Memory Foam Buyers Guide

1. Density:

   Tempurpedic really set the bar for memory foam density. Their memory foam beds are all 5.3 lb density and up and that is because anything below 5 lb density tends to break down faster and not retain its visco-elasticity. We all know the signature palm print that defines how memory foam works - well, as the memory foam mattress breaks down and ages, the mattress will take longer and longer to go back to its original flat surface. Industry testing has shown that memory foam of less density than 5 lbs tends to break down too quickly and therefore you should always buy a bed with a minimum memory foam density of 5 lbs.
   
   

2. Thickness:

   You may see a variety of thicknesses advertised on any given website or in any given sleep store so you should know what it really means. The truth is that no mattress is only made of memory foam, and that's ok because the support foam or core that is used to support the memory foam is part of what offers such a therapeutic sleeping experience. In most cases you have a combination of materials that make up a memory foam mattress.

   Some mattresses may be made up of 4 inches of memory foam with 6 inches of "support foam" while others may be made up of 4 inches of memory foam and 6 inches of latex as a core. Obviously, the more memory foam on the bed, the more it will cost. The best way to assess the difference is to actually get to a store that sells multiple brands of memory foam beds and try out the 3 inch memory foam vs. the 4 inches of memory foam and the like. As long as the memory foam is dense enough (5 lbs and above) the choice is going to be up to you in terms of feeling and level of comfort.
   

3. Technology:

   One downside of memory foam among consumers has been the level of heat that can be generated and trapped within the memory foam. Part of the magic of memory foam is that it is activated by the warmth of your body but in the middle of summer the heat the mattress retains can be uncomfortable. AirCell Technology is used in the more expensive Tempurpedic mattresses and is now being incorporated by other brands.

Essentially this is a layer of special foam inserted between the memory foam and the support foam of the mattress that allows airflow and therefore cools the memory foam making a more comfortable sleeping experience. There are also memory foam mattress companies using a material called Coolmax from Dupont and this revolutionary material helps the body regulate its temperature when resting on a memory foam mattress. The material actually helps to protect you and your bed from overheating and also answers the issue of a memory foam mattress being too warm for comfort.