Buying a new memory foam mattress? Check out this buying guide before you make your next purchasing decision.
A mattress is vital to making you feel comfortable and well-rested during sleep. Having the right mattress helps alleviate aches and stress. A suitable mattress is important for improving your overall health and wellness. On the other hand, having saggy, old, or uncomfortable sleep support affects your sleep quality and health.
Whether you want to take a break from your old mattress or buy a new one for your new home, it's important to know what type of mattress is suitable for your needs.
What is a Memory Foam Mattress or a Mattress Memory Foam?
There is a rich story behind our favourite memory foam.
Although memory foam is a popular material for mattresses, bedding, and sofas, its original purpose was to decrease the impact and extreme pressure experienced by astronauts back in the 1970s. This foam is now widely used for mattresses and bedding.
A memory foam mattress is known for its support and contour comfort. This foam is a polyurethane foam with viscose (thick) and elastic (can bounce back to form) properties. The viscoelastic polyfoam can maintain its shape after receiving pressure. Due to its versatile properties, memory foam can efficiently conform to your body shape during sleep.
What are the Benefits of a Memory Foam Mattress?
Comfort and Support
Memory foam is widely renowned for its exceptional contour comfort and support. When you sleep on a memory foam mattress, it envelopes your body's natural contour and supports your spine's alignment. This personalised comfort is loved by many mattress buyers.
Pressure Relief
Because the memory foam mattress follows the contour of your body, it evens out your body weight and relieves pressure from points that usually carry your weight during sleep.
Anti-Dust Mite Protection
For those who worry about allergies, memory foam mattresses have anti-dust mite, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and hypoallergenic properties that help you sleep at ease.
Uses Natural Body Heat
Memory foam does not require a complex mechanism to alleviate pressure and improve your sleep quality. This viscoelastic polyfoam uses your body heat to follow your body contours. The memory foam's ability to retain heat is also beneficial during colder days when you want a warm and cosy sleep.
Prevents Transfer of Movement
Different people have different sleep positions and definitions of comfort. A memory foam mattress can follow individual body contours without disturbing others. This means that even if your partner tosses and turns, the pressure can be handled by the mattress.
Potential Drawbacks of Memory Foam Mattress
Heat Retention
Although some people favour warm sleep support, others prefer a breathable solution. Since memory foam absorbs body heat for contouring, it may feel uncomfortable for hot or sweaty sleepers. If you experience uncomfortable sweating during sleep, opt for an open-cell memory foam mattress or use a cooling mattress cover.
Too Much Body Contour
Due to its contouring properties, some sleepers may experience too much sinking, especially heavier sleepers, when using a memory foam mattress. If you purchase a memory foam mattress but want less contour, go for a firmer choice that offers less sinkage.
Off-Gassing for New Mattresses
Newly bought vacuum-packed memory foam mattresses release a strong odour due to the mixture of materials and treatments used for the foam. However, like other new items, the smell will disappear after a few hours. To reduce the smell faster, keep your memory foam mattress in a well-ventilated area.
Types of Memory Foam Mattress
Traditional Memory Foam
Open-Cell Memory Foam
Open-cell memory foam contains the same materials as traditional foam. The main difference is that open-cell memory foam is more breathable than a traditional variety. This is because of the open-cell memory foam's pockets, which help disperse heat.
Plant-Based Memory Foam
Eco-friendly memory foam mattresses are supported by many buyers. These mattresses are usually made from coconut materials, which are more breathable than traditional foam mattresses. A plant-based memory foam mattress requires fewer chemicals to be constructed. Although made with natural materials, the more breathable plant-based mattresses are more prone to accumulating dust mites due to their less dense form.
To prevent your plant-based memory foam mattress from attracting allergens, always practice proper maintenance and use bedding with anti-dust mite properties.
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
The ultimate cool and breathable memory foam variety, gel-infused memory foam, combines the contouring comfort of a memory foam base with gel materials. The gel material also helps the whole mattress respond quicker to tossing and turning, reducing the feeling of being stuck during sleep.
How will a Memory Foam Mattress Help Me During Sleep?
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers usually prefer firmer mattresses to target their pressure points. Some prefer medium-soft mattresses to contour the natural shape of their spine. The good thing about memory foam is that it conforms to the natural curve of the body, targeting the pressure points and evening out the weight during sleep.
Side Sleepers
Like back sleepers, side sleepers require proper body contour to support the shoulders and hips. However, unlike back sleepers, side sleepers have narrower body support. That's why they prefer softer mattress varieties for additional comfort.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers tend to choose firmer mattresses to prevent sinkage of the hips and lower body during sleep. Because of this, most stomach sleepers prefer latex varieties that offer a bouncy sensation rather than contouring memory foam.
Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers love a versatile and responsive mattress that follows their contour during tossing and turning. This responsiveness, however, is not achieved by some memory foam mattress varieties. If you want a more responsive mattress, go for a gel-infused mattress or a pocketed spring type.
What to Look for When Buying a Memory Foam Mattress in Singapore
Memory foams have different types, sizes, and materials used. Aside from checking the price, knowing the style, material, and firmness are essential when buying a memory foam mattress. Here are some factors to consider when purchasing a memory foam mattress:
Firmness
The firmness of your mattress depends on your sleeping position and comfort preferences. The softness and firmness of the mattress can be seen on a scale. Soft to medium-firm mattresses are good for side and back sleepers, while the firmer types are ideal for stomach and heavy sleepers.
Foam Density
Aside from the firmness of your mattress, the foam density also determines the comfort level of a mattress product. The denser the memory foam mattress, the warmer it is. A lighter foam density means that the unit is more breathable. However, mattresses with a higher density last longer than those that are lighter.
Recommended: Buying Guide: What is a Latex Mattress?
Just like buying the right furniture and appliances for your home, it is also crucial to get the right mattress to make your home a comfortable place to live in.
Looking for the best mattress online in Singapore? Check out Megafurniture's extensive collection of high-quality and comfortable mattresses curated for all types of sleepers.