How much should you spend on a mattress? Our expert mattress price guide

Since I started working as H&G's resident sleep writer, I've become the go-to girl for all my friends' and family's mattress queries. Whenever someone I know is moving house or upgrading to a bigger bed, I get asked: 'how much should you spend on a mattress?'

I tell them it depends on a whole host of factors, from what percentage of your paycheck you're prepared to spend to what sort of mattress you're hoping to buy. If I had to set a minimum spend, I'd say $500 – you can't spend much less and still expect to get a good mattress. It's harder to set an upper limit, since the price of your mattress largely depends on the quality of the materials and the manufacture. Personally, I wouldn't spend more than $2,000 on a mattress, and that still leaves me with plenty of options.

I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best mattress. We assess each mattress for comfort, support, breathability, and motion isolation. We also consider all the practical aspects of buying a bed, including the all-important price. I'm perfectly placed to tell you just how much you should spend on a mattress to meet your sleep needs and budget constraints.

How much should you spend on a mattress?

I asked mattress manufacturers and sleep specialists to contribute to our ultimate mattress price guide. We know just how much you should expect to spend on a mattress, depending on the mattress type, the quality of the materials, and the details of the mattress warranty.

Our mattress price guide

The price of a mattress depends on a number of factors, ranging from material matters, such as size and manufacture, to practical details, including mattress sleep trials and warranties. For the purposes of this article, we'll talk about three different mattress types: budget; mid-range; and luxury.

You'll find the best budget beds in our best affordable mattress buying guide. Prices start from as low as $399 for a Queen, but the important thing is that the quality matches the cost. You're looking for something that strikes the right balance between comfort and support, made from durable materials that won't wear out within the first few years of purchase.

I'd say that a mid-range mattress could cost anywhere between $800 and $1,500. It's the sort of thing worth saving for, with enhanced breathability and ergonomic support to suit every sort of sleeper.

The best luxury mattress is filled with pocket-sprung coils and natural latex, then wrapped in organic wool, cotton, and cashmere. You have to pay a premium for these sorts of materials, but you can often find a luxury mattress for less in the mattress sales.

What influences the price of a mattress?

I asked clinical sleep educator Lauri Leadley what she thinks makes the best mattress. For Lauri, 'the quality truly comes down to the materials. The more layers in the mattress, and the thicker it feels, the pricier it becomes.'

Lauri explains that 'cheaper mattresses are thinner, with just a few layers of material'. A truly budget bed is unlikely to give you the comfort you want or the support you need. Plus, it'll come with a shorter sleep trial and a less extensive warranty, so if you don't like it, you might need to buy another mattress.

'Luxury mattresses have multiple layers of premium materials, which are more complex and costly to make and manufacture,' says Lauri. Still, she thinks the right luxury mattress would be worth the spend: 'I always spend more on mattresses and shoes − my back and my feet take me everywhere!'

Lauri Leadley

Lauri is the Founder and President of the Valley Sleep Center. It's one of the largest independent sleep diagnostics centers in Arizona, with locations in Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Phoenix.

Patrick Gunther works for PlushBeds, which is one of the best places to buy a mattress for hot sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers − as long as you've got some cash to spare. When I asked Patrick how much you should spend on a mattress, I was pleasantly surprised to hear him say that 'more money doesn't always equate to better quality. It's essential to find a mattress that offers a combination of comfort, support, and durability within your budget constraints.'

Still, Patrick argues that you should 'view the mattress as an investment in your health and happiness. A high-quality mattress can enhance sleep and overall well-being, making it worth your while to spend the extra amount.'

'Additional features, such as cooling technology, adjustable bases, and enhanced comfort layers can raise the cost of a mattress,' Patrick explains. Also, 'brand reputation can contribute to higher prices for big-name brands.' That's why it's worth shopping around different stores to find the best price on the best mattress.

Patrick's top tip: 'Getting a good deal by purchasing online can help you to save potentially hundreds of dollars. Flooring space in a mattress showroom adds significantly to a company's overhead costs, and that gets factored into the price of your mattress.'

Patrick Gunther

Patrick has worked with the PlushBeds team for the past 14 years. He runs their Green Sleep blog, answering common questions about specific sleep issues.

Mattress price guide FAQs

What is a normal price for a mattress?

I asked around my team of mattress testers, and we reached a consensus that you can get a good mattress for somewhere between $500 and $1,000. That's about as much as we'd spend ourselves, so we agreed that's 'normal'.

Much lower than $500, and you're paying a great price for a poor product that you'll need to replace in a few years' time. You could easily spend more than $1,000 on a mattress, especially if you're looking for organic materials or an active cooling system, but it's not necessary to get a decent mattress.

Can I negotiate mattress price?

Not when you're buying online, but you can definitely negotiate mattress price when you shop in-store. If you do your homework, and you can get a good rapport with your salesperson, then you could save yourself a couple hundred dollars on a mattress.

Do your research: before you go to the mattress store, look up the manufacturer online. Get to know their prices and ask your salesperson to match them. If you're serious about saving, you could even download a price tracker to monitor mattress deals throughout the year − I use CamelCamelCamel for work, and it's really user-friendly.

Check out the competition: research other manufacturers who make similar models, and monitor the prices at other mattress stores in your area. If you find a better deal, tell your salesperson, and consider walking away if they can't match your price.

Ask about special deals: that might be a bundle deal, where you get a bed frame or some bedding thrown in with your new mattress, or there could be a special offer for teachers, students, veterans, and so on. You never know what you could save until you ask.

Final thoughts

Once you've bought the best mattress you can afford, it's important to take good care of it. Pick up one of the best mattress protectors to guard against sweat, spills, and stains.

If you know you need a new mattress, but you just can't afford it, then consider one of the best mattress toppers, instead. One of these thick layers of foam could totally transform your sleep for a fraction of the price of a new mattress.

Once you've bought the best mattress you can afford, it's important to take good care of it. Pick up one of the best mattress protectors to guard against sweat, spills, and stains.

If you know you need a new mattress, but you just can't afford it, then consider one of the best mattress toppers, instead. One of these thick layers of foam could totally transform your sleep for a fraction of the price of a new mattress.