Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses come in two general varieties. Inexpensive versions are often made of lower quality foam that tends to break down over time and may need to be replaced often.

More expensive foam mattresses, also known as memory foam, now offer space-age technology and a longer-lasting foam that is advertised to mold to your shape, then return to normal. Foam may need to be adjusted on setup to soften it up a bit; check manufacturer's instructions for specifics.

Foam is also affected by temperature, so it becomes softer under the warmer parts of your body and stays firmer where it is cooler. Some foam mattresses are also treated to be resistant to mites and other household allergens.

Some sleepers find the dents that form in the mattress as they sleep can take some time to readjust after they change sleeping position. You'll have to consider if this would be a drawback for your sleeping habits.

Some manufacturers also offer in-home trials, though beware of the time and expense involved in returning a mattress you don't like.

More: Buying a Mattress

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