Best Affordable Mattress in Canada

Shopping for a new bed is always a hassle. There’s always a concern that it will be too expensive or be made of materials that will give out quickly and need replacing again. Or the lack of quality will lead to sleepless nights and discomfort.

There should be a way to find an affordable and comfortable mattress so you don’t have to compromise on one or the other.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best affordable mattresses in Canada, along with some features to look out for next time you want to choose the right cheap mattress for your home. 

Let’s take a look.

Quick Overview:

Our Review of the 5 Best Affordable Mattress in Canada (January 2024)

Editor’s Choice — Novosbed Mattress

The Novosbed is my editor’s choice due to its value-for-money price point, ability to isolate motion, and coolness. The Novosbed is priced at $110 cheaper than the Puffy. Yet, similar to the Puffy, the Novosbed offers a cooling memory foam top layer, a removable cover, and a supportive foam base. In addition, the Novosbed is slightly better at motion isolation than the Puffy.

The best affordable mattresses tend to have helpful features like motion isolation, which is indispensable for a light sleeper and a restless partner. From my tests, the Novosbed isolated motion up to 2 inches away from my compressions and glass of water. This is the highest amount I can record, meaning the mattress can isolate all types of motion. My partner noted that they couldn’t notice much when I got in and out of bed.

In comparison, the Novosbed had 0.5 inches more motion isolation than the Puffy, making the Novobsbed a slighter better choice for couples who want a firm-feeling mattress that can cradle and isolate for jostle-free sleep.

Another excellent feature of the Novosbed is its ability to keep hot sleepers cool at an affordable price. The memory foam is open-cell, along with a Tencel cover that feels cool to the touch, dispersing heat continually. From my review, the Novosbed had a total heat build-up of 29.5 degrees Celsius. I felt comfortable and cool, suspended in cushioning layers, and stayed free of night sweats during the testing period. 

The Novosbed is 2.2 degrees cooler than the Douglas. That means the Novosbed is the better option for hot sleepers who need as much cooling power as possible.

Based on Our Tests

When testing this model, I found the fitness was even and supportive for my back. I was comfortable and tension-free without feeling restricted or sinking too deeply. 

Runner Up — Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is my runner-up due to its ergonomic support, buoyant feel, and fact-acting Airgocell foam. The Emma Hybrid Comfort offers a unique feature on this list as an affordable mattress in its targeted coil system. It’s split into 7 sections, so I noticed my hips had more robust support than my shoulders, and I was evenly straight and tension-free. This model has a more personalized contour than the GhostBed Luxe due to this ergonomic zoned system, despite both mattresses having a comparable bounce.

Looking closer at the bounce of the Emma Hybrid Comfort, I found this feature defined this model as a great value-for-money, affordable mattress. During my tests, I could easily change sleeping positions and noticed a bit of spring back every time I shifted or got out of bed. I was pleasantly buoyant without restrictions or feeling ‘stuck’ like some all-foam models can sometimes feel.

In addition to having excellent bounce, the Emma Hybrid Comfort responded quickly to compressions. I could lie in the layers, enjoy adequate cushioning, and the foam would recover quickly when I switched positions. Due to the fast-acting foam and high bounce level, I could move across the width of the Emma Hybrid Comfort restriction-free and was comfortable.

Based on Our Tests

Through my testing analysis, I found the Emma Hybrid Comfort most comfortable on my back. The coils ensured my hips were lifted, and my spine was neutral and pleasantly supported. Due to this model's springy nature, I also enjoyed effortless movement across the bed's width.

Best Affordable Memory Foam — Douglas Mattress

The Douglas is my best option due to its competitive pricing, excellent motion isolation, and edge support. Sleepers sometimes struggle with finding a reasonably priced, high-quality memory foam mattress. Luckily, the Douglas comes at an affordable price while offering everything a memory foam lover needs. It is $500 cheaper than the Puffy, and $799 less expensive than the GhostBed Luxe. Despite the price difference, the Douglas still contours, muffles motion, and supports similarly.

Motion isolation is crucial for a memory foam mattress, which the Douglas pulls off effortlessly. From my tests, I recorded that my glass of water moved only when my compressions were 2 inches away. My partners didn't notice it when I moved or got out of bed beside them. In comparison, the Douglas has similar motion isolation to the Novosbed and slightly better isolation than the GhostBed Luxe. The Douglas isolates motion about 1 inch more than the GhostBed Luxe, making the Douglas better suited to sleepers who have restless partners. 

Memory foam often struggles with edge support, being too soft to adequately hold a person’s weight while sitting or lying on the edge. Thankfully, the Douglas excels in this area with its Elastex foam and high-density foam base. These two layers help firm up the edges. In light of my tests, I recorded a sinkage of 3.54 inches along the edge while sitting, which is much less than the 4-inch maximum I recommend. I felt secure and comfortable and could use the entire bed width without issue.

This model has 0.36 inches firmer edge support than the GhostBed Luxe, making the Douglas better for sleepers who are slightly heavier or prefer more support on the edge.

Based on Our Tests

After putting it to the test, I found the Douglas firm and comfortable on my side. It offered enough contouring to effortlessly spread my weight over a wider area, and I experienced excellent pressure relief. 

Best for Couples — Puffy Mattress

The Puffy is my best option for couples due to its excellence in muffling motion, its ‘cloud-like’ feel, and its easy-to-remove cover. Affordable mattresses can sometimes feel hard as a rock, amplifying every moment a partner makes. Luckily, the Puffy excels regarding motion isolation. In light of my tests, it absorbed motion up to 2.5 inches away from my glass of water and compression tests. My partner was deeply enveloped in the layers and couldn't feel it when I shifted sleeping positions.

This model absorbs motion 0.5 inches more than the GhostBed Luxe, making the Puffy a slightly better option for restless partners.

Along with excellent motion isolation, the Puffy offers a traditional memory foam feel with deep pressure relief. Like the cloud symbol in Puffy’s logo, it lives up to providing a ‘cloud-like’ sleep. From my review, I measured a sinkage of 2.5 inches, and I was well-enveloped by the compressible top layers. This is 0.58 inches more than the Douglas, making the Puffy better for sleepers who prefer an affordable mattress that you can sleep ‘in’ instead of ‘on.’

Not all affordable mattresses offer a removable cover, another feature that makes the Puffy stand out. When testing this model, I could remove the cover with its zipper handles in just a few seconds, which made cleaning my bedroom quick and painless. Similarly, the Puffy has a removable cover that works effortlessly, like the Novosbed and Douglas mattresses. That makes these three mattresses suitable for sleepers who want an easy way to keep their affordable mattress fresh.

Based on Our Tests

As per my testing, the Puffy is excellent in deep, comfortable sinkage. I was well-contoured and enveloped while on my side, yet I felt supported for a ‘cloud-like’ feel. My spine was in good alignment, and my shoulders were absent of pressure points.

Best for Hot Sleepers — GhostBed Luxe Mattress

The GhostBed Luxe is my best option for hot sleepers due to its cooling technology, cradling sinkage, and effective bounce.

Memory foam is notorious for trapping heat, but the GhostBed Luxe uses multiple technologies to minimize heat build-up. Phase Change Material is woven into its top cover and thick layers of gel memory foam that help draw away and disperse heat. In light of my tests, I measured 32 degrees Celsius when lying on the mattress. I noticed a crisp, chill sensation every time I moved to a different section of the bed, and I was free of heat sweats during the testing phase. The Ghostbed Luxe is x degrees warmer than the Douglas, making both similar options for an overall temperature-neutral sleep.

In addition to minimizing heat build-up, the GhostBed Luxe allows you to enjoy deep, enveloping sinkage. When testing this model, I recorded a sinkage of 2.7 inches. I experienced an excellent hugging feeling that redistributed my weight and released all my muscle tension. This is 0.78 inches more sinkage than the Douglas, meaning the GhostBed Luxe is better for sleepers wanting an enveloping, cradling effect.

Not all affordable memory foam mattresses have a high level of bounce. However, using a Ghost Bounce layer that responds similarly to latex helps enhance the inherent bounce in the Ghostbed Luxe. I could toss and turn with minimal effort, despite the deep sinkage. From my review, I recorded a total bounce of 8.01 inches. This model had 2.57 inches more bounce than the Douglas, making the GhostBed Luxe more suitable for active couples or sleepers who prefer ease of movement.

Based on Our Tests

My tests indicate that the GhostBed Luxe is incredibly comfortable, especially on my side. I experienced excellent pressure relief under my shoulders and hips, yet I could move across the width of the bed without much effort.

Additional Factors To Look At

Essential factors to look at in addition to how affordable a mattress is includes:

• Comfort layer thickness.
• Memory foam density.
• Cooling features.
• Spinal support.
• Edge support.
• The integrity of the base.

Comfort Layer Thickness

The thickness of the comfort layers is crucial for an affordable mattress to feel comfortable. Typically, a minimum of 2 inches is recommended. However, more is better, as much as 4 inches, similar to the Douglas mattress. The thicker the comfort layers, the better the bed is at pressure relief and re-distributing weight. This makes some of the best memory foam mattresses in Canada some of the best candidates for comfort layer thickness, as there is already an emphasis on comfort.

Memory Foam Density

The memory foam's density is essential, especially if the affordable mattress you’re considering has thin comfort layers. A heavier density means the foam is more robust and can handle more weight instead of you sinking straight through it.

Densities like 3-5 pounds per cubic foot, similar to the Novosbed, are dense enough to provide support and cradle the body for pressure relief. The best mattresses for side sleepers in Canada typically use a higher density, allowing the pressure to spread more evenly under the shoulder.

Cooling Features

Sometimes, affordable mattresses can feel hot due to a lack of cooling technology. This is why looking for a balance between price and coolness is essential. Mattresses like the Novosbed utilize airflow, drawing away heat and providing comfort for an affordable price. 

Cooling technologies like open-cell memory foam and a breathable cover tend to be less expensive. Due to its engineering, phase Change Material in mattresses like the GhostBed Luxe tends to be more costly due to its engineering. 

Spinal Support

Spinal support is one of the most significant issues with choosing the right affordable mattress. You want to find something within budget but also want it to last long and feel comfortable. The wrong choice can sometimes lead to a sore spine and stiffness in the morning.

Top-rated cheap mattresses use strong coils or foam cores that provide enough support in the middle of the bed. This ensures that the best firm mattresses in Canada keep your hips lifted and your body straight and tension-free.

Also Read: Best Hybrid Mattresses in Canada

Edge Support

Edge support can sometimes feel loose or unsupportive enough with affordable mattresses due to poor engineering or lack of quality materials. This can be quickly rectified by finding a good middle-ground of quality and price.

This is why top-rated cheap mattresses usually have more substantial edges with a minimum sinkage of 4 inches. That way, you feel supported and quickly get in and out of bed while on the edge. This also allows some of the best king-size mattresses to have a more robust core, allowing you to use the entire width of a larger bed.

Base Integrity

A strong base with high durability is crucial for budget shopping. Strong bases come in many forms, like the all-foam base of the Novosbed and the zoned coils of the Emma Hybrid Comfort.

What sets weak bases apart from strong bases is their quality of materials. Novosbed uses high-density foam, while the Emma Hybrid Comfort uses reinforced coils. These materials can hold more weight for longer, ensuring your mattress remains comfortable and cozy for years.

Also Read: How to Make a Mattress Firmer

FAQ:

Conclusion

Finding the best affordable mattress in Canada doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. By knowing what features to look for, like good support and comfort that sleeps cool, you will find the right mattress for your home. 

In my opinion, the best affordable mattress in Canada is the Novosbed. It offers a supportive surface and balanced foam for a traditional sleep that’s comfortable and keeps the spine straight. I found it cushioning and pressure relieving, and it eliminated tension. Restless couples can benefit most from the Novosbed due to its ability to isolate most motion. 

Still have questions about finding the best affordable mattress in Canada? Alex Savy, the Co-Founder and Chief Editor at Comfynorth has reviewed countless sleep products with over 4 years in the industry and can help you find what you’re looking for. Reach out through email at [email protected]. When emailing Alex, include your full name and phone number or email address.