Highest Rated Mattresses Under $200 – Our Top 5 Picks

What to Consider When Buying a Mattress under $200

Mattress showrooms have significant markups, which means the 200-dollar beds you’re looking at online today could cost around 600 dollars at a retail store. By purchasing online, though, you avoid the pushy salesmen, the fluorescent lights, and that awkward feeling of lying on a mattress while people around you pretend not to stare.
Still, you won’t get exactly a thousand-dollar bed for this low price. There will be some differences. For example, the materials may be of a slightly lower grade, you’ll have fewer options, and the mattress may not last as long.
However, if you’re on a budget or you don’t plan on keeping the bed for the extend long-term, this can be an exceptional option.

Material

Buying a mattress under 200 dollars might mean you’re more limited in the materials you can choose from in your mattress. As you might have noticed in our picks above, many of the mattress options you’ll get at this price point are foam or hybrid mattresses. Both types are great for contouring to the shape of your body and providing great pressure relief.

Memory foam tends to sleep a bit hotter, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you’re a hot sleeper.
Hybrid mattresses will be cooler since they combine a top layer of foam with a bottom layer of coils, which provide good airflow.

You’ll also get a wide range of innerspring mattresses in this price range, as they are usually the most economical type. Innerspring mattresses have coils like hybrids, but these contain minimal cushioning on top so they don’t offer as much pressure relief.

Firmness

When you’re buying a mattress for under 200, you can consider getting one that’s as firm as possible. These brands are prone to sagging quickly, so you’ll be able to extend the usable life of the product by getting the mattress as firm as you can tolerate.

That being said, a firm bed isn’t for everyone. Side sleepers usually need softer beds with good contouring layers that relieve pressure in the hips and shoulders, and a firm mattress could end up making things worse.

Looking for more info? Check out our complete mattress firmness guide here.

Foam Density or Coil Count

Foam density and coil count are two indicators of quality for these inexpensive options. While they’re not necessarily the sole predictors of a bed’s comfort and longevity, they’ll give you a solid clue. Plus, this information is easy to find on the manufacturer and retailer websites.
In general, the higher the density and coil count, the better.
For memory foam, you’ll want to check if there are multiple layers. If so, look for a density of 1.5 to 1.8 on the top layer and something that’s at least 2.5 in the bottom support layer.
For coil beds, try to find pocketed coils with a count of at least 400.
Need more details? View our memory foam density guide here.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation describes a mattress’s ability to absorb motion or movement from one side of the bed to the other. In other words, if your partner is tossing and turning or getting up in the middle of the night, with great motion isolation, you won’t be so impacted by it.

Luckily, memory foam and hybrid mattresses, two mattress types you’ll find in this price range, have good motion isolation. Memory foam is known for being contouring and “slow” in its responsiveness, which means it will be best at isolating motion. A hybrid’s top layer of foam makes it good at motion isolation, though it does still have coils, which are springy and can create more bounce.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is key to a good night’s sleep, especially for those with joint or back issues. In general, memory foam mattresses tend to be great at pressure relief, because they contour to the body and cushion joints in a way that other mattresses, like latex or innerspring, just don’t.

If you are specifically looking for a mattress under 200 dollars that relieves pressure, look for words like “contouring,” “slow responding,” and more obviously, “pressure relief,” in the mattress description.

Edge Support

Edge support is the amount of resistance that a mattress provides around the edges. This is important because a bed with unsupportive or sagging edges can make it difficult to get up from the bed, or worse, cause issues in spinal alignment, leading to back pain. Plus, a lack of edge support makes it so you can’t use the entire surface of your bed – especially if you have a partner.

Mattress types that use coils are generally good at edge support, which include innerspring and hybrid mattresses. Some memory foam mattresses also add higher density foam around the edges to provide additional support.

Cooling

In general, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses tend to be the coolest. You’ll likely not find many latex beds in this price range, so in that case, you’ll want to look for mattresses with coils. This can mean either a traditional innerspring mattress or a hybrid mattress, which uses a combination of coils and foam.

Coils allow for more air circulation which makes them naturally cooler than memory foam mattresses, which tend to sleep hot unless they are specifically designed for cooling. In this price range, though, you’ll likely find the coolest mattresses are hybrids or innersprings.

Check out our Best Cooling Mattresses for more mattress options.

Which Mattress Type Around $200 is Right for You?

Coil (Innerspring)

The cheapest option tends to be a coil mattress, also known as innerspring. If you do buy an innerspring mattress, look for individually pocketed coil springs that provide more targeted support where you need it and less where you don’t.
As a rule of thumb, the more coils present in a mattress, the lower the motion transfer and more precise the support. So, if you’re buying a queen size, you might consider a minimum threshold of 400 coils.
Don’t get too hung up on coil count, though. Other factors that influence the quality and comfort include the structure and design of the coils, the gauge of the wiring, and how the steel was tempered (or heat-treated).

Foam

Foam mattresses tend to be more contouring and less bouncy than something like a traditional innerspring mattress. They are great for people who have joint or back issues and want that supported, “hugged” feeling that comes with foam. They’re also great for people who sleep with a partner and want a bed that is less bouncy and better at isolating motion.

Fortunately in the $200 or below price range you’ll find several foam options, though you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the right type of foam for you.

Below, we’ll go over the three main types of foam and the pros and cons of each.

Different Types of Foam

Memory foam – This material gives the body the feeling of being cradled. Memory foam provides pressure relief for the shoulders and hips, which is ideal for side sleepers. However, memory foam is also known for off-gassing (or having a new mattress smell) because it’s treated with chemicals to give it more density and contouring capabilities.
Our only cautionary is to check the density level before making a decision. The higher the density, the firmer and more durable the bed will be.
View Our Full Guide: Best Rated Memory Foam Beds

Polyurethane foam – Also called polyfoam, this material is similar to memory foam, but it’s not treated with the same chemicals. It’s often cheaper (which is great!), but less durable. Most of these beds are insanely comfortable in the beginning, but watch out. Over time, they’re prone to sagging.

Convoluted foam – This foam looks like the inside of an egg crate with peaks and valleys. It’s usually best as a mattress topper and not as a standalone bed because this material is the least durable of the bunch. The valleys that are formed can cause a sleeper to “bottom out,” meaning that when you lie down, you’ll sink into the bottom.
The advantage of convoluted foam is that it tends to keep you cooler than memory or poly foam. So, if overheating at night is an issue for you, you might want to check out this option.
For More Info: 6 Types of Foam

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress combines the benefits of both innerspring and foam mattresses, because it has coils and a top layer of foam. Most hybrids have memory foam at the top followed by a transitional layer of firmer polyfoam in the middle, and then coils at the base (though there are variations to the design.)

The advantage to this mattress type is that it is cooler and bouncier than an all-foam mattress because of its coils, but it also has the contouring support of foam. In this price range, you can find some hybrid mattresses, though in general, they tend to be more expensive.

Latex

People love latex mattress for its bounciness, durability, pressure relief, and temperature regulation. Latex’s is naturally cooling, making it an excellent choice for hot sleepers.

With latex, there are natural and synthetic mattresses. Of those, there are two different methods of making the mattress: the Talalay and Dunlop methods. Talalay is softer and has a more consistent feel, whereas Dunlop mattresses are firmer but less consistent.

The higher quality and durability of latex mean these tend to be the most expensive types of mattresses. Finding one under 200 dollars might prove difficult.

Pillow-Top

Pillow-top mattresses can be great for those looking for an extra layer of softness or squishiness when they sleep. A pillow top is essentially a mattress with a single layer on top of either fiber or foam that creates a pillowy and soft feel.

You might also see the term “Euro top” when searching for a pillow top mattress. This is just a type of pillow top in which the plush top layer is sewn flush with the mattress’ edges so it appears to be flatter and more a “part” of the mattress.

Learn More: Best Pillow Top Mattress

Who Should Buy These Beds?

If you’re not concerned about off-gassing and long-term use, these mattresses are a fantastic choice. They’re also ideal for a guest room, student condo, people on a budget, or people who don’t weigh very much and therefore don’t need a high level of support.

Get More Info: Our Top Rated Budget Mattresses

Shipping

Many of the foam mattresses are rolled up and compressed for easier shipping. Most mattress companies will offer free shipping, though be sure to read the fine print and make note of the total once you select your mattress. Did they tack on shipping costs? Any other hidden fees? A mattress at 200 dollars or less is more likely to include some unexpected costs.

The mattresses we reviewed above can all be ordered from Amazon, where shipping is generally free and fast, particularly for Prime members.

Be sure you are ordering a mattress manufactured within the United States (if you are in the U.S.) to avoid huge shipping costs. After all, mattresses are large and cumbersome, and the costs of shipping internationally can add up quickly.

Warranty

The benefit of many more expensive mattresses is that they come with a long, or even lifetime, warranty. Buying a mattress under 200 dollars might limit you with the type of warranty you’re able to get.
If you are on a budget, try to find a mattress with at least a 5 or 10-year warranty, if possible. (10 is the industry standard.) At this price range, you may have to pay extra for your warranty.

How To Get the Best Mattress Deal?

Look for Mattress Sales

Mattress sales happen year-round, especially if you’re shopping online. This is because online retailers have much more competition (think about how many mattresses are sold online), and they don’t have to cover the cost of brick-and-mortar stores, like rent or employee payroll. This means they can afford to slash their prices regularly.

If you’re worried about not being able to test out the bed before buying, many manufacturers offer a free trial period with the mattress, so you can return it at no cost if you don’t like it.

Holiday Sales

In addition to year-round sales, most mattress companies offer sales during federal holidays. Look out for sales on Labor Day, Memorial Day, New Years Day, President’s Day, etc. Also, be on the lookout for extra mattress savings around Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.

Coupons

Coupons can be a great way to cut the cost of your mattress even further. The Sleep Advisor team works directly with manufacturers so that you can get a better deal. Check out this list of promo codes and coupons that we’ve put together.

Are There Any Downsides?

One of the noticeable downsides to cheaper mattresses is something called off-gassing in foam models. This is the result of the chemical compounds used in the manufacturing process, referred to as VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds. This is the same thing as “new car smell” or the odor that brand-new clothes give off. Off-gassing is temporary but can be bothersome if you’re sensitive to smells, and it may cause allergies in some people.

Another potential downside has to do with durability, which we mentioned earlier. The foam or coils won’t be as good of quality, and as a result, you might experience sagging within a few years of sleeping on it. If you are a heavier person, this effect will be more pronounced.

The final disadvantage of a cheap brand is that it might not have proper support. As we mentioned, the foam or coil can be a lower grade, and therefore, it might not have the same specific contouring and support as a premium mattress. Poor support is problematic because it can cause you to develop back pain over time.