If you are learning about memory foam mattresses for the first time, and have been reading reviews about the various options that are available, you may be confused by all the different types and what they offer.
To clear up the confusion and help you make the right choice for yourself, here is a short explanation of the various kinds of memory foam mattresses on the market.
First of all, the most well-known mattresses:
Traditional Memory Foam Mattresses
The first memory foam mattresses began appearing in stores in the mid 90s. Traditional memory foam improved on the existing spring mattresses with a design that cradled the body during sleep. By reducing the stress on your joints and improving your circulation, memory foam mattresses allowed a better quality of sleep.
Memory foam also has the advantage of being anti-microbial. Dust mites as well as other allergy-causing bugs are greatly reduced, making the mattress much healthier for sleeping. This is something to consider if you suffer from nighttime allergy symptoms.
Do you have a spouse or partner who tosses and turns all night? Traditional memory foam does not transfer motion, so you will find it easier to sleep through all the tossing and turning.
Last but not least, traditional memory foam mattresses are longer lasting than spring mattresses, because the materials are more durable, and the construction is sturdier.
Air Cool Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is designed to react with your body heat in order to conform to your shape. This softening and shaping of the foam is what makes it so comfortable, but the drawback is that it produces and traps a lot of heat in the process.
In response to customer feedback, manufacturers started producing air cool foam. This material responds more quickly to body heat, and then conducts the excess warmth away from you. This innovation allows you to have all the comfort of traditional memory foam but without the added heat.
Open cell technology is also available on some mattresses, and helps to evenly redistribute the warmth.
Gel Memory Foam Mattresses
Gel memory foam has all the advantages of traditional foam: It conforms to your body shape to support pressure points; it prevents the transfer of motion between two sleepers; and it inhibits the growth of mites and other microorganisms.
But this type of mattress has another trick up its sleeve – a layer of gel of the type used in shoe insoles and some sporting equipment. This layer of gel gives you the best support available to help prevent back and joint pain. If you are severely or even moderately affected by body pain while you sleep, this is the best choice for you.
Gel memory foam mattresses are more durable and usually come with a longer warranty than the traditional ones. Just be warned that they also feel quite a bit firmer than other kinds of memory foam mattresses.
