• We spent over 2,000 hours researching and testing the top mattresses on the market and consulting with 21 sleep experts to compile our recommendations.
  • Our testers evaluated over 100 models and recorded our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
  • We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 1,200 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process.
  • In general, memory foam mattresses tend to be less firm than hybrid and innerspring mattresses. During testing, many of these models did an excellent job redistributing weight to prevent pressure buildup at the joints and excelled in motion isolation.
  • Learn more about how we tested memory foam mattresses.

Key takeaways

  • The Saatva Loom & Leaf is our pick for the best memory foam mattress overall because it cushions the body, providing excellent pressure relief while maintaining adequate support for spine neutrality.
  • Based on over 2,000 hours of testing and our survey of 1,200 mattress owners, we found that mattress owners often look to new mattresses to improve chronic pain while prioritizing affordability and responsive customer support services. 
  • Memory foam mattresses can cost around $699 to over $3,000, depending on size, construction, and materials.

Memory foam mattresses are made of multiple foam layers, like a cake; each layer a different foam material designed for various support and cooling functions. 

For some, the phrase “memory foam” can evoke feelings of a soft, cozy mattress that hugs your body. Memory foam mattresses are designed to help relieve pressure and pain by using body heat to mold the mattress to your body’s shape. Pain and discomfort can lead to sleep disruption, which can exacerbate pain and negatively affect your physical and mental health. The right memory foam mattress can support your body to help relieve pain and encourage more restorative sleep. 

In this review, our Handbook Team recommends memory foam mattresses that may help relieve pressure and pain. However, always consult your health care provider if you’re purchasing a new mattress to help address specific medical conditions. 

Shopping for mattresses is personal—what feels best for our testers may not be best for you. We encourage you to use a mattress’s full trial period before committing to it—most brands offer a trial period of 100 or more nights.

“Although it can take some time to fully adjust to your new mattress, if you notice you’re still waking up with increased pain in the body and are tossing and turning throughout the night, those are some red flags that a new memory foam mattress may not be supportive enough,” says Jimmy Pajuheshfar, a doctor of physical therapy and clinical director at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers.

Whether you’re looking for a memory foam mattress to try something new, replace your old mattress, or help relieve pain during the night, each mattress is unique—from the foam quality to the firmness and construction. That’s why we researched and evaluated more than 100 mattresses to help you find the best memory foam mattresses available today.

Our pick of the best memory foam mattresses

What to look for in a memory foam mattress

  1. Firmness: Mattress firmness is rated on a 1 to 10 scale, and the best firmness for you is one that feels comfortable while maintaining a spine neutrality. Memory foam mattresses should have a firmness of around 6.5 out of 10.
  2. Temperature regulation: Memory foam is not a naturally breathable material, and it is very responsive to body heat. These mattresses tend to trap heat, so memory foam may not be the best choice for sleepers who run hot. If you do want a memory foam mattress and sleep hot, consider the DreamCloud Original Foam.
  3. Trial period: When ordering a mattress online, a trial period gives you the chance to observe how your body feels on the bed after several nights of sleep. For someone with chronic pain, a long sleep trial is a chance to monitor if your pain improves with the new mattress.
  4. Sleep accessories: If you prefer a memory foam mattress, but also tend to run hot, the right sleep accessories can improve temperature regulation. A cooling, gel-infused cover and the right cooling sheets can help you stay cool on a memory foam mattress.

Best memory foam mattress overall: Saatva Loom & Leaf 

Best memory foam mattress overall
9.8 Exceptional
Saatva Loom & Leaf

Key product features

  • Rating: 9.8/10.
  • Material: Memory foam.
  • Cost: $1,595–$3,040
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime.
  • Trial period: 365 nights.
  • Shipping: Free shipping.
  • Firmness: 6-7/10 or 8/10.
  • Height: 12 inches.
  • Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king.
  • Our experience: We observed excellent pressure relief during testing of The Saatva Loom & Leaf. We appreciated the multiple cooling gel layers, which promote temperature regulation. Saatva has industry leading policies, including free white glove delivery and a 365-night sleep trial.

Pros and cons

Pros Free white glove delivery and mattress removal. One-year trial period. Limited lifetime warranty. Two firmness level options. Cons Higher price range (starts at $1,500+). May trap body heat. Not recommended for stomach sleepers.
Our top pick

Why Saatva Loom & Leaf is our pick for best memory foam mattress overall

We choose the Saatva Loom & Leaf for the best memory foam mattress overall because the thick top layers are designed to take pressure off your shoulders and back while also absorbing your partner’s movement. We appreciated that this model is available in two firmness levels, supportive enough to maintain spinal alignment for side and back sleepers. If you’re looking for a true plush memory foam feel, the Loom & Leaf may be for you.

Who should use Saatva Loom & Leaf: The Saatva Loom & Leaf is a great choice for side sleepers, because it does a great job distributing weight to prevent pressure build up.

Who should not use Saatva Loom & Leaf: Even with two firmness levels, this memory foam mattress isn’t firm enough to prevent the hips of a stomach sleeper from sinking into the bed.

Saatva Loom & Leaf alternative for warm sleepers

Even though the Saatva Loom & Leaf has layers of cooling, gel infused memory foam, it still tends to run a little warm. If you are sensitive to heat, the DreamCloud Original Foam may be a better memory foam for you. During testing, we found the DreamCloud’s temperature only increased by 6.5 degrees, which is considered to be excellent temperature regulation in a mattress.

Saatva Loom & Leaf tester insights

Our testers were impressed with how supportive the Loom & Leaf was. The medium-firm mattress supported their spine’s natural alignment even when switching sleep positions. Testers noticed great pressure relief on their shoulders and hips when lying on their side, and they felt very little mattress sinkage around the hips when lying on their stomachs. We wouldn’t recommend this mattress for higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) stomach sleepers because the foam may sink too much and allow the spine to curve unnaturally, but it may work for stomach sleepers at a lower (less than 130 pounds) or average (130–250 pounds) weight.

From one of our Saatva testers:

The Loom & Leaf is excellent to help relieve shoulder pain. I noticed the mattress conformed to my shoulder and had great pressure relief while I lay on my side.

We also like that you’re not limited to one “best” sleeping position with the Saatva Loom & Leaf, especially since many people change positions during the night. The top two foam layers under the mattress cover are designed to help your body slightly sink in, while the deeper, more supportive high-density foam is constructed so you don’t sink too deeply into the mattress.

The Loom & Leaf mattress is compatible with the Saatva adjustable bed frame, which is our team’s top pick in adjustable beds.

Read our in-depth Saatva mattress review for more information.

Most affordable memory foam mattress: Nectar Original Foam

Most affordable memory foam mattress
9.0 Very Good
 Nectar Original Foam

Key product features

  • Rating: 9.0/10.
  • Material: Memory foam.
  • Cost: $699–$1,798
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime.
  • Trial period: 365 nights.
  • Shipping: Free shipping.
  • Firmness: 6.5/10.
  • Height: 12 inches.
  • Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king.
  • Our experience: This all-foam memory foam mattress is one of the most affordable memory foam options we found online, especially since Nectar regularly marks it down by up to 40%. We found that the mattress slightly hugs your body, sagging a little for back and stomach sleeping, but providing good support for side sleepers.

Pros and cons

Pros Lower prices for memory foam. One-year trial period. Free delivery. Good support for side sleepers. Cons Contains fiberglass. May sag over time. Not recommended for stomach sleepers.

Why Nectar Original Foam is our pick for best affordable memory foam mattress

The Nectar Original has the lowest starting price here, a 365-night trial period, and free delivery—making it our top choice if you’re watching your budget. We found the material sinks deeper than other mattresses our team tested, but some sleepers may like its more cradled feel.

Who should use Nectar Original Foam: The Nectar Original Foam is one of the softer models on this list, so it could be a good fit for side sleepers and lighter-weight sleepers.

Who should not use Nectar Original Foam: Most back and stomach sleepers will find this mattress isn’t supportive enough to maintain a neutral spine and should consider firmer mattresses from this list.

Nectar Original Foam tester insights

Our testers reported that the Nectar Original Foam mattress had more sinkage and less support than other memory foam mattresses. Despite our testers giving the Nectar Original Foam a low score for support, they still found that their hips and shoulders were supported comfortably when lying on their sides.

From one of our Nectar testers:

When lying on my side, my spine feels neutral, and the mattress supports my torso well. I don’t feel crunched to one side when lying on my side.

Testers said they felt more “in” than “on” the mattress. This slight sinkage may be the right support for some side sleepers but uncomfortable for others. Someone who is a higher weight or has broader shoulders may feel too much pressure in the shoulder area when sleeping on their side and may do better with a mattress that has more sinkage.

A 10-pound dumbbell on the Nectar Memory Foam mattress.
The original Nectar Memory Foam mattress relieved pressure well, allowing pressure points to sink into the mattress. You can see this demonstrated using the 10-pound dumbbell above. Although it had some reinforcement at my midsection during side sleeping, we preferred the Premier Hybrid’s supportive coils.

We don’t recommend this mattress for stomach sleepers. When one of our testers lay on their stomach, the mattress sank too much, so that their hips were out of alignment with their spine. One tester said they felt slightly suffocated by the mattress while lying on their stomach.

This soft, cushioning mattress may not be right for stomach sleepers or higher-weight sleepers, but it’s still one of our top picks if you’re looking for a more affordable mattress with a deeper hug. The Nectar Original Foam can help relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips for light- or average-weight sleepers—especially if side sleeping is your go-to position.

Some Nectar models contain a harmful substance, fiberglass, that can irritate and harm your upper respiratory tract. Sleepers aren’t exposed to fiberglass unless the mattress is torn or ruptured, but this is something to be aware of while shopping.

Learn more in our Nectar mattress review.

Best cooling and gel memory foam mattress: DreamCloud Original Foam

Best cooling and gel memory foam mattress
9.2 Excellent
DreamCloud Original Foam

Key product features

  • Rating: 9.2/10.
  • Material: Memory foam.
  • Cost: $839–$2,178
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime.
  • Trial period: 365 nights.
  • Shipping: Free shipping.
  • Firmness: 6.5/10
  • Height: 12 inches.
  • Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king.
  • Our experience: We love that this mattress is thoughtfully designed for coolness and breathability, starting with its cashmere-blend mattress cover. While you might associate cashmere with heavier winter wear, it is actually a lightweight, breathable fabric that doesn’t retain moisture. We found the mattress cover combined with top layers of gel memory foam work well together to keep sleepers cool.

Pros and cons

Pros Has multiple gel memory foam layers for cooling. One-year trial period. Free delivery. Supports multiple sleeping positions. Cons Lacks bounce to assist mobility or sex. White glove delivery costs extra ($199).

Why DreamCloud Original Foam is our pick for the best cooling and gel memory foam mattress

We chose DreamCloud Original Foam for the best cooling and gel memory foam mattress because we found it challenges the stereotypes about memory foam trapping heat and running hot. During testing, we only observed an increase in temperature of 6.5 degrees, which is excellent temperature regulation in a mattress.

Who should use DreamCloud Original Foam: If you’re a sleeper who runs hot, consider the DreamCloud Original Foam mattress.

Who should not use DreamCloud Original Foam: During testing, we noticed this mattress has poor responsiveness and bounce, so this might not be a good fit if you find you need the mobility assistance to get out of bed or prefer some bounce for ease of movement during sex.

DreamCloud Original Foam tester insights

There are limitations to testing cooling technology, but DreamCloud’s cooling performance stood out compared to other mattresses. Our testers found that the mattress remained cool even with multiple people occupying the bed. Out of all the mattresses tested, our thermal gun recorded the lowest temperature change after two testers laid on this mattress. Before our testers laid down, the bed registered a reading of 67.5 degrees.

 Image of a Dreamcloud foam bed through the view of a thermal gun showing a temperature of 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit
The initial temperature reading of the mattress before testers laid down.
The temperature of the mattress after testers laid on it for five minutes. Note the outline of the testers’ body heat.

After two testers laid on the mattress for five minutes, the thermal gun registered a temperature of 73.4 degrees, which is an increase of 5.9 degrees. An increase of five degrees or fewer after five minutes is considered “excellent” cooling, while five to 10 degrees is considered “good.”

On top of the DreamCloud Original Foam’s cooling technology, we think this mattress is also a win for sleepers who switch positions throughout the night. Our testers noticed it was easy to change positions without feeling stuck, and the mattress gently cradled and supported them in each position—even when lying on their stomach.

We also recommend the DreamCloud Original Foam if you sleep with a partner. In addition to its cooling qualities, we think this mattress is excellent for motion isolation. Our testers measured motion isolation by conducting multiple motion tests that mimicked movements, like getting in and out of bed or adjusting positions during the night. Our tester hardly felt their tester partner on the other side of the mattress.

Remember, a plushy foam mattress that’s great at absorbing movement usually doesn’t have much bounce, which may be more challenging for sex. The DreamCloud Original Foam had zero rhythmic bounce, according to our testers. If this is a deal-breaker, check out the Bear Original below for a firmer, bouncier mattress option.

From one of our DreamCloud testers:

Their movement on the other side of the mattress was so faint—with my eyes closed I could barely detect it.

Remember, a plushy foam mattress that’s great at absorbing movement usually doesn’t have much bounce, which may be more challenging for sex. The DreamCloud Original Foam had zero rhythmic bounce, according to our testers. If this is a deal-breaker, check out the Bear Original below for a firmer, bouncier mattress option.

To learn more, read our DreamCloud mattress review.

Best firm memory foam mattress: Bear Original

Best firm memory foam mattress
9.4 Excellent
Bear Original

Key product features

  • Rating: 9.4/10
  • Material: Memory foam.
  • Cost: $786–$1,690
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime.
  • Trial period: 120 nights.
  • Shipping: Free shipping.
  • Firmness: 8/10.
  • Height: 10 inches.
  • Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king.
  • Our experience: We were impressed with how the Bear Original mattress manages to give the classic, cushioning feeling associated with memory foam while maintaining firm support. Finding a memory foam that maintains a neutral spine in a stomaching sleeping position is challenging, but this mattress passed the test.

Pros and cons

Pros Excellent for stomach sleepers. Great for higher-weight sleepers who want a memory foam mattress. 120-night trial period. Limited lifetime warranty. Cons May be too firm for side and back sleepers. White glove delivery costs extra ($175).

Why Bear Original is our pick for best firm memory foam mattress

We chose the Bear Original mattress for best firm memory foam mattress because it is a highly supportive foam option. Stomach sleepers who prefer the feeling of memory foam, along with the motion isolation it provides, may have a harder time finding a mattress that is firm enough to support their hips. With a 8 of 10 firmness level, Bear Original is the firmest mattress on this list.

Who should use Bear Original: Stomach sleepers and heavier weight sleepers will appreciate the durability and support of this memory foam mattress.
Who should not use Bear Original: Most side sleepers will find the fact that this mattress isn’t soft enough to contour to their body uncomfortable.

Bear Original tester insights

We recommend the Bear Original for stomach sleepers who want an all-foam mattress. Our testers had nothing but good things to report in this position. Their bodies were cushioned and cradled by the three dense foam layers without their hips sinking into the mattress. We also recommend the Bear Original as a mattress for kids, as its firmness allows for growth.

From one of our Bear testers:

The Bear Original is a good choice for stomach sleepers who love foam mattresses. It’s also more responsive than other memory foam mattresses, which is helpful for switching positions or getting out of bed.

However, we don’t recommend this firm mattress for lighter-to-average-weight sleepers who prefer sleeping on their side or back. When lying on their back, one tester had a neutral spine but felt a small gap between their lower back and the mattress. They predicted their spine would sag into the mattress over time, which would cause discomfort and pain. A mattress should meet your lower back and reinforce it—not the other way around.

Dumbbell placed on the Bear Original mattress
Our testers tested the firmness of the Bear mattress by using a 10-pound dumbbell.

Since the Bear Original is such a firm mattress, we think higher-weight sleepers will get better contouring support than they would on softer memory foam mattresses. The denser foam allows the body to sink into the mattress with reinforced support.

Best hybrid memory foam mattress: Helix Midnight

Best hybrid memory foam mattress
9.2 Excellent
Helix Midnight

Key product features

  • Rating: 9.2/10.
  • Material: Memory foam and innerspring.
  • Cost: $936.30–$1,748.80
  • Warranty: 10 years.
  • Trial period: 100 nights.
  • Shipping: Free shipping.
  • Firmness: 6/10.
  • Height: 11.5 inches.
  • Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, RV king.
  • Our experience: The Helix Midnight is our favorite hybrid mattress because it perfectly blends the perks of memory foam and innerspring mattresses. We found that this medium-firm mattress is supportive, has excellent pressure relief for side and back sleepers, and may offer great motion isolation if you sleep with a partner or pet.

Pros and cons

Pros Great support for side and back sleepers. Good motion isolation. Has bounce to assist mobility or sex. Cons Shorter trial period (100 days). Not recommended for stomach sleepers. No white glove delivery options.

Why Helix Midnight is our pick for best hybrid memory foam mattress

The Helix Midnight is our pick for the best hybrid memory foam because of how it combines the pressure relief and motion isolation of memory foam with the support and durability of innerspring coils. Memory foam mattresses bring a lot to the table, but often lack strong support and don’t bounce back for ease of movement, but we found the Helix Midnight scored high in these categories.

Who should use Helix Midnight: Because the Helix Midnight scores well in the categories of motion isolation and bounce, we think this mattress is a good choice for couples.

Who should not use Helix Midnight: Unfortunately, Helix doesn’t offer white glove delivery or removal of the old mattress, so it isn’t a good fit for someone who needs help setting up their new mattress and getting rid of the old one.

Helix Midnight tester insights

Pressure relief is the first thing that comes to mind with the Helix Midnight. Testers experienced pressure relief in both their shoulders and lower back while support came from the innerspring coils. This combination of pressure relief and support is ideal for back and side sleepers, and the responsive, slightly bouncier material makes it easier to switch between positions.

From one of our Helix testers:

I think back sleepers will love the support and comfort of this mattress. The memory foam cushions the lower back, while the innerspring coils keep the spine aligned.

Another perk of hybrid mattresses: They naturally run cooler than all-foam mattresses. Air flows between the innerspring coils, making the mattress more breathable and less likely to trap heat than memory foam mattresses.

The Helix Midnight has two foam layers before reaching the innerspring coils. The soft top foam layer may be a little too plush for stomach sleepers—testers felt their hips sinking into the mattress when lying on their stomachs.

Additionally, the Helix Midnight is also the Handbook Team’s top pick in our best mattress review. To learn more, read our Helix mattress review.

How we test and choose the best mattresses

The connection between sleep and mental health is well researched. Without good sleep, things like emotional regulation, decision making, and attention can be challenging, according to the National Institutes on Health. Healthy sleep habits, like turning off tech before bed and sticking with a bedtime routine, can play an important role in getting a good night’s sleep—and so can the right mattress.

Knowing this, our Reviews Team has dedicated over 2,000 hours of research about more than 100 mattress models to find the best memory foam mattresses on the market. We also surveyed over 1,200 mattress owners, while conducting interviews with seven mattress owners and 21 experts, to learn what characteristics make a mattress most comfortable.

of research
1000+   hours
of research
evaluated
100+   models
evaluated
interviewed
7   people
interviewed
consulted
21   experts
consulted

First-hand testing experience

Our Reviews Team conducts hands-on testing for each mattress we include in our reviews. We evaluated each mattress independently, across several categories with a specific focus on documenting the strongest features and most problematic weakness in each model using a 42-question, standardized testing form.

When looking at memory foam mattresses, we knew pressure relief is typically a strength of this material. Using a pressure mat, we measured pressure build up in the hips, back, and shoulders, taking note of which models offer the greatest pressure relief. Similarly, we dropped a 10-pound weight in one area of the mattress while a tester was laying on another part of the mattress and documented how well the mattress prevents motion transfer.

Mattress surveys & interviews

We also took into account specific considerations sleepers of all ages and body types seek by surveying 1,200 mattress wonders. We asked questions about price, comfort features, and delivery and set-up. To gain an understanding of what motivates people shopping for a new mattress, we also conducted interviews with real people about what they felt were the benefits of purchasing a new one. Similarly, we consulted with experts about how mattresses play a role in things like quality of sleep, chronic pain, and overall well being.

Objective and honest ratings

Each person has a unique set of needs for their holistic health. This includes what they need to get a restful night of sleep, making it important that we provide an accurate assessment of mattress features to determine which models are best tailored to their needs. Thanks to the responses we documented in surveys and interviews, we were able to develop a mattress scorecard outlining the most important features in a new mattress. We weighed the factors below to calculate an overall rating for each model we recommend. Every model in this roundup scored a minimum of 8/10 for their overall rating. 

FactorWeightDescription
Customer Service15%Customer care center hours, support options
Brand Reputation10%Years in business, lawsuits & class actions against this company
Features20%Size options, firmness options, weight capacity, add-ons included (free sleep accessories)
User Experience35%White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials
Affordability20%Price, warranty, promotions

Learn more about our mattress testing and review methodology.

Our mattress testing process

Our Mattress Testing Process
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers. Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab. Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness. Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position. Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage. Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading. Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences. Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score. Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation. Test motion isolation.
Test edge support. Test edge support.
Calculate composite “family” scores. Calculate composite “family” scores.

How to choose a mattress for a good night’s sleep

During testing, we found the Saatva Loom & Leaf to be the best memory foam mattress overall, but we also know that what each person finds comfortable in a mattress is unique. A new mattress is a big purchase, lasting most sleepers for 10 years or more, and it is important to find a mattress that is suited to your specific health and comfort needs. As you’re looking for your best match, we suggest you keep the following considerations in mind.

Material

Foam, steel coils, and latex are the most common materials found in mattresses, and they provide mattresses with specific and unique functions for promoting good sleep.

  • Innerspring: Steel coils contained within a quilted cover create a mattress that is durable and supportive, firmer than most other mattress styles, with good bounce and responsiveness but less pressure relief and motion isolation. See our full innerspring mattress guide.
  • Memory foam: A dense polyurethane foam, memory foam responds to body heat to contour to the body, creating a cushioning and pressure-relieving sleep surface.
  • Hybrid: Layers of memory foam surround a supportive innerspring core, combining the support and bounce of innerspring mattresses with the pressure relief and motion isolation of memory foam models.
  • Latex: Naturally derived from rubber trees, latex is an alternative to memory foam that is more breathable with greater bounce because it is less dense. Latex tends to be more expensive than memory foam. See our full latex mattress guide.
  • Organic: Some mattress brands prioritize organic materials during manufacturing, if this is important to you look for mattresses that are GOTS and GOLS certified. See our full organic mattress guide.

Sleeping position

What you need from a mattress changes depending on your preferred sleep position, which can affect which style of mattress feels most comfortable to you.

  • Stomach sleepers: Because of the weight of the hips on the surface of the mattress, stomach sleepers require a firmer mattress to maintain a neutral side. Memory foam may not be a good fit for stomach sleepers. See our full stomach sleeper mattress guide.
  • Side sleepers: A softer, cushioning mattress will contour to the curves of the body when sleeping on your side. Memory foam mattresses are often a great fit for side sleepers. See our full side sleeper mattress guide.
  • Back sleepers: Back sleepers benefit from a firm mattress that is soft at the surface to cradle the lower back. See our full back sleeper mattress guide.

Sleeper’s body

Each body has a unique set of needs that determines what they need to sleep comfortably. Weight, age, and health conditions are helpful considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress.

  • Weight: Since heavier people tend to compress mattresses more, they experience them as less firm than average weight sleepers, while lighter people feel mattresses are more firm. See our full mattresses for heavy sleepers guide.
  • Age: Smaller bodies will feel a mattress is firmer than adult bodies experience them and may find softer models more comfortable. The exception to this rule is in infants, who should never sleep on a plush mattress because of an increased risk for SIDS. See our full mattresses for kids guide.
  • Health conditions: Individuals with chronic pain will often find mattresses with good pressure relief scores to be most comfortable. See our full guides on mattresses for back pain and mattresses for hip pain.

Price

After testing and reviewing the best affordable mattresses, we found that mattress prices can be as low as about $700 and as high as $4,500. In general, we have found the best luxury mattress cost above the $4,500 range and that the average cost of a mattress is closer to $1,500.

Is a memory foam mattress right for you?

Memory foam mattresses are made from dense, polyurethane foam that responds to body heat to adapt to and contour to curves. These mattresses are often on the softer side, falling into the medium-firm range of mattress firmness. If you’re considering buying a memory foam mattress, keep in mind the following considerations.

Benefits of memory foam mattresses

  • Pressure relief: Because memory foam responds to body heat, it contours to the body and distributes weight evenly throughout the mattress. This prevents pressure build-up in heavier areas of the body, like the hips, lower back, and shoulders.
  • Motion isolation: If you share a bed with a partner, child, or pet, you might notice that their movement throughout the night disturbs your sleep. Memory foam mattresses tend to prevent motion transfer, making them a good choice for light sleepers who share their bed with another person or a pet.

Drawbacks of memory foam mattresses

  • Temperature: Since memory foam traps body heat, these mattresses often have poor temperature regulation. Added cooling capabilities, like gel-infused foam, hole-punched foam, phase change materials, and a cooling cover, can help mitigate memory foam’s heat-trapping tendencies.
  • Position changes: Memory foam contours to and adapts to body shape, cradling the body at the surface of the mattress. The downside of this feature is that the mattresses don’t bounce back quickly, leaving a sleeper feeling like they are sinking into the mattress and making it a bit harder to change positions.

Our final verdict

Our overall pick for the best memory foam mattress is the Saatva Loom & Leaf because it scored high in the categories we love most in memory foam mattresses, including pressure relief and motion isolation. At the same time, Saatva does a good job taking into account one common drawback of this top mattress by adding cooling, gel-infused layers to improve temperature regulation. The Loom & Leaf is also available in two firmness levels, meaning it will work well for more people with different sleep needs. Saatva is a luxury mattress brand, so it is sold at a higher price point of $2,395 for a queen-sized mattress, but Saatva regularly discounts their mattresses by up to $650 to increase affordability. 

Saatva consistently impresses our Reviews Team with its policies. Every new mattress at Saatva includes free, white-glove delivery and removal of your old mattress. The sleep trial with the Loom & Leaf is 365 nights, and it is also protected by a lifetime warranty.

Compare the best memory foam mattresses of 2024

Price $1,595—$3,040 $699—$1,798 $839–$2,178 $786–$1,690 $936.30–$1,748.80
Firmness 6-7/10 or 8/10 6.5/10 6.5/10 8/10 6/10
Material Memory foam Memory foam Memory foam Memory foam Hybrid (innerspring and memory foam)
Warranty Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime 10 years
Trial period 365 nights 365 nights 365 nights 120 nights 100 nights
Best for Back and side sleepers Side sleepers All sleepers Stomach sleepers Back and side sleepers

Frequently asked questions

A memory foam mattress is made of layers of memory foam. Memory foam is known for its softness, providing pressure relief, absorbing movement, and hugging your body. Many modern memory foam mattresses have different firmness levels and cooling features. There are also “hybrid” memory foam mattresses, meaning the mattress consists of memory foam and innersprings.

How long a memory foam mattress lasts depends on the foam quality. Memory foam mattresses with high-density foam last about eight to 10 years, while low-density foam breaks down quicker and may last three to five years.

We recommend a memory foam mattress for lighter-to-average-weight back and side sleepers. Memory foam mattresses can help relieve pain and pressure points The parts of a sleeper’s body that have the hardest contact with the bed surface, such as the shoulder, hips, ribcage, and tailbone. by supporting and contouring your body. We don’t recommend memory foam mattresses for stomach sleepers or sleepers who run hot. Memory foam mattresses don’t have as much airflow as hybrid or innerspring mattresses, which makes them more likely to trap heat. If you live with chronic pain or mobility issues, consult your doctor on choosing the right mattress. The best mattress is different for everyone, so we always encourage readers to use a mattress’s trial period to test it out. All our best memory foam mattress picks have at least a 100-night trial period (over three months).

We can’t recommend a specific mattress as good for your health, but a memory foam mattress may help relieve pressure and pain. If you have chronic pain, an injury, or mobility issues, speak with your doctor before purchasing a mattress. Note that the foam material may irritate people with asthma or allergies.

No, memory foam mattresses don’t require a box spring. Your mattress type doesn’t determine if you need a box spring; it depends on your bed frame. Most modern bedframes don’t require a box spring. If your bedframe does require a box spring, it can add more height and an additional supportive surface for the mattress.

For general upkeep, vacuum the top of your memory foam mattress once a month. Try spot-treating stains before they dry with a damp cloth, but using too much water may damage the foam mattress. Always check your manufacturer’s guide for specific cleaning instructions.

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