Comfort

Latex foam and memory foam have become popular specifically because many sleepers find they provide superior comfort. In particular, try to find which level of softness in the ILD ratings (we recommend between 10 and 16) and look in that zone. Remember that the ILD ratings are not the only factor, and your "most comfortable" mattress may be rated a 14 in one mattress line, but you may be "most comfortable" on a 12 in another mattress line. That's fine, and it is important for you to keep your senses finely tuned when evaluating a mattress. For more detailed information how to test a mattress for comfort, refer to our guidelines on Testing a Mattress in our General Mattress Overview section. 

Brand

Let's discuss foam mattress brands in two categories, Memory Foam and Latex Foam: 

Memory Foam: Tempur-Pedic helped create the market for memory foam mattresses. Their mattresses are excellent, made of superior foam, and provide excellent integration between to mattress top and mattress core. However, the product is also quite expensive. If it is within your budget and you want memory foam, buying Tempur-Pedic is not a bad choice. Many of the major inner-spring mattress brands have now entered the memory foam market. These products also tend to be strong, have a major vendor to back them up, but remain fairly high priced. You'll start to find lower prices with smaller and newer manufacturers, who are willing to compete on price. The important thing is to make sure they are producing a quality product at the same time. Study the Memory Foam Ratings and Ratings for Buyers to Target sections of this guide. If you are in a show room, test the mattress and inspect it for signs of poor workmanship. See if the mattress shows any signs of pre-mature breakdown, like foam particles or a pitted surface. Clearly understand the return policy. It is not unusual to have to pay shipping or restocking to return a mattress, particularly for a mattress you have had shipped or delivered. If you have done your homework, a return will probably not be necessary, and is probably worth the money if you are not satisfied with your mattress. If you cannot afford a full memory foam mattress, consider buying a memory foam topper, which will provide a number of the benefits of a memory foam mattress for a fraction of price. 

Latex Foam: There are fewer companies competing in the latex foam mattress (also called latex mattress) market. First, make sure you are looking at a 100% latex foam mattress. There are a number of companies selling latex blend mattresses, which are not necessarily bad products, but know what you are buying. In particular, the  characteristic resistance to dust mites and molds associated with latex will only be delivered by a 100% latex mattress. Other than that, choose a reputable brand that has a mattress that you find comfortable. 

Material

If you have been reading this guide and you have not yet decided between memory foam and latex foam mattresses, then "get thee to a showroom." The best way to choose between the two is to test them. The two products both provide excellent support, while memory foam is a product of NASA engineering and latex foam is a product of nature. A mattress made of either material can provide years of comfort and support. It all comes down to your preference. 

Type

Memory foam is available as a topper, latex foam is not. A mattress manufactured with a memory foam top will provide a more integrated experience where the top and core support are designed to work together. However, if a memory foam mattress is not in your budget, or if you want to try memory foam before you invest in a mattress, a topper can be an inexpensive way to get the benefits of memory foam. Memory foam toppers have become a product with very strong sales. 

Cost

Memory Foam: You can pay as much as $6,000 for a high-end, barnd name, memory foam mattress, or you can pay as little as $100 for a low-end topper. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. The point is, if you want to sleep on memory foam, there is a product that fits within your budget.

Latex Foam: Pure latex mattresses are not inexpensive. They tend to run between $700 and $3,000 for a queen size mattress. These mattresses tend to last 5 to 7 years longer than inner-spring mattresses and 3 to 5 years longer than memory foam, which needs to be factored into your investment. 

Durability

Memory foam mattresses should last 12 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the mattress and the weight/density of the foam. Latex foam mattresses should last about 20 years.