10 Top Rated Memory Foam Beds You Can Buy in 2020 -Updated

This is a bed made out of high-density polyurethane material. This material is treated with additional chemicals that are either low or free of toxic properties to increase both density and viscosity of the final product.

In particular, though, the polyurethane material used to make the most popular foam mattresses in the market right now is of a viscoelastic nature. This property is what gives a polyurethane-based mattress its most common stand out feature; the unique foam responds to body heat and pressure. After lying on one for a couple of minutes, and heating it up, it “sinks” slightly in-line with a body’s shape and returns back up when the heat and pressure are released after getting up.

Memory foam sleeping surfaces have really caught on in the past two decades in homes, hotels and where not across the US, UK and worldwide for these reasons. However, a quality mattress does not come cheap. Still, after finding a mattress for one’s sleeping style and preferences, it can last up to and beyond 10 years—depending on other factors.

If it is going to last for as long as a decade, it is then imperative to give the foam mattress purchasing decision some good consideration.

A poor quality sleep surface will make sleep time unbearable by instigating back and joint pain to the point of sabotaging countless nights’ rest over the days, weeks, months and years one might have it.

A low-quality foam mattress is certain to exaggerate whole-bed movement such that the sleeper and sleeping partner may have a hard time accommodating each other in bed especially if both have different sleeping habits and preferences.

While there’s not much wrong with brand loyalty, when shopping, be sure to pay for mattress quality as opposed to buying the brand name. Over time, we have slept on a variety of sleep surfaces, and can tell that some no-name sleep care startup can make a quality foam pad for many different sleep preferences—and some big-name brands can do just the opposite and make a poor-quality pad.

After sleeping and reviewing over 30 beds at this point, Sleep Innovations Shiloh is my top pick because of its high-end construct and quality materials – I believe they deliver one of the best available in the market.

It’s not the cheapest on the market, but they do offer great value for money.

I’ve reviewed over 30 memory foam mattresses, with the four below ranking top for value for money, budget, luxury, and comfort.

• Overall winner: Sleep Innovations Shiloh
• Value for money: Leesa
• Luxury/Comfort: Eve
• Budget: Dynasty

These mattresses rank amongst my top mattress reviews in general, as well as in categories like beds for back pain.

So, what to look out for in a low-resilience polyurethane foam mattress to determine if it is worth it?

The comfort of a sleeping surface refers to how luxurious and soothing it feels; it is largely a matter of personal taste. Support, on the other hand, is more technical. It describes the ability of a foam’s creation, build material, and design to relieve pressure from/on body pressure points in contact with it. Pressure points vary with a sleeper’s sleeping style but generally include the shoulders, hips, chest, ribs, knees, butt, and heels.

The best choice of memory foam does not sacrifice either for just one of these. Rather, the best mattresses offer both support and comfort in a nice balance. The polyurethane foam feel is one of deep compression and hug.

The factors that affect the comfort and/or support level of a foam are:

The thickness or the height of a sleeping surface refers to its depth. While not everyone is the same, aim for a surface that is at least 4 inches thick or tall. Universally, 7.6 cm (3 inches) is most popular. At this much thickness, the foam surface is likely to conform to any body type just right.

Most manufacturers will layer the height of a mattress with varying firmness and density sheets. Keep in mind that beds are not entirely made up of memory foam. They usually combine some other base support material on which the polyurethane foam is topped.

The base layer is usually denser and is mostly geared towards support than comfort. The upper layers are softer and are meant to highlight relaxation.

Thickness will also dictate as to how durable the new bed surface is. For example, if a mattress has a 2-inch foam over a 7-inch core/base and another has a 1-inch layer over an 8-inch support base, the latter is less durable over time.

Yet, opting for too much (5-inch and over) memory foam topping may defeat the polyurethane foam feel and come off feeling too cushy—where the sleeper feels sunk.

Density refers to the ratio of polymer to air/spaces. Fewer polymers and more air/spaces equal less density, and more polymers and less air/spaces result in a more compact sleeping surface.

It's measured by weight in pounds of a 12-inch by 12-inch material i.e pounds per cubic foot (PCF), for example, 3.5 PCF and here are the three common density levels:

• Low – 3.5 PCF or below
• Medium  – 3.5-5.0 (Golden density range)
• High density – 5.0 or above

Higher density will give you longer lifespan for your new bed. It also implies that it will be hotter to sleep on.

To determine the most ideal density consider the following:

• Your weight: Go for higher density if you are weighty
• Sleeping style: Most sleepers do fine with medium to medium-firm
• Purpose: more people and more activity such as sex need a denser pad

However, low-density surfaces with thicker layers of memory foam can feel too cushy and add to a sinking feel that tends to restrict movement. A high-density is likely to last long, offer deep compression and pain relief, but also tend to trap more heat (sleep hot).

Are you overweight? Read our full guide with the best beds for heavy people.

This refers to Indentation Load Deflection. Simply, it a number assigned to signify the measure of the force required to compress a 4-inch mattress down by 25% or 1-inch. Higher numbers indicate firmer material while softer material reflects in lower numbers. Most memory foam layers range in the 10 to 16 ILD range. Most cores/bases range in the 20 to 45 ILD range. Buyers who prefer more elaborate descriptions than mere “soft” or “firm” will benefit from checking whether this information is indicated on the label—some do and some do not, though.

The thickness and number of layers used affect firmness as well. Still, the temperature sensitivity of the type of foam under assessment will also weigh in, so check this too. At room temperature, most memory foam types are relatively firm but tend to soften somewhat when temperatures rise over some time.

There are primarily three types: traditional, plant-based and gel-based.

Traditional: This comes from the original processing of sole petrochemicals to make polyurethane. This variety provides good old pain relief and temperature sensitivity but can sleep hot and produce that petrochemical odor especially while new for some time. This variety has higher density, offering more hug and contouring than the other two. But it is slow to respond/contour and rise right back.

Perhaps the indicator of heat sensitivity is in design/manufacturing. Some designs such as open cell memory foam fabricated using a manufacturing process that injects air in the foam, achieve a more compact form than traditional foams. This has the effect of increasing compression and pain relief from pressure points, while adequately aerating the foam to drop temperatures and provide more cushion than in traditional, closed-cell manufacturing poly foams.

Plant-bas​ed: These were essentially made to at least reduce the odorous off-gassing and sleeping hot shortfalls of the traditional variety. Here, more plant material is used compared to petrochemicals to lower temperature sensitivity and stinking off-gassing. This has shown to reduce sleeping hot tendencies and reduce odor to even within 24-hour spans after delivery to the home.

What we would recommend is buying a mattress the size of one's bed. In another word, choose a size to fit your bed snugly. Contemporary sizes range from twin to Queen sizes.

Watch out for polyurethane foams that come with a CertiPUR-US sticker. This would certify the foam mattress has met the CertiPUR-US standard (or similar standards) for testing for specific toxins.

8. Motion transfer or movement isolation

Generally, they offer the best motion resistance among all mattress types.

If sleeping together, for example, a mattress that offers less motion transfer across the bed is preferable, especially important when partners have different styles of sleeping and sleeping habits.

Where one partner tosses and turns throughout the nights, we would advise purchasing a memory foam mattress that will reduce the effects of the constant movement to the other partner.

The density of the mattress, together with design and firmness, affect motion transfer. Low-density, soft mattresses cause the most disturbances across the bed. Denser, firmer foams make for less turbulent experiences for everyone.

The contouring action of this type of mattress ensures the sleeper is held in place and is less pertained by the motion of others. The medium to medium-firm foam bed is the most likely to counter reverberations.

9. Mattress price/budget

Comparing mattress prices and looking out for fitting warranties is a prudent thing to do. On top of both, though, is testing the particular bed surface of interest. The goal here is to experience the actual feel of the mattresses before committing a chunk of money and commitment towards a potentially bad purchase.

If the store or dealer or manufacturer allows it, take the mattress. Then spend a couple of days sleeping on it in pretty much the same way as the previous mattress. This can help to compare what feels different (either negatively or positively) about the new sleeping surface. Also, it can help determine whether the new sleep surface arrangement fits your bed, lifestyle between the sheets, sleeping style, weight, and so on.

Manufacturers will usually instruct against removing the plastic bag wrapped around the new bed surface to preserve satisfactory hygienic conditions upon return. Ensure to stick to the requirement to avoid fines or having to buy a less than a satisfactory mattress. Also, choose sellers/dealers offering longer return policies such as a 30-day return one to extend the trial period to test the pad thoroughly.

Also browse online to read independent laboratory, user and industry platforms’ reviews concerning a particular brand or type of memory mattress. Most test results quoted by the manufacturer are almost always internal assessments that are not always on point.

Still, online sellers tend to sell cheaper and offer better memory foam mattress deals compared to brick-and-mortar, dealer-to-customer sellers.

As mentioned in other sections of this guide, foam bed pricing will depend on a number of factors. These include:

• Density: the higher the more expensive
• Thickness: the thicker the more expensive
• Cover material: high quality covering commands a higher price, and so on

Sleepers who value deep sleep can opt for the Alden 14-inch bed and those undecided on a favorite sleeping position can curl up, toss and turn on the 12-inch Taylor for improved comfort and rest.

Our readers report good sleeping experiences for the sub $500 pricing, although we would still recommend buyers to take advantage of the company’s 30-day home trial and friendly return policy before making a purchasing decision.

Eve consistently receives good ratings, promising an overall superior satisfaction.

Most reviewers find the density, durability, odor, comfort, support, and value for money of the Amerisleep to be above satisfactory.

After reviewing this product thoroughly, we have come to the conclusion that it is one of the best mattress for your money. There’s no arguing the gel-cooling properties, organic cotton, and breathable material keep sleepers safe and healthy. The 5 lbs. density makes it comfortable, durable and suited for all kind of sleeping positions.

Also, unlike the competition, Loom & Leaf ships whole (unrolled), is delivered to the buyer’s home and set in their room of choice for no additional fees.

Sometimes they’ll hold a promotion campaign and shell out up to 50% of the marked price.

Most reviewers rate the Lucid Plush 14 highly for a plush feel, overall comfort, durability, value for money and conforming support.

Their line of memory mattress options is entirely made in America, and all are CertiPUR-US certified.

With all the memory foam mattress options in the 2019 market, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer selection easily available online and offline. To start with, choosing the best mattress right now for your specific needs calls for above-average knowledge on what’s on offer so far, why to choose a foam bed over other mattress types, and what to look for in one to aid in making a good purchase decision that’ll show up to 10 years later.

Furthermore, each bed experience feels different for different people, so we recommend taking advantage of most dealers’ home trials and return policies to get a feel for the viscoelastic sleeping surface in your own free time and comfort of your home and loved one. The rule of thumb is to compare the new sleeping experience to what has been and deciding what needs to head out the door.

The best polyurethane foam bed consistently ranks highly in reviews on a satisfaction scale, is the right size, right density, provides the best combination of support/comfort, safety, and temperature-controlling properties, as well as sells for a reasonable price. Hopefully, our best memory foam mattresses of 2017 helps you select and buy the best for you and your loved one(s).

References

• https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2005/ch_6.html
• http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1984006315000589​
  
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976006/
  
• The Dangers of Sleeping on a Bad Mattress