What Is The Adaptation Between Memory Foam And Gel Memory Foam Bed Toppers
The difference between memory foam and gel foam comes down to the fabrics. Memory foam is made from a material called viscoelastic. A gel foam mattress is additionally constructed from viscoelastic, but it has been infused with gel. Gel foam used to be offered in mattresses to provide cooler sleep and help with force aid.
What About Fiberglass In The Cheapest Foam Mattresses
Certain cheap foam mattresses have started to get negative press because of fiberglass. Its user as a cheap fire-protection barrier, in response to something more healthy than the chemicals that many companies used to use in the past.
The fire protective barrier is located just below the mattress cover, and isnt supposed to come into contact with the sleeper. Further leading to the problem, however, is that some of these mattresses have a zipper on the protective cover. Even though there are warnings on the tag not to remove the cover, the zipper makes people think they can remove the cover and wash it. This can stir up fiberglass fibers into the air, and there are some horror stories on the internet about glass fibers getting into the air, onto clothing and furniture, and into carpet. There are even some class action lawsuits.
In addition, since fiberglass strands can bend over time and break into shorter, smaller pieces, fiberglass fibers can start to poke through the mattress cover and actually scratch and poke the sleeper through their sheets.
How Thick Should A Mattress Be
By Sanchita SenCertified Sleep Coach
Thick mattresses are associated with luxury, comfort, and a good nights sleep. Everyone wants to sleep on a luxurious bed every night, so when buying a new mattress, considering the
Thick mattresses are associated with luxury, comfort, and a good nights sleep. Everyone wants to sleep on a luxurious bed every night, so when buying a new mattress, considering the height can give you a better sense of how comfortable the mattress may be.
Mattress thickness affects your comfort because sleeping on a too thin or even a too thick mattress may lead to poor sleep and impact your health. The thickness of the mattress is also referred to as its height or depth. Mattresses thicker than 16 inches are often called extra deep or extra tall mattresses.
The thickness of your mattress also affects the height of your bed. Ideally, the top of your mattress should be 25 inches from the floor. This way your feet can reach the floor when seated at the edge of the bed, making it convenient to get in and out of bed.
In this article, we discuss factors determining mattress thickness and what to consider when deciding on the thickness of your new bed.
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Are Thicker Memory Foam Mattresses Better
Thicker memory foam mattresses are not immediately better because every sleeper is different. However, you can weigh the pros and cons of a thick memory foam bed. A thicker memory foam mattress will withstand wear well, especially if youre a heavier individual or youre sharing the bed.
On the contrary, the thicker memory foam bed will be heavier, and thus, moving it around will also be less convenient. You can learn more about these factors with our guide regarding how many inches a mattress should be.
A Few Pros & Cons Of Memory Foam Mattresses
- Weight adaptability: Similar to a weighted blanket, a memory foam mattress adjusts to a users weight. It adapts to the way you sleep whatever your sleep style, the mattress takes that shape, while supporting your body.
- Durability: with proper maintenance and care, you should enjoy this mattress for at least 10 years.
- Motion isolation: Viscoelastic material found in memory foam enables the mattress to isolate a sleepers motion. Two people sleeping in one bed can toss and turn independently. Your movements will not affect those of your partner or the other way around.
- Costly: Compared to different types of sleeping pads, memory foam mattresses are expensive .
- Sensitive to temperature changes: Memory foam is a good conductor of heat. Users might experience discomfort depending on the weather.
- Softens with use: After years of prolonged use, the mattress becomes soft, leaving a user without support and comfort.
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How Thick Of A Memory
During our past tests, people tended to like mattresses in the 10- to 14-inch thickness range. Mattresses that are thinner than the standard 10 inches are likely to feel flimsyespecially if the materials are cheap, which can make you feel like youre dropping into the beds bottom layer right away. Beyond that, however, thicker isnt necessarily better. Picking the best mattress is really about the quality of the materials and how it feels to you personally.
Best Thickness For A Memory Foam Mattress Topper
The thickness of your topper choice should be considered based on what you need it for. Most toppers ranged between 2 and 6 inches in thickness. Heavier body types and those looking to revitalize an old mattress may want to consider a thicker choice. Lighter bodies and those who simply want to adjust their comfort level may prefer a thinner option.
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Best Thin: Slumber Solutions 1
Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal. king | Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 1 inch | Care: Spot clean| Warranty: 3 years
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Offers medium support for those who like a firmer mattress
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Takes 48 hours to expand
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May have slight odor when unpackaged
If you prefer firm mattresses but are looking for more comfort, the Slumber Solutions Memory Foam Mattress Topper provides just the right amount of support. The 1-inch thick topper is made from 2-pound-density memory foam and offers medium support to keep you comfortable and reduce pressure points.
While its not as thick as other options, this topper still provides plenty of support, conforming to your body without the overt softness some sleepers dislike. The material is also temperature-sensitive, using your body heat to mold around individual contours.
Who Is A Memory Foam Mattress Good For
- Side sleepers and/or people who want extra pressure relief.
- People who like the feeling of slowly sinking into their mattress.
- People who want a mattress that makes no noise.
- People with pain in their hips, shoulders, or back. Memory foam tends to conform to the curves of the body, meaning it promotes solid spinal alignment. It can also be some of the best material for addressing lower back pain and sciatica.
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How Much Memory Foam Should Be In A Mattress
Some mattresses will have just an inch or two of memory foam, while others will have four to six inches. Customers should take note of how much of this material is actually in the mattresses theyre considering.
- Stomach sleepers dont need quite as much pressure relief and need to prevent their hips from sinking in too far. For this reason, theyll only want one or two inches of memory foam in their mattress.
- Back sleepers will want their hips to sink in a little bit so that the foam can conform to the curves of the body and their lumbar area can be properly supported. Two or three inches of memory foam should do the trick.
- Side sleepers usually need more pressure relief, which means they need more comfort material, especially if theyre a heavier sleeper. Three to five inches of memory foam should give them the best sleeping experience.
How Thick Should A Mattress Be For Different Sleeping Positions
There are different thickness levels recommended for different sleep positions.
Back sleepers typically require a firm six- to eight-inch mattress. If you’re a back sleeper, you’ll require support for your shoulders and buttocks. You’ll also require a little “give” that will allow the small of your back to receive support, and sink into the mattress. This helps to keep your spine in proper alignment.
If you tend to sleep on your side, you’ll require support for your shoulders and hips. You should find an eight- to 10-inch thick mattress ideal. You may wish to choose an eight- or 10-inch foam slab with a solid foam core, and a softer outside foam.
You’ll require more comfort and less support if you’re a stomach sleeper. You’ll want to choose a minimum of 10 inches thickness, and up to 15 inches is ideal. Memory foam mattresses are good for stomach sleepers, particularly thick ones. If you’re a heavy front sleeper, you’ll probably be better with a solid core: a strong innerspring, or high-density foam, ideally.
For women in mid- to late-term pregnancy, a soft top of four to six inches of soft memory foam that sits on top of a four- to six-inch medium hard latex foam base is ideal. It provides outstanding comfort and support, especially if you sleep on your stomach.
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Is High Density Foam Better Than Memory Foam
The two cant really be compared, as they are created for different functions.
Memory foam is designed to contour to your body and provide a soft body-shaped dent to cradle you while you sleep. High density foam is dense and firm to keep you from sinking in too deep and provide the support your body wants.
In fact, many times a memory foam mattress will have a high-density foam base with a memory foam top layer to provide the best of both worlds.
If you dont like sinking in, or feeling cradled, then steer clear of memory foam mattresses and memory foam toppers.
One other less-common consideration is temperature. Memory foam responds to body heat, meaning that the layer next to your body becomes even softer as you lay there. The other side of that is that in the cold, memory foam can be quite firm and unforgiving. If you are looking for a mattress for your winter cabin , then you might want to avoid memory foam.
How Thick Should Your Mattress Be
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While many people view thicker mattresses as the height of luxury and quality sleep, we dont all need 14-inch mattresses. What thickness you need depends on many factors, including your height, whether or not you share a bed, and your sleeping position.
Too thin or thick of a mattress can ruin your sleep quality and potentially impact your health . Also, if your mattress is too tall or short, it can get difficult for some to get in and out of bed, such as pregnant women, short people, or the elderly.
Your mattresss thickness impacts your support and comfort while youre in bed. We run down the different mattress thicknesses along with what to consider when choosing your beds thickness.
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Body Weight And Mattress Thickness
For these calculations, you want to consider the body weight for each person, rather than the total body weight for both partners.
- People weighing 225 pounds or less should expect to sleep comfortably on a 9-inch mattress for the expected lifespan of the mattress.
- People weighing between 225 and 275 pounds will find that a thicker mattress meets their needs better, and that a 10-inch mattress is more suitable.
- People weighing in excess of 275 pounds may wish to consider a 12-inch mattress to ensure their continued comfort for the duration of the mattress lifespan.
Some will argue there is little, if any, benefit for advancing beyond 12 inches for a mattress, though others seek to add a layer of plush comfort.
If youre sleeping on a PlushBeds natural latex mattress, you may consider an additional comfort layer, or one of the PlushBeds natural latex mattress toppers, for additional comfort. Latex toppers from PlushBeds are currently available in 2- and 3-inch thicknesses. Another option is adding a wool topper, if you want the softness, but not the height.
Faqs On Mattress Thicknesses
If you want enhanced support and comfort, you’ll ideally want a 10-inch or more thick mattress. If you sleep on your side, you’ll get the extra cushioning you require with a 12- to 14-inch thick mattress. Back sleepers generally are typically more comfortable on medium to firm mattresses with a 10- to 12-inch thickness profile, and stomach sleepers do well with a firm 10-inch mattress that prevents sinkage beneath their abdomen.
You can divide mattresses into various categories depending on how thick they are. A mattress measuring between two and five inches is considered a low-profile bed. A mattress measuring between five to eight inches is a slim mattress. Those between eight and 12 inches are standard mattresses, and those with measurements above these are high profiles.
When it comes to thickness, mattress sizes don’t really make a difference. For example, if you’re considering a mattress with a thickness and construction that’s suitable for you, it’s likely you’ll find it in queen size.
Yes, the base layer’s thickness will affect the durability of the mattress. Mattresses with sturdy pocket coils or base foams typically last around eight to 10 years. When you’re deciding on a mattress’s thickness, make sure the base layer is a minimum of 50% of the bed’s height.
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Plushbeds Offers Unique Mattress Thickness Options
All of PlushBeds mattresses are handcrafted and customized for you, with a wide variety of thickness options. Also, the Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress comes with a 100-night comfort exchange guarantee. Theres also free delivery, nominal fee returns, and a 25-year warranty.
Because the layers of PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Mattress are not glued together, you can add or remove layers to help you find the right thickness, comfort, and support to meet your needs. Or, you can add a mattress topper to add another 2 to 3 inches to your mattress thickness.
Contact us today to learn more about our handcrafted and customized mattresses.
What Makes The Casper Original Stand Out
- Back sleepers should feel their hips and shoulders sink in, but that center zone will really cushion their lumbar area.
- The unique Zoned Support has earned the Casper a spot on our best mattresses for back sleepers list.
- A layer of Airscape foam on top of the mattress keeps it from trapping too much heat.
Even if youre looking for the most comfortable memory foam mattress, you dont want to spend an exorbitant amount of money. The Dreamfoam Chill is extremely comfortable and is also a great deal. At full price, a Queen-size is around $474.00. The mattress comes in multiple thicknesses. You can select from 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14.
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Memory Foam Thickness And Density
Its easy to confuse thickness and density when shopping for a mattress. Thickness changes with the amount of layers in a mattress while density refers to how solid these layers are together. For example, thin mattresses typically have one layer of dense support foam with one or two layers of less dense foam, giving the mattress a firm feel overall. Thicker mattresses have more layers of comfort foam on top of the base foam, delivering that floating-on-a-cloud feeling that thick, fluffy mattresses are famous for.
Casper Original Foam Mattress
The Casper Original Mattress is quality built with meticulous attention to detail to ensure you get the best night of sleep possible, every night. It is especially suited to anyone who tends to sleep hot or live in hot climates. Because of the gel foam layer, this mattress has a cooling effect, whisking away heat and keeping your body cool through the night.
The foam also perfectly contours to your body so that you can sleep comfortably on your back or side while still providing the support you need. It will perfectly cradle your hips and shoulders while providing full support to the spin. This is one of the best choices for those who deal with chronic back pain.
If all that is not enough, the mattress arrives in a box just like all the other mattresses on this list, making it easier to unpack and set up than unboxed mattresses. Just make sure to give it enough time to return to its shape after being compressed into a box.
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Is 2 Inches Of Memory Foam Enough
Two-inch memory foam is reasonable if you are looking for a mattress topper made from this material. This thickness is also the cheapest, so you can maintain a budget while still improving the contouring of your bed. Furthermore, this memory foam is thin enough not to make the sleeping surface feel too hot.
How Firm Should My Memory Foam Mattress Be
Memory foam mattresses usually range between soft, medium-firm, firm, and extra-firm. A medium-firmness will work best for sleepers with back pain, as its a good balance of being soft yet supportive. Side sleepers should steer towards a softer to medium-firm mattress, while back and stomach sleepers should go from medium-firm to firm to maintain spinal support.
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Your Weight Is Important To How Thick A Mattress You Need
If your weight is high, then a very soft foam mattress must be thicker than average to make sure you dont hit bottom when you lie on it. A heavyweight person will compress any mattress more than somebody several pounds lighter in weight.
It is obvious that an 18-stone man lying on his side on a soft foam mattress will need a much thicker mattress than a woman of 8 stones lying on her back on a hard mattress. For that reason, we shall discuss mattress thickness in general terms only.
