Top 10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses in 2021 – Ultimate Guide

When you think of a memory foam mattress, you probably think of a distinctive, pressure-relieving hug. Another memorable characteristic is the slow rebound to attain its original shape when pressure is applied.

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Top 10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses in 2021 – Ultimate Guide

Memory foam was originally conceived by NASA to cushion the seats of airplanes. It took the entire mattress realm by storm during the ’90s when customers became captivated by the cradling comfort it offers. Today, it has emerged as the most adored mattress material, owing to its exceptional capacity to alleviate pressure points while still conforming to the body. That’s why memory foam is often sought-after by users suffering from back or joint aches or inadequate nightly blood circulation, and those who toss and turn a lot or sleep with a partner who does. Plus, the top-grade memory foam mattresses last for years and are covered by a lifetime or forever warranty.

Finding the best memory foam mattress is never guided by a one-size-fits-all approach though. That’s why we have created this list of the 10 best product recommendations to let you ascertain the distinct feel and sleep experience these mattresses offer. Our top picks are based on established customer testimonials and intensive product analysis.

Top 10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses in 2021

Layla® Memory Foam Mattress

Best Overall

Layla® Memory Foam Mattress

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

Best Antimicrobial Protection

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Best Gel Memory Foam

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Puffy Mattress

Best Locally Made

Puffy Mattress

Idle Mattress

Best Trial Period

Idle Mattress

Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

Best Eco-Friendly

Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

Loom & Leaf Mattress by Saatva

Best Pressure Relief

Loom & Leaf Mattress by Saatva

GravityLux by Winkbeds

Best Luxury

GravityLux by Winkbeds

The GhostBed Mattress

Best Bounce

The GhostBed Mattress

Supremus Grandbreeze Mattress

Best Cooling Capacity

Supremus Grandbreeze Mattress

Best Overall

Layla® Memory Foam Mattress

Layla® Memory Foam Mattress

Overall
9.0

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

All sleep positions due to flippable firmness. Sleepers with chronic aches. Sensitive sleepers and children with allergies. Hot sleepers and couples. All body types and weight categories.

Layla® has been applauded as a foremost US mattress brand producing the most excellent memory foam mattress in a box. How is this mattress so different in offering comfort? The Layla® Mattress contains innovative copper gel infused memory foam that cradles and hugs the body but reacts to extra pressure with augmented firmness, giving support to deep compression spots.

Moreover, copper particles are ultra-conductive and disperse heat quicker than average memory foam for cooler, breathable sleep; copper is known to compress and create an antimicrobial obstruction to ward off odor-causing microbes and keeps the mattress fresh and long-lasting. It’s excellent for couples owing to motion-diminishing foam layers and flippable firmness™ making one side soft and the other firm. Furthermore, you get a lifetime warranty, along with a 120-night trial and full money-back guarantee! Choosing Layla will definitely not be a matter of regret for you!

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the Layla mattress for the first time, you can perceive that the mattress sleeps a lot cooler than an average customary foam mattress. When we tested the mattress, we found that it is soft and hugging but doesn’t sink in at all as it has an inherent firming reaction around the deep compression points like hips and shoulders. Among our testers, side sleepers preferred the softer side, whereas back and stomach sleepers loved the firmer side. No matter how much we tossed or turned, the motion transfer was absolutely zero. Our testers who were on the heavier side found that the firmer side of the mattress is very supportive even after prolonged hours.

  • Why is this mattress so unique? – Flippable firmness yielding a plush/firm feeling, making it excellent for any sleep position. Copper gel foam is an ideal balance of firm and plush and it sleeps a lot cooler. Copper infusion is excellent for fighting unwelcome mites and minimizes build-up of undesirable odor.

Best Antimicrobial Protection

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

Overall
8.8

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Sweaty and allergy-prone sleepers needing antimicrobial protection. Sleepers with chronic body pain, couples, and side sleepers. Lightweight and average weight users.

Tuft & Needle is a pioneering US-based mattress manufacturer that has perpetually stressed on sleep renovation with the proprietary T&N Adaptive foam. They’re known for premium craftsmanship without cutting any corners. This particular Mint Mattress has a plush knit cover with HeiQ with consecutive foam layers. Two of these layers are comfy, breathable, and durable T&N Adaptive® foam conceived by top US chemists. Graphite and air channels absorb surplus heat and moisture, making this perfect for hot and humid climates. Gel beads stacking reciprocally generate a cushioned yet supportive feel.

Worried about rolling off the bed or sagging at the edges? The Mint Mattress has extra-firm foam wrapped around a base foam layer for extra edge support. The thick, luxurious knit cover is breathable and has HeiQ NPJ03 to defend the mattress and all users from odor-causing microbes, thereby boosting the mattress’ shelf-life. Multiple certifications like CertiPUR-US®, Intertek’s Clean Air, and UL GREENGUARD GOLD assure you of good health, well-being, and indoor air quality. And it comes with a lifetime warranty! If you still are indecisive and wish to try it out, there’s a 100-night sleep trial and an unproblematic return process.

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the Mint Mattress for the first time, you’ll notice instantly that it provides ample pressure relief to spots like your hips, shoulders, upper back, spine, and lower back. For those of us who are lightweight/average-weight side sleepers, we found this mattress to be extremely comfortable with a soft feel. It didn’t cause any discomfort from perspiration or allergies, leading to uninterrupted sleep. We also found that it’s good for couples, as it demonstrated absolutely zero motion transfer during our testing.

  • Why is this mattress exceptional? – The antibacterial protection of HeiQ NPJ03 protects users from microbes and allergies, and extends the mattress’ life. Micro-silver along with vesicle technologies break down bacteria, get rid of it, and prevent any odor. 30% extra graphite absorbs heat, keeping users cool and cozy. Ceramic cooling gel beads present cushioned support.

Best Gel Memory Foam

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Overall
8.6

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Hot sleepers and couples. Users with back and body aches. All sleep positions.

The much-admired and award-winning Nectar brand is the fastest-growing in US sleep renovation. Nectar has a truly diversified supply chain and its products are sourced and made in Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the US with premium materials abiding by sanitary and safety measures. Wondering how it offers revitalizing comfort for all? Nectar’s contouring and comfortable gel memory foam mattress has a 5-layer construction with an ideal balance of softness, firmness, and body support. Gel memory foam distributes body mass and scatters body heat to decrease sweat. Worried about pressure points? Adaptive Response transition foam prevents that “quicksand” feeling. The supportive base layer foam stabilizes the mattress layers and fortifies support.

Need to maintain a breathable feel? Tencel™-Poly Blend cooling cover does the job. Whether you prefer an occasional glass of wine in bed or do not want to disturb your partner, Nectar never lets you down with its zero motion transfer. Try the 365-night, 100% risk-free home trial! If you aren’t satisfied after a full year of Nectar, you can get a full refund! This mattress also comes with forever warranty coverage, giving you complete peace of mind about a great night’s rest.

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the Nectar Mattress for the first time, you notice reduced body aches, tenderness, stiffness, and decreased nightly discomfort. Nearly 9 out of 10 of our Nectar Mattress testers felt their back pain assuaged as soon as they lied down on it. We found that it supported all sleep positions and felt really cool and breathable.

  • Why does this mattress outshine others? – 5 layers of cooling comfort with CertiPUR-US® gel memory foam and Nectar’s patented Adaptive Response transition foam. Breathable cooling structure gives utmost airflow. Affordable pricing, quick assembly, forever warranty, and a generous 365-night home trial give users peace of mind.

Best Locally Made

Puffy Mattress

Idle Mattress

Overall
8.8

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Back, stomach, and side sleepers. Allergy-prone users, couples, and hot sleepers. Users with spine issues.

The award-winning Puffy Mattress is entirely locally made in the US, including its cloud foam and cloud cover. The mattress design, assembly, and sewing of components are all done indigenously. If you’re a hot sleeper, Puffy’s Cooling Gel Cloud Layer is highly breathable and entirely optimized for temperature neutrality. It’s doesn’t absorb heat, so you sleep cooler. If you’re allergy-prone, Puffy has a stain-proof hypoallergenic Zip-N-Wash Cloud cover to protect your mattress and prevent annoying dust, germs, dust mites, and other toxic allergens from accumulating in the mattress and enables seasonal deep cleaning.

Puffy’s Cooling Cloud™ & Firm Core Support foam adapts to the body and offers spinal support throughout the night notwithstanding your sleep position. Pressure relief as well as spinal support is further improved by Puffy’s Firm Core Support Layer which alleviates the pressure points. Wish to experience Puffy’s feel before you purchase? You can try it out for 101 nights! If you aren’t pleased, you will get a 100% refund and free removal. Puffy has a lifetime warranty, so be stress-free as long as you have Puffy.

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the Puffy Mattress for the first time, you will notice that it sleeps quite cooler and causes no problems in breathing and absolutely no allergies. We tested it for all sleep positions and Puffy was perfect for back, stomach, side, and combo sleepers. Our testers confirmed that prolonged sleep did not cause any pain in hips and other joints and presented absolutely no problem in getting out of the bed. No matter how much our testers tossed and turned or rolled over, there was no noise, uneasiness, or motion transfer.

  • Why is this mattress extraordinary? – Every constituent of Puffy memory foam mattresses is made proudly in the USA. It has immense temperature neutrality and supports all sleep positions. Spills and mites are a thing of the past, since Puffy’s stain-proof cover cleans easily and quickly for good hygiene and an extended mattress lifespan.

Best Trial Period

Idle Mattress

Idle Mattress

Overall
8.6

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Users seeking a low-cost option. Sleepers with body aches. Sweaty sleepers, couples, and all sleep positions.

Unlike multiple brands that offer 10″ of support, the US-manufactured Idle Mattress offers no less than 12″ thickness for a premium, plush comfort and a cloud-like feel. The Idle Mattress promises zero sinkholes in its memory foam and its gel cooling technology assures you of no night sweats. Idle believes a good mattress must feel nice and comfortable on your skin, so they use Tier-1 450GSM+ quilted fiber coverings on quality foam. The mattress’ exclusive 3″ cooling buoyancy foam is actually custom-blended foam with a gel infusion that reacts much faster than average memory foam for absolute comfort, support, and pressure relief while maintaining temperature neutrality.

How does it enhance breathability? Its supportive transition foam with perforated holes helps sleepers breathe while offering added responsiveness. Its 7″ high-density foam base gives superior durability and extra height as compared to competitors. This 2.4lbs of foam-core density is 30% more than the industry standard. Idle enhances safety for you and your family with two fire-resistant, 100% natural cotton barriers. Its longest 18-month sleep trial along with a forever warranty will definitely persuade you to opt for the Idle Mattress!

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the Idle Mattress for the first time, you will notice there is no sink-in feel. It reacts rapidly and rebounds quite quickly when body weight is applied. Our testers found that it’s perfect for side and back sleeping. For stomach sleeping, we found it to be equally supportive; however, it fared better for users below 200lbs. We concluded that Idle really fits the bill as far as body support is concerned, owing to its extra height, stronger base, and thickness.

  • What makes this mattress so preferable? – Idle is 1-2″ taller than competitors and is highly affordable. Superior thermal neutrality can be achieved through exclusive cooling buoyancy foam, transition foam containing perforations, along with a quilted cover. Idle is highly resilient and durable because of its 2.4lb base, which is much higher than the 1.8lb industry-standard. It also has the longest trial period at 18 months!

Best Eco-Friendly

Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

Overall
8.6

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

All body types, side and combo sleep positions. Hot sleepers. Allergy-prone users.

The AS3 is the best-selling mattress of Amerisleep. How is it different from the traditional memory foam mattress? Since its launch in 2009, Amerisleep has proudly made Bio-Pur® in the US. The AS3 is engineered with plant-based, eco-friendly, cooler Bio-Pur® memory foam which is cooling, receptive, and pressure-relieving. It is a massive upgrade from traditional memory foam due to a larger, open-cell structure that allows breathability with free movement of air. Thus, breathing or heat accumulation discomfort won’t keep you up at night! Unlike customary memory foam, Bio-Pur® encompasses a speedy response time and relieves tender pressure points, all the while bouncing back in mere seconds. The Bio-Pur® comfort layer in the AS3 mattress contours to the body, offering zoned comfort. You never feel sunk inside even if you toss and turn around during the night!

The HIVE® transition layer in the AS3 gives the body targeted support to alleviate tension and help the body rest or sleep in ideal alignment. It offers added support and cushioning from head to toe, literally. Bio-Pur® memory foam is essentially an eco-friendly mattress material sourced from renewable plant-based oils, so you’re doing your bit for the planet’s health too. If you’re allergy-prone, rest assured that the foam in the AS3 is CertiPUR-US® certified, prepared without harsh chemicals, and is very low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) being resistant to mold, dust mites, and mildew as well. Amerisleep is acclaimed for its highest quality craftsmanship and US-manufactured mattress. The AS3 is backed by a 2-decade warranty and won’t sag or grow soft spots. Try it risk-free for 100 nights! If you still don’t like it after the initial 30 nights, Amerisleep’s Arizona customer support team will provide you with a swift and complete refund.

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the AS3 Mattress for the first time, you notice you’re sleeping cooler and without any breathing discomfort or allergies. Our testers found that it has balanced comfort and responsive support, making it ideal for side and combination sleepers. We found that it bounced back faster so that feeling of being stuck in the mattress was nonexistent. After a few hours of lying down on the AS3, our testers concluded they found added cushioning at the shoulders and hips and perfect support for the head, neck, upper and lower back, knees, and feet. Sleep was absolutely pain-free!

  • What makes this mattress stand out? – Plant-sourced, environment-friendly, cooler Bio-Pur® memory foam is cooling, responsive, and pressure-relieving. It has a larger, open-celled structure permitting better breathability. HIVE® technology offers zoned comfort and produces a weightless feel. The Bio-Core® base layer enhances durability for a better mattress life-span.

Best Pressure Relief

Loom & Leaf Mattress by Saatva

Loom & Leaf Mattress by Saatva

Overall
8.6

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Hot sleepers and couples. Users with lower back pain. Side, back, and stomach sleepers. Overweight users.

The Loom & Leaf Mattress by Saatva is made-to-order and entirely handcrafted in America with the utmost care using highest-grade, eco-conscious materials. The brand takes pride in its commitment to quality without being profit-driven. They never cut any corners, instead producing it locally and supporting American workers and the US economy. It’s not stuffed inside a box and is hand-delivered to your home free of cost.

How does this mattress bring you the utmost cooling comfort? Its ultra-premium 5lb memory foam along with high-density foam layers contour to the body to mitigate pressure points while giving steady support. Highly breathable gel-infused foam prevents sweat and a hot feeling all through the night and provides additional lower back support. Moreover, its hypoallergenic, antibacterial organic cotton cover, natural and non-toxic thistle pulp flame barrier, and CertiPUR-US® certified foams are healthier for your wellbeing and the environment. Saatva won’t pressure you into deciding quickly, as this mattress has a 180-night home trial. That gives you plenty of time to come to a decision! If you’re not satisfied at some point in your home trial, the company will remove the mattress and issue you a refund. This mattress has free white glove delivery to the area of your choice. The brand stands by the quality of its product, offering a 15-year non-prorated warranty.

Sleeping Experience

When you sleep on the Loom & Leaf mattress for the first time, you notice maximum relief to your pressure points and total support in core areas of your body. We tested the mattress to find out if even the overweight users who need a seriously supportive sleep surface would benefit by using it. Unsurprisingly, it could support all our testers with dissimilar body weights and sleep positions. During our testing period, we never experienced motion transfer and perspiration. Our testers concluded it proportionately cushioned all parts of the body.

  • Why is this mattress so special? – The comfort level of the Loom & Leaf Mattress suits all sleeping positions with an idyllic ratio of plush comfort and body-contouring support. It promotes healthy spinal alignment whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper. The eco-friendly foams in Loom & Leaf are finished from renewable oils and disperse fewer greenhouse gases during production. The nationwide manufacturing network denotes the mattresses travel lesser than 100 miles from their factories straight to a consumer’s home, keeping their carbon footprint small.

Best Luxury

GravityLux by Winkbeds

GravityLux by Winkbeds

Overall
8.4

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Hot sleepers and couples. Users with body pain. Side, back, and side-back combination sleepers.

GravityLux by Winkbeds is handmade-to-order in Watertown, Wisconsin. It includes top-grade, American-sourced materials and is sold straight to consumers, eliminating the retail middleman and mark-ups from factories abroad. How do you find a profound restful sleep with GravityLux? If you’re allergy-prone, the Eucalyptus-derived TENCEL® cover tufted with 2″ first-rate cooling gel foam facilitates airflow and soaks away heat and moisture. AirCell™ Memory Foam vigorously supports or relieves pressure with its patented shock-wicking air capsules and removes motion transfer and heat accumulation.This mattress is great for relieving chronic body aches and eliminating their recurrence with its Progression Foam™ layer. This layer provides targeted support to deep compression areas and the lumbar region. Worried about durability? The 1.8lb density ATLAS Core™ foam offers pushback support along with sag-proof durability for a lifetime, making GravityLux highly durable. You can try it risk-free for 101 nights or else opt for a free removal and full refund from the company. Moreover, GravityLux is the only mattress brand that comprises of a zero-cost Full Replacement Lifetime Warranty. So you will never go wrong in buying GravityLux!

Sleep Experience

When you sleep on the GravityLux mattress for the first time, you notice it relaxes your muscles and heals your joints by keeping them aligned. Regardless of body weights and types, our testers found it to be excellent for back, side, and side-back combo sleepers. We found that the midsection of the body was firmly supported throughout many hours of sleep. We tested it for any possible motion transfer and the mattress really scored well in that area, since no motion disturbance was experienced at all.

  • What makes this mattress so brilliant? – The two primary layers are constructed of gel-infused memory foam, making it a comfy bed with zero heat retention. Its edge support is tough to beat, as it utilizes narrower materials around its perimeter for an extra supportive edge and maximizes space. GravityLux is the premium luxury mattress that can be obtained for a fraction of the cost compared to in-store mattresses owing to its factory-direct nature.

Best Bounce

The GhostBed Mattress

The GhostBed Mattress

Overall
8.8

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers. Hot sleepers and couples. Users needing spinal alignment and body support.

GhostBed mattresses are proudly manufactured in the US. Not only does this signify they ship quicker than other mattress brands, but they’re also equipped with the best customer service. To construct the GhostBed, the company has used 2 decades of experience in making mattresses, cutting-edge engineering, and an understanding of how users sleep. How does a GhostBed help you sleep cooler? The topmost layer contains non-allergenic aerated latex foam with a springy feel that wicks heat away from the body. Next, it has a proprietary gel memory foam formula with bigger cells than customary memory foam to ward off heat further. Finally, the smooth, pliable cover made with a stretchy, resilient viscose-polyester blend offers a cozy feel all night.

A GhostBed is durable! It has a long-lasting 7.5” high-density base that forms the bed’s foundation. It’s sufficiently firm for excellent spinal alignment without creating any uncomfortable feeling. No more waking up with a stiff back! Aerated latex gives minimal motion transfer, and with gel memory foam, it gives the optimal balance of comfort and support to every sleeper. Try a GhostBed risk-free for 101-nights! If you aren’t pleased, your return request will get processed by the company after it has been in your house for 30 days. To assure you further, GhostBed has 20-year warranty coverage!

Sleeping Experience

When you sleep on a GhostBed for the first time, you notice that your lumbar area is instantly supported and you never suffer from nightly throbbing, sharp pain. Our testers scrutinized the mattress for sleep positions and found whether they were back, stomach, side, or combo sleepers, the mattress conformed fittingly. Being medium-firm, we found that the mattress suited even the heavier testers. Those of our testers who are allergy-prone to latex did not experience any allergy or skin irritation after lying down for a few hours. We also found that testers who sleep hot weren’t feeling sweaty.

  • Why is this mattress exclusive? – The GhostBed is created by seasoned mattress experts who have been crafting mattresses for two decades. These are supportive, heavy-duty mattresses providing the finest comfort for all sleeper types: stomach, side, back, and combo! Plus, the blend of gel memory foam and non-allergenic aerated latex foam transmit heat away from the body during sleep, keeping you cool all night long!

Best Cooling Capacity

Supremus Grandbreeze Mattress

Supremus Grandbreeze Mattress

Overall
8.4

Firmness
0%
Support
0%
Motion Transfer
0%
Quality of Materials
0%
Durability
0%
Value for Money
0%

Differentiators

Ideal For

Hot sleepers, couples, and sensitive users. Sleepers with joint pain. All sleep positions.

Supremus is a popular US mattress brand that’s unique in its proprietary cooling formula. The cooling capacity and ventilation of this mattress are incomparable! It has premium-grade Quad cooling layers with proprietary Supremus-gel-infused memory foam followed by layers of memory foam, Breeze Airflow foam, and an Ultimate Dual Ventilation support base. It is constructed on the premise that when you sleep, your body temperature increases, leading to sweat, discomfort, and an incomplete rest. The layers are technologically crafted to let users sleep cooler and allow maximum flow of air for a quality night’s sleep.

The Supremus Grandbreeze Mattress offers responsive support which depressurizes joints, aligns the spine, and cools off the body. It therapeutically molds and contours to the body’s natural curves, relieving all pressure points that usually aggravate joint and back pain and insufficient blood circulation. The foam is non-toxic CertiPUR®-US Certified, so you can further rest assured of your wellbeing. Moreover, it has a 120-night trial and a 20-year limited warranty. Within this period, the company will repair and replace it for free!

Sleeping Experience

When you sleep on the Supremus Grandbreeze Mattress for the first time, you notice that you’re getting the right level of firmness and an adequate cooling sensation. Our testers who were taller and heavier found the mattress equally supportive and comfortable as our lightweight, smaller testers. We also found the mattress didn’t have a sucked-in feeling of customary foam. We tried it for all sleep positions and motion isolation; the mattress ticked all these boxes successfully. Lack of breathability wasn’t an issue for us when we tested it for many hours.

  • Why is this mattress so remarkable? – The proprietary cooling gel of the Supremus Grandbreeze keeps you much cooler and comfortable for sound sleep. It depressurizes your joints and enhances blood circulation.

Buying Tips & Advice

Memory foam mattresses are worth buying due to their unique ability to alleviate pressure points by molding to body shape, offering a cradling feeling, and retaining its original shape slowly. They last very long and isolate motion exceptionally, making them a smart investment for any user. However, if you want to know precisely about memory foam beds, go through the buying advice below before you make a purchase.

Firmness

To estimate the firmness of a memory foam mattress, experts and testers consider the indentation or sink on the uppermost surface after pressure is exerted. The higher the amount of pressure needed to create a sink, the firmer the memory foam mattress. A memory foam mattress will also have a firmness rating. Firmness descriptions range from Extremely Soft/Plush to Medium to Firm, and usually associate with the 1-to-10 comfort scale. This usually indicates how much a mattress sinks beneath a user’s body, with ‘Extremely Soft’ being a surface that sinks deeply and ‘Firm’ having a reduced sinking feeling.

Extremely soft memory foam conforms to the body, cradling it more easily, but it might also create a substantial sinking feel. Conversely, firmer memory foam being fortified by subsequent support layers provides a stable and supportive sleep surface. While selecting your preferred mattress firmness level, your aim is to locate whichever firmness offers accurate spinal alignment for you. So, you’ll need to consider body mass and sleep position. Lightweight sleepers can use a softer mattress for adequate contouring in addition to pressure point relief. Heavier sleepers, in contrast, need a medium-firm to firmer sleep surface to avoid their body sinking deeply. Average-weight sleepers normally sleep best on medium-firm mattresses.

Your sleep position is the subsequent factor to consider. Side sleepers find plush mattresses to be comfortable, as these permit their hips and shoulders and other joints to sink deeply into the mattress surface and keep the spine properly aligned. Stomach sleepers require a medium-firm to firm mattress, to keep their pelvis and spine in alignment and avoid sinking into the mattress. Back sleepers tend to be more at ease on firm mattresses.

Memory Foam Vs Gel Memory Foam

All types of memory foam have common characteristics, but they aren’t necessarily the same. The distinct feel, durability, breathability, and performance can be dissimilar depending on foam composition and type.

Traditional memory foam has a deep contouring ability and superb motion isolation. Some users adore its cloud-like hug, and particularly side sleepers or users with achy pressure points favor it. Memory foam in its classic form can feel a tad hot, but this issue is addressed now with cooling covers and infusion of copper, graphite, or plant-based materials for heat dissipation.

Gel-infused memory foam has a gel-like material included in the foam itself. This gel is added in a swirling pattern or is enclosed in tiny beads distributed throughout the foam. The purpose of infusing gel in memory foam is to diminish heat retention. The gels absorb heat and prevent excess heat build-up on the sleeping surface and around the body.

Price Range

Memory foam mattresses can vary significantly in price. Some might cost lesser at $300-$500, the usual price range can vary from $800-$2,500, while high-end luxury models might cost way beyond $3,000. Foam density affects the price tag of a memory foam mattress. Low-density foams are cheaper, while durable, high-density foam is pricier. US-made mattresses are a tad more expensive than imported ones. Plant-based memory foam and gel-/copper-infused foam typically cost higher than classic visco-elastic memory foam mattresses. Proprietary and patented technologies and materials used in contemporary memory foam mattresses also tend to drive the cost up.

However, the price tags of memory foam mattresses are lower than latex and hybrid mattresses. These tend to be rather pricier, while innerspring mattresses are priced in a similar range as memory foam mattresses. Investing in a memory foam mattress is thus a cost-effective decision for consumers.

Memory Foam Vs Alternatives

The various components of memory foam have a distinct feel in terms of support and comfort. How do they compare with the alternative mattress materials available on the market? This chart gives you an idea.

Mattress Parameters Memory Foam Latex Hybrid Innerspring
Construction & Key Features
  • Memory foam is a soft, dense, visco-elastic, slow-release foam that changes its shape if pressure and heat is exerted.
  • Highly adaptable and conforms closely to body cradling the sleeper while letting him sink in the surface, and slowly rebounds to original form as pressure is removed.
  • Compared to its alternatives, it’s much softer and plush and is good for motion isolation.
  • Its body contouring abilities offer flexible comfort and pressure point relief to mainly the side sleepers.
  • Although, different firmness levels of the infused memory foams fortified with subsequent layers support all sleep positions.
  • Natural latex is obtained from sap of the rubber trees while synthetic latex is made utilizing petrochemicals treated with emulsifying agents.
  • It has dense and homogenous consistency and is utilized as comfort layer or support core.
  • Hybrid mattresses amalgamate a coil support core and comfort layer(s) containing memory foam or latex.
  • The support core has encased pocketed coils. Polyurethane base foam layer is positioned underneath the support core.
  • Hybrid mattresses have the best of both; receptive and bouncy like innerspring with comfortable body-cradling feature of foam.
  • Innerspring contains fabric-encased pocket coils which are connected to neighboring coils using fabric strands.
  • It’s bouncy and supportive where coils generate a flat sleep surface and every coil supports the neighboring coil for adequate support.
Ideal For
  • Lightweight and average weight users.
  • Sleepers needing hugging sensation.
  • Couples who require motion isolation.
  • Pressure point relief to users with chronic pain.
  • Couples and hot sleepers.
  • Users needing a bouncy feel.
  • All body types and weights.
  • Sleepers needing body support and pressure relief.
  • Users who sleep hot.
  • All body types.
  • Overweight users requiring edge support.
  • Couples requiring motion isolation.
  • Couples and hot sleepers.
  • Users needing a springy feel and body support.
  • Overweight sleepers.
Sleep Positions
  • Best for side sleepers.
  • Modern brands modified to suit all sleep positions.
  • All sleep positions.
  • All sleep positions.
  • Back and stomach sleepers.
Firmness
  • Plush to Medium-Firm
  • Medium
  • Medium to Firm
  • Medium-Firm to Firm
Durability
  • High
  • High
  • High
  • Moderate
Value For Money
  • Mid-Range to Luxury
  • Mid-Range to Luxury
  • Luxury
  • Mid-Range

FAQs

Q: How long will a memory foam mattress last?

A: The lifespan of any memory foam mattress depends mostly on the foam’s density grade. Shallow-density memory foam can retain shape rapidly, but its structure degrades at a quicker rate. High-density and medium-density memory foam last much longer with excellent shape retention. Most are designed to last for no less than 8-15 years of standard use. To capitalize on lifespan, look thoroughly at material composition and structure before buying. Warranty coverage is mostly lifetime.

Q: What’s the disparity between Polyurethane foam and memory foam?

A: Poly-foam, technically termed polyurethane foam, is synthesized utilizing polyol as well as di-isocyanate. This comprises all non-latex foams used in memory foam mattresses as subsidiary comfort layers and it quickly rebounds on pressure application. Memory foam or visco-elastic foam conversely reacts to pressure a lot slower, taking a long time to attain its original shape after getting compressed.

Q: Should you get a memory foam mattress if you’re a hot sleeper?

A: Traditional memory foam trapped a lot of body heat, leading to perspiring and uncomfortable nights for users who slept hot. Luckily, companies have now found scores of ways to totally mitigate this. If you’re a hot and sweaty sleeper, choose variants of memory foam that are infused with cooling gel, copper particles, or graphite that wick away heat and moisture. Inspect the top cover layer of a memory foam mattress carefully and find out if it enhances breathability and temperature regulation for cooler sleep.

Conclusion

Why must you go for memory foam? If you desire a plush, cushioned feel with a hugging and cradling sensation while eliminating noise and motion transfer, memory foam is undoubtedly right for you. Moreover, you need to think of factors like sleep position and firmness level. But with abundant options, choosing the right one is a challenging task. Even if your decision is subjective, Layla® is our top pick, as it has heat-wicking copper gel-infused memory foam for ultimate temperature regulation. Furthermore, it’s flippable, offering different firmness levels on two sides. However, if you desire something more luxurious and eco-friendly, we suggest you go for Amerisleep’s AS3 Mattress with the goodness of renewable, plant-based Bio-Pur® memory foam material and HIVE® technology, offering a rapid response and weightless feel. No matter what your needs are, we’re sure you can figure out the perfect memory foam mattress for you by studying this 10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses guide!

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About Author

Silvia Johnson

Silvia Johnson

Silvia Johnson is a researcher and writer with a passion for all matters related to health, nutrition and exercise. Prior to joining us, she worked as a journalist in the US and Canada, covering a wide range of health related topics, including sleep. Silvia studied media and journalism at college, and her hobbies include marathon running, swimming, reading and travelling with friends and family.

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