Best Memory Foam Mattresses: Our Top Picks

If you’ve ever woken up feeling stiff or achy, your mattress may be partly to blame. With an estimated 75–85% of Americans experiencing back pain at some point in their lives, investing in the right sleep surface becomes more than a comfort upgrade—it’s a key part of managing everyday discomfort.

Mattress preferences vary widely, from firmness to thickness, but research shows that sleeping on the wrong surface for years may worsen back symptoms. In one 2021 study, people who stayed on the same overly firm or unsupportive foam mattress for more than three years were more likely to report lower back pain.

Memory foam, originally developed in the 1960s for NASA spacecraft seats for its shock-absorbing and pressure-relieving qualities, has become a popular mattress material because it contours to your body and can help reduce pressure in sensitive areas. For people managing a diagnosed back condition or just general back pain, a memory foam mattress can make a meaningful difference in their comfort while sleeping. That said, memory foam mattresses can give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) so should be used with caution. More on how to stay safe ahead.

This guide will help you determine whether a memory foam mattress fits your back needs, sleep style, and budget. In situations where a specific mattress is deemed medically necessary by an independent licensed clinician, you may be able to use a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) to purchase it with HSA or FSA funds.

If you have ever slept on a memory foam mattress, you will notice it feels different from a standard mattress. Someone sleeping on this type of mattress may feel like it hugs them and can help relieve pressure from tender or sore areas of their body.

Apart from comfort, memory foam is often favored by people who share a bed with a partner. “The material absorbs movement, so you are less likely to wake up if someone else shifts around at night,” explains Gbolohan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, a board-certified spinal surgeon who leads the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New York and New Jersey. “Many people like that it stays quiet and does not creak or bounce when they move.”

Another perk? Many memory foam mattresses often remain sturdy and supportive for several years, Okubadejo says. Side sleepers, back sleepers, and combination sleepers often all find this mattress material comfortable.

Of course, memory foam alone will not take away back pain—especially if you have a chronic condition or another underlying issue. However, it may help ease some discomfort for some people.

Memory foam is a type of polyurethane foam—an everyday, flexible plastic material—that’s been specially formulated to feel soft, slow-moving, and contour to your body when you lie on it. This type of material softens with body heat and pressure and cools and becomes firmer when you leave the bed.

When you think about how a mattress is built, memory foam is typically used in the comfort layer—the top portion of the bed you directly interact with. Beneath that, most mattresses include a transitional layer and then a base or support core, which may be made of either foam or coils, depending on the mattress type.

Memory foam helps distribute weight more evenly across the surface because it responds slowly to pressure and then returns to its original shape once you move away. This “slow sink” feel can be cozy and soothing for some people, but may feel too enveloping for others. As always, it comes down to personal preference.

“A memory foam mattress eases pressure on your joints because it molds to your body instead of pushing back against it,” explains Okubadejo. “It can help keep your spine in a more natural line, which makes mornings feel less stiff.

These key benefits include:

• Helps to alleviate pressure from the lower back and other tender areas, such as the shoulders and neck
• Supports your body’s unique, natural curves
• May improve sleep quality and reduce nighttime wakings

One study found that people who switched to a memory foam mattress reported better sleep quality, fewer nighttime awakenings, and an overall improvement in how well they felt they slept compared to their previous mattress.

If by now, you’re still wondering, are memory foam mattresses good? The answer is pretty simple—they’re generally comfortable among most users. However, some people don’t like the feeling of a mattress contouring to their body.

“Firmness plays a real role in how well your spine stays aligned through the night,” Okubadejo says. “A mattress that’s too firm can leave lighter side sleepers or people with sharp pressure points feeling sore because their hips and shoulders can’t sink in enough.” When that happens, the spine can tilt out of alignment, and surrounding muscles may stay tense up trying to support it.

“A slightly softer feel lets those bony spots settle in so the back can lie in a straighter line,” he adds.

Generally speaking, firmer memory foam mattresses can ease pressure on the hips and shoulders for people who sink too deeply into soft beds, Okubadejo explains. But, at the same time, a mattress that’s too soft can let the midsection dip, placing stress on the lower back.

“The best fit is usually the level of firmness that supports the spine without forcing the body to fight the mattress to get comfortable,” he says.

Not all foam mattresses are alike. Some people may be sensitive to polyurethane-based foam mattresses. They may want to consider a more natural foam (non-polyurethane foam) mattresses, such as latex foam/hybrid mattresses with minimal foam and no added chemical flame retardants which give off less volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Look for these certifications when shopping:

• GOTS = the mattress cover/fabrics and fillings (cotton/wool) are genuinely organic and low-chemical
• GOLS = the latex comfort layers are genuinely organic natural latex with limited processing/chemicals

When you’re going to buy a memory foam mattress, know that you can expect to have it for a whole. “It also tends to hold its shape over time, so it doesn’t sag as quickly as some other mattress types,” Okubadejo says.

Here are some of the top features to look for when shopping for a memory foam mattress/

• Thickness and density of foam. “Consider the thickness because thicker mattresses usually give better support,” Okubadejo says. Many mattresses range between 10 and 15 inches in thickness.
• Firmness level. “Pay attention to firmness as well, because softer mattresses work well for side sleepers, while firmer ones are better for back or stomach sleepers,” Okubadejo explains. Think about it: if a mattress is too soft, your trunk can sink too far into the mattress and stress the lower back. Meanwhile, soft mattresses are ideal for those who sleep directly on bony areas like the hip and shoulder joints.
• Cooling features. “If you get hot at night, look for mattresses with cooling features like gel layers or breathable covers,” Okubadejo says. These features reduce body heat build-up.
• Motion isolation and edge support. “Motion isolation can be helpful if you share the bed, so you won’t feel every movement your partner makes,” Okubadejo says. “Also, be sure to test the edge support to see if the mattress feels stable when you sit or sleep near the edges.”
• Trial periods, warranties, and return policies. Always be sure to read the fine print about the trial periods, warranties, and return policies in the event your memory foam mattress isn’t the right fit. According to the National Sleep Foundation, trial periods can last up to at least four months, usually. But if you buy the mattress in full, you may only have 30 days to return it.

Not everyone will find the same memory foam mattress comfortable. Here are the top picks for each major category.

• Pressure-Relief Leader: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt, 12 inch. “This mattress is known for its excellent pressure relief and long-lasting support, especially for back and side sleepers,” Okubadejo says.
• Best All-Around Memory Foam Mattress: Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress, 12 inch. “It offers a balance of softness and support with good motion isolation, making it ideal for couples,” Okubadejo says.
• Best Natural Foam Mattress: Birch Natural Mattress and Plushbeds Botanical Bliss. It’s a tie between these top-reviewed, pressure-relieving natural options made from certified organic materials.
• Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress: Amerisleep AS3, 12 inch. “It has a medium-firm feel that works well for most sleepers, providing good spinal alignment and durability,” Okubadejo says.
• Best Cooling Memory Foam Option: Zinus Ultra Cooling Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, 12-inch. If you run hot while catching Zzzs, this mattress includes cooling gel and enhanced air flow features—ideal for sleepers worried about heat retention.
• Best Value: Dreamcloud Classic Memory Foam Mattress, 13 inch. This mattress is at least $100 cheaper than most other memory foam mattresses offering similar qualities. This specific model includes a 1-inch layer of pressure-relieving memory foam and features cooling fibers to help you stay comfortable all night long.

On paper, the memory foam mattress you’re looking to buy can check all of the boxes—but none of that matters if it’s not actually comfortable. Here are some quick strategies you can use to test out your mattress before fully committing.

• In-store. “When trying a mattress, lie in your usual sleeping position for a few minutes to see how it feels,” Okubadejo says. “Check that your spine stays in a natural line and that your hips, shoulders, and lower back don’t feel pressure.”
• During a home trial. Again, mattress trials vary, but most brands give you at least 90 days. Monitor how you feel when lying in it within the first month to help get an idea of whether it’s an investment worth making.
• Track morning symptoms. If you’re noticing that back or shoulder pain and muscle stiffness aren’t as prominent after you sleep, that memory foam mattress may be the right choice for you.

Memory foam mattresses span a wide price range—from budget models typically priced between $400–$700, to mid-range options between $800–$1,500, and premium beds costing well above $1,600. What you pay for typically comes down to foam density, overall thickness, and added cooling features, like gel infusions or breathable covers.

Durability is closely tied to the quality of the foam. Higher-density memory foams, which often contain more than five pounds per cubic foot (PCF), tend to keep their shape longer and resist sagging better than lower-density foams (which clock in at less than three PCF).

Research on polyurethane (the base material in many memory foam mattresses) shows that stronger, better-engineered foams hold up far longer and maintain support better than lower-quality foams.

While a cheaper mattress may seem appealing upfront, lower-density foams can wear down sooner—meaning you might need to replace your bed more frequently. A more durable mattress with higher-quality materials can last up to 10 years, making it more cost-effective over time. When comparing prices, it helps to think in terms of cost per year of comfortable use—not just the initial sticker price.

But keep in mind, memory foam mattresses aren’t automatically HSA/FSA-eligible, but they can be for qualified individuals with an LMN outlining their medical need. You may be able to qualify if a licensed independent clinician deems your mattress purchase necessary to treat or mitigate a medical condition. Such conditions could potentially include chronic back or joint pain such as arthritis, sciatica, or herniated discs, or sleep disorders such as obstructive apnea or insomnia.

If you’re looking for a mattress to help mitigate back pain that’s disrupting your sleep, or another medical condition, shop the Truemed* marketplace for available options that are often HSA/FSA-eligible for qualified individuals with an LMN. At checkout, you’ll fill out a health intake form and a licensed independent clinician will determine whether a memory foam mattress or a mattress topper is medically necessary to mitigate your condition. If approved, you will receive an LMN to use your HSA/FSA funds to cover the costs.

How you pay depends on the memory foam mattress brand. Some mattress brands allow qualified customers to pay with an HSA/FSA card directly at checkout. Others require paying out of pocket and submitting the receipt and your LMN for reimbursement.

Regardless of how you pay, it’s always a good idea to keep your LMN and receipt, as your plan may request these documents at a later date. When in doubt, review your plan’s guidelines before using HSA/FSA funds.

*Truemed is for qualified customers. See terms at truemed.com/disclosures.

If you’re constantly waking up with discomfort, whether in your back, neck, shoulders, or hips, and you’ve recently switched mattresses, that’s a sign it’s time to see a healthcare provider.

“You should talk to a healthcare provider if you wake up with pain that doesn’t improve after a few weeks,” Okubadejo says. “Numbness or tingling in your limbs should be evaluated right away.” (These could be signs of stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, or even a herniated disc.)

“Persistent back, neck, or joint discomfort is a sign that something might be wrong with your sleep setup or posture,” Okubadejo says.

The bottom line is this: If you experience pain every day, you should get evaluated to make sure nothing serious is going on. “A doctor can help rule out medical issues and suggest ways to relieve pressure or improve alignment,” Okubadejo says. “Even if you’re unsure whether the mattress is the problem, speaking with a professional can prevent long-term issues.”

A healthcare provider or sleep specialist can also make recommendations for you on which mattress may be best for your needs.