Did you know that the average person spends about one third of their life sleeping? You’d be happy to know that it isn’t to say that we need to pay a fortune for a high-quality mattress. In fact, there are amazing options available for even under $300.
During our research for the best mattresses under $300, we compared tens of models and made a list of 10 matresses with the Modway Aveline 10" Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress at the top. First, we paid attention to the type of mattress, like if it is foldable or will it suit for platform beds. Secondly, we looked at its firmness that determines its density and comfortability while sleeping. Also, if there is a certification available alongside a good warranty, then you can rest assured knowing that you are getting a safe, quality mattress.
The Modway Aveline 10” gel infused memory foam mattress is one of the best in the market, in our opinion. This mattress is CertiPUR-US certified which ensures that it’s free of harmful heavy metals like lead or mercury and is not made up of ozone depleters, formaldehyde, or harmful flame retardants, so your body won’t be exposed to dangerous toxins. In terms of firmness, the Modway Aveline is neither soft nor too firm. The mattress doesn’t have much motion transfer, ensuring a night without disturbance. The gel infused memory foam is another reason why this mattress is so good. It can quickly disperse any heat your body gives off, and the foam adjusts to your body’s weight and size so that you can sleep comfortably in any position.
While the Modway Aveline is made without the use of harmful chemicals, it does have a strong odor when first pulled out of the package. Don’t worry though, because the smell is barely noticeable after the first night.
Zinus Memory Foam 12’’ Green Tea Mattress is one that can accommodate all sleeping styles, ensuring high comfort for everyone. This mattress comes compressed and rolled so you’ll need to let it expand for 48–72 hours before using it. This also gives the mattress a chance to get rid of the chemical odor of the mattress, leaving behind only the fragrant smell of the green tea extract. Because the mattress isn’t soft and spongy, there is low motion transfer so that your nights are undisturbed. Alongside offering exceptional comfort, the Zinus Memory Foam Mattress is also certified by the CertiPUR-US, ensuring that no toxic and harmful chemicals and flame retardants are used in manufacturing this mattress. This mattress also has good heat regulation as the 3rd layer is specially made to absorb dissipated heat.
While the Zinus Memory Foam is good for dispersing heat, some customers have complained that the mattress retains heat for a more extended period of time. And, for some people who weigh more, this mattress might come across as a bit soft compared to others.
The Olee Sleep 13’’ Galaxy Hybrid Gel Infused Memory Foam and Pocket Spring mattress has a 5-layer construct, excluding the polyester jacquard and the fiber padding underneath it. The four layers above the coil are there to ensure that there’s no discomfort while you sleep. This mattress has good support because of its innersprings and is quite comfortable due to its layers of foam and memory gel. The mattress has a firm texture but it’s also quite cushioned and easy to rest on. This mattress is made up of eco-friendly materials and has a 10-year warranty barring some restrictions. The packaging of the mattress is also quite user-friendly, and customers are surprised at how durable this mattress is.
While the mattress is made up of eco-friendly materials, it is not certified by any certification program. This mattress also lacks edge support and this mattress weighs a lot, so you need to be careful while moving it.
The Dreamfoam Bedding Dream 9’’ Two-Sided Medium Firm Pocketed Coil Mattress has an innerspring layer which has a layer of quilting and foam on either side, so that it minimizes the sensation of the springs when you rest. It increases comfort and longevity of the mattress. It is constructed with 1,015 individual spring coils so that the mattress offers more support and relieves any pressure points on your body. The Dreamfoam Two-sided medium-firm mattress is certified by Oeko Tex, which ensures that the mattress is made with safe eco-friendly means and lacks any sort of negative materials that can impact the human body. The mattress also has minimal motion transfer and even has a 120-day free trial.
Even though the mattress is designed to be firm, some customers have reported that it’s more on the softer side. You’ll also need to rotate your mattress every now and then to prevent sags.
Key feature: perfect for individuals suffering from allergies, available in different sizes
The Signature Sleep Design by Ashley is a 10-inch high-density gel memory foam mattress. The memory foam adapts to the shape of the body and provides a comfortable sleep and coupled with body contouring pocketed coils it gives you extra support. It is also compatible with all bases and frames. The mattress is made CertiPUR-US certified. It is free from flame retardants, ozone-depleting substances, formaldehyde and heavy metals. This economical mattress minimizes pressure on the body. This is thanks to an equal weight distribution and a balance support whatever the movement. It also comes with a soft, easy-to-clean mattress cover made from breathable knit. It has a system of independent coils which improves its support and reduces the transfer of movement. This also contributes to balance. The hypoallergenic material helps to fight dust mites, pollen, mold and pet dander. In case you live in a tropical climate, it is not advisable to use a quilted mattress pad as it will change the feel of the mattress you selected at the store. It may also trap heat that needs to escape. Don’t use dry cleaning fluid of any type on your mattress. The polyester fabric cover is not removable and must therefore also be covered.
It is sold at a reasonable price equal to its contemporaries with uncompromising quality. This is possible because the brand does not market and advertise as much as its competitors. Hence, they sell the product online, which allows them to easily eliminate variable costs. The mattress has extremely good lumbar support area which is built to relieve pain. The surface is moderately firm and the gel reduces heat, even if it does not completely eliminate it. The knit cover is breathable and has a black sewn fabric underneath.
Key feature: tempered steel coil system, 3D soft knitted fabric, Twin and Full sizes available
This model uses a quilted plush top with individually wrapped innerspring to provides shock-absorption and resilience to adjust and correct sleeping posture. It meets as well the standard of CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex Standard 100, giving the guarantee to sleep without any concerns. And with a 10-year warranty, customers are protected against manufacturing defect.
The Ssecretland Queen 8-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress has 2 inches of HD gel memory foam, 2 inches of HD comfortable layer, and 4 inches of HD base support foam for the ultimate comfort. It also includes a soft, hypoallergenic cover layer that can be washed for your convenience. Its gel foam disperses temperature accumulation to maintain a constant mattress temperature to help your body get a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Its high-density base support foam provides response relief, and surrounding support helps to distribute pressure points in any sleeping position evenly. This design allows the mattress to mold to your natural shape and keeps you fresh while you sleep, as it creates a balanced firmness and softness. CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 have also certified their foam without the use of substances like mercury, formaldehyde, and other heavy metals.
As minuses we can see that some customers complain about the mattress being too firm, capable of becoming uncomfortable, and giving neck and shoulder pains.
The Linenspa 8’’ Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress is a 3-layer mattress which is designed to provide comfort to all type of sleepers. The first layer, which is quilted onto the mattress, is a 1.5-inch memory foam layer. The following layer is comfort foam, and final layer is a six-inch spring coil encased in a felt cover which makes the mattress bouncier and comfier. And because of how the Linenspa Memory foam is designed, it’s a lot airier than other foam mattresses and can dissipate heat in a faster pace thanks to its spring coil layer.
Moreover, the mattress is certified by the CertiPUR-US, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals and toxins affecting you and your body while you sleep. This mattress is also good in terms of motion absorption, meaning that the mattress won’t move as much when there’s a motion on the bed. It’s even light and easy to carry around the house when needed.
However, some people have shared that it’s a bit too firm for their liking. The brand name is also not well known so people might not be so trusting towards a new product.
The LUCID 10’’ Gel Memory Dual-Layered Foam Mattress is a one of a kind of mattresses where there’s a 2.5-inch gel infused foam which helps regulate heat evenly throughout the mattress. It also conforms to your body type and eases the pressure points elevating comfort. The other 7.5-inch layer is a high-density foam base which gives the mattress a firmer feel while also making it bouncy. This mattress also comes with a TENCEL blend fabric cover that creates a nice airy feel by controlling the moisture as well as regulating heat during the night. The LUCID 10” Gel memory foam mattress comes with a warranty lasting up to 25 years. This mattress also comes packed really well. It’s compressed and easy to carry around. It is incredibly light; the queen size only weighs about 55 lbs. The motion transfer in the mattress is also low because of the firm foam layer it has.
Although there is a 25-year warranty, it only covers manufacture defects and indents above 1.5 inches. And, the memory foam breaks down if the mattress isn’t rotated from time to time, causing mild back and shoulder pain.
The Signature Sleep 13’’ Independently Encased Coil Pillow-Top Mattress has 10” of independently encased coils which help to distribute body weight equally throughout the mattress so that it holds your body comfortably and relaxes any pressure points on your body. There are a total of 630 coils in this mattress. The mattress is also made up of bamboo rayon which helps the mattress absorb moisture quicker and ensures that your body can rest and breathe properly while you sleep. The mattress is clear of any toxic materials such as PBDEs, TCEP, or TDCPP flame retardants, heavy metals like mercury, as it is certified by the CertiPUR-US. A key feature of this mattress is that there is minimum motion transfer so that your nights are undisturbed and peaceful.
While the mattress does offer good support, some customers have noticed that areas become soft if slept of the same spot, so turning the mattress once in a few months would help the longevity. And, the cover of the mattress is non-removable and non-washable, so you’ll need to keep another cover to keep it clean.
The Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 6’’ Mattress has two layers. The first one is a 1.5-inch memory foam which is followed by a 4.5-inch high-density base support foam. These two foams have the job of making sure that your body is comfortable while also ensuring that there’s enough support. One of the main reasons why this mattress stands out is that it uses a natural form of plant oil to create a biofoam, steering away from the use of petroleum. This also keeps the mattress fresh for longer. Moreover, this mattress is certified by the CertiPUR-US and checks all the marks for being durable at a low-price range.
While this mattress is said to be 6 inches in height, it might not always rise to it. And, to increase the longevity of the mattress, you might want to use a mattress topper. Some customers felt that this mattress was a bit too thin and soft for their liking.
While you will find many high-quality mattresses under $300, there are several other things apart from price that you will need to keep in mind when searching for the best mattress for yourself. With this buying guide, we hope to be able to provide you with enough essential information about mattresses so that you can make an informed decision regarding your purchase.
There will always be differences between a cheaper mattress and a pricier one regarding quality and durability. Sometimes to reduce the price, companies take shortcuts and use toxic materials or provide a shorter warranty period. This can result in a cheaper and lower quality mattress. However, with enough research, you can most certainly find high-quality mattresses for under $300 without necessarily compromising on other aspects. In fact, all the mattresses that we have picked for this buying guide are top-notch and have surpassed the set standards. So, you can rest assured knowing that if you pick a mattress from our list, you will be getting an equally durable and high-quality mattress for a much smaller investment. You will be able to choose the mattress for a guest sofa bed or child’s bunk bed.
After you understand the difference between a mattress under $300 and a pricier model, you will need to focus on other aspects such as the type of mattress which can give you the right amount of support and comfort.
There are two basic types of mattresses: innerspring and foam. Most mattresses are innerspring mattresses. These have steel coils in various configurations within their structure with supporting foam on the top and bottom. These coils give the mattress its characteristic bounciness while still providing support and pressure relief for the sleeper. The main advantage of innerspring is its affordability. Apart from that, it has a proven history of providing consistent support and is good for stomach sleepers. However, it prevents motion transfer, has a shorter lifespan and is flimsier than other materials. Even foam mattresses come in two types: latex foam and memory foam. Latex foam is a type of specialty foam that is more supportive than memory foam and better at regulating temperatures. But, memory foam holds to your body structure longer and has better pressure relieving properties. It is ideal for side sleepers. Disadvantages for foam mattresses include allergy problems, lack of bounce, and a slightly more expensive price. But, these days hybrid mattress types are also available which provide the best of both worlds.
Mattress manufacturers and sleepers alike will define ‘firmness’ of a mattress in different ways as it is an incredibly subjective topic. Basically, the firmness of a mattress is the initial feel that you experience when you first lie down on it. A firm mattress will not yield much or maybe even push back with a stiff surface. Firmness is not the same as support and rather refers to how hard or soft the mattress is. It can be difficult to measure firmness, but most companies choose to use the firmness scale to rate the firmness of a mattress. The firmness scale ranges from 1-10 with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely warm. Depending on your preferred level of firmness, you can choose a firm or a soft mattress accordingly.
When you are shopping for a mattress, especially for one below $300, it is important to understand the different mattress certifications such as CertiPUR-US and Oeko Tex to know that the mattress you’re purchasing is free of chemicals and is safe. Products certified by Oeko-Tex confirm the human-ecological safety of all textile products at all levels of production and a mattress that contains CertiPUR-US foam meets the CertiPUR-US standards for emissions, durability and content. All the mattresses on our list are certified by either CertiPUR-US or Oeko Tex.
Durability can be a major concern for people when they are thinking about purchasing a mattress for under $300. The average warranty period for these mattresses is about five to ten years but depending on the type, the specifications and the company, it can be more or less. In example, most of the mattresses on our list have 10 years warranty but LUCID 10’’ Gel Memory Dual-Layered Foam Mattress has 25 years while the Signature Sleep Memoir 12’’ Memory Foam Mattress only has 1 year limited.
Each mattress we’ve described above has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. For us, the Modway Aveline mattress stands out as it has the highest customer satisfaction of a whopping 98%. However, if that doesn’t work for you, the Dreamfoam Bedding mattress ensures both support with its 1,015 individually wrapped coils and comfort with the layer quilting and foam on either side of it. While all of the mattress we’ve shown are less than $300, if you’re looking for an even cheaper option, the Zinus Ultima Comfort mattress is a good choice because of its foam (which is produced from natural oil) which keeps the mattress fresh for a longer period of time.
If you would like to raise the stacks a little, you might want to consider choosing mattresses from a different price category: luxury mattresses, mattresses under $1000 or mattresses under $500
Hi, could you also recommend any model for those on the heavy side? I haven’t noticed any on your ‘best mattress under 300’ list… Thanks in advance!
Hi, Gloria, thanks for your interest in our expert opinion 🙂 Though it’s not mentioned as the “Best for Heavy Individuals” on our mattresses under 300 list, the Olee Sleep model is probably the most suitable one. It boasts of the ultimate support level which is so necessary for overweight people who don’t want to sink in too deep in their bed. Hope that helped!
oh just came across the mattress I own 😉 The lucid 10-inch is definitely among the best mattresses under 300 dollars (however mine was way cheaper, I purchased it five years ago or so). It sagged a bit over time but does remain supportive and comfy enough