The best mattress under $1,000 in 2023

We always recommend spending as much as you can afford on your sleep setup, and for many that means figuring out the best mattress under $1,000. A number of our best mattress picks fall into this bracket, proving you don't need to shell out a shall fortune for a bed that offers excellent comfort, support, cooling and cushioning.

We've tested a wide range of mattresses at all prices, and you'll find the top performers that cost $1,000 or under for a queen size bed (the most popular option in the US) in our roundup below. Note that mattress sales happen all year round, so you're unlikely to have to pay MSRP. These are all beds that provide plenty of bang for your buck. Many come with accessories bundled in to amp up the value, and all have a decent at-home trial length, which you can use to make sure you've chosen the right model for your sleep needs. 

You'll recognize most of the manufacturers in our guide, with our two top-rated queen mattresses under $1,000 coming from Nectar and Cocoon by Sealy respectively. Whether you're looking for the contouring comfort of memory foam or the more breathable feel of a hybrid, we have you covered here. We'll explain which type of sleeper each mattress best suits, and who shouldn't buy them.

These are mid-range mattresses – if you're looking for something even more budget-friendly, our best cheap mattress ranking has a selection of models that cost $500 or under for a queen. Be aware you will be making some sacrifices in terms of quality and longevity for that price though. All clear? Let's take a look at our top picks for the best mattress under $1,000, according to our expert sleep testers...

Best mattress under $1,000 overall

The Nectar Memory Foam is the best mattress under $1,000, and offers incredible value for money among its mid-range rivals. As well as delivering excellent comfort and a feel that'll suit a wide range of sleepers, you'll also get a full year's trial and forever warranty (very unusual in this price bracket). An evergreen Nectar mattress sale means you'll never pay full price, and often you can snag a big bedding bundle free with your mattress. 

We tested the Nectar Memory Foam mattress and found it an absolute dream to sleep on (this combination of quality and affordability has snagged it a top spot in our best memory foam mattress ranking, and we also consider it the best mattress for college students). The multi-layer, all-foam design includes cooling gel memory foam and a dynamic support layer for pressure relief. No matter our sleep position, we experienced a keen balance of softness and firmness in all of the right areas – the medium firmness and constant pressure relief across the hips and back. This is a great all-rounder that'll suit a wide range of sleepers, although those weighing 250lb+ might find it a bit too soft to be properly supportive. 

An issue with all-foam mattresses is that they can trap body heat. Our hot sleepers remained comfortably dry and liked the airy feel of the quilted Tencel top cover, and we had no issues with overheating. However, if you know you struggle with sleeping hot, consider the Chill (#4) or a hybrid like the DreamCloud (#2) instead. 

• Read more: Nectar mattress review

Best hybrid mattress under $1,000

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress is the best hybrid mattress under $1,000, providing hotel-level comfort and excellent build quality for a very affordable price. Hybrid mattresses typically cost much more than all-foam models, and amongst other things tend to deliver better breathability (as the springs create space for air to circulate within the mattress) and a more luxurious feel. Both are true of the DreamCloud. This tops our best affordable mattress list. 

A dreamy combo of innersprings, gel-infused foam, and a cashmere-blend top cover, the DreamCloud mattress was a boon for our testers with back and hip pain, sufficiently alleviating pressure and discomfort along our hips and lower lumbar. Our hot sleepers found the DreamCloud comfortably cool, and co-sleepers who fidget won't be disturbed thanks to the DreamCloud's superior motion isolation. We rate the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid as one of the best hybrid mattresses because of its highly-adaptive pressure relief and full-body support.

This model is actually from the same parent company as the Nectar (#1) and you'll see similar deals patterns – constant Dreamcloud mattress sales offer huge discounts on MSRP, and often bundle in bedding, too. Add to that the 365-night trial period and lifetime warranty, and you have a stellar value for money. We consider it a budget-friendly rival to the Saatva Classic mattress, which is our favorite mattress overall. 

• Read more: DreamCloud Mattress review

Best Tempur alternative under $1,000

If you want the soothing, luxurious feel of a Tempur-Pedic, but can't afford the exorbitant price tag, the Nolah Original is a great alternative for almost under $1,000 (the regular Nolah mattress sale takes a queen size to around $1,014, which we felt was close enough). This mattress is made from that slow-moving, ultra-soothing memory foam that Tempur-Pedic is known for. 

We haven't had a chance to review this mattress properly, but we have had a chance to prod, poke and lie on it in a Nolah showroom. The surface molds to your joints, providing cradling pressure relief. This mattress is perfect for side sleepers, but back / front sleepers and heavier people might feel like they're sinking too far in for be properly supported. During our hands on time with this mattress, we were also impressed with the edge support – you won't feel like you're sliding off when you sit on the edges of this mattress – and the fact there was almost no motion transfer at all. 

There are a few potential down-sides to be aware of. The complete lack of bounce can make it difficult to change position. It's one of the thinnest mattresses on our list, which can make it feel a little less luxurious. And while we couldn't accurately assess temperature regulation during our testing time with this mattress, memory foams can have a bit of a habit of trapping body heat. But if you're seeking Tempur-style foams on an affordable budget, this is the best alternative we've come across. 

Best cooling mattress under $1,000

Specialist mattresses for hot sleepers tend to cost a premium, but we consider the Cocoon by Sealy Chill the best cooling mattress on a budget. This all-foam mattress is pretty similar to the Nectar (#1) but adds a cool-to-the-touch knit cover that delivered impressive temperature regulation in our tests. Even the hottest sleeper among our testing panel didn't break a sweat whilst lying on the Cocoon Chill memory foam mattress. 

This 10" mattress features three foam layers which work together to deliver excellent pressure relief. It’s supportive and cushioning, but you lie closer to the surface of this mattress rather than sinking in for that classic memory foam hug feel. Based on our experience, we especially think it'll suit side sleepers best (heavier people and back / stomach sleepers might prefer something firmer for sturdier support). Couples who sleep with a restless partner will appreciate the low motion transfer – this mattress isolates motion very well, and there's no noise when changing sleep position.

A constant Cocoon by Sealy mattress sale shaves 35% off the Cocoon Chill foam mattress, with free bedding thrown in to sweeten the deal. You'll also avail of a 100-night trial, with free returns plus a full refund if you're not satisfied. Otherwise, your purchase will be backed by a 10-year warranty.

• Read more: Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress review

Best couples' mattress under $1,000

The Bear Original Mattress is an excellent choice for couples for two reasons. First, its motion isolation is among the best we've ever experienced for a mattress. Through our in-depth testing, we determined that you'll hardly be woken up by your partner's movements when sleeping on this mattress. Second, it comfortably accommodates all sleep positions. Whether we rested on our side, front, or stomach, we felt well-supported and aligned. This bodes well if you and your co-sleeper have two totally different primary sleep positions.

Bear specializes in mattresses for active individuals. All of its quilt covers use a technical fabric called Celliant, which appears in sports clothing from the likes of Under Armour and is designed to promote cell recovery. The idea is that these mattresses maximize the restorative potential of sleep.

The only aspect that gave us pause was temperature regulation – our testers found it can sleep slightly warm. That'll be an issue for some, but it's quite cozy to sleep on in lower temperatures so it may feel just right for sleepers who reside in cooler climates. Price-wise, we're well under that $1,000 cap – the Bear Original Mattress is permanently on sale for at least 30% off, with free pillows bundled in. 

• Read more: Bear Original mattress review

How we test mattresses

The Tom’s Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks - that's roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress - and spend hours scientifically testing the performance of each product.  

Mattress firmness is subjective, so each lead reviewer also forms a trusted and experienced testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, who rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria. 

Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, well-balanced and data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress you’re interested in really is the best choice for you. Read our full mattress methodology for more.

Mattress FAQs

How to choose the best mattress under $1,000

If you're seeking to purchase a cheap queen mattress, price is obviously a motivating factor in your final decision. But it shouldn't be the only one (nor the most important). Below are other essential criteria to consider when choosing a budget mattress:

• Your sleep preferences: These include your dominant sleep style (back, front, side), desired firmness, plus any issues you hope to remedy (such as back pain, overheating, or a restless partner). 
• User reviews: But don't limit it to the glowing 5-star feedback or sassy 1-star reviews; most sleepers' experiences will be somewhere in the middle. You'll also gain insight from reviewers who have needs similar to yours.
• Trial period and returns: Your body takes 21 days to adjust to a new mattress; most mattress brands offer a 100-night trial, with a select few providing a full year to test it out. Also know what to expect if you decide to send it back — some manufacturers charge return shipping fees.
• Warranty terms: The longer the warranty, the more confident a brand is in the integrity of its mattress. Even so, understanding how mattress warranties work will save you any hassle should anything go wrong.