Best10Mattress is supported by our readers. We may earn commission on purchases w/ our links.
Is A Polyurethane Foam Mattress The Best?

Is A Polyurethane Foam Mattress The Best?

Written by: Daniel Connell · Updated on: January 19, 2024

See Our #1 Researched Mattress in 2024

Rated best for comfort and hotel-feel

Get 450$ OFF Mattresses

Key Takeaways

No.

Compared to other mattress materials, polyurethane is by far the least comfortable.

It is typically used as a top layer of foam on spring mattresses, but some online mattress retailers also use it as a base layer instead of coils.

In comparison with polyfoam mattresses, latex mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and innerspring/hybrid mattresses are far better.

It is fine to use polyfoam in small transition layers (maximum 1.5") - otherwise, stay away from it.

Many people consider polyfoams to be the same as memory foams.

Sometimes, it is used as a blanket term for foam synthesized using polyol and diisocyanate. This means it may include memory foam, high-resilience foam, or high-density foam. It's critical to remember this.

In addition to memory foam mattresses, there are many types of foam that fall under this category.

In general, every cushioned product contains polyurethane. Mattresses and chairs have this stuffing.

The most common type of foam used in mattress comfort layers is polyurethane. It is used as a top layer over other higher-quality foams. In its lower grades, it is very inexpensive to manufacture.

It can be made very soft, which can give a mattress a very comfortable feel.

When you see deep depressions in a mattress (which is a sign of complete failure), the foam has lost most of its pressure relief and comfort qualities. Your mattress needs to be replaced at that point.

Consider Saatva Classic. A high-quality mattress that is built to last.

Polyurethane Foam

It refers to any foam synthesized with polyol and diisocyanate. It can include memory foam, high-resilience foam, and high-density foam.

It includes a wide variety of foams, such as memory foam mattresses, which are made from a combination of these two materials.

The majority of cushioned products contain polyurethane. Very inexpensive to manufacture in its lower grades. In mattresses and chairs, it's the stuffing. Yoga mats and squishy flooring for kids' rooms are made from it.

#1 Rated Polyurethane Foam Mattress?

There isn't one. Avoid polyfoam mattresses at all costs!

We highly recommend the Loom and Leaf memory foam mattress (which does not contain polyfoam).

Excellent motion transfer and pressure relief. The foam responds quickly. Overall, great support and longevity.

Check out the Zenhaven mattress as well. 100% Talalay latex. An incredible alternative to traditional foam mattresses.

Latex foam is a superior material to other foam types.

Latex foam is the ideal foam type for mattresses and mattress toppers, but most mattresses are made with memory foam or polyurethane.

We only recommend latex foam because we think it's better than other foam types.

The density of the base foam most accurately predicts foam durability.

Poly foam is available in three grades: regular, high density, and high resilience.

Polyurethane Foam

Any foam that is synthesized using polyol and diisocyanate falls under this category. It includes memory foam, high-resilience foam, and high-density foam.

It includes a variety of foams, including memory foam mattresses, which are all derived from these materials.

Types of polyfoam found in mattresses and their qualities:

• Conventional: This is the lowest grade and weighs less than 1.5 lbs per cubic foot. As a comfort layer of a mattress, it is not suitable for long-term use.

• Low Density Polyfoam (HD): To improve durability and minimize foam softening, this foam density is used in thinner layers or in a two-sided mattress, while in a one-sided mattress, I would use 1.9-2.0 lb density.

• High Density: The industry standard is roughly 30ILD base foam. However, heavier weights may require a firmer base foam. Make sure the base support foam is at least 4.5 lbs. (or greater) density.

Polyurethane Vs. Innerspring / Hybrid Mattresses

Innerspring:

• Pros: Long-lasting materials and newer pocket coil systems provide comfortable support.
• Cons: Older coil spring mattresses can cause back pain and exacerbate pressure points.

Polyfoam:

• Pros: Polyurethane foams come in many different forms - some are excellent for bedding and offer different levels of firmness.
• Cons: Low-quality foams have off-gassing and durability problems.

A rotated mattress, much like rotated tires, typically wears more evenly and reduces indentions or support issues.

Polyurethane Vs. Memory Foam Mattresses

Polyurethane and memory foam are pretty similar.

The only real difference is that polyurethane foams have added compounds (and chemicals) that change the way they feel (and how quickly they respond).

In comparison to polyfoam, memory foam responds a bit slower (and sinks further the longer pressure is applied).

Typically, polyurethane foam is found in low-quality mattress support or comfort layers.

Memory foam is usually found in higher-end mattresses (like Loom and Leaf).

Listed below are 4 main types of memory foam mattresses (note: plant-based and gel-infused mattresses are the best, similar to Loom and Leaf):

1. Traditional Memory Foam:

• Popular for its deep contouring, motion isolation, heat retention, and minimal bounce.
• Some people love its cloud-like hug.
• Some people complain about being stuck in the foam or overheating.
• Its popularity has declined with the advent of newer memory foam.

2. Plant-Based Memory Foam:

• Replaces a certain percentage of petrochemicals with plant-based products, such as soybean oils (memory foam is manufactured using a number of chemicals, some of which are petroleum-based).

3. Gel-Infused Memory Foam:

• Incorporates a gel material into the foam.
• The gel can be added in swirl patterns or in small beads embedded in the foam.
• By adding gel to memory foam, heat is reduced.

4. Copper-Infused Memory Foam:

• Incorporates copper-filled beads.
• The beads are designed to draw heat away from the mattress surface.

Polyurethane Vs. Latex Foam Mattresses

Listed below are the main differences between latex and memory foam.

Latex Foam:

• Made by vulcanizing liquid latex to form a solid foam.
• In vulcanization, latex particles are cross-linked with sulfur using heat and accelerators like zinc oxide
• The latex used in the production of latex foam can either be natural latex, which comes from rubber trees, or synthetic latex, which comes from petrochemicals.

Memory Foam:

• Contains compounds that change the way it feels.
• Unlike latex foam, which responds instantly and provides constant support, memory foam responds slowly and sinks deeper as pressure is applied for a longer period of time.
• Memory foam sinks during sleep, making movement more necessary.

Why Latex Is A Better Overall Mattress Vs. Polyurethane

There are several significant advantages of latex foam over polyurethane foam and memory foam.

Latex foam:

• Latex foam has a lot more to offer than polyurethane foam and memory foam.
• Only latex mattresses contain no other materials other than 100% natural latex.

The #1 natural latex currently available is the Zenhaven. A premium dual-sided, natural latex mattress for buoyant, pressure-relieving comfort. Great back and joint pain relief.

Polyurethane Foam:

• This type of foam is the cheapest and lowest quality used in mattresses and mattress toppers.
• Some online mattress retailers use it instead of spring coils as a base layer since it is primarily composed of compounds derived from petrochemicals.

About X

X is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, Huffington Post, Washington Post, AskMen, and She Knows. X has personally tested over 268+ mattresses and hundreds of pillows, sheets, beds, and other sleep products.

See Our #1 Researched Mattress in 2024

Rated best for comfort and hotel-feel

Get 450$ OFF Mattresses

References

Is A Polyurethane Foam Mattress The Best?

Why you can trust Best 10 Mattress? We spend hours analyzing, compiling and fact-checking all up-to-date information online, so you can be sure you’re reading accurate and trustworthy information.

Best 10’s Verdict

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare.

Pros

  • rthrthfwew wef wefwefw wefwefwefwef wefwef
  • etgerg
  • rthrth
  • rhrtr

Cons

  • rthrth wefw ef wef wefwef wef wefwef wef
  • etgerg
  • rthrth
  • rhrtr

No.

Compared to other mattress materials, polyurethane is by far the least comfortable.

It is typically used as a top layer of foam on spring mattresses, but some online mattress retailers also use it as a base layer instead of coils.

In comparison with polyfoam mattresses, latex mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and innerspring/hybrid mattresses are far better.

It is fine to use polyfoam in small transition layers (maximum 1.5") - otherwise, stay away from it.

Many people consider polyfoams to be the same as memory foams.

Sometimes, it is used as a blanket term for foam synthesized using polyol and diisocyanate. This means it may include memory foam, high-resilience foam, or high-density foam. It's critical to remember this.

In addition to memory foam mattresses, there are many types of foam that fall under this category.

In general, every cushioned product contains polyurethane. Mattresses and chairs have this stuffing.

The most common type of foam used in mattress comfort layers is polyurethane. It is used as a top layer over other higher-quality foams. In its lower grades, it is very inexpensive to manufacture.

It can be made very soft, which can give a mattress a very comfortable feel.

When you see deep depressions in a mattress (which is a sign of complete failure), the foam has lost most of its pressure relief and comfort qualities. Your mattress needs to be replaced at that point.

Consider Saatva Classic. A high-quality mattress that is built to last.

Polyurethane Foam

It refers to any foam synthesized with polyol and diisocyanate. It can include memory foam, high-resilience foam, and high-density foam.

It includes a wide variety of foams, such as memory foam mattresses, which are made from a combination of these two materials.

The majority of cushioned products contain polyurethane. Very inexpensive to manufacture in its lower grades. In mattresses and chairs, it's the stuffing. Yoga mats and squishy flooring for kids' rooms are made from it.

#1 Rated Polyurethane Foam Mattress?

There isn't one. Avoid polyfoam mattresses at all costs!

We highly recommend the Loom and Leaf memory foam mattress (which does not contain polyfoam).

Excellent motion transfer and pressure relief. The foam responds quickly. Overall, great support and longevity.

Check out the Zenhaven mattress as well. 100% Talalay latex. An incredible alternative to traditional foam mattresses.

Latex foam is a superior material to other foam types.

Latex foam is the ideal foam type for mattresses and mattress toppers, but most mattresses are made with memory foam or polyurethane.

We only recommend latex foam because we think it's better than other foam types.

The density of the base foam most accurately predicts foam durability.

Poly foam is available in three grades: regular, high density, and high resilience.

Polyurethane Foam

Any foam that is synthesized using polyol and diisocyanate falls under this category. It includes memory foam, high-resilience foam, and high-density foam.

It includes a variety of foams, including memory foam mattresses, which are all derived from these materials.

Types of polyfoam found in mattresses and their qualities:

• Conventional: This is the lowest grade and weighs less than 1.5 lbs per cubic foot. As a comfort layer of a mattress, it is not suitable for long-term use.

• Low Density Polyfoam (HD): To improve durability and minimize foam softening, this foam density is used in thinner layers or in a two-sided mattress, while in a one-sided mattress, I would use 1.9-2.0 lb density.

• High Density: The industry standard is roughly 30ILD base foam. However, heavier weights may require a firmer base foam. Make sure the base support foam is at least 4.5 lbs. (or greater) density.

Polyurethane Vs. Innerspring / Hybrid Mattresses

Innerspring:

• Pros: Long-lasting materials and newer pocket coil systems provide comfortable support.
• Cons: Older coil spring mattresses can cause back pain and exacerbate pressure points.

Polyfoam:

• Pros: Polyurethane foams come in many different forms - some are excellent for bedding and offer different levels of firmness.
• Cons: Low-quality foams have off-gassing and durability problems.

Polyurethane Vs. Memory Foam Mattresses

Polyurethane and memory foam are pretty similar.

The only real difference is that polyurethane foams have added compounds (and chemicals) that change the way they feel (and how quickly they respond).

In comparison to polyfoam, memory foam responds a bit slower (and sinks further the longer pressure is applied).

Typically, polyurethane foam is found in low-quality mattress support or comfort layers.

Memory foam is usually found in higher-end mattresses (like Loom and Leaf).

Listed below are 4 main types of memory foam mattresses (note: plant-based and gel-infused mattresses are the best, similar to Loom and Leaf):

1. Traditional Memory Foam:

• Popular for its deep contouring, motion isolation, heat retention, and minimal bounce.
• Some people love its cloud-like hug.
• Some people complain about being stuck in the foam or overheating.
• Its popularity has declined with the advent of newer memory foam.

2. Plant-Based Memory Foam:

• Replaces a certain percentage of petrochemicals with plant-based products, such as soybean oils (memory foam is manufactured using a number of chemicals, some of which are petroleum-based).

3. Gel-Infused Memory Foam:

• Incorporates a gel material into the foam.
• The gel can be added in swirl patterns or in small beads embedded in the foam.
• By adding gel to memory foam, heat is reduced.

4. Copper-Infused Memory Foam:

• Incorporates copper-filled beads.
• The beads are designed to draw heat away from the mattress surface.

Polyurethane Vs. Latex Foam Mattresses

Listed below are the main differences between latex and memory foam.

Latex Foam:

• Made by vulcanizing liquid latex to form a solid foam.
• In vulcanization, latex particles are cross-linked with sulfur using heat and accelerators like zinc oxide
• The latex used in the production of latex foam can either be natural latex, which comes from rubber trees, or synthetic latex, which comes from petrochemicals.

Memory Foam:

• Contains compounds that change the way it feels.
• Unlike latex foam, which responds instantly and provides constant support, memory foam responds slowly and sinks deeper as pressure is applied for a longer period of time.
• Memory foam sinks during sleep, making movement more necessary.

Why Latex Is A Better Overall Mattress Vs. Polyurethane

There are several significant advantages of latex foam over polyurethane foam and memory foam.

Latex foam:

• Latex foam has a lot more to offer than polyurethane foam and memory foam.
• Only latex mattresses contain no other materials other than 100% natural latex.

The #1 natural latex currently available is the Zenhaven. A premium dual-sided, natural latex mattress for buoyant, pressure-relieving comfort. Great back and joint pain relief.

Polyurethane Foam:

• This type of foam is the cheapest and lowest quality used in mattresses and mattress toppers.
• Some online mattress retailers use it instead of spring coils as a base layer since it is primarily composed of compounds derived from petrochemicals.