the under $500 price range, you want to aim for at least 400 coils in a queen-size mattress. Coil gauge or the thickness of the coils also plays a role in how supportive the mattress is. In general, the coil gauge typically ranges from 12 to 15, with lower numbers indicating thicker, more supportive coils.

Comfort Layers

Even when looking at budget mattresses, you want to look for comfort layers of at least 2 inches to provide adequate pressure relief and prevent bottoming out on the support core.

Edge Support

Budget mattresses sometimes skimp on edge support. Not enough edge support can reduce the usable sleep surface and affect durability. In your mattress search, you want to look for models with reinforced perimeters or foam encasements.

Temperature Regulation

If you are looking for a mattress under $500, you might struggle to find something with colling features. However, some models may incorporate gel-infused foams or breathable covers to help mitigate heat retention.

Common Misconceptions

  1. All cheap mattresses are low quality. – While it’s true that you often get what you pay for, advancements in manufacturing and materials have made it possible to find decent mattresses at lower price points. But you need to be careful about what you expect from these budget mattresses in terms of life and advanced features.
  2. Firmer is always better when it comes to mattresses. – The ideal firmness depends on how you sleep and your body type. Side sleepers and lighter individuals often prefer softer surfaces. While back and stomach sleepers find they need firmer support.
  3. Memory foam is always hot to sleep on. – While traditional memory foam retains heat, many modern formulations are using cooling technologies. Even in some budget models, you may find open-cell structures or gel infusions that help with temperature regulation.

Expert Insights and Insider Information

  1. Timing Your Purchase – Mattress prices fluctuate throughout the year, so timing your purchase will get you the best price. Major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday typically offer the best deals on mattresses. Additionally, many retailers clear out older models in late winter/early spring to make room for new inventory.
  2. The Importance of Warranties – Even in the sub-$500 range, you want to look for mattresses with at least a 5-year warranty. While it might not seem like much, this short warranty provides some protection against premature sagging or defects.
  3. Understanding Sleep Trials – Extended sleep trials are not very common in this price range. However, some online retailers offer 30 to 90-night trials even for their budget models. Trying out the mattress is important as it lets you see if the mattress meets your needs.
  4. The Role of Foundations – A proper foundation can extend the life of your mattress by several years. If you’re using an older box spring, you might want to consider upgrading to a platform bed or adding a bunkie board to provide adequate support for your new mattress.
  5. Mattress Lifespan Expectations – In the under $500 price range, you can expect a lifespan of 5-7 years with proper care, compared to the 7-10 years for higher-end models.

Broader Context and Industry Trends

Mattresses stalked on top in a store

The rise of bed-in-a-box companies has significantly impacted the budget mattress market. Bed-in-the box companies are what we sometimes call a direct-to-consumer brand, as they ship the mattress directly to you from their warehouse. As these companies don’t have a lot of overhead and they are not using somebody else to sell their mattress, they can offer consumers a better value on mattresses. This has actually benefited consumers over the years because it has forced traditional mattress retailers to become more competitive so they can compete with these bed-in-a-box companies.

Not only are bed-in-a-box companies helping to improve the quality of budget priced mattress, but so is the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. This growing importance has resulted in manufacturers improving the features offered in their budget priced mattresses. Features like zoned support, which were once reserved for premium mattresses, are now finding their way into more affordable models.

The mattress industry as a whole is also being influenced by environmental considerations. You want to look for mattresses with CertiPUR-US certification, which ensures the foams used are free from harmful chemicals and have low VOC emissions.

Final Thoughts

To find the best mattress under $500, you need to think about how you like to sleep, how mattresses are put together, and what you can realistically expect. While you may not get all the bells and whistles of premium models, it’s entirely possible to find a comfortable, supportive mattress that provides good value for money in this price range. You can get a better night’s sleep without breaking the bank if you pay attention to important things like density and support, while also shop during sales and direct-to-consumer choices.

Remember, the “best” mattress is ultimately the one that provides you with comfortable, restful sleep night after night. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of sleep trials and return policies to ensure you’ve found the right match for your needs.