The Best Mattresses and Mattress Brands

Best Mattress for Under $1,000: Emma Mattress

Emma Mattress Review

Looking for a quality mattress under $1,000? Emma mattresses aren’t cheaply made — they’re just affordably priced.

Of course, there's more to like about Emma Mattresses than the fact that you can get one of its top-selling king-size mattresses for under $1,000.

Let's look at some of what we think are the highlights of getting an Emma mattress.

Comfort & Support:

• Hybrid Options: Emma offers both all-foam and hybrid models, catering to various preferences. The Original provides plush comfort with good pressure relief for side sleepers, while the Hybrid Comfort combines foam and coils for a more responsive feel and better edge support.

  • Learn more about Emma's Hybrid Comfort Mattress. 

  • How much does it cost? Purchase the Hybrid Mattress in the California King Size for Under $1,000 (with 50% discount today)

• Zoned Support: The Original's core features firmer zones under the hips and softer areas around the shoulders, promoting proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure points.

• Targeted Pressure Relief: Memory foam layers in both models contour to your body, cradling pressure-prone areas like hips and shoulders, especially beneficial for side sleepers.

Other Advantages:

• Cooling Technology: Both models feature breathable covers and Airgocell® foam for enhanced airflow, addressing concerns about heat buildup with some memory foam mattresses.

• Motion Isolation: Both models minimize motion transfer, which is ideal for couples or those with restless partners or pets.

• Bed-in-a-Box Convenience: Emma mattresses arrive compressed and boxed for easy delivery and setup.

• Trial & Warranty: They offer a generous 365-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, allowing you to test the mattress and ensure its longevity.

Considerations:

• Firmness: The Original leans towards medium-soft, which might not suit stomach or heavier back sleepers who prefer firmer support.

• Sales and Discounts: We recommend you visit their website directly for Emma Mattress' best sales and discounts. Today, they are offering a sale on the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress, a queen size, for only $659.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent consumer reviews

• Luxury mattresses for under $1,000

• Best-rated for side sleepers, pain relief, and couples

• Free delivery

• 10-year warranty

• 1-year guarantee or full refund

• Best mattress deals available today with discounts of up to 50% off

• Best motion isolation technology, making it ideal for couples

• Breathable and machine-washable polyblend cover

Cons

• One of the newer mattress manufacturers

• A bit soft for back sleepers

• Lacks support for heavier people

A Top-Rated Mattress: Saatva

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Saatva is a luxury mattress manufacturer offering several custom, direct-to-consumer, and built-to-order mattress types and styles. In business since 2010, the company enjoys consistent stellar reviews and an A+ grade at the BBB.

Saatva makes seven mattress designs with various materials, including memory foam, latex foam, innerspring, and hybrid choices. The company also offers a nearly complete line of bed frames, adjustable frames, bedding accessories, and children's mattresses.

Saatva Overview

• Luxury mattress maker

•  Mattresses made to order

• Sustainable business and materials model

• Seven models available, plus accessories

• Eight available sizes from twin to cal king

• Several material types are available

• Custom firmness is available on some models

• Mattresses are also available for children, infants, and dogs

• An adjustable firmness mattress is available

Why We Chose Saatva

Saatva is our pick for the best overall mattresses and manufactured for several reasons. The company consistently rates highly among product owners and offers numerous materials, comfort levels, adjustability options, and custom choices.

However, we chose Saatva as number one for combining all of its many abilities to offer custom luxury mattresses at reasonable prices, if not a little on the high side, with its high-level customer service and home delivery efficiency while maintaining a focus on sustainability.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent consumer reviews

• One-year trial period on most mattresses

• Focused on sustainable practices

• Available for purchase online and in select city showrooms

• Mattresses not compressed, boxed, and shipped

• Free home delivery and set up

• Free old mattress removal

• Lifetime warranties

• Custom firmness level available on some models

• An adjustable firmness mattress model is available

Cons

• $99 fee for mattress returns or exchanges

• Limitations on old bed removal requirements

• Mattresses are luxury-priced

• Some reports list a firmer feel than expected

Best Memory Foam: Nectar

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Although Nectar features both memory foam and innerspring bed-in-a-box mattresses, we chose its memory foam offerings as the best in our review. The company offers three versions of memory foam mattresses. All contain several foam layers and an effective cooling layer for a foam-constructed bed. Each version also sports low motion transfer, firm edge support, medium-firm comfort, and a lifetime warranty with free shipping and returns.

Nectar's other products include three innerspring hybrid mattress versions, bedroom furniture, bedding accessories, sheet sets, and bed frames. Products are available on the company website or through numerous retailers across the country.

Nectar Mattresses

• Memory foam or innerspring hybrid types available

• 365-day trial period

• Limited lifetime warranty on each mattress

• Available for purchase online or through retailers

• Budget-friendly pricing

• Bed frames, furniture, and accessories are also available

• Medium-firm feel in all mattresses

• All Nectar mattresses provide good edge support

• All models are compressed and mailed for delivery

• All Nectar mattresses provide low motion transfer qualities

• Sex ratings are higher on hybrid models than on all-foam models

• Free shipping and returns

• Financing available through third-party

Why We Chose Nectar

Nectar Sleep mattresses stand out by providing excellent options throughout its product lineup while keeping pricing under control. Consumers have many reasons to like a Nectar mattress—From lowest-priced to highest, Nectar uses quality materials and provides a lifetime warranty with free shipping and returns.

Nectar Pros and Cons

Pros

• Budget-friendly mattress pricing

• Excellent for average-weight and lightweight sleepers

• Low motion transfer ratings

• Good edge support features

• Lifetime warranties

• Scores well on many review platforms

• 365-day trial period

• Available online or at retail locations

Cons

• Not the best choice for stomach sleepers

• Not the best for cooling due to foam construction

• Heavyweight people likely won't be comfortable

• Mattresses require 24 – 72 hours to expand

Best Hybrid: Helix

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Helix mattresses are made from a special latex foam material unique to the brand. The material, coupled with individually wrapped innerspring coils, offers a blend of support, cushioning, cooling, and low motion transfer qualities.

Three main mattress styles and three variations of each one are available. A plus size variation and a kid's version are also available. The three versions are Helix, Helix Luxe, and Helix Elite. The additional styles are the Helix Kids and the Helix Plus.

The standard Helix mattress collection contains the lowest-priced options, while the Luxe and Elite versions add features such as lumbar support, additional spring support, cooling technologies, and additional material layers. All Helix mattresses fit into a conservatively-priced category.

Helix Overview

• Hybrid innerspring mattresses available

• 100-day trial period

• 10-year warranty on standard mattress styles

• 15-year warranty on Luxe and Elite mattress styles

• 6 primary mattress designs in three variations

• Helix Plus model available for larger bodies

• Flippable children's design also available

• Mattress selections divided by sleep styles and firmness

• Bases and accessories are also available

• Available online or at retailers nationwide

• Mattresses are compressed and rolled for delivery

Why We Chose Helix

Helix stands out by offering a large selection of hybrid mattresses that focus on cooling and support for nearly any type of sleeper, depending on model and style. The company provides a user-friendly selection model and an online quiz to ensure customers get the mattress that fits them best. Each Helix mattress offers excellent edge support and comfort.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Short 2-hour expansion time

• Mattress rotation isn't necessary

• Three variations of most mattress styles

• Mattresses available to accommodate most sleep styles

• Proprietary material and construction

• Sleep quiz on website helps customers choose best mattress

• Good edge support

• Low motion transfer

Cons

• Plus size mattress model only available in one design

• Lumbar support in Luxe versions may not work for every body type

• Mattresses tend to err on the soft side

• Warranty varies depending on selected model

Best Selection: Serta

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Serta has been making mattresses for over 90 years and today offers over three dozen style combinations to choose from. The company offers foam, innerspring, and hybrid models in all sizes and firmness levels. Consumers are sure to find a Serta mattress that fits their sleeping style and budget due to the vast selection and wide price range from wallet-friendly to luxurious.

Serta Overview

• Four primary mattress collections to choose from

• Massive number of options and styles available

• Four primary kinds of mattresses available

• Baby bedding and accessories available

• Dog beds available

• Offering adjustable frames

• Platforms and furniture available

• Wide selection of bedding and accessories for sale

• 120-day trial period

• 10-year warranties

• Product names vary by sales locations

• BBB ratings and grades are generally poor

Why We Chose Serta

While Serta stands out for several reasons, depending on who you ask and which Serta mattress you're referring to, we chose the company for its ability to meet the needs of almost any mattress-buying customer. Serta's huge product selection offers everything from super-soft and plush foam, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses to super-frim models and everything in between.

Serta's wide price range also appeals to most crowds, as does the company's purchasing options. Customers can purchase bed-in-a-box models or standard models online at the company's site or several other online retailers or from brick-and-mortar retailers nationwide.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Huge selection of mattresses

• 120-day trial period

• Accessories, bedframes, and furniture also available

• Readily available at many retailers nationwide

• Warrantied against small compressions

• Uses many recycled materials

• Long company history

• Wide price range

Cons

• Poor BBB standings

• Complaints of warranty issues

• Naming conventions differ from online to retailers

• Multiple styles and names can make choosing difficult

Most Versatile: Leesa

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Leesa offers several mattress types designed to fit the needs of almost every sleeper. That is, according to the company. However, our findings indicate that side and back sleepers will enjoy a Leesa mattress more than stomach sleepers in most cases. But, the company does offer some firmer selections for those who need it.

With ten foam and hybrid adult mattress styles and one kids version available, Leesa offers a good selection of products. Other offerings include bedding, sheets, pillows, bed frames, and more. The company provides a 10-year warranty and 100-day sleep trial for all of its mattresses, and financing is available through a partner company.

Leesa Overview

• Donate mattresses to charitable causes

• 100-day trial period

• Available online and at retailers nationwide

• Foam and hybrid mattresses are available

• Recommended for all sleep styles

• 10 mattress styles plus a kid's version are available

• 10-year warranties

• Financing available through third-party lender

• Free delivery for online orders

• Bedframes and bedding also available

• Moderately priced mattresses

Why We Chose Leesa

We chose Leesa mattresses as being the most versatile mattress collection. We didn't choose it for the quantity of styles available, though. Instead, we appreciate the ability of a few Leesa mattresses to fit the needs of most customers best. Leesa stands out as a mattress manufacturing leader between value pricing and decent selection.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Donates mattresses to families in need

• Carries an A+ grade at the BBB

• 100-day trial period

• Online quiz to help choose your mattress

• Solid overall value for the money

• Budget-friendly options available

Cons

• Complaints of strong off-gassing upon opening the bed

• Few options for stomach sleepers who need a firm mattress

• Reports of softer firmness than advertised

Most Innovative: Purple

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Purple offers innovative design and several mattress choices, from basic to luxurious. The company's GelFlex technology goes into every mattress Purple makes and allows for extra cooling, support, and durability. Purple enjoys high customer satisfaction ratings and reviews, including an A+ BBB grade with a 4.36-star average rating.

The company's pricing starts just above average mattress prices but climbs quickly through its lineup of luxury mattresses. Purple mattresses are available in comfort levels from soft to firm and there's likely one that fits your needs. However, there's a real chance that the best Purple mattresses are out of the reach of many consumers' budgets.

Purple Overview

• Innovative hyper-elastic GelFlex Grid construction

• Ten adult and one children's mattress style available

• Available online and at retail stores

• Foam and hybrid types available

• Furniture, bedding, pillows, and accessories also available

• 100-day trial period

• 10-year warranty

• 0% interest financing available from third-party lender

• Free shipping and returns

• Online mattress quiz available on website

Why We Chose Purple

We chose Purple mattresses as the most innovative ones available. The company's proprietary design and construction offer a unique feel and excellent support and cooling. However, some customers may opt for a more conventional mattress feel.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent temperature control

• Great motion isolation

• High marks from BBB

• 0% financing through a third-party

• Available online and in retail stores

• Online quiz to help choose your mattress

• Some models offer choice of firmness

• Soft to firm comfort levels

Cons

• Some off-gassing noted in reviews

• Top models are expensive

• Strong opinions for or against GelFlex Grid feel

• Some reports of sagging after first year

Best Customer Experience: Casper

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Casper mattresses offer comfort and support primarily for side and back sleepers. The company's foam mattress selections include The Casper and the Original. Both of them feature a medium level of ergonomics and cooling properties. However, all Casper mattresses stand out as providing excellent pressure-point relief.

Casper mattresses also offer great edge support and motion isolation, regardless of your chosen model. From a durability standpoint, the company claims an average lifespan of up to two years longer than its nearest competitors.

Casper Overview

• Memory foam and hybrid mattresses available

• 100-day trial period

• 10-year warranties

• Seven styles available

• Reasonable pricing

• Furniture, bedding, and accessories also available

• Available online and at retailers nationwide

• Best for back and side sleepers

Why We Chose Casper

While Casper mattresses don't necessarily stand out as being particularly innovative or different from the crown of other direct-to-consumer mattress providers, the company scores excellent marks on multiple customer review platforms. Its positive comments include notations of great customer experiences and satisfaction—professional reviewers and testers really like Caper's quality and features.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great cooling qualities

• Rates highly in customer reviews

• A+ BBB grade

• High average customer reviews

• 100-day trial period

• 10-year warranties

• Also offers dog beds

• Free returns

Cons

• Some concerns about lackluster edge support

• Relatively low BBB review score

• No firm mattress selections

• Stomach sleepers may not benefit

Where is the Best Place to Buy a Mattress?

Let's cut right to it—The best place to buy a mattress is online at the maker's website. It's a sign of the times that's nothing new. Online sites offer the best deals, offer one-stop shopping in many cases, and usually provide free shipping, and nearly all offer trial periods with free or inexpensive returns.

However, that's just the best-case scenario for those with a solid idea of how they like to sleep and what type of mattress suits them best. Going to a brick-and-mortar store where you can take your shoes off and lie down is still the best way to get the initial feel for a bed.

That fact isn't lost on retailers who specialize in maintaining your business. To do that, many retailers offer incentives, price breaks, and other perks to entice you to spend your money in-store—And there's no reason not to if they can match online deals.

In fact, purchasing a mattress from a retail store, whether a big-box outlet, specialty store, or a department store with mattresses, can offer perks that online retailers can't, or seldom can, match. Nearly instant delivery, a delivery crew, set up and take away service, and a human connection to someone who can help if there are problems are serious bonuses, even if the cost is slightly higher than you might find online.

The best place to buy a mattress is the place that makes you the most comfortable. After all, you're purchasing a mattress primarily for comfort, so it makes sense to start feeling that way as soon as possible. If you need help choosing a style and want additional perks, head to the store. If saving money is the top priority and you know what you want, order online.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?

The best time to buy a mattress depends on where you purchase yours. Online retailers can and do offer discounts at seemingly random times during the year, and good deals can be had. However, look for online sales around Holiday weekends for the best deals. The best deals are often on or near Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day. The lack of crowds in your living room or office makes online holiday sales particularly nice.

Brick-and-mortar stores typically offer similar discounts and incentives around the Holidays. However, the best deals are often found during the early to mid spring when the new mattress models for the year are arriving and closeout or clearance sales are happening.

How to Choose a Mattress

Choosing the perfect mattress for your body type, sleeping style, and preferences can be daunting. Throw in a significant other to share the bed with, and you get double the challenge. The following is a brief list of factors to consider when choosing a mattress.

• Determine your weight and body type. Heavier bodies typically require a firmer mattress.

• Choose your favorite sleeping style. Do you generally sleep on your side, back, stomach, or a combination? Side and back sleepers usually do well on softer mattresses than stomach sleepers.

• Decide whether you're a hot or cold sleeper and look for a mattress that provides cooling effects if necessary.

• Choose a mattress that can address any back or muscle pain you may have or one that can relieve pressure points. Consulting a medical professional is a good idea if this is a concern for you.

• Determine your budget. Mattresses are available in nearly any price range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands.

• Determine any other particulars that may be important to you, such as the use of sustainable materials or business practices, avoiding certain materials, allergy considerations, or anything else.

How We Chose the Best Mattress and Brands

To determine our top picks for the best mattresses for 2026, we evaluated the best-known and little-known manufacturers and their products in the industry, ranked them according to the metrics below, and chose the best one in each of our categories.

• Mattress product quality

• Low and high mattress prices

• Mattress sizes and types available

• Trial period length and details

• Warranty length and details

• Retail availability

• Mattress features like cooling and support

• Consumer review data

• Expert evaluation

Saatva

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 9.8

Nectar

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 9.4

Helix

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 8.6

Serta

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 8.4

Leesa

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 8.1

Purple

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 8.0

Casper

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Company: 7.9