How To Choose The Best Memory Foam Mattress
So, you have heard the benefits of sleeping on a memory foam mattress but don’t know where to start once you enter the store. With so many mattresses all in one place, it can be a challenge to make the right selection, especially if you’ve never purchased one before.
To save you time and energy, we created a step-by-step process that will help you select the right memory foam mattress. We will look at the different types of mattresses that come in memory foam, how to compare them, and how to choose the correct size.
Let’s dive right in!
What Is Memory Foam?
Memory foam is most commonly associated with sleep products, but its original production was geared to meet NASA's needs. What many people don't realize is that it wasn't used in the space program - rather, memory foam has been mainly applied for pilots and passengers so they can sustain crashes or other impacts more safely.
Memory foam allows motion isolation by conforming naturally to the curves of your body. This makes it an ideal material when you need a comfortable yet supportive place to rest after hard work. They also provide optimal pressure relief for various sleeping positions, including side sleepers and back sleepers. These pressure-relieving benefits include better spinal alignment support which can alleviate back pain.
Types Of Memory Foam
There is a large variety of memory foam mattresses out on the market today. Below, we listed the most popular ones that any first-timer should be going after.
1. Traditional
Traditional memory foam is the most simple and basic type of mattress and typically consists of a single or multiple layers of memory foam on top of a foam core layer. The layers of memory foam will support you by responding to the weight and shape of your body in order to minimize pressure points, while the foam core prevents your body from sinking in too much.
2. Gel
Many people who struggle to stay cool and sleep hot often worry about whether or not a memory foam mattress will make them hot at night. Gel memory foam density mattresses solve that problem because they help reduce your body temperature by allowing more air to pass through them, therefore, helping draw heat away from you while you are sleeping.
3. Latex
While not exactly a type of memory foam, latex mattresses will conform to your body more accurately than traditional mattresses, and provide push back support. The main benefits of choosing a latex foam mattress are that they may keep you cooler at night and are both hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, making it a good option for those who suffer from dust allergies.
4. Open Cell Memory Foam
Open-cell memory foam mattresses are a new type of material, which has the ability to respond quickly and easily. Not only does it provide that cool feeling when you sleep on it but also provides optimum comfort with its heat dispersing property.
The open-cell structure enables better air circulation than traditional closed-cell foams because there are more tiny pockets for your body temperature to disperse into this way--keeping you at an optimal level all night long!
Comparing Memory Foam Firmness For Your Sleeping Style
You will find that different memory foam mattresses will come in firm, medium-firm, or plush options. The measurement of how soft or firm the memory foam material will be is also known as Indentation Load Deflection. Below, we broke down each level of firmness and explained their benefits, as well as their disadvantages.
A firm mattress is the most durable and will typically last longer, as it won’t cave in overtime. They also provide the most support for your lower back, making them best for back or stomach sleepers using higher density materials.
However, if you sleep on your side, you may experience back pain due to your spine not being supported enough. This is because firmer mattresses cannot conform to your body as well as a medium or soft mattress. Both your hips and shoulders will be supporting your body weight which may cause pain in both those areas.
Medium-firm mattresses will allow for optimal motion isolation, making it an ideal option if you sleep alongside a partner. They will also break in quicker than firm foam and are able to conform to your body, thus, making them a good option for back and/or side sleepers. They are also healthier for providing back support and relieve pressure if a mattress is too firm. In fact, studies have shown that medium-firm mattresses improve pain and disability in patients with firm mattresses.
A Softer mattress is the easiest to break in and will allow your body to sink in the mattress while providing a ‘plush-like’ feel. For side sleepers, this can be a good option as it can help with pressure relief on your shoulders and hips. Many people go for softer density because it makes for a much more comfortable mattress.
For back sleepers, soft memory foam mattresses may often result in back pain because it does not provide enough support for your spine to stay aligned. In addition, if you are a stomach sleeper, a soft mattress is not recommended either.
Determine The Thickness Of Your Mattress
A memory foam mattress can range anywhere between 6 to 14 inches depending on the amount of material that is used. You will find that thicker mattresses are often softer because they cause you to sink into many comfort layers, and have additional softer foam that sits on top of the mattress foundational core.
Though the thickness of your mattress will not affect your quality of sleep, you may or may not have a preference as to how high you want to be laying off the floor.
If you have a headboard or existing bed frame, then the height may also determine the look of your bed set-up, which is why it is always important to measure the mattress before committing to your selection.
Select Your Mattress Size
Traditional memory foam mattresses are available in the same sizes just as a regular pocket coil or innerspring mattresses. This makes it easy to pair them with your existing bed set or foundation.
If you’re starting from scratch, then you can explore our standard box springs and bed frames which accommodate all mattress sizes, including twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king size.
How Does Memory Foam Effect Body Temperature & Pressure?
Memory foam density shouldn't be the only factor when looking for the right mattress. Memory foam's composition means it softens in response to the body heat of your skin and becomes more solid when pressure from you or something else pushes on top of it. This can be an attractive quality for those who want their mattress bedding product to remain comfortable regardless if they are constantly changing positions throughout sleep due to restless nights/days.
However, this makes memory foam mattresses tricky because once someone finds what feels good while sleeping, it's difficult not only to get out of that position quickly again but also maintaining comfort levels as well! Gel memory foam mattresses should also be considered with caution. Though they provide additional comfort and support, they can reduce breathability which can cause you to sleep hot throughout the night.
How Much Should You Spend?
When it comes to purchasing a mattress, sacrificing a good night’s sleep for a cheaper option is always a bad idea. It’s like anything you buy in life, more expensive usually means a better quality that will last longer and feel better.
Remember, on average, we all sleep a third of our lifetime. Choosing a mattress that doesn’t support your spine properly puts you at risk of back pain and can even lead to problems in later years. A good quality mattress may even cost you less in the long run because they generally last longer than cheaper options.
Now, this does not mean you should go and spend all your hard-earned money on the most expensive mattress. It just means that once you find the best option for your particular situation, don’t make money a priority over your health.
Why Should Someone Consider Choosing A Memory Foam Mattress?
There are many things to be aware of when choosing a memory foam mattress, as they are not for just anyone. However, there can be several benefits to owning one. Below we listed two great reasons you someone may want to consider memory foam.
It's A Long Term Investment
You work hard for your money and want to invest in a product you know will last. Memory foam mattress layers are durable options that can provide many years of use with proper care, but other high-quality materials like latex or natural fibers also have the same durability if cared for properly.
For example, high-end mattresses often utilize higher quality materials than those found on cheaper models which may not be as strong enough to stand up over time due to increased wear and tear from more frequent usage by people who sleep less comfortably or get up frequently during the night.
Adjusts To Practically Any Sleeping Position
For back sleepers, memory foam could be the solution to discomfort. Memory foam aligns with and supports all parts of your spine as well as promoting pressure relief on points that are rather common in this position. If your a side sleeper and tend to sleep on one side, the majority of the time, then there's also an opportunity for relief by sleeping on top of some high-quality memory foam since it will help reduce those pesky pressure points!
Is There An Adjustment Period?
All memory foam mattresses have a break-in period, this includes memory foam mattresses! In many cases, a new mattress may feel firmer than the one you tried in the store, and just like a shoe, a mattress needs time to break in.
The best way to break in a new memory foam mattress is by simply giving yourself enough time! The body needs about 30-40 days of nightly sleeping before adjusting, and if you try returning your mattress after just one month, it can be an underwhelming experience when the company tells them that their trial period has elapsed.
Keep in mind that high density mattresses will take longer to break in and the difference is often less noticeable than soft or medium density memory foam. The comfort layer along with any additional layers needs time to stretch and soften, which can take several weeks!
Take Away!
When buying a memory foam mattresses on the market, it is important to test them thoroughly prior to making a final decision. If done correctly, it can bring many hours of restful sleep and satisfaction to your life. However, there are also some problems with this investment--when not researched carefully enough or when purchased without care about size requirements, they may turn out to be an expensive nightmare!
We understand how substantial this decision is and want you to know what's best for your individual needs before making any purchases so that they will last as long as possible in both quality and longevity. At National Mattress, we offer a sleep trial so that you can have the opportunity to test the first mattress in case you need to reselect.
You can learn more about our 90 sleep trial period here.
Be sure to explore our great selection of memory foam mattresses for the best deals in Canada!
