Best memory foam mattresses for 2023

Do you like the idea of sinking into a memory foam mattress, but worry that it will restrict your movement or feel too warm to lie on? If so, you've come to the right place. 

We've rounded up the top five best memory foam mattresses from our tests, to help you choose one that will get you a great night's sleep.

We've delved through the data from our independent and rigorous to bring you our pick of the most recently tested mattresses containing memory foam. 

Time and time again, our results have conclusively proven that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a great mattress.  You may be surprised how little a good night's sleep can cost.

Not sure if a memory foam mattress is for you? See pros and cons of the different mattress types in our best mattress guide.

Best memory foam mattresses

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access to our table and all of our online reviews.

Table last checked: April 2023.

Take a look at our full list of mattress reviews to find the best option for you.

How to buy the best memory foam mattress

Memory foam mattresses, also known as memory mattresses, are topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material (memory foam). 

Some people swear by memory foam mattresses, but they don't suit everyone. 

Memory foam mattresses are the third most popular type of mattress among Which? members. About 16% of the members we surveyed about their mattress had bought a memory foam one.

If you're tempted by one of these mattresses, you'll need to think about which type you want and how much you're willing to spend. Otherwise you might end up a dud that you'll wish you could forget.

Pros of memory foam mattresses

• Memory foam mattresses are good at relieving pressure on painful joints.
• Those who like memory foam seem to love it – as one owner told us: 'my memory foam mattress is the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever had'.
• Memory foam mattresses generally can't be turned over. But you can turn them around, and some mattresses have handles which make this easier to do. 

Cons of memory foam mattresses

• Can be pricier than sprung mattresses
• Feel very different to lie on than regular sprung mattresses. This means memory foam mattresses aren’t for everyone.
• Some of you have said that you find memory foam mattresses too hot.
• If you want to buy one already, go straight to our memory foam mattress reviews or see our selection of hybrid memory foam and springs mattress reviews.

Not sure what size memory foam mattress to buy? See our guide to UK mattress sizes.

Do memory foam mattresses mould to your body shape?

Memory foam is affected by room temperature, so you might find the memory mattress cold and hard when you first go to bed. 

As it reacts to your body heat, it moulds to your shape - this can make it more difficult for you to move or get out of bed compared to other mattress types.

Memory foam also reduces air circulation around your body, which makes the memory foam mattress feel warmer. Many people find this helpful in winter but you may feel too hot in summer.

If you usually use an electric blanket, it's important to note that many manufacturers say not to use one with memory foam, as it's a potential fire hazard. However, we will point out in our reviews if this is possible. 

But as a memory foam mattress is warmer, you shouldn't miss it. If you do, add a blanket or go up a tog on your duvet.

Need a new duvet? Head to our best duvets guide to find the ones our members rate as the best.

What is a memory foam-only mattress?

Some memory foam mattresses are actually sprung mattresses with a layer of memory foam on top, otherwise known as a hybrid mattresses. You''ll find these on sale from all the big bed-in-a-box brands such as Emma, Eve and Simba.

Some, however, have extra layers of memory foam instead of springs. These are often described as pure memory foam, or memory foam-only, mattresses.

They tend to be pricier and softer, but not necessarily better - some pure memory foam mattresses impressed in our tests, while others were poor.

Go to our memory foam mattress reviews to see all the memory foam mattresses we've tested.

Can you buy a cheap Best Buy memory foam mattress?

Like most mattresses, Memory foam versions can cost as little as a a couple of hundred pounds to more then £2,000, but our independent tests show that you don’t always get what you pay for. 

If you're set on memory foam but can't afford to spend thousands of pounds, we've found several cheaper options worth considering.

In fact, we've found one Best Buy memory foam mattress that costs less than £200 - this is fantastic value for money. We also have several which cost £500 or less, so they're cheaper than the average price of the mattresses we've tested. 

All are made up from different layers of foam and memory foam - great if you want a slightly softer mattress.

Find a great deal in our monthly round-up of the best mattress deals.

Should I buy a memory foam mattress topper?

If you're not quite sold on a memory foam mattress, but fancy getting a feel for the how the foam moulds to the shape of your body, you may want to consider buying a memory foam mattress topper.

It won't make your mattress any more supportive, but it may make it more comfortable. 59% of mattress topper owners told us that they bought their topper to make their current mattress more comfortable, when we surveyed more than 2,000 Which? Connect panel members in September 2021, and a whopping 85% said it make their mattress more comfortable.

Buying a mattress topper? See our list of the best mattress topper brands.

How we test memory foam mattresses

All our mattress reviews are based on extremely rigorous and independent testing, so you can rest assured that our results will help you find the very best mattress for you.

Whether you're big or small, and sleep on your back, front or your side, we test every mattress to see how well it will support your spine. 

If you sleep on your back, a great mattress will keep your spine in the same shape as when standing; if you sleep on your side, your mattress should keep your spine in a parallel position to the mattress. That's what we look for when we test body support.

To make sure the support doesn't deteriorate with time, we perform all the tests again once we have simulated eight to ten years of use in our durability tests.

It's not just about support and durability, though. We also measure how breathable a mattress is, how easy it is to turn over on, and how stable it is - all the things you just can't tell by seeing a mattress in the shops. 

So, whether you're a sweaty sleeper, or a light sleeper who's sick of being disturbed by their partner, we've tested something that will suit you.

Read more about our rigorous mattress tests in how we test mattresses.