Best Mattresses Under $500, According to Editors and Reviewers
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Teen Vogue's Twentysomethings Guide is your go-to resource for the more confusing parts of going out on your own.
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Finding the best mattress under $500 for your first apartment isn’t as simple as picking a pair of shower shoes or the right backpack for college. Where do you even start? “You don't need the fanciest mattress with all the gadgets, but definitely spring for something good quality,” says Samina Ahmed Jauregui, a clinical psychologist, assistant professor, and sleep expert for the retail company DEEPS. Think of it as an investment in your sleep. “After all, your physical, mental, and emotional health depend on it.”
To start, you’ll have to decide which type of mattress you want:
- An innerspring mattress is an old-school kind with big coils inside and a support layer above them. They’re among the most budget-friendly mattresses and tend to be good for hot sleepers because they allow for maximum airflow. On the downside, they’re typically much heavier and firmer. Some find they’re too bouncy, particularly for those who share a bed and are sensitive to the motion of their partner.
- Memory foam mattresses are the kind you literally sink into. Oftentimes, you can order them online and they arrive in a box. Since they're made of foam, they can be compressed and rolled up for shipping. Once they arrive and you unpack them, they will expand and rise to their full size within a day or so. Foam mattresses are ideal for athletes and people with neck or spinal injuries, but Ahmed Jauregui notes that cheaper memory foam mattresses are more likely to soften and create lumps in the bed over time, which can significantly compromise the quality of your sleep.
- A hybrid mattress has the inner springs of a traditional mattress, paired with a foam layer at the top. Hybrid mattresses are extremely supportive with a bit of bounce and are ideal for side sleepers, people who get hot while they sleep, and people who shift a lot during the night.
To help you choose the best mattress for your first apartment, we tested out a variety of hybrid and foam mattresses from some of the most well-respected brands, like Nectar, Purple, Casper, and more, then narrowed the field down to the best mattresses overall. The prices below reflect the cost of each brand's queen size mattresses.
The best mattresses at a glance:
- Best overall: Amazon Basics Memory Foam Mattress, $374
- Best budget-friendly: Allswell Mattress, $317
- Best for hot sleepers: Tuft & Needle Original Mattress, $516
- Best mattress in a box: ZINUS Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, $299
- Best memory foam: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, $350
- Best for first apartment: The S&S Hybrid Mattress, $700
- Best splurge: Casper Dream Max Hybrid Mattress, $2,185
All your mattress questions answered:
Best overall: Amazon Basics Memory Foam Mattress
This Amazon Basics memory foam queen has a four-layer construction with a seven-inch durable base, a three-inch support layer, two inches of cooling gel memory foam, and a premium quilted cover. Sure, it's not as luxurious as the Saatva or Helix, but it gets the job done and won't break the bank — perfect for your first apartment.
- Pros: Regulates body temperature for a comfortable sleep
- Cons: Some users note the memory foam isn't too dense and you can start to sink after frequent use
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Support level: Gel memory foam
- Warranty: Eligible for return, refund, or replacement within 30 days of receipt
- Delivery: 2-day shipping with Prime
- Trial period: N/A
Online review: “I love this mattress! Not only is it comfortable, it is economical. It was delivered quickly and was ready to sleep on the same day. And it does not weigh a ton like most box mattresses. I absolutely love this and will be buying more for other rooms in my home,” wrote Audra Newton, an Amazon reviewer.
Best Mattress in a Box: ZINUS Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
This bed in a box, available at mass retailers like Mattress Firm or through the brand’s website, has garnered much attention in recent years. And it’s easy to see why. The mid-tier mattress is suitable for all sleepers — side, stomach, and back sleepers — thanks to the perfect balance of comfort and support. It has a two-inch GelFlex Grid for medium support, plus two layers of foam for a pressure-relieving, stable sleeping surface. The whole thing is built to limit motion transfer, too, so you can sleep more soundly even if you have a guest.
- Pros: Infused with green tea and charcoal to keep the mattress fresh
- Cons: Some users note that the mattress felt uncomfortable the first few days due to the firmness
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Support level: All-over support and pressure relief
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
- Delivery: Free delivery
- Trial period: 30-day return
Online review: “I find myself looking forward to laying on my bed each night. I sleep better, for longer intervals, and I wake up with less pain in my body. I sleep on my sides without the constant ache in my hip from pressure. I'm not as exhausted as I've been in the past because I'm getting better sleep at night now. Seriously, I've recommended this mattress to many people already. It was so easy to buy, set up without too much difficulty (with two people unpacking it), and it sleeps wonderfully,” wrote Red, an Amazon reviewer.
Best memory foam: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Soft and solid, the Nectar memory foam mattress is one of the best below $1,000. It has quilted gel memory foam that contours to your body, plus it features a cooling cover that helps circulate air to keep you comfortable as you snooze. Yep, even if you run hot. The brand runs frequent sales, too.
- Pros: Temperature-regulating
- Cons: Some users note that the mattress gets indents very quickly
- Firmness Level: Medium-firm
- Support: 2” therapeutic gel memory foam for pressure relief
- Warranty: Forever warranty
- Delivery: Free shipping & returns
- Trial period: 365-night home trial
Online Review: “This mattress, in my opinion, is the best mattress on the market regardless of the price. It's not too hard, and it's not so soft that you sink into it. It’s so comfortable that I want to lie down on it every time I walk by it. When I go to bed, I’m out in minutes, and I sleep all night," wrote Gary White, an Amazon reviewer.
Best budget-friendly: Allswell Mattress
This budget-friendly hybrid is truly what we’d call a unicorn. It's firm but not too firm, with just the right amount of bounce. One Teen Vogue editor tested it and reported that her back pain vanished and she slept like a baby.
- Pros: Made with gel-infused memory foam
- Cons: Some users note that they started to sink into the bed too deeply
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
- Support level: The hybrid design combines durable springs with cooling gel memory foam for the perfect combo of medium-firm support and cool, sink-in comfort.
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
- Delivery: Free shipping & returns
- Trial period: 100-day free trial
Online Review: “So happy with this purchase! It was delivered in less than a week and in perfect condition. As soon as we took it out of the packaging, it expanded to probably 8” and fully expanded to 10” overnight. It doesn't have any odor- which I'm very happy about. Also, it is the perfect balance between soft but supportive," wrote Abby, a Walmart reviewer.
Best for first apartment: The S&S Hybrid Mattress
“Hannah Montana might as well have been singing about the Silk and Snow hybrid mattress when she said, ‘You get the best of both worlds.’ This mattress seamlessly combines memory foam and coils into one, offering the best spring mattress features, like cooling and support, alongside pressure-relieving foam,” says Teen Vogue reviewer Jennifer Nguyen. “As someone who alternates between sides while sleeping and runs hot, it’s essential to have a mattress that accommodates all. The balance it strikes between sink and firmness has also been a game-changer for my persistent back issues.
“As for drawbacks, the mattress's coil construction does emit a faint squeak when I enter or exit the bed. However, as someone who sleeps alone, I'll gladly tolerate some noise for the support," Nguyen adds. "Another thing to consider is that there was a noticeable odor upon unboxing, but airing out the mattress for 48 hours swiftly resolved the issue. Overall, it's the ideal option for those seeking affordability without sacrificing quality and who benefit from a bit of everything.”
- Pros: Has cell memory foam infused with a cooling gel
- Cons: Some users note that after frequent use, the mattress started to sag
- Firmness Level: Medium-firm
- Support: High-density memory foam provides pressure relief
- Warranty: 15-year warranty
- Delivery: Free shipping & returns
- Trial period: 365-night, risk-free trial
6/8How much should you spend?
A mattress is a big investment and one that can come with some serious sticker shock once you realize $500 isn’t actually very much to spend. While you can certainly find a high-quality mattress somewhere between $500 and $1,000, it’s rare to find one for much less. If price is a concern, look for sales or financing opportunities to help you get the mattress of your dreams at the right price point.
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7/8Is a box spring necessary under a mattress?
“Depending on the mattress you purchase, a box spring is not necessary, especially if you have a platform bed that provides the same support,” Ahmed Jauregui says. “A mattress on a hard surface like a floor also works just as well.”
8/8What size mattress is best for a studio apartment?
If your first apartment is on the smaller side, set your sights on a full- or queen-size mattress. While it may be tempting to splurge on a king you can sprawl out on, these larger mattresses are more likely to overwhelm an area like a studio apartment with limited square footage.
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