There are different factors to think about if you’re planning to buy a new mattress. It shouldn’t only be comfortable but also durable. The mattress that you should select should be good for your health, otherwise it would be a waste of money.
Latex and memory foam are the materials that are commonly used in manufacturing mattresses. If you’re thinking to buy a new mattress, it’s essential to know the difference between this two types of mattresses.
Latex Foam
Latex foam comes in two categories such as blended or synthetic latex and natural latex. Synthetic latex contains chemicals and petroleum-based oils.
The chemicals are proven to be dangerous to your health as it increases the risk of developing obesity, developmental brain disorder, infertility and cancer.
On the other hand, the main element of natural latex foam is rubber tree sap. But, using the sap alone is not enough to mold the foam.
This means that small amount of additives and antioxidants are added in manufacturing the natural latex foam.
Memory Foam
Generally, memory foam has added chemicals like polyurethane. In spite of the chemicals present in this type of foam, many consumers were attracted to it because of how it feels. It provides pressure relief and adapts to your body’s contour.
Likewise, memory foam has added cooling chemicals that prevents retention of body heat on the mattress. The most common drawback of memory foam is the acrid smell or the so-called chemical off-gassing. This can be a threat to your health.
The Differences and Similarities Between Memory and Latex Foam
Durability
Both types of foam are durable, but may become excessively soft over a long time of use. Once the memory foam become soft, it sags and may result to poor support and comfort. The latex foam, on the other hand, also become extremely soft that may develop poor body indentations.
Support
The latex foam provides better support than a memory foam. It’s because the former is firmer than the latter. The latex foam also conforms to your body’s shape, but it doesn’t give that sinking feeling as what a memory foam does.
Pressure Relief
In terms of providing pressure relief, the memory foam is on the edge as compared to latex foam. Many owners of memory foam were happy using a memory foam mattress as it provides pressure relief particularly on the shoulders and hips.
The memory foam provides good pressure relief while the latex foam offers average pressure relief. Thus, if you’re experiencing body pain, the best option to choose is the memory foam mattress.
Off Gassing and Initial Odor
Synthetic latex foam, just like a memory foam gives off gas or odor after you take it out from the box. Off gassing causes annoying odor and it’s stronger in memory foam mattress than in latex foam mattress. Inhaling the odor for long time can threaten your health.
Ease of Movement
When buying a new mattress, you should think about the ease of movement. This is important to avoid difficulty of moving or getting up off the bed. Since memory foam is denser than a latex foam, getting off the bed easily is an issue.
However, the latex foam mattress is firmer that’s why you can move easily while on bed, but there’s great possibility that the foam develops “peaks and valleys” that may hamper the ease of movement.
Responsive
Most consumers prefer a mattress that shows fast response. It’s because responsive mattress foam reduces resistance to change positions or getting up. In this case, a latex foam mattress can be the best option.
But, if you want a mattress that can mold or adapt to your body’s shape, then you can choose a memory foam mattress that offers slow response.
Motion Isolation
This is an important factor to consider when looking for the best mattress. It’s a smart choice is you’ll select a mattress that features motion isolation. This means that the movement of a person won’t affect another person sleeping on the same bed.
If you want to buy a mattress that shows motion isolation, you should select a memory foam. But, Dunlop-processed latex bed can also provide good motion isolation.
Heat Retention
A memory foam mattress traps the body heat that may result to warm sleep surface. But, recent models of memory foam mattress were manufactured with cooling technology that features breath-ability and ventilation.
Considering the differences and similarities of memory and latex foam, we can say that each type has its own set of pros and cons. The best thing to do when buying a new mattress is to determine which one will best answer your needs.
Although the price should also be considered, but never compromise your satisfaction and comfort over the price. After all, buying a new mattress that can help in improving the quality of your sleep can make a big difference to your overall well-being.