The best memory foam mattresses, according to 5 sleep experts

Written by Elizabeth Fuhrman
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The best memory foam mattresses, according to 5 sleep experts

Some sleepers just don’t love the firmness of a totally innerspring mattress; instead, the more body-contouring and cushiony, the better. If you fall into this camp, memory-foam mattresses will be your best friend for a good night’s sleep. 

Mattress technology is pretty advanced at this point, which largely means you don’t have to compromise on what you (or you and a partner) need or love in a mattress when it comes to shopping for one. Even firm-mattress lovers can find a top memory foam mattress that still feels supportive and reduces pressure and pain. 

To find out the best memory foam mattresses for a range of sleepers, we talked to five experts and got their favorite recommendations. Read on to discover and shop them below.

Experts’ top picks for best memory foam mattress

Saatva Contour5 Mattress, from $2,999: Sink-into-it mattress supports, relieves pressure, and cools

$2999 Saatva

Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress, from $949: Cooling mattress with pressure relief and low motion transfer

$949 Nectar

Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress, from $649: Supportive mattress for avoiding morning stiffness

JUMP TO REVIEW
$649 Nectar

TEMPUR-Pedic ProBreeze, from $3,899: Low-motion mattress for hot back and side sleepers 

$3899 TEMPUR-Pedic

Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress, from $2,750: Pressure-relieving mattress designed for athletes

$2750 Bear Mattress

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Best “sink into it” memory foam mattress Saatva Contour5 Mattress, from $2,999 for a queen at Saatva

“My pick for the best memory foam mattress is the Saatva Contour5,” says Derek Hales, a mattress tester who’s also CEO and founder at popular mattress-review site NapLab. He refers to it as a “luxury-level, all-foam memory foam mattress.” 

Hales also highly rates its body-hugging materials: It’s made with several memory foam layers with high densities that last longer. For hot sleepers, the cooling abilities of these layers will be a huge plus. 

Through his work as a professional mattress tester, Hales definitely knows a good mattress, so it says volumes that this is the next-gen version of Hales’ own personal mattress. “This mattress is the spiritual successor to the Loom and Leaf, another Saatva mattress, and the model I’ve been sleeping on for personal use since 2017,” he says. 

Trial period: 365 nights

$2,999 for a queen at Saatva

Pros

  • ✓ Three inches of gel-infused memory foam “hugs” sleepers
  • ✓ Zoned lumbar support helps with lower back support
  • ✓ Excellent cooling technology

Cons

  • ✕ Some sleepers might feel “stuck” with slow-moving feel 

Best versatile memory foam mattress Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress, from $949 for a queen at Nectar

If you love the cushioning of memory foam, but still want a firmer mattress, this might be a great option. Made up of a cooling top cover, a pressure-relief layer, a responsive-support layer, and a motion-isolation layer, it delivers a smooth night’s sleep. 

“My husband and I love ours so much we bought a second for the family’s cabin,” says lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Allie Buttarazzi. “It’s supportive, soothing, and minimizes motion transfer, which is truly like sleeping on a cloud.” 

If you’re not sure if you’re ready to make the move to a memory foam mattress, Nectar also lets you take a year to decide if this one’s right for you, with free shipping and returns if it’s not. 

Trial period: 365 nights

$949 for a queen at Nectar

Pros

  • ✓ Low motion transfer for couples
  • ✓ Five layers of foam provide pressure relief
  • ✓ Long sleep trial for extra confidence 

Cons

  • ✕ Not ideal for stomach sleepers

Best value memory foam mattress Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress, from $649 for a queen at Nectar

 For patients who wake up sore or stiff, this mattress does a good job of easing that strain, says Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New Jersey. 

“I like the Nectar because it gives consistent support across the entire back without letting you sink too deep,” he adds. “The foam contours to your natural spine shape, which helps reduce pressure on the lower back and hips. It’s firm enough to keep alignment but still comfortable for long sleep.” 

Trial period: 365 nights

$649 at Nectar

A few other key players help out, too. “It supports the skin's microbiome with its selenium-based prebiotic thermal water, as well as has great hydrating properties with ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, ceramides, and niacinamide, which is an antioxidant,” Kobets says.

Pros

  • ✓ Great value for money memory foam mattress
  • ✓ Very low motion transfer for couples 
  • ✓ Thick memory foam layers provide pressure relief

Cons

  • ✕ Some say the edge support could be better

Best low-motion-transfer memory foam mattress TEMPUR-Pedic ProBreeze Medium, from $4,399 for a queen at TEMPUR-Pedic

“When it comes to memory foam mattresses, the Tempur-Pedics are some of my favorites,” says Marten Carlson, a certified sleep coach and mattress tester at Mattress Clarity. 

“I personally love the Tempur-ProBreeze because it offers that slow-moving memory foam feel along with some nice cooling, too,” Carlson says. 

Not only is it made with body-conforming foam, but there are four temperature-regulating layers that make up the mattress. The result? The ProBreeze lets you sleep up to five degrees cooler, or up to 10 degrees cooler if you upgrade the mattress for an additional charge. 

“I did not overheat on the Tempur-ProBreeze, but I still got some great pressure relief, especially while I was side-sleeping,” Carlson says. 

It’s a lot of cash, but you have 90 days to make sure it’s the right fit for you and your sleep habits, plus a 10-year warranty for peace of mind. 

Trial period: 90 nights

$4,399 for a queen at TEMPUR-Pedic

Pros

  • ✓ Excellent cooling technology (up to five degrees cooler)
  • ✓ Great pressure relief for side-sleepers
  • ✓ Low motion transfer 

Cons

  • ✕ Above-average price point

Best memory foam mattress for athletes Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress, from $2,750 for a queen at Bear Mattress

Bear’s line of mattresses are designed for those who want help with active recovery after physical activity, making them great for gymgoers and athletes. However, they’re a fantastic option for a ton of people beyond those two groups, too. 

Bear’s Elite Hybrid Mattress offers “balanced pressure relief and cooling, which is especially helpful for older adults who run warm or have joint discomfort,” says Dr. Barbara Sparacino, a triple board-certified physician in adult and geriatric psychiatry and addiction medicine—and who often addresses sleep challenges in work. 

Trial period: 120 nights

$2,750 for a queen at Bear Mattress

Pros

  • ✓ Designed to give athletes pressure relief and support
  • ✓ Cooling technology is a win for hot sleepers 
  • ✓ Responsive mattress is great for combo sleepers and couples

Cons

  • ✕ Above-average price point

Expert Spotlight

Derek Hales is a professional mattress tester, editor-in-chief and founder of NapLab. He’s tested more than 500 mattresses during his 11 years of mattress-reviewing experience, making him a leading figure in the mattress-testing world.

Dr. Allie Buttarazzi is a Maine-based lifestyle medicine and primary care physician. Board-certified in internal medicine and co-founder of Maine Street Medical in Brunswick, Maine, Buttarazzi is certified in Lifestyle Medicine and focuses on helping patients prevent and reverse chronic disease through evidence-based approaches, including stress management, movement, restorative sleep, and plant-powered nutrition.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Matt Tanneberg is a chiropractor and certified strength and conditioning specialist who has worked with elite athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL, ATP, and PGA. He’s also made appearances in the media in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Men's Journal, GQ, and Shape.

Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo is a board-certified spinal surgeon and founder of the The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care. Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University in St. Louis and a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Marten Carlson isa certified sleep coach and mattress tester at Mattress Clarity who has been writing about sleep health for more than six years. He’s the lead reviewer at the mattress site, where he’s reviewed more than 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories.

Dr. Barbara Sparacino is a sleep health and aging specialist, as well as a triple board-certified geriatric psychiatrist. She provides coaching around caregiving for aging parents and senior care.

FAQ

Memory foam mattresses use a viscoelastic foam layer that responds to heat and pressure, which helps the mattress contour to your body shape and distribute weight evenly. This can reduce pressure points and create that “hugging” feeling many sleepers like. 

There are a few key qualities you want to consider if you’re buying a memory foam mattress:

  • Foam type and construction: Traditional, gel-infused, or open-cell for airflow
  • Density and thickness: Higher density often means better durability and support
  • Firmness level: Ranges from soft to firm depending on sleep position and preference
  • Cooling features: Gel, perforations, or breathable covers keep sleep cool 

Memory foam mattresses are prone to retaining heat, because its taller density and cell structure trap body warmth. More and more, however, memory foam mattresses now include cooling gel, graphite, or open-cell designs that improve airflow and reduce heat buildup.

It’s all up to what you prefer, but here are some starting blocks for how to choose the right firmness in a mattress.  

  • Softer foam: better for side sleepers who need extra cushioning
  • Medium to medium-firm: balanced support for combination sleepers
  • Firmer foam: suits back or stomach sleepers who need more support.

Yes, the way memory foam contours around your body also helps distribute weight evenly, which can reduce pressure on joints and support spinal alignment. 

Memory foam mattresses typically last around six to 10 years, depending on the foam density, construction quality, and how well you care for it. Higher-density foams tend to be more durable and maintain support longer than lower-density options.

Memory foam mattresses are best with a solid, flat foundation, like a platform bed or closely spaced slats. Unsupported or widely spaced slats can cause sagging, which will diminish the mattress’s support and lifespan.

  • We only spoke to sleep and mattress experts to recommend products for this article. 
  • All recommendations from the featured sleep and mattress experts are independently chosen. They don’t have any brand affiliation with the featured brands or products.
  • We never pay experts for their recommendations.

If These Walls Could Talk” operates independently and exercises sole editorial discretion in all content decisions. While certain brands, products, or services referenced may have current or prior relationships with our affiliated marketing agency, such relationships do not influence our editorial content. We disclaim any liability for conflicts of interest, omissions, or outcomes arising from reliance on our content. All information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional or individualized advice.

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