What is the difference between latex and memory foam

With memory foam, it's completely blocked. Sleeping on memory foam, on the other hand, you can feel immobilized. And every time you change positions, you have to heat up the foam all over again. This causes restlessness and circulation issues. Natural latex is instantly responsive and even more comfortable than memory foam for most people.

Some natural latex mattresses can even be customized exactly for your body—and you can change your mattress over time by changing layers if you need to. Your options are nearly endless. Skip to main content. Dominick explains the differences between the natural latex foam found in our mattresses and memory foam. Video Transcription Hi, my name is Dominick. Latex generally feels bouncier and somewhat less conforming than memory foam.

It has a springy, rubber-like consistency, and is usually fairly dense. Owners of latex mattresses appreciate that latex is naturally derived, highly durable, responsive, and generally more temperature-neutral than memory foam. There are several distinct differences between these two foam materials in terms of performance. While these are the general trends in performance, not all latex or memory foam is created equally.

The overall feel, firmness, support, and durability will be impacted somewhat by the density of the latex and the memory foam , as well as the quality of the material. Feel Memory foam has a deep, body-hugging feel.

It slowly adapts to the shape of your body when you first lay down and slowly returns to its original form when you move. A latex mattress will have a much more bouncy, responsive feel to it. It still adapts to the shape of your body, but you will find that contours to your shape less than memory foam. Support Both mattress styles can be considered very supportive. Both materials do a good job of supporting the body, keeping the spine aligned, and improving comfort for the sleeper.

This is due to its superior durability and responsiveness. While memory foam will eventually start to sag, reducing support, latex generally retains its shape and remains highly supportive throughout the lifespan of the mattress. Pressure Relief A mattress that does a good job of providing pressure relief will help alleviate pain in certain problem areas, including the hips, neck, and shoulders.

Memory foam does an excellent job of this, as it adapts directly to the shape of the body, cupping and cushioning common problem areas. So long as the mattress is sufficiently supportive, different parts of the body can sink in just as much as they need to without pushing the spine out of alignment, often reducing pain and discomfort for the sleeper.

Latex also performs well in this area by contouring to a moderate degree, but most find that memory foam provides the best pressure relief. Sleeper Body Type The body type and weight of each sleeper also influences the performance of each mattress type.

Generally speaking, memory foam performs well for sleepers who weigh less than pounds, but it may not be best for those who are heavier. Latex tends to perform better for heavier sleepers. Temperature Neutrality Memory foam tends to absorb and trap body heat, while latex does a better job of remaining at a neutral temperature. That being said, some manufacturers add extra features or materials to their memory foam to aid in temperature regulation.

Motion Isolation Motion isolation is a measure of how well a mattress keeps movement on one side of the bed from disturbing the sleeper at the opposite side. In this category, memory foam and latex earn similar ratings. Memory foam has slightly better motion isolation due to its body-hugging feel, but both materials do a very good job of reducing motion transfer.

Price Latex is significantly more expensive than memory foam. The average latex mattress is roughly twice the price of the average memory foam mattress. With that said, latex is notably more durable, so the long-term cost difference is less substantial.

On average, a latex mattress has an expected useful lifespan of around 7. Likewise, latex mattress warranties often cover the bed for a longer time frame, compared to memory foam. Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.

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However, over the years, several improved models of latex and memory foam have been introduced to the market, which make use of various airflow technologies designed to counteract this problem. This unique invention makes it possible for air to flow naturally through the bodies of these mattresses, thus preventing overheating and keeping the beddings temperate as you sleep.

Unfortunately, many lesser latex and memory foam mattress alternatives normally avoid this essential layer. However, after prolonged use, latex mattresses tend to become excessively soft and they can also develop body indentations or impressions fairly early where one sleeps, thus leading to poor support and comfort. On the other hand, high density memory foam mattresses should provide you with optimum support and comfort equally as long as a latex mattress if not longer.

After all, a memory foam mattress returns to its original state each and every time you get up off the mattress. With memory foam mattresses the differences between mattresses tend to be based on foam density, the layered composition that makes up the mattress, and the depth of the layers themselves.

When it comes to latex mattresses, production method and layer depth are the two main points of difference between high-end and low-end options. Due to high production costs for latex foam the high price is usually relayed back to the consumers. Overall, memory foam mattresses are typically at least ten percent cheaper than latex mattresses of equal thickness.

Therefore, for someone on a budget, a memory foam mattress makes an excellent choice without compromising on quality and durability. Final Thoughts: All in all, latex and memory foam are both undeniably great materials for making comfortable and resilient mattresses.

Naturally of course we would recommend memory foam. These three major indicators that will influence how the mattress will perform and the feeling you will experience.

Further Reading If you enjoyed this article you will find the below of interest: How do I know if I need a new mattress? Toggle navigation. Click Frenzy Sale! Ends Sunday! What is the difference between Memory Foam and Latex? The Differences between Memory Foam and Latex: Perhaps the most outstanding difference between latex and memory foam is the ingredients used in the production of these materials.