What to expect at under £300#
Under £300 for a UK double is genuinely budget territory. You'll be choosing between entry-level all-foam mattresses from mid-market brands (on sale), and mid-range pocket-sprung mattresses from high-street brands. Don't expect hybrids with high spring counts or natural fillings, those start meaningfully above this price point.
What you can reasonably expect: a comfortable mattress that will last 5–7 years if maintained properly, with adequate support for most average-weight sleepers.
Best all-foam under £300: Emma Original (on sale)#
Emma regularly runs promotions that bring the Original under £350 for a double, and during major sales events (Black Friday, January) it can dip below £300. At this price it's hard to beat for build quality and trial period (200 nights). If you can catch it on sale, this is the recommendation at this price point.
Best pocket-sprung under £300: Silentnight Miracoil#
The Silentnight Miracoil is one of the UK's best-known mattresses, available from major retailers for around £200–£280 for a double. The Miracoil spring system is an open-coil design with a distinctive z-wire that provides better motion isolation than a standard coil, not pocket springs, but a meaningful improvement over entry-level designs. Best for spare rooms, student accommodation and first homes where budget is the overriding constraint.
Best for a single bed under £300: Nectar Original Single#
A Nectar Original in single size (90 × 190 cm) typically comes in under £250 during promotions, making it excellent value for a children's room or single bedroom. The 365-night trial policy applies regardless of size, which is reassuring.
What to avoid under £300#
- Supermarket "hybrids": Mattresses advertised as hybrid at under £200 almost universally use open-coil (not pocket) springs and very thin comfort foam. They compress within 2–3 years.
- Very thin mattresses (under 20 cm): Depth generally correlates with durability and comfort layers. Under 20 cm, you're likely losing meaningful comfort material.
- No-trial purchases: At this price, a mattress that doesn't suit you wastes the entire budget. Only buy from brands offering at least a 60-night trial.
Should you spend more?#
If your budget can stretch to £350–£500, quality improves meaningfully. An extra £100–£200 buys significantly better materials, longer trial periods and better longevity. Over a 7–10 year period, the cost-per-night difference between a £250 and a £450 mattress is around 5–6 pence, less than most people's daily coffee spend. If back support or sleep quality is a significant issue for you, the additional investment is worth it.
What we would actually buy for under £300#
Under £300 for a double, the honest field is foam, and the question is depth and density. These are the sub-£300 mattresses we have scored, in price order.
| Model | Type | Depth | Feel | Support | Comfort | Price (double) | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood Memory Foam | Foam | 18cm | Medium | 7.8 | 8.0 | £109 | Guest room or a child; 18cm |
| Core CoolMax Memory Foam | Foam | 15cm | Medium | 8.0 | 8.3 | £147 | Wicking cover; a cooler budget foam |
| Comfort Ortho Firm | Foam | 20cm | Firm | 8.6 | 7.9 | £157 | The firm option under £200 |
| The Saffron Comfort Deep | Foam | 23cm | Medium | 8.3 | 8.5 | £174 | 23cm; the depth a main bed needs |
| Superior Cashmere | Foam | 23cm | Medium | 8.5 | 8.8 | £198 | Best foam mattress we have found under £200 |
| Emma Original Lite | Foam | 20cm | Medium | 7.6 | 8.0 | £246 | The only sub-£300 pick with a 200-night trial |
| Majestic 9000 Extra Firm | Foam | 23cm | Firm | 9.1 | 7.4 | £273 (sale) | Firm foam with a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty |
Prices are for a double at the time of writing (September 2026), using the sale price where the brand runs a permanent one. Full scores are on each review page. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you; it never affects a score.
The two mattresses to trial-buy are the Emma Original Lite and, for firm, the Majestic 9000 Extra Firm, because both have home trials. The Foam People models have no trial but are half the price, cut to order, and the Superior Cashmere is the one we would put on our own spare bed. Our budget mattress guide covers the whole lower market.
Frequently asked questions#
Can you get a good mattress for under £300?#
Yes, for the right use. A 20–23cm foam mattress from a direct maker will serve a lighter adult or a spare room well for five to seven years. What you give up is pocket springs, depth over 25cm and, at the cheapest end, a home trial.
What should I avoid under £300?#
Open-coil mattresses under 20cm deep, very low-density foam (under 40kg/m³), anything with no stated depth or foam density, and 'orthopaedic' labels used as a substitute for specifications.
Is a £300 mattress OK for a heavy person?#
Rarely. Under a heavier body, thin foam compresses fully and softens fast. The firm foam options (Comfort Ortho Firm, Majestic 9000) are the best of the tier, but a deeper hybrid at £400–£500 will last far longer.
Should I spend £300 or wait and spend £450?#
If it is your main bed and you can, spend the extra. Between £350 and £500 pocket springs, 28cm-plus depth and 10-year warranties arrive, and the cost per year is about the same. Under £300 is right for guest rooms, children and tight budgets.
Related reading#
- Best budget mattress UK – the full lower market
- Best mattress under £500 – what £150 more buys
- Do expensive mattresses last longer? – the cost-per-year maths
- Best mattress for a guest room – where sub-£300 makes most sense
- Best under £500 – every affordable mattress we score
