Quality sleep is essential to a happy and healthy living but you will agree with me that replacing your mattress can be a daunting task given the hundreds of brands to choose. Nonetheless, this is just part of the problem because the choice of a good mattress boils down to a personal preference.
Let me say this straight to you that your luxury is another sleeper backache waiting to happen. That is not all; there is an issue of cost. Mattresses can cost several thousands of dollars but you do not have to spend this much to buy yourself the best mattress.
You only need to ensure that your purchase is worth the investment. And to save you the hard work of combing through thousands of reviews online, this article has summarized most if not all that you need to know before you browse the web or walk in the mattress showrooms.
Choosing the Best Mattress: The Definitive Buying Guide
A mattress is something that you are going to spend a couple of hours for about 10 years, for this reason, you need a mattress that will make you happy for many years to come. Therefore, you need to consider a few other factors.
Our well-informed mattress-buying guide will help you navigate through showrooms full of mattresses with confidence.
What type of mattress should you get?
There is not a general answer to this question because the type of mattress a person need is a matter of personal preference. Given the wide variations of mattress types, choosing the right type is often the hardest decision to make. Let’s break down the four common mattress types to make your section a lot easier;
| Mattress type | Composition | Best for |
| Latex | Latex foam | Sleepers who want great support, good bounce, superior comfort and coolness |
| Memory | Memory foam | Sleepers who want a more pronounced hug, body shaping, pressure relief and support |
| Hybrid | Latex, Memory & Polyurethane foams | Sleepers who want the best of all worlds in terms of bounce, support, comfort, and cooling |
| Innerspring | Coils & Memory foam | Sleepers who want a springy feel, great bounce, cooling and strong edge support |
As said earlier, it is up to you to decide which type of the above choices best suit your needs.
What’s your sleeping position?
Everyone sleeps in their own unique way and is worth noting that each sleeping position has own specific needs and ideal firmness level. However, when it comes to topper firmness, this is a highly subjective area since the feel and firmness depend on how you personally define soft, medium and firm.
Altogether, it is recommendable to find something that is balanced in terms of firmness, comfort and support to suit your sleeping position.
For side sleepers, a soft mattress makes a good choice because it will mold perfectly to the body curves keeping you comfortable and supported. This prevents the buildup of pressure points in the shoulders and hips which causes tossing and turning.
For back sleepers, firmness and support is vital. Therefore, you need a relatively firm mattress that will promote proper spinal alignment. This allows you to sleep comfortably and wake up feeling refreshed and without body pains.
For stomach sleepers, a soft to medium mattress allow the torso to sink a bit into the foam. The medium firmness offers you the right amount of support your body requires for great comfort.
How much do you weigh?
Your body weight is going to influence the feel, sinkage, hug, cooling and support that a mattress can offer. If you are a light sleeper, something with medium firmness is ideal as it will offer you the right amount of support from head to toe. Conversely, if you are on the heavier side, a relatively firm mattress makes a good choice, as it is very supportive yet comfortable.
What is your budget?
Mattress prices vary greatly from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. The general rule of thumb with mattresses is ‘you get what you pay for’ however being expensive does not necessarily indicate great quality and value. For this reason, you do not have to break your bank, just find something that works for you and fits your pocketbook.
How durable is it?
Everyone wants to get the value of their money. Therefore, you need to find a mattress that can hold up its shape and comfort for a couple of years. A durable mattress gives you enough time to plan for your next purchase. Some indicators of durability include quality of materials, workmanship and warranty. You need to pay a close attention to these factors to ensure they all point out a durable product.
Benefits of using a mattress under $500
Many people believe that the higher the price the better the mattress. Nevertheless, this is not true; a good mattress does not have to be expensive.
The good thing about using a mattress under $500 is that your choices are not limited. Again under $500 is quite affordable and often considered budget-friendly. Nonetheless, the amount is still serious money you can just find easily.
Interestingly, for the under $500 mattress, you can replace it much sooner than one costing over $1000 without much pain. Finally but not the least, there are budget-friendly options that are made with great care than some of the high-end mattresses.
Top 7 Best Mattress Under $500 in 2024
| Product | Type | Firmness | Trial period | Warranty |
| Tuft & Needle Mattress | Hybrid | Medium | 100 days | 10 years |
| Zinus Memory Foam 12 | Memory foam | Plush | 30 days | 10 years |
| Signature Sleep Contour | Innerspring | Medium | Amazon 30 days | 1 year |
| Best Price Mattress | Memory foam | Firm | Amazon 30 days | 10 years |
| LUCID 10 Inch | Memory foam | Medium | Amazon 30 days | 25 years |
| Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress | Memory foam | Medium | 120 days | 25 years |
| DynastyMattress New Cool Breeze | Memory foam | Medium | 120 days | 30 years |
Tuft & Needle Mattress With T&N Adaptive Foam
The Tuft and Needle mattress is packed with so many cool features that make it our editor’s choice. In a quick rejoinder, let us discuss them here.
First, it is built with two layers of adaptive polyurethane foam. This foam is beneficial because it has a gradient of support. On top of this, the two layers are designed to cradle to every sleeper body depending on the amount of pressure applied providing you with adequate firmness and support your body requires.
It is also equipped with a cooling foam technology. This technology makes it a good choice for those sleepers who suffer from constant hot flashes at night. This foam technology work in three ways to keep your bed cool.
First, it utilizes the heat wicking materials in its design. These materials draw heat into the mattress and a combination of gel and graphite will work together to transfer it outward and away from the body.
Secondly, it utilizes the breathable fabrics that keep it from trapping heat. As airflows constantly, the rate of heat transfer increases.
Thirdly, this mattress holds you on top of the surface so that you do not sink a lot into the foam; this creates an oven effect by trapping heat inside.
You will also love this mattress upon the realization that it is compatible with any bed frame. This tuft and Needle mattress will work on either box springs, slatted frames or adjustable beds.
It is relieving to see that this mattress has a localized bounce this means you can sleep comfortably without disturbing your sleeping partner. Topping it off, this is a risk-free mattress.
You can buy with confidence that your purchase is going to give you comfortable sleep night after nights. Thanks to the 100 night, sleep trials plus the 10-year warranty.
Pros
- Cools in temperature
- Great pressure relief
- Fits all bed frames
- Localized bounce and support
- Hassle free returns
Cons
- Too firm for side sleepers
Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress
The Zinus Memory foam mattress comes as the newest challenger in the cheap memory foam mattress market. It also features thousands of reviews online but you don’t have to spend a lot of time combing through them.
As its name suggests, this mattress is made using natural and renewable green tea extracts so you will get used to it easily. It also remains fresh all the time and the fact that it does not use chemicals to control odors makes it stand out.
The Zinus mattress has a medium-firm feel and this means you will get a deeper memory hug and soakage so you will feel like you are floating in the cloud. This tri-layer mattress is designed to give you nothing but absolute comfort thanks to the medium-plush memory feel ideal for most stomach and side sleepers.
It offers you a pressure relieving comfort and exceptional edge support you need for proper spinal alignment. The durability of this mattress is also guaranteed by the 10-year limited warranty. Beyond this, you can take advantage of the 30-day return period if you feel its performance being different from what you expected.
Pros
- Natural and eco-friendly
- Provides more pronounced levels of sinkage
- Great pressure relief
- Motion isolation
- 30 days return period
Cons
- Poor ability to remain cool and they’re not ideal for warm sleepers
- No bounce
Signature Sleep Contour 8 Inch Mattress
The mattress is a practical choice if you are looking for a good mattress for your guest bedroom. The defining feature of this mattress is the independently encased coils sandwiched between a polyester foam layer and the high quality foam layer.
These coils help to provide even comfort and excellent support across the surface. On top of this, they evenly distribute body weight no matter your weight. At the same time, it absorbs your pressure points for natural spine and body alignment resulting in a more restful night sleep.
However, if you are a side sleeper, you may find this mattress quite uncomfortable with you. It also offers a cushion firmness that keeps your hips, spine, and neck well supported. As a result, you will wake up without aches and pains.
If you are looking for a family mattress, I would recommend you try this Signature Sleep Contour as it eliminates motion transfer for uninterrupted sleep. As if that is not enough, this mattress has a double-sided construction that extends its lifetime.
If you are like, nothing comes first then the safety of your family. This mattress is designed for people like you. It is made without phthalates and all components used in this mattress are sustainable and environmentally friendly. In fact, there is nothing to worry you.
But that’s not all; this mattress includes a breathable cover made from soft fabrics. This cover is versatile and works on multiple surfaces. So if you have a spring bed, bunk bed, day bed, platform bed or a trundle bed this is a good mattress provided you are not concerned about sleeping warm.
Pros
- Flappable for longer life
- Thoroughly tested to be eco-friendly
- Motion isolation
- Compatible with most types of beds
- Relieves pressure points
Cons
- 1 year of warranty means, it may not be durable and long lasting as you may expect
- Sleeps warm
Best Price Mattress 10-Inch Memory Foam Mattress
The Best Price mattress is designed with sleepers looking superior comfort without spending too much on a mattress. The Best Price is made using a body conforming memory foam to provide you optimal coziness.
In addition to this, it has a firmness grade of 5-6 out of 10, which is considered medium-firm. This firmness level allows you to sink into the foam but not too much giving your body contouring comfort and firm support.
In fact, sleeping on this mattress feels like floating on a cloud. Special areas in this mattress are designed to flex and adapt to different body parts especially the ones that cause pressure points.
This mattress is great for multiple sleeping positions, you will note the Best Price is triple-layered and this design makes accommodative to people of different builds and personal preference. On top of this, it is a versatile option no matter your sleeping position.
Again, you will find that its hundred dollars cheaper than its competitors. Considering all the great features it comes with at such a price is a strong selling point. Therefore, it is a great option if you don’t want to spend a lot on a new mattress.
Finally but not the least, the components used in this mattress are certified by CertiPUR-US. This assures you that it does not contain any toxic materials that can pose a threat to your family.
In addition, the best part is that it takes advantage of the ActivFRESH technology that keeps it cool and fresh.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Great for multiple sleeping positions
- Contouring comfort
- Alleviates all pressure points
- CertiPUR & ActiveFresh
- Durable
Cons
- Sleeps warm than a standard mattress
- Hard to move once unboxed
LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
The construction of this LUCID mattress talks for itself. A 2.5 inches thick memory foam surface that is ventilated and gel-infused promises you a cool breeze as you sleep. In addition, the 7.5 inches thick high-density support base guarantees you excellent support and prevents your mattress from sagging.
what’s more is the feel, you would be surprised to see that despite the high-density foam it has a medium-firm feel which is ideal for majority sleepers. You will also love the conforming support the LUCID 10” mattress is going to offer.
It is has been designed in such a way that it will compress nicely under your weight while molding around the body curves and this alleviates common pressure points. It is unfair not to mention its cover, which improves breathability, comfort and keeps moisture away from your sleep environment.
When it comes to setting up this mattress, you will be surprised how easy it is. It comes conveniently packed and all you need to do is to take it into your room, unbox and then watch as it expands.
The LUCID prioritizes the safety of your family and that is why the foam used in this mattress is CertiPUR certified. It boasts of a careful construction that guarantees you phthalates, ozone depleters, mercury, formaldehyde and VOCs free sleep environment.
Pros
- Medium-firm feel
- Easy to transport and set up
- Breathable construction
- Doesn’t permanently indent
- Helps alleviate pain and pressure points
Cons
- Makes noise when you move on it
- Foam sinks
Brentwood Home Cypress Gel Memory Foam Mattress
The Brentwood comes in many sizes so you can be sure to get a size that fits your bed. The Brentwood is known for its improved cooling and a memory hug so if you are looking for a classic memory hug this is a great buy.
Moreover, you are going to sleep cool thanks to the nice balance of bamboo infused cover, wool backing, ventilated foam and gel memory that works together keeping the mattress cooler despite the deep memory hug.
Another cool feature about the Brentwood mattress is the level of body support it provides. The 4.5 inches thick comfort foam and overall 11 inches thickness give this mattress an excellent compression support. This makes it a good choice for sleepers who are in the heavier category.
In addition, the Brentwood has a medium firmness that it meets the needs of the majority of sleepers. The Brentwood takes the safety of your family seriously, that’s it uses why it uses CertiPUR-US certified foams that don’t contain heavy metals, phthalates, and flame retardants.
The Brentwood offers long warranty and its 25 years warranty is the highest I have seen as a guarantee of quality. Therefore, you are sure of maximum protection against manufacturing defects and premature sagging.
Pros
- Little motion transfer
- Eco-friendly
- Molds to body shape providing a classic memory hug
- Bounces right back after sleep
- Solid support base that reduces motion transfer and noise
- Compatible with box spring or platform type bed
- Regulates body temperature
Cons
- Lacks edge support
- Takes time to decompress
DynastyMattress New Cool Breeze Gel Memory Foam Mattress
The Dynasty mattress has increased significantly over the years due to its ability to ability to provide the soft coziness the body needs for a restful night’s sleep.
You can also take advantage of the included pillows for quality sleep. Furthermore, it has been designed in such a way that it hits a nice balance in terms of functioning, composition, and size.
You will experience a balanced level of comfort and support. Even better, the DynastyMattress is affordable and will not break your bank.
Another important aspect about this mattress that makes it stands out is its state of the art cool airflow and the gel infused in the top layer that works together for a maximum thermal regulation.
For this reason, it is a great choice for anyone who wants a cool breeze without spending thousands of dollars on a mattress. Its dense support base absorbs your weight dampening motion transfer.
In turn, this reduces tossing and turning so, you will wake up feeling much refreshed. If you are wondering whether this mattress is going to hold up its shape after a few years of purchase, you have nothing to worry about.
It is nicely built with a high quality and durable construction, which is CertiPUR –US certified. You will be amazed to see it has been backed by 4 months of night sleep trials and the longest warranty against manufacturing defects.
Pros
- State of the cooling technology foam
- Amazingly long warranty
- Provides balanced comfort and support
- Relieves pain and pressure in the muscles and joints
- Complimentary pillow sets free
Cons
- Somewhat firm when new so it will take time to adapt to the medium firmness
Conclusion
Congratulations! We have come to the end of our long Best Mattresses Under $500 Reviews and a definitive guide. It is my hope that our guide makes a good reference point should you be stuck along the way. Furthermore, our seven recommendations give you a good starting point if you do not want to do further research. They are all built with performance at the core.to wrap up, be advised that this post is not exhaustive so you can share with us your thoughts or products you would like us to review.
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