Just spending 10 minutes shopping for mattresses online, the prices for some of these products can be shocking. It’s true that a mattress is a significant investment, but what about shoppers that aren’t looking to spend so much?
Two of the most affordable, best-selling mattresses online are the Zinus and AmazonBasics memory foam mattresses.
Looking at these mattresses, they’re nearly identical in terms of design and construction, as well as in price. To help out all those shoppers out there, I want to compare these two mattresses and see who should choose each one! Keep reading for an in-depth mattress comparison of Zinus vs. AmazonBasics.
Zinus vs. AmazonBasics
Compare the Zinus and AmazonBasics mattresses below to see which may be best for you!Product
Firmness
Score
Zinus vs. AmazonBasics
Compare the Zinus and AmazonBasics mattresses below to see which may be best for you!
Product
Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam MattressFirmness
Soft: 6/10Score
Product
AmazonBasics Memory Foam MattressFirmness
Soft: 6/10Score
Zinus vs Amazon Basics Overview
While these are both budget-friendly online mattresses, they really are a better match for different types of people. This comparison will discuss who should choose the Zinus mattress and who should choose the Amazon Basics mattress.
| Who Should Choose the Zinus Mattress? | Who Should Choose the Amazon Basics Mattress? |
| Those looking for more mattress options (Zinus has many models to choose from) | Lightweight sleepers |
| Heavier sleepers wanting more support | Kids and teenagers |
| Those searching for a higher quality mattress | Those who want a more budget-friendly mattress |
RELATED: Best Mattresses On Amazon
Zinus vs Amazon Basics: Similarities and Differences
Understanding the similarities and differences will help you make the best possible purchasing decision. Check out our handy chart to learn more!
| Similarities | Differences |
| These two models feature some very similar materials such as memory foam and polyfoam. | The AmazonBasics 12” mattress is a cheaper mattress than the Zinus 12″, even if only by a little. |
| They both contain four layers and have similar overall constructions. | Zinus appears to offer a greater number of models than AmazonBasics offers, giving more flexibility overall. |
| Both mattresses exhibit a classic, slow-moving memory foam feel where sleepers will slowly sink into the mattress. | The Zinus is a bit higher quality than the AmazonBasics and contains some more high-density foams, potentially making their mattresses more durable. |
| The AmazonBasics and Zinus are both a bit softer-than-average compared to other mattresses reviewed on this website. | In general, the Zinus is a more aesthetically pleasing mattress and seems to be put together quite well. |
Firmness and Feel Differences
We can see below that these mattresses are similar in terms of construction. They both have four layers, are the same height, and have soft memory foam on top.
How Firm Are the Zinus and AmazonBasics Mattresses?
It’s no real surprise that they have the same firmness as well. From my experience, both the Zinus and AmazonBasics felt like a 6/10, softer-than-average. It’s easy to press one’s hand into the top of both mattresses before hitting the firmer transition layer.
Sleeping on the Zinus and AmazonBasics Mattresses
While the mattresses are similar in terms of design, firmness, and feel, I did feel different in each sleeping position. For instance, I feel better back sleeping on the Zinus. I think this is because the mattress contains some higher density foams and is offering me more support and contouring. Between the two, it is the best mattress for back sleepers.
Now, side sleeping, I feel pretty much the same amount of pressure relief on both mattresses. The soft memory foam on both mattresses lets me sink in, but I’m not heavy enough to bottom out on either mattress.
Stomach sleeping, both the Zinus and AmazonBasics are too soft. Stomach sleepers should look for a firmer mattress, and these are both softer-than-average.
What Do the Zinus and AmazonBasics Mattresses Feel Like?
Both the Zinus and AmazonBasics feature that classic memory foam feel. Lying on both mattresses, I slowly sink in and feel the memory foam take the shape of my body.
Mattress Construction Differences
Now, let’s look at the materials that make up both these mattresses. We will start on top and then work or our way through each layer of the Zinus and Amazon Basics.
Zinus
| Layer | Description |
| Cover | A cooling gel-infused cover greets sleepers. |
| Comfort Layer # 1 | 3″ of memory foam provides a slow-moving feel. All foam is CertiPUR-US certified. |
| Comfort Layer # 2 | An additional 2″ of foam helps with pressure relief. |
| Support Layer | The support layer consists of a 7″ high-density base foam. |
Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$185 - $406
Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
The Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam is a value mattress that is a great option for side sleepers and couples.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$185 - $406
Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
The Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam is a value mattress that is a great option for side sleepers and couples.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$185 - $406
AmazonBasics
| Layer | Description |
| Cover | It has a soft and thin cover that doesn’t affect the feel of the mattress much. |
| Comfort Layer # 1 | The AmazonBasics uses 2″ of memory foam for pressure relief. |
| Comfort Layer # 2 | A 2″ ventilated foam layer underneath adds more comfort and some breathability. |
| Support Layer | This base layer includes air channels to promote cooling, and they’re larger channels than the ones found in the Zinus. |
AmazonBasics Memory Foam Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
1-year warranty
Price Range
$149 - $263
AmazonBasics Memory Foam Mattress
The AmazonBasics mattress is very affordable (less than $500) and could be a good match for kids and lightweight sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
1-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$149 - $263
AmazonBasics Memory Foam Mattress
The AmazonBasics mattress is very affordable (less than $500) and could be a good match for kids and lightweight sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
1-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$149 - $263
Mattress Height
The AmazonBasics is 8″ tall, while the Zinus comes in four thicknesses: 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″.
Zinus vs. AmazonBasics Mattress Size Options and Price
To see how these two compare in terms of mattress size and price, look at the following charts:
Zinus
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 39" x 75" | $239.00 |
| Full | 54" x 75" | $225.00 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | $269.00 |
| King | 76" x 80" | $319.00 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | $406.75 |
AmazonBasics
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 39" x 75" | $149.00 |
| Full | 54" x 75" | $ |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | $317.93 |
Check out our Mattress Clarity coupon for the best deals on the Zinus and AmazonBasics mattresses.
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam MattressFirmness
Soft: 6/10Score
Product
AmazonBasics Memory Foam MattressFirmness
Soft: 6/10Score
Zinus vs AmazonBasics Performance Differences
Motion Transfer
Memory foam is a fantastic material. It relieves pressure, contours to our bodies, and even makes it easier to sleep with a partner. Memory foam mattresses are great for couples because they stop motion from transferring across the mattress. This means each partner can move around at night without fear of waking up the other.
Since both the Zinus and AmazonBasics feature a thick layer of memory foam on top, I expected them to handle motion transfer quite well. After placing a glass of water on one side of each mattress, I then pressed into the other side, trying to make a real disturbance. With both mattresses, there was little disturbance in the water.
Also, I lay down on both mattresses while our other reviewer, Marten, got in and out of bed. He changed positions and rolled around, yet he didn’t disturb me on my side of the bed. I would say both mattresses isolate motion well and could be decent mattresses for couples.
Edge Support
While the Zinus and AmazonBasics are good with motion transfer, the same cannot be said for their edge support. Edge support is important for couples because a mattress with secure edges allows partners to have more room at night.When I sit near the edge of both mattresses, they almost collapse all the way.
I don’t feel like I can sit down and tie my shoes on the edge of the bed. Also, when I lie down near the edge of the Zinus and AmazonBasics, the mattress buckles under my weight, and I feel like I am going to roll off.
Durability
Quality mattresses are understandably more expensive. The Zinus and the AmazonBasics are both budget mattresses, so neither one is a stellar option if you’re looking for something that lasts longer.
Marten’s Take
When comparing mattresses, shoppers should absolutely take their size and weight into account. I’m medium-weight, about 160 lbs, so my experience with the Zinus and AmazonBasics might not be the same as someone who is much larger. Luckily, we’ve got a big guy on our team.
Marten is 230 lbs, so let’s see what he thought about the Zinus and AmazonBasics:
For me, both the Zinus and AmazonBasics felt like a 7/10, which is firmer than what Joe experienced. He thought both mattresses were softer-than-average, closer to a 6/10.
It’s pretty simple to understand why I am feeling some more firmness here. My heavier weight causes me to sink further into the soft memory foam on both mattresses. When this happens, I am pushing into the transition and support layers on both mattresses, so I am feeling some more firmness than Joe did.
With my added weight, I am also having a different experience lying in different sleeping positions. Back sleeping on the Zinus, I am not getting fantastic support. My hips are sinking in just a bit too far, and I could use some more lumbar support. That being said, I am getting some nice contouring.
Side sleeping, I am feeling a good amount of pressure on my shoulders and hips. Again, I am really driving into the mattress and not getting the cushioning pressure relief of the soft memory foam on top.
When I move to my stomach, the mattress is not giving me enough support. I feel like the center of my body is dropping into the mattress and straining my back.
Now, when I am back sleeping on the AmazonBasics, I feel even less supported than I did on the Zinus. I feel like I am unevenly sinking into the mattress. It’s like my hips and butt are sinking in while my head and legs are up at an angle.
When I lie on my side, I am feeling better pressure relief than I did on the Zinus. However, I could use some more support, and I would like the foam to press up into my gaps. Without that support, I again feel pretty uneven on this mattress.
Like the Zinus, the AmazonBasics is not supportive enough for me when I am on my stomach.In the end, I think heavier back sleepers will like the Zinus, heavier side sleepers will prefer the AmazonBasics, and heavier stomach sleepers should look elsewhere.
Overall
Based on this information, I hope that most shoppers can make the right decision between the Zinus and AmazonBasics mattresses. They both have a lot to offer, and shouldn’t be a big hit on the pocketbook. For those who want more information or even a personal recommendation, leave a comment below!
