You have probably heard of memory foam before. In fact, it is almost impossible to research mattresses and now come across things like Nectar Sleep mattress reviews. But just what is this “memory foam”? Essentially, it is a visco-elastic polyurethane foam developed but never used by NASA. The patent was purchased by the first memory foam mattress maker and is now readily available. It uses open cells, conforming to a person’s body and stopping them from sweating. Initially picked up by the healthcare industry in burns units, it is now the material of choice for people all over the world.

A Buyer’s Guide

There are quite a few things that you have to think about when you purchase your mattress, some of which are true regardless of the type of material you opt for. Others, however, are specific to memory foam in particular. It is important that you make all of those considerations, however, since you will be sleeping on this mattress for the next decade, and because it is quite an expensive thing to purchase.

Things to think about include:

1. Your mattress size, which will be relative to the bedframe that you already have or the one you have purchased at the same time.
2. Whether your existing frame, if you have one, is suitable for memory foams. This is because you do have to have base support in place to carry the mattress.
3. The model and manufacturer, mainly because the technology is now freely available so you have to make sure that you purchase a good product.
4. The depth of the mattress, and particularly the layer of memory foam. This will tell you how comfortable you will be, how well it will support your body, and how well it relieves your body’s pressure points.
5. The density of the foam, which is expressed in pounds. You can get memory foams with density ranging from 2.5lbs to 9lbs. Generally, the higher the density, the more beneficial the mattress. However, once you go above 6lbs in density, you won’t experience any additional benefits and you may even find the mattress somewhat uncomfortable.
6. The firmness of the mattress, which is expressed in ILD. This tells you whether your mattress will feel soft or hard. The higher the firmness, the harder the mattress. What is right is down to personal preference.

With these considerations in mind, you are well on your way to picking the perfect mattress for the next 10 years or so. It is recommended to have a feel of the mattress you end up choosing if you can, although this is not always possible if you shop online. This is why you must look into the return policy that your chosen company offers, as not everybody feels comfortable on memory foam. You do, however, have to give it a chance. If you have never slept on memory foam before, you may feel quite weird about it. Give it a good two to three weeks to determine whether it is for you or not.