Mattress Guides
Latex vs. Memory Foam
Conflicted in your mattress search? Learn how latex and memory foam mattresses compare to each other, their benefits and differences, as well as which type is best for you.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when shopping for a mattress is which mattress material to invest in. For example, you may choose a mattress composed of memory foam, steel coils, or a combination of the two. Another popular bedding material is latex, which has become prized both because it’s comfortable and also because it can be eco-friendly.
Latex mattresses tend to come in two basic types: Talalay latex and Dunlop latex. These two terms refer to unique latex manufacturing processes, which can in turn impact the overall feel and performance of the bedding. The question is, which type of latex mattress is best-suited for your sleep preferences? Once you’ve figured that out, head over to our articles on the best latex mattresses and best organic mattresses for more info.
To begin with, let’s consider some basics. Latex is a natural material, derived from the sap found in rubber trees. It’s used in a wide range of industrial applications, including not only mattresses but also tennis shoes, sporting goods, and rubber bands.
Natural latex can be turned into a foam material, somewhat resembling the look and feel of memory foam. However, there are some key distinctions. Latex foam tends to be a lot more elastic than memory foam, which means it has more of a “bounce” to it. (And bouncier beds tend to be popular among those who change positions during the night.)
Additionally, latex foam is more porous than memory foam, meaning there is more space for air to circulate between foam particles. This means natural latex mattresses tend to sleep a little bit cooler than memory foam.
One of the main selling points for latex is that it gives you a chance to sleep on something completely natural, but be careful: Not every latex mattress is made from all-natural or organic materials. Some mattresses are made with synthetic latex, which tends to be cheaper, and others blend the two. If you’re looking into latex mattresses for the purpose of getting something eco-friendly, it’s wise to double-check that the product you’re investigating is indeed certified as natural.
Talalay and Dunlop represent the two primary types of latex mattress. The primary distinction here is how they are manufactured. In other words, both Talalay and Dunlop latex begin with the same basic materials; what’s different is the process used to turn those materials into mattress foam.
Let’s start with the Dunlop manufacturing process, which is the simpler of the two. Because of this, Dunlop latex mattresses tend to be more affordable than Talalay ones. The Dunlop process was actually the first method developed for manufacturing latex foam; it was devised in 1929, and all these years later, the process hasn’t changed very much.
Here’s a basic outline of the Dunlop process:
This process results in latex foam that’s fairly dense and firm. The composition of Dunlop latex also tends to be bottom-heavy; that is, it’s firmer at the bottom than it is at the top. This composition makes Dunlop latex well-suited for the inner support layer of a mattress, though it’s not always the best choice for the top layer.
Developed in the 1940s, the Talalay process is a little bit more complicated. Because the process is more involved, the price point for a Talalay mattress is usually a little higher. Here’s a rough sketch of the Talalay manufacturing process:
This process yields latex foam that’s softer than what you’d get from the Dunlop method. This fluffier, less-dense foam is great for the top of a mattress, though not as ideal for the support layer.
Because the Dunlop and Talalay methods are in some senses complementary (one is well-suited for the comfort layer of a mattress, the other for the support layer), you’ll find many latex mattress products that use both materials to achieve the desired product.
Talalay latex mattresses offer their own pros and cons. We’ll start with the positives:
As for some negatives:
Dunlop latex also comes with some unique advantages and disadvantages. First, some pros to choosing a Dunlop latex foam mattress:
As for drawbacks, consider:
Any time you’re in the market for a new mattress, there are a number of factors you’ll need to balance, from price point to cooling properties, from firmness level to edge support. A lot of those factors are going to inform your decision about the type of mattress material you choose, whether that’s natural latex or something else.
The decision about Dunlop vs. Talalay latex probably isn’t going to be top-of-mind, yet once you decide to get a latex bed, it makes sense to at least think about the different attributes of these two latex types. They differ in a few notable ways, though either way, you can end up with a mattress that’s comfortable, durable, and well-made.