Memory foam mattresses

What is a memory foam mattress?

A memory foam mattress has a comfort layer of polyurethane foam that softens with body heat, moulds to your shape and recovers slowly once you move. The material was developed in the 1960s from NASA-funded research.

In most memory foam mattresses, the memory foam sits on a firmer base that does the supporting: reflex foam in an all-foam mattress, or pocket springs in a memory foam hybrid. The memory foam decides how the surface feels; the base decides how well it holds you up. Because the foam reacts to warmth, it can feel firmer in a cold bedroom and softer once it has warmed up beneath you. Memory foam mattresses usually arrive rolled and boxed, which makes them easy to carry up narrow stairs.

What does memory foam feel like?

Memory foam feels as if you're sinking slowly into the mattress rather than lying on top of it: the foam gives most where you press hardest, at the shoulders and hips, and fills in around the waist.

That close fit is what people mean by pressure relief. When you turn over, the hollow you leave takes a few seconds to fill back in, which some people find comforting and others find makes moving feel like hard work. The foam soaks up movement instead of bouncing it across the bed, so you're less likely to feel a partner turn over or get up in the night, and it's quiet.

Who is a memory foam mattress best for?

A memory foam mattress suits side sleepers, light sleepers and couples who go to bed at different times, because it cushions the shoulders and hips and passes on very little movement. It suits hot sleepers and front sleepers less well.

For children, a supportive memory foam mattress is fine, usually at medium to medium-firm. Babies under 12 months need something else entirely: the Lullaby Trust advises a firm, flat, waterproof cot mattress, so memory foam isn't suitable. If you sleep on your side, see mattresses for side sleepers for more on choosing the right firmness.

Are memory foam mattresses hot?

Memory foam mattresses can feel warmer than sprung mattresses, because the foam fits closely around your body and leaves little room for air to move.

How warm depends on the build. A memory foam layer over pocket springs usually feels cooler than all-foam, because air moves through the springs, and that's one reason people choose a memory foam hybrid. Gel-infused and open-cell memory foams are made to hold less heat, and a breathable cover helps. So does the room: The Sleep Charity suggests aiming for around 16 to 18°C. If you always wake up warm, see cooling mattresses for what else makes a difference.

What should I check before buying a memory foam mattress?

Before buying a memory foam mattress, check how deep the memory foam layer is, what sits underneath it and its firmness number, because two mattresses sold as memory foam can feel completely different.

• The memory foam layer: a thin layer over a firm base feels mostly firm, while a deeper layer gives more of the slow, sinking feel. Where the maker gives a density, denser foam tends to keep its shape for longer.
• The base: reflex foam keeps the mattress light and quiet, while pocket springs add bounce and airflow.
• Firmness: brands don't share a firmness scale, so compare within one shop. Every mattress page here shows a number from 1 to 10.
• Depth: a standard mattress is about 18 to 25 cm deep. On a bunk bed or high sleeper, choose one that sits at or below the maximum mattress line marked on the frame.

Shopping for one size? Our single memory foam mattresses suit children's rooms and guest beds, and our double memory foam mattresses are a good place to start for couples. If you'd like a second opinion, send us a question and tell us how you sleep.

Written by the Mattress Town team. Last updated 9 October 2026.