There are many factors to keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress. Firmness, support, and material are all important. And so is value. Getting a good mattress for a good price and Best Mattress for The Money 2023 should always be the goal, and we are here to help.
With all of the information, transparency, retailers, and buying options now available, mattress buyers are more well positioned than ever before to get the most bang for their buck. Whether you’re looking to spend $400 or $4,000, you want to get the most mattress for your money.
This guide will explain the most important features to look for in any mattress and which ones are worth paying more for. First, we’ll give you our recommendations for the best mattresses at whatever price you want to pay. Then, we’ll walk you through the different types of mattresses available and what you can expect from each at different price points.
Best Mattresses for the Money: Buyer’s Guide
Now let’s look at some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a new mattress.
Features to consider
A mattress isn’t worth a single penny if it doesn’t keep you comfortable. So however much you are willing to spend, there are a few important features and considerations you should keep in mind before buying a new mattress.
Body Weight
It’s important to consider your body weight when selecting a mattress. A larger sleeper (typically more than 200 pounds), will naturally exert more pressure on a mattress and therefore might be more comfortable with one that is more firm. (Firmness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least firm and 10 being the most firm.) Keep in mind, however, that firmness is a personal preference no matter your size.
Sleeping Position
The way you typically sleep will make a difference in your mattress selection. If you sleep on your back, your spine naturally aligns and your weight is already distributed equally. Side sleepers need a mattress that offers more support for the neck, shoulders, back, and hips in order to avoid uncomfortable pressure points in those areas.
If you sleep on your stomach, you sink further down into your mattress. So you might do well with a mattress that is firm enough to keep your spine aligned, yet soft enough to cushion your chest and stomach.
Edge Support
Edge support is what prevents sagging around the perimeter of the bed. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses often use a high-density polyfoam to reinforce around the edges and therefore offer stronger support around the perimeter. Foam and latex mattresses are rarely reinforced, so tend to offer little edge support. Edge support is particularly important to keep in mind if you often sit on the edge of your bed.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation describes how well a mattresses absorbs movement – and therefore how well it keeps that movement from reaching another sleeper. It’s especially important to consider if you sleep with another person or a pet. Foam and latex mattresses offer the most movement isolation. Innersprings and hybrids don’t do as well in this category.
Heat Retention
If you tend to naturally sleep hot, heat retention will be an important consideration. Some mattress materials, notably memory foam, trap heat against your body. Other materials, like latex and innerspring, offer more airflow and ventilation, staying cooler throughout the night.
Pressure Points
Side sleepers in particular should think about pressure points, particularly in the neck, shoulders, lower back and hips. Memory foam and latex mattresses conform around your body, often alleviating pressure points along the spine. Innersprings, by contrast, don’t offer this contoured feel or provide the same pressure relief.
Back Pain
Proper support is necessary while sleeping in order to keep your body in alignment and thereby avoid back pain. Too little support and your body will dip into the mattress. Too much support and your body will arch. Both will result in aches and pains. The amount of support you need will depend on your body weight and your sleep position.
Mattress Types
The materials that make up a mattress will largely determine its price point. A high-quality innerspring mattress, for example, will typically cost significantly less than a latex mattress of similar quality. Understanding the different materials available will help you decide how you want to spend your money.
Latex
Innerspring
Hybrid
Memory foam mattresses have gained popularity for the customized feel and support they offer sleepers. This foam was originally designed by NASA to aid in crash protection. It reacts to both heat and pressure, allowing it to adjust its shape and contour to a sleeper’s body.
How it’s built
Support core: Memory foam mattresses are not made entirely from memory foam, as it is too soft to provide adequate support on its own. A memory foam mattress will use a support core made from high-density polyfoam to create a sturdy base.
Comfort layers: Memory foam makes up the additional comfort layers. Typically, a memory foam mattress will be made of 25-40 percent memory foam.
Cost considerations
Foam density: High-density memory foam rated 6 PCF (pound per cubic foot) or higher is found in the most expensive mattresses. Medium-density foam (rated 4-5.9 PCF) provides motion isolation and pressure point relief. Low-density foam (rated under 3.9) returns to its original shape quickly and offers les motion isolation and pressure relief. It is found in cheaper mattresses.
Amount of memory foam used: Usually, when more memory foam is used, the mattress will be more expensive.
Added features: Some mattresses use a gel-memory foam, charcoal, copper, or even green tea-infused memory foam as a comfort layer for a variety of different reasons. Typically, these speciality memory foams come at a higher price point.
Average price
$900-$1,500 (queen)
Cost considerations
A great value means getting excellent features and a reasonable price. If you’re not happy with your mattress, it doesn’t matter how much you spent (or didn’t) – it is still a waste of money. It’s important to prioritize the key components that will have the biggest impact on your sleeping experience.
Materials
Support
Firmness
Trial/Warranty
Materials make or break a mattress. A mattress made with low-quality materials will likely not stand up to the test of time, and in the end result in low-quality sleep. As you read above, there are many materials to choose from when selecting your new mattress.
Consider your sleep style, comfort preferences, and support needs as laid out above to decide what material best suits your personal situation. Then do some investigating.
Whatever material you choose, you’ll want to get detailed specifications of each mattress you compare. That means knowing the gauge of the coils, the density of the foam, or the thickness of the comfort layers.
Consider the quality and the lifespan of the material. Because you’re not really saving much money if you have to buy another mattress just a few years down the road.
Getting the Best Price
Once you’ve identified the mattress you want to try, it’s worth putting in a little time and energy to get the very best price available.
Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, sales are a common occurrence in the mattress world and they are often worth waiting for. While there is often an overlap between e-commerce and brick and mortar retailers, the timing of sales do tend to vary.
In-store sales
- Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving sees a wide range of great deals, traditionally offered only in-store. But many e-commerce retailers have followed suit with their own promotions in order to get in on the action.
- Holidays: The mattress industry typically offers the most significant sales on Labor Day and Memorial Day. Other holidays such as Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day are also often used to promote discounts.
Online sales
- Cyber Monday: Many Black Friday deals now extend into Cyber Monday, the Monday following Thanksgiving. Retailers often offer a new round of deals this day and into the week.
- Amazon Prime Day is a discounted shopping event offered exclusively to members of Amazon’s yearly subscription service. Typically held the second week in July, Prime Day usually offers significant discounts.
Other Ways to Save
Pay attention to shipping costs or delivery fees. Many online retailers offer free shipping, but it is important to confirm this before you buy. Particularly if you are purchasing from a third-party seller such as Amazon. It’s important to note any returns shipping fees as well, should you decide the mattress isn’t right for you. The same applies for any delivery or return fees if you’re buying at a brick and mortar store.
Remember, it is possible to negotiate. One of the benefits of buying in-store is that you have the opportunity to negotiate your price. Chain stores, like a Mattress Firm or Mattress Warehouse, tend to have higher markups and therefore more room to negotiate than the local mom and pop stores. Do your research before you talk price. Know what price you’re willing to pay and be ready to walk away.
Search for online savings. There are a number of other ways to save when shopping online. As you’re doing research online, keep an eye out for referral codes. Many sites offer promotional codes for the mattresses they review. And once you’ve identified the mattress you want to buy, sign up with the manufacturer’s website. You’ll be notified of sales and specials and you’ll often receive a discount code when you sign up.
When you’re ready to buy a new mattress, there’s no need to break the budget. With good options available at all price points, you can find a quality mattress that won’t give your bank account nightmares.
