Is Latex Better or Memory Foam?

If you are thinking of investing in a new mattress, you must have come across terms like latex foam and memory foam. Latex and memory foam mattresses are popular mattress options available on the market. While both have their pros and cons, which one you choose to buy largely depends on your individual preferences.

Both memory foam and latex mattresses are unique, with their benefits and drawbacks. To make an informed purchase, you need to know each of these mattresses' qualities.

What is Latex Foam?

Latex foam is processed from the sap extracted from the rubber trees. The liquid latex foam is then further processed to build natural latex beds.

Latex Types: Based on Processing Method

Depending on the processing method, natural latex can be:

Dunlop Latex

When the liquid latex foam, poured into the mold in one pour, goes through the vulcanization process, it is built into Dunlop latex. Dunlop latex has two distinct layers: a heavier, denser bottom layer, and a lighter, more porous top layer.

Talalay Latex

When the latex foam is poured halfway into the mold, and the mold is vacuum sealed and flash frozen, the latex foam expands to fill up the mold. The latex foam is then further processed to build Talalay latex.

Talalay latex has a softer, porous texture, and is excellent for building the mattress's comfort layer.

Latex Mattress Types: Based on the Latex Proportion

Natural Latex Mattress

Natural latex is formed when the sap from rubber trees is processed without any harmful chemicals, dyes, or synthetic materials to build 100% natural latex mattresses. Natural latex is eco-friendly, breathable, and hypoallergenic, and is excellent for sensitive sleepers.

Organic Latex Mattress

When latex foam is extracted from rubber trees harvested sustainably and free from harmful pesticides, organic latex is made. Organic latex passes through stringent certifications to maintain its purity and authenticity.

PlushBeds Organic Latex Mattress

If you are considering getting an organic natural latex mattress, the Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress can be a perfect choice.

The organic natural latex mattress has been manufactured in the USA, using the finest quality GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool.

The sustainable mattress materials provide the bed with unparalleled comfort, support, and pressure relief. Because of its quality, the mattress comes highly recommended by chiropractors and orthopedic specialists.

The mattress also comes with free shipping, and a lifetime warranty.

Synthetic Latex Mattress

Synthetic latex, made from styrene butadiene rubber, mimics the feel of natural latex, but comes at a much more affordable price. Also, synthetic latex has synthetic materials and other chemicals, making it less durable than natural latex mattresses.

Blended Latex Mattress

Blended latex mattresses are made using a combination of synthetic latex and natural latex. It comes at a much lower price than natural latex. It is preferred by people who want the feel of natural latex, without the exorbitant cost. PlushBeds: The Luxury Bliss is an organic hybrid latex mattress to consider.

Why Choose a Latex Mattress?

Natural latex mattresses derived from rubber trees are durable, breathable, and an excellent option for sensitive sleepers. Here are some benefits of sleeping on a natural latex mattress.

Temperature Regulation

Natural latex has a porous top layer that releases the trapped body heat during sleep, helping people sleep cooler. Because of their temperature neutrality, latex beds are perfect for hot sleepers.

Responsive Nature

Latex mattresses are highly responsive, with a bouncy feel that retains shape when weight is lifted from the bed. It also prevents people of heavier body weight from sinking within the mattress.

Eco-Friendly Option

Latex foam is processed free from chemicals and dyes to manufacture latex mattresses that are eco-friendly. They are free from harmful chemicals, do not cause off-gassing, and are perfect for the eco-conscious shoppers.

Durability

Latex mattresses are durable, and can last 10-12 years without losing shape, flexibility, and supportive features.

Support

Natural latex has a denser structure that supports the sleeper's body. Because of its supportive properties, a latex mattress is the best option for heavier people.

Hypoallergenic

Latex is a natural material that repels allergens, like dust mites and molds, making it an ideal option for sensitive sleepers.

Drawbacks

A natural latex mattress may not be suitable for you if:

You are Budget Conscious

Natural latex foam is derived from rubber trees, making them an expensive mattress option compared to the other available mattresses, like synthetic or blended latex.

If You Have a Latex Allergy

If you suffer from a latex allergy, you must avoid a latex mattress.

Memory Foam

Traditionally, memory foam is made from polyurethane foam, a synthetic material made in the lab. It is known for its soft, enveloping nature, with excellent pressure relief. Memory foam also provides superior motion isolation, and is a boon for people who sleep with restless partners.

Memory Foam Types

Traditional Foam

Traditional memory foam is a standard memory foam manufactured in the lab. It has heat retention properties, causing people to sleep hot.

Open Cell Memory Foam

Open cell foam has open cell-like structures on its surface that allow better ventilation, helping hot sleepers to sleep cool. The mattress is considered less dense, with a softer texture than the traditional memory foam beds.

Gel-Infused Memory Foam

The memory foam mattress has a gel-infused top layer that gives the bed more bounce and responsiveness. The gel layer also helps cool down the sleeper's body, preventing them from sleeping hot. An example of this mattress type is the The Cool Bliss® Luxury Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress from PlushBeds.

Plant-Based Memory Foam

To make memory foam mattresses more sustainable, manufacturers have developed plant-based memory foam that is natural, with better cooling properties .

Why Choose a Memory Foam Mattress?

A memory foam mattress can be your best option if you are looking for softness that envelops your body, and hugs all the pressure points as you snuggle into its plushness.

The best memory foam mattresses come in multiple layers of memory foam, with varying heights and densities. An average memory foam mattress would have a center polyurethane foam core, a middle foam layer for added support, and a memory foam comfort layer at the top.

PlushBeds Memory Foam Mattress

If you want to experience the plush softness of a memory foam mattress, but feel wary because of its heat retention features, you need to try the Cool Bliss Luxury Cool Gel Mattress from PlushBeds.

The 12-inch, Cool Gel memory foam mattress is built with five luxurious layers that provide cooling comfort, allowing you to get deep, rejuvenating sleep.

PlushBeds patented gel memory foam has the support of a 100% natural latex mattress, combined with the pressure-relieving properties of high-quality memory foam.

It is the world's first GreenGuard Gold-certified memory foam that does not cause off-gassing, offering luxurious comfort for a good night's sleep.

The mattress comes with free shipping, a 100-night trial policy, and a 25-year warranty.

Memory Foam Benefits

The benefits of getting a memory foam mattress are:

Excellent body contouring properties:

Memory foam has a soft texture that can take the shape of the sleeper's body, enveloping them in its softness. The mattress has a cradling effect that cushions the sleeper's pressure points, relieving back pain issues.

Superior Pressure Relief

Because of its soft, pliable mattress construction, memory foam mattresses provide excellent pressure relief, compared to denser latex mattresses. The memory foam layers cushion the sleeper's pressure points, and help with pain issues.

It allows proper alignments of the head and shoulders with the spine of side sleepers, keeping them comfortable as they sleep.

Excellent Motion Isolation

Motion isolation measures how well a mattress can absorb a sleeper's movement, and prevent motion transfer to the other side of the bed. If you sleep with a partner who tosses and turns at night, a memory foam mattress can absorb the excess motion transfer, allowing you to get deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Affordable Option

Memory foam is made from polyurethane foam that is made in the lab. That makes it a much cheaper option than naturally-sourced latex mattresses.

Drawbacks

Not Suitable for Hot Sleepers

Memory foam layers have heat retention properties, making people sleep hot. Still, nowadays, mattress manufacturers have come out with cooling gel memory foam that allow hot sleepers to sleep comfortably.

Lack of Durability

Unlike latex mattresses, memory foam mattresses tend to sag, and lose their shape as they gets older. Typically, memory foam tends to last for only 6 to 7 years.

Memory Foam vs. Latex Mattress

While both memory foam and latex mattresses offer comfort and support, they have some differences.

Feel

Natural latex has a bouncy, responsive feel that retains the mattress's shape upon removing body weight. In contrast, memory foam has a softer texture that envelops and takes on the body's shape, providing better body contouring.

Sleep Positions

While memory foam is best for aligning the shoulder with the spine of a side sleeper, a latex mattress is best for back and stomach sleepers. Combination sleepers also find latex mattresses easier for switching positions at night.

Body Type

Because of its soft texture, memory foam is best for lightweight sleepers, and those weighing less than 230 pounds. Heavier sleepers can find themselves sinking while sleeping on a memory foam mattress.

Latex mattresses are denser, and can be best for people weighing 230 pounds, because of their supportive qualities.

Temperature Regulation

Latex foams are more porous, releasing trapped body heat, and helping keep hot sleepers cool. Memory foam can retain heat, making hot sleepers feel uncomfortable. Although, nowadays, some mattress manufacturers have come out with cooling gel-infused memory foams that helps regulate body temperature while sleeping.

Support

While both memory foam and latex mattresses provide adequate support to the sleeper's body, keeping their spine aligned, latex mattresses offer deep compression support, thanks to their responsiveness and durability.

Memory foam, on the other hand, can sag, lose its shape, and lose its supporting abilities with time.

Durability and Warranty

Latex mattresses can retain their shape, and last for 10 to 12 years, while memory foam will last only for 6-7 years before it falls apart. Because of its durability, latex mattresses often have a more extended warranty than memory foam mattresses.

Eco-Friendly

Latex foam is a natural material that is derived from rubber trees. It is processed using a less energy-intensive process, and manufactured without chemicals, dyes, and other synthetic materials. Sensitive sleepers prefer latex mattresses, due to their eco-friendly properties.

In contrast, memory foam is made in the lab with chemicals that can cause harmful off-gassing.

Pressure Relief

One of the benefits of using a memory foam mattress is its excellent pressure relief. Memory foam conforms, and take the shape of the sleeper's body, cushioning the pressure points, and providing pain relief to the sleepers.

Latex mattresses, due to their firmer texture, allow less pressure relief than memory foams.

Motion Isolation

Because of its less responsive nature, memory foam absorbs your partner's movement, helping you get uninterrupted sleep. Natural latex foam, being more responsive, creates slightly more motion transfer.

Price

Latex mattresses, made from natural materials, are far more expensive than memory foam mattresses.

Which One is Better: Latex or Memory Foam?

The answer is: It depends. While the latex mattress made from natural latex is excellent for eco-conscious shoppers, the memory foam mattress's superior pressure relief and motion isolation makes it desirable for people with back pain issues, and who sleep with a restless partner.

Also, while natural latex releases body heat, and helps people sleep cool, memory foam, with its heat retention properties, may not be the right choice for hot sleepers.

How to Choose Between Latex and Memory Foam Mattresses?

Ultimately, deciding to get a latex or memory foam mattress largely depends on your budget, eco-consciousness, sleeping positions, and other factors that would help you sleep better.

You Must Pick a Latex mattress If:

You Prefer a Firm and Responsive Mattress

Latex mattresses are great for support and responsiveness. It adequately supports your body weight, and avoids sinking in.

You Want Better Edge Support

A latex mattress provides excellent edge support that helps you get in and out of bed easier.

You are Eco-Conscious

Latex foam, sourced from nature, is excellent for the environment, and perfect for you if you prefer naturally-sourced, chemical-free materials.

You are Sensitive to Chemicals

Unlike other foam mattresses, natural latex foam does not cause off-gassing, and helps you sleep healthily. A latex mattress is also hypoallergenic, and prevents the accumulation of dust mites, molds, and other allergens, keeping you safe from allergies.

You are a Back and Stomach Sleeper

The supportive feature of a latex mattress is especially helpful if you are a back and stomach sleeper, as the firm mattress surface supports your body weight, helping you sleep comfortably.

You Weigh More Than 230 Pounds

If you are on the heavier side, you will get the support you need from sleeping on a latex mattress. The high-density latex layers will provide enough support and responsiveness to prevent your body from sinking into the bed.

You can Pick a Memory Foam Mattress If:

You are a Budget Shopper

If price is your concern, you can get a memory foam mattress to get excellent comfort and support, without breaking the bank.

You Prefer Pressure Relief

If you suffer from body aches, a memory foam mattress can offer superior body contouring, cushioning your pressure points, and relieving pain.

You Sleep with a Restless Partner

If your partner tosses and turns at night, a memory foam mattress can absorb the movement allowing you to get deep, uninterrupted sleep.

You are a Side Sleeper

Memory foam mattresses can be a perfect choice if you are a side sleeper. The soft, malleable surface aligns your head, neck, and spine, allowing your body to rest comfortably as you sleep on your side.

You are a Light-Weighted Person

If you weigh less than 230 pounds, getting a memory foam mattress can provide enough body contouring to provide comfort with the support you desire.

PlushBeds Latex and Memory Foam Mattresses

Now that you’ve read about the differences between memory foam and latex mattresses, along with the pros and cons of each, take a look at PlushBeds selection of memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses.

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