A memory foam mattress is a bed built from layers of slow-response polyurethane foam, with no coil system, that softens under body heat and weight to contour to your shape.
Mattress types
What is a memory foam mattress?
That contouring is what buyers pay for: a memory foam mattress spreads weight across the hips and shoulders and soaks up a partner's movement. The trade-off is heat. Dense foam holds warmth, so hot sleepers usually look for cooling layers or a coil-based hybrid instead.
- A memory foam mattress uses polyurethane foam layers only, with no interconnected coil grid underneath.
- A hybrid mattress adds individually pocketed coils beneath 2 or more inches of foam comfort layers.
- New memory foam can off-gas VOCs, which is why CertiPUR-US certification matters for foam buyers.
- Most side sleepers prefer soft to medium firmness, while back and stomach sleepers prefer medium to firm.