If you like a mattress that feels like a hug, consider a memory foam mattress. Memory foam is usually very contouring and has low resilience, so it's not springy and responds slowly. This slow-moving feel can help with motion isolation, making memory foam a good choice for couples, especially if you sleep lightly. You'll also find plenty of budget-friendly all-foam memory foam mattresses, so it's worth considering one if you're looking for something more affordable.
Memory foam has two classic trade-offs. Some memory foam is so slow-moving that even people who enjoy the feeling of sleeping in their mattress will feel constricted or stuck in place. Also, because memory foam uses your body weight and heat to contour around you, it can also retain a lot of heat and make you feel warmer while you sleep. If feeling constricted or overheated is a dealbreaker for you, you might prefer a hybrid memory foam mattress instead of an all-foam model. Hybrid memory foam mattresses provide many of the benefits of all-foam models, but include a layer of springs that makes them more cooling and lively. However, they aren't as likely to provide fantastic motion isolation. We've included all-foam and hybrid models in our recommendations, but if you're not sure what type of mattress you want, check out our overview of hybrid vs. memory foam mattresses.
We've tested over 65 mattresses, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best memory foam mattresses. If you want a bouncy, responsive mattress with memory foam, you may want one of the best hybrid mattresses. You might also be interested in the best mattresses for back pain or the best mattresses for seniors.
We've tested over 55 mattresses. We purchase each unit independently from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free of manufacturer influence. Each mattress undergoes the same tests to measure objective data on characteristics like firmness, cooling, and motion isolation, so you can easily compare results. Since we buy all our mattresses, we can tear them down layer by layer and isolate the mechanical properties of every component: quilted tops, foams, coils, and any special materials.
Want to learn more about how we operate? Check out our About Us page.
-
Best Memory Foam Mattress
Side Sleeping7.7Back Sleeping7.4Stomach Sleeping7.2Cooling7.7Motion Dissipation9.4Longevity6.2Responsiveness3.4Firmness Level:Medium (48 Pa/mm)Edge Support:See all our test resultsBounciness:The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt is the best memory foam mattress we've tested. This all-foam Medium mattress is a great option for couples who want a classic memory foam feel. Its memory foam comfort layers are slow-moving and mold around you closely. You'll also sink quite deeply into it, so overall it has an enveloping feel and good pressure relief. It also offers decent support for most people, so it's quite versatile and suits a variety of sleepers.
Pick if: You want hugging, slow-moving memory foam, or motion isolation is a priority.
Skip if: You want ease of movement, strong edges, or sleep hot.This mattress stands out for its fantastic motion isolation, so you won't feel most of your partner's movements. Even bigger movements, like someone getting into bed or rolling over, are only felt briefly or not at all. It's moderately durable, with high-quality memory foam comfort layers that resist forming impressions longer than those of lower-density memory foam. It's cooling enough for people who don't generally sleep hot, but if you often feel overheated while you're trying to sleep, it's not ideal. Also, it's not very bouncy at all, which makes moving around in your sleep more difficult, especially when combined with the sleeping surface's slow-moving feel.
-
Best Upper Mid-Range Memory Foam Mattress
Side Sleeping7.6Back Sleeping7.3Stomach Sleeping7.2Cooling8.3Motion Dissipation8.2Longevity6.0Responsiveness7.5Firmness Level:Medium (46 Pa/mm)Edge Support:See all our test resultsBounciness:The Leesa Original is a great option for combination sleepers or anyone who prefers a more responsive mattress for ease of movement. Its memory foam layers are infused with gel beads, which were visible when we cut open the mattress. This modified memory foam helps it adapt faster when you move compared to the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt's classic memory foam. Instead of molding around you closely, it lets you sink in significantly, which helps it offer solid pressure relief for most side sleepers without feeling constricting.
Pick if: You want a more responsive memory foam mattress.
Skip if: You want hugging memory foam or strong edges.Like most all-foam, memory foam mattresses, it's not very bouncy, which gives it a slightly sluggish feel compared to most hybrid models. However, it also offers great motion isolation. It doesn't prevent you from feeling as many movements as the previous pick, so even smaller movements, like a pet jumping into bed, may be perceptible. However, movement is only felt near the source very briefly, so overall, its performance is good enough for couples. Unfortunately, its edge support isn't very good, so if you're concerned about having enough comfortable sleeping space, you may want to opt for a bigger size. Also, its lower-quality comfort layers mean it may form impressions or indentations before mattresses made with higher-quality foam.
While it offers good pressure relief for most side sleepers, if you're in the lighter weight category, you might want a slightly more conforming mattress. The Leesa Original only comes in one firmness option, but you can add an additional quilted layer, which should add a bit more cushioning for your arm and shoulder.
-
Best Mid-Range Memory Foam Mattress
Side Sleeping7.8Back Sleeping7.5Stomach Sleeping7.3Cooling7.9Motion Dissipation8.4Longevity6.8Responsiveness6.6Firmness Level:Medium (44 Pa/mm)Edge Support:See all our test resultsBounciness:The Novaform Serafina Pearl is a cheaper memory foam mattress that you might prefer if you want something with a little more pressure relief without sacrificing support. This Medium all-foam mattress has some downsides, but we found it outperforms the Leesa Original when it comes to cushioning your joints and other pressure points, since its memory foam comfort layers allow more sinking. This and a more durable design make it a great option for people with back pain, who benefit from a balance of support and pressure relief, as well as higher-quality materials that won't sag.
Pick if: You want a durable mattress with strong pressure relief.
Skip if: You sleep hot or want a responsive mattress for ease of movement.This mattress's great motion isolation means you'll mostly feel movements near the source and very briefly, so it's a good option for sleeping with a partner. However, it's the least bouncy mattress recommended here, which makes it less appealing for people who often change sleeping positions. Also, while it has very good cooling, we measured slower heat dissipation when you first get into bed, so it's not ideal for hot sleepers who want a mattress with a refreshing feel as they fall asleep. Similarly, its edge support is adequate, but not ideal if you want a solid surface for getting in and out of bed.
We tested the Plush variant of the Novaform Serafina Pearl, and it's also available in Medium and Firm. You might prefer a firmer option if you want a less enveloping mattress with a reasonably durable design.
-
Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress
Side Sleeping6.9Back Sleeping7.2Stomach Sleeping7.3Cooling7.7Motion Dissipation9.2Longevity6.9Responsiveness6.4Firmness Level:Medium-Firm (52 Pa/mm)Edge Support:See all our test resultsBounciness:If you're looking for the classic, hugging feel of memory foam at a lower price, you might prefer the Novaform ComfortGrande Plus. This Medium-Firm mattress has a firmer feel and doesn't offer as much pressure relief as the Novaform Serafina Pearl, but if it works for your body type and sleeping position, its slow-moving, contouring comfort layers make it ideal for people looking for the classic memory foam feel.
Pick if: You want a classic memory foam feel at a budget-friendly price.
Skip if: You're a lighter side sleeper or ease of movement is a priority.You won't be enveloped, but it molds around you closely, which helps give it a hugging feel and adds pressure relief. Of course, it doesn't feel as easy to move around on, so it's not ideal if ease of movement is a priority. It offers fantastic motion isolation, so you'll only feel bigger movements, like your partner rolling over. Motion is mostly felt near the source instead of all over the mattress and dissipates quickly, so even bigger movements are less likely to disturb you. All of its foam layers are made of good-quality foam, as well, so it's quite durable and resistant to sagging and permanent impressions. However, while it's cooling enough for most people, if you often sleep hot, you'll want a mattress with better cooling.
This mattress's decent support for most people makes it quite versatile, but lighter side sleepers won't get enough pressure relief from its relatively firm comfort layers. You might prefer the Medium-Plush Silk & Snow Mattress if you want more pressure relief or you're looking for a budget-friendly memory foam mattress with strong motion isolation and a responsive feel that makes it easy to move around on.
-
Best Cheap Memory Foam Mattress
Side Sleeping6.2Back Sleeping7.1Stomach Sleeping7.4Cooling7.5Motion Dissipation8.2Longevity6.7Responsiveness5.7Firmness Level:Firm (69 Pa/mm)Edge Support:See all our test resultsBounciness:If you're looking for a cheap memory foam mattress, consider the Zinus Original Green Tea 2025. This Firm option is a good option for single sleepers on a budget, or for people who need multiple mattresses for kids or guest rooms. Despite its bargain price, it offers adequate support and pressure relief for most people, making it a decent option for combination sleepers, although lighter side sleepers will want a more conforming mattress. It's quite enveloping, with memory foam comfort layers that allow significant sinking and contour around you closely. It has a slow-moving feel, so it's suitable for people looking for hugging memory foam.
Pick if: You want an inexpensive memory foam mattress with a hugging feel.
Skip if: You sleep hot, want strong edges, or you're a lighter side sleeper.This mattress has great motion isolation. While you'll feel some smaller movements, they dissipate quickly and don't make the mattress wobble or bounce. It's also cooling enough for most people who don't usually sleep hot, as we measured good cooling when you first get into bed, and for over eight hours. However, its edge support is mediocre, which makes the sleeping surface feel a little smaller.
-
Best Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress
Side Sleeping8.3Back Sleeping8.5Stomach Sleeping8.6Cooling8.9Motion Dissipation8.5Longevity5.3Responsiveness5.0Firmness Level:Medium (47 Pa/mm)Edge Support:See all our test resultsBounciness:If you like the feel of memory foam but want a mattress that will keep you cool, you might prefer the Casper Snow. This hybrid mattress's memory foam comfort layers have a slow-moving, enveloping feel. You'll sink deeply into it, which helps it provide excellent pressure relief, while its firmer coil layer helps make it impressively supportive for a range of sleepers.
Pick if: Hot sleepers who want hugging, enveloping memory foam.
Skip if: You want a responsive mattress for ease of movement or strong edge support.This mattress is also equipped with features that help it offer amazing cooling. Heat-conductive aluminum graphite bands and a cooling cover help draw heat away from your body when you first get into bed and all night, making it an excellent option for hot sleepers who like plush, hugging memory foam. Its motion isolation isn't as good as some of the previous picks, such as the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt. The pocket coil support layer makes it much bouncier, and motion doesn't dissipate quite as quickly. That said, overall, you won't feel smaller movements, and motion stays localized, so when your partner rolls over, you won't feel it all over the mattress. However, its edges are easily compressed, which is a concern for couples who want maximum comfortable sleeping space. The memory foam comfort layers are made of lower-quality foam, which is disappointing in a pricier mattress and may lead to permanent indentations sooner.
If you're interested in bouncier, more responsive mattresses, check out our recommendations for the best hybrid mattresses.
Notable Mentions
-
Novosbed:
The Novosbed is an Extra Firm memory foam mattress with good support for most people. This makes it a great option for dedicated back or stomach sleepers, especially if you like sleeping 'on' instead of 'in' your mattress. However, it won't work for most side sleepers, and its motion isolation isn't as good as the Novaform ComfortGrande Plus's.
See our review
Recent Updates
-
Sep 03, 2026 at 11:38 am:
We replaced the Novaform Dreamaway with the Zinus Original Green Tea 2025 in the cheap category, since the Zinus is available in more sizes.
-
Aug 04, 2026 at 02:14 pm:
We've updated the article to include price-based recommendations and include Medium and Medium-Firm mattresses that are comfortable for most people. The Novosbed and Zinus Green Tea 2025 were moved to Notable Mentions and replaced with the Leesa Original and the Novaform DreamAway. We also made the Novaform ComfortGrande Plus the budget pick with the Silk & Snow Mattress as a plusher alternative.
-
Jun 29, 2026 at 09:29 am:
We added the Zinus Original Green Tea 2025 and the Leesa Original in the cheap and budget categories. We also reorganized our recommendations to focus on all-foam memory foam models, and added the Novosbed as our memory foam pick for back/stomach sleepers.
-
May 14, 2026 at 11:53 am:
We added the Novosbed as a Notable Mention because it's a good alternative to the Nolah Evolution for back/stomach sleepers.
-
Apr 17, 2026 at 10:04 am:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are available.
FAQs
All-foam vs. hybrid memory foam: which is better?
You might prefer an all-foam memory foam mattress or a hybrid with memory foam, depending on your needs and preferences. An all-foam model might provide better motion isolation, so if you sleep very lightly with a restless partner, it's worth considering an all-memory foam mattress. Consider a hybrid with memory foam if you like the hugging feel of memory foam but sleep hot, or want a mattress with a bit of bounce for ease of movement.
Does memory foam always sleep hot?
Memory foam doesn't necessarily sleep hot. You're more likely to get great cooling from a hybrid mattress, since spring layers dissipate heat more efficiently than solid foam layers, but many all-foam memory foam mattresses are still cooling enough for hot sleepers. If you sleep hot, you can look for a cooling score of at least 8.0.
How does foam density affect memory foam durability?
The denser the memory foam, the more durable it is. However, memory foam is denser than regular polyfoam, so we have a higher density standard for memory foam. Our standard for good quality memory foam is 48 kg/m³ (3 lbs/ft³), while high-quality foam must have a density of at least 80 kg/m³ (5 lbs/ft³).
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best mattresses with memory foam for most people. We factor in price, visitor feedback, and availability.
That said, everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to mattresses. If none of our picks are quite right for you, here's a list of all of our mattress reviews so you can find your best option.