Best Foam Mattresses for $500 or Less

Over the years, we’ve tested mattresses that cost a couple hundred dollars and those that cost several thousand. And we’ve found you shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, you can pay only around $500 for some of the most-supportive mattresses in our tests—and possibly even less if you find a good deal. And you’ll save even more with smaller-sized mattresses. Explains Chris Regan, the senior project leader overseeing mattress testing, “The support level of the smaller mattresses should be in line with the queen-size mattresses.” 

CR members can read on to find eight of the top-rated foam mattresses for $500 or less. If you don’t insist on foam, you can also check out our article on the best budget mattresses, which includes great innerspring options too. Whatever your preference, make sure to learn how CR members have successfully haggled for lower prices in-store and online—and maximize your savings even more.

To explore factors you should consider when shopping for a mattress in general, check out our mattress buying guide. If you have a more flexible budget, see our comprehensive mattress ratings, which provide assessments of more than 230 mattresses, according to type, price, firmness preferences, and other criteria that might be important to you.