Bamboo Infused vs. Memory Foam

Bamboo Infused

A bamboo infused mattress has one of two of the following properties: its cover is made of bamboo or it has a layer of foam that is infused with bamboo (generally bamboo charcoal) which provides added cooling similar to gel.

As there is a lot of hype around bamboo as a natural ingredient, there have been multiple brands that have included this ingredient for added product awareness.

However, it is important to know that bamboo infused memory foam and bamboo covered foam mattresses are still made of polyurethane, a synthetic blend of organic compounds that has a tendency to off-gas. If you are susceptible to lung issues, please do additional research on the quality of foams before purchasing.

Pros: Bamboo covers provide a cooler sleeping surface and bamboo infused memory foam similarly breathes better.

Cons: Off-gassing and durability problems with lower quality foams still exist despite being infused with bamboo.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a blend of polyurethane (a polymer made as a byproduct of petroleum refining) and additional chemicals that give the memory foam its low-resilience. It was originally developed by NASA in the 1970s for airplane cushioning and has since become one of the widest materials used in mattresses and pillows.

In plain English, what makes memory foam is its ability to contour to pressure and return to its original shape slowly after pressure is released. This process allows for it to react to pressure differently across its surface and provide a contoured, but aligned feeling for sleepers.

In mattresses, older or lower quality memory foam may sag from the repetitive pressure of laying or sitting. For this reason, those that are heavier should do additional research about soft memory foam bedding as they will sink more than alternatives and could lead to discomfort for some body types.

Lastly, over the recent years, there has been reports of off-gassing and toxic odors released from memory foam. Some lower quality or treated memory foam may have this problem and cause respiratory inflamation. It is important to make sure that memory foam is high quality.

Pros: Contouring comfort, competitive pricepoints, and widespread options.

Cons: Sagging and off-gassing problems with lower quality foams.

Learn More About Bamboo Infused

Learn More About Memory Foam

See Our Top Mattress Choices

Material Scores

Overall Score:
Bamboo Infused: 8.9/10
Memory Foam: 9.3/10

Comfort:
Bamboo Infused: 9/10
Memory Foam: 9.4/10

Softness:
Bamboo Infused: 9/10
Memory Foam: 9.5/10

Cooling:
Bamboo Infused: 9.1/10
Memory Foam: 8/10

Hypoallergenic:
Bamboo Infused: 8.8/10
Memory Foam: 8.1/10

No Odor:
Bamboo Infused: 8.7/10
Memory Foam: 8.4/10

General Support:
Bamboo Infused: 8.7/10
Memory Foam: 8.7/10

Eco-Conscious:
Bamboo Infused: 8.9/10
Memory Foam: 8.5/10

Price Value:
Bamboo Infused: 9.2/10
Memory Foam: 9.4/10