January 27, 2023
If you’re on the hunt for the best memory foam mattress, the most important factors to consider are features, materials, purchase process, and customer reviews. We’ve tested and compared over 50 memory foam mattresses and rounded up our top picks for mattresses that perform best in categories including: durability, pressure relief, motion transfer, and responsiveness.
Our complete buyer’s guide also explains the types of memory foam mattresses on the market, compares mattress brands, and offers the most relevant factors to consider when shopping. And even better — many of our picks are among the best mattresses in a box, meaning they’ll be shipped directly to your door without the hassle of shopping in a store or paying a more expensive price.
Read on to start sleeping better on the best memory foam mattress for you. By clicking on the product links in this article, US-Mattress and Mattress Advisor may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read the full disclosure statement.
If you’re looking for an organic mattress that provides a quality night’s sleep, then the Loom & Leaf is for you. All four foam layers are CertiPUR-US certified, having met a rigorous set of standards, including emissions, performance, content, and durability. The top layer is made of 100% cotton with a botanical antimicrobial treatment that provides clean sleep for years.
The Loom & Leaf offers two levels of firmness — Relaxed Firm or Firm. Relaxed firm has a medium firm feel, while the firm option is more comparable to a traditional firm feel. The medium-firm option is most popular and provides ample support, making the Loom & Leaf one of the best mattresses for heavy people.
The Loom & Leaf is considered a luxury mattress. The price tag will be higher than most of the other mattresses on our list, but Saatva has made sure to take a value approach. Constructed from premium high-density foam and eco-materials, the Loom & Leaf is built to last its entire 15-year lifespan. So, you may pay a little more for higher-quality materials, but that by no means will you find yourself paying upwards of $4,000 like other luxury brands.
A nice bonus luxury feature: Loom & Leaf offers white glove delivery service and removal of your old mattress.
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If you are shopping for a quality memory foam mattress on a budget, then you should consider the Nectar. One of the best mattresses under $1,000, the Nectar has an overwhelming list of positive reviews and less than a 3% return rate.
Setting it apart from the competition, Nectar offers a full calendar year to test your new mattress along with a lifetime warranty. In comparison, the industry standard trial period is around 100 days with a limited warranty for 10 to 15 years. That’s a pretty good deal to compliment the lower price tag.
Nectar scored well during evaluation on motion isolation, responsiveness, and pressure relief. All of these factors are extremely important when purchasing your mattress — especially if you share your bed with someone or change positions throughout the night.
It is a medium-firm mattress that provides ideal support for all sleepers. With high-density foam base layers and a gel top layer of memory foam, the mattress is stable while cushioning pressure points and contouring around your body. It is worth noting that the Nectar may take 5-7 seconds to respond and contour to your body. The gel memory foam layer also keeps you cool throughout the night allowing air to flow through the mattress and heat to escape.
Read more in our Nectar mattress review.
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Over the years, Casper has become a household name in the direct to consumer, online mattress industry. The Casper Original offers the memory foam feel, comfort, and support that appeals to all sleepers. This bed-in-a-box consists of three support layers that help prevent overheating, thanks to special memory foam that allows air to pass through.
These layers also have special zones that support the body’s pressure points. These layers work to keep the spine in healthy alignment, and while responding to your every movement. No matter if you are a side sleeper, or prefer to rest on your back or stomach – the Casper truly caters to all sleep positions and is one of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Casper is undoubtedly one of the best mattress brands on the market today. Read more in our Casper mattress review.
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The Puffy Lux is Puffy’s premium mattress made from its patent-pending Cooling Cloud Foam, ClimateComfort foam, and Plush Dual Cloud foam. The layers in the Puffy Lux work together to relieve stress and strain from your pressure points, making it our pick for the best pressure relief mattress, and one of the best mattresses for back pain.
Puffy’s Plush Dual Cloud soft top layer conforms to pressure points while still being firm enough to provide spine alignment and support for side sleepers. The ClimateComfort layer is resistant to temperature changes, in contrast to most foam mattresses that expand in the heat and contract in cooler temperatures. This change can impact how well a mattress relieves pain in pressure points.
The Puffy Lux is resistant to contractions and expansions due to temperature, so the mattress cradles you all year. Additionally, the gel-infused memory foam layer pulls heat from your body for a cooler sleep.
Read more in our Puffy mattress review.
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The Tuft & Needle Mint is a Tuft & Needle advanced mattress model. After listening to feedback from their customers, Tuft & Needle created a taller and softer mattress than their original but kept the economical price point. It provides better spine support and cooling layers.
Tuft & Needle Adaptative Foam layer is made with 30% more heat-wicking graphite. This top layer was designed for comfort while still providing optimal pressure relief. Underneath, the transitional layer is infused with ceramic gel beads that absorb 5x more heat than conventional blue gel products, making the Mint an excellent choice for hot sleepers needing a cooler mattress.
The medium-firm mattress received almost a perfect score on spine alignment during testing. One of the most important factors in choosing a mattress to avoid chronic back pain. This isn’t easy. The Mint’s unique Adaptive foam provides pressure relief and support in all the right places, so it’s one of the best mattresses for back pain. Additionally, the bottom layer is made of a thick, high-density foam for added extra support.
Read more in our Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review.
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Side sleepers need to look for a mattress that relieves the pressure placed on their hips and shoulders while evenly distributing body weight throughout the night. Leesa went through over 200 prototypes when updating their mattress with new pressure-relieving foam. That is why the Leesa is our pick for the best mattress for side sleepers.
The Leesa has received some of our highest scores in responsiveness, pressure relief, and edge support. The top layer is made of LSA200 Foam Technology, providing just the right balance between soft and firm for unmatched responsiveness and pressure relief. The LSA200 has record recovery rates that support all sleeping types. It scored a high 9.5 out of 10.
The inner foam layers promote airflow allowing your body heat to escape the mattress, while simultaneously contouring to the curves of your body to relieve pressure points, like your shoulders and hips, so you do not wake up with aches and pains.
Read more in our Leesa mattress review.
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Mattress Name | Quick Overview | Special Offer |
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Saatva Loom & Leaf |
Material: Memory foam, polyfoam, 100% organic cotton cover Firmness: Relaxed firm; 6/10, Firm: 8/10 Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.2/10 Delivery: Free white glove delivery and setup Trial Period: 180 days Warranty: 15-year limited warranty Price: $$ |
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Nectar![]() |
Material: Gel memory foam Firmness: Medium firm; 5.5-6/10 Customer Rating: 4.8/5.0 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: Free shipping Trial Period: 365 days Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $ |
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Casper Original![]() |
Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm to firm; 6/10 Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.1/10 Delivery: Free shipping; compressed in a box Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited warranty Price: $$ |
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Puffy Lux |
Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium 5.5 to 7/10 Customer Rating: 5/5 MA Score: 9.3/10 Delivery: Free shipping; compressed in a box Trial Period: 101 days Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $$ |
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Tuft & Needle Mint |
Material: Foam blend Firmness: Medium; 5/10 Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: Free shipping; compressed in a box Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited warranty Price: $$ |
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Leesa |
Material: Foam combo Firmness: Medium firm; 6/10 Customer Rating: 4.8/5.0 MA Score: 9.3/10 Delivery: Free shipping; compressed in a box Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited warranty Price: $ |
MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience and the brand’s social responsibility.
Saatva Loom & Leaf | Nectar |
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Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam, is constructed from polyurethane and additional chemicals that enhance density and viscosity. The top layer reacts to your weight and body heat. It gets its name from the impression the material takes as it contours around the body.
The manufacturing methods for memory foam vary depending on the company. For instance, some memory foams may be less responsive to changing shape or in recovering its shape easily, while others are more dense and solid. Looking for a customizable memory foam mattress for your sleep needs? Check out our Helix mattress review.
Traditional memory foam mattresses have been classified as too soft, too hot, and difficult to move around in. Most companies now combine memory foam with other substances to provide excellent responsiveness and to regulate temperature during sleep. We recommend considering the pros and cons of different mattress materials and constructions to ensure you are purchasing the best memory foam mattress for your sleep needs.
Now that you have a better understanding of memory foam mattresses and some of our top-rated recommendations, let’s take a look at what you should focus on while shopping.
Keep in mind that there are various types of memory foam available, which will dictate how your mattress sleeps. The primary types of memory foam are: traditional, open-cell, gel-infused, plant based/eco foam, and proprietary. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Below we take a look at what sets each type apart.
Traditional Memory Foam is what most people are talking about when they say they want a memory foam mattress. It is designed to conform to the body, to reduce stress and pressure on the joints, and to increase circulation. These mattresses have a typical density of 4.0-6.0 PCF. It can hold the shape of your body impression longer than some of the newer, advantaged types. Additionally, it holds heat from your body which can make it uncomfortable for hot sleepers or those in warmer climates.
Manufacturers designed Open Cell Memory Foam to combat overheating found in traditional memory foam. It is super-soft. The cell walls are broken and allow air to flow more freely, which helps dissipate body heat, keeping you cooler while sleeping. It also reduces off gassing from your mattress, which is great for the environment.
Mattresses with open cell memory foam use less materials than traditional memory foam mattresses, making them more cost efficient. This also makes them less dense. It is important to take the density into consideration when buying as you may experience more of a sinking feeling. Make sure to check a mattress’s density levels when purchasing and note if the open cell construction is in the top layer, as that is where the majority of impact is absorbed.
Gel Memory Foam is the newest memory foam on the market, combining traditional memory foam and gel. It has become the most popular variation available. The gel can be within a layer of the mattress or combined with the memory foam throughout the mattress.
Like traditional and open cell memory foam mattresses, gel memory foam mattresses provide pressure reduction and motion transfer. Gel retains less heat and offers a dense, supportive feel. The gel used is the same as that found in athletic equipment and shoe sole inserts.
A few tips to keep in mind for purchasing a quality product: liquid gel can be a bit more cooling than some beads; a density of 3.0 PCF or higher indicates better quality, and a thinner cover avoids unwanted sinkage.
Plant based or natural memory foam mattresses have become popular over the years as consumers have become more environmentally conscious. A more environmentally friendly process is used while replacing petroleum-based materials. Some of these mattresses will combine all-natural materials like bamboo, tea, soy, or aloe vera, with traditional materials.
Plant based mattresses can be much better at heat distribution, motion isolation, and pain relief. They tend to emit low, if not, no odors or off-gassing, and are better for allergies. With high-quality, natural materials, these mattresses do tend to be more expensive than traditional mattresses.
To stand out from the competition, more companies are manufacturing their own memory foam materials. They are altering the memory foam with gel, copper, and graphite infusions to aid in cooling and offer a more comfortable sleep experience. The benefits of proprietary foams are specific to sleepers’ individual needs, firmness level, and preferences.
Like most things in life, there are going to be pros and cons to buying a memory foam mattress. It all depends on what is most important to you in your mattress purchase. Let us review a few of the top pros and cons.
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Comfort factor: The soft, contouring material is more comfortable than traditional firmer services. A plus for any sleeper. Pain relief: Known for pain relief, these mattresses help relieve pressure and keep your body in natural alignment. A great option for those suffering from arthritis. Hypoallergenic: The dense structure makes it difficult for dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander to linger in the mattress. This is beneficial for anyone, especially those who suffer from allergies. Back support and spine alignment: Using your body heat and pressure, the memory foam contours to your body, allowing your spine to keep its natural shape. This makes memory foam mattresses ideal for side sleepers. Durability: Memory foam mattresses are considered durable as they do not break down and for the most part do not require flipping or rotating. |
Heat trapping: The material is more heat-trapping and will most likely cause issues for hot sleepers. Though newer models with open-cell construct or gel-infused cooling layers help mitigate the issue. Odor: When opening your new mattress, you may experience a strong chemical smell, called off-gassing, due to VOCs. This usually goes away within a few hours of airing out the mattress. Sinking feeling: While many enjoy how memory foam contours to their body, some may find it feels too soft or that they’re sinking and need a firmer mattress. Look for a mattress that has a higher density level, which will provide a more firm feel. Heavy: Due to the higher-density levels, memory foam mattresses are heavier than traditional mattresses. Fortunately, you will not find yourself having to turn this type of mattress. Being heavier, the mattress is less likely to move while on the frame. |
At Mattress Advisor, we have tested over 150 mattresses in our lab. Each mattress is given a score out of 10 in 14 factors. Six of these factors are based on the purchase process, customer satisfaction, and social responsibility. The other eight factors are based on performance. These are the main performance factors you should take into consideration.
This looks at how easy it is to get your mattress in the house, to your room, out of the packaging, and on to the bed. No one wants to spend all day setting up a new mattress, so keep the mattress set-up at the forefront in your selection process.
While sleeping, our hips, lower back, and shoulders take on excess pressure. You want your mattress to hug your body and evenly distribute weight to relieve pressure and avoid waking up in pain.
Two memory foam mattresses that shine in this regard include the Layla and Nolah Signature mattresses.
Proper posture is just as important when sleeping as when you’re awake. You want your spine to remain aligned throughout the night to avoid neck and back pain in the morning. For stomach and back sleepers, you want to maintain the natural curve of your spine and for side sleepers it's best to have a straight spine.
When you buy any product, you want it to last. That means you need your mattress to be made from high-quality, durable materials. Cheaply made mattresses will not last. A durable memory foam mattress will have a higher-density count. A mattress with a 3.5 to 5.0 PCF level is the preferred range.
For those who toss and turn or share a bed with their partner or pet, it is important to factor in motion transfer. You do not want to feel every movement or wake up when your partner gets up for water. A quality mattress will have minimal motion transfer or good motion isolation so that shifts on one side will not transfer to the other side.
Waking in the middle of the night in a sweat or with cold fingers and toes is not anyone’s idea of a good night's sleep. This also means your bed does not regulate temperature very well. If you are a hot sleeper, look for an open cell or gel-infused mattress to help pull heat away from your body. For cold sleepers any type of memory foam mattress should work well.
This factor has to do with how your mattress moves when you or your partner move. If you tend to toss and turn or are a combination sleeper, you want a mattress that supports all sleep types and changes shape easily.
The edge of the bed is utilized more often than we think. This is most common for those who share a bed. Many of us sleep or awaken close to the side of the bed. We also sit on the edge to put on our shoes. Whatever the use, you need good edge support for comfort, ease, and durability.
Most people grew up sleeping on traditional innerspring mattresses. Deciding to change to a memory foam mattress may seem daunting. We’ve compared memory foam and spring mattresses side-by-side, to see which option works best for you.
Memory Foam | Spring Mattress | |
Cost | Usually cheaper, but cheaper mattresses can be indicative of low-quality materials being used | Firm support; bounces back |
Comfort | Soft and contouring | Firm support; bounces back |
Support | Decent support; natural curvature of spine | Firm support; bounces back |
Durability | More durable and long lasting; 10-15-year warranties | Can be longer lasting (6-8 years); tend to decrease in comfort after extended use and prone to poking |
Spine Alignment | Great for spine alignment | Decent alignment |
Pressure Relief | Superior | Decent pressure relief |
Motion Transfer | Isolates motion very well | Does not isolate motion; will feel movement |
Sleep Position | Side sleepers benefit from contouring to hips and shoulders | Back sleepers benefit from firm-and-soft hybrid |
This is a general overview of how these mattresses compare. Different brands may use varying materials to focus on specific features.
With all the mattress innovations out there, you may be confused about whether a memory foam mattress or latex mattress is the right option. We’ve compared memory foam and latex mattresses side-by-side, to see if either material will benefit you in the long run.
Memory Foam | Latex Mattress | |
Cost | Typically cheaper | More expensive type of mattress |
Comfort | Soft and contouring | More bounce and compression |
Support | Decent support | Decent support |
Durability | Lifespan 10-15 years; depends on foam density | Lifespan 8-15 years; natural latex lasts longer |
Spine Alignment | Great for spine alignment | Decent spine alignment |
Pressure Relief | Superior | Decent |
Motion Transfer | Isolates motion very well | Some isolation; Dunlop latex better than Talalay latex |
Sleep Position | Side sleepers and back sleepers | Stomach sleepers |
This is a general overview of how these mattresses compare. Latex may be made from various materials which will change performance. Latex mattresses may contain other materials such as gel that affect performance.
Hybrid mattresses combine materials from memory foam, latex, and spring mattresses to create the ultimate mattress. We will compare memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses side-by-side to see the pros and cons for both.
Memory Foam | Hybrid Mattress | |
Cost | Typically cheaper | More expensive type of mattress |
Comfort | Soft and contouring | Equal in bounce and hug depending on construction |
Support | Decent support | Superior support |
Durability | Last 10-15 years depending on foam density | Offers longer lifespan |
Spine Alignment | Great for spine alignment | Good spine alignment |
Pressure Relief | Superior | Decent pressure relief |
Motion Transfer | Isolates motion very well | Decent motion isolation |
Sleep Position | Side sleepers and back sleepers | Back sleepers |
This is a general overview of how these mattresses compare. Hybrid mattresses will differ depending on materials used which will affect performance factors.
Memory foam mattresses are an affordable option when purchasing a new bed. They tend to be lower in cost than latex and hybrid mattresses. Like any product, the quality of materials and construction will play a factor in cost.
A quality memory foam mattress may cost anywhere from $500-$1,500, and luxury brands are much more expensive. Memory foam mattresses are priced based on the quality and density of the foam.
Online mattress companies are able to offer more affordable price options compared to brick and mortar stores. A few factors play into cost reduction, quality not tending to be one of them. Many own their own manufacturing facilities, which reduces overhead costs. Online sales also cut down on costs for storage and store display.
Shipping and delivery will vary depending on the company and the construction of the mattress. The majority of online retailers offer free shipping and door-to-door delivery.
Many brands have found a way to compress their mattresses and fit them into a box that easily fits through a door. This shipping process is called bed-in-a-box mattress delivery. You can have the bed delivered to your door or white glove delivery service may be offered. White glove delivery service has a representative deliver your mattress directly to your door. In addition, they will remove the packaging, set up your mattress, discard scraps and garbage, and possibly even remove your old mattress.
Some brands will offer white glove service free of charge, while others offer it with a small fee of around $100-$150.
Online companies know you won’t be able to test out a mattress before purchasing, so they offer substantial sleep trial periods to let you test out the product. In addition to free shipping, most companies offer a trial period up to 100 days, free returns, and a 10 year warranty. This is the standard in the industry, but many companies, like Nectar, offer substantially longer trial periods and even lifetime warranties.
We strongly advise consumers to pay close attention to return policies and warranty options when purchasing your mattress. Most retailers will offer some kind of return/exchange policy. Ask a salesperson or customer service representative to clarify any details you do not understand. While you may think you will love your mattress, you want to be safe, not sorry.
When discussing warranties ask for a 10-year option. You will most likely keep your mattress for at least seven years and want to make your warranty last long enough. Additionally, anything less than five years and you should move on to another option.
How much does a memory foam mattress cost?
While memory foam mattresses are some of the most affordable mattresses on the market, the costs vary. The cost of the mattress will depend on multiple factors, such as size, brand, quality of materials, and the density of the foam. Our picks for best memory foam mattresses range from $699-$1,799. Some of the highest ranking mattresses, like the Nectar and Leesa, are also some of the best mattresses under $1,000.
Learn more in our Leesa vs Nectar mattress review.
How does the trial period and return policy work for online purchases?
A great feature of ordering a memory foam mattress online is the built-in trial period. Most companies will offer a trial period of at least 100 days, with some even giving you a whole year. It's important to remember that it can take one to two months to fully break in your new memory foam mattress, so we advise not making a decision until after using the mattress for at least 60 days. Take note of how your body feels in the morning and if your sleep quality improves during this test period to help in your decision process.
If you find you need to return your memory foam mattress for any reason during the initial trial period, you can simply call the company’s customer service line and they’ll walk you through the return process.
Is memory foam good for allergies?
Memory foam mattresses are the best mattresses for allergy sufferers. The density of the foam helps keep dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander from getting in the mattress. Over the past few years, companies have been constructing more environmentally friendly memory foam mattresses. More manufacturers in the United States have begun producing non-toxic memory foam and have even gone as far as reducing and eliminating VOC off-gassing odors and borderline chemical additives. All of which help alleviate allergy symptoms.
How long do memory foam mattresses last?
Memory foam mattresses tend to last longer than traditional innerspring, hybrid, and latex mattresses. You can expect your memory foam mattress to typically last up to 10 years. Most other mattresses last about 7-10 years.
Do memory foam mattresses sleep hot?
It's become common for people to think that they’re going to wake up sweating while sleeping on a memory foam mattress. Foam is a dense material that by nature tends to hold heat, so many assume a memory foam mattress will make them hot. But, many companies are using advanced technology and cooling materials, such as gel-infused foam and copper, to construct mattresses that optimize airflow and breathability, keeping you cool while sleeping.
Can I put a mattress pad on my memory foam mattress?
Of course. Though known for comfort and with built-in soft-top layers, you most likely will not need to add a mattress topper. If you do decide to add a mattress pad, stick to one that is 2” to 3” thick. Either option will provide a bit more cushion without turning your mattress top into one big pillow.
Maureen is a health and wellness writer. Through her travels, she has become an expert at falling asleep on any type of mattress — or economy plane seat.