Natural Latex Mattresses vs Memory Foam Mattresses

What is the Difference Between Latex and Memory Foam?

In today’s learning blog post, we are going to go over a latex mattress vs memory foam so that you can make a fully educated decision in your buying.

The difference between latex and memory foam is that the latex mattress is a solid, natural material, while the memory foam mattress is a petroleum man-made product.

Latex mattresses are made of natural rubber and are typically encased in organic fabrics. They are breathable and responsive to pressure, which provides substantial support for your spine.

Memory foam mattresses have an artificial chemical composition. They are much lighter and less durable. They also sleep warmer because they absorb heat and trap heat more easily.

Memory foam is a type of viscoelastic foam, meaning we make it of polyurethane, and has a high density. It was patented by NASA in the 1970s and was originally used as a shock-absorbing seat material for astronauts. They are also now used in mattresses, pillows, furniture, and other products.

Latex is made from the sap of rubber trees and has been used in mattresses since the 1920s. Today, it is often mixed with other materials like cotton and wool to create different bedding materials.

What’s the Difference in Comfort Between Latex Mattress vs Memory Foam?

Both are great options for sleeping because they provide a supportive, pressure point relieving, comfortable feel. Depending on the composition, it is more contouring to the body than latex.  You can actually see your body impression in bed after getting off the bed, and like magic, it remembers its original shape.

It can be said that you sleep on a memory foam mattress and on top of a latex mattress. Memory foam because of the sinking can make you feel you have to crawl out to move, which wakes some people up.

Both these types are a step up from conventional mattresses for proper spinal alignment.

Which is More Durable – Memory Foam or Latex?

This question is a hotly debated one, but a simple answer. Latex is more durable than memory foam. The open cell structure breaks down much faster than latex.

Memory foam mattresses are made of viscoelastic material that conforms to your body shape and weight. This material is also temperature sensitive and will mold more to your body when it gets warm. This can cause some people to feel too hot while they sleep.

Latex mattresses are normally made of natural rubber, so they also don’t have any springs or coils like memory foam, making them both a brilliant choice to work with adjustable beds and adjustable foundations.

They are also known for their durability, but memory foam has been heavily marketed since the early 2000s and this has caused a cheaper, more inexpensive product to demand a higher price for an inferior product.

A good 100% natural latex mattress should be more expensive than a memory foam mattress.  Unless you are paying for the name brand.

What are the Benefits of Each Material?

Memory foam mattresses are a popular choice for those looking for an inexpensive choice for a healthy posture promoting, healthy back, and healthy sleep mattress. It provides pressure point relief like latex for less cost. All memory foam has off-gassing whereas 100% natural latex does not. it is also a hotter sleep surface than latex.

Latex mattresses offer a more luxurious feel and are typically customizable and memory foam is not. Memory foam is lighter and less dense, which means they are less durable. Latex mattresses do not retain heat as much memory foam does.  Memory foam is more pliable in warmer environments and more firm in colder environments as the cell structure of memory foam expands and contracts.

They are a big choice for many people because of their ability to conform to the contours of your body. Memory foam is also known for its ability to reduce motion transfer, whereas latex transfers motion more.

Latex mattresses are made from natural materials, which means they are more environmentally friendly than other types of mattresses. They also can relieve pressure points and offer better support and more durable mattresses for heavier weighted sleepers.

Will a latex mattress sag?

This type of mattress uses latex foam for its core and layer composition. This differs from other common types of mattresses that use springs, foam, or a combination of the two.

The answer to the latex mattress vs memory foam question is not straightforward and there are many factors to consider when trying to answer it.

Some people are worried that a latex mattress will sag after a certain amount of time. But the good news is this type of mattress is more firm and will not sag. However, softer latex toppers and mattresses like soft and extra soft Talalay after as short as 3 years, can sag.

How long does it take to break in a latex mattress?

Latex mattresses are durable and can last for a long time. But they require a break-in period before they reach their full potential. We call this the latex relaxing. And it usually takes 3-6 months for the latex to relax.  Which means it will soften slightly.

It is important to note that because of this; they need some time to break in. For example, if you have a latex mattress that is new and you use it right away, it will not provide the same level of comfort as it would after breaking in. So while latex mattresses are durable, they still need some time to adjust.

Top 3 Benefits of Latex Mattresses That Make Them a Superior Choice Over Memory Foam Mattresses

#1 – Comfort – a classic latex mattress is constructed with two, three, or four layers of high latex, each consisting of different firmnesses tailored to you. Memory foam mattresses can be too firm for some sleepers as they are not adjustable.

#2 – Air Flow and Temperature Regulation – latex mattresses typically contain wool which helps with breathability, so the wool helps allow air to circulate freely around the body. This makes them more comfortable in warm environments than memory foam mattresses.

#3 – No Chemical Odors or Off-Gassing – no matter what type of bedding you prefer (natural or synthetic), there will always be some sort of smell that greets your nose when you unpack it from its original packaging. Latex mattresses do not have this problem because they are not treated with toxic flame retardant chemicals or other petroleum chemicals.

If you have any questions about a latex mattress vs memory foam please either use our chat feature or call us.