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Cheaper Alternatives to Memory Foam Mattresses

By: Steve Gee * Do you need help to sleep but you're budget won't allow you to change your mattress for a memory foam type?

* Have you just changed your mattress and now find that it isn't as comfortable as you were hoping that it would be?

* Is your mattress good for you but you feel that you want just a little bit of additional comfort to make it easier for you to relax?

It's seems to be the opinion of many that memory foam mattresses, especially the Tempur Pedic (R) brand, are the best in providing you with the help to sleep you are looking for but they are quite expensive. You might want to have a look at alternative products that are available that can make your life more comfortable without having to break the bank to do it. If you like the alternatives and they make a difference to you then you can decide whether to invest in a new mattress sometime in the future.

The closest alternative to a memory foam mattress is a memory foam topper. A memory foam topper consists of a sheet of foam that you simply lay on top of your existing mattress. To use a topper your existing mattress must be of firm construction. If it is too soft for you already then the memory foam will only make things softer and possibly less comfortable for you. If your mattress is firm enough the foam will make it softer to lie on and more comfortable as it moulds itself to your body shape just like a memory foam mattress would. Remember that for maximum comfort your bed should be just the right softness for you.

If you have problems with aching neck and shoulders when you wake up then the first thing to do is to try a memory foam pillow. You might find that the additional support that you get from a memory foam pillow rather than a softer traditional one can make a lot of difference to you. Memory foam pillows come in two basic types, there are traditional shaped pillows and those that are shaped to fit into the curve of your neck and support your head. The pre-formed pillows are usually sold with a fitted cover but you can also use standard pillowcases with them.

My mother has a lot of pain in her shoulders and neck because due to cervical spondilitis. We bought her a shaped memory foam pillow to see if it would be any better than the conventional pillows and help with the pain. It took her a long time to get used to the new pillow but now she wouldn't be without it. She says that it gives her far better help to sleep than the old pillows ever did. She now takes the pillow with her wherever she goes.

Don't buy more than one memory foam pillow because one is all you need to give you the correct support. If you prefer you can buy memory foam pillows with a more traditional shape but you might find that they are a little bit more expensive than the specially shaped ones and they probably won't give you the same level of support either.

The same high-density visco-elastic foam that is used in mattress construction is used in pillows and toppers. The foams density governs the softness with 4lbs per cubic foot being softer than 5lbs. I believe that Tempur Pedic (R) tend to use foam with a density of 5.34 lbs per cubic foot which is high quality and possibly one of the reasons for the higher cost. Toppers come in different thickness but typically they will be about 2 to 3 inches thick. This is roughly the same thickness as you will find in a mattress construction with the foam layer over a firmer core.

Memory foam is always placed over a firmer core to make a mattress. The reason for this is that memory foam would be far too soft if the mattress was made entirely of memory foam. The higher the density of the foam the firmer it is and likely to come with a higher price too. It's recommended that you should try not use anything with a foam density of less than 4lbs per cubic foot.