Did you know that we spend about a third of our lives sleeping? When you lay your head down for your eight hours, your body repairs muscles and organs, regulates your hormones and your brain processes information, leaving you feeling well-rested.
If you're unable to get a good night's sleep, your stress levels will be higher, your immune system can be weakened, you'll be unable to focus and may even be more susceptible to things like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Part of ensuring you get adequate sleep is equipping yourself with all the right tools to do so. Not only does this mean having a set bedtime routine to help you unwind, it also requires you to have a comfortable place to catch some much-needed ZZZs.
One of the simplest things to change is your mattress, but it doesn't have to cost the earth to do so. Sleeping on an old, uncomfortable mattress can give you aches and pains, affect any allergies you might have and just generally make you feel rubbish for the day ahead.
There are plenty of cheap mattresses available right now that are high quality and comfortable, so you'll be heading off to the Land of Nod in no time.
Best cheap mattresses
1 of 6Silentnight 7 Zone Memory Foam Rolled Mattress
The Silentnight 7 zone memory foam mattress gives total body support across key areas including your back, hips and shoulders, spreading body weight evenly. One reviewer noted: "Because of the way it comes packaged it is easy to manoeuvre into place and it is so light to lift compared to a conventional mattress which can be quite heavy. And once it is left to puff out the required time it is excellent. I replaced a very heavy mattress for this one and it's the best thing I ever did. What a joy to sleep on. I have a bad back and my old mattress was making it flare up constantly. Not this one. It holds you firmly while feeling soft all at the same time. I have never had a problem with my back since I started sleeping on it. Enabling us to wake up fresh from a great night's sleep."Key points
2 of 6naturalex CARBONTECH | Special Edition Viscoelastic Memory Foam Mattress
This CARBONTECH mattress adapts to the contours of your body and provides comfort while reducing pressure on the body. The viscoelastic memory foam means it's denser than standard memory foams; it absorbs more pressure and offers more support.A delighted customer wrote: "Very well made for the price. To be honest I didn't expect much from this product. But the comfort is great, mattress very thick so you don't feel springs or anything of the sort. My girlfriend used to have back pains on the old mattress but with this one she has no more."Key points
3 of 6Wayfair Sleep Essentials Memory Foam Mattress
This high-spec hypoallergenic foam mattress is perfect for those who like a little more comfort. Your body will sink slightly into the mattress, relieving pressure on bones, joints and muscles. One reviewer explained: "LOVE this mattress, great value for money. I have back pain and this mattress has provided the most comfy nights sleep I've had in a while."Key points
4 of 6DOSLEEPS 9-Zone Inner Spring Bed Mattress with Foam and 3D Breathable Fabric
Although a relatively unknown brand, DOSLEEPS mattresses have some of the best reviews on Amazon. This 9 zone mattress is pocket sprung with tempered stainless steel wire springs. A reviewer explained: "Very comfortable if you like a medium firm bed. Eased the aches and pains which our old, softer mattress seemed to encourage. Well packaged and easy to release vacuum.... Good value for money."Key points
5 of 6Vesgantti Pocket Sprung Mattress with Breathable Foam
This is a great combination mattress, giving support with pocket springs but offering comfort and breathability due to the multi-layered foam.A reviewer noted: "I went to lots of high street stores and found them to be far too expensive. So then searched online and armed with the knowledge I picked up, I found this mattress to be a great price for the level of comfort it provides and way lower price than high street. The pocket sprung mattress is really comfortable to sleep on or watch TV while the kids are in bed, and this mattress is much lighter than the other ones we saw, so much easier to move around!"Key points
6 of 6Symple Stuff Robidoux Open Coil Mattress
The ideal starter mattress if you're on a tight budget, this one from Symple Stuff is open coil and like many mattresses these days, comes rolled up and ready to expand. Reviewers note that it is quite springy, though they're happy with the price paid: "Good product, for the first time in a longtime I haven't woken up with back pain. Quite springy, not that I mind. Happy with purchase."Key points
What type of mattress should you buy?
Memory foam
If you want luxurious comfort and support, memory foam is a great choice. It's is popular with side sleepers as it conforms to your body, so doesn't put pressure on your shoulders and hips.
If you tend to sleep on your stomach, a really soft memory foam might not be ideal, so opt for something firmer. Memory foam mattresses aren't as firmly supportive on the whole body as some other options, but they usually provide the best protection against dust mites.
Reflex foam
Reflex foam is higher density than memory foam, it's firmer and more supportive, but still has some give to contour to the body. If memory foam is too soft for you, give reflex a try.
All foam mattresses can have a chemical smell to them when they're new, which is something to be aware of if you have any sensitivities.
Innerspring (coil)
You'll definitely have slept on an innerspring mattress at some point in your life - it's the classic mattress. If you like a firm mattress, these ones use metal springs to support your body and you can usually get your ideal firmness depending on the number of coils in the mattress. Most people can find comfort on an innerspring mattress.
They can either be open coil or pocket sprung.
Open coil
You'll often find that many orthopaedic mattresses are open coil as they're very firm and are lighter to turn. Be wary though, they can dip in the middle over time.
If you want a touch more comfort, you can always opt for a foam mattress topper.
Pocket sprung
You can get more back for your buck when it comes to springs in a pocket sprung mattress, as the springs are housed in their own little pockets, working independently of each other. Generally speaking, the more springs, the better the support - although the quality of the springs is important, too.
You generally won't end up rolling into your partner in the middle of the night with a pocket sprung mattress and they test to have a longer lifespan than open coil.
Top tips:
Many of the mattresses you buy online come with a 30 day trial period, which you should totally take advantage of.
Some mattresses may be a combination of springs and foam, which is great if you want the best of both worlds - support and comfort.
If you have back or skeletal problems, you should consult your doctor or a specialist before purchasing.
How often should you replace your mattress?
The Sleep Council recommends that you replace your mattress every seven years, as this means it's had over 20,000 hours of wear and tear, plus it's played host to all the fluid and skin cells we lose while sleeping.
How to keep your mattress in good condition
Using a mattress protector is a great basic way to keep it free from stains and washing it regularly will help keep your mattress fresh.
Flipping or turning your mattress regularly helps to wear it out evenly, ensuring your body is always supported in the right places.
Let your mattress breathe! When changing your sheets, let your mattress air out for an hour or two.
Give your mattress a clean at least every six months. Start by gently vacuuming the surface with an upholstery attachment, getting into any nooks and crannies to clear up any dust. If there are any stains, a mixture of baking soda and water will do the trick, but ensure you check with your manufacturer's guidelines before applying anything.
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Jade Moscrop is a Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
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