Everyone knows about memory foam. There has been a sustained push in marketing the product over the last few years, resulting in television, radio and magazine ad campaigns designed to inform the consumer about the increased benefits of memory foam mattresses over regular mattress foam technology. However, the discerning customer should be aware that there are several costs and benefits that must be carefully weighed before purchasing the product.

There are several technical considerations before buying. For one thing, not all memory foam is temperature-sensitive. In order to check that it is, you should lie on the mattress to test it out. Over the course of a few minutes, the mattress should “melt” away from areas where it is in contact with your body. These areas should also cause the material to contract and soften. If this does not occur, inquire about the product – or explore alternative brands.

The most important indicator of the quality of memory foam is its density. The highest-quality (and therefore most expensive) memory foam has a density of over 5-6 pounds. The cheaper (and less effective) kinds can get as low as 2-3 pounds. Another important thing is to count the number of layers in a memory foam mattress. A good memory foam mattress has at least two or three layers of what is technically known as “urethane foam”; these layers serve to provide even support and weight distribution. As a result, the life of the mattress will be extended.

Additionally, it is very important to note that memory foam can essentially act as a sponge – it is very absorbent. As a result, spilled fluids can potentially damage the product. It is important, then, to ensure that your memory foam mattress pad is waterproof, so that you avoid this potential pitfall.

Another important thing to realize is that you can always ask for a trial. As a consumer who will by buying a product that you will use for years, you are within your rights to demand that you try before you buy.

If you still decide that you are unwilling to spend the money on full-scale memory foam mattresses, there are certainly alternatives…

The most immediately apparent one is the “topper”, which is a thinner mat (made of memory foam) that goes over the regular mattress, and works to amplify the level of comfort your old mattress provides you. The memory foam toppers are much cheaper than full-on mattresses made of memory foam, check out the mattress pads guide for more information.

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There is no arguing with the rising popularity of memory foam mattresses. Because of their unique supportive properties and extreme comfort, memory foam has taken the coveted top spot in the mattress world and will likely continue to dominate the competition in the coming years. Perhaps the most amazing thing about memory foam, apart from its unique composition, is that it continues to increase in popularity despite its relatively high purchase price. To be certain, the introduction of cheaper memory foam has affected the average price, though quality foam still commands top dollar. In fact, the average full or double sized memory foam mattress currently costs upwards of $1,500 without box spring or frame. For many families this means that a memory foam mattress is simply out of reach. Fortunately, there is an alternative for people that desire a comfortable mattress for their children and guests – a single memory foam mattress.

Although single memory foam mattresses aren’t for everyone, they are ideal for those that are in the market for a small mattress. We recently purchased a small mattress for our 3-year old son, though we did not buy him a memory foam mattress, as I assumed it would be out of reach price wise. As it turns out, a single or twin foam mattress can be purchased for a suggested retail price of about $1,000, which is not much more than we paid for a quality spring and coil mattress. With a bit of negotiating it should be possible to knock a considerable amount off the MSRP.

Many people reading this article are likely thinking I’m crazy for spending such an amount of money on a mattress for a child; however, it’s important to consider the amount of time he will spend in that mattress. A high quality mattress can last for several years and many memory foam mattresses are guaranteed to last up to 20 years. At 3 years of age that means my son could use a $1,000 twin mattress until he’s 23 years of age at an average cost of just $50 per year. Consider also that he would be sleeping on a mattress that provided him with proper support and superior comfort through his entire developmental life. It’s actually a small price to pay when considering the huge benefit it can provide.

It’s important to remember the following tips when shopping for memory foam:

1. Always purchase a mattress with at least 3 pounds per cubic foot of density, as a less dense mattress will not provide the proper balance between comfort and support.

2. Consider purchasing a reputable brand such and Tempur-Pedic, since a reputable brand will have some positive (or negative) reviews behind it and will likely come with a generous warranty and excellent customer support.

3. Always purchase from a mattress retailer rather than from a general furniture store. A mattress retailer will specialize in the products they sell and will be able to provide you with insight that other stores can’t.

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Foam mattresses have increased significantly in popularity over the past several years due to a combination of extraordinary comfort and nearly perfect support qualities. Although memory foam was developed more than 40 years ago through the NASA Ames Research Center, it has only taken off recently as a mattress component due to a decrease in material and manufacturing costs. So what is the difference between a memory foam mattress and a visco elastic foam mattress? The answer is that “visco elastic foam mattress” is a technical term used to describe “memory foam.” In other words they are one in the same. Now that we know these terms can be used interchangeably, it’s important to discuss the specific qualities that give a visco elastic memory foam mattress it’s “memory.”

Foam mattresses excel at conforming to your body – a function that is referred to a mattress’s memory. The degree of density with which the mattress is constructed influences the degree of memory it will have. In general, mattresses that are denser will perform better than those that are less dense. Of course, there is a direct relationship between how dense a mattress is and its final cost. The reason a higher density foam mattress or even a visco elastic memory foam mattress topper costs more is that they tend to conform better to the body and are slower to rebound from their memory state. Perhaps the most notable reason is that a denser mattress will provide more support and will generally last longer than a less expensive version.

Most experts recommend purchasing a memory foam mattress with no less than 3 pounds of density, as mattresses with a lower density will simply not give sufficient support. After all, proper support is the number one reason why people choose a foam mattress over a traditional spring or coil mattress. Another important consideration when purchasing a foam mattress is that they tend to hold on to body heat well, keeping some sleepers too warm. This is particularly true with a higher density mattress, so be sure you have the option of trying out your mattress for at least 30 days to evaluate it for yourself. Another important consideration are comforters, blankets and other bedding, since some materials like down or wool can increase the warmth even further. Another separate concern for some sleepers is the potential for memory foam mattresses to “off-gas” or release chemical odors when new. While the odor generally decreases quickly, many sleepers remain sensitive to it. Again, be sure to try out your mattress before committing to it for the long haul.

A common companion purchase for those buying a memory foam mattress is a memory foam pillow. As with mattresses, there are several variations of memory foam pillows to suit individual preferences and sleeping habits, so be sure to choose the one that bests suits you. I have purchased to two types of memory foam pillows and prefer the denser traditional looking pillow, since I tend to sleep mostly on my back. I have had this particular pillow for about 5 years and it is just as supportive as the day I purchased it.

While foam mattresses are generally more expensive than traditional spring mattresses, the lifespan of a foam mattress is significantly greater. For example, most spring mattresses are rated between just 5-7 years while a quality visco elastic mattress can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced. Apart from being a better investment than a traditional mattress, a foam mattress will also provide better support and superior comfort.

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