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We know full well that understanding mattresses in today’s world is a science in itself. There are so many options and each one claims to be the great thing ever. How can you decide? This guide clarifies the differences between two types – latex and memory foam mattresses, informs you about the materials, and explains the pros and cons of each. It’s much easier to pick the right one when you know what the difference is!
Latex vs. Memory Foam Mattress: Which is Better?
To be frank, there isn’t a simple answer to the best mattress debate.
Of course, we can look at a number of factors such as, say, quality, support, materials, and affordability; but no one can say what will feel the best for you personally. I’ve heard people swear by one while denouncing the other, and I’ve also heard strong arguments from those who disagree.
To simplify the whole thing, I’ve compiled lists of the pros and cons of both latex and memory foam mattresses and I’m sure you’ll have a decent idea of what’s the best mattress type for you in less than a minute.
Latex mattress pros
- highly responsive, bounces back – no “stuck-in” feeling
- sleeps cool
- natural
- lasts longer than any other mattress type
- no off-gassing
Latex mattress cons
- very expensive
- not the best motion isolation
- super heavy
Memory foam mattress pros
- cheaper than latex mattresses
- superior motion isolation
- fantastic pressure relief
- conforms to all body types
Memory foam mattress cons
- some models (especially cheaper ones) tend to contain fiberglass
- body heat retention (can sleep hot)
- might be hard to change positions
Difference Between Memory Foam and Latex Mattresses
And now, here’s a bit more in-depth on how each mattress performs and what you can expect. Those pros and cons from above will make much more sense once you get more info about memory foam and latex.
Oh, and as Detective Columbo says, “Just one more thing…”
There are lots of types of memory foam and almost every reputable company has its own signature type of foam, and on top of that is a huge range of foam quality, so please bear in mind that these descriptions go for the most common foams but will not match every single mattress out there.
As for latex, I’m mainly talking about natural mattresses like the Hybrid Latex Mattress from Latex for Less, but there’s also synthetic latex which mimics the real one and, worse yet, blended latex (synthetic latex and natural latex in a mix) so you’re neither here nor there.
Support
You can get proper support from both types of mattresses, but the way they offer that support is different.
Memory foam mattresses are super comfortable for side sleepers and anyone who wants a cradling feel and superior pressure relief. Stomach sleepers may not be as happy with a memory foam mattress because they don’t really get the lumbar support they need. Lying on your stomach with it sinking in is the worst feeling. Back sleepers and combination sleepers have it better though, although heavier back sleepers might need a more supportive mattress.
Latex mattresses do offer pressure relief because they’re also made of foam but without the sunk-in feeling. The latex mattress is springy and responsive when you move. Latex foam gives way just a bit, but still keeps your body in a flat position, and your hips won’t sink in too much even if you’re heavy. The entire experience is much more balanced compared to memory foam. Side sleepers usually don’t have a problem with latex, unless they need extra pressure relief.
Cooling capabilities
Memory foam retains heat.
Usually a lot.
This is just the nature of the material; spend some time on a memory foam bed and you’ll feel the heat radiating back at you from the mattress. The foam itself is quite dense and non-breathable.
I personally am not a fan of typical memory foam because a hot bed makes it near to impossible for me to fall asleep. And my husband tends to read in bed for a couple of hours before bedtime all the while releasing his body heat, so the wrong kind of foam is my enemy.
Some companies have managed to develop memory foam that can remain temperature-neutral, such as Nolah, for example. Others might mix foam with gel, copper, or carbon, or they may punch holes in the foam or utilize the egg crate design to increase ventilation.
Latex foam is a whole different kind of animal.
This natural type of foam is somewhat airy, that is, much less dense than memory foam. This is why it doesn’t have a heat retention problem, and on top of that, practically all latex mattresses feature holes punched through the foam, which primarily increases airflow, but also makes the foam feel better.
But don’t view latex as the ultimate solution to your hot sleeping problems. When you’re a real hot sleeper, as in “your body temperature skyrockets at night and you haven’t had good sleep because of that for ages” type of hot sleeper, you might look at some other materials. This is still foam, after all, and albeit cooler than other foams, it doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily fix those big issues.
Motion transfer
Here’s one where memory foam is the winner. It squeaked by but nevertheless won.
Memory foam is better at motion isolation than latex because it absorbs a lot, if not all, of the impact that you make when you move around. If you don’t sleep alone, this is a plus. You don’t need to be disturbed by your cat jumping on the bed, your kid sneaking in, or your spouse conveniently tossing and turning right when you’re juuust about to fall asleep.
Now that memory foam received its accolades, I have to say that latex isn’t far behind. It does have noticeable motion transfer, but it’s not horrible.
Innerspring mattresses are typically considered the worst with the highest motion transfer, especially if the coils aren’t pocketed. Foam is generally good for motion isolation, and if you and all people you sleep with aren’t too heavy, you should be good on a latex mattress. Although, with the bounciness of latex, you will feel your partner’s motion to some extent.
Firmness
Firmness levels depend very much on how exactly the mattress is constructed. Take Tempur-Pedic mattresses for example. You can get a single model as a soft, medium, or firm option (or hybrid, but that’s beside the point).
Still, most memory foam mattresses you can find online or in stores are on the medium-soft side. There are many cheaper models that are not even made of high-density foam, so they are quite squishy-squish.
Latex mattresses are generally firmer and offer more resistance. You won’t find too large of a range of firmness options.
There are two main types of latex foam – Dunlop (firmer) and Talalay (softer). It’s the combination of these that makes the difference. Latex mattresses are medium to medium firm most of the time. When you first touch it, it’s soft, but when you press deeper into the mattress, you feel firmer support.
Price
Latex mattresses are generally more expensive than memory foam mattresses because they are made of natural materials which are more difficult and more expensive to produce.
A typical Queen size memory foam mattress costs between $800 and $1,500, while a latex mattress in the same size is from $1,800 to $2,500.
Mattress cost depends on a number of factors, and mattress type is one of the big ones.
Responsiveness
Memory foam is less responsive than latex. It sinks in when you press it down, but then takes a long time to get back to the original shape. When you spend some time in one position, you need a bit of extra effort to push yourself away and get out of the sunken pit you got stuck in.
Latex instantly springs back to its original position, so as soon as you start moving, it will instantly go back. This way it’s super easy to roll around and toss and turn.
Comfort
Lie on a memory foam mattress and you’ll feel like the side of your body touching the mattress sunk in, almost as if memory foam was some sort of liquid. That’s why they call it “viscoelastic” polyurethane foam – a fancy term for “as if it’s some sort of liquid”.
If you lie on the side, you’ll best feel what I’m talking about. Your shoulder and hip sink in much more than your waist and legs, but there’s no pressure anywhere. Your shoulder is pressed into the mattress, but the foam contours to the shoulder on all sides, which distributes the pressure from just one point to an entire area. This is why memory foam feels like being stuck in the mud and lying on a cloud at the same time.
Latex mattresses have a luxurious feel and you don’t sink in as much. They are comfortable for all kinds of sleepers because the balanced support of latex makes them sufficiently enjoyable regardless of the sleeping position. Add the lack of heat retention to that, and you get a very high level of comfort.
Off-gassing
Off-gassing is what you’ve probably experienced at some point – the “new” smell coming out of foam furniture. Mattresses can be particularly smelly.
Those chemicals are widely considered safe, especially if the mattress is CertiPUR-US®, OEKO-TEX, or GREENGUARD Gold Certified. There are many other certifications, but these focus on foam quality and that it shouldn’t contain or release numerous toxic compounds.
The release of chemicals doesn’t bother some people, but the sensitive ones can get itchy nose and eyes, develop a cough, be dizzy and constantly sleepy, or have other toxic mattress symptoms. To be on the safe side, children should stay away from such chemicals regardless of what the certification says.
Natural latex mattresses don’t off-gas, but to be sure they are really natural and organic, look for GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) Certification.
Durability
A typical memory foam mattress lasts for about 10 years, and some last longer. Low-quality memory foam might wear out and start sagging after only a couple of years, but that’s why you should try to stay away from cheap mattresses.
Latex is known for its durability. Latex mattresses tend to last over 15 years if you care well for them. They offer a lot of resistance and are slow to wear out.
Allergy relief
I’ve seen loads of memory foam and latex mattresses whose manufacturers claim are hypoallergenic. But that’s a very tricky statement, so here are some points:
- allergic to natural latex – get a synthetic latex or memory foam mattress
- allergic to isocyanates or other polyurethane substances – get a natural latex mattress
- allergic to microbes – get an organic natural latex mattress.
Weight
Natural latex is considered the heaviest mattress material. Memory foam mattresses tend to be about 80-90 lbs. for a Queen, but latex can go up to 140 lbs.
This can be important when you’re changing sheets and need to raise a part of the mattress, but it’s especially important if you’re moving the mattress to another room or a new house.
Sustainability
If you want to go green, there are sustainable ways to dispose of both mattress types. Both can be repurposed and recycled.
Now, of course, organic natural latex is the best option because it’s biodegradable, unlike memory foam, synthetic, or blended latex. Sometimes there are chemicals and dyes going into natural latex, so it may not be as sustainable as organic one.
What is Memory Foam?
Memory foam is made of fossil fuel, and it’s basically plastic. It is polyurethane foam enriched with different compounds to make it viscoelastic. It’s also called low-resistance polyurethane foam and was first developed by NASA.
Gel memory foam
This is memory foam combined with tiny pieces of cooling gel. The gel isn’t really cooling you, it’s just slow to warm up, so a gel memory foam mattress can give you an instant cool feel. It does heat up eventually, though.
Traditional memory foam
The traditional memory foam is polyurethane foam with added chemicals that make it viscoelastic. It’s very slow to return to its original shape after you get up because of its density and ability to conform.
Open-cell foam
Some manufacturers boast their mattress design as having “open-cell foam”, but every single foam used in mattress production is open-cell foam. Closed-cell foams are not even used in the mattress industry. They’re rubbery and used as thermal insulation, various types of seals, moisture barriers, etc. Think construction, appliances, and automotive industry.
Don’t fall for fancy words.
What is Latex?
Latex is a material made of rubber tree sap. The white sap is collected into buckets, dripping directly from the tree. It is then whipped into frothy foam and then baked. There are two processes for making latex and achieving somewhat different results.
Talalay latex
Talalay latex is made by injecting the whipped foam into a mold, but only partially. Then they vacuum out the air from the mold, which prompts the foam to expand. Then they freeze it, and after that, bake it. This foam is evenly distributed throughout, and less dense than Dunlop latex. It’s often used in comfort layers (top layers).
Dunlop latex
The Dunlop process is how they’ve been making latex foam from the start. They fill the mattress mold completely with whipped latex foam and after being baked, then washed, and then baked again. Result? Relatively dense and firm material which is denser at the bottom and softer at the top. It’s great for support (bottom) layers of the mattress.
Who Should Buy a Memory Foam Mattress?
- Those who shop on a budget
- people who are often cold
- those who are woken up easily by their partner’s movements
- side sleepers
- those who have aches and pains related to pressure
Who Should Buy a Latex Mattress?
- Hot sleepers
- those who are sensitive to chemical odors
- combination sleepers and side sleepers
- those who don’t want to invest in a new mattress any time soon
- heavy and/or elder people who need to be able to turn around and get up easily
FAQs
If I was to over-generalize, I’d say latex mattresses because they tend to be firmer than memory foam and because their firmness is closer to what pediatricians recommend for back. However, high-quality memory foam mattresses could be as good, if not better.
No. Latex foam is natural, temperature-neutral, and springy, whereas memory foam is synthetic, accumulates heat, and allows you to sink in. Latex is more expensive to produce so latex mattresses are more expensive than memory foam mattresses.
Conclusion
Now that you’re a bit of a mattress expert yourself, you know that which mattress is the best for you depends on your support and comfort needs, temperature regulation, budget, health concerns, and motion transfer issues. Latex is responsive, natural, and often not smelly, but memory foam gives you more pressure relief and motion isolation. It’s ultimately your decision, so take your time and think it through.
Next step: Read our guide to non-memory foam mattresses. If you decide that memory foam isn’t for you, then we highly recommend choosing one of the options on this list. Also read our list of latex-free mattress brands.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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