Latex vs Memory Foam Mattresses | The Real Difference

Sleep is an essential function, and nothing regulates your mind and body like a great night's rest. We spend a large portion of our lives sleeping, so making sure your mattress meets your needs should be a priority.

If you're reading this blog, chances are you're looking at buying a new mattress. We're also willing to bet that you're deliberating on whether you should invest in a memory foam mattress or a latex mattress. You have heard about the latex mattress vs memory foam mattress debate and now you just want to get to the bottom of which best suits your needs and budget. The right mattress does not only perform a crucial role for individuals who experience body pains and aches, but also for a superb night’s rest which would, in turn, enhance your heart function, body cell repair, and hormonal balance.

Are you getting confused by all the mattress jargon? You are definitely not alone. For the majority of customers, the process of purchasing a new mattress is strenuous, frustrating, and absolutely complicated. After all, we spend a third of our lives in bed - it's an important decision!

However, we hope that once you've read this blog, you'll confidently know the differences between latex and memory foam mattresses - and you'll be able to know which is the best option for your sleep needs.

Let’s dive in…

Latex Foam

You have most likely heard about latex foam either from a colleague who just purchased a brand-new latex foam mattress that they cannot quit ranting about or from television commercials. Either way, I bet you are interested to know what all the fuss is about.

Latex mattresses can be made in a few different ways. They can either be made from purely natural rubber sap, they can be entirely synthetic, or they can be made from a mixture of both synthetic and natural materials. Our mattresses are made from nothing but natural rubber sap hand tapped from our rubber trees for a non-toxic, sustainable, and super supportive sleep experience.

Overall latex foams are highly durable and also resistant to bacteria, dust mites, mould and mildew which makes them a great alternative for mattresses.

Natural latex foam mattress:

This kind of mattress is made from natural latex which is gathered from rubber trees and basically processed to create the latex foam core layers. Natural latex foam mattresses are admired for their durability as they tend to last a lot longer than any other sort of mattress. If you are a lover of sleep just like me and you want a natural mattress, then the natural latex mattress is the best option for you.

Synthetic latex foam mattress:

Synthetic latex is made from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), a manmade material. This mattress is similar to the pure natural latex foam when felt. However, the major difference between them is that the synthetic mattress is less bouncy and less durable than the natural mattress, and is made from synthetic and sometimes toxic materials. The reason why some mattress makers opt for synthetic latex is that it is more affordable to produce.

Dunlop or Talalay latex foam:

Whether choosing an all-natural, synthetic or a blend of both, there are two methods the latex mattress can be processed with; which are the Talalay and Dunlop processes. The two processes, in fact, produce very similar quality mattresses despite the marketing around them. The main difference is that Talalay undergoes more processing and as a result is less environmentally friendly. Although Talalay is meant to be softer in nature due to the excess air in the material during the manufacturing process used to expand the latex, Dunlop latex can achieve the same softness by adjusting the density.

PROS of Latex Foam

1. Natural latex foams are hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to mildew, mould, and dust mites.
2. Latex foams, if made naturally, contain no petrochemicals which ensures there are no harmful chemicals entering into your body over the years spent sleeping on them (especially important for young children).
3. Latex mattresses are the most breathable of all foam mattresses which provides a pleasant sleeping experience. Contrary to the memory foam which absorbs a great deal of warmth (heat), the latex enables air circulation without restriction through the material, which keeps you feeling good throughout the night.
4. The softness and solidity of latex foams are a great fit for individuals who experience bodily aches and pains. This is due to the fact that it has the appropriate density and is likewise springy so it provides adequate pressure relief against the body, giving soft comfort and support.
5. Since it is made from natural substances, it is extremely durable and excellent for sustainability of the environment (you can sleep comfortably with latex for over two decades, which reduces the number of mattresses thrown away into landfill every year).

CONS of Latex Foam

1. They are usually more expensive than memory foam
2. They are a bit on the heavy side.
3. Sometimes people choose a latex mattress that is too firm

(Note: Peace Lily has created a Latex mattress that is priced very affordably and also has 2 firmness levels which can be changed by simply flipping the mattress over!)

Memory Foam

Memory foams are the second most common mattresses on the market today after innerspring mattresses and are known for that sinking, body-moulding feeling.

The origin of memory foam mattresses

Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam, is a synthetic mattress material that has been in existence since the 1960s. This special kind of foam is a high-density polyurethane foam that can be created for different levels of solidity and allow for moulding around the body.

Memory foam contours around your body as it responds to the heat and weight you produce on it. The mattress assists your body weight to be rationed smoothly but gradually springs back to the initial shape as soon as you get up from it.

PROS of Memory Foam

1. Memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic and can provide a great choice for individuals who have fabric allergies.
2. Memory foam mattresses have very low partner disturbance, so body movement on one part of the bed doesn’t affect the other part of the mattress.
3. The memory foam mattress is great for providing pressure relief to people who sleep on their side.

CONS of Memory Foam

1. Circulation of air is not effective in a memory foam mattress, making it less appropriate for warm humid atmospheres.
2. As time goes by, memory foam loses its capacity to 'spring back'. So, the bigger a person is, the quicker a memory foam mattress sinks and create indents on the mattress.
3. Once you newly purchase a memory foam, there is always an unpleasant smell emitted by it. This off-gassing smell of the memory foam mattress can be harmful to the body.
4. Memory foam is made from polyurethane, which is petroleum-based.

If you’ve gotten to this point, and you’re still feeling a little confused trying to decide on the perfect mattress to purchase, the facts below would surely help you decide without any doubts. This I’m 100% sure of.

What mattress should I purchase? Latex or Memory Foam?

Knowing the pros and cons of both mattresses, the latex mattress is a better choice than memory foam. We specifically went into the design and manufacturing of natural latex mattresses because of their unrivalled quality, comfort, sustainability, and durability. There's a reason why most people who try latex don't go back to memory foam.

Though the sinking quality of memory foam might feel awesome for side sleepers, it causes more harm than satisfaction as the spine falls out of alignment. The latex mattress, on the other hand, offers a lot of extra benefits, such as excellent airflow, mould, mites, mildew resistance, nature-friendliness, great comfort, high durability, and lots more. Even if it might be a little expensive up front, you will get top-notch satisfaction for what you purchase.

Verdict

When making the choice of a latex vs memory foam mattress, quality, cost, and comfort are the most important factors to consider:

Quality wise:

Memory foam mattresses simply cannot compete with natural latex mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are world renowned for their durability and quality, and their all-natural, non-toxic makeup. The quality of latex mattresses is also reflected in the warranty duration. Most memory foams are under warranty for around ten years, but latex mattresses are protected for 15-25 years.

Price wise:

When it comes to initial purchase price, memory foams come out on top. Made from petroleum, they're easy to mass produce at a low cost - making them affordable. Natural latex on the other hand, is slow-growing, hand tapped and handmade - production can be scaled, but not rushed. However, if you compare the cost of a memory foam mattress over the years to that of a natural latex mattress, you'll get a different result. That's because memory foams are protected by warranties from 1-10 years on average, while latex mattresses like ours are covered by a 25 year warranty. If you're price-conscious, we recommend dividing the cost of the mattresses you're considering purchasing by the number of years it's under warranty. It'll give you a more accurate year-by-year cost. While many memory foams start sagging after a few years, latex mattresses have been known to last up to fifty years with the right care.

Comfort wise:

When it comes to comfort, opinions are split. Natural latex is renowned for its firm and cool support. It's a dense and quiet mattress that will keep your spine aligned and supported regardless of your sleep position. It is supportive for getting in and out of bed, and is famed for helping fight neck and back pain. Memory foam is called memory foam for a good reason - it contours after your body and gives you that sinking, enveloped feeling. This cloudlike sinking-in is loved by some people who enjoy a soft sleep. However, sinking in also envelopes the body and makes for an overall hotter sleep. Natural latex on the other hand, sleeps naturally cool due to the firm sink-free feel and the open cell structure of the foam. For people wanting an all-natural mattress but still want that cloudlike sleep, there are great plush mattress toppers that can be laid on top of a latex mattress to add additional softness.

We hope this guide has given you a little more information to guide your mattress buying process. With the memory foam mattress in a box boom, it's easy to get fooled by great marketing into buying a mattress that isn't perfect for your needs. If you've read this blog and still have questions to help you choose which mattress is best suited to your sleep and comfort needs, don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team. If you'd like to try out a natural latex mattress and see what all the fuss is about, feel free to book in a showroom appointment or start your risk-free 100 night Peace Lily mattress trial.