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The most comfortable option isn't always the most expensive!

Searching for the best budget mattress may seem like an impossible task since most of the well-known ones are priced in the thousands, but rest assured, there are cozy and affordable options out there. We’re here to debunk any myths about price correlating to comfort because the best products aren't necessarily the most expensive. So if you’re not looking to feel guilty about how much you spend on your new bed, worry not.

When it comes to finding what's right for you, start with your preferred firmness level. Remember, even the least expensive one won’t lose its firmness with wear, so don’t opt for one that’s too firm for you hoping it'll soften up over time. As far as material goes, most mattresses—including the super pricey ones—incorporate some sort of foam to absorb movement and maximize comfort, but be cautious when choosing the type of foam because there are various possibilities including memory and cooling. If you’re a hot sleeper, for instance, you'll likely prefer a cooling gel-based foam over standard memory foam.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of things to consider before making your final decision, let us help you out. We’ve scoured the Internet for top picks that don’t skimp on comfort or quality. So give your back (and wallet) a rest and check out some of our favorite affordable mattresses. After all, we spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping, so why not make our beds as dreamy as possible?

Amazon to the rescue! If your move-in date snuck up on you and you’re in need of a good mattress fast, consider Linenspa. As its name implies, it’s made of two different materials: eight-inch memory foam and traditional springs. If you don’t believe us, believe the 4.5-star rating, an average of the nearly 130,000 reviews.

Nectar’s memory foam mattress, which keeps you cool, too, comes with a 365-day home trial period, so you can snooze on this bed for an entire year before deciding whether or not it’s the perfect fit for you. But because it’s designed to mimic a cloud, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to return it. Think five layers of heavenly comfort, starting with a shift-resistant lower cover and, on top, a quilted cooling cover.

Even the non-mattress experts have likely heard of Serta, one of the most renowned brands on the market. Its super-affordable EZ Tote mattress is one of the bestsellers, with many reviews awarding it five stars. It features a medium firmness level and two layers (one for cooling and the other for comfort), it’s easy to understand why buyers are singing the EZ Tote’s praises.

Compared to other brands, Leesa is one of the newer kids on the block, but its universally beloved mattresses have put the company on the map. Our favorite Leesa find? The Studio mattress, which boasts pressure-relieving support with its responsive memory foam. Did we mention it’s on sale for $100 off?

Launched in 2012, Tuft & Needle knows how to put its customers to sleep—especially with its original mattress, which is still one of the brand’s bestsellers. It’s not your typical foam mattress. The original is made with three plush inches of Tuft & Needle’s patented foam blend, which is infused with heat-conducting graphite and cooling gel so that you’re never too hot or cold.

There aren’t a lot of high-quality mattresses for less than $550, but Allswell is one of few. Beneath the namesake mattress’s signature quilting is a set of individually wrapped coils to minimize movement transfer so that your partner won’t feel it even if you toss and turn. Plus, on top of the coils is a layer of charcoal- and gel-infused memory foam that absorbs and dispels heat. Yes, this mattress does it all!

Like Serta, Sealy is a well-known and loved brand with an impressive collection of budget mattresses on offer. Our favorite? The $324 mattress with eight inches of gel memory foam. This particular bed typically goes for nearly $800, but it’s on sale for more than 50% off, so don’t sleep on this deal.

Some of the most popular mattresses are from Casper, so it comes as no surprise that Element is backed by 2,700 five-star reviews. It may be one of the brand’s more basic mattresses, but it does more than your average bed. For starters, its memory foam finds the perfect balance between softness and support. Secondly, its AirScape layer makes the whole bed supremely breathable, so unless you’re buried beneath a mountain of blankets, you won’t feel hot in the Element.

Unpopular opinion: The original is usually the best. Such is certainly the case for Bear, whose original mattress is non-toxic, and certified clean. Plus, now you can choose between the all-foam and the hybrid models, making this a genuinely non-regrettable purchase. The main difference between the two is the fourth layer. In the all-foam mattress, it’s a high-density support foam, and in the hybrid, it’s individually encased coils.

Shopping Bonus: Customers can enjoy two free cloud pillows or the complete Bear Sleep Bundle (pillows, sheet set, and mattress protector) for only $75 with each mattress purchase.

One of Zinus’s bestsellers is the Winter Cloud memory foam mattress, but it’s ideal for all seasons—no matter the temperature. It consists of multiple layers of cooling gel-infused memory foam that is literally cool-to-the-touch. Hot sleepers, rejoice. As for the cloud-like element, the super-plush microfiber top completely eliminates the need for a mattress topper.

Gel memory foam is having a moment, and the Wayfair Sleep 12-inch mattress is just one of many top-rated options available. Because it’s a bit on the firmer side, it may not be for everyone, but if you have any lingering lower back pain, the Wayfair Sleep is for you. Plus, it’s made of not one but two kinds of foam to keep you comfortable and cool all night.

Like anything else in your home, the amount of money you spend on your mattress is totally up to you. That said, there are items worth investing in and others that aren't. Because feeling comfortable in bed is paramount, your mattress should fall into the former category as opposed to the latter.

Mattresses don't have to cost an arm and a leg to be comfortable. Even if it's only a couple hundred dollars, a budget-friendly mattress can be a great fit for you and your sleep needs.

Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful's Associate Shopping Editor. She tested out more mattresses than she'd like to admit before making her final decision and buying one. (And it was less than $1,000!)