Foam Mattress Comparisons

Comfort

• The majority of memory foam owners rate their mattress as comfortable. Some brands, however, receive higher ratings than others. Tempur-Pedic, Bodi-Pedic, Select a Firmness and Spa Sensations each received 80 percent or higher comfort satisfaction, according to Sleep Like the Dead. The brand Bragada, however, received only 70 percent comfort satisfaction.

Price

• Memory foam mattresses are often expensive. Between brands, however, the price difference for a queen mattress is staggering. In April, 2010, Tempur-Pedic queen mattresses cost between $1300 and $6300. Aerus queen mattresses cost between $220 and $475. Tempur-Pedic carries the steepest price tag of any brand, but it also carries a reputation of extremely high quality.

Odor

• All new visco-elastic foam mattresses smell for at least a couple of days, says Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C. Some brand odors last longer than others. Select a Firmness, Aerus and Spa Sensations all have a minimal smell. Other brands like Nova-Form and Bergad/Isoform have a very strong, long-lasting odor.

Density

• The higher the density rating of a foam mattress, the more the mattress acts like memory foam, keeping the shape of the body. Once the body moves, the visco-elastic memory foam slowly returns to its normal shape. Tempur-Pedic and Bergad/Isoform have at least a 5-pound density rating, which stands for quality. Bodi-pedic and Aerus have a 3-pound density rating, according to the website Sleep Like the Dead.

Motion Isolation

• Memory foam mattresses provide unmatched motion isolation. Bed partners do not feel each other move around in the bed. Although all memory foam mattresses provide better motion isolation than spring mattresses, some brands rate better than others. Tempur-Pedic again heads the pack, along with Bragada and Bergad/Isoform. Brands that fall slightly behind in the motion isolation category include Aerus, Nova-Form and Spa Sensations.