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Memory foam, with its pressure relief and slow response, is one of the most popular mattress materials and mattress types. Originally a luxury mattress material, manufacturers have enhanced the construction process to make more affordable, resilient foams. However, over recent years, lower quality, less comfortable, and less durable foams have also flooded the market. It has become more difficult to find true quality for the price. By analyzing customer feedback from a wide range of brands available online and in-store, we've put together a list of top rated mattress options that blend value and comfort.
+3.0x pain relief
+2.4x better cooling
Listed top rated mattresses vs. average comparable mattressesTOP PICKS: Nectar Premier
BEST COOLING: Bear Original
BEST SIDE SLEEPING: Nectar Luxe
BEST FOR THE MONEY: Nectar Mattress
BEST BUDGET: Siena Mattress
Memory foam, also called visco elastic foam, has been around since the mid-70s and made a big splash in the mattress industry over the past couple decades. In recent years, memory foam mattresses have become ubiquitous with the online mattress movement with brands like Bear Mattress and Nectar making big impacts in the industry.
But what is memory foam exactly? It is a blend of polyurethane foam, which is a synthetic polymer, that is slow response and soft to the touch. There are a variety of foam manufacturers around the United States and abroad that supply mattress makers. Some mattress companies also create their own special blend of foam for their specific feel. For example, Tempur-Pedic has its own proprietary blend called Tempur® foam.
Over the years, memory foam and other polyurethane foams have become increasingly cheap to make. This has led to the advent of cheaply made mattresses, by brands large and small that have caused toxicity concerns. However, there are a few independent organizations that certify low emission foam, such as the CertiPUR-US standard. If you are sensitive to chemicals, make sure to check the certifications!
Support
The best memory foam mattresses aren't purely memory foam. Their top layer is generally soft to the touch, but their middle and bottom layers are higher density and firmer to provide better support than memory foam alone. The most comfortable foam mattresses are medium to medium firm so they don't swallow you, but provide a gentle contouring to keep you comfortable. Nectar, with its 3 layers of gel, core, and base memory foams does a great job at this!
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Cooling
Memory foam tends to sleep hot both because of the materials used and because it hugs more surface area of your body, which is why it is so important to find a mattress that sleeps cool. The Bear Original Mattress has a Celliant® cover that diffuses heat into infrared light. Its design ensures that you'll stay cool through the night!
Choosing a memory foam can be tough, which is why we've made sure our top picks have generous return policies on the off-chance that you don't like what you pick.
One of the most popular mattress brands, Nectar has revolutionized the all-foam mattress industry with designs that focus on universally comfy firmness and support. With 3 all-foam mattresses and even some newer hybrid options, customers have reported enhanced cooling and supreme pressure relief in the Nectar Premier & Luxe. With value-add benefits like a full year trial and 'forever' warranty, quality materials for the price, and 'Buy Now, Pay Later' financing options, it should be a serious consideration for value-conscious shoppers. Now available in Canada. From the UK? See our review for the UK version.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.7/10
Price Value: 9.8/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $349-$2598
Bear offers 5 top-rated mattresses. Their Bear Original memory foam has won acclaim with athletes on a budget. For those looking for a pressure-relieving feel, the Star Hybrid and Pro Hybrid are great options. Sleepers looking for the responsive feel of natural latex will enjoy the Bear Natural hybrid mattress. Lastly, their Elite Hybrid, features both cooling foams and zoned support to provide sleepers with a luxurious sleep experience. From the Celliant® fibers to copper cooling, customers love these mattresses for their superior cooling, muscle pain relief, and balanced back support.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.5/10
Price: $786-$4996
Siena is an affordable mattress brand by Resident Home, the makers of some of the most well-rated mattresses in the industry. Their Siena offering is all about delivering high value comfort while maintaining a low price. With prices starting below $500 for a queen (after discount), mattresses at these price points found elsewhere often have additional complaints about perceived quality and durability over time. With a specialty foam design that features breathability, pressure relief, and sturdy support, Siena is a great consideration for those on a budget.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.5/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $149-$599
Cocoon by Sealy is Sealy's answer to the disruptive mattress in a box brands that have been so popular over the past two years. They offer a cooling 'Chill' memory foam mattress and hybrid mattress. With massive brand awareness, competitive prices, and easy delivery, Cocoon is an exciting entry into the mattress-in-a-box space. One that's sure to continue to innovate!
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.4/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.4/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $769-$1999
Nolah came to market in 2016 when they crafted their very own foam, called Nolah AirFoam®, as a response to the memory foam mattress industry. Its innovation is that it retains less heat than other memory foam or common 'visco elastic' foams. It is easier on the hips and shoulders, making it ideal for side sleepers. With multiple mattress options, good customer satisfaction scores, and a tailored mattress for plus sized sleepers, Nolah is a brand anyone can feel good about!
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.4/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $699-$2499
Dreamfoam Bedding is a lower cost brand by Brooklyn Bedding. These economy mattresses offer competitive options for the budget conscious shopper, while still having a good selection of choices featuring hypoallergenic latex, foam, and coil. Because of the lower prices, there are lower quality materials used in the mattresses, which isn't ideal for all sleepers, but for those that are looking for a temporary solution or a guest room mattress, these might work just fine.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $274-$1499
Loom and Leaf has a lot to offer -- standing at just about 12 inches thick, it has many layers of high-end foam that help alleviate pressure points but also properly cradle the spine. If you are frustrated by mattresses that don't properly support your back and spine, Loom and Leaf can definitely help. It has a medium firm option that is approved by chiropractors and other spine gurus. Also, its firmness and thick layers help with long term durability.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $1195-$3150
Tuft & Needle made a big splash in the mattress industry when it offered one of the lowest cost all-foam mattresses in a box directly to customers, their T&N Original Mattress. Since then, they've elaborated on their initial concept with two more innovative designs: The Mint and The Hybrid, which provide high quality, superbly pressure-relieving offerings. On top of that, the Mint Mattress was recently upgraded to include antimicrobial protection embedded in its cover layer. With their three mattresses and 100,000s of positive reviews, customers have spoken in approval of T&N.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.2/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.2/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $645-$1895
Founded in 2011, Nest Bedding is an exciting addition to the mattress in a box space. Their mattresses are manufactured in the US and include a high-end hybrid mattress, organic and natural latex and hybrid mattresses, a flippable mattress and more. With competitive price points compared to name-brand mattresses and a tradition of innovating based on customer feedback, there's a lot to love about Nest Bedding.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.2/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.1/10
Price Value: 9.1/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $849-$4699
Nora is a Wayfair exclusive mattress in a box company. They have two mattresses, including a memory foam and a pocketed coil mattress, both designed to serve sleepers who are on a budget. It is another example of a major retailer making big moves in the disruptive industry of on-demand mattresses. As far as comfort, most customers like their Nora mattresses at first, but there are some complaints about heat retention, firmness, and durability for some customers.
Overall Score for Memory Foam: 9.2/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.2/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $369-$1499
When it comes to price, value, and cooling medium-firm comfort, the Bear Mattress is the top rated all-foam mattress. Other top contenders are Level Sleep for its posture focused mattress, Nectar for its high value mattress, and Puffy for its soft-luxury contour.
On average, about 6 years. Most all-foam mattresses last between 5 and 7 years. Depending on the mattress quality and the firmness, mattresses can last longer or less long.
Mattresses that feature memory foam can provide additional pressure relief, which can help with back, shoulder, and hip pain. However, not all foams are high quality and some may off-gas toxins. Be sure to check certifications (such as CertiPUR-US and Greenguard GOLD) to make sure foams are quality.
Depending on personal preferences and firmness requirements, memory foam's contour can cause discomfort and feel less supportive than expected. Also, some lower quality memory foams have issues with off-gassing and odor.
Nectar offers the best overall customer satisfaction and value for the money. It comes with an affordable price point, 365 night home trial, and added perks buying direct. Other competitive brands include the Tuft & Needle and Bear mattresses.
Comfy and high quality memory foam mattresses range from 8 to 12 inches in height, with 10 - 12 inches being most common. Slimmer options may not offer enough support. Thicker options may offer additional pressure relief and contour.
The most important first step is to learn what customers say about top rated memory foam mattresses that fit your budget and sleeping style (such as side sleeping vs. back sleeping). This will guide you to a selection of options. Most customers like medium-firmness for back and side sleeping.
Memory foam mattresses range from less than $200 to more than $4500 for a queen. The highest rated options average around $1000 for a queen.
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.
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