You don't have to spend a fortune on a good-quality mattress to get a decent night's sleep, the best cheap mattress will have you feeling well-rested too. It doesn't matter how much you spend on a mattress as long as you're comfortable while laying on it and it helps you get all the sleep you need. Sleep is vital for physical and mental wellbeing so if you opt to get a more affordable mattress, you'll need to make sure it ticks all the right boxes to keep you happy and healthy.
Did you know that we spend about a third of our lives sleeping? When you hit the hay for your recommended eight hours of kip, your body repairs muscles and organs, regulates your hormones and your brain processes information, leaving you feeling well-rested. Sleeping on an old, uncomfortable mattress can give you aches and pains, affect any allergies you might have and just generally make you feel rubbish for the day ahead, which is why it's important to have a decent mattress.
Best cheap mattress at a glance:
• Best overall cheap mattress: Emma Original Mattress – view on Emma-Sleep
• Best cheap memory foam mattress: Comfortzone Memory Foam Medium Rolled Mattress – view on Dunelm
• Best cheap orthopaedic mattress: Matrah Orthopaedic Memory Mattress – view on Dunelm
We know that part of ensuring you get adequate sleep is equipping yourself with all the right tools to do so. That's where having a great mattress comes in. We know that mattresses can be expensive and they're definitely an investment buy. That's why it's always worth looking for mattress deals so you can pick up the very best cheap mattress for your needs.
There are plenty of affordable mattresses available right now that are both comfortable and of high quality, so take a look at our best cheap mattress top picks and you'll be heading off to the Land of Nod in no time.
Best cheap mattress
Best overall cheap mattress
www.emma-sleep.co.uk
Award-winning and a best-seller, the Emma Original Mattress is without a doubt one of the best cheap mattresses on the market. Made from three layers of pressure relieving foam (the halo foam is great for spinal support), this Emma Mattress is suitable for all body types and sleeping positions. It even comes with a 10-warranty too.
Customer review: "I have only slept on my mattress one night, but I must admit I felt great this morning, no aches and pains , hope this continues. Well done Emma."
Pros
- Optimised for back support
- High-quality foams that adapt to your body
Cons
- This is a great option for your mattress but might be too fancy for a guest/spare bed
Best cheap memory foam mattress
www.dunelm.com
Suitable for those who sleep on their front as well as those who sleep on their back, the Comfortzone Memory Foam Medium Rolled Mattress is 18cm deep and provides plenty of support for your body, especially for your spine, while you sleep. It includes a 4cm thick top layer of memory foam that is designed to mould to your body for the ultimate in comfort.
Customer review: "I have crps and fms and this type of mattress is very helpful for my conditions. Cheap and easy to set up"
Pros
- Moulds to your body
- Great for front and back sleepers
Cons
- Some reviewers reported a slight smell to the mattress when it was first unrolled, however, this disappeared after a few days.
Best cheap orthopaedic mattress
www.dunelm.com
If you're after a cheap mattress that will do a good job of supporting your joints and helping you alleviate some of the aches and pains you may have, consider the Matrah Orthopaedic Memory Mattress. This fantastic orthopaedic mattress is designed to comfort and rest the entire body whilst maintaining a flat surface to provide high levels of back support.
Customer review: "This mattress is by far the best mattress I've ever owned, it is super comfortable and a bargain at that price, never have I ever has such a good night sleep like I have been since purchasing this item. 10/10"
Pros
- Designed to distribute weight to reduce pressure on the body, relieving aches and pains
- Luxurious feel for the price
Cons
- Some reviewers expected the memory foam layer to be thicker
Best cheap mattress under £150
www.argos.co.uk
With prices starting at £105 for a single and ending at £150 for a king size, this Argos Home Open Coil Mattress is great value for money. It's an open coil mattress with 216 Bonnell springs to provide you with complete support and a knit cover with a quilted finish for extra comfort.
Customer review: "Excellent quality mattress for the price. Really comfortable. I am very pleased. It is rolled and vacuum packed meaning it was easy to get in the car. Once unpacked it was ready to sleep on within a couple of hours. Lightweight for moving around too."
Pros
- Great value
- Medium feel
Cons
- Not ideal if you prefer a firm feeling mattress
Best cheap mattress for hot sleepers
www.debenhams.com
Do you tend to overheat while you sleep no matter the time of year? The Aspire Cool Touch Classic Bonnell Roll Mattress features a cool touch sleep surface that is designed to be super breathable to help your body regulate its core temperature while you're visiting the Land of Nod. It has a premium spring system and 800 gsm fillings to maximise the level of comfort and support provided.
Customer review: "Really comfy mattress, it is also a great price too"
Pros
- Great for hot sleepers
- Super breathable
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it was a little thin
Best soft but supportive cheap mattress
Lastly, another mattress with a memory foam layer, this HomyLink Mattress is soft but supportive with a bouncy feel. As well as its foam layer, it contains seven zones of pocket spring support, which responds to the contours of your body to provide tailored comfort. No matter where you move or the position you sleep in, this mattress will adapt accordingly.
Customer review: "Had a bad back for about a year and burning hips every morning with my old mattress. First night using it and not one bit of back pain! Was so easy to set up, simply get it out box and roll it out, then watch the magic as it poofs up! Would highly recommend to others. I've already got my family considering buying one."
Pros
- Soft but supportive
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Some reviewers felt they could feel the springs through it
Best cheap mattress FAQs
What type of mattress should you buy?
Memory foam
If you want luxurious comfort and support, memory foam is a great choice. It's popular with side sleepers as it conforms to your body, so doesn't put pressure on your shoulders and hips.
If you tend to sleep on your stomach, a really soft memory foam might not be ideal, so opt for something firmer. Memory foam mattresses aren't as firmly supportive on the whole body as some other options, but they usually provide the best protection against dust mites.
Reflex foam
Reflex foam is higher density than memory foam, it's firmer and more supportive but still has some give to contour to the body. If memory foam is too soft for you, give reflex a try.
All foam mattresses can have a chemical smell to them when they're new, which is something to be aware of if you have any sensitivities.
Innerspring (coil)
You'll definitely have slept on an innerspring mattress at some point in your life - it's the classic mattress. If you like a firm mattress, these ones use metal springs to support your body and you can usually get your ideal firmness depending on the number of coils in the mattress. Most people can find comfort on an innerspring mattress.
They can either be open coil or pocket sprung.
Open coil
You'll often find that many orthopaedic mattresses are open coil as they're very firm and are lighter to turn. Be wary though, they can dip in the middle over time.
If you want a touch more comfort, you can always opt for a foam mattress topper.
Pocket sprung
You can get more back for your buck when it comes to springs in a pocket-sprung mattress, as the springs are housed in their own little pockets, working independently of each other. Generally speaking, the more springs, the better the support - although the quality of the springs is important, too.
You generally won't end up rolling into your partner in the middle of the night with a pocket-sprung mattress and they test to have a longer lifespan than open coil.
If you're still unsure what type of mattress you'd like, we've got a guide on how to choose a mattress that should help you decide.
How often should you replace your mattress?
The Sleep Council recommends that you replace your mattress every seven years, as this means it's had over 20,000 hours of wear and tear, plus it's played host to all the fluid and skin cells we lose while sleeping.
How to keep your mattress in good condition
Using a mattress protector is a great basic way to keep it free from stains and washing it regularly will help keep your mattress fresh. Adding a mattress topper will also add another layer of protection between you and your mattress while also providing additional comfort and cushioning.
Flipping or turning your mattress regularly helps to wear it out evenly, ensuring your body is always supported in the right places.
Let your mattress breathe! When changing your sheets, let your mattress air out for an hour or two.
Just like washing your bedding, it's important to give your mattress a clean at least every six months. Start by gently vacuuming the surface with an upholstery attachment, getting into any nooks and crannies to clear up any dust. If there are any stains, a mixture of baking soda and water will do the trick, but ensure you check with your manufacturer's guidelines before applying anything.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.
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