Memory Foam vs. Serene Foam

Most people are at least somewhat familiar with memory foam. It’s one of the most popular mattress materials in existence today. So chances are you’ve slept on it at one time or another. But, far from being the sweltering and unresponsive foams of the past, today’s modern memory foams take comfort to the next level.

However, did you know there’s a new foam on the block that’s even cooler than memory foam? Serene™ foam boasts some of the coolest sleep available. But how does it stack up against the reigning king of foams? Let’s find out.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is made of flexible polyurethane. Originally invented by NASA to cushion astronauts and pilots during high-speed flight, it was snapped up by the bedding industry almost as soon as it was made publicly available.

By the end of the 90s, this type of foam became the most common foam found in beds. It was more affordable to manufacture than natural latex foam. And the synthetic ingredients were easier to come by than rubber tree sap as well.

Memory foam’s compressibility was also one of the driving inspirations behind the idea of mattresses in a box.

Feel

Memory foam has an amazing feel, which is another of the reasons why it’s among the most popular mattress materials. As a mattress without springs, it can feel reassuringly solid and supportive yet gently conforming under a sleeper’s body. The exact feel will depend on its firmness.

Contouring

Memory foam is famous for its ability to mold itself to your shape. It follows the curve of your body to offer you targeted support and pressure relief. This keeps your spine aligned, and your pressure points pain-free.

Responsiveness

This is one area where memory foam doesn’t shine. It can take forever to regain its original shape unless it has infusions or springs underneath it to make it bounce back.

Support

Memory foam offers superior support because of its contouring ability. Since it can mold itself to your shape, it compresses under the wider parts of your body and rises to meet the narrower parts to keep your spine in a straight line.

Temperature Control

Traditional memory foam used to be sweltering. But newer memory foams have solved this problem for the most part. Open-cell construction helps keep air flowing through the mattress. And things like gel and copper infusions help conduct body heat away from you.

Durability

Memory foam is sitting in the middle in terms of durability. It will outlast innerspring mattresses, but it won’t outlast natural latex. You can expect the average memory foam mattress to last between 10 and 20 years.

Cost

Memory foam has a wide range of price points. You can find high-quality memory foam mattresses for just a few hundred dollars. Or you can get luxury memory foam mattresses that run into the thousands. When it comes to memory foam, you can pay just about whatever you want.

Variety

You can get all kinds of memory foam. From gel memory foam to copper or graphite-infused memory foam to plant-based memory foam. Memory foam has been on the market long enough that there are many different types of it.

SEE ALSO: Best Gel Memory Foam Mattress: Buyer’s Guide

Serene™ Foam

Serene™ foam is the newest innovation on the market. Since it’s also a kind of polyurethane foam, you might think of it as the next evolutionary stage of memory foam. However, it’s different enough from memory foam that it can be placed into its own category.

Serene™ foam has advanced Supportive Air Technology. This means it’s full of billions of microscopic air bubbles—almost like a fizzy drink, only solid. These air bubbles exponentially increase the breathability of this foam, making it one of the coolest foams around.

Feel

Serene™ foam boasts similar pressure relief and support to memory foam. However, its main pull is its wonderful temperature regulation.

Contouring

Serene™ foam is still highly contouring, just like memory foam. The air capsules inside the foam compress and release air under pressure. This helps the foam conform to your shape to relieve pressure and support your spine.

Responsiveness

Serene™ foam is not the springiest foam in the world, but it’s not the slowest to respond either. The pockets inside the foam pull air back in when you take the pressure off them. This allows Serene™ foam to regain its shape quickly compared to traditional memory foam.

Support

Serene™ foam is not as dense as memory foam because of all the tiny air pockets. However, the air inside the pockets provides lots of support. Your bodyweight presses the air out from under the heaviest parts while allowing it to stay under the lighter parts. This helps keep your spine aligned.

Temperature Control

Temperature control is one area where Serene™ foam really shines. The air bubbles let cooling air circulate through the whole mattress. All that circulation pulls the heat away from your body and makes this foam cool to the touch.

Durability

Serene™ foam is a very new invention. That means we don’t know much about how durable it is. If you want a mattress you know will last a long time, you’re better off going with latex.

Cost

Serene™ foam is on the more cost-effective end of the spectrum. You can generally expect to pay less than $1,000 for a Serene™ foam mattress.

Variety

There’s not much variety in Serene™ foam at the moment. It’s pretty much just Serene™ foam. In the future, there might be more variants of this foam type. But for now, you don’t have many options.

Those looking for a memory foam mattress that ticks all the boxes should consider the AS3. This mattress is cooling, responsive, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and durable. All this is thanks to the innovations made to the traditional memory foam recipe.

Bio-Pur® foam swaps some petroleum products for plant oils to create a plant-based memory foam that fixes a lot of the problems that come with traditional polyurethane foam. First off, Bio-Pur® foam is breathable to keep you cool and comfortable. It’s also responsive, meaning you won’t have to wait for it to regain its shape when you move.

Sleepers with allergies will appreciate the AS3’s Bio-Pur® comfort layer. This memory foam contains fewer synthetic chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). That means those with chemical sensitivities will appreciate this mattress. Those with more traditional allergies will also enjoy this foam because it resists common allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew.

Finally, Bio-Pur® foam is more eco-friendly because it uses as many renewable resources as possible and produces less toxic waste than traditional memory foam. Eco-conscious sleepers will appreciate these innovations.

The Bio-Pur® foam isn’t the only fantastic feature of this mattress. The AS3 also boasts a Bio-Core® support layer that makes it one of the most durable mattresses on the market. You should not have to replace it for 20 years!

SEE ALSO: Amerisleep Mattress Review

Those looking for a mattress designed with an active lifestyle in mind should check out the Zoma Mattress. This mattress was designed by athletes for athletes, but it’s also a great choice for people with demanding physical jobs and those who love to exercise.

The top layer of the Zoma is its breathable, airy cover. The ventilated AirCloth cover helps circulate air through the gel memory foam to wick away body heat and sweat. The Triangulex™ memory foam also offers targeted support to each area of the body to give you support where you need it and pressure relief where you want it.

Below, the Reactiv™ transition layer helps the comfort layer spring back into place as soon as you move. This is perfect for active sleepers who like to toss and turn.

On the bottom, the Support+ layer keeps you lifted onto the sleeping surface to encourage proper spinal alignment. This layer also ensures the Zoma Mattress will fight sagging and soft spot development for a full decade.

SEE ALSO: Zoma Mattress Review

Synthetic Foam Alternative: Latex Foam

If you’re looking for all-natural foam, you don’t have many options besides latex. Not to worry, though. Latex is a fantastic option. It’s the most durable foam on the market, bar none. While memory foam will last up to 20 years, 20 years is the minimum you can expect a latex mattress to last.

See our guide on how long a mattress lasts for more information. Long story short, though, if you take good care of your latex mattress, you might not have to replace it for decades.

Latex foam is also the most responsive foam on the market. It’s bouncy without the need for infusions or springs underneath it.  Even the most responsive memory foams around can’t compete with latex’s natural springiness. That means active individuals seeking a mattress for combination sleeping might do better on a latex bed than on either memory foam or Serene™ foam.

Depending on your allergies, a latex bed may be a good hypoallergenic mattress. The material keeps allergens from infiltrating the bed, though sleepers sensitive to natural fibers and materials may be better off with a synthetic foam bed.

Keep in mind that latex does have a couple of drawbacks. For one, it is very expensive, particularly if you go for an organic latex mattress. Those looking to keep their initial costs low had better look somewhere besides latex foam. You’re unlikely to find a latex mattress for under $1,000.

Latex is also not as contouring as memory foam. That springiness comes from the fact that latex wants to retain its shape more than memory foam does. This means those who need lots of pressure relief may need to consider a memory foam mattress rather than a latex one.

SEE ALSO: Memory Foam vs. Latex: What’s the Difference?

FAQs

Which is cooler, Serene™ foam or gel memory foam?

When it comes to temperature regulation, Serene™ foam takes the cake. Gel and copper/graphite infusions help conduct heat away from you. However, Serene™ foam does not respond to your body heat as memory foam does. That means even infusions just can’t compete with Serene™ foam’s temperature-regulating ability. Hot sleepers, take note!

Does Serene™ foam experience off-gassing?

Serene™ is a synthetic type of foam, so that means it will off-gas. However, this is no reason to worry about the safety or quality of your mattress. Off-gassing is simply the process of new synthetic foam releasing the chemicals that got in it during the manufacturing process.

The off-gassing process may produce a temporary unpleasant smell that will dissipate in a few days or weeks. It may also cause mild symptoms like nausea or headache. But it is not a significant health concern.

Is Serene™ foam more cooling than latex foam?

Natural latex mattresses are highly breathable, which means they circulate cooler air through the mattress just like Serene™ foam. That means both of these mattress types can provide tons of cooling comfort. The best choice for you depends on what else you’re looking for.

If you want a low price tag and tons of contouring, Serene™ is a good option for you. Those who want lots of responsiveness and durability should spring for latex, as should sleepers who want an all-natural foam.

Can I get a Serene™ foam hybrid?

The ultimate cooling mattress is probably the Serene™ foam hybrid. With airy foam on top and breathable coils on the bottom, there’s not much else that can compete in terms of keeping the temperature down.

However, Serene™ foam is still a new product. That means not many manufacturers are using it. While it is possible to get a Serene™ foam hybrid, you won’t have many options. You’ll probably have more choices if you look for latex hybrids instead.

Which is better for side sleepers, memory foam or Serene™ foam?

Memory foam is likely better for side sleepers who don’t sleep too hot. While Serene™ foam is highly contouring, nothing beats memory foam in this department. That means those who need ultimate pressure relief (like side sleepers) should consider sticking to a memory foam mattress or a memory foam hybrid.

Bottom Line

Both memory foam and Serene™ foam are excellent options for a good night’s sleep. Those who want variety and guaranteed durability should consider memory foam. Those who want extreme cooling and breathability should spring for Serene™ foam.