Best Memory Foam Mattresses for a Comfortable Good Night’s Sleep [2020 Update]

Studies show how important sleep is to our overall health, and while you may think it is the quantity, what actually matters is the quality of your sleep. But when constantly dealing with stress, back pains, getting quality sleep is virtually impossible. Well…. unless you decide to treat yourself to a memory foam mattress, of course. 

Traditionally, mattresses were built with layers of steel coils for support provision. While we still have some great models with this technology, better innovation has seen the birth of memory foam mattresses, which are made using different layers of foam. The foam molds to your body, eventually creating a more consistent support cushion. What this means is better spinal alignment and pressure point relief. Foam mattresses also isolate motion transfer and produce the least possible noise when bearing weight. For this reason, they have become a favorite among people suffering from chronic pains and couples all alike. 

Since there are so many different types of mattresses to choose from, we took it upon ourselves to narrow down your selection to only the best memory foam mattresses out there.

Related Review: Best Down Comforter

Top 10 Memory Foam Mattresses Of 2020 Reviewed

1. Tuft & Needle Mattress

Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress

Tuft & Needle is a premium quality mattress that has that combination of comfort and support you’ve been looking for. The mattress is comprised of 2 layers of high-density high-quality polyurethane foam that is CertiPUR-US: a 7-inch support layer to keep your spine and neck in proper alignment and 3 inches of Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam that is infused with a cooling gel and graphite to ensure you sleep cool throughout the night.

The cover is a soft, breathable high-performance fabric (a blend of rayon and polyester) that has been OEKO-TEX certified. In terms of performance, this mattress is definitely comfortable, naturally shaping itself around your body which provides you with pressure-point relief. But it doesn’t give you that “sinking” feeling. Motion transfer is lesser than what you’d feel on an innerspring mattress but more than what you’d experience with a memory foam mattress.

Based on the long-term owner experience, this mattress can be expected to last as long as 6 years which, if you’ve read your research, would be around the time that you’re shopping for a new one. And in case you’re wondering, the customer support team of T&N assures us that their bed has an “a very stable base for hours upon hours of sensual pounding.”

2. Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress

Budget Memory Foam Mattress

The Zinus Memory Foam 12-inch Green Tea Mattress is the most popular bed in Amazon. And yes, it’s low, low price of $199 (at the time of this writing) for a Queen-sized bed is a factor. But that’s not all. This mattress is comprised of several layers – 3 inches of Memory Foam,  2 inches of Comfort Foam, 3.5 inches of AirFlow High-Density Foam, and 3.5 inches of Airflow High-density Base Support Foam. All foams are CertiPUR – US Certified so you know they’re toxin-free and durable. This mattress is probably what most would feel as medium-firm or middle-of-the-road softness, not too plush or firm, which would suit a majority of sleepers.

It does a good job of providing you with the support your body needs while lying down, especially for side sleepers. It does have a slow reaction time which is natural for any memory foam mattress so expect to have interference when you’re switching positions while sleeping. Motion transfer is zero which is good news for those who sleep with a restless partner. As for heat retention, it seems to quickly dissipate heat upon testing. However, this may not be a bed suitable for people who sleep warm.

3. LinenSpa 8″ Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress

Budget Memory Foam Mattress

Unlike most of our picks, this mattress from LinenSpa is not purely memory foam. In fact, this bed is a hybrid – a combination of comfort provided by memory foam and support from an innerspring mattress. The mattress itself is rated to have a medium-firm feel. The top memory foam layer, which is approximately half an inch, is quilted into the soft knit fabric cover to help distribute your weight evenly on the mattress.

The next layer is 1.5 inches of comfort foam which gives you that softness you’re looking for. Underneath that comfort, a layer is a felt pad that insulates the tempered steel coils for added comfort and durability. And then there are the 6 inches of coils that give you back support as well as a fair amount of bounce. The number of coils differs between each mattress size. The Twin has 216, Twin XL has 234, Full has 312, Full XL has 338, Queen has 390, and the California King has 486 coils. So, is it the best of two worlds? It just might be! While comfort is very relative, we’ve found that various types of sleepers have found this bed to be middle-of-the-road in the firmness ratings.

It’s soft and firm at the same time. It’s not as bouncy as a full innerspring but it’s also not as noisy. However, edge support could be better. And for heavier individuals, the memory foam layer may be too thin which means they’ll be feeling that firm support from the springs. Pressure-point relief is adequate but not spectacular as some side sleepers have mentioned. But for its price, this is a decent enough mattress that will give you a good night’s sleep.

4. DynastyMattress Cool Breeze 12-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Memory Foam Mattress For Hot Sleepers

The DynastyMattress New Cool Breeze. Just the name alone should tell you a bit about what this baby can do. The bed consists of 3 layers – 3 inches of gel foam, 4 inches of the Art Cool Airflow Foam, and 5 inches of High-density foam. All foams are CertiPUR-US® certified. The entire mattress is surrounded by a fire barrier and a luxurious white and brown cover. So, what makes this bed so cool? First, the memory foam used here is no ordinary memory foam.

It is premium memory foam infused with tiny gel beads to provide you with the support you need in two ways. The foam not only follows the natural contour of your body which relieves pressure points, but it also remembers the shape of your body. So while it may start out as firm, you’ll become more comfortable sleeping on the bed over time. Even side sleepers will love this bed. The gel beads also promote airflow which makes lying down on this bed feel cooler than your average memory foam mattress.

The 5 inches of High-density foam simply work with the gel-infused memory foam to provide you with deep compression support so that your neck and spine remain in proper alignment throughout the night. Now, it does take a while for the bed to expand to its full size (a full 3 days) and there is an initial odor that also goes away after a few days. And just in case you’re wary of purchasing this bed because it costs more than our first few picks, you’ll be happy to know that this comes with a 120-day trial period.

5. Signature Sleep Memoir

Memory Foam Mattress under $300

Signature Sleep’s Memory Foam Mattress is a crowd-pleaser because it enables those with a limited budget to enjoy the comfort and support offered by a memory foam mattress. This 12-inch mattress is comprised of 3.5 inches of memory foam and 8.5 inches of high-density foam. On top of the foam is a fire retardant barrier and the entire mattress is wrapped in a soft, breathable knit fabric cover. The foam used is CertiPUR-US ® certified which means that it is toxic-free.

Now, for back sleepers, you’ll be glad to know that while it gives you that slight hugging feeling, it doesn’t fully envelope you in its arms. And the support and pressure-point relief seem to be spot on. However, there are some that feel that the mattress is more on the firmer side, especially those who love sleeping on their sides. Motion isolation is great; you won’t feel a thing when someone gets in and out of the bed. Take note that there is a faint chemical smell when you first unwrap the mattress.

Also, it might take a while to expand, though generally it only takes a couple of hours to get to its full height. And because the memory foam is only on the top layer, you can’t flip the bed to keep its shape. Rotating it every couple of months should do, however. Also, there is a distinct lack of edge support for heavier individuals so don’t plan on sitting or performing adventurous activities on the edge of the bed.

6. Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 12 Inch Mattress

Memory Foam Mattress for Heavy People

Like the Green Tea Mattress, the Zinus Ultima is one of the most popular mattresses in Amazon. And for good reason. This particular product from Zinus features BioFoam, a new evolution of memory foam that contains natural plant oil that will keep the bed fresh. The layers are 3 inches of memory foam, 3 inches of pressure-relieving comfort foam, and 6 inches of high-density base support foam. All foam is CertiPUR-US Certified.

So, how good is it? Well, the mattress cover is pretty decent though not as “fit” around the foam as we would like. However, the mesh on the lower half of the cover did fit right and made the entire mattress look even more appealing. As for comfort level, we would say that this falls under a medium firm. There’s a nice amount of softness and sinkage. The overall support was good for all three sleeping positions – side, stomach, and back.

However, heavier sleepers may feel the wall of support provided by the second layer if they sleep on their side. The best thing about the Zinus Ultima is the pressure-point relief. It’s like being cradled in a cloud; not like you’re slowly drowning in quicksand. And the mattress is great at eliminating motion transfer. Just don’t be surprised by the distinct lack of bounce. Also, there aren’t any cooling features included in this mattress so if you are a hot sleeper, you may find that this bed is too warm for your liking.

7. LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Memory Foam Mattress for Back Pain

This 10-inch mattress from Lucid is aptly named because you’ll definitely be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a night’s sleep on this bed. The mattress is comprised of two layers – 2.5 inches gel-infused, ventilated memory foam on top and 7.5 inches of high-density foam. Unlike traditional memory foam, gel memory foam is great for contouring to your body shape and easing pressure points.

The open cell memory foam is specifically designed to increase airflow which means the bed will feel cool instead of hot. The gel beads are tasked with absorbing the heat from our body and distributing it evenly across the mattress so you don’t feel the heat focused underneath you. The entire mattress is wrapped in a TENCEL blend fabric cover which is a temperature-regulating, moisture-controlling material that creates a breathable air layer at the surface of the mattress.

What this means is that the fabric will absorb your sweat and make sure that the cool gel effect of the memory foam goes to the top of the surface of the mattress so you’ll stay cool while sleeping on this bed. So as far as pressure-point relief, heat retention, and that cradle-like feel, this bed is top of the line at a very low cost. However, the bed is a medium-firm which may be too firm for some sleepers such as those who love sleeping on their sides. Average-sized individuals who sleep on their stomach and/or back will definitely love this bed.

8. Leesa Mattress

Memory Foam Mattress for Back Pain

The Leesa Mattress is a luxury bed that is offered at a low-cost price. While it’s not as affordable as a Zinus or the other picks on our list, it’s a luxury memory foam mattress at half or a third of the price. So, why do we call it a luxury mattress? The Leesa is actually a hybrid foam mattress with 2 inches of Avena foam, 2 inches of memory foam, and 6 inches of high-density support foam.

Avena foam is a Latex alternative which is more “bouncy” than memory foam so you don’t feel like you’re going to be stuck in one position when lying down on the bed. It features an egg crate design and holes on the surface of the foam to increase airflow and help cool your body while you’re sleeping. Because it is situated on top of the memory foam layer, you still get the pressure-point relief and the body contouring benefits of the memory foam without the heat and without feeling stuck in the mattress. The cover is a polyester blend that feels so soft and cozy to the skin. It’s also very breathable.

The firmness rating of the Leesa is medium firm. The bounciness of the Avena foam ensures that your spine and neck stay in alignment while sleeping on your back and stomach. If you sleep in multiple positions at night, you’ll find that the Leesa will allow you to move around without interference while providing the support you need for a good night’s sleep. For most side sleepers, the Leesa still performs extremely well in providing pressure-point relief. However, lighter individuals may find that the bed is slightly firmer than they’d like.

9. The Purple Bed

Memory Foam Mattress For Stomach Sleepers

The Purple mattress is a truly unique offering in the market. It features a cover that is made out of Polyester, Viscose, and Lycra; a soft, thin, breathable cover that allows air to flow into the mattress. Lycra was included in the fabric to help wick away any sweat from your body which, in turn, regulates the temperature of the bed. There are 3 layers in the mattress. The top layer is 2 inches of hyper-elastic polymer in a grid design that increases airflow and helps with pressure relief and weight distribution. This feels a lot like latex, with quick response time and a high level of bounce.

The middle layer is 3.5 inches of polyurethane foam which acts as a transitional layer between the foundation of the mattress and the comfort layer. It also provides compression support. The base foam is 4 inches of high-density polyurethane foam. The Purple is rated as medium-firm and is excellent in providing pressure relief and support to a majority of sleepers. Unlike most memory foam mattresses, you may feel that you are lying on top of the mattress instead of sinking into it which makes it easy to move around the bed and not feeling like you’re stuck. The high level of bounce also helps in promoting night-time activities.

10. Casper Sleep Mattress

Memory Foam Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Casper came out several years earlier and has been promoted by several celebrities as their perfect bed. But is it really? Well, let’s take a look. This is an all-foam mattress with a 100% polyester cover. The cover is very soft and cozy but very breathable. It has some thickness to it and is stretchable, snapping back quickly when pulled on. It is comprised of 4 layers of foam: 1.5 inches of open-cell foam, 1.5 inches of responsive memory foam, 1.5 inches of adaptive transition foam, and 5 inches of polyfoam.

Now the top layer is similar to latex, quick to respond to pressure and provides a bounce. Its design also provides much-needed airflow to ensure that you don’t sleep hot. The high-density memory foam underneath provides the pressure-point relief for those who sink past the top layer but does not leave them feeling stuck in one position. The firmness of the Casper is a medium-firm which should provide adequate support and pressure relief to a majority of sleepers in multiple sleeping positions.

Yes, even side sleepers should find the Casper pretty comfortable. In fact, based on reviews from a variety of sources, this bed seems to be great for light to heavy individuals. However, keep in mind that edge support is lacking so you may need to buy a bigger sized bed if you’re sleeping with a partner. Also, the off-gassing seems to take quite a bit to go away.

Choosing The Best Memory Foam Mattress – The Ultimate Buying Guide

So you have your heart set on a memory foam mattress. Perhaps it will bring you the sleep you’ve been dreaming of. And why not? Memory foam is known to provide a body with pressure-point relief, deep compression support, and its body contouring characteristic.

However, with so many choices in the market, how do you find the one that fits you best? Well, below is a short guide that may help you get that perfect match.

Comfort is Directly Proportional to the Thickness

How comfortable a bed feels is highly subjective. What may seem firm to one individual may seem soft to another. This is why you’re never going to find a bed that’s perfect for everyone. Just one that suits you best. Now, memory foam is supposed to be comfortable. After all, it “hugs” your body as well as provides excellent pressure relief and support. But the comfort it provides will also depend on how thick the foam is.

Comfort layers should be at least 4 inches thick so you don’t suddenly feel the support wall provided by high-density foam that provides the foundation of the bed. A thin comfort layer may also lessen the memory foam feel of the bed. Keep in mind that the comfort memory foam may be made up of more than one layer. For example, the Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress has 5 inches of comfort foam – 3 inches of Memory Foam and  2 inches of Comfort Foam. The Leesa Mattress has the requisite 4 inches – 2 inches of Avena foam and 2 inches of memory foam.

What Type of Memory Foam Should You Choose?

Unfortunately, there are several different kinds of memory foam in the market as well. The traditional memory foam, viscoelastic, is what most people know about – less responsive, high heat retention, and lots of sinkages – you really feel the “hug” that the bed is giving you. Yes, this is great for motion isolation and pressure-point relief is also excellent. But you will sleep hot on this kind of memory foam. Plus, some people feel stuck in one position all night because it’s hard to move around due to the amount of sinkage you may experience.

Open-cell memory foam is slightly better than the traditional kind because manufacturers inject air pockets into the foam to give it better air circulation and increase its response time.

Gel memory foam (also called gel-infused memory foam) is a popular choice among memory foam fans. With this kind of memory foam, the manufacturer incorporates gel (either liquid or tiny beads) into the foam during the early stages of making it so that it is equally distributed throughout the foam. The gel is specifically designed to cool the mattress by absorbing heat and distributing it evenly across the entire bed. This means that there are no hot spots in the bed while you lie down on it. Keep in mind, however, that just because a product is described as gel memory foam that it will be a lot cooler than a mattress that doesn’t have gel. Some of our picks that use gel memory foam include Tuft & Needle Mattress, DynastyMattress Cool Breeze 12-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, and the LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress.

How Dense Should the Foam be?

The density of the foam, which is measured in pounds per cubic foot, is an important feature because it indicates two things – durability and longevity. This means that the higher the foam’s density is, the longer it will last. However, it also means that the hotter it will feel while you’re sleeping.

Generally, the foam density that you want is 3.0 to 5.0 PCF which balances durability and longevity with heat retention.

Does the Foam Mattress Have a Cover?

While a lot of us tend to look at the mattress cover from a purely aesthetic point of view, when buying a memory foam mattress, you should also look at it from a “breathable” point of view. Memory foam does retain heat and the kind of cover the mattress has can help decrease this. Most of our picks usually go with a polyester blend for breathability.

And that’s totally fine. But take note that the cover should also be thin for better breathability and airflow. Thick covers may not allow air to flow into the mattress. Also, some covers such as the one used on the LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress and The Purple Bed either absorb the moisture or wick it away to ensure you don’t wake up a sweaty mess.

Don’t let Reviews Sway You. Get on the Bed

Ok, it’s definitely ironic that we’re warning you against reviews when we also do a lot of reviews. But that’s not what we meant. What we’d like to say is that sleeping on a bed is a highly subjective activity. We already mentioned that what’s comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for others. If you check the thousands of reviews on Zinus, you’d see reviews showing contradicting views. So which one should you believe? We’re not saying that the whole lot of them are lies or that you shouldn’t put much stock in them.

What we’re simply saying is that the best way to really get a good feel of a mattress is to actually test it. And fortunately, a lot of the Bed-in-the-Box mattresses today offer a lengthy trial – 100 nights of sleep. Take advantage of these offers to adequately test whether a mattress is to your liking or not. This is, as far as we’ve learned, the truly best way to find that perfect match.

What’s the Return Policy and Warranty like?

Before you make your final decision, make sure that the return policy and warranty is to your advantage. While a lot of mattress sellers offer the same warranties (usually 10 to 25 years), not all of them make good on their promise. Also, if you plan on trying out a bed for a certain amount of time, make sure that you won’t have a hard time returning the mattress if it’s not up to your liking.

Keep in mind that when buying a bed-in-a-box mattress, you may have a difficult time returning it without having to package it first inside a box (which will cost you). Take the time to read the small print and save yourself the hassle.

Conclusion

In this write-up, you have read about 10 of the best foam mattresses and how they can help you get a good night’s sleep. Considering the features, pros, and cons of each of these products, it is possible you have settled on the one you wish to buy.

In the comprehensive buying guide, we provide tips on how you can choose a good foam mattress. All of that is supposed to give for a front-row seat when it comes to deciding on the best mattress to buy. After all, you have the power to determine the quality of sleep you have in a night.