This article is about the value of memory foam mattresses.
Most people value getting a good night's sleep. Sure, there are some who are freaks of nature who live off of 3-4 hours of sleep a night. But they are few and far between, and the rest of us needs 7-8 hours of rest in order to function well on a daily basis. Because we spend almost a third of our day sleeping, the value of a comfortable mattress can't be overstated.
In a perfect world, we could all sleep on a Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress and live happily ever after. Without a doubt, they are the cream of the crop. If money is no object, then you can't go wrong with a Tempur-Pedic. They do cost thousands of dollars, and not everyone is willing to make that type of investment. A good investment is in the eye of the beholder.
Memory foam mattresses in general tend to be hit and miss. If you randomly chose 100 people to sleep on the same mattress for 2 weeks, you would probably get 100 different opinions. Perhaps there would be some consensus, but you would get varying opinions.
A handful of people will claim that it's too firm. Others will say that it doesn't provide enough support. A few will complain about the chemical smell it gives off. Some will say that they it relieves pain, others will say that they wake up in the morning with a stiff back.
While lying down on some mattresses at a store in your area may provide a bit of insight, it won't tell the whole story. On average, you'll have to sleep on a particular mattress for several weeks before getting a good feel for it.
They will often feel hard at first, but soften overtime. If you lie down on a mattress for only 5 minutes, you might conclude that it's too firm. But if you slept on it for a week or two, it might soften and feel much better.
Any mattress, whether it's an innerspring or memory foam, is a good investment if it provides the comfort and support you seek. End of story.
The challenge however is to find one that fits that criteria. It's a tough process mattresses are not comfortable and supportive for everyone. Everyone responds a bit differently to it.
At minimum, look for one that has a density of at least 4 pounds. For those who suffer from joint pain, a 5 pound one will offer greater support.
A topper is an option if you want the feel of memory foam without spending a fortune on a new mattress.
