🕑 7 min read
You don't need to spend thousands to get a great night's sleep. That's something we've believed — and proved — for over 30 years. At Bedtime Bed Centre, we've been helping families across East Anglia find the right mattress at the right price, and one thing we know for certain is that a brilliant mattress doesn't have to break the bank. Whether you're furnishing a first home, replacing a tired old bed, or simply want honest value, there's a genuinely excellent mattress waiting for you under £500.
Here are our top five picks — chosen from our own range, tried and tested in our showrooms, and recommended by our team every single day.
1. The Comfy One Mattress
Our best-selling budget mattress — and it's not hard to see why. The Comfy One sits at the top of our budget range, offering noticeably more comfort than a basic open coil without crossing into mid-range prices. Deep, hand-tufted, and made with luxury fillings, it's a proper, substantial mattress at an honest price.
| Best for | Children, guest rooms, budget-conscious adults, rental properties, first-time buyers |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Construction | Superior Bonnell spring unit, hand-tufted knitted cover, luxury fillings |
| Depth | 28cm — turnable, made in the UK |
Why it made the list: The Comfy One is the mattress we recommend most often. It's the one customers come back to again and again — and the one that consistently delivers a genuinely comfortable night's sleep without the premium price tag.
2. The Excell Mattress
The Excell is one of those mattresses that makes you do a double-take at the price tag. Our best-selling pocket sprung mattress, it packs in 1000 foam-encapsulated pocket springs, a layer of orthopaedic high-density reflex foam, and a soft Aloe Vera knitted cover — all for well under £500. It's not the deepest mattress in our range, and customers actually love that — it fits standard bed frames without any fuss.
| Best for | First-time pocket spring buyers, allergy sufferers, couples, anyone wanting longevity on a mid-range budget |
| Firmness | Firm |
| Construction | 1000 foam-encapsulated pocket springs, orthopaedic reflex foam, Aloe Vera knitted cover |
| Extras | Hypo-allergenic, turnable, roll-packed, 3-year guarantee |
Why it made the list: At this price, 1000 foam-encapsulated pocket springs with reflex foam and a 3-year guarantee is genuinely hard to beat. It's the entry point into pocket spring comfort that we're proud to recommend.
3. The Majestic Mattress
The Majestic is a genuine step up — and you can feel it the moment you lie down. On top of 1000 foam-encapsulated pocket springs, it adds a cool gel infused memory foam layer that contours to your body and actively helps regulate temperature. Edge-to-edge support means no rolling off the sides and no wasted sleep surface.
| Best for | Hot sleepers wanting memory foam, couples, pressure point sufferers, no-fuss sleepers |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Construction | 1000 foam-encapsulated pocket springs, cool gel memory foam, orthopaedic high-density foam, Aloe Vera cover |
| Extras | Edge-to-edge support, hypo-allergenic, no-turn, roll-packed, 3-year guarantee |
Why it made the list: Cool gel memory foam at this price point is rare. The Majestic gives you the pressure-relieving, contouring feel of memory foam without the heat — and backs it up with 1000 pocket springs and a 3-year guarantee.
4. The Beautiful Bliss Mattress
The name really does say it all. The Beautiful Bliss is for those who want a genuinely soft, sink-into-it feel without losing the support underneath. Deep cushioning fillings, a tufted finish, and 1000 individually wrapped pocket springs combine to give you that sumptuous, cosy feel from the very first night — with proper spinal support underneath.
| Best for | Soft feel lovers, side sleepers, couples, anyone wanting low-maintenance luxury |
| Firmness | Soft & supportive |
| Construction | 1000 pocket springs, deep cushioning fillings, tufted finish, soft knit cover |
| Extras | No-turn, air vents & handles, made in the UK, 5-year warranty |
Why it made the list: We get consistently great feedback on this one. If you've always wanted a soft, hotel-style feel but assumed it would cost a fortune, the Beautiful Bliss will surprise you — especially with that 5-year warranty.
View the Beautiful Bliss Mattress →
5. The Ashbury 1000 Mattress
The Ashbury 1000 is one of those mattresses that genuinely surprises people when they see the spec. Wool, silk, cashmere, and cotton fillings — all in a traditionally hand-tufted mattress at this price. You'd expect to pay significantly more for a natural filling combination like this, and that's exactly what makes it such a standout choice.
| Best for | Natural filling seekers, warm sleepers, couples, medium-firm sleepers who want a traditional feel |
| Firmness | Medium-firm |
| Construction | 1000 pocket springs, natural fillings (wool, silk, cashmere & cotton), hand tufted |
| Extras | Turnable with turning handles, made in the UK, 1-year guarantee |
Why it made the list: Wool, silk, cashmere and cotton at this price is genuinely rare. The Ashbury 1000 is a proper, traditional British mattress made the right way — and remarkable value for what's inside.
View the Ashbury 1000 Mattress →
How to Choose the Right Mattress Under £500
Spending less doesn't mean settling. Here's how to find the right match for how you sleep.
Back Sleepers
You need a mattress that supports the natural curve of your spine without letting your hips sink too far. A medium or medium-firm feel works well for most back sleepers — the Excell (firm, with reflex foam) or the Ashbury 1000 (medium-firm, pocket sprung) are both excellent choices.
Side Sleepers
Side sleeping puts pressure on your hips and shoulders, so you need enough give to cushion those points while still keeping your spine aligned. A softer feel is usually better — the Beautiful Bliss is our top pick for side sleepers, with its deep cushioning fillings and 1000 pocket springs providing support underneath.
Tummy Sleepers
Tummy sleeping can put strain on the lower back if the mattress is too soft. A firmer feel helps keep the spine in a neutral position — the Excell, with its firm feel and orthopaedic reflex foam, is a sensible choice here.
Couples
Motion transfer is the big one — you don't want to feel every time your partner moves. Four of the five mattresses on this list use pocket springs, which move independently and significantly reduce disturbance. The Majestic and Excell both have foam-encapsulated springs for even better motion isolation. If budget is the priority, the Comfy One's Bonnell spring unit is still a solid choice for a shared bed — just bear in mind that pocket springs will always offer better motion separation if that's important to you.
Hot Sleepers
If you tend to sleep warm, avoid thick foam-only mattresses. Natural fillings breathe best — the Ashbury 1000 with its wool, silk and cashmere is our top recommendation for warm sleepers. The Majestic's cool gel memory foam is also a good option if you want the contouring feel of memory foam without the heat.
When It's Worth Spending a Little More
If you're sharing a bed and both have very different firmness preferences, or if you have specific back or joint issues, it may be worth stepping up to our mid-range or premium options where you'll find higher spring counts, deeper natural fillings, and longer guarantees. Our team is always happy to talk you through the options — without any pressure.
Come and try any of these mattresses in person at our showrooms in Wisbech and King's Lynn. There's no substitute for lying on a mattress before you buy, and our experienced team will help you find the right one for your sleep style, budget, and bed frame — in the time it takes to have a cup of tea.
