Choosing a mattress is an important decision. After all, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most the average person spends more than eight hours a day in bed. Because of this, many people consider the price you pay for a quality mattress to be a necessary expense. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find mattresses that are luxury level items. If you’re on a budget, that’s just not possible. While you understand the importance of a comfortable mattress, you need to find a balance between quality and price. You don’t have to settle for low quality simply because you don’t have a lot of money to spend. In fact, the prevalence of discount sites on the Internet makes it a lot easier to find an affordable mattress that you’ll absolutely love. Seek out mattresses that fit your specifications and that have solid reviews you trust. Pay attention to any shipping fees, which can significantly increase the cost of the mattress if you’re not smart. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to find budget mattresses that have free shipping as well.
Know what you want in a mattress and shop smart to find the best deals. These are some of the best mattresses under $500 online. Does one of them sound like the right one for you? DynastyMattress Cool Breeze 12-Inch Memory Foam Mattress – The DynastyMattress Cool Breeze is a medium-firm mattress. It’s made of several layers of varying types of foam, including 3-inches of gel foam, 4-inches of cool airflow foam support, and 5-inches of high density foam for support. This is the perfect blend of comfort and support you’re looking for. Though the price of this mattress does approach the top of it’s banding, it comes with a 120-day trial and a washable cover. The quality of this mattress is comparable to some of the more expensive name brands, making it good value for the money. With this mattress, you’ll feel like you’re getting a slight “hug” as you’re sleeping, and you won’t feel any movement from your partner. Signature Sleep Contour 8-Inch Mattress – Some people find that a memory foam bed is too soft, and they don’t like the feeling of their body sinking into the mattress.
The Signature Sleep Contour mattress is a good choice for those who prefer the added support that mattress springs have to offer. On top of those springs, though, the mattress has a layer of high-quality foam for comfort, so you won’t have to worry about springs keeping you up at night. Because the mattress is just 8-inches thick, it’s a good solution for those who have trouble getting into a bed that’s too high. Resort Sleep Queen 10-Inch Cool Memory Foam Mattress – The Resort Sleep Queen is a medium-firm to firm memory foam mattress. With 7-inches of high-density foam and 3-inches of quality foam on top, you’ll be supported in comfort. It also has cooling technology that prevents you from feeling too warm as you sleep, which was a common problem with the original memory foam mattresses. Best of all, The Resort Sleep Queen is designed to have fewer chemicals, reducing the “off-gassing” that’s so common with memory foam mattresses. It’s also hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant, though you might still want to put a cover on the mattress if you have allergies.
Sleep Innovations Shiloh 12-Inch Memory Foam Mattress – The Sleep Innovations Shiloh mattress has a bottom layer made of 9.5-inches of Support-Plus foam with 2.5-inches of Sure-Temp memory foam on the top for added comfort. It’s ideal for supporting those of average to higher-than-average body weight in a way that will eliminate the pressure points that are so commonly a problem in mattresses that have springs. With a medium level of firmness, it’s the softest mattress on our list. It also has a removable cover that’s washable, though taking it off can be a bit cumbersome. Classic Brands Gramercy Hybrid 14-Inch Cool Gel Memory Foam and Inner Spring Mattress – The Classic Brands Gramercy Hybrid mattress is almost like getting two mattresses in one. The large bottom later is made from individually wrapped steel springs that move independently to support your body while not disturbing your partner. On top of that are several layers of varying types of memory foam, designed to offer comfort all over.
You shouldn’t feel overheated when sleeping on this mattress. The best mattress deals are usually the ones you find online. However, there’s a downside. You can’t always test out the exact mattress before you make a purchase. How are you supposed to reconcile this? First, take the time to visit mattress stores to test out the different styles of mattresses. You don’t need to make a purchase just to lie down for a few minutes. As you try the various types of mattresses, you’ll get a better feel for which style of mattress you like. Do you like soft or firm mattresses? Memory foam or spring coils? There’s no one mattress that will be the best for everyone. Once you know which type of mattress you like, you can bring your search online. Surprisingly, when you purchase a mattress online, it often comes coiled up in a box. This makes it relatively easy to transport to your bedroom, but it can take up to 72-hours to fully inflate. Most online mattresses also do not come with a box spring.
You may be able to use your old box spring. If you have a platform style bed, you may not even need a box spring at all. No matter which type of mattress you want, it’s always a good idea to shop around. You might not be able to spend thousands of dollars on a new mattress, but you still deserve a good night’s sleep. Carefully read reviews and understand any warranty or trial period rules before you make your purchase, and you’re sure to be happy with what you get.You can't put a price on a good night's sleep... or can you? If you're shopping for a new mattress, chances are you've noticed that there's a huge price difference between your basic innerspring mattress (starting at around $70) and a high-end memory foam mattress (the top-of-the-line Tempur-Pedic GrandBed costs up to $8,599). While the cost can certainly be steep, memory foam mattresses have high owner satisfaction ratings: 81% of memory foam owners are satisfied with their mattress, while only 64% of traditional innerspring mattress owners say the same.
But just because those owners are satisfied doesn't mean you will be, because what makes for a good night's sleep is very subjective. Let's look at general memory foam and Tempur-Pedic reviews, materials, and prices, to see what these mattresses offer. Then you can decide whether memory foam's cost makes sense for your budget. While innerspring mattresses are made up of metal coils covered with layers of fabric and padding, memory foam mattresses are made of polyurethane foam. The foam reacts to pressure and heat, conforming to your body when you lie down. Memory foam makers say this provides support while keeping your spine in proper alignment. For anyone suffering from back or other joint pain, memory foam can ease pressure points and may improve sleep. Tempur-Pedic is generally recognized as the first company to make memory foam mattresses, and while there are lots of other choices for memory foam, its offerings are still considered the best on the market. But they're priced accordingly.
Tempur-Pedic beds start at $1,199 for a twin-size Tempur-Cloud Prima and go up to $8,599 for a king-size GrandBed. On average, a queen-size Tempur-Pedic mattress will set you back $3,400, which is no small investment. But if you think memory foam is a good choice, you don't have to spend that much. Big mattress brands like Serta and Sealy offer their own memory foam mattresses that average around $1,850 for a queen. On the discount side, both Costco and IKEA offer lines of low-cost memory foam mattresses. Costco's mattresses are priced in line with Sealy and Serta, while IKEA has the bargain option, starting as low as $399 for a queen. But how do these stack up to a $3,400 Tempur-Pedic? Looking at the price ranges for these mattresses, you might be tempted to head to IKEA and pick up a low-cost mattress. However, not all memory foam is made alike. Its density can be a key factor in the quality of the mattress; with higher-density memory foam, the mattress typically has a longer life span.
The density of the foam may be measured by weight (how much a cubic foot of memory foam weighs). Low density is typically 3 pounds and under; medium, from 4 to 5 pounds; and high, higher than 5 pounds. Indentation load deflection (ILD or IFD) is another measurement you may come across, and refers to firmness. The higher the number, the firmer the foam. The trouble with comparing mattresses by their density is that different manufacturers will denote this differently or not at all. For example, Tempur-Pedic does not list any density ratings for its mattresses, though they typically run from 14 to 15 ILD, with densities estimated at 3 to 7 pounds. Alternately, IKEA specifically lists foam density on its website, even specifying the density of different layers of foam (typically from 1.7 to 3.1 pounds). Furthermore, not all of them are made entirely of foam. Many mattresses, especially those at lower price points, only have a small layer of foam on top of a more traditional innerspring mattress.
These may be advertised as foam mattresses, but a thin layer of foam, as little as an inch, won't give you the same benefits as an all-foam mattress. When shopping, pay attention to just how much foam a mattress contains. In addition to offering a comfortable night's sleep for those suffering from back or other joint pain, memory foam mattresses have other pluses. Traditional innerspring mattresses can be noisy, and any movement may be felt across the entire bed. If your bedmate is a restless sleeper, both of these things can be a problem. Memory foam is quiet and isolates motion, which can help you rest no matter what. But memory foam mattresses aren't perfect, either. Because they respond to body heat, they may warm up overnight; for some, they may be uncomfortably warm to sleep on. Many manufacturers offer layers of gel on their foam mattresses to cool them, while Tempur-Pedic has its own cooling technology called SmartClimate and Tempur-Breeze. If heat is a concern, look for these features when shopping.
Another complaint is that memory foam can be hard to move around on. Because you sink into the foam, shifting can be difficult. While that's an inconvenience for adults, it can be a serious problem for infants and small children. Manufacturers warn against leaving young children unattended on memory foam mattresses, since they may find it difficult to turn over, which can leave them in danger of suffocating. Electric blankets are another no-no where memory foam is concerned. Some say they are a fire hazard; others say that they can affect the temperature of the foam. Regardless, foam mattress manufacturers discourage using electric blankets. Because comfort is very much a matter of personal opinion, mattresses are a good product to check out in a showroom. While this won't provide a perfect representation of what the mattress will be like once you take it home, it will give you an idea of how it feels. If you're testing memory foam mattresses, remember that they seem firmer when you initially lie down, so spend some time to see what they really feel like.
Beyond that, look for mattresses with trial periods and good warranties. Tempur-Pedic offers one of the best you're likely to find, letting you try the mattress out at home for 90 days (if bought directly from the company), alongside a 10-year warranty. While you're still responsible for shipping costs if you decide Tempur-Pedic isn't for you, that's a lot better than being stuck with a $3,000 mattress that you don't like sleeping on. The 81% owner satisfaction rating we mentioned earlier covers owners of all brands of memory foam mattresses, not just the high-end Tempur-Pedic. While Tempur-Pedic does make quality memory foam mattresses with solid, high-density foam, even people who have more modestly priced memory foam mattresses are happy with them — and you might be, too. If you think memory foam is the right mattress choice for you, find a local mattress store where you can try out a Tempur-Pedic mattress in person, as well as competing memory foam models from Sealy and Serta.