What is a Memory Foam mattress?

When it comes to comfort and support memory foam mattresses can be a great choice. Also sometimes known as Visco foam, memory foam is extremely adaptable and can be produced in varying degrees of ‘firmness’, so no matter what your preference when it comes to your mattress, there’s something available for everyone.

Ingeniously using body heat to soften the memory foam allows it to mould to the sleeper’s shape, cradling the body and greatly reducing pressure points that can make sleeping so uncomfortable. Once the weight is removed from the memory foam mattress, it slowly recovers, but will remember the sleepers shape and will return to the optimum sleeping position in future. There’s no secret to the name ‘memory foam’.

Memory foam was designed and invented for the space industry by NASA in the 1960’s in order to reduce pressure points for astronauts during flight but the many benefits of the foam were soon realised, and it wasn’t long before it was being used in a wide variety of products such as mattresses, toppers, pillows, sofas, car seats and much more so the technology has been tried and tested over many years.

What are the benefits of a Memory Foam Mattress?

The benefits of using a memory foam range mattress begins with reducing pressure points on the body, this in turn helps with better blood circulation. Better blood circulation leads to reducing the need to turn over during sleep, which means less disturbance to your sleeping partner too.  

Another great benefit to memory foam mattresses is that they are hypoallergenic, meaning that dust mites cannot penetrate the structure and live in the mattress, so it will be cleaner, healthier and reduce allergy symptoms, allowing for better night’s sleep. 

Who should buy a buy memory foam mattress?

A memory foam mattress may be for you if you’re looking for a mattress that will conform to your body. If you’re a side sleeper, then a memory foam mattress will be beneficial as it will help to relieve pressure on your hip and shoulder.

If you toss and turn in your sleep and are looking for a mattress that will isolate motion so as not to disturb your partner, then memory foam is ideal for this.

What are the different types of Memory Foam Mattress?

Memory foam is never the only component in a mattress but is used in conjunction with springs, other support ‘foams’ or a combination of all of these. Each combination will provide different levels of support and comfort. The most popular combination is to use pocket springs with a foam support layer on top and then use memory foam as the top layer to give super comfort and additional ‘cradled’ support. This type of mattress is usually called a Hybrid mattress.

Should you have worries that memory foam mattresses may be too hot, then rest assured that there have been huge developments over the years that can counteract your fears. Most memory foam mattresses produced now have some form of temperature regulation method attached to them, be that cooling gel, super cool mattress covers or intelligent covers that maintain the body temperature at its natural 37.5 degrees. Our top recommendation is our Kayflex Coolmax Memory Foam mattress, with temperature regulation options to suit any body type, from super cool, cool then warmer, natural body temperature or warm, whatever suits you personally.

How long does a memory foam mattress last?

On average, a memory foam mattress should last around 8-10 years, that being said, we would recommend purchasing a mattress protector such as Protect A Bed's Cooling Copper Mattress Protector. This will add a lovely cooling element to your bed for those stiflingly hot summer nights, but will also protect the bed from dust mites, allergens and sweat.

We’re here to help, so if you're still unsure give our friendly team a call on 01642 686365 and ask for advice or take look at our other useful Mattress Buyer's Guides below, to see if we can help you make the right mattress choice.