Mattress Ratings >> Memory Foam Mattresses > Memory Foam Density
Memory Foam Mattress Density Comparison → Based on Over 5,650 Owner Experiences
Page last updated October 12, 2011
| Prev | 1 | 2 |
|---|
Firmness
A fairly common complaint among memory foam mattress owners is that their mattress is too firm. Excessive firmness tends, however, to be a problem mainly for low-density mattresses, not high density -- as counter-intuitive as this might seem.
Low Density
The often-reported higher firmness level of low-density mattresses can be explained, in part, by the fact that the beds often use a small amount of memory foam, usually three inches or less, along with a regular foam core.
This limited use of memory foam can result in the bed feeling excessively firm.
High Density
High-density memory foam beds, by contrast, tend to use a generous amount of memory foam which increases softness somewhat. In addition, the superior conforming ability of high-density foam tends to result in minimal pressure points, and this can result in a softer, "sleeping on a cloud" feeling.
High-density mattresses, however, can feel excessively firm, but often only when they are cold because of their temperature sensitivity. The foam becomes softer once warm room temperature or the sleeper's body heats the foam. Temperature sensitivity can also mean that turning over or changing positions on a high-density mattress can mean that the new area of the bed that the sleeper has moved to will be firm until body heat warms the foam. Learn more about temperature sensitivity in the next comparison entry.
Medium Density
Medium-density mattresses, like high-density mattresses, tend to use a substantial amount of memory foam resulting in less firmness. However, medium-density foam is less temperature sensitive than high-density foam. As a result, medium-density beds have fewer complaints about being excessively firm when cold.
Motion Isolation
A mattress with good motion isolation absorbs the movement of one person so that it does not transfer across the bed to disturb the other person.
In other words, a mattress with good motion isolation tends to be friendly for couples. All memory foam densities perform well on this issue, but higher density foam isolates movement almost entirely.
Sleeping Hot
"Sleeping hot" is a somewhat common complaint for memory foam mattresses. Most heat trap complaints, however, are for mattresses with medium- and especially high-density foam.
Only about 5% of low-density bed owners report a heat trap problem, while about 8% of medium-density bed owners report a problem. And about 12% of high-density bed owners (especially owners of Tempurpedic HD beds – Rhapsody, Allura, Grand) report a problem.
Sleep Like The Dead Editor Discusses Memory Foam Heat Problems and The Role Density Can Play
Temperature Sensitivity
Higher density memory foam is often temperature sensitive. "Temperature sensitive" means that the mattress is firmer in lower temperatures and softer in higher temperatures or when in contact with a person's body heat.
A person tends to sink into or "melt" into a higher density mattress because the foam under the person's body becomes softer but the surrounding foam stays firmer. This can result in good supportiveness and a strong contouring-to-the-body feeling.
Most owners of higher-density mattresses like the temperature sensitivity or at least learn to appreciate it. Some, however, do not like it and say it causes the mattress to be too firm when getting into bed, but then as the bed warms it feels like one is sleeping in "mud" or "quicksand."
Less-dense foam mattresses, by contrast, are less temperature sensitive and consequently feel more like a conventional bed.
Ease of Movement
Owners of high-density memory foam mattresses usually report that they sink into the foam significantly and that it contours strongly to their body. (See temperature sensitivity comparison above.)
While this can provide benefits in supportiveness and pain relief, it also can result in the mattress being somewhat difficult to move on and get up off. Less dense memory foam tends to have more conventional characteristics and is easier to move on as a result.
Weight
The more dense the memory foam is, the more it will weigh. All memory foam mattresses, however, regardless of density, are heavy enough to make moving them, transporting them, and changing their linens at least fairly difficult, especially for one person. High-density foam beds are especially difficult in this way.
Sex Friendly
The properties of memory foam, regardless of density, can provide certain pros and cons in regard to love making.
Owner data suggests that lower density memory foam tends to be more suitable overall for love making than higher density foam because lower density foam has more conventional mattress characteristics.
For example, lower density foam is easier to move on and has less of a "sinking in" feeling.
See the sex and mattresses comparison for more information.
Brand Selection
For several reasons, low- and medium-density memory foam mattresses are increasingly popular, while high-density foam beds appear to be losing ground. As a result, there are many low- and medium-density mattresses currently available, but far fewer high-density mattresses to choose from; the Tempurpedic HD (High Density) Collection is the most prominent among them.
Warranties
High-density memory foam beds almost always have a 20-year warranty; and usually the first 10 years are nonprorated. Medium-density mattresses usually have a 10-20 year warranty with half of this time being nonprorated. Low-density beds have a wide variety of warranty lengths, but most are 5-10 years in length, often with the entire length being nonprorated.