Now that you have shortlisted your mattress to go for more comfort, a foam mattress also has different types. You might be confused between the memory foam or latex foam mattress. While both kinds of mattresses offer a similar experience, the latex foam mattress is the undebatable leader of the two. However, in the case of mattresses, there is no clear winner because each person has different requirements and preferences. However, there are different kinds of memory foams and different variants of latex memory foams, and you can never know enough! This guide can help you in differentiating between these two mattress options and become a better buyer:

Memory Foam Guide:
Memory foam is a kind of ultra-smooth and dense type of foam. NASA invented memory foam for spaceships and astronaut comfort, but these days it has found its use in the sleep industry too. But that’s not all that is special about memory foam. Memory foam has become one of the most comfortable means to sleep and for extensive use in the pillows and mattresses that we use in the modern world today. Here is why:

1. Body contouring: Memory foam is one of the best kinds of materials to choose if you are looking for that snug feeling in bed. That is, because of the soft and dense nature of high-quality memory foam, you can feel any pressure sinking into it to some extent. This property of the memory foam helps mattresses contour your body parts and pressure points, providing exceptional relief. The body contouring property of memory foam also makes it an excellent option for orthopedic mattresses. This helps memory foam mattresses also provide relief for spinal and cervical issues, and act as one of the best options for body ailments.

2. No motion transferring: Because of the slow responsiveness of the memory foam, it tends to accumulate pressure in one place then distribute it uniformly to come back to the original. Because of this property, you can be sure that sleeping or turning on a memory foam mattress wouldn’t disturb anyone sharing the bed. No motion transfer makes it both an advantage and disadvantage depending on your body type and personal preferences.
If you tend to toss and turn in sleep a lot, this can help limit it, but at the same time disturb your sleep. However, not transferring any motion is also a good thing for people who find themselves with pains after a night of uncomfortable sleep. A memory foam mattress is useful in both cases and an excellent choice for people who want comfort and cuddling without any motion.

3. Hypoallergenic: Because of the small pores and fewer gaps between high-quality memory foams, it is difficult for dust, mites, insects, and other unnecessary allergens to accumulate. They are hypoallergenic by nature, and gel memory foams add to this advantage. Memory foam pillows and mattresses are not only hypoallergenic but also keep away any dust because there is no static electricity build-up.

4. Comfort and value for money: Memory foam mattresses help give an extreme sense of comfort to your body, and the lower cost, combined with all the advantages makes it priceless. The low-cost factor also helps it combine with different mattresses and help form the comfort layer of many design combinations. Memory foam mattresses are perfect for young and older people alike, and in the end, the choice comes down to body type and personal preferences.
The immediate sense of relief in a memory foam mattress or even pillow is unparalleled and makes for immediate comfort and helps fall asleep quicker. Moreover, memory foam mattresses also match the preferences and body type suitability for up to 80% of people looking for new mattresses.

Density and thickness in memory foam mattress:
The density of memory foam mattresses decides how high-quality they are, and also other properties. The denser memory foam is, higher the responsiveness and firmness. While it is not firm enough to be supportive, it is firm enough for people who like firmer mattresses and want a sense of body contouring with their mattress. Additionally, density also plays a role in how comfortable a memory foam mattress is for you.

Thickness is just a measure of its height from either side and determines how much it can uphold. Moreover, thickness in your memory foam mattress also dictates how free your mattress is to move. That is, thicker memory foam mattresses may tend to move more than thinner (not movement distribution), but the movement as a single point measure. The density of a memory foam mattress also determines its longevity. Lower density memory foams tend to chip away or loosen up more over time than higher density memory foam. Within 2-3 years, you would notice low-density memory foam lose about 30-40% of its original height.

Latex Foam Mattress Buying Guide:
You can view latex foam as the luxurious and top-class version of memory foam. Why? It is sourced organically, feels much more comfortable, can support you better and lasts longer, and these are just some of the best parts. Using latex foam has its advantages, both because of its passive and active capabilities:

1. Best for body support: A latex foam mattress is one of the best options to look for if you are looking for a package deal of comfort and support. Latex foam has excellent responsiveness, is relatively denser, and can work better to support body weight. Latex foam mattress’s springiness and density along with the natural physical properties, allow it consistent bounce over a long period.
This property makes it perfect for people who are looking for a supportive mattress but also comfortable enough without sinking into it. Moreover, latex memory foam’s support and spring-like physical form also make it a perfect fit for orthopedic. This mattress is also great for spinal alignment and relieving any pressure points without its density, becoming another point of concern. Additionally, this property makes it suitable for use mainly in the support layer of mattresses.

2. Durability: Perhaps the main differentiator between any memory foam mattress and latex foam mattress is the extent of how long they last. Memory foam mattresses tend to last about 2-3 years in their best form and degrade slowly in shape and comfort thereon after (depends on quality too). However, latex foam mattresses easily last up to 10 years or more with most of their form and shape intact to a great extent. Latex foam also like memory foam is hypoallergenic, and its density also allows it to be more durable to the elements and any allergens. There is less dust accumulation, as latex is a natural material, and using it for sleep only makes the experience better for nature and your body both.

3. Organic origins: While you can find both artificial and natural latex foams, natural latex tends to have better properties and is especially useful for use in sleep technology. Extracted and formed into the foam with naturally originated latex tree sap, latex is not only eco-friendly but also its durability makes it last longer. Its durability and less demand as a result, also make it more sustainable. Its organic origins also make it less prone to off-gassing and mold and other agents that do not build upon it quickly.

4. Motion transfer: Memory foam has slow responsiveness, and irrespective of density, latex foam has much higher responsiveness. Additionally, the motion transferability of latex foam mattresses is not as good at restricting as with memory foams. This is mainly because they tend to bounce more than sink in like memory foam. This bouncing property makes it move a bit more than memory foam mattresses and can disturb your partner, depending on the density and thickness of the mattress.
This property is both a boon and bane for latex foam mattresses as they tend to have more freedom to move for people who toss and turn at night. At the same time, it is not ideal for people who want snuggly experience. Moreover, the spring-like experience in a memory foam mattress also makes it not as sinking as memory foam. Your body tends to feel snuggly in memory foam, whereas in a latex foam mattress, because of the bounce and semi-elasticity, it is in a way in partial comfort.

5. Cooling ability: While memory foams tend to hold on to heat unless it is a gel memory foam or because of design differences. However, latex foam is cooling by default, can transmit heat easily. Moreover, it is also more fireproof than memory foams and a good option for use in the hospitality industry. The cooling ability in the latex foam mattress can increase based on design changes, as well as other additives. Being a natural transmitter, it is also mixed with cotton, wool or other materials to help keep it optimal throughout the seasons. This means that while it maintains a generally cooler temperature in summers, it is also able to maintain its temperature in winter as per the room environment.

Which one should I buy if they’re that similar?
Your choice between memory foam and latex foam mattress depends entirely on your body requirements first and preferences second. Memory foam tends to be better for people with existing physical issues like joint pains, cervical issues, and mostly orthopedic issues. On the other hand, if you are looking for support first and comfort to go along with it, the latex foam mattress is the better choice. You can decide based on these factors:

1. Physical ailments: If you have physical ailments and a firmer mattress hasn’t worked out for you, memory foam is the best choice. Memory foam tends to contour your pressure points and allow them to relax and sink to the point where they are not in pain anymore. It helps contour your entire body, making you feel like your mattress is hugging you.
On the other hand, if you check the latex foam mattress option, it would be firmer and springier, and not a good option for weak joints. It is better used as a support layer where the comfort layer is mainly memory foam. In case of grave issues, memory foam is the best rescue mattress, as it helps maintain and relieve pressure off of your body.

2. Bodyweight and preferences: Your body weight is the main attention point to take care of when choosing foam mattresses. This is because foam mattresses tend to sink under excess weight because of their body contouring ability. So, excess body weight or BMI is not a good fit with memory foams. However, latex foam mattresses are springy and tend to uphold any pressure that you exert on them. The high responsiveness, as well as elasticity, allows a latex foam mattress to support any weak points as well as larger BMI.
Memory foam is mainly orthopedic and not the right choice for overweight people or have excess BMI as it tends to sink lower than the point of being comfortable.

3. Price: Memory foams (all kinds) tend to be widely available and in use because of lower price and more demand. Depending upon the type, you can get a memory foam for a generally reasonable price that doesn’t hurt your wallet too much. However, latex foam mattresses are not available easily and tend to be more expensive. If you can pick a higher budget, then latex foam should be the best choice provided, the above factors are suitable for you.

4. Use SleepID: Our SleepID technology can help pick you the right choice and narrow down your choice much better than your wallet and appealing designs of mattresses dictate. SleepID helps you shortlist mattresses with 94% accuracy to help you nail down what your body needs than what you are advertised with from other companies. Moreover, using this tool allows you to choose from a range than just one mattress, and it is especially useful if you are looking for multiple options even after shortlisting.

FAQs:

1. What type of foam do you use in King Koil’s latex mattress range?
We use 100% natural latex that we source from rubber trees and process in-house to ensure quality standards and adherence to our SleepID. We use latex in both bulk and support layers of your mattress to leave no stone unturned for quality and comfort assurance. Moreover, our use is 100% organic and sustainable and manufactured in a responsible and eco-friendly matter. There is no off-gassing, or artificial foam used anywhere.

2. Should I go for a latex mattress for body support?
Yes! A latex mattress is the best option for body support, and it provides you with just enough support and comfort to not make it feel uncomfortable. It feels like a mix of memory foam as it adapts to your body for the best support and tends to be the better choice for overweight people. Moreover, latex mattresses also last longer and able to withstand better than memory foam mattresses.

3. Is latex mattress right for people suffering from allergies? Yes, latex and high-density memory foams are perfect for people with allergies and other respiratory issues. Both mattresses are excellent hypoallergenic that tend not to attract any dust or allergens either through static friction or when cleaning. Your mattresses are also easy to clean as they do not allow anything to go inside and affect the longevity or cleanliness. Latex foam being an organic material is especially useful for this purpose.

4. How durable are latex mattresses?
Latex mattresses last up to 10-15 years with proper maintenance and are good as new for nearly 80-90% of its life. The longevity of a latex mattress also depends on its origin and density. The denser and more natural your latex mattress is, better it will last and serve you good as new.

5. Is a latex mattress suitable for a hot sleeper?
Yes, latex mattresses are especially useful for people who tend to sleep hot or live in hot climates. Most latex mattresses are primitively good at air and temperature regulation. As a result, you can be sure that they won’t retain heat unless there is an addition like cotton or wool to help with the same during winters.

6. How long will a memory foam and latex foam mattress be right for? While latex foam mattresses tend to last up to 10-15 years, memory foam mattresses can also last up to 10 years depending on their quality and material. King Koil memory foam mattresses retain their shape and “new-ness” for up to 3-5 years and can lose some form depending on the mattress construction and use. However, the ten-year warranty makes it suitable for use for long periods, and we can assure quality and comfort against any severe issues. Latex foam mattresses can last much longer and retain their original comfort and support, for a good number of years.