The Density of a Memory Foam Mattress Topper

History

• A NASA project in the 1970s gave birth to memory foam. In the 1990s, the material started appearing on hospital beds to relieve pressure sores and later entered the consumer market. Manufacturers first created memory foam mattress toppers, and then produced memory foam mattresses as well.

Features

• The density of a memory foam mattress topper indicates the amount of materials in the product, and the weight of the product per cubic foot. For example, if a cube measuring 1 foot on each side were cut from a mattress topper with a 5 lb. density, the cube would weigh 5 lbs.

Low Density

• Cheap memory foam mattress toppers that have low densities of less than 3 lbs. per cubic foot tend to be less durable and less comfortable due to them having less support. These products may reduce sleep quality when they sag and create a hammock effect.

Medium Density

• The medium density range for a memory foam mattress topper is 3 to 4 lbs. per cubic foot. These products, when produced by reliable manufacturers, last long and tend to be of the right firmness.

High Density

• Memory foam products with a high density of 5 lbs. or greater, while usually offered by the leading brands, might feel stiff and uncomfortable. These products also tend to be more expensive because more materials go into the products.

Considerations

• Density alone cannot accurately indicate the quality of a memory foam mattress topper. Depending on the manufacturer, memory foams of the same density can have different levels of firmness and durability.