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.
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:
Memory Foam: 9.3/10
Wool: 9/10
Comfort:
Memory Foam: 9.4/10
Wool: 8.9/10
Softness:
Memory Foam: 9.5/10
Wool: 9.3/10
Cooling:
Memory Foam: 8/10
Wool: 9.2/10
Hypoallergenic:
Memory Foam: 8.1/10
Wool: 9.3/10
Odor:
Memory Foam: 8.4/10
Wool: 9.1/10
General Support:
Memory Foam: 8/10
Wool: 9.2/10
Eco-Conscious:
Memory Foam: 8.5/10
Wool: 9.3/10
Price Value:
Memory Foam: 9.4/10
Wool: 9.2/10
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