What are The Cheapest Mattresses?

Are you mattress shopping on a budget? Do you wince when you see the price tag at most mattress stores? Finding a good mattress that is also affordable on a small budget is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Too low quality, and your body will not be adequately supported, causing you unnecessary pain. Too high of a price point can break your budget and lead to buyer’s remorse. How can you know what the best deal for your price point is?

Thankfully here at Furniture Fair, we have experts in our mattress department that we worked with to find some of the cheapest mattresses for you. We’ve sold beds for over 50 years, so we know how to get the lowest price bed near you.

This article will cover the cheapest mattresses by type and size and cover the most affordable methods to shop for them. After reading, you will have a better idea of what you want to shop for and how much it should cost.

There are multiple types of cheap mattresses available to choose between. Keep in mind that you may not get many features available in higher-end mattresses like mattress firmness levels, gel-infused memory foam, edge supports, or hybrid mattresses. Here are the four most affordable kinds of mattresses.

Air mattresses cost between $15 - $100, depending on the size and quality you choose.Air mattresses are inflatable mattresses that use a cushion of air to support the sleeper. The bed uses an air pump to provide an inflated cushion of air.

Due to the limited amount of materials needed to create one, air mattresses tend to be the cheapest option for a bed.

The lack of solid material makes air mattresses easy to fold and store when not in use. The compactible design makes air beds ideal for extra guests visiting or for camping situations!

As long as you have an air pump, you have a mattress. Many newer air mattresses have the pump built-in, so you only need to plug them in and turn them on!

The downside of air mattresses is that they tend not to support the body and regular beds do. The other problem air mattresses have is that they can puncture easily, and depending on the size of the hole, theycan be challenging to repair.

If you are looking for a temporary cheap bed that can be packed away when not in use, or one that travels quickly, then an air mattress is the way to go.

The cheapest memory foam mattresses cost between $100 - $300, depending on the size you choose. Memory foam beds are designed to keep spines aligned and pressure points free of aches and pains.

If you are looking for a cheaper mattress that is a bit more traditional than an air or folding bed, memory foam offers a standard mattress appeal while also being more affordable. You may even find mattress firmness options ranging from soft, medium, and firm.

Memory foam was developed for NASA’s space program during the 1970s and has had many commercial applications. The original design, which was used to help cushion pilots during crashes or turbulence, has hadmany alterations since then.

Today, brands like Tempur-Pedic, Tuft & Needle, Nectar, Sleep Number, and many more offer mattress at varying prices with some featuring trial periods and even shipping directly to your front door.

While different types of memory foam (such as open-cell, gel-infused, and even plant-based versions) are used in higher-end mattresses, basic memory foam models are easier to manufacture and use fewer materials, meaning a lower purchase price for you. Larger models tend to run higher in price but will last much longer than an air mattress will.

If you need a cheap mattress that will give you a good five years of use, consider purchasing a memory foam mattress. Memory foam mattresses are great for college students on a budget or for someone who is just starting in a new apartment!

Folding or roll-up mattresses cost between $50 - $100 depending on the size you choose.

These types of mattresses are another portable option to consider. If you have guests staying over and you need an extra sleeping space, a folding or roll-up bed can provide a sleeping area while maintaining a low profile when not in use.

The potential drawbacks to these types of mattresses are that they tend to be thinner and less supportive. This type of bed is best used as a quick solution to a camping situation or a visiting friend. These mattresses are not meant to be long-term solutions.

If you are the type of person who often has friends that visit for the weekend or on holidays, this mattress type could be the solution you need.

The cheapest innerspring mattresses cost between $80 - $200, depending on the size you choose and whether or not you get a box spring.

Innerspring mattresses use coil springs to create a supportive frame that is covered by quilted mattress fabric. Innerspring mattresses are the most common type of bed and have been around for a long time.

The potential downside to buying an innerspring mattress at this price point is that they may be made from lower-cost materials, such as thinner, less densely arranged springs or cheap lumpy filling, and therefore less likely to last as long as a higher-priced mattress would last.

If you are looking for a long-term solution, consider spending a bit more.If you are looking for a solution that will last you for a good five years, then an innerspring mattress is an excellent option for you!

Cheap mattresses come in four primary sizes, and each larger size will add to the price. Depending on what you need, you may want to consider different sizes to help you get the cheapest option.

The cheapest twin mattresses usually cost between $50 - $150 depending on what type and material you get.

The cheapest standard size mattress you can buy is a twin mattress. Twin and Twin XL mattresses are 38” x 75”- 79.5" and are designed to fit one person.

Twin mattresses are perfect for children and will fit most children's bed designs. Twin mattresses are the most compact of the mattress sizes and are a convenient size for storage when not in use.

A potential downside to buying a twin mattress is that if you happen to be on the taller side (anyone over 6’) twin mattresses may not fit your frame comfortably. Keep in mind the size of the person you are shopping for when making a purchase decision.

If you need a mattress for one person that is compact and easy to bring out of storage when needed, a twin mattress is your go-to size.

The cheapestfull mattresses usually cost between $50 - $200, depending on what type and material you get.

Full mattresses are the perfect mattresses to use in a guest room. Full beds are 53” x 75” and fit two people. Not quite as hefty as a queen mattress, the full mattress allows for convenient moving depending on what type of mattress you purchase.

The only downside to a full mattress is that it is the smallest two-person mattress, and if you and your partner like having room to adjust or rollover, a full bed will be less-than-ideal.

However, if compact size and two-person capacity is your primary goal, this size is perfect for you.

The cheapest queen mattresses usually cost between $150 - $300, depending on what type and material you get.

The queen mattress is one of the most commonly used beds today in the US and Canada and is useful for guest rooms or master bedrooms. Large enough to comfortably fit two people, the queen mattress is 60” x 80”, giving enough flexibility for multiple uses.

If you need a mattress that stores easily or that can fit in a small space, the queen size may not be your best option. Queen-size mattresses use a significant amount of floor space and can get in the way of your day-to-day activity when not in use.

The Queen mattress is an excellent option if you have guests who don’t mind sharing a bed and if you have space to put the bed. However, a queen-size mattress will be pricier than some of the previous options.

The cheapest king mattresses usually cost between $200 - $400, depending on what type and material you get.

King mattresses are sized for comfort. King mattresses are 76” x 80” and fit two people with room to spare. They also come in California King, 72” x 84”, although this size will most likely not be in the cheaper budget range.

King mattresses are ideal for the master bedroom, with lots of room for couples to sleep in the positions where they are the most comfortable.

The biggest downside of a king mattress is just that: its size. Large beds won’t fit in small spaces and can be hard to maneuver around if you have a one-bedroom apartment. Another downside is that, as cheap as it is, king mattresses are the most expensive option for budget mattresses.

If you are looking to get the largest mattress for cheap, then shopping for a king mattress may be the best option for you.

Now that the materials, size options, and pricing have been laid out, what are the cheapest ways to get a mattress?

Buying a used mattress is an option that you can consider. Places like Goodwill, thrift stores, and Habitat for Humanity sometimes have beds for low prices.

While this is an option, second-hand mattresses can have many potential issues, such as insect infestation, germs, mold, smells, and stains. There is no real way to know where the mattress has been, and buying used can be a dangerous game.

However, if you are confident in the mattress condition, buying second-hand can save you the high cost of a new mattress.

Sometimes getting a little help from friends can save you money. Mattresses are no different. When looking for a bed, check with your friends and see if they have second-hand mattresses that they are willing to sell or give to you.

Buying from friends makes it a bit easier to know where the mattress has been and how much use you can expect to get out of it. The downside is that it is used, but the upside is that you will save money.

Compare prices online to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. Make sure if you order online that you factor in any potential shipping costs. This may or may not be a factor depending on what type of mattress you get.

Many memory foam mattresses come compressed in a box, allowing for lower shipping fees and no giant bulky mattress showing up at your door.

When manufacturers stop making a particular product, companies will move that product into closeouts to help make room for the new product.

That’s good news for anyone looking to pay less, closeouts are typically priced to sell, and that means significant savings for the customer.

Floor models are usually used to let the customer test out the mattress before buying. Since it is no longer technically new after this process, the stores often sell floor models at a discount.

Buying a mattress isn’t easy, and finding a cheap one is even harder. Now that we’ve laid out the cheapest options and sizes, you can shop with confidence.

If you’re in the Cincinnati, Dayton, or Louisville area, be sure to check out Furniture Fair, in-store or online for a complete selection of Mattresses at a wide range of prices!

If you interested in the how much a mattress costs, check out this article on mattress cost!If you’re curious about what affordable twin, queen, and king Memory foam or innerspring mattresses might be right for you,
check us out!

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