If you're looking for a mattress on a tight budget, we've rounded up the best cheap mattresses we've tested to provide you comfort for less than $500 in a queen.
Before I tested a cheap memory foam mattress for the first time, my expectations were low.
The mattress I had tested before that was a luxury hybrid mattress with a design similar to the beds found in this year's best mattress guide, so I wondered if I would really feel the price difference when sleeping on a budget bed straight after.
However, there was no need for me to worry. Not only did I enjoy sleeping on the cheap memory foam mattress, I actually awarded it a higher rating than the one I gave the luxury hybrid.
Why did I find the cheaper option more comfortable? Here are three reasons why I would buy the affordable memory foam option over the premium hybrid mattress in the mattress sales, plus my advice on which one you should choose.
The luxury hybrid I tested
I tested the Leesa Legend in the springtime for our Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress review, and I found it to be a quality mattress that supported me when I slept on my side and my back.
The Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress looks every inch the luxury bed. Its 12" build is covered in a marshmallow-white, chevron-patterned cover (which is also antimicrobial and hypoallergenic), and you'll find an impressive six-layer foam-and spring design underneath. This design includes two spring tiers and four memory foam layers for a responsive and comfortable sleep surface.
However, there were some downsides that led me to award the Leesa Legend hybrid three and a half stars.
For instance, it slept warm (even during a cold snap) despite an airflow-boosting spring system and aerated foam channels. It wasn't supportive enough for front sleeping (I have a tendency to switch to my stomach when I'm really warm) but it didn't provide the luxury plushness it promised when side sleeping either.
Plus, its edge support was inconsistent, its heavy design meant it was a pain to set up, and it's more expensive than a lot of direct competitors out there. Basically, testing a luxury hybrid mattress taught me that premium beds won't necessarily solve all your sleep woes.
The budget memory foam mattress I tested
The budget memory foam mattress I tested was the EGOHOME Black 12" Memory Foam Mattress, and I summarized my experience in our EGOHOME Black 12" Memory Foam Mattress review. However, here's the short version: I was very impressed.
I honestly wasn't expecting to love this cheap 12" all-foam bed, let alone like it, but nonetheless I was won over by its supportive and comfortable design, great performance in objective tests, and incredibly low price tag.
It honestly offers a much better sleep experience (I'm using the present tense here, as I am still sleeping on it over a month after the official testing period ended) than the Leesa Legend Hybrid. And in the next section, I'll explain the three big reasons why.
3 reasons why I'm sleeping better on a cheap memory foam mattress
1. It supports me in any sleep position
I tried sleeping on the EGOHOME mattress in three different sleep positions: back, stomach and side. I naturally sleep on both my side and back, but when I'm feeling warm (usually during heatwaves), I sometimes sleep on my stomach.
I'd always had a preconception that memory foam mattresses weren't as supportive as hybrid mattresses, but the EGOHOME Black 12" bed proved me wrong. I slept comfortably in all three positions, and never woke up with lower back pain after sleeping on my back or stomach.
Yes, I do weigh under 130lbs (which puts me in the lighter body category) so those with heavier bodies may not find it as supportive, but it's pretty impressive that an all-foam bed designed especially for side sleepers could support so many different positions.
2. It performed better in our tests
As well as sleeping on the mattress, I also performed objective weight tests (following strict mattress methodology) on the EGOHOME to measure its set-up (i.e. unboxing and expanding) edge support (how strong its edges are) and motion isolation (how well it stops your partner's movements from transferring to your side of the bed). I performed the same tests on the Leesa Legend, too.
The EGOHOME scored 5 out of 5 for motion isolation, set-up, and edge support. I single-handedly set up the EGOHOME myself, yet I struggled to unbox the Leesa Legend even with the help of a fellow tester.
Every edge of the EGOHOME was sturdy enough for sleeping, sitting, or getting out of bed, while the foot of the Leesa Legend dipped whenever I sat upon it.
The motion isolation of the EGOHOME was also outstanding thanks to the slow-moving foam, but the Leesa Legend only scored 4.5 out of 5 as the dual spring layers added some bounce.
3. Offers a high-quality design for a cheaper price
It was't just the differences between the Leesa Legend Hybrid and the EGOHOME Black 12" mattress that impressed me. It was also the similarities.
Both mattresses are fiberglass-free, offer a 100-night sleep trial, have an antibacterial, moisture-wicking cover to keep allergens away, and have stacks of comfort and support foam layers. The biggest difference, though? The price tag.
Both mattresses have high-quality designs, yet you'll pay over $1,400 less for queen when you buy an EGOHOME Black 12" Mattress.
How to choose between a budget memory foam or a luxury hybrid mattress
Just because I'm sleeping better on a budget memory foam mattress, doesn't mean that everyone would. Body type, weight and sleep styles all pay a role in choosing the right mattress. If you're tossing up between a budget all-foam and a luxury hybrid mattress, follow the guidance below.
Choose a luxury hybrid mattress if...
✅ You toss and turn a lot at night: Luxury hybrids like the Leesa Legend tend to have a more responsive surface that's easy to move around on thanks to the bounce of springs.
✅ You're of a larger body type: The best mattresses for heavy people generally feature a thick, hybrid design as coils are more resistant, sturdy, and supportive.
✅ You want a cooler night: While the all-foam EGOHOME and hybrid Leesa Legend scored the same in temperature control, hybrids tend to offer more cooling as the springs encourage airflow.
Choose a budget memory foam mattress if...
✅ You're on a tighter budget: The most obvious reason to go for a budget all-foam is the more affordable price tag.
✅ You share a bed: All-foam mattresses have slow-moving memory foam, which does a better job at isolating the movements of a restless partner.
✅ You like a soothing memory foam feel: Memory foam is renowned for the way it can mold to your joints, which is a huge benefits for side sleepers who need their shoulders and hips to be comforted.
