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Memory Foam Mattress Pros and Cons (All Types)

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Developed in 1966 by NASA’s Ames Research Center, memory foam was originally intended for use in cushions during space travel. Not long after, NASA released memory foam to the public and it has been used in everything from sports equipment to shoes and medical supplies. In 1980, the first memory foam mattress was created by Fagerdala World Foams in what would later become one of the leading mattress brands in the world, Tempur-Pedic. Today, every mattress company in the world utilizes memory foam in their designs, some even creating memory foam alternatives. In this article, we aim to help you decide on whether the memory foam mattress is the right mattress for you.

The pros and cons of a memory foam mattress

Pros

  • Pressure relief – Memory foam molds to a person’s body shape, which helps relieve pressure off the main pressure points. This is especially helpful for those who suffer from body and joint pain such as arthritis. Memory foam mattresses can also come in different firmness levels and you are able to choose which firmness level would be right for you and your sleeping position. Softer mattresses or pillow-tops (some brands offer pillow-top options at an additional cost) are great for those who suffer from chronic pain, especially if they are side sleepers.
  • Motion isolation – Foam mattresses are great at keeping motion transfer at bay. It is because they offer less bounce compared to innerspring mattresses. This is important if you share a bed and are a light sleeper.
  • Spinal alignment – Most mattresses made up of all-foam layers now come with specialized zones. Zoned memory foam means all areas of the body are offered more support, from head to toe. Those who suffer from back pain need a lot of back support as well as comfort and an all-foam mattress may help offer just that. Sleeping positions and mattress firmness do come into pay though. For example, strict back sleepers would benefit more from sleeping on firm mattresses.
  • Cushion and comfort – Probably the number one reason why memory foam beds are so well-loved is because of the comfort they provide. Traditional memory foam rose to popularity because of its contouring cushion and almost cuddly feel. I mean, we do have to remember the main reason why memory foam was created was to help astronauts stay comfortable and safe as they are hurtling through space. Memory foam mattresses are also used in medical settings and are a favorite among chiropractors because of the comfort and support they give.
  • Memory foam alternatives – Modern technology has allowed mattress brands to further enhance the key benefits of memory foam as well as eliminate some of its issues. A lot of memory foam mattresses today are made with materials that help wick away heat as well as avoid other issues such as mold and dust mites.
  • Great for those with allergies – Because of its dense cell structure, dust mites, mold and other such allergens can have a hard time thriving in a memory foam mattress. This is great for people who suffer from allergies. Just be sure to choose a mattress that is certified hypoallergenic – most mattress companies will have their certifications listed on their websites.

Cons

  • Heat retention – Heat is the number one complaint when it comes to memory foam and regular memory foam does have the tendency to trap heat. Thankfully, a lot of memory foam mattresses – such as Casper – nowadays are made with open-cell foams as well as other proprietary tech that can help with heat retention.
  • Body weight – While anyone can choose a memory foam bed if that’s what they really want, there are some people who may not get the proper support from an all-foam bed. Individuals who weigh over 250 lbs would not get the support that they would need from an all-foam mattress – gravity works against them in this case. We always recommend hybrid mattresses for heavier individuals. Not to mention, continued use of a mattress type that cannot support a person’s weight can result in premature mattress sag.
  • Initial odor – Memory foam may have a distinct odor when you first buy it. It’s also what’s known as that ‘new mattress smell’ or off-gassing. Some memory foam mattresses are more prone to off-gassing than others and this is due to the materials used in making the mattress. This is easily remedied by airing out the mattress in a well-ventilated room for a day or two.
  • Stuck in the mud feel – There’s no mistaking it, because of its slow response rate, the feel of a memory foam mattress is unlike any other. As previously mentioned, memory foam mattresses allow sleepers to sink into the mattress for maximum pressure relief but this also means that moving around the bed can be a bit too cumbersome, especially if you’re the type who likes to switch between different sleeping positions throughout the night. This can also be an issue for those who suffer from sleep breathing disorders such as sleep apnea.
  • Non-natural materials – As a general rule, mattresses made in the US go through stringent tests before they are deemed fit for consumer use and although memory foam is very safe, it is made from non-organic or non-naturally occurring materials. If you are a stickler for all things organic and eco-conscious, you might want to look into getting an all-natural mattress.

What is memory foam?

inside a memory foam mattress

Memory foam is a more common name for viscoelastic polyurethane foam. Viscoelasticity is the property of materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. In more simpler terms, viscoelastic foam has a lot of ‘give’ (because of its low density), thus providing sleepers with that memory foam feel that hugs and cradles the body. It also helps in evenly distributing body weight but it bounces back to its original shape once pressure is taken away.

One unmistakeable characteristic of traditional memory foam is that it takes some time to bounce back to its original shape and while the oft-described sinking feeling can be bothersome to a few, it is also the reason why a lot of people like memory foam, especially those who suffer from chronic pain.

Nowadays, memory foam manufacturers have sought other alternatives to memory foam, altering its chemical structure to provide more bounce and resiliency while also altering its cell structure to be more open-celled. Open-cell memory foam allows air to flow more freely throughout the mattress, keeping the mattress fresher and cooler. A great example of open-cell memory foam is Amerisleep’s AS2 – a firm mattress made especially for strict back and stomach sleepers.

Other mattress companies take it even further, using proprietary techniques to improve memory foam’s tendency to retain body heat. One such example is gel-infused memory foam, wherein an active cooling gel is suffused throughout the foam to help keep heat off and away. Others, like the Purple mattress, add a cooling ‘grid’ on top of the foam, providing a unique cooling experience as well as added support. Gel-infused memory foam have become a popular choice among memory foam mattress lovers, eschewing the more heat-retentive traditional memory foam.

You notice we talk about heat a lot and this is because memory foam mattresses tend to trap heat, making it hard for one to get a good night’s sleep, especially if they also tend to sleep hot. Usually, a memory foam mattress that’s engineered to be actively cooling could help massively but if foam just won’t cut it, spring mattresses or hybrid mattresses may help with those who sleep extremely hot. This is because air flows through spring coils freely and constantly, keeping the mattress cool. The hybrids of today are made with a combination of foam and steel coils, and a lot of brands offer memory foam hybrids such as the Layla Hybrid mattress.

Many memory foam mattresses nowadays are usually made with a company’s proprietary technology and are engineered to address a myriad of sleep disorders and issues from proper spinal alignment and lumbar support to pain relief and pressure relief. A good example of a scientifically engineered memory foam mattress is the Nolah Original mattress, which features proprietary tech from mattress cover to its foam layers down to its higher-density polyfoam base.

Types of memory foam infusions

These are most common memory foam infusions and their benefits:

  • Copper – Aside from being an excellent heat conductor, copper is also naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. Copper-infused memory foam helps keep mattresses stay cool, fresh and free from the nasties.
  • Graphite – A fairly recent addition to mattress technology, graphite has long been used in electronics as a heat conductor. In mattresses, they help wick heat away from the mattress, allowing sleepers to sleep cool throughout the night.
  • Silver – Silver has been proven to be antibacterial and antimicrobial.
  • Cooling gel – Most mattress companies use their own tech when it comes to cooling gel foams but the two most common types are thermal gel, which is cool to the touch and phase changing gel, which transforms from solid to liquid upon contact with heat – which in the case of sleepers, their body heat. Both have the same function: to help keep heat away.

Verdict

There really is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a mattress. Everyone’s needs are different and choices should depend on your sleeping position, weight, body type and medical concerns, if you have any. The best mattress is the mattress that can give you a the best sleep, day in and day out.

Michelline Norton
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