High Resilience Foam vs. Reflex 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.

Reflex Foam

Reflex foam is commonly found in the transitionary and base foam layer of foam mattresses. It is higher density than memory foam, but still has enough give to it where it isn't as hard as a solid surface.

Reflex foam, like memory foam, is a polyurethane foam blend, which has been adjusted for higher density during its manufacturing.

Although some very firm mattresses are made completely of reflex foams, most foam mattresses are a blend of memory foam on the top layer followed by reflex foams in the middle and bottom layers.

Pros: Firmer, supportive foam that enables enough contour for heavier sleepers and support to traditional memory foam mattresses.

Cons: Lower quality foams can offgas toxic chemicals and sag faster than alternatives.

Learn More About High Resilience Foam

Learn More About Reflex Foam

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Material Scores

Overall Score:
High Resilience Foam: 8.9/10
Reflex Foam: 8.6/10

Comfort:
High Resilience Foam: 8.8/10
Reflex Foam: 8.7/10

Softness:
High Resilience Foam: 8.7/10
Reflex Foam: 8/10

Cooling:
High Resilience Foam: 8/10
Reflex Foam: 8.1/10

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

No Odor:
High Resilience Foam: 8.4/10
Reflex Foam: 8.9/10

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

Eco-Conscious:
High Resilience Foam: 8.5/10
Reflex Foam: 8/10

Price Value:
High Resilience Foam: 9.4/10
Reflex Foam: 9.2/10