Not sure what to look for when shopping for a foam mattress? Here are a few pointers to get ya started.
Consider the foam type
When most people hear “foam mattress,” they imagine a memory foam mattress—but that’s not the only type of foam out there. There’s also polyurethane foam, or poly-foam, which tends to have a bouncier feel than memory foam and an open-cell structure, allowing for better airflow. PU foam is usually cheaper than memory foam as well, but since it’s not as dense as memory foam, a poly-foam mattress will probs degrade faster than a memory foam model.
And though we didn’t get into latex mattresses here, latex foam is also an option for your mattress. In terms of density and durability, latex foam mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses—but latex foam sleeps cooler than memory foam and can be made with natural materials (unlike PU foam and memory foam, which are always synthetic). Latex foam is also a bit softer to the touch than memory foam—but as you can imagine, latex foam mattresses usually come with the steepest price tag.
Find the right firmness
Sure, your preferred mattress firmness may just be a matter of what feels good for you. However! Your go-to sleep position can help you decide what firmness level is right for your body. Side sleepers tend to do best with a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress, while back sleepers should look for a medium-firm to firm mattress. And while stomach sleepers definitely do best with a firm mattress, combination sleepers will wanna invest in a medium-firm mattress that facilitates easy movement throughout the night.
Your body type or weight can also determine just how firm your foam mattress should be. Generally, if you weigh under 130 pounds, you’ll probably like the feel of a plush memory foam mattress, while folks who weigh over 230 pounds may feel more comfortable with a high-density poly-foam or latex foam option. This is why it’s important to find a review from someone with a similar body type and sleeping habits before buying a mattress. If they love it, then there’s a good chance you will, too.
Keep your sleep temperature in mind
If you’re a hot sleeper, the quickest way to end up miserable is by picking out a heat-trapping mattress that will leave you waking up in a puddle of sweat daily (yuck!). Typically, memory foam mattresses warm up in response to body heat, which allows ’em to soften and contour to your body shape—but unfortch, the dense material is also prone to heat retention. Anyone who runs hot will prob wanna opt for a poly-foam or latex foam mattress, which are better designed to promote airflow.
Do you run hot at night but still want the contouring support of memory foam? Then look for a memory foam mattress with a gel-infusion or copper fibers and a moisture-wicking cover, which will help you stay (relatively) cool as you snooze.