Introduction
In the past, mattress shopping was an activity that needed through planning and budgeting. Before you could rock that new mattress, various concessions needed making, from knowing which budget expense to cut to the actual day you’d go get that new mattress and how it would be transported home.
However, a new craze has taken over, and mattress shopping today is as easy as clicking at your computer, tablet, or even smartphone. Once you settle on the option you like, it is subsequently delivered at your door within 1 – 2 business days, and that’s it. The price is also less of a barrier, as you can get a good mattress for just a couple hundred when in the past, mattresses would retail for up to thousands of dollars.
All these conveniences are certain to make your shopping experience more enjoyable when in need of a new mattress. However, you should still exercise caution and perform your due diligence. Doing so helps you determine which of the available options is worth looking at, and maybe even buying, and the ones you should disregard.
The Seven Best Mattresses under $300
Of the possible hundreds of options available, here are the top options retailing under $300 in 2020 and beyond:
1. Editor’s Pick – Classic Brands Cool Gel Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Just as the manufacture’s name suggests, the above mattress could go down as a true classic due to the many advantages it promises its users. The mattress itself is made from high-quality memory foam, which adapts to your body shape while at the same time cradling specific pressure points. The memory foam also contains hypoallergenic properties to protect the user from natural allergens such as mold, dust-mite, and bacteria. All the materials that make the mattress are also certified as safe and user-friendly by the CertiPUR program in America.
Users will also enjoy the Medium-Firm rating given to the mattress as it provides ultra-comfort to users, regardless of their sleeping position. The mattress comes with a charcoal grey and white cover that’s beautifully detailed and with a 4-way knitting pattern that complements the memory foam gorgeously to produce a classic design.
The mattress also provides a great cooling effect to its users thanks to the cooling gel-infused memory foam. This propertyhelps regulate the user’s body temperature as they sleep, in the process, helping users to have some refreshing and restful night’s sleep.
Major Features
- The memory foam is infused with cooling gel for temperature regulation.
- The mattress also comes with a beautifully designed and constructed cover.
- It is certified by the CertiPUR program for quality and durable construction.
2. Also Great – Olee Sleep 12-Inch Galaxy Hybrid Mattress
The Olee Sleep mattress comes with five layers of foam. You had that correctly; five layers!!! It packs both a layer of traditional memory foam and gel memory foam to provide superior cooling and comfort capabilities. Beneath these first two memory foam layers, you will find individually sealed coils, which help provide hold up the structure and the shape of the mattress.
The mattress also holds various certifications, including the highly-appreciated CertiPUR certification for using the highest quality, safe, and user-friendly materials available. These plus the individually cased coils help guarantee a longer lifespan making the Olee Sleep Mattress a top choice.
The design settings also make the mattress a great option for sleepers that suffer from back pains. This is due to the gel-infused memory foam that makes the mattress soft and plush while at the same time being extra supportive.
Major Features
- The mattress has 5-layers
- The top layer combines regular and gel-infused memory foam.
- The mattress is ultra-comfortable and a great option for people with back pain.
- Contains individually cased coils for added durability
3. Runner’s Up – Zinus 12-Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
The Zinus mattress option above comes with many clear-cut advantages. The product boasts CertiPur-US certification, and its design incorporates the use of biofoam for enhanced functionality. The mattress is a full, 12-inches thick, and comes with cooling gel incorporated to ensure that you get a good night’s rest while sleeping.
The mattress also comes infused with green tea extracts, which ensure the foam is refreshed even with sustained use. Being a three-layered mattress ensures dual benefits as two layers of the mattress work to deliver optimal support and comfort while the last one ensures optimal cooling. To perform their separate functions, the first two layers are built from dense and supportive memory foam. This design ensures that the top layer conforms to the body’s shape. Conversely, the final layer is designed to ensure pressure relief and ventilation, which, in effect, ensures cooling takes place.
Major Features
- The mattress is triple-layered
- It comes with a 100-night trial period.
- Also includes a 10-year warranty.
- Provides great pressure relief
4. Best Innerspring Mattress: The Ssecretland Mattress
The Ssecretland mattress has plenty of reasons why you should jump at the chance to own it. It is the best, most durable option for innerspring mattresses in its price range, thanks to its design, construction, and materials used. The mattress comes with two size options, namely, the 10-inch and the 14-inch mattresses. And the icing on top here is that both size options are adjustable to fit a variety of bed frames.
If you still have a soft-spot for mattresses with innerspring coils, consider the Ssecretland to be your ultimate prize. The mattress does not compromise on comfort, and its three layers of memory foam, on top of the mattress coils provide an overly soft and conforming texture. Each coil is individually wrapped too, which goes a long way to guarantee the mattress’s longevity even with sustained use.
Every mattress purchased also comes with a super-breathable knitted mattress cover that ensures maximum comfort and cooling. Worry not too, if you are one to stress over what materials go into making your mattress. Only materials that are eco-friendly and certified as safe are used to make the mattress, making it perfect for shoppers that mind the environment.
Major Features
- Each coil is individually wrapped for added durability.
- The mattress comes with a breathable cover.
- It is made from environmentally conscious materials.
- The mattress has a 10-year warranty.
5. Best for Allergies – Ashley Furniture 12- Inch Chime Express
Ashley’s Furniture is the proud name behind this 12-inch mattress option, and it packs a lot of positives for any user lucky to get their hands at it. The mattress is made from special memory foam that enables body contouring with its design for maximum comfort. The option is also double-layered. These two different foam layers help ensure maximum comfort to users while also minimizing disruptions from motion transfer if your partner is a restless sleeper.
However, the biggest selling point of this mattress is its hypoallergenic properties. It will be of exceptional help if you are sensitive to certain allergens thanks to the materials used in its construction. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about issues such as excess sneezing, rashes, or breathing difficulties when you use the mattress.
One downside to expect with the mattress is its relatively short warranty, which is only applicable over the first year of use. The warranty also has a shorter scope as compared to warranty options from different manufacturers.
Major Features
- The mattress is double-layered
- The mattress is hypoallergenic
- It comes with a removable cover
- Has a one year warranty
6. Most Comfortable – Iyee Nature Cooling-Gel Memory Foam Mattress Bed
This mattress option by Iylee is among the most comfortable mattress options available for under $300. It is rated medium-plush, and its construction features transition foam and memory foam. These different layers of foam help enhance the mattress’s soft, comfortable feel while also ensuring that the support is well-balanced.
The memory foam is also breathable enough to allow for continuous airflow, enabling a continuously cooled mattress for the users’ ultimate comforts. This memory foam also adopts the user’s posture and shape, thereby cradling them perfectly as they sleep. The foam boasts multiple certifications for quality construction, including the Oeko-Tex Standard and the CertiPUR certifications.
So confident is the manufacturer of the mattresses durability that they’ve included a 10-year warranty, which you can redeem for any fault that’s found and verified in the mattress. This mattress is definitely the option for you when looking for ultra-comfort for yourself, or maybe a family member.
Major Features
- The mattress is double-certified by both Oeko-Tex Standard and CertiPUR.
- It is ultra-comfortable and has been rated Medium-Plush.
- It is made of memory foam that is super-breathable
- Comes with a 10-year warranty
7. The Budget-Friendly Option – Linenspa 8
The Linenspa iefinitely the mattress for you if you are out to purchase a mattress option on a tight budget. The mattress boasts greater affordability than most standard beds available online, and its attractive price is one of the reasonswhy it is so popular with internet shoppers.
The mattress option contains a hybrid design that features a streamlined memory foam coming on top of the traditional innerspring mattress coils. While the mattress is only 8 inches thick, it is still certain to deliver enough support to your back, with the memory foam working to ensure the body’s pressure points are absorbed comfortably for a more fulfilled rest.
The mattress is classified as Medium-Firm. This rating normally works well with all types of sleepers, as it offers versatile functionality for all. The steel coils found within the mattress though tempered for durability, come connected as one unit. This design setting helps to prevent sagging of the mattress over time, thereby adding to its lifespan.
Major Features
- The mattress is 8 inches thick
- It rated as Medium-Firm, meaning it is appropriate for most types of sleepers.
- Comes with streamlined memory foam
What to Confirm When Purchasing a Mattress under $300
If you are seriously considering purchasing a mattress for under $300, then the above product options could do you some good. As the reviews show, they all pack various advantages, and it is simply a matter of confirming what features you prefer and what you cannot live without. However, the low price point means that you need to be extra careful while shopping as the producers are likely to have cut some corners to avail the product at a lower price while remaining profitable.
When about to buy a cheap mattress then, here are some of the factors that you should look into before spending your money.
a) The Materials
The materials that make your mattress should be your most important consideration. Considering the price point above, it becomes even more important to critically analyze the materials that make a mattress you fancy as cheaper things are not always worth having. As a rule-of-thumb, let the CertiPUR-US certification be your guiding light, and only consider mattress options that are appropriately tagged.
The above certification assures you that all the materials used are appropriately safe for use and meet the safety standards for emissions, durability, and quality. Accordingly, if a particular mattress brand hasn’t met this certification yet, then you might have to look elsewhere or further.
As well, querying the materials further would do you some good if you suffer from allergies. Allergens are as numerous as the stars in the sky. However, a mattress with hypoallergenic properties would tackle the problem wholesomely.
b) The Warranty
Another metric that you should consider is the product’s warranty. A key reason for this is that the mattress options in this price range might not always be built to last, and one way through this is shown is through shorter warranties. The fine-print detailing the requirements to activate a warranty is also likely to be excessive, especially with fairly longer warranties.
You shouldn’t despair, though, for there are some highly-valuable yet affordably priced options with decent warranties available. The above reviews, for instance, prove this very same thing.
When querying, the warranty requirements also look for dumb conditions that are almost impossible to meet. For instance, a condition that stipulates that any stain(s) on the mattress surface immediately voids a warranty is one example of warranties you should not take up.
c) The Durability
Mattresses within this price range are often made from lower-grade materials. The manufacturing techniques are also less precise, including reduced manufacturing and design settings. When shopping for a mattress, you are advised to examine its construction, which will greatly impact its durability. The mattress cover should be free of tears, and the stitching should be without any inconsistencies or loose strings.
A mattress with questionable durability will be visible from the word go. Inconsistencies in the stitching, mattress sagging, and use of low-quality, non-certified products.
d) The Choice Options
Finally, when choosing a mattress on a budget, it is also important that you narrow down your options. There might be a wide selection of mattress choices, promising everything from hybrid functionality, multiple layers, hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial features, to mention but a few.
However, it is nearly impossible for their price range to fulfill all these functionalities and keep the price down. Most options that promise to do so will, consequently, fail at meeting their extended functionality or do so poorly, much to your expense. Rather than suffer through all this, wouldn’t it be possible to go with a mattress option that promises less but delivers on the same?
When should you consider purchasing a mattress for this Price Range?
There are different reasons why people go in search of a mattress for under $300. One of the primary reasons for making such a purchase is being on a tight budget, for at the above price, you will receive a good enough option while saving some bucks.
Secondly, the bed is recommended if you are looking for a temporary option to help accommodate guests’ surge. The mattress could also be a suitable option for a guest bedroom if you are not looking to spend lavishly on a mattress. While its use long-term is likely be questionable, it could still offer some much-needed reprieve in the short-term.
Regardless of the specific use, you are getting the mattress for, be sure to take your time and due diligence. This action will help you make a better-informed choice that you can enjoy for a prolonged period.
Steps to Choosing the Right Mattress when Shopping on a Budget
Choosing a mattress can be a tedious process. When working with a budget under $300, the odds get even more stacked against you that you will walk home with a worthwhile option. There’s also the little headache of how to dispose of the mattress it will be displacing at home and determining how the new mattress will reach your home. The important factors to consider do not end there either, as you’ll also have to look into the following:
- The mattress lifespan and durability
- Its price and whether it is within your budget range
- Your sleeping position
- The sleeper’s weight.
It could be difficult to shop for a mattress within this price range, given that insufficiently considering any of the above factors immediately leaves you at risk of getting a sub-standard product. To help you avoid this, though, we have compiled the steps to take to ensure nothing is overlooked with your shopping experience. As such, have a look at the steps below before you spend your hard-earned cash.
Step One: Confirm that you need a new mattress.
Investing in a new bed is no small feat, and it typically sets one back more than a few bucks. Considering the size of the money being put in, it is only appropriate to consider whether you need one.
Your first move to determine whether your mattress needs replacing is the exact age of the mattress being replaced. A mattress typically lasts some seven to eight years, with the latest ones stretching this lifespan for up to 10 years. It would be uneconomical to replace the mattress every few years, given this metric. Instead, query the materials used, their quality, and level of support. You’ll notice that it’s too old and worn out if using it leads you to be sore and groggy in the morning.
And to further help your decision-making process, why not consider the average lifespan for different mattress options. Hybrid, latex, and memory foam mattresses typically give the longest lifespan, remaining useful for an average of 10 years. Innerspring mattresses offer the firmest surface, but their lifespan averages some seven years, give or take. While its use can still be stretched to 10 years, the mattress will have reduced support capabilities following the loss of tension in the springs. Waterbed and air mattresses also give seven years of service at best, but this is only attained with options that are made from high-quality and durable materials.
Step Two: Set your Budget
There is every likelihood that you could spend over $2000 on a mattress and only benefit from it for a couple of months, same as you can spend a few hundred and get multiple years of service with a mattress. Accordingly, it is important to determine your budget before reviewing the options within the said price range.
Going into a mattress store (if they exist anymore) and simply buying the lushest and expensive option won’t cut it. Luckily for you, too, there are numerous online options for you to review and query before you make a selection. Often, purchasing the mattress online is also way cheaper as compared to visiting your local mattress store. Stores have been known to mark up the price by up to 1000%, while a significant discount is never too far out of reach when you shop for your mattress online.
Step Three: Determine the Type of Mattress you want and the Material.
This step will largely hinge on your personal preferences as some people would rather have a ‘springy’ mattress while others prefer foam. Latex mattresses have also grown increasingly popular in recent years due to some very invaluable features. However, never take someone’s word for it when they go all out, claiming one mattress type is the best. Instead, let’s query the main mattress options to help you determine which one is best for you:
a) Latex
These mattresses are best known for delivering fantastic cooling while also remaining super comfortable. Latex options are also just as responsive as memory foam, and will quickly bounce back. Genuine latex products also deliver a mattress free of the factory odors that memory products are known for and instead comes with a natural feel and smell.
If good cooling and breathability is something you particularly want with your mattress, then getting a latex mattress is your best bet. Be advised, though, that some mattresses in this category are made from synthetic latex, while others feature natural latex. Synthetic latex is more readily available and more affordable, while natural latex is rarer and expensive.
b) Innerspring (Coils) Mattress
This option is one of the most traditional mattresses that have been available for years. While innovations in mattress foam and sleeping surfaces have made innerspring mattresses drop significant popularity points, they still deliver amazing benefits time and again. Firstly, innerspring mattresses are often among the most price-friendly options available. The mattress is also among the most trusted by users as it is the most recognizable. You are more likely to purchase innerspring mattresses if you slept on one as a kid, and its firmness and durability, throughout your childhood is something you still remember.
The mattress design also works to help guarantee a cooler night, as the innerspring come with generous amounts of space in between them to facilitate greater circulation of air. What’s more, the springs being metallic also act as heat conductors, further enabling the body’s cooling.
c) Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is the most popular mattress option in the market today. It offers high comfort levels to its users, but the one unique advantage offered by memory foam mattresses is that it conforms to the sleeper’s body when pressed. Its name is derived from its ability to retain your body’s shape ‘in memory,’ making it perfect for your body type and yours alone.
Memory foam also boasts another advantage in its ability to absorb pressure and isolate motion. This feature makes it perfect if you sleep next to a overly restless partner as their many movements are absorbed almost entirely by the mattress.
The memory foam mattress is best for people who want to benefit from contouring of their body and enjoy some superior support and/or pressure relief.
d) Hybrid Mattress
Hybrid mattresses combine all the benefits of memory foam with those of a traditional innerspring mattress to give you the best of both worlds. Accordingly, the mattress can offer you contouring and reduce motion transfer while at the same time delivering superior support that only a coil mattress can deliver.
When shopping for a hybrid mattress, the sweet spot falls within 3-inches of foam or thereabout. Any thicker, and you will derive fewer benefits from the springs, and you might as well have saved some money by purchasing a memory foam mattress instead.
The mattress is best for people that want a little of everything and can afford it too. It is best for good, solid support while still delivering great cooling and pressure relief.
Step 4: Determine your Default Sleeping Position and Mattress Firmness
Do you even know your default sleeping position? The answer can help you get a mattress option that better aligns with your sleeping habits. The sleeping position can help determine the appropriate level of firmness that will offer you the best firmness level.
Stomach and back sleepers normally require higher firmness levels, and a medium-firm, to very-firm mattress rating, is often appropriate for their needs. Conversely, side sleepers’ benefit from a less firm mattress surface, and a medium-firmness rating is appropriate.
Step 5: Consider Your Weight Rating
The mattress you choose is supposed to bear your total weight, and maybe that of your partner for 8 – 10 hours every day. Accordingly, knowing your average weight would help you determine the mattress that’s right for you and ensure that its integrity is maintained throughout its use.
When mattress shopping, anything under 150 pounds is considered light. 150 – 200 pounds is average, and over 200 pounds is considered heavy. While light sleepers can be best served by plush and soft mattress options, people of average weight are best supported by a firmer mattress within the 3 – 5 firmness range. Any weight above 200 would require additional firmness, and it might be best to consider a coil mattress. Alternatively, you could opt for a thicker mattress within the range of 10 – 12 inches to ensure sustained use.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. If you have made it this far, then you are certainly better placed to purchase your next mattress. The products reviewed also evidence enough that worthwhile but affordable options exist that fit the above budget. Ensure that you get a mattress deal that’s right for you then, for all the information you need is in your hands. Getting the mattress online will also open up other advantages to you, such as delivery to your doorstep and attractive discounts that are unlikely when the mattress is purchased at a physical store.
So, confirm the steps one more time, and review the products above too. Determine which one is best for you and if it’s time, go for it. If the choice is as spot-on as we suspect it will be, then you will have a worthwhile mattress to last you for at least half a decade.
