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If you’re looking to invest in a new mattress, you’re likely considering a memory foam mattress.

However, now they come in many different varieties, providing completely different sleep experiences.

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

So how do you choose the right memory foam mattress for you?

Many of our top picks on this year’s best mattress guide are made from memory foam.

The material is designed to cushion sleepers and relieve pressure from key areas while keeping the spine aligned.

A tester for Tom’s Guide sleeping on their side on the Nectar Luxe mattress

With thePresidents' Day mattress salescoming up, it’s a great time to invest in a new bed.

What is a memory foam mattress?

In fact, it was invented by NASA to keep pilots cushioned and to relieve pressure during flights.

We re-test the Siena Memory Foam Mattress in the stomach-sleeping position

In 1991, TEMPUR-Pedic released the first memory foam mattress onto the market.

Do you sleep hot?

Memory foam tends to do a poor job attemperature regulation.

A hand of a tester for Tom’s Guide placed on the Nectar Luxe mattress

In terms of edge support, low quality memory foam mattresses do a poor job.

Memory foam mattresses used to have a marshmallow feel that resulted in your body sinking into the mattress.

Set a budget

Memory foam mattresses range in price with some queen sizes as low as $179.

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

Not to mention, you wont have to buy a new mattress in 6 years or less.

Some memory foam mattress brands even offerlifetime warrantiesnow.

The denser the memory foam, the more supportive and contouring it is.

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

Low density memory foam is softer, cheaper, and wont last as long.

3 things to know before buying a memory foam mattress

1.

A variety of things can affect the lifespan of a memory foam mattress.

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

This is why most memory foam mattresses only come with a 10-year warranty.

Since then, many of thebest mattresses in boxesare memory foam.

VOCs, which are chemicals, can cause headaches, and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: image shows the Nectar mattress on the left and the Saatva Latex Hybrid on the right

Memory foam vs hybrid mattresses

A side by side comparison of a Nectar Memory Foam mattress and a Saatva hybrid pillow-top mattress

A cheap mattress on a bed frame

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

Bed bugs

The Saatva Murphy Bed Mattress on a Murphy bed frame lying flat, in a bedroom

The image shows the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology pillow on the left and the Coop Cool+ pillow on the right in a side by side comparison

A child lying on their side covering their eyes in bed

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