The 9 Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2023

Top 9 Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam is the second most popular mattress type, with more than 20% of the US population preferring it over latex and innerspring mattresses. Most mattresses use at least one layer of memory foam in the comfort or support core. First patented by NASA, memory foam technology has revolutionized the mattress industry. Also known as the viscoelastic polyfoam, it is one of the most comfortable and commonly used materials in the mattress industry. 

When this material comes in contact with body heat, it becomes softer and molds your curves to offer the pressure relief it’s famous for. Interestingly, it gets its original shape back as soon as the foam cools off. As a result, memory foam beds offer a comfy sleep surface to people of all body structures and sleep position preferences. That’s why they are considered one of the best mattresses on the market today. 

Let’s see what else makes these mattresses the top choice for the majority of sleepers. 

Benefits of Memory Foam Mattresses

There is a lot of variety in memory foam mattresses, making it all the more difficult to find the perfect match. Still, they are considered one of the most reliable choices among all sleeper types because of the following exceptional qualities:

1. Optimal Spinal Alignment:

Memory foam mattresses hug your body curves irrespective of your sleep position and body type. As a result, you get even weight distribution and adequate support to key pressure areas, including hips, spinal curvature, shoulders, and neck. The cushioned support to the lumbar region reduces stress on the vertebrae and back muscles to keep the spine aligned.

2. Exceptional Pain and Pressure-Relief:

Memory foam mattresses effectively cushion body curves to prevent pressure formation. Since this material softens under excessive pressure, it offers a lot of giving and sinkage to your heavier body parts. Instead of opposing your body, it adjusts under you and cradles your pressure points for maximum pain relief and prevention. However, excessive heat retention can cause excessive sinkage and may result in backache; therefore, careful selection of quality memory foam mattresses is crucial.   

3. Excellent Motion Isolation:

The memory foam mattresses are ideal for bed-sharing as they absorb motion transfer for uninterrupted sleep. The open-cell structure compresses when pressure is applied but bounces back slowly to its original shape; thus, no motion travels farther than a few inches. As a result, when one partner rolls over in sleep or gets in and out of bed, the other person keeps enjoying an undisturbed rest. Due to foam construction, memory foam mattresses are also noiseless. 

4. Improved Durability:

The average lifespan of a memory foam mattress is 7 years, but a durable one can last for more than 10 years. Due to its dense composition and viscoelastic structure, the memory foam mattress resists early sagging and body impressions. Pressure and heat have little effect on this material as it retains back its original composition as soon as pressure and heat are removed.

5. Easy Maintenance:

Memory foam mattresses are low maintenance as they only require occasional vacuuming to get rid of gunk and dust. The bed can easily be spot cleaned and aired out to get rid of stains and marks. Rotating your memory foam mattress every six months prevents any permanent body impressions and irregular comfort and support.   

Crucial Memory Foam Mattress Buying Considerations

Before moving on to the best memory foam mattresses, you must be aware of the factors that can affect your buying decision. The following considerations can play a crucial role in the performance of the mattress you choose.

• Higher Density Means Greater Durability

Memory foam density is a strong predictor of mattress durability and, therefore, its price. Higher-density foams don’t break down easily and increase mattress lifespan. The presence of 3-5 lbs memory foams ensures durability. If the memory foam in your bed is under 3 lbs, it serves as a weak link and shouldn’t be thicker than 1-inch and must be present only in the upper mattress layers to ensure durability. 

• Identify the Cooling Mechanism 

Memory foams are notorious for heat retention. But nowadays, mattress makers introduce many cooling mechanisms in foams to ensure proper heat distribution and cool sleep. Open-cell structure and gel infusion are two of the most common ways to counteract memory foam heat retention. Both mattress types are comparatively cheaper and offer most sleepers a refreshing sleep. 

Another increasingly popular cooling mechanism is the addition of metals such as copper, aluminum, titanium, graphite, and other materials such as charcoal. Metal-infused memory foams are most effective in keeping the hot sleepers cool, but these mattresses are somewhat pricier.  

• Choosing Right Firmness is Crucial 

The comfort of a mattress varies from person to person. If you sleep on your sides, then you would require a softer, contouring memory foam mattress. It should cradle your body curves so that the heavier body parts, such as hips and shoulders, can sink deeper. 

Those who sleep on their backs need a mattress that offers firm, targeted support on the lumbar region. Such mattresses provide reinforced support to the back to maintain proper spinal curvature. Since memory foam hugs the body, it cushions the lumbar curve preventing any lower back pain.

Back pain and chest compression are two problem areas for stomach sleepers. Therefore, they prefer medium firmness with sturdy support with balanced sinkage. As a result, the mattress prevents the heavier stomach and hips from sinking too deeply into the bed or developing pressure points due to excessive firmness. 

• Beware of the Off-Gassing:

Sometimes memory foam mattresses can give off odor or toxic gasses because it’s derived from man-made chemicals. But most of the time, the little smell you sense is generally safe and due to packaging only. You can air the mattress out, and it disappears within hours or at most a day. However, the strong smell can be a sign of low-quality, unhealthy mattress materials. That is why you should always buy your mattress from reputable dealers and mattress stores. Check mattress certifications such as CERTIPUR-US, GreenGuard, or Oeko-tex to make sure the mattress is free of harmful chemicals. 

• Test How Much You Sink In:

Due to body heat, memory foam softens under your body and, if not supported properly, can cause excessive sinkage distorting your sleep posture. The level of sinkage can become troublesome if the sleeper is overweight or the mattress lacks support and has several thick memory foam layers. In-person mattress testing in stores is the only way to ensure the sinkage suits your comfort preferences. Since gel memory foams are relatively less temperature-sensitive, they resist sinkage as well. High-density foams sink less, and the use of microcoils or high-density support foams under the memory foam layer also counteract sinkage effectively.

9 Best Memory Foam Mattresses

After thorough research and numerous surveys, we have selected these top 9 memory foam mattresses with the highest customer satisfaction ratings. Our research includes offline and online informal questionnaires about mattresses.

The following are the names and descriptions of the mattresses that stood out in our research and testing:

1. Leesa — Best value affordable memory foam

Leesa Sleep is one of the top 10 online bed-in-a-box brands serving a wide array of sleepers with its premium-quality products. The Leesa Original is medium-firm with a 10-inch high profile. The company recently updated this mattress model for improved support and comfort.

The HD Base layer provides sag resistance and durability to the mattress. The bed offers uplifting support and pressure relief without any excessive sinkage. The mattress is highly responsive and allows you to move in bed with ease. All-foam construction is ideal for bed-sharing couples.

With memory foam as a transition layer, the sleeper gets pressure-relieving support at heavier body parts by allowing them to sink deeper into the mattress. This additional sinkage and conformity mitigate pressure point formation without a stuck-in feel.

New Leesa Original is ideal for back, side, and combination sleepers, thanks to the blend of memory foam and LSA 200 foam. The breathable layers promote air circulation for a cool, refreshing sleep.

2. Puffy Lux — Luxurious Mattress for All Sleep Position

The Puffy is a prominent brand providing the softest sleep surfaces with remarkable cooling. Puffy Lux is the brand’s luxury mattress with a 12-inch thickness comprising of four premium proprietary foam layers. With its medium-firm comfort level, the mattress cradles your body for optimal support and maximum pain relief.

The two gel-infused memory foam layers offer cool and comfortable sleep, making it best for hot sleepers. Puffy Luxe maintains a neutral temperature due to its patent Climate comfort technology. Even temperature ensures refreshing sleep with an optimum sinkage level for a comfy rest. Three layers of memory foam ensure a mattress is highly adaptive to different body structures. It hugs your body for proper spinal alignment and even weight distribution.

High-density foams in the foundational layers improve mattress stability and longevity. Since it is prepped with Insta-Firm technology, the base layer enhances the overall response time is highly responsive, thus offering uplifting support. Like any traditional memory foam, Puffy Lux also isolates movement, ensuring an undisturbed sleep even when sharing a bed. Due to its supportive structure, the mattress has sturdy and secure edges, making it kids-friendly.

3. Muse — Best for Temperature Regulation

Muse is a relatively new brand transforming the memory foam industry with its innovative cooling technology. This 12-inch flagship mattress comes in three different firmness levels to suit all sleeper types. Being a foam mattress, it excels at motion isolation and noise mitigation. So, when your partner moves in bed, you can still enjoy undisturbed sleep.

The two layers of memory foam offer excellent conformity and pain relief, irrespective of your sleep position. At the same time, the dual-layer of buoyant memory foam results in a quick response to movements, supporting and cradling your back instantly for targeted comfort. Side sleepers enjoy exceptional pressure relief at hips, shoulders, and knees on the soft Muse. The medium and firm models ensure relief of pressure points in the stomach and back sleepers.

Irrespective of the firmness level you choose, Muse ensures a comfortable sinkage level and excellent contouring for people of all shapes and sizes. The Cool Wire Fabric technology and gel-infused foams regulate temperature for a cool sleep each night. Muse is a durable bed with a stable foundation and sturdy edges making it a valuable investment for your long-term health and sleep.

4. Brentwood Cypress — Affordable Eco-Friendly Mattress

Brentwood Cypress comes in two different heights: 11-inch and 13-inch, to support all body types. This handcrafted mattress is offered by a leading eco-friendly brand, Brentwood Home, known for its natural and healthy products. The 11-inch profile is best for petite and average built-back and side sleepers, while stomach sleepers and people with a bigger build opt for the thicker 13-inch model. However, the performance dynamics of both mattresses are the same.

The gel-infused memory foam comfort layer adapts well to body shape and provides hugging support for a restful night’s sleep. This viscoelastic foam softens under heat and pressure for enhanced pain relief and optimal spinal alignment. The patented Airluxe Ventilated foam promotes breathability and enhances the cooling ability of the gel-infused foam above. Wool-backed polyester cover also effectively wicks away heat and moisture.

What makes this mattress different from any other foam bed is its dense therapeutic base, which provides ergonomic support and stabilizes mattress construction. It also improves the lifespan and durability of the mattress.

5. Nectar Mattress — Exceptional Pressure Relief

The China-made Nectar is a popular memory foam mattress with an industry-leading 365-nights trial and lifetime warranty. This 11 inches tall bed-in-a-box mattress has 3 contouring and responsive memory foam layers, ideal for those suffering from back pain. The brand uses 3 memory foam layers to provide enhanced pressure relief and motion isolation. The Hi-Adaptive memory foam ensures optimal conformity without any undue sinkage, a common concern among memory foam sleepers.

This adaptive layer responds to your body shape and sleep position quickly. As a result, Nectar relieves pressure points to prevent aching joints and tense muscles. Nectar works for people of body structures and weights, but some overweight sleepers do report excessive sinkage. Heat retention is another pet peeve of memory foam mattresses. Therefore, all three memory foam layers are gel-infused to ensure Nectar is super comfortable for hot sleepers as well.

Nectar is a durable mattress that is expected to last you a lifetime. Some customers report edge support issues. All in all, unlike high-end memory foam beds, Nectar is a more budget-friendly option, making restful snooze affordable for all.

6. Ecosa — Customizable 3-in-1 Firmness

Ecosa is an Australian brand offering premium quality mattresses at a below-average price. It comprises three unglued foam layers for 3-in-1 adjustable firmness to support all sleeper types. This 10-inch thick mattress is wrapped in two removable and machine-washable, mite-resistant covers. In the original configuration, the top is a G-7 gel memory foam, known for its excellent conformity and heat-wicking properties. Being a soft foam, it cradles your body curves perfectly for exceptional pain relief and cushiony comfort.

The next two layers are firmer and add resilience and buoyancy to the mattress. They offer more fluidity to your movements in bed and distribute your weight evenly. The mattress provides stable edge support, making the mattress more supportive and durable. You can rearrange the mattress layers to get different firmness configurations. However, you cannot flip the mattress because the base foam has convolutions for assisting airflow. The entire structure ensures balanced spinal support and sinkage, ideal for stomach sleepers.

7. Puffy — Best for Hot Sleepers

The Puffy is an all-foam mattress with three layers of quality foam. The 10-inch thick profile offers a medium feel, suitable for majority sleepers. The presence of memory foam in the mixed foam construction ensures cushioned support and pain relief. It’s a buoyant mattress with a quick response time. The layers work together to mitigate stuck-in feel and facilitate ease of movement, making it an excellent choice for combination sleepers.

Backed with a firm HD base, the mattress resists sagging and ensures improved durability. The company claims that this 6-inch thick base provides 4 times more edge support. As a result, the Puffy mattress is ideal for couples, kids, and the elderly. Moreover, this layer also supports the memory foam by enhancing the pushback support to prevent spinal distortion among stomach sleepers.

Like innovative high-end brands, Puffy uses patented cooling technology to regulate sleep temperature in extreme climatic conditions. This prevents the breakdown of memory foam, which can, otherwise, alter the feel and support of the mattress.

8. Bear — Best for Active Sleepers

The Bear is made of premium quality mixed foams to offer a medium-firm comfort level. The mattress is 10-inches thick and made of four different foam layers for optimum comfort. However, the brand targets athletic individuals who require quick recovery and are prone to joint pains and muscle aches. The top graphite-infused memory foam surface wicks away heat and moisture for exceptional temperature regulation. It offers enhanced cradling support without causing a stuck-in feel.

The dual foam layers underneath add resilience and bounce for easy movement, suitable for combination sleepers. Due to their dense cell structure, they offer maximum motion isolation for uninterrupted sleep when bed-sharing. The reinforced perimeters make the bed safe for kids and the elderly due to strong edge support. As Bear mattress is designed for athletic and people with an active lifestyle, it offers firm support coupled with exceptional pressure points relief, unlike many other foam mattresses.

9. Casper Original — Best for Zoned Support

Casper is one of the oldest online mattress brands providing premium quality beds to a wide array of sleepers. The 12-inch Casper Original is a cool memory foam mattress with zoned support for exceptional pain relief. By altering the foam densities and comfort levels, the zoned system enhances the spinal alignment in all sleep positions. Stomach sleepers enjoy the sinkage and support where they need it the most. Side and back sleepers also benefit from this balanced feel in a similar way.

Due to its contouring memory foam layer, you can enjoy pressure-relieving support at all times. The heavier body parts sink deeper to alleviate muscle tension and joint aches, especially among side sleepers. For enhanced responsiveness and cooling, the mattress uses a layer of buoyant, ventilated latex-like foam. Backed with an HD polyfoam base, the mattress is quite durable and long-lasting. The dense structure offers impressive edge support and motion isolation. It also prevents premature sagging for a long-lasting restorative snooze.