Memory Foam Choose a memory foam mattress

Tips on choosing your memory foam mattress

When you start looking to purchase your memory foam mattress, you will find that the choice is perhaps not as simple as you may first have thought, because all memory foam\\\'s are not the same, and all mattresses are put together is a slightly different way.

The first distinguishing factor you will see relates to the memory foam density, with the higher the density the greater the support and usually the better the mattress. This is because a higher density memory foam will respond quicker but take longer to reform (so it  has a longer memory), and will also be more durable.

The second confusing factor is thickness of the foam. Here again the thickness of memory foam will determine to a certain extent how supportive your mattress will be. A thickness of between 5cm and 8 cm should serve you well.

As you might expect, the overall quality of your new mattress will also determine the price, and the more expensive mattresses will be finished better, with a quality cover and supportive sides, and the more expensive mattresses will probably last longer because of this. If cost is important however, you can still buy a good memory foam mattress for a reasonable price.

Another option you may see is a mixed sprung and memory foam mattress, which combines the supportive properties of a spring mattress, with the cushioning properties of memory foam. You may find these mattresses to be more supportive, particularly for heavier people, but they also tend to be more expensive than a foam only mattress. Again, look for the amount (thickness) of memory foam on the top layer, as this will determine the amount of cushioning the memory foam will be able to provide.

Whilst an investment in a new mattress can be a considerable expense, when you consider this purchase over the time it should last (upwards of ten years if looked after), the cost per night is only pennies, and making the right choice at this stage should mean you do not need to change your mattress for a long while to come.