The Best Memory Foam Mattresses

You’re about to move into a new place. Instead of going to the hassle of moving your old mattress, you’ve determined that it would be smarter and easier to buy a new one. You’ve looked into options and decided that memory foam is the way to go. However, there are a lot of models available and thousands of memory foam mattress reviews to comb through. How can you decide which is the best memory foam mattress for you?

Don’t resign yourself to visiting ten different furniture stores or simply rolling the dice with any memory foam mattress online! After much research, we’ve put together a list of the top seven memory foam mattresses available for any type of sleeper.

The Top 7 Memory Foam Mattresses of 2021

• Best for your budget: The Zinus Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam Mattress
• Best for firmness: The Nectar Mattress
• Best for softness: The Casper Original Mattress
• Best for coolness: The Layla Memory Foam Mattress
• Best for back sleepers: The Tuft and Needle Original Mattress
• Best for side sleepers: The Purple Mattress
• Best for stomach sleepers: Loom and Leaf

Methodology: We compiled a list of the most popular memory foam mattresses based on user reviews online. We then narrowed down our list to the top seven memory foam mattresses based on key features, user reviews about comfort and sleep experience, and trusted third-party reviews (from sources like J.D. Power and Consumer Affairs).

Best for your budget: Zinus Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Zinus Green Tea mattress details

Ranging in price from $119 to $385 and shipped for free, the Zinus Green Tea memory foam mattress is a great value while offering all of the benefits that you look for in a memory foam mattress. In addition to being budget-friendly, the Zinus Green Tea has a few additional features that put it on our list. The green tea foam and cooling gel contours to your body to relieve pressure points, while also helping you have a cool night’s sleep. The thickness options on this memory foam mattress make it a good choice for all types of sleepers, too.

And while one of the most common complaints about memory foam is the “off-gassing” or odor that can emit from the mattress after it’s taken out of the package, this mattress doesn’t have that. Zinus includes natural ingredients like green tea extract, castor natural seed oil, and purified charcoal to help absorb moisture and give their mattresses a fresh, natural scent.

Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King

Mattress height: 

• Twin thickness options:  6″/8″/12″
• Full thickness options:  6″/8″/10″/12″
• Queen thickness options:  6″/8″/10″/12″
• King thickness options:  8″/10″/12″

Models offered: 

• Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
• Cooling Green Tea Gel Memory Foam Mattress
• Pressure Relief Cloud Memory Foam Mattress
• Pressure Relief Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

Zinus Green Tea mattress reviews

Reviewers on the manufacturer’s website praise the Zinus Green Tea memory foam for being “firm and soft at the same time.” The cooling aspect of the mattress is a favorite characteristic, as well.  Many buyers remark on the relief of back, neck, and hip pain as a result of sleeping on this mattress, which makes its budget-friendly price even more of a great bargain. A small percentage of reviewers said they experienced issues with Zinus customer service when their mattresses did not fully inflate. Some said their complaints were left unresolved.

Pros and cons of The Zinus Green Tea mattress

Best for Firmness: The Nectar Mattress

Nectar Mattress details:

If you need a mattress that offers the perfect balance of support and softness, the Nectar memory foam mattress may be the one for you. With two layers of gel memory foam to distribute your weight and contour to your body, you can get the support you need. The soft, Tencel cover is breathable and moisture-wicking to help sleepers rest coolly and comfortably. The Nectar has a ‘medium-firm’ feel, according to the manufacturer’s website, and conforms to the body without excessive give.

The Nectar mattress ranges in price from $499 to $990, depending on size, and includes $399 in free gifts: a mattress protector ($99 value), sheet set ($150 value), and pillow ($150 value). With free shipping, free returns, and a warranty that lasts forever, it’s a pretty impressive value.

The Nectar is composed of a top layer of quilted gel memory foam, a second layer of gel memory foam, a high-density memory foam transitional layer, and a support core made of high-density polyfoam.

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Mattress height: All Nectar sizes are 11″ in height.

Models offered:

• The Nectar
• The Nectar Lush

The Nectar reviews

Reviewers on the manufacturer’s site were enthusiastic about the Nectar’s comfortable support. Multiple reviews praised the feel of the bed and felt it was an excellent purchase for them. A small percentage of the reviews did note a chemical odor. Others experienced a lack of inflation in the mattress after delivery and said returns were sometimes problematic.

Pros and cons of The Nectar

Best for Softness: The Casper Original Mattress

The Casper Original Mattress details:

Many reviewers complimented the Casper Original Mattress for its softness. One of the biggest reasons buyers choose a memory foam mattress is a desire for even weight distribution to eliminate pressure points. With four foam layers that softly contour around your body without sinking, the Casper Original is a mattress that offers comfort without lacking support.

The Casper Original Mattress ranges in price from $476 to $1,036. With free shipping and free returns, and a 10-year warranty, it’s a solid buy. The Casper Original Mattress specifications include:

• 4-Layer premium, open-cell foam construction
• Zoned Support™ under shoulders and hips
• Zoned Support™ under shoulders and hips
• Breathable open-cell foams

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Mattress height: The Casper is 12″ in height.

Models offered:

• The Wave
• The Casper Original
• The Element (formerly the Essential)

Casper mattress reviews

There were many positive reviews on the manufacturer’s website. Most were complimentary of the general sleep quality they experience on their Casper mattress but did not note specific characteristics. Negative reviews on Amazon noted a lingering chemical smell or commented that while they slept with less pain, they weren’t altogether pleased with their purchase. Some mentioned poor customer service when attempting to get a replacement or a refund.

Pros and cons of The Casper

Best for Coolness: The Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Layla Mattress details

Even when abiding by the recommendation to keep room temperatures 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, many people struggle with “sleeping hot.” Your mattress, mattress protector, and type of sheets play a part in your body’s temperature at night. This means getting the wrong memory foam mattress can exacerbate the problem, so getting a foam mattress that “sleeps cool” is important.

The Layla mattress is unique among the other mattresses in our top seven due to its copper-infused gel memory foam. The conductivity of the copper particles disperses heat away from your body faster than traditional memory foams. Sleeping cooler is the result. In addition, copper is naturally antimicrobial. When compressed, the copper forms an antimicrobial barrier, reducing odor-causing bacteria and keeping the mattress from smelling sweaty and stale. The Layla is also flippable: it has a firm side and a soft side.

The Layla mattress ranges in price from $449 to $949. The current spring sale includes $150 off and two free pillows. Free shipping and a lifetime warranty are included. The 10” Layla’s specifications include:

• Memory Foam: 3.5-pound Density Copper Gel Infused Memory Foam
• Airflow Foam: 1.65-pound Density Tri-Zoned Polyurethane
• Base Foam: 1.50-pound Density Polyurethane
• Cover: 66% polyester, 30% viscose, 4% poly/lycra, with a ThermoGEL cooling agent

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Mattress height: All Layla mattress sizes are 10″ in height.

Models offered: The company offers a hybrid version, but the Layla mattress is the only all-memory-foam product produced by the company at this time.

Layla mattress reviews

Reviewers seemed to have a love/hate relationship with Layla: they either adored their mattress, or it was a complete miss. Happy purchasers mentioned relief from pain, that they liked the firm/soft side options, and that they felt the product was well-made. The unhappy purchasers said they had back pain, particularly when sleeping on the soft side of the Layla. Of the critics, however, none seemed to comment on return or refund difficulty.

Pros and cons of The Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Best for Back Sleepers: The Tuft and Needle Original Mattress

Tuft and Needle mattress details:

Most back sleepers will find the support of the Tuft and Needle Original mattress a good fit for their preferred sleep position. The Tuft and Needle mattress has an open-cell structure that’s designed for responsiveness. Graphite and cooling gel draw heat away from the body. With two layers of support, the 10” thick original mattress is adaptive and supportive.

Sleeping on your back allows your weight to be evenly distributed with no added pressure on your shoulders or spine, and puts your neck in a neutral position. The Tuft and Needle is rated medium-firm, with responsive foam. Shifting weight or changing position will be met with buoyant, soft support, which most back sleepers will find comfortable. Prices for the Tuft and Needle range from $315 to $675.

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King

Mattress height: The Tuft and Needle Original mattress is 10″ in height.

Models offered:

• Original
• Mint

Tuft and Needle reviews

Reviewers on the manufacturer’s website were complimentary of the Tuft and Needle Original overall. Some noted a lack of odor that’s frequently experienced by foam mattress buyers. Couples who were a combination of sleep types reported being pleased with their purchase. For those disappointed with their purchase, reviewers on Consumer Affairs noted that the mattress was firmer than expected. Some wrote about a frustrating return and refund process.

Pros and cons of the Tuft and Needle Original Mattress

Best for Side Sleepers: The Purple Mattress

Purple Mattress details

The Purple mattress is known for its proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer. Set in a grid structure, the walls of the grid flex underneath pressure points while maintaining support elsewhere. Under the Hyper-Elastic Polymer are two layers of high-density polyfoam: 3.5” of 1.8-pound density polyurethane foam and 4”  of 2-pound density polyurethane foam. Firmer and more supportive than the top layer, these are designed to prevent over-sinking into the mattress. This mattress is considered medium-firm.

With proper body alignment, sleeping on your side can reduce both joint and low back pain. However, side sleepers often struggle with pressure point pain. The Purple mattress’ somewhat bouncy, but firm support will offer pressure point relief. Prices for The Purple mattress range from $649 to $1,498. Free sheets and a plush pillow are included with select mattress purchases. Free shipping is included in your mattress purchase.

 Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King

Mattress height: The Purple mattress is 9.25″ in height.

Models offered: The Purple mattress is the only all-foam option offered by the company. In addition, three hybrid (coil and foam) versions are available.

The Purple reviews

The Purple mattress was rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Bed in a Box Mattresses by J.D. Power in 2019, and Consumer Affair reviews, as well as reviews on the manufacturer’s website, are generally positive. However, several reviewers noted that a deterioration in mattress firmness as the product aged. Many recommended purchasing directly from Purple to obtain better customer service for returns and honoring of the warranty.

Pros and cons of The Purple

Best for Stomach Sleepers: Loom and Leaf

Loom and Leaf mattress details

Stomach sleepers face a unique challenge in finding the right memory foam mattress. These sleepers need a mattress that is soft enough to be comfortable, but firm enough to keep their body from sinking into an uncomfortable “U” shape. Because memory foam is typically a conforming material, finding a mattress that will support a stomach sleeper well is difficult. The Loom and Leaf mattress is a firmer option that provides comfortable lumbar support.

The Loom and Leaf Mattress is 12” high and composed of a 6” foundation base of foam core, a 2” transitional layer, and a 3″ combination layer of 5-pound viscoelastic foam and enhanced cooling gel. The 5-pound viscoelastic memory foam layer is responsible for providing deep contouring support. Loom and Leaf’s high-quality viscoelastic memory foam is certified by CertiPUR-US, which means the foam has met rigorous and specific criteria for physical performance, indoor emissions, and environmental stewardship.

Loom and Leaf produces products with a strong green initiative. All foams are eco-friendly and a minimum of 30% soy or corn oil. Natural thistle is used as a flame retardant. All mattresses are wrapped in organic cotton. The price range for the Loom and Leaf mattress is $849 to $1,799. Each purchase includes Free White Glove delivery and free mattress removal.

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King

Mattress height: All Loom and Leaf mattresses are 12″ in height.

Models offered: The Loom and Leaf mattress is the only memory foam model offered by Saatva.

Pros and cons of the Loom and Leaf

Loom and Leaf reviews

The Loft and Loom mattress is not sold on Amazon, and Consumer Affairs listed them as an accredited partner, but had no reviews on their product. Reviews on the manufacturer’s website were overwhelmingly positive regarding the product’s quality and comfort. Many raved about the company’s customer service, as well. Reviews said that even if the mattress did not end up working out for them, the company’s courtesy and efficiency in resolving the issue impressed them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a memory foam mattress cost?

Our top picks range from $119 for a twin-size Zinus to $1,799 for a king-size Loom and Leaf.

Is a memory foam mattress good?

Yes, memory foam mattresses are good, but their comfort depends on what kind of sleeper you are. Memory foam mattresses are often soft yet supportive. Their construction limits motion transfer for couples and prevents sagging. Many memory foam mattresses can be purchased online and delivered straight to your home.

Is a memory foam mattress more comfortable than a traditional coil mattress?

Many sleepers love memory foam mattresses for their ability to distribute body weight more evenly, coupled with their soft-yet-firm support. But there’s no one-size-fits-all mattress — it depends on what kind of sleeper you are and what materials you find most comfortable.