Luxury mattresses too expensive? These lesser-known sleep brands deliver hotel comfort on a budget, and one of my faves is less than $300 for a queen

Composite image of the Siena 10" Signature, EGOHOME Black 12" Memory Foam, Nectar Classic, Bear Original and DreamCloud Classic mattresses
(Image credit: Future)

I've been writing about mattresses for over five years, and the best lesson so far is that you should invest as much as you can in your sleep comfort. However, that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune to get yourself a great mattress.

In fact, the Siena Signature Mattress, now $294 for a queen at Siena Sleep, is one of the top five mattresses we tested in our guide to the best mattresses. Better yet, our best cheap mattress guide is full of beds offered us incredible comfort and are all under $500 for a queen.

5 budget beds that punch above their price points

1. Siena 10" Signature Mattress (queen)
1. Siena 10" Signature Mattress (queen): $294 at Siena

No mattress has surprised our testers as much as this cheap all-foam bed. The Siena 10" Signature will cost you under $300 for a queen, but it's an impressive firm mattress for back and stomach sleepers that excels at motion isolation and edge support. It's always discounted, you'll get a 180-night trial, and it comes with an amazing 10-year warranty.

Our score: ★★★★
User score: ★★★★½ (3,300+ reviews)

2. DreamCloud Classic Mattress (queen)
2. DreamCloud Classic Mattress (queen): $649 at DreamCloud

If you want a luxury hotel feel at a mid-range price, the DreamCloud Classic is the best mattress in a box out there. It's a hybrid mattress that's comfortable for all sleep positions and scores well in terms of pressure relief, edge support and temperature regulation, although it falls a little short dampening a partner's movements. Never sold at full price, right now its at its cheapest, and it comes with a 365-night trial and a forever warranty.

Our score: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★½ (9,300+ reviews)

3. Bear Original Mattress (queen)
3. Bear Original Mattress (queen): was $998 now $649 at Bear Mattress

The most affordable bed in the Bear range, the Original is an all-foam crowd pleaser that's comfy in all sleep positions, providing all-over support and pressure relief for hips and shoulders. We were impressed by its motion isolation and edge support, less so by its distinctly average temperature regulation. There's always at least 30% off the Original, not to mention a 120-night trial and limited lifetime warranty.

Our score: ★★★★
User score: ★★★★½ (10K+ reviews)

4. EGOHOME Black 12" Memory Foam Mattress (queen)
4. EGOHOME Black 12" Memory Foam Mattress (queen): was $699 now $333 at EGOHOME Mattress

Love the sink-in feel of memory foam? The EGOHOME gives it to you in spades and at a super-agreeable price. We found it provides plenty of support for back, front and side sleepers, with sturdy edges and zero motion transfer; it can retain heat, though. A queen is always under $400, but right now you can score an extra discount with the UPGRADE10 code. You'll get a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty, too.

Our score: ★★★★
User score: ★★★★★ (100+ reviews)

Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress (queen)
Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress (queen): $649 at Nectar Sleep

The entry-level Nectar Classic is one of the best memory foam mattresses you can buy, holding its own against the more premium Nectar Premier. It's still a solid bargain buy, though; some might find it too firm but this all-foam bed is supportive and cushioning and a particularly good choice for growing kids. Nectar's discounts rarely change: a queen is always under $650, and it comes with a 365-night trial and forever warranty.

Our score: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★½ (53K+ reviews)

What to look for in a good cheap to mid-range mattress

Buying a budget bed can be a bit of a gamble, but it becomes less so if you how to choose a cheap mattress.

The first thing to think about what mattress suits your sleep position. Side sleepers will get on best with softer beds, while back and stomach sleepers should look at the firmer end of the spectrum.

As a general rule, medium-firm is a good all-rounder that suits most people, but you'll also need to think about what materials your mattress is made with. Memory foam mattress are cost-effective, but the best hybrid mattresses offer a mixture of supportive springs and cushioning foams.

The EGOHOME Black 12" Mattress in a tester's bedroom.

(Image credit: Future)

As for benefits, a long trial period of 100 days or more is a must, because it'll give you plenty of time to really get to know your mattress, but it's also worth paying attention to the warranty period as it's a good reflection of how long the manufacturer expects its mattress to last for.

Finally, be sure to look for reviews of any mattress you're thinking of buying. Most sleep brands and retailers have reviews on their sites, which can give you a good idea of what customers think about , but be sure to check professional reviews too. Here at Tom's Guide we've reviewed over 120 mattresses and we know what to look for, so if a mattress gets a strong review from us you can be sure it's worth your money.

How do they compare with luxury mattresses?

Two members of the Tom's Guide sleep team sit on the Saatva Classic mattress on a bed frame in our testing studio, discussing the comfort and support of the Saatva Classic, our number one mattress for most sleep styles

(Image credit: Future)

Full disclosure: while there are some really good cheap to mid-range mattresses out there, even the best of them don't match up with the best luxury mattresses.

A case in point is our very favorite mattress overall, the Saatva Classic. It comes in three firmness options and two heights, and it's made with durable premium materials. It also comes with free white glove delivery and a forever warranty.

And while a cheaper mattress could well prove to be quite comfortable for you, you can't be entirely sure that it'll provide you with all the support you need. Some premium beds offer zoned support, so that each part of your body is comfortably cushioned and your spine stays nicely aligned at night.

For example, our best mattress for side sleepers, the Helix Midnight Luxe, provides extra support for shoulders and hips to relieve pressure points. And if that's not right for you, Helix makes a whole range of mattresses designed for every sleep style and preference, so you can find your just-right option.

Our top luxury alternatives

A well-picked cheaper mattress can serve you well, but if you can afford to spend more you should absolutely do so.

Pricier doesn't always mean better, but if you choose wisely you'll be rewarded with quality sleep for years to come, and these three premium options are guaranteed to deliver just that.

Saatva Classic Mattress (queen)
Saatva Classic Mattress (queen): was $2,179 now $1,854 at Saatva

The Saatva Classic is simply the best mattress we've ever reviewed, scoring full marks in nearly all of our tests. This handcrafted luxury innerspring hybrid comes in three firmness options and delivers stunning hotel-levl comfort and support, and while a queen has an MSRP of $2,179 (you'll normally pay nearer $1,800) it's a long-term investment that'll last for years to come. You'll get a 365-night trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery.

Our score: ★★★★★
User score: ★★★★★ (5,200+ reviews)

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress (queen)
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress (queen): was $2,398.66 now $1,799 at Helix Sleep

Design specifically for side sleepers, the Helix Midnight Luxe is a luxury hybrid mattress with a plush pillow that cradles your shoulders, hips and knees as you sleep. It also provides zoned lumbar support, which means that back sleepers will be well-supported too, making it a good choice for couples with different sleep styles (its strong edge support and motion isolation helps too). A queen will usually cost you $1,799 (more if you want extra cooling), and it comes with a 120-night trial, free delivery and returns and a limited lifetime warranty.

Our score: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★½ (8,200+ reviews)

Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress with Celliant cover (queen)
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress with Celliant cover (queen): was $2,427 now $1,699 at Bear Mattress

If you want reliably cool sleep you'll need to invest in one of the best cooling mattresses, and we recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid with Celliant-infused cover (a $92 add-on). It can stand up to night sweats and hot flashes, and its well-cushioned build (with three firmness options to choose from) makes it a strong choice for side and combination sleepers. Edge support could be better and lighter sleepers might find it a bit too bouncy, but it's the cooling that's the winner here. There's a 120-night sleep trial, free shipping and limited lifetime warranty.

Our score: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★½ (4,100+ reviews)

Jim McCauley

Jim is a freelance writer and performer based in Bath, UK, whose work can be found on sites including TechRadar, Tom's Guide, T3, PetsRadar and Creative Bloq. Jim started out over a quarter of a century ago, covering technology and video games, and they've been expanding their repertoire ever since. On any given week Jim's likely to be writing about design, sleep, wellness and even cats, and has learned an awful lot about the mattress industry over the past few years.

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