Oh, memory foam. It really is the best. From top-of-the-line TEMPUR-Pedic mattresses to more budget-conscious options, our team has slept on so many variations of these beds. The benefits of memory foam beds, from their affordability to their ability to isolate motion, are a few big reasons why we were compelled to put together a list of the absolute best memory foam mattresses. We took a lot of factors into consideration when choosing, including luxury, value, and comfort. Keep scrolling for our top nine picks, a video summary, reviews of each of our favorite foam mattresses, and a best memory foam mattress buyer’s guide!
There should be something here for everyone. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, try taking our mattress quiz for further-tailored recommendations!
Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2024: Our Top 10 Picks
- Nectar – Best Overall
- Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress for Couples
- Saatva Contour5 – Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
- WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combo Sleepers
- Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Athletes
- Nolah Signature – Best Memory Foam Alternative
- Brooklyn Bedding Plank – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress
- Leesa – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Silk & Snow – Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Video Review: Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2024
Compare the Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2024
Nectar Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | Contour5 | WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Nolah Signature 12" Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | Silk & Snow Mattress | |
Rating | |||||||||
Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 8/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
Material | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
Cooling | -- | -- | -- | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Sleep Position | Combination | Back & Side | Back | Back | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back & Stomach | Combination | Back & Stomach |
Our Mattress Testing Process
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
How We Choose the Best Memory Foam Mattresses
Edge Support
An all-foam mattress may lack adequate edge support compared to hybrid or innerspring mattresses, but that’s no reason to write them off. Our testers found all-foam mattresses with strong edge support, allowing for full use of the mattress surface and preventing the feeling of rolling off. And if testers felt a bed had more middling edge support, we made sure to note that.
Temperature Control
Because memory foam tends to trap heat, we tried to include beds that had additional cooling capabilities in their features and construction. Hot sleepers especially need nice airflow and heat dissipation to get a comfortable sleep, and a memory foam mattress with enhanced cooling features, such as aerated foam layers or gel-infused layers, can help regulate temperature and prevent overheating. We made sure to include and note beds that exceed expectations when it comes to the typically stuffy reputation of memory foam mattresses.
Motion Isolation
One of the strengths of memory foam is its ability to isolate motion, preventing partners from disturbing each other at night. So we wanted to pick products that scored high in this category, since superior motion isolation might be the driving factor for getting a memory foam bed if you or your partner are light sleepers.
Nectar – Best Overall
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
Offering sleepers the classic slow-sinking feeling of memory foam, the Nectar should be a good match for back sleepers, side sleepers, and couples.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Mattress
Offering sleepers the classic slow-sinking feeling of memory foam, the Nectar should be a good match for back sleepers, side sleepers, and couples.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress for Couples
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
Because of its support and ability to isolate motion, the Helix Midnight should be a good fit for anyone who shares a bed with a partner.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
Because of its support and ability to isolate motion, the Helix Midnight should be a good fit for anyone who shares a bed with a partner.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Contour5 – Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
Contour5
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Contour5
The Saatva Contour5 is a high-quality all-foam mattress. It has two firmness options and shouldn't trap a lot of heat thanks to its cooling features.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Contour5
The Saatva Contour5 is a high-quality all-foam mattress. It has two firmness options and shouldn't trap a lot of heat thanks to its cooling features.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combo Sleepers
WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress
The WinkBeds GravityLux is a very comfortable all-foam mattress. It should be a good match for back, side, and combo sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress
The WinkBeds GravityLux is a very comfortable all-foam mattress. It should be a good match for back, side, and combo sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Athletes
Bear Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It's a particularly good option for athletes.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It's a particularly good option for athletes.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nolah Signature – Best Memory Foam Alternative
Nolah Signature 12" Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Signature 12" Mattress
The Nolah Signature is a fantastic medium-firm mattress that offers plenty of foam comfort and pressure relief.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Signature 12" Mattress
The Nolah Signature is a fantastic medium-firm mattress that offers plenty of foam comfort and pressure relief.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
Leesa Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa Original Mattress
Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Leesa Original Mattress
Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Silk & Snow – Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Silk & Snow Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Silk & Snow Mattress
The Silk & Snow mattress is an all-foam bed with a gel-infused comfort layer. It works well for side sleepers who need pressure relief and couples who like beds with great motion isolation.
Material
Foam
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Silk & Snow Mattress
The Silk & Snow mattress is an all-foam bed with a gel-infused comfort layer. It works well for side sleepers who need pressure relief and couples who like beds with great motion isolation.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Other Memory Foam Mattresses We Like
While these mattresses didn’t make our top recommendations, these mattresses are still a great option for people who are looking for a true memory foam mattress. If the mattresses above didn’t fit your needs, check out our recommendations below.
TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze
Material
Foam
Trial Period
90 Nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze
The TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze is Tempur's coolest offering and a fantastic option for hot sleepers.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
90 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze
The TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze is Tempur's coolest offering and a fantastic option for hot sleepers.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
90 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Casper Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."
Paul, Casper customerCasper Original Mattress
Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."
Paul, Casper customerCasper Original Mattress
Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."
Paul, Casper customerWhat We Test When Reviewing a Memory Foam Mattress
- Firmness: We approximate the bed’s level of firmness based on the experiences of multiple testers with varying body weights. We also test both sides of flippable beds.
- Motion isolation: We test for a bed’s motion isolation abilities in both an objective and more subjective way. The more objective measure is our water glass test, where we observe the level of disturbance in glass of water when pressing into the foam. And in a measure more reflective of real-life scenario, we have testers share the bed and rate the level of the disturbance they feel as the other tester gets in and out of bed and switches positions.
- Pressure relief: On each of the memory foam mattresses, our senior editors and sleep science coaches tested different sleeping positions. These testers also boast an array of body types, helping us collect a comprehensive understanding of a mattress’s pressure relief potential.
- Cooling: A nap test is our most important measure of a bed’s cooling capabilities. We want to see how the tester feels when they wake up from having snuggled into a memory foam bed. Testers use the same pillow and blankets for consistency. We also assess the bed’s cover for feel and breathability.
What You Should Consider When Choosing a Memory Foam Mattress
- Motion Isolation: As we noted before, superior motion isolation tends to be one of the most appealing aspects of an all-foam bed. Couples looking to make a joint purchase should especially pay attention to how well-regarded the bed’s motion isolation is.
- Contouring: When it comes to contouring, foams are certainly not created equal. Would you want to sleep on a mattress made from pool noodle foam, for instance? We didn’t think so. For most folks, sleep position will largely determine how much contouring you need in a memory foam mattress. Side sleepers, in particular, should seek beds that boast more contouring foams, since otherwise you run the risk of soreness or numbness on the side of your body that touches the sleep surface.
- Edge Support: Hybrid beds typically have better edge support, so if edge support is an especially important factor to you, perhaps opt for a bed with reinforced coils on the edge. That said, memory foam brands have improved their ability to make a robust perimeter, especially beds with dense, durable foams, like latex.
- Bed-in-a-Box Delivery: New mattress buyers often especially enjoy the ease with which you can buy a memory foam mattress online, since most of them arrive rolled up in a box. That way, if you’re halfway into a move and need to leave some floor space free, you can leave your mattress packed tight for a little while. When you’re ready to set up the bed too, you can scoot the box close to its final destination before unboxing for quick and easy placement on the frame — no awkward navigating through door frames required.
What Does Memory Foam Feel Like?
If someone pushes their hand into memory foam and then quickly removes it, the foam takes several seconds to return to its initial form.
Lying on a memory foam mattress, people will feel that they’re slowly sinking into the surface. There’s almost no bounce at all, and it’s harder to move around and switch positions in bed. Some people absolutely love this feel, while others don’t like it at all.
Memory foam is known for the pressure-relieving qualities that come with the sinking and slow-moving feel of these types of mattresses, so if you’re shopping for a mattress for joint pain, memory foam could be a great option for you!
Who Should Buy a Memory Foam Mattress?
- Side sleepers and/or people who want extra pressure relief.
- People who like the feeling of slowly sinking into their mattress.
- People who want a mattress that makes no noise.
- People with pain in their hips, shoulders, or back. Memory foam tends to conform to the curves of the body, meaning it promotes solid spinal alignment. These can also be some of the best mattresses for people with sciatica.
- People looking for a mattress with an adjustable bed frame.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Memory Foam Mattress?
- People who want a bouncy sleeping surface. If you like your mattress to have more give-and-take, consider a hybrid. The innerspring core adds bounciness, making switching positions more seamless.
- People who like the feeling of sleeping on top of their mattress rather than slowly sinking into it.
- People who are concerned about sleeping hot. See our list of the Best Cooling Mattresses for some of the most breathable mattresses out there.
What Are the Different Types of Memory Foam?
- Standard Memory Foam: This refers to memory foam that doesn’t feature additional formulations or infusions. The density can range between 2.5 and 7 lb. Standard memory foam will have a slower response and is more likely to trap heat than specialty memory foam.
- Gel Memory Foam: One of the big innovations in the sleep industry has been to infuse gel beads into memory foam. The gel will ideally act as a conductor to draw heat away, which helps make for a cooler sleeping surface. Some studies show that this can be a fairly effective way to prevent the foam from overheating, but the effect may be limited.
- Plant-Based Memory Foam: Some memory foam has a portion of it replaced with bio-based foam (typically from soy). This makes the foam a little more “green,” even if it is only 25 to 30% plant-based.
- Copper-Infused Memory Foam: Copper is a natural heat conductor and features excellent moisture-wicking capabilities. It will help draw heat and moisture away from sleepers and allow them to sleep cooler at night. In addition, it’s anti-microbial and will help keep the mattress free of mold, mildew, and odors.
- Open-Celled Memory Foam: Some memory foam is more “open-celled,” which means its chemical nature has been altered to be more breathable.
- Fast-Response Memory Foam: Some mattress companies have recently developed memory foam that’s faster to respond than standard memory foam. This prevents the feeling of getting stuck which some sleepers often complain about.
Memory Foam Density Level and Firmness
When reading memory foam mattress reviews, customers will come across density levels quite a bit. Typically, I have found (and studies show) that the higher the density, the following is true:
- More materials go into a higher-density foam, so you should almost always expect to pay more for it. High-density foams will usually be higher than 4 lb. A medium density will be in the 3.5 to 4 lb. range, and low-density will be anything 3 lb. or less.
- Generally, the higher the density, the longer the mattress will last.
- The higher the density of the foam, the less motion transfer one will experience. Those who sleep with a partner should consider a mattress with high-density memory foam.
- More density means more support. Higher-density foam does a better job of contouring the body so, if someone has back pain, they will want a higher-density memory foam mattress.
One last thing to consider regarding density is Indentation Load Deflection (ILD), the measure of how firm the memory foam is in a mattress. More specifically, it’s a measure of how much weight or force must be put on the memory foam to compress it by 25%. The higher the number, the more weight has to be applied to compress that memory foam. So in a nutshell, the higher the ILD, the firmer the memory foam. A mattress with an ILD of 10–12 is going to be softer than one that has an ILD of 18–20.
RELATED: Best Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain
How Much Memory Foam Should Be in a Mattress?
Some mattresses will have just an inch or two of memory foam, while others will have four to six inches. Customers should take note of how much of this material is actually in the mattresses they’re considering.
Sleep Position | How Much Memory Foam Do You Need? |
Stomach sleepers | 1 to 2 inches |
Back sleepers | 2 to 3 inches |
Side sleepers | 3 to 5 inches |
- Stomach sleepers don’t need quite as much pressure relief and need to prevent their hips from sinking in too far. For this reason, they’ll only want one or two inches of memory foam in their mattress.
- Back sleepers will want their hips to sink in a little bit so that the foam can conform to the curves of the body and their lumbar area can be properly supported. Two or three inches of memory foam should do the trick.
- Side sleepers usually need more pressure relief, which means they need more “comfort” material, especially if they’re a heavier sleeper. Three to five inches of memory foam should give them the best sleeping experience.
What Makes a Memory Foam Mattress More or Less Expensive?
Thicker layers of memory foam | Thinner layers of memory foam |
High-density foam | Lower-density foam |
Has cooling features | Does not use cooling technology |
Uses coils for the support layer | Uses poly foam for the support layer |
- If the mattress contains a thick layer of memory foam on top, then the mattress will more than likely be more expensive due to the extra materials used in its construction.
- If the memory foam used in the mattress is higher-density, that typically means the mattress will be more expensive, but also more durable.
- If the memory foam has been chemically formulated to sleep cool or be more breathable, the mattress will probably be more expensive. Cooling features to keep an eye out for that may make a mattress more expensive include Phase Change Material, copper infusions, and gel infusions.
- If the mattress uses coils as the support system instead of poly foam, it will probably be more expensive. However, foam hybrid constructions like this can be more long-lasting than an all-foam construction.
How Do You Keep Memory Foam Mattresses from Sleeping Hot?
Using plant-based foam has been shown to be very effective, as has a laminating layer of gel onto the foam. Companies can also use “open-celled” foam, which is a type of foam that allows more air to pass freely through it.
When it comes to gel, mattress companies really turn on the marketing machine. They will charge customers thousands of dollars more for certain types of gels that aren’t actually more effective (though they do sound amazing). One material to keep an eye out for that really does help with cooling is Phase Change Material. At a very basic level, Phase Change Material absorbs body heat throughout the night, pulling it away from you and storing it until you cool off. At this point, it will release the heat to help regulate your body temperature. The Nectar Luxe is one of my favorite memory foam mattresses that features this material.
Off-Gassing Memory Foam Mattresses
New memory foam mattresses typically give off a chemical smell when they’re unboxed. This is called “mattress off-gassing.” It’s not a concern for the long term, but the smell can potentially last as long as a week, depending on the mattress brand. With some mattresses, the smell is very faint and completely goes away within 24 hours. Either way, just place the bed in a well-ventilated room or open a window so it has time to off-gas.
Memory Foam vs Other Mattress Types
Memory Foam vs Innerspring Mattresses
- Memory foam generally provides better pressure relief than spring mattresses, and it also conforms better to the curves of the body, potentially helping to promote better spinal alignment. This can make memory foam significantly better for people with pain issues.
- Spring mattresses do tend to sleep cooler because the coils can promote airflow through the mattress, while the chemical nature of memory foam makes those mattresses potentially trap heat more easily.
- Spring mattresses have more bounce overall. Depending on personal preference, this could be positive or negative.
RELATED: Memory Foam vs Innerspring Mattresses
Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses
- Memory foam will have better pressure relief than latex mattresses do, and it will also be better at conforming to the curves of the body.
- In general, latex mattresses will sleep cooler than memory foam because of the more open-celled chemical makeup of latex.
- Latex mattresses will be much bouncier than memory foam mattresses.
- Memory foam is slow-reacting and akin to quicksand, while Latex is immediately responsive.
RELATED: Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses
Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattresses
- Because they combine a foam comfort layer (or layers) with support coils rather than polyfoam, hybrid mattresses should be more expensive on average. Coils tend to be pricier to manufacture than polyfoam.
- Hybrid mattresses should have a little more bounce than standard memory foam mattresses.
- Hybrid mattresses will be a little bit more breathable because the coils leave so much space for air to flow.
RELATED: Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattresses
Summary
Here’s a summary of our top picks for the best memory foam mattresses:
Mattress | Superlative | Price (Queen) |
Nectar | Best Overall | $1099.00 |
Helix Midnight | Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress for Couples | $1373.80 |
Saatva Contour5 | Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress | $2995.00 |
WinkBeds GravityLux | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers | $1799.00 |
Bear Original | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Athletes | $998.00 |
Nolah Signature | Best Alternative Memory Foam Mattress | $1799.00 |
Brooklyn Bedding Plank | Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress | $1332.00 |
Leesa | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers | $1299.00 |
Silk & Snow | Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress | $800.00 |
FAQs
What are the benefits of memory foam mattresses?
When it comes to pros, memory foam mattresses are very comfortable and can relieve pressure especially well since the foam contours the body. They can also help relieve hip and back pain. This may be especially beneficial for side sleepers. Memory foam mattresses may also be beneficial for couples or for people who toss and turn often in their sleep since there is little motion transfer in foam mattresses.
What are some of the issues with memory foam mattresses?
When it comes to cons, memory foam mattresses are sometimes known for sleeping hot since the material doesn’t always allow for a lot of airflow. The fact that memory foam contours the body also may make you feel like you’re sinking in the mattress and may make it more difficult to change positions at night.
What is the best inexpensive memory foam mattress?
Those who are seeking an inexpensive memory foam mattress should consider the Nectar and Dreamfoam Essential mattresses. The Nectar is a very comfortable memory foam mattress that costs between about $800.00 and $1300.00 for a Queen-size. Dreamfoam offers their Essential mattress for just under $500.00 for a Queen. If you’re after some of the benefits of a memory foam mattress without having to spend too much money, you could also consider a memory foam mattress topper.
What is the best memory foam mattress for side sleepers?
Side sleepers are going to want to find a mattress that is softer-than-average. We recommend the Layla and, to talk about a mattress that isn’t on this list, the Amerisleep AS4. Both mattresses are softer-than-average and should relieve most pressure on the shoulders and hips. The Layla and Amerisleep AS4 also performed very well on our pressure map test.
Are memory foam mattresses good for your back?
Like anything else, it depends on the sleeper and the mattress. But in general, a memory foam mattress that’s close to medium-firm and conforms to the shape of the sleeper’s body should be good for your back. The Leesa is an example of such a bed.
Does a memory foam mattress need a box spring?
The answer is more complex than you think. On one hand, a memory foam mattress is firm enough to lie flat on a floor or any other type of level surface. On the other hand, a box spring provides additional support, and you may also enjoy the extra height it provides. However, you only want to use one if you have a metal bed frame. If you have a platform bed, wooden slats, or adjustable bed as your sleep foundation, you shouldn’t use a box spring.