Memory Foam Mattresses
A memory foam mattress uses a viscoelastic foam that softens with your body heat and moulds to your shape, cradling pressure points at the hips and shoulders. It's the go-to for people who want a close, cushioned feel and minimal disturbance from a restless partner.
Memory foam runs from around £125 to about £1,500, with the typical model near £350. Tempur, the brand most associated with the material, occupies the top of the range.
We don't sell mattresses and aren't tied to a manufacturer, so the comparison is impartial, drawn from manufacturer specifications and verified owner reviews.
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×What is a memory foam mattress?
Memory foam is a viscoelastic foam that responds to heat and pressure, moulding to your body and recovering slowly when you move. That's what gives it the signature deep contour and the sensation of being gently held. It also absorbs movement well, so a partner turning over is far less likely to disturb you.
Set against the alternatives, memory foam trades away bounce and airflow. Compared with a hybrid, it has no springs, so expect less bounce and a warmer sleep. Compared with plain reflex foam, it contours far more but feels less firm and springy. The feel is the point: you're choosing memory foam for the cradle, not the lift.
Who memory foam suits
- Side sleepers, who benefit most from pressure relief at the shoulder and hip.
- Light sleepers and motion-sensitive couples, because the foam soaks up movement.
- Anyone who likes the enveloping, cushioned feel rather than a firm, responsive surface.
- Buyers on a budget, since memory foam starts lower than most sprung constructions.
Who might want a different option
- Hot sleepers. Traditional memory foam retains heat. Look for gel-infused or open-cell versions, or consider a hybrid or latex mattress instead.
- Anyone who dislikes the stuck or sinking sensation. Reflex foam or a sprung mattress will feel more buoyant.
- People who want firm, supportive edges to sit or sleep near.
What to look for
- Foam density is the clearest quality signal in memory foam: higher density is more durable and supportive, but heavier and pricier.
- Check how deep the memory layer is over the support base. A thin memory top on a firm base feels very different to a deep memory surface.
- Gel infusions and open-cell structures help offset memory foam's tendency to trap heat.
- The memory foam feel varies a lot, and many models are ortho-firm rather than plush, so match the firmness to your weight and position.
- Foam takes a couple of weeks to break in and for your body to adjust, so a proper trial matters more here than with springs.
How much memory foam mattresses cost
Memory foam covers a wide spread. Prices start around £125 and the typical model sits near £350, with the middle of the range running from about £220 to £760. Tempur makes up the top end, from around £550 for its Ease models to about £1,500 for its deepest SmartCool builds. If a well-known mattress-in-a-box brand you associate with memory foam isn't listed here, it's usually because that brand uses a foam-and-spring build, which puts it in our hybrid range.
How we compare them
We use information from manufacturer and retailer specifications, verified owner reviews and our own catalogue data across more than 800 construction-checked models, with prices checked regularly across our UK retail partners. You can read more on how we assess mattresses and how we stay independent on How We Make Money.
Do memory foam mattresses sleep hot?
Traditional memory foam does tend to retain body heat, which is its most common criticism. Gel-infused and open-cell foams are designed to counter this, and they sleep noticeably cooler. If running warm is a real concern for you, a hybrid or latex mattress will usually be cooler still.
Are memory foam mattresses good for side sleepers?
They're one of the better matches for side sleeping, because the foam cushions the shoulder and hip where a firmer surface would create pressure. Look for a medium to medium-soft feel rather than an ortho-firm one, which can undo that benefit.
How long do memory foam mattresses last?
A quality memory foam mattress typically lasts seven to ten years. Cheaper, low-density foams soften faster and may sag sooner, which is why foam density is the number worth asking about rather than price alone.
Which is better, memory foam or hybrid?
It depends on what you want. Memory foam gives deeper contour and better motion isolation, usually for less money. A hybrid is bouncier and sleeps cooler. Side sleepers and motion-sensitive couples often lean foam, while hot sleepers and couples who want support lean hybrid.
Why don't I see the big-name brands here?
Several of the best-known brands marketed around a memory-foam feel actually build their mattresses with a layer of springs, which makes them hybrids by construction. You'll find those in our hybrid mattresses range.