A few years ago we saw the introduction of the gel memory foam mattress into the bedding industry. Some thought these new incarnations of the old would be the future of the industry. Though these mattresses do sometimes fair better than their gel-less counterparts in some areas, they share several faults.If you think developments in mattress technology are keeping pace with computers, mobile communication devices and other rapidly changing industries, you are absolutely right. While it is an exciting time to buy a new mattress, the vast amount of choices available can make it an overwhelming endeavor without the proper knowledge base to make good decisions.What are the advantages of a gel memory foam mattress? How is memory foam better than a spring mattress? These are the important questions that need to be asked when considering the best path to a good night’s sleep. There are many options available on the market. With the advent of latex foam, plant-based memory foam, and now the memory foam gel mattress, consumers can experience analysis paralysis.
Often when faced with staggering amounts of information, people stop processing it. That can lead to a poor decision and less satisfaction. To help you with your decision and decrease the likelihood of regretful purchase, we have done some analysis for you.It can be tempting to buy the newest version of a product on the market. People often equate newness with value, but newer technologies often have bugs to work out. Mattresses do not escape this reality. Products that have been on the market for awhile are more likely to have been tested by a large number of people and, hopefully, improved. Newer products do not have this advantage.Memory foam gel mattresses hit the market in 2011 and have quickly become a favorite among many consumers because they embody some of the best aspects of memory foam, including the highest level of comfort available. The gel-infused nature of these mattresses goes a step further by adding extra support while attempting to address one of the biggest drawbacks to standard memory foam – heat retention.
Because memory foam contours to the sleeper’s body and disperses weight across the face of the mattress a highly desirable floating-like effect is created that provides total support and comfort. But it also tends to trap heat in ways that traditional mattresses do not, and that has been a problem for some users.There are basically two types of gel memory foam mattresses. The first has gel infused throughout the top layer of foam and the second has a layer of gel near the surface. Both of these types do seem to alleviate the heat problem slightly better than traditional foam mattresses, but there are still complaints from overheated customers.While gel mattresses may feel cool when you first touch them or lay on them, many consumers find after being in contact with the material for a few moments the hot feeling returns. That is because the gel manufacturers use is conductive. It takes on the temperature of the surrounding environment. Once warm, they feel warm.Buyers should know, while gel infusion may have improved the sleep quality of standard polyurethane-based memory foam mattresses slightly, it is not necessarily the best method available for addressing body heat retention.
Without the aid of gel, other manufacturers have found ways to keep the heat off sleepers.Innovative brands like Amerisleep have been broadening the appeal of memory foam with plant-based products. In addition to being healthier and more environmentally-responsible, plant-based memory foam mattresses have been found to sleep considerably cooler than gel-infused products manufactured by leading brands.And that’s not just Amerisleep making baseless claims to drive sales. The cooler-sleeping qualities of plant-based memory foam were revealed in a two-year study conducted by Cargill – a nearly 150-year-old producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products. Cargill’s research found plant-based memory foam dissipates heat at a rate that is 25 percent faster than gel-infused products.Generally, traditional memory foam mattresses have a closed-cell structure, which means they have millions of tiny pockets of air trapped throughout the material. These pockets act as insulation, just as it does in foam coffee cups and the in the walls of some buildings.
It is a perfect material for trapping heat, but very poor at releasing it.Amerisleep’s innovative foam has a much more open structure. This allows far more airflow. As air passes through the mattress, it carries heat with it. This is how these plant-based memory foam mattresses stay so cool, without the use of gels, which are often composed of unnatural chemicals.Plant-based memory foams typically produce far fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and don’t off-gas as much as most traditional and gel memory foam mattresses. This off-gassing can be more than just an offense to the olfactories, it can cause adverse health effects. Many gel and traditional memory foam mattresses need to be aired out in a well-ventilated space away from living areas prior to use.It makes sense that a material made from more natural products would contain less hazardous materials. Consumers looking to purchase from more environmentally responsible companies can receive the added benefit of a virtually smell-free, low-VOC sleep system.
Remarkably, these more natural beds cost much less, too. Consumers seeking a cooler alternative to traditional memory foam mattresses would do well to keep plant-based mattresses at the top of their list. They are more environmentally friendly, healthier and cooler than gel memory foam mattresses. At a far lower cost, these mattresses are a great value.Making a big purchase on a long-lasting item can be a difficult undertaking. Take these facts with you as you shop for a mattress. If you are seeking a memory foam mattress that is much cooler than traditional memory foam, gel can offer a slight edge, but plant-based memory foam may prove even more effective.Connect with Mattress Inquirer on Google+TempurPedic Memory Foam Mattress Topper TempurPedic Memory Foam Mattress Topper adds Tempur-Pedic comfort to any mattress Conforms to your body to relieve pressure Supports healthy sleep alignment 3" thick TEMPUR materialSleepopolis is supported by readers. Product links on Sleepopolis are referral links.
If you use one of these and buy something Sleepopolis makes a little bit of money. See how it all works here. Amazon is well known for its low prices, speedy delivery, and wide array of products. Jumping into the mix of these products are a large number of mattress companies, all hoping to catch your eye and reel you in. Well with so many mattresses available on Amazon, how do you know which one is truly best? The following guide will examine the most popular mattresses available on Amazon. We’ll look at the major design, quality, performance, materials, service, and other criteria to help you make the most informed decision you can. So with all that said, let’s dive in! Click here to skip to the complete comparison matrix. Sister company of Brooklyn Bedding, Dreamfoam has been creating great value mattresses for years. The Arctic Dreams mattress is a 10″ cooling gel mattress made in the USA. It strikes a medium feel at a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The mattress is built with a 0.75″ quilted top layer, 3″ of Energex foam, and a 6.25″ support foam base.
In terms of material quality, the Arctic Dreams is extremely impressive. Energex is a high quality foam and has many qualities similar to latex (but with better push back and support). The Arctic Dreams is a bit softer and allows for more pressure relief and sinkage than many mattresses. However, the increased sinkage can be a little too much, especially if you’re a heavier sleeper. The Arctic Dreams mattress, along with all Dreamfoam mattresses, are manufactured alongside Brooklyn Bedding at their factory in Phoenix, Arizona. The eLuxurySupply mattress is one of the top rated mattresses on Amazon today. While this may not mean it’s the right mattress for every sleeper, a vast majority of consumers have rated this mattress highly and would recommend it to others. Built from 2 layers, the eLuxury mattress combines a 3″ top layer of gel memory foam with a 7″ bottom layer of high density support foam for a total height of 10″. The combination of these two layers makes for a supportive and well balanced mattress.
On a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the most firm, the eLuxury mattress comes in at a 6-6.5 out of 10. As a medium to medium firm mattress, eLuxury’s goal was to meet the needs of a wide array of sleepers and strike a “universal comfort”. There is a moderate level of sinkage with good pressure relief and body contouring. Additionally, eLuxurySupply donates 1 mattress for every 45 they sell. Tuft & Needle also plays a large role in the online mattress industry. As one of the top selling mattresses online today, they are widely searched on Amazon as well. Designed with 2 layers of foam, the Tuft & Needle is a 10″ mattress also designed to fit into the “universal comfort” category. With a firmness level of 6-6.5 out of 10 (10 being the most firm) Tuft & Needle is a medium to slightly firm feel. Over time Tuft and Needle has gradually changed their mattress design and foam formulation. Originally the Tuft and Needle was very firm, however, today it’s much closer to a medium.
Tuft & Needle uses a polyurethane foam of their own design. The foam doesn’t feel quite like latex nor memory foam, it’s a bit of an in-between. The Brentwood Home gel mattress is constructed from 3 unique layers. These layers consist of gel memory foam, ventilated foam, and support base foam. Brentwood actually manufactures their own mattresses in Las Angeles, CA, separating them from a majority of the other mattresses sold on Amazon. By producing their own mattress, they remove any sort of middle-man, allowing them to set a lower price point. Brentwood has several thicknesses and firmness levels available in this mattress as well. Each mattress gets softer the thicker it is and Brentwood offers the gel mattress in 9″, 11″, and 13″ thicknesses. The Brentwood Home gel 13″ mattress has the classic, deep sinkage and hug feel. The memory foam top layer allows you to sink in, while the mattress contours to your body and provides a good level of support. If you prefer less sinkage / more firmness you can go with one of the thinner versions.
Zinus is no stranger to the low price, value mattress. They have created 3 mattresses, ranging from 8″-12″ in height. Built from layers of memory foam, this mattress is designed to contour to your body directly, creating a feel similar to the traditional memory foam mattresses. Once again, the varying levels of thickness result in unique firmness levels for each mattress. The thinner 8″ mattress is considered their firm model, 10″ is medium, and the 12″ Zinus mattress is their softer mattress. With that said, each of these mattresses are built with quality materials and contain a well balanced mesh of sinkage, hug, and overall support. The Sleepopolis Innovations Shiloh mattress has been in the game for about 3 years now and has quickly made a name for itself. Sitting at 12″ thick, the Shiloh is designed with 2 layers of foam. The top layer is 2.5″ of memory foam and sits on top of a 9.5″ layer of support foam. This combination allows for a softer top layer with a supportive bottom layer.
Heavier sleepers may also find this mattress comfortable, as the Shiloh provides a suitable level of deep compression support. Great pressure relief, contour, and a medium feel make this mattress one of the most popular mattresses sold on Amazon today. The Signature Sleep mattress is one of the few hybrid mattresses available on Amazon. Signature Sleep actually sells quite a few different mattresses on Amazon, however, their Contour 8 inch is one of the most popular by far with over 6,000 reviews. At a price point of $199 for a Queen it’s easy to see why. The Signature Sleep Contour 8 inch combines both encased coils with foam and quilted layers on top. The combination helps to preserve the classic feel of a quilted padded cover and coils, but minimizes the feel of the coils by placing the foam layer between. The mattress is also flippable, which will allow you to get some extra life out of the mattress over time. The best mattress on Amazon is the one that meets your needs, desires, and budget.
But with so many options, how to decide? The following comparison table breaks down each of the above mattresses in a side-by-side comparison. MattressPriceTrialAmazon ScoreTotal ReviewsWarranty (Years)DesignHeightShop $180-$370NA4.6 / 51,03110Energex foam10"Buy $400-$700120 Days4.7 / 526810Memory foam10"Buy $350-$75030 Days4.4 / 54,12910Poly foam10"Buy $359-$736NA4.4 / 51,16125Memory foam9-13"Buy $356-$660NA4.4 / 53,40320Memory foam12"Buy $139-$289NA4.5 / 56,0131Foam + Coils8"Buy The big question…which of these Amazon mattresses is truly the best for you? Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide. What firmness do you want? – for this examination I focused only on medium firmness mattress feels in the 5-6.5 range, this range is ideal for 70-80% of sleepers. If you find yourself in need of a mattress that’s very soft or very firm you may want to consider other options. Many of these companies also make softer or firmer choices if you prefer that type of a feel.
Not sure what firmness you need? Read our mattress firmness guide.– of course, budget is always going to be a consideration. Don’t buy the cheapest mattress just because it’s the least expensive. If the mattress doesn’t meet your other needs you may end up with a feel that doesn’t work for you. Try to find a balance of the feel, materials, and service that meets all of your needs, desires, and budget. Want more information on what makes the best mattress values? Read our best mattress for the money guide. Is a trial period important to you? – most online mattresses now come with a trial period, usually in the 100 days range. However, most Amazon mattresses do not. Trial period allows you to purchase risk free and then make a decision based on how the mattress works (or doesn’t) for you. Opting for a mattress with a trial period on Amazon (eLuxury or Tuft & Needle) can be a good idea if you’re not 100% certain of what you need. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase direct from the mattress company’s website, which generally offers better trial periods.
Below is a quick break down of the trial periods available from each of these mattresses if you buy on their direct website:– most mattresses are going to naturally sag and indent over time, this is just the nature of most beds. This can result in sagging or a permanent indentation in the mattress where you sleep. If mattress sagging and indentations prevent you from sleeping well you’ll want to ensure you avoid those mattresses. The warranty terms are a good indication of the level of sagging and indentation you can expect from each of these mattresses. See below for a quick warranty comparison and the indentation level required before a warranty could be claimed. I have already personally tested 4 of the 7 mattresses listed here and have plans to test the remaining 3 within the next few months. Based on my sleep tests, reader feedback, price, material build quality, and other factors my favorite Amazon mattresses are eLuxurySupply, Brentwood Home’s Gel Bamboo, and the Arctic Dreams by DreamFoam Bedding.