Shopping for a memory foam mattress bed can be difficult as you try to choose from among the myriad options available. Your experience is made even more difficult due to the many brand and company names.

Do you choose from a popular well known brand or from one of the designer, more upscale, brands? The outward appearance should not be the determining attribute when choosing your mattress. Just because it is stylish does not mean it will provide a comfortable, restful nights sleep.

Tempur-Pedic was the first brand to use the material developed by NASA that is now called "memory foam" but there are many other companies now in this market. The best advice is to tread cautiously and take your time comparing the different styles and materials to make certain the mattress you buy will do what you want it to do.

Following these tips will help you in selecting your new memory foam mattress bed:

Quality
The first thing to consider is the reputation of the manufacturer and retailer and the quality of the foam. You should learn about the foam's density as well the manufacturer of the foam and how long they have been crafting that specific grade of memory foam. Also some foams are natural and some man made. This may be important to you.

Ask Questions
While some consumers might buy a mattress because it looks good, you should dig beneath the looks. The material and construction below the cover fabric is what should be of real interest. What do other customers think of the mattress? Are there testimonials you can read? How does the company deal with customers and customer complaints? Many of these questions can be answered by doing an on line search.

Warranty
Do not overlook this. You should be diligent in inquiring about their warranty and their return policy on the specific memory foam mattress bed. Exactly what does it cover and for how long? Some mattresses are warranted for an extended time and some for a short 5 years or maybe 10. This is okay if you know this in advance and accept it. Don't wait to find out all of the details until you have a problem.

Money Back Trial
Most mattress companies offer free trial, but is it a money back trial or will they simply replace your unsuitable mattress with another mattress that may also be unsuitable? If you discover that you are allergic to a memory foam mattress bed, and some people are, you certainly would not want to exchange it for another one of like material.

In summary, when shopping for a memory foam mattress bed, you should look beyond the style and design. Other items are more important. Look at the overall quality and understand how their warranty and return policy works. The best policies are those that would only require you to pay for the return shipping if that becomes necessary.

Should I get a memory foam mattress or a regular mattress for my new platform bed? My friends tell me to get a foam mattress because a regular mattress is too hard on a platform bed.

It is really your choice.

A platform bed does not have a box spring like a regular bed does and some people find the combination is too firm. Foam mattresses are ideal for a platform bed but they are more expensive. If cost is the consideration, a good compromise is a regular mattress with a memory foam topper, If you decide to go this route,  I would recommend the following mattress topper by Sleep Studio.

Sleep Studio Ventilated 2 inch Queen Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Rating:	(198 reviews)
Price:	$68.25
Availability:	Usually ships in 24 hours
Free Shipping:	Yes ($25 minimum)

For some of us the search for a restful, pain free night of sleep starts as our body matures (ages?) a little. But for people with serious health problems, such as degenerative disk disease this has been a lifelong search.

The introduction of memory foam mattresses have permitted some of these folks to finally get the rest that the need but many simply cannot afford the price of a memory foam mattress.

A memory foam bed topper has proven a good substitute for those on a limited budget.

A memory foam mattress topper comes in the same standard sizes as a mattress and various thicknesses to provide the support you need while keeping the cost down. Toppers can be purchased for as little as around $40.00 to over $600.00. This is just a fraction of what a memory foam mattress costs.

A memory foam bed topper is made from the same type of material developed by NASA in the 1970s to protect astronaut's from G-force pressure during lift off. Toppers are made of visco-elastic layers and allow equal weight absorption regardless of a person's weight.

Memory foam mattress toppers are manufactured in several different ways. Novaform basically pours in liquid foam into molds where it is cooled and firmed up. This is the type of memory foam that has been shown in the television commercial where someone jumps on the bed without tipping over a glass of wine.

You may wonder who would want to jump on a bed with a glass of wine sitting on it but many consumers bought memory foam mattresses and bed toppers simply because of this ad.

Body heat retention was a problem with older memory foam mattresses and toppers. This has been pretty well cured with the introduction of visco-elastic material which helps disperse body heat by increasing air flow through the material.

Sleep Aid is another manufacturer of memory foam and use a different process. They produce their foam in a vacuum chamber which they feel produces a foam of more uniform density. Sleep Aid uses a system of heat reduction channels to permit better air circulation and cooling of your body.

Some consumers have complained about a chemical smell of memory foam mattresses and bed toppers. The manufactures claim that this smell will dissipate in several weeks but some customers have reported that it never seems to go away.

If you are sensitive or allergic to odors it would be a good idea to read up on the different brands before making a purchase. Some are hypo-allergenic. These cost a little more but your health is certainly worth it.

Do not let temporary odors discourage you from trying out memory foam. Mattresses and bed toppers made from memory foam provide many benefits. They are not conducive to bed bugs or dust mites. They can provide a rest free of joint and back pain. This is especially important to anyone on long term bed rest.

Memory foam bed toppers offer an ideal combination of quality and price for anyone seeking a restful, pain free sleep of a memory foam mattress on a limited budget.