Best memory foam mattress of 2021 – CNET [CNET]

December 19, 2021 Thomas Giboney technology

Memory foam is one of the most widely known mattress materials — thanks partly to a ’90s TV infomercial that featured an undisturbed glass of wine on a memory foam mattress as people jumped up and down on the bed, demonstrating its motion isolation.

In my experience as a mattress tester, I’ve found that not all memory foam beds are alike. Some foams feel firm and heavy, while others are plush and light. I like to compare foam density to freezer-stored Cool Whip versus the light whipped cream that you get from an aerosol can: One is more airy than the other, but both are tasty. Because there are so many mattress brand options on the market, it can be hard to find the best memory foam mattress out there, especially if until now you’ve been sleeping on an innerspring mattress and you’re not sure which memory foam mattress reviews to trust.

I slept on a significant number of memory foam beds to help you find the best-of-the-best. (It turned out to be a pretty nice gig.) The memory foam beds listed below stood out to me as the most comfortable, most accommodating or the most affordable. Here is my list of the best memory foam mattress options the internet has to offer.

Note that prices below are the manufacturer-suggested retail prices for the queen-size models and are subject to change with (frequent) sales and discounts.

Best memory foam mattress overall

Nectar Premier

$1,299 at Nectar Sleep

Best flippable memory foam mattress

Layla

$949 at Layla Sleep

$949 at Amazon

Best memory foam mattress for back or stomach sleepers

Amerisleep AS2

$1,499 at Amerisleep

$993 at Amazon

Best memory foam mattress for hot sleepers

GhostBed Luxe

$2,245 at GhostBed

$1,417 at Amazon

Best luxury memory foam mattress

Saatva Loom & Leaf

$1,899 at Saatva

Best affordable memory foam mattress

Bear Original Mattress

$995 at Bear Mattress

Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers

Puffy Lux

$1,799 at Puffy

What is the best memory foam mattress?

There are many different memory foam mattresses on the market, but some of the best and most top-rated include:

Layla mattress
Puffy Lux mattress
Loom & Leaf mattress by Saatva
Bear Original mattress
Amerisleep mattress
GhostBed Luxe mattress
Nectar mattress

How long do memory foam mattresses last?

If your memory foam mattress is only made out of foam, it will probably last you around seven years. However, if it’s made with innersprings or coils in the bottom layer, it will last you around 10 years or more. Just make sure you’re taking proper care of your memory foam mattress, like rotating it every six months and keeping your bedding clean.

What is the best thickness for a memory foam mattress?

9 to 10 inches is an ideal thickness for your memory foam mattress that offers ample support, but you can also go even thicker if you’re looking for maximum durability and support. Thin memory foam mattresses are okay for the short-term, but may not last as long as you would hope. They tend to be more susceptible to wear and tear, sags, and imprints.

Are memory foam mattresses good?

Memory foam mattresses are great at providing pressure relief to your joints because the material gently hugs your curves, but some memory foam beds can give you a sinking feeling that causes resistance when you try to switch positions. If you’re a combination sleeper in the market for a memory foam bed, try to find one that’s more light and airy so it responds to pressure quicker.