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Memory foam mattresses tend to be soft and supportive. They can reduce body pressure and conform to a person’s unique shape. This may reduce pain and help a person get better sleep.
A quick look at 7 of the best memory foam mattresses
- Best for a firm mattress: Saatva Loom & Leaf
- Best for side sleepers with back pain: Casper Original
- Best for couples: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Best for adaptable foam: TEMPUR-Adapt
- Best for a hypoallergenic mattress: Purple
- Best for a cooler sleep: GhostBed Luxe
- Best for immediate support: Zoma Smart
This guide looks at the benefits of memory foam mattresses and discusses the pros and cons of some of the best memory foam mattresses available.
Medical News Today’s methodology
MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:
- Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
- Firmness: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
- Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
- Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
- Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products that carry warranties and clear returns policies.
The following is a selection of memory foam mattresses from popular brands.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for a firm mattress: Saatva Loom & Leaf
- List price: from $1,095
- Firmness: relaxed firm or firm
- Height: 12 inches (in)
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king, and split Cal king
- Warranty: lifetime warranty
The Loom & Leaf mattress by Saatva contains layers of high-density memory foam and a cooling gel layer to regulate body temperature. The gel is thicker in the center third of the mattress to support a person’s spine.
Read our review of Saatva here.
The Loom & Leaf mattress comes in firm and semi-firm varieties, allowing people to choose the level of support that works best for their needs.
The cover consists of organic cotton, which has an antimicrobial treatment to prevent germs.
Saatva’s memory foam also has CertiPUR-US certification, which means that it does not contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, flame retardants, or formaldehyde.
Saatva offers white-glove delivery, setting up the bed wherever a person desires. People can also try the company’s mattresses for 120 nights before committing.
Best for side sleepers with back pain: Casper Original
- List price: from $895
- Firmness: medium
- Height: 11 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
Casper’s original all-foam mattress has three support zones, providing softer areas at the shoulders and legs and firmer support around the lower back. According to the company’s website, this helps align the spine during sleep, reducing back pain.
Read our review of Casper here.
The website has many positive reviews from customers. Side sleepers may find the softer areas helpful for cushioning the upper body, while the perforated top layer allows air to circulate to reduce the chance of overheating.
Casper’s mattresses arrive rolled up and condensed in the popular bed-in-a-box format, making it easier to take them inside and set them up on a bed frame.
Best for couples: Nectar Memory Foam
- List price: from $559
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 12 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, and split Cal king
- Warranty: Forever warranty
The Nectar mattress makes supportive memory foam available to a wider audience, with a lower price point than Casper or Purple.
Read our review of Nectar here.
The mattress features five layers of foam for moderate-firm support. The foam allows air to flow through, providing a cooler night’s sleep, and preventing motion transfer between people.
Nectar has consistently topped lists of affordable mattress providers and has won awards for offering the best value. The company offers a 365-night trial period, meaning that someone can return the mattress for a full refund up to 1 year after purchasing it.
Best for adaptable foam: TEMPUR-Adapt
- List price: from $1,949
- Firmness: medium
- Height: 11 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king, and split Cal king
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
As the brand that first popularized memory foam mattresses, TEMPUR-Pedic offers a wide range of highly rated memory foam mattresses.
Read our review of TEMPUR-Pedic here.
According to the J.D. Power 2019 Mattress Satisfaction Report, TEMPUR-Pedic is number one in the United States for customer satisfaction, durability, and comfort.
The original TEMPUR-Adapt is a medium mattress with a cool touch cover to prevent overheating. It consists of TEMPUR material, which is different from standard memory foam in that it responds to a person’s body weight, shape, and temperature.
TEMPUR-Pedic offers a 90-night trial to test their mattresses, plus a 10-year warranty.
Best for a hypoallergenic mattress: Purple
- List price: from $799
- Firmness: medium-firm
- Height: 9.25 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
Many mattresses release strong chemical odors when they are brand new. This occurs due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which come from manufacturers using solvents and flame retardants in the production process.
VOCs may cause respiratory irritation, dizziness, and headaches. In the long term, they may also damage organs or increase the risk of cancer.
Purple use food- and food-contact-grade foam to eliminate allergens and reduce VOC exposure. The original Purple mattress uses multiple layers of foam topped with a unique grid, which flexes under pressure points and allows for airflow.
Read our review of Purple here.
Best for a cooler sleep: GhostBed Luxe
- List price: from $2,395
- Firmness: medium-plush
- Height: 13 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 25-year warranty
Body temperature
According to GhostBed, this mattress is “the coolest bed in the world.” The company promises a gentle, cooling support that helps people rest longer. It features seven layers of supportive foam, with cooling gel in the core and on the surface.
Read our review of GhostBed here.
This mattress offers medium-plush support, contouring to the body’s shape and relieving pressure on the joints. According to GhostBed, the mattress is suitable for back and side sleepers, as well as hot sleepers.
Best for immediate support: Zoma Smart
- List price: from $599
- Firmness: medium
- Height: 10 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
Many memory foam mattresses incorporate layers of gel to keep people cool, as the material can cause overheating.
The Zoma mattress takes this further by using gel-based memory foam throughout the mattress to prevent people from getting too hot.
A firmer base layer provides spine alignment, while the top layer bounces back quickly, allowing people to get immediate support when they change positions.
The mattress cover is breathable and wicks away moisture.
The following table compares the memory foam mattresses in this article.
| Starting price | Firmness | Height | Sizes | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saatva Loom & Leaf | $1,0956 | relaxed firm firm | 12 in | twin—split Cal king | lifetime |
| Casper Original | $895 | medium | 11 in | twin—Cal king | 10 years |
| Nectar Memory Foam | $559 | medium-firm | 12 in | twin—split Cal king | Forever |
| TEMPUR-Adapt | $1,949 | medium | 11 in | twin—split Cal king | 10 years |
| Purple | $799 | medium-firm | 9.25 in | twin—Cal king | 10 years |
| GhostBed Luxe | $2,395 | medium-plush | 13 in | twin—Cal king | 25 years |
| Zoma Smart | $599 | medium | 10 in | twin—Cal king | 10 years |
People may wish to consider the following when choosing a memory foam mattress:
- Certifications: People may wish to look for mattresses that have certifications from organizations such as CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold. These certifications mean that the mattresses are free from materials or compounds that are hazardous to human health.
- Cooling features: Memory foam is denser than other mattress materials and may sleep hotter. People may wish to choose a product that has cooling features such as cooling gel to avoid overheating during sleep.
- Firmness: Firmness is subjective, and people should always choose the firmness that feels most comfortable. That said, most people will find a medium-firm mattress suitable to sleep on.
- Height: Mattresses with more height tend to have extra layers, which may provide more comfort. However, people who may find it difficult to sit on a bed or to get out of bed may prefer to choose a thinner mattress.
- Size: People should always purchase a mattress that is the same size as their bedframe.
- Warranties and sleep trials: People may wish to purchase from companies that offer more generous sleep trials and warranty lengths.
- Price: Memory foam mattresses can be expensive. People may wish to shop within their budget.
Memory foam is a relatively new mattress material, so not many studies have investigated its impact on sleep quality or back pain.
One 2018 study compared memory foam mattresses with other types of mattress and found that participants using the memory foam mattress reported better sleep and less body pressure.
However, a
A person’s health needs change over time, and what works for one person may not work for another. When choosing a mattress, it is a good idea to consider factors such as body weight, any injuries or joint conditions, age, and climate to find the best option.
There are many other types of mattress on the market. Some other popular mattress types include:
- innerspring mattresses, which contain steel coils surrounded by layers of cotton or stuffing
- pillow-top mattresses, which have a soft, pillowy layer on top
- hybrid mattresses, which blend newer technologies such as memory foam and gel with a traditional spring core
- airbeds, which feature pockets filled with air
- waterbeds, which are filled with water and create the sensation of floating
Each type has its pros and cons, so it is worth looking into what each can offer.
Organic and natural mattresses can also be better for the environment, which is another consideration for many consumers.
Here we answer some common questions about these products.
When should I replace my memory foam mattress?
People should replace their mattress when they notice it does not give them enough support. This may mean people wake up with aches and pains or notice sagging or soft spots on the mattress.
Can memory foam mattresses go on slats?
Yes, people can place memory foam mattresses on slats.
However, the slats should be close together. Slats that are not close together may lead to the memory foam mattress sagging into the spaces.
Are memory foam mattresses too hot?
Memory foam mattresses can be denser than other types of mattresses as they do not contain springs that allow extra airflow. Therefore, memory foam mattresses may sleep hotter.
However, people can choose mattresses that contain cooling technology such as cooling gel, which may prevent overheating.
What makes a mattress the best memory foam mattress depends on a person’s sleep preferences, how much support they like to have, whether or not they tend to overheat, and other considerations.
To find the right fit, a person can take note of their personal needs and make use of risk-free trials that many mattress companies offer. This can help them test out the mattress to see if it helps them sleep well.