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+I know you're going to be shopping around for the best memory foam topper. Maybe I can save you some time and money with the short memory foam mattress topper reviews below. First though, let's finish up one very important health question. It's left over from my part one article on bed toppers.
(You can read the part one article here. If you haven't read it, you should because it will help you pick out the best memory foam topper for you.) Anyway, here's a question people sometimes ask... To me, the biggest factor in choosing a memory foam topper or mattress is to make sure it is not toxic. Many memory foam products put off a chemical odor (called off gassing or out gassing). This is because the foam contains chemicals, including petroleum. For several days after you get it, you may not even be able to use the memory foam topper. It may take a week to air out the topper. In the meantime, it's stinking up your home unless you put it outside in the garage. For a lot people, this smell is no big deal. For those people...and perhaps you...the top consideration for the best memory foam topper is that it gives you the most comfort. Also keep in mind that a new natural topper may smell just because it's new and not because it has toxic chemicals. One such company is called CertiPUR-US®.
If a mattress company using memory foam in their products has the CertiPUR-US seal of approval, it has gone through rigorous testing for safety.That means their products have no harmful chemicals. It means their product is not putting out emissions into the air that can ruin indoor air quality.Here's the CertiPUR-US web address so you can see what I'm talking about: http:certipur.us Please note they do not sell anything. Nature's Sleep specializes in memory foam products. They have been certified by CertiPUR-US. And they have four memory foam toppers at just the right memory foam density...and for a reasonable price.They even have a memory foam sleeper sofa mattress. Please note this company only ships to the lower 48 states in the United States. If you want them to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, and some international areas, you'll have to send them an email. Nature's Sleep sells memory foam mattresses, toppers, slippers, dog beds, and even pillows. They also have a huge following on Facebook (over 100,000 people like Nature's Sleep) because of the quality of their products.
Based on the people who visit my website, it’s clear a lot of people want to know if they can get a good memory foam topper at Amazon. The answer is sort of, although I do not think the quality is as good as what I have just given you from Nature’s Sleep above.However, if you are determined to buy at Amazon or feel more comfortable there, here is what I suggest. First, never buy a topper that is not certified to be freeThat means look for the CertiPUR-US certification, as I mentioned above. look for the Oeko-Tex certification. the way, you may also see memory foam that says PurGreen certified and think that is okay. I think a PurGreen certification is about as valuable as an expired giftAlmost all the big players in the memory foam game get certified byThat should tell you something about PurGreen. Second, as a general guideline, you are best off getting a topper that is three inches thick or less and with a density of at least four
However, someone over 250 pounds may want to go for a 4 inch topper. The difficulty with shopping for toppers at Amazon is that the companies that advertise there are terrible at telling you about their foam. They rarely mention CertiPUR-US. Fortunately for you, I have done your homework for you. Lucid is a memory foam company that has been certified byAnd they do have a three inch topper that is a good size for most The problem with the Lucid on Amazon is, they do not tell you what the density is. Higher density means you have a memory foam that will be more durable over the long run. Higher density also means you’ll typically have to spend a bit more for better quality. With that said, a high-quality 3-inch 4lb density queen topper at Nature’s Sleep will cost you $380. A Lucid queen will cost you about $130, although I do not know the density and how long it will last you. My feeling has always been you get what you pay for and I’m
sure you know that already. To get the best memory foam topper, you have to pay the price. Anyway, here’s the link to the Lucid at Amazon. I was just surfing around Amazon checking out their memory foam products and lo and behold, Nature’s Sleep pops up! They must be doing some sort of special promotion or something because they’ve put two new toppers on Amazon they don’t sell on Even so, if you can afford it, I would buy from the Nature’sThey have a best-selling 3-inch 4- pound density topper there. size seems to be the sweet spot and best memory foam topper for most people. However, if funds are tight for you right now, click on the links below and grab one of these new Nature’s Sleep toppers at Amazon. They’re a terrific value and you’ll get your If after shopping around, you decide a topper is not for you, here's a great suggestion. You can get huge savings on an ultra luxury mattress, the kind in the world's finest hotels.