Buying a Memory Foam Mattress

Traditional, gel and plant-based memory foam mattresses all have great attributes, although each is different. Think about the qualities you want to find in a mattress when weighing options.

With many traditional memory foam mattresses, you can find some great potential for value. One of their biggest consumer complaints is that users feel they sleep hot. Off-gassing is another major complaint with many different lines and models. All petroleum-based mattresses need to be aired out for some time. For the most part, though, owners report satisfaction with traditional memory foams.

Gel memory foam mattresses are marketed to combat heat-retention issues in foam mattresses. Though many models demonstrate some improvement in regards to temperature, many consumers still find gel mattresses sleep hot. Off-gassing remains a problem with gel memory foam mattresses also. These mattresses tend to sleep slightly cooler than traditional, but don’t get caught up in the hype some companies create around their gel. Factors like density are still important to overall quality and comfort.

If you are an environment or health conscious person, plant-based memory foams are an excellent choice and a more affordable alternative to latex. Off-gassing is much less of an issue with foams made from significant percentages of plant oils. Consumers report these memory foams sleeping cooler than traditional foams and some people prefer the more responsive feel. Plant-based materials are more sustainable than petroleum products as well.

There are many things to consider when looking for a new mattress, but knowledge and research are two of the best tools for getting a good value and a comfortable mattress. Read reviews and talk to a variety of retailers about your potential purchase. There is a lot of information widely available. Take your time, and you’ll make a purchase you’ll be happy with for years to come.

American Mattresses: Full reviews

Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam American Mattress

Product Description

Tuft and Needle is a new mattress company that designs a universally comfortable foam mattress. Exclusively available online and made in the USA, the mattress ships right to your door. No gimmicks, no sales tactics, 100-night trial and easy returns.

T&N Adaptive Foam is a top-rated mattress with over 90% 5-star reviews on Amazon. It was selected “#1 MATTRESS BRAND” by the leading consumer product review organization in 2015 and rated a “BEST BUY” in 2016.
T&N Adaptive Foam is an exceptional high-grade foam that’s more advanced than legacy materials such as latex and memory foam which cause you to “sink in and feel stuck” and “sleep hot.” T&N Adaptive Foam sleeps cool, is just the right mix of “not too soft, and not too hard” while still being bouncy and supportive and is perfect for side, back and stomach sleepers. Also, the award-winning mattress offers great pressure relief and “localized bounce” so you won’t disturb your sleeping partner.

Proudly manufactured in the USA (not another cheaply made, overseas mattress) and headquartered in Phoenix, AZ - Tuft & Needle is proudly ranked #1 for Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine.
No Risk, Full Refund Guarantee with a 100-night sleep trial and an honest, ten-year warranty you can use (no gimmicks). Over 95% of our customers keep their mattress and refer it to others.

Analysis of Customer Reviews for Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam Mattress

Arctic Dreams Cooling Gel American Mattress

Product Description

Escape the heat of regular memory foam mattresses with the Arctic Dreams Cooling Gel Mattress. The Arctic Dreams mattress utilizes an advanced viscoelastic foam called Energex. Energex provides a new, energetic alternative to conventional memory foam that retains all of the advantages of visco without the slow recovery. Typically, consumers seeking an alternative to springs which do not want the dead feel of visco have turned to latex. While this meets their desire for a livelier mattress, they are often disappointed in its inferior pressure-mapping characteristics as compared to traditional visco. Energex serves to bridge this gap between visco and latex. Its highly porous (open), cool, and responsive polymer structure is designed to offer a superior alternative to latex or springs while providing outstanding pressure relief properties. Think of Energex as visco with a bounce. The Arctic Dreams Mattress features three inches of fast response Energex gel foam on top of six and one-quarter inches of convoluted high-density polyurethane foam. All this is covered with three-quarters of an inch super soft quilting layer. All this comes together to create an unparalleled combination of comfort and support.

What CertiPUR-US means: Made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants, mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, or phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. No chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), low VOC. The foams are performance-tested, durability-tested, emissions-tested, and content-tested by independent, accredited testing laboratories.

Analysis of Customer Reviews for Arctic Dreams Cooling Gel Mattress

DreamFoam Two-Sided Pocket Coil American Mattress

Product Description

Experience the known comfort of a spring mattress with the convenience of online shopping and parcel delivery. The Spring Dreams mattress utilizes a 15-gauge six turn Samson Coil. They are individually pocketed for minimal motion transfer. Quilted with foam and fiber on both sides giving you the ability to flip the mattress and increase comfort and longevity.

Spring Dreams Mattress Build​​​​​

Quilted Foam Top: A layer of quilted and foam on top gives the mattress a comfortable sleeping surface, minimizing the feel of the coils.

Pocketed Coils: The individually wrapped coils provide pressure point reduction and minimize motion transfer.

Quilted Foam Bottom: The same layer of quilting and foam as at the top, allows this mattress to be reversible, giving it a longer life.

Made in the USA

DreamFoam beds are made in the USA by its employees. DreamFoam Bedding prides itself on the quality of the products it makes and the quality of the materials it uses. Being the manufacturer allows the company to control every aspect of the manufacturing process. It is also a family-owned company that loves to work with its customers to make every aspect of the mattress buying process simple and straightforward. DreamFoam takes great pride in building a referral system that allows it to help all of its customers, friends and family sleep great.

Analysis of Customer Reviews for DreamFoam Two-Sided Pocket Coil Mattress

eLuxurySupply Gel Memory Foam American Mattress

Product Description

The eLuxurySupply Gel Memory Foam Mattress is made entirely in the USA and specifically tailored for your comfort. Skilled craftsmen and suppliers assemble every mattress by hand according to the highest standards. You can rest assured of a good night’s sleep! The ten-inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress provides support, but also feels plush. The three-inch gel infused top adjusts to the shape of your body to relieve pressure points and properly align your spine while the three-inch gel layer allows your mattress to breathe so that you stay cool and comfortable all night long. The memory foam is open cell and infused with millions of gel particles, which keeps your mattress surface cooler and more comfortable than regular memory foam. This mattress is shipped to you compressed and rolled making it easy to bring your new mattress into the bedroom while saving you money on shipping costs. It is proudly backed by a ten-year limited warranty. Construction: Top Layer – three inches of a 3.0lb density gel memory foam - Base Layer – seven inches of 1.8lb base foam. The foam is also CertiPUR-US certified, which means it has no prohibited phthalates, no ozone depleters, no CFCs, no mercury, no lead or heavy metals, no formaldehyde, no PBDEs, and low emission (VOCs). This mattress meets federal flammability standard 16 CFR 1633.

Mattress Layers

Three-inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam
The three-inch 3.0-pound gel layer allows your mattress to breathe so that you stay cool and comfortable all night long. The gel foam is open cell and infused with millions of gel particles, which keeps your mattress surface cooler and more comfortable than regular memory foam.

Seven-inch High-Density Base Foam
The seven-inch 1.8-pound base foam adjusts to the shape of your body to relieve pressure points and properly align your spine. All foam used in eLuxurySupply mattresses is CertriPUR-US certified.

Poly-Blend Protective Cover
The protective cover is machine washable and features a zipper for easy on and off. Constructed using a polyester weave, the sides of the cover give it a very modern look. On top, you will find an 80% polyester and 20% spandex blend for both durability and a snug fit.

Ten-Year Warranty

Your new eLuxurySupply mattress comes with a 120-night risk-free trial (longest in the industry), which allows you to return the mattress and receive a full refund if you are not completely satisfied. The eLuxury Supply mattress is more supportive than your old mattress, therefore, it is normal to experience some small aches and pains as your body adjusts to the proper support. The manufacturer encourages you to sleep on your eLuxury Supply ten-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress for at least 30 nights to allow for this adjustment period. eLuxurySupply is confident you’ll love your eLuxury Supply ten-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, but if you do not simply let the manufacturer know and eLuxusrySupply will send a courier to your home to remove the mattress. The company will either donate the bed to a local charity or recycle it. Once the process is complete, you’ll be refunded 100% - simple as that!

Analysis of Customer Reviews for eLuxurySupply Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Other Top-Selling Foam Mattresses: Full reviews

LinenSpa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress

Product Description

Add the pressure point relief of memory foam to the reliable support of a traditional spring mattress, and you have the revolutionary comfort of the hybrid mattress. A layer of memory foam is quilted in the soft, knit cover and placed over a 1.5-inch layer of comfort foam to create an incredibly comfortable sleep surface. The foam conforms to the unique curves of your body to minimize pressure points. Beneath the foam top, six-inch steel coils give the support and durability of a spring mattress. This design conforms to your contours and distributes body weight evenly to provide support as you sleep. The spring layer provides the traditional bounce many like in an innerspring mattress and improves the breathability of the mattress. This mattress is rolled and shipped in a box for convenient delivery and setup. Just take the box to the proper room, carefully remove packaging, and watch as the mattress expands to its actual size. This mattress comes with a ten-year warranty that guards against manufacturer defect.

This eight-inch hybrid mattress offers the pressure-relieving benefits of memory foam and the traditional support of an innerspring mattress.

A layer of memory foam is quilted in the soft fabric cover. Beneath that, a 1.5-inch comfort layer of foam distributes weight evenly and conforms to curves to minimize pressure points.

Deep support comes from steel coils that provide excellent back support and conventional bounce.

Revolutionary Comfort
Combining new technology with time-tested design creates a mattress with superior pressure relief and reliable support.

Safety Tested and Certified
The foam used in LinenSpa mattresses is independently tested and certified by CertiPUR-US for safety, quality, and environmental stewardship.

Purchase with Confidence
Good products are made to last. The LinenSpa eight-inch Hybrid Mattress comes with a ten-year warranty that protects the mattress and covers against manufacturer defect.

Analysis of Customer Reviews for LinenSpa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress

Classic Brands Cool Gel Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress

Product Description

The Cool Gel eight-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress combines two leading sleep technologies at an incredible value. Gel-infused memory foam keeps you cool during sleep, and body-contouring memory foam reduces pressure points and properly aligns the spine. Gel draws heat away from the body, creating a cooler sleep surface, which prevents tossing and turning, making for a more restful night's sleep. The feel of this gel memory foam mattress is firm. This mattress comes in short queen size which is ideal for an RV or camper. This mattress ships compressed for ease of delivery and setup.

Perfect for kids’ rooms, college dorms, and guest rooms, this mattress is a great value for any room in the house.

Gel provides maximum breathability.
Perfect for pressure relief and back support.
Hypoallergenic and dust mite free.
Proper spine alignment.
Reduces tossing and turning.
Ships compressed.
Adjustable base friendly.
Ten-year warranty.

The Latest in Gel Memory Foam Technology

Gel Memory Foam is a unique material that infuses gel particles into visco-elastic memory foam, creating a plusher and cooler sleeping material. Gel memory foam is more porous or open, meaning the cells are interconnected; thereby it is more breathable and comfortable than the higher density visco-elastic foam. The open-celled physical structure of this foam technology is self-ventilating. Air can travel throughout the material and dissipate body heat regulating your body temperature. Gel Memory foam is naturally antimicrobial and resistant to allergens, mold, bacteria and dust mites.

Analysis of Customer Reviews for Classic Brands Cool Gel Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress

Zinus Sleep Memory Foam Mattress

Product Description

Rest easy with memory foam support from the Sleep Master Eight Inch Memory Foam mattress made by Zinus, pioneers in comfort innovation. The Sleep Master Memory Foam Eight Inch Mattress provides conforming comfort with a memory foam layer that molds to the natural shape of your body. The full support high-density foam base layer provides long lasting durability and stability. The Sleep Master Eight Inch Memory Foam Mattress offers the perfect balance of support and comfort to ensure that you get a refreshing night's sleep. Open your mattress package within 72 hours of receipt and allow 48 hours for your new mattress to return to its original, plush shape. Worry-free ten-year limited warranty. Another comfort innovation from Zinus – the comfort pioneers.

Conforming memory foam comfort and support for a refreshing night's sleep
Mattress layers include: Two inches Memory Foam, two inches Pressure Relieving Comfort Foam, and four inches High-density Base Support Foam.
The latest evolution of memory foam, BioFoam, replaces some of the traditional petroleum-based foam with natural plant oil to help keep your mattress fresh.
Only the Highest Quality of Foam - Foam is CertiPUR-US Certified for durability, performance, and content.
Smartly Shipped - The patented technology allows the mattresses to be efficiently compressed, rolled and shipped in a box conveniently to your door.

Analysis of Customer Reviews for Zinus Sleep Memory Foam Mattress

Olee Sleep Memory Foam Mattress

Product Description

I Gel Infusion Ventilation Memory Foam Mattress’ new eco-friendly breathable gel materials help you sleep at a comfortable temperature. 
Non-Temperature Sensitive Foam. 
Pressure-relief materials that adapt to your body shape, weight and temperature. 
I Gel Performance materials reduce mattress temperature via ventilation with an intricate HD layer.

The foam is designed to improve its durability with an excellent breathability and resilience compared to other ordinary memory foam.
The manufacturer’s mission is to provide the most reliable and innovative products that result in the most satisfying sleep experience.

Perfect top layer supports your body weight and conforms to your body shape to facilitate rest in the best condition
One-inch 8 ILD soft memory foam supports body with soft firmness
One-inch I gel disperses temperature buildup to maintain a constant mattress temperature
One-inch 25 ILD HD foam prevents memory foam defects
Ten-year limited manufacturer warranty

Analysis of Customer Reviews for Olee Sleep Memory Foam Mattress

Choosing a Memory Foam Mattress That’s Right for You

Are you thinking of getting rid of your innerspring mattress to make room for a new memory foam mattress? Before you commit to a new bed, there are some things you need to know. You don’t want to spend one-third of your daily life trying to sleep on a lemon and the rest of it walking through life a sleep-deprived zombie.

A new memory foam mattress is a major purchase. The search for the right one should be taken seriously, especially if you’ve never slept on one before. Memory foam mattresses receive high approval ratings from consumers compared to innerspring mattresses, which means there’s a good chance you’ll be happy with your new bed. Eighty-one percent of memory foam mattress owners report being satisfied with their purchase versus just 63% of innerspring owners, according to review website SleepLikeTheDead.com.

With such high satisfaction scores across a broad price range, memory foam mattresses have much value potential overall. They are known for reducing pressure, relieving pain and improving motion isolation. If you shop well, you could improve your sleep and feel better through the day for years to come.

All About Memory Foam Mattresses and How to Find Your Match

Memory foam was developed by NASA researchers to help keep astronauts comfortable during flights. A few decades later, memory foam mattresses came on the scene and now have become nearly as ubiquitous as their spring-filled counterparts. Unlike innerspring mattresses, memory foam mattresses do not rely on metal springs for support. Instead, they consist entirely, or nearly entirely of polyurethane and viscoelastic foam.

Memory Foam Types

Not all memory foam mattresses are the same. They are available in three different types. What the memory foam is made from determines which type it is. The three primary types of memory foam mattresses are:

Traditional memory foam: Essentially the same petroleum-based material developed by NASA in the 1960s with a few improvements. This is characterized by high-temperature sensitivity, meaning it feels firmer when cool and softer when warm. This property yields a foam with slow responsiveness.
Gel memory foam: Like their traditional petroleum counterparts with gel added to the foam to help improve heat retention. Gel memory foam tends to respond a little faster to movements than traditional foams.
Plant-based memory foam: Memory foam created from a proportion of natural plant materials to be healthier, cooler and more environmentally-friendly. This material results in temperature-neutral foam with fast responsiveness.

Density & Firmness

These different mattress types vary by density, firmness and mattress construction.

Memory foam density is measured in pounds per square foot and some manufacturers note the use of polymers instead of air in the foam. A denser foam can feel firmer, especially with temperature-sensitive types, but the more important difference between densities lies in durability and support capabilities.

Memory foam mattresses often have layers of foam of varying densities. More dense layers are usually on the bottom for support, and the foam layers of lesser densities are on top for initial comfort.

Typically, mattress foams rate within 1-8 pounds per foot, with lower-rated foams feeling softer and providing less support. A lower density foam (less than 3 lbs) provides less of the characteristic “floating” feeling while higher density foams prove better at cushioning pressure points. However, there is such a thing as too dense. Mattresses with memory foams over 5 lbs can feel harder to move on (slower recovery) and more prone to sleeping hot.

The base layer of foam, sometimes called the core, is also compared to density. For regular polyurethane foams, densities under 1.5 lbs are considered lower quality and result in a mattress that may feel unsupportive or be prone to impressions. Foams in the high-resiliency range (1.8 lb to 2.4 lb) are considered good quality.

As a rule, denser foam is more expensive and tends to last longer. Cheaper mattresses with shorter lifespans often have low foam densities. These mattresses can feel great for a few months, but usually show signs of early wear.

Considerations for Different Types of Sleepers

Sleep position can determine the firmness level you prefer. Take this into account:

Back sleepers need more support than side sleepers, but a mattress that is too firm will push back against the spine or leave the lower back unsupported. A medium-firm mattress is suitable for this type of sleeper.
Side sleepers need a softer mattress to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders. Soft to medium mattresses with thicker comfort layers allow the body to sink into accommodating curves and keep the spine straight.
Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress that keeps the torso from sinking too deep, causing the spine to be misaligned. Firm to medium-firm beds will likely be best.
Combination sleepers, or those who sleep in different positions, need to have a mattress that is neither too stiff, nor too soft. A medium-firm mattress with a thicker comfort layer will give a little for side sleeping, but be firm enough for stomach sleeping.
Heavier people should pay attention to the thickness of their mattress because it is a major factor in owner satisfaction. In reviews, mattresses less than 12 inches thick show dramatic differences in comfort and satisfaction for people weighing over 250 pounds. Beds over 12 inches and with thicker layers of memory foam are more likely to offer comfort.

Memory foams can change their properties as their temperature varies. Your body heat will decrease the firmness of the mattress in places where you touch it long enough for temperature-sensitive types of foam. This is intentional, but you should be mindful of it. If you are trying mattresses in a cold showroom, the mattresses may feel firmer, and vice versa.

Memory foam also tends to soften slightly over time as the mattress breaks in, so this is something else to keep in mind when shopping. Remember, you can always add a topper for more softness, but it’s hard to make a bed firmer.

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses became very popular in a short amount of time. Now, they share a significant portion of the total U.S. market. These mattresses have a lot to offer consumers, greatly expanding choice and comfort options.

As with any product, there are both positive and negative qualities for memory foam mattresses. We’ve compiled a list of the pros and cons of memory foam mattresses, so you know what you are getting into, and what to compare when shopping. Not all memory foam mattresses will possess the qualities we disclose, but enough of them do to warrant mentioning. These statements give an overview of memory foam mattresses in general, but keep in mind that brands and types can differ.

Pros of Memory Foam Mattresses

Motion Isolation – The ability of memory foam mattresses to keep motion localized is one of their most popular attributes. Unlike typical innerspring mattresses, memory foams allow one person to be less disturbed while the other is moving, a significant benefit for couples.

Pressure Reduction – Memory foam mattresses provide even support that reduces the amount of pressure on one area by spreading the weight across the surface of the material. Instead of springs producing many single points of pressure along the sleeper’s body, memory foam contours along the body, compressing in heavier areas and supporting lighter areas.

Pain Reduction – Nearly across the board, users of memory foam mattresses report reductions in back and shoulder pain.

Longevity – Memory foam mattresses made with quality materials tend to last longer than innerspring as they resist impressions longer. Their durability is one of their major selling points. Mattresses with higher foam densities tend to last longer than those with lower densities.

Cons of Memory Foam Mattresses

Heat Retention – The most common consumer complaint about memory foam mattresses is the amount of heat many of them retain. There have been several solutions to help combat this including gels and plant-based foams. This is an issue for about 8% of people overall.

Off-gassing – Traditional and gel memory foams are made from petroleum byproducts, and all mattresses can contain harsh glues and other additives. Volatile Organic Compounds are gasses that are emitted from some substances. They have been linked to numerous health effects, including cancer. Odors reported by consumers are reflective of some chemicals a mattress is letting off. Manufacturers and retailers typically advise consumers to air the mattress out before use. About 15% of memory foam owners report strong initial odors overall.

Weight – The densities of foam required to support a person while sleeping can weigh a lot. While memory foam mattresses can be heavy, not many people consider this a problem since they don’t necessarily need frequent rotating and never need flipping.

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