8 Best Cheap Mattress UK Picks You Shouldn't Miss in 2023
Our 8 budget mattress picks
After careful consideration and extensive tests, we have found the best cheap mattresses that you can get without having to break the bank. From memory foam to springs – it's all here! Let's meet our top 5 cheap mattresses in the UK!
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Best Overall |
| Offers from £239 | |
Best Hybrid  | Best Hybrid |
| Offers from £89 | |
Best Memory Foam  | Best Memory Foam |
| Offers from £237 | |
Best Poicket Sprung  | Best Poicket Sprung |
| Offers from £109 | |
Best Supportive  | Best Supportive |
| Offers from £152 | |
Best Orthopaedic  | Best Orthopaedic |
| Offers from £175 | |
Best for Back Sleepers  | Best for Back Sleepers |
| Offers from £59 | |
Best Pressure-Relieaving  | Best Pressure-Relieaving |
| Offers from £173 |
1
Best Overall
2
Best Hybrid
3
Best Memory Foam
4
Best Pocket Sprung
5
Best Supportive
6
Best Orthopaedic:
7
Best for Back Sleepers
8
Best Pressure-Relieaving
Best Overall: Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress
If you want a luxury mattress from one of the top brands in the UK while also not breaking the bank, the Simbatex Essential Foam Mattress is for you!
Best Overall
If you're looking to get as close to a premium mattress as you can get while still only paying for a cheap mattress, we think this is your best bet. For one, it's from Simba – one of the best bedding brands in the UK. So, you can correctly assume that the mattress is going to be of the highest quality.
It's a memory foam mattress, meaning that it can adapt to your body and provide a hugging sensation that most people simply adore. However, unlike most memory foam mattresses (even more expensive ones), this foam is infused with graphite. This means that you won't have the same breathability issues as you would with most low-to-mid-range models.
The mattress also provides zoned support – meaning that your joints will benefit from pressure relief and your spine will be supported and healthy. And, to seal the deal, Simba also threw in a nice knitted cover that feels soft to the touch and further amps up the breathability of the mattress. So, while the mattress isn't the cheapest, it's dirt cheap compared to what you're getting in return!
Things to know about Simba Comfort Zoned Foam mattress:
- It offers a great bang for your buck.
- Pressure relief and motion isolation are its most prominent features
Comes with a 10-year warranty and a 200-night trial - Amazing temperature regulation
- It's often on sale
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: 6/10
- Thickness: 19 cm
- Size: UK Single, UK Double, UK King, Super King
Advantages
Good motion isolation
Your tossing and turning won't disturb the other side of the bed.
Affordable
Great price-to-quality ratio.
Warranty
10-year warranty & 200 nights trial.
Disadvantages
Edge support
Since there are no springs, the edge support is a bit less than ideal.
Best Hybrid: Summerby Sleep – No1. Coil Spring and Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
If you're in the market for a cheap mattress that's going to serve as a guest bed or a bed for your kid until they grow a little bit more – this is probably the one.
Best Hybrid
If you're in the market for a cheap mattress that's going to serve as a guest bed or a bed for your kid until they grow a little bit more – this is probably the one.
Summberby No1 Hybrid is a very cheap mattress. It's made from memory foam and coil springs, and it does offer some level of support and comfort, as long as you aren't too heavy. Keep in mind, however, this isn't a pocket sprung mattress.
The memory foam layer is quite comfortable to lay on and it does a pretty good job covering up the coil support system. You will feel the coils if you're heavier, but not to a point where it would be bothersome.
This one is also a medium-firm mattress, so it should fit all sleepers, but we would pair this one up with a memory foam topper for some better results.
Unfortunately, this is not the most durable mattress we've ever seen, but if you don't use it too often, it could probably last you for quite some time. Do check our Summerby Sleep No1. hybrid mattress review.
Things to know about Summberby Sleep No1 mattress:
- Traditional coils and memory foam make up for an interesting hybrid combo
- This is the most affordable mattress on our list
- It does a pretty decent job staying cool
- It doesn't need to be flipped, only rotated
- A 10-year warranty, but no trial period.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 18 cm
- Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King
Advantages
Great quality-price ratio
Considering quality and what you get, this is an affordable mattress.
Pressure relieving
Fantastic pressure relieving properties.
Suitable for all sleepers
Regardless of the sleep position, this mattress will give comfort & support.
Disadvantages
Non-removable cover
Cover is not removable.
Best Memory Foam: Emma – Original mattress
For an affordable price, you get a very good all-foam mattress, that's rather great at many things at once.
Best Memory Foam
Emma Original is comprised of three memory foam layers and according to some, it's a medium-firm mattress, although we'd say it's more of a medium than firm. Let's say it is a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
The build quality is great. The mattress looks and feels good, does a pretty good job supporting your whole body, even though it is entirely made out of foam. Furthermore, the pressure-relieving properties of this one are quite great.
It's 25 cm deep, so you will sink into it a bit, but it won't feel unpleasant or snug.
What probably will is warm summer nights. Emma Original isn't known for its remarkable breathability, but that's somewhat expected from an all-foam mattress. Check our Emma Original mattress review.
Things to know about Emma Original Mattress:
- It's very comfortable to sleep on, while still being quite supportive
- Great for restless sleepers; has great motion isolation
- It does get quite warm
- A solid fit for every sleeping position
- Comes with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Advantages
Good for all sleepers
All sleepers reported high level of comfort & support.
Great motion isolation
Due to even pressure distribution, it has great motion isolating properties.
Made in the UK
The product is made in the UK entirely.
Disadvantages
Too firm for some
Stomach sleepers may find it too firm.
Best Poicket Sprung: Vesgantti Pro Hybrid mattress
Pocket sprung mattress on a budget!
Best Pocket Sprung
If you are looking for a reliable, medium-firm pocket sprung mattress – Vesgantti has got you covered. Their medium-firm, 26 cm deep pocket sprung mattress is a great value option. It comes with individually wrapped springs that offer excellent support for your full body.
On top of the pocket spring, we’re met with multi-layer breathable memory foam, that is both comfortable and supportive. Also, the foam, just like the rest of the mattress, is hypoallergenic, so you won't have to worry about that.
The mattress is quite motion-isolating and pressure-relieving, and seeing how it's medium-firm – it should be a good fit for most sleepers. In the event that you don't happen to like it, there is a 100-night trial that you can rely on. You can check our review of Vesgantti Pro Hybrid mattress.
Things to know about Vesgantti Pro Hybrid mattress:
- Quite supportive and comfortable regardless of the sleeping position
- Great for restless sleepers – has great motion isolation
- Excellent breathability and airflow
- A solid fit for every sleeping position
- Comes with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 7/10
- Thickness: 26 cm
- Size: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King + EU King
Advantages
Ultra Quiet
Great shock-absorption removes any vibrations and thus eliminates noise.
Breathable
Vesgantti Comfort System ensures high level of breathability.
Full body support
Individually wrapped springs ensure excellent support in all 7 pressure points.
Disadvantages
Too firm for some
Stomach sleepers may find it too firm.
Best Supportive: Inofia 29cm Memory Foam Spring Hybrid Mattress
If you want a supportive mattress, which is also plush and comfy, this is a great choice.
Best Supportive
Several layers of memory foam as well as pocket coil technology give a perfect level of support to your whole body.
Pressure relief and motion separation are excellent, and pocket coil technology like the whole mattress is very durable. Climate regulating cover made of fibers wicks moisture away, and is also hypoallergenic and anti-mite. This mattress comes vacuum packed into a box directly to your door.
When you get it, you have to leave it for 48 to 72 hours to regain shape. And don't forget that it takes about a month for your body to adapt to a new mattress.
- Nine zoned spring system has such a density that it will last you a very long time
- The top cover is soft, breathable and hypoallergenic
- Thanks to the high density foam, the pressure relief is great
- Once you open the mattress, leave it to retain its shape for about two or three days
- In the package you will get the mattress and the tools to open it.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: 6/10
- Thickness: 29 cm
- Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King
Advantages
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic & anti-dust mite cover wicks away moisture.
Zoned Coil support
This unique technology ensures orthopedic-like support & firmness.
LegenComfort Foam
LegenComfort memory foam ensures high level of comfort.
Disadvantages
Non-removable cover
The luxurious Damask cover is not removable.
Best Orthopaedic: Majestic 1000 Pocket Sprung Orthopaedic Mattress
A medium-soft mattress with 1000 individually wrapped springs.
Best Orthopaedic:
Calling this an orthopaedic mattress isn't quite right, seeing how most orthopaedic mattresses are at least medium-firm. This mattress, on the other hand, is medium to medium-soft, depending on your weight.
The Majestic 1000 is supported by 1000 individually wrapped full sized pocket springs, hence the name. The springs move individually, offering you excellent comfort, and a solid amount of support. They also make this 25 cm deep mattress quite pressure relieving and motion isolating.
On top of springs, we'll find a generous synthetic filling for additional comfort. The fillings are found on both sides, so you can (and have to) flip your mattress once every six weeks.
Finally, the mattress is encased in a luxurious Damask cover. The cover is non-removable, which is often the case with pocket sprung mattresses. Do check our review of Dormeo Memory Plus mattress.
- Very comfortable and ideal for side and back sleepers
- Pressure-relieving and motion isolating, making it good for restless sleepers
- Quite cool and breathable thanks to the air vents
- Comes with side handles for easier flipping and rotating
- Comes with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Pocket sprung
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: Single, Double, Small Double, King, Super King
Advantages
Motion isolating
Sanitised & Florentine-stitched cover prevent bacteria growth.
Easy flipping
Thanks to side handles, you can flip it on your own.
High quality springs system
Pocket springs move independently and ensure high level of comfort & support
Disadvantages
Non-removable cover
Non-removable cover
Best for Back Sleepers: Extreme Comfort Cooltouch Essentials Mattress
If you are looking for a coil-sprung mattress that is on the cheaper side, there’s no going wrong with the Extreme Comfort Cooltouch Essentials Mattress.
Best for Back Sleepers
This mattress combines good-quality spring with multiple layers of different fillings that will guarantee support and comfort. The last layer of this mattress is actually a memory foam that has a cooling effect as well – so, you know what that means – it is perfect for those hot sleepers. And, speaking of hot sleepers, another thing they will most certainly enjoy is the breathable cover that is designed for temperature regulation.
If you decide to order the Extreme Comfort Cooltouch Essentials Mattress, it will come to you in a couple of days. And not only that – but it will also come to you compressed, vacuum-packed, rolled and boxed.
- it is very budget-friendly
- it is great for those who live in warmer climates
- people who sleep on their back will really enjoy it
- it may be beneficial to people with back, neck, and joint problems.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Open coil
- Firmness: 5/10
- Thickness: 18 cm
- Size: Shorty, Small single, Single, Small double, Double
Advantages
Anti-microbial
The stitched cover prevents bacteria growth.
Great for back sleepers
Since this mattress is on the firmer side, it is great for back sleepers.
Disadvantages
Bad for side and stomach sleepers
People who sleep on their sides and stomach may not enjoy this mattress.
Best Pressure-Relieaving: Silentnight 3 Zone foam mattress
Anti-bacterial, budget-friendly memory foam mattress.
Best Pressure-Relieaving
Silentnight 3 Zone Foam mattress promises to deliver great pressure relief around the core areas – and it does that exactly. This is a medium support mattress, maybe even medium-soft, depending on your weight.
However, it is precisely that softness that makes it brilliant at relieving pressure and pain. However, that also makes it not too comfy for front sleepers unless they're fairly lightweight.
Zoned support does work quite well, so your hips and shoulder should enjoy this one. Also, this mattress contours to your body quite good – maybe even too good for its own sake.
Namely, this is a single-sided mattress, so you can expect it to develop some dips over time, so maybe keep this one in a guest room. Check our review of Silentnight 3-Zone memory foam mattress.
Things to know about Silentnight 3 Zone foam mattress:
- Quite soft and comforting – a great fit for side sleepers
- Offers great pressure and pain relief, especially around the core areas
- A good fit for restless sleepers due to excellent motion isolation
- Good for hip or shoulder pain
- Comes with a 3-year warranty.
KEY FEATURES:
- Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: 5/10
- Thickness: 18 cm
- Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King + EU Single, Double, King
Advantages
Pressure relieving
Excellent choice for people with pain in core areas.
Motion isolating
You won't feel any movement.
3 year warranty
Stay protected for 3 years.
Disadvantages
Single sided
Single sided mattress. Expect some wear & tear.
What to consider when buying the best cheap mattress
Whenever you are shopping for a new mattress, you need to know which features define the mattress. That way, you'll be able to recognize what works best for you, solely by looking at the spec sheet. To help you with that, we've crafted a mini-guide to help you out!
Your sleeping position
First things first, you need to choose a mattress based on your sleeping position. Some mattresses are great for stomach sleepers, but at the same time, they're too firm for side sleepers and so on.
In general, side sleepers should look for a medium-firm mattress, preferably a memory foam one, to allow for better full-body alignment and less pressure build-up around core areas like hips and shoulders.
Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, would benefit the most from a firmer sleeping surface – regardless of the type of mattress.
In the end, back sleepers have it the easiest, as they could pretty much sleep on any kind of mattress, although we would still advise looking for something firmer, rather than softer.
Type of mattress
As you know, there are several types of mattresses.
Memory foam mattresses are the most popular of all. They're very comfortable, offer solid support, great pressure relief, but they do tend to get a little hot.
Pocket sprung mattresses are usually a bit on the firmer side. They're great at offering full-body support, excellent durability and are also quite comfortable to sleep on.
Hybrid mattresses bring the best of both world to the table and are often thought of as the “ultimate” mattress type, bringing forth both excellent support and comfort.
Latex mattresses aren't as popular as the ones we've just mentioned, mostly because they're usually more expensive, but they are also a great option for those who prefer a firmer, durable mattress.
Finally, innerspring mattresses are the most affordable of all, but they're also often the ones that are least supportive, comfortable and durable. They're mostly obsolete nowadays, but can still be found in stores.
Foundation and bed frame
Your foundation and the bed frame on which you will place your mattress will also play a major role in how will your mattress feel.
Generally speaking, you'd want your bed (foundation + mattress) to be exactly at knee height, so you'd have no issues getting up from the bed, especially if you're a senior citizen. We HIGHLY recommend you checking some of the high quality bed frames we've tested if you are considering getting one for yourself.
Also, keep in mind that not all foundations work with every mattress. For instance, you'd want to avoid plank foundations and pocket sprung mattresses, as in that case, most springs won't be properly supported.
Finally, your mattress has to fit, so make sure you measure your bed frame before getting a new mattress.
Disposal of old mattress
You can't just toss your old mattress in the trash with the rest of your garbage.
For instance, memory foam mattresses or pocket sprung mattresses can be recycled, so it would be irresponsible to just throw them away. However, that can be tricky to do on your own. Fortunately, many companies deal in this line of work, so you should be able to dispose of your mattress this way.
Furthermore, some companies will take your old mattress from you once you get a new one, completely free of charge, and they will later dispose of it on their own. So, that's another possibility you can look into.
Contouring
Some people prefer to “lie on top of the mattress”, while others prefer to “sink in”. Those that like to “sink in”, can really benefit from mattresses that are great at contouring around your body.
In general, those would be memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses. Memory foam is known to be great at mimicking the hugging feeling, which basically means it will contour around your body's curves, making you feel properly supported by the bed.
This is especially important for those that sleep on their side or those that may be suffering from sleep-related pains, as contouring usually translates to great pressure and pain relief.
Material
There are many different materials used in mattress manufacturing. When it comes to budget mattresses, that's something you want to pay special attention to. In some instances, budget mattresses will be made from low-quality, harshly chemically treated materials and fabrics, and that's something you'd want to avoid.
On the other hand, the top notch mattresses will be CertiPUR certified, as well as OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring that all of the materials and fabrics used in the manufacturing process are free of toxic and harmful chemicals and are perfectly safe to be used by humans
Level of firmness
The firmness of a mattress is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. In general, a mattress that should fit all would be anywhere between 6 and 7 on the firmness scale and that is what we would call a medium-firm mattress.
In reality, the firmness of a mattress is very subjective and will be greatly influenced by your body weight and sleeping position, and, of course, your personal preference for the mattress feel. As we've said earlier, side sleepers should look for something a little bit softer, stomach sleepers for something a bit firmer and the back sleepers can do a little bit of both.
Level of pressure relief
As you know, many wake up with back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain etc. Those people need a mattress with pressure-relieving properties.
Now, pressure-relieving properties are usually associated with softer mattresses, but rest assured, they are not exclusive to them.
While it is true that firmness will greatly impact the level of pressure relief you'd get from a mattress, that is not all you should be looking at. The type is also a contributing factor and in general, memory foam, hybrid and latex mattresses do a better job at it than a pocket sprung mattress.
As a general rule of thumb, mattresses with better contouring will be better at relieving pressure from core areas and joints.
Edge support
Edge support is a feature that is often overlooked when shopping for a mattress, however, it is quite important.
A mattress with lousy edge support will be very hard to get out of, as it will sink quite deeply as you sit on the edge of it. Furthermore, if you sleep with a partner or close to the edge of the mattress, you might feel like you're slipping from it if there's no adequate edge support.
In general, hybrid, pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses are the ones with good edge support, but it all varies from model to model.
Cooling
As you know, your body temperature drops a little bit when you go to sleep and we need it to stay down there if we want to have a good night's sleep. Therefore, if you're sleeping on a mattress that does a lousy job of dissipating heat or regulating temperature, you're going to have a hard time sleeping.
Memory foam mattresses are known for being bad at keeping things cool, but in recent years, there have been some major improvements in this area.
However, if you want to be certain you'll feel cool during the night, you should probably look for a latex mattress or a pocket sprung one.
Noise
A noisy mattress can be a real pain. If you can hear your every turn, you should probably look for a new one.
As you might've guessed, the ones that make the most noise are the ones with springs. That means innerspring, pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses can get a little noisy, especially if we're talking about cheap mattresses. On the other hand, a memory foam mattress or a latex one is completely silent.
Now, we're not saying every spring mattress is noisy, but if you prefer silence in the bedroom – you should probably steer clear of any “moving parts” inside your mattress.
Trial period
Some companies will try to convince you that it is fine not to have a trial period because you are buying a budget mattress. But you should insist that the mattress comes from the trial period. The reason is very obvious. If you can't try the mattress for at least a few weeks in a home environment, you won't be able to be sure if it's comfortable for you and if you need to keep it. It is not a duvet but something that should support your whole body in the years to come.
Warranty
The situation is similar when we talk about the warranty. You certainly can't expect Forever Warranty like when you buy Nectar Memory Foam mattress for example, but a budget mattress must also have a warranty. Make sure the warranty lasts at least 2 years. Also, check the warranty conditions. Limited warranty differs significantly from full warranty, so to avoid an unpleasant surprise in a year or two, check all the details immediately. Then you will be sure what your rights are and what you can get in case of mattress damage for which you are not responsible.
The average lifespan of a budget mattresses
On average, a mattress will last you anywhere from 5 to 8 years. Now, those number can take a little dip if we're talking about a budget mattress, but it doesn't have to be so.
Also, a mattress type will also affect its longevity. In general, latex mattresses tend to last the longest, but in the reality, it all comes down to quality, maintenance and level of usage.
Either way, in most cases, the mattress will have a warranty period, so even if it breaks too early – most of the expenses will be covered.
Springs VS Memory Foam VS Hybrid
Mattress type and material certainly have the biggest impact on average lifespan. Although we should not forget craftsmanship, body weight of sleeper and maintenance as also very important factors.
It is a bit complicated to say that memory foam for example has a longer service life than a hybrid mattress until we know the type of springs and the density of memory foam. But in general, memory foam mattresses have longer service life than innerspring mattresses. High density memory foam mattresses can last a very long time even over 10 years.
Innerspring mattresses have a shorter service life on average, about 5 years. Of course, it can be the other way around, when the mattress has high quality individually wrapped pocket springs. While a thin low density memory foam mattress will certainly not last 10 years.
Latex mattresses have the longest service life of all. When we talk about hybrid mattresses, the situation depends on the type of hybrid mattress and its parts. A hybrid mattress can last a very long time without losing its characteristics if it contains high density foam and durable springs. As we have already mentioned, we cannot ignore the body weight of a person sleeping on a mattress.
A person who weighs 90 kg will certainly damage the mattress faster than a person who weighs 50 kg, so people with a higher BMI must go with high density foam and generally high quality mattresses if they do not want to change the mattress after 2 or 3 years. Even though you are buying a budget mattress it should last longer than that.
What about bed-in-a-box mattress?
Bed in a box has become the most popular concept in the sleep industry all over the world so you are probably wondering how it affects the service life of your mattress. Whether you are buying a premium or budget mattress, it is likely to be delivered to you in a box, vacuumed and rolled. We can confirm that this does not affect the service life of the product.
The whole process of vacuuming and packing is fully automated and one thing that is important is to leave the mattress until it expands to its full size. After that you can use it and it will last same a mattress that is not a bed in a box.
Are cheap mattresses good for treatment of back pain?
The price of a mattress certainly cannot tell you whether a mattress is good for the treatment of back pain or not. You need to check its characteristics to know if it will ease your pain or make your problems worse. Some of the best mattress for back pain will provide you with support, firmness and pressure relief at the same time.
It is wrong to think that a back pain mattress should be as firm as a rock. Choose the one that suits your sleep position, and pressure relief is just as important as support. So if you find a cheap mattress that suits your needs, go ahead and buy it, regardless of the price you can have a good night's sleep.
Should I flip my cheap mattress?
You can flip your cheap mattress just in case if the mattress is double-sided. If the mattress is single-sided then the other side is not suitable for sleeping and you can't flip it. If it is double-sided, then you definitely need to flip it because it will significantly extend the service life. It’s almost like having two mattresses that you use alternately.
Flip your mattress every three months or so. If the mattress is single-sided, there is also a way to prolong its service life. You need to rotate it. It is not as effective as when you flip it, but it is certainly useful to avoid the appearance of dents.
Conclusion
There you have it! Hopefully, we have managed to point you towards the best cheap mattress so you can finally sleep well, without spending too much money.
As you could see, just because you're looking at a budget mattress, does not mean you're looking at the bad one. We hope we've made you realise that you could find a mattress that fits your budget and your body at the same time.
FAQs about your new cheap mattresses
In the end, we wanted to wrap things up by answering some frequently asked questions. When we're talking about the best budget mattress, there will always be some questions regarding its quality or something similar, therefore, we wanted to clear some things up and provide you with some straightforward answers.
What type of mattress is the least expensive?
In general, the least expensive would be an innerspring mattress, but if you factor in the quality, the best budget mattress would be a memory foam one.
What type of mattress gives the best cost-effectiveness ratio?
It all depends on your needs, but generally speaking, a budget-friendly hybrid mattress would bring most to the table.
What is considered to be an old mattress?
Any mattress that is broken or damaged, regardless of age, is considered to be an old mattress.
How often should I replace my mattress?
You should replace your mattress when it becomes uncomfortable to sleep on or it becomes damaged. On average, that would be around every 7 years.
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