Editor Overview October 2008

Memory foam/visco elastic
What is it?
 
Memory foam is the common term for visco-elastic polyurethane foam, a
product developed by NASA in the 1970s. Memory foam is sensitive to both
pressure and heat; different versions of the foam possess these
characteristics to varying degrees. Memory foam enthusiasts often say that
the mattress is both soft and supportive at the same time.

We rank the top 10 foam mattress brands below and provide a wide range of review material to help you find the right mattress.

Latex Foam Mattress
What is it?
 
Latex foam is a natural product made from the sap of the rubber tree, and
is chemically similar to natural rubber. Mattresses made of latex foam are
often made entirely of the material, and then covered in cloth. We have
also seen mattresses being marketed as latex mattresses that are up to 60%
synthetic. We have also seen mattresses that use latex as the top layer
over a traditional inner-spring mattress.

A pure latex mattress has many benefits: it provides a lot of support and
naturally adjusts to the sleeper's position. Motion is absorbed, so motion
of one sleeper will tend to not impact another person in the bed. Foam
latex is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A benefit that is
unique to natural latex is that it is resistant to mold and mildew,
and dust mites cannot live in this environment.