High Resilience Foam vs. Polyurethane Foam

High Resilience Foam

High resilience is a polyurethane foam that has a much higher responsiveness than memory foam, which has a slower response. Because of this, those that enjoy more of a bounce in their mattress will gravitate towards this type of foam.

High resilience foams are much less popular than memory foam, but they make up important layers of many popular mattresses. Oftentimes the transitional layer or base layer of memory foam mattresses will contain high resilience foam at high densities. This provides a more even feel across the mattress, and less of a sinking feeling that memory foam alone would have.

Like all polyurethane foam, high resilience foam is made of a blend of polyurethane and 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: Quicker response than memory foam provides many mattresses with an even supportive feel.

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

Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam is a blanket term that includes any foam that is synthesized using polyol and diisocyanate. These include but are not limited to: memory foam, high resilience foam, and high density foam. Since polyurethane foam can contain additives, a manufacturer that comes up with a new formula can name the new foam whatever they like.

Many memory foam mattresses are a combination of polyurethane foams, layered from dense on the bottom to less dense on the surface layers.

Polyurethane is a synthetic blend of organic compounds and 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: Many different types of foams exist under the polyurethane umbrella -- some are excellent for bedding and offer different firmness varieties!

Cons: Off-gassing and durability problems with lower quality foams.

Learn More About High Resilience Foam

Learn More About Polyurethane Foam

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Material Scores

Overall Score:
High Resilience Foam: 8.9/10
Polyurethane Foam: 9.4/10

Comfort:
High Resilience Foam: 8.8/10
Polyurethane Foam: 9.4/10

Softness:
High Resilience Foam: 8.7/10
Polyurethane Foam: 9.5/10

Cooling:
High Resilience Foam: 8/10
Polyurethane Foam: 8/10

Hypoallergenic:
High Resilience Foam: 8.1/10
Polyurethane Foam: 8.1/10

No Odor:
High Resilience Foam: 8.4/10
Polyurethane Foam: 8.4/10

General Support:
High Resilience Foam: 9.4/10
Polyurethane Foam: 9.5/10

Eco-Conscious:
High Resilience Foam: 8.5/10
Polyurethane Foam: 8.5/10

Price Value:
High Resilience Foam: 9.4/10
Polyurethane Foam: 9.5/10