Looking For A Memory Foam Mattress: Here’s What You Need To Know

A memory foam mattress amalgamated a layer of memory foam with support foam or spring foam. This type of mattress uses body heat to compress and conform to the shape of the body. Memory foam mattresses are reckoned for the comfort and support that they offer. As soon as the pressure is elevated, the mattress takes its original form slowly and eventually will get accustomed to your body, hence the title “memory.” The memory foam mattress is also called “Visco-elastic foam” and was originally designed by NASA in the 1960s. 

What is Inside a Memory Foam Mattress?

To begin with, not all memory foam mattress is manufactured using the same material. There are different types of memory foam mattresses available that come with various features. Generally, all memory foam mattresses include a viscoelastic or memory foam layer and body temperature sensitive pressure relieving viscoelastic material to provide comfort. The material includes thousands of tiny cells that readjust periodically when pressure is placed on it. The material used in the memory foam mattress is five times denser as opposed to any regular foam mattress. 

Different Types of Memory Foam Mattresses

Following are the main types of memory foam mattresses – 

• Traditional Memory Foam 

This is the first traditional memory foam introduced in the market in the mid-1990s. Contrary to the spring mattress, traditional memory foam is designed in a way that your body is cradled while you sleep. It helps in increasing blood circulation and reduced the stress on the joint across the body during sleep. Moreover, memory foam mattresses are anti-microbial, which reduces the dust mites and other bugs that can protect from any allergy issues. Traditional memory foam mattress provides a healthier sleeping environment for you and lasts longer than other forms of the mattress. 

• Air Cool Memory Foam 

Earlier, there was a big issue associated with a memory foam mattress with regard to the heat that it generates. In order to cater to this issue of the people, the air cool memory foam mattress was introduced. The technology used in this type of mattress quickly adapts and responds to the body temperature and channel the warmth accordingly. This feature eliminated the issues people had with additional heat and provided people with cooler sleep during the night. It is known as cell technology and works to distribute the heat throughout the body more evenly. 

• Gel Memory Foam 

Similar to traditional memory foam, gel technology assists in stopping the motion transfer when people sleep in the same bed. It further cradles the pressure points across the body. This type of mattress is also anti-microbial, hence protecting you from allergy issues. Gel memory foam uses the same gel that is used in shoe inserts and other sports equipment. When it comes to support, it is one of the best memory foam mattresses in the market. It is a perfect mattress for people who suffer medium to severe pains and aches caused by inadequate posture during sleep. 

• Eco-Friendly Memory Foam 

Instead of using merely petroleum-based chemicals to produce memory foam, eco-friendly memory foam uses a part of plant-based ingredients, primarily soy. This kind of memory foam was originally manufactured to address certain concerns associated with traditional memory foam mattresses such as slow response time, chemical off-gassing, etc. These are not 100% plant-based mattress; rather have a plant-based ingredient portion. 

Also Read – How To Choose The Right Thickness Of Memory Foam Mattress Topper?

Benefits of Using Memory Foam Mattress 

Following are the advantages of using memory foam mattresses – 

• The memory foam mattress is developed using a temperature sensitive material, allowing the mattress to adjust to the body temperature and bodyweight of the sleeper. 
• Memory foam assists the sleep in obtaining an ideal sleeping posture by helping them with adequate spinal alignment while lying. Sleeping adequately can solve various health issues associated with the spine. 
• Memory foam mattresses are made using polyurethane foam, which is produced for inorganic fibers. These forms of fibers combat allergy-causing dust mites from settling inside the mattress as there is no food particle for them to survive. This way, the memory foam mattress helps in preventing issues associated with allergies. 
• Memory foam mattresses are known for the health benefits they offer to the sleepers. One of the primary benefits associated with memory foam mattress includes that it helps in relieving sleep apnea by offering adequate elevation to the head while sleeping. This helps in facilitating proper breathing patterns during sleep. 

Drawbacks of Memory Foam Mattress

Following are some of the drawbacks of memory foam mattresses- 

• Memory foam mattresses can get quite heavy, making them difficult to move. 
• During hot seasons, the mattress tends to get too soft, and in winter seasons, the mattress might get too hard for some people. 
• Memory foam mattresses are quite expensive, making it unaffordable for many individuals. 
• Traditional memory foam tends to retain body heat. This implies that during summers, the sleep might become too heated and uncomfortable, which can wake you up frequently. 

How to Choose a Memory Foam Mattress?

Following are the tips for choosing the best memory foam mattress – 

• Choose the Right Foam Type  

Traditional memory foam is the most commonly bought mattress as they come in a variety of types and sizes. It reflects your body heat, conforming to your shape in order to reduce the pressure on your joints across the body, and provide the most restful sleep. However, if you get hot while sleeping, you should opt for a gel memory foam mattress that adjusts the body temperature accordingly. 

• Find the Foam Mattress that Matches your Size of the Bed

Memory foam mattresses come in different sizes; you can easily narrow down your search by selecting the ones that will fit on your bed frame. 

• Pick the Right Density

Higher the density of the memory foam mattress, firmer will be the mattress. Memory foam mattress typically features around 2 to 5-pound densities. If you sleep in the side, you should pick a mattress that is less dense and curve more comfortable across your shoulders and hips. However, if you sleep on your back or stomach, you would want a mattress that is denser. 

• The Ideal Thickness of the Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are not typically the solid type of mattress. Therefore you will have to do your research and evaluate your options to get the right thickness that you desire in your mattress. Considering the fact that memory foam is extremely supportive, you only feel the top 3-4-inches of the mattress. If you have opted for a lower density mattress, then you have to ensure that it is thicker; otherwise, you will sink into it. 

• The Importance of the Mattress Top 

Similar to the density, the way you sleep decides what type of mattress top you should opt for during the process. If you sleep on your side, then you should opt for little paddings like pillow top or plush top. If you sleep on the top, then you should opt for a tight top that is the firmest surface. 

The memory foam mattress is highly beneficial, but it has its share of side effects as well. Understanding everything about it will help you make a well-informed decision. This is an ideal guide that teaches you everything you need to know about memory foam mattresses. 

Also Read – How To Pick Memory Foam Mattress Thickness: The Ultimate Guide