Updated May 30,2023
When it comes to selecting a new mattress, you may be wondering: “What’s the best latex mattress under $500?” The answer to this question will depend on a few factors, including the size of your bed, your preferences, and your budget. You should consider buying a twin-sized mattress, which is the most common size for twin-sized beds. If you want a California king-sized mattress, you’ll need to choose one that is larger than twin.
While comfort level and price are the most important factors, the best latex mattress under $500 should also have other benefits that are important to you. These benefits can range from a better night’s sleep to reduced back and neck pain. You’ll find many good quality mattresses under $500, including memory foam and foundation box springs. Buying one of these mattresses is a smart way to afford a high-quality mattress and enjoy essential comfort and luxury without breaking the bank.
Best Latex Mattress Under 500:Many bed-in-a-box mattresses are shipped for free. This is a common industry standard, especially for mattresses priced below $500. Just be aware that this free shipping option may not be available for all areas. Some mattress companies and third-party retailers do not ship to Alaska and Hawaii, which are not part of the contiguous U.S. Most mattresses come with free shipping, but the price difference is considerable. You should also remember that most online retailers are happy to accept returns, and the cost of returning a mattress can be offset by the money saved on shipping.
Best Latex Mattress Under 500
The Best Latex Mattress Under $500 is an ideal option for those who want a natural latex mattress but do not want to spend too much money. This type of mattress is considered the best option for kids, teens, and college students and is ideal for couples as well. It consists of two layers, a latex foam layer that provides pressure relief and is soft to the touch, and a high-quality coil system that offers great support and durability.
While natural latex is the best choice, there are some downsides to synthetic latex. The synthetic type contains potentially harmful chemicals and does not last as long as a natural latex mattress. Rather than spending a lot of money on a mattress that may last only a few years, you may be better off with a memory foam model instead. If you cannot afford a natural latex mattress, you may have to settle for a hybrid, or a blended version that contains natural and synthetic latex.
Another popular option for an affordable latex mattress is the Classic Brands Green Tea Mattress. It features four layers of foam with a polyester cover. The mattress is available in 6″, 8″, and 10″ sizes. The comfort 3″ memory foam layer is the most popular choice among reviewers. The transition 2″ poly foam layer is the next best option, while the base poly foam layer provides the support. The Zinus Green Tea mattress has a breathable cover and is also available in six-inch, eight-inch, and 10-inch versions.
Buying a high-quality mattress to get better sleep doesn’t have to break the bank. If you need a new mattress but aren’t in the position to spend a fortune, you can find a budget-friendly bed compatible with your sleep needs by doing a little bit of research. When shopping on a budget, your best bet is to buy online, because online mattress brands can cut costs by selling direct-to-consumer.
In this guide, we’ll talk about our five favorite inexpensive mattresses on the market right now. Then, we’ll discuss the key things to consider when buying the best mattress under $500 to help your investment go even further.
Best Mattress Under $500
| MODEL | HEIGHT | SLEEP TRIAL | WARRANTY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoma Start | 10″ | 100 Nights | 10 Years | BUY NOW |
| Dynasty Mattress Cool Breeze 12-inch | 12″ | 120 Nights | 30 Years | BUY NOW |
| Zinus 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress | 12″ | 100 Nights | 10 Years | BUY NOW |
| Lucid 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress | 10″ | 30 Nights | 10 Years | BUY NOW |
| Classic Brands Mercer 12-inch Hybrid | 12″ | None | 10 Years | BUY NOW |
| Live and Sleep Classic Mattress | 10″ | 30 Nights | 20 Years | BUY NOW |
The best inexpensive mattress to one person may not be the most fitting option for somebody else, as everybody has unique sleep needs. Before diving into your search, it’s smart to stop and think about what you specifically are looking for in a mattress. Do you want a soft or firm bed? Do you prefer a memory foam “cradling” feel from your bed, or are you better suited on a bouncier hybrid mattress?
Also, think about your sleep style and how you feel in the morning. Are you a side sleeper with chronic hip pain, or are you a back sleeper that doesn’t experience any discomfort in the morning? Knowing what you need from a bed helps you quickly eliminate those that aren’t a fit, and fast-track you towards the most suitable bed to improve your sleep.
1. Zoma Start
Our top recommendation for a mattress under $500 would have to be the Zoma Start. Zoma has built itself up as a mattress company focused on improving sleep for better daily performance. While they market their mattresses primarily toward athletes, anyone can benefit from sleeping on a Zoma mattress.
The Zoma Start has a compact profile and a medium to medium-firm feel. It stands at 10 inches tall. Three foams make up the Zoma Start, all wrapped in a breathable AirCloth cover.
The first layer is an inch of gel memory foam. Infusing memory foam creates a cool material that wicks away absorbed body heat. Even as the gel memory foam hugs your body throughout the night, it will remain cool to the touch. Plus, the memory foam relieves the pressure points responsible for morning aches and pains.
The second layer is an inch of Reactiv™ material, a transition foam that creates a “smoother” feel. The bounce from this layer establishes an “on top of the bed” feel, limiting how much you can sink into the mattress. Without a transition foam like Reactiv™, you would be much more likely to misalign your spine and wake up with back pain.
The third layer is 8 inches of Support+ foam, a durable material. Support+ is a major part of the mattress’s comfort, preventing sagging that can leave you stiff and sore in the morning.
The Zoma Start is backed by a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
ZOMA START
- Conforming gel-infused memory foam for pressure relief
- Latex-like transition foam establishes an adaptable feel
- Durable base foam promotes mattress longevity
Current Promotion
$150 Off All Mattresses
Other Top-Rated Mattresses Under $500
In the next section, we’ll be discussing our four other recommended beds for those shopping on a budget.
2. Dynasty Mattress Cool Breeze 12-inch
In our opinion, one of the best inexpensive mattresses you can buy today is the Dynasty Mattress Cool Breeze 12-inch.
Dynasty Mattress sells its CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam mattresses throughout a variety of mattress retailers nationwide, as well as on Amazon. On Amazon, it’s listed as “Amazon’s Choice” and is sold for $379.
One of the biggest perks to shopping with Dynasty Mattress is their generous 30-year warranty that comes with each of their beds. For the most part, mattress warranties are around 10-15 years, so it’s rare to see a company offer a 20, 30, or even lifetime warranty with their beds.
Buying with a brand that provides a good warranty can help prolong your investment for decades to come because it ensures your bed is protected from damage and defects. Plus, when you buy one of these mattresses, it comes with two free gel memory foam pillows!
In addition to their warranty, Dynasty Mattress offers a lengthy 120-night sleep trial so you can test their bed and make sure it’s the best fit for your sleep needs.
Overall, this mattress stands 12 inches tall and contains four layers inside. In regards to feel, it is rated as a medium-firm bed. Below, we’ll break down those layers.
First, is 3 inches of gel memory foam, in place to contour to your body and keep your temperature cool while you sleep. The next two layers are each 2 inches of convoluted AirFlow foam; this foam is designed to offer enhanced pressure relief and allow you to compress in the bed. Additionally, the egg-crate shape of these layers allows for air to flow in and out of the mattress easily.
Last, is a 5-inch high-density foam base in place to give the bed extra support and prevent premature deterioration.
If you’re interested in the Dynasty Mattress, check out Amazon to read more customer reviews and buy online.
3. Zinus 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress
Zinus sells both innerspring and memory foam beds exclusively on their website. When shopping with Zinus, we recommend you choose their Green Tea Memory Foam Pressure Relief mattress; this bed is almost entirely customizable.
Zinus carries this bed in a firm, medium, and plush; and they allow you to choose how tall you want your bed to be, either 6”, 8”, 10”, or 12”. The height of the mattress you choose will dictate how many layers are inside.
We recommend choosing the 12” mattress because it has additional comfort and support layers, and only costs $344. Its thickness is also good for anyone seeking a memory foam mattress for heavy sleepers, as we typically recommend at least a 12-inch mattress for plus-sized individuals.
Let’s discuss those layers to see what you’re getting for your money.
The first layer of this bed is 3 inches of memory foam, which is superb for pressure point and pain relief. When you lay on this bed, it should mold to your body and offer an instant cushion. If you’re somebody who frequently suffers from aches and pains, a memory foam mattress could be a worthwhile investment to better sleep.
Below the memory foam lies 2 inches of Comfort Foam®, a poly-foam that has been engineered to feel softer and cradling like genuine memory foam.
Next, are two layers of 3.5-inch high-density poly-foam. Both of these layers are convoluted, allowing for enhanced airflow through the bed. The purpose of including these two layers is to give the other layers and entirety of the bed structural support and shape. All of the materials Zinus uses are CertiPUR-US® certified.
Zinus offers free shipping and a 100-night sleep trial with each of their beds. If you buy their bed and end up unhappy with it, you have the option to return it for free and receive a full refund. On top of their sleep trial, Zinus offers a 10-year limited warranty with each of their beds.
4. Lucid 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Up next on our list is Lucid’s 10-inch gel memory foam mattress-in-a-box. Lucid sells this bed on their website and through their Amazon storefront. On Amazon, their bed is labeled as one of Amazon’s best sellers, and it receives great reviews.
When you buy with Lucid, whether it be on their website or Amazon, it comes with a 10-year warranty. We should note, when reading reviews of this bed, we noticed a handful of customers reporting Lucid finds loopholes out of fulfilling their warranty agreement. However, customer reviews should be taken with a grain of salt.
Similar to the other two beds we’ve mentioned, the Lucid mattress is also CertiPUR-US® certified. Let’s talk about the layers inside this mattress.
The design of the Lucid mattress is quite simple; it contains two layers: a memory foam comfort layer and a high-density supportive base. The layer of memory foam is 3 inches thick, giving your body plenty of room to compress down in the mattress. For those looking for a plush bed, the Lucid memory foam mattress can offer you a cloud-like sleeping environment.
The supportive base layer is 7 inches tall, making the bed 10 inches in height. This bed is carried as a firm, medium, and medium-plush. For a Queen, the Lucid 10-inch mattress will cost you $375. On Amazon, they usually list their beds for less, and right now are selling for $251.
5. Classic Brands Mercer 12-inch Hybrid
Next on our list is Classic Brands’ Mercer hybrid mattress. Classic Brands combines the comfort of gel memory foam with the targeted support of a pocketed coil system to deliver overall better sleep.
Let’s talk about the layers inside of this mattress to help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
All in all, this bed contains five foam layers in combination with a pocketed coil system. The first layer is .5 inches of gel infused memory foam. Two perks to using gel infused memory foam as the first layer of the mattress are that it contours to your body to provide instant cushion and regulates your body temperature, preventing you from waking up hot. The next four layers of this mattress are comfort foam, a poly-foam designed to be softer like memory foam; the first two layers of comfort foam are .25 inches, while the third is .5 inches thick, and the fourth is .75 inches thick. Together, these layers equal 2.75 inches of extra cushioning. Below, is an 8-inch 13 gauge pocketed coil system. The pocketed coils offer targeted pressure relief, and because they move independently of one another, superb motion isolation.
The materials Classic Brands uses in their beds is CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning they’re free from ozone depleters, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, heavy metals, PBDE flame retardants, and low in VOCs. You can buy Classic Brands products on Amazon, and they’re delivered to your doorstep in an easy to manage box, taking the hassle out of transporting a bed from a furniture store to your home. Though Classic Brands does not offer a sleep trial with their beds, they’re backed by a 10-year warranty. On Amazon right now, a Queen Mercer 12-inch hybrid is $410.99.