Affordable Mattresses Without Fiberglass (I Verified Each One)
6 budget mattresses under $1,100 that I've personally tested and verified are fiberglass-free
Why This List Exists
I run a nationwide mattress recycling company and we've processed over 1.15 million mattresses since 2011. That means I've torn open mattresses from just about every major brand out there. I see what's inside them. I see what holds up and what falls apart. And one of the biggest issues I come across, especially with budget-friendly mattresses, is fiberglass.
So in this article, I'm sharing 6 budget-friendly mattresses made without fiberglass. These aren't guesses or marketing claims — I've personally torn open every single mattress on this list and verified it's fiberglass-free.
These aren't the only fiberglass-free options out there. Lots of mattresses today are fiberglass-free, especially higher-priced ones over $1,000. But when you get under $1,000, that's where you need to be careful — budget brands often use cheaper fiberglass fire socks to cut costs.
How These Mattresses Were Verified to Be Fiberglass-Free
Before I recommend any mattress as fiberglass-free, it goes through a verification process. This isn't guesswork — it's based on my 20+ years in the mattress industry and the 1.15 million mattresses we've processed at our recycling facility. Understanding what's inside a mattress — from the comfort layers to the support core — is foundational to knowing where fiberglass hides and how to spot alternatives.
My Verification Process
- Law label examination — I check for terms like "glass fiber," "glass wool," "fiberglass," or "silica" in the material composition
- Fire barrier material verification — I confirm what the manufacturer uses instead (wool, rayon, hydrated silica, or other non-fiberglass alternatives)
- Manufacturer disclosures and facility certifications — For brands like Brooklyn Bedding, I've visited the factory and know their entire line is produced fiberglass-free
- Cover material composition — The fire barrier is typically sewn into the cover, so cover specs reveal what's inside
- Physical teardown — I've cut open every mattress on this list at my facility to visually confirm the fire barrier material
- Red flag exclusion — Any mattress with "do not remove cover" warnings or manufacturer evasiveness about fire barrier materials gets excluded
Every Mattress on This List Was Torn Open
I've physically torn open every mattress featured in this article at my recycling facility to verify the fire barrier material. No guessing, no relying on manufacturer claims — I checked each one myself. For detailed looks at specific mattresses I've cut open, see my mattress teardown series.
Why Fiberglass Is a Problem
Mattresses have to meet federal fire safety standards set by the CPSC, so manufacturers use something called a fire sock — it's a barrier that wraps around the foam layers to prevent the mattress from going up in flames. Good manufacturers use fire socks made from wool, rayon, or hydrated silica. But to cut costs, a lot of budget brands use fire socks made with fiberglass. I cover this in detail in my complete guide to fiberglass in mattresses.
The problem is these cheaper fire socks can break down over time, shed little glass particles, and those particles end up on your skin or worse — you breathe them in.
I've seen it firsthand with customers whose old mattresses I've picked up, and it's not pretty. One woman told us she'd been itching all over for months and couldn't figure out why. We hauled her mattress back to the facility, and when we tore it open — poof — little white particles of fiberglass everywhere. The fire sock had completely broken down. She'd been sleeping on that, breathing it in, with no clue what was causing her problems.
The guys at our recycling facility wear masks whenever they're tearing mattresses apart, and fiberglass is one of the main reasons why.
The Price Threshold
If you're shopping for a mid to high-end mattress in the $1,500-2,000+ range, you generally don't have to worry about fiberglass. Those manufacturers don't use it. But if you're in the budget-friendly range under $1,000, you need to be aware of which brands are safe and which ones aren't.
DreamFoam Essential
If you were looking at Zinus, Lucid, Linenspa, Amazon Basics, Allswell, or any of those affordable Amazon mattresses — this is what I recommend instead.
Not the only option out there, but if you want something solid without worrying about fiberglass, this is a safe bet.
My Take
Made at Brooklyn Bedding's Phoenix factory — I tore this one open, no fiberglass. They use a rayon-based knit fabric sock. This is what I tell people who were about to buy a cheap Amazon mattress. Same price range, but made in a real factory with quality control.
Who it's for: Someone who wants quality construction without spending a fortune. Gel memory foam over high-density support foam. The 10" is the sweet spot for most people.
Check Price at Brooklyn Bedding →Verified Fiberglass-Free Budget Options
If the DreamFoam Essential isn't quite right for you, here are 5 other mattresses I've torn open and verified fiberglass-free — all priced under $1,100.
These aren't the only fiberglass-free mattresses out there — most mattresses over $1,000 don't use fiberglass. But under $1,000 is where budget brands cut corners with cheap fiberglass fire socks. These are the budget options I've personally verified are safe.
Pressure Relief
Puffy Cloud
~$849 Queen
My Take
I tore this one open and checked the fire sock — no fiberglass. Good option if you want soft and plush. Not for people who need firm support, but solid construction for the price.
Read Full Teardown →Who it's for: Side sleepers and people who want that plush, pressure-relieving feel. Softer than most options on this list.
Check Price →
Extra Firm
Plank Mattress
~$955-999 Queen
My Take
Same Brooklyn Bedding factory — I tore this one open, no fiberglass. The ultra-firm side is basically sleeping on a board. That's the point. If you're not sure you want that, you probably don't.
Read Full Teardown →Who it's for: People who actually want firm. It's flippable — one side is firm (7.5/10), the other is ultra-firm (9.5/10).
Check Price →
All Around Value
Brooklyn Signature Hybrid
~$999 Queen
My Take
I tore this one open — no fiberglass, they use a rayon/polyester knit sock. This is Brooklyn Bedding's flagship for a reason. The coils give it better edge support and airflow than all-foam. If you can swing $1,000, this is worth the upgrade.
Who it's for: Their flagship hybrid — 900+ pocketed coils, comes in soft, medium, or firm. Better edge support than all-foam.
Check Price →
Natural Materials
Birch Natural
~$1,099-1,124 Queen
My Take
I tore this one open — GOLS and GOTS certified organic, no fiberglass. They use organic wool batting instead. If you want organic, this is the entry point. Heads up — if you're sensitive to wool, this isn't for you.
Full teardown coming soonWho it's for: Someone who wants organic and natural materials. Latex core instead of foam. Slightly over $1,000 but it's the entry point for genuinely organic construction.
Check Price →
With Caution
Zinus (New Models Only)
~$300-500 Queen
My Take
After lawsuits, Zinus reformulated. We opened up a new model — no fiberglass. But given their history, proceed with caution. Never buy a used Zinus. Always check the law label to make sure it shows no glass fiber.
Who it's for: Someone who needs the absolute lowest price point. New models only.
Check Price on Amazon →Brands to Be Careful With
I get asked about specific brands all the time, and my answer is always the same — I only recommend what I've actually verified. Here are a few that come up a lot:
Brands with Confirmed or Suspected Fiberglass
- Allswell — Walmart's house brand. The manufacturer has confirmed 8% fiberglass content in their fire-resistant fibers.
- Nectar — They claim to be fiberglass-free now, but older mattresses had 23% glass fiber on the law label. The company has had transparency issues in the past.
- Linenspa, Lucid, Amazon Basics — Budget Amazon brands that have been confirmed to contain fiberglass.
How to Check Any Mattress for Fiberglass
If you're looking at something not on this list, here's how to verify it yourself:
What to Look For
- Check the law label on the side of the mattress. Look for terms like "glass fiber," "glass wool," "fiberglass," or "silica." Any of those indicate fiberglass content.
- Watch for warning labels that say "do not remove cover" or "warranty void if cover is removed." That usually means there's fiberglass inside they don't want escaping.
- Contact the manufacturer and ask directly: what material do you use as a fire barrier? Companies using safer materials are usually happy to tell you. If they dodge the question or give vague answers, that tells you something.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fiberglass in Mattresses
How do I know if my mattress has fiberglass?
Check the law label on the side of your mattress. Look for terms like "glass fiber," "glass wool," or "silica." Also look for warning labels that say "do not remove cover" — that's often a sign fiberglass is inside. If you're already experiencing unexplained itching or seeing tiny shiny particles, your fire barrier may have degraded.
Why do budget mattress companies use fiberglass?
Cost. Mattresses must meet 16 CFR 1633 federal flammability standards, and fiberglass is the cheapest way to create a fire-resistant barrier. Higher-end manufacturers use wool, rayon, or hydrated silica instead — but those materials cost more.
Is fiberglass in mattresses dangerous?
It can be. When the fiberglass fire sock breaks down or you remove the cover, tiny glass particles can escape into your bedroom. According to the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, fiberglass exposure causes skin irritation and respiratory issues. The particles are nearly impossible to fully clean up — I've seen homes where fiberglass contamination required professional remediation. For more on bedroom toxins and what's actually worth worrying about, see my full guide.
Do all cheap mattresses have fiberglass?
No, but many do. That's why I created this list — to show you which budget options are verified fiberglass-free. The key is knowing which manufacturers use safer alternatives like hydrated silica or wool fire barriers.
Can I remove fiberglass from my mattress or home?
Once fiberglass escapes, it's extremely difficult to clean up. The particles are microscopic and spread everywhere — bedding, carpet, HVAC systems, clothing. If you have a fiberglass contamination, the mattress needs to go and you may need professional cleaning. Prevention is much easier than cleanup.
Are memory foam mattresses more likely to have fiberglass?
Memory foam mattresses are more flammable than innerspring mattresses, so they require more fire-resistant material. Budget memory foam mattresses are especially likely to use fiberglass because it's the cheapest solution. Always check the law label on any foam mattress.
The Bottom Line on Fiberglass-Free Mattresses
Fiberglass in mattresses is mostly a budget mattress problem. The 6 mattresses above are ones I've personally torn open and verified fiberglass-free at my facility. If you're shopping under $1,000 and want to avoid fiberglass, these are safe options. For more details on how fiberglass ends up in mattresses and how to identify it, read my complete guide to fiberglass in mattresses.
These aren't the only fiberglass-free options — most mattresses over $1,000 don't use fiberglass. But under $1,000 is where you need to be careful. I can't tear open every budget mattress on the market, but now you know what to look for.
My Take
Whatever you choose, check the law label and don't assume that just because a mattress is being sold by a major retailer that it's fiberglass-free. Plenty of them aren't. I've seen the aftermath, and it's completely avoidable if you know what to look for.