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It’s no secret that memory foam mattresses are among the most popular bed types available, especially in the world of online mattresses. But not all memory foam mattresses are created equally: They come in a range of materials, leverage different cooling technologies and some even have specialized features like lumbar support. With so many options available, how do you decide which is the best memory foam mattress for you? Our expert reviewers have broken down some of our favorites based on performance factors most important to different sleep needs, like sleep position, temperature and budget. Plus, we’ll cover a comprehensive guide to navigating the mattress buying process—from how to choose the best mattress to shipping, delivery and more.

While finding a balance between price and function can be a challenge, Nectar offers a quality memory foam mattress at an affordable price, earning the number one spot on this list. The Nectar mattress offers a medium-firm feel to help sleepers avoid sinking too deep and putting their spine out of alignment. Our testers especially like the Nectar for its ability to deliver pressure relief thanks to its cushioning for the shoulders and hips, where pressure typically builds up for side sleepers. They noted that the Nectar actually molds to the body in most positions, which can help reduce aches and pains in the morning.

Two other factors our testers noted: Motion isolation and cooling. Motion isolation determines how well a mattress isolates movement on one side of the bed from the other. If you do not want to interrupt your partner’s sleep at night, the Nectar’s foam surface is ready to absorb your movement. Meanwhile, though memory foam mattresses tend to sleep hot, the gel memory foam the Nectar is constructed from did a fairly good job of keeping our hot sleeping testers cool.

The Nectar comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. The mattress brand also offers free shipping and returns throughout the U.S.

Nectar mattress ($899 for a Queen, nectarsleep.com)

Side sleeping has a slew of benefits, but it can get uncomfortable quickly if you’re not sleeping on the right mattress. Spinal alignment, or the ability of a mattress to keep your spine in proper position while you sleep, is a critical performance factor for side sleepers.

Thanks to its medium-firm support and lumbar-targeting design, the Saatva Classic kept testers from sinking too deep into the mattress. The Saatva suits side sleepers, as well as back and combination sleepers and people with back pain, due to its ability to relieve pressure. Body contouring memory foam combines with natural latex to offer additional lower back support. The gel-infused memory foam contours to your body to dissipate pressure and the lumbar support may even improve circulation.

Other benefits include minimal motion transfer, so co-sleepers can move around without waking each other up, and cooling properties. Our hot sleeper testers appreciated that the Saatva Classic is made with naturally breathable and hypoallergenic organic cotton for a cooler sleep, even on memory foam.

The Saatva comes with a 180-night sleep trial and a 12-year warranty. The company offers free shipping and returns throughout the U.S.

Saatva Classic mattress ($1,695 for a Queen, saatva.com)

Those who prefer the luxuriously firm-yet-still-plush beds found in hotels will appreciate the support DreamCloud's Premier mattress offers—all wrapped up under a lush cashmere blend cover.

The Premier features a dense 6-layer hybrid design that includes a gel memory foam that contours to your body while the cushioning soft support foam eases pressure off of hot spots such as your hips and back. Those with sleeping partners will also be happy to learn that the Premier also comes with built-in low motion-transfer transition foam and a stay-put base foam. This way, the movement of active sleepers who toss and turn throughout the night is isolated, allowing everyone to get a sound night's sleep.

The Premier comes in six sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king and works on any bed frame type from traditional to adjustable, box spring, and divan. DreamCloud offers a 365-night home trial that's fully refundable (minus shipping fees, White Glove service, state-based recycling fees and/or promotional value).

DreamCloud Premier mattress ($1,399 for a Queen, dreamcloudsleep.com)

Helix's Midnight mattress was created for sleepers who need medium to firm support that relieves pressure in hot pressure zones like the hips. The hybrid polyfoam and memory foam layers coupled with the individually wrapped 8-inch steel coils work together to mold to the shape of your body as you move around throughout the night but aren't so pliable that they let you sink deep into the mattress. The springs also limit motion transfer and reinforced sides give extra edge support on both long sides of the mattress.

Helix offers two hypoallergenic cover choices: the Soft Touch version or the GlacioTex Cooling Cover which draws heat away from the body to keep you comfortable all night.

The Midnight mattress comes in six sizes ranging from twin-California king and Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial with free U.S. shipping and no-contact delivery.

Helix Midnight mattress ($1,099 for a Queen, helixsleep.com)

WinkBeds created the GravityLux mattress for those seeking pressure relief while they're snoozing. This mattress is made with three layers of foam: AirCell Memory Foam (which has billions of shock-absorbing air capsules throughout), Zoned Progression Foam, and ATLAS Core Foam. The multi-layered foam helps alleviate hot spots on the body while sleeping (on the softer versions of GravityLux) while an additional seven layers of support offer a plush feeling to counter the firmness of the harder version of the GravityLux.

The GravityLux is a solid choice for hot sleepers who prefer a cooler environment and sleeping temperatures. WinkBeds also considered those who share a bed by using memory foam that minimizes and isolates motion and responsiveness.

If you want an absorptive mattress that will relieve pressure and keep you cool through the night, consider the GravityLux. The AirCell Memory Foam layer, coupled with a Tencel cover featuring gel-infused foam, work to get rid of hot spots that leave you achey when you wake up.

You can take advantage of WinkBeds' 120-night risk-free trial to test the GravityLux for yourself. If you find that this mattress isn't a good fit, WinkBeds will pick it up and give you a full refund.

WinkBeds GravityLux mattress ($1,499 for a Queen, winkbeds.com)

If you're in search of a supportive, comfortable and affordable mattress, look no further than Nolah's Original model. The Original is the brand's best-selling mattress and offers long-lasting durability, excellent pressure relief, support all around the body via contouring, and even cooling.

The Original comes with a Tencel cover and cooling AirFoam that provides 4x more pressure and 300 percent higher durability than memory foam. This mattress has also won numerous awards including 'Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain,' 'Best Mattress for Side Sleepers,' and 'Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers.' The Original also offers sag resistance thanks to Nolah's AirFoam that features billions of microscopic air bubbles which help evenly distribute bodyweight, cushion bones and joints, and maintain spine alignment. 

Nolah offers free shipping and the Original comes with a lifetime warranty a 120-night home trial. 

Nolah Original Mattress ($899 for a Queen, nolahmattress.com)

Another budget-friendly option, Bear's Original mattress is also a great pick for athletes thanks to the fact that it adapts to your shape as well as your sleep positions.

The Original features a layer of responsive transition foam that helps alleviate pressure while providing support so you can settle in and doze off. Under the transition foam you'll find high-density support foam that aids with durability, support and cushioning. Because the Original contours to your shape regardless of the position you're in, you'll feel supported the entire time you're asleep.

The Original comes in seven sizes ranging from twin to split king and when you purchase, regardless of mattress size, you'll also get two free cloud pillows. Bear offers a 120-night trial period along with free shipping and returns.

Bear Original Mattress ($699 for a Queen, bearmattress.com)

Memory foam is a polyurethane material that is designed to contour to the shape of the user’s body. It temporarily holds or “remembers,” the shape of the body through a combination of viscosity,and elasticity.

Before becoming popular as a mattress and sofa material, memory foam was first used by NASA in 1966 to make space travel safer. The viscoelastic foam was used in seat belts and harnesses to help astronauts better tolerate the turbulence that resulted from traveling at high speeds.

Eventually, Tempur-Pedic became the first company to use memory foam for mattresses in 1992. Since then, memory foam has skyrocketed to popularity because of its comfort and contouring properties, which offer a very different sleep experience when compared to innerspring beds.

Memory foam comes in different forms with varied feels, purposes and degrees of softness. Some people prefer a softer foam in their mattress, while others can handle a firmer option. The best memory foam mattress for your needs may also depend on your body weight and natural sleep position. The developments in memory foam design have led to three distinct categories.

The traditional memory foam, also known as standard memory foam, molds to the contours of the sleeper’s body, giving a hugging sensation. This traditional memory foam option can evenly disperse bodyweight while relieving pressure points. While standard memory foam is known for retaining body heat, many mattress companies have taken the steps to resolve the temperature issue with cooling technology.

Sleepers looking for a mattress that helps them avoid overheating will prefer those with open cell memory foam. This material features pockets that allow for airflow and ventilation. As a result, the mattress combats heat retention to maintain cooler temperatures.

Gel memory foam also has built-in cooling properties. In this design, gel microbeads are infused directly into the memory foam, which opens space for air circulation. There are two types of gel that can help achieve cooler bed temperatures: Heat absorbing gel creates a cool surface to avoid overheating, while dual phase-changing material releases and absorbs heat to keep the body’s temperature constant.

Memory foam mattresses have gained attention for tackling a variety of issues that can get in the way of a good night’s sleep. We’ve included a list of the benefits of sleeping on one of these mattresses.

Foam technology can offer pressure point relief by contouring to curves and taking pressure off of the shoulders, hips and other sensitive points. In addition to having an easier time falling asleep, you’ll wake up feeling better rested. This is a great mattress option for athletes.

The contouring effects of memory foam can help the spine stay in a natural position, similar to your posture while standing. Proper spinal alignment comes from a balance between softness and firmness which keeps the spine in good health.

If you are worried about waking up your partner as you toss and turn, a memory foam mattress with strong motion isolation can ease your concerns. By absorbing pressure and movement, both of you can avoid disturbing each other’s sleep.

Memory foam mattresses can fit on just about any surface without compressing the bed. This allows the mattress to work on an adjustable bed, which comes in handy for those who need to switch up their sleeping positions.

High density foam doesn’t just keep your spine healthy—it also makes the bed more durable. With the ability to reform to its original shape when not in use, a dense memory foam mattress has a longer lifespan and avoids sagging.

To get the most from your memory foam mattress, you’ll need to know what to avoid. Here is a list of cons that you may run into with these mattresses.

If you want to avoid hot nights in the summer, memory foam can pose a challenge due to its heat retention. However, adjusting the air conditioner or thermostat in your home can help balance out the temperature. Some memory foam mattresses have also been updated with cooling gel technology to keep sleepers cool and dry.

Among customer complaints about memory foam mattresses, some point out that the material can smell when first unboxed. This new-mattress smell, referred to as “off-gassing,” is easily resolved by airing it out in a well-ventilated room.

Often, memory foam beds are designed with average weight sleepers in mind. Both lightweight (under 130 pound) and heavyweight sleepers (more than 230 pounds) should be mindful that their bodies may be supported differently than the bed is designed for. As a result, they may need to compensate with a softer or firmer model than expected.

By contouring and supporting the body, memory foam mattresses can create the right sleep conditions for a variety of sleepers.

Memory foam delivers support to the hips and shoulders, which reduces pressure in these parts. This makes it easier for individuals to sleep on their sides on this mattress.

Some memory foam beds target the back with lumbar support, making it easy to relieve pressure off the user’s back. As a result, memory foam is a reliable option for back sleepers.

The support of the right memory foam mattress can help sleepers keep their lower backs from slipping out of alignment. Users can then sleep on their stomachs without causing discomfort.

Some people sleep in more than one position during the night; if you’ve ever gone to sleep on your back and woken up curled on your side, you might be a combination sleeper. For combination sleepers, it's important that they not have to fight with a sinking mattress to change position. Memory foam can make combination sleepers feel stuck, so they’ll want to seek a bed with strong responsiveness.

Sharing a mattress with a partner can be difficult, because you’ll need to agree on mattress firmness and bed type and you may have different sleep positions. One way to improve co-sleeping is to choose a memory foam mattress with strong motion isolation, so one sleeper’s movement doesn’t interrupt the other’s sleep.

The comforting properties of memory foam allow these beds to fit a range of sleeping positions. However, there are still conditions that can keep certain people from experiencing the benefits of this mattress type.

Memory foam’s natural heat retention can be a problem for those who sleep warm. We recommend that hot sleepers seek out models that feature the cooling technology or turn to other mattress types with better air circulation, like innerspring beds.

When buying a new mattress most shoppers put comfort at the top of their list of must-haves. We have a few more considerations that can help you narrow down your search for the best memory foam mattress.

Mattress shopping on a budget can be challenging. Beds range in price based on size, materials and extra features. You can save money on mattresses by considering the special discounts and coupons that different brands may offer, especially around holiday sales. We also recommend comparing brands with similar models to get the most out of your purchase.

One factor that is often overlooked is the potential for irritants. Beds are known for collecting dust mites, mildew, mold, pet dander and other common sources of allergies. You should check the materials used to construct your mattress to make sure they are non-allergenic. Memory foam beds with organic certifications can show that they were made with a cleaner process.

The denser the mattress, the longer its lifespan. However, you can better protect your investment with a strong warranty. Many companies offer manufacturer warranties of a few years and a few on our list even offer lifetime warranties.

Some shoppers may prefer mattresses made of natural or organic material instead of synthetic alternatives. Certain materials may fit your mattress budget better than others and organic wool, latex, pocket coils and cotton are often found in more expensive models.

Most bed-in-a-box mattress brands offer sleep trial periods ranging from 30 days to a year, giving shoppers time to put their bed to the test. With most new mattresses, it can take time to break in the bed or for a user to adjust from their usual sleep surface. We recommend considering brands that will handle the return shipping charges if you decide to send the mattress back.

Memory foam mattresses can range in cost from $420 to $3,500. This may depend on the size of your desired mattress, as well as extra features like cooling panels and pillow tops. If you are prioritizing your budget when looking for a mattress, we recommend comparing the features of competitors so that you can get a cheaper mattress without sacrificing quality.

Consider when popular brands are offering big sale days, usually around Labor Day, Memorial Day and Black Friday, to get the best bang for your buck. Discounts and promo codes are typically available throughout the year, though some brands offer them more often than others.

When it comes to our list, the Puffy and Saatva’s Loom & Leaf are the firmest mattresses, both reaching eight of 10 on the firmness spectrum. This ensures that sleepers can avoid sinking too deep in their mattresses while still enjoying a soft foam surface.

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.

John Nassivera is a copywriter focusing on providing information that can help readers improve their health and lifestyle.