If you’re shopping for a new mattress, you may be wondering: which is better, a Memory Foam or a Pocket Spring?
Both types of mattresses provide pressure point relief while helping you sleep more soundly.
However, the firmness of memory foam is not necessarily a good thing.
In fact, some people dislike the sinking feeling it can cause and would prefer a pocket spring or hybrid model.
Memory Foam v Pocket Sprung Mattress – Things to Consider
Memory Foam is Firmer
There are several key differences to consider between a memory foam vs pocket sprung mattress. While they both offer firm support, memory foam is more supportive.
The memory foam contours to the shape of the body and do not collect dust, making it ideal for people with dust allergies.
Another difference between the two types of mattresses is the level of edge support. An innerspring mattress will have a support edge, but a memory foam mattress will not.
In addition, spring mattresses tend to bounce when you move around and create noise, causing sleep disturbance for a partner.
In contrast, memory foam is made from several layers of soft foam that conforms to your body’s curves, offering pressure relief to your joints.
A memory foam mattress can be either firm or soft, depending on the firmness level you’re looking for. While both types offer firm support, pocket sprung is generally not as supportive.
A memory foam mattress is made of dense cells that are highly responsive to body heat. They are also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mite invasion. But one drawback to memory foam is its tendency to become too warm.
Body heat will cause the foam to soften, leading to excessive sinkage and a stuck-in feeling. Luckily, manufacturers have developed ways to combat this problem.
Newer types of memory foam contain cooling agents, which help keep the mattress cool when body temperature rises.
Pressure Point Relief
A Memory Foam mattress is a type of bed that conforms to your body shape and relieves pressure points.
The material is also excellent for side sleepers and back pain sufferers as it provides support and cushioning to the entire body.
While memory foam mattresses may be more expensive initially than other types, they require less frequent replacement, making them still an attractive option.
Your personal circumstances should determine which type of mattress is best for you.
The best mattresses have just the right amount of upward lift, pushing up to support every part of the body. The result is less tossing and turning, fewer aches and pains on waking, and a better night’s sleep.
Traditional innerspring mattresses, while cheap and popular, tend to suffer the most from pressure point relief. Most coils only offer the same amount of upward thrust at every point of the bed.
Aside from memory foam, polyurethane mattresses may also be the right choice for your particular circumstances.
Another consideration you can also opt for is a latex mattress if you prefer a more natural material.
A medium-firm mattress is ideal for those who suffer from pressure point pain. Its medium firmness may be best for the spinal alignment and quality of sleep.
Back Pain Reduction
The best way to ensure that your Memory Foam mattress reduces back pain is to rotate the mattress frequently.
Changing the mattress frequently is a simple solution, but it can also result in unevenness. In addition, the firmness of a new mattress may not be conducive to good sleep.
To solve this problem, you can buy a firmer mattress topper and rotate it. This way, you can prevent future unevenness.
A good mattress should be thick enough to contour your body’s curve. Three to four inches of memory foam is sufficient for most people. A little less is fine for petite people. A bit thicker is better for bigger people.
A mattress should also be firm enough to provide good support and pressure relief.
Memory foam mattresses are manufactured in differing densities which will result in different levels of support.
Medium-density foams are often referred to as the best for back pain relief and support.
A Memory Foam mattress offers the best level of hug and proportional cushioning.
Those with back pain should consider the effect that purchasing one would have on their finances. However, if you have the money to spare, improving your bed is a worthy investment.
It will not only improve your sleep but also reduce back pain. It can also reduce acid reflux and sleep apnoea symptoms. So, you can sleep pain-free without sacrificing your comfort!
All mattresses, sold in the USA, wherever they were manufactured, must meet standards laid down by CPSC. This is a regulatory body that safeguards the sales of innovative and new products.
Memory Foam Reduces Motion Transfer
If you’re a partner who tosses and turns, or you have a child who likes to climb in and out of bed, you may want to consider investing in a Memory Foam mattress that reduces motion transfer.
This type of mattress also works well for those who have larger pets or children, which can cause excessive motion transfer during sleep. If you want to make sure your new mattress can reduce motion transfer, consider the following tips.
The density of memory foam cells provides stability, which is a big benefit in reducing motion transfer. The material also helps regulate temperature, making the mattress ideal for any sleep style.
This type of foam also has a cooling layer. Memory foam is the best choice for reducing motion transfer. There are many benefits to having a Memory Foam mattress, but it isn’t right for everyone.
A good memory foam mattress will prevent motion transfer by molding itself to the shape of the sleeper’s body. When pressure is removed, it slowly springs back into shape.
A good memory foam mattress will also have pocketed coils to reduce the amount of motion transferred while you sleep. The coils in these mattresses can be individually wrapped for better support.
If you have a partner, choose a Memory Foam mattress if you want to sleep together without experiencing motion transfer.
Mattress Durability
Although both spring and Memory Foam mattresses have benefits and drawbacks, you should choose a mattress that best suits your needs. According to a 2002 study, a comfortable bed is essential for a restful night’s sleep.
Memory foam is a polyurethane foam that is chemically treated to form a material that conforms to the body shape and temperature. This makes it very durable and comfortable, but it can lose its supportive qualities over time.
A Memory Foam mattress should last at least seven years if properly cared for.
The basic maintenance that a Memory Foam mattress requires is simple: keep the mattress clean. If you need to use water to clean it, use it sparingly.
Although memory foam can appear as a harsh material it is absorbent. Water will take a long time to dry out and could cause a weakening of the layers that bind the foam together.
Any water allowed to remain in the mattress can wear down the material, which makes it less durable.
Also, you should keep pets off your mattress, as they can damage the foam’s protective properties. But if you can’t, you may have to change your mattress every two to 5 years.
A spring-memory mattress is more expensive than a memory foam mattress, but the memory foam material is a superior choice for your back and neck.
A pocket spring mattress can last up to ten years with proper care and is ideal for side or stomach sleeping. You can even find a firm model with the same foam density as a traditional memory foam mattress.
Memory Foam Can Be More Expensive
There are many benefits to a Memory Foam mattress, but the price tag may not be worth the extra investment.
Some people like to sink into their mattresses, while others find this experience uncomfortable.
Memory foam can support any body weight, and a high-quality model can accommodate stomach, side, and back sleepers with ease.
The springs in the Pocket Sprung mattress provide firmness to the bed, but they’re individually wrapped to provide conformity and relief from pressure points. They’re less durable than a single unit but tend to be cooler than foam.
Because of their individual construction, Pocket Spring mattresses typically cost less than Memory Foam. But these springs have a lower lifespan than Memory Foam.
It’s important to choose not on price but on which is going to give you the most restful night’s sleep.
The price difference between a Memory Foam v Pocket Sprung mattress depends on your budget.
Memory Foam mattresses tend to be more expensive than Pocket Spring mattresses, but they are not necessarily as durable. So could counter the extra initial spend.
You can tell how durable a foam mattress is by the length of its warranty. Of course, the longer the warranty, the more expensive it is. Since Memory Foam is a more expensive material than Pocket Springs, it may be better for you if you can afford it.