A Quality Cheap Foam Mattress
The problem with buying a cheap foam mattress is that the foam just will not hold up and will sag or become depressed very quickly. This happens for one of two reasons. The foam used to make the mattress is either too thin, or it doesn’t have a high enough density. This is especially true when it comes to memory foam. What is the point in spending money on a memory foam mattress with no “memory”. However, there are some quality cheap foam mattresses out there, even some cheap memory foam mattresses.
First of all, what is considered cheap? Premium foam and memory foam mattresses can run several thousand dollars. We refer to a cheap foam mattress as one retailing for a price under $800 for a king size or under $650 for a queen. For a full or twin size mattress to be considered inexpensive, it should come in under $500.
The first factor to consider is foam density. The density of the foam will determine how supportive the mattress is, the single biggest factor in providing comfort. The density will also determine how long it is before the mattress starts to sag or develops soft spots? If you have ever gotten into a bed and you sink into it, you know what a soft spot is.
Cheap mattresses usually come with foam that has a density level of 2 lbs. or less. This is not dense enough to provide comfort, much less durability. However, you can find some inexpensive foam mattresses that use foam with a density of up to 4 lbs. This is good, strong foam and it will last long and provide comfort.
The second factor is the thickness of the foam itself. Many cheap units will have a foam thickness of 8 inches. This is not thick enough to provide any comfort or durability. Look for the mattress that provides a thickness level of 10.5 inches or 11 inches. You will find some that fall into the inexpensive price range.