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Memory foam is one of the most well known and commonly used materials in the bedding industry today. Memory foam is now an integral part of many people’s sleep experiences, whether they realize it or not.
The most common way that memory foam is used today is in the memory foam mattress. Since the initial introduction to the bedding world in 1991, the memory foam mattress has quickly become one of the most common mattress types sold on sales floors and via online brands.
While memory foam is advertised as the most incredible innovation ever, that does not mean that memory foam is right for everyone. Careful research should go into a mattress purchase, especially if you are replacing an old one, and not every mattress is a good buy.
At Furniture Fair, we sell many mattresses, and each customer we serve has a unique set of preferences and needs. We strive to find the perfect mattress match for the customer using tools like the bedMATCH rest test system.
To help you better understand whether or not a memory foam mattress may be right for you, we’ve taken the time to list off the pros and cons of memory foam mattresses. If you want to learn more about memory foam and how it might help or hinder your better sleep, read on.
Let’s look at a few of the pros of memory foam mattresses and why one might be right for you. We will be looking at the potential health benefits and the materials that usually make a memory foam mattress.
Previously many mattresses were made from materials like feathers and wool, which can be a nightmare for anyone with allergies. Thankfully, memory foam is hypoallergenic, and the density levels of memory foam mean that dust mites and other allergy-inducing molecules are less likely to infiltrate the foam.
Suppose you have a problem with allergies, or you just prefer materials that are less likely to be infiltrated by microscopic pests. In that case, memory foam mattresses are a great way to keep your sleep freer from the dust and allergies that typically invade your sleeping space.
Memory foam is designed to support and conform to shapes, which means that, when used as a mattress, the material keeps the spine and back supported while still allowing your body to align as you sleep.
Sleeping in a naturally-aligned position puts less discomfort on the spine and back and creates a much more superior sleep experience than with a flatter, less supportive mattress. If you are looking to relieve back pain and support your body, memory foam might be the solution for you.
Memory foam might bring to mind those old commercials with people jumping on the bed next to a full wine glass to demonstrate the “amazing motion isolation” that the foam mattress has compared to a spring mattress.
While the reality isn’t quite as “as-seen-on-TV,” the truth is that memory foam is slightly less prone to causing mini-earthquakes every time you roll over.
Spring mattresses use a connected set of springs attached to a frame to support your body, meaning that when you move, your motion is transferred through the frame, making the movement more likely.
Memory foam was specifically designed to cut down on motion transfer and shock absorption. Astronauts used memory foam developed in the lab by scientists to help keep them protected and safe during the jostling of launches and landings and any general turbulence.
If memory foam can help absorb the shock of a giant rocket propelling scientists into the stratosphere, then absorbing your body’s motion during a rollover in bed is no problem. If you prioritize comfort and movement isolation in your bed, then a foam mattress might be right for you.
If you haven’t heard about adjustable base beds, you might just be missing out on one of the most recent innovations in the bedding industry. Adjustable bases allow you to raise and lower your bed using the power function.
Spring mattresses have a metal frame that the springs connect to, creating a bed that isn’t as easy to adjust for sitting or reclining positions. Adjustable bases work better with memory foam mattresses since they have less rigid materials and a bit more give thanks to the foam design.
Memory foam has gone through several innovations since the space race, and new designs are coming out every year. If you are willing to invest in better quality memory foam, you will have a much more customizable sleep experience.
Memory foam now comes in various densities, which helps support your body type and features innovations like gel-infused memory foam, enabling you to sleep cooler at night. If you are willing to invest a bit more in your mattress, you might just benefit from a more supportive night’s sleep.
Now that we’ve looked at the pros let’s make sure that you know of the potential downsides to purchasing a memory foam mattress. Mattresses are not one-size-fits-all, and you should find out all the facts about your mattress before you decide to sleep on it.
Humans are warm-blooded creatures; therefore, when we sleep, our bodies radiate heat. This process can cause memory foam to hold heat in and make you hotter when you sleep. Hot sleeping can lead to discomfort and keep you from getting sound restful sleep.
The best way to avoid hot mattresses is to invest in a better quality memory foam mattress. Modern, well-built memory foam mattresses will use a combination of foam types that help the mattress circulate air and trap less heat.
Modern memory foam mattresses are made with different foam densities to give you options for levels of support. However, memory foam is not as supportive for heavier weights, and the wrong density can cause the mattress to break down sooner than usual.
Hybrid mattresses are possible to solve this issue since they use both a traditional spring frame and a series of memory foam layers. This structure provides more durable support, and the memory foam offers pressure point relief and additional support.
Memory foam has a particular smell when initially delivered or opened due to a particularly gross-sounding but harmless process known as off-gassing. Volatile organic compounds trapped inside memory foam break down when exposed to oxygen, which causes off-gassing and creates an odd odor.
The smell will subside after a few days, once the off-gassing process has finished, and your mattress should once again smell normal. You may still want to consider a plant-based memory foam mattress or wait until the smell has entirely dissipated from the mattress for those who have any allergic reactions.
For the topic of lower quality materials, the simple fact is that you get what you pay for. A cheap memory foam mattress will not last as long as one that has better quality materials. Cheap memory foam mattresses can develop divots in the foam faster, leading to structural integrity issues.
The best way to avoid this is to research the mattresses that you are looking to buy. Read reviews, learn about cooling mattresses, find out how much a mattress should cost for the quality, how long that mattress should last, and make sure that you are prepared before you make the purchase.
Now that you know the pros and cons of a memory foam mattress, you will be better prepared to decide whether one is right for your needs. Keep the information in this article in mind when the time comes to make a purchase.
Remember, memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic, motion isolating, great for back and spine support, and a great mattress type for an adjustable base bed. Avoid memory foam mattresses that retain heat, aren’t supportive, built with low-quality materials, and remember that the odd foam smell will quickly go away.
If you are looking to enhance your bedroom with a new mattress or new furniture, consider Furniture Fair. We have been in business for over 50 years, and we have a wide variety ofmattresses and bedroom furniture available.
We have over 11 locations throughout the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Louisville areas, and we offer a wide variety of delivery options, including curbside delivery!Visit us today and find out more about the memory foam mattress options available for you.
Buying a mattress is no small decision.
The Mattress Buyer's Guide will help you
learn more about mattresses and
prepare you to find the perfect mattress.
