Best Mattresses for Under $1000

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While the bed-in-a-box revolution has lowered mattress prices to a more affordable level, many online mattresses still cost more than $1,000.  If you’re looking for a great mattress that won’t break the bank, this article is perfect for you.

In this roundup, I’ll go over everything you’ll need to know about buying the best mattress under $1,000. I considered over 25 different mattresses, but only 7 made the final cut. Keep reading to learn more about each mattress’s construction, firmness level, comfort, and price.

Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress Under $1,000?

Our expert reviewers chose the Nectar as the best mattress under $1,000 for its soft feel and compatibility with side sleepers.

Best Mattresses Under $1,000: Our Experts Tops Picks

Best Mattress Under $1,000: Our Video Review

Compare the Best Mattresses Under $1,000

Nectar Mattress Emma Hybrid Comfort DreamCloud Original Mattress Cocoon Chill Mattress Bear Original Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Essential Layla Mattress
Nectar Mattress Emma Hybrid Comfort DreamCloud Original Mattress Cocoon Chill Mattress Bear Original Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Essential Layla Mattress
Rating
4.3
4.3
4.0
4.1
3.8
3.8
4.3
Firmness Medium-firm: 7/10 Firm: 8/10 Firm: 7.5/10 Firm: 7.5/10 Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Multiple firmness options
Material Foam Hybrid Hybrid Foam Foam Hybrid Foam
Cooling
Best For
Back Sleepers,
Back Pain,
Stomach Sleepers
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers
Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers,
Seniors
Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers,
Side Sleepers
Hot Sleepers,
Back Sleepers,
Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers,
Side Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers

How We Chose the Best Mattress Under $1,000

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 6000 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period and warranty.

Latex mattress testing in our studio

When selecting the Best Mattresses Under $1,000, we started with a very simple—and obvious—requirement: they all had to cost less than $1,000 after discounts. From there, we picked beds that scored well on their specific superlative.

Note: Mattress prices tend to change quite a bit. So there’s a chance that a handful of these beds might see their cost rise to slightly over $1,000 during certain times of the year. But we’re confident that all of them will consistently hover around or significantly under the $1,000 after discounts.

Nectar – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers Under $1,000

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Nectar
Nectar Classic
Medium-Firm Feel
Motion Isolation
Pressure Relief
Foam mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
Up to 50% off mattresses + spend $1,000 and save $100 See Details
Brand Icon 28
Material
The Nectar mattress is an all-foam mattress. It has a plush comfort layer followed by a thin layer of transition foam. At the bottom, there’s a layer of high-density base foam.
Brand Icon 14
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Nectar mattress a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Brand Icon 42
Price
$699-$1,798 (before any discounts)
Brand Icon 13
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Brand Icon 7
Couples
This mattress isolates motion well, which means couples shouldn’t feel movement come over to their side of the bed.
Brand Icon
Side Sleepers
It offers great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Brand Icon 1
Back Sleepers
The Nectar mattress offers plenty of support for most back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Pros of the Nectar Mattress
This mattress has a slow-moving feel. If you like mattresses that contour to your body, this could be a great option.
The Nectar mattress isolates motion well, which is helpful for people who share a bed with a partner or a pet.
It offers plenty of pressure relief for side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lb.
Cons of the Nectar Mattress
Even though it has cooling gel-infused foam, it’s not the best mattress for hot sleepers.
It’s not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. In this position, you may feel your hips sink out of alignment, which can lead to lower back pain.
Because it’s an all-foam bed-in-a-box mattress, it has a 48-hour off-gassing period. You’ll need to let the mattress air out for two days before sleeping on it.
Brand Icon 39
Shipping
Free shipping
Brand Icon 40
Trial Period
365 nights
Brand Icon 41
Warranty
Forever warranty
Brand Icon 38
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period.

The Nectar is an affordable all-foam mattress that offers lots of pressure relief and body contouring. It works well for most side sleepers, because it helps cushion shoulders and hips. It is also a good option for couples, because it isolates motion well. However, the Nectar mattress isn’t supportive enough for most stomach sleepers and heavyweight people. If you tend to sleep hot at night, you may want to look for a mattress with more cooling features. Learn more in our Nectar mattress video review.

Our Expert’s Take

Many people love sinking into the Nectar’s cloud-like memory foam. This mattress creates pressure relief where side sleepers need it most. Keep reading to learn why we named this the best mattress for side sleepers.

The Nectar mattress feels slightly firmer than average, but it still works exceptionally well for most side sleepers. That’s thanks to its layers of soft yet supportive foam. This material has a slow-moving feel that sleepers can really sink into. If you love to feel your mattress gently hug and contour your body, this might be the bed for you.

To prevent sleepers from overheating, Nectar added special gel infused foam. This layer provides the contouring that’s so important for side sleepers and helps pull heat away from the body.

What the testers say: “Because [the Nectar] contours the body, it helps alleviate pain along shoulders and hips. This makes it a particularly good fit for most side sleepers. “Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Nectar

  • Memory Foam Feel Thanks to the Nectar’s foam layers, the mattress has a soft, almost doughy feel that many people find comfortable. 
  • Great for Couples The same foam that gives the Nectar its doughy feel also helps to isolate motion. So, if you sleep with a partner who tosses and turns as they sleep, you’ll be less likely to feel it on your side of the bed. 
  • Good for Lightweight Sleepers – Our lightweight mattress tester found the Nectar provided a good balance of comfort and support, regardless of which position they were sleeping in. 

What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar

  • Bad for Heavyweight Sleepers If you’re over 230 lb you’ll likely want to look for a mattress that provides more support and keeps you from sinking too deep into the mattress. We suggest you consider the Emma Hybrid Comfort instead. 
  • Doesn’t Accommodate Most Stomach Sleepers Like heavier people, stomach sleepers need a mattress that provides a lot of support. This is especially true for average- and heavyweight sleepers. 

Other User Reviews

The Nectar mattress has a whopping 59,296 customer reviews on the company website. Based on this feedback, it has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. Over 2,000 reviews focus specifically on the Nectar’s compatibility with side sleepers. Some, on the other hand, were disappointed to find that the mattress was much firmer than they had expected. 

For more information, read our full Nectar mattress review. For more side-sleeping options, see our roundup of the Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers.

Emma Hybrid Comfort – Best Firm Mattress Under $1,000

Best Firm Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Emma
Emma Hybrid Comfort
Firm Feel
Supportive
Breathable
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Awaken Your Best
50% off all mattresses See Details
Brand Icon 31
Material
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a hybrid mattress that combines foam in the top comfort layer with coils at the bottom for support.
Brand Icon 14
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest, we rated the Emma Comfort Hybrid an 8/10, meaning it’s quite firm.
Brand Icon 42
Price
$812-$1,649 (before discounts)
Brand Icon 13
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Brand Icon 1
Back Sleepers
Good support for average to heavyweight back sleepers (230 lb and up)
Brand Icon 7
Couples
This bed isolates motion well for those who are easily disturbed while still being responsive enough for sex
Brand Icon 2
Stomach Sleepers
Supportive for all stomach sleepers
Pros of the Emma Hybrid Comfort
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a great choice for back sleepers who want a firm mattress that can support heavier weights. Back sleepers should get a good amount of comfort and support here.
This bed is good for budget shoppers, as it can be discounted up to 50% during major holidays.
Hot sleepers shouldn’t worry about overheating because the coils allow for airflow, the cover is breathable, and you don’t sink into the bed, which means it won’t trap heat.
Cons of the Emma Hybrid Comfort
It’s far too firm for side sleepers.
The foam doesn’t offer a lot of contouring.
Brand Icon 39
Shipping
Free shipping
Brand Icon 40
Trial Period
365 nights
Brand Icon 41
Warranty
10-year warranty
Brand Icon 38
Returns
Full refunds during the trial period.

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is an affordable mattress that’s very firm and offers great support for stomach and back sleepers. It can also handle heavier weights, so it’s a great choice for heavyweight individuals who need a supportive mattress. Couples should sleep soundly without worrying about noticing their partner move around during the night and it won’t trap too much heat. Learn more in our video review.

Our Expert’s Take

The Emma Hybrid Comfort landed at an 8 out of 10 on our firmness scale. Because of its high firmness, it excels at supporting heavyweight sleepers, who tend to sleep best on a mattress that keeps them from sinking too far below its surface.

In addition to heavy people, we think that this mattress is suitable for most back sleepers since the firm construction should promote proper spinal alignment. Additionally, stomach sleepers should feel happy with the overall support of this mattress, since it feels much firmer than other mattresses on the market.

Hot sleepers will love to hear that the memory foam layer of the Emma Hybrid Comfort does a good job at heat dissipation and the coil layer helps promote airflow, so you shouldn’t be waking up hot and sweaty!

What the testers say: “The Emma Hybrid Comfort is supportive enough for heavier people. Its zoned coils are up to the challenge and should handle weights in excess of 300 lb. Also, its high-density foams shouldn’t sag under this weight.” Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Emma Hybrid Comfort

  • Great Choice for Heavyweight People As we mentioned above, Emma Hybrid Comfort provides adequate support to keep heavy people (over 230 lb) from sinking uncomfortably far into the mattress. 
  • Durable Construction – Because of its high-quality hybrid construction, you can expect the Emma Hybrid Comfort to last upwards of ten years if properly cared for. 
  • Good for Stomach Sleepers – Like heavyweight sleepers, stomach sleepers need a firm mattress that will keep their hips from sinking into the mattress. The Emma Hybrid Comfort provides the firmness and support needed to keep the spine aligned.

What to Keep in Mind About the Emma Hybrid Comfort

  • Too Firm for Side Sleepers – Unlike stomach sleepers, side sleepers (especially light- and average-weight ones) need a soft mattress that allows their hips and shoulders to sink below the surface and receive needed cushion and pressure relief. Check out our list of the best soft mattresses for some great options. 
  • Bad for Lightweights Sleepers – Like side sleepers, lightweight people tend to prefer softer mattresses that will provide some give under their bodyweight. 

Other User Reviews

The Emma Hybrid Comfort only has five reviews on the company website, as the product is fairly new. However, all five reviews rate the mattress 5 out of 5 stars. 

For more information, read our full Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress review. For more options for heavyweight people, check out our list of Best Mattresses for Heavy People.

DreamCloud – Best Cooling Mattress Under $1,000

Best Cooling Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.0
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Original
Firm Feel
Responsive
Affordable
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
Up to 50% off mattresses + spend $1,000 and save $100 See Details
Brand Icon 31
Material
The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Brand Icon 14
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 7.5/10. This makes the mattress firmer than average.
Brand Icon 42
Price
$839-$2,178 (before any discounts)
Brand Icon 13
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Brand Icon 1
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Brand Icon 7
Couples
Good balance of motion isolation and responsiveness.
Brand Icon 11
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the DreamCloud
It is a good option for back sleepers. While it is a bit firmer than average, its balance of comfort and support will keep the spine in neutral alignment.
You shouldn’t be sleeping too hot on this mattress. The breathable cover, gel-infused foam, and airflow-promoting coils should prevent the mattress from trapping heat.
You should never feel stuck in this mattress. The DreamCloud is bouncy and responsive, so you will have no trouble moving around and changing positions.
The DreamCloud is a good value option. Hybrid mattresses can be quite pricey, but the DreamCloud is surprisingly affordable.
Cons of the DreamCloud
Side sleepers will want to find a softer mattress to give them the pressure relief they need.
Fans of the slow-moving memory foam feel won’t get that feeling on the DreamCloud.
Brand Icon 39
Shipping
Free shipping
Brand Icon 40
Trial Period
365 nights
Brand Icon 41
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Brand Icon 38
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.

The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that offers great support for back sleepers and nice cooling for hot sleepers. Its mix of foam and coils ensures you get the right amount of support, while its breathable materials ensure you don’t sleep too hot. It is a bouncier mattress, and if you prefer more of a memory foam feel, consider the Nectar mattress. Learn more in our video review.

Our Expert’s Take

If you’re prone to overheating, it’s important that you purchase a mattress with proven ability to stay cool. A hybrid mattress is a good place to start, as they tend to be more breathable than all-foam mattresses. Not only is the DreamCloud a hybrid mattress, it also includes cooling features in its comfort layers that help with temperature regulation. 

The cashmere-blend cover of the DreamCloud is very soft and breathable. As this is the layer that will come in contact with your body it’s important that it helps to dissipate heat. Under that, the comfort foam layers have a gel infusion that helps to keep body heat from becoming trapped. 

In addition to its cooling abilities, the DreamCloud has solid durability. So, for the price you pay you’re getting great value, as the product can be relied on for quite some time. 

What the testers say:When I slept on the DreamCloud, I felt quite cool because the mattress features a few temperature-regulating materials. The cashmere-blend cover is breathable and allows air to pass through the top of the mattress, and the gel-infused memory foam helps dissipate body heat.Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the DreamCloud Mattress

  • Durable – Because of its solid hybrid construction, the DreamCloud is likely to maintain its structural integrity for a long time. This is especially true if it’s properly cared for. 
  • Good Responsiveness – The DreamCloud has a bouncy feel that makes it easy to move around and change sleep positions on the mattress surface. This is an important factor for combination sleepers, who tend to switch sleeping positions throughout the night.

What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud Mattress

  • Bad for Side Sleepers Our testers did not find the DreamCloud to provide much pressure relief. For this reason, we can’t recommend it for side sleepers, who need plenty of cushioning around their shoulders and hips. Take a look at the Nectar instead. 

Other User Reviews

Based on 8,213 reviews from the DreamCloud website, this mattress has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. 141 of the 5-star reviews call out the DreamCloud for being breathable and sleeping cool at night. However, some customers felt the mattress was far too firm and overall uncomfortable. 

Read our full DreamCloud mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Cooling Mattresses for more great options.

Cocoon Chill – Best Memory Foam Mattress Under $1,000

Best Memory Foam Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
Cocoon
Cocoon Chill
Firm Feel
Affordable
Foam mattress
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Sale
Save 35% on all mattresses + free sleep bundle See Details
Brand Icon 28
Material
The Cocoon Chill is an all-foam mattress.
Brand Icon 14
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 7.5/10. This is somewhat firmer than the industry standard medium-firm.
Brand Icon 42
Price
$619- $1,389 (before discounts)
Brand Icon 13
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
Brand Icon 1
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice support.
Brand Icon
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers of light weights should feel solid pressure relief.
Brand Icon 11
Hot Sleepers
People who sleep hot at night should enjoy the bed’s cooling features.
Pros of the Cocoon Chill
Firmer support makes the bed great for supporting the lumbar of back sleepers.
Despite the all-foam construction, which tends to trap heat, the bed effectively cools with phase change materials within the foam.
A very good value for shoppers on a budget.
Cons of the Cocoon Chill
May feel too firm for most side sleepers.
Not supportive enough for heavier people, who should seek a bed more tailored to larger body types.
Brand Icon 39
Shipping
Free shipping
Brand Icon 40
Trial Period
100 nights
Brand Icon 41
Warranty
10 years
Brand Icon 38
Returns
Full refund within trial period

The Cocoon Chill by Sealy offers a budget bed with cooling technology and contouring all-foam support, ideal for hot sleepers seeking pressure relief. Learn more in our video review.

Our Expert’s Take

For a memory foam mattress, the Cocoon Chill is unique — not just for its low price, but for its cooling capabilities.

Even though memory foam tends to sleep hot, the Cocoon Chill lives up to its name with a cover that’s cool to the touch. It’s soft, breathable, and should help sleepers keep a low temperature at night.

Underneath the cover, a comfort layer of memory foam eventually transitions to a much denser foam at the bottom of the bed. This makes the Cocoon fairly firm and responsive for a memory foam mattress. We clocked it at about a 7.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale.

What the testers say: “The Cocoon Chill is a firmer mattress, so when laying on it, I felt like I was laying right on the top layer rather than sinking deeply into it. It felt firm enough to support stomach sleeping, and when I laid on my back I felt supported by the memory foam layer. It felt a bit too firm for side sleeping though.” Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Cocoon Chill

  • It’s a cooling memory foam mattress – The Cocoon Chill has a cover made out of phase change material, which feels cool-to-the-touch.
  • Back and stomach sleepers will be really comfortable – Coming in at 7.5/10 on our firmness scale, the Cocoon Chill mattress offers excellent lumbar support for back and stomach sleepers.

What to Keep in Mind About the Cocoon Chill

  • It’s not right for side sleepers — The Cocoon Chill doesn’t offer enough pressure relief for side sleepers.
  • It won’t work for heavy people –Those who weigh more than 230 lb may “bottom out” on this mattress. If you fall in this category, you may want to consider getting the Titan Plus mattress instead.

Other User Reviews

On the Cocoon Chill website, the mattress earns a customer rating of 4.7/5. People noted it has great edge support, and many people said it helped with their back pain. However, some people left one-star reviews because they felt the mattress was too soft.

For more information, read our full Cocoon Chill mattress review. For more foam options, see our roundup of the Best Memory Foam Mattresses.

Bear Original – Best King Mattress Under $1,000

Best King Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
3.8
Bear
Bear Original
Medium-Firm Feel
Affordable
Lifetime Warranty
Foam mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
Use code BLACK35 for 35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase See Details
Brand Icon 28
Material
The Bear Original is a memory foam mattress. It features softer foam layers for cushioning and firmer ones for support.
Brand Icon 14
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Brand Icon 42
Price
$786-$1,690 (before any discounts)
Brand Icon 13
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Brand Icon
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Brand Icon 1
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Brand Icon 11
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the Bear Original Mattress
The Bear’s gel-infused memory foam can help hot sleepers stay cool throughout the night.
It’s an affordable option. A queen-size Bear mattress is less than $1,000, even before discounts.
Bear offers a lifetime warranty on this mattress. That means if you find any covered defects or indentations during the life of your mattress, they will replace it free of charge.
Cons of the Bear Original Mattress
This bed probably isn’t a good fit for side sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs.
Stomach sleepers likely won’t find this bed firm enough to keep their spine in proper alignment.
Brand Icon 39
Shipping
Free shipping
Brand Icon 40
Trial Period
120 nights
Brand Icon 41
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Brand Icon 38
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.

The Bear Original is a memory foam mattress with broad appeal. It provides good support and pressure relief for side and back sleepers who weigh less than 230 lbs and comes with plenty of cooling features. It isn’t firm enough for most sleepers who weigh more than 230 lbs, though. If you need a more supportive bed, check out the Plank Firm. Learn more in our video review.

Our Expert’s Take

A king mattress under $1,000? It may sound too good to be true, but with the Bear Original, it’s reality! This high-quality bed contains graphite-gel memory foam, which helps dissipate body heat. It also has a medium-firm feel, so it supports both back and side sleepers.

Overall, this mattress has a slow-moving memory foam feel. Sleepers will feel lots of body contouring on this bed, but they won’t feel like they’re “sinking inside” it. The Bear Original’s all-foam construction also aids in motion isolation, so it’s a great choice for couples.

However, if you’re looking for a more responsive mattress, we recommend Helix. This mattress has coils in its support layer, which gives it a bouncy feel.

What the testers say: “I sank right into this mattress and felt great lumbar support when trying the Bear while laying on my back, and when sleeping on my side, I felt great pressure relief. But, like many foam mattresses, I think this may be a bit too soft for most stomach sleepers and they likely won’t get the proper spinal support while stomach sleeping.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Bear Original

  • It’s great for back sleepers – This mattress has a medium-firm feel, which gives back sleepers a great amount of comfort and support.
  • Lightweight and average weight side sleepers will be happy – The thick comfort layer helps cushion joints, which is exactly what side sleepers need.
  • It’s a good choice for hot sleepers – The gel-infused memory foam helps dissipate body heat.

What to Keep in Mind About the Bear Original

  • It won’t work for stomach sleepers – The Bear Original may not offer enough hip support for stomach sleepers.
  • It’s not right for fans of firm mattresses – The Bear Original has a classic medium-firm feel, coming in at 6.5/10 on our firmness scale. If you want something more supportive, you may want to consider the Helix Dawn mattress.
  • It doesn’t have a bouncy feel – This is an all-foam bed, so it doesn’t feel as responsive as hybrid and innerspring mattresses.

Other User Reviews

On the Bear website, the Bear Original mattress earns a customer review score of 4.5/5. Many combination back and side sleepers thought this mattress was a great pick. However, a few stomach sleepers said the Bear wasn’t supportive enough.

For more information, read our full Bear Original mattress review. For more king options, see our roundup of the Best King-Size Mattresses.

Brooklyn Bedding Essential – Best Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000

Best Hybrid Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
3.8
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Medium-Firm Feel
Affordable
Back Support
Hybrid mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
Use code BFRIDAY30 for 30% off sitewide See Details
Brand Icon 31
Material
The Brooklyn Essential mattress is a hybrid, or a bed with both foam comfort layers and innerspring support coils.
Brand Icon 14
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Brand Icon 42
Price
$532 – $1,132 (before discounts)
Brand Icon 13
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
Brand Icon 1
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice support.
Brand Icon
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice contouring.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Excellent spine support for back sleepers.
Great edge support.
Super affordable.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Subpar temperature regulation.
Not suitable for most stomach sleepers.
Brand Icon 39
Shipping
Free shipping
Brand Icon 40
Trial Period
120 nights
Brand Icon 41
Warranty
10-year warranty
Brand Icon 38
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A pickup fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.

The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is an excellent no frills mattress at a bargain price for hybrid mattress lovers on a budget. Learn more in our video review.

Our Expert’s Take

When you’re looking for a mattress that is high-quality but also affordable, Brooklyn Bedding is always a good place to start. The company owns its factory, allowing them to cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you.

One of their more budget-friendly models is the Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress. This is a hybrid mattress that features both coils and comfortable, proprietary foams.

When buying an Essential mattress, you’re going to get a perfectly medium-firm mattress. When we reviewed it, we found it to have a great balance of comfort and support. This makes it ideal for back sleepers. Side sleepers that are average or lightweight may be comfortable on the Essential, but stomach sleepers may need something more firm like the Helix Dawn or Titan Plus.

What the testers say: “On my back, I felt my hips sink into the mattress perfectly, and the top foam layers offered a bit of contouring. Overall, I felt a plush and innerspring feel when laying on the Essential, which gave it a nice bounce that was easy to move around on.”Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Essential

  • Back sleepers will love it – This mattress has a classic medium-firm feel, which is ideal for back sleepers.
  • It’s a responsive mattress – The coils in the support layer make it easy for sleepers to move around on top of the bed.
  • It’s great for people on a tight budget – This is the most affordable mattress Brooklyn Bedding sells.

What to Keep in Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Essential

  • It’s a long-lasting mattress – Because this mattress is so budget-friendly, it’s not particularly durable. We expect it to last about five years. If you want a more durable option, consider the Helix Midnight.
  • Stomach sleepers won’t be comfortable – The Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress doesn’t offer enough hip support for stomach sleepers, which could cause lower back pain.
  • It lacks body contouring – If you want a mattress that will cradle your hips, you may want to get the Nolah instead.

Other User Reviews

Many people left five-star reviews on the Brooklyn Bedding Essential website, praising the bed’s budget-friendly price point and pressure relief. However, many people noted that it’s not the most durable mattress, and they may need to replace it in a few years.

For more information, read our full Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress review. For more hybrid options, see our roundup of the Best Hybrid Mattresses.

Layla – Best Flippable Mattress Under $1,000

Best Flippable Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Layla
Layla
Multiple Firmnesses
Lifetime Warranty
Affordable
Foam mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday
Up to $200 off + 2 free pillows + an additional $150 off with coupon code SO150 See Details
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Material
The Layla is a flippable memory foam mattress.
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Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the bed’s soft side a 6/10. On the firm side, testers rate the Layla an 8/10.
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Price
$749 – $1,249 (before discounts)
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Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
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Back Sleepers
Back sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice support.
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Side Sleepers
Side sleepers of light weights should feel solid pressure relief.
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Hot Sleepers
People who sleep hot at night should enjoy the bed’s cooling features.
Pros of the Layla
Two firmness choices in one bed allows the Layla to accomodate a broad range of sleepers.
Despite the bed’s all-foam construction, which tends to trap heat, the bed has nice cooling via cooper-infused foam.
Lifetime warranty protects your purchase.
Cons of the Layla
Not supportive enough for heavier sleepers, especially stomach sleepers.
The flippability may be a superfluous feature if you have a strong firmness preference.
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Shipping
Free shipping
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Trial Period
120 nights
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Warranty
Lifetime warranty
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Returns
Free within sleep trial period

The Layla Original offers a unique proposition in a mattress with its dual firmness flippability. Both the soft side and firm side provide plenty of support and cradling for any sleep position. Learn more in our video review.

Our Expert’s Take

One of the best perks about the Layla mattress is that it’s a mattress that comes with options. The Layla is a flippable mattress, one side being soft and plush, and the other being more firm. With this mattress, you get the best of both worlds!

On the soft side of the Layla, you get a thick top layer of foam, making this mattress softer than average—it ranks at a 6/10 on our firmness scale, with a 6.5/10 being the standard for a medium firm mattress. You’ll sink into the mattress and get that typical memory foam feel.

The firmer side of the mattress has a thinner top layer and firm supportive layers, ranking in at an 8/10 on our firmness scale. This side of the mattress should be great for back and stomach sleepers, as the firmness should help keep the spine properly aligned and supported.

What our testers say: “On the soft side of the Layla, I felt the typical, slow-moving feel of the mattress and I sank right into it. The firmer side, on the other hand, let me feel like I was laying on it rather than in it, and it was much easier to move around on.” Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Layla Mattress

  • It’s great for side sleepers – The soft side of the Layla mattress cushions joints and helps alleviate pressure.
  • It has options – With a soft and a firm side, the Layla mattress is quite versatile.
  • Hot sleepers will love it – The Layla mattress has Thermogel in the cover and copper-infused memory foam in the comfort layer. Together, these materials help dissipate body heat and keep sleepers cool.

What to Keep in Mind About the Layla Mattress

  • It’s not a medium-firm mattress – The Layla has a soft and firm side, so if you want something in the middle, you may want to consider getting the Helix Midnight.
  • It won’t work for heavier stomach sleepers — Both sides of the Layla mattress aren’t supportive enough for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
  • You’ll sink into the mattress – The Layla has a slow-moving feel, which causes sleepers to gently sink into the top comfort layers. If you want to sleep more “on top of” your mattress, consider getting one of the Helix mattresses.

Other User Reviews

On the Layla mattress website, the majority of customers left four and five-star reviews. Many people praised the mattress’s motion isolation, comfort and support. However, some people said the mattress felt too firm, even on the softer side.

Make sure to check out our full Layla mattress review for more information. Or, check out our list of the Best Flippable Mattresses.

What to Consider When Buying a Mattress Under $1000

Whether you decide to choose one of these five mattresses or another mattress under $1,000, there are a few things you should think about. There is no one right mattress for everyone so keep these points in mind when you are looking for the best mattresses on Amazon or elsewhere online.

  • Sleeping position: It is always important to take one’s preferred sleeping position into account when a person is picking out a mattress. A mattress that is a good fit for stomach sleepers might not be the best for side sleepers, for example. In general, side sleepers should opt for a softer mattress to ensure they get enough pressure relief on their shoulders and hips. Back sleepers should look for something closer to medium-firm so that they feel a good balance of comfort and support, and stomach sleepers should choose a mattress on the firmer end of the spectrum.Different Sleeping Positions
  • Durability: So, let’s say someone finds a mattress that costs less than $1,000, but two years later the mattress starts to sag and fall apart. While the person saved money up front, that mattress wasn’t a sound investment ultimately. When people are choosing a mattress, they should always think about the durability of the materials used. If the mattress contains memory foam, is it of a higher density? People should keep an eye out for a mattress with high-density foams, latex, or coils, and they should have something that will last them for a good amount of time.
  • Sleeping temperature: It is also a good idea to find out if a new mattress will have people sleeping cool or hot Sleeping Temperaturethroughout the night. A mattress under $1,000 isn’t so good if people wake up sweating every night, for example. People should pay close attention to the materials used in the mattress. If there is memory foam in the mattress, people should see if the producer infuses the memory foam with gel, graphite, or some other cooling agent. Also, hybrid and innerspring mattresses are going to have better airflow in general. Finally, people should keep an eye out for features like cooling covers and materials like latex. Hot sleepers might want to consider the SweetNight Twilight mattress as well.
  • Value: In the end, it all comes down to value, and just because someone is paying Mattress Valueless for a mattress does not mean that they are getting a great value. However, if people consider the quality of the materials, the construction, and extra features, they should know if they are getting a good value. People should just think about how much they are paying for what they get, and they should be just fine!

Other Cheap Mattress Options

Here at Mattress Clarity, we recognize that not every sleeper is working with the same budget. That’s why we put together this roundup of the best mattresses under $1,000. But we also have several other articles for folks who want a high-quality mattress without breaking the bank. Check them out below

Overall

Here’s an overview of our top picks for the best mattresses under $1,000:

MattressBest For
NectarBest Mattress for Side Sleepers
Emma Hybrid ComfortBest Firm Mattress Under $1,000
DreamCloudBest Cooling Mattress Under $1,000
Cocoon ChillBest Memory Foam Mattress
Bear OriginalBest King Mattress Under $1,000
Brooklyn Bedding EssentialBest Hybrid Mattress Under $1,000
LaylaBest Flippable Mattress Under $1,000

If people are trying to spend less than $1,000 on their next mattress, one of these options should work for them. Again, consumers should consider their sleeping position and other preferences, and one of these mattresses should be a clear choice. If people need more advice, they can leave their questions in the comment section below.

Best Mattress Under $1,000 FAQs

Can you get a good mattress for under $1,000?

Yes! Plenty of brands make mattresses that are both high-quality and budget friendly. Personally, I’d recommend spending at least $500 on your mattress if you want it to last more than about five years. I’d also recommend shopping during holidays (Memorial Day, Presidents Day, Black Friday, etc.) because brands almost always run deals on these days, and you’ll see a lot of brands reducing their prices on queens and fulls to under $1,000.

What is the best mattress under $1,000?

It depends on your preferences. You’ll want to take a look at our mattress buying guide to see which bed is right for you. Sleepers of different weights, heights, and preferred sleeping positions positions will do better on different beds. Of course, all the beds in this list are our favorite beds under $1,000, but ensure you’re figuring out your individual needs before you buy!

Is $1,000 a lot for a mattress?

No, most queen-size mattresses cost more than $1,000. Mattresses that cost less than $1,000 are considered budget-friendly. But just because they are on the low end of the price range doesn’t mean they are all poor quality. Many, like Helix and Nolah, are both comfy and affordable.

How long does a $1,000 mattress last?

Most $1,000 mattresses won’t last as long as high-end mattresses, but all of the beds featured in this roundup should last at least five years. If you want a particularly durable bed, we recommend Helix. These beds should last between seven and 10 years.

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Marten Carlson

Marten Carlson

Lead Mattress Reviewer

About Author

Marten has been writing about mattresses and sleep health for six years. He is the lead reviewer at Mattress Clarity where he tests mattresses, bedding, and sleep accessories.

In his role here, Marten’s reviewed over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories (so you can rest assured that if he recommends a product, it’s been put through the wringer in our Austin studio). In addition, he has written more than 400 articles reviewing the quality of sleep and sleep products as well as sleep health. He’s especially interested in the correlation between sleep and mental health.

Marten’s also got a personal stake in sleep health. After writing dozens of pieces on the dangers of sleep apnea, he decided to get tested for the condition. Realizing he did, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea, he immediately started using a CPAP machine. He knows all too well the importance of a healthy night’s sleep and is passionate about helping others get the healthy, restorative sleep they deserve.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Denison University and his master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University.

Check out Marten in the Media: