What is Memory Foam?

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.

See Our Top Mattress Choices

Material Scores

Overall Score 9.3/10
Comfort: 9.4/10
Softness: 9.5/10
Cooling: 8/10
Hypoallergenic: 8.1/10
No Odor: 8.4/10
Eco-Conscious: 8.5/10
General Support: 8.7
Price Value: 9.4

Compare Memory Foam With These Materials

High Density Foam

Gel

High Resilience Foam

Egg Crate Foam

Visco Elastic Foam

Polyurethane Foam

Bamboo Infused

Pocket Spring

Reflex Foam

Orthopedic

Tempur

Coil Spring

Pillow Top

Bonnell Spring

Wool