Mattress Topper Ratings >>
Advantages & Disadvantages of Memory Foam Mattress Toppers-Pads -- Based On Data From 548 Actual Owners
Advantages
Better Sleep
According to our research, 16% of owners report better sleep. This percentage beats the other mattress toppers (feather, latex and fiber).
Pain Relief
According to the data, memory foam toppers beat out other toppers when it comes to pain relief. The fact that the foam moulds around one's body and, as a result, provides good support likely explains this higher level of reported relief.
Less Tossing / Turning
A substantial number of owners (6%) say that their topper reduces their moving around in bed. This is likely due at least in part to the weight and temperature sensitivity of memory foam which discourages body movement.
Appearance
Memory foam toppers, unlike featherbeds and fiberbeds, tend to have a smooth, even surface appearance. Consequently, when the bed is made it does not look lumpy and uneven.
Motion Isolation
Two percent of owners said that their topper has good motion isolation. This has to do with how well the topper-pad localizes or absorbs motion, preventing one person sleeping on the bed from being disturbed by the movement of another. A memory foam topper is not as effective at motion isolation, however, as a full memory foam mattress.
Disadvantages
Off Gassing
13% of owners in our research reported off gassing, which is the emitting of a chemical-like odor when the topper is new. Some people don't mind the smell, while others are much annoyed and in some cases sickened by it. The odor does usually go away within a few day, but sometimes longer. Other mattress toppers do not have a noteworthy off gassing issue.
Heat Issues
5% of owners said that they found the memory foam to be hot when sleeping. In other words, they believed that the topper acts as a heat trap. Other toppers do not have this level of heat problem, according to our data.
Uncomfortable
91% of memory foam owners find their topper-pad comfortable, but 7% found it uncomfortable (and 2% said it made no difference). The 7% uncomfortable rating is substantially higher than the uncomfortable rating of feather and fiber toppers.
Slides Around
In fairness, this is a disadvantage that applies to virtually all types of mattress toppers / pads. About 5% of owners complained that their memory foam topper does not stay in place and needs at least some regular adjustment.
Poor Fit
Again, this is an issue with all toppers. 5% of owners report that the topper does not fit properly on their bed, which can result in problems including less than ideal comfort as well as a strange appearance when the bed is made.
Difficult To Move On
3% find the topper difficult to move around on as well as get up off. This is largely due to the fact that memory foam is temperature and weight sensitive and consequently moulds around one's body which can somewhat restrict easy body movement. This problem is more prevalent with the thicker pads.
Takes Getting Used To
Memory foam has different properties from what most people are used to sleeping on. Three percent of owners say it takes at least a couple of nights to get used to the foam and find good comfort.