If it’s been a while since you had a good night’s sleep, you might want to think about switching to a memory foam mattress or upgrading to one. Because they offer a unique level of comfort and support, they have become a popular choice. Memory foam carefully mould to the shape of your body and goes back to its original shape when you take your weight off of it.
Most memory foam mattresses have more than one type of material in them to provide different levels of support or extra cooling technology. Before you buy a memory foam mattress, you should take the time to learn about its features, benefits, and available options.
You should also think about your own preferences, such as the material, firmness, and price. Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, this guide will help you find the best memory foam mattress for you.
What To Consider Before Buying a Memory Foam Mattress
Here are some important things to think about when buying a memory foam mattress, like how you like to sleep, how comfortable you want it to be, and how much money you have.
Sleeping Position
There are different suggestions for memory foam mattresses for people who sleep on their side, back, or stomach.
- Side sleepers: Side sleepers need a mattress that cradles them while they sleep, so soft, plush memory foam is a good choice for them. Because sleeping on your side exposes more hollow areas, you need more support to keep from waking up sore.
- Back sleepers: People who sleep on their backs don’t need as thick of a mattress because the only part of the body that gets strained during sleep is the lumbar, or lower back area. But it’s important to make sure the mattress has layers of comfort that mould to your body and take pressure off of pressure points.
- Stomach sleepers: If you usually sleep on your stomach, choose a firmer mattress, which will give you a flat place to sleep without overextending your lower back. How firm a mattress should be depends on how much you weigh. The most comfortable mattress for heavier adults who sleep on their stomachs is one that is firm and can support their weight. A medium-firm mattress is a good choice for smaller adults.
Material
Most memory foam mattresses are made of polyurethane foam, which is also called viscoelastic polyurethane foam. But many memory foam mattresses are made from more than one type of foam, such as traditional memory foam mixed with gel, eco, or proprietary foam. What the memory foam is made of can change how it feels, how much it costs, and even how it smells.
Density and Firmness
Memory foam mattresses have a connection between their density and how firm they are. Together, these two measurements change how the mattress feels as a whole. The firmness is found by figuring out how many pounds of force are needed to make a 25% dent in a 4-inch square of foam. This is called Indentation Force Deflection (IFD).
How soft a mattress is is also affected by how dense it is. Most of the time, the softer the mattress, the higher the density. But even low IFD mattresses can still feel pretty firm. Most good memory foam mattresses have a density of at least 4 or 5 pounds and can go as high as 7 pounds.
Pressure Relief
Memory foam tends to reduce aches and pains by hugging the body’s pressure points and easing any strain that could happen while sleeping. Some mattresses are made with special foam layers that target certain areas and cushion the body in the right places to help relieve pressure.
Temperature Regulation
When your body heat warms up a traditional memory foam mattress, it warms up quickly. The same thing that makes memory foam mould to your body also makes it hard for heat to get out. If you want the best temperature control, think about getting a memory foam mattress with open cells or a gel-infused foam layer. The cool air technology helps spread heat evenly, which keeps your body temperature down in the long run.
Sleep Trial Period
Some mattress companies offer a sleep trial period, where buyers buy the mattress and sleep on it at home. This is better than lying on a bed for a few minutes in a store. If they aren’t happy with it after a certain number of days, they can return it and get their money back. Most companies will pay to ship the mattress back, and some will even come pick it up and donate it. When buying a big item like a new mattress, this special offer is nice, but the trial periods vary by brand, so be sure to read the fine print.
Budget
Memory foam mattresses start in the hundreds of dollars and go all the way up to the thousands. Some brands even have financing options. Figure out how much you can spend on a mattress before you go shopping, and only look at options that are within your budget.
Best Memory Foam Mattresses
To find the best memory foam mattresses, we looked at how they were made, how well they cooled, whether they had any special features, and more.
#1) The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
The Memory Foam Mattress from Nectar has five layers of high-quality foam for the most comfort possible. These layers include a quilted memory foam mattress cover, gel memory foam to distribute weight and control body temperature, Adaptive Hi Core memory foam to prevent sticking, a base layer for maximum support, and a bottom mattress cover to prevent slipping. This mattress has the right balance of softness, firmness, and support to help relieve pressure while you sleep and keep your spine in a better position. It works with any kind of bed frame.
Specifications
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: 365 days
Pros
- Includes foam that keeps you cool for maximum comfort
- Most people can sleep well on medium firmness.
- A cover for the bottom of the mattress keeps the mattress in place.
Cons
- Height of the mattress is not very high
#2) TUFT & NEEDLE Original Adaptive Foam Mattress
The Tuft & Needle Original Mattress is a popular choice because it can be used in any sleeping position and has medium-firm support. The unique open-cell structure of the foam used to make the Tuft & Needle adaptive foam gives the best pressure relief because it flexes and moulds to the body while sleeping. This mattress has graphite and gel beads that pull heat away and a soft, breathable cover to help you stay cool. The GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certifications show that Tuft & Needle mattresses are safe for people who are sensitive to chemicals. This 10-inch mattress works with most box springs, foundations, and platform frames.
Specifications
- Height: 10 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: 100 days
Pros
- Certified by both Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US
- Graphite and gel beads make it cool.
- Made with foam that mould to your body for the best support and comfort
Cons
- Low height of mattress
#3) Puffy Lux Mattress
The Puffy Lux mattress gives you the most comfort and support for your back, which makes it a great choice for all types of sleepers. Its Cooling Cloud technology is meant to keep the body at a comfortable temperature. The Body Adapting Dual Cloud Foam, which is unique to Lux, works with the Cooling Cloud to relieve pressure points. The Climate Comfort TM layer is another unique feature. It has a slight cooling effect in the summer and a warming effect in the winter. This memory foam mattress can be used on any frame or surface, and it comes with a cover that doesn’t show stains so it’s easy to clean.
Specifications
- Height: 6 to 14 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: N/A
Pros
- Made with foams that are CertiPUR-US-certified
- Different mattress heights are available to shoppers.
- Made to reduce the amount of movement
Cons
- Not enough sleep
#4) Best Price Mattress 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress
This memory foam mattress from Best Price Mattress moulds to your body and evenly distributes your weight to relieve pressure points and keep you from waking up during the night. The active suspension of the foam construction makes it less likely that your partner will feel your movements. This mattress is made of foams that have been approved by CertiPUR-US. It has several layers, including a 2.5-inch top layer of memory foam, a 3-inch layer of super-soft foam for pressure relief, and a 6.5-inch high-density base support layer. The whole thing is covered in a poly-jacquard fabric. Buyers can choose a mattress that is between 6 and 14 inches thick and doesn’t cost too much.
Specifications
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: 101 days
Pros
- Made to keep body temperatures stable
- Includes a cover that won’t get dirty
- Offers the best support for the spine
Cons
- Cost a lot
#5) Classic Brands Cool Gel 2.0 Memory Foam Mattress
The Classic Brands Cool 2.0 Ultimate Gel Memory Foam Mattress is great for people who “sleep hot.” It combines premium memory foam with high-density aerated cool gel memory foam for a comfortable night’s sleep. This very soft mattress has a surface made of gel-infused, well-ventilated memory foam and a firm, high-density foam base for extra support. The Cool Gel technology pulls heat away from your body to keep your temperature steady all night long. It is also hypoallergenic and won’t gather allergens, mould, or bacteria.
Specifications
- Height: 14 inches
- Firmness: Extra plush
- Trial period: N/A
Pros
- The softest level of firmness for the most comfort
- Cooling-gel memory foam was used to make it.
- Hypoallergenic design
Cons
- Not enough sleep
#6) Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
The Zinus memory foam mattress is made with green tea and ActivCharcoal. This mix of natural ingredients is unique to Zinus and helps keep your mattress fresh and dry. The memory foam relieves pressure and also helps ease aches and pains. The CertiPUR US seal shows that the mattress meets certain standards for physical performance, indoor air quality, and care for the environment. Three inches of body-conforming memory foam, two inches of soft comfort foam that helps air flow, and seven inches of high-density base support foam make up the foam layers. After 72 hours of being out of the box, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress goes back to its original shape.
Specifications
- Height: 6 to 12 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: N/A
Pros
- Certified by CertiPUR-US
- Green tea and activated charcoal are added.
- Keeps moisture and bacteria out.
Cons
- Not enough sleep
#7) Leesa Original Mattress
The Leesa Original Mattress is made for all body types with a medium level of firmness and support that relieves pressure. This all-foam mattress has a cover that lets air in and a special 2-inch top layer that keeps you cool. The 2-inch thick memory foam moulds to the shape of the body to support the back, hips, and shoulders. The 6-inch core support foam base provides a strong, long-lasting base that works for all sleeping styles. Leesa mattresses are CertiPUR-US ®-Certified and don’t have any chemicals that are bad for you. They are also B-Corp certified, which means they meet the highest social and environmental standards. For every 10 beds they sell, Leesa gives one to a child in need. The grey twill four-stripe fabric cover will give your bedroom a bit of style.
Specifications
- Height: 10 inches
- Firmness: moderately firm
- Trial period: 100 nights
Pros
- Certified by CertiPUR-US
- Back pain support is built into the shape.
- fit for all types of sleepers
Cons
- Low height of mattress
#8) Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress
This mattress is made of Helix Dynamic Foam, which reacts to the shape of your body for the best give and take. The supportive top and middle layers are made to provide the best support for your stomach and back. This makes it a great choice for people who sleep on their stomachs or backs, or for couples whose sleeping styles are different.
The Memory Foam Plus transition layer has a medium IFD and gives extra support and pressure relief. The body shape layer has individually wrapped coils that conform to your body and reduce motion transfer. It also has a reinforced edge that gives the best edge support in its class. The bottom layer is made of DuraDense foam, which gives it more support and makes it last longer.
By letting in more air, the Soft Touch Design cover helps control the temperature and cool down the mattress. This memory foam mattress is CertiPUR-US® and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified to be free of chemicals that are bad for your health.
Specifications
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: 100 nights
Pros
- It is certified by both CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
- Great for people who sleep on their stomachs or backs
- Made to control the temperature
Cons
- Not ideal for side sleepers
#9) Cocoon Chill Mattress
The Cocoon Chill mattress by Sealy is a good choice for people who sleep on their sides because it feels both soft and firm. This medium-soft, plush memory foam mattress makes you feel like you’re “in the bed,” but there’s also an extra-firm version if you’d rather feel like you’re “on the bed.” The support layers are made of foam that is heavier and more durable than the comfort layers. This gives the mattress a solid base. The stretch knit cover is made of a special phase-change material that absorbs and releases heat. This makes the surface of the cover cool.
Specifications
- Height: 13 inches
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial period: 100 days
Pros
- Offers maximum support for side sleepers
- Contains gel padding in key ergonomic areas
- Cooling gel added to help control temperatures
Cons
- May not be the best place for everyone to sleep.
#10) AS2 by Amerisleep
The AS2 is made of Bio-Pur®, which is made from plants, and has an open-cell design. This makes it more breathable than traditional memory foam mattresses and keeps you cool all night. This special kind of foam relieves pressure points and springs back quickly, so you won’t feel “stuck” in your mattress. This is especially important for people who sleep on their backs.
The HIVE® transition layer gives you targeted support to keep your spine in perfect alignment while you sleep, and the durable base foam layer keeps the mattress from sagging or sinking.
Specifications
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness: moderately firm
- Trial period: 100 days
Pros
- made from materials that come from plants
- Has a design that lets air in
- Made to relieve pressure for people who sleep on their backs
Cons
- Height of the mattress is not very high
Conclusion
You now know more about how to shop for a memory-foam mattress after reading this guide. We recommend the Nectar memory-foam mattress because of how comfortable it is and how much it costs. People on a tight budget might like the Best Price Mattress memory-foam mattress, which performs well and costs less.
