Memory foam remains one of the most popular mattress materials in the UK, loved for its pressure-relieving properties and body-contouring comfort. Originally developed by NASA, it responds to body heat and weight, moulding to your shape and distributing weight evenly. We have ranked every memory foam mattress in our database to find the best options for comfort, support, and value.
Memory foam (viscoelastic polyurethane) softens in response to body heat and pressure, allowing it to mould around your body. When you change position, the foam slowly returns to its original shape, hence the "memory" name.
This slow response is what makes memory foam excellent for pressure relief. Rather than pushing back against your body like springs do, it distributes your weight across the entire surface area in contact with the mattress.
Traditional memory foam offers the deepest contouring and best pressure relief, but can sleep warm and feel slow to respond.
Gel memory foam has gel particles infused into the foam or a gel layer on top. This improves temperature regulation while maintaining the pressure-relieving properties.
Open-cell memory foam has a more porous internal structure that allows air to flow through the material. It sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam and responds slightly faster.
Graphite or copper-infused foam uses conductive materials to draw heat away from the body. These are the coolest-sleeping memory foam options available.
Memory foam density is measured in kg/m3 and affects both feel and durability:
Higher density does not always mean firmer. A thick layer of 50kg/m3 foam can feel soft if the formulation is designed for comfort rather than support.
Traditional memory foam can retain heat, but modern options like gel-infused, open-cell, and graphite-infused foams significantly reduce this problem. If you sleep hot, look for these cooling variants or consider a hybrid mattress instead.
Memory foam is excellent for back pain because it distributes weight evenly and reduces pressure points. The key is choosing the right firmness: medium-firm (6-7/10) for back sleepers, medium (5-6/10) for side sleepers.
A quality memory foam mattress (density 50kg/m3 or above) should last 8 to 10 years. Budget memory foam mattresses with lower density may start showing body impressions after 3 to 5 years.
Our free quiz matches you with the perfect mattress based on your body, sleep style, and budget.
Take the Free Quiz
