Gel is a recent newcomer to the mattress space. It is being used as both a standalone layer and an infusion into foam. Gel benefits mattresses by retaining less heat than memory foam. Also, newer gels compete against memory foam by being more responsive and less toxic.
Gel is similar to foam because it is a polymer made by blending plastics and other chemicals.
Because of gel's heat diffusing properties, it is generally found in the top layer of the mattress under the cover.
Pros: Cooler sleeping surface vs memory foam. More responsive feel when not combined with foam.
Cons: Similar to foam, it is a synthetic blend of chemicals.
Wool is made of sheep fur. It is sheared from the sheep multiple times in their lives.
The most famous kind of wool being used in mattresses is New Zealand wool because of its attention to quality.
Wool is commonly found in the cover or as a comfort layer. As a comfort layer, it is packed tightly in the mattress so it can add softness to the top layers of the mattress. Some untreated wool may have a slight natural barnyard smell. It is also a natural fire retardent.
Pros: Wool is an all natural alternative to other types of comfort layers.
Cons: The quality of wool bedding is entirely dependent on mattress craftmanship. If the packing is too loose, there can be quick sagging and durability issues.
Overall Score:
Gel: 8.6/10
Wool: 9/10
Comfort:
Gel: 8.7/10
Wool: 8.9/10
Softness:
Gel: 8/10
Wool: 9.3/10
Cooling:
Gel: 8.1/10
Wool: 9.2/10
Hypoallergenic:
Gel: 8.1/10
Wool: 9.3/10
Odor:
Gel: 8.9/10
Wool: 9.1/10
General Support:
Gel: 8.1/10
Wool: 9.2/10
Eco-Conscious:
Gel: 8/10
Wool: 9.3/10
Price Value:
Gel: 9.2/10
Wool: 9.2/10
Mattress & furniture shopping is an oftentimes tedious and mundane task. This site's sole purpose is to help you make the decision faster and with more peace of mind. We sincerely hope that whatever your interaction with this site, that it is helpful and timely for you, and that the product information here guides you to the best outcome for your daily life. May all benefit! The reviews here are aggregated from other sources across the Internet and although we have tried only to find trustworthy reviews, the content and scores here may be subject to manipulation by agents acting on behalf of manufacturers and marketers. Like all things you read on the Internet, understand there is no better judge than yourself. When it comes to your own comfort, your own body is the only North Star. Where Slumber Search discusses medical ailments, we strive to ensure the information on this site is accurate, current and useful, however, we do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information related to medicine. We are not doctors -- if you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor.
The makers of Slumber Search also make affiliate commissions from some of these manufacturers to keep the site running. There is NO additional price markup for using this site or on links from this site and any commissions made by Slumber Search come out of the brand's profit margin. See how it all works here.
*All metrics regarding customer sentiment are based on aggregated public review content, including reviews that have been submitted to this site and elsewhere that have been evaluated by our data science team. While we strive to provide useful metrics for the benefit of shoppers, we cannot certify their accuracy at any given time due to potentially incomplete and inaccurate data sources.
SLUMBER SEARCH
