Last Updated on 4 May 2026 by Heavensa
Key Takeaways
- The Budget: You do not need to spend a fortune for the best mattress. There are amazing options available for well under £500.
- The Construction: Expect 2cm to 4cm of memory foam paired with either open coil or pocket springs for targeted support.
- The Top Brands: Trusted UK brands like Silentnight and Giltedge Beds dominate this price bracket with fantastic, durable designs.
- The Best Fit: Whether you need a firm surface for back pain or a cloud-like squishy top, there is a specific foam ratio for you.
If you are looking to upgrade your bedroom this February 2026 but want to keep an eye on your budget, you are in the right place. Finding the best mattress under 500 is entirely possible, and you absolutely do not have to sacrifice comfort to save some money.
Plenty of options are available in this price range, with most using memory foam as the comfort layer and springs as the support layer. Memory foam provides a soft, malleable surface to squish into, contouring with your body to relieve pressure on your back. It is the best material for a cloud-like sleep, although you can also get high-density foam that resists compression if you prefer a firmer feel.
Whether you are looking for the best double mattress under 500 for a guest room or the best king-size mattress under 500 UK for your main bedroom, we have got you covered.
Let us jump in!
What to Expect for Under £500
Before we look at the list, it helps to know what you are getting for your money. When hunting for the best mattresses under 500, the type of springs you get will vary based on the price.
You get pocket springs at the higher end of your budget, while open coil mattresses dominate the bottom end. The difference is simple: pocket springs are independent, while open coils are connected and work together. Pocket springs are generally superior because they offer zoned support and isolate motion much better.
You can expect 2cm to 4cm of memory foam. More memory foam translates to a squishier surface that is typical of softer mattresses.
The Best Memory Foam Mattress Under 500 List
Without further ado, here are our top picks if you are searching for the best mattress below 500. We have ranked them by price, starting from the most affordable.
1. Giltedge Beds Solo Memory Plus (£349)
- Firmness: Medium
- Best For: Side sleepers and people weighing less than 180 lbs.
The Giltedge Beds Solo Memory Plus is a memory foam and open coil mattress with 2.5cm of memory foam and a 25cm depth. This gives it a foam ratio of around 10%. It has a moisture-wicking outer cover with a luxurious hand-tufted finish. It is our top pick if you want to spend less than £350, and it is widely available from retailers like Bedstar.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Solo Memory Plus 5FT Kingsize Mattress. Available from Bedstar.
2. Silentnight Classic Miracoil Memory (£359)
Pictured: Silentnight Classic Miracoil Memory 5FT Kingsize Mattress. Available from Bedstar
- Firmness: Medium Firm
- Best For: Back sleepers and heavier couples.
The Silentnight Classic Miracoil Memory is a medium-firm mattress. It features a 10% memory foam ratio with 2 cm of foam and a 20cm depth alongside high-tension open coil springs. Silentnight purposely designed this bed to eliminate roll-together and maximise edge support.
3. Giltedge Beds Knightsbridge Gel Comfort (£379)
- Firmness: Medium
- Best For: Hot sleepers.
The Giltedge Beds Knightsbridge Gel Comfort introduces you to memory gel technology. This involves memory foam infused with thousands of gel capsules. The gel helps to dissipate heat, giving you a cooler mattress in hot weather. It also has air vents and a stretchy outer cover that encourages less body movement.
4. Giltedge Beds Cool Memory 1000 (£439)
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Cool Memory 1000 5FT Kingsize Mattress. Available from Bedstar.
- Firmness: Medium Soft
- Best For: A cloud-like, super-soft sleep.
The Giltedge Beds Cool Memory 1000 is ideal for people weighing under 140 lbs. It boasts 1,000 pocket springs and 2.5cm of memory foam. The micro-quilted surface and vented border give it the look of a premium luxury product. If you have just had a handyman decorate your bedroom and want a plush bed to match, this is it.
5. Silentnight Mirastar Memory Cushion Top (£479)
Pictured: Silentnight Mirastar Memory Cushion Top 5FT Kingsize Mattress. Available from Bedstar.
- Firmness: Medium Firm
- Best For: Asthma and allergy sufferers.
This mattress gives you a cushion top filled with memory foam. It is 25cm thick with 3cm of memory foam, providing a super-soft surface for you to sink into. Crucially, this mattress has an anti-allergy treatment to prevent dust mites (approved by Allergy UK), making it an excellent choice for a healthy family home.
6. Silentnight Torino Memory 1000 (£499)
Pictured: Silentnight Torino Memory 1000 5FT Kingsize Mattress. Available from Bedstar.
- Firmness: Medium Firm
- Best For: Maximum sleep space and edge-to-edge support.
Our list ends with the Silentnight Torino Memory 1000. This is a plush 29cm-thick mattress with 1,000 pocket springs and over 2cm of memory foam set into a tufted outer cover. Thanks to the edge-to-edge spring support system, you can sleep comfortably right to the edge without rolling off. It easily ranks as the best mattress for under 500 if you want maximum surface area.
FAQ: Buying a Budget Mattress
What is the best mattress under 500 UK? For overall value, the Silentnight Torino Memory 1000 is exceptional because it offers genuine pocket springs and edge-to-edge support right at the top of the budget.
Can I get the best superking mattress for £500? Yes, but you will likely be looking at entry-level models or open coil designs rather than pocket springs. A great alternative is looking for the best queen mattress under 500 (often referred to as a small double in the UK) or a standard King size, where your £500 stretches much further regarding foam thickness and spring count.
Are memory foam mattresses better than hybrids? It depends entirely on your sleep style. Memory foam offers incredible pressure relief and a “sinking” feeling. If you want something bouncier with advanced cooling, you might want to increase your budget slightly and check out our Simba Hybrid Original Mattress Review.
Heavensa also known as Heaven’s A Dreamy Life is the digital home of Gee, a UK-based content creator and entrepreneur.