Memory Foam vs. Airbeds

The high density of the memory foam reacts to body heat and temperature making it firmer in cool weather and softer in warmer weather. The elasticity of the foam allows it to hold the shape so that a hand pressed into the foam will leave a clear impression.

Benefits to Memory Foam Mattresses

The primary health benefit of the Memory Foam Mattress is the lack of pressure points. In a traditional mattress the springs will create a contact or pressure point which can cause pain and in the case of immobile or disabled sleepers, the pressure point can cause bed sores if the sleeper is not able to shift weight frequently. Bed sores could lead to infection and in some cases death and are a strong problem for nursing homes, hospitals and hospice care centers.

In a Memory Foam Mattress, the air in the cells of the foam disperses the pressure and removes the pressure point from the sleeper. The temperature sensitivity of the foam also allows the sleeper to contour the mattress to their sleeping patterns. As the mattress softens as it warms, the contours this creates allows the sleeper to create nestling areas surrounding their sleep area pattern.

Depending on the density, thickness and quality of the mattress, it will also keep the contours to one side of the bed. The famous commercial of someone jumping on one side with a glass of wine not moving on the other, is an example of how the contours can create a unique sleeping arrangement for each side of the bed and each sleeper.

The US, Canada and Sweden make Memory Foam, Visco Elastic Foam and Tempur-Pedic® mattresses that are non-toxic and harmless to the consumers. In other countries, formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals may be used in the foam.

Air Beds

The Air Bed such as the Sleep Number® bed is composed of air chambers and comfort foam and other materials that surround twin chambers of airflow so that each sleeper can select the firmness of their choice. The beds are tested to 1000 pounds and claim the same type of benefits including being free from pressure points that the memory foam offers.

Comparison

While the Memory foam moves independently from side to side since there is no rebound or bounce back, the air bed uses separate controls to make for different sleep conditions.

The Airbed offers 20 year limited warranty and the Memory Foam, offers a minimum of 20 year limited warranty (Tempur-pedic®) to a Lifetime Limited warranty (Select Foam®). The Sleep Number® bed offers a 30 day trial while the Memory foam offers a 90 day free trial. Both types of bed manufacturers offer financing possibilities.

The design and construction of the airbed is surrounded by foam and other materials, the memory foam construction is supported by plush layers of memory foam with support and cooling layers of latex and other materials to create a higher profile with more options for plushness. The Memory Foam manufacturers offer more options in density, firmness and thickness, where the Airbed offers more individual settings within a narrow range of mattress designs.

Pricing is similar if you are comparing airbeds to memory foam manufacturers like Select Foam®, Tempur-Pedic® is substantially higher than Select Foam® or Sleep Number®.

Both the airbed and the memory foam (visco elastic) will offer sleep without pressure points, the construction style, design and options for memory foam seem to be wider and broader in terms of options and design aesthetics than the airbed. The Sleep Number Bed® features the separate settings while the Select Foam Memory Foam allows for individual rest by contouring to each sleeper.