Which mattress is better: latex or polyurethane foam

Such products support the spine in the correct position, elastic, durable, excellent air permeability, do not accumulate dust. Springless mattresses are most often based on one of the two materials polyurethane foam or latex, which, despite similar parameters, still differ significantly from each other.

What are the peculiarities of latex as a filler?

Natural latex is made from the milky sap of the tropical hevea tree. The natural liquid undergoes special processing and becomes a unique material in terms of characteristics. Initially, latex was used only as an additional layer of mattresses, but now there are more and more models with a solid block of this material on sale and the demand for them is quite high.

There are two different manufacturing technologies for natural latex:

1. Dunlop - a traditional technological process that produces material with different degrees of stiffness of the sides.
2. Talalay is a technology that produces a completely homogeneous material with uniform stiffness.

The second production variant is much more expensive, so there are often combined models with an outer layer of Talalay latex and an inner Dunlop layer.

Advantages of latex as a mattress filler

Latex filler has a number of undeniable advantages:

1. Antibacterial properties. Gevea juice is a natural antiseptic, so any pathogenic microorganisms are unable to develop in it and immediately die. Dust mites cannot breed in the material, mold or fungus can not form.
2. Air permeability. The porous structure of the material does not prevent air circulation, so products made of it are self-ventilated, keeping clean and not accumulating foreign odors.
3. Pleasant aroma. Latex either does not emit any odor, or slightly smells like milk, and absolutely does not exude unpleasant, chemical aromas.
4. Ease of care. Latex products do not need to be treated with any means, it is enough only to air them occasionally, for example, during the washing of the outer cover.
5. Durability. The service life of latex mattress is 15-20 years and even more, and during the whole service life it does not lose its shape, remains even, firm and elastic.
6. Orthopedic properties. Latex reliably supports the spine, but is not too rigid and is able to repeat the contours of the body of the person sleeping on it.

Despite the numerous advantages, the material has a couple of disadvantages:

• high cost;
• heavy weight;
• difficulty of transportation.

Polyurethane foam mattresses - why choose them?

Artificial latex or polyurethane foam (ecofoam) is essentially a modern version of the well-known foam rubber. Thanks to new technologies, the material has become stronger and more elastic, but still remains synthetic. The orthopedic properties of ecofoam are provided by special additives used in production. Many manufacturers, in order to save consumers from the difficulties of choosing a polyurethane foam mattress or latex mattress, call modern foam artificial latex.

Polyurethane foam is often colloquially referred to as ecofoam, a material often used in mattress manufacturing. Thanks to a number of undeniable advantages, products made of it remain popular:

1. Affordable cost. Latex products have a high price because the process of manufacturing the material and extracting raw materials for it is quite complex, while ecofoam is made within a single plant from affordable and cheap components.
   Prevalence. You can find products made of polyurethane foam on sale much more often, as it is used by almost all manufacturers.
2. Latex models belong to premium products and are found only in well-known brands.
3. Comfort. Sleeping on a polyurethane foam mattress is much more comfortable than on outdated spring models, and the orthopedic properties of synthetic material are almost identical to natural ones, especially at first.

Disadvantages of polyurethane foam mattresses

Alas, the foam has a number of disadvantages that you should know about before you buy a model made of such a material:

1. Difficult care. A polyurethane mattress requires a perfectly level base with good ventilation. To extend the service life of the product, it will have to be regularly turned over, since in areas subjected to constant pressure, the material loses elasticity.
2. Moisture absorption. Unlike latex products, ecofoam is not able to remove moisture on its own, so the mattress will have to be dried forcibly, in addition, dust accumulates in it, which means that the bed will need to be vacuumed regularly.
3. Longevity. Mattress from foam has a relatively short service life. In compliance with the rules of care for the product, it will retain its properties for 5-7 years, but no more.
4. Low load. Polyurethane foam quickly wears out and squeezes through, as it is not designed for a weight of more than 120 kg, while latex can withstand a weight of 150 kg and more.
5. Unpleasant odor. Cheap models can emit unpleasant odors for a certain period of time after purchase, and sometimes for the entire period of use, so people sensitive to odors are not suitable for them.

What is better in the end?

What is better latex or polyurethane foam is quite easy to decide, especially if you take into account the operating conditions of the product:

For additional sleeping space or irregular sleep, a polyurethane foam model is quite suitable, as it is convenient to roll up for storage and easy to transport, for example, to the countryside.
For rehabilitation after injuries and illnesses, mattresses based on memory foam are most suitable. ecofoam is the ideal material for bedridden patients, patients with joint diseases or impaired blood circulation. It adapts to the body shape of the person lying down and does not exert any pressure, ensuring maximum comfort.
For the main sleeping place, the latex mattress is most suitable. In addition to providing comfortable sleep, it is characterized by environmental friendliness, ease of care and durability, due to which the high cost of the product is easily recouped.
Or maybe choose a spring version instead of latex?

Trying to decide which mattress is better polyurethane foam or latex, many people begin to think about buying a model on springs.

Modern variants of spring mattresses are equipped with independent spring blocks and have long been deprived of the disadvantages of traditional variants with Bonnell base.

The design of such sleep bases often uses additional fillers in addition to springs. It will be easy to find a mattress with latex or polyurethane foam as the outer layer. Such models will be similar in properties to springless options and are much more affordable.

Anyway, when choosing a mattress made of latex or polyurethane foam, the first option is always better, and if it is not possible to buy a springless model with a solid latex block, it is still worth looking for options with a layer of such material for those who are concerned about their health and comfort.