Consumer Beware! - Memory Foam Mattresses

It seems evident that memory foam mattresses are becoming more popular among consumers than ever before.  Its almost as if a memory foam craze has swept the market, and retailers and manufacturers are taking great advantage filling this demand with hundreds if not thousands of different products.

What amazes me, is the lack of consumer knowledge when it comes to memory foam mattresses.  The average consumer hears about the general advantages of sleeping on a memory foam bed and then hits the market comparing prices, thickness, and comfort.  Meanwhile there are many factors one should consider when purchasing a memory foam mattress.

Here are a couple tips I have come up with (having moderate manufacturing experience of memory foam mattresses), that will help consumers make a better, more informed, decision when purchasing a memory foam mattress.

Thickness/Components - Many consumers look at the thickness of a memory foam mattress when deciding on their purchase.  Typically, memory foam mattresses range from 8-12 inches thick or even more on some models.  The thickness alone does not say anything about what is actually inside the mattress.  Consumers should ask for details on the elements the mattress is composed of, including the various layers of foam which make up the mattress.  Ask for a schematic provided my the manufacturer to be exactly sure of what is inside your mattress.

Example:  Two mattresses, one being 8" thick and one being 12" thick, could both be comprised of the same amount of memory foam only have different core block thicknesses, which gives the illusion of a better bed but in reality makes no different to quality or comfort.

Quality of Foam - Another very important factor to consider when purchasing a memory foam mattress is the quality of foam, or the grade of the foam, it is composed of.  Memory foam is graded by its weight or poundage.  Typically any good quality memory foam mattress will be composed of a memory foam 4 lbs or higher.  The support foam is graded by its density and anything 1850 or higher is recommended for longevity.     Do your research, look for reviews about the mattress, and read the specifications before you buy.  Many manufacturers do not disclose the quality and grades of foam they use for anti-copying purposes, so it is recommended to buy from a brand-name company with a reputation of selling high quality products.  Stay away from cheap no-name brands!

Example:  A cheap memory foam mattress could be made with 2 lb memory foam and a 1530 grade support foam.  It will feel comfortable at first and will probably have an attractive price tag.  However, within a year the foams will start to degrade and create a "sag" in your mattress.  This will be very uncomfortable to sleep on and your mattress will begin to feel more like a hammock as it ages  Higher grade foam obviously costs a lot more but will last you far longer compared to lower grade foams.

There are many more factors to consider when buying a memory foam mattress.  This blog could turn into a book very fast if I was to go on about every single aspect of a memory foam mattresses you should know about.  Overall, the thickness/components and quality of foam are one of the more important things to looks at when choosing your new memory foam mattress.  Try to look for reputable brand names which disclose a lot of information about their products are are priced accordingly with their quality. Also, buy from a trusted mattress store which specializes in mattresses, and has knowledgeable staff to help choose a mattress that is best suited for your needs.

There are many good memory foam mattresses out there, as well as many bad ones.  In the end, an informed consumer is more likely to make a good choice, and purchase a mattress in which they will sleep in comfort for many years to come!