When considering which kind of mattress to buy, there are lots of options to consider. The most obvious factor in finding the perfect selection is the type of materials used, which can change your sleeping experience by providing different types of support and temperature control. Memory foam mattresses are in vogue, but as soon as sleepers started to buy them, they realized that they retained heat, making them uncomfortable despite their superior support. That's when manufacturers developed the gel mattress, an option that ensures a comfortable night's sleep in support and in temperature. The top three gel mattresses available are the Loom & Leaf mattress by Saatva, Ghostbed by Nature's Sleep, and the Zotto mattress. These models are the best bet for a comfortable, gel-based sleeping experience.
After its invention, memory foam provided sleepers with deep compression and pressure relief, helping with alignment and pain, but consumers soon realized that the material holds in heat and is uncomfortable temperature-wise for users. That's when manufacturers developed gel mattresses in 2011, aimed at providing the same amount of support without the accumulation of heat that was making sleepers so uncomfortable. Without a doubt, gel mattresses are a superior option to traditional memory foam.
Sometimes it is difficult to find the location of a mattress's production, but if you can find that information, it can provide useful insight into the product's quality. When possible, mattresses of higher quality are produced in the United States.
Some gel mattresses will have poor coverage in gel beads or swirl, making the mattress unable to properly regulate its temperature. In addition, some models use low quality memory foam, cheap "fire socks" (the material added to make the mattress fire retardant), bad design in layering materials, and covers on the mattress that don't properly airate.
Costing $755, the GhostBed has a top layer of latex foam (also providing cooling qualities) and a secondary layer of gel infusion foam. The cover is made of polyester and is stretchy and durable, but also quite thin, providing great breathability.
Zotto mattresses cost $900 and are the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign. Their top layer is made of gel-infused foam, providing cooling comfort for the sleeper. The cover is made from a polyster rayon blend and has areas that are thin, and some that are thick, providing air flow that helps control temperature.
Gel mattresses either have a gel swirl, gel beads, or a liquid gel that affects the entirety of the foam in that layer. In general, the liquid gel is a better buy because the beads and swirl do not penetrate the entirety of the foam and fail to provide the same amount of cooling.
In order to properly breathe and stay cool, gel mattresses should have a thinner cover. Thicker covers won't let the gel airate, causing heat to accumulate. A mesh side panel is another feature to look for in improving air flow in the mattress.
Loom & Leaf mattresses are high-density and of exceptional quality. Similar products usually are sold for $3-5K, but the Loom & Leaf costs only $1,099. The gel swirl provides even coverage for proper cooling, and the mattress cover is breathable, organic cotton with natural thistle which is a flame retardant.
While most gel mattresses are better than a traditional memory foam, there are other materials that can provide a cooling effect as well. Latex, hybrid, and coil mattresses are other options to consider when finding the best choice for you.