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For this guide, we’ve focused on mattresses that cost less than $ 400 for a queen (although we’ve observed that prices often fluctuate for inexpensive mattresses). We identified this threshold because some of the most popular mattresses on Amazon are in this price range – for example, the $ 330 Linenspa Memory Hybrid Plush mattress has over 57,000 reviews on Amazon to date. After years of mattress testing we have found that you generally get what you pay for. So what do you get with a really cheap mattress?
Generally speaking, most mattresses in this price range are all foam (or hybrid foam front) rather than springs. (As we explain in our guide to the best spring mattresses, a decent quality spring mattress usually costs at least $ 500 for a queen bed.) Inexpensive mattresses are likely made from memory foam and of lower grade polyfoam, have fewer layers, and offer little or no bells and whistles, such as contoured or zoned foams or cooling blanket materials. (However, we’ve often argued that many “special features” are probably not worth paying the extra for anyway.) Most of the under $ 400 mattresses we reviewed had basic sock-style covers in polyester or poly-jacquard, and they weren’t particularly notable for their comfort and softness.
We have found that the inexpensive mattresses tend to be firmer than the more expensive ones. Of the nine mattresses we tested, none could be classified as soft or moderately soft, and almost all were at least moderately firm. This is probably due to the fact that cheap mattress manufacturers use firmer foam to make a mattress feel more solid and of better quality than it actually is. Inexpensive mattresses rarely offer multiple firmness options, as many of our over $ 1,000 picks – like the Saatva Classic or Loom & Leaf – do.
Cheaper mattresses probably won’t last as long as those made from better quality materials. Stephen Carr of Northwestern University told me that concerns about the durability of the cheaper foams used in budget mattresses are valid. He said foams are basically just a “suspension of bubbles” and memory foam is closed cell foam, which means there are thin membranes that separate the bubbles from each other. If the foam is of inferior quality, these membranes will break more easily, affecting the integrity of the foam and causing the mattress to sag over time.
We found that compared to companies that sell more expensive mattresses, cheap mattress companies were less willing to provide information on how they made their beds, which made it harder for us to assess the quality. . Of the eight companies we contacted, only AmazonBasics, Best Price Mattress, and IKEA revealed the foam density of their mattresses. (As we explain in our mattress buying guide, knowing the foam density of a mattress can be an indicator for understanding how durable, supportive, and well-made the mattress is.)
Many full foam mattresses, especially the less expensive ones, contain fiberglass under the mattress cover, a component that acts as a fire stop, to comply with flammability standards. Reading customer reviews of mattresses in this price range, we found that some homeowners complained that the fiberglass had released in their home after opening the mattress cover causing irritation to the mattress. skin and respiratory tract. In general, this shouldn’t be a problem, unless the cover wears out or you take it off, which you aren’t supposed to (even if it comes with a zipper).
There is also something very unpleasant that can happen with a cheap foam mattress. Carr told me that the polyurethane foam in mattresses reacts with moisture, whether it’s in the air or sweat from your body, causing hydrolysis. This chemical reaction produces urea, one of the main components of urine. There are additives that stabilize the foam to prevent hydrolysis, but they are expensive, and manufacturers of cheaper mattresses could cut costs to cut costs, Carr said. So over time, your bed might start to smell… like pee. We’re not sure if this would happen with the mattresses we mention in this guide, but using a waterproof mattress pad or cover – which we recommend for all mattresses anyway – can help. some.
If you go for an inexpensive mattress, you’ll likely be sacrificing customer service and personal attention from the company as well. During my research and reporting, I had a hard time getting answers to questions about mattress company customer service lines, and some companies even logged me out several times while I was on hold. In contrast, customer service tends to be much faster and more helpful with companies that make high-end mattresses. Saatva, for example, offers live chat on its website. With a cheap mattress, it’s not as common to get a free trial period as with more expensive mattresses, although some companies, like Zinus, do offer this. (When you buy a mattress from Amazon, if you don’t like it, you can usually get a refund within 30 days of purchase.)
That said, few of the inexpensive mattresses we tested were really terrible, and most of them were at least decently comfortable. In fact, the creme de la creme was as good as the Novaform ComfortGrande, one of our favorite foam mattresses, which typically costs around $ 600. At the end of the day, if you are considering a cheap mattress, you have to ask yourself what you really need, what you can handle, and what you can afford. You still have good options even at this price point.
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