Best Memory Foam Mattresses

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If you are in the market for a new mattress, and you are starting to look at all of the options that are available, memory foam might have caught your attention. This material has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and with good reason. When you choose a high-quality memory foam mattress from a top mattress company, it could make a real difference in your quality of sleep.

Of course, with all of the different options that are available, you need to make sure that you are choosing only the best memory foam mattress. You don’t want a mattress that’s hard as a rock, and you probably don’t want to be enveloped like you are sleeping in a marshmallow. This guide should help you on your search and give you a better idea of the material—it’s benefits and why you should sleep on it. But first, let’s take a look at what memory foam mattress brands are worth considering.

The Best Memory Foam Mattresses

• Puffy Lux: Editor’s Pick
• Brooklyn Bowery: Best Bang for Your Buck
• Nectar: Best Value
• Leesa: Best for Low-Back Pain
• Amerisleep: Most Eco-Friendly
• Nolah Signature 12: Best Soft Mattress
• TEMPUR-Pedic Adapt: Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
• Layla: Best Dual-Sided Memory Foam Mattress
• Tuft & Needle Mint: Best for Side Sleepers
• Casper Wave: Best for Heavy Sleepers
• GhostBed Luxe: Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress

What makes them good options? They have built up a solid reputation in the field, for starters. They make quality mattresses in various sizes and with various benefits. Users who have spent time sleeping in mattresses from these companies have a lot of good things to say about them.

Let’s look at little closer at each of them.

The Puffy Lux is Puffy’s “one-step-up” mattress model. It is made with four proprietary foam layers designed for cooling and pressure relief. The Puffy Lux is a great option for those who sleep on their side. While this is a highly comfortable option, it also features dual cloud foam, which means the sleeper will have added support. No one has to worry about the dreaded memory foam “sinkage” when on this mattress.

Brooklyn Bedding mattresses are unique because they are manufactured in-house, driving prices down and quality up. The Brooklyn Bowery is the most budget-friendly of the Brooklyn mattress line with a twin starting at only $499. The Bowery stands out from the pack as its the only purely memory foam mattress offered by Brooklyn Bedding. And guess what? They nailed it.

Nectar is a popular brand that provides excellent value for those who are looking for a memory foam mattress, particularly those who are on a budget. The Nectar mattress feature five layers of foam that provide sleepers with the utmost in comfort, cooling, durability, and support. One of the best features of this company is that they have a 365-day trial period to determine whether you like it or not.

Leesa is easily one of the best memory foam mattresses you can find for several different reasons. For one, the company uses high-quality foams to construct their mattress which evenly distributes body weight so you sleep supported and reduce back pain. Additionally, the Leesa mattress offers a comfortable and cool sleep with minimum motion transfer and maximum comfort.

Amerisleep offers customers a range of options. As the model number increases, so does the price, along with added quality and special features.

From different concerns like overheating, pressure relief, and sleeping positions, they have a mattress to suit every need. Amerisleep constructs certain models with certain sleepers in mind and makes it clear which mattress is best for which person. These memory foam mattresses do a great job isolating motion, so they are a good option for couples or single sleepers alike. Plus–they are made with eco-friendly, plant-based materials, so you can sleep soundly knowing the materials comforting you are safe and clean!

The Nolah Signature 12 is a medium-soft, double-sided polyfoam mattress that features four layers of foam and an organic cover. The 2.5” top layer is made of Nolah’s cooling, extra-deep AirFoam, which creates motion isolation, especially on the soft side. 

The Nolah Signature 12 is not memory foam and does not claim to be. In fact, the AirFoam is not made with any of the heat-trapping chemicals that traditional memory foam uses, so the tendency to overheat is not an issue. According to Nolah’s website, their AirFoam provides 4x more pressure relief than memory foam.

Related: Best Soft Mattresses

TEMPUR-Pedic is one of the most well-known names in the field of memory foam mattresses. You might even say they are the king of memory foam. Their mattresses are suitable for people of all weights and sizes and provide a fantastic amount of support while being able to keep the foam and the sleeper cool.

The TEMPUR-Adapt is among our favorite line of memory foam mattress models at TEMPUR-Pedic for their various benefits and firmness levels. The medium offers a cool to touch cover, a soft comfort layer, and a quality support layer for added comfort.

Related: Best Luxury Mattresses

Layla is a great memory foam mattress option for those who aren’t sure which firmness level they prefer because you can flip the mattress. One side is soft and the other is firm, and sleepers can simply flip the mattress to choose which one they want to use. 

Another benefit to the Layla mattress is it’s copper-infused memory foam layers which help keep hot sleepers cool through the night. Copper is also known for its pressure point and pain relief so you get a more restful sleep.

Tuft & Needle has been a popular foam mattress maker for some time now, and the addition of their latest mattress model, the Mint, is fantastic. The Mint mattress is constructed with patent-pending Adaptive Foam that contours with ease and is infused with heat-wicking graphite to keep hot sleepers cool.

Great for spine alignment, sleeping on the Mint protects your lower back from pain while cradling the hips and shoulders well. You can’t go wrong with the Mint mattress.

Related: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Wave mattress from Casper provides exceptional ergonomic support for a memory foam mattress. Not to mention, the comfort that all sleeper desires. The mattress is made with five layers of quality foam that offer targeted support. This means there are different firmness levels throughout the bed to keep cradle areas the need cradling (the hips and shoulders), while simultaneously supporting the torso and neck regions. 

Related: Best Mattresses for Heavy Sleepers

This seven-layer mattress is highly comfortable, supportive, and cooling. Infused with gel memory foam in every layer and wrapped with a cooling cover, many consider the GhostBed Luxe to be one of the best cooling mattresses available online. Simultaneously, the GhostBed Luxe doesn’t disappoint when it comes to pressure relief and contour. 

What Is Memory Foam?

Over the course of the last couple of decades, memory foam has grown into a popular option for mattresses. The reason that so many people consider utilizing this type of material is due to its quality.

Memory foam has been around since 1966, but at that time it wasn’t used for beds. Originally developed by NASA, memory foam was designed to provide more support and protection for astronauts during take-off and landing. The force of gravity puts strain on the body, so memory foam was invented to provide additional cushion and support needed.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that people considered using this memory foam to make mattresses. But as manufacturers assessed the quality and durability of this material, they gave it a try. In the early days, memory foam mattresses weren’t quite up to snuff with other options on the market. But as time went on, advancements in technology, product development, and manufacturing techniques led memory foam to be one of the most sought out mattress types on the market. 

Benefits of Sleeping on a Memory Foam Mattress

There are a number of substantial benefits that can be had from sleeping on a memory foam mattress. Here are a few of the most important for healthy sleep. 

Pressure Relief

Pressure point relief is one of the most substantial benefits of memory foam when it comes to pain relief. As a matter of fact, memory foam has long since been used in healthcare for this exact reason. For example, wheelchair seats made of memory foam were made to reduce the pressure put on the bum from long-term sitting. 

By reducing the pressure points put on joints, people will find that they are more comfortable when they are sleeping. This means that they will not toss and turn throughout the night and lower their chances of waking up with aches and pains.

Motion Isolation

Another benefit of memory foam is increased motion absorption. If you or the person you share a bed with moves around a lot in their sleep, motion isolation becomes very important to prevent disrupting your sleeping partner.

Due to the nature of the material, there is minimal motion transferred from one side of the bed to another. This means that even if one person is moving around in the bed, the other person is less likely to feel any type of disturbance.

Proper Spine Alignment

Perhaps one of the most slept on benefits of memory foam is its ability to evenly distribute body weight and support natural alignment. When we sleep, it’s very important to maintain a healthy posture (much like when we are awake and sitting at a desk). Memory foam hugs you in all the right places, cradling hips and shoulders to prevent stress on the joints, while simultaneously supporting the torso to keep the spine in proper alignment.

Contour and Responsiveness

Arguably the most desired trait in a memory foam mattress is its ability to contour and respond to any body type and sleeping position. The sheer nature of memory foam mattresses is to accommodate any person’s way of sleeping by adapting to different shapes and movements.

Compatible With Any Bed Frame

Memory foam mattresses tend to work well with just about any type of frame that you might want to use it on (a nice perk you may not appreciate until you don’t have the same flexibility). This includes platform bases, box springs, slatted foundations, and even adjustable beds. Since the foam is able to flex and adjust its shape, it turns out that it is actually a very good choice for those types of beds. If you have an adjustable bed or you might want to get one in a few years, this is another good reason to choose foam.

Easy to Maintain

Finally, memory foam also happens to be very easy to care for. In fact, most of the time, the only real maintenance that might need to be done is occasional vacuuming. With a foam mattress, you do not have to worry about things like flipping and rotating the mattress. You will not have to worry about suddenly having a sharp spring poking into your back either.

Types of Memory Foam Mattresses

In addition to knowing the benefits memory foam mattresses can offer, it is also important to make sure you have an understanding of the various types of memory foam mattresses out there. The most common and widely used is traditional, viscoelastic foam. All additional variations of memory foam have been developed to solve for a common issue found in traditional foam—it sleeps hot.

• Traditional Memory Foam: Also known as viscoelastic memory foam, traditional memory foam mattresses are the most widely available. They are made of polyurethane-based foam known for its durability, support, and comfort. 
• Gel Memory Foam: Gel memory foam is a relatively new development in the world of memory foam mattresses. It was created to solve a common issue found in traditional memory foam mattresses—trapping heat. In a gel-memory mattress, cooling gel is injected into the foam layers to prevent body heat from getting trapped. The feel and durability of gel-memory foam is comparable to traditional foam.
• Open-Cell  Memory Foam: Open-cell memory foam refers to a type of foam whose cell walls have been broken down to increase airflow and reduce the amount of heat retention, keeping you cooler throughout the night. Open-cell foam is less dense than traditional, closed-cell foam, so keep that in mind when considering the durability of your memory foam mattress.
• Copper-Infused Memory Foam: In conjunction with gel-memory foam and open-cell memory foam, copper-infused foam was created to help keep foam mattresses cool. This type of foam is lined with thin copper lines embedded into the mattress. Copper is known for its cooling properties, as well as, increasing blood circulation and reducing stiffness. Copper-infused memory foam is typically used in mattresses designed for athletes and active adults.

Important Considerations When Buying a Memory Foam Mattresses

Like shopping for any product, it’s important to consider the trial period, return policy, and performance of the product. In addition to memory foam types and benefits, here are additional considerations to make when picking a new mattress.

Density of the Foam

Make sure to pay attention to the density of the foam. Density does not contribute so much to how the foam feels, as to how durable the foam mattress will be. Higher-density foams naturally tend to last longer. You will find that many top-brand foam mattresses, such as those from TEMPUR-Pedic, have 5 lb. or greater density foams. They are built to last. If you find options that have low density, they may not be worth your time or money.

It is also important to consider the mmHg, which is a measurement that determines how the foam mattress deals with pressure points. Ideally, you will be looking for mattresses that can claim they have a 32mmHg or lower, which is going to reduce pressure placed on your joints. Pressure relief prevents you from waking up with aches and pains.

Mattress Size

One of the most important things that you will have to consider is the size of the mattress. Whether you need or desire a twin, queen, or a king, you will be able to find a mattress that suits your needs from the brands above. When determining which size mattress suits your preferences, consider the size of the room, who you sleep with, your body type, and if you are an active sleeper.

Trial Period 

You should also consider if there is a trial period. Most brands offer a generous trial for customers to see whether they like the mattress or not. It takes an average of 30 days to break in a new mattress, so keep that in mind as you make your purchase (and during the first night of sleep).

Price 

The beauty of memory foam is in addition to the many benefits they supply, they remain affordable. You can find a quality memory foam mattress that will last up to 10 years for well under $1,000. Of course, the mattress size, style, and other factors will affect the final price but still, you do not have to spend a fortune just to get a mattress that you like and that will allow you to sleep well at night.

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Conclusion: Figure Out What You Need and Choose Your Mattress

Now you have a better idea of what to look for when shopping for a memory foam mattress, and you have an idea of why they are a good option for those who want a good night’s sleep, it is time to start your search for a quality traditional memory foam mattress. The best mattress can help you to sleep cool and have a great night’s sleep, so you can wake ready for anything that the world decides to throw at you.