Memory Foam Vs Innersprings – Which Should You Go for?

If you are in the market shopping for a mattress, chances are you’d be confused about whether to choose a memory foam or innerspring bed. The reason is simple: mattresses with springs are the most popular of all bed types but visco-elastic foam has grown in popularity over the years (since being introduced by NASA in 1966). 

The aim of the agency at the time was to make aircraft cushions safer but in the 1980s, the foam was released to the public and became commercialized. Charles Yost, the inventor called it ‘slow spring back foam’ but it has gone through several modifications including being used in medical applications.

Innersprings, just as the name suggests, consist of springs or pocket coils which are insulated by layers of fabric, to provide an even sleeping surface while memory foam is made from polyurethane, a synthetic material made from petroleum products. Unlike regular polyurethane foam, memory foam is temperature and weight sensitive. Temperature-sensitivity means it responds to body heat by molding itself to the shape of a person’s body within minutes.

Memory Foam is Right for You If:

* You want excellent pressure relief from aches in the back, joints, neck, shoulders as well as hips, as many users with these health challenges report an improvement upon using this foam

* You want a bed that will last long and require little maintenance. This is unlike spring mattresses (which you have to flip now and then)

* You want a sleeping surface that eliminates motion disturbance between partners who sleep on the same bed

* You want a bed that will contour to your body, distribute your weight evenly and reduce tossing and turning

* You have set aside a substantial sum of money as it tends to be expensive

A Spring Bed is Right for You If:

* You want a bouncy feeling on your mattress. This is unlike visco-elastic foam which you just sink into

* You prefer a bed made with springs, instead of foam

* You don’t want to spend much on a mattress          

* You hate cushions that sleep hot, like most memory foams do (however newer brands have taken care of this problem with the open-cell technology and the gel-infused memory foam)

If you decide to go for memory foam, go with a 5Ibs density or more. Check if the foam has gone through stringent industry certifications like the Certipur-US or Oeketex. Also read the reviews of actual users of the product and check the warranty and return policies of the company you want to buy from. Can the product be returned after a trial period? If it can, at whose cost will that be? If it can’t, how many years warranty does the product have? This will enable you to choose carefully.

Popular visco-elastic foam brands include Tempur-pedic, Sleep Number, Sealy, Serta, Simmons, Signature Sleep, Dynasty Mattress, Sleep Innovations, Dream Foam, Lucid by Leninspa, Ultimate Dreams and so many others. You can investigate these brands online and even check with local mattress stores. Get a feel of these brands by lying on them and if you want to avoid the stress of going from store-to-store, get your credit card and buy a bed online. Many people have taken this risk without regrets.

Conclusion

What you sleep on doesn’t really matter –be it visco-elastic foam or a bed made with springs- what matters is the personal comfort and support you derive from it. If a mattress serves your needs and that of your spouse, I’ll suggest you stick to it instead of following the fad and the dictates of our time.