What thickness of foam for a memory foam mattress?

Discover the ideal foam thickness for a memory foam mattress and our tip for easily increasing the thickness of a mattress.

Focus on foam thickness for a memory foam mattress

What foam thickness for a memory foam mattress should you choose? We tend to think that the thicker the mattress, the more comfortable it will be. But is it true? Is the thickness the only criterion to take into account to motivate the choice of your mattress? Bdreams explains everything in this article!

The difference between density and thickness

The thickness of the viscoelastic layer

Let's start with the point that interests us the most: the foam thickness of a memory foam mattress . The first important thing is to look at the thickness of the viscoelastic layer and not the thickness of the mattress itself! In fact, when lying down to sleep, it is the viscoelastic layer that will adapt and mold to the shape of your body. The entire mattress does not move. When choosing your memory foam mattress, you should choose a viscoelastic layer thickness of at least 7 cm . If it is thinner, you are in the presence of a mixed mattress , and not a full-fledged memory foam mattress. The thicker this layer, the greater the capacity for accommodation, envelopment and comfort . The thickness is generally between 15 and 18 cm (can go up to 27 cm!): but if it is thicker, it is probably a spring mattress .

The density of memory foam

Density directly impacts the comfort and durability of a mattress. Even if the density is always higher than 55kg/m3, we advise you to opt for a density of at least 80kg/m3 if your weight is between 50 and 100kg. In addition to the foam thickness for your memory foam mattress , the density will bring you comfort and health, with better support for your spine and your body.

Choosing the Right Foam Thickness for a Memory Foam Mattress

Now you know not to confuse density with thickness. It is possible that a 30 cm thick mattress actually has a fairly low density, unlike a mattress topper a few centimeters thick which can give you a density of 75 kg/m3. The foam thickness of a memory foam mattress will also depend on your morphology: the taller you are, the thicker the mattress should be and have more filling. A memory foam mattress must be at least 18 cm thick to be considered “good quality”. The memory foam/conventional foam ratio must also be checked to avoid ending up with a mattress made up of only 10% memory foam! For large builds, we recommend thick and fairly firm mattresses, with a density greater than 50 kg. Small builds will prefer softer mattresses, with a slightly lower thickness.

Gain thickness with a mattress topper

What should you do if you realize that the foam thickness of your memory foam mattress is too thin? Should you buy a new mattress? Well no ! You can simply opt for a memory foam mattress topper as well (or synthetic, latex, down or feather). Add it directly on top of your mattress and cover it with your fitted sheet to keep it in place. A mattress topper allows you to gain in comfort , to protect the mattress , but also to relieve back pain and promote blood circulation . This bedding accessory should be the same size as the mattress, with an optimal thickness of less than 5 cm. Easy to place and clean, the mattress topper offers multiple advantages for practical and economical use .

Conclusion

As you will have understood, it is not because a mattress is thicker that it is better for your sleep: it is true only up to a certain point! The foam thickness for a memory foam mattress must take into account your build, but also the density of the mattress for optimal comfort. If you would like advice on choosing your mattress, contact our Bdreams team !