Gel Foam Vs Memory Foam: Which Is The Best?
There is a wide variety of foam used for pillow and mattresses these days. We can’t say which is the best one because it’s all a matter of preference. However, we can give you facts and comparisons to help you choose. This is a guide for bedroom stuff shoppers. It’s about time to know which one your bedroom deserves – gel foam vs. memory foam. You are free to choose, of course. But, first, you need to know what a good foam can do for you.
Importance Of A Good Foam
Sufficient sleep is essential for us to function better in our work, family affairs, and other daily activities of living. In fact, lack of sleep has a lot of unfavorable effects. It increases the risk of accidents, ages your skin faster, and kills your sex drive.
One of the things you can do to enhance the quality of your sleep is to choose the right material you’re sleeping on. The foundations of quality sleep start with your mattress.
There is a wide variety of natural and synthetic foam materials out there. The two that are being compared a lot are memory foam and gel foam.
While getting restful sleep is dependent on a lot of external and internal factors, finding the right foam for your needs and style is a great start.
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What To Consider When Choosing Foam
There’s no way to say what foam is the best because we all have different needs and likes. Here’s what you should consider when buying a mattress:
Support And Comfort
A good foam should be supportive, allowing a natural body alignment and curvature of your spine. It should also be comfortable for you. A good combination of both might be dependent on the density of the mattress and the material it uses.
Comfort is subjective, but it’s usually based on its softness or firmness. There’s also another factor that can contribute to the comfort level – temperature. Some foam may retain heat, making it less comfortable to sleep on.
Density And Durability
We all want a mattress that will last us long, don’t we? While some are more durable than others, it also depends on how you care for your foam.
Density also affects durability. The density of the mattress is measured by the weight per one cubic foot. That means if a mattress has a density of 6 pounds per cubic foot, the foam weighs 6 pounds per cubic foot.
With that in mind, the higher the density, the more supportive it is. However, it also means that it’s more firm and stiff. Foams with a lower density have a more instant softness but are less supportive. The higher the density the foam has, the more durable it is.
Price/Value
If money isn’t an issue, choosing a mattress might be easier. But your budget is a big factor as well. Of course, we want to get our money’s worth. Keep in mind that the higher the density of the foam, the greater the cost. That’s because more materials are used in a high-density foam.
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Memory Foam Vs. Gel Foam
Memory foam and gel foam are both made of viscoelastic. The design of the material allows the foam to follow the contours of your body, reducing the pressure on pressure points.
Memory Foam
Pros
- Memory foam is popular for its cradling effect. Because it follows the contours of your body, it reduces the weight on the pressure points. This quality is favorable for those who have joint pains and back pains.
- Another advantage is that it absorbs movement. That means if you’re sleeping next to someone who is tossing and turning a lot, you will hardly feel it.
- Memory foam is also antimicrobial, preventing allergy flare-ups.
Cons
- It retains heat, making it uncomfortable during warm weather. It also emits an unpleasant odor from the chemicals it uses. This phenomenon is called “off-gassing.”
- Memory foam is not ideal for young children, especially infants. The softness and “sinking” feeling increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Gel Foam
Pros
- The advantages of gel foam are very much like that of a memory foam, because they both use viscoelastic. The hype with gel foam is that it offers a cooler effect than memory foam. The gel in gel foam enhances air circulation as opposed to the heat retention in a regular memory foam.
Cons
- Gel foam sleeps cooler than a regular foam mattress. However, it seems that the gel cooling effect eventually warms up with our body heat. Gel foams also have more chemicals.
- Both regular memory foam and gel foam have a slow response time. That means that it takes a while for the foam to return to its original shape. This gives the foam a “sinking” feeling. They both also initially emit unpleasant chemical odors.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as the best or worst mattress. All of us have different needs and likes which ultimately affect our decision. After all, comfort is subjective and relative. What is best for you is not the same as what’s best for another person.
Also, you also have to choose one that fits your budget. If what you want is off budget, you will have to settle for the next best thing. Weigh out your options. If you can try out a mattress, then, I suggest you do that. Have a feel of the material before you decide to buy it because it’s something you’ll have to stick to for quite a while. Ask about warranties, return policy, and anything that can help you decide.
Finally, remember that buying a mattress is an investment for yourself. The more restful nights you have, the better you can function. Only you can ultimately decide what’s best for your need and preferences.
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Tips:
If you would like to give your mattress personalized comfort, topper would be an excellent choice. Click here to read The Comprehensive Guide Of Best Mattress Toppers In 2019
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