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You’re looking for a mattress topper and you came across a gel foam mattress topper. You’re wondering how it differs from a traditional memory foam topper. In this article, we answer that question and give you more info on memory foam and gel toppers to help you decide what’s best for your needs.
Difference between gel and memory foam mattress toppers
The main difference between gel foam and memory foam mattress toppers is temperature regulation.
Traditional memory foam mattresses and toppers tend to trap body heat which causes some sleepers to overheat at night. However, gel memory foam mattresses and toppers draw heat away from your body to keep you sleeping cool or at least temperature-neutral.
Another slight difference is that gel memory foam responds to pressure a bit quicker than memory foam. This could result in better mobility while lying on the bed.
I should also mention that gel memory foam mattress toppers are more expensive than traditional memory foam toppers. This is simply due to the added materials that are used in making a gel mattress topper.
Those are all the differences between gel memory foam and memory foam mattress toppers. Now let’s go ahead and take a look at some of their similarities just to give you some extra information.
Both gel memory foam and traditional memory foam mattress toppers are great at conforming to your body’s shape and distributing your weight evenly. This alleviates tension from certain areas like the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Memory foam, in general, is also known for providing pressure relief for sensitive joints such as the hips and shoulders.
Additionally, both types of toppers excel in motion isolation. This attribute is important for couples and those who sleep with their children. If you sleep on a memory foam bed or topper, it’s very unlikely that your sleep will be interrupted by your partner’s movements.
That’s it for the main similarities between gel memory foam and a memory foam mattress topper. Just keep in mind that gel memory foam toppers sleep cooler and are costlier than regular memory foam toppers.
Types of gel mattress toppers
There are a few different types of gel mattress toppers. I’ll be comparing the different types for you below.
Gel-infused vs. gel foam
These two types of toppers differ in their construction. A gel-infused mattress topper has pockets or cells of cooling gel granules or beads distributed throughout the foam. While, a gel foam mattress topper has either an upper or lower layer of gel spanning its entire surface.
Both types are great at contouring to your body and dissipating heat. However, gel-infused toppers are usually a bit firmer and more responsive than gel foam mattresses and toppers.
Gel-infused vs. gel swirl
As I already mentioned above, a gel-infused memory foam topper is injected with gel particles during the manufacturing process. A gel swirl topper, on the other hand, is infused with swirls of cooling gel that are dispersed throughout the foam.
Although both types evenly distribute body weight and help you sleep cool, gel-infused mattress toppers are slightly more supportive and durable.
One high-quality gel-infused mattress topper is the GhostBed Memory Foam Topper.
Benefits and drawbacks of gel foam mattress toppers
Here I talk a bit more about gel memory foam mattress toppers. Do they really sleep cooler than regular memory foam? Are they safe for your health and the environment? Keep reading to find out.
Cooling capabilities
Because heat retention was (and still is) a major issue with traditional memory foam, manufacturers developed an alternative that would absorb body heat instead of trapping it. They integrated cooling gels into the foam blend to dissipate heat and regulate a bed’s surface temperature.
Thus, gel foam was born and it has since been used in both mattresses and mattress toppers. It has several types that all sleep cooler than traditional memory foam.
Are they toxic?
The short answer is: no, gel foam is not toxic. That being said, gel foam or just memory foam in general, may emit a temporary chemical smell that’s common when you first unbox them. This is called off-gassing. It’s caused by volatile organic compounds that are released into the air.
Off-gassing is not dangerous, but it might be an issue for people with sensitive noses. Also, it usually only lasts for a few days then it disappears. Before buying a gel memory foam topper, we always recommend checking for a CertiPUR-US certification to ensure that the product has low VOC emissions.
FAQs
Yes. A gel memory foam topper provides the needed cushioning and contouring to relieve pressure from your hips and shoulders while side sleeping.
This really depends on your needs and preferences. However, gel foam is definitely better if you want something that doesn’t trap body heat.
The average lifespan of a gel memory foam mattress topper is 3-5 years.
Conclusion
In summary, the main difference between gel and memory foam mattress toppers is temperature regulation. Gel foam is an improvement on memory foam and it does not retain body heat like most memory foam mattresses and toppers.
If you want a cooler sleep surface, go for a gel memory foam mattress topper. But, take note, they are a bit costlier.
And, if you’re not a hot sleeper and you just want the conforming hug feel of memory foam, choose a memory foam topper. They are much more affordable and they offer the same pressure-relieving benefits as gel memory foam.
Next step: Read our list of Reddit’s best mattress toppers. We rounded up the top brands based on feedback from real users. Any product on this list is certain to be a great choice for almost anyone.
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