35 Best Cheap Mattress Reviewed (The UK 2023 Expert Buyer’s Guide)

Happy beds have made a fantastic cheap mattress, in fact they’ve made a whole bunch of them! But this one is my favourite.

It’s a medium-feel so great for back and side sleepers, and while it’s OK for front sleepers they normally need something a littler firmer.

Natural fillings help keep you cool through the night and the fact it’s hand tufted with natural wool increases durability and improves the life span of the mattress considerably so you’ll get your money’s worth even with the low price tag.

It’s double sided so will need flipped about twice a year but this can be a good thing because it stops you falling into a “groove” and can make the mattress feel new again every time it’s flipped.

You can’t get better than this if you’re looking to keep the price under £300.

3. Best mattress under £500 – Signature Crystal 3000 Pocket Sprung Orthopaedic Natural Fillings Mattress

What this mattress gets you over the above choice is a few things, first off it’s got a higher spring count at 3000 instead of 1400 which leaves you with a more supportive bed that feels more comfortable. that’s the main thing you get and honestly? It’s worth paying the extra for it.

But apart from that, it’s got natural fillings of wool, mohair and cashmere which all work together to kee your temperature regulated through the night, the cotton fabric cover also help prevent night sweats.

These fillnigs are higher quality than the Happy beds mattress above so over all you spend the extra money but you get left with a higher quality mattress that’s more comfortable and should stay comfortable for longer.

It’s also medium-firm feel rather than a medium which makes it better for front sleepers while still being a good choice for back and side sleepers.

Couple all that with a 5-year guarantee and free delivery in the UK and you’re on to a winner.

4. Best Affordable Mattress For Back Pain – Sealy Posturepedic Aspen Mattress

Great for back and stomach sleepers with back pain but side sleepers will be fine if you like a firm feel, otherwise you’ll be better off with the Silentnight mattress above.

This has pocket springs in it that have been tempered to be stronger giving them more durability for a long-lasting and great value mattress as well as providing excellent support to your spine.

The cover is Damask which is breathable to keep your body temperature steady and the cover is hand-tufted to make it firm and tough for a durable mattress.

Plus, you don’t have to flip this mattress, which if you have a bad back isn’t something you want to be doing.

Made in the UK and a 5-year warranty, an excellent cheap mattress for back pain.

5. Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress – Silentnight Memory 3 Zone Mattress

Silentnight have been keeping Britain sleeping happily for over 70 years. Now they’ve brought us a superb memory foam mattress at budget prices. The 3 Zone Support offers firmer support in the middle where you need it across your back, hips and shoulders and then softer support at your head and feet. This gives you a great overall feel.

Because this mattress is only around 17cm thick it’s not the best for people who are heavier. It can get squashed down and after a few years of continuous use, you might find it doesn’t spring back as well as it once did. That’s the danger of going for cheap memory foam, though, so it’s great for a single person, a small couple or if you need it for the same, room. A great cheap memory foam mattress for a child. Comparatively, if you buy a more expensive memory foam mattress it will come with a 10-year guarantee.

It’s still very good quality for a cheap mattress and it comes rolled up so you can easily move it around your house and get it onto the bed. Memory foam does come with a bit of a funny smell so I strongly suggest you air it out by unrolling it and leaving the windows open before you put your sheets on it.

Type Of Mattress

The mattress filling is the heart and soul, it is the most important factor and defines what kind of feel and comfort it has. Luckily there are only a couple of different fillings that come up here so let’s have a look at what they are.

MEMORY FOAM

Memory foam is known for its support and comfort allowing you to sleep like your lying on a cloud. Memory foam itself is what’s known as a viscoelastic material, this just means it gets softer when it’s touched by something hot. So when you lie on a memory foam mattress it gets softer and moulds around your body. This keeps your spine aligned as it should be stopping morning aches and pains and letting you sleep comfortably.

The problems are they tend to be very hot unless they are split up into different layers that allow for airflow and proper cooling. Another problem is when you roll over you can tend to leave behind a big groove that takes some time to bounce back. So for people who move around a lot you can get woken up by lying on the bumps you made, it doesn’t take long for them to go away but it can be long enough to wake you up.

Even on a budget you can pick up a semi-decent memory foam mattress, but the problems that memory foam has to tend to be quite prominent. So if you’re a hot sleeper who’s prone to night sweats then I’d recommend a spring or hybrid. But if you tend to wake up with a sore back then memory foam will be perfect for you.

SPRING

Spring mattresses are the kind most people are familiar with, bouncy, firm, tried and true. A lot of people can’t get used to memory foam so nothing is comfier than a spring mattress, great for hot sleepers and people who move around a lot. There are actually two types of spring mattress, pocket spring, and spring bed. Pocket spring is the far superior of the two with individual springs that are wrapped in pockets of fabric, this gives a greater range of movement as each spring can move independently.

Next we have open coil which is where all the springs are attached together, this is cheaper as it’s easier to make than individually sewing up and placing springs but they become much less responsive and generally not as comfortable.

Some cheap mattresses have pocket springs and if comfort is the game then they’re definitely the better choice.

HYBRID

Finally we have hybrid mattresses which are a combination of both spring and memory foam. These aren’t as cheap but offer a great balance of support and comfort. More support for those who need it but aren’t prepared to go full memory foam.

COVER MATERIAL

The cover material might not seem important if you’re going to put a bed sheet on the mattress anyway but it’s the final touches that make the difference.

Ideally, you want a bamboo cover as these are breathable and help wick away moisture to stop you getting too hot at night. But any sort of cotton or polyester blend will do you just fine.

IS IT HYPOALLERGENIC

A danger of a cheap mattress is that it’s not been properly treated to become hypoallergenic. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, or even if you don’t a mattress full of dust mites is the last thing you want.

Other Cheap Mattresses Reviewed

Cheap Memory Foam Mattresses

Contour 2000 Memory Pocket Mattress

• Under £400 for a king size
• 25 cm deep
• Soft cover
• Hybrid mattress
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium Firm

Sizes: Single, small double, double, king and super king

Price & Reviews

2000 pocket springs is nice and high even straying into luxury given it’s a cheap mattress. Made with hypoallergenic materials and it’s got a 100% cotton border to give great durability to the mattress as well as edge-to-edge support.

All that and there’s no need to flip it making life that little bit easier.

Silentnight Comfortable Foam Mattress

• Under £200
• ideal kids mattress
• hypoallergenic
• Pressure-relieving
• 5-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium-Soft

Sizes: Single, small double, double, king, EU single, EU double, EU king

Price & Reviews

A new mattress doesn’t have to break the bank and the price point of this mattress is really low, under £200 for a kingsize?? Crazy!

The downside is at 14 cm deep it probably won’t last as long as other mattresses, but with the 5-year guarantee, you’re getting some peace of mind for many nights of restful sleep. Also, the 14 cm isn’t great for heavy people who might feel the bed frame but a great budget mattress for a smaller single person.

I should also point out that this isn’t technically memory foam but in fact Silentnight’s Reflex Foam which works the same way. I thought it still deserved to go in the memory foam beds section anyway though!

Cool Sensations 1400 Pocket Mattress

• Hybrid mattress
• Soft quilted cover
• Good for hot sleepers
• 5-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium

Sizes: Single, double, king, super king

Price & Reviews

The top layers of foam in a mattress can sometimes cause overheating but this mattress is made with “integrated hydrophilic fibres” which work to regulate your body temperature and stop you getting too hot.

1400 pocket springs and the memory foam work together to minimise motion transfer making it a great choice for couples. And the very reasonable price tag doesn’t hurt either!

Kayflex Pocket Ruby 3000 Pillow Top Mattress

• 25 cm deep
• Plush pillow top
• Free next-day delivery
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium

Sizes: Single, small double, double, king and super king

Price & Reviews

A pillow top works like a built-in mattress topper giving you an extra comfort layer to help you sink into a deep sleep.

A polyester filling around the springs offers a long-lasting and durable filling that quickly springs back to shape for an excellent traditional feel of mattress. Handmade in the UK and eligible for free delivery, what’s not to like?

Bed Butler Inspire Memory Mattress

• Pressure point relief
• Great for all sleeping positions
• Great for bad back
• 5-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Sizes: Single, double, king and super king

Price & Reviews

Now this isn’t quite as fancy as the bed-in-a-box mattresses with their trial periods like the Emma Original Mattress, the Nectar or even the Leesa, but it offers a great memory foam mattress at a cheaper price point.

Layers of foam combine to give excellent pressure relief to your pressure points to ease an aching back and help you sleep deeper. Great for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers, but also the most expensive budget mattress on the list.

Cheap Spring Mattresses

Silentnight Classic 1200 Pocket Deluxe Mattress

You’re paying that little bit more but boy do you get a fantastic mattress. It’s 26 cm deep which is that little bit thicker allowing for more comfortable fillings on the inside. 1200 pocket springs for great comfort and pressure relief plus edge-to-edge support so you can lie happily right up to the edge of the bed.

It’s been treated with Silentnight’s Purotex to reduce moisture and dustmite allergens keeping the bed fresher for longer and it’s got a nice comfortable knitted cover.

It’s good on any bed frame and suitable for all sleeping positions, plus medium-firm is just right for pretty much everyone.

A 5-year guarantee and made by one of the leading bed manufacturers in the UK, Silentnight, who’ve been bringing us affordable bedding for over 75 years. A budget mattress under £500 you can trust.

Silentnight Double Sided Limited Edition Miracoil Mattress

The Silenightnight Miracoil mattress is a great cheap alternative. Unfortunately, the spring system is open spring as opposed to pocket springs. But the good news is it’s a miracoil spring bed which is specially designed to incorporate twice as many springs as a normal spring bed. This gives greater support where you need it and an even feel across the whole thing.

What impresses is me is the 5-year guarantee, that is almost unheard of for a cheap mattress. So it’ll definitely stand the test of time for the next while. And the 20 cm depth makes it great for couples over the memory foam mattress which is a little too thin and likely to go flat. You might find you feel a lot of movement in the bed but that’s normal.

Overall, a bargain price and 5-year guarantee make it a great cheap mattress.

Coolflex Pocket Backcare 1400 Mattress

• Breathable Damask cover
• Under £300 for a king size
• Air vents
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium

Sizes: Small single, single, small double, double, king and super king

Price & Reviews

A great choice of pocket sprung mattress that provides all-round cooling withe air vents in the side and the Damask cover for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Pressure-relieving and supportive for any back problems you might have in the morning and minimal motion transfer, not as much as a memory foam mattress but more than a standard spring mattress would have.

Spring King Pocket Tuscany 2000 Natural Mattress

• Natural fillings
• 24 cm deep
• Under £250
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

SIzes: single, small double, double, king and super king, EU small single, EU single, EU double, EU king size

Price & Reviews

Natural fillings are unusual in a cheap mattress, but the Spring King Tuscany has soft cashmere, silk, and wool while being under £250 for a king size.

These fillings work to keep you cool while being good for the environment and keep your bed clean and fresh on the inside.

It’s side stitched for added durability and made in the UK, a really high-quality affordable mattress.

Madrid Pocket Superior 1000 Mattress

• Under £200
• Minimal motion transfer
• Hypoallergenic
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Sizes: small single, single, small double, double, king and super king

Price & Reviews

Everything you could want in a mattress that’s under £200, 1000 pocket springs which is a major upgrade compared to an open coil mattress which is a single slab of springs, pocket sprigs give you more support in the places you need it for a more comfortable and more restful sleep.

Polyester fillings keep the cost down while adding durability and longevity to the mattress.

HAPPY BEDS ORTHOPAEDIC MATTRESS

Pros

• Firm
• Great For Back Problema
• 25cm Depth
• Air vents stitched along the side

Cons

• Quite Heavy To Flip
• Open Coil Springs

PRICE & REVIEWS

Again there aren’t many cheap mattresses that have orthopaedic qualities but Happy Beds have managed. This firm mattress is perfect for those who suffer from back pain and wake up with aches and pains. The problem could come in having to flip a 27kg mattress if you have a bad back!

I really like the air vents along the sides of this mattress, really good for hot sleepers being able to take some of the heat out from underneath you while you sleep. It’s a lot easier to warm up then it is to cool down after all.

The mattress features an open coil system, not pocket spring but if the firm feel is what you want you won’t notice the difference much anyway.

Overall it’s a must-have if you need a cheap firm mattress.

More Happy Beds mattress reviews

HAPPY BEDS HYBRID 2000 SPRING MATTRESS

Pros

• Hybrid of memory foam and pocket Spring
• Bamboo Treated Cover
• Medium to medium-firm feel
• Hypoallergenic
• Great For Bad Back

Cons

• Too deep for Some Sheets at 28 cm

PRICE & REVIEWS

We’re straying into the world of luxury now with this memory foam hybrid mattress. 2000 Pocket springs offer supreme comfort while the top memory foam layers moulds around you giving you all the support you could need on your back and joints.

The bamboo treated cover helps wick away moisture keeping you cool at night and warm in winter. This sort of climate control material is a must with memory foam. The only problem is the 28cm depth, that’s thick by most mattress standards so you might find if you have older fitted sheets they won’t quite fit over. A small price to pay for such a comfortable mattress, though.

I put the feel as a medium/medium-firm because it’s always a personal thing how memory foam feels, some people say it’s soft while others describe it as firm. I’d say this isn’t as firm as a full spring mattress but more bounce than a memory foam mattress. Overall a fantastic cheap mattress.

Cheap kids mattress for bunk beds

Silentnight Imagine Sprung Bunk Kids Mattress

• 14 cm deep
• Allergy seal of approval
• Eco fibres keep it clean
• 5-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Sizes: Small single, single

Price & Reviews

14 cm is a perfect depth to be well below the safety rail on a bunk bed so you can sleep soundly knowing your child isn’t going to roll out of bed.

The eco comfort fibres are recycled to and made to be soft while also working to wick away moisture keeping the mattress fresh a and stopping overheating for a night of better sleep. All at the fantastic price point you can expect from Silentnight

Dreamland Jasmine Mattress

• 18 cm deep
• Great kids mattress
• Hypoallergenic
• Under £100 for a single

Firmness: Medium

Sizes: Small single, single, small double, double, king size

Price & Reviews

18 cm is fine for most bunk beds but this is a fantastic kids mattress on a budget for a regular bed. It’s hypoallergenic for a fresh clean sleep environment.

It’s not pocket springs which is why it’s so cheap but a standard spring system, which is fine for a child on their own, but not so good for adults sharing a bed.

Kayflex Windsor Memory Mattress

• 22 cm deep
• Bed-in-a-box
• Hybrid mattress
• 1-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium-Soft

Sizes: Small single, single, small double, double, king size

Price & Reviews

22 cm is too deep for a bunk bed but a fine depth of mattress for a regular bed. it’s great value as a hybrid mattress combination of memory foam and springs.

Great back support for growing kids and very healthy on the wallet at under £100 for a single! BUt also healthy from its hypoallergenic properties keeping dust mites and allergens out of the mattress.

Nautilus Orthopaedic Waterproof Mattress

• 18 cm deep
• waterproof cover
• Breathable cover
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Sizes: Small single, single, small double, double, king size

Price & Reviews

The waterproof works kind of like a mattress protector, it’s not removable but it’s much easier to spot clean than a regular mattress so it’s great for any child with bed wetting issues.

The 18 cm is also suitable for a bunk bed!

While the cover is waterproof it’s got a soft feel and is made to be breathable so it won’t overheat whoever sleeps in it. Orthopaedic support and white fillings of polyester to make it durable.

Cheap Mattress For Single Bed

London Supreme Mattress

• Hypoallergenic
• 17 cm deep
• Very affordable
• 1-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium-Soft

Price & Reviews

One of the softer mattresses on the list, a very cheap mattress at under £100 for a single. No much to write home about, a standard open coil mattress that’s soft to the feel butis also hypoallergenic and it comes with a 1iyear guarantee.

Other than that, you get some mattress, you don’t get a fantastic mattress but you do in fact get a cheap mattress.

Kayflex Shallow Luxury 800 Pocket Mattress

• 14 cm deep
• pocket springs
• Great kids mattress
• good for hot sleepers

Firmness: Medium

Price & Review

This is a fine choice of mattress and for not, that much more money than the one above you get to have pocket springs which provide the next level in comfort compared to an open coil system.

It’s 14 cm and designed for a kids bed but is good on any single bed. a 1-year guarantee which is nice for the price point and it comes vacuum-packed and rolled up in a box for easy manoeuvring through the house.

Stafford Orthopaedic Mattress

• 25 cm deep
• Orthopaedic support
• hypoallergenic
• 1-year guarantee

Firmness: Firm

Price & Reviews

From the softest to the firmest mattress, well one of the firmest anyway, a great mattress for a single bed for those that need extra support and help with back pain.

Orthopaedic support offers extra support for aching shoulders hips or lower back, plus it’s hypoallergenic for a cleaner fresher sleep experience.

Kayflex Pocket Plush 2000 Series Mattress

• Bed-in-a-box
• 24 cm deep
• Hybrid mattress
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium

Price & Reviews

We’re getting into the realms of expensive at over £150 for a single! OK, so that’s still pretty good right? Especially for a hybrid mattress of pocket springs and memory foam that this mattress provides. Great for any sleep position, but especially good for side sleepers and back sleepers.

The added cost also gets’ you a 5-year warranty for a little assurance that you’re still getting a decent quality mattress. Good for restless sleepers because the memory foam will help mould you into a comfortable position so you don’t roll around so much and actually end up getting a deeper sleep. A fine cheap single mattress.

Coolflex Backcare Firm Mattress

• Orthopaedic support
• Cooling cover
• Improved airflow inside
• 1-year guarantee

Firmness: Firm

Price & Reviews

If hot sleeping is a problem then this is the mattress for you, a cool youch cover that helps regulate temperature through the night and it’s designed with a box border system that allows for greater airflow throughout the mattress.

Plus it’s got great support for a bad back with a firm feel that remains comfortable with the pocket springs. Quite specific but if you need a cheap single mattress for back pain and hot sleepers then this one’s going to be for you.

Cheap Double Mattresses

Bed Butler Pocket Royal Comfort 3000 Mattress

• Uner £400
• Natural fillings
• 24 cm deep
• 5-year guarantee

Firmness: Soft, medium or firm available

Price & Reviews

This is quite a good mattress because you can get it as either a soft, medium or a firm feel, they just change what springs go into it while it’s being made.

Natural fillings of silk, wool and cashmere for a cushioned feel and it’s been side stitched for durability which shows in the 5-year guarantee you get with this mattress. On the more expensive side but still a great cheap double mattress.

Spring King Pocket Tuscany 2000 Natural Mattress

• Under £200
• Natural Fillings
• 24 cm deep
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Price & Reviews

A damask cover adds an element of cooling to this mattress which works well with the wool fillings. A nice high spring count for maximum comfort while remaining a mattress under £200.

Seville Pocket Memory Plus 1000 Mattress

• 25 cm deep
• Pressure-relieving
• hypoallergenic
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Price & Reviews

Memory foam mattresses are a great way to add much-needed pressure relief to tired joints and aching backs. Spruce up your double bed for under £200 with this hybrid mattress.

1000 pocket springs is plenty for a really nice comfortable feel while being low enough to keep the price down.

Kayflex Windsor Memory Mattress

• Under £150
• 22 cm deep
• bed-in-a-box
• 1-year guarantee

Firmness: Medium-Soft

Price & Reviews

Again, it might not be as fancy as a Casper mattress or a Leesa mattress but it is a nice bed-in-a-box on a budget.

22 cm deep so it’ll sit nicely on any bed, completely memory foam so great for couples sharing a bed, no motion transfer so you can each move without disturbing the other person.

Memory Cool Classic Mattress

• Hybrid mattress
• Hypoallergenic
• Pressure Relieving
• Cooling Cover

Firmness: Medium

Price & Reviews

Memory foam is always a great choice, it’s my favourite mattress material and the Cool Classic offers a hybrid of memory foam and open springs to keep the price down while offering great support.

Under £150 for a double and a great choice for couples because of the memory foam layer.

Cheap King Size Mattress

Sleepeezee Wool Supreme Pocket Mattress

• Under £500
• 60-night sleep trial
• Free Pillows
• Natural Fillings

Firmness: Medium

Price & Reviews

This is a really nice mattress, very traditional combining a nice high spring count with luxury natural fillings that offer comfort, support, temperature regulation and downright luxury, all on a budget!

A fine cheap king size mattress great for couples with plenty of support for a deep and restful night’s sleep, you won’t be disappointed.

Coolflex Pocket Platinum 1800 Memory Mattress

• Orthopaedic support
• Under £300
• Air vents
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium

Price & Reviews

A mattress under £300 can still offer som luxury feel and generally good quality. Cooling covers, memory foam layers and a nice high pocket spring count for plenty of support up and down the mattress.

Minimal roll together so a great choice for couples and a soft knitted cover to add a nice comfort layer to the top of the mattress.

Millbrook Royal Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress

• 22 cm deep
• Natural Cotton cover
• Air vents
• 60-night sleep trial
• 10-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Price & Reviews

It’s not quite the 100-night trial that some companies offer but a 60-night trial is still more than long enough to try out a mattress and really see if it suits you.

The egyptian cotton cover adds a layer of luxury and helps keep the finish of the mattress high and you’ve got a 10-year warranty to match the higher level of quality offered in this mattress.

Coolflex i-Pedic Memory Cool Mattress

• Under £250
• 20 cm deep
• Removable cover
• Cooling cover

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Price & Reviews

Not great for heavy sleepers at 20 cm deep but for normal-weight people this mattress is a great budget choice. The cover is removable and washable making the bed fresher without having to buy a mattress protector (though you should buy one anyway).

It’s vacuum-packed and delivered in a box for convenience and is even more convenient to put on the bed because you just cut through the plastic and let it unroll. There will be a smell at first but that’s normal and goes away with time.

Queen Ortho Comfort Mattress

• Orthopaedic support
• Damask cover for breathability
• 24 cm deep
• 5-year warranty

Firmness: Medium-Firm

Price & Reviews

Cheap and cheerful, polyester fillings provide durability and longevity while the open coil springs are great for a single person in a king-size bed. Not so great for couples as movement gets transferred quite badly.

But orthopaedic support to help with back pain and a soft damask cover for breathability to keep you cool through the night.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST CHEAP MATTRESS

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best cheap mattresses if you have any questions leave them in the comments below and I’ll be sure to get back to you there.

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