What Is The Best Memory Foam Mattress? 10 Answers For 10 Needs

What Is The Best Memory Foam Mattress?

It Depends Who’s Asking!

Surely I can just tell you one best memory foam mattress, right? Wrong! With all the options available these days, you want to make sure you are getting a mattress that is a good fit for YOU. It can feel like a huge risk buying a mattress online, I want to help you make the right choice. Different people will need different things from their mattress. Therefore, this question has multiple answers.

I’ve picked ten scenarios to help you decide what is the best memory foam mattress for you. Click on any of them to go straight to my recommendation and explanation.

1. Side Sleepers
2. Back Sleepers
3. Stomach Sleepers
4. Heavy People
5. Light People
6. A Really Firm Mattress
7. A Really Soft Mattress
8. Couples
9. That Slow, Sinking, “Hug” that Memory Foam is Traditionally Known For
10. Best All Round Option

When I talk about mattress “ratings”, I’m talking about how firm or soft they are rated on the commonly used mattress firmness scale. The scales goes from 1-10: 1 is the softest you could imagine (like a feather) and 10 is the firmest you could imagine (like lying on a plank of wood). Different people need different firmness levels, which I explain as we go through.

1. Side Sleepers

Side sleepers generally need a mattress that will be very responsive to and supportive of their specific pressure points, particularly at the hips and shoulders. Side sleepers put a lot of pressure through their hips and shoulders, and if you’re a side sleeper who has slept on a mattress that is too firm, you’ve probably experienced a numb shoulder.

This means you need a mattress that is supportive but a little bit soft to cradle that hip and shoulder. Body weight plays a big role in how firm a mattress should feel for you because your weight determines how much you sink into a mattress.

• Lighter side sleepers should look for a mattress rated 4-6 for mattress firmness
• Heavier side sleepers should look for a mattress rated 6-7 for mattress firmness
  

My memory foam mattress recommendation for side sleepers:
The Classic Brands Cool Gel memory foam mattress. This mattress comes with a plush 14 inch height and has firmly claimed a spot in the Amazon top selling mattress ranks. To about this mattress in greater detail, read my detailed review here.

What makes this mattress the best one for side sleepers?

• Where most memory foam mattresses have three inches of softer foam as the comfort layer, the Classic Brands Cool Gel has a whopping 6.5 inches, which should be enough to support any weary shoulder.
• Rated as “medium plush” with firm support so you should get the pressure relief you need without sacrificing overall support.

While some could argue that this mattress has a place among the Amazon top sellers due to it’s cheaper price, it turns out to be a very well liked mattress that delivers a lot of bang for your buck (and you get free pillows).

The real standout feature of this mattress is its 14 inch height, including 6 inches of gel and memory foams, wrapped up at a very neat price point.

Be aware that there are two versions of this mattress,  the 1.0 and the 2.0. The 2.0 costs more, and the reasons for that are the updated cover and is reported to feel a little softer. It is up to you whether you want to spend around $100 for this change, but I think most people would be perfectly happy on the cheaper 1.0 so that’s why I’ve linked it in this article.

An extra tip if you buy this mattress: the free pillows are vacuum sealed in plastic underneath the mattress! Many people have had trouble finding them, so I thought I might save you some time.

2. Back Sleepers

Back sleepers generally need a mattress that is reasonably firm, without being overly firm. This is so the mattress can give your spine the support it needs to stay aligned while you sleep. I’d recommend you look for mattresses that are around a 6-7 out of 10.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for back sleepers:
The Ecosa memory foam mattress. This is a bit of a personal recommendation, since my husband and I both end up sleeping on our backs (I start on my side) and this is the mattress we have. We bought it ourselves, and after 7 months we are still really liking it. You can watch us unbox it here.

A cool feature of the Ecosa mattress is that beneath the removable cover, you can swap the foam layers around to adjust how firm or soft the mattress feels. We experimented with ours quite a lot, and have the softest layer at the top to give the mattress its softest possible feel. This comes in at around a 7 out of 10 so it is on the firmer side of medium and gives great back support.

What makes this mattress the best one for back sleepers?

• On the slightly firmer side of medium, Ecosa offers the right level of support for your back.
• The foams are quick to respond to body pressure, so you won’t feel like you are “stuck” in your mattress
• Through personal experience from two different sleepers (myself and husband), we both find this mattress good for sleeping on your back

The Ecosa mattress looks pretty standard at first glance, with its middle of the road price point and 10 inch height. However, I find it very comfortable, and the ability to swap the layers out that I described above is a cool feature that we really appreciate.

It feels like it is made of high quality materials and we are really happy with our purchase. It comes with a 15 year warranty and a 100 night sleep trial, though we knew pretty early on that we’d be keeping our Ecosa mattress. Please note though, that I do find my shoulder can get a bit sore if I lie on my side for too long on this mattress before switching to my back. So if you or your partner sleep on your side at all, I’d look at one of the other mattresses.

My husband reckons he’s getting better quality sleep since we’ve got our Ecosa, and he’s very fussy.

3. Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need a mattress that is firmer than most other sleepers. This is because sleeping on your stomach puts a lot of pressure through your hips, which can make your lower spine dip. A firm mattress will stop this dipping and help you keep your back in a better position. I  recommend you search for mattresses that are rated at least 7 out of 10.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for stomach sleepers:
I think the Snuggle Pedic memory foam mattress could be the best memory foam mattress for you. Before you even read about the Snuggle Pedic mattress itself, the credentials behind the mattress are impressive. It is manufactured in the USA by a company specializing in pain relief products and is designed by a chiropractor.

I have also written a full, individual review of the Snuggle Pedic memory foam mattress, which you can read here.

What makes this mattress the best one for stomach sleepers?

• It has a firmness rating of 7 out of 10 and durable materials to support your weight as you sleep: you need good support through your hips to keep your spine in line through the night and Snuggle Pedic is up to the task.
• The patented airflow system within the mattress and breathable cover make this one of the best memory foam mattresses for minimizing heat
  retention as you sleep. This is a very important consideration for stomach sleepers, as you have more body surface touching your mattress than anyone who sleeps in any other position.

Snuggle Pedic really hits it out of the park with their mattress. Available on Amazon, I truly find it surprising that this mattress is  not up there with the top sellers, given the ratio of positive reviews it receives, the quality of the mattress, and the dedication to customer service from the company.

Not only is Snuggle Pedic made in the USA, but the team will customize your mattress to you, for no additional cost. That means that along with the generous sleep trial and warranty, it’s a virtually risk free purchase.

The Snuggle Pedic mattress does not give itself a firmness rating, but from my research I would place it at around a 7 out of 10, making it firm enough for those requiring extra support but not so firm that other people would be uncomfortable on it too. The mattress construction is a 7 inch support foam layer and a 3 inch comfort memory foam layer, encased in a breathable cover that has a removable zip.

4. Heavy People

Similar to stomach sleepers, heavier people (for the sake of classifying mattresses, 200lb+ is a common weight measure used) also do better on a firmer mattress, and one with good edge support. If a mattress is too soft, you will feel like you’re sinking through it: a soft mattress won’t be supportive enough for you. I usually recommend hybrid mattresses for heavy people, as the coil support system is great for you, and the edge support is stronger than a memory foam mattress. However, I do have one memory foam option I think could be suitable if you have your heart set on a 100% foam mattress.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for heavy people:
Again, as for stomach sleepers, I think the Snuggle Pedic memory foam mattress could be the best memory foam mattress for you. Before you even read about the Snuggle Pedic mattress itself, the credentials behind the mattress are impressive. It is manufactured in the USA by a company specializing in pain relief products and is designed by a chiropractor.

I have also written a full, individual review of the Snuggle Pedic memory foam mattress, which you can read here.

What makes this mattress the best one for heavy people?

• There is no weight limit (but customizations are available if you want extra support)
• It has a firmness rating of 7 out of 10 and durable materials to support your weight
• The patented airflow system within the mattress and breathable cover make this one of the best memory foam mattresses for minimizing heat retention as you sleep

Snuggle Pedic really hits it out of the park with their mattress. Available on Amazon, I truly find it surprising that this mattress is not up there with the top sellers, given the ratio of positive reviews it receives, the quality of the mattress, and the dedication to customer service from the company.

Not only is Snuggle Pedic made in the USA, but the team will customize your mattress to you, for no additional cost. That means that along with the generous sleep trial and warranty, it’s a virtually risk free purchase.

The Snuggle Pedic mattress does not give itself a firmness rating, but from my research I would place it at around a 7 out of 10, making it firm enough for those requiring extra support but not so firm that other people would be uncomfortable on it too. The mattress construction is a 7 inch support foam layer and a 3 inch comfort memory foam layer, encased in a breathable cover that has a removable zip.

5. Light People

Light people usually need a softer mattress than most other people. For the sake of classifying mattresses, I would recommend that if you are under 130lb you should be looking at a softer mattress. If a light person sleeps on a mattress that is too firm for them, they will just kind of float on top of it, and not get any contouring or pressure relief. This can be extremely uncomfortable! A softer mattress allows a lighter body to sink in just the right amount for pressure relief but still offering support.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for light people:
The Layla memory foam mattress. The Layla mattress is the softest mattress I have included in this review, with a firmness rating of 4 out of 10. BUT: Layla has something REALLY UNIQUE: you can flip it over and try the other side, which is rated a 7, essentially giving you two mattresses in one.

You can find my fully detailed review of the Layla mattress here.

What makes this mattress the best one for light people?

• The standout feature that makes the Layla mattress the best memory foam mattress in this review for lighter people is its feathery soft firmness rating of 4 out of 10. This will allow you as a lighter person to sink into the comfort layers enough for them to do their job of contouring and supporting your pressure points.

As I mentioned above, as well as being a lovely soft mattress for lighter people, the Layla is flippable so you can try out a different level of firmness. On the firmer side of the mattress, the comfort layer is quite thin, so it is only suited to light people in my opinion, as the comfort layer would not offer enough support for a heavier person. This mattress is tailor made for you!

Another cool feature of the Layla mattress is that it has copper infused into the comfort layer. Copper helps draw heat away from your body as you sleep, so there’s no concerns about sleeping hot on your new Layla mattress.

Layla has a beautifully quilted cover, which is color coded to show you which side is firm and which side is soft. To sleep on soft side of the mattress, make sure the lighter color side of the mattress is the one you lie on.

You have two options for purchasing your Layla mattress, I recommend you check them both out to make sure you get the best price (Layla run specials which you will get if you buy direct, Amazon prices fluctuate all the time so check both to see what today’s best deal for you is).

6. A Really Firm Mattress

Apart from heavier people and stomach sleepers, some people just really like a very firm mattress. If this is you, you might find that the majority of mattresses rated around the 6-7 mark just aren’t going to feel firm enough for you. Extremely firm mattresses are less popular than the softer ones, but I do have a great memory foam option for you. You might also like to read about the IDLESleep hybrid mattress, which is the firmest mattress I’ve come across in all my research (you’ll find more info on the IDLESleep mattress in this article).

My memory foam mattress recommendation for a really firm mattress:
The Plank by Brooklyn Bedding. Brooklyn Bedding are known for producing an amazing range of mattresses specifically designed for specific needs. True to their brand, they have designed the Plank mattress, designed especially with you, the firm mattress lover, in mind.

What makes this the best firm memory foam mattress?

• My favorite feature of the Plank is that it’s flippable. One side is firm (7 out of 10, a standard firm that can be tolerated by most people), the other is EXTRA firm (9 out of 10, the firmest memory foam mattress I’ve come across, so it should satisfy those looking for that more extreme firm feel).
• One of the memory foam layers is TitanFlex foam, which Brooklyn Bedding designed specifically for a firmer feel (originally for heavier people and therefore great for firm mattresses)
• The quilted top is not puffy or lofted at all, adding to the flat, firm feel of the mattress

The fact you can flip the Plank mattress gives you two great options for using it. You might find that if you share a bed with someone who does not love super firm mattresses, the firm side is soft enough for them to get used to, yet firm enough for you to enjoy. Seven is a common rating across the industry, with many mattresses coming in at that number. Where the Plank really stands out from the crowd is when you flip it over to the extra firm side, which is really just for those who want the firmest memory foam mattress they can find.

This mattress contains quite dense foams, which is great for firmness and durability, but note that they are not infused with any gel or copper to help draw heat away as you sleep. You do have the option to add a cooling panel to mitigate this, but it will cost you extra.

7. A Really Soft Mattress

Apart from lighter people and lighter side sleepers in particular, your personal preference may lie with a soft mattress. If this is you, then the majority of the 6-7 rated mattresses will probably feel too firm for you, and you’ll be looking to go for something rated around 3-4.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for a really soft mattress:
Just like for lighter people, who have similar sleep surface requirements to you, I recommend the Layla memory foam mattress as a great soft mattress option. With a firmness rating of 4 out of 10, it’s way softer than many of its big name competitors.

You can find my fully detailed review of the Layla mattress here.

Features:

• A feathery soft firmness rating of 4 out of 10. This should be soft enough to match your preference, while still offering the support your body needs as you sleep.
• You have the option to flip the mattress over to try a firmer feel: Layla can be turned over for a firmer 7 rated sleep surface.
• Copper technology to help you regulate your temperature throughout the night.

As I mentioned above, as well as being a lovely soft mattress, the Layla is flippable so you can try out a different level of firmness. Just be aware that on the firmer side of the mattress, the comfort layer is quite thin so I think you’ll really prefer the soft side, which it seems Layla was designed to be used for.

Another cool feature of the Layla mattress is that it has copper infused into the comfort layer. Copper helps draw heat away from your body as you sleep, so there’s no concerns about sleeping hot on your new Layla mattress.

Layla has a beautifully quilted cover, which is color coded to show you which side is firm and which side is soft. To sleep on soft side of the mattress, make sure the lighter color side of the mattress is the one you lie on.

You have two options for purchasing your Layla mattress, I recommend you check them both out to make sure you get the best price (Layla run specials which you will get if you buy direct, Amazon prices fluctuate all the time so check both to see what today’s best deal for you is).

8. Couples

It can be really tricky choosing a mattress that both people feel comfortable on. What if one person is a side sleeper, and the other a stomach sleeper? What if one person is heavier than the other? It can be quite a point of contention, as someone will probably feel like they are compromising. There are flippable mattresses available, which give you the option of trying out a firmer side and a softer side. My top pick for flippable mattresses isn’t memory foam though, it’s this latex one. Read on to find out my top memory foam pick for couples.

However, memory foam can be great for couples though, because it’s extremely good at motion isolation. It does not have much bounce though, which may make it a less desirable option for some couples. My best advice for you if you’re a couple looking for a memory foam mattress is to choose one rated around a 6 or 7, so neither very firm nor very soft.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for couples:
For the third time in this article, I’m recommending the Snuggle Pedic memory foam mattress as the best memory foam mattress for couples. Before you even read about the Snuggle Pedic mattress itself, the credentials behind the mattress are impressive. It is manufactured in the USA by a company specializing in pain relief products and is designed by a chiropractor.

I have also written a full, individual review of the Snuggle Pedic memory foam mattress, which you can read here.

What makes this mattress the best one for couples?

• It has a firmness rating of 7 out of 10 and durable materials to
  support both your weights without being too firm or too soft.
• Most memory foam mattresses are good at isolating motion of another person in a bed, but the durability of the Snuggle Pedic (20 year warranty) ramps the quality up a notch.
• The cover is removable and washable, so if you end up sharing your bed with kids and pets too, you can keep it nice and clean.

Snuggle Pedic really hits it out of the park with their mattress. Available on Amazon, I truly find it surprising that this mattress is not up there with the top sellers, given the ratio of positive reviews it receives, the quality of the mattress, and the dedication to customer service from the company.

Not only is Snuggle Pedic made in the USA, but the team will customize your mattress to you, for no additional cost. That means that along with the generous sleep trial and warranty, it’s a virtually risk free purchase.

The Snuggle Pedic mattress does not give itself a firmness rating, but from my research I would place it at around a 7 out of 10, making it firm enough
for those requiring extra support but not so firm that other people would be uncomfortable on it too. The mattress construction is a 7 inch support foam layer and a 3 inch comfort memory foam layer, encased in a breathable cover that has a removable zip.

9. That Slow, Sinking, “Hug” that Memory Foam is Traditionally Known For

Memory foam is available in all sorts of feels, with all sorts of technologies. Lots of companies have “proprietary foams” that are designed to behave more like bouncy latex, or be really responsive to body weight. What if you just want to make sure you get that feeling memory foam is known for: the slow, sinking, contouring hug? Some people love this, others don’t. It’s not a quality you’ll find in every modern memory foam mattress, so if this is what you’re looking for, here is a great option.

My memory foam mattress recommendation for a “traditional” memory foam feel:
Nectar. This mattress guarantees you “the best sleep of your life”. Pretty bold claim! I think they have the goods to back that claim up, as long as you really like that memory foam mattress hug, which Nectar provides in bucket loads. They also have a ton of happy customers and make a lot of sales, so they’re doing something right. Nectar will include two free pillows (value $150) with your mattress purchase, which is a nice touch.

You can read my full review of the Nectar mattress here.

Features:

• Soft quilted cover which is a luxurious one inch thick (including gel foam quilted into it)
• Two further layers of memory foam between the cover and the support layer
• Breathable support layer

At 11 inches, the Nectar mattress is one inch thicker than your standard memory foam mattress, the majority of which come in at around 10 inches. It is designed to have a medium feel with the pillow top softening things up a little, but my research indicates this mattress rates at slightly firmer than medium, so it would be around a 6-7 on the mattress firmness scale.

True to that slow memory foam hug, the Nectar mattress responds slowly to body weight: it takes about 5-7 seconds to conform. You’ll either love or hate this, but it’s where memory foam started and Nectar have stayed true to what memory foam is, rather than trying to turn it into something else.

Nectar has some of the best trial and warranty periods in the industry. If you purchase direct from Nectar, you can try the mattress out for a whole year before you have to decide if you are going to keep it (please note that if you buy via Amazon this time reduces to 180 nights, which is still the most generous trial I’ve seen on Amazon). It also comes with an unbeatable lifetime warranty.

As mentioned above, you have two options for purchasing your Nectar mattress. I recommend you check them both out to make sure you get the best price (Nectar run specials which you will get if you buy direct, Amazon prices fluctuate all the time so check both to see what today’s best deal for you is).

10. The Best All Round Option

You can see that several mattresses have made it into my recommendations for more than one category. However, if you ask me to pick one mattress as the best one size fits all recommendation, I have a clear winner in my mind. If you’ve read through all the recommendations above, you’ll see this mattress coming through several times. It’s a truly great mattress with loads of happy customers. You can read my full review of it here.

My best all round memory foam mattress recommendation:
The winner is…. Snuggle Pedic!

If you’ve read the whole article down to here, you will have seen that Snuggle Pedic has been my top recommendation for three different sleep situations. And it would work for more! It’s a truly versatile and high quality memory foam mattress. I’ll quickly recap the main points of it in case you haven’t read about it earlier in the article:

• Firmness rating of 7 out of 10 will suit a wide range of sleepers
• Made in the USA, the factory offers free customizations if you are not satisfied with any aspect of your Snuggle Pedic mattress
• Designed by a chiropractor
• Great customer service and generous warranty (20 years) + trial period (120 nights)

If you need more information on memory foam mattresses before you make your purchase, please check out my memory foam mattress guide.