Memory Foam Mattress Buying Guide

Memory foam has become very popular in the last few years in the bedding market. In addition to all the different types of memory foam mattresses available on the market today, even the large mattress companies like Serta, Sealy, and Simmons are offering beds with the option of memory foam in them. The health benefits are wide ranging, and will vary with each person. Some people consider it a life changing product, while others notice little to no difference. What is not arguable, is the fact that it absorbs pressure better than ordinary spring mattresses, which many people can benefit from. Perhaps more so than any other product in the bedding market right now, there is a huge variance in quality and performance from one memory foam to another. There are three main criteria to look for when purchasing a memory foam mattress: Density, Firmness, and the Thickness of the memory foam within the mattress.

---

Selecting a Memory Foam Mattress: Density

Memory foam density is measured by taking the weight of a cubic foot of memory foam. It ranges from 1.5lb to 8lb density in most cases. This is the most important thing to analyze when buying memory foam. The two main classes you will find are the 2lb to 4lb densities and 4.5lb to 8lb densities. We recommend staying away from the lower density, unless it is for a very part-time application, like on a boat or in a vacation home. This type of foam will break down quicker and is more depression prone. The 2lb to 4lb class can be found mainly in department stores like Wal-Mart, Target, and J.C. Penney, in addition to online sources like Overstock.com, Amazon.com, and Ebay.com. The 4.5lb to 8lb class can be found in mattress stores under brand names like Tempur-Pedic, Serta, and Dormia, in addition to smaller boutique brands found online and in specialty retail shops. This class of memory foam is generally produced to a higher manufacturing standard, and is better at absorbing pressure. In addition, it normally lasts longer and many consider it to be more comfortable. The most popular density in this class is 5.3lb, and has become somewhat of the gold standard among memory foams. The 8lb density memory foam is used in limited applications, due to its high cost, but can be very useful when a higher level of pressure relief is needed.

Foam Mattress Firmness and Thickness

The Firmness of your mattress will vary with the temperature of the room, as memory foam is a temperature sensitive material. That being said, firmness is measured in ILD, and varies between different foams. Always ask what the ILD of the memory foam is. While it is produced in ranges from 6 to 22ILD, the range you want to stay in is 10-15ILD. Keep in mind that Firmness and Density are two separate properties. (i.e. a very dense foam can also be engineered to be very soft.)
Thickness of the Memory Foam - There are many companies on the market right now producing beds that are 12” to 14” thick, but only have 2 inches of memory foam. This will not do the trick, and the overall height of the mattress, outside of aesthetic reasons, should be pretty much ignored. A very thin memory foam layer (1-2”) will produce a firm mattress, while a very thick memory foam layer (4”+) will generally produce a softer mattress. To get the full benefits of memory foam, we recommend at least 3” of memory foam.

Tempurpedic Mattresses

Tempurpedic was the first company to introduce memory foam to the bedding industry (you can check out our separate Tempurpedic page here). Initially, they targeted the medical market, and then brought it over to the consumer side. They, more than anyone else, are responsible for the popularity and high quality standard set for memory foam. Today, they are the largest memory foam company, with annual sales of over $1 Billion. They have nearly 10 different models of mattresses. They have two different types of memory foam they use, a 5.3lb layer found in all of the beds, and a 7.2lb comfort layer that is used in certain models. In the past, Tempurpedic was the only company offering a truly high quality product. However, patents ran out and the competition caught up, and today there are companies on the market today with similar products at much more affordable prices. Do your homework first, but if you want to get into a memory foam mattress that is top of the line at a lower cost, there are options.

SelectFoam.com is one website offering higher quality memory foam products. Check out their Tempurpedic Comparison for additional information on memory foam and their products.

Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.

Review and Internet Guide Index: Computers and Internet: - Amazon Kindle Review - Best Selling Wireless Routers Household/DIY: - Replacing a Furnace - Most Popular Bread Makers Cars and Automobiles

Audio/Video Electronics - Best 50" LCD TVs - What is Tivo and how does it work? Top-Rated Digital Cameras and Photos: - Top HD Video Cameras - Buying a Digital SLR Camera Entertainment/Hobbies

Health & Fitness: - Teeter Inversion Tables - Recumbent Exercise Bikes Travel - Disneyland Hotel Guide - Hotels and Lodging - Top 10 Things to Do in New York Sports and Outdoors