While many companies offer memory foam at a very low price, they often do so using low density foams that don’t meet the same durability requirements as other memory foam mattresses sold by companies such as Amerisleep or Astrabeds. Both these companies maintain proper mattress densities ranging between 4lbs and 5lbs.
While they may be cheap, low density imitation memory foam mattresses simply don’t offer the same comfort and reliability benefits of their higher density counterparts.
While they may be cheap, low density imitation memory foam mattresses simply don’t offer the same comfort and reliability benefits of their higher density counterparts. The reason that memory foam mattress became so popular is that the foam conforms to the shape of your body while you sleep, and then returns back to shape once the pressure is released. The density of the visco material affects the overall feel and durability. So if the density of a memory foam mattress is too low, those qualities will not meet the same level of a higher density memory foam mattress which defeats the purpose of investing in a memory foam mattress to begin with. How does density affect the feel of memory foam?
Benefits for home & health
A quality memory foam mattress doesn’t just affect one’s comfort and sleep quality, it can also affect one’s health. Ordinary mattresses put pressure on your bones, joints and skin while you sleep, which is why you wake up with aches and pains in the morning. That is why hospitals were the first to begin using memory foam mattresses in the seventies. Instead of putting pressure on your body, the memory foam mattresses respond to pressure from your body, contouring to curves and the body’s shape. Naturally, in both a medical and home health setting, one should prefer a longer lasting mattress without risk of defect and decay.
…one should prefer a longer lasting mattress without risk of defect and decay.
According to 2004 research by Cullum et al, a higher specification pressure reducing foam mattress is essential for patients vulnerable to pressure sores. Cullum at al stated that, “These mattresses tend to be made of higher density foam or visco-elastic foam which conforms to the body contours. These types of mattress provide superior pressure reduction to the standard hospital foam mattress. Shear and friction may also be reduced with this type of surface.”
They claim that other memory foam mattresses are too hard, and those who want a more comfortable sleep need a lower density mattress.
Density and firmness, not the same thing
Many lesser quality memory foam mattress retailers market their mattresses on the basis of firmness. They claim that other memory foam mattresses are too hard, and those who want a more comfortable sleep need a lower density mattress. This is completely untrue, as mattress density and firmness are not connected at all. According to the PFA (Polyurethane Foam Association), “Foam surface firmness is independent from foam density. High density foams can be produced to be very soft. Low density foams can be made to be very firm. Therefore, there is no such thing as “hard” or “firm” density.” You can read about how density affects the feel of a mattress in our article, The Truth about Memory Foam Mattress Density.
So, based on research and numerous user submitted review ratings, it is clear that high quality memory foam mattresses of between 4lbs and 5lbs density offer the best in value, durability, and quality. Mattresses with densities below those levels are poor economy and offer little, if any, long term value.