Best Memory Foam Mattresses for 2025

Expertise Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach, Bachelor of English.

Why we chose the Layla mattress: It seems the mattress company paid a lot of attention to detail when it came to designing the flippable mattress. If one side doesn’t fit your sleeping style, all you have to do is flip it around to get a softer or firmer mattress feel. The soft side is plush and pressure-relieving, so it’s great if you’re a side sleeper. The flip side doesn’t have a true firm profile, but it does keep my back and spine supported when I sleep on my stomach and back. I’d say it’s a hair firmer than a medium. 

Unlike the Nectar memory foam bed, the Layla mattress feels light and airy. It’s a soft memory foam that doesn’t provide resistance when you try to switch positions. It’s slightly more bouncy than other memory foams, which slowly morph back to shape after a few seconds. It’s one of those mattresses that might even appeal to avid memory foam haters because it doesn’t give you that “stuck” feel that some people dislike. 

The Layla memory foam mattress is available in sizes twin to Cal king, and retail prices range from $749 to $1,249 at full price.

Why we chose the Tempur-Adapt: Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Adapt mattress is the best memory foam mattress for most back and stomach sleepers because the bed’s firmness, support and comfort complement these sleeping positions. It has a classic, dense memory foam feel that relieves pressure off your hips, shoulders and lower back.  

When I tested out the Tempur-Adapt, the bed felt very firm at first. Then, my body slowly started to sink into the mattress. While the foam did conform to my body, it was still very dense and supportive. I’d say it has a dense feel similar to the Nectar but a bit more responsive. Beds with firm mattress profiles tend to be a sleep haven for back and stomach sleepers because they keep the spine from sinking into the mattress. 

The Tempur-Adapt is available in an all-foam and a hybrid version, and the prices range from $1,299 for a twin to $2,248 for a split king.

Why we chose the Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress: Some people just want the best memory foam mattress to stay comfy throughout the night. Others want the same mattress they tried that one time on vacation at the Four Seasons. If you’re the latter, the Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress looks like those in a five-star hotel. It doesn’t just look the part; it’s also really comfortable and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. 

The Loom & Leaf mattress has a dense memory foam feel with an extra fluff component thanks to the bed’s Euro mattress topper. I tried the “Relaxed Firm” model, which is still on the medium-firm end of the scale, so I imagine the “Firm” model is a true firm mattress. The memory foam and plush Euro top do make the mattress pressure-relieving, but not enough that it’s a good mattress for side sleepers. It was just a little too firm when I slept on my side. 

Another highlight of the Loom & Leaf mattress is its special cooling tech. The top gel foam layer features a cooling gel mattress pad to help regulate temperature. It’s supposedly made from the same material doctors use to treat burn victims in hospitals, so I think it’s pretty legitimate. 

The Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress is available in sizes twin to split Cal king, and its retail prices range from $1,595 to $3,390.

Why we chose the Leesa Legend Chill: If you’re a hot sleeper, you know the struggle of trying to stay cool or at least temperature-neutral at night. The Leesa Legend Chill is the best memory foam mattress for those who need a truly cool-to-the-touch mattress that utilizes cooling fibers in the cover. Under the cover are five other layers, including a quilt foam gel layer, a layer of micro-springs, a comfort foam layer, a zoned support layer of up to 1,032 individually wrapped coils and a final layer of high-density foam. 

With the Lessa Legend Chill, you get the comfort of foam and increased airflow due to its structure and materials. We find this mattress to be around a medium or a five on the firmness scale. This firmness is ideal for combination and side sleepers. Back and stomach sleepers who don’t need extra support should also find this mattress comfortable. Heavier sleepers may want to look into the Plus Hybrid mattress.  
The price of the Leesa Legend Chill mattress ranges from $1,574 for a twin to $3,299 for a California King.

Why we chose the Nectar Luxe mattress: The majority of individuals who sleep on their side are coziest on a soft, plush mattress. One of the best mattresses for side sleepers is the 14-inch Nectar Luxe mattress. This bed has a white marshmallow-like cover that looks comfy at first sight. The cover is even noticeably cool to the touch, which is great for sleepers who heat up on memory foam.  

A majority of the beds on this best memory foam mattress list feel dense, and while the Nectar Luxe mattress is still in the same dense category, it is a little more airy than the Nectar Classic. Additionally, the Luxe is geared toward side sleepers, so it is softer, thanks to its top layer of therapeutic memory foam. The second layer is made of support foam, and the bottom layer is a thick, stable foam base. We found this bed to be around a medium-soft or around 3-4 on a scale of 10. 

The Nectar Luxe might seem pricey, but like many other brands on this list, Nectar often runs promotions to cut the price in half.

Why we chose the DreamCloud Hybrid: DreamCloud is known for its high-end beds, which you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. The DreamCloud Hybrid mattress is its entry-level model, but the bed doesn’t skip out on luxurious features. This mattress is a thick hybrid bed made with pocketed coils over eight inches tall and reinforced sides for stronger edge support. Stacked on top are comfortable foam layers, including gel memory foam for temperature regulation. 

It’s made with gel memory foam, but it doesn’t have an overwhelming memory foam feel. This is something I appreciate because it’s easier to switch positions on the mattress than it is with dense, slow-responding memory foam beds. The cover is also a bit unique, as it is made with a blend of cashmere that’s ultrasoft and luxurious. I don’t even own a cashmere sweater, let alone have it in my bed. 

I know a few people who sleep on a DreamCloud, and they only have positive things to say about the bed and their sleep quality. It’s a generally nice mattress at a surprisingly great price. A queen size retails for around $1,300, but the brand often has deals and sometimes throws in a few free accessories. 

There are hundreds of mattresses to choose from, but luckily, our CNET sleep editors have been around the bedding block. They have collectively tested over 100 beds, from the most popular to lesser-known models, and have the knowledge to help you pick the best fit for you. The mattresses above are great options, but there are a few more beds we’ve tested that could have easily made this list. 

Lucid 10-Inch Gel Memory Foam mattress: Budget shoppers can look into the Lucid Gel Memory Foam mattress, a bed sold through Amazon with thousands of positive ratings from users. It’s one of the most affordable bed-in-a-box beds I’ve ever tested, and it’s still comfy enough to give you a good night’s sleep. You have three firmness options to choose from and six heights. 

Tempur-Cloud mattress: You’ve likely heard about this brand before, as Tempur-Pedic made its name in the mattress industry long before beds ever came to the internet. They offer several mattresses, from entry-level to luxury. They also have many cooling memory foam options. They’re expensive beds, but you’re paying for the trusted brand name and traditional memory foam feel that the brand is known for. 

• Firmness: This should be a main consideration, regardless of the kind of mattress you’re buying. Different firmness levels accommodate different sleeping positions. If you’re a side sleeper, the best memory foam mattress will feel soft and plush. For stomach and back sleepers, the best memory foam bed is a more firm memory foam mattress. 
• Feel: As I mentioned earlier in this roundup, not every memory foam mattress is built alike. Some memory foam beds feel light and airy, while others feel dense and slow to respond. If you’re a combination sleeper, I recommend you go with a light memory foam so it’s easy to switch positions. If you like to get really nestled and cozy while you sleep, you may like a dense memory foam mattress better. 
• Temperature regulation: One complaint against memory foam is that it retains heat, making sleepers feel hot and uncomfortable while they sleep. Part of it is because of memory foam’s dense cell structure and warm air getting trapped inside, as well as the fact that you sleep within the memory foam rather than on top. Look for memory foam with different temperature regulating techniques, such as infused gel, gel beads, infused copper, infused graphite, phase change materials and proprietary technology. 
• Price: Memory foam ranges in price, from very cheap (there are cheap memory foam mattress options out there that cost as little as $200) to premium and top-tier (Tempur-Pedic mattresses can cost more than $2,000). That means almost anyone can find a memory foam mattress within their budget. 

Not all memory foam materials are alike. Some are more airy while others are very dense. Some are infused with gel or copper for temperature regulation while others are more traditional.

Traditional: Traditional memory foam is found in older beds, such as the OG Tempur-Pedic mattresses from the 90s or very cheap memory foam. While it’s great and provides pressure relief, it also gets hot because the dense foam traps your body heat inside. If you’re a hot sleeper, this is something to consider. 

Gel-infused: Don’t worry, it’s not literal gel you’re sleeping on. Gel-infused memory foam often has little blue or green dots infiltrated throughout the foam to help regulate temperature. The gel draws heat away from you and more evenly disperses it throughout the bed for a cooling memory foam feel. 

Copper-infused: Beds like the Layla mattress are infused with copper gel to work the same way regular gel-infused mattresses do. Copper is a conductor that can absorb heat from your body and distribute it away from your body. 

Plant-based: There aren’t many plant-based memory foam mattresses on the market. People like Amerisleep use plant-based materials as a substitute for petroleum and manufacture it using a zero-emissions process. This way, the memory foam is more environmentally friendly than most other memory or poly foams. 

Proprietary: You will find a ton of different brands using a specific name for their memory foam, such as Puffy’s Cloud-Air foam for example. This means the brand put a specific twist on the memory foam to make it more comfortable or more accommodating. The most common types of proprietary memory foams are open-celled for more airflow or gel-infused for cooling abilities.

Learn about why the type of foam in your mattress matters.

The best qualities of memory foam are that it’s pressure-relieving, stops movement across a mattress and offers a comforting hugging feel. People who will like memory foam beds the most include those who suffer from joint pain, back, side and combination sleepers, couples who share a bed and people who generally like a nestling mattress feel. Side sleepers may also love soft memory foam because of how well it cradles the shoulder and hip joints. 

Memory foam mattresses can sometimes turn people off for several reasons. You shouldn’t get a memory foam mattress if you change positions often as the foam can provide some resistance as it’s slow to bounce back to shape. It’s also not ideal for hot sleepers. Memory foam is a dense material that traps heat more than other foam beds. Gel memory foam and other tech help it sleep cooler, but people who sleep warm may want to consider a latex foam mattress because they’re so breathable. 

There are many different memory foam mattresses on the market, but some of the best include Layla, Puffy, Loom & Leaf, Bear, Amerisleep, DreamCloud and Nectar.

If your memory foam mattress is only made out of foam, it will probably last you around seven years. If it’s made with inner springs or coils in the bottom layer, it will last you around 10 years or more. Just make sure you’re taking proper care of your mattress, such as rotating it every six months and keeping your bedding clean.

Nine to 10 inches is an ideal thickness for a memory foam mattress that offers ample support, but you can also go even thicker if you’re looking for maximum durability and support. Thin memory foam mattresses are OK for the short-term, but may not last as long as you would hope. They tend to be more susceptible to wear and tear, sags and imprints. 

Memory foam mattresses are great at providing pressure relief to your joints because the material gently hugs your curves, but some memory foam beds can give you a sinking feeling that causes resistance when you try to switch positions. If you’re a combination sleeper in the market for a memory foam bed, try to find one that’s more light and airy so it responds to pressure more quickly. 

Memory foam mattresses trap heat, making hot sleepers even hotter. They also sometimes provide resistance to combination sleepers when they switch positions.