The 5 Best Mattresses Under $500, Tested in Our Homes

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsOthers We TriedWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Others We Tried

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Kristen Morrison

People / Kristen Morrison

Your mattressis one of the biggest purchases you’ll make for your home.

Studies showthat you spend nearly a third of your life asleep (or trying to do so), so you want to make sure that whichever one you choose, it’s the best quality possible. Finding the right mattress can be overwhelming, especially if you’re working on a tight budget. But it’s possible to find one that’s comfortable, good quality, and won’t break the bank — would you believe us if we said you could buy your next mattress for under $500?

Deal Alert!TheNovilla Memory Foam Mattressis 20 percent off at Amazon.

Deal Alert!

TheNovilla Memory Foam Mattressis 20 percent off at Amazon.

We researched and tested six different mattresses and ranked them according to firmness, preferred sleep position, and material. Keep reading to find out which one is the best fit for you.

Best for Back Pain:Allswell Hybrid Mattress in a Box at Walmart$284Jump to Review

Best for Back Pain:Allswell Hybrid Mattress in a Box at Walmart$284

Best for Back Pain:

Best for Side Sleepers:Novilla Mattress at Amazon$300Jump to Review

Best for Side Sleepers:Novilla Mattress at Amazon$300

Best for Side Sleepers:

Best Firm:

Best Memory Foam:Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress at Amazon$289Jump to Review

Best Memory Foam:Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress at Amazon$289

Best Memory Foam:

Best Value:FDW Gel Memory Foam Mattress at Amazon$262Jump to Review

Best Value:FDW Gel Memory Foam Mattress at Amazon$262

Best Value:

Best for Back PainAllswell Hybrid Mattress in a BoxPHOTO: Walmart$284 at WalmartStar QualitiesGood balance of firmness and cushionDistributes body pressure evenlyExpands quickly when unboxedRed FlagsDoesn’t deliver on cooling technology that’s promisedMemory foam doesn’t hold its shapeIf you struggle with back pain,having the right mattressis even more important. We love this one from Allswell because it has just the right balance of firmness and cushion. It’s plush enough that you feel comfortable, but firm enough that you feel supported and don’t sink into it. Our tester noted that their body weight felt evenly distributed on the surface. Although our tester, who has a history of back pain, did continue to notice some discomfort in their lower back, their energy during the day greatly increased, and the pain mostly dissipated after a few minutes of stretching first thing in the morning.Perhaps the biggest drawback to this one is that it doesn’t measure up when it comes to the cooling technology it’s marketed to have. Also, the memory foam doesn’t hold shape in the way you’d expect. If you like the traditional memory foam feel,this mattress from Zinusmay be a better choice. Still, we think this is a worthy pick if you’re looking for an affordable mattress that may help alleviate some aches and pains.Firmness:Medium-firm |Filling Material:Gel-infused memory foam |Sizes:Twin, full, queen, king, California king |Return Policy:Free 90-day returnsPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac

Best for Back PainAllswell Hybrid Mattress in a BoxPHOTO: Walmart$284 at Walmart

Best for Back PainAllswell Hybrid Mattress in a Box

Best for Back Pain

Allswell Hybrid Mattress in a Box

PHOTO: Walmart

$284 at Walmart

Star QualitiesGood balance of firmness and cushionDistributes body pressure evenlyExpands quickly when unboxedRed FlagsDoesn’t deliver on cooling technology that’s promisedMemory foam doesn’t hold its shape

Star QualitiesGood balance of firmness and cushionDistributes body pressure evenlyExpands quickly when unboxed

Good balance of firmness and cushion

Distributes body pressure evenly

Expands quickly when unboxed

Red FlagsDoesn’t deliver on cooling technology that’s promisedMemory foam doesn’t hold its shape

Doesn’t deliver on cooling technology that’s promised

Memory foam doesn’t hold its shape

If you struggle with back pain,having the right mattressis even more important. We love this one from Allswell because it has just the right balance of firmness and cushion. It’s plush enough that you feel comfortable, but firm enough that you feel supported and don’t sink into it. Our tester noted that their body weight felt evenly distributed on the surface. Although our tester, who has a history of back pain, did continue to notice some discomfort in their lower back, their energy during the day greatly increased, and the pain mostly dissipated after a few minutes of stretching first thing in the morning.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to this one is that it doesn’t measure up when it comes to the cooling technology it’s marketed to have. Also, the memory foam doesn’t hold shape in the way you’d expect. If you like the traditional memory foam feel,this mattress from Zinusmay be a better choice. Still, we think this is a worthy pick if you’re looking for an affordable mattress that may help alleviate some aches and pains.

Firmness:Medium-firm |Filling Material:Gel-infused memory foam |Sizes:Twin, full, queen, king, California king |Return Policy:Free 90-day returns

PHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-MatesevacPHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac

Best for Side SleepersNovilla MattressPHOTO: Amazon$300 at Amazon$300 at Walmart

Best for Side SleepersNovilla Mattress

Best for Side Sleepers

Novilla Mattress

PHOTO: Amazon

$300 at Amazon$300 at Walmart

Star QualitiesPlush with a hint of support for proper spine alignmentTester noticed less tossing and turningNo chemical odors upon taking it out of packagingRed FlagsOn the softer side, so not ideal for back sleepersDidn’t experience cooling benefits

Star QualitiesPlush with a hint of support for proper spine alignmentTester noticed less tossing and turningNo chemical odors upon taking it out of packaging

Plush with a hint of support for proper spine alignment

Tester noticed less tossing and turning

No chemical odors upon taking it out of packaging

Red FlagsOn the softer side, so not ideal for back sleepersDidn’t experience cooling benefits

On the softer side, so not ideal for back sleepers

Didn’t experience cooling benefits

The only real downside for this mattress is that the promised cooling technology doesn’t measure up. Our tester actually found that they slept hotter than usual during the testing period.

Firmness:Medium-plush |Filling Material:Gel memory foam |Sizes:Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king |Return Policy:Free 100-day returns

PHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah Roberts

Best Firm

$499 at Amazon

Star QualitiesQuick unboxingNoticeable reduction in pain and discomfort throughout the dayHolds coolness on the surface to minimize overheatingRed FlagsHas a chemical odor to it initiallyLow profile, which could present a problem for those with headboards

Star QualitiesQuick unboxingNoticeable reduction in pain and discomfort throughout the dayHolds coolness on the surface to minimize overheating

Quick unboxing

Noticeable reduction in pain and discomfort throughout the day

Holds coolness on the surface to minimize overheating

Red FlagsHas a chemical odor to it initiallyLow profile, which could present a problem for those with headboards

Has a chemical odor to it initially

Low profile, which could present a problem for those with headboards

With that being said, if you’ve never had a firm mattress or are transitioning from a soft one, there will be an adjustment period. Our tester noted that they experienced some neck discomfort in the early days of use, but they quickly adapted. In the middle of the testing period, they slept on their old, softer mattress to compare — they missed the firmness and felt that there was a distinct difference in sleep quality. They actually reported a decrease in upper body pain and experienced less tossing and turning.

Upon taking it out of the packaging, we did notice a chemical odor on the mattress, but that dissipated a day or so into use. Also, because it has a lower profile, you may have a visible gap between the mattress andyour headboardwhich can be an eyesore.

Firmness:Medium |Filling Material:Memory foam |Sizes:Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king |Return Policy:Free 100-day returns

PHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget Annear

The More You KnowDuring testing, we found that most brands that market their mattress as having cooling properties didn’t actually keep us as cool as we expected, so it’s better to pay closer attention to the material of the mattress. Although memory foam has a reputation for trapping heat, looking for mattresses that feature open-cell foam allows for breathability and prevents you from overheating at night.

The More You Know

During testing, we found that most brands that market their mattress as having cooling properties didn’t actually keep us as cool as we expected, so it’s better to pay closer attention to the material of the mattress. Although memory foam has a reputation for trapping heat, looking for mattresses that feature open-cell foam allows for breathability and prevents you from overheating at night.

Best Memory FoamZinus Green Tea Memory Foam MattressPHOTO: Amazon$289 at Amazon$211 at TargetStar QualitiesQuick unboxing with no odorsReduced back and hip painHigh-quality memory foam makes for even pressure distributionRed FlagsNone!This mattress from Zinus received top marks across the board for how high quality the memory foam feels and its affordable price. It came compressed for easy delivery and unboxing and inflated quickly, with no chemical odors after setup.At first, we felt that it was a bit too firm to the touch, but as soon as you lay on it you get that plush, cradled feeling that keeps you comfortable and supported. Our tester, who has a history of back and hip issues, noted that after sleeping on it, their pain decreased greatly, and they slept better at night with minimal tossing and turning.If you’re unsure what type of mattress is right for you, memory foam is a great middle-of-the-road option. The firmness that comes with this Zinus mattress allows for even pressure distribution, which makes it a safe bet for a wide range of sleepers.Firmness:Medium |Filling Material:Memory foam |Sizes:Twin, full, queen, king, split king, California king |Return Policy:Free 30-day returnsPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen Morrison

Best Memory FoamZinus Green Tea Memory Foam MattressPHOTO: Amazon$289 at Amazon$211 at Target

Best Memory FoamZinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

Best Memory Foam

Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

$289 at Amazon$211 at Target

Star QualitiesQuick unboxing with no odorsReduced back and hip painHigh-quality memory foam makes for even pressure distributionRed FlagsNone!

Star QualitiesQuick unboxing with no odorsReduced back and hip painHigh-quality memory foam makes for even pressure distribution

Quick unboxing with no odors

Reduced back and hip pain

High-quality memory foam makes for even pressure distribution

Red FlagsNone!

None!

This mattress from Zinus received top marks across the board for how high quality the memory foam feels and its affordable price. It came compressed for easy delivery and unboxing and inflated quickly, with no chemical odors after setup.

At first, we felt that it was a bit too firm to the touch, but as soon as you lay on it you get that plush, cradled feeling that keeps you comfortable and supported. Our tester, who has a history of back and hip issues, noted that after sleeping on it, their pain decreased greatly, and they slept better at night with minimal tossing and turning.

If you’re unsure what type of mattress is right for you, memory foam is a great middle-of-the-road option. The firmness that comes with this Zinus mattress allows for even pressure distribution, which makes it a safe bet for a wide range of sleepers.

Firmness:Medium |Filling Material:Memory foam |Sizes:Twin, full, queen, king, split king, California king |Return Policy:Free 30-day returns

PHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen MorrisonPHOTO: People / Kristen Morrison

Best ValueFDW Gel Memory Foam MattressPHOTO: Amazon$262 at AmazonStar QualitiesEasy to unbox and set upMemory foam provides good joint support and spine alignmentNoticeably reduced tossing and turning at nightRed FlagsCooling technology doesn’t work as marketedThis memory foam mattress is our best value pick because it’s supportive, easy to assemble, and the most affordable mattress we tested. From the moment we took it out of the box, it took just about a minute for it to inflate to its full size.This one is on the firmer side, so it provides nice joint support and spine alignment. It also greatly diminished tossing and turning at night. Although our tester still woke up from time to time, they felt they received a higher-quality sleep and ultimately woke up with less discomfort in the morning.Like many of the other “cooling” mattresses we tested, we felt this one didn’t have a noticeable cooling quality. Our tester actually noted that they found themselves running hot through the night. However, for the extremely affordable price, high-quality memory foam, and ease of setup, we find this one to be worth the purchase.Firmness:Medium |Filling Material:Memory Foam |Sizes:Twin, full, queen, king, California King |Return Policy:Free 100-day returnsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy Phillips

Best ValueFDW Gel Memory Foam MattressPHOTO: Amazon$262 at Amazon

Best ValueFDW Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Best Value

FDW Gel Memory Foam Mattress

$262 at Amazon

Star QualitiesEasy to unbox and set upMemory foam provides good joint support and spine alignmentNoticeably reduced tossing and turning at nightRed FlagsCooling technology doesn’t work as marketed

Star QualitiesEasy to unbox and set upMemory foam provides good joint support and spine alignmentNoticeably reduced tossing and turning at night

Easy to unbox and set up

Memory foam provides good joint support and spine alignment

Noticeably reduced tossing and turning at night

Red FlagsCooling technology doesn’t work as marketed

Cooling technology doesn’t work as marketed

This memory foam mattress is our best value pick because it’s supportive, easy to assemble, and the most affordable mattress we tested. From the moment we took it out of the box, it took just about a minute for it to inflate to its full size.

This one is on the firmer side, so it provides nice joint support and spine alignment. It also greatly diminished tossing and turning at night. Although our tester still woke up from time to time, they felt they received a higher-quality sleep and ultimately woke up with less discomfort in the morning.

Like many of the other “cooling” mattresses we tested, we felt this one didn’t have a noticeable cooling quality. Our tester actually noted that they found themselves running hot through the night. However, for the extremely affordable price, high-quality memory foam, and ease of setup, we find this one to be worth the purchase.

Firmness:Medium |Filling Material:Memory Foam |Sizes:Twin, full, queen, king, California King |Return Policy:Free 100-day returns

PHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy PhillipsPHOTO: People / Hedy Phillips

Other Mattresses Under $500 We Tried

People / Kelly Lewis

What to Know About Mattresses Under $500

Firmness

You’ll seeeach mattresscomes with a designated firmness type. While this designation is simply based on how soft or hard the mattress is, it can be confusing to distinguish what the difference is, and better yet, which one is best for you.

The level of firmness or softness you get in your mattress is largely dependent on the material of its top level, also known as the comfort level. Here’s a breakdown of the most common firmness types you’ll see when shopping and who they may be the best fit for.

Material

Break-In Period

For most mattresses, it’s generally safe to assume that you’ll be in the break-in period for about 30 to 90 days. This is especially true for hybrid and memory foam mattresses, as they take time to properly mold and contour to your body’s unique shape.

Most mattresses come with a trial period that can last a few months or up to a year. It’s always good to make sure a trial period is included in case you decide that the mattress isn’t the right fit for you. However, if you find that you’re struggling to get comfortable the first few nights with your new mattress, don’t give up! It’s totally normal to go through an adjustment period.

Our team of testers tried six different under-$500 mattresses for 1,345 hours. Testers had a wide variety of sleeping preferences and positions, and throughout the testing period, they evaluated their mattress based on the following criteria:

People / Sarah Roberts

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com