Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2020: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Looking for a high-quality memory foam mattress? We’ve reviewed over 50 memory foam beds and found the best ones you can buy online. Whether you’re looking for a gel memory foam mattress, a mattress for side sleepers, or simply a foam bed on a budget, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this guide.

We’ll share our 7 top-rated memory foam mattress reviews, and then help you learn everything you should know in our comprehensive buyer’s guide for memory foam mattresses.

Best Memory Foam Mattresses 

• Nectar – Best Value
• Loom & Leaf – Best Organic Mattress
• Amerisleep AS3 – Best for Side Sleepers
• Puffy Lux – Best for Pressure Relief
• Tuft & Needle Mint – Best for Cooling
• Layla – Best for Stomach Sleepers
• Casper Wave – Best for Heavy People

Let’s take an in-depth look at each of the mattresses on our list. You’ll get to see how they all scored in our comprehensive Mattress Lab testing evaluation where we look at critical mattress features, purchase considerations, and the brands’ social responsibility. After testing over 150 mattresses using this 8-point evaluation and 6-point testing method, we know a good mattress when it comes through our lab.

To get an even more in-depth look at any listed mattress, you can click through to our individual mattress review.

1. Nectar Mattress

There are a few things that make Nectar one of the best memory foam mattresses: It has one of the longest sleep trial periods in the industry (a full year!), its warranty is valid for as long as you own the mattress, and it’s very budget-friendly. 

Nectar’s gel memory foam surface provides great pressure relief and motion isolation. It will give you more of a “hugging” feel, which is ideal for people who don’t tend to move around a ton throughout the night. As an added bonus, Nectar’s proprietary cover is specifically designed to promote additional airflow and it keeps out dust mites!

Customers aren’t complaining about Nectar—quite the opposite actually; Nectar has a 97% customer satisfaction rating.

See our full Nectar mattress review.

2. Loom & Leaf Mattress

If you’re looking for an organic mattress that can provide a great night’s rest, then Loom & Leaf might be the perfect bed for you. The Loom & Leaf is offered in two firmness levels: relaxed firm and firm. Relaxed firm has more of a medium feel while the firm option has that traditional firm feel.

Each of the foam comfort layers used in the construction of the Loom & Leaf mattress are CertiPUR-US® certified and the cover around the bed is made with quilted organic cotton. The Loom & Leaf mattresses also use natural thistle as a flame retardant.

The organic cleansing process used to construct the organic materials of the cover sometimes result in natural markings, but they don’t impact the quality of the material. Speaking of quality, the Loom & Leaf mattress will not disappoint in with its cooling spinal gel and eco-friendly premium foam that keeps you cool and comfortable all night.

On top of all that, the Loom & Leaf comes with free white glove delivery and mattress removal, so you don’t have to lift a finger when it comes to setup.

See our full Loom & Leaf mattress review.

3. Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

If you’re a side sleeper, it’s important to look for a mattress that will evenly distribute your body weight and support your pressure points—particularly in areas of high pressure like your hips, shoulders and knees. The AS3 mattress is our top pick for side sleepers because of its excellent contouring properties that help relieve this type of pressure.

The AS3 also scored very well in our spinal alignment test—meaning this mattress will help keep your spine in a straight line while sleeping on your side. These factors are great for keeping you comfortable through the night and helping you wake up feeling refreshed instead of achy, groggy, or in pain.

Another area this mattress scored highly in during our in-house testing is motion transfer. This means that no matter how much your sleep partner moves, AS3 will keep them from waking up. Since side sleepers tend to change positions throughout the night more than other positions, this is a favorable trait when looking for the best mattress for side sleepers.

Read our full Amerisleep AS3 mattress review.

4. Puffy Lux Mattress

The Puffy Lux mattress has a plush, soft top layer, but is firm enough to provide superior spine alignment and pressure relief for better sleep. This foam mattress is designed with four comfort layers to help you sleep cooler and more comfortably. Its gel-infused memory foam uses convection and conduction technology to disperse your body heat, increasing airflow eight times more than traditional foam mattresses.

Even deeper in the comfort layers of the Puffy Lux lies the proprietary ClimateComfort memory foam layer. Unlike standard foams that expand in the heat and contract in cooler temperatures, this foam layer is resistant to temperature changes. The variability in standard memory foam can impact how well it relieves pain in the pressure points, but since the ClimateComfort foam can withstand changes in temperature without changing shape, it has your back all night (and year) long.

See our full Puffy Lux mattress review.

5. Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

Tuft & Needle created the Mint mattress after listening to feedback from their customers. The Mint was designed as a slightly taller and softer mattress than the original Tuft & Needle. It provides better pressure relief, particularly for side sleepers, enhanced spine support, and cooling layers.

This medium-firm bed keeps you from overheating at night using its graphite-infused foam layer that wicks body heat away from you as you sleep. Underneath that, there is a layer of memory foam that features ceramic gel beads. Ceramic gel beads absorb 5 times more heat than regular blue gel infusions, keeping you extra cool, like mint.

The Mint mattress received a nearly perfect score on spine alignment in our testing, which isn’t easy to do. For a mattress to offer good spine alignment, it has to be supportive and contouring in all the right zones. Sleeping on a mattress that evenly supports your body weight to keep your spine in its natural alignment helps ensure a restful and restorative night’s sleep. Keeping your spine aligned while sleeping is just as important as keeping proper posture in your waking hours!

Even with all the added benefits, the Tuft & Needle Mint is still very fairly priced, comes with a 10-year warranty, and boasts glowing customer reviews.

Read our full Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review

6. Layla Mattress

The Layla mattress has a lot to offer. For starters, you can actually sleep on both sides of the mattress. This mattress has one side that is softer and one side that is a bit firmer. If you sleep on your stomach, you may find more comfort on the firm side—this will help reduce stress on the spine and lower back. If you think you may like a firm mattress, but don’t want to go too firm, a flippable mattress like the Layla that offers multiple options is a great choice.

Layla’s copper properties are also great for pressure and pain relief—making your sleeping hours even more restful and restorative. Plus, all sides of the Layla are covered with a thermo-gel cooling cover, so you don’t have to worry about heating up while you sleep. We also love that Layla offers a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the mattress.

See our full Layla mattress review.

7. Casper Wave Mattress

The Wave is Casper’s most advanced mattress, designed using over three years of customer data to create a bed that is a step ahead. The technology used in the Wave provides custom support to the areas that need it most.

The Wave has five unique layers that work together to support body parts that require different levels of pressure relief and support. Because of this targeted support structure, it’s a great mattress for heavy people who often need additional pressure point relief while sleeping. The higher density foam prevents the mattress from sagging prematurely, allowing you to keep the mattress for longer.

See our full Casper Wave mattress review.

Memory Foam Mattress Buyer’s Guide

We select our recommendations based on the knowledge we’ve accumulated after testing over 150 mattresses and spending countless hours learning about what makes a memory foam mattress great. 

 In this buying guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about memory foam beds including:

• What is Memory Foam?
• Pros and Cons of Memory Foam 
• Memory Foam vs. Spring Mattresses
• Memory Foam vs. Latex Mattresses
• Memory Foam vs. Hybrid Mattresses
• Memory Foam and Sleeping Positions
• What are Memory Foam Beds Like?

What is Memory Foam? 

Memory foam is a soft material constructed with a mix of polyurethane and additional chemicals that enhance density and viscosity. Its namesake represents the impression the material takes as it contours around your body. 

Memory foam’s story begins in 1966, when NASA developed the material we now know as memory foam today for the cushions on their aircrafts. The open-cell solid structure was designed to match pressure against it and increase safety and support for astronauts during take-off and landing. 

Memory foam wasn’t introduced to mattresses until the 1990s, when manufacturers decided to try it out in beds for extra comfort. 

Early models were far less advanced than what we see on the market today. Traditional memory foam mattresses built up a bad reputation for being too soft, too hot, and too difficult to move in. Now, beds are built with advanced technology to overcome all these issues and provide us with responsive, breathable, and comfortable memory foam mattresses.

Traditional memory foam holds the shape of your body impressions a little longer. Advanced memory foam is able to quickly bounce back to its original shape, allowing you to easily move around and get comfortable in any position. The advancement of open-cell construction ensures that your bed won’t trap your body heat and radiate it back to you.

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam

Pros

Memory foam is quickly becoming one of the most popular types of mattresses for sleepers out there. Here are some reasons why:

• Comfortable feel: The soft, contouring material is much more comfortable than a firm, stiff surface.
• Good for you: Memory foam does an excellent job at evenly distributing your body weight on the surface to provide pressure relief and keep your spine in a neutral, healthy alignment.
• Quiet: You avoid the squeaky noise of innerspring beds.
• Cheaper: Generally, memory foam mattresses are priced lower than innersprings, hybrids, and latex mattresses.
• Isolates motion: You won’t feel your partner’s movements from the other side of the bed as much as you would with other materials.

Cons

As much as we love memory foam beds, they don’t work for everyone. Here are some of the disadvantages of memory foam mattresses:

• Heat trapping: Although advanced technology works to make memory foam more breathable, its material is naturally more heat-trapping, and you may sleep hot. Advanced models infused with gel or cooper, or a hybrid bed that combines memory foam with innerspring coils for better airflow will be more ideal for hot sleepers.
• Sinking in: Many people prefer the way memory foam hugs the body, but some may find the softness and sinking in unpleasant.
• Less durable: The lifespan of a memory foam mattress is typically shorter than innerspring and hybrid mattresses, especially if it’s designed with low-density foam.
• Off-gassing: You’ll notice a slightly unpleasant odor when you open a memory foam mattress from the release of VOCs. With proper airing, this typically goes away within a few hours.
• Not best for all positions: Stomach sleepers and back sleepers need extra support to maintain proper alignment, and because of memory foam’s soft, contouring feel, it may not be firm enough to give these types of sleepers the support they need. Heavier people may also find that memory foam lacks the firm support they need.

Memory Foam vs. Spring Mattresses

Many people have spent most of their lives sleeping on a traditional innerspring mattress, so the move to memory foam may seem overwhelming or unnecessary. We’ll compare memory foam vs. spring mattresses side-by-side, so you can see the pros and cons to each material.

Keep in mind that different brands and models may focus on enhancing specific factors. This comparison is a general overview of how these types of mattresses usually differ in quality.

Memory Foam vs. Latex Mattresses

Often times shoppers will be deciding between memory foam or latex for their next mattress.  We’ll compare memory foam vs. latex mattresses side-by-side so you can see the pros and cons of each material.

Remember, this comparison is a general overview of how these types of mattresses usually differ in quality. Latex can be constructed with various materials which can affect how the bed performs. Memory foam mattresses can be infused with other materials like copper and gel which affect how it performs.

Memory Foam vs. Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses take elements from memory foam, spring, and latex mattresses to make one super mattress. We’ll compare memory foam vs. hybrid mattresses side-by-side, so you can see the pros and cons to each material.

Keep in mind that the performance of hybrid mattresses will differ depending on which materials are used in their construction. For example, hybrid mattresses that feature memory foam instead of latex foam are going to be better at motion isolation, but hybrids with latex foam instead of memory foam will be more cooling.

Memory Foam and Sleeping Positions

Side Sleepers

The contouring of memory foam is especially great for side sleepers who need their mattress to hug their hips and shoulders. Memory foam evenly distributes your body weight, and the hugging is needed to keep you comfortable. As your shoulders and hips sink deeper into the foam, your middle is held up, keeping you well aligned.

Back Sleepers

Medium-firm to firm memory foam mattresses are the best option for back sleepers. The combination of higher density foam and lower density foam provides a mattress that contours to your body, so the natural curve of the spine is maintained but is firm enough to keep you from sinking in too far.

Stomach Sleepers

Memory foam mattresses will work for stomach sleepers as long as they are on the firm side. Stomach sleepers need firm support to keep their spine as aligned as it can be in this position, and the memory foam layers will relieve the pressure from the hips and shoulders as they push into the mattress.

What are Memory Foam Beds Like? 

It’s time to look inside of memory foam mattresses and dig into the details.

Types of Memory Foam 

There are four types of memory foam: traditional (or viscoelastic), plant-based, gel-infused, and copper-infused. The type that’s best for you depends on your specific preferences.

• Traditional (or viscoelastic): Made from viscoelastic polyurethane foam (also known as polyfoam), this is the most commonly used material.
• Plant-based: Some memory foam is made from plants like coconut and soy. These beds are more breathable and bouncy.
• Gel-infused: Some manufacturers add gel to memory foam to enhance temperature regulation and keep you cool. This material is great for hot sleepers.
• Copper-infused: Some manufacturers infuse memory foam with copper. This also helps with the mattress’s cooling properties, and it’s great for sleepers with pain since copper is known to help relieve joint pain.

The Feel of Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are known for their soft, contouring foam feel. When you lie on a memory foam bed, you’ll feel a sinking, “hug” feeling. Though, most manufacturers balance this with support and responsiveness, so the materials will quickly adjust to your movements, and you won’t be stuck in the bed.

Some memory foam beds may trap your body heat, but advanced models should be designed for enhanced airflow and breathability.

If you sleep with a partner, you’ll be pleased to know that memory foam offers exceptional motion isolation. This means you won’t feel your partner’s movements as much at night.

Density and Firmness

The density of foam in your mattress can inform you about how well it will support you and how quickly it can bounce back to its original shape.

A high-quality memory foam mattress typically ranges in density between 4 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.

Lower-density foams will quickly return to their original shape, but they won’t offer the same quality pressure relief and contouring that high-density foams do. High-density foams give great contouring comfort, but since they don’t respond to your movements as quickly you may feel that “sinking” or trapped feeling.

Indentation Load-Deflection (ILD)

The lower the ILD score, the softer the mattress. The higher the ILD, the more firm the mattress will be. Generally, if the ILD is below a 10, you will sink in too far. The higher ranges above a 15 may be too firm and lack the contouring comfort you’re looking for.

Most memory foam mattresses on the market range from an 8-20, but many people prefer an ILD between 11-15.

Temperature

Memory foam’s original design is infamous for trapping heat, but newer models with advanced technology and an open-cell structure are more suited for better airflow, so you don’t sweat through your sheets.

If you’re a hot sleeper but you want the contouring comfort of memory foam, look for models that are infused with gel or copper as these materials are known to help enhance cooling properties.

Thickness

Most memory foam mattresses range from a thickness (or height) of 6 to 14 inches, though there are models that extend past each end of this range.

Those on the smaller end of this range may be too thin to offer support and comfort for your body weight overnight for long periods of time. Those on the higher end of this range will be more expensive since they use more material, and you may need to invest in special deep-pocketed sheets to fully encase your mattress.

Off-Gassing and Odors

When you first open a memory foam mattress, you’ll notice a slight odor that’s akin to a new car smell or a fresh can of paint. That’s due to the off-gassing of VOCs. These aren’t harmful unless you have prolonged exposure at a high level, and the smell typically dissipates within a few hours to a few days, depending on the mattress.

Durability and Lifespan

Most mattresses last 7-10 years. Memory foam mattresses in particular can last anywhere between 5-15 years.

Low-density foam beds tend to last 5-7 years, even with proper care. High-density foam beds typically last up to 10-15 years. To extend the life of your memory foam mattress, keep up with proper care by flipping your mattress (if it is a flippable model) or rotating your mattress (if you cannot flip your bed). Use accessories like mattress protectors, toppers, and pads for a longer lifespan as well.

Memory Foam Mattress Toppers

Memory foam mattresses provide pressure relief, motion isolation, and that comfortable feeling of your mattress hugging you. But if you find that a new mattress is not in your budget, opt for a memory foam topper. Mattress toppers offer a resemblance of the pressure relieving and comforting benefits of a memory foam mattress at a fraction of the cost.

Of course, to get the most out of memory foam, having it constructed into a multi-layer mattress offers the best results.

Related: Best Gel Mattress Toppers on Amazon

Compatible Mattress Foundations

Memory foam mattresses work well with nearly any bed frame or foundation. Traditional box springs work the best on innerspring mattresses, but they are compatible with memory foam beds. Slatted foundations work well because they allow for airflow beneath the bed, but make sure the slats are not too far apart. Platform foundations should be firm enough to provide proper alignment.

Cost 

A good quality mattress can cost anywhere from $500-$1,500. There are budget options that are cheaper, and luxury mattresses that are far more expensive. Memory foam mattresses are priced according to the quality and density of the foams. The higher the density, the higher the cost.

Generally, a mattress that costs as little as a few hundred dollars will not be durable or supportive for the long-term.

Trial Period and Warranty

When shopping for a memory foam mattress, be sure the company offers a generous sleep trial, so you have a chance to test out the mattress. Bed-in–a-box mattress brands often offer trial periods that are usually at least 90 days, and some companies even offer a full year-long trial period with a full refund in their return policy should you decide it’s not right for you.

Most mattress brands offer a range of 10-year warranties to a 15-year warranties that cover any manufacturing issues. If a mattress company doesn’t offer a warranty, or offers a very short one, take caution knowing there may be a reason.

Conclusion

Memory foam has been around for a long time and undergone many advancements to make the high-quality beds we know today. Many types of sleepers can find comfort on these types of beds, and there are a ton on the market to choose from.

When making a decision, remember to look out for factors like breathability, density, and thickness to be sure you’re investing in a high-quality model. If you ever have any doubts, remember you can refer to our top picks that we selected after testing more than 50 foam mattresses.