Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses Comparison

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Which one is best for your sleep?

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: image shows the Nectar mattress on the left and the Saatva Latex Hybrid on the right

(Paradigm credit: Nectar / Saatva)

With then many different mattresses on the market, it can be hard to know which blazon will suit your sleep needs. Ii of the nearly pop options, and both of which you'll find in our all-time mattress guide, are memory foam and latex.

Both mattress types are oft compared to each other as they're both layered foam beds designed to suit to a sleeper's body. The best memory foam mattresses are normally more affordable than latex models, but you'll exist hard pressed to find a more than durable foam than natural latex.

As with all mattresses, there are pros and cons to each type. Our guide talks you lot through both materials then that y'all can make the correct choice for your slumber. With the Presidents' Day mattress sales approaching, nosotros'll soon start seeing expert savings on both types.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: What is a latex mattress?

Latex mattresses are bouncy and highly responsive
Latex mattresses are cooling, durable and long-lasting
They can be synthetic from natural, constructed or composite latex

Latex cream in its truthful sense is made from raw, natural latex harvested from prophylactic trees. Y'all will as well come beyond synthetic latex, which is constructed from a very scientific-sounding styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Natural latex is a very popular fabric among the best organic mattresses, especially cooling models.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Image shows the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress on a light coloured bedframe, and covered with a natural colour bed throw — The Saatva Latex Hybrid (pictured) is naturally hypoallergenic and repels dust mites and common allergens (Epitome credit: Saatva)

At that place are likewise a number of ways to industry latex, with the ii about common being the Dunlop and Talalay processes. Dunlop latex tends to experience a little denser at the bottom of the foam, whereas Talalay latex is less dense but more consistent.

A latex mattress feels bouncy, offers a fast response time and allows for a niggling body sinkage and compression. This means information technology's easier to movement around on and prevents you from feeling 'stuck' in the mattress, which tin occur with some denser types of memory foam - although that's the big appeal for some.

Latex is naturally cooling and many utilise aerated latex foams, as found in the best cooling mattresses. These have air pockets integrated into the molding of the foam. Natural latex is also extremely durable (synthetic less and so) and it's not unusual for a high-finish latex mattress to last over twenty years. (For more than guidance, read our characteristic on how long does a mattress last).

Retentivity foam vs latex mattresses: What is a memory cream mattress?

Memory cream mattresses provide the best force per unit area relief
They hug and contour the body for first-class, all-over support
Memory cream beds are usually far cheaper than latex mattresses

Memory foam is a type of polyurethane foam, a constructed foam textile. Its technical name is viscoelastic polyurethane foam, simply we'll stick with using the more pop term of memory foam for this article.

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a light wooden bed frame and dressed with a white comforter and pillows — The Nectar Original is ane of America'south most famous memory foam beds, and it comes with a Lifetime Warranty (Paradigm credit: Nectar Sleep)

The material was originally adult by NASA in the 1960s for use in the within of aircraft seats, and over fourth dimension it has trickled downwards to mattresses and other consumer appurtenances. Polyurethane is treated with sure chemicals to increase its density and viscosity, causing the material to react with your body heat and slowly adapt to the shape of your curves.

So retentivity foam is not a single material but rather a wide classification for a grouping of similar foams. This means you'll find retention foam available in a variety of compactness ratings and with a number of dissimilar response times (how long it takes to respond to your body, and then to bounce back later on).

It's too often aerated or cut in various means to promote airflow and can be infused with a number of cooling materials such equally gel, copper or graphite. The feel of retentivity foam is very distinctive, with deep pressure relief every second you prevarication on information technology. This makes it a popular choice with people who take articulation pain.

Retention foam vs latex mattresses: Key differences

Retentivity cream is man-made; latex is all-natural (apart from blended latex)
Retention foam mattresses offers ameliorate movement isolation than latex
Latex mattresses are bouncier and responsive, but motion isolation is less

Not all mattresses are created equal and you will find differences depending on the quality of the latex or retentiveness cream within yours, whether you are shopping in store or yous are online hunting downwardly the best mattress in a box for your budget.

But in that location are some key differences between the two types of foam that you'll find beyond the lath. Here are the four big ones:

Feel – Latex has an extremely bouncy and responsive feel to it, while memory cream doesn't. Latex does compress and adapt to the shape of your torso, only information technology doesn't offer the distinctive cradling, trunk-hugging feel that you lot get with retentiveness foam.

Memory cream slowly adapts to the shape of your body when yous lie downwards and returns to its original form equally you move. Latex is more than responsive and these mattresses are easier to go out of.

A woman with dark hair sleeps on a memory foam mattress dressed with white pillows and sheets — (Image credit: Getty)

Support – Both types of cream offer excellent back up and practice a a swell job of keeping your spine aligned during relaxation and sleep. Over time though, latex will win out with its superior durability.

That's because retentiveness cream volition somewhen start to sag and not regain its shape when a sleeper moves, which reduces back up. Latex tends to retain its shape and remains supportive throughout its lifespan.

Body type – Considering memory foam is designed to allow sleepers to sink into the material its best suited to sleepers who weigh less than 200lbs. Heavier sleepers may find that the foam has too much give and loses support. Latex is ideally suited to heavier sleepers.

Sleep mode – Back and side sleepers will observe that the torso hug of memory foam supports the pressure points they are creating while they sleep. Namely, on their hips, shoulders, dorsum and knees. If you are a dominant side snoozer, have a look at our guide to the all-time mattress for side sleepers.

Tummy sleepers should find latex buoyant plenty to go along their hips lifted and in line with their shoulders. Combination sleepers volition also like latex mattresses, equally they allow them to hands change position through the dark, merely memory foam is besides a good choice here.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Benefits

Motion transfer – If you share a bed with a restless partner who tosses and turns at night, retention foam is your friend. The body-hugging feel of the mattress makes it harder for sleepers to toss and turn at nighttime, merely also reduces the impact of any movement on the person sharing the bed.

Pressure relief – Well-mad mattresses aid convalesce pain at pressure points (call up neck, hips and shoulders). Retention foam is peculiarly effective here every bit it adapts directly to the shape of your body and cushions common problem areas. Latex also contours and provides first-class pressure relief, but retentivity foam trumps information technology.

A man in a white long sleeve t-shirt places his hand on a mattress — (Image credit: Getty)

Cooling – Memory foam naturally tends to blot and trap body oestrus, while latex is far better at remaining at a neutral temperature.

This doesn't mean that retentiveness foam is no good if you sleep hot. Just you lot do demand to look for memory foam that has either been infused with other cooling materials, such every bit gel, copper or graphite, or foam that is open-prison cell and is aerated.

Durability – Latex is far more durable than memory foam, which will sag over time and not regain its shape. Natural latex retains its springiness throughout its lifespan. You'll oft discover that latex mattresses have far longer warranties as they're expected to have a longer lifetime. For more guidance, read on feature on how practice mattress warranties work.

Memory cream vs latex mattresses: Prices and deals

Latex mattresses are more expensive but concluding longer
Retention cream mattresses are cheaper but not as durable
Virtually months yous'll find discounts on both types of mattress

Each month at that place are plenty of good mattress sales effectually, with reductions on both memory cream and latex models. Our favorite retentiveness cream bed is still the Nectar mattress, which currently starts at $499 cheers to $100 off plus $399 of free gifts at Nectar. For more than on this mattress, read our Nectar Retention Foam Mattress review.

Whether you want a pure memory cream or hybrid mattress (foam and coils), there are some brands we'd recommend. These include Saatva, Emma Slumber, DreamCloud, and Helix Sleep. We've included a few of our favorites for you below.

On the latex front end, there are usually some good discounts on these mattresses too, though the prices all the same remain college. For a more affordable pick, we'd recommend the Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid mattress, priced from $899 thank you to $200 off plus $499 of free gifts at Awara.

For some of the most luxurious latex mattresses on the market, look no further than the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress, priced from $1,199 at Saatva. Allow'southward take a closer expect at some of these now...

If you lot're ready to invest in a new mattress but still aren't quite certain which blazon to go for, our characteristic on how to cull a mattress will give y'all some great tips.

Memory cream vs latex mattresses: Which should you buy?

In the battle of retentivity cream vs latex mattresses, there are a huge number of excellent options to choose from. If you want a natural mattress that's also hypoallergenic, natural latex is the one to get for. It'southward the same with mattress toppers.

Latex is also the better choice for anyone looking for a bouncy and responsive mattress that allows the sleeper to move about with ease. Latex mattresses are likewise difficult to beat for longevity and immovability.

If you're on a pocket-size budget, retentivity foam is cheaper than latex. These mattresses also offer the best pressure relief, with the sinkage of retentiveness cream assuasive for body contouring and sinking into the mattress. But if you sleep hot and your centre is set on retention cream, choose 1 with added cooling materials or aerated foam.

Whichever blazon of mattress you opt for, make sure that it comes with a decent trial menses and warranty. Trial periods enable you lot to properly test out the mattress at home to ensure it's right for you.

Most trials last for around 100 nights, giving you lot over three months to get used to the bed. If you change your heed during this time, you can render information technology for a refund. Brand certain you use the best mattress protector for your budget to safeguard your bed from stains, spills and germs and so that information technology lasts yous longer.

Read more:

Saatva Classic Mattress review: hotel luxury at dwelling house
Nectar mattress sales: memory foam with a big disbelieve
Drift off on the best pillows for sleeping
Find the best weighted blanket for your sleep

Jo is a mattress reviewer and slumber writer with several years' experience covering all things mattresses, pillows and slumber. What Jo doesn't know well-nigh a memory cream or hybrid mattress isn't worth knowing.