Best Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam, first developed by NASA and technically known as viscoelastic foam, has become one of the most popular components in mattresses. For many people, memory foam is synonymous with comfort. 

This material has earned a loyal following because of its unique characteristics; it compresses in proportion to the weight applied to it and then slowly retakes its full size. As a result, it hugs the body with tailored cushioning, contributing to significant pressure relief. 

Thanks to its contouring, memory foam excels at motion isolation and doesn’t make any noise, reducing the chances that you’ll be woken up by a partner getting in and out of bed. Nonetheless, memory foam mattresses aren’t for everyone, as they have potential downsides as well. 

Utilizing in-house testing and customer experience data, we’ve made a list of the best memory foam mattresses of 2020. Additionally, we’ve written an in-depth buyers guide to help you figure out a memory foam mattress is right for you

Choose memory foam if:

• You want deep contouring and hug from a mattress
• You share a bed and are easily disurbed by someone else’s movement
• You are a side sleeper or have sharp pressure point

Skip memory foam if:

• You tend to sleep hot
• You don’t like to feel like you’re sinking into a mattress
• You prioritize moving on top of the bed, including for sex

More and more mattresses have come on the market using memory foam layers, which has left many shoppers unsure of what distinguishes the best from the rest. We’ve simplified the process and identified the top memory foam mattresses. 

 

Our Top Picks

Loom & Leaf
Who it's best for: People over 230 pounds who want a durable, supportive mattress Side sleepers who need serious pressure relief Customers who want free installation and old-mattress removal
The Loom & Leaf is the memory foam mattress offered by the well-regarded Saatva company. With high-density memory foam in its comfort system and two firmness options to choose from, the Loom & Leaf is a leading choice for people who want to experience the key features of this material.  Part of the appeal of the Loom & Leaf is its quality materials. The cover is made with breathable and plush organic cotton. Quilted into this cover is a little over half-an-inch of polyfoam.  Underneath the cover are two layers of gel-infused memory foam that achieve a total combined thickness of three inches. The density of those layers is five and four pounds per cubic foot (PCF). Combined with the quilted cover, these layers provide the conforming needed to proportionately cushion each part of the body.   A two-inch layer of transition polyfoam helps hold the line against any excess sink, and a six-inch foam support core rounds out the mattress construction. As a whole, these materials promote excellent motion isolation in addition to contouring.  Customers can choose between a Medium and a Firm option, with the Firm being an especially good fit for stomach and back sleepers and people over 230 pounds.  The Loom & Leaf is delivered with free white-glove service, ensuring a stress-free installation and removal of an old mattress. There’s a 120-night sleep trial with each mattress, but $99 is deducted from any refund to cover the cost of pickup and return shipping. Long-term protection against defects comes from a 15-year warranty.

 

Novosbed
Who it's best for: Customers who want multiple firmness options to choose from Shoppers who want the ability to adjust the comfort feel without making a full return Canadian customers who want free shipping
Novosbed first made its name in Canada but now has production facilities in both the U.S. and its northern neighbor. In each of the firmness choices, the Novosbed comes with a reliable comfort system powered by pressure-relieving memory foam.  The Novosbed is offered in three levels of firmness: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Having this selection lets sleepers in any position and weight find a model that can meet the needs of their body.  The design of the Novosbed is straightforward. The cover is made with a Tencel material that helps wick moisture for comfort cooling. The comfort system has a layer of memory foam and a layer of transition polyfoam. This comfort system effectively isolates motion while offering above-average contouring. A thicker, high-density polyfoam acts as the Novosbed support core.  Novosbed provides free shipping as a bed-in-a-box to the contiguous U.S. and most of Canada, a welcome perk for Canadian customers. The mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial with unique terms. After 30 nights, you can request a free comfort adjustment if the bed doesn’t feel quite right. After 60 nights, if you find the Novosbed isn’t right for you, you can return it for a full refund. The mattress is backed by a 15-year warranty from Novosbed.

 

Puffy
Who it's best for: Back and stomach sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or less Side sleepers who weigh under 230 pounds  Customers who want a robust lifetime warranty
Puffy describes the experience of their flagship mattress as sleeping on a cloud, a state of comfort and support driven by a memory foam layer in the comfort system.  That memory foam layer is two-inches thick and made with the company’s gel-infused CloudComfort foam. Customers report above-average pressure relief to assist with healthy spinal alignment, and people highlight its notable motion isolation that limits nighttime disruptions from a partner’s tossing and turning.  A second foam layer, two-inches thick and made with polyfoam, has less conforming, which keeps sleepers from sinking too far into the Puffy. A six-inch, high-density polyfoam support core creates a stable, noise-free base for the rest of the bed.  A Medium firmness feel makes the Puffy a good fit for sleepers in any position who weigh under 130 pounds. It’s a good match for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds because it’s plush comfort level and degree of contouring can soften impact at the hips and shoulders.  Puffy’s sleep trial lets customers try out the mattress for 101 nights with the option to return it for a complete refund. For the long-term, Puffy offers a customer-friendly warranty: it is a lifetime warranty that provides for full replacement of the mattress at no cost if a defect arises in materials or craftsmanship.

 

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR ProAdapt
Who it's best for: Sleepers who need deep contouring People who want a choice of firmness levels Customers who want a luxury product with free installation
One of the most established names in the mattress industry is Tempur-Pedic. The company can boast of its leading role in turning memory foam into a material for use in mattresses after it had first been developed by NASA. For customers who want a luxury memory foam mattress, the ProAdapt certainly fits the bill. There are three models of the ProAdapt: Soft, Medium, and Firm. All of these models use TEMPUR memory foam, but different foam formulations and layers are employed in each to create a distinct firmness feel. The Firm version is preferred by stomach and back sleepers. Side sleepers and people under 130 pounds tend to prefer the Soft or Medium models.  One of the major benefits of TEMPUR foam is how effectively it contours to the body. This allows it to cradle pressure points to keep the spine well-positioned. It also isolates motion, making disruptions from movement a thing of the past.  The ProAdapt comes with free installation and removal of your existing mattress. Once it is set up in your bedroom, you have 90 nights to see how well it works for you. While you can make a return during this 90-night window, a return shipping fee of $175 is deducted from refunds. The mattress comes with a 10-year warranty covering abnormal defects in materials and manufacturing.

 

Layla
Who it's best for: People who want a 2-in-1 firmness design Customers who prefer copper-infused foam Value-minded shoppers
The Layla mattress may not have the name recognition of the famous rock song of the same name, but it’s quickly rising in popularity among mattress shoppers. With multiple twists on traditional memory foam mattress designs, the Layla delivers exceptional performance at an accessible price.  A defining feature of the Layla is its reversible firmness construction. Each side of the bed has a different firmness level with one side Medium Soft and the other Firm. On either side, you can rest comfortably on a layer of memory foam.  With the softer side facing up, the memory foam layer is three inches thick, copper-infused, and has a density of 3.5 PCF. Beneath that is two inches of transition polyfoam with Surface Modification Technology (SMT), arranging the material into zones to give reinforcement to heavier parts of the body. This foam has a density of 1.65 PCF.  The support core of the Layla is four inches of polyfoam with a density of 1.5 PCF. Beneath it is one inch of the same copper-infused memory foam used on the Medium Soft side. When used as a Firm mattress, this side faces up. A breathable cover with a ThermoGEL cooling agent surrounds all sides of the bed.  Layla customers have 120 nights to test out the mattress during a no-risk sleep trial. The mattress comes with a lifetime warranty that provides for the repair or replacement of any mattress with notable defects.

 

Casper
Who it's best for: Customers who want moderate bounce and contouring  People looking for value from a trusted brand  Side sleepers who weigh under 230 pounds Back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds
Casper helped prove to the world that customers were looking to the internet for a better way to buy a mattress. The original Casper mattress that powered this revolution still offers customers an excellent all-foam mattress at a competitive price.  The top layer of the Casper is 1.5 inches of an open-cell polyfoam, and the second layer is 1.5 inches of memory foam with a density of 4 PCF. By combining memory foam with a specialty polyfoam in the comfort system, Casper built a mattress with more responsiveness than many other memory foam offerings. While it’s easier to move on top of the Casper, the mattress retains its ability to relieve pressure and prevent excess motion transfer.  The third layer of the Casper is 1.5 inches of a transition polyfoam with a density of 3.5 PCF. The foam is zoned so that it holds up better underneath the body’s weightier areas. The final layer, the support core, is 7.5 inches of high-density polyfoam that serves as a noise-reducing, stable base.  The Casper has a Medium feel that typically works best for back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds as well as side sleepers under 230 pounds.  Casper’s sleep trial lets you test the mattress for 100 nights with simple, hassle-free returns. A 10-year limited warranty provides coverage in case of a defect in materials or craftsmanship.

 

Nectar
Who it's best for: Sleepers who need conforming without excess sink Budget shoppers who want the benefits of memory foam  Side sleepers over 130 pounds Undecided people who want a full-year sleep trial to test a mattress
If you want a mattress that offers the benefits of memory foam but are limited by a tighter budget, the Nectar is worth a long look. This mattress features multiple memory foam sections to promote spinal alignment and overall comfort.  The Nectar has a smooth and breathable Tencel cover, and quilted into that cover is one inch of gel-infused memory foam.  The second layer is three inches of memory foam that contours to the body but is a bit more firm than traditional memory foam. The third layer is another inch of gel-infused memory foam. As a combined comfort system, these layers cultivate significant motion isolation and spinal support but maintain their structural integrity instead of bottoming out or sinking excessively.  The Nectar has a Medium Firm feel that works for a broad range of people including most side sleepers, especially those over 130 pounds, as well as stomach and back sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds.  The Nectar’s price point is lower than most memory foam beds; nevertheless, each mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial that far outlasts those offered by most other companies. This provides an abundance of time to test it out in the comfort of your own home. Nectar also offers a lifetime warranty that covers problems that could arise with defects in materials or craftsmanship.

 

Amerisleep AS3
Who it's best for: Hot sleepers who want features to promote temperature regulation Athletes and pain sufferers looking for enhanced recovery at night  Side sleepers and lighter-weight back and stomach sleepers
Amerisleep has built a product line of memory foam mattresses that stand out in large part thanks to their thoughtful construction and specialty cover. The AS3 is one of their most popular models and can provide excellent sleep to most sleepers.  The cover of the AS3 is one of its defining features. It is made with a specialty textile called Celliant. This material reflects heat from the body and converts it into infrared energy. Research studies have indicated that these infrared rays may help the body recuperate overnight. As a result, the Celliant cover may contribute to sleeping cooler and recovering more completely.  For the interior construction, the AS3 is made with three layers. The topmost of these is three inches of memory foam, creating a contouring sleeping surface with above-average motion isolation. The second layer is two inches of transition polyfoam using SMT technology for zoned support. The third layer is seven inches of sturdy, high-density polyfoam.  Side sleepers usually appreciate the Medium feel of the AS3 as do many back and stomach sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds. All sleepers get 100 nights to try out the mattress with the option to return it, and over the long haul, the AS3 is covered by a 20-year warranty.

 

Who Should Buy a Memory Foam Mattress?

You should buy a memory foam mattress if you have experienced pain (either from sleeping or otherwise) , want to feel like you’re sleeping “in” rather than “on” the mattress , and/or value motion isolation to limit nighttime disruptions. 

Side sleepers, who have high-impact areas at the hips and shoulders, frequently have great results with memory foam mattresses. Back and stomach sleepers, especially those under 230 pounds, appreciate these beds as well. 

Memory foam is not the best fit for people who sleep hot. It may be a poor match for people who need to move easily on top of the mattress (including for sexual activity).

What to Look For in a Memory Foam Mattress

To find the best memory foam mattress, it helps to know the key things to look for so that you can keep your eye on the ball. In general, memory foam provides above-average pressure relief and motion isolation but can sleep hot and permit too much sink for some people. Manufacturers often add components to try to address the downsides, but the actual effects of those design changes are mixed. 

As you review specific models, consider the following factors and how important they are for your personal decision-making

• Price: There’s no avoiding the bottom line, and you’ll need to make sure that any mattress you’re seriously considering fits in your budget. Memory foam beds tend to cost from $800 up to $2,500, but discounts may be available with promotions or coupons.  
• Sleeping Position: Your body’s support needs will vary based on your typical sleeping position. Memory foam is a solid bet for side sleepers who have sharper pressure points. It can also work well for back and stomach sleepers if they have a lighter body weight or if the mattress is on the firmer side. 
• Contouring: Virtually all memory foam will have notable hug, but some models feature a softer foam with even more pronounced contouring. Consider how much you want to sleep “on” versus “in” the bed and then select a mattress that fits that preference.  
• Quality Materials: Excellent materials translate to more durability and top-flight  performance. All foams will wear out over time, but low-end memory foam will start to sag more quickly, reducing its support and comfort. 
• Firmness Level: Every person has their own preferred mattress firmness, and it’s critical to look for a mattress that fits that preference. As a general principle, side sleepers and people with lower body weight lean toward softer mattresses. 
• Motion Isolation: You should expect good motion isolation with memory foam, but not all of these mattresses are created in this regard. If you’re extremely sensitive to sleep disruptions, look for a bed with more contour and greater motion isolation.  
• Pressure Relief: Pressure relief is a standout feature of memory foam because it can give each part of the body the cushioning that it needs. If you have major pressure points, make sure to look for a memory foam bed with a thick enough comfort system to prevent bottoming out through the foam. 
• Ease of Movement / Sex: Memory foam has minimal bounce because of how slowly it retakes it shape. This can make it hard to move on the bed, including during sex, and can cause some people to feel stuck in the mattress. If this is a concern for you, look for a memory foam mattress with more mild contouring.  
• Edge Support: With its characteristics of compression and lack of bounce, edges tend to be a trouble area for memory foam mattresses. The foam sinks more around the edge, which can be problematic for people who want to sleep or sit near the perimeter of the mattress. 
• Temperature Regulation: When it contours to the body, memory foam can cut off airflow throughout the mattress. Further, the foam itself retains heat, making it even softer and further restricting airflow. Some mattresses have features to try to decrease heat buildup, but hot sleepers should be aware that even newer memory foams with various infusions will still tend to sleep hotter than other mattress materials. 
• Noise: A loud mattress that squeaks when you move on it can be both annoying and disruptive. All-foam mattresses are extremely quiet, making them a great choice for noise-sensitive people. 

How Does it Feel to Sleep on a Memory Foam Mattress?

If you’ve never tried out a memory foam mattress, it’s natural to wonder what it feels like. While words can’t explain it perfectly, this section gives you an idea: 

• Floating on Clouds: With a more plush, cushioning feel, customers often describe memory foam as what they envision it’s like to “sleep on a cloud.” 
• A Big, Warm Hug: Memory foam conforms to the body, providing a hugging sensation that can be comfortable but can also cause heat retention. 
• Totally Unmoved: When you’re on these mattresses, you’ll be almost completely unaffected by movement that happens on the other side of the bed. 
• Under No Pressure: Pressure relief from memory foam can reduce impact at parts of the body where you might be used to feeling pain or stress.
• In One Place: With little bounce, you may feel more settled or even stuck in one place on a memory foam mattress. 

What are the Different Types of Memory Foam?

All forms of memory foam have shared characteristics, but not all memory foams are the same. The feel, durability, and performance can be different depending on the composition and type of the foam as well as its quality. 

Traditional Memory Foam

Traditional memory foam offers the most classic performance of this material. It has deep contouring and motion isolation along with notable heat retention and minimal bounce. 

Both its benefits and drawbacks are easily detected, and as a consequence, this type of memory foam is controversial. Some people love its cloud-like hug while others complain about feeling stuck in the foam or overheating on it during the night.

With newer memory foams on the market, traditional memory foam’s use has declined slightly, but it can still often be found in the comfort system of all-foam and hybrid beds. 

Plant-Based Memory Foam

The manufacturing process for memory foam involves a handful of chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum. In a plant-based memory foam, sometimes called a “bio” foam, a certain percentage of those petrochemicals are replaced with products that come from plant matter, such as soybean oils. 

Plant-based memory foam is appealing for eco-conscious customers, but it is important to note that the plant oils replace some but not all of the petrochemicals. 

Because the rest of the manufacturing process is similar, the performance of plant-based memory foam is similar to other types. It may come with a slightly higher price tag than petroleum-based memory foam. 

Gel-Infused Memory Foam

Gel-infused memory foam intersperses a gel material into the foam itself. The gel can be added in a swirl pattern or can be enclosed in small beads that are distributed through the foam. 

The goal of infusing gel into memory foam is to try to reduce heat retention. The gels often have properties that are designed to absorb heat from the foam, keeping heat from building up near the sleeping surface and around your body. 

Gel-infused foams are common and, depending on the gel used, may provide a modest decrease in heat retention. That said, even these memory foams will heat up more than other mattress materials. 

Copper-Infused Memory Foam

In this type of memory foam, copper-filled beads are intermixed with the foam. These beads are intended to draw heat away from the surface of the mattress. Copper has antibacterial properties, which may help prevent odors and the deterioration of the mattress. 

Many products that include copper are marketed as having health-promoting effects on circulation or muscle recovery. To date, there’s limited evidence that copper gel in a mattress has any direct positive or negative effects on individual health. 

Memory Foam vs. Hybrid

A great deal of mattress shoppers find themselves deciding between a memory foam or hybrid mattress. Hybrids are built with a coil-based support core and various layers, including sometimes memory foam, layered above the coils. 

The following table compares memory foam and hybrid mattresses. As you review it, keep in mind that the performance of hybrids has a wider range because of the multitude of ways that their comfort system can be built.

	Memory Foam Mattresses	Hybrids
Support Core	High-Density Polyfoam	Innerspring Coils
Comfort System	Memory foam, sometimes with other supplemental layers (polyfoam, latex)	One or more layers of memory foam, polyfoam, latex, micro-coils, wool, cotton, and/or polyester
Motion Isolation	High	Low to High
Bounce	Low	Medium to Hgih
Temperature Regulation	Low	Medium to High
Common Firmness	Plush to Medium-Firm	Medium to Firm
Expected Durability	6-8 years	6-8 years
Price Range	$800 - $2,500	$1,400 - $2,500

How Much Does a Memory Foam Mattress Cost?

The typical price range for memory foam mattresses goes from $800 to $2,500, but there are options with price tags above and below that range. A number of factors can influence the cost of these beds: 

• Thickness of the memory foam layer: If there are more layers or thicker layers of memory foam, the mattress will likely have a higher price. 
• Density of the memory foam: Mattresses that use high-density memory foams tend to be pricier, but they also normally last longer.
• Where it’s made: Mattresses made in the USA tend to be more expensive than those made in China or other countries.
• Extra features: Specialty design elements or materials can push up the price of a memory foam mattress. For example, textiles to fight heat buildup or the use of organic materials can add to the cost.  

Even for higher-end models, there are often discounts or promotions that can give customers significant savings from the sticker price.

Memory Foam Density and ILD

Many mattress manufacturers list the specifications of the foam employed in their mattress. Two of the most helpful specifications are density and indentation load-deflection (ILD). 

Density

Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF), which is calculated by weighing a 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot cube of the foam. For memory foam used in a mattress comfort layer, 3.5 PCF is about average. Higher density memory foam is usually 4-5 PCF. 

The density of the foam can affect the feel, but not all high-density foams are firm. Instead, the biggest impact of density is on longevity of the mattress. Higher density usually correlates with a longer lifespan. Additionally, high-density foam generally recovers its shape slower, giving it that slow-responding feel traditionally associated with memory foam. 

Indentation Load-Deflection (ILD) 

ILD provides an indication of how easy it is to compress the foam. It is measured with a special device that applies force to the foam until it reaches a certain level of indentation. The higher the ILD, the firmer the foam will feel. For a broad sense of what ILD numbers mean, 

• 10-12 ILD: Soft
• 12-14 ILD: Medium
• 14-16 ILD: Medium-firm
• 16-18 ILD: Firm

You can look at listed foam ILD to get a sense of how a mattress may feel, but keep in mind that a mattress is made with multiple layers, each of which plays a part in the overall feel and performance. In addition, not all companies calculate ILD in the exact same way, so ILD alone is not always a reliable way to assess mattress firmness.

How Long Will a Memory Foam Mattress Last?

Most memory foam mattresses last from six to eight years before having issues with sagging or diminished performance. This lifespan is longer than most innersprings and airbeds, similar to hybrids, and shorter than all-latex beds. 

Some memory foam mattresses may last for more or less than the 6-8 year average. Issues that can affect longevity include: 

• Quality of materials: Memory foam layers that are thicker, denser, and part of a mattress made with significant attention-to-detail are far more likely to hold up for the long haul. 
• Stress placed on the mattress: More stress is placed on a mattress by couples than an individual person, by people with a higher body weight, and by children (or pets) who jump on the bed. 
• Mattress maintenance: Failure to use the mattress as intended can make it susceptible to more rapid wear-and-tear. For example, an unsupportive frame may heighten the risk of premature damage to the mattress itself. Using a mattress pad or protector helps protect the mattress against spills that could damage the foam. 

Higher-end foams tend to cost more, but that investment often pays off over time. Opting for better materials and then taking care of the mattress can contribute directly to a longer useful life for your bed.

Last Things to Consider With a Memory Foam Mattress

Now that you’ve got a strong base of information about memory foam mattresses, there are only a few other issues to cover to round out your knowledge.

Off-Gassing

When a foam mattress is made, certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are created, and those become sealed in when the mattress is compressed and prepared for shipping. As a result, when it is first installed, the mattress can “off-gas” those VOCs. There is no health risk from this, but it can cause an unpleasant odor. This smell is temporary and should fade within a few hours to a few days, especially if your bedroom is well-ventilated. This issue doesn’t affect overall satisfaction for the majority of customers, but if you’re extremely sensitive to smells or VOCs, a foam mattress may not be the best option for you.

Sleep Trial Period

A sleep trial is a way of describing the return window for a mattress, and it lets you test out the bed in your own home to make sure that it is the right fit for you. Because you can’t feel them out before buying them, most online mattresses come with a risk-free trial of 100 nights or more, and we advise buying a product that comes with this type of return policy.

Adequate Bed Support

Your mattress is just one part of your bed; another part is your bed frame. Make sure that the frame you use is in accordance with the mattress warranty. This enhances performance and keeps your warranty valid. If you don’t already have a quality frame, include the cost of a new one in your budget.

Appropriate Bedding

Bedding is another aspect of setting up your bed that is worthy of your consideration. For example, breathable sheets or a lighter comforter may be helpful if you buy a memory foam mattress and are concerned about sleeping hot. You also want a quality pillow that works in conjunction with your mattress to promote spinal alignment.