6 Things to Consider Before Buying a Cheap Mattress

Many mattress review sites recommend budgeting about $1,000 for a new mattress. Though this number can feel pretty high, it’s better to spend more from the get-go rather than opt for a cheap mattress you’ll need to replace in a few years.

Though some mattresses are inexpensive, the sleep risks aren’t worth the price.

Doing some research will help you avoid cheap mattress sets. The word “cheap” doesn’t just refer to the price tag. The quality of materials could be lower, and this can lead to the mattress losing its shape faster.

Used mattresses can lead to serious health consequences. Similarly, a new mattress made from low-quality materials can cause health problems.

Holding to the standard budget of $1,000 for a new mattress is one way to help you avoid problems with used or cheap mattresses. In your search, you should find many of the best online mattress brands list their mattresses around this price range. In this article, we’ll outline some of the problems with cheap beds to illustrate why it’s so important to avoid them.

1. Poor-Quality Materials

Most mattress brands offer a sleep trial, so you have the opportunity to test it in your own home and determine if the materials and type of bed work well for your body. Even if a mattress is well made, however, it may not suit your unique physical needs.

For example, the best mattress for stomach sleepers is typically a firmer mattress. If a stomach sleeper buys a high-quality, but soft, mattress they’ll probably end up uncomfortable as it’s not a fit for their sleep position.

To find the best mattress for your sleep style, be sure to read our other guides to see which mattress is best for your specific style of sleep.

If a mattress does not have a clear sleep trial or return policy, you should avoid it altogether. It is likely made from low-quality materials that will cause you pain.

During your sleep trial, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you wake up feeling stiff?
• Do you wake up with muscle or joint aches?
• Do you feel tired or grumpy when you get up?
• Did you sleep better on your old mattress?
• Did you wake up several times through the night?
• Do you feel well rested?

It’s important to note that when you change mattresses, your body goes through an adjustment cycle. The adjustment cycle can last around 30 days. During this time, your muscles and joints are adapting to a whole new support system than what it’s used to with your old mattress.

Some companies will require you to keep their mattress for a minimum of 30 days, or through the duration of the sleep trial, to give their bed an honest chance. We also recommend keeping your mattress for at least 30 days before deciding it’s not the right fit.

The reason is, you may have the best mattress for you, but if you don’t give it a proper chance, you may end up passing on it altogether. To not shortchange your quality of sleep, try any new mattress for at least 30 nights.

If you want or need a new mattress and do not feel like you need a sleep trial, it is best to go to a retailer with mattresses on display in a showroom.

You can try all the different mattresses with bedding and determine if they will suit your body’s needs. Though this is not the same as sleeping on the bed for months on end, if you lie down on the bed for about 15 minutes, you should be able to confirm that the mattress conforms to your shape. It’s also important to take note of the materials used and the quality of them.

Testing mattresses of different materials will help you determine which material you prefer, whether it be memory foam, latex, or an inner coil system. The quality of the material should be a good indicator of the likelihood of it breaking down over time, or becoming uncomfortable quickly.

Other signs that your mattress is made from low-quality materials include:

• Deformation: Memory foam mattresses are built to hold some shape, cradling your body for comfort. However, if a foam or pillow-top mattress sinks with your body weight and does not recover within a minute, the materials may be inferior.
• Sagging: A quality budget mattress that is cared for properly and made well should still last 7 to 10 years without developing any sags or indentations.
• Chemical smell: Foam mattresses can outgas for a day or two after they are unpacked and set up, but this should go away. In contrast, cheap mattresses may smell strange for weeks. They can make your whole room smell like chemicals. A chemical-scented bedroom is not the healthiest sleeping environment.
• Noise and movement: Even if a brand claims to reduce motion transfer between partners, you may end up losing sleep on a cheap mattress if it doesn’t have the motion isolating abilities advertised. If the foam sags or coils squeak with movement, you’re likely to wake up if your partner tosses and turns at night.

2. Buying A Cheap Mattress Set Can Add Up

If you spend the money on an expensive, luxury mattress that costs $3,000 and lasts for ten years, this is loosely equivalent to paying $300 per year on a bed. If you do your research, find a high-quality mattress at the mid-level price of $1,300, and take care of it, so it lasts for ten years, you spend about $130 per year for the mattress.

If you spend $100 on a discount mattress, you may still feel like you have won the price battle, but if you’re stuck replacing it after only a few years, you will more than likely end up spending more in the long-run.

Because cheap mattresses are made from low-grade materials, it’s likely the mattress will lose its shape or become damaged much faster. Meaning, you will have to replace it more often.

Assuming you purchase a similar mattress each time, you may end up paying a freight delivery fee or a mattress-in-a-box delivery fee.

If you decide to make adjustments to your mattress, like add more pillows, thicker linens, or mattress toppers to prolong its lifespan, the cost can add up.

Even though these accessory products can be a great way to make an older mattress last a little longer, you should not need them for a mattress that is only a few years old. In the grand scheme of things, these accessories will not significantly enhance the quality of the bed, and will probably only buy you an extra year or two of use. Regularly having to buy these accessory products makes the cost of healthy sleep more expensive.

If you opt for a cheap mattress, you’re more than likely going to get low-quality sleep. Not getting enough sleep, or not getting enough restful sleep, can affect almost every aspect of your life: your work, relationships, diet, and overall mood.

Your memory, judgment, and focus will all be affected by a little sleep deprivation, to say nothing of chronic sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep has a severe impact on your physical and mental health; and, if you’re always buying new accessories for sleep, a serious impact on your wallet.

3. You Do Not Get the Same Care and Attention

Mattress brands that are concerned with the craftsmanship of their mattresses are also concerned with the quality of their customer service. They know their materials will last longer, so they offer longer sleep trials and warranty periods.

They are also usually more responsive to customer concerns. Brands using high-quality materials will likely show their certifications and awards on their website, as well.

In contrast, cheap mattresses probably do not come with a sleep trial. They also may not have a clearly-stated warranty or return policy.

When it comes time to contact customer service, It may take a long time, if you get in contact with one at all. If you do get in touch with them, they probably won’t be too transparent about what materials they use in their mattresses. For example, cheap memory foam mattress brands may not talk about how their memory foam is manufactured or provide you with their exact density or ILD.

You should be able to speak with a customer service agent — in person, on the phone, by email, or through an online form — about any questions or concerns you have regarding their mattress.

If you cannot find a way to contact the company or they are not responsive to your questions, it should be a red flag, indicating they probably don’t have the best mattresses.

Before buying a mattress from a brand you’ve never heard of, be sure to read their customer reviews and check them out on the Better Business Bureau website. It’s important to make sure that the brand’s integrity is apparent, both from consumer reviews and from regulators.

4. Health Risks With Used and Cheap Mattress Sets

It’s never good to spend a lot of money on low-quality sleep. Besides financial risks, there are also serious health risks associated with both cheap materials and sleep deprivation. These may develop and appear over the years if you sleep on a cheap mattress.

• Muscle and joint pain: Low-quality foam mattresses do not retain their shape, meaning they are likely to sink or sag over time. This leads to misalignment of your neck, back, hips, shoulders, knees, and other sensitive areas, which can lead to pain and aching. Because innerspring coil mattresses may lose the padding over the coils, you might feel springs poking into your body in just a matter of months. These pressure points can also cause pain. Over time, you may damage your joints or develop chronic pain.
• Lack of sleep: Physical discomfort can make you wake up more often throughout the night to adjust your body. Repeatedly waking up during the night can cause sleep deprivation, impacting how well you think, learn, and physically respond to stimuli. If you drive while sleep-deprived, you put yourself at risk of being in a dangerous accident.
• Higher stress: As your body attempts to compensate for less sleep, your brain will release more adrenaline and norepinephrine. These hormones can keep you awake and also make you feel more anxious, jittery, or angry.
• Skin problems: Along with high stress comes an increased risk of developing acne. Poor-quality mattress materials may leak chemicals that can trigger inflammation or skin irritation; this may start with itching and turn into a more serious skin condition. People who suffer from eczema or chronic acne can develop worsened symptoms.
• Weight gain: Sleep deprivation can result in weight gain. If your sleep cycle is consistently disturbed because of a poor-quality mattress, your body will have a hard time regulating your hormones and your metabolism will also begin to slow down. These two problems combined mean you will feel hungrier and crave simple calories like sugar. Ultimately, resulting in weight gain.
• Mental health issues: Over time, ongoing trouble regulating your neurotransmitters and hormones can contribute to the development of mental health disorders, especially depression. Unfortunately, because a symptom of depression is insomnia, symptoms of this condition can contribute to even less sleep.
• Mold or mildew: Even high-quality mattresses are susceptible to mold and mildew over time, especially if exposed to a humid environment or if spills are not cleaned up quickly. However, cheaper mattresses may not breathe as well, or they may have poor air flow. The lack of breathability in these beds contributes to a buildup of moisture, which increases the risk of spores. The accumulation of mold spores increases the likelihood of an allergy attack, sinus problems, breathing trouble, and lung infections.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & In-Store Myths

5. Support and Pressure Relief

Even when shopping for a budget-friendly mattress, proper support and pressure relief should be non-negotiable. A mattress that fails to support the natural curve of your spine can quickly become the source of chronic discomfort, especially in the lower back, hips, and shoulders. 

This is particularly true for side and stomach sleepers, whose sleeping positions tend to place more stress on these pressure points. A supportive mattress distributes your body weight evenly and keeps your spine aligned in a neutral position, preventing strain or misalignment that can lead to long-term pain or poor sleep quality.

What to test or check?

a. Firmness level:

Low-cost mattresses often sacrifice balance in their firmness levels. Some may feel excessively soft and allow your body to sink too deeply, while others may be overly firm and create unwanted pressure.

The ideal choice for most people is a medium-firm mattress—it provides enough resistance to support your back while still cushioning the joints. If you’re a side sleeper, you may prefer something slightly softer to cradle the shoulders and hips. 

Back and stomach sleepers often fare better with a bit more firmness to prevent the hips from sinking and throwing off spinal alignment. Look for budget options that clearly mention firmness ratings (often between 6 and 7 out of 10 for medium-firm), and always test it yourself if possible.

b. Zoned support:

Some budget-friendly mattresses now include zoned support systems, which offer targeted firmness in different sections of the bed. For example, firmer zones under the hips and lower back help maintain spinal alignment, while softer zones near the shoulders and knees provide cushioning to relieve pressure. 

This feature used to be exclusive to premium models, but some affordable brands are now incorporating it using varied foam densities or coil layouts. Check product descriptions for terms like “zoned foam” or “ergonomic support.” This subtle design feature can make a noticeable difference in your sleep posture without inflating the price.

c. Edge support:

One of the common shortcomings in cheap mattresses is poor edge support. Without reinforced edges, the perimeter of the bed tends to sag or compress easily when you sit or lie near the edge.

This reduces the usable surface area of the mattress and can make the bed feel less stable—especially for couples, co-sleepers, or anyone who likes to sleep near the edge. 

Strong edge support enhances safety, comfort, and durability, so it’s worth checking for reinforced perimeters or edge-support foam. In-store, try sitting and lying on the edges to see if it feels stable. For online purchases, look for customer reviews mentioning edge stability.

When testing a mattress in-store, don’t just press down with your hand—actually lie down in your usual sleep position and stay there for 10–15 minutes. This gives your body enough time to adjust and reveal any pressure points or support issues.

If you’re buying online, look for companies that offer a risk-free sleep trial, ideally lasting 90–120 nights. This allows you to try the mattress in your home environment with the option to return or exchange it if it doesn’t meet your comfort and support needs.

6. Long-Term Value, Not Just the Price

When buying a mattress, it’s easy to focus on the upfront cost—but the real value lies in how the mattress performs over time. A low-priced option may seem like a bargain at checkout, but if it begins to sag, lose support, or cause sleep issues within a year or two, it becomes a poor investment. 

In contrast, spending more on a well-built mattress that provides consistent comfort and durability for eight to ten years can actually save money in the long run. Think of your mattress as a long-term health and wellness product—not just furniture. A better mattress improves sleep quality, which affects nearly every aspect of your life, from mood and immunity to productivity and pain levels.

How to calculate long-term value?

a. Durability:

The materials used in a mattress greatly influence how long it will last. Lower-cost options often rely on low-density foams or thin coils that wear out quickly, leading to sagging or loss of support.

To judge durability without physically testing the mattress for years, read verified customer reviews and owner feedback, particularly those that mention performance after 6 months, 1 year, or longer.

Look for recurring complaints about sagging, flattening, or indentations, which signal weak construction. Some budget-friendly models still use decent materials like high-density polyfoam or individually wrapped coils, so identifying those can help you find a mattress that lasts longer for less.

b. Comfort consistency:

A mattress may feel comfortable during the first few weeks, but the real test is whether it maintains that comfort over time. Inexpensive mattresses often lose their initial feel quickly, especially if made from low-resilience materials. Over time, this leads to uneven surfaces, dips, or lumps that compromise spinal alignment and pressure relief.

Comfort consistency means waking up without aches for years, not just days. Check if the brand has warranties that cover body impressions or sagging. If reviews mention the mattress holding its shape and feel for multiple years, that’s a strong sign of long-term comfort and value.

c. Sleep quality impact:

A poor-quality mattress can rob you of restorative sleep, leading to fatigue, irritability, poor focus, and even health problems like back pain or insomnia.

These effects can add hidden costs—missed workdays, doctor visits, or therapy for chronic discomfort. On the other hand, investing just a bit more in a mattress that improves sleep can result in better physical and mental health, stronger immune function, and enhanced daily performance. The true cost of a mattress includes its impact on your sleep quality and overall well-being, not just the number on the price tag.

If possible, try to stretch your budget slightly beyond the cheapest option, especially if it means upgrading to a significantly better product. Many reputable mattress brands offer financing plans, seasonal promotions, or bundle discounts, which allow you to buy a higher-quality mattress with manageable monthly payments. 

Some online retailers also include accessories like pillows or mattress protectors at no extra cost, adding more value. Think of this as a long-term investment rather than a one-time purchase—and you’ll likely find that spending a little more upfront leads to much greater satisfaction and savings over time.

Saving on the Best Mattresses

While it’s best to avoid too-cheap mattresses, you don’t have to overspend to experience a good night’s rest. The year’s big mattress sales can help you make certain of that:

• Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fix a dip in a mattress?

There are a few ways you can fix a sagging mattress. You can invest in a mattress topper to even out the bed’s feel, or use firm pillows to fill in permanent impressions. You can also place your mattress on a firmer surface, such as a piece of plywood or even the floor. Finally, you can try rotating your mattress so you’re not lying on the same spots.

What causes a mattress sag?

A common reason mattresses sag is poor care. If you keep your mattress on an unsupportive surface or don’t rotate it frequently, it’s materials are more likely to wear out in certain spots. Spring mattresses may also sag as their coils wear out.

Should you sink into your mattress?

The answer depends on your sleep style and personal preferences. Side sleepers may benefit from a mattress soft enough to sink into, while stomach and back sleepers need a firmer mattress. Even you do choose a soft mattress you can sink into, it should still be responsive enough that you can move across the surface of the mattress.

Can memory foam hurt your back?

A memory foam mattress can hurt your back if it’s wrong firmness for you. A soft mattress can misalign a stomach or back sleeper’s spine. A firm mattress can raise a side sleeper’s spine out of alignment.

Is there a mattress that doesn’t sag?

All mattresses are capable of sagging, though some are less likely to than others. Foam mattresses often sag less than innerspring or hybrid mattresses, which lose support as their coils wear down. Organic latex mattresses are particularly resilient, often lasting more than a decade; however, a natural latex mattress is one of the more expensive mattress types.

Quality Mattresses Within Your Reach

In addition to offering a range of prices, many quality mattress brands offer regular sales and deals. If you feel you’ve found the best mattress for yourself, but it’s outside your budget, ask about financing options or mattress sales. Buying a cheap mattress because you think it will save you money can ultimately hurt your pocketbook and your health.

Sources:

• Affordable Mattress Hunt: Finding the Best Bed for the Money. (February 16, 2016). Savvy Sleeper.
• Need to Buy a New Mattress? Read This Before You Do. Angie’s List.
• When to Say “So Long” to Your Mattress. The Better Sleep Council.
• Five Surprising Signs You’re Sleeping on a Bad Mattress. (December 8, 2017). Prevention.
• What Triggers Consumers to Replace Their Mattresses? (January 1, 2017). Bed Times Magazine.