Siena vs Layla: Which cheap memory foam mattress is the right fit for your sleep?

Thanks to innovations in design and materials, you don't have to spend a lot of money to bring home a reliable mattress these days. For instance, the Siena Memory Foam Mattress and the Layla Essential Mattress are a couple of great options for shoppers on a tight budget, but which one should you buy?

In our Siena vs Layla showdown, we'll be comparing these two all-foam beds based on price, design, and performance. The Siena sits in our best mattresses of 2025 guide as our top budget pick, but if you're a lighter sleeper who wants a slightly softer surface, we suggest you try the Layla Essential instead.

There's an evergreen mattress sale ongoing for both beds, but the Siena, in particular, is a highlight of this year's Prime Day mattress deals. Before you go shopping, here's what you need to know about the Siena Memory Foam Mattress and the Layla Essential Mattress.

Siena Memory Foam vs Layla Essential Mattress: Price & trial

• A queen-size Siena Memory Foam is usually on sale for $359
• Expect to pay between $549 and $499 for a queen-size Layla Essential
• Siena offers a 180-night trial; Layla includes 2 free pillows

You can ignore the MSRPs for both of these mattresses, as Siena and Layla run consistent sales.

The Layla Essential is the more expensive option of the two. The standard Layla mattress sale slices $150 off the retail price, bringing the price of a queen-size to $549. However, we've seen as much as $200 off, dropping a queen Layla Essential to just $499.

Meanwhile, the typical Siena mattress deal yields a final price of $359 for a queen Siena Memory Foam Mattress. That's a $40 drop from last year's sale price of $399 and the best we've seen. Flash sales aren't very common at Siena lately, so you can expect to pay this price year-round.

Both Siena and Layla include a 10-year warranty, free shipping, and free returns. While Layla offers a 120-night sleep trial, Siena boasts a generous 180-night sleep trial, which is among the longest in the industry and certainly impressive for a budget bed.

However, Layla does throw in two free Layla Memory Foam pillows (worth up to $100 each) with mattress purchase.

Siena Memory Foam vs Layla Essential Mattress: Materials & design

• The Siena is 10" while the Layla is 9"
• Both mattresses have a basic 2-layer internal construction
• Layla's cover is machine-washable, but not Siena's

Siena Memory Foam Mattress(Image credit: Siena)

Layla Essential Memory Foam Mattress(Image credit: Layla)

The Siena Memory Foam Mattress is 10" tall with a 2" memory foam comfort layer and an 8" block of foundational foam. A shift-resistant cover and a soft top cover bookend these foam layers, but the top cover is non-removable and can't be washed.

The Layla Essential Mattress also has a 2-layer design but a slightly smaller 9" profile. It comprises a 2.5lb open-cell memory foam comfort layer, a 7" polyfoam core, and a textured cover you can remove and put in the wash.

Both Siena and Layla claim to use CertiPUR-US certified foams and a fiberglass-free design to promote safer, healthier sleep.

Siena Memory Foam vs Layla Essential mattress: Comfort & support

• The Siena is much firmer than advertised; great for front sleeping
• The Layla Essential has a 6/10 rating, and is best for back sleeping
• The Siena's excellent motion isolation makes it a better pick for couples

While both are rated medium-firm by their respective brands, we found the Siena Memory Foam Mattress much firmer than its self-described 6.5/10 rating.

During our Siena Memory Foam mattress review, we rated the sturdy bed as a 9/10 (firm) on the firmness scale. We consider it one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers as it supports the hip region well. It's also great for couples thanks to its excellent motion isolation and very good edge support.

However, if you want the characteristic "hug" of memory foam, then the Siena won't be it for you. Side sleepers and some back sleepers may need time to adjust to this firmness, but should be pleased with the balanced, full-body support after a while.

The Layla Essential is much softer at 6/10 on the firmness scale (medium-firm). Our Layla Essential mattress review found this bed offers superb support for back sleeping.

It's more contouring than the Siena, but despite that, our tester said side sleeping on the Layla Essential didn’t offer sufficient relief in the hips and shoulders. Take a look at our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers if that's what you need.

We're inclined to recommend the Layla Essential for solo sleepers or co-sleepers who aren't roused so easily. Our drop tests revealed that this mattress doesn't dampen as much movement as the Siena.

We also found that the edges sink lower than the center of the bed, showing an obvious lack of reinforcement along the edges, though not to an objectionable degree.

Siena Memory Foam vs Layla Essential mattress: Temperature regulation

• Both sleep relatively cool for memory foam beds
• The Siena Memory Foam has a moisture-wicking cover
• The Layla Essential uses Open Cell+ Memory Foam to boost airflow

The Siena Memory Foam and the Layla Essential both sleep remarkably cool for two beds constructed entirely from memory foam, a material notorious for trapping heat.

The Siena Memory Foam has a moisture-wicking polyester cover while the top memory foam layer is infused with charcoal for a fresh, cool sleep surface. The lack of a deep sinkage surely helps here, too.

Our testers were impressed with the Siena's temperature regulation. Our lead reviewer didn't suffer any night sweats despite high temperatures during testing.

The Siena Memory Foam has a moisture-wicking polyester cover.(Image credit: Future)

The Layla Essential's cover features breathable hexagon stitching.(Image credit: Future)

The Layla Essential also boasts some great cooling features, such as the top cover's breathable hexagon stitching and a top layer of Open Cell+ memory foam designed to facilitate airflow. This culminated in our lead reviewer sleeping comfortably on this mattress amidst a hot Californian summer.

Despite their above-average temperature regulation, neither mattress is cooling, per se. If severe hot flashes keep you up at night, have a look at our guide to the best cooling mattresses.

Siena Memory Foam vs Layla Essential mattress: Which should you buy?

Buy the Siena Memory Foam Mattress if...

✅ You're on a tighter budget: The permanent 60% discount means you'll never have to be strategic about when you buy this budget-friendly bed. It's also a few hundred dollars less than the Layla on average.

✅ You’re a stomach sleeper: The Siena Memory Foam offers firm support and minimal contouring, making it an ideal choice for most stomach sleepers.

✅ You share a bed: Not only does the Siena dampen movement well, it's also available in a split king size, a rarity among budget models.

Buy the Layla Essential if...

✅ You’re a back sleeper: The medium-firm feel of the Layla offers great comfort, optimal alignment, and optimal support for back sleeping.

✅ You want an easy clean: The Layla comes with a removable, machine-washable cover to protect against spills, although you'll still want to wrap it in a mattress protector.

✅ You sleep solo: The motion isolation isn't as good as the Siena's, which is why we recommend the Layla Essential for those who sleep alone.