We think the DreamCloud’s 365-night trial and lifetime warranty make it an unbeatable value. The mattress also features a cashmere-blend cover for a touch of upscale luxury and breathable comfort, so you’ll forget it’s a budget pick. With free shipping and returns, it’s hard to find a better deal for a mattress that promises such a high-quality sleep experience. The only downside? It’s a bit heavier than some other hybrids, but the side handles make it easier to move around (you are rotating your mattress every six months, right?).
Long gone are the days of having a couple of strangers lugging a mattress into your home, only to create havoc and mayhem (and a few scratches) in your fortress of sleepitude. The advent of ordering mattresses online has created the wonderful phenomenon of the mattress-in-a-box, and our top pick for the best affordable one is the Brooklyn Bedding Essential hybrid mattress. It’s a no-frills hybrid that’s perfect for back and stomach sleepers, all at a price that won’t break the bank.
The Tester’s Take
We’d never guess the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Hybrid Mattress came in a box if we hadn’t actually, you know, unboxed it ourselves. The setup process was breezy and the mattress felt supportive yet soft enough to help you doze off. It’s made from two layers of high-density foam, followed by an 8-inch section of individually wrapped coils, and then another layer of foam for excellent pressure relief and support. We think this three-punch combo makes the mattress ideal for back and side sleepers. Plus, the quilted cotton/polyester blend cover adds a touch of softness right from the get-go.
It’s also one of the top options for staying cool, with coils and thinner foam that allows for plenty of airflow, unlike foam-only mattresses, which can often trap body heat. With free shipping and a straightforward setup (you can basically just slap it on your bed frame), the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Hybrid Mattress is a no-brainer.
If you or your bedmate tend to get sweaty (when you don’t want to be), go with the Bear Original Memory Foam Mattress. It’s an all-foam mattress with cooling gel memory foam and open-cell construction, so you sleep cooler than the flip side of your pillow.
The Tester’s Take
When we first set out to find the best cheap mattresses, we have to admit we were a little afraid of what we’d actually find in the memory foam department. Memory foam mattresses get a bad rap for trapping heat, and we assumed most budget mattresses would skimp on the cooling features. (We were wrong.) The Bear Original Memory Foam Mattress was, in fact, a heavy hitter in the cooling department during our tests. The graphite gel-infused memory foam layer utilizes graphite particles to absorb and dissipate body heat, so you stay cool throughout the night.
The high-density supportive foam gives the mattress a firm feel that we like for back sleepers or anyone experiencing back pain. You can opt to add the Celliant cover, which is designed to promote recovery and enhance cooling through a process involving infrared energy conversion (we’ll spare you the details). With free shipping, a lifetime warranty, and a straightforward setup, it’s hard to find a better deal for a high-tech cooling mattress that’ll keep you from sweating the bed.
The Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress is a firm, supportive hybrid with excellent motion isolation—i.e. you won’t be able to tell when your bedmate moves—and cooling, making it perfect for couples sharing a bed. Its combination of foam and pocket springs provides the right amount of support and bounce for sleep and sex.
The Tester’s Take
Lest we ever forget that Succession’s own Roman Roy was dressed in Walmart’s best, we’re here to remind you that price and quality are not always at odds. It’s true in this instance too. The Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress makes it an obvious win for couples looking to stretch their pennies. The combination of airy open-cell foam layers and individually wrapped coils makes your Netflix and chill sesh so much cooler. Plus, the mattress’s motion isolation capabilities mean you won’t be disturbed by your partner’s movements, which is a huge plus for light sleepers.
The firm mattress is ideally supportive for back and stomach sleepers, featuring zoned support for targeted firmness where you need it most without causing stress in sensitive areas. We think the Emma Hybrid Comfort’s 365-night trial and 10-year warranty make it an unbeatable value.
If you are a back or stomach sleeper (or a combo of these), a firmer option, like the Silk & Snow Memory Foam Mattress, is key for supporting your pelvis and reducing back pain. Made from all foam, it delivers excellent support without sinking, so your spine stays aligned and your chiropractor stops with all the disappointed heavy sighs.
The Tester’s Take
The Silk & Snow Memory Foam Mattress measured up well in our tests for firm support and responsiveness. Rated at a firm 7.5/10, we feel this mattress had a very “on top of bed feel” that makes it easy to move around without feeling stuck.
