Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses Comparison

Retentiveness foam vs latex mattresses: Which 1 is best for your sleep?

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: image shows the Nectar mattress on the left and the Saatva Latex Hybrid on the right

(Image credit: Nectar / Saatva)

With so many different mattresses on the market, it tin can be hard to know which type will arrange your sleep needs. Two of the most popular options, and both of which y'all'll find in our best mattress guide, are memory foam and latex.

Both mattress types are oft compared to each other as they're both layered cream beds designed to adjust to a sleeper'southward body. The best memory foam mattresses are normally more affordable than latex models, but y'all'll be difficult pressed to find a more durable foam than natural latex.

As with all mattresses, there are pros and cons to each type. Our guide talks you through both materials so that you can make the correct choice for your sleep. With the Presidents' Day mattress sales approaching, nosotros'll soon start seeing good savings on both types.

Retention foam vs latex mattresses: What is a latex mattress?

Latex mattresses are bouncy and highly responsive
Latex mattresses are cooling, durable and long-lasting
They can be synthetic from natural, synthetic or blended latex

Latex foam in its true sense is made from raw, natural latex harvested from rubber trees. Yous volition likewise come up across synthetic latex, which is constructed from a very scientific-sounding styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Natural latex is a very popular material amongst the best organic mattresses, especially cooling models.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Image shows the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress on a light coloured bedframe, and covered with a natural colour bed throw — The Saatva Latex Hybrid (pictured) is naturally hypoallergenic and repels grit mites and common allergens (Epitome credit: Saatva)

There are also a number of ways to manufacture latex, with the two most common being the Dunlop and Talalay processes. Dunlop latex tends to feel a little denser at the bottom of the foam, whereas Talalay latex is less dense just more consistent.

A latex mattress feels bouncy, offers a fast response time and allows for a little body sinkage and compression. This ways it'southward easier to move effectually on and prevents you from feeling 'stuck' in the mattress, which tin occur with some denser types of memory foam - although that's the big appeal for some.

Latex is naturally cooling and many use aerated latex foams, as establish in the best cooling mattresses. These have air pockets integrated into the molding of the foam. Natural latex is besides extremely durable (synthetic less so) and information technology's not unusual for a loftier-end latex mattress to last over 20 years. (For more guidance, read our feature on how long does a mattress terminal).

Are retention foam mattresses proficient for your sleep? A await at the pros and cons

Retention foam vs latex mattresses: What is a memory foam mattress?

Memory cream mattresses provide the best pressure relief
They hug and contour the body for fantabulous, all-over support
Retention foam beds are usually far cheaper than latex mattresses

Memory cream is a type of polyurethane cream, a synthetic foam material. Its technical name is viscoelastic polyurethane foam, merely nosotros'll stick with using the more pop term of retentivity foam for this article.

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a light wooden bed frame and dressed with a white comforter and pillows — The Nectar Original is one of America'due south most famous memory foam beds, and it comes with a Lifetime Warranty (Image credit: Nectar Sleep)

The cloth was originally developed past NASA in the 1960s for utilize in the inside of shipping seats, and over fourth dimension it has trickled down to mattresses and other consumer goods. Polyurethane is treated with sure chemicals to increment its density and viscosity, causing the textile to react with your torso rut and slowly adapt to the shape of your curves.

So memory foam is not a single material but rather a wide classification for a group of similar foams. This ways you'll find memory foam available in a variety of firmness ratings and with a number of different response times (how long it takes to respond to your torso, then to bounce back later on).

It'due south also oftentimes aerated or cut in various ways to promote airflow and can exist infused with a number of cooling materials such equally gel, copper or graphite. The feel of memory foam is very distinctive, with deep pressure relief every second you prevarication on it. This makes it a popular option with people who have articulation pain.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Key differences

Memory foam is human-made; latex is all-natural (autonomously from blended latex)
Retentivity cream mattresses offers better motion isolation than latex
Latex mattresses are bouncier and responsive, just motion isolation is less

Not all mattresses are created equal and you will detect differences depending on the quality of the latex or memory cream within yours, whether you lot are shopping in store or y'all are online hunting downwards the best mattress in a box for your upkeep.

But there are some central differences between the two types of foam that you'll discover beyond the board. Here are the iv big ones:

Experience – Latex has an extremely boisterous and responsive feel to it, while memory foam doesn't. Latex does compress and adapt to the shape of your body, only it doesn't offer the distinctive cradling, torso-hugging feel that y'all get with memory cream.

Memory foam slowly adapts to the shape of your trunk when you lie down and returns to its original grade as you move. Latex is more responsive and these mattresses are easier to get out of.

A woman with dark hair sleeps on a memory foam mattress dressed with white pillows and sheets — (Image credit: Getty)

Back up – Both types of cream offering splendid support and do a a great job of keeping your spine aligned during relaxation and sleep. Over time though, latex will win out with its superior durability.

That'south because retentiveness foam will eventually showtime to sag and not regain its shape when a sleeper moves, which reduces support. Latex tends to retain its shape and remains supportive throughout its lifespan.

Body type – Because memory foam is designed to allow sleepers to sink into the material its all-time suited to sleepers who weigh less than 200lbs. Heavier sleepers may find that the foam has as well much give and loses support. Latex is ideally suited to heavier sleepers.

Slumber style – Back and side sleepers will find that the trunk hug of retentivity foam supports the pressure points they are creating while they sleep. Namely, on their hips, shoulders, dorsum and knees. If yous are a ascendant side snoozer, take a look at our guide to the best mattress for side sleepers.

Stomach sleepers should find latex buoyant enough to keep their hips lifted and in line with their shoulders. Combination sleepers volition also similar latex mattresses, as they allow them to easily change position through the night, but retentiveness foam is as well a proficient choice here.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Benefits

Motion transfer – If you share a bed with a restless partner who tosses and turns at night, memory cream is your friend. The body-hugging experience of the mattress makes it harder for sleepers to toss and turn at night, but likewise reduces the touch of any movement on the person sharing the bed.

Force per unit area relief – Well-mad mattresses help convalesce pain at force per unit area points (recollect neck, hips and shoulders). Retentivity foam is particularly effective here as it adapts straight to the shape of your body and cushions mutual trouble areas. Latex also contours and provides excellent pressure relief, merely retentivity foam trumps it.

A man in a white long sleeve t-shirt places his hand on a mattress — (Image credit: Getty)

Cooling – Memory foam naturally tends to absorb and trap trunk heat, while latex is far meliorate at remaining at a neutral temperature.

This doesn't mean that memory foam is no expert if you lot sleep hot. But you practise need to await for memory foam that has either been infused with other cooling materials, such every bit gel, copper or graphite, or foam that is open up-jail cell and is aerated.

Durability – Latex is far more than durable than retention cream, which volition sag over time and not regain its shape. Natural latex retains its springiness throughout its lifespan. You'll often observe that latex mattresses have far longer warranties equally they're expected to take a longer lifetime. For more guidance, read on feature on how do mattress warranties work.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: Prices and deals

Latex mattresses are more expensive but concluding longer
Memory foam mattresses are cheaper simply not equally durable
Most months you'll find discounts on both types of mattress

Each month in that location are plenty of good mattress sales around, with reductions on both memory foam and latex models. Our favorite retentiveness foam bed is still the Nectar mattress, which currently starts at $499 thanks to $100 off plus $399 of free gifts at Nectar. For more on this mattress, read our Nectar Retentivity Cream Mattress review.

Whether you desire a pure retentivity foam or hybrid mattress (foam and coils), at that place are some brands we'd recommend. These include Saatva, Emma Sleep, DreamCloud, and Helix Slumber. Nosotros've included a few of our favorites for you below.

On the latex front, there are unremarkably some adept discounts on these mattresses too, though the prices still remain higher. For a more affordable selection, we'd recommend the Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid mattress, priced from $899 thank you to $200 off plus $499 of free gifts at Awara.

For some of the most luxurious latex mattresses on the market place, await no further than the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress, priced from $1,199 at Saatva. Permit'south have a closer look at some of these at present...

If you're fix to invest in a new mattress but still aren't quite sure which type to go for, our feature on how to choose a mattress will give you some bang-up tips.

Retentivity foam vs latex mattresses: Which should you buy?

In the boxing of retentiveness cream vs latex mattresses, at that place are a huge number of first-class options to choose from. If you want a natural mattress that'south also hypoallergenic, natural latex is the one to go for. It's the same with mattress toppers.

Latex is likewise the better pick for anyone looking for a bouncy and responsive mattress that allows the sleeper to move about with ease. Latex mattresses are as well hard to crush for longevity and immovability.

If yous're on a small upkeep, memory foam is cheaper than latex. These mattresses also offer the best pressure relief, with the sinkage of memory cream assuasive for torso contouring and sinking into the mattress. But if you sleep hot and your eye is attack retentivity foam, choose ane with added cooling materials or aerated foam.

Whichever type of mattress you lot opt for, brand certain that it comes with a decent trial catamenia and warranty. Trial periods enable you to properly examination out the mattress at home to ensure it'southward correct for you.

Most trials concluding for effectually 100 nights, giving you over three months to get used to the bed. If you change your mind during this time, you can render it for a refund. Brand sure yous use the all-time mattress protector for your budget to safeguard your bed from stains, spills and germs so that it lasts you longer.

Read more:

Saatva Classic Mattress review: hotel luxury at home
Nectar mattress sales: memory foam with a big discount
Drift off on the all-time pillows for sleeping
Discover the all-time weighted blanket for your sleep

Jo is a mattress reviewer and sleep writer with several years' experience roofing all things mattresses, pillows and sleep. What Jo doesn't know about a memory foam or hybrid mattress isn't worth knowing.