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What is a memory foam mattress?

A memory foam mattress is one thats made entirely from memory foam and other types of foam.

Two testers for Tom�s Guide sat on the Nectar Luxe mattress and smiling at each other

These softer foams should be combined with firmer base foams, to provide support across the body.

You will also see memory foam used in many of thebest hybrid mattresses, typically as upper comfort layers.

But in this guide, we’re concentrating on all-foam memory foam mattresses.

The image shows Tom’s Guide’s testers unpacking the Siena Memory Foam Mattress

What to expect after buying a memory foam mattress

1.

First things first if the mattress brand offers delivery to your bedroom, snap it up.

When boxed a mattress is smaller, but no less heavy.

Unboxing the Nectar Classic Memory Foam

Position the mattress on your bed frame and carefully cut kick off the plastic wrappings.

Be warned, once you release the mattress from its vacuum packing, it will start to expand quickly.

This means that when you release them from their plastic, they will initially start to expand fairly quickly.

A member of Tom’s Guide’s testing panel sits on the edge of the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress

Wed recommend leaving foam mattresses for around 4-6 hours before sleeping on them.

However, not all memory foam mattresses come in a box.

Some brands, such as Saatva, prefer the traditional mattress delivery method.

A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.

These bed bases should keep a memory foam mattress supported.

Our round up of thebest bed frameswill give you plenty of ideas if you do need a new base.

The contouring hug that memory foam provides can take some getting used to.

A hand presses into the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress to test the temperature regulation and pressure relief

This is why manufacturers providesleep trials, giving sleepers time to try a mattress out.

These generally vary from 100 nights to a whole year, allowing time for your body to adjust.

A protector is also considerably easier to remove and wash on a regular basis.

Two mattress testers for Toms guide cutting the plastic off the Nectar Luxe mattress

In addition, its important to set up a regular schedule torotate your mattress.

Wed also recommendcleaning your mattressregularly to remove any build-up of dust, dirt and any mites.

Many memory foam mattresses now feature additional cooling technologies, while breathable sheets and covers can aid temperature regulation.

1. Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress: was from $1,081$349 at Nectar

Your joints appreciate the cushioning

Pressure often build-ups in the places where your body presses against the bed.

With foam all the way down, memory foam mattresses are typically best at providing this pressure relief.

This is why a mattress protector is so important.

2. Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud Mattress: $1,699 at Tempur-Pedic

You also need to ensure that the safety tag is intact.

3 memory foam mattresses in a box to shop today

1.

Its surprisingly firm for an all-foam mattress, making it supportive for back and stomach sleepers.

3. Siena Memory Foam Mattress: was from $529 $199 at Siena

We think its one of thebest cheap mattressesyou can buy.

Temperature regulation and motion isolation are also excellent, but it does lack some pressure relief.

A hand pressing into white surface of Nectar Classic memory foam mattress

Two testers pull the compressed Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress out of its box

The Siena Memory Foam Mattress in a box on the floor in front of a bed frame, ready to be unboxed

A man and a woman wearing grey clothes looking at a white mattress in a store

Bed bugs

Blue Jimmy BX7 Pro mattress vacuum on white mattress

A woman with brown hair lies on her stomach on a grey colour Japanese floor mattress

A mattress we tested is dressed with neutral colour bed linens and pillows

A woman�s hand holding a magnifying glass magnifying bed bugs on a mattress

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