You'd be forgiven for thinking when it comes to buying a mattresses, the more you spend the better they'll be and that an expensive mattress is a necessary long-term investment for comfort. However, if you're reluctant to spend the best part of a grand on the splashier models, the good news is that there are plenty of affordable but high quality mattresses available.
We've been on the lookout for quality mattresses that we can recommend for around £500, and our experts have put several different brands to the test to finding the ones that offer comfort, quality and the promise of a good night's sleep. Read on to find out which brands came out on top...
What to look for in a budget mattress?
If your budget is the key consideration, choose a mattress that fits within your price range. Remember, just because a mattress is inexpensive does not mean it is low quality. There are plenty of good budget mattresses on the market that offer comfort and durability at an affordable price. Memory foam and all-foam mattresses tend to be among the cheaper, more affordable on the market, so if budget is tight then check these out against your sleeping requirements before you take the plunge.
The next thing to think about is how comfortable the mattress feels to you. Look for a mattress that provides adequate support for your body and is comfortable for you to sleep on. Decide if you prefer a firm or soft mattress, as this can affect your comfort level and support needs.
Once you've decided on the type of mattress, it's sensible to choose one from a reputable brand that has good reviews and customer feedback, as well as offering a decent trial period and warranty.
Here at YHS HQ we take your sleep seriously. So, we've also tested some of the mattresses said to be best for back pain, to see if they live up to the hype - read our reviews of the best mattresses for back pain to see what we thought. We've also spent a lot of time looking to find the best pillows to suit all tastes and requirements. From a general curated collection of the best pillows to buy, we've also put together rounds up of the best silk pillows, best wedge pillows and best for side sleepers, as well as testing out a range of best memory foam pillows. And, we haven't let you down when it comes to stylish bedding either - check out our guides to best bedding and best sustainable bedding.
Tried and tested | Best budget mattresses at a glance:
- Healthopaedic memory pocket duluxe | Buy now from Amazon (£249.99)
- Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress | Buy now from Simba (£539.49)
- Dreams Reynolds Orthopaedic Pocket Sprung Mattress | Buy now from Dreams, (from £449)
How we tested the mattresses
We put over 15 mattresses to the test, judging them on everything from customer service and packaging through to sustainability and value for money. Each mattress could achieve up to 20 points for the following criteria:
- Information and customer service: How clear and helpful are mattress descriptions? (2 points) | What’s customer service like? (1 point) | Free delivery? (1 point) | How long is the trial period? (2 point) | Do they pick up your old mattress? (1 point)
- Features: (0.5 points each) Manoeuvrability: how does it arrive? Will delivery men take it upstairs? Handles? | If memory foam – how long to inflate? | Sustainable packaging? | Materials – memory foam, springs, hypoallergenic, etc? | Temperature regulation materials? | Care instructions – do you need to turn it? | Caters for different sleep needs? | Removable cover for washing? | Comes in all sizes? | Specifications – depth?
- Results: Does it live up to the description – firm/supportive etc? (2 points) | An odour when out of packaging? (1 point) | Durability? (2 points) | Sustainable material? (1 point)
- Value for money: (2 points) Is it good quality? | What is the warranty? | Is it worth the money?
The best budget mattresses for 2024
Healthopaedic memory pocket duluxe
Score 16 out of 20
- Buy now from Mattressman, £293.25) and Amazon (£249.99)
Pros
- Good support without being too firm
- Competitively priced
- Hypoallergenic fillings
- Handles for moving and turning
Cons
- Not the most high quality materials so unsure of life span
- Only a one-year warranty
Mattressman have plans to introduce a 60 night sleep trial with the purchase of a mattress protector - it's worth noting, if you don't sign up to this you can't return the mattress if you've removed the hygiene seal that covers the mattress on delivery. They will, however, take away your old mattress and recycle it for £30.
Given this is a hybrid memory foam and pocket sprung mattress, it doesn't come vacuum packed. However, it does feature handles to help carry the mattress and turn it - although you only need to rotate it as opposed to flipping it over.
A combination of 1,000 pocket springs and a layer of memory foam gives the mattress a depth of 26cm, offering plenty support and comfort - especially if you like to change sleeping position. We like that it has a hypoallergenic filling, but unlike other mattresses on test, it doesn't feature temperature control layers.
The cover can't be removed for washing, and we found some of the stitching didn't provide the best finish - in some areas fabric was caught up and in one small section, the stitching missed the fabric altogether. However, given the price and the overall comfort of the mattress, this didn't feel too much of an issue.
Available in all sizes, from single to king, this mattress is made in Yorkshire, in the UK.
- Buy now from Mattressman, £293.25)
Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress
Score 19 out of 20
- Buy now from Simba (£539.49)
Pros
- Great value for money
- Light and easy to handle
- Removable cover
Cons
- Can take up to 72 hours to fully expand
Simba mattresses are 100% recyclable too, and deliveries are carbon neutral. The company even says that 'leftover foam is used in the manufacture of carpet underlay or pet beds', ensuring nothing goes to waste.
There's plenty of information included about how the mattress is constructed, the materials and the different layers. Plus, Simba offer a 'risk-free 200-night trial', which is one of the longest periods offered on the mattresses we tested. Collection is free if you make use of this, and the mattress doesn't need to be repackaged.
The mattress came vacuum-packed in a box and it took about 4 hours it had expanded to normal size. The website advised leaving it for 72 hours before sleeping on it but I didn’t leave it for this long before sleeping on it and I didn't notice any loss of comfort. Simba also offer mattress removal in most parts of the UK, but I didn't use this service.
Made with open cell Simbatex® foam, this mattress provides 30x more airflow than standard memory foam; it’s also infused with graphite, which has an excellent ability to draw away excess heat.
All the foam used in the construction of the mattress is verified as free from CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances, and ensures lower emissions to protect indoor air quality. Simba mattresses are 100% recyclable too, and deliveries are carbon neutral. The company even says that 'leftover foam is used in the manufacture of carpet underlay or pet beds', ensuring nothing goes to waste.
The cover is removable - there's a zip that opens all the way to the middle - so it's easy to wash.
This mattress is available in Single, Double, King and SuperKing, with a depth of 19cm. (5 out of 6 points)
This mattress is designed to offer supportive and temperature control, which we found to be true.
Simba offer a 10-year warranty, and given the 200-night free trial, the quality and comfort and the impressive eco-creditionals, it represents great value.
- Buy now from Amazon (£899)
Dreams Reynolds Orthopaedic Pocket Sprung Mattress
Score 15.5 out of 20
- Buy now from Dreams, (from £449)
Pros
- Deep mattress using quality materials
Designed for all sleeping positions
Represents good value
Cons
- Relatively short 40-night Sleep Guarantee
Priced at under £450, which is more affordable than some others we tested, we feel that this high-quality design offers good value for money - although it does lack a few additional features...
We found a good description of the Reynolds mattress, including the type of support and comfort grade, construction, and any maintenance or turning recommendations, and we found it was exactly as described, giving a very firm comfort level. There’s also a handy size guide online so that you can make sure your choose the right model for your bed.
The individually-wrapped pocket springs help to distribute weight evenly, so it works for any sleeping position - and also prevents sleepers rolling together during the night.
Providing you use a mattress protector from the start, you can take advantage of Dreams’ 40-night Sleep Guarantee, and if you need to get rid of your old mattress, Dreams does offer a recycling service, priced from £50.
As it’s a sprung mattress, it doesn’t compact down so it was delivered at full size and taken to our chosen room. It also has large handles, which will come into their own when you need to move or turn it.
The high quality construction contains 667 pocket springs plus deep layers of fillings and a high quality soft-touch damask cover, but unlike some other models on the market there are no different layers for temperature control.
Although the cover has a nice damask design and soft-touch finish, it can’t be removed for washing so Dreams recommends using a mattress protector.
Priced at under £450, which is more affordable than some others we tested, we feel that this high-quality design offers good value for money - although it does lack a few additional features, like a washable cover and temperature regulation layers. It also comes with a one-year guarantee for added peace of mind.
- Buy now from Dreams, (from £449)
FAQs
If you’re a side, front, back sleeper - what type of mattress should you be looking for?
If you’re a side sleeper choose a mattress with a soft to medium comfort level, memory foam and gel foam can provide the responsive support you need for the more vulnerable pressure points around your shoulders, hips and thigh.
Front sleepers are more prone to back pain, so a medium firm mattress can help support your spine. Avoid being able to sink in too far into your mattress, so opt for a hybrid of memory foam and pocket springs to ensure your weight is evenly distributed.
Back sleepers need a medium to very firm mattress to ensure lower back pain is kept at bay! You should also consider your weight when choosing a mattress as a back sleeper - as a rule, the heavier you are the firmer your mattress should be. Don’t allow your spine to sink too far into the mattress as this can cause misalignment and further back pain.
What are the best mattresses for back pain?
If you suffer with back pain, a memory foam mattress could be the best solution for you as they mould to your body’s shape and sleeping position, giving you the support exactly where you need it. Hybrid mattresses that combine memory foam and pocket springs are another solution to help to relieve any spinal discomfort.
