Mattress Reviews >> Memory Foam Beds > Memory Foam Vs Latex
Latex Mattresses vs Memory Foam Mattresses → Based on Data From Over 6,200 Actual Owners
Updated April 2, 2012
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Firmness
Owner experience data suggests that latex mattresses overall are somewhat firmer than memory foam mattresses overall. Firmness levels for memory foam beds are mainly determined by foam density. Firmness levels for latex beds are mainly determined by density, type of latex processing, and the amount of natural latex used.
Latex Firmness as Reported by Owners |
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Memory Foam Firmness as Reported by Owners |
Price and Affordability
Prices for both types of mattresses can vary substantially (from under $1,000 to over $3,000) depending mainly on how much memory foam or latex is used. Memory foam mattresses overall tend to be at least 20% less expensive than latex mattresses overall.
Initial Odor and Off Gassing
Both memory foam and latex containing synthetic latex can give off an initial gas or odor when they are new due likely to the presence of petrochemicals. About 20% of memory foam mattress owners and about 8% of latex mattress owners report significant initial off gassing.
Our research shows that off gassing is usually just a temporary annoying odor to those owners who notice it. In some cases, however, the odor is strong enough to prevent the owner from sleeping on the bed initially. And some memory foam mattress owners report feeling ill as a result of the off gassing. Reports of headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, sweating, sleeplessness and asthma resulting from the off gassing exist but occur in less than 1% of memory foam bed owner experiences. Learn more: memory foam and off gassing.
Ease of Movement
Latex mattresses have fewer complaints than memory foam mattresses (especially high-density memory foam) regarding difficulty moving on the bed. This is mainly because latex tends to not contour as strongly to one's body. However, if a latex mattress develops significant body impressions or indentations, then the bed may become difficult to move on.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress keeps motion on the bed localized. The benefit of motion isolation is that one person's movement on the bed will be absorbed and not travel to another person on the bed to possibly disturb him or her. A mattress with good motion isolation, in other words, is often considered couple friendly.
Memory foam universally does well on this issue. Latex tends to do well on this issue, but there are some reports of latex beds having no better than average motion isolation.
Weight
Latex mattresses (especially those that are all-latex) are one of the heaviest mattress types. High-density memory foam beds are also heavy, while low-density memory foam beds are somewhat lighter.
Weight is considered a significant disadvantage by owners of both latex and memory foam mattresses because it can make moving / transporting the beds, changing linens, and even tucking in sheets/blankets difficult, especially for one person.
Sleeping Hot
A bed "sleeps hot" if it acts as a heat trap for the sleeper's body heat, resulting in an uncomfortably warm sleeping surface. About 9% of memory foam and latex bed owners included in our research report a sleeping hot problem.
Love Making
Memory foam, especially higher-density foam, has a significant number of complaints by owners regarding its suitability for love making. (See the mattress sex comparison for more information.) Complaints for latex mattresses on this issue are limited but usually have to do with how body impression indentations limit comfort and movement.
Natural Material
Memory foam mattresses tend to be made of mostly if not entirely synthetic material – material which the FDA regards as safe. Latex mattresses usually contain at least some natural material, and all-natural, all-latex mattresses consist entirely of natural material, i.e., the sap-like extract of rubber trees.
Availability
Memory foam mattresses are more widely available than latex mattresses, both online and in mattress showrooms. A lack of availability can make trying a mattress before buying more difficult to do.
Warranties
The majority of both memory foam and latex beds have a 20-year warranty with 10 years non-prorated. However, several popular and low-priced memory foam mattresses have 5-15 year warranties.