The thought of having a mattress that mould to your body while you sleep sounds great. But do memory foam mattresses live up to the hype? Some people swear by memory foam mattresses, but they don't suit everyone. If you're tempted, you'll need to think about which type you want and how much you're willing to spend. Otherwise you might end up a dud that you'll wish you could forget.Memory foam mattresses, also known as memory mattresses, are topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material (memory foam). This type of mattress is good at relieving pressure on painful joints, but is usually pricier than sprung mattresses.Memory foam mattresses feel very different to lie on than regular sprung mattresses. This means memory foam mattresses aren’t for everyone – some of you have said that you find memory foam mattresses too hot. But those who like memory foam seem to love it – as one owner told us: 'my memory foam mattress is the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever had.'Read on for more advice about memory foam mattresses.
If you know you want one already, go straight to our mattress reviews. Memory foam moulds to your body shape Memory foam is affected by room temperature, so you might find the memory mattress cold and hard when you first go to bed. As it reacts to your body heat, it moulds to your shape - this can make it more difficult for you to move or get out of bed compared to other mattress types. Memory foam also reduces air circulation around your body, which makes the memory foam mattress feel warmer. Many people find this helpful in winter but you may feel too hot in summer. If you usually use an electric blanket, it's important to note that many manufacturers say not to use one with memory foam, as it's a potential fire hazard. But as a memory foam mattress is warmer, you shouldn't miss it. If you do, go up a tog on your duvet or add an extra blanket. Memory foam mattresses generally can't be turned over. But you can turn them around, and some mattresses have handles which make this easier to do.
Memory foam mattresses are the second most popular type of mattress among Which? Nearly a quarter of the members we surveyed about their mattress had bought a memory foam one. Memory foam-only mattressesMost memory foam mattresses are actually sprung mattresses with a layer of memory foam on top. Some, however, have extra layers of memory foam instead of springs. These are often described as pure memory foam, or memory foam-only, mattresses.They tend to be pricier and softer, but not necessarily better - some pure memory foam mattresses impressed in our tests, while others were poor.To find out more about the other types of mattresses, so you can find the best one for you, take a look at our guide on choosing the best type of mattress.Cheap memory foam mattressesMemory foam mattresses can cost more than £2,000, but our independent tests show that you don’t always get what you pay for. If you're set on memory foam but can't afford to spend thousands of pounds, we've found several cheaper options worth considering.
In fact, we've found two Best Buy memory foam mattresses for under £400 - this is fantastic value for money. One has a spring core with memory foam on top, while the other is pure memory foam - great if you want a slightly softer mattress.members can log in to read all our independent memory foam mattress reviews. If you're not already a member, you can unlock our memory foam mattress reviews and get full access to all the reviews on our website with a trial subscription to Which? The level of comfort and support provided by your mattress can have a profound impact on your sleep. And a mattress topper is an effective way to improve your current set up. Whether you need to revitalize an ageing mattress, change the softness or firmness, or give yourself an extra layer of luxury to sleep on, there’s a topper that will give you what you need. In this review I’ll be looking at the best mattress toppers made from a range of materials: memory foam, latex, wool, down and cotton.
Whether you’re looking for comfort, support, pain-relief or temperature regulation, hopefully you’ll find one which gives you a great night’s rest. Memory foam mattress topper that avoids heat retention The Isolus ventilated mattress topper is a luxuriously supportive and comfortable memory foam topper, made by the well-respected bedding company Malouf. This is a topper which you can sink into, feel cushioned and drift off to sleep safe in the knowledge that you won’t be bothered by pressure points. Impressively for a memory foam topper, you’ll find it has minimal heat retention due to the ventilation tubes running throughout it. Here are the key points to consider: There isn’t much to complain about with this mattress topper. It would be nice if it came with a cover, but it’s the main body which is most important. And despite being superior to most other memory foam toppers in terms of heat and initial smell, you may find that there’s still a little of both.
Overall, this is an excellent addition to any bedroom, whether you’re new to memory foam or are looking for a good quality mattress topper. Once you’ve slept on it it’s unlikely you’ll ever want to go back to a normal mattress. This natural bamboo topper by Exceptional Sheets is technically advertised as a pad rather than a topper. However, the terms pad and topper are often interchangeable, with the end result being what really matters. And the thickness and quality of this pad definitely merit a place among the more heavyweight mattress toppers. The pad is particularly soft and comfortable, feeling like goose down and very popular due to this. It won’t mold to and support your body like a memory foam topper, but it will get you some way towards that fabled ‘sleeping on a cloud’ feeling. Here are the key features: The main downside is that if you’re trying to hide very large lumps or dips in your current mattress, it might not be up to the job.
But if your main goal is to provide an extra layer of softness and comfort, this is a very effective choice. It will definitely spruce up your mattress and have you feeling soft and cozy again. Made in the United Stated by the Dreamfoam bedding company, the Ultimate Dream mattress topper ticks the boxes for comfort, support and durability. It’s 3 inches thick, which will help hide any lumps or dips in your current mattress, and you have three choices of firmness to choose from. The soft version is at the lower end of the scale for firmness, so you’ll sink into it but still receive support for your back. The medium is actually probably in the medium-firm category, so you’ll get plenty of support for your body. And the firm really is quite solid – great if you enjoy a harder sleeping surface, but otherwise perhaps a bit too much. Overall, it’s an impressive mattress topper, solidly constructed and with enough choice to get the exact level of support you need.
If you’re looking for a serious mattress upgrade which you’ll sleep comfortably on, the Utimate Dreams latex topper won’t disappoint. The Biosleep Concept is an excellent wool mattress topper, with a lovely balance of luxurious feel, body support and temperature regulation at night. If you’re not keen on the more synthetic materials such as memory foam or polyester, wool should be high up on your shortlist. If you tend to overheat at night or have allergies, and want a comfortable yet firm, supportive, chemical-free mattress topper it’s a great option. Here are the key points to note: One drawback to wool is that it does tend to compress over time, so if you’re looking for a soft, fluffy, sinking into the bed feeling for years to come, it might not be right for you. You’ll also find you do need to occasionally fluff it or take it outside for a few minutes to breathe. So if you have problems lifting, that could be an issue. Wool toppers are probably the best choice if you need a combination of support for aching muscles or stiff joints and temperature regulation.
