Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses, which is Best for Me?
Memory Foam vs Latex Mattresses, which is Better for Me?
Are they hypoallergenic? Do they prevent dust mites? Do they offer support that aids with reducing pain relief?
OKAY LET’S keep it real, most of us could probably use a good night’s sleep, or at least a better sleep then the one you’re getting now. With all the binge watching on Netflix, scrolling on our socials, or falling down a rabbit hole on reels and shorts, the blue light consumption tends to keep us awake way beyond the witching hour which isn’t doing any of us any favors. Improving our healthy sleeping habits doesn’t have to be too complicated and a good place to start is right at the source, your mattress.
Our Insights
Our family has been upholstering and manufacturing mattresses for three generations that include a wide range of Canadian made pocket coil, traditional coil, memory foam, natural Talalay latex, adjustable lifestyle beds and even
custom-made mattresses including Trailer, boat and variety of pet beds. We’ll build everything from crib and cradle mattresses, economically priced cottage and spare room mattresses, all the way up to our cutting edge, top of the line styles. Our mattresses are also great for commercial demands. We supply comfort everywhere from hotels, hospitals, retirement homes, universities and even fire departments. We believe it is our duty to put our customers in a bed that is tailored to their needs and as a manufacturer we are able to do just that ……… so let’s dig in
Here we will discuss soy-foam based mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and latex mattresses. All three types are high quality and are know for there ability to provide excellent body support and are similar in their performance, however each one has its own key features that will appeal to different consumers.
Memory foam mattresses are made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam originally developed by NASA to improve safety in their aircrafts. These mattresses have grown immensely in popularity as they conform to your body shape and offer exceptional support and pressure relief, resulting in better sleep for many people. The density of memory foam mattresses varies significantly, affecting the life span and support. Foam density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF) and typically ranges from 2.5 PCF to 7 PCF. The higher the density, the stronger and more resilient the mattress, but keep in mind that higher density also means higher costs. When it comes to durability, memory foam mattresses (and all of the mattresses we are talking about here) are quite durable, and with proper care will last for many years. However, this can vary depending on the quality of the materials used and the density of the foam.
One of the health benefits of sleeping on a memory foam mattress is the relief it provides. Memory foam mattresses promote spinal alignment. This is especially important for people with back pain, as an improperly positioned spine can make symptoms worse. Memory foam mattresses support the spine, helping it maintain its natural alignment and reducing the risk of pain. Memory foam mattresses are designed to conform to the shape of your body, evenly distributing weight and reducing pressure points, so your sore spots are going to thank you. This can be especially helpful for people with joint problems.
Unlike regular foam, memory foam responds to body heat by becoming softer and more conformable. When you lie on the memory foam, the material reacts with your body heat and slowly adapts to your body shape. The result is the
"hugging" fit that memory foam is famous for. When you get up, the foam cools and returns to its normal shape. Memory foam is valued for its adherence to the body, and you will find it in a wide variety of mattresses available. The biggest downside to memory foam is that it tends to retain body heat. With that being said, some manufacturers are able to add extra features and materials to their memory foam to help reduce the heat retention. Cooling gel, open-cell foam, and various other technologies are all utilized to reduce memory foam’s tendency to sleep warm. Just something for hot sleepers to keep in mind when considering the purchase of a memory foam mattress.
In addition, memory foam mattresses can also be beneficial for allergy sufferers and people who have eczema, or asthma as they are hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and other allergens. Memory foam mattresses reduce exposure to irritants and improves bedroom air quality. Eczema is a condition that’s causes dry, itchy skin and can be made worse by irritants like dust mites and allergens. Because memory foam mattresses are resistant to these irritants, and because they even out weight distribution relieving pressure points, they can be beneficial for people with eczema by reducing these irritants.
Have we mentioned motion isolation? Memory foam mattresses provide fantastic motion isolation. That means you're less likely to be bothered by movement if your partner moves at night. Like when they need a drink of water in the middle of the night and then inevitably need to use the bathroom a few hours later or if they’re just a restless sleeper. This can help improve sleep quality by minimizing these distractions.
Memory foam mattresses physically fit a variety of people. However, they are particularly suitable for side sleepers, as the foam provides excellent relief for shoulders, backs, and hips. Additionally, memory foam mattresses can be beneficial for heavier set people because they provide extra support and can help distribute weight evenly.
Latex is a natural material made from the sap of rubber trees (yes rubber trees). The sap is extracted and processed into a thick foam. Finished latex foam is similar in texture to synthetic materials such as polyfoam, with a few key differences. Latex is generally stronger and slightly less conformable than memory foam. It has a stretchy, spring like texture and is usually quite thick. Latex mattress owners appreciate that latex is naturally derived, very strong, flexible and generally more temperature-neutral than memory foam. Now there are two different types of latex, Dunlop and Talalay, Talalay being more expensive as there are a few more steps in the process of making it, however you’ll commonly find that there is a combination of both latexes used within the same mattress with the amount of each varying and therefore effecting the mattresses firmness and price.
When you lay on a latex mattress it has a very quick response of allowing you to sink in and bouncing right back up all while maintaining your over all body support, whereas the memory foam has a slower sinking in effect. Latex mattresses are known for their ability to support the spine in its natural alignment and relieve pressure points (memory foam also does this, but sinks deeper and conforms more to the body). The latex mattress provides support exactly where you need it and reacts immediately to changes in body position, where the memory foam takes longer to react. So, latex will still provide similar pain and pressure point relief through the shoulders, hips, and back as a foam mattress does it just delivers it in a different way as it responds instantly to any change in body position.
Latex mattresses are also resistant dust mites as they are an environment that is inhospitable for them to thrive in. And with proper care they are also hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and antifungal making them another great option for people with allergies or asthma (people who have an allergy to the protein in latex could have an allergic reaction to a latex mattress and should consult with their doctor before hand).
Latex mattresses are quite breathable because they have an open cell structure to allow air flow which is easy to recognize as the vertical holes on a latex
mattress. They are also an extremely durable mattress typically out performing the foam mattresses when it comes to their life span, but keep in mind there are a lot of key factors at play here mainly being the size of the person sleeping on it, frequency of use and general care.
Motion isolation is another big factor for people who share a bed and while both memory foam and latex do a great job at minimizing this, memory foam does tend to do a bit better in this category because of its deep body-hugging feel. Moving a latex mattress can be quite cumbersome as they are very heavy and floppy when trying to flip or rotate however, many say that this needs to be done much less often with a latex bed compared to other mattresses because of its springiness and durability.
The stand out feature here is that this mattress is eco-friendly. The environmental impact of soy foam mattresses depends on the specific material used in their construction. In general, soy foam-based mattresses are made from a blend of polyurethane foam and soy-based foam derived from soybean oil. This mix of materials helps reduce the amount of petroleum-based foam used in the mattress and can make it more environmentally friendly. And that’s not all, soy-based foam is biodegradable and breaks down faster than traditional foam making it easier to recycle, which contributes to you reducing your environmental footprint. Soy Foam is also inherently flame retardant which is an added bonus for those safety-conscious consumers.
Soy based density foam is very much the middle ground of the three mattresses we are talking about here. Much like the other two it provides excellent comfort and support. Its unique structure allows it to contour to the body, providing excellent pressure-relief for a variety of body types but it does not sink down as slow or as deep like a memory foam mattress, yet it does not spring back quite as fast as a latex mattress does. Just like the latex and memory foam, It’s
contouring capabilities are fantastic for weight distribution, relieving pressure points, and maintaining spinal alignment which reduces body aches and pains. It’s also great at minimizing motion transfer if you are someone who shares a bed with a partner.
Like The Memory foam mattresses soy-based foam is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. They are made from organic soy foam, (which is eco-friendly), it’s a low VOC (volatile organic compounds) foam that is naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and other allergens. This makes it an ideal choice for those who suffer from allergies or asthma as we mentioned earlier with the memory foam. Additionally, soy-foam mattresses often have an open-cell structure which allows air to circulate freely and helps to keep the mattress cool throughout the duration of your sleep which in turn helps your body to regulate its temperature with no extra effort on your part. Soy foam mattresses are very luxurious to the touch and tend to have a softer feel then memory foam mattresses do.
This type of foam is also very durable, lasting longer than many other types of foam mattresses and providing superior resilience and bounce. You can expect these mattresses to retain their shape and have a long-life span with proper care and regular rotating and flipping to help ease the “wear” of your mattress.
Finally, soy-based density foam is often more affordable than other types of foam mattress, making it a great option if you’re looking to save money without sacrificing quality. All these factors make soy-based density foam an excellent choice when searching for a new mattress.
Choosing the right mattress is a very personal decision and what works for one person may not work for another. That being said, soy foam-based mattresses are a great choice for many as they are generally more environmentally friendly than traditional mattresses, provide excellent support and comfort, and are hypoallergenic. It's best to research your options before making a decision, and to make sure that the mattress you choose is compatible with your sleeping habits and preferences.
In the End
All three types of mattresses are considered very supportive. Both materials support the body well, keep the spine in line and improve sleeping comfort. In the long run, latex generally outperforms memory foam when it comes to providing good support for the sleeper's body. This is due to its excellent durability and responsiveness. While memory foam can tend to wear down and reduce support, over the same period of time latex generally holds its shape and remains very firm throughout the life of the mattress.
