What Is the Best Memory Foam Mattress?

A quality memory foam mattress could be exactly what you need to improve your bedroom and your sleep. But before you splurge on a new bed, here are a few things to consider to help you make the best choice.

Read on to learn how to choose a memory foam mattress.

Why Memory Foam?

The greatest thing about memory foam mattresses is that they conform to your body like no other type of mattress. This property helps support your spine and relieve pressure. The material also remains silent when you move around on it, and it can keep others from feeling your movements.

Those features make memory foam mattresses perfect for couples. But individuals can also enjoy these comfortable benefits, especially those who deal with chronic pain. The right memory foam mattress can lead to a better night of sleep, free you from the burden of waking up in pain, and leave you feeling refreshed for the day ahead.

What You Should Know About Memory Foam Mattresses

Before choosing to sleep on even the best memory foam mattress, you should know a few things. For one, this material may not be the best for everyone, and that’s okay. Be sure you consider the feel and firmness of the mattress and weigh memory foam’s pros and cons to help decide if it’s right for you.

How Memory Foam Feels

Because it conforms to your body, it can offer a more body-hugging feeling when you’re lying on it. You might even describe the feeling as sinking into the mattress, rather than feeling like you’re on top. If the density is just the right level of firmness, that conforming will help support your entire body, keeping your spine straight.

Memory foam can also help reduce sound and isolate motion, which is great if you share a bed with someone. If you’re a restless sleeper, you may find that a memory foam mattress makes it easy on you and your partner by reducing the disturbances that can come with movement on the other side of the bed.

On the downside, those properties also make memory foam prone to sinking over time. People who weigh about 230 pounds or more may notice their mattress sagging in places and no longer providing as much support as when it was brand new. This is to be expected after a few years of sleeping on your mattress. Flipping and rotating it is a good way to increase its longevity.

Who It’s Best For

Memory foam mattresses are an extremely comfortable and affordable option for any sleeper. If you tend to sleep hot, however, you should know that not all mattresses are created equal when it comes to keeping you cool while you sleep. So, definitely look into what cooling properties a mattress has.

Couples who sleep in the same bed will definitely enjoy sleeping on one for the motion isolation reasons we described above.

If you’re a side sleeper, you may find that the conforming nature of memory foam supports you and your body better than a spring mattress. Your shoulders and hips can sink into the material, and your entire body can get the cushioning and spinal alignment it needs.

A memory foam mattress is also a good choice for anyone with chronic pain. Regardless of your sleep position, the material may be able to offer the pain relief you need.

How to Choose a Memory Foam Mattress

There are a few factors that can help you narrow down your choices and select the best memory foam mattress for you.

Firmness

As with other types of mattresses, you can choose from a range of soft and firm memory foam mattresses. Depending on your size, weight, and sleep preferences you may elect to go for firmer or softer. The main things to think about are how well the mattress can support your body and how comfortable you feel on it.

If you are a heavier-weight sleeper (230 pounds or more), you’ll probably sleep better and pain-free on a very firm memory foam mattress. At the same time, someone who’s much lighter may get better body-conforming from a softer mattress. Back and stomach sleepers may feel more comfortable on firmer beds, while side sleepers often prefer softer. But again, each person has unique preferences.

Density

The density of a mattress can help you determine how supportive it is and might also tip you off as to how much it retains your body heat. As far as support goes, the denser the foam, the more likely the mattress is firm and supportive, and vice versa.

When it comes to keeping your cool while you sleep, the less-dense foams allow for greater airflow through the mattress, so they are better than dense foams at temperature neutrality, with denser foams retaining more of your body heat.

Type

Another factor to consider is the type of foam the mattress uses. First, you have a traditional type of polyfoam that uses polyurethane.

You can also find a gel-infused mattress, where the gel helps cool the mattress down. Copper-infused can also help keep you cool and reduce joint pain.

Meanwhile, plant-based memory foam uses an open-cell configuration. That design makes the mattress breathable and cool, so it’s great for people who sleep hot.

Size

Of course, you also need to consider the mattress size you need. Consider if you need a twin, full, queen, or king memory foam mattress.

Kids can benefit from twin mattresses, while adults may want a queen or king bed. Individuals can go for a full mattress, and they’re a nice option for teenagers and older kids.

You should also think about the mattress height. Some mattresses are thicker than others, and if you have a favorite set of sheets, you should make sure they’ll fit.

You

The final thing to consider in your search for the best memory foam mattress is what you like. Think about if you sleep alone or have a partner, consider how much you weigh and whether you like to sleep on your side, stomach, back, or a combination of all three.

You should also figure out if you sleep hot or if you tend to get cold. Consider your sleeping position and if you may need a more supportive memory foam mattress.

Of course, getting exercise and being otherwise healthy during the day is great. But having the best mattress for you can make getting good sleep much easier.

FAQs

At this point, you may have an idea of the best memory foam mattress for you. But you may still have questions about how to choose and purchase a new bed.

Consider the following queries and their answers.

Can You Make a Memory Foam Mattress Cooler?

While many memory foam mattresses are warm, you can keep yourself cool. For one, you can look for a gel-infused or plant-based mattress, both of which are more breathable than traditional types.

You may also want to get breathable sheets and sleepwear. Even if your mattress traps heat, keeping the rest of yourself cool may help reduce the heat you feel as you sleep.

Look for materials like bamboo or cotton when choosing sheets, blankets, and other accessories for your bed. Those materials can help keep you cool, even with a warm memory foam mattress.

Be sure to lower the temperature in your room to keep from overheating. Then, you can enjoy the benefits of a memory foam mattress, no matter the type.

How Do Memory and Polyfoam Differ?

While traditional memory foam is a type of polyfoam, the two materials are quite different. Because of that, you should compare them to decide which will make for a better mattress for you.

First, memory foam gets a lot warmer, which is nice during the winter but can be annoying in the summer. Polyfoam also isn’t as dense as memory foam, so it may be better for people who don’t need as much support.

If you need more support and pressure relief, the conforming properties of memory foam will be ideal. So consider if you prefer more support or a cooler sleep when choosing between these two types of foams.

How Long Do Memory Foam Mattresses Last?

The average memory foam mattress will last for about five years, though some have different lifespans. A high-grade mattress will degrade slower than a low-grade mattress, so you may get more use out of one with a higher grade.

However, the specific materials in the mattress can also affect how long it lasts. You should also consider if the bed is one you’ll sleep on every night or if it’s for guests.

If you don’t use the mattress all of the time, it may last longer than average. But if you get a cheap guest bed, it may not last much longer.

How Much Do Memory Foam Mattresses Cost?

Many factors will affect the cost of a memory foam mattress, including the density, size, and type. Some mattresses can cost as little as $300, but others will top $3,000.

However, a more expensive mattress can be worth it after you calculate the cost per use. Assuming your mattress lasts five years, you can get more than 1,800 nights of sleep on it. So a $3,000 mattress would cost less than $2 per night.

Be sure to set a budget and shop around to find the best memory foam mattress you can find. Then, you’ll be able to get your money’s worth out of the purchase.