The best memory foam mattresses provide superb, all-over comfort and support as you sleep, as well as extra pressure relief and a cradling effect around the body. These mattresses are made from high-quality foam, and tend to be more durable than spring models, making them worth the money as they last longer. We include some excellent memory foam picks in our best mattress guide, all of which have plenty of features to help you sleep better. Our recommended memory foam mattresses are suitable no matter what your budget, plus we’ve included advice on how to choose one that best suits your needs.
If you sleep hot, then rest assured that the latest and best memory foam mattresses now come with lots of cooling comfort. Gone are the days of overheating, as today’s mattresses feature breathable foam to promote good airflow and dissipate heat. The best mattress in a box brands also make excellent memory foam mattresses with plenty of cooling, leaving you to enjoy the pressure relief on your body as you snuggle down to sleep.
In this guide to the best memory foam mattresses, we also feature some superb foam hybrid options from Helix and Saatva, which combine layers of memory foam with springs, so you get the benefits of both. All of our featured memory foam mattresses come with a risk-free trial so you can ‘test-drive’ them properly at home. If you change your mind during the trial, you’ll get a refund and the company will collect the mattress.
Most of the best memory foam mattresses have an easy delivery process too, often with free shipping and returns (not all brands offer free returns though). Below each of our top picks we highlight today’s best prices, and you can often find further discounts in our cheap mattress deals guide. We’re also rounding up the best Black Friday mattress deals on various bed types, including many leading memory foam mattresses.
The best memory foam mattress in 2021
Nectar takes the top position in our best memory foam mattress guide because it’s comfortable, supportive, and incredible value – significantly undercutting other mid-range rivals like Casper and Purple on price. We tested the medium firm Nectar Memory Foam mattress for two months and loved it.
This all-foam mattress has a soft, quilted cover that’s designed to help you stay cool – and it worked for us, even during the hot summer months. There’s then three inches of memory foam, followed by a layer of support foam, a sturdy base layer and a no-slip lower cover. We rated it highly for comfort and pressure relief, as do the majority of user reviews on the Nectar website – the mattresses averages an impressive score of 4.8 out of 5 from over 32,000 user reviews (May 2021).
We also noticed good edge support – so the mattress feels wider – and very little motion transfer, which makes the Nectar Memory Foam mattress a good choice for couples, and anyone with a restless partner in particular. Some couples have complained that it doesn’t have a lot of bounce though, so if you’re looking for that feature for sex – or just in general – you might want to try a different option.
We love that Nectar gives you one year to try out this mattress. That’s nearly three times the length offered by other bed-in-a-box mattress companies. Its forever warranty is a solid bonus as well. Plus, it’s nearly always sold with $399-worth of free accessories – if you’re looking for sheer value for money, we think the Nectar is the best memory foam mattress you can buy.
The Satvaa Loom & Leaf is a premium, hotel-quality mattress from luxury online brand Saatav. The only reason it isn’t at number one in our best memory foam mattress guide is its price: $1,799 for a queen makes it one of the more expensive option on this page. Nevertheless, the Saatva Loom & Leaf is very competitively priced, undercutting many of its luxury rivals by a few hundred dollars, and you get free white glove delivery as standard too.
The Saatva Loom & Leaf is a great option for anyone who enjoys a ‘traditional’ mattress feel. The Loom & Leaf mattress has a quilted organic cotton covering, then a layer of cooling gel, followed by premium memory foam, and then multiple layers of foams for support and luxury comfort. We love that it comes in two different firmness options: the relaxed firm option is optimal for back, side or stomach sleepers; and there’s a firm option for anyone who prefers to feel as though they’re floating on top of the mattress rather than sinking into it.
Many users comment that the Loom & Leaf “feels luxurious” and offers great support, and we saw lots of glowing comments about Saatva’s customer service, with one customer saying it’s among “the best in the industry”. Of the few complaints we saw, some users found that the Loom & Leaf took longer to “break in” than other memory foam mattresses. If you’re looking for a premium mattress that won’t break the bank, we think the Loom & Leaf is one of the best memory foam mattresses you can buy.
We’ll make this clear: the Zinus Green Tea is not the best memory foam mattress you can buy. It’s a budget mattress, with none of the advanced features or premium materials found in the other options in our guide. However, if your budget is limited, then this extraordinarily popular Amazon best-seller is worth a look.
The standout feature of this all-foam mattress is that it uses green tea-infused memory foam and purified charcoal particles to neutralize odors (no, it doesn’t smell of tea). It comes in four different thickness options, ranging from 6 to 12 inches – the price increases with depth – and can be used with any type of bed base.
We tested the 10-inch version – which starts from $217 – for three months and found it to be comfortable and supportive, with good edge support and minimal motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a restless partner. However, it’s not the best choice if you overheat at night – a few of our reviewers became uncomfortably warm. We also have some questions about its long-term durability and wouldn’t expect this mattress to last as long as the others on this list.
Where the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress really stands out, of course, is its price. You can buy a king size mattress for under $300 – and that’s good going. It’s attracted an impressive collection of positive user reviews on Amazon, too – over 100,000 (May 2021), with an average score of 4.4 out of 5. If you need a new mattress and are working to a tight budget, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress is worth a try.
All the mattresses in this guide have cooling properties, but if you’re a hot sleeper and want the best cooling memory foam mattress money can buy, the Tempur-Breeze is worth considering. Made by household brand Tempur-Pedic, the Tempur-Breeze is designed to feel cool when you lie down, while you sleep and when you wake up. And that isn’t easy – our bodies change temperature throughout the night, after all.
To do this, Tempur has developed a wide range of innovative cooling technology. The mattress comes in two versions: there’s a ‘3 degrees cooler’ ProBreeze model; or a more expensive ‘8 degrees cooler’ LuxeBreeze model. Both have a choice of soft or firm. Whichever you choose, there’s a SmartClimate cover on top that’s designed to feel instantly cool (and features a zip-off outer cover, so you can wash it). Next, a layer of Tempur’s phase change material absorbs heat and promotes air flow, followed by a layer of memory foam that cycles heat out of the mattress, and a breathable, pressure-relieving base.
Of the 900-plus user reviews on the Tempur-Pedic website, the majority are overwhelmingly positive, giving the mattress an average score of 4.6 out of 5. Besides praising the Tempur-Breeze’s cooling properties, some users comment that it’s good on motion transfer too, with limited disturbance from partners. Bear in mind that some found it took several weeks to break in though.
High-quality foam with advanced cooling properties doesn’t come cheap – the queen size is over $3,000 (although it does at least come with free white-glove delivery). But there’s a 90-night trial, and you can also test out the mattress in person at a store near you. For the latest savings, read our round-up of the best Tempur-Pedic mattress sales and deals.
The Helix Midnight is an excellent choice for anyone who sleeps predominantly on their side. This medium firmness mattress isn’t only made of foam – underneath two layers of the company’s ‘memory plus’ foam and ‘Helix dynamic foam’, there’s also a layer of hundreds of individual coils. What the Helix Midnight offers, then, is the best of both worlds: the luxurious cushioning and deep pressure-relief of foam; and the cradling support of springs.
One area in which we were particularly impressed when we tested the Helix Midnight is temperature control. The breathable cover and increased airflow through the coils kept us at a cool, comfortable temperature throughout the night – not bad given that one of our reviewers is known for overheating at night. It’s also an excellent choice for couples, with very little motion transfer and a touch more bounce that you’d get from a pure memory foam mattress.
If you’re a stomach sleeper or weigh over 300 pounds though, the Midnight may feel too soft – try the Helix Twilight instead, with its no-sink-or-give top layer, or the Helix Dawn, which comes with extra support for back and stomach sleepers. (Alternatively, take the handy Helix sleep quiz to find the exactly the right mattress.)
Overall, we found the Helix Midnight to be a competitively priced hybrid mattress that delivers the comfort and support of a more expensive model. If you’re a side sleeper, or tend to sleep hot, you should get on well with it.
The luxury Saatva Classic mattress is another one in our best memory foam mattress guide that isn’t made from just memory foam – it’s a hybrid, combining a memory foam comfort layer with a responsive, dual steel coil support system. It’s the cheaper sibling to the Saatva Loom and Leaf mattress at number two in this list, and an excellent choice for anyone who prefers a slightly bouncier mattress than you can get from pure memory foam. It’s also a better choice for anyone who prefers to sleep on top of the mattress rather than sink into it.
This highly rated hybrid memory foam mattress doesn’t arrive in a box, so you won’t have to worry about waiting for it to extend to its full size, or deal with off-gassing odors. On top, there’s a luxuriously soft Euro pillow top, wrapped in an organic cotton cover. Next, a layer of individually wrapped coils minimize motion transfer, while contouring to your body’s pressure points; and the foundation features steel coils that prevent sagging over time. Coils are also great for helping with air flow, so if you tend to overheat at night, the Saatva Classic is worth considering.
The Congress of Chiropractic State Associations has awarded Saatva its seal of approval, and many users have commented that the Saatva Classic has helped their back and joint pain. The mattress boasts an impressive average score of 4.9 out of 5, from over 17,500 user views (Oct 2021) on independent sites including Google Reviews, Consumer Affairs, Reseller Ratings and TrustPilot.
Leesa’s award-winning hybrid mattress brings together premium foam with pocket springs for total comfort and superior support. If you sleep hot, there’s plenty to keep you cool too with a hole-punched top layer of foam providing breathability along with pure comfort and bounce. The 1,000-plus active response pocket springs meanwhile deliver big on durability and offer plenty of stable support if you sleep on your front. Combination sleepers can also rest assured, as this superb mattress is great for all sleeping positions.
With a versatile 5-7 firmness rating, this medium-firm mattress helps relieve pressure and is an excellent choice if you are prone to back pain. Other perks with a Leesa mattress include free delivery, a 10-year warranty and a 100-night risk-free trial. Leesa also donates one mattress for every ten sold to a child in need. The Leesa Hybrid mattress is designed and manufactured in the US, it also uses low-toxicity materials.
If you are looking for a high-quality hybrid mattress from a trusted brand, then the Leesa Hybrid Mattress is a great choice. With the memory foam providing excellent contouring around the body as well as relief for pressure points, if you sleep on your front or shift around, you will soon be sleeping easy.
With so many memory foam mattress options available, why should you consider a version made with gel? Well, memory foam gel mattresses are designed to help you sleep cooler. The gel also helps you sink in a bit deeper than traditional memory foam. The 10-inch Lucid gel memory foam mattress is well rated on Amazon, with over 1,800 user reviews and an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars (Nov 2021).
It’s topped with a temperature-regulating, moisture-controlling Tencel blend fabric cover that’s designed to help you sleep cool. Beneath that is a layer of cooling gel memory foam, followed by bamboo charcoal memory foam and a layer of support foam. Not everyone agrees that it sleeps cool though, so if you overheat at night it may not be the best option.
The 10-inch Lucid gel memory foam mattress comes in a wide range of different comfort options: firm, medium firm, medium plush and plush. (There’s also a short Queen version that fits in tight spaces). The plush version may be better for side sleepers, while the firmer version is recommended for anyone with back pain. However this mattress isn’t ideal for weights above 500 pounds.
Overall, we think this popular gel option from Lucid is another contender for the title of best memory foam mattress for tight budgets. Like the Zinus option above it’s a budget pick, so don’t expect it to last forever, but if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful mattress that will provide adequate support for people of an average weight, the Lucid gel memory foam mattress has a lot going for it.
There’s plenty to love about the Puffy mattress. With its patented multi-layer design, this mattress delivers innovative DeepSleep technology across four individual layers. These comprise an award-winning Cooling Cloud top layer, a Plush Dual Cloud layer for cosiness and comfort, and a ClimateComfort layer to regulate your body temperature, all this on top of a Firm Core Support base layer.
The breathable top layer gently hugs the body, keeping it aligned as well as cool. Pressure points are nicely supported too, and there’s plenty of relief for all sleeping positions but especially those who sleep on their side. Deeper into the mattress the Plush Dual Cloud layer also helps the spine to align for well-balanced sleep and complete comfort. The ClimateComfort layer, meanwhile, keeps your body temperature regulated, no matter what time of year.
The Puffy mattress is shipped in a box straight to your door. You can also take advantage of a 101-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. If you’re looking for extra levels of cosiness, but don’t want to compromise on stability, then the Puffy mattress is a good choice. This ‘huggy’ mattress is big on cradling, giving the sleeper a sense of being held – ideal if you’re prone to stress-related insomnia or wake frequently in the night with sore pressure points.
How to choose the best memory foam mattress for you
When it comes to memory foam mattresses, there’s plenty of choice, so how do you know which is the best memory foam mattress for you? Things to consider include:
Cooling – if you tend to sleep hot, look for memory foam with cooling properties, such as gel infusions or breathable technology/design. This will make all the difference, especially if you’re prone to sweating when you sleep hot. Many memory foam mattresses also come with temperature-regulating covers, which provide an extra level of comfort.
Sleep position – memory foam mattresses can vary in firmness, so it’s important to find one that supports your spine in whatever position you sleep in. If you mostly sleep on your side a medium mattress will keep you comfortable, while firmer mattresses tend to be better suited to stomach sleepers. Back sleepers, meanwhile, often benefit from medium-firm memory foam.
Sleep trial and warranties – if your memory foam mattress comes with a risk-free trial then you have nothing to lose. It’s also a good opportunity to try out a more expensive mattress, because these offer good value for money being made with higher quality materials that last for longer. Another good indication of high quality is a longer warranty – if the manufacturer has faith in its mattress, then you can too.
Are memory foam mattresses any good?
Memory foam is one of the most popular types of mattress material, and there are many benefits to a good memory foam mattress. People normally associate this material with a feeling of being “cradled” or hugged during sleep, so they’re often recommended for people dealing with aches and pain.
Here we run through some of the main benefits of a good memory foam mattress, so you get an idea of what to expect:
Above average pressure relief – As mentioned earlier in our guide, memory foam was first developed to boost comfort. No wonder it does such a good job at hugging your body during sleep, helping to relieve any pressure you may otherwise feel when lying down.
Motion isolation – Memory foam mattresses are a good choice if you share a bed with a restless partner (someone who tosses and turns a lot), as they normally have high levels of motion isolation. They’re also much quieter than spring mattresses, for example.
They’re ideal for side sleepers – While they can suit a wide variety of sleep styles, memory foam mattresses are especially suited to side sleepers. That’s because, when you sleep on your side, you experience more pressure on your hips and knees. So you need a material that will cradle your body and deliver consistent pressure relief to these ‘high-impact’ areas.
One of the major downsides to memory foam mattresses is that they can retain heat. So if you sleep hot, buy a memory foam mattress infused with cooling gel or a dedicated cooling layer. We’d also recommend pairing your bed with a lightweight comforter if you naturally sleep hot.
How much does a memory foam mattress cost?
Memory foam mattresses are typically more expensive than traditional spring mattresses, but usually cost less than hybrid mattresses, which combine layers of both foam and coil.
Saatva’s luxury Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress starts at $949, while you can pick up a Nectar memory foam mattress for less with prices starting from $798. Over on Amazon you can pick up a Lucid memory foam mattress super-cheap with prices starting from $236 for a twin – ideal for a guest room.
At the other end of the price scale, Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze Memory Foam Mattress’s starts at $3,799 for unrivalled comfort, cooling and contouring that will keep you sleeping soundly night after night.
How long will a memory foam mattress last?
Memory foam mattresses can last up to 10 years, which is at the longer end of the mattress lifespan, when you consider the average spring mattress will typically last for around 5-6 years. There are plenty of ways you can make it last longer, including rotating it, airing it, and clearing up any accidental spills as soon as they happen.
While there are plenty of affordable options available, the more you spend on a memory foam mattress, the longer it should last you. Look out for brands such as Saatva who has a 15-year warranty on its Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress.
When is the best time to buy a memory foam mattress?
Most memory foam mattress brands run deals throughout the year, but not all of them are worth buying. How come? Prices fluctuate, and we’ve noticed that there are definite points throughout the year when it’s cheaper to buy a memory foam mattress compared to others. These include Black Friday through Cyber Monday, when brands tend to drop big sales in an attempt to lure pre-Christmas shoppers. We’ll be covering all of these and more in our Black Friday mattress deals round-up, so you won’t miss a saving.
The Memorial Day mattress sales are popular too, but that doesn’t mean they are the best time to buy a memory foam mattress. In fact, we saw some price increases across certain brands, so while the discounts may have been the same as Black Friday, for example, the mattress prices were higher.
To help you, we have included the MSRP of every product featured in our best memory foam mattress guide so you can see the original prices at a glance. To a large extent, the best time to buy also depends on your needs. Are you desperate for a new memory foam mattress today? Then we’d suggest using our guide to find the top three models for you, then compare them in terms of the price, current discounts, the returns policy and the trial period to help you narrow down your choice.
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