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The Original Memory Foam Mattress Pad Buying Guide
8 Easy Steps to Purchasing a Quality Memory Foam Pad
With so many memory foam mattress pads on the market today, many of our customers have asked us to produce a guide on choosing the right pad and making sense of everything. This short buying guide will help you understand what to look for and what to beware of. While there are many low quality memory foam pads being sold, the good news is there are reputable companies selling quality memory foam pads. Armed with this guide, you’ll be sure to choose the right memory foam pad for you.
Density
The density of a memory foam mattress pad is the biggest factor in how it is going to feel and how long it will last. Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot, or in other words how much a cubic foot of the foam weighs. When you hear about 5.3lb memory foam, 5.3lb is referring to the density. The higher the density, the better the memory foam relieves pressure.
Memory foam is produced in densities ranging from 2lb to 8lb, with 2lb being the cheapest and 8lb being extremely expensive. For a mattress topper that is going to be slept on every night, we recommend at least a 5lb density memory foam. Anything below that will break down quickly over time. For a mattress pad that is only being used occasionally, 4lb density memory foam will do the trick.
Firmness
Memory Foam comes in a number of different firmnesses—how soft or hard the foam is to the touch. This is measured by ILD. Pads vary from 8 ILD (super-soft) all the way up to 20 ILD (ultra-firm). We’ve found that the sweet spot is 12-14 ILD. This is a very important aspect that must be taken into consideration.
Thickness
Memory Foam Mattress Pads come in thicknesses ranging from 1” to 4”. 1.5” to 2” is great to soften up a mattress that is just a bit too firm. A 3” Memory Foam Pad seems to be the sweet spot for most people, offering the ideal level of comfort and support. In addition, a 3” memory foam pad can be used to sleep directly on the ground when traveling, and is often more comfortable than many mattresses used in hotels and motels. A 4” memory foam mattress pad is great for individuals that are over 250 pounds and need the extra support. For the average person, anything over 3” tends to be unnecessary.
Location of Foam Manufacturer
Much of the memory foam constructed outside of the United States contains fillers like clay, added to increase the density of the memory foam. We recommend staying away from these foreign (especially Chinese) memory foams, as they have a tendency to break down quickly, and aren’t very comfortable. You’ll spend a little more money on an American made memory foam pad, but the extra expense is worth it. If a retailer doesn’t disclose where their product is made, odds are it was produced in China. Don’t be hesitant to ask a retailer where their memory foam comes from. Stay away from the memory foam pads in big box retailers like Wal-Mart, as they are almost always produced with low quality memory foam from Asia.
Warranty
A quality memory foam mattress pad should come with a warranty of at least five years.
Size
To cut costs, many manufacturers cut their memory foam pads a few inches shorter than the actual size of the mattress itself. For example, a normal twin size mattress is 38”X75”, and certain manufacturers will have a twin mattress pad cut 35”X72”. This can lead to your feet hanging off of the edge of the mattress pad, and the mattress pads also have a tendency to shift around during the night. Make sure the memory foam mattress pad you’re purchasing is cut to the full length and width of your mattress.
Free Trial Period
Most reputable companies offer at least a 30 day money back guarantee on memory foam pads. This gives the customer a chance to sleep on the mattress pad to make sure it’s for them. If a company is selling a quality mattress pad, it will receive very few returns. If a company is not offering a free trial period, it may be because the product is of low quality. Either way, it is always better to have the option to return a product if you don’t like it.
Is a Memory Foam Pad right for you?
Before purchasing a memory foam mattress pad, make sure it is right for the situation you are in. If you are looking for increased comfort, or want take advantage of the benefits memory foam has to offer, a memory foam pad is for you.
If your mattress is too soft a memory foam pad will not help the situation. This is also true for beds that have formed body depressions; the memory foam will conform to the depressions in your mattress. In these cases, unfortunately, your only option is to purchase a new mattress.
Select Foam™ offers a very high quality 5.3lb density memory foam mattress pad that comes with a ten year warranty and a 90 day free trial period. It is very reasonably priced, and we have thousands of satisfied customers worldwide. To view the SELECT-HD™ Memory Foam Mattress Topper, click here.
