If you've narrowed down your search for a new mattress to Latex vs. Memory Foam, you're on the right track. Both mattress materials offer solid, well-built beds at reasonable price points and have earned thousands of positive reviews from satisfied customers. As layered foam mattresses, they adjust accordingly to the sleeper's body providing adequate posture support and a cooler sleep surface than traditional foam mattresses.

While both of these beds are built with gentle foams for pressure relief and deep body contouring, they actually have numerous notable differences. For instance, Latex mattresses tend to feel more bouncy or resistant, while Memory Foam beds readily adjust their structure in response to pressure.

So when comparing the Latex vs. Memory Foam beds, which is better for you? We'll cover these bed's similarities, differences, and highlight the main takeaways you should know before making a purchase decision. Read on for all the deets.

What is Latex Foam?

Latex is a natural and renewable material derived from the sap of a rubber tree. This sap is drawn out from the trees and processed to form dense foam materials used to manufacture Latex Foam mattresses.

A latex mattress generally feels bouncier and somehow less conforming than a memory foam mattress. They have a similar consistency to synthetic materials (springy, rubber-like consistency) and are relatively dense.

What is Memory Foam?

Invented in the 1960s by NASA, memory foam was first used by astronauts for cushion and protection against crashes and turbulence. However, people quickly realized that they could also use this soft and slow-reacting foam in mattresses. And over the years, it has been engineered to provide an improved sleep experience.

But first, what is memory foam? It's an artificial foam consisting of polyurethane that goes through a manufacturing process to give it viscoelastic properties.

Unlike normal polyfoam, memory foam molds, stretches, and conforms when exposed to heat and pressure. When you lay down on a memory foam surface, the materials stretch and give under the pressure points of your hips and shoulders. The result is the close-conforming and "body-hugging" feel that memory foam mattresses are famous for. And when you get up, the memory foam cools and gradually returns to its standard shape.

Memory foams are designed in different densities and firmnesses that range from soft, medium-firm, and firm. Firmer memory foams are often used in the support core, whereas softer foams make up the transition and comfort layers.

Latex vs. Memory Foam: Key Differences

Here are some of the key differences between latex and memory foam mattresses.

Latex Foam Breakdown

Construction

Several different latexes can make up latex mattresses. Your choices include;

Natural Latex Mattress - Natural latex is made from sap that has been drawn from rubber trees and doesn't have synthetic chemicals like Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR). It is then vulcanized by sulfur treatments at higher temperatures or frozen first before being vulcanized. Unlike synthetic latex, natural latex mattresses are well-known for their durability, resistance, and support.

They're also antimicrobial, antifungal, hypoallergenic, and resistant to dust mites. Prices often depend on how pure the natural latex is and the number of fillers added to make it long-lasting. Generally, the higher the percentage of natural latex used, the higher the price and the more benefits you receive.

Synthetic Latex Mattress - These are manufactured from chemical compounds to mimic the molecular structure and feel of genuine latex. The problem with synthetic latex is that it tends to break down faster than 100% natural latex and may release chemicals (off-gas) inside the mattress. What's more, they tend to have problems with moisture, which can develop dust mites, mold, and mildew with time.

And while synthetic mattresses are a cheaper alternative, they're also less springy and prone to losing their durability. So unless you're looking for a short-term bed that you'll dispose of within a few years, you should go for the natural latex mattress, which is a safe, durable, and long-term option. Natural latex mattresses will also work perfectly for those suffering from skin irritations or allergic reactions to different chemicals.

Blended Latex Mattress - This is a mixture of synthetic latex with natural latex. It costs less to manufacture than all-natural latex and is more long-lasting than synthetic latex. It usually comes with more synthetic materials than natural materials.

Latex mattresses can also be manufactured in many different ways, but the two most common processes are the Dunlop and Talalay processes. The Dunlop process is straightforward, which typically means beddings made from this process are less expensive than Talalay. On the other hand, the Talalay method is far more involved and produces softer and less-dense latex materials.

Note that many companies use both forms in their beddings, so you may end up having a mattress that utilizes both Talalay and Dunlop latex. Talalay latex's softer feel makes it perfect for comfort layers, while Dunlop's higher density and firmness are preferable for the support core of your bed.

How is Dunlop Latex Made?

This is the original manufacturing technique for latex foams, and it involves;

• Mechanically whipping liquid latex extract to form a frothy foam
• Placing the frothy material in a mold
• Baking the material in a vulcanization oven
• Removing the baked latex from the mold and washing it thoroughly
• Baking the material again to remove moisture
  
  

How is Talalay Latex Made?

This process was developed in the 1940s and has undergone various changes since then. It involves;

• Mechanically whipping liquid latex extract to form a frothy foam
• Injecting the foam into a mold, filling it only partially
• Vacuum sealing the mold, causing the latex to expand
• Freezing the mold rapidly while pushing carbon dioxide through the solidifying latex
• Baking the frozen material to set
• Removing the latex from the mold, washing it, and then drying it
  
  

Latex Mattress Performance

Why Pick Latex Foam

Pain Relieving

The buoyant support and gentle cushioning of latex foam are especially beneficial for sleepers with joint and back pain. Like memory foam, latex foam mattresses softly cradle heavy parts of the body like the hips and shoulders.

This light contouring (you won't sink into the bed) offers pressure relief near your lower back and joints, while latex foam's natural elasticity provides natural spinal alignment as it gently supports lighter areas, such as the neck and back.

Eco-friendly

The processing of latex foam is exceptionally sustainable and encourages tree growth. What's more, natural latex is biodegradable, meaning it won't sit in landfills for years. While harvesting latex is an environmentally-friendly process, latex beds are not always designed responsibly.

So, when shopping for a latex mattress, Watch out for OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold, GOLS, or eco-INSTITUT certification, as this guarantees your bed is only composed of natural materials, hence safe for use.

Breathable

Latex foam is naturally cooling, and its cooling capabilities are always enhanced with an open-cell structure that permits constant airflow. Plus, the foam layers are designed with pinholes which further enhances breathability. If you're looking for the best mattress for hot sleepers, latex foam will suit you best.

Durable

The best part about latex foam is that it's more long-lasting than memory foam. For instance, high-quality latex mattresses come with an average lifespan of up to 20 years. Natural rubber's resiliency is often credited for this long-term comfort. Natural Latex mattresses bounce back immediately after the pressure is removed, thus maintaining their original state over years of use.

Latex Foam Weaknesses

Bouncy

As a highly responsive foam, a latex mattress might be too bouncy for some people, especially those who share their mattresses with their partners. Although these mattresses are ideal for absorbing motion and sound, they transfer more motion than memory foam beds.

High Price Tag

Latex foams tend to be more expensive than a standard memory foam mattress. But due to their durability, you may find that over time they may end up being an affordable alternative after all.

Another factor to consider is the vastly improved performance of latex foam mattresses. You're guaranteed healthier body support, comfortable sleep, and a more hygienic way of sleeping.

Memory Foam Breakdown

Construction

Memory foam beds are made of multiple foam layers that range in size and density. Your choices include;

Traditional Foam - This is the original, "classic" foam. Traditional foam mattresses are designed with a closed-cell structure, which is perfect for insulation. The density of closed-cell foams is typically high, allowing them to effectively resist water damage. And thanks to their composition, they add stability to walls besides insulating the surface.

Although these features are perfect in insulation, they can bring quite the opposite effect when it comes to temperature regulation. For starters, you want your bed to breathe, not resist airflow. Plus, you want a cushioning mattress that's soft and comfortable, not hard and structural.

Overall, closed-cell polyurethane foam offers an effective and budget-friendly alternative to other types of memory foam. However, you'll have to deal with an uncomfortably warm surface as they tend to retain heat.

Open-cell Foam - Open-cell memory foam comes with the same ingredients as traditional foam, but different internal structures. These mattresses have "open cells" (interior pockets) that give room for airflow and ventilation throughout the bed. This helps disperse heat.

Open-cell memory foam beds were originally less dense, which affected the firmness of the entire mattress, making them feel less supportive. Luckily, technological advancement has made it possible to address the issue while still retaining the open-celled structure, thus maintaining the cooling effect.

Foam with Gel Pods - A gel memory foam incorporates gel pods in its top layer, giving the mattress an extra layer of comfort and support. Rather than simply allowing air to pass through your mattress, these pods are generally "phase-changing", which means they actively absorb heat from your body and release it.

Some companies incorporate only one type of foam in their mattresses, but most modern memory foam beds use several, if not all three. Aside from these three basic categories, developers are now adding other materials to their beds, specifically for cooling purposes.

Copper is one of the most commonly used materials. It's highly conductive, and it can help with both moisture-wicking and heat-dispersal when used in memory foam beds. 

Another up-and-coming innovation in the mattress industry is the development of eco-friendly foams (greener memory foams). These foams feature more plant-based materials than the regular memory foam mattress. For instance, developers may replace petroleum-based compounds and derivatives in average memory foam with soy or corn oil compounds.

While these manufacturing methods are still relatively new, they're rapidly becoming more popular as technology advances.

Memory Foam Performance

Now that you know what memory foam is and how it's constructed let's take a look at how it feels and what resting on it is like.

Why Pick Memory Foam

Provides Pressure Relief

It's hard to beat foam mattresses when it comes to pressure relief, which is one of the many reasons why memory foam beds are some of the best alternatives for back pain relief. These mattresses contour to your body, using the pressure and heat from your body to conform ideally to your shape. This provides pressure relief in sections of the body where you put the most pressure on as you sleep.

Remember, putting undue pressure on these parts can cause pain upon waking and trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. That said, for those individuals with arthritis or joint pain, memory foam's conforming and contouring qualities can relieve pain and discomfort by taking the stress off these points and evenly distributing weight.

Reduces Motion Transfer

For couples and co-sleepers, ensuring you can't feel when your partner moves around or gets up during sleep is vital when choosing a mattress. If minimizing motion transfer is a top priority for you, memory foam mattresses have a significant advantage over latex mattresses. Due to their density and how they respond to pressure and distribute it, they do an excellent task of preventing motion on one section of the mattress from being felt on the other part.

Promotes Spinal Alignment

Another advantage of memory foam's conforming and contouring qualities is that it provides lumbar support and promotes good spinal alignment. When you have a sleep surface that responds to your body's natural curves as memory foam does, it becomes pretty easy to find sleep positions that can keep your spine in a neutral alignment. This prevents tossing and turning during sleep, as well as soreness and back pain in the morning.

Natural Sound Absorber

Memory foam is also notable for being quiet. This is crucial for co-sleepers who don't want to disturb their partners when getting out of bed, as well as those who don't want to be woken up by the squeaking or groaning of a noisy bed.

Hypoallergenic

For individuals with allergies, one main benefit of a memory foam mattress is that it is hypoallergenic. Generally, memory foam beds are less likely to attract common allergens such as mold and dust mites that often congregate in mattresses.

Memory Foam weaknesses

Heat Retention

One of the main reasons you would say "no" to a memory foam mattress is that it tends to retain heat and become uncomfortably warm. Because of the high density of the material and since they're made to respond to body heat, memory foam, especially traditional memory foam, can get quite warm.

While there have been innovations in technology (such as gel and open-cell foams) to address this issue, memory foam mattresses trap heat more than latex mattresses. So if you're a hot sleeper, you may want to consider going for a cooling mattress.

"Stuck" Feeling 

Some sleepers find that the memory foam leaves them feeling sucked up into the mattress. This can make it quite challenging to move at night. Keep in mind that the sinkage of memory foam tends to increase as your mattress ages, so if that feeling turns you off, then you'll only dislike your mattress more with time.

Off-gassing and Odors

Much like their competitors, the latex mattresses, memory foam beds tend to produce a distinct, chemical-like smell when you first open them up and take them out of the box. Although the smell should generally go away within 24 hours after unboxing, it can sometimes stick around for weeks.

Note that these gasses can be hazardous, especially to kids. So, it's wise to let your mattress air out for at least three days before sleeping on it.

Latex vs. Memory Foam: The Verdict

Overall, both of these foams can be enjoyable and conforming for various sleepers. However, choosing the best model between the two will depend on the features you're looking for and several other factors.

Most sleepers will be happy with a high-quality memory foam mattress. Foam offers a great middle-ground by providing a pressure-relieving and supportive fit, while also feeling comfortable and soft. Side sleepers, in particular, should consider foam mattresses as they do an excellent task of conforming to the sleeper's body shape.

People who often sleep hot during the night may opt for a latex mattress. Latex foam offers far much better airflow, which helps keep the bed cool at night.

If you're looking for an eco-friendly mattress with a faster response time and more bounce, choosing a latex foam mattress is a no-brainer.