6 Best Affordable Mattresses in 2026: Tested by Older Adults

Best Memory Foam: Leesa Original

Score: 9.1 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Strong edges
• Foam construction cradles the body and provides support
• Works well with adjustable bases 

Cons

• Weak bounce
• Average cooling performance

Features

• Typical sales price: $999
• Materials: Memory foam or hybrid
• Firmness: Medium
• Warranty length: Limited lifetime
• Read more in our in-depth Leesa mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Stable edges and good mix of comfort and support. While memory foam beds tend to have weaker edges than hybrids because they lack a coil base for structure, the all-memory foam Leesa Original bucked that expectation, delivering above-average edge support in our testing. “The edges are really stable on this bed,” said Toni, a 50-year-old tester and side sleeper. Strong edge support can make it easier for older adults to sit at the edge of the bed and get in and out safely. 

Toni also said she liked how this bed’s memory foam cradled her pressure points while also supporting her spine. This mattress helps "avoid that trapped-in-memory-foam feeling," she said. The company rates this bed a medium firmness, which we define as a 6 out of 10, with 10 being the firmest. “I feel my body sinking into the foam, but it also feels supported,” Toni said.

Compatible with adjustable bases. An adjustable base — a type of electronic bed frame — allows you to raise or lower the head and foot of the mattress and can make it easier to get in and out of bed. It may also offer symptom relief for certain health conditions like acid reflux and sleep apnea because it can elevate your head. The Leesa Original conformed well to adjustable bases in our compatibility test, which involves evaluating the mattress on three different adjustable bases. Tester Toni said the bed "fit snugly on the base and didn't have much gapping." For older adults who have an existing adjustable base or are considering purchasing one, this mattress is a strong option at a wallet-friendly price.

Its thick foam lacks bounce. If you’re looking for a bed that’s springy and responsive, the Leesa Original may not be the best option. This bed’s memory foam layers help cradle joints, but they can make it harder to change positions at night.Another consideration? This mattress earned only passable cooling scores. So if you’d prefer an affordable mattress that has top-notch cooling capabilities, we recommend the Helix Midnight with its GlacioTex cooling cover.

Best for Couples: Bear Original

Score: 9.3 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Near-perfect motion isolation
• Very good edge support
• Superb compatibility with an adjustable bed frame

Cons

• Mediocre support for back sleepers
• So-so responsiveness

Features

• Typical sales price: $649
• Materials: Memory foam
• Firmness: Medium firm
• Warranty length: Limited lifetime
• Read more in our in-depth Bear mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

High-scoring motion isolation. For couples who are easily disturbed by a partner’s movements — or for any light sleepers at night — the Bear Original offers strong motion dampening. This budget-friendly all-foam mattress received a near-perfect score in our ripple test It also garnered an upper-tier score in our couples’ motion isolation test. While performing this test, Jennifer lay on one side blindfolded as a lab tester switched positions on the other and asked how much movement Jennifer could feel. “I could barely feel it when [my partner] was tossing and turning,” she said. For older adults who have a sleeping partner and are awoken easily by movement, this bed may help you stay asleep longer. Fittingly, it also earned a spot on our list of the best mattresses for couples.

Sturdy edges. The Bear Original has impressive edge support, particularly for an all-foam mattress. Karin, a 54-year-old tester and side sleeper, said she felt stable while sitting and lying on the edge of this bed. “I feel well supported, and I don’t feel like I would fall,” she said. This bed also had a best-in-class performance on an adjustable bed frame, where lab testers said there was “zero gaping and little to know bunching of the fabric.” A mattress that performs well on an adustable frame, along with having steady edge support could lend itsself to a safer experience getting in and out of bed.

Below-average support for some back sleepers. For side and stomach sleeping, Karin gave this mattress average marks for pressure relief and spinal alignment. But for back sleeping, she wasn’t a fan and awarded it only a mediocre rating for spinal alignment. She said she felt like she was resting more “on top” of the mattress instead of sinking in, and that she’d feel more comfortable and supported if her body sank more into the surface. This bed also only received a passable bounce score, which means it is not the most responsive mattress. What does this mean for you? There might be a slight lag in how quickly the materials snap back into place once you lift your weight off it, which could make it harder to switch positions.

Best for Back Pain: Helix Midnight with GlacioTex Cooling Pillow Top

Score: 9.5 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Admirable spinal alignment
• Impressive pressure relief
• Excellent cooling 

Cons

• Average motion isolation
• So-so adjustable base compatibility

Features

• Typical sales price: $1,482
• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium
• Warranty length: Limited lifetime
• Read more in our in-depth Helix mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

High scores for spinal alignment across all tested sleeping positions. The hybrid Helix Midnight with the optional GlacioTex cooling cover performed well in our spinal alignment tests for side, back and stomach sleeping. These results may make it a strong option for older adults with back pain who want cushioning without excessive sinkage. The company rates it a medium, or 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest. “I feel very comfortable and my shoulder is supported, but it’s a soft support,” said Allison, a 51-year-old lighter-weight tester, side sleeper said while evaluating the mattress on her side. “There’s no pressure on my neck or hips.” She awarded this bednear-excellent scores and higher in all tested sleeping positions for spinal alignment.

Relieves pressure and limits heat buildup. In addition to the layer of individually wrapped coils, the Helix Midnight has three layers of memory foam that provide a cushioned feel. Tester Allison gave this bed favorable or higher pressure-relief scores in every sleeping position we tested.We also tested the GlacioTex cooling pillow top, an add-on that’s designed to draw heat away from the body. This upgrade costs around $374 without sales, though we often see it discounted for about $299, which brings the cost of the bed we tested to roughly $1,482 when on sale. If you don’t buy the pillow top, the queen-size bed costs about $1,183. But if you have trouble staying cool while sleeping, you may want to consider the upgraded model with the pillow top: It earned one of the best temperature-regulation ratings in our cooling gun test of the beds on this list. It only retained 6.8 degrees of introduced heat, nabbing an outstanding score in that assessment.

Motion isolation may wake some light sleepers. Although the Helix Midnight earned impressive pressure-relief scores, it had only passable motion-isolation performance. Allison said movement on this bed felt noticeable and might wake her up. The mattress earned average scores in both our ripple test and couples’ motion isolation test. Another knock? It may not be the best match for adjustable bases, based on its midrange compatibility rating. “There’s a lot of scrunching on the cover,” said Allison, who tried the mattress on three different adjustable bases.

Best Hybrid: DreamCloud Classic Hybrid

Score: 9 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Hybrid construction balances cushioning and support
• Sturdy edges
• Admirable pressure relief for higher-weight sleepers

Cons

• Average cooling
• May feel too firm for lighter-weight side sleepers

Features

• Typical sales price: $699
• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Firm
• Warranty length: Limited lifetime
• Read more in our in-depth DreamCloud mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Strong spinal support and cushioning. In our testing, the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid — with innerspring coils and layers of contouring memory foam — delivered on affordable comfort. Jim, a 78-year-old higher-weight combination sleeper, said the mattress felt good while lying on his side, back and stomach. When he tested it on his back, he noted that his lower back felt “supported and cushioned.” In our assessment, the bed also felt sturdy and earned an impressive edge support score. Tester Toni said the edge felt stable when she sat on it. When lying on the edge, she said she couldn’t tell she was near the perimeter of the bed. “It could have been the middle for all I know,” she said.

Solid pressure relief for higher-weight sleepers. The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid performed well with both average-weight and higher-weight testers in our assessments. Jerry, a 77-year-old higher-weight side sleeper, said the mattress offered “good pressure relief in my lower back” for side sleeping. He added, “I feel pretty good on my side for this mattress.” Jim also praised the mattress’s support and spinal alignment across positions. “I was surprised by how comfortable it was. I thought it would be too soft, but it's actually pretty firm,” he said.

May be too firm for some sleepers. Although our higher-weight sleepers liked the Classic Hybrid in all positions, some sleepers who weren’t higher-weight found it too firm, especially for side sleeping. Donna, a 60-year-old average-weight combination sleeper, said she felt pressure in her shoulder when lying on her side. Additionally, hot sleepers probably won’t find cooling relief from this bed. It only earned a passable cooling score, retaining 16.3 degrees in our cooling gun test. If you’re looking for top-notch temperature regulation, you may like the Helix Midnight with the GlacioTex cover. 

Best Under $1,000: Silk & Snow Hybrid

Score: 9.6 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Impressive support for back and side sleeping
• 365-night trial period
• Top-tier bounce helps boost movement

Cons

• May be too firm for stomach sleepers
• Retains heat

Features

• Typical sales price: $875
• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Firm, medium firm or plush
• Warranty length: 15 years
• Read more in our in-depth Silk & Snow mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Impressive spinal alignment for side and back sleepers. Tester Donna praised the mattress’s support while lying on her side and back. “I feel comfortable, and it’s very supportive,” she said, awarding it above-average ratings on this metric in these positions. The mattress also earned a standout score in our bounce test, with the ball bouncing about 18 inches high, and this bounce height is one of the best among mattresses we’ve tested. A high bounce indicates a responsive mattress, which can help older adults change positions more easily in bed.

Generous trial period. The Silk & Snow Hybrid is a budget-friendly bed that offers an exceptionally long trial period of one year (most mattresses on this list offer only a 120-night trial). This mattress is available in three firmness options: firm, medium firm and plush. We tested the medium-firm model, which retails for around $875 for a queen with sales (the price varies based on the firmness you select). The firm model is the most affordable at $795 the medium-firm is $875 and the plush model is $300 more, for a typical sales price of $1,095. This extra cost is likely because the company adds a padded topper to make the bed softer, a somewhat common practice among mattress companies.

Inadequate pressure relief for stomach sleepers. Based on our testing, the medium-firm model may be too firm for some sleepers. While testing the bed on her stomach, Donna said,  “I’m barely sinking into it.” As a result, she reported feeling pressure in her stomach and chest. If you prefer a surface with more give, this bed also comes in a plush model, which we did not test. Another knock? This bed retained 18.36 degrees of heat, earning it a middling score in our cooling gun test. To put that into perspective, this bed didn’t perform well on this metric, but other mattresses we’ve tested have retained much more heat.

How we tested the best affordable mattresses

We started our process of finding the best affordable mattresses for adults ages 50-plus by researching the market. Which queen beds retail for $1,500 or less but still provide good value? Which companies have the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate? After talking with medical experts, we narrowed our overall list to the more than 50 we tested in our lab.

To identify each bed’s strengths and weaknesses, we used controlled lab tests that measured performance metrics such as pressure relief, spinal support, temperature regulation, motion isolation and edge support. Then we recruited more than 15 testers, ages 45 and older, to give us their unbiased feedback.

Testers answered questions like: Did the mattresses ease pressure in all tested sleeping positions? Did they provide good performance at a lower price? Are the edges strong and stable? 

Beds that excelled in our tests made our list of the best affordable mattresses. For more details on our testing process, see our mattress testing methodology.

Do affordable mattresses skimp on quality?

There’s a common misconception that budget beds aren’t as supportive or comfortable as more expensive beds. And while that can be true in some cases, all the mattresses we recommend on this list performed strongly in our testing, rivaling more expensive options. 

When it comes to mattresses, a higher price doesn’t necessarily indicate a higher-quality bed, says Jessica Meers, a licensed clinical psychologist in Houston who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine. She notes that with some pricey beds, “you're paying for marketing fluff and luxury features, not foundational support.” A highly-rated $700 mattress can support the spine as well as a $3,000 model. “Spending more money doesn’t automatically buy better sleep,” she adds.

No matter your budget, it’s always a good idea to consider the mattress’s trial period and warranty.

Trial periods

A long trial period can make it less risky to purchase a new mattress. Every bed on this list comes with at least a 120-night free trial. DreamCloud and Silk & Snow offer a generous 365-day trial.

You often will need to allow a 30-day break-in period before initiating a return. And if you want to return a mattress, some companies charge a processing fee. For example, Brooklyn Bedding has a $99 return fee, and Leesa charges a $100 transportation fee on returns from Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. Returns for Bear mattresses are free within the trial period.

Warranties

The best affordable mattresses come with warranties that protect against manufacturer defects, such as broken coils, split seams or sagging foam. Most companies offer a limited warranty that does not cover stains or normal wear and tear. Warranty length varies by company. For example, most beds on this list are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Be sure to check the warranty terms and length when comparing beds.

How to choose the best affordable mattress

Price is a top consideration for many people when buying a mattress. After all, it’s a large investment — but one we spend seven or more hours on every night. So, how can you figure out if a lower-priced mattress stacks up? It should meet the same standards as any bed, according to the medical experts we consulted. “The ideal mattress will promote both comfort and a reduced level of pressure while providing you with sufficient support to safely move about within your bed,” says Dr. Mariam Zakhary, a clinical advisor at Ikon Recovery Center in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, who is double board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our test results show that you can find high performing beds at afforable prices. If you’re not sure where to start when comparing budget-friendly mattresses, read on for some guidelines.

Note: These suggestions are not intended as medical advice. If you're experiencing chronic pain or looking to address an existing health condition, consult your health care provider.

Firmness and spinal alignment

Take note of a model’s firmness level before you buy. Mattress firmness is typically measured on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most firm. Research suggests medium-firm mattresses (around 6.5 out of 10) are associated with better sleep quality. But firmness may feel different for each person due to factors such as body weight and preferred sleeping positions. Higher-weight sleepers may sink into a mattress more, causing it to feel less firm to them compared to lighter-weight sleepers. Some individulas may find they either sink or sit atop a mattress differently depending on whether they’re lying on their backs, sides or stomachs.

Dr. Alison Kole, founding medical director of the Oak Health Concierge Sleep Telemedicine program in Los Angeles and host of the Sleep is My Waking Passion podcast, says the most important goal for older adults choosing a mattress is maintaining spinal alignment.

Consider your sleeping position, which plays a large role in determining your ideal firmness. Also factor in your personal preferences to find your best match.

These are the suggested firmness ranges by sleeping position. 

• Side sleepers: Soft to medium firm (4 to 6.5 out of 10)
• Back sleepers: Medium to medium firm (5 to 6.5 out of 10)
• Stomach sleepers: Medium firm to firm mattresses (6.5 to 9 out of 10)
• Combination sleepers: Whichever firmness matches the position you sleep in most often

Mattress type 

The type of mattress you choose can also affect your sleep quality. Each mattress variety has benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll want to keep your needs and preferences in mind when considering which type is right for you. Here is a quick guide to the most common types of mattresses.

• Memory foam. An all-foam or memory foam bed usually lets you sink into the layers, so it cradles your joints. Some older adults may benefit from this “form-fitting” feel because it helps to ease pressure on joints, says Dr. Rahul Shah, board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon at Premier Orthopaedic Associates in Philadelphia.
• Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses have both metal coils and memory foam layers. Meers, the licensed clinical psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine, says she generally recommends hybrids over all-foam beds. “Foam tends to trap body heat and swallow a lighter frame, making you feel stuck,” she says. And hybrids generally have a responsive bounce, so changing positions is easier than it would be on a purely-foam bed.
• Innerspring. These beds have bouncy, metal coils and no memory foam. They are typically easier to move on than memory foam beds. This may help people with mobility challenges change positions or get in and out of bed. They also promote airflow, so they may be better for hot sleepers. But they tend to provide less relief on pressure points, unless paired with a thick comfort layer on top. If this type suits your needs, consider the best innerspring mattresses.
• Latex. Mattresses made with latex foam, which can be synthetic or naturally sourced from a rubber tree, tend to be bouncy and breathable. However, latex beds can be heavy and difficult to set up. They’re also typically more expensive than memory foam and innerspring mattresses.

Ease of getting in and out of bed

Kole, the medical director in Los Angeles, recommends planning ahead so you’re prepared for potential mobility challenges. "What if I had knee surgery or I was having a back issue?" she says. These kinds of situations can make getting in and out of bed a challenge. Meers, the sleep psychologist, recommends that older adults focus on edge support and the bed’s height. When it comes to being able to safely get in and out of bed as you age, your bed's total height — which includes the mattress and bed frame — is an important factor to consider. If the bed height is too low, people may do a rocking back-and-forth motion to gain momentum, or bend over and lean forward to be able to stand up, and those actions can cause falls. A bed that’s too high can also cause issues. “Ideally, when sitting on the edge of your bed, you should be able to put your feet flat on the ground, with your knees forming approximately a right angle,” says Zakhary, the clinical advisor in New Jersey. If you have a sleeping partner who is a different height or who has different mobility concerns, you may decide to compromise on bed height.

Firmness and bounce also play a role in bed safety. A bed that has too much sinkage for you, for example, may eventually make it more difficult to get out of bed if you don't have the strength or ability to push yourself up from that softer surface. When choosing a bed, it is crucial for older adults with mobility challenges to be able to “easily move from side to side, sit up and lie down, and keep their spine properly aligned,” says Zakhary. Medium-firm mattresses typically offer the best compromise between cushion and support, she adds. Keep in mind, though, that firmness preferences may vary based on your weight, sleeping position and any pain you have. 

If you have questions about which kind of mattress is best for potential mobility changes, consider consulting with your health care provider.

How much do the best affordable mattresses cost?

The best affordable beds on our list retail for between $649 and $1,482 for queen sizes. Some prices may vary based on the add-ons you select, including cooling covers like the Helix GlacioTex layer. For some mattresses, like the Silk & Snow Hybrid, pricing varies based on the firmness you select. So you may see some variations from the prices below. 

FAQs

Are affordable mattresses made with quality materials?

You can find affordable mattresses — which we define as queen beds that retail for $1,500 or less — that are made with premium materials, such as certified foams, durable coils or cotton covers. In general, a higher or lower price tag doesn’t automatically correlate with mattress quality. 

Where can I buy an affordable mattress?

Many online mattress companies have at least one affordably-priced model in their lineup, and you can buy directly from that company’s site. Some online mattress retailers also have beds stocked at brick-and-mortar stores like regional showrooms or other mattress stores. In addition, you can also snag budget-friendly beds at major retailers, such as Walmart, Amazon or Costco, either in-store or online. 

Can affordable mattresses help with back and neck pain?

Some wallet-friendly beds may help people with back pain or neck pain sleep comfortably. The Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam — our top overall pick for the best affordable mattress — received near-perfect scores on our pressure relief and spinal alignment assessments. A mattress that excels on those tests tends to be a good choice for those with back or neck pain because it cradles and properly supports the neck and spine. That said, if you have questions about whether a mattress can help with your pain, consider talking with your health care provider to get a personalized recommendation.

How much should I spend on a mattress?

In our testing, we have found top-tier mattresses in every price bracket. For this review of affordable beds, we identified mattresses under $700 that rated well with our testers, lab team and older adult testers. And in consulting experts, we learned that price is not always an indication of quality in this category.

And, in fact, the mattress shoppers we polled backed this up. In our AARP survey, we found that many adults 50-plus who spent a moderate amount were satisfied: 61 percent who spent under $1,000 were "very satisfied," and 59 percent who spent between $1,000 and $2,000 were "very satisfied." Surprisingly, only 40 percent who budgeted $5,000 or more had that same level of satisfaction.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.