Memory foam v latex foam

When it comes to new technology foams that shape themselves around the body of a sleeper, visco elastic memory foam is not the only product available. The other option is naturally occurring latex that is process into a highly springy, but body shaping and contouring foam. Talalay latex is regarded as the highest quality mattress and pillow making latex. Both of these material make good orthopedic mattress products.

Latex foam is not yet as popular as memory foam, but it is a mattress material worth consideration.

Retail price

Prices for these two mattress types are fairly comparable at the top end of the market although there are no budget priced latex beds.

Springiness

Whilst memory foam has its own unusual slow recovery action, latex is very spring and bouncy and springs back into shape the instant that a weight is removed from it. If you like a springy feel to your mattress you will like latex.

Cool or warm feel

Whilst memory foam retains body heat and sleeps in a way that is often described as "warm", latex is naturally cool and is ideal for those who do not like to feel hot in bed. Latex is also full of small perforations that help to ventilate the material.

Ability to mould

Both of these materials are ideal when it comes to shaping themselves around the person (or couple) lying on them. Both engulf the sleeper and provide a balanced level of support.

Mattress displacement

Both latex and memory foam offer minimal displacement outside of the immediate area where a person is resting, however both recover from the removal of pressure in a very different way.

Density

The quality of both products is discerned to a degree by density, although a latex block will have a single density throughout whilst a memory foam mattress may have different layers. Latex is more commonly found as a top layer to other mattress types like composite spring and foam beds.

Hypoallergenic properties

Both materials are hypoallergenic.

Life expectancy

Latex is less popular and less tried and tested than memory foam and consequently there is not as much data available concerning its long term performance. However, it is thought that it is comparable with memory foam. The best guide is the length of a manufacturers warranty.

Turn or none turn

Memory foam is normally no-turn. In the case of latex, if the entire mattress is made from latex it will probably be double sided and suitable for turning, however check the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Cleaning and maintenance

Neither should require cleaning unless there are spills or dirt on the ticking.

Sales popularity

Memory foam is very popular, largely due to international promotion of the material and its unusual slow recovery behaviour. Latex has yet to establish itself as a major mattress filling material.

New or old technology

Both are perceived as new bedding technologies and both are found in pillows and topper.

Packing and delivery

Some visco elastic memory foam mattress products may be shrink wrapped and vacuum sealed. Latex should be delivered in its ready to use state.

Weight

Both are heavy when compared to a conventional spring mattress.

Our verdict

Both offer very similar characteristics, however the major differences are in the slow recovery property of memory foam versus the springy recovery of latex, and the warm feel of memory foam versus the cooler feel of latex.

It is probably superior marketing and early start that have resulted in memory foam being so popular and latex being relatively unknown.