The 7 best cheap mattresses to buy in 2026, tried and tested

Lindsay Brown

What are the best cheap mattresses to buy in 2026?

Best overall cheap mattress

Emma Original Mattress

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Best value cheap mattress

Origin Hybrid

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Best premium cheap mattress

Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress

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When you begin your search for the best cheap mattress to buy, you might be surprised to learn that an affordable mattress can absolutely be as comfortable and long-lasting as one of the best mattresses in general. Years of innovation in the mattress world from bed-in-a-box brands like Simba and Emma have meant that a good night's sleep needn't cost the earth. Our sleep experts have done the hard work of snoozing on them all to help find you the best cheap mattress to invest in.

A budget mattress shouldn't be relegated to a guest room. There are plenty of quality products on the market that will improve your sleep, regardless of whether you're a front, back or side sleeper. In fact, thanks to technical layers of memory foam and coil springs, plenty of these budget-friendly mattresses can help reduce back pain, as well as offering pressure relief for achy joints and muscles. These affordable mattresses can also help with temperature regulation.

Today, there are an increasing amount of mattress brands and retailers vying for your purchase, so if you're still unsure which new mattress you should invest in, read on for our verdict on what are the best budget mattresses. Many retailers also have extra deals and discounts that pop up throughout the year, so keep an eye out for those to save extra pennies. It is worth noting that we've seen prices increase over the past year, but there are still bargains to be had.

Just because you're seeking a mattress with a lower price point, it doesn't mean that you won't have plenty of options to consider. With over ten years of experience between us testing and reviewing sleep products, the House & Garden team have learned a few things along the way - here's what you should consider when buying a cheap mattress.

First of all, consider where the mattress is going to be used. If it's for your primary bedroom and will be used daily, then you need to think about several key things. Are you prone to overheating? If so, consider a cooling mattress. Think about your sleeping position, too. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers have different requirements. You might want to consider a mattress with a comfort layer as well. Finally, look at the composition of the mattress. Do you prefer a spring mattress or a high density foam?

You'll also need to take a look at the type of bed frame you have. Slats help with airflow, so you might find you don't need a cooling mattress if you have a bed frame that assists with temperature regulation.

Our team at House & Garden is led by commerce editor Arabella Bowes who's been writing about everything to do with sleep and interior design for the past five years. She's tried and tested countless mattresses, and oversees the testing process alongside commerce writer Tilly Wheeler, assigning each mattress that requires testing to a writer who's right for it. They are joined by senior commerce writer Daphne Bugler, who's been writing about mattresses since 2021, regularly speaking to experts, interviewing sleep specialists and personally testing new and interesting mattress releases herself.

When we're looking for the best cheap mattresses, our fundamental test is whether or not the mattress does actually have all of the features the brand claims it does online. We're looking at firmness and how accurate the description is about the mattress type, temperature regulation, delivery process, care and any suitability for allergy sufferers, pressure relief, whether or not it works for aches and pains, and of course most importantly, whether or not we slept well, night after night. Every mattress has been tried and tested by a member of our team or by expert writers and editors in the field, and slept on for at least 30 days before we make our decision as to whether it's worth including.

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are on the horizon (27th November, if you want to mark it in your diary), there's another opportunity to find a really affordable mattress over a month before that. Enter: Prime Day Big Deals, landing on 6th and 7th October (though some early deals are already live). We're patiently waiting to see how mattress prices drop for the event tomorrow, but in the mean time we have found a couple of great discounts on reputable mattress brands, Dormeo and Silentnight.

Silentnight 1200 Eco Comfort Mattress

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Dormeo Octasmart Hybrid Mattress

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Emma Original Mattress

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• A great price for a hybrid mattress

Cons

• If you do want a mattress that lasts for the long-run, investing in the more premium Emma mattresses does pay off. But for the price, you can't go wrong here.

Why we love it: Most Emma mattresses cost between £500 to £1000, so being able to find one that incorporates all of the key Emma elements, but comes in at £469, is a huge win in our eyes. Made from foam with pocket springs for support, it is the next generation of its bestselling Original Mattress, and has been designed for all sleeping positions. The medium-firm mattress has three breathable foam layers and moisture-wicking materials, making it a perfect starter mattress for those looking to explore the world of memory foam.

Ruth's verdict: ‘I found that the Emma Original was on the firm side, rather than medium firm, but this made it a fantastic option for back sleepers, who will feel well supported around the lumbar region, with their spines kept aligned. My side-sleeping husband also enjoyed the mattress. He felt that the layers of memory foam were sufficient to give comfort to his shoulder and hip profiles, and the springs are ‘zoned’ so there is a gentler zone of springs around the shoulder (and particularly) hip areas of the bed. If you’re not getting on with the firmness, Emma will send out a comfort layer free of charge, which is just placed on top of the existing layers under the cover.’

Origin Hybrid

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• Amazing value for money

Cons

• There can be quite a strong offgassing smell but it goes away within a few hours

Why we love it: When Origin first landed in the UK (originally from Australia) the one fundamental reason it stood out so much is just how incredible the value for money ratio is. With six layers that comprise of springs, actively cooling foams, wool, a hexagrid adaptive layer (for a very responsive level of targeted pressure relief) and a HexAdapt pillowtop that adapts to your body's unique contours, this is the kind of mattress you'd expect to cost a small fortune. For once, it doesn't, currently priced at £431 for a double with a free Origin Latex pillow thrown in for good measure. If you want even more pressure relief, and even more airflow (hot sleepers, this is for you) we'd suggest paying slightly more for the Origin Hybrid Pro, but most sleepers will be more than happy with this.

Jo's verdict: ‘Although Origin rates this mattress as medium firm, I found it decidedly on the firm side while testing. But this means it is, much like the Emma Original above, a fantastic pick for back sleepers, along with those who sleep on their front. As a lightweight sleeper who prefers a firmer feel, I felt very supported by the Origin mattress and it did a good job of soothing my lower back pain. I wouldn’t recommend it for side sleepers though as it's just too firm. Motion isolation and temperature regulation are both excellent, but it's worth noting that edge support is a little weak.’

Panda

Hybrid Bamboo Mattress

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• Highly breathable
• Very comfortable

Cons

• Quite heavy if you need to move it around

Why we love it: If you've not yet read about the benefits of bamboo as a material, let Panda's range of mattresses and sleepware be your first introduction to it. There are the sustainable benefits of it, which are quite widely known and discussed, but the most noticeable way Panda uses it is in how incredibly soft it makes the cover, and how breathable the mattress is overall. This isn't entirely down to the bamboo of course, but also Panda's generally innovative approach to mattress design, focusing on creating a product that's comfortable and supportive, yet still relatively affordable. We say relatively as, at full price, it is £799 for a double. Hold out for one of Panda's sales though and you'll be able to pick it up for a far more budget friendly price.

Tal's verdict: 'My absolute favourite feature of this mattress though has got to be its motion control – a total game-changer for anyone sharing a bed with anyone particularly restless or with not so harmonious sleep schedules (ahem, early gym sessions). Sure, the mattress's medium-firm comfort levels are also excellent, even for side sleepers, (thanks to high-density, orthopaedic-grade foam) but it keeps so still – a dream for this light sleeper! It also excels on temperature regulation, thanks to its ‘BioCell foam’ that pairs open-cell technology with fresh bamboo to increase airflow. Add in the zip-off top bamboo cover to wick away moisture and even the hottest sleeper will be comfortable.'

Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• 200-night trial
• Impressive innovation

Cons

• Over budget but worth the splurge

Why we love it: With over 83,000 five-star reviews, the Simba Hybrid Essential mattress is undoubtedly one of the best in the ‘mattress-in-a-box’ category. It combines the brand’s Aerocoil micro springs and cooling Simbatex foam, but with a more accessible price point. It also comes with a risk-free 200-night sleep trial and 10 year warranty. It is the brand's entry level hybrid model. With four layers of foam, it uses its own 'Simbatex' foam that's a far cry from old memory foam, as its open cell structure allows for better airflow. To further help with heat control, graphite has been added into the mix, making it a great option for any hot sleepers. However, like the Panda above, it's a bit of a stretch to call it cheap at full price so this is another mattress where you'll want to wait for a sale.

Our verdict: ‘The Simba Hybrid Essential uses many materials you'll find in its more expensive siblings and this means excellent temperature regulation and motion isolation that rivals what you'd find on mattresses at twice the price. It doesn't have the sink-in feel of some memory foam mattresses but it's a good all-rounder that should suit most sleepers. However, it could be too firm for lightweight side sleepers and it doesn't have as much support as you'll get in more expensive options, so might not be suitable for those with back pain, for example.’

3000 Supreme Hybrid Mattress

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• REM-FIT’s 3000 Supreme Hybrid Mattress earns high praise for calming back pain at an affordable price.

Cons

• Some customers note there is a chemical smell that tends to linger for a while, but this is often the case with foam mattresses.

Why we love it: The most affordable in REM-FIT's range of hybrid mattresses, this bed-in-a-box option combines memory foam and premium pocket springs to create a comfortable hybrid mattress. The top layer is made from hypoallergenic foam with an open cell construction that regulates temperature, wicks moisture and prevents overheating.

Rémy's verdict: ‘I’m a sleeper of many talents - I sleep on my back, front and side. The REM-Fit 3000 holds you in a curious way, being firm yet also cloud-like. Comforting, yet supportive as any good friend should be. The quality of my sleep overall has improved as I’m not trying to awkwardly change sleep position once my stiffness has set in. It’s an excellent choice for back or side sleepers and should help ease aches and pains as you sleep.'

Dusk Memory Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• One of the most affordable mattresses we've ever covered

Cons

• There's limited temperature regulation going on here- if you're a hot sleeper look to one of the other mattresses in the guide.

Why we love it: Crafted in Yorkshire, the Memory Foam 2,000 Pocket Sprung Hybrid Mattress mattress is perfectly supportive with its network of springs, while maintaining a softness from the memory foam layer, which moulds to your body. The mattress comprises four layers, with cooling gel foam making up the top layer, as well as a layer of individually-wrapped heat tempered pocket springs in the middle. It's allergy-friendly, uses breathable foam and is a very decent mattress for an incredibly reasonable price.

Virginia's verdict: 'Once you're stretched out, the mattress lives up to its medium-firm name, and feels no less supportive than the firm sprung mattress that was its predecessor, but with a comforting plushness to its texture. There's also no need to turn this mattress - indeed it would be a bad idea as you'd end up with gel on the bottom and springs on the top - just a rotation every few months will keep it in shape. A few weeks in, and the mattress seems to get more and more comfortable, its yielding yet firm surface a welcoming presence.'

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

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Pros and Cons

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Pros

• Fantastic pressure relief
• Excellent temperature regulation

Cons

• Too soft for heavier sleepers

Why we love it: DreamCloud mattresses are made by the same parent company as Nectar but, despite being one of the most popular brands over in the States, they're not as well known in the UK. Which is a shame, as the Hybrid mattress is undoubtedly the best budget option on the market for back pain sufferers. It's also well-priced, with a double coming in at £499, plus you'll get a whole year to trial it alongside a lifetime guarantee.

Jo's verdict: ‘As someone who suffers with lower back pain, I loved the DreamCloud Hybrid for its superior lumbar support, which eased away aches and pains. The mattress has a lovely soft and slightly squidgy feel at the top but you won’t sink too far in before the support kicks in. Temperature regulation and edge support are excellent but there is a tiny bit of motion transfer, which could disturb very light sleepers.’

Looking for more mattress content? Take a look at our selection of the best mattresses available to buy in the UK, our round up of the best memory foam mattresses, or our top tips for how to clean a mattress. To enhance your mattress, consider our pick of the best mattress toppers. Finally, if a buying a mattress that's mindful of the environment and your health is important to you, head over to our best organic mattress round up.