Top 3 Budget Mattresses
March 2023
Quiz: Find The Right Mattress For You






Nolah Evolution Performance
The Evolution mattress is Nolah's most popular mattress, the hybrid option utilizes their signature AirFoam™ and newly designed support coils to create a medium-soft mattress that still has a good bounce.
The Evolution proved to provide much-needed structure to softer mattresses. While it offers a lot of comfort for back sleepers, side sleepers will probably get the most out of this option from Nolah. The foam contours all the necessary pressure points, while the spring allows for the rare support that side sleepers often don't get with soft mattresses. This is ideal for lightweight sleepers looking for a medium-firm feel.
Material
Nolah's first hybrid mattress includes a graphite-infused version of their patented AirFoam™ and cooling ArcticTex™ fibers to improve breathability and sleep cool. The newly added support coils are intriguing as they provide added pressure relief, breathability, and support for the mattress's top layer.
Favorite Things about Nolah Evolution
- A great mix of softness and support, which isn't common among softer mattresses.
- We found the motion transfer to be exceptionally good for a spring base mattress, so antsy sleepers and couples will enjoy this.
- The side sleeping experience is decent with this mattress. With so many companies looking to find the perfect level of firmness, we like that Nolah is looking to perfect the soft approach.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
The Nolah Evolution comes with a lifetime warranty and an extended 120-night sleep trial with a money-back guarantee. It also comes with free shipping and returns.
Nolah Evolution Unboxing
Like most bed-in-a-box mattresses, there is a decompression and off-gassing period of one to two days. It is worth noting that one should get assistance when opening the bed as these are rather bulky mattresses.
Awards for Nolah Evolution
Nolah's AirFoam™ and pocketed coils are deserving of recognition. With awards from Forbes, Martha Stewart, and Good Housekeeping, there is a lot to back up their claims here.
Final Verdict about Nolah Evolution
We find the Nolah Evolution to be an excellent option for sleepers who need a softer bed and have been looking for support that those models often lack. However, if you're seeking a firm mattress, this isn't for you.
This is certainly a great soft mattress with unique support for side and back sleepers and a good amount of cooling and comfort.



Nectar Premier Copper Performance
Similar to the rest of their mattresses, the Nectar Premier Copper is an all-foam mattress, but it has more advanced cooling technology. This design offers contouring to your personal sleep postures. While this is great for more sensitive sleepers, we found the lack of structure to be a bit of a downside. It has the traditional memory foam comfort, but it can be too soft for heavy sleepers or stomach sleepers looking for more support.
Material
The top layer is made of PCM-infused gel memory foam to enhance cooling followed by two layers of soft and high-density memory foam for added support and comfort. While this is great for back and stomach sleepers as there are more points of contact to provide support from the mattress, side sleepers might find themselves sinking into their mattress.
Favorite Things about Nectar Premier Copper
- This is an excellent option for those with a restless partner or pets for its unique motion isolation.
- The memory foam gel is great at regulating temperature naturally.
- The bed contours greatly to solid back and stomach sleepers.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
With a 1-year trial period before commitment and Forever Warranty™, sleepers definitely won't be put out if anything negative happens along the way. Shipping and returns are also free for all Nectar mattresses.
Nectar Premier Copper Unboxing
This bed-in-a-box unfolds quite easily and fills out quickly, but there's a distinct odor that'll need an off-gassing period of 2 to 3 days to air out. This can be a real pain for anyone in desperate need of a new mattress or those with limited space.
Awards for Nectar Premier Copper
The Premier Copper does sport awards from Forbes for back pain and overall mattress. The Nectar Premier Copper also does have its fans for its memory foam, as its received an award for best memory foam from Women's Health, Tuck, and Sleep Foundation.
Final Verdict about Nectar Premier Copper
For transparency, we must note that Nectar has had FTC charges due to claiming its Chinese-made mattresses were "Assembled in USA". For heavy back sleepers, this mattress could be a dream. For lighter alternative sleepers, the memory foam gel could prove to be a bit unpleasant.
Top 3 Mattress Comparison Chart
#1
PuffyMattress ![]() |
#2
NolahEvolution ![]() |
#3
NectarPremier Copper ![]() |
|
Save | $1,350 | $700 | 33% |
Starting Price | $699 | $999 | $999 |
Google Rating | |||
Lifetime Warranty | |||
Sleep Trial | |||
Made in USA | |||
Free Shipping | |||
Free Pillow | |||
Free Protector | |||
Free Sheets | |||
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What's a good budget?
Buying a new mattress is a significant investment in your sleep health so it’s important to have a good budget for it. The budget for a high-quality mattress will usually range from $1000 to $1,700. With this budget, you should be able to buy a great mattress that is comfortable, supportive, and will last for a long time. -
What is the best cooling mattress?
The best choices for cooling mattresses are the Puffy Lux Hybrid and the Amerisleep AS5. While the AS5 has plant-based Bio-Pur® memory foam with an open-cell design for breathability, the Puffy Lux Hybrid has a cooling gel-infused layer for cooling comfort and a Climate Comfort™ Foam layer that wicks away moisture and regulates your temperature all night long. -
What mattress is best for back pain?
Our favorite mattresses for back pain are the Puffy Lux Hybrid and the Leesa Legend Mattress. The Leesa Legend features two layers of springs that relieve pressure and reduce lower back pain. As for our number-one choice, the Puffy Lux Hybrid, the mattress’s specialized foam layers and coils base target key pressure points and provide unique support for back pain. Additionally, the Puffy Lux Hybrid was ranked the #1 mattress for side sleepers with back pain by Forbes. -
Is a memory foam or hybrid mattress better?
While memory foam mattresses offer classic all-foam comfort, hybrid mattresses take the benefits of a memory foam mattress to the next level. Hybrid mattresses contain multiple memory foam layers with a spring base. This provides added support so sleepers won’t sink in and the mattress won’t sag. As a result, hybrid mattresses have a longer lifespan than memory foam mattresses, thanks to the extra-sturdy layer of springs. Additionally, hybrid mattresses disperse body heat away from the mattress, allowing for extra air circulation so you won't sweat or overheat while sleeping. -
What is the best hybrid mattress?
For sleepers who prefer a hybrid mattress with quick responsiveness, the Puffy Lux Hybrid is a first-rate option. This mattress consists of a body-adaptive coils base and a cooling gel-infused layer for optimized airflow, which allows for breathable and cool sleep. With multiple memory foam layers, including Plush Dual Cloud Foam, the Puffy Lux Hybrid minimizes strain from the shoulders, hips, and lower back area, and offers total comfort for sleepers. -
Are these mattresses made in USA?
Most of the mattresses on our list are made in the USA, except for DreamCloud and Nectar. Both DreamCloud and Nectar mattresses are made and assembled in China. Mattresses that are made domestically in the USA spend less time being transported or sitting in a warehouse so you’ll get the mattress in its best condition. Additionally, American-made mattresses are usually constructed using higher quality materials and processes. -
How important is a mattress warranty?
When a product is expensive, having a generous warranty will give you peace of mind when making your purchase. The warranty protects the product against defects in craftsmanship or any physical flaws, so you can either exchange the product or get the issue fixed during the warranty period. Buying a mattress with a lifetime warranty is the safest option because the mattress will be protected for as long as you’re sleeping on it. Additionally, a lot of brands offer lengthy trial periods so you can test your mattress before committing to it.