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Sleep Advisor » Buyer’s Guides » Differences Between All-Foam

and Memory Foam Mattresses

Differences
Between All-
Foam and
Memory Foam
Mattresses
Last Updated On October 3, 2022
Written by Sleep Advisor

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As you are shopping for your next

mattress online you may see construction
breakdowns that list a handful of different
foam types: memory, polyfoam,
viscoelastic, gel, and temper, as well as an
assortment of proprietary substances that
make understanding that much more
difficult.

The purpose of this article is to compare

all-foam and memory foam and break
down the key differences between these
mattresses, but first, it may be important
to understand the differences between
polyfoams and memory materials.

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Polyfoam
Polyurethane foam, also known as
polyfoam, is one of the most used
bedding materials out there, and you’ve
probably experienced it at least once.
Typically, poly materials are more
responsive than memory materials and
can greatly vary in density and quality.

There are many different types of

polyfoam out there. While shopping, it is
important to look for one labeled as high
resilience, as these should likely last you
the longest. High-resilience polyfoams
typically have a greater density and
weight per cubic foot.

Pros
Inexpensive: Polyfoam is
cheaper than memory foam
because it’s not as high-
quality. Though the lower
cost is appealing to both
manufacturers and shoppers,
you probably won’t get as
much from this material in
comparison to other foams.

Easier to Move: Polyfoam

compresses quickly, which
means products that use this
material would be easier to
move. This feature could be
beneficial for people who
don’t plan to hire
professionals to transport a
mattress.

Cons
Lower Quality: Polyfoam’s
lower quality is one of its
disadvantages. Even though
consumers may get polyfoam
products at a cheaper price,
the foam won’t provide as
much comfort.

Shorter Lifespan: Polyfoam is

more likely to have a shorter
lifespan because of its lower
quality. So, while you’ll pay
less upfront, you may have to
replace the product sooner.

Limited Support: Polyfoam’s

ability to compress quickly is
great for transport, but that
also means it will have limited
support. Purchasing an item
with high-resilience polyfoam
could help with this, but if
support is a primary concern,
this could be a downside.

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Memory Foam

Often referred to as temper or viscoelastic

polyfoam, this material is a type of
polyurethane. Visco comes from the word
viscous, meaning thick and sticky, and
the word elastic means it has the
capability to recover its size and shape
after deformation. The material was first
developed by NASA as both a seat
cushioning and crash protection resource
on aircrafts. Now, millions of people sleep
on it to cushion and protect
uncomfortable pressure points.

Learn More: What is a Memory Foam?

Just by looking at it, it would be hard to

tell the difference between a temper
material and polyfoam. The key difference
between viscoelastic and polyfoams is
that viscoelastic uses certain chemicals in
its production that gives it a “deep hug”
feeling that melts away pressure points.
Memory conforms to every curve of your
body, and if you move, the imprint of your
shape will stay behind in the bed for a few
seconds.

This foam is designed to distribute weight

evenly over a surface, and many bedding
manufacturers use this product
exclusively in their mattress production. It
is also being used in many hybrid
production lines to complement the
attributes of spring, latex, and polyfoam
mattresses.

If a memory bed is your number one

choice, be sure to check out our top-rated
memory mattresses.

Pros
Higher-Quality: Memory
foam is a higher-quality
material because of its
advanced design. This means
you’re likely to get better
results from memory foam
when it comes to factors like
pressure relief performance,
motion isolation, and
durability.

Pressure Relief: Memory

foam’s claim to fame is its
ability to deliver premium
pressure relief. The foam is
specially made to contour a
sleeper’s body, resulting in
reduced pressure throughout
the body and enhanced
comfort.

Motion Isolation: Memory

foam performs well for
motion isolation, curbing the
transfer of motion across the
mattress. Many couples enjoy
this feature so that they’re
less likely to disrupt their
partner’s rest if they toss and
turn.

Cons
More Expensive: Memory
foam’s better quality means it
will also come at a higher
price, which may be an initial
drawback for budget
shoppers. However, higher-
quality products are usually
more durable and last longer,
meaning they could be a
more valuable investment in
the long run.

Retains Heat: Memory

materials tend to retain heat
more, which can make it
difficult for hot sleepers to
rest comfortably. Many
bedding companies took
note of this and have
implemented special cooling
properties into their memory
foams, such as gel, copper,
and graphite. Some also build
their foam with a convoluted
design to foster airflow.

Minimal Bounce: Memory

foam has a minimal bounce,
which means it returns to its
original position at a slower
rate than quick-response
materials like latex or coils.
This could be a disadvantage
for combination sleepers or
those with limited mobility,
making it harder for them to
reposition.

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Open-Cell Versus
Closed Cell
Open-celled products contain cell walls
that have been broken. These materials
allow for air to fill the cells which is a great
feature for cooling mattress sleepers at
night.

These are typically less dense materials.

This is something to keep in mind as you
are shopping, as this can affect firmness
and durability over time.

Closed-cell foams should be denser, as

the walls are closed and have more
substance in their construction. This
typically makes them more durable and
insulating, and it’s for this reason that
traditional versions of these materials
often sleep hot.

Modern incarnations of closed-cell

products often include gels and other
materials that help disperse heat more
evenly throughout the foam.

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Memory Versus All-

foam Mattresses
A memory bed refers to a mattress built
with viscoelastic foam, while the term “all-
foam” means the bed does not contain
memory materials specifically. Many
memory foam mattresses contain
viscoelastic comfort layers and polyfoam
support layers.

Memory mattresses should feel different

than standard poly. Memory foam is often
associated with top-notch pressure relief
(for side sleepers especially), and it’s more
durable. Some traditional memory beds
are harder to move around in because
they’re not as responsive.

Memory Foam vs
Low-Density Foam
Memory foam normally has a higher
density than most polyfoams, making it a
more durable, longer-lasting product.
That being said, memory foam density
can vary. The density of these foams can
range from less than 3 pounds per cubic
foot to over 6. Low-density foam is
considered 3 pounds per cubic foot or
less. You can get get a good quality
product with low-density foam, but this
just means the material may be more
susceptible to wear and tear sooner
depending on how often it’s used. Low-
density foams are usually better for guest
rooms or RV mattresses since these beds
aren’t used regularly.

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Memory Foam vs
High-Density Foam
While memory foam typically retains a
higher density compared to polyfoam,
there are certain high-resilience
polyfoams that feature more density. As a
general rule, the higher the density, the
more durable the product. Therefore, a
high-resilience polyfoam will give you
more longevity than a lower density
version, and the same goes for memory
foam. High-density memory foam will be
rated at a 6 or higher. Products with high-
density foam are more likely to have a
higher price, though. Memory foam is also
available in a medium-density, which is
rated at a 4 or 5. This is considered a good
middle-ground option.

Foam vs Memory
Foam
Considerations
If you’re unsure whether you should get a
foam or memory foam bed, there are
important considerations that can help
you narrow down your search.

Price
Shoppers can expect a price difference
between polyfoam and memory foam.
Polyfoam mattresses are typically cheaper
than those that incorporate viscoelastic
layers. Memory foam is a higher-quality
product with an advanced manufacturing
process, which is why it’s more costly.
Even though memory foam is more
costly, if its benefits give you better sleep,
the extra investment would be worth it.

Cooling Properties
Memory foam is one of the hottest
bedding materials, literally; This foam runs
warmer than polyfoam, which is
something hot sleepers will need to bear
in mind. However, many manufacturers
have implemented cooling measures into
their memory foams to help curb heat
retention. Therefore, hot sleepers who
want a memory foam mattress should
only consider those with cooling features
added in.

Read More: Best Cooling Mattressses

Sleeping Position

Your sleeping position may be a

determining factor as to whether foam or
memory foam is right for you. People who
sleep on their side often need extra
pressure relief for their shoulders and
hips, and these people can benefit most
from memory materials. Back sleepers are
another group who should like memory
foam to help ease pressure on the
shoulders. Stomach sleepers could do
well with a polyfoam bed, but it would
have to be a high-density foam and
overall firm mattress to ensure good spine
support.

Body Weight
Body weight will not only impact how a
particular bed performs, but it can also
speed up wear and tear. Therefore, a
heavier individual should invest in a
mattress with denser materials that will
be more durable. The more durable an
item is, the longer it should last. In this
case, memory foam is going to be the
better candidate because it’s a higher-
quality, denser product.

Pressure Relief
If pressure relief is a top priority in your
mattress search, you’ll want to go with a
memory foam bed. Memory foam is
considered a superior substance for
relieving pressure, a big reason for its
ongoing popularity. A well-made,
pressure-relieving mattress can help you
wake up more rested and not have to
worry about achy joints in the morning.

For More Information: Best Mattresses

for Pressure Relief

Firmness
Mattress firmness is rated on a scale of 1-
10, with 10 being the firmness and 1 the
softest. Both polyfoam and memory foam
mattresses have varying firmness ratings,
depending on the particular model. Most
people tend to enjoy a middle-ground
firmness in the 5 or 6 range. However,
lightweight side sleepers will likely prefer
a softer feel, and stomach sleepers will do
better on a firmer surface.

For More Information: Mattress

Firmness Guide

Density
Density is a valuable factor because it’s
often an indicator of how durable an item
is. The more dense foam is, the more
durable it will be, which translates to a
longer lifespan. As far as density goes,
memory foam is the winner here, but
there are high-density polyfoams
available. Most of these foams are used as
the support base for memory foam beds
as well.

Learn More: Memory Foam Density

Guide

Motion Isolation "

Motion isolation means the foam can
absorb motion, so movement on one side
of the mattress isn’t felt on the other side.
This feature
Traveloka is usually important for
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couples, especially those who have a