Best Mattress Under $1000: Complete Buyer's Guide
Last Updated: September, 2023
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Most people put off getting a new mattress because it can be a search that ends in high frustration, with an even higher price tag. It can be daunting to look at the different mattress types and wildly variable price ranges. Additionally, nobody wants a sub-par mattress that makes their back or joint issues worse.
Most people don't realize that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get the best mattress out there. Some of the best mattresses out there are available for under $1000. If that sounds appealing to you, then just wait until you see our list of the best mattresses, all under $1000 each.
According to our tests, the best mattress you can buy for under $1000 is the Ghostbed Classic. This affordable mattress is built to last. It's an 11" cooling gel mattress that has 4 layers of medium-firm comfort.
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7 Best Mattresses Under $1000
GhostBed Classic
As far as quality for the price goes, GhostBed takes the cake. This durable mattress is a steal when you consider the quality of materials and overall customer experience GhostBed delivers.
Nolah Original 10"
This 10" medium-soft mattress is the best bang for your buck when it comes to buying a mattress. It provides excellent pressure relief and support, especially for side and back sleepers.
Puffy Mattress
The Puffy original mattress is a high quality, yet affordable all foam option. It’s responsive, durable, and suitable for all sleep styles.
Lucid 12-Inch Hybrid Mattress
You'll love the firm support of this memory foam mattress. It's a great remedy for sore morning joints.
Casper Sleep Essential Mattress
This mattress is perfect to soothe pressure points. You'll love the balanced support.
Purple Full Mattress
You'll feel cool as soon as you lay down on this mattress. It's perfectly supportive and soft.
Signature Sleep Charcoal Gel Mattress
This mattress is a great, and long-lasting value. It shapes your body perfectly.
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Ghostbed is a family owned business that got their start when the owner, Marc Werner, struggled to find a mattress that would relieve his pain after enduring multiple spinal surgeries. When he wasn't able to find a mattress that worked for him, he made his own! Fast forward to today and GhostBed is one of the best rated mattress companies online.
The Ghostbed Classic is the most affordable model offered by GhostBed, but that doesn't mean they cut corners. This 11" medium firm mattress is designed to offer unmatched support and cooling features. It's made of a combination of gel-infused foam and aerated latex. These two materials help you sleep cooler than traditional memory foam. Latex is a premium material that is rarely found in mattresses under $1000, so the GhostBed classic stands out for that reason alone.
If you're looking for a sturdy mattress designed for back, stomach or combination sleepers, the GhostBed Classic is a solid bet. If you sleep mostly on your side and like a softer feel, check out the other mattress models offered by GhostBed to find out that's perfect for you.
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The Nolah Original 10" mattress is best for those who like a softer feel and need superior pressure relief. It's a medium soft mattress, which most people find comfortable. However, if for whatever reason you don't like it, just send it back for a full refund with free return shipping. It's a safe bet, especially when you're considering buying online.
The mattress is is comprised of 3 layers of foam. The 1st layer is a trademarked cooling "Nolah AirFoam". This foam is what gives the bed its super soft feel and pressure relief. It's also cooler than traditional memory foam and is a great choice if you sleep hot. The 2nd layer is a 1" support and transition layer that provides support, especially on your sides, neck, and back. The final layer is a high density foam that gives the mattress reinforced support and durability
If you're trying to stick to a strict budget but want the best thing money can buy at around the $1,000 price point, Nolah is a no brainer.
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If you want a top-quality hybrid mattress without breaking the bank, consider purchasing the Puffy mattress. This top-class memory foam mattress brings forth that huggable feeling while keeping you cool with its gel-infused comfort layer. A world-class mattress for all sleep preferences, the Puffy mattress combines a robust system of coils with seven layers.
Address pain while sleeping with an affordable top-rated mattress like the Puffy mattress. Puffy makes pain relief affordable and straightforward with its 1.5" of reflexive memory foam to support neutral spine alignment, reducing any excess strain on the back. Its all-foam design is perfect for relieving pressure along sore joints so you can sleep pain-free all night.
The puffy mattress presents a blend of savings and quality specs at reasonable charges. It's soft to the touch due to its plush contouring 1.5" of cooling beads that wicks away heat. Climate comfort foam is incorporated into the bed followed by Cloud Air Technology foam, and a breathable grip base cover. These materials work together to create a consistently cool sleeping experience for shoppers with a budget under 1,000.
It also has a high responsiveness rate, making it ideal for combinational sleepers who prefer a bed that quickly adapts to their movement as they shift positions at night. What's more, the medium-firm feel protects you from sinking too deep into the mattress. Aside from the low price point, what makes the Puffy mattress stand out is its lifetime warranty and generous 101-night sleep trial.
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4. Lucid 12 inch Hybrid Mattress
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A lot of mattresses are either too hard or too soft. While this Lucid mattress does feel soft, that's the cushy top layer. Underneath is a medium-firm base, so you can still get the support you need, but without feeling like you're actually sleeping on a 'firm' mattress. That makes it an ideal mattress for people with back and joint issues; it'll keep you aligned and stay soft enough to soothe aches.
There are some particular features that people who ' sleep hot' will love. While it doesn't heat much at night, you'll appreciate the charcoal and bamboo additions. These are infused into the mattress to eliminate odors and repel moisture. Both you and your mattress will feel fresh in the morning.
5. Casper Sleep Essentials
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If you need a new mattress because you can't seem to get enough sleep, this Casper Sleep Essential mattress just might change your nighttime and morning routine. While it's thinner than some mattresses, it's triply layered to provide ample cushioning and support. It's pretty hard to beat the price and value for this mattress; if you're like a lot of the users, you'll swear off ever sleeping on another mattress again. It's also nice and breathable, so you won't wake up in a sweat.
The mattress is ready to go as soon as you unpack it and let it expand. Which is nice if you're not in the mood for a last-minute run to get a box spring. If you do find you want a firmer feel, or if it's just a matter of enjoying the height a box spring adds, Casper does make a special foundation for mattresses.
6. Purple Full Mattress
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This Purple mattress has a unique design, which you'll notice right away. It has a kind of honeycomb matrix layer. Fact is, it does feel very different from any other mattress the first time you lay on it. Sometimes, new or different is a risk, but this is a one difference you'll be glad to make a regular in your life.
It gives you a feeling of cool, 'airy' support that'll put you to sleep so fast, the next thing you know you'll be waking up in the morning. It's one of the coolest mattresses out there if you can even find one with a cooler feeling that lasts all night. Purple also uses sleep science and the latest innovations to achieve motion isolation so you don’t feel your partner’s tossing and turning at night.
7. Signature Sleep Charcoal Gel Mattress
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You're going to love this mattress if you're not a solo sleeper, especially if you have pets that like to hop up in bed with you. It does a really good job of reducing movement, so if your partner is constantly waking you up when they get in and out of bed at night, you'll sleep better than ever before. Likewise, if you're a hot sleeper, or your partner is, that's taken care of too. That's because there's a special layer built in to add ventilation, and you can seriously tell the difference.
While this mattress is a good solution for a shared bed, it's also great for solo sleepers. You'll still get the great sleep and benefits as when it's shared, but you don't need to enlist help to get it set up. Compared to other mattresses, it's lighter and easier to move into the room you want it in. One person can set it up solo without much trouble.
Things to Consider When Budgeting For A Mattress
Bed Size
First, you should consider the bed frame and bedding you already have. For convenience, you'll probably want to stick with the size of the bedding you already have so you don't have to spend extra money buying a new bed frame, sheets, and comforters.
But if you want a new bed size or don't currently own any bedding, you need to think about what size will suit you best. This means that you need to think about your size and whether or not there will be anyone else sleeping in the bed with you. You also need to think about the size of your bedroom and the price you’re willing to spend on the mattress. Quite often, larger mattresses are much more expensive than smaller ones.
Foam vs Coils
Traditionally, mattresses are made with multiple steel coils covered by layers of foam, gel and pillowtop for comfort. The coils provide structure and allow the mattress to conform to your body. However, the coils also create a lot of spring and make it easier to feel your partner’s movements.
On the other hand, memory foam mattresses are becoming popular these days. These mattresses contain no coils and are made up of layers of memory foam. They are great because memory foam is very soft, great for alleviating pressure point stress and you’re less likely to feel your partner moving around.
However, some memory foam mattresses contain allergens such as latex. Besides, some people find flipping over difficult on soft memory foam. Memory foam is also unfortunately associated with higher heat through the night.
People Sleeping on the Mattress
Mattress shopping with a partner can be frustrating because it's likely that each person has their idea of comfort. This makes finding a mattress that is suitable for both people quite a challenge. To make the decision easier, each person should make a list of things that are most important to them in a mattress. From there, try to narrow down mattresses that come closest to meeting both person’s requirements.
When is It Time to Replace Your Mattress?
The Mattress is Eight Years or Older
Mattresses wear down with age. And although many mattress retailers guarantee a warranty of upwards of 10 years, that doesn't mean your mattress is going to remain comfortable all that time. You shouldn't be sleeping on a mattress longer than 8 years, as a mattress older than that can cause some serious problems.
You Experience Pain and Stiffness
If your mattress is getting old, you may experience pain, stiffness, and soreness, particularly in high-pressure areas. If you notice that you wake up with pain in your back, hips, shoulders, neck, and joints, it's a good indication that it's time to ditch your old mattress.
You Feel Tired When You Wake Up
After a good night’s sleep, you should wake up feeling well-rested and ready for the day. However, sleeping on an old mattress can prevent you from feeling this way. If you notice yourself feeling increasingly tired every day and you don’t feel good when you wake up, it may be your mattress causing the problem.
The Mattress Sags or Caves
A really obvious way to know that it’s time to replace your mattress is if you can visibly see or feel sagging areas and caves. You may even find that you roll toward the center of your mattress. Ideally, a mattress’s surface should be completely even and level, but old mattresses will start to sag and cave in.
Mistakes to Avoid when Buying a Mattress Under $1000
When buying a mattress under $1000, many common mistakes are easy to make. A big mistake a lot of people make is buying a mattress that contains the newest innovations in technology.
While it may be tempting to buy the fanciest, newest mattress that promises great things, understand that this new mattress hasn’t been tested by consumers yet. Instead, you should think about the type of mattress that has been tried and tested and think about what works best for you. You may find that a good old-fashioned mattress may be best for your needs.
Similarly, make sure that you're paying attention to the mattress's interior. For example, if you're buying a memory foam mattress, don't buy anything less than 3lbs per cubic foot. If you're looking for coils, they should have a 13-15 gauge thickness.
Finally, don’t take every single person’s review word for word. It’s important to remember that everyone sleeps differently and comfort is going to be different for everyone. While one person may feel that a mattress is too soft but you may find the softness comfortable. Really, the best way to evaluate comfort is to lay down and feel for yourself.
How Your Mattress Can Affect Your Health
Causing Pain
Your mattress could be causing you pain based on a variety of factors. A mattress that is too soft can contribute to back and neck pain. This is because soft mattresses do not provide as much support to these areas as firmer ones. If you know you suffer from back pain, don’t go for an extremely soft mattress.
Conversely, a mattress that is too firm can cause pain in the joints, hips, and shoulders. This is extremely common for people with bony joints or who have problems in their hips. Choosing a soft mattress can alleviate these issues.
Creating Dust Mites
Mattresses are basically dust-mite magnets, and this can create a lot of issues for people with allergies or asthma. Unfortunately, dust mites are just going to be a part of your house and it’s impossible to completely eliminate them. But you can take steps to make sure your mattress isn’t full of them.
You should buy a mattress with hypoallergenic materials that fight against dust mite collection. CertiPUR plus foam is a great idea if you're buying a memory foam mattress. You can also buy special mattress covers that repel bugs, dust mites, and other allergens.
Conclusion
The expense of buying a new mattress can seem daunting, but there are many great options out there for under $1000. If you take factors such as mattress softness, support, partner preferences, size, and price into consideration, you'll be able to find the perfect one for your needs in this saturated market full of options.
Courtney is the reason The Sleep Shop exists. She’s a Seattle native with a passion for healthy sleep. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a major in marketing. She started The Sleep Shop to help friends and family choose a good mattress, and helped grow the site to what it is today. She does most of the product testing and reviews.
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