Latex or Memory Foam: Which Mattress is Better?

We all have varying considerations when it comes to choosing a new mattress, but all these, however, boil down to just a few factors.

First and foremost—and perhaps the most obvious—is comfort, because why buy a mattress that you can’t actually sleep in?

Next is whether or not it is worth its price.

Regardless, the ideal mattress for each and every one of us is one that can provide us quality that is actually worth its price.

For that matter, people tend to turn to two specific types of mattress: memory foam and latex mattresses.

Indeed, these types of mattresses are the hottest products of their kind in the market these days.

Which of these, however, offer the best quality at roughly the same price?

To answer this question, we will be comparing these products based on what they are best in and the aspects where they underdeliver.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are basically made of a soft, non-toxic, and biodegradable material derived from the rubber tree called latex.

Being derived from a natural substance, latex mattresses are thus widely considered as a very safe product.

This type of mattress can easily provide gentle support to a person’s body and many believe that latex mattresses offer the most optimal comfort, thanks to the combination of material and design that allows for breathability and the fact that it can easily minimize odor and trap allergens.

Now there are plenty of things consumers love about latex mattresses.

The first is the fact that, thanks to its material, it is very durable, being able to last as long as 15 years or even longer with proper care.

Latex mattresses are also firm without being hard on your back, and can easily conform to your body without giving you the typical sinking feeling that you’ll often have from memory foam mattresses.

As latex is odorless, this product does not give off any smell when it is first set up.

Lastly, latex mattresses do not heat up so much, although given the fact that it has similar properties to regular foam, it can naturally get hotter than a spring mattress.

Of course, latex mattresses have some downsides.

For one, it can be quite expensive. While you can avail of it at an affordable price range, the cost of this product can go up to a few thousand bucks depending on the quality of the latex used.

It is also not widely available thanks to the complicated manufacturing process, and this scarcity can factor in to the price.

Furthermore, if you are an environmentally-conscious individual, a latex mattress is not a guilt-free purchase.

Latex is a byproduct of rubber production, an industry known for its moderately high carbon footprint.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are made of synthetic foam that’s designed to conform to your body’s shape.

This type of mattress is far cheaper than its latex counterpart, thanks to the wide availability of the technology used as well as the fact that it is also widely available in the market.

Memory foam mattresses, however, carry the risk of containing chemicals that may cause you harm. As such, it is important that you first check for a CentriPur-US certification before you buy the product.

Besides being cheaper, another advantage of the memory foam mattresses over latex ones is the fact that the former can conform much better to your body than the latter.

It can easily cradle your body and can easily provide a comfortable surface for people who are suffering from back and neck pain.

Furthermore, this can discourage you from briefly waking up to change position, and this helps if you have a sleeping partner who tend to turn and toss about during sleep.

The biggest complaint people have with memory foam mattresses is that it can get hotter than a latex mattress and traditional beds rather quickly.

There sure are memory foam mattresses designed to alleviate or eliminate the heat build-up, but these will cost far more than regular memory foam mattresses.

Another concern is the fact that mattresses of this type typically give off a strange chemical odor when you are setting it up, which is why it is recommended for users to leave the mattress for a few days before using.

The gas may be harmless, but the odor can sometimes be strong enough to be off putting.

Lastly, memory foam mattresses has a lower life span than latex mattresses.

The Verdict

Choosing between latex and memory foam mattresses ultimately depend on your preferences and requirements.

The former is best for people who want a safe mattress on the get-go that can last for quite a long time, while the latter is something that works best for folks who have budget and comfort on top of their decision-making priority list.