Best Mattress Under $1,000

The 6 Best Mattress Under $1,000 [2023] – Reviews and Buying Guide

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Looking for a good mattress for less than $1,000?

You’ve come to the right place.

Several years back, before the whole online bed-in-a-box thing, getting a good mattress was expensive. Now, with so many options online, and with manufacturers spending less money on storage and middlemen, mattresses prices have dropped.

Now, it’s difficult to know which sub $1,000 mattress to buy because of all the choices available.


What’s In This Buying Guide?

In this 10-minute buying guide, we recommend the top 6 mattresses under $1,000. We also explain what to expect from mattresses in this price range and what to consider when comparing different mattresses.

  1. Memory Foam: Nectar
  2. Reversible: Layla Sleep Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress
  3. Temperature Regulation: Purple Mattress
  4. Budget: Zinus Green Tea 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress
  5. Hybrid: Brooklyn Signature Hybrid
  6. Pressure Relief: Casper Original
MattressAwardMain MaterialCoverSizeFirmnessNight trial
Nectar
Nectar mattress
Best memory foamGel memory foamQuilted Tencel cover11” thickMedium firm1-year
Layla Sleep
layla sleep mattress
Best reversibleCopper memory foamThermo-Gel cover10” thickMedium-soft/Medium-firm120-nights
Purple
purple mattress

Link goes to Amazon
Best temperature regulationHyper-Elastic PolymerPolyester, Lycra and Viscose cover9.25” thickMedium firm100-nights
Zinus Green TeaZinus Green Tea 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress, Full
Link goes to Amazon
Best budgetGreen tea-infused memory foam Poly Jacquard cover12” thickMedium30-day return
Brooklyn Signature Hybrid
Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress
Best hybridFoam and pocket coilsPhase change cooling cover11” thickSoft/medium/firm120-nights
Casper Original
casper original mattress
Best pressure reliefMemory foamKnit cover11” thickMedium100-nights

1. Best Memory Foam: Nectar

Nectar

Memory foam mattresses are some of the most comfortable types of mattresses, and some of the most affordable as well.

Our most favorite memory foam mattress for under a grand is the Nectar mattress. The 11” 4-layer mattress provides a universal medium-firm feel that most types of sleepers will find comfortable.

Pros

  • Excellent support.
  • Sleeps cool.
  • 1-year trial period.
  • It is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Cons

  • Mild chemical smell for the first few days.
  • Limited pressure relief – not ideal for side sleepers and folks who like a soft mattress.

Our Review

If you like the feel of memory foam, we highly recommend Nectar. It balances between pressure relief and firm support to provide a great sleeping experience for back and stomach sleepers.

The Nectar mattress is 11” thick and has four layers. The top layer is a quilted cover that adds some plushness to the mattress. It relieves pressure on your lower back and other pressure points.

The gel memory foam layer underneath provides further pressure relief as you settle into the mattress. Gel-infused into the foam absorbs body heat to help you sleep cool.

The core of the mattress consists of high-density memory foam that provides compression support. In other words, it keeps you from bottoming out. This ensures your spine stays naturally aligned, and you do not develop any back pains.

A high-density base provides overall support. Interestingly, the foam used in the base of the Nectar mattress is made partially from vegetable products.

Firmness and Comfort

Nectar is a medium-firm mattress, with a firmness rating of about 6.5/10, 10 being very firm. This makes Nectar a good choice for stomach and back sleepers.

The Nectar mattress sleeps cool thanks to the Tencel fabric cover and the gel memory foam. Of course, it’s not as cool as a latex or hybrid mattress, but most hot sleepers found it comfortable enough.

Another area where the mattress does well is motion control. If your partner can’t stay still at night, the Nectar mattress ensures you don’t feel their movements.

Issues & Concerns

If you are a side sleeper, we do not recommend Nectar. It’s too firm to provide the pressure relief and contouring you need.

Expect a mild chemical smell when you first unbox the mattress. It can be particularly unpleasant for folks who are sensitive to odors. Some reported experiencing the smell up to two weeks after opening the mattress.

We recommend leaving the mattress uncovered with the windows open during the day to allow it to off-gas quicker.

Nectar Mattress Details

Trial period: 365 days, with free returns

Warranty: Lifetime

Shipping: Free within the continental US


2. Best Reversible: Layla Sleep Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress

best cooling mattress pad

A reversible mattress has to big upsides. One, it lasts longer than single-sided mattresses. Two, you can adjust firmness simply by flipping the mattress.

Our top reversible pick is the Layla Sleep mattress with the copper-infused memory foam. Similar to gel memory foam, copper-infused foam sleep cooler.

Pros

  • Reversible design with different firmness on each side.
  • Sleeps cool.
  • Good support.
  • Backed by a lifetime warranty.

Cons

  • Not ideal for heavy sleepers.
  • Some off-gassing when new.

Our Review

Reversible mattresses are starting to make a comeback, and the Layla sleep mattress is one of the best ones around.

The mattress is soft on one side and firm on the other, allowing you to adjust firmness just by flipping the mattress.

Both sides of the Layla mattress start with a copper gel memory foam layer. It’s 3” thick on the soft side and 1” thick on the firm side.

The plush top layer provides instant pressure relief when you lie on the mattress. Copper-infused in the foam helps you sleep cooler. Copper also has anti-bacterial benefits, which keeps the mattress smelling fresh.

Below the 3” copper memory foam layer is a Max Airflow Support Foam layer. This 2” layer does two things: improve ventilation and provide targeted support.

This layer has channels that carry excess heat away from the mattress. Also, it has multiple zones of variable firmness that provide targeted support and pressure relief. This improves contouring and spinal alignment.

This layer is only on the soft side of the mattress, so sleepers who prefer the firmer side won’t enjoy its body contouring benefits as much.

The core of the Layla Sleep mattress is a 4” layer of high-density foam that provides support no matter which side of the mattress you sleep on.

The four foam layers are wrapped in a soft cover that has Thermo-Gel cooling technology for temperature regulation.

Firmness & Comfort

The reversible design of the Layla Sleep mattress is a great plus for sleepers who are not sure which firmness levels are right for them.

You can try a softer and firmer sleeping experience without having to order multiple mattresses.

The soft side of the Layla mattress feels quite plush and provides excellent pressure relief for side sleepers. We rate it as medium-soft.

The firm side of the Layla mattress feels like floating on the mattress with a little hug to relieve pressure points. We rate it as medium-firm. This side is great for stomach and back sleepers.

As for cooling, the Layla Sleep mattress does a great job. The combination of copper foam, the channeled foam layer, and a Thermo-Gel cover keeps the temperature at a comfortable level.

The Layla mattress also has minimal motion transfer – great news if your partner tosses and turns a lot in sleep.

Issue & Concerns

Layla Sleep is not a good choice for heavier sleepers weighing over 230lbs. The reversible design reduces support when you are sleeping on the firm side. Because there isn’t a proper high-density base, you’ll sink in too deep.

Many big-bodied sleepers who bought the Layla mattress say they found the firm side too soft. It may feel supportive enough at first, but it softens after some time.

Layla Sleep Mattress Details

Trial period: 120 nights, with free returns

Warranty: Lifetime

Shipping: Free within the continental US


3. Best Temperature Regulation: Purple Mattress

Purple mattress foundation

Are you a hot sleeper? We recommend the Purple mattress.

It does not contain heat-trapping memory foam. Instead, it uses a unique material called Hyper-Elastic Polymer to provide customized support and keep you cool.

Pros

  • Great for hot sleepers.
  • Excellent support and pressure relief.
  • Less off-gassing compared to other mattresses.
  • Pleasantly bouncy.

Cons

  • Not ideal for heavy sleepers.

Our Review

The secret to the Purple mattress’s high comfort ratings is the unique material used. Instead of memory foam like most mattresses under $1,000, the Purple mattress uses Hyper-Elastic Polymer in the first layer.

The surface of the Hyper-Elastic Polymer layer has grids that allow the mattress to contour to your body for better pressure relief.

These grids also improve airflow, which keeps the mattress from getting hot.

Hyper-Elastic Polymer hugs your body like memory foam, but it’ bouncier. So you don’t feel stuck in the bed.

Below the Hyper-Elastic Polymer, the layer is two layers of polyfoam. The middle layer provides deep pressure relief and transition support. The firmer base layer provides overall support.

The cover fabric consists of polyester, viscose, and Lycra. It is soft, stretchy, and breathable, ensuring you get the best of the Hyper-Elastic Polymer layer underneath.

Firmness & Comfort

The Purple mattress has a medium-firm comfort feel. However, depending on your weight and sleeping position, it may feel firmer or softer.

People who’ll find the Purple mattress most comfortable are light and average weight back & side sleepers a well as light (under 130lbs) stomach sleepers.

One thing we love about the Purple mattress is how it hugs your body without feeling too soft or mushy. Unlike memory foam, it retains some bounciness that makes it easier to change sleeping positions and is also great for sex.

Cooling performance for the Purple mattress is higher than average. With no memory foam to trap heat and with the top layer providing good ventilation, you’ll sleep cool no matter the time of the year.

Motion transfer is minimal; you’ll sleep peacefully no matter how much your partner tosses and turns.

Another area where the Purple mattress outmatches memory foam mattresses is off-gassing. Because it has better ventilation and uses less polyurethane foam, the Purple mattress has a much milder smell when new. Furthermore, the smell dissipates within a few hours.

If you hate the chemical smell, most foam mattresses have, consider getting a Purple mattress.

Issues & Concerns

The Purple mattress is only 9.25” tall. That’s not enough height to provide adequate support for sleepers weighing over 230lbs. The mattress will sag too much, causing back and neck pain.

Purple Mattress Details

Trial period: 100 nights with free return

Warranty: 10 years

Shipping: Free within the continental US


4. Best Budget: Zinus Green Tea 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress

Zinus Green Tea 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress, Full

Shopping on a budget? Zinus offers a 12” memory foam mattress at a surprisingly low price.

Some quality aspects are questionable (the fiberglass fire retardant, to be specific), but overall comfort is on par with many pricier mattresses.

Pros

  • Low price.
  • Good support and pressure relief.
  • Backed by a 10-year warranty.

Cons

  • The unpleasant smell when new – doesn’t smell like green tea.
  • Some quality issues in a few mattresses.

Our Review

For a 12” memory foam mattress, the Zinus Green Tea mattress is surprisingly cheap. A queen size costs less than the twin size of other memory foam mattresses.

The materials used in the Zinus mattress are not as good as those in pricier mattresses, so don’t expect the mattress to last for more than a few years. But in terms of comfort, the Zinus mattress is as comfortable as a Casper or Nectar mattress.

The Zinus Green Tea mattress has three layers: a 3” memory foam top layer to relieve pressure points, a 2” comfort layer for extra cushioning, and a 7” high-density base for support.

Combined, the four layers provide a nice balance between soft comfort and firm pressure relief.

The manufacturer says the memory foam is infused with green tea, but most customers didn’t catch a whiff of it. Don’t buy the Zinus mattress for the supposed green tea freshness.

Firmness & Comfort

The Zinus 12” mattress has a medium comfort feel. It feels a bit softer than most other memory foam mattresses.

We recommend it for side and back sleepers weighing less than 230lbs.

Cooling performance is average. Many people find it cool enough, but if you sleep hot, you may find it uncomfortably stuffy. If you are a hot sleeper but still want the Zinus mattress for its low price, consider getting a cooling topper as well.

As for motion transfer, the Zinus mattress has very little of it. It’s a good choice if your partner tosses a lot in sleep.

Issues & Concerns

The smell when you first unbox the mattress is fairly strong and lasts a few days. Whatever green tea infusion, the manufacturer mentions doesn’t seem to help.

Several customers have also reported a musty or moldy smell that sticks around for some time. If your mattress has a musty or moldy smell, we recommend returning it.

You should also know that the Zinus mattress uses fiberglass as a fire retardant. The cover has a zipper but does not attempt to remove it, as that will expose the fiberglass.

Zinus Mattress Details

Trial period: Standard Amazon 30-day return period

Warranty: 10 year

Shipping: Free


5. Best Hybrid: Brooklyn Signature Hybrid

Brooklyn Signature

Hybrid mattresses are generally more expensive than all-foam mattresses. It is hard to find a good hybrid mattress for under $1,000. That’s why we are pleasantly surprised that the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid is a sub $1,000 mattress.

It has the luxury feel of pricier hybrid mattresses but is as affordable as foam mattresses. And, unlike most budget mattresses, it is available in multiple firmness levels.

Pros

  • Great value for money.
  • Multiple firmness options.
  • Made in the US.
  • Sleeps cool.
  • Backed by a 10-year warranty.

Cons

  • Heavy – tedious to set up.

Our Review

The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress has a 4-layer design.

At the top is a 2” layer of TitanFlex™ foam, which has the pressure relief of memory foam and the responsiveness of latex.

Next is a 2” layer of Energex™ foam, which also has a more responsive feel compared to memory foam and doesn’t trap heat.

The 6” base consists of pocketed coils that provide ventilation, body contouring, and compression support. A 1” high-density foam base supports the coils.

The four layers are wrapped in a cooling cover that is infused with TitaniumGel™, a phase change molecule that maintains a comfortable temperature on the surface of the mattress.

Firmness and Comfort

You can choose a soft, medium, or firm Brooklyn Signature hybrid mattress.

The soft is ideal for side sleepers and folks who like to sink into a mattress.

Brooklyn Signature medium is best for heavier side sleepers who need extra support as well as light and average weight back sleepers. The medium mattress is soft but also supportive.

If you prefer to float on your mattress, get the Brooklyn Signature firm. It’s also a great choice for stomach sleepers and heavier back sleepers. It has a minimal hug and plenty of support.

As for cooling, the Brooklyn Signature hybrid mattress keeps you cool in several ways.

For one, the foams used do not trap heat like memory foam does. They dissipate excess heat, leaving you cool.

The pocketed coils also help keep air flowing through the mattress, which prevents heat buildup. Lastly, the PCM cover gives the surface of the mattress a cool to the touch feel.

Motion transfer is minimal despite the Brooklyn Signature mattress having springs. The 4” of foam on the coils absorb any disturbances coming from your partner’s side of the bed.

The Brooklyn Signature hybrid mattress feels bouncy thanks to the responsive foam and pocket coils. This makes the Brooklyn Signature mattress a great choice for sex.

Issues & Concerns

Being a hybrid mattress, the Brooklyn Signature hybrid is heavy. It is a pain to set it up. We recommend having one or two people around to help you set it up on a foundation.

Brooklyn Signature Hybrid Details

Trial period: 120 nights with free returns

Warranty: 10 years

Shipping: Free


6. Best Pressure Relief: Casper Original

The Casper Mattress

The Casper Original mattress has undergone several changes since it first launched. The 2020 model is the best one yet. One aspect Casper has greatly improved is pressure relief, with the addition of a zoned support layer that contours to your body.

Price note: Both the King and Cal King sizes cost slightly over $1000. But the popular Queen size and all other sizes cost less than $1,000.

Pros

  • Excellent pressure relief.
  • Zoned support maintains natural spinal alignment.
  • Sleeps cool.
  • 10-year warranty.

Cons

  • The slight smell when new.

Our Review

A soft or medium comfort mattress provides the best pressure relief. The Casper original is a medium comfort mattress, but it does not rely on just firmness to relieve pressure points.

Underneath the top open-cell foam layer is a zoned-support memory foam layer with three zones of varying firmness. The zoned layer makes the Casper mattress feel softer under your shoulders and feet and firmer under your midsection.

The zoned layer provides pressure relief where you need it most and supports your back and hips to keep your spine aligned.

A high-density base provides overall support and keeps you from bottoming out.

The knit mattress cover keeps the mattress cool and wicks away sweat.

Firmness & Comfort

Casper Original is a medium comfort mattress. It’s soft enough to hug your pressure points yet firm enough to keep you from sinking too deep.

The zoned support layer makes a big difference in sleeping experience. It allows the mattress to contour more effectively to your body regardless of the sleeping position.

We recommend Casper Original for side and back sleepers.

Cooling performance is great. The top layer consists of what Casper calls Airscape Foam. It has an open-cell design that allows heat to escape.

Motion transfer is minimal, so you should be able to sleep peacefully next to your constantly tossing partner.

Responsiveness is low. If you are looking for a bouncy mattress, this is not it. The Casper mattress recovers slowly, which can make it harder to change the sleeping position. Casper original is also less than ideal for sex.

Issues & Concerns

Similar to most foam mattresses, the Casper Original mattress emits a smell when new. But it’s not as bad as some other mattresses (we are looking at you, Zinus). The smell is mild and goes away in a day or two.

Casper Original Mattress Details

Trial period: 100 nights with free returns

Warranty: 10 years

Shipping: Free


Buying Guide: What To Look For At The $1,000 Range

A sub $1,000 mattress will not have all the features and comforts of a luxury mattress that costs thousands of dollars. But there are some must-have essentials.

1. Supportive Construction

Brooklyn Signature construction

Even if you prefer a soft mattress, the mattress must be supportive. Inadequate support usually causes back problems because your spine gets bent unnaturally.

If you weigh more than 230lbs, you’ll need a mattress with extra support to ensure you don’t bottom out. We recommend a hybrid mattress that’s at least 11” thick.

Stomach and back sleepers need more support than side sleepers to ensure proper spinal alignment.

2. Pressure Relief

Have you ever slept on a mattress and woke up with sore hips, ribs, or shoulders? The mattress likely was too firm, causing pressure on your shoulders and other pressure points.

Your mattress needs to be soft enough to hug your pressure points and prevent them from pressing against the mattress.

Side sleepers need more pressure relief than back and stomach sleepers. That’s why a soft or medium mattress is best for side sleepers (see our reviews of the best mattresses for side sleepers).

Back sleepers sleep best on a medium-firm mattress that balances between firm support and soft contouring.

Stomach sleepers don’t need much pressure relief since there are no major pressure points when you lie flat on your stomach. A firm mattress is the best for stomach sleepers (see our reviews of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers).

3. Cool

There are so many ways to cool a mattress nowadays. So don’t settle for a hot and stuffy mattress because it costs less.

If you are a hot sleeper, see if you can find a latex or hybrid mattress. These have the best cooling performance.

If you prefer a memory foam mattress, look for one with one or two cooling technologies. The most common are gel-infused foam, copper-infused foam, PCM (phase change material), and open-cell or ventilated foam.

Also, check the cover material. Fabrics like cotton, Tencel, and bamboo rayon keep you cool and sweat-free.

4. Trial Period & Warranty

Purple Returns and Warranty

Most mattresses you buy online nowadays have a trial period of at least 100 nights. This gives you plenty of time to test the mattress at home.

Make sure returns are free and that the return process is hassle-free.

As for the warranty, don’t buy a mattress with less than ten years of warranty. It might indicate poor durability.


Verdict: Which is the Best Mattress Under $1000?

Best Mattress Under $1,000

There were scores of options to choose from, but we think the Nectar mattress is the best mattress under $1,000. It’s affordable, really comfortable, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Purple, Casper Original, and Brooklyn Signature Hybrid are close runner-ups.


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