Best Full Size Memory Foam Mattress

Full size mattresses—also called double mattresses—are one of the best mattress options for single adult sleepers. They don’t take up too much space, nor are they too costly, but they still provide lots of room to stretch out throughout the night.

A full size mattress measures 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. It’s comparable to a twin bed in length but is 16 inches wider for ample sleep space.

Save $150 On Any Mattress

Plus free shipping

Get $150 OFF Mattresses

For single sleepers considering a new mattress, a full size memory foam mattress is always a good choice. Memory foam is well-known for its excellent pressure and pain relief, motion isolation, and lack of noise to foster a good night’s sleep.

Our easy guide takes you through the best full size memory foam mattresses on the market, as well as the ins and outs of memory foam mattresses.

Best Full Size Memory Foam Mattress: Zoma Mattress

We built the Zoma Mattress to enhance your sleep quality, boost muscle recovery, and improve physical performance.

The 11-inch mattress has a medium feel and contains three layers of foam. The layers are encased in stretchy AirCloth, a moisture-resistant and breathable cover.

The top layer of the Zoma Mattress is 2 inches of gel memory foam with Triangulex™ technology for cooling comfort. The Triangulex™ technology is triangular cutouts built for customized support. Around the legs and shoulders, the foam is more cushiony, but the foam is firm around the midsection.

The second layer contains 2 inches of Reactiv™ foam, a transition layer with a latex-like feel. The foam layer adapts to your body and movements, making it easier to shift positions in bed. This always prevents sleepers from feeling stuck in their mattress.

The base of the Zoma Mattress is 7 inches of Support+ foam. Not only does the base layer support healthy spinal alignment, but it also protects your mattress from sags

The Zoma Mattress is made in the USA and CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning the beds are free of harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde, PBDEs, and phthalates, so the foam produces minimal off-gassing.

With our mattresses, you receive a 100-night sleep trial and free shipping within the contiguous US. We also back our memory foam mattresses with a 10-year warranty covering workmanship defects and sags.

Best Basic Full Size Memory Foam Mattress: Zoma Start

Even if you’re trying to save a bit of money, you don’t have to miss out on having a comfortable mattress. The Zoma Start contains lots of similar features as the Zoma Mattress, only it’s cheaper.

The memory foam mattress is 10 inches thick and has three foam layers. This bed is a good option for side sleepers, combo sleepers, some back sleepers, and couples.

Like other Zoma mattresses, the Zoma Start has our knit AirCloth cover to keep sleepers cool and dry at night.

The Zoma Start contains gel memory foam with Triangulex™. The memory foam comfort layer provides lots of cushioning to sleepers, preventing pressure build-up and helping you sleep deeper.

Next is the Reactiv™ transition layer. It adds extra bounce to the Zoma Start to prevent that “trapped” feeling. The Reactiv™ layer also makes it easier to get in and out of bed.

Finally, the Support+ base reinforces the upper layers and increases the bed’s overall durability.

Although the Zoma Start is so affordable, it’s still made in the USA and CertiPUR-US® certified. Not only that, but you also receive a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

What is Memory Foam?

Memory foam—also known as viscoelastic polyurethane form—has been around for roughly 50 years now. It is temperature-sensitive and responds quickly under pressure.

Memory foam is a different type of poly-foam since it’s been treated with non-toxic chemicals to increase the foam’s density and viscosity. So, your simple poly-foam isn’t quite the same as memory foam. Memory foam is more durable and comfortable than poly-foam, which is also why it’s more expensive.

Since memory foam is both dense and responsive, it isolates motion very well. Motion isolation is valuable for couples who share beds so you won’t disrupt each other at night. It’s also great for conforming under your body’s curves and relieving pressure or achiness.

Memory foam mattresses are also hypoallergenic, meaning bacteria, dust mites, mold, dander, and pollen are unable to live within it.

Using a hypoallergenic mattress can prevent symptoms including runny nose, itchy skin, sneezing, coughing, and breathing troubles. Since allergies are so disruptive to your sleep, we recommend using a hypoallergenic mattress—such as a memory foam mattress—to improve your sleep.

While memory foam is great, the primary issues with memory foam are that it gets hot and off-gasses. Memory foam was built to conform in response to heat. While this helps relieve pressure, many hot sleepers complain about memory foam’s heat retention. However, lots of mattress companies have created proprietary memory foams to handle this issue.

Similarly, off-gassing is a strong odor—similar to that “new car smell.” While the intense odor may seem nice for a car, sleeping in an off-gassing memory foam mattress can lead to headaches, breathing problems, and nausea.

We suggest airing out your mattress in a room with open windows for several days when you first receive it to reduce the strong odor.

Another option to avoid this issue entirely is by getting a CertiPUR-US® certified mattress. CertiPUR-US® certified foams are free of formaldehyde, heavy metals, flame retardants, and are low in VOCs, meaning your memory foam bed won’t off-gas.

Types of Memory Foam

While memory foam is a type of mattress, there are multiple variations memory foam comes in. Some common types of memory foam include plant-based, gel, and memory foam with cooling infusions.

Plant-Based Memory Foam

Traditional memory foam contains petroleum-based oils, but with plant-based memory foam, the petroleum is replaced with plant oils. Plant-based memory foam is cooler, stronger, and more environmentally friendly compared to traditional memory foam.

Not only that, but plant-based memory foam contains little VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are unstable and potentially toxic. So, plant-based memory foam is less likely to off-gas.

Gel Memory Foam

Gel memory foam is a type of memory foam with cooling gels inserted into it. This could mean gel was infused into the memory foam, or perhaps that there is a layer of gel or gel beads added atop the memory foam comfort layer.

The benefit to a gel memory foam mattress is that it keeps your bed cool, considering a common problem with memory foam is that it often traps heat.

Memory Foam with Cooling Infusions

Another option for memory foam is memory foam infused with cooling properties, such as copper, graphite, and green tea extracts. These natural minerals regulate the temperature of your mattress, helping you stay cool.

For example, both graphite and copper absorb and dissipate heat, while green tea extracts get rid of odors and promote cool sleep.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Foam

As with any type of mattress, memory foam is great, but it’s not without flaws. While mattress brands are constantly working to make memory foam better, it still falls short at times. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of memory foam beds.

Benefits:

• Memory foam conforms closely under the body to relieve pressure points and pain
• Dense foams isolate motion
• Doesn’t produce noise, unlike innerspring beds
• Hypoallergenic foam is dust mite and allergen-resistant
• Certain types of foam release little to no off-gassing

Drawbacks:

• Traditional memory foam traps heat
• Certain memory foams off-gas within the first few nights of use
• Expensive compared to classic innerspring beds
• Memory foam can cause sleepers to feel “stuck” in bed

Other Common Types of Full Size Mattresses

If memory foam isn’t up your alley, it’s worth knowing what your other options are. If you want a foam bed, consider a latex mattress. For beds totally unlike memory foam, consider innerspring or hybrid mattresses.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are a good option if you enjoy foam mattresses but find memory foam a bit too warm or unresponsive. Latex mattresses have a bouncier feel than memory foam, which makes it easier to shift around in bed.

A latex bed can contain natural, synthetic, or blended—synthetic and natural latex mixed—latex. The problem with synthetic and blended latexes is that both wear down quickly and can even off-gas.

Conversely, natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees and is durable and breathable. Natural latex beds can last upwards of 12 to 15 years with proper maintenance.

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are very traditional mattresses, having been around since the 1800s. They contain layers of coils and a thin comfort layer, often made from cotton, down, polyester, wool, or poly-foam.

Coil beds are known for being supportive and breathable. However, since innerspring beds contain contiguous coils, this leads to lots of motion transfer. Not only that, but the coils can squeak and cling together, which can be disruptive late at night. Also, the thin comfort layers aren’t very comfortable, especially if they contain fibrous fills like cotton or wool.

Fancier innerspring mattresses have a pillow top or Euro top, which are extra layers of padding sewn to the top of the mattress. Pillow tops and Euro tops add extra cushioning to increase your comfort at night, but are still prone to going flat or shifting out of place.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine the benefits of both innerspring and foam mattresses.

A hybrid bed contains a coil support layer and a comfort layer thicker than 2 or 3 inches. The comfort layers often contain memory foam or latex, but some hybrid beds feature poly-foam. Foam comfort layers provide lots more pressure relief than typical pillow tops or Euro tops.

In innerspring beds, there are contiguous coils, meaning the coils are connected. While this is cheap to produce, it also leads to noise, coils breaking, and motion transfer.

However, hybrid mattresses contain pocketed coils, meaning the coils are separate and wrapped in a lightweight fabric. This promotes close-conforming support, minimal noise or motion transfer, and less chance of coils breaking.

Sleeping Positions

Although knowing the type of mattress you want is one of the first steps to finding a bed, knowing what mattress firmness you need is another important thing to consider.

Choosing the right mattress firmness level comes down to your sleeping position as it affects the amount of cushioning you need.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is one of the healthiest sleeping positions. It’s good for your breathing, digestive system, blood circulation, and is even a safe position for pregnant women to sleep in.

Despite being so healthy, the wrong mattress firmness can lead to pressure build-up and pain. Memory foam mattresses are great for relieving pressure, which is why many side sleepers enjoy them.

When sleeping on your side, it’s important to have a bed with adequate cushioning for your shoulders and hips. The best mattresses for side sleepers are soft, medium-soft, or medium memory foam mattresses.

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping is another healthy sleeping position, especially for keeping your spine neutral. It may be uncomfortable for some sleepers at first but is great for your back and neck.

Mattresses for back sleepers should be medium-firm or firm memory foam mattresses. Firmer beds support your back and spine, prevent sinkage, all while providing enough cushioning to stop lumbar back pressure build-up.

Stomach Sleepers

Frankly, stomach sleeping is not the best sleeping position. It’s hard on the lower back, can strain your neck, and can make breathing difficult.

If possible, we recommend switching to side or back sleeping as both are worlds better for you compared to stomach sleeping. However, permanently switching sleeping positions isn’t easy.

If you’re struggling with switching sleeping positions, we suggest using a firm memory foam mattress in the meantime. Firmer beds prevent your hips from sinking—taking your spine out of alignment—and reduce your chances of pain.

Combination Sleepers

It’s rare for a person to sleep strictly in one position throughout the night. Plenty of us enjoy switching positions and moving around at night, but if you do this, you’ll need a mattress built to support multiple positions. Mattresses for combination sleepers are often medium because they offer a balance of cushioning and support to suit different positions throughout the night.

Warranties, Sleep Trials, and Return Policies

When buying a mattress, a brand’s warranty, sleep trial, and return policies are often a person’s utmost concern to ensure they’re getting the best deal and care from a brand.

Reading reviews is also helpful so you can learn about other shoppers’ experiences and decide if that memory foam bed is right for you or if that brand is worth buying from.

Warranties

Warranties are written guarantees from a manufacturer, ensuring they will repair or replace a product. In terms of mattresses, manufacturers cover workmanship defects and sags.

Most mattress warranties last somewhere between 10 to 20 years, though some brands even offer lifetime warranties. During the warranty period, a manufacturer will offer to repair or replace your damaged mattress for free or for an agreed-upon charge.

Sleep Trials

Sleep trials are extended periods where buyers can test their memory foam mattress out at home. They’re especially useful when online shopping because then you can try your mattress out risk-free and can return it easily if needed.

Most sleep trials for memory foam mattresses last between 30 to 365 days. We suggest looking for a sleep trial that’s at least 30 to 60 days so you have sufficient time to adjust to your new bed and decide if you truly like it.

Return Policies

With a sleep trial, always comes a good return policy. If the memory foam mattress you choose includes a sleep trial, this means you should be able to return the mattress within the trial period.

Most brands who offer sleep trials offer free and easy returns, which may include them picking up the old mattress for you, giving clear instructions on how to dispose of your mattress, and more.

Companies that don’t offer sleep trials usually have 30-day return policies. However, 30 days isn’t always enough to adjust to a new bed. Not only that, but companies who don’t have sleep trials usually expect you to return the mattress unused and still properly packaged, so you won’t get the chance to try the bed in the first place.

For this reason, always go with a company that offers sleep trials.

Conclusion

You can find countless full size memory foam mattresses on the market, but they’re not all the same. Choose a full size memory foam mattress based on your sleeping position, whether or not you share a bed, and if you tend to get hot at night.

We hope our guide has given you all the information you need on your hunt for a full size memory foam mattress. If you’re ever unsure, always go for a bed with a hassle-free sleep trial, so even if that bed doesn’t work for you, it’s easy to make an exchange.