When you begin your search for the best cheap mattress to buy, you might be surprised to learn that an affordable mattress can absolutely be comfortable and long-lasting. Years of innovation in the mattress world from bed-in-a-box brands like Simba and Emma has meant that a good night's sleep needn't cost the earth.
A budget mattress shouldn't be relegated to a guest room. There are plenty of quality products on the market that will improve your sleep, regardless of if you're a front, back or side sleeper. In fact, thanks to technical layers of memory foam and coil springs, plenty of these budget-friendly mattresses can help reduce back pain, as well as offering achy joints and muscles pressure relief. These affordable mattresses can also help with temperature regulation.
Ultimately, a lot of the differences between the luxury products and the more affordable mattresses are to do with ‘add ons’. These extras are not essential, but often take a product from good to excellent. Think thicker depths, removable and washable covers and built-in movement isolation. Some cheaper brands won't allow a trial period and it's not unusual to see a one to five year guarantee rather than the more common ten year warranty seen at higher price points.
Today, there are an increasing amount of mattress brands and retailers vying for your purchase, so if you're still unsure which new mattress you should invest in, read on for our top picks of the best budget mattresses. Many retailers also have extra deals and discounts for Black Friday, so keep an eye out for those.
The best cheap mattress to buy at a glance:
Don't have time to read our full guide? We've compiled our quick-fire favourites here:
- Best hybrid mattress - Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress
- Best mattress for all sleeping positions - Emma Original Mattress
- Best budget mattress - John Lewis & Partners ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress
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How to choose the best mattress
Regardless of their lower price point, budget mattresses are still available in a variety of different fillings. Open coil, pocket sprung, hybrid and high quality memory foam mattresses are all available for less, so there's something for every sleep style and budget.
First of all, consider where the mattress is going to be used. If it's for your primary bedroom and will be used daily, then you need to think about several key things. Are you prone to overheating? If so, consider a cooling mattress. Think about your sleeping position, too. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers have different requirements. You might want to consider a mattress with a comfort layer as well. Finally, the composition of the mattress. Do you prefer a spring mattress or a high density foam?
Also take a look at the type of bed frame you have. Slats help with airflow, so you might find you don't need a cooling mattress if you have a bed frame that accommodates temperature regulation.
What is a budget mattress?
So what constitutes a cheaper mattress? Well, there are no hard and fast rules on this subject, but knowing the market we'd suggest a UK double (which everything below is priced for), anything under £500 is regarded as budget. It might not sound like a low price point, but as mattress technology continues to move forward, mattresses are becoming increasingly expensive - some of our top picks come in at north of £1,000. Plus, a good night's sleep is truly priceless.
Best cheap mattresses 2024
Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress
| Simba Hybrid Essential | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Memory foam |
| Sizes available: | Single, small double, double and king |
| Guarantee: | 10 years |
| Trial period: | 200 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 20cm |
| Care: | Knitted cover with washable zip-off top |
| Delivery: | Free delivery in 5 - 10 working days |
Why we love it: At this price from Simba, there's not much not to love. With over 83,000 five-star reviews, the Simba Hybrid Essential mattress undoubtedly takes the cake in the best ‘mattress-in-a-box’ category. It combines the brand’s Aerocoil micro springs and cooling Simbatex foam, but with a more accessible price point. It also comes with a risk-free 200-night sleep trial and 10 year warranty. It is the brand's entry level hybrid model. With four layers of foam, it uses its own 'Simbatex' foam that's a far cry from old memory foam, as its open cell structure allows for better airflow. To further help with heat control, graphite has been added into the mix, making it a great option for any hot sleepers. At full price it's £649, but it's currently on sale and is less than £519.20.
Emma Original Hybrid Mattress
| Emma Original Hybrid Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid |
| Sizes available: | Single, small double, double, queen, king and super king size |
| Guarantee: | 10 years |
| Trial period: | 200 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 22cm |
| Care: | N/A |
| Delivery: | Free delivery |
Why we love it: Though just a snip at £499, Emma’s Original Hybrid Mattress is often on sale at multiple points throughout the year - currently it is on sale with £100 off. But, for its price tag, it certainly offers plenty of value for money. Made from foam with pocket springs from support, it is the next generation of its bestselling Original Mattress, and has been designed for all sleeping positions. The medium-firm mattress has three breathable foam layers and moisture-wicking materials, making it a perfect starter mattress for those looking to explore the world of memory foam.
Eve Sleep The Wunderflip Memory Foam Mattress
| Eve Sleep The Wunderflip Memory Foam Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Foam |
| Sizes available: | Single, small double, double, king and super king |
| Guarantee: | 10 years |
| Trial period: | 200 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 26cm |
| Care: | N/A |
| Delivery: | No need to flip or turn, but rotate it 180 degrees every now and then |
Why we love it: Eve Sleep's The Wunderflip Memory Foam Mattress is currently on sale for a very reasonable £329 for a double, and is just the thing for foam first-timers. The firm mattress is made with three comforting foam layers, including one for pressure relief, and can be flipped and used on the firmer or softer side. The top cover is also made from a quilted fabric that has been treated for dust mites and other allergens, which is perfect if you're particularly sensitive.
John Lewis & Partners ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress
| Rolled Memory Foam Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Firm |
| Type of mattress: | All-foam mattress |
| Sizes available: | Single, double and king |
| Guarantee: | 7 years |
| Trial period: | Not specified |
| Mattress depth: | 15cm |
| Care: | No turn |
| Delivery: | Free UK delivery |
Why we love it: The high-street department store has always been a reliable choice for well made but affordable products, and its ANYDAY range pushed that reality even further. This ANYDAY Rolled Memory Foam Mattress is not only an incredibly affordable mattress, but it’s very comfy, which all of our guests comment most on too after they stay over. It's made with cushioning, a high-density memory foam layer and medium firmness. At this price, you really can’t go wrong.
Silentnight Studio Eco 1000 Pocket Mattress
| Silentnight Studio Eco 1000 Pocket Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid |
| Sizes available: | Single, double and king |
| Guarantee: | 5 years |
| Trial period: | No |
| Mattress depth: | 24cm |
| Care: | No turn |
| Delivery: | From £6.95 or collect from Argos |
Why we love it: A decent mid-range price within the 'budget' category, Silentnight's Studio Eco mattress is a hybrid style. Adhering to its eco credentials, it's not been treated with any chemicals, it has a generous 1,000 pockets springs, and at 24cm deep, it's on the more luxurious end of the cheap mattress scale too.
Nectar Essential Hybrid Mattress
| Nectar Essential Hybrid Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid |
| Sizes available: | Single, small double, double, king and super king |
| Guarantee: | Forever |
| Trial period: | 365 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
| Care: | No information from the brand |
| Delivery: | Free Named Day Shipping |
Why we love it: The Nectar Essential Hybrid mattress is on sale for £499, which they say results in a saving of £617. What Nectar offers that no other brand does, is a very impressive 'forever' warranty giving real peace of mind. It's made from six layers, is a decent 25cm and uses 15cm high springs which are cushioned in between layers of premium foam. All of this helps reduce motion transfer to give a really good night's sleep.
Otty Aura Hybrid Mattress
| Otty Aura Hybrid Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid |
| Sizes available: | Single, double, king and super king |
| Guarantee: | 10 years |
| Trial period: | 100 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 23cm |
| Care: | Rotate once a month for the first 12 months, then once every 3 months. It also has a removable cover |
| Delivery: | Free standard delivery |
Why we love it: At the time of writing, this mattress comes in at £374.99, meaning that you save £25. Made up of six layers, with a mixture of 70/30 foam and springs, this mattress is on the firmer side of its 'medium firm' description, but with that comes impressive movement isolation, so even the biggest wrigglers in the night won't wake up their partner.
Memory Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress
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| Memory Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid |
| Sizes available: | Single, double, king and super king |
| Guarantee: | 1 year |
| Trial period: | 100 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
| Care: | No flipping, just rotate regularly |
| Delivery: | Free standard delivery |
Why we love it: Crafted in Yorkshire, Memory Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress mattress is perfect for regulating body temperatures. The mattress comprises four layers, with cooling gel foam making up the top layer, as well as a layer of individually-wrapped heat tempered pocket springs in the middle.
H&G's digital director, Virginia Clark, tested out this pocket sprung mattress and said: 'Once you're stretched out, the mattress lives up to its medium-firm name, and feels no less supportive than the firm sprung mattress that was its predecessor, but with a comforting plushness to its texture. There's also no need to turn this mattress - indeed it would be a bad idea as you'd end up with gel on the bottom and springs on the top - just a rotation every few months will keep it in shape. A few weeks in, and the mattress seems to get more and more comfortable, its yielding yet firm surface a welcoming presence.'
REM-FIT 400 Hybrid Mattress
| REM-FIT 400 Hybrid Mattress | |
|---|---|
| Firmness level: | Medium firm |
| Type of mattress: | Hybrid |
| Sizes available: | Small single, long single, single (UK & EU), small double, double (UK & EU), king (UK & EU) and super king |
| Guarantee: | 15 years |
| Trial period: | 100 nights |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
| Care: | N/A |
| Delivery: | Free delivery |
Why we love it: The most affordable in REM-FIT's range of hybrid mattresses, this bed-in-a-box option combines memory foam and premium pocket springs to create a comfortable hybrid mattress. The top layer is made from hypoallergenic foam with an open cell construction that regulates temperature, wicks moisture and prevents overheating. Contributing writer, Hannah Tan-Gillies, tested out this mattress.
