Oh, memory foam. It really is the best. From top-of-the-line TEMPUR-Pedic mattresses to more budget-conscious options, our team has slept on so many variations of these beds. The benefits of memory foam beds, from their affordability to their ability to isolate motion, are a few big reasons why we were compelled to put together a list of the absolute best memory foam mattresses. We took a lot of factors into consideration when choosing, including luxury, value, and comfort. Keep scrolling for our top nine picks, a video summary, reviews of each of our favorite foam mattresses, and a best memory foam mattress buyer’s guide!
There should be something here for everyone. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, try taking our mattress quiz for further-tailored recommendations!
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Memory Foam Mattress?
Our team of expert reviewers chose the Nectar as the best memory foam mattress. It has a classic slow moving feel, offers contouring for pressure relief, and doesn’t trap heat.
Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2025: Our Top 10 Picks
- Nectar – Best Overall
- Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress for Couples
- DreamCloud Memory Foam – Best Affordable Memory Foam Mattress
- WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combo Sleepers
- Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Athletes
- Nolah Signature – Best Memory Foam Alternative
- Saatva Contour5 – Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Plank – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress
- Leesa – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Silk & Snow – Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Video Review: Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2025
Compare the Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2025
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| Nectar Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | DreamCloud Memory Foam | WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress | Contour5 | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | Silk & Snow Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Firm: 8/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers,
Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers |
Couples,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Back Sleepers
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Hot Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Side Sleepers
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Back Pain,
Couples, Back Sleepers |
Stomach Sleepers,
Back Pain, Seniors |
Back Sleepers,
Side Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers |
Back Sleepers
|
Our Mattress Testing Process
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
How We Choose the Best Memory Foam Mattresses
Edge Support
An all-foam mattress may lack adequate edge support compared to hybrid or innerspring mattresses, but that’s no reason to write them off. Our testers found all-foam mattresses with strong edge support, allowing for full use of the mattress surface and preventing the feeling of rolling off. And if testers felt a bed had more middling edge support, we made sure to note that.
Temperature Control
Because memory foam tends to trap heat, we tried to include beds that had additional cooling capabilities in their features and construction. Hot sleepers especially need nice airflow and heat dissipation to get a comfortable sleep, and a memory foam mattress with enhanced cooling features, such as aerated foam layers or gel-infused layers, can help regulate temperature and prevent overheating. We made sure to include and note beds that exceed expectations when it comes to the typically stuffy reputation of memory foam mattresses.
Motion Isolation
One of the strengths of memory foam is its ability to isolate motion, preventing partners from disturbing each other at night. So we wanted to pick products that scored high in this category, since superior motion isolation might be the driving factor for getting a memory foam bed if you or your partner are light sleepers.
Nectar – Best Overall
Nectar Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
Lying on the Nectar, you get that classic memory foam feeling of slowly sinking into the bed. The comfort layer has an infusion of gel for cooling and pain relief, while the thicker support layer is made up of high-density foam. Back sleepers should experience exceptional contouring and side sleepers should feel little to no pressure on their shoulders and hips. In fact, we’ve chosen the Nectar as one of the best mattresses for hip pain. Also, if you’re prone to sleeping hot, Nectar offers two more memory foam mattresses with advanced cooling features: the Nectar Premier mattress and the Nectar Luxe mattress. We don’t necessarily think you’d need those upgrades, though. Based on our heat gun analysis in the mattress lab, the Nectar doesn’t trap heat, with the bed’s surface temperature only rising 1.9 degrees F after a quick nap test.
What the testers say: “When I tested the Nectar, the foam contoured around my joints really nicely. It felt particularly comfortable while side sleeping, but this bed is a great choice for back sleepers too.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Nectar
- The Nectar is very affordable. It goes for under $1,000 for a queen, which is much cheaper than many mattresses of comparable quality.
- For light- and average-weight side and back sleepers the Nectar provides a great amount of pressure relief and support. It can cushion side sleepers’ hips and shoulders and keep back sleepers from sinking too far below the surface.
- Speaking of sinking too far, the bed has excellent edge support (4/5). We measured a 3.5″ dip on the perimeter under the weight of our heaviest tester, which is solid for an all-foam bed.
- Of course, we sought to include numerous cooling memory foam beds, but it’s definitely more of a rarity to find an all-foam mattress that doesn’t trap heat. Based on both subjective and objective testing, we found the Nectar to be highly cooling, awarding the bed near-perfect marks in the category (4.5/5).
What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar
- The Nectar is a bad choice for most stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers require a higher firmness in order to keep their hips stable and their spines aligned.
- Even memory foam mattress lovers might prefer a bed with more bounce-back, and that’s something you won’t find in the Nectar, which is slow to respond (3/5). Beds with latex foams do, however, tend to have better bounce.
- While the Nectar provides enough support for many average- and lightweight sleepers, we wouldn’t recommend it for many people over 230 lb. Instead, we suggest you consider a mattress made specifically for heavyweight sleepers, like the Titan Plus Luxe.
Other Customer reviews
The Nectar mattress has an average score of 4.7 out of 5 based on 50,525 reviews from the company website. Customers appreciate the pain relief that the pressure relieving Nectar provides. Some, on the other hand, found the Nectar far too firm for comfort.
Read our full Nectar mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses 2025 for more great options.
Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress for Couples
Helix Midnight Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
OK, just hear us out: We know you came here to learn about the memory foam mattress options, but by suggesting the Helix Midnight, we’ve technically included a hybrid memory foam-innerspring mattress. However, if you sleep with a partner, a hybrid like the Helix Midnight can be more versatile, testers have said. And most important for memory foam mattress lovers, the Midnight has one of the slower-moving memory foam feels compared to other hybrids.
The Helix Midnight is a medium-firm mattress that should be a good fit for multiple sleeping positions. Even if you and your partner sleep in different positions, the Helix Midnight will offer the comfort and support you both require. The top layer of memory foam will also help to cut down on motion transfer so you and your partner don’t disturb each other when you get on and off the bed at night. However, the responsiveness (rated 4/5 by testers) offered by the bed, thanks to the coils, does make the bed easy to move around on — excellent for non-sleeping related activities with a partner, if you catch our drift.
What the testers say: “The Helix Midnight has a bouncier feel than an all-memory foam bed, which makes it easy to move around on. Its medium-firm feel should appeal to most sleepers, but if one or both of you prefers a firm mattress, I’d opt for the Helix Dawn instead.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Helix Midnight
- This mattress is great for back sleepers, thanks to its middle-of-the-road balance of comfort and support. While on your back, it allows your hips to sink into the mattress a small amount, but keeps you propped up enough for your spine to remain properly aligned.
- The Helix Midnight has nice responsiveness, meaning it’s easy to move around on. This is an important factor if you change sleeping positions throughout the night, and makes it a great mattress for sex.
- Helix Midnight has cooling properties touted by the brand. Testers agreed the bed felt cooling, and our heat gun test confirmed the same. The bed’s surface temperature only rose 3.4 degrees after a warm body had laid on top for a while.
- The edge support on the bed is fairly robust, sinking only 2.25″ under the weight of our heaviest tester. Testers rated the edge support 4/5 in acknowledgment.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Midnight
- While the Helix Midnight does utilize memory foam, it might not provide as much of the sinking, hugging feel that memory foam mattress shoppers may be after. Again, this is because like any hybrid mattress, Helix Midnight includes a layer of individually-wrapped coils that add support and bounciness.
- Stomach sleepers will likely want something firmer than the Helix Midnight so that their hips don’t sink into the mattress. Consider the Plank Firm Luxe if you sleep on your stomach.
Other Customer reviews
The Helix Midnight has an average score of 4.5 out of 5 based on 6,412 reviews from the company website. Customers seem to love the sleep they’re getting on the Helix, with several specifically mentioning the solid edge support. Some were unhappy that their mattress arrived dirty or even damaged.
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Couples for more great options.
DreamCloud – Best Affordable Memory Foam Mattress
DreamCloud Memory Foam
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Winkbed GravityLux – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combo Sleepers
WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
The WinkBeds GravityLux features a zoned construction where the center is firmer than the rest of the mattress. This makes it feel softer when side-sleeping, and firmer when back-sleeping and stomach-sleeping. It also contains a proprietary AirCell memory foam that’s more responsive than standard memory foam, so it should be easy for combination sleepers to move around at night.
What the testers say: “Finding a great bed for combination sleepers can be tricky since they need a mattress that’s comfortable in multiple sleeping positions. The GravityLux has zoned support, which means its softer at the shoulders and firmer in the middle— this makes it comfortable for side, back, and stomach sleepers alike.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the WinkBeds GravityLux
- We were impressed with the GravityLux’s cooling ability, especially considering its all-foam construction. The foam is infused with cooling gel, and the cover is made of Tencel fabric, both of which make things a little bit more breathable.
- This mattress is available in three different firmnesses. In general, we suggest the soft version if you’re a side sleeper, the medium version if you’re a back sleeper, and the firm version if you’re a stomach sleeper. That said, your body type and sleep preferences may make finding the appropriate firmness a little more complicated.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBeds GravityLux
- The GravityLux has very weak edge support. Even a small amount of weight along the mattress perimeter causes it to sag. If you rely on the edge of your bed for sleeping or sitting, then we suggest the Helix Midnight Luxe.
Other Customer reviews
Based on 256 reviews from the WinkBed website, the GravityLux has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Two of the most recent positive reviewers call out that the mattress helped immensely with their back pain. There really aren’t any completely negative reviews, though there are some that rate it a 3 out of 5 or a 4 out of 5, indicating that some customers aren’t as over the moon.
Read our full WinkBeds GravityLux mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Combination Sleepers for more great options.
Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Athletes
Bear Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re an active person or if you consider yourself an athlete, know that the Bear Original mattress was built just for you. The special ingredient is the Celliant fiber in the mattress’ cover. It purportedly helps sleepers’ blood circulation and recovery. Thanks to its gel-infused memory foam, this mattress also has the impressive ability to cool down hot sleepers. This is great for athletes who like nighttime workouts, but don’t want to overheat when it’s time for bed.
What the testers say: “The Bear Mattress has a classic memory foam feel. It allows you to sink into the mattress, but its firm transition layers stop you from getting stuck.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Bear
- The Bear does a great job of isolating motion, thanks to its dense foam layers. This means that if you sleep with a partner they can toss and turn on their side of the bed and you’ll be less likely to feel it on your side.
- The Bear mattress features technology that can help promote muscle recovery, making it a good choice for athletes. The mattress cover has celliant fabric woven into it, which may help encourage blood circulation and shorten rehab time for sore muscles.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear
- Like many memory foam mattresses, the Bear doesn’t stay very cool. Its foam layers trap heat rather than allowing it to escape. If you’re interested in a memory foam mattress that does a good job of staying cool, consider the Emma.
Other Customer reviews
The Bear mattress has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 10,148 reviews from the company website. Customers call out this being a great mattress for kids as well as adults. Unhappy customers complain that the mattress is too soft and retains heat.
Read our full Bear mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Athletes for more great options.
Nolah Signature – Best Memory Foam Alternative
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
The Nolah Signature mattress uses a proprietary foam called AirFoam that has some unique properties to help with pressure relief and to help keep you cool at night. While the top layers of the Nolah Signature still offer the slow-moving feel of memory foam, the AirFoam is balanced enough to allow you to move around freely on the mattress without sinking into it.
What the testers say: “During my testing, I found the Nolah Signature to be easy to move around on, which made switching positions easy. I’d recommend this bed to those who like memory foam, but don’t want to feel stuck in their mattress.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Nolah Signature
- Unlike the Emma, the Nolah Signature is very responsive. This means it’s a great all-foam option for sex.
- We consider this one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. As we tested, we all felt fantastic on our sides. The Airfoam relieved a ton of pressure in our hips and our shoulders.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah Signature
- The edge support on the Nolah Signature is quite weak. Seniors who may have trouble getting in and out of bed will want something with a stronger, more reliable perimeter. We suggest checking out our list of the best mattresses for seniors.
Other Customer reviews
The Nolah Signature has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on 440 reviews from the company website. Many 5-star reviews point out that the mattress works wonders for back pain. However, some side sleepers say that they don’t receive enough pressure relief on the Nolah.
Read our full Nolah Signature mattress review for more information.
Saatva Contour5 – Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
Contour5
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
Luxury mattresses are distinguished from the rest due to their versatility, high-end materials, and precision design that help to provide a hotel-grade night’s sleep from home. The Contour5 is an all-foam mattress produced by the well-reputed Saatva brand, best known for producing top-tier luxury mattresses. Despite being a memory foam mattress, the Saatva Contour5 has a firmer feel, making it perfect for most back sleepers. In addition, our testers found the Contour5 delivered near-perfect orthopedic support for their spines when resting on it, giving the Contour5 a 4.5/5 for its orthopedic support and claiming, “This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.”
When testing the Contour5 for its cooling abilities, our tester rested on the mattress and then used a thermal gun to see how the mattress dispersed his body heat. He found that the bed’s surface rose quickly by 8 degrees F after resting on it, but when aiming the gun at the bed’s Phase Change Material (PMC) foam layer, the bed quickly dissipated heat back down 5 degrees within seconds. This impressed our testers and resulted in the bed’s 4/5 score for its temperature regulation. Furthermore, couples can appreciate the bed’s 4.5/5 motion isolation score. When our testers rested next to each other on the Contour5, they tried moving around to see if they would disturb the other person next to them, with both testers noting, “I didn’t really notice much of his movement come over to my side of the bed.”
What our testers say: “After conducting all my tests on the Saatva Contour5, it earned an overall score of 4.3/5. It earned high marks in support and motion transfer, and for an all foam bed, I think this is very durable. Some all-foam beds don’t have a super long life-span, but the Contour5 is made with high-quality materials that earned it a perfect score.“ – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Saatva Contour5
- As with most Saatva products, the Contour5 has multiple eco-friendly qualities. For example, it uses organic cotton for its plush cover top and a GREENGUARD Gold-certified natural fiber alternative to toxic fiberglass-based flame retardants.
- The Saatva Contour5 model is available in medium (6/10) and firm (7/10) firmness, giving you more options to ensure it works specifically for your sleeping needs.
- The bed’s organic cotton cover top and treated cooling foam components make this memory foam mattress highly breathable and a quality pick for hot sleepers seeking an all-foam bed that will dissipate body heat.
What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva Contour5
- The Contour5 is a higher-end luxury mattress backed by the long-term reputation of its parent company, Saatva. While you can expect a luxury sleeping experience, the Contour5’s price tag reflects its luxury reputation and could be a bit pricey for more budget-minded consumers. If that’s the case, check out our picks for the best affordable mattresses.
Other Customer reviews
Saatva just recently launched the Contour5 and has only one review on its official website. The verified buyer’s review was for five stars and attested to the Contour5’s quality, saying, “I just received my mattress two days ago, and I can already tell the difference in my back after years of sleeping on terrible, cheap mattresses. This bed is incredible. The delivery service was also top notch and a very quick process. I feel like I’m sleeping on a cloud, and the medium firmness is perfect for me. I’m a side and stomach sleeper.”
Read our full Saatva Contour5 mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Luxury Mattresses for more great options.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
The Brooklyn Bedding Plank is a not-so-standard memory foam mattress. Why? Because it’s flippable. One side of the mattress is slightly more plush, and the other side is ultra-firm (Measuring 9/10 on our firmness scale). Both sides are swaddled in a breathable cover, and you have the option to add an even more cooling panel — an excellent option for hot sleepers since the bed netted a so-so 3.5/5 cooling score from testers in the mattress lab. A dense foam core supports both sides.
The Plank is also under $1,332 without coupons, but can sometimes run as low as $750 with coupons, making it a great value mattress.
What the testers say: “Both sides of the Plank are super firm and supportive, even for heavier sleepers, making it a great memory foam option for firm mattress lovers. Lightweight side sleepers might have a little trouble however getting enough pressure relief on their shoulders, even on the softer side, which measures a 6.5/10 firmness.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Plank
- This mattress is great for particular sleepers, as it accommodates two different firmness preferences. If you usually love an ultra-firm mattress but are feeling sore after a marathon, for instance, being able to use the Plank’s soft side is an excellent perk.
- Thanks to its firm build, the Plank has excellent overall support and edge support. Both categories scored a perfect 5/5 in the mattress lab with testers.
- The cooling cover, which can be added at check-out, is an excellent accessory for hotter sleepers.
What to Keep in Mind About the Plank
- The hard give-and-take and responsiveness of the Plank means it also lacks motion isolation. Consider the Plank Firm Luxe for a bed that better isolates movement across the surface.
- Side sleepers might wake up sore after sleeping on the Plank. Even the softer side is quite firm, especially for lightweight sleepers.
Other Customer reviews
The Plank has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 3,188 reviews from the company website. As indicated by the high score, customers don’t have too many bad things to say about the Plank. Many of them call out the great support and comfort that the Plank provides. Some dissatisfied customers alternatively found the bed too firm or not firm enough.
Read our full Plank mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Firm Mattresses for more great options.
Leesa – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
Leesa Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
The Leesa is a mattress that has a balanced feel, offering both comfort and support. This is what makes it a good fit for back sleepers. The top layers of foam – Leesa’s LSA200 foam, are contouring, and allow the hips and spine to sink into the mattress comfortably, and the support layer underneath does just what it’s supposed to, offer support to the spine preventing it from sinking too deeply into the mattress.
What our testers say: “I really enjoyed back sleeping on the Leesa. The mattress offered a balance of support and comfort, and my back sank into the top layers of the mattress while still being supported by the layers underneath.” – Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Leesa
- This mattress works well for back sleepers of any size, thanks to its middle-of-the-road firmness, comfortable foam layers, and supportive construction.
- The Leesa is quite affordable, considering its quality. A queen can usually be purchased for just over $1,000.
What to Keep in Mind About the Leesa
- If you’re a hot sleeper, the Leesa may not be for you. It doesn’t do a great job of staying cool at night because its foam layers tend to trap body heat.
- Stomach sleepers, particularly heavyweight stomach sleepers, will likely want a firmer mattress. The Plank Firm Luxe will provide the firmness you need to keep your hips from sinking into the mattress at all.
Other Customer reviews
Based on 19,980 reviews from the Leesa website, this mattress has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Many customers excitedly share that the Leesa provides them with the best sleep they’ve ever had. That said, there are some unhappy customers who complain that the Leesa doesn’t provide enough support and even caused them back pain.
Read our full Leesa mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers for more great options.
Silk & Snow – Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Silk & Snow Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
Slowly moving into the cradle of memory foam is a relieving way to fall asleep, but if the mattress isn’t designed to keep you cool, this experience could be disrupted by body heat and sweat. The Silk and Snow Original is an all-foam mattress with multiple foam components constructed and designed to offer the pressure relief and ultra-comfort of memory foam while still being breathable and dissipating body heat. Our testers gave the Silk and Snow a 4/5 for its cooling abilities, which is impressive for an all-foam bed. Testing results suggested that “this material helps pull heat away from the body” and determined that “this is great for people who love to gently sink into their mattress” (without feeling hot).
What the testers say: “The Silk & Snow has a stereotypical memory foam feel. You’ll gently sink into its foam layers and feel lots of body contouring around your shoulders and hips. This is great news for people who like to rest ‘inside’ the mattress rather than on top.” – Elisa, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Silk and Snow Original
- The bed’s breathable cover and gel-infused cooling memory foam effectively prevent body heat from getting trapped at the bed’s core while also helping keep you cool on its surface.
- Couples who wake each other up at night should take note of the Silk and Snow due to its excellent ability to isolate motion. Testers gave the mattress a 5/5 for the bed’s ability to regulate disruptive motion.
- Despite lacking coiled layers, testers still found that the Silk and Snow mattress’s dense foam foundation offered a safe memory-foam sinking feeling without compromising spine or joint support.
What to Keep in Mind About the Silk and Snow Original
- Despite having a firmer option, testers found the most stomach and heavier sleepers will likely not get the support they need on the Silk and Snow.
Other Customer reviews
The Silk and Snow Original has over 1,700 reviews on its official website, resulting in a 5/5 star rating. However, it’s worth noting that we’re still determining if reviews with fewer than five stars were hidden or omitted in this final rating. Having said that, one verified buyer gave a 5/5 review: “I’m a U.S customer who originally came across Silk & Snow because of their fiberglass-free mattresses. I ended up just going with the original 10-inch, and I couldn’t be happier. Despite being in another country, shipping only took three days! Not only are there no harmful chemicals, but this is the comfiest mattress I’ve ever slept on in my life. It’s just plush enough where you’ll always feel comfortable and cozy but still supported.”
Read our full Silk & Snow mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Cooling Mattresses for more great options.
Other Memory Foam Mattresses We Like
While these mattresses didn’t make our top recommendations, these mattresses are still a great option for people who are looking for a true memory foam mattress. If the mattresses above didn’t fit your needs, check out our recommendations below.
TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Casper Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
What We Test When Reviewing a Memory Foam Mattress
- Firmness: We approximate the bed’s level of firmness based on the experiences of multiple testers with varying body weights. We also test both sides of flippable beds.
- Motion isolation: We test for a bed’s motion isolation abilities in both an objective and more subjective way. The more objective measure is our water glass test, where we observe the level of disturbance in glass of water when pressing into the foam. And in a measure more reflective of real-life scenario, we have testers share the bed and rate the level of the disturbance they feel as the other tester gets in and out of bed and switches positions.
- Pressure relief: On each of the memory foam mattresses, our senior editors and sleep science coaches tested different sleeping positions. These testers also boast an array of body types, helping us collect a comprehensive understanding of a mattress’s pressure relief potential.
- Cooling: A nap test is our most important measure of a bed’s cooling capabilities. We want to see how the tester feels when they wake up from having snuggled into a memory foam bed. Testers use the same pillow and blankets for consistency. We also assess the bed’s cover for feel and breathability.
What You Should Consider When Choosing a Memory Foam Mattress
- Motion Isolation: As we noted before, superior motion isolation tends to be one of the most appealing aspects of an all-foam bed. Couples looking to make a joint purchase should especially pay attention to how well-regarded the bed’s motion isolation is.
- Contouring: When it comes to contouring, foams are certainly not created equal. Would you want to sleep on a mattress made from pool noodle foam, for instance? We didn’t think so. For most folks, sleep position will largely determine how much contouring you need in a memory foam mattress. Side sleepers, in particular, should seek beds that boast more contouring foams, since otherwise you run the risk of soreness or numbness on the side of your body that touches the sleep surface.
- Edge Support: Hybrid beds typically have better edge support, so if edge support is an especially important factor to you, perhaps opt for a bed with reinforced coils on the edge. That said, memory foam brands have improved their ability to make a robust perimeter, especially beds with dense, durable foams, like latex.
- Bed-in-a-Box Delivery: New mattress buyers often especially enjoy the ease with which you can buy a memory foam mattress online, since most of them arrive rolled up in a box. That way, if you’re halfway into a move and need to leave some floor space free, you can leave your mattress packed tight for a little while. When you’re ready to set up the bed too, you can scoot the box close to its final destination before unboxing for quick and easy placement on the frame — no awkward navigating through door frames required.
What Does Memory Foam Feel Like?
If someone pushes their hand into memory foam and then quickly removes it, the foam takes several seconds to return to its initial form.
Lying on a memory foam mattress, people will feel that they’re slowly sinking into the surface. There’s almost no bounce at all, and it’s harder to move around and switch positions in bed. Some people absolutely love this feel, while others don’t like it at all.
Memory foam is known for the pressure-relieving qualities that come with the sinking and slow-moving feel of these types of mattresses, so if you’re shopping for a mattress for joint pain, memory foam could be a great option for you!
Who Should Buy a Memory Foam Mattress?
- Side sleepers and/or people who want extra pressure relief.
- People who like the feeling of slowly sinking into their mattress.
- People who want a mattress that makes no noise.
- People with pain in their hips, shoulders, or back. Memory foam tends to conform to the curves of the body, meaning it promotes solid spinal alignment. These can also be some of the best mattresses for people with sciatica.
- People looking for a mattress with an adjustable bed frame.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Memory Foam Mattress?
- People who want a bouncy sleeping surface. If you like your mattress to have more give-and-take, consider a hybrid. The innerspring core adds bounciness, making switching positions more seamless.
- People who like the feeling of sleeping on top of their mattress rather than slowly sinking into it.
- People who are concerned about sleeping hot. See our list of the Best Cooling Mattresses for some of the most breathable mattresses out there.
What Are the Different Types of Memory Foam?
- Standard Memory Foam: This refers to memory foam that doesn’t feature additional formulations or infusions. The density can range between 2.5 and 7 lb. Standard memory foam will have a slower response and is more likely to trap heat than specialty memory foam.
- Gel Memory Foam: One of the big innovations in the sleep industry has been to infuse gel beads into memory foam. The gel will ideally act as a conductor to draw heat away, which helps make for a cooler sleeping surface. Some studies show that this can be a fairly effective way to prevent the foam from overheating, but the effect may be limited.
- Plant-Based Memory Foam: Some memory foam has a portion of it replaced with bio-based foam (typically from soy). This makes the foam a little more “green,” even if it is only 25 to 30% plant-based.
- Copper-Infused Memory Foam: Copper is a natural heat conductor and features excellent moisture-wicking capabilities. It will help draw heat and moisture away from sleepers and allow them to sleep cooler at night. In addition, it’s anti-microbial and will help keep the mattress free of mold, mildew, and odors.
- Open-Celled Memory Foam: Some memory foam is more “open-celled,” which means its chemical nature has been altered to be more breathable.
- Fast-Response Memory Foam: Some mattress companies have recently developed memory foam that’s faster to respond than standard memory foam. This prevents the feeling of getting stuck which some sleepers often complain about.
Memory Foam Density Level and Firmness
When reading memory foam mattress reviews, customers will come across density levels quite a bit. Typically, I have found (and studies show) that the higher the density, the following is true:
- More materials go into a higher-density foam, so you should almost always expect to pay more for it. High-density foams will usually be higher than 4 lb. A medium density will be in the 3.5 to 4 lb. range, and low-density will be anything 3 lb. or less.
- Generally, the higher the density, the longer the mattress will last.
- The higher the density of the foam, the less motion transfer one will experience. Those who sleep with a partner should consider a mattress with high-density memory foam.
- More density means more support. Higher-density foam does a better job of contouring the body so, if someone has back pain, they will want a higher-density memory foam mattress.
One last thing to consider regarding density is Indentation Load Deflection (ILD), the measure of how firm the memory foam is in a mattress. More specifically, it’s a measure of how much weight or force must be put on the memory foam to compress it by 25%. The higher the number, the more weight has to be applied to compress that memory foam. So in a nutshell, the higher the ILD, the firmer the memory foam. A mattress with an ILD of 10–12 is going to be softer than one that has an ILD of 18–20.
RELATED: Best Mattress for Neck and Shoulder Pain
How Much Memory Foam Should Be in a Mattress?
Some mattresses will have just an inch or two of memory foam, while others will have four to six inches. Customers should take note of how much of this material is actually in the mattresses they’re considering.
| Sleep Position | How Much Memory Foam Do You Need? |
| Stomach sleepers | 1 to 2 inches |
| Back sleepers | 2 to 3 inches |
| Side sleepers | 3 to 5 inches |
- Stomach sleepers don’t need quite as much pressure relief and need to prevent their hips from sinking in too far. For this reason, they’ll only want one or two inches of memory foam in their mattress.
- Back sleepers will want their hips to sink in a little bit so that the foam can conform to the curves of the body and their lumbar area can be properly supported. Two or three inches of memory foam should do the trick.
- Side sleepers usually need more pressure relief, which means they need more “comfort” material, especially if they’re a heavier sleeper. Three to five inches of memory foam should give them the best sleeping experience.
What Makes a Memory Foam Mattress More or Less Expensive?
| Thicker layers of memory foam | Thinner layers of memory foam |
| High-density foam | Lower-density foam |
| Has cooling features | Does not use cooling technology |
| Uses coils for the support layer | Uses poly foam for the support layer |
- If the mattress contains a thick layer of memory foam on top, then the mattress will more than likely be more expensive due to the extra materials used in its construction.
- If the memory foam used in the mattress is higher-density, that typically means the mattress will be more expensive, but also more durable.
- If the memory foam has been chemically formulated to sleep cool or be more breathable, the mattress will probably be more expensive. Cooling features to keep an eye out for that may make a mattress more expensive include Phase Change Material, copper infusions, and gel infusions.
- If the mattress uses coils as the support system instead of poly foam, it will probably be more expensive. However, foam hybrid constructions like this can be more long-lasting than an all-foam construction.
How Do You Keep Memory Foam Mattresses from Sleeping Hot?
Using plant-based foam has been shown to be very effective, as has a laminating layer of gel onto the foam. Companies can also use “open-celled” foam, which is a type of foam that allows more air to pass freely through it.
When it comes to gel, mattress companies really turn on the marketing machine. They will charge customers thousands of dollars more for certain types of gels that aren’t actually more effective (though they do sound amazing). One material to keep an eye out for that really does help with cooling is Phase Change Material. At a very basic level, Phase Change Material absorbs body heat throughout the night, pulling it away from you and storing it until you cool off. At this point, it will release the heat to help regulate your body temperature. The Nectar Luxe is one of my favorite memory foam mattresses that features this material.
Off-Gassing Memory Foam Mattresses
New memory foam mattresses typically give off a chemical smell when they’re unboxed. This is called “mattress off-gassing.” It’s not a concern for the long term, but the smell can potentially last as long as a week, depending on the mattress brand. With some mattresses, the smell is very faint and completely goes away within 24 hours. Either way, just place the bed in a well-ventilated room or open a window so it has time to off-gas.
Memory Foam vs Other Mattress Types
Memory Foam vs Innerspring Mattresses
- Memory foam generally provides better pressure relief than spring mattresses, and it also conforms better to the curves of the body, potentially helping to promote better spinal alignment. This can make memory foam significantly better for people with pain issues.
- Spring mattresses do tend to sleep cooler because the coils can promote airflow through the mattress, while the chemical nature of memory foam makes those mattresses potentially trap heat more easily.
- Spring mattresses have more bounce overall. Depending on personal preference, this could be positive or negative.
RELATED: Memory Foam vs Innerspring Mattresses
Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses
- Memory foam will have better pressure relief than latex mattresses do, and it will also be better at conforming to the curves of the body.
- In general, latex mattresses will sleep cooler than memory foam because of the more open-celled chemical makeup of latex.
- Latex mattresses will be much bouncier than memory foam mattresses.
- Memory foam is slow-reacting and akin to quicksand, while Latex is immediately responsive.
RELATED: Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses
Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattresses
- Because they combine a foam comfort layer (or layers) with support coils rather than polyfoam, hybrid mattresses should be more expensive on average. Coils tend to be pricier to manufacture than polyfoam.
- Hybrid mattresses should have a little more bounce than standard memory foam mattresses.
- Hybrid mattresses will be a little bit more breathable because the coils leave so much space for air to flow.
RELATED: Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattresses
Summary
Here’s a summary of our top picks for the best memory foam mattresses:
| Mattress | Superlative | Price (Queen) |
| Nectar | Best Overall | $1099.00 |
| Helix Midnight | Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress for Couples | $1373.80 |
| DreamCloud Memory Foam | Best Affordable Memory Foam Mattress | $1532.00 |
| WinkBeds GravityLux | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers | $1799.00 |
| Bear Original | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Athletes | $998.00 |
| Nolah Signature | Best Alternative Memory Foam Mattress | $1799.00 |
| Saatva Contour5 | Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress | $2995.00 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Plank | Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress | $1332.00 |
| Leesa | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers | $1299.00 |
| Silk & Snow | Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress | $800.00 |
FAQs
What are the benefits of memory foam mattresses?
When it comes to pros, memory foam mattresses are very comfortable and can relieve pressure especially well since the foam contours the body. They can also help relieve hip and back pain. This may be especially beneficial for side sleepers. Memory foam mattresses may also be beneficial for couples or for people who toss and turn often in their sleep since there is little motion transfer in foam mattresses.
What are some of the issues with memory foam mattresses?
When it comes to cons, memory foam mattresses are sometimes known for sleeping hot since the material doesn’t always allow for a lot of airflow. The fact that memory foam contours the body also may make you feel like you’re sinking in the mattress and may make it more difficult to change positions at night.
What is the best inexpensive memory foam mattress?
Those who are seeking an inexpensive memory foam mattress should consider the Nectar and Dreamfoam Essential mattresses. The Nectar is a very comfortable memory foam mattress that costs between about $800.00 and $1300.00 for a Queen-size. Dreamfoam offers their Essential mattress for just under $500.00 for a Queen. If you’re after some of the benefits of a memory foam mattress without having to spend too much money, you could also consider a memory foam mattress topper.
What is the best memory foam mattress for side sleepers?
Side sleepers are going to want to find a mattress that is softer-than-average. We recommend the Layla and, to talk about a mattress that isn’t on this list, the Amerisleep AS4. Both mattresses are softer-than-average and should relieve most pressure on the shoulders and hips. The Layla and Amerisleep AS4 also performed very well on our pressure map test.
Are memory foam mattresses good for your back?
Like anything else, it depends on the sleeper and the mattress. But in general, a memory foam mattress that’s close to medium-firm and conforms to the shape of the sleeper’s body should be good for your back. The Leesa is an example of such a bed.
Does a memory foam mattress need a box spring?
The answer is more complex than you think. On one hand, a memory foam mattress is firm enough to lie flat on a floor or any other type of level surface. On the other hand, a box spring provides additional support, and you may also enjoy the extra height it provides. However, you only want to use one if you have a metal bed frame. If you have a platform bed, wooden slats, or adjustable bed as your sleep foundation, you shouldn’t use a box spring.
