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Best Memory Foam Mattress

Corey Majeau

Shopping for a new mattress can be overwhelming. There are so many options available with prices ranging from a couple of hundred bucks to a few thousand, so figuring out which type of mattress is the right choice for your needs and budget is not an easy task. Memaory foam mattresses are popular for their pressure relieving properties and what many think is unparalleled comfort, as well as their reasonable price range. Of course, there are different designs and different foam types used to cater to almost anyone’s specific preferences.

However, despite the many advantages a memory foam mattress could offer, this type of mattress is not for everybody. There are benefits and drawbacks to memory foam mattresses and it’s important to consider all the factors before you make the final decision.

 Best Memory Foam MattressSpecs
1

Zinus 12 Inch Gel-Infused Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

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  • Worry-free 10-year guarantee
  • CertiPUR US certified memory foam
  • Doesn’t get hot
  • Medium-firm and comfy to sleep on
2

Classic Brands Cool 2.0 Ultimate Gel Memory Foam

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  • 10-year warranty
  • CertiPUR US certified
  • Great for heavy people
  • Optimal support for back pain
3

Ashley Furniture Signature Design Chime Express Memory Foam Mattress

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  • 10-year warranty
  • Relieves back pain and pressure points
  • Doesn’t get hot
  • Great for couples (no motion transfer)
4

Revel Premium Cool Mattress

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  • 10-year warranty
  • Cool to touch and stays cool
  • Breathable
  • Good back support

You may be interested in: Best Foam Pillow

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam Mattress

The comfort factor is an individual preference: while some might get a good night’s sleep on a firm mattress, others prefer a soft cradling effect, and so on. That’s why there’s no universally ideal mattress for everyone, as each person has their own quirks and sleeping habits that only specially designed mattresses can satisfy. In case of a memory foam mattress, there are various impressive features it offers that might make this the ideal type of mattress for you – but there are also some potentially big downsides as well, so make sure to consider both before settling on a new mattress. After all, you shall be sleeping on it for at least 10 to 15 years!

Pros

Pressure point relief

The cradling feel that memory foam offers is not just pleasant but good for your body, too. It relieves pressure points, especially for side sleepers, and helps alleviate the tension and the pain.

Conforming shape

Memory foam molds according to your unique body shape, as it reacts to the heat it dissipates. The result is an optimal spine and lumbar support, proper body alignment, and comfort regardless of the position you sleep in.

No motion transfer

If you are worried about waking your partner when you get up early for work or get constantly woken by your spouse’s frequent nighttime bathroom visits, a memory foam mattress will be a great choice. The same goes for people that share their bed with their pets- no amount of tossing and turning will wake you. The density of memory foam allows it to absorb the movement rather than transfer it, allowing you to get your quality rest no matter what.

Cons

Firm

While the density of memory foam is one of the reasons it’s so popular, it can also be a downside for some people. At first, especially, a memory foam mattress can be too firm and rigid and it may take some time for you to “break in” your new mattress and experience that cradling comfort everyone is talking about. On average, for people that find a memory foam mattress too firm, it takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for them to adjust.

Can get hot

One of the biggest issues people have with memory foam is that it feels warm to sleep on. In most cases, a memory foam mattress would be completely unsuitable for a hot sleeper, but there are some exceptions that use special types of foam, such as gel-infused foam, to make sure that the foam inside the mattress has good breathability and doesn’t heat up in response to your body.

Odor

There is a specific type of smell that can put people off memory foam mattresses as it has a strong chemical odor that no one wants to smell in their sleep- or ever, really. However, if you’ve got your mattress from a reputable seller and brand (there are many cheap knock offs that are not really certified memory foam), you don’t have to worry. The unpleasant scent is just the polyether polyurethane smell trapped inside the packaging and it will disperse in 2 or 3 days completely.

What to Look for In Memory Foam Mattress

Once you know that a memory foam mattress is the right type of mattress for your needs and sleeping preferences, you need to figure out which of the many available models you should go for. There are tons of memory foam mattresses to choose from, starting from traditional and budget-friendly versions all the way to the specially designed latex memory foam mattresses and cooling gel-infused options. The choice is yours- these are the features to pay attention to:

Types of Memory Foam Mattresses

As we’ve already mentioned there are several types of memory foam available, but the 3 most commonly used in mattresses are traditional, latex, and gel-infused. Traditional memory foam offers great support and all the well-known benefits of memory foam, latex is chosen for its hypoallergenic properties, and the gel-infused memory foam mattresses are designed for people that find regular memory foam too hot.

Density Level

The density of a foam mattress can help you determine its durability and overall quality. There are high density, medium density, and low-density memory foam mattresses. The memory foam density ratings are defined as its mass per unit volume, or in this case- pounds per cubic feet. High-density foam is 5 lbs/ft³ or more, and it’s expected that this kind of mattress would retain its shape for at least 8 to 12 years. Medium-density memory foam mattresses are rated 4 to 3.5 lbs/ft³ and are considered ideal for those most interested in minimizing motion transfer. Lastly, low-density foam mattresses are rated below 3 lbs/ft³ and while least durable of all three, they are popular for their budget-friendly price and the fact that they are easy to break in.

Thickness

When it comes to the height of memory foam mattresses, dimensions can vary greatly- most are between 6 inches to 14 inches tall. The thickness of the mattress can significantly impact how comfy a mattress is and most people prefer thicker mattresses as they offer both better spinal support and feel more cradling and body-contouring than thinner options. Similarly, thicker mattresses often combine multiple types of foam into one design to combine different advantages they have and as a result, offer a superior sleeping experience.

Best Memory Foam Mattresses

Zinus 12 Inch Gel-Infused Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

Best overall

When it comes to affordable but quality mattresses, Zinus is a well-known brand. This memory foam mattress is a great example of this: it has a reasonable price tag and yet it is made from the highest quality, CertiPUR US certified memory foam. The 12-inch thick mattress features 3 different foam layers: the base is 7 inches of firm, high-density foam for optimal support, followed by 3 inches soft comfort foam that contours to accommodate your body, with an additional 2 inches of cooling gel-infused memory foam that allows the air to circulate and makes sure that the mattress doesn’t get too hot.

Medium-firm, this memory foam mattress will suit most people regardless of their sleeping preference. Available in all standard bed sizes and with a capacity of up to 500 pounds, this memory foam mattress is a solid choice.

Who Should Purchase This?

If you want a comfy, durable memory foam mattress without breaking the bank, the Zinus Gel Infused Green Tea mattress is the one to go for. Cooling, medium-firm, and offering relief for pressure points, this memory foam mattress will suit most people.

Pros

  • Worry-free 10-year guarantee
  • CertiPUR US certified memory foam
  • Doesn’t get hot
  • Medium-firm and comfy to sleep on
  • Supports up to 500 pounds

Cons

  • Takes long to expand to its full size
  • Strong odor at first

Specs for Comparison:

Warranty: 10 years

Height: 12 inches

Weight Capacity: 500 pounds

Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King

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Classic Brands Cool 2.0 Ultimate Gel Memory Foam

Best memory foam mattress for back pain

When you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep because of your aching back and joints, a quality mattress is an absolute must. Classic Brands offer exceptional memory foam mattresses for optimal orthopedic support and this cooling design is one of their most popular ones with good reason. Constructed with the highest quality CertiPUR-US certified foam, this 14-inch memory foam mattress features 3 different layers to make sure you feel comfortable and that your spine is properly aligned at the same time. The 8.5-inch high-density base foam offers unparalleled support for your back, whereas the gel infused ventilated memory foam is to make sure you sleep cool and comfortable, while your pressure points get the much-needed relief.

Offering an ultra-plush sleeping experience, this is a firm mattress with some give to it, which makes it really great for people with back pain. This mattress comes in all standard bed sizes and can support up to 1000 pounds- which is very impressive compared to its competitors.

Who Should Purchase This?

Ideal for people with back pain or heavy people, this memory foam mattress will give you the support you need without compromising on comfort. Classic Brands Cool 2.0 Ultimate Gel Memory Foam Mattress is designed to offer relief for pressure point and aching joints and back, so you can’t go wrong with this one if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep.

Pros

  • 10-year warranty
  • CertiPUR US certified
  • Great for heavy people
  • Optimal support for back pain
  • Cooling
  • Comes with free shredded foam pillows

Cons

  • Might be too firm for some people

Specs for Comparison:

Warranty: 10 years

Height: 14 inches

Weight Capacity: 1000 pounds

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Ashley Furniture Signature Design Chime Express Memory Foam Mattress

Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers

If you sleep on your side, you know how difficult it can be to find a mattress that will accommodate your sleeping style while making sure your spine is properly aligned at the same time. Signature Design by Ashley is the brand behind some great quality furniture but what not many know is that they also produce impressive memory foam mattresses that meet the industry’s high standards with ease. This particular design is 12 inches thick and boasts exceptional firmness thanks to its 10-inch tall ventilated high-density foam base, but it is also comfy and cradling as it has a top layer of 2-inch thick gel and charcoal-infused memory foam.

While quite firm, this is still a very comfy mattress, especially if you sleep on your side as it contours your body and makes sure your spine is properly supported. With a weight capacity of up to 650 pounds and good size availability, this memory foam mattress fits the bill for most sleepers.

Who Should Purchase This?

In case you prefer a firm mattress or sleep on your side and want the right support for your sleeping style, Ashley Furniture Signature Design Chime Express Memory Foam Mattress is a perfect choice. With a combination of a thick high-density foam base and contouring, cooling memory foam top layer, it offers the best of both worlds in a single design.

Pros

  • 10-year warranty
  • Relieves back pain and pressure points
  • Doesn’t get hot
  • Great for couples (no motion transfer)
  • Affordable price tag

Cons

  • No certifications
  • Very hard- not everyone’s cup of tea

Specs for Comparison:

Warranty: 10 years

Height: 12 inches

Weight Capacity: up to 650 pounds

Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King

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Revel Premium Cool Mattress

Best memory foam mattress for hot sleepers

One of the biggest downsides of memory foam mattresses is that they can get really hot- no amount of cool cotton sheets and AC can help if you get stuck with one of those cheap mattresses that get hot as an oven in the summer. Having in mind that Revel is one of the finest mattress manufacturers on the market, it doesn’t surprise that they perfected the design that makes sure that you get all the benefits of memory foam without the nasty overheating issue involved. The secret of their design is the combination of breathable foam that allows the air to circulate and the gel-infused memory foam that feels cool to touch- and stays that way throughout the night. This mattress is 12 inches thick and features 3 inches thickRevel All Climate Cooling Gel top layer, 2 inches of Revel LiftTex Alternative Latex foam with airflow channels as well as 7-inch tall DuraBase foam foundation.

Made in the USA, this medium-firm mattress will fit most people- it is available in standard bed sizes and suitable for all sleeping styles.

Who Should Purchase This?

For hot sleepers, it seems like memory foam mattresses are not an option, but with this clever cooling design, you can get to enjoy the advantages of memory foam without feeling too warm. Comfy and cool to touch, Revel Premium Cool Mattress is suited for all seasons.

Pros

  • 10-year warranty
  • Cool to touch and stays cool
  • Breathable
  • Good back support
  • Made in the USA
  • CertiPUR US certified

Cons

  • Has a strong smell at first

Specs for Comparison:

Warranty: 10 years

Height: 12 inches

Weight Capacity: up to 500 pounds

Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

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In Conclusion

To make sure you’ll get the best quality of sleep, you have to carefully pick out your new mattress and consider all the options to find the right match for your sleeping preferences. A memory foam mattress is a perfect choice for all those that struggle with aching back and joints, want a hypoallergenic mattress or want to sleep by their partner without being disturbed by their tossing and turning (or vice versa).

If a memory foam mattress is the type of mattress you need, there’s plenty of factors to consider to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck – from density to type of foam used- so make sure to do your research before making a purchase.