Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2021

People love memory foam mattresses for the multitude of sleep-promoting benefits they offer. Due to their popularity, mattress companies far and wide make and release new models every year. With the variety of comfortable mattresses available today, it can be tough to sort through and find a great one. 

In this post, we review our list of the best memory foam mattresses. Plus, we run through advice on how to make a good choice while comparing different firmness levels, comfort levels, memory foam layers, and other traditional memory foam mattress features. That way, you can land on the best memory foam bed to offer you proper support and unbeatable comfort.

Best Memory Foam Mattress

Amerisleep’s AS3 is not only our favorite memory foam mattress, but it earns our vote for the best mattress of 2021. It has received thousands of reviews and has earned an average rating of 4.5 stars. This bed is the best choice for most shoppers because it’s engineered to have a Goldilocks feel of comfort and support. Its versatility makes it a good fit for back, side, and combination sleepers.

Amerisleep offers nine mattresses including the AS3. There is the AS1, AS2, AS2 Hybrid, AS3, AS3 Hybrid, AS4, AS5, AS5 Hybrid, and Organica, with the AS1 being the firmest and most basic model while the AS5 Hybrid is the softest and most luxurious bed.

When you stack up the AS3 next to other Amerisleep models, the AS3 has a similar feel to the Organica and AS3 Hybrid, with all three having a medium (5 out of 10) feel. What makes the AS3 different from the AS3 Hybrid and Organica is that the AS3 is made entirely of foam, while both the AS3 Hybrid and Organica contain pocketed coils. Compared to the other Amerisleep models, the AS3 has the most balanced feel, whereas the AS4, AS5, and AS5 Hybrid are softer and the AS2, AS2 Hybrid, and AS1 are firmer.

Amerisleep designed the AS3’s medium feel to provide a balance of cushioning and support, meaning your back and spine will be aligned, but the bed won’t feel stiff and uncomfortable like some firmer beds can. Customers note how quickly the AS3 responds under their body weight, providing near-instant comfort. At the same time, the bed quickly snaps back into shape when you move or switch positions.

Couples who have used the AS3 state how the bed stays cool despite two people sharing one bed. Not only that, but they no longer disturb their partner when shifting in bed or getting out of bed thanks to the AS3’s motion isolation.

The AS3’s layers and outside cover contain high-tech features to help you get deeper, better rest. Let’s talk about how Amerisleep designs its supportive mattresses to enhance your sleep:

First, every AS3 mattress has a soft, lightweight fabric to circulate air through the bed. The airy feel prevents you from feeling hot during the night. The cover is also washable so it’s easy to keep your mattress clean and in good condition.

The comfort layer of Amerisleep’s AS3 is 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, a plant-based memory foam. Amerisleep designs its Bio-Pur® to be more responsive than standard memory foam. It responds to movement in about 3 to 4 seconds… in comparison to traditional memory foam’s 20 to 30-second response time. Bio-Pur’s® responsiveness prevents you from ever feeling “stuck” in the AS3. Because this foam is plant-based, it boosts the bed’s breathability, too.

Bio-Pur® and breathable cover work together to prevent hot nights so you get a good night’s sleep.

Below the layer of Bio-Pur® is 2 inches of Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. HIVE® offers targeted spinal support and promotes healthy sleeping positions. It does this by supporting your feet, torso, and neck while cushioning your shoulders and hips.

The third and final layer of the AS3 is 7 inches of Bio-Core® foam. Bio-Core® functions to support the two layers above and extend the bed’s longevity.

Every Amerisleep mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty. Plus, Amerisleep frequently runs deals on mattresses, so you can slash a couple hundred off the retail price.

Next on our list is the Zoma Mattress, a gel memory foam mattress built for athletes. Zoma sells two quality mattresses designed to help you sleep deeper, recover faster, and wake up feeling more refreshed. We like their flagship model since its technologies help you sleep undisturbed and get the healthiest rest.

Zoma Sleep is a newer brand, so they only have a few models at the moment, the Zoma Start, Zoma Hybrid, and Zoma Mattress. Like the Zoma Start, the Zoma Mattress is made entirely of foam. However, the Zoma Mattress is 12 inches thick and has a medium feel, while the Zoma Start is 10 inches thick and has a medium-firm feel. The Zoma Hybrid—Zoma’s only hybrid mattress at the moment—is 12 inches thick and medium-soft, making it slightly thicker than the Zoma Mattress.

The Zoma Mattress is available in one firmness and its reviews say it has a medium, almost medium-soft feel. With that in mind, we can safely recommend Zoma to back and side sleepers. Do note, it may feel too soft for most stomach sleepers. Customer reviews also state how, despite the bed being softer and having lots of cushioning, it still provides excellent spinal support so they don’t wake up with back soreness or pain.

Zoma has a stretchy, breathable cover so body heat can escape out of the mattress. The first layer of the bed is 2 inches of gel-infused memory foam with Triangulex™ technology. The cooling gel within the memory foam combats body heat to keep your temperature cool. Meanwhile, the memory foam itself molds to your body and relieves pressure.

Triangulex™ technology promotes healthy spinal alignment and prevents uncomfortable sinkage in the bed. It’s firmer under your midsection for extra lifting. Conversely, it’s softer under your shoulders and hips to offer dynamic support.

The second layer of the Zoma Mattress is 2 inches of responsive Reactiv™ foam. Zoma designs this Reactiv™ layer to feel bouncier than traditional memory foam. It keeps you lifted in the bed, serving as a nice buffer between the soft memory foam and the durable base layer.

Last but not least, is the 7-inch core of Support+ foam, a durable poly-foam. Support+ reinforces the layers and sleepers above it. Most importantly, though, it prevents premature wear and tear. Gel memory foam mattresses last, usually, just as long as regular viscoelastic memory foam.

Zoma also backs their bed with a 10-year warranty. Every Zoma also comes with a 100-night sleep trial, too. They also include free shipping and returns for their mattresses.

Those shopping on a tighter budget can’t go wrong with the Vaya Mattress—an affordable bed to suit all sleepers. Despite its low price, it still has a luxurious feel.

Vaya Sleep is a relatively new company focused on prioritizing eco-friendly, comfortable, and cool sleep at an affordable price. They offer two mattress models at the moment: the Vaya Mattress and the Vaya Hybrid. Both beds have a medium feel, but the Vaya Mattress exclusively contains foam while the Vaya Hybrid contains foam and coils. Still, both beds feature Vaya Comfort Foam as the top layers of the bed so you enjoy excellent pressure-relief and comfort.

The Vaya Mattress is recommended for side, back, and combination sleepers, but stomach sleepers may find this mattress too soft. Customers say the Vaya Mattress is a good option if you’re looking for a cushioned bed built to keep you in place at night. The Vaya Mattress conforms under your curves without causing you to sink uncomfortably, and some reviewers compare it to sleeping on a cloud.

Vaya is a medium all-foam mattress with two sleep-boosting layers: 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam and 9 inches of Vaya Base Foam. These layers offer an even mix of comfort and support to contour to the body while keeping you lifted. Both foams are CertiPUR-US® certified, so there’s no need to worry about sleeping around harmful chemicals. Plus, your bed won’t off-gas—that post-factory, “new car” smell many foam mattresses have.

Vaya’s Comfort Foam molds to the contours of your body and allows for a bit of cradling comfort. Despite its similarities to memory foam, it also has a buoyant response and breathable feel, making it more like latex.

The core of the bed is high-quality Vaya Base Foam to resist wear and tear. Vaya even backs their mattress with a 10-year warranty to guarantee comfortable sleep for the next decade.

Every Vaya Mattress comes with free shipping and a 100-night sleep trial. You can buy the Vaya online on the Vaya Sleep website or Amazon. If you buy the Vaya and decide it’s not for you, they’ll issue you a full refund and have your mattress picked up from your home and donated.

GhostBed’s memory foam mattress, the GhostBed Luxe, focuses on providing a refreshingly chill sensation with responsive cushion. The Luxe mattress offers a feel between medium and truly plush, excellent for side sleepers who want to feel hugged by their mattress. The mattress surface is also excellent for back and side sleepers seeking a softer mattress that supports their body and its movements.

The mattress has numerous layers, more than you find in the average memory foam mattress. This brings the mattress’s height to 13 total inches.

Most of the mattress’s layers feature coolness and conformability. The top layer is a Ghost Ice fabric with an inch of airy, cooling fiber woven into the cover fabric. The Ghost Ice fabric contains phase-change materials that reacts to body heat, limiting overheating.

Underneath the mattress cover is an inch of gel memory foam for a full-body hug, followed by the exclusive Ghost Ice foam and 3 more inches of gel memory foam. The Ghost Ice foam was developed by sleep scientists to increase heat dispersion. The bottom layer of gel memory foam deepens compression for more pressure relief.

The support core is a transition layer of Ghost Bounce foam and a 7.5-inch high-density support layer for durability. The Ghost Bounce layer supports a zero-gravity feeling for weightless sleep, mimicking the benefits of latex and adding more responsiveness than what memory foam traditionally offers.

The GhostBed Luxe has a 101-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.

Many sleepers are unsure what their favorite sleeping position. Others may want to offer the widest possible comfort for guests without overspending on a mattress. When it comes to innovative, dual-side comfort at an affordable price, our top recommendation is the original Layla Mattress.

The firm and soft sides both contain copper-infused memory foam, offering cool and responsive cushion. The soft side is thicker than the firm side, naturally. Copper infusions offer improved heat-wicking, variable support, and microbial protection.

Copper is conducive, moving heat away from the body. The infusion reacts to body weight by firming up, so it feels more supportive under the heavier parts of the body while still hugging the entire body. The copper gel also provides a natural barrier against bacteria that can make you sick or simply stink up your mattress.

Underneath the copper foam that establishes the softer side is Max Airflow Support Foam. This middle foam layer relies on Surface Modification Technology, bolstering the variable support offered by the copper memory foam. Channels along the foam’s surface increase airflow through the mattress for greater cooling.

The support core is a 4-inch foam layer, maximizing durability and motion control to minimize motion transfer and unwanted bounce.

The mattress cover has a black and white design with “soft” and “firm” labels to make it easier. Thermo gels inside the mattress cover adapt to body temperature for a cool-to-the-touch surface. You can remove the mattress cover by unzipping it for easier care.

Customer reviews not only rate the mattress up to five stars but also note the age range of the reviewer and whether they sleep alone or with a partner. Many Layla Mattress owners stated they felt the mattress provided excellent value for their dollar.

The original Layla Mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

If you’re looking for a mattress that incorporates both memory foam and latex, consider the PlushBeds Cool Bliss®.

PlushBeds sells a large selection of mattresses, including four organic and natural mattresses, two memory foam mattresses, three sofa mattresses, and four RV mattresses. The most comparable mattress to the Cool Bliss® is the Ocean Mist®, the second memory foam mattress sold at PlushBeds. Both beds deliver cool, dry, and well-supported sleep, but the Cool Bliss® contains more luxurious materials than the Ocean Mist®, thus making it more expensive.

The Cool Bliss® also contains transition layers and air flow layers specially designed to be breathable and responsive so you don’t feel stuck in your mattress.

Cool Bliss® mattress owners describe the bed as “the most comfortable bed ever,” helping with their back pain, night sweats, and hot sleeping overall. The mattress’s soft gel memory foam offers rapid pressure relief to ease any pain you may experience. At the same time, its patented technology dissipates body heat, ensuring hot sleepers can finally get some rest.

The 12-inch Cool Bliss® memory foam mattress is nothing short of luxurious. It contains PlushBeds’ patented gel memory foam to dissipate heat and moisture. Perfect for hot sleepers. Plus, the bouncy latex in their beds prevents the “stuck” feeling some get with memory foam.

Let’s break down the layers of this bed.

The first layer is 3 inches of gel memory foam to offer cooling comfort and pressure relief. Next is a 2-inch layer of 100% ARPICO organic latex. This layer gives the bed some bounce and keeps you lifted on top of the mattress, rather than cradled within.

The third layer of the PlushBeds Cool Bliss® is 2 inches of Air Flow foam, a  porous and breathable poly-foam. Air Flow foam works with the latex and gel memory foams to dissipate body heat and regulate temperature.

The last layer of the Cool Bliss® bed is a 5-inch thick core. Made with durable foams, this layer offers lasting support and prevents sagging.

PlushBeds’ Cool Bliss® is one of the 1 percent of mattresses sold today with a GREENGUARD Gold certification. This means the Cool Bliss® bed is safe for babies and even elderly sleepers. In addition, the Cool Bliss® is CertiPUR-US® and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. With PlushBeds, you won’t have to worry about sleeping on a mattress made with unsafe or harsh chemicals.

PlushBeds rates this bed a 6.5 or 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The Cool Bliss® should feel medium to medium-firm and comfortable for side, back, and some stomach sleepers. Every PlushBeds mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.

A mattress for couples often needs to offer more than a bed for a solo sleeper. Couples need a bed that releases their combined body heat quickly and often they require a mattress suitable for different sleep positions. Plus, the bed should have motion-isolating features to ensure one partner doesn’t disturb the other’s rest. The GravityLux mattress from WinkBeds offers all this and more.

The memory foam inside the GravityLux, the AirCell™ foam, is exclusive to WinkBeds. The AirCell™ foam offers dynamic support for most sleeping styles, hugging the body to ease pressure points. Shoppers can choose from a medium, soft, or firm feel, depending on their preferences. The patented air capsules inside the foam swallow movements, keeping your every motion from rippling across the mattress.

Underneath the AirCell™ foam is a transition layer of Progression Foam™. The foam features targeted support in the hips and back area, buoying the spine while offering a more conforming feel under the shoulders and legs.

Supporting the mattress is a base layer of Atlas Core™ foam. The foam’s structure resists sagging and provides just the right amount of pushback, increasing the bed’s durability. All of WinkBeds foams are CertiPUR-US® certified.

Reviewers have praised the mattress for how well it forms to the body, relieving joint pain and other aches. Couples have also reported undisturbed rest, when previously one partner’s tossing and turning would keep the other up late at night.

The GravityLux mattress is wrapped in a Tencel® mattress cover, made from eucalyptus trees in a Forest Stewardship Council-certified forest. The mattress cover fabric has also passed the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 test, ensuring its free of potentially harmful materials.

The WinkBeds GravityLux has a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

Puffy is an online-exclusive brand that offers three mattress models. Their first mattress is the Puffy Original, a memory foam bed, while their other models are high-quality hybrid mattresses. The original mattress has a 5-star rating on the Puffy website, averaged from almost 10,000 reviews.

The Puffy mattress has five layers, including its stain-resistant Cloud Cover with a hypoallergenic weave. Owners can unzip the mattress cover and machine wash it for a clean sleep surface. Plus, the fabric met the requirements of the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 test.

Underneath the mattress cover is a layer of Cooling Cloud™ Foam, Climate Comfort™ Foam, a firm base foam, and a Grip Base Cover.

The Cooling Cloud™ Foam features temperature-regulating gels for a consistent cool-to-the-touch feel. The foam layers adapt to the body, with the firm base foam engineered to maintain a neutral spine alignment while promoting pressure relief.

Puffy states their original mattress is designed for all sleep styles, but some side sleepers may find the mattress too firm, particularly if they are petite people under 130 pounds.

Puffy manufactures its mattress in the USA and ships directly to your door. The Puffy original memory foam mattress is backed by a 101-night home trial and a lifetime warranty.

Sleepers wanting an extra-firm foam bed will love Brooklyn Bedding’s Plank. This ultra-firm mattress is stiff as a board and perfect for those wanting a bed that feels notably firm.

On the website, Brooklyn Bedding describes the Plank as a firm bed for sleepers who say a typical firm isn’t enough. (If you prefer some cushioning, or have pressure points, you’ll want to steer clear of the Plank.) Some people who will love the Plank include stomach sleepers, larger people, some back sleepers, and people who get hot at night.

We like this mattress because of its dual, flippable firmness. This means one side of the bed has one firmness, and the other side has another. With the Plank, one side is firm, and the other is extra-firm. Both sides have cooling technologies to prevent hot nights. Plus, both sides do feature a thin layer of quilting to provide a slight cushion.

The only other mattress Brooklyn Bedding offers outside of the Plank is the Plank Hybrid. Like the original Plank, the Plank Hybrid is both flippable and has a firm and ultra-firm side. What makes them different is the pocketed coils the Plank Hybrid has versus the Plank’s all foam design. The coil in the hybrid model provides extra bounce and breathability, something useful for hot sleepers.

Out of over 1400 reviews, the Plank scores a 4.8 out of 5 stars. Buyers talk about how sleeping on the Plank has improved their sleep and pain immensely. Plus, despite being so firm, the bed is still comfortable and doesn’t leave them feeling achy. The firmness also helps customers who share a bed, ensuring they won’t disturb their sleep partner when shifting or getting out of bed.

Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night sleep trial with their Plank mattress. And if you like the bed, it’s backed by a 10-year warranty.

What is Memory Foam?

Memory foam is a poly-foam modified to have both viscous and elastic properties. It’s otherwise known as viscoelastic polyurethane foam or just viscoelastic foam. When you lay on a memory foam bed, the top layer of foam reacts to your body weight and heat, and contours to your shape. Many describe the feel of a memory foam mattress like a “big hug” because it molds so closely to your body and cradles you in the bed.

Memory foam’s origins are back to the 1960s. It was then that NASA developed the material to make pressure-relieving seat cushions for their rockets. However, due to its pressure-relieving abilities, this material eventually made its way into mattresses. Now, it’s one of the best materials to help sleepers combat pain and stiffness.

Now, almost every single mattress out there includes memory foam in some way. (Whether it’s in the pillow top of an innerspring or acting as extra cushioning in a latex bed.) For sleepers wanting the full benefits of sleeping on memory foam, we recommend a memory foam mattress… instead of another mattress type that merely incorporates the material in a few layers.

Types of Memory Foam

There are many types of foams found in mattresses today. During your search, you’ll find most beds include a layer of poly-foam. However, standard poly-foam is not memory foam. It’s dire to understand these differences. That way, you can know what to expect from your new mattress.

There are three main types of memory foam: traditional, plant-based, and gel-infused.

Many brands advertise selling “open-cell” foams; however, that’s largely a marketing term. All memory foam found in a mattress is open-cell. Closed-cell foams are in products such as exercise mats. They have a very different feel, and you likely will not find closed-cell foams in any mattress. Don’t get too caught up in the “open-cell” marketing or let that impact your decision, because any bed you look at will tote that same feature.

Now, let’s break down the differences between the various memory foams.

• Traditional: Traditional memory foam is the most common. It offers that “hug” feeling most sleepers are looking for out of a memory foam mattress. Traditional foam is the least responsive, so it allows for significant sinkage. The main complaint sleepers have with traditional memory foam is that it sleeps hot.

• Plant-based: Traditional memory foam requires a lot of chemicals. As you may guess, the use of these chemicals often results in the bed giving off an unpleasant smell. While this smell does go away, most people prefer to not sleep on a chemical-smelling bed. To address these concerns, bedding brands have begun manufacturing plant-based foams. During manufacturing, a large amount of petrochemicals is replaced with castor bean oil, bamboo, tea, soy, or Aloe Vera. The result? A mattress that’s more breathable, eco-friendly, and better smelling than traditional memory foam.

• Gel-infused: As we mentioned, many sleepers avoid traditional memory foam because it tends to trap heat. To combat concerns of overheating, companies created gel-infused foams. Brands also infuse their gel foams with materials such as copper and graphite to dissipate body heat. However, many mattress reviews of gel-foam beds mention the cooling gels only lasting for so long. While they help you stay cool long enough to fall asleep, they don’t usually prevent middle-of-the-night night sweats. If you’re a particularly hot sleeper, you may need to use additional cooling accessories, such as cooling sheets or pillows.

Cooling and Temperature Regulation

It’s not uncommon to hear of people “sleeping hot.” Night sweats are especially prevalent amongst memory foam mattress owners. If you’re waking up often in the night to kick off the covers, make sure your next memory foam mattress has the technology to keep you cool.

We discussed gel-infused foams above, but there are other things to look for in a cooling mattress.

First, look at the cover of the bed. Is it made with a thin, stretchy material, or is it thick and cozy? Thinner, breathable fabrics, such as cotton, let hot air escape and prevent heat retention.

Next, check to see if your bed has any ventilated channels. These little “pathways” in the foam give hot air an easy escape route.

Lastly, read the product description to see if the bed has any extra cooling technologies. Some brands fashion their foams to be more breathable. Others include gel infusions to regulate your body temperature.

If a brand has taken strides to offer a “cooling” bed, they’ll be sure to make it known on their website or product description page. Just try not to get too caught up in all the marketing gimmicks.

Read More: Best Cooling Mattress

Responsiveness

Responsiveness refers to how quickly foam bounces back to its original shape after pressure is removed. Foam with slow responsiveness allows for more sinking in the bed, while foams that are quicker to respond are bouncier.

Traditional memory foam usually has the slowest response time. If you press your hand down into one of these beds, it’ll take about 20 or 30 seconds for the foam to regain its shape after you move your hand. If you’re a fan of a “sinking,” “cradling” bed, then traditional memory foam is for you. But, if you’re weary of feeling “stuck” in your mattress, you’ll want to choose a memory foam bed with more responsive foams.

Many brands modify their foams to be more responsive than traditional memory foam, so you won’t have to worry about uncomfortable sinkage.

Edge Support

Edge support is, as the name implies, support around the edge of the mattress. For some people, edge support plays a major role when deciding which bed to buy. But for others, it’s not so important.

If you’re pressed for sleeping space, you might want to find a mattress with reinforced edges. Edge support stops you from sliding off the bed.

Memory foam beds with good edge support usually have firmer foams near the sides or include strong foam rails.

Density

Density refers to the weight of the foam; a heavier weight denotes a higher foam density. However,  density and thickness are not related— just because a layer is thicker does not mean it is denser.

Higher-density foams are the most durable. If you’re looking at a mattress that incorporates layers of high-density foams, you can expect it to be long-lasting. However, the chief complaint with high-density foams is heat retention. Look for a foam bed with a mix of high and low-density foams.

Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). If a layer of foam has a density of 3 PCF, that means one cubic foot of that foam layer would weigh three pounds.

Below, we break down the three tiers of density:

• Low: < 3.5 PCF
• Medium: 3.5 – 5.0 PCF
• High: 5.0 >

In most mattresses, the higher density foams are the first one or two layers, while the low-density foams are found in the core and base layers. This is because the first half of the mattress absorbs your weight, and it’s up to those top layers to keep you comfortably supported. The core layers function mainly to reinforce the durable foams above.

Thickness

After considering the density of each layer, look at the thickness of each layer. Many memory foam beds contain anywhere from two to five layers. The thickness of these layers plays a major role in the overall feel of the bed.

Say we’re comparing two 2-layered beds. One has a 2-inch top layer, the other has a 4-inch top layer. You can expect the one with a 4-inch top layer to offer more cushioning comfort because it has two more inches for you to sink into.

Just because a bed has more layers doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. If you’re looking at two 10-inch mattresses, and one has three layers while the other has five, you can expect the 3-layer bed to be more comfortable. Why? The bed with five layers contains thinner foams in comparison to its counterpart. Thinner foams equal less comfort and more firmness.

A good rule of thumb is to look for a mattress with less than five layers and ensure the bed has at least 2 inches of memory foam in the uppermost layer.

Off-gassing

Off-gassing refers to the chemical-like smell some new foam beds give off and is a common complaint associated with memory foam. Usually, this off-gassing scent is not long-lasting and dissipates after only a few days.

However, if the scent does not fade away, it’s a clear sign you’re sleeping on a bed full of chemicals. Should you ever find yourself in such a situation, return your mattress. Sleeping on a bed of harsh-smelling chemicals can take a toll on your health.

Many brands aim to prevent off-gassing altogether by using plant-based, eco-friendly foams. Because these foams only contain a fraction of the petrochemicals found in traditional memory foam, they’re a lot less likely to off-gas.

Sleeping Positions and Firmness

When browsing mattresses, you’ll see they’re carried in a variety of firmness levels and often compared on a “firmness scale.” This firmness scale ranges from 1 to 10; 10 is the firmest, and 1 is the softest. Most beds fall between 3-8 on this scale.

If you’ve never bought a bed before, it can be tricky to determine whether you’d be more comfortable on a soft or firm mattress. However, you can narrow down your ideal firmness options rather quickly by reflecting on how you sleep.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is the most common position. To appeal to the majority, many brands design their beds to be comfortable for side sleepers. Meaning, side sleepers should never be short of mattress options.

When you sleep on your side, your hips and shoulders take on all of your body weight. If your bed is not soft or pressure-relieving enough, this weight can create pain points in those major joints. However, side sleepers still need spinal support to prevent their torso from dipping too far in the bed. For that reason, the best mattresses for side sleepers are medium in firmness.

Medium mattresses offer an even balance of comfort and support. These beds will cushion your hips and shoulders while you sleep on your side, but they’re still equipped to maintain neutral spinal alignment and prevent lower back pain.

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back allows your spine, hips, and pelvis to relax in a neutral position. If you’re prone to back pains, back sleeping can promote better posture and prevent future discomfort.

Back sleepers have a little more freedom when choosing how firm their mattress should be. Since they’re already resting in a healthy position, they just need a bed that’ll hold their body in proper alignment from head to toe.

Depending on body weight, the ideal mattress could be medium, medium-firm, medium-soft, or firm. Back sleepers should take caution when considering overly soft mattresses. If your mattress is too soft, it can cause your hips to sink too far and throw your spine out of alignment.

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on your stomach is rather unhealthy, as it puts excess pressure on your spinal column. Considering how common back pain is, it’s best to avoid putting extra stress on your spine. If you’re a stomach sleeper, we recommend switching to side or back sleeping to avoid chronic pain.

If you do choose to sleep on your stomach, you’ll need a very firm bed to hold your body in a neutral position and prevent your torso from sinking too far.

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam

Throughout this article, we’ve briefly mentioned some of the benefits and downsides to owning a memory foam mattress. In this section, we break down those pros and cons so you can decide if one of these mattresses will work for you.

Pros of Memory Foam

• Pain and pressure-point relief. Because memory foam contours to your body, it reduces pressure on your joints and spine. Memory foam’s pressure relief helps eliminate current pains and prevent future discomfort. Many of the best mattresses for back pain relief are memory foam.
• Evenly distributes body weight. Memory foam responds to your body’s heat and pressure to offer all-over comfort and evenly distribute your body weight. Because it helps distribute your weight evenly, memory foam can prevent pressure points from forming.
• Little maintenance. Some mattresses can be a hassle to maintain because they need to be rotated or flipped every so often, but not memory foam! Many memory foam mattress brands actually suggest against rotating or flipping their beds. Most modern mattresses are made to support your body a certain way, so they must be used on the proper side for the best sleep.
• Hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant. Because memory foam is so dense, it’s naturally dust-mite resistant. Memory foam is also hypoallergenic, so it’s great for allergy sufferers.
• Motion isolation. If you share your mattress with a restless partner, then memory foam is for you. Memory foam limits motion transfer throughout the bed because it’s adaptive. So, if you change sleeping positions on your side of the bed, the foam underneath you will adapt to your changing movements. And it won’t create a ripple effect through the rest of the foam. This allows your partner to sleep soundly on the other side of the mattress.

Cons of Memory Foam

• Traps heat. Because memory foam does mold so closely to your body, it tends to trap body heat within its material. However, heat retention shouldn’t be an issue with more advanced foam.
• Heavy. Memory foam beds are quite heavy. But as we mentioned earlier, they don’t need to be rotated or flipped. So their weight only poses a problem if you need to move the mattress from one bedroom to another or house-to-house.
• Not waterproof. A memory foam mattress is practically one giant sponge, so if you spill a drink on your bed or your pet has an accident, that liquid is just going to be absorbed into the mattress. To protect your bed, buy a waterproof mattress protector. However, if the day comes where you ever spill on your mattress and the protector isn’t enough (or you don’t have one) to save your bed, carefully blot up the liquid and use gentle cleaners to freshen up the affected area.
• Potentially expensive. We all know a new mattress isn’t necessarily a cheap purchase, but if you’re working on a tight budget, one of these beds may not be practical.
• Off-gassing. Because the production of memory foam involves a number of petrochemicals, these beds can have an unpleasant, chemical-like scent when you first sleep on them. Most off-gassing smells dissipate within a few days, and many brands use plant-based, eco-friendly foams in their beds to eliminate off-gassing.

Bed in a Box Mattresses vs. In-store Brands

After you’ve done some research, it’s time to determine where to buy your next bed. Should you shop online or go to your local mattress retailer? The answer to this largely depends upon your personal preferences.

Bed in a box mattresses and the ones you’d buy in-store really only differ in their method of delivery. A bed in a box is shipped to your doorstep in a few business days while mattresses from retailers are delivered white glove (or you’re responsible for transporting them home).

If you prefer to shop in-store and have the extra funds to pay for white glove delivery or the means to haul your mattress home yourself, then you’re probably better off heading to a local retailer and shopping for beds the old-fashioned way. Doing this allows you to try the bed before you buy it and address any questions or concerns in person.

However, if you’re more of an online shopper, you’ll likely enjoy shopping with a bed in a box brand. Because these online brands sell direct-to-consumer, you can usually save a couple of hundred dollars by buying online— as many mattress retailers hike up the price of their beds to ensure all parties make a profit. The only downfall to buying online is not having the opportunity to feel the bed before you buy, but many brands mitigate this concern by offering extensive risk-free sleep trials.

Memory Foam Compared to Other Mattress Types

If you’re to the end of this article and feel like a memory foam mattress may not be for you, consider some of these other types of mattresses.

Memory Foam vs. Latex

Latex beds are great for people who want the pain-relieving benefits of memory foam without all the softness. Latex is more responsive than memory foam, so it holds you more on top of the bed. Many reviews of latex mattresses mention these beds feel firmer than memory foam options.

If you’re interested in a latex bed, choose a bed made with all-natural latex instead of synthetic blends. Synthetic latex is not very durable and is made with a lot of chemicals, so it usually has a pretty unpleasant smell.

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

Memory Foam vs. Hybrid

If you like the bounciness of an innerspring mattress or are a particularly hot sleeper, consider a hybrid. Hybrid mattresses combine foam layers with an inner coil system to offer the benefits of both all-foam and innerspring beds while eliminating their downsides.

The foam layers in a hybrid offer the cushioning comfort and pain-relieving perks of an all-foam bed, but because they have a coil system inside, these beds are very breathable, and you won’t ever have to worry about hot air being stuck inside the mattress. Like all-foam mattresses, most hybrids work with adjustable bases, too.

Furthermore, these beds give you all the bounce you could ever want out of an innerspring, but because they have layers of foam, you don’t have to worry about feeling the durable springs below you.

Because hybrids aim to offer the best of both worlds and integrate many high-quality materials, they often come with a hefty price tag.

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

Memory Foam vs. Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are as old as the mattress industry itself but have stood the test of time because they’re both comfortable and supportive.

Innerspring mattresses have an inner coil system inside, but they lack an abundance of foam layers. Any cushion these beds provide comes from their soft pillow top. If you like a very bouncy bed and aren’t worried about pressure-relief or motion isolation, an innerspring is likely for you.

However, if you’re seeking a bed to promote healthy sleep positions or prevent pain, a hybrid or all-foam bed is better. Memory foam mattresses have little in common with traditional innerspring mattresses, but pillow top and Euro top mattresses offer similar amounts of cushion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a memory foam mattress comfortable?

Memory foam mattresses are comfortable for those who prefer a cushioning or cradling feeling from their bed. We suggest these mattresses for those with aches and pains, too, because they’re so pressure-relieving.

Memory foam beds come in a variety of firmness options, so you can easily find one to fit your needs and sleep preferences. Hot sleepers may find these beds uncomfortable, though, so if you’re a hot sleeper interested in a memory foam mattress, it’s best to look one for cooling technologies. Not to mention, hybrid mattresses are also great for hot sleepers since they don’t have as much memory foam as all-foam options.

Are memory foam mattresses good for back pain?

Memory foam mattresses are some of the best for alleviating back pain. These beds mold to your body to alleviate pressure and eliminate discomfort. Many memory foam beds have zoned technologies, too. These are especially helpful for those with back pain because they promote healthy spinal alignment and offer deeper pressure relief.

Do you need a box spring with a memory foam mattress?

We actually recommend against using box springs with memory foam beds. Why? These foundations can damage foam and cause premature sagging. Box springs typically consist of a wooden frame with an inner coil system, these coils work to absorb shock and offer extra bounce. While they’re great for innersprings, their bouncy support can cause foam mattresses to wear unevenly.

Instead, memory foam mattresses work with solid or slatted foundations. (Just note, slats in slatted foundations should be no more than 3 inches apart.) Memory foam beds also pair with platform beds, adjustable bed frames, and mattress foundations.

If you have a box spring that you wish to keep using, you can make it work by placing a ¾-inch piece of moisture-resistant plywood (or a bunkie board) across the top. This creates a solid surface for your memory foam mattress.

Should you flip or rotate a memory foam mattress?

Unless labeled as “dual-sided” or “flippable,” memory foam mattresses should not be flipped. Most often, these beds are designed with a specific construction, with comfort layers on top and support layers on the bottom. When you flip one of these beds, you end up sleeping on the sturdy core, which isn’t very comfortable.

Memory foam mattresses should be rotated periodically, though. Typically, it’s best to rotate these beds every three to six months. Rotating these mattresses evens out wear and tear so you don’t experience sagging.

To rotate these beds, move all furniture out of the way, lift the mattress and turn it so it’s parallel with the headboard. Then, turn it again so the head of the bed is now where the feet go and vice versa.

How long do memory foam mattresses last?

Memory foam mattresses, like all beds, do break down over time. They have a longer lifespan than innerspring and hybrid mattresses, though, lasting approximately 7 to 10 years before needing to be replaced. Latex mattresses are the longest-lasting, with an average lifespan of 15 years.

You can gauge the quality and lifespan of your bed by looking at its materials, too. If a foam bed is made with nothing but low-density foam layers, chances are it’ll break down sooner. If a bed has a mixture of high and low-density foams, you can expect it to last a while.

Conclusion

We hope our guide has helped you decide if a memory foam mattress is right for you. If memory foam sounds appealing, you should be ready to start your mattress search. But, if you’re still unsure, check out our other guides to compare different mattresses.

This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or another medical professional.