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Memory foam was developed by NASA in the late 1960s. Astronauts at the time were complaining of discomfort during lift-off, which, as you can imagine, is an incredibly forceful process considering the spacecraft needs to be hurtled beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. NASA began researching ways to improve the aircraft cushion and thus astronaut safety. The answer turned out to be memory foam.
Memory foam has a specialized open-cell solid structure and is created by feeding gas into a polymer matrix. It is supportive, matching pressure applied against it, and can slowly spring back to its original shape. In addition to being used by NASA, it has also been used in sports equipment, medical settings, shoes, and of course, mattresses.
Mattresses that are made from memory foam are denser than traditional foam mattresses. The memory foam that is used in mattresses usually ranges from 1.5 lb to 8 lb density. This makes them quite heavy, but they are also incredibly supportive. Memory foam is known to help relieve pressure points and even prevent bedsores. The third generation of memory foam was released in 2006 and includes gels that prevent body heat from being trapped. This allows users of the best memory foam mattresses to sleep cool by preventing overheating during the night.
Recommended Memory Foam Mattresses
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Benefits of Memory Foam Mattresses
Relieve pressure points
Memory foam contours to your body and provides even body weight distribution. The result is that pressure points are relieved of stress, so you can rest comfortably. Hospitals and nursing homes have even been known to use the best memory foam mattresses to reduce the rate of bedsores in patient populations!
Reduce dust mites
Because memory foam is incredibly dense, it reduces the risk for dust mite infestation. Compare that to normal, innerspring mattresses, which have been found to host up to 10 million dust mites. The lack of large open spaces and fluffy construction mean that memory foam is an unfriendly environment for dust mites. The best memory foam mattress will also come with a mattress cover to offer even more protection against dust mites and other household allergens.
Prevent motion disruption
Whether you’re sleeping with a partner or with pets, a memory foam mattress will relieve you of the common problem of motion disturbance. The memory foam absorbs motion, whether it’s from someone getting into or out of bed or simply rolling over, so you won’t be awoken by their movements.
Support different sleep positions
Certain mattresses are known to be better for back sleepers, side sleepers, or stomach sleepers. The best memory foam mattresses do a good job of accommodating every sleep position since it molds to your body.
Work with Adjustable Beds
Because memory foam is so flexible and is designed with contouring in mind, it is a good choice for adjustable bases. If you want to raise the head or foot of the bed, a memory foam mattress can easily make these adjustments possible thanks to their compatibility with adjustable bed frames.
Our Favorite Memory Foam Mattresses
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Choose your own firmness and even make adjustments for free
Half-half firmness caters to couples
Award-winning customer service
All foams are GECA approved
Pressure foaming makes Sleeping Duck’s proprietary foam very breathable
The cover is machine washable
May not be suitable for larger-bodied sleepers
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Quick delivery
15 Year guarantee
100 Day trial
Anti-slip bottom mattresses
Appointment showroom views
Showroom might not be accessible for all
The best memory foam mattress will use higher density memory foam, be constructed using the latest memory foam technology, and will make use of multiple layers to provide you with ultimate comfort while you sleep. It’s not always easy to say which is the best memory foam mattress when we compare our top recommendations, but that’s just because our favorites are all so dreamy! Deciding which is the best memory foam mattress for you will come down to several factors, including mattress size, your budget, personal preferences in terms of layers, and other specifics. Read our unbiased reviews for all of the details so that you can feel confident in your decision!
How Long Do Memory Foam Mattresses Last?
How long your memory foam mattress lasts depends on several factors. For example, the quality of your memory foam mattress will impact its durability. Is it made with cheap, lightweight foam, or is it made of high-density memory foam?
You can also make your memory foam mattress last longer by rotating it regularly (about every 3 months) so that it wears evenly. If you have a flippable memory foam mattress, you should be certain to flip it over as well.
The amount of time and weight you place on your bed can further increase the wear on your memory foam mattress. Someone who is bed-bound, spending all of their time in bed, will find that their mattress wears out faster than someone who sleeps on it for just 8 hours a night. Make sure to keep your mattress on a supportive surface and not just on the floor.
Finally, you should take good care of your mattress to preserve its lifespan. You can use a mattress protector to keep mites and allergens at bay. When it comes to how to clean memory foam, you can usually spot clean your mattress.
In the end, a good-quality memory foam mattress that is cared for can last 8-10 years. You’ll find, however, that there are brands that offer lifetime warranties on their memory foam mattresses. These brands are confident that their memory foam mattresses will stand the test of time.
Our top picks for January 2025
