I’ve needed a new mattress for far longer than I care to admit, but I’ve avoided shopping for one altogether because I’ve always believed that a quality king option for less than $1,000 simply didn’t exist.
After finally taking a look at the kinds of affordable mattresses that are actually available, I fear my faulty preconceived notions have prevented me from sleeping in the utmost comfort.
Don’t make the same mistake I did, and instead take a gander at the selection of supportive, cooling and comfortable mattresses in the list ahead, which have received enthusiastic approval from the reviewers who have slept in them. The most convincing part is that not one of them costs more than $1,000, even for a king-sized option.
A four-layer gel foam mattress with pressure relief
Rated a 4.4 out of 5 stars across nearly 30,000 ratings on Amazon, the Novilla is a shockingly affordable mattress that uses four layers of different types of foam and no coil system. This medium-plush mattress has a firm base foam, topped with an egg carton foam designed to promote airflow, a soft comfort foam and finally, a gel-infused memory foam that keeps sleepers cool. It's a high-density combination that can distribute pressure and isolate motion so sleeping partners won't be disturbed. Available in six sizes and five different thicknesses, reviewers agree that it's an "excellent value for a good deal of comfort."
"This mattress provides good support, particularly for the back, and helps with pain relief by relieving pressure in hips and shoulders," one Amazon customer wrote.
A plush hybrid mattress with six supportive layers
Made exclusively by Wayfair's in-house sleep brand, this hybrid mattress — which has 4.6 out of 5 stars across 23,000+ ratings — is made "using a six-layer combination of pocket coils and gel memory foam and features a medium firmness with low motion transfer," according to the brand. There's also a strategically placed lumbar support to target and align the lower back, and it's finished with a plush quilted pillow-top and a medium-firmness feel.
"This mattress had been a game changer. It sits higher, it has a layer of pillow-top foam and [it] also has coils. Everything moves to cradle your body so it alleviates pressure point pain," one Wayfair shopper wrote.
The Wayfair mattress comes in six sizes, three thicknesses and is made free from any harmful chemicals or toxins.
A cooling mattress with dual-layers of foam support
Nearly 58,000 Amazon customers have rated this breathable cooling mattress, which features two supportive base layers of convoluted foam for maximum airflow and a two-inch layer of proprietary gel memory foam that offers both pressure relief and disperses heat. Based on reviewer feedback, the Vibe gel mattress is "the best value in memory foam beds," and another claimed that they finally woke up free of shoulder or back pain. Although Amazon described the Vibe as a medium-firm mattress, reviewers say it's actually a little firmer than medium with "just the right amount of give."
Shop it in three thicknesses and six sizes.
A "heaven sent" Cool Gel mattresses that comes with two free pillows
According to Amazon reviewers, the Cool Gel mattress is "heaven sent," especially for its cooling properties and its "perfect blend of plushness with support." "I don't want to say firm because it's soft, but you're not sinking in. It supports you enough to cradle you and gives no pressure on parts of your body," the same reviewer elaborated.
Certified free from fiberglass or toxic chemicals, the Cool Gel manages to regulate temperature so well, most likely due to the ventilated open-cell structure that enhances airflow and heat dissipation, plus it's topped with over three inches of a cooling gel memory foam that conforms to your body.
To add even more bang for your buck, this mattress comes with two free pillows boasting the same cooling gel foam interior. You can find this mattress in seven sizes and five thickness options.
A green tea- and charcoal-infused memory foam mattress
The Zinus green tea- and charcoal-infused mattress has probably the most Amazon ratings at 162,000+ shoppers giving their feedback on this medium-firm and Oeko-Tex-certified option. The all-foam and pressure-relieving design features multiple layers of foam, including a breathable top layer infused with green tea and charcoal. You're probably wondering what those would have to do with the performance of your mattress, and according to the maker, green tea and charcoal work together to keep your mattress fresh for years to come.
Reviewers have left detailed evaluations about the Zinus mattresses and have seemed to rigorously put it to the comfort test. One Amazon customer, who claimed to be a flight attendant with tons of experience sleeping in hotel beds, called it "the Oprah of beds," that's also managed to cure back pain, sleepless nights, and keep them comfortable no matter what sleep position they're in.
Shop the Zinus mattress in up to eight sizes and five thickness options.
Nectar's classic all memory foam mattress
If you're like me, you might have considered Nectar to be one of those sleep brands with mattresses way far out of your price range, but as it turns out, it's more affordable than you think. Nectar's classic contouring memory foam mattress is made up of a motion-isolation base, followed by a pressure-relieving foam, and a breathable cooling cover that won't trap heat. Supportive for any sleep position, halfway between hard and soft, and compatible even with adjustable bases, the mattress comes in seven sizes and a few different upgrade versions.
In terms of reviewer feedback, one Amazon shopper who suffers from herniated discs in their lower back said that this mattress has allowed them to wake up pain-free and has given them the best sleep in years.
Serta's Perfect Sleeper mattress with high-density springs
Serta's Perfect Sleeper mattress uses an 825-coil density system, combined with "zoned comfort," or strategically placed areas of extra support and pressure relief where you need it most. When shopping for this mattress (available in six sizes), you can choose from several levels of firmness and top options, from pillow top to plush to enhanced.
"Love this mattress ~ I wake up feeling refreshed and nothing aches! No more waking up throughout the night, good night's rest every night," one Serta customer wrote.
Serta's classic quilt-top mattress
Another classic mattress from Serta is this basic, yet effective, quilt-top that's built atop a custom coil support system and a layer of cushioning foam and topped with a breathable mattress cover. Ideal for all sleeping positions, there are also three targeted zones of support. Like other mattress options from Serta, you have the choice of customizing the level of firmness and top options, as well as choosing from sizes twin-Calfornia king.
Serta's Five Star mattress delivered to you in a box
The Five Star mattress from Serta is one that won't break the bank. Available in three thicknesses and sizes up to a California king, the Five Star uses an individually-wrapped coil system and three targeted zones along the mattress made from a gel foam for optimal back support. It's finished off with the brand's exclusive PillowSoft Aire top, which promises to provide enhanced cushioning without compromising on breathability, before it's conveniently sent to you rolled up in a box.