← Back to portfolio
Published on

Best Cheap Mattresses (2020)


Knowing the best cheap mattresses around will save you money and rest. However, it can become a problem for many to find a reasonably-priced mattress when something this big (and awkward to carry home) is usually associated with carrying a high cost. Plus, finding an affordable but not cheap mattress can be a challenge.

But we're here to tell you that a good night's rest doesn't have to be an expensive experience.

We’ve rounded up the seven best cheap mattresses in 2020 in Australia, plus compiled a buyer’s guide to help you find an affordable mattress that meets your needs. Read on to learn more.

What Constitutes a “Cheap” Mattress?

77% of the Australian population is not getting enough sleep, with the top reason being stress about finances. (1) So, imagine going to bed with more peace of mind after knowing you saved as much money as possible for your new mattress. But what exactly constitutes "cheap"?

Compared with mattress categories for mid-range and luxury, we found that budget mattresses have a price range from roughly around $250 and up to $1000. The average price for a queen-size tends to be about $600 and about $400 for a single. (2) Therefore, in this article, we define cheap as any mattress that runs up to $650 at most.

Top-Rated Cheap Mattress Reviews

Let’s get to bouncing and testing! Below are the seven best cheap mattresses, starting with the best overall...

#1 Osteo Support Mattress (Best Overall)

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Single, King Single, Double, Queen
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Thickness: 5 cm
  • Warranty: 5 years

"Zzzz" like never before with the best in our class: the Osteo Support mattress. Overall, it is the best because we examined this premium mattress to simultaneously secure all frugal sleepers' needs - price, style, and comfort.

Interwoven with high-end fabric to form a luxurious quilted design and finished off with a 50mm plush exterior, imagine yourself falling back on thousands of light, fluffy feathers! At the very core, there is a 3-zone durable system engineered for pressure relief to support every groan and ache in your body. Premium latex material is also incorporated to ward off the mites and dust, providing you with peaceful nights.

#2 eLiving Furniture Deep Dream Premium (Best Budget Mattress Australia)

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: King Single, Double, Queen, King
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Thickness: 34 cm
  • Warranty: 20 years

Can you imagine yourself being carried by doves, while sleeping in the clouds? While that may be a bit strong, that's essentially how we felt when we reviewed the Deep Dream Premium mattress, which provides quality comfort at reasonable prices for budget shoppers.

This mattress gives you a fair trade-off between the price and comfort because you get all the body support you need with its 5-zone layered system. Therefore, it is strong at heart and soft on the outside due to its organic cotton topping, which helps minimize allergies and add extra softness. The internal coils have been fine-tuned to ensure adequate firmness, and cool gel-infused memory foam helps retain proper airflow.

#3 Giselle Bedding Mattress Premium Bed Pocket Spring (Best Cheapest Mattress/Cheapest Queen Mattress)

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Double, Queen, King single, King
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Thickness: 34cm
  • Warranty: 15 years

If this seller's advertising doesn't get you in bed, then we don't know what will! Giselle Bedding is one of the trusted sleep brands on the market with 25 years in the making, and while they ensure premium results, they ask for it all at desirable, budget-friendly prices. Therefore, we awarded their premium pocket-spring mattress as the cheapest choice (but still good!) among our picks.

Its superior craftsmanship includes layers of high-density foam combined with coiled springs for a guaranteed healthy sleep. Its egg-shaped foam-surface is unique in design compared to our other picks. The design promotes a 360-degree cool airflow around your body. On top of that, non-woven Belgium-quality fabric provides resistance against bacteria while allowing the mattress's durability to withstand the test of time.

#4 eLiving Furniture Deep Dream Green Tea Mattress (Best Affordable Mattress for Sensitive Sleepers)

Specs:

  • Sizes Available:
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Thickness: 36 cm
  • Warranty: 20 years

The green-tea-infused premium mattress by Deep Dream sounds soothing and healthy, eh? We thought so, too, so we awarded it as the best affordable mattress for sensitive sleepers or those with frequent allergies.

The hypoallergenic properties keep the mattress fresh or odorless, away from bacteria, dust mites, and moisture. For adults and children alike, the built-in 5-zone layered system provides an overall medium-level firmness. Also, as you probably know, Australian heat is typically hard to beat. So, you can count on the mattress doing all the cooling for you with its great ventilated design to enhance airflow. Overall, a heavenly platform for sweatless, comfy nights at an insanely low price..

#5 Noa The Lite Mattress (Best Affordable Mattress for all Sleep Styles)

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King
  • Firmness: High
  • Thickness: 25 cm
  • Warranty: 15 years

The Lite model by the beloved Australian home brand, Noa, has been designed to be purely functional and simple. We believe this mattress gets the job done but with high standards and without a premium price tag. Whether you rely on your back, stomach, or side, it is welcoming to all sleep styles because of its hybrid construction. Various layers inside, including memory foam and springs, work together to transfer heat away from your body, deliver subtle bounce, and minimize motion transfer. Overall, the Noa Lite mattress is within all budget expectations and can be ideal for young adults moving into a new city, for example, or modern couples.

#6 Zinus iCoil Mattress

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Single, Double, Queen, King
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Thickness: 30 cm
  • Warranty:10 years

The iCoil Pocket Spring mattress by Zinus is one of the most affordable mattresses out there. Zinus is a high-quality furniture brand in the Aussie market and is quite customer-centric. This model here contains layers of high-density foam combined with patented firm technology to outline your whole body shape and support it from head to toe.

On top of that, its unique BioFoam properties include natural seed oil to replace any harmful additives for a healthy and organic breath of air. Rated highly, we think this mattress is ideal for anyone with significant back pains or who enjoys active sellers on Amazon where customer reviews tend to be highly detailed and honest.

#7 Bed n Dreams Englander Montana

Specs:

  • Sizes Available: Single, King Single, Double, Queen
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Thickness: Unknown
  • Warranty: 5 years

Since 1894, the Englander brand has been granting thousands of sleepers with the best nights. So, there's no doubt that its Montana model's plush mattress will leave you in a serene coma you wouldn't want to wake up from. With a 3-zone pocket spring system, including supportive memory foam, you'll get just enough sleep.

However, we should note that online reviews for this model is limited and the warranty is relatively less. Nevertheless, the mattress remains within a reasonable budget range for any prospective mattress buyer, especially those who tend to trust more in long-established brands.

Buyer's Guide

When setting out to find an affordable mattress, there are several things to consider before buying.

Expectations of Your Budget Range

To help you align your expectations more realistically and avoid surprises, we included a few things to consider when you go under a particular price mark. They include:

  • Under $1000: You're in the broadest range for the budget-mattress category. You definitely can find the best of both worlds here - quality comfort without the premium price tag. Online mattress retailers offer just about the same premium quality as brick-and-mortar stores but at about half the offline price. The reason being is the middleman is cut out.
  • Under $500: This mid-level mark is our recommended spot. It's reasonable with most online sellers averaging in at this price range (queen).
  • Under $300: Although still possible, the chances of finding a completely new mattress under this mark are less likely. You're also likely to see more mattresses in a "used" or "like new" condition for under this price.
  • Under $200: You can expect to find more second-hand mattress options or particular types (i.e., camping) in this low price range. However, do expect that foam, springs, fabric, and more are significantly lower quality.

“Never sacrifice comfort for price. Your sleep hygiene is the place to start for promoting a healthier lifestyle.” - Dr. David Cunnington, Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre

Finding the right size for all your needs is also essential and can impact the price. Start by familiarizing yourself with the Australian standard mattresses sizes. For example, the queen size, being the most popular order among adults, is 153 x 204 cm. (3)

The smaller the mattress size, the lower the price will be, but size does matter.

Choosing the Right Firmness of Your Cheap Mattress

The comfort level of your sleeping surface is your mattress firmness. Many modern mattresses are built using various layers of foam material, which altogether contribute to the overall feeling - or firmness - of the mattress. Notably, the concept of mattress firmness should not be confused with mattress (foam) density, which are both related but not the same thing. (4)

This is important because studies have revealed that those who feel there is a medium level of firmness are more likely to experience higher sleep quality. (5) So, we recommend your next mattress to be a score of six on the firmness-scale.

“Your body requires a stable, supportive sleep solution to allow you to maintain a natural, optimal posture while you are sleeping.” - Australian Sleep Association

Think Long-Term When Buying a Cheap Mattress

Beyond the price tag, it is essential to check the manufacturer’s legal terms or the fine prints before you buy a cheaper priced mattress. Consider the following to get the most long-term value:

  • Sleep-Trials: Make the most out of your trial period when you test a new mattress in your real everyday environment.
  • Refund Policy: Think about comforting your mind, not just your body, by clarifying on getting your money back if you are not satisfied.
  • Warranty: A warranty helps protect against future damages or sagging of your mattress, especially for a cheap deal. Most quality brands have got you covered for more than 20 years!

Make the most out of your mattress trial period, or your “cheap” mattress will only cost you.

Verdict

There we have it, fellow cuddlers and dreamers! We reviewed the seven best affordable mattresses by trusted Australian brands. The Osteo Support is rated the best overall, with the Deep Dream premium mattress as a runner-up for the best budget mattress. Following this, we awarded the Giselle Bedding model as the cheapest (queen) out of our picks.

FAQs for Finding Cheap Mattresses

Have more questions about finding the best cheap mattress Australia? Read on for all the answers.

What are the expected risks of buying a cheaply priced mattress?

Buying a cheap mattress because you feel it may save you money may ultimately hurt your wallet and health. Here are some main risks to expect with a low-cost mattress:

  1. Off-gassing: An odor or distinct scent caused when your new mattress unfolds from its tightly-sealed packaging and certain chemicals are released, causing that "new smell.” (6)
  2. Mattress sagging: Usually, with low-cost mattresses, the density of the supportive foam material tends to be lower. Since this means it is less durable, more air pockets lead to sagging over time. (7)
  3. Wear and tear: A cheap mattress can mean a downgrade in material quality.

Which mattress types are affordable?

The most budget-friendly is memory foam type regarding different mattress types (innerspring, memory foam, latex, hybrid). In contrast, all-natural latex is the priciest mattress material.

Who should consider a cheap mattress?

Parents with young children may consider a cheap mattress since kids hit a rapid growth spurt during their teen years, making replacing easier. Also, college students can consider a cheap mattress since they tend to use their dorm room seasonally. Lastly, it is ideal for your guest bedroom if you're looking to fill up the interior void and know someone isn't occupying the bed every night.


References


  1. Sealy Sleep Survey Results 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.sealy.com.au/sleep... much does a mattress cost? Retrieved from: https://www.sleepfoundation.or... Bed Sizes & Mattress Dimensions | A Quick Guide. Retrieved from: https://www.standardbedsizes.c... is Foam Density Measured? | Sleep Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.sleepfoundation.or... of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh... Mattress Off-Gassing: How long will the smell last? | Molekule Science. Retrieved from: https://molekule.science/new-m... to fix a sagging mattress | Sleep Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.sleepfoundation.or... Description

    Want to save money, time, and sleep? Learn about the seven best cheap mattresses of 2020 in Australia and how to choose one without sacrificing your comfort or health.Post Excerpt

    Post Excerpt

    This article rounds up the seven best cheap mattresses of 2020 in Australia, including what to consider before buying and FAQs for any related concerns.