What is a memory foam mattress?
A classic memory foam mattress stacks viscoelastic comfort foam over a dense polyfoam support core. There are no metal springs. Body heat softens the top layers, so shoulders and hips sink while lighter areas stay supported. That slow, hugging feel is why many side sleepers and couples choose memory foam—it dampens partner movement and cushions pressure points.
The trade-offs are real: dense foam can sleep warm unless the brand uses open-cell, gel, or copper-infused layers. Edge support is often softer than a hybrid, and very plush profiles may let stomach-dominant sleepers sag at the hips. Entry-level memory foam models also tend to cost less than comparable hybrids, which matters if budget is your top filter.