Mattress Ratings >> Memory Foam Mattresses > Memory Foam Vs Latex
Comparison: Memory Foam Mattresses vs Latex Mattresses → Based on Data From 6,200+ Actual Owners
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last updated November 2, 2011
What You Need To Know
Memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses are similar in many ways, but they also have important differences.
In 16 areas of comparison, memory foam mattresses perform slightly to somewhat better in seven areas. Latex mattresses perform slightly to somewhat better in six areas. They tie in three areas.
Memory foam beds currently far outsell latex beds mainly because memory foam is more available and established in the market.
Table of Contents
– Memory Foam Vs Latex
– Sensation of Lying on Each
– Owner Satisfaction
– Pain Relief
– Durability / Longevity
– Price and Affordability
– Firmness
– Initial Odor and Off Gassing
– Ease of Movement
– Motion Isolation
– Weight
– Sleeping Hot
– Love Making Suitability
– Warranties
Summary: Latex Versus Memory Foam
The findings below are based on at least 6,200 actual owner experiences for various memory foam and latex mattress brands and models. The findings are true for memory foam and latex mattresses as a group; individual brands and owner experiences may go against these findings somewhat.
| memory foam | latex | |
| Owner satisfaction | Good | good |
| Durability / longevity | good-fair | good-fair |
| Price / affordable | fair-good | fair |
| Pain relief | good-excellent | good |
| Conforming | good | good-fair |
| Motion isolation | good | good-fair |
| Easy to move on | fair-good | good-fair |
| Not overly firm | good-fair | fair |
| No initial odor | fair | fair-good |
| No off gassing | fair-poor | good-fair |
| No sleeping hot | fair | Fair-good |
| Good for sex | fair-good | good-fair |
| No noise | good-excellent | good-excellent |
| Lightweight | fair-poor | poor-fair |
| Availability | Good | fair |
| Warranties | good-fair | good |
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Sensation of Lying on Memory Foam Vs Latex
Owner experience data suggests that memory foam and latex can be similar in their "feel" in some ways. Both at least somewhat conform to the contours of one's body resulting in good support, less pain and minimization of pressure points.
There are important differences, however. Memory foam tends to offer more of a floating, cloud-like sensation than latex. Latex tends to have a "springy" characteristic that memory foam does not have. Latex also tends to be more solid and, consequently, tends to feel more firm than memory foam.
It is important to know that the sensation of lying on memory foam can vary significantly based on the density of the mattress: See memory foam density: higher vs lower. The sensation of lying on latex can also vary based on several factors, including whether the latex is talalay or dunlop processed.
The below charts show words/phrases that owners often use to describe the sensation of sleeping on latex and memory foam mattresses in general.
Latex Sensation as Reported by Owners |
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Memory Foam Sensation as Reported by Owners |
Owner Satisfaction
Both types perform well on the issue of owner satisfaction, but memory foam has a slight advantage (81%) over latex (78%). It should be pointed out, however, that of the 16 people in our research who say they have owned both latex and memory foam (mattress or topper), the clear majority report higher satisfaction with latex.
Pain Relief
Pain relief is a strength of both types, but memory foam somewhat edges out latex. About 20% of memory foam mattress owners report relief from pain, especially back, hip and shoulder discomfort. About 15% of latex mattress owners report the benefit.
Memory foam, especially higher density foam, does somewhat better in regard to pain relief likely because it tends to contour more strongly to the body than does latex resulting in better supportiveness.
The more expensive brands/models (those mattresses that use a substantial amount of latex or higher-density memory foam) tend to relieve pain somewhat better than less expensive, lower-density brands/models.
Durability / Longevity
The main durability / longevity complaint for memory foam mattresses is that they can sag somewhat and become excessively soft over time, resulting in poor comfort and support. Life expectancy, owner data suggests, can range from 4-12 years. Higher-density / more expensive memory foam mattresses usually have at least a somewhat longer lifespan than cheaper, less dense memory foam beds.
The main durability / longevity complaint for latex mattresses is that they can develop body impressions or indentations where people sleep, and these impressions can develop fairly early in the ownership experience.
At least 10% of owners report this occurrence. A body impression can make moving on the bed more difficult. Based on the available data, however, it is unclear how much body impressions undermine comfort and support.
Sagging of a latex mattress or significant sloping toward the center of the bed "hammocking" is also reported by a significant number of owners (5%). This sagging usually always results in less comfort and support.
Based on somewhat limited owner experience data, the life expectancy of latex mattresses overall is slightly less than memory foam overall. Until more long-term data is available on latex, it is probably best to err on the side of caution and not expect outstanding durability / life span for latex, regardless of manufacturers' claims and warranties.