What is Viscoelastic Mattresses?

When we choose mattresses for our families or ourselves, the term 'viscoelastic mattress' may have appeared countless times in front of us. Whether on the homepage of e-commerce platforms or in the enthusiastic recommendations of store guides, viscoelastic mattresses seem to have become synonymous with "good mattresses".

But is it really suitable for everyone? Is it just a hyped product concept? Today, based on personal experience and some industry knowledge, let's talk about whether viscoelastic mattresses are worth buying.

Ⅰ. What Is Viscoelastic Foam?
The "viscoelastic foam" in the viscoelastic mattress is actually the memory sponge we are familiar with. It was first developed by NASA in the 1960s to cushion the impact of astronauts during launch and landing.

It has two important characteristics:

Stickiness ": can sense body temperature, slowly soften, and conform to the body curve.

Elasticity: gradually returning to its original shape after leaving pressure, providing balanced support.

It is precisely because of this "slow rebound" characteristic that viscoelastic mattresses can significantly reduce turning vibration and pressure point problems, bringing users a sense of "wrapping" and "zero pressure".

The rapid popularity of viscoelastic mattresses in the past decade is due to their low price, strong comfort, and relatively low manufacturing threshold.

Ⅱ. The Advantages of Viscoelastic Mattresses
Let's first talk about its attractive features:

1. Extremely strong adhesion
The feeling of lying on a viscoelastic mattress is described by many as' floating in the clouds'. It will automatically adjust the pressure point based on our body temperature and weight, effectively supporting various parts of our body and dispersing the overall pressure of the body.

For people who like to sleep on their side, the support is just right.

2. Reduce turning interference
We have tested a viscoelastic mattress on a double bed, and when the partner flips over on one side, there is almost no shaking on the other side. For people who sleep lightly or are easily awakened, this mattress is almost a lifesaver.

3. Quiet and Noiseless 
Compared to traditional spring mattresses, viscoelastic mattresses don't creak or creak as we toss or move. This "silent" advantage is particularly suitable for people who frequently change their posture at night.

4. Good anti allergic performance
High density foam is not easy to accumulate dust and breed mites, which is very suitable for people with allergic constitution.

5. High customer satisfaction
Data shows that customer satisfaction with viscoelastic mattresses is generally higher than that with spring mattresses. Many people have reported a significant improvement in their sleep quality after experiencing it.

Ⅲ. Disadvantages of Viscoelastic Mattresses
Of course, we cannot just talk about the advantages. It is not a 'perfect' product either.

1. Easy to accumulate heat
Viscoelastic foam has high density and poor ventilation, which is easy to lead to "stuffy" mattresses. If we don't turn on the cool air conditioning in summer, sleeping on it will be very sticky. We will feel uncomfortable and hot underneath. So we can pair it with cool bed sheets to improve comfort.

2. Unstable durability
We and our families have all used viscoelastic mattresses of different qualities. The cheap foam mattress with a thickness of about 4 inches will permanently sink within two years.

My son's mattress visibly collapsed in the middle when it was in its second year of use; And my one, with the same brand and structure, showed "conformational compression" in just one year, and its recovery ability was not as good as before.

This quality difference is mainly reflected in foam density and manufacturing process. High density foam is naturally more expensive, but also more durable.

3. The support force may be insufficient
For people with higher body weight, if the support layer design of the viscoelastic mattress is not reasonable, it will give people a feeling of "sinking in and unable to climb out". In particular, a single foam mattress lacking a hard support layer may cause the spine to fail to align effectively, which may instead cause low back pain.

Ⅳ. Is It Really Suitable for Us?
The answer to this question must be analyzed specifically based on our weight, sleeping position, and sleep habits.

We have summarized several types of people suitable for viscoelastic mattresses for our reference:

1. Thin/medium weight individuals
When these people lie on a viscoelastic mattress, the pressure is not too great, and they can obtain a good fit and support.

2. People who mainly sleep on their side
The pressure points of sleeping on the side are the shoulders and hips. Viscoelastic mattresses can effectively support these two areas and maintain body comfort.

3. People who have shallow sleep and are prone to waking up easily
If we often wake up when our partner flips over, then a viscoelastic mattress is undoubtedly an ideal choice.

4. People who like the feeling of a soft bed
Some people prefer the feeling of being "wrapped" rather than the feeling of "lying" in bed. Viscoelastic mattresses can bring this comfortable immersive experience.

Ⅴ. Our Genuine User Experience
To be honest, a viscoelastic mattress is not something that can be purchased once and for all. We have also stepped into pitfalls.

There was once a foam mattress that sold for several hundred yuan. It collapsed after less than a year of use, and the sense of sleep was greatly reduced. Later on, we switched to a mid to high end brand, and although the price increased several times, there were significant improvements in comfort, support, and durability.

We also suggest that, if the budget allows, we should try to choose a hybrid structure, such as a bagged spring at the bottom and memory foam at the upper layer. This combination can not only provide support, but also retain the viscoelastic comfort.

Ⅵ. What Are the Different Types of Viscoelastic Mattresses on the Market?
If we have visited some mattress exhibition halls or e-commerce platforms, we will find that there are actually many subdivisions of "viscoelastic mattresses":

1. Traditional memory foam
Slow rebound, strong adhesion, but prone to stuffiness. Cheap price, it is an entry-level choice.

2. gel Memory foam
Add cold gel particles into foam to improve air permeability and temperature control, which is more suitable for summer use.

3. Open Cell Memory foam
By creating more air channels, improving air circulation, and reducing stuffiness.

4. Hybrid Mattress
The bottom layer is a spring system, and the upper layer is a viscoelastic foam, which is the current mainstream trend, giving consideration to support and comfort.

Ⅶ.  Purchase Advice: How to Choose a Good Mattress?
We offer a few tips for choosing a viscoelastic mattress:

Observe the density of foam: generally speaking, the higher the density, the stronger the support and the better the durability.

Pay attention to the recovery speed: the memory foam with good quality has a slow but complete rebound process.

Check if there is a fire/antibacterial certification: Some countries require mattresses to have a fire rating, so pay more attention when purchasing.

Try to try sleeping or choose a brand with a trial sleeping period: even if the mattress looks good, it's not as good as experiencing it firsthand.

Don't be greedy for cheap: Poor quality viscoelastic mattresses have a very short service life and waste money instead.

Ⅷ. Summary: Is a Viscoelastic Mattress Worth Buying?
From our experience and observation, if we:

Shallow sleep and sensitivity to turning over interference;

I like a soft and snug bed surface;

Not particularly prone to sweating or controllable room temperature;

Weight is within the normal range;

So a viscoelastic mattress is definitely a worthwhile choice to try.

Mattresses are something we use every night, and we need to carefully select them. We can go to the store to experience it. If the budget is sufficient, we can use latex, springs, or other mattresses for our good sleep.