Memory Foam Mattress or Topper?
Buying a memory foam mattress or topper has it's pros and cons. The biggest difference between a mattress and a topper of equal quality is price. You can buy toppers for under $100, whereas a mattress is going to cost hundreds at the very least. Because it's cheaper, a topper is far more convenient to replace than a mattress. The memory foam in a mattress can't be replaced; once it wears out, you'll have to invest in another mattress.
If you decide to purchase a mattress, find one that has good durability. Otherwise, in a few years you'll be looking for another one. The rule of thumb is that the higher the density, the greater the durability. The reason is because these mattresses have more materials than the less dense versions. High density is anything over 5 pounds.
With toppers, the only criteria is whether it's comfortable or not. Once again, they don't require a big investment so durability is not a concern here.
The purpose of a topper is to add comfort to your existing mattress. Quite a few people actually buy a memory foam mattress and a topper because the former was too firm. Sometimes, consumers aren't able to sink down into a mattress enough in order to experience that special memory foam feel. They wake up in the morning very stiff, and sometimes even in pain because of this. Placing a topper over this mattress adds more softness so they can feel more comfortable when sleeping at night.
Buying a memory foam mattress topper will not provide much value however if your existing mattress is in bad shape. If there are signs of lumps and sagging in the middle, then your best bet is to buy a new mattress.
A topper should be viewed as a complement to your existing mattress, not a replacement.
Most toppers are between 1-4 inches thick, though some are even thicker. While conventional wisdom might say that the thickest topper would be ideal, that's really not the case at all. In fact, 2-3 inches is said to provide the best feel.
The thicker the foam is, the more cushion it provides. While this might seem great on the surface, there is a tradeoff. More cushion essentially means less support. A 4-inch topper for example would likely not give you enough support, and this is what can cause aches and pains.
That's why 2-3 inches is advised, because it gives a nice combination of comfort and support. Plus, it's less expensive.
If you decide to purchase a mattress, find one that has good durability. Otherwise, in a few years you'll be looking for another one. The rule of thumb is that the higher the density, the greater the durability. The reason is because these mattresses have more materials than the less dense versions. High density is anything over 5 pounds.
With toppers, the only criteria is whether it's comfortable or not. Once again, they don't require a big investment so durability is not a concern here.
The purpose of a topper is to add comfort to your existing mattress. Quite a few people actually buy a memory foam mattress and a topper because the former was too firm. Sometimes, consumers aren't able to sink down into a mattress enough in order to experience that special memory foam feel. They wake up in the morning very stiff, and sometimes even in pain because of this. Placing a topper over this mattress adds more softness so they can feel more comfortable when sleeping at night.
Buying a memory foam mattress topper will not provide much value however if your existing mattress is in bad shape. If there are signs of lumps and sagging in the middle, then your best bet is to buy a new mattress.
A topper should be viewed as a complement to your existing mattress, not a replacement.
Most toppers are between 1-4 inches thick, though some are even thicker. While conventional wisdom might say that the thickest topper would be ideal, that's really not the case at all. In fact, 2-3 inches is said to provide the best feel.
The thicker the foam is, the more cushion it provides. While this might seem great on the surface, there is a tradeoff. More cushion essentially means less support. A 4-inch topper for example would likely not give you enough support, and this is what can cause aches and pains.
That's why 2-3 inches is advised, because it gives a nice combination of comfort and support. Plus, it's less expensive.
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