When you start shopping for a foam mattress, you’ll discover that there are several types of foam used to make various mattress brands. You’ll discover latex foam, memory foam, reflex foam, gel foam, polyurethane foam, and more. In fact, there are so many types of foam mattresses that you might become overwhelmed with your choices. That’s why this guide provides the characteristics of the best foam mattresses. You can use these pointers to help you get a high-quality foam mattress at a good price.
Density
The single biggest factor that differentiates a high-quality foam mattress from one of lesser quality is the density. The density of a foam mattress directly correlates to its longevity, so if you don’t want to have to buy a new foam mattress in a couple of years, you’ll want to look for a mattress that boasts the most foam cells in the material, which equates to higher density. These foam cells are what support your weight when you’re lying on the mattress, so if there aren’t very many cells, the mattress will break down more quickly.
Look for a density number of between four and seven pounds per cubic foot to help you identify a high-quality mattress. Anything less than four pounds per cubic foot may not be made very well and will break down faster than those with higher numbers. A foam mattress that has multiple layers will have multiple densities, so you should add these numbers together to get the total density of the mattress. Also note that mattress density does not equate to mattress thickness, so just because a mattress is thick does not necessarily mean it is high quality.
Thickness
Of course, mattress thickness does matter even if it is different from density. A thicker mattress will typically reduce more pressure points on your body as you sleep, which is extremely important, especially if you’ve been experiencing tingling or pain in your limbs when you’re sleeping. Be aware that a thicker mattress might not offer as much support as a thinner one, but if your main concern is pressure point relief, a thicker mattress is probably your best option.
Indentation Load Deflection
The indentation load deflection (ILD) of a mattress is a measure of how soft or hard a foam mattress is. It is calculated by determining how many pounds of pressure it takes to make a 1-inch-deep indentation in a four-inch-high foam mattress. When you’re shopping for mattresses, you’ll look for an ILD of 10 or 15 pounds, with the higher number usually representing a better mattress.
This number will also help you determine how firm the foam mattress is, since the more pounds it takes to make a one-inch indentation, the firmer the mattress is. Firmness is often a major consideration for mattress buyers because they’re looking for one that offers them the right amount of support when they’re sleeping. In general, the heavier you are, the more support you’ll need in a mattress, so look for one that has a higher ILD and therefore more support.
Conclusion
The world of foam mattresses can be very complex, especially with all the types of foam on the market today. Use this guide to help you find the best mattress for the perfect night’s sleep.
