Here at Tom’s Guide, we’ve tested mattresses and bedding for every budget, so we know when you’re getting a good night’s sleep for your money. We’re also eagle-eyed sales trackers, so if you want better sleep for less, we know which deals are worth your time… and which offers you can sleep on.
Stretching your budget doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. For instance, the Siena Signature is among the best mattresses we’ve tested for all sleepers, and in the current sale, a queen-size Siena comes in at just $244. Add on our favorite value bed set and a budget-friendly pillow, and you can refresh your sleep sanctuary for under $350.
Best budget mattresses
1. Best budget mattress overall
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If you want to get the most bed for your budget, we recommend the Siena Signature. Its firm feel delivers incredible support from head to toe, making it one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers we’ve tested and a supportive choice for back sleepers, too.
Side sleepers might want something softer (the Zinus below is a good choice), but the Siena’s cushioned comfort layer adds contouring, so combination sleepers won’t feel pressure build-up when they move.
During a recent re-test, we put the Siena Signature Mattress through its paces. It went above and beyond our already-high expectations; we knew this was the best cheap mattress we tested, but we were surprised at just how well it held its own against even the best luxury mattresses.
Our thermal cam test showed it’s breathable with only minimal heat retention (hot sleepers might want to upgrade to the Siena Premier Hybrid for better airflow; see below). And the edge support is excellent, as the firm foams allow you to sit and lie comfortably right up to the side.
But it’s the motion isolation that stands out, as the Siena absorbed disruptive movement better than any other mattress in our top five. One tester didn’t even feel another get off the mattress until they spoke from across the room.
At $349 for a queen in the regular Siena mattress sale, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck (plus a 180-night trial and 10-year warranty). But to really maximize your budget, keep an eye on Siena’s Amazon store, where a queen has dropped as low as $244.
2. Best for side sleepers on a budget
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Plush, squishy foams define the Zinus — it’s a bed you immediately sink into, as the memory foam comfort layers move to cushion and cradle the body. It distributes weight at the pressure points to prevent aches at the shoulders, hips, and knees, making it one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. Our lead tester could spend all night on her side without a numb arm or dead leg.
There’s also sturdy support for lightweight back sleepers, but the ‘sink-in’ feel can lead to back ache for sleepers with average or heavier builds (our lead tester found her hips sagged much lower than her shoulders). Stomach sleepers, go for the Siena above; the Zinus is simply too soft.
The foams of the Zinus are slow-moving, meaning once you’ve settled into position, they hold you there. That can make changing position tough, but on the other hand, it contributes to the all-around excellent motion isolation. Even high-intensity movement won’t cause much of a disruption on the Zinus.
The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam does have a tendency to sleep warm, and the edge support is poor, causing our tester to nearly slide off the bed in the morning. That’s common among even the best memory foam mattresses, but the Siena Signature beats it on both counts.
However, those dense foams give the Zinus mattress an indulgent feel for side sleepers that few budget foam beds can provide. With a queen often under $250 on Amazon – under $200 during big sales – we can forgive a few flaws.
3. Best hybrid mattress on a budget
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We typically suggest memory foam mattresses for those on a tight budget, as all foam beds tend to be cheaper than hybrids. However, the Allswell Mattress is the best hybrid mattress for sleepers who prefer a bed with a bit of bounce but don’t want to break the bank.
Made using foams and springs, the Allswell has a medium-firm feel with little body contouring. The support is good for stomach sleepers and most back sleepers, and we think there’s just enough cushioning for combi-sleepers to stay comfy in the night. (Side sleepers should look for a plusher build, like the Zinus above.)
Despite the bouncier feel, the Allswell impressed our testers with its motion isolation, echoing the sentiment from customer reviews. We also found it breathable. It might not compete with the best cooling mattresses, but it should prevent most sleepers from overheating.
On a similar note, while we were happy with the edge support, some reviews noted sagging. Because of this, we suspect the Allswell might not have the best durability. (Hybrids tend to have shorter lifespans than foam beds overall.)
Sales are rare, but for Black Friday, you can find a queen Allswell for only $282 at Walmart (reg. $314). Despite some flaws, the Allswell is more reliable – and more comfortable – than most hybrids in this price bracket. If you want a traditional feel for less, it’s our top choice.
4. Best for spare rooms
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To make the most of a small budget and a small space, look no further than the Dreamfoam. This affordable all-foam mattress is made by Brooklyn Bedding, maker of some of the best mattresses in a box we’ve tested. It’s available in an impressive 22 sizes, including for RV beds and less common room dimensions.
It also ranges in thickness from 6 to 14 inches. For most adults, we recommend opting for 10 inches or above if you plan on using the mattress regularly, but the thinner builds are lightweight and convenient for kids, guest rooms, or short-term use.
The feel depends on the height; the taller the build, the thicker the comfort layers and the more cushioning you can expect. We found the 10-inch version medium-firm and comfortable for most sleep positions.
We predict the 8-inch model will be firmer – good for stomach sleeping – while you might want to upgrade to the 12-inch for dedicated side sleeping (although that pushes the sale price of a queen to $559.30).
We were impressed with both the motion isolation and the temperature regulation, so couples with different sleep needs should be able to co-sleep without driving each other nuts during the night. However, the edge support is middling, as the Siena delivers a better performance here.
5. Best luxury
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Luxury on a budget? Yes, it’s possible with the Siena Premier Hybrid, the Siena Signature’s sibling, made with foam and springs.
Our testing panel struggled to believe the Siena Premier Hybrid was a budget mattress, stating the overall build quality was “indicative of a much higher cost.” At $424 for a queen, this is the most expensive mattress in this guide, but considering the feel and finish of the Siena Premier, we think it’s incredible value for money.
It doesn’t have much cushioning, but the spring base is “supportive in nearly every sleep position,” while the responsive feel makes changing position easy.
Unfortunately, this bounciness does come with a slight downside: increased motion transfer. That means light sleepers might be annoyed by your tossing and turning. (The Siena Signature is the winner in this category, obviously.)
Most side sleepers will need a softer finish, but the back and stomach sleepers on our testing panel appreciated the even support of the Siena Premier. So much so, our side sleeping tester found herself sleeping on her front (or half-torqued) during the testing period.
Like its all-foam counterpart, the Siena Premier has strong edge support and a breathable build. That’s the kind of thing we expect from the best hybrid mattresses, but considering the low price point of the Siena Premier, it’s a stronger all-around performance than we might have hoped for.
If you need a new mattress for a master bedroom and you want to make the most of your money, the Siena Premier promises durable, reliable support.
Today’s best budget pillow deals
Beckham Hotel Collection
Pillow Set
These are the hotel-style pillows your guest bed wants. Thick and plush, they deliver immediate cushioning for side sleepers, holding your head at the perfect loft to prevent neck strain during the night. They’re also breathable and relatively easy to care for — just pop them in the washing machine.
For their great value, we think these are the best pillows you can buy. However, our tester did find the they needed regular fluffing to maintain support, and the shifting fill did raise some questions around durability.
Squishmallows
SquishPillow
From the brand behind those viral, huggable, soft toys based on your favorite characters, the SquishPillow offers the same marshmallow fill and velvet-soft finish, but for your head. It comes in either Medium or Firm, and you can pick up a Squishmallow-esque pillowcase to go with it, to add a splash of fun to a child’s bedroom (or your own, no judgment).
We thought this was a gimmick, but our bedding expert had to eat her words when she finally got hands-on with the SquishPillow, describing the signature Squishmallow polyfill as providing the “right amount of contouring for [her] head, neck and shoulders.” It’s rarely on sale, but we predict this will be a big seller this Christmas, so we don’t advise waiting for a discount.
Utopia Bedding
Pillow Set
We’ve been impressed with Utopia Bedding’s budget-friendly sleep accessories, and we imagine its pillows will deliver immediate comfort. The gusseted build adds loft, and combined with a plush fiber fill, we suspect it’ll compare with the best pillows for side sleepers. The gusset will also add to the overall durability by reducing pressure on the seams. (Plus, it looks nice.)
Utopia Bedding promises a “cooling” feel. We doubt it has the chilled finish of the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow, but hopefully the cotton blend fabric should aid air flow. On Amazon, you can expect to find a two-pack for under $30. The prices do tend to fluctuate, so if you find yourself paying more than you want, it’s worth waiting for a discount.
Today’s best budget bedding deals
Utopia
Bedding Sheet Set
The best bed sheets we’ve tested for budget shoppers, the Utopia Bed Sheets immediately impressed our expert with the massive color range available. We opted for a pretty sage green, but there’s an option for every aesthetic. With prices starting at just $19.99 for a queen set, you can get the color you want without breaking the bank. (That said, prices do vary among sizes and colors.)
Although an inviting bed set can help compel you into bed, it’s far from the only thing that earns bedding our stamp of approval. These sheets are soft to the touch, and after two weeks of testing, they maintained this softness with no signs of shrinkage after machine-washing and tumble drying, although the color did fade slightly.
Tempur-Pedic
Tempur-Pro-Performance Sheet Set
For a mega saving on the Tempur-Pro-Performance Sheet Set, you’ll need to head to Mattress Firm, where a queen set is on sale for just $53.80. Tempur-Pedic is a storied brand known for its innovative approach to comfort — it’s credited with bringing memory foam to the mattress market. It’s not as innovative with the colorways, although white is available to create that classic hotel sheet look at home.
Reviews indicate the sheets are soft to the touch, but this can result in some slipping, so dressing the bed can be slightly tricky. However, the moisture-wicking fabric is meant to help you stay cool overnight, making it a good choice for hot sleepers on a budget.
Lane Linen
Organic Cotton Sheet Set
For sleepers who want to prioritise eco-friendly comfort but worry they don’t have the budget to do so, the Lane Linen Sheet Set is made from OEKO-TEX certified 100% organic cotton with a percale weave for increased durability (Lane Linen promises each piece has undergone “3 rigorous quality checks”.)
Natural cotton is known for its breathability, so we predict this sheet set will appeal to hot sleepers. Breathable fabrics allow hot air to escape and cool, keeping you at a neutral temperature even on warm summer nights. It’s available in a wide variety of colors, although to make the most of your money, the Pure White set is typically the cheapest.
