Need a new mattress on a $500 budget? Here’s what you should know.
As you begin your search for a new mattress, your budget is probably a foremost concern. When looking for the Best Mattress Under $500, you must consider your sleep position, whether you sleep alone or with a partner, how hot you sleep, the materials you prefer, and what feels comfortable to you.
If you do your homework, you can find a quality mattress on this modest budget. Some features of a good bed are ones that keep your spine properly aligned, contour your body, allow you to “sink-in” just the right amount, and provide a restful night of sleep.
You will find your best deal on a mattress online. Brick-and-mortar mattress stores charge excessive markups because of high overhead costs, and the quality is no better than manufacturers that sell online. Shopping on the web means you can take advantage of information and reviews to help you decide. Most mattress companies offer sleep trials to ensure you find the best bed for you.
We’ve looked at lots of mattresses and found three top picks for the best mattress under $500. We considered the mattress materials, firmness, comfort, customer service, returns policy, and verified customer reviews. Browse through this guide to learn about what to expect in a bed of this price range.
Buying Guide: Best Mattresses Under $500
How Far Will $500 Go?
If your budget is limited, that’s okay. You can still find a quality mattress for around $500 if you shop carefully. Shopping online offers the chance to get a higher quality mattress for far less money than you would spend in a mattress store, furniture gallery, or department store.
Selecting a mattress is subjective, so your personal preferences are key. If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll usually have more adaptability to a bed. Stomach and back sleepers must be more particular. If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll need to be mindful of the choice of materials.
When comparing a less costly mattress to a high-end mattress, there are some differences, but you can still find a bed that meets your needs. Understanding how beds are made and what materials offer the best comfort, support, and durability is vital to understanding what you’ll get. Here’s a glimpse at what you can expect in a $500 mattress including durability ratings, materials, support, and added features.
Durability
Some materials are more durable than others, and knowing this can help you assess the potential longevity of a bed. A lower-cost mattress may have a shorter lifespan, but in most cases, you can still expect it to last at least 6 years.
The lower the quality of the materials, the less durable the mattress will be. Be sure to read the materials and mattress types sections below to learn more about what to expect for performance from each type of bed and how it relates to mattress longevity.
Components
There are four basic mattress types. Foam, latex, or innerspring are what are in all standard beds, or you can get a hybrid which is a mix of components. See more on these in the mattress types section below.
Foam quality is affected by the type and density of the foam, and innerspring quality is affected by the coil material and design. Latex is a luxury material and rare in this price range. For $500, you can get quality materials and construction if you shop carefully and from an informed perspective.
Comfort and Support
Even with a $500 budget, you can find a mattress that offers both comfort and support. Remember that comfort and support are different. Comfort is how a bed feels to you; support is how the bed holds up your body and aligns your spine as you sleep.
Comfort is directly related to firmness, which is rated for each mattress on a scale of 1-10 with lower numbers representing softer, plusher beds. Individual sleepers may find comfort anywhere on this scale, but Medium Firm (5-7) has the broadest appeal.
The top part of a mattress is the comfort layer. Under that is the support core. These two layers together determine how comfortable the bed feels to you and how well it maintains the proper alignment of your spine.
Special Features
Some features of a mattress will drive up the price. When looking at the best beds under $500, it’s important to know that your access to specialization and other upgrades may be limited. If you’re looking for an organic mattress made with all-natural materials, for example, you might need to spend more.
Some mattresses offer custom configuration based on your specifications to tweak the arrangement of the layers. Removable covers are a nice option if you’re prone to spills or muddy pet paws.
These are nice features in a mattress, but at $500, you will likely not find them. White glove delivery and installation are a nice service but can run $100 or more on top of the mattress cost.
Warranties
Although mattress warranties vary, these don’t guarantee that your bed will last as many years as the duration of the warranty. Warranties are more about mistakes in craftsmanship or materials, and a warranty may not cover a bed that simply wears out after frequent use.
At the $500 price range, you can expect a more modest warranty for manufacturing defects compared to higher-cost beds. You can also expect a 70 to 100-night sleep trial to assess the bed and make sure your bargain bed sleeps well.
Can You Get a Good Mattress For $500?
Yes, you can buy a quality mattress for less than $500 if you read reviews, comparison shop, and choose wisely. If you choose a foam or hybrid mattress, you can expect quality foam with good durability, meaning the mattress should last at least 6-8 years.
Foam and hybrid beds fall into the $500 mattress range, but an all-latex bed will typically not be of good quality in this price range. Browse the section below on types of mattresses and consider our top three picks for the best choices among mattresses under $500.
What Types of Mattresses Are Available?
As we mentioned above, there are four standard types of mattresses. These are innerspring, latex, foam, and hybrid. Airbeds, which use an inflatable air chamber for adjustable firmness, are another mattress type but are virtually never available in this price range.
Advancements are made all the time in materials and technology making it increasingly easier to find inexpensive mattresses of higher quality. No matter what type of mattress you choose, the best mattress under $500 should provide you with a good night’s rest on quality materials, the level of support that your body demands, strong stitching so the ticking stays put, a reasonable sleep trial period, and fair warranty and return policies.
