Get The Best April 2024 Mattress Deals! Unlock Today's Coupons

High Density Foam vs. Orthopedic

High Density Foam

High density foam is a very firm foam that generally makes up the bottom layer of popular memory foam mattresses. Other types of mattresses such as innerspring or hybrid may also use high density foam to support the spring systems.

High density foams generally are not used to create the entire mattress because they are just too firm. So, generally they are used as a foundation for the bed or to provide edge support.

High density foam is made of a blend of polyurethane and has a tendency to off-gas. If you are susceptible to lung issues, please do additional research on the quality of foams before purchasing.

Pros: Structural firm foam used by many mattresses to provide foundation and shape.

Cons: Off-gassing problems with lower quality foams and it is too firm to make a mattress in its entirety.

Orthopedic

Orthopedic is a term that in the context of mattresses means supporting joints, bones, and the overall body. It is commonly used for mattresses that help with spinal alignment and recovery from joint or back issues.

In this way, there is no one material that is certified orthopedic, and the term can be used my manufacturers and marketers to help sell their mattresses.

For this reason, it is important to do additional research on any bed that claims to be orthopedic to make sure that it will actually help straighten the spine and alleviate pain.

Pros: For mattresses that stand true to the name, pain alleviation and better posture are some of the benefits.

Cons: It is difficult to decipher the truth from marketing on orthopedic mattresses.


Learn More About High Density Foam

Learn More About Orthopedic

See Our Top Mattress Choices

Material Scores

Overall Score:
High Density Foam: 8.9/10
Orthopedic: 9/10

Comfort:
High Density Foam: 8/10
Orthopedic: 9.1/10

Softness:
High Density Foam: 7.5/10
Orthopedic: 9.1/10

Cooling:
High Density Foam: 8/10
Orthopedic: 9/10

Hypoallergenic:
High Density Foam: 8.1/10
Orthopedic: 9/10

Odor:
High Density Foam: 8.4/10
Orthopedic: 9/10

General Support:
High Density Foam: 9.3/10
Orthopedic: 9.3/10

Eco-Conscious:
High Density Foam: 8.5/10
Orthopedic: 8.9/10

Price Value:
High Density Foam: 9.4/10
Orthopedic: 9/10

Disclaimer

Mattress & furniture shopping is an oftentimes tedious and mundane task. This site's sole purpose is to help you make the decision faster and with more peace of mind. We sincerely hope that whatever your interaction with this site, that it is helpful and timely for you, and that the product information here guides you to the best outcome for your daily life. May all benefit! The reviews here are aggregated from other sources across the Internet and although we have tried only to find trustworthy reviews, the content and scores here may be subject to manipulation by agents acting on behalf of manufacturers and marketers. Like all things you read on the Internet, understand there is no better judge than yourself. When it comes to your own comfort, your own body is the only North Star. Where Slumber Search discusses medical ailments, we strive to ensure the information on this site is accurate, current and useful, however, we do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information related to medicine. We are not doctors -- if you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor.

The makers of Slumber Search also make affiliate commissions from some of these manufacturers to keep the site running. There is NO additional price markup for using this site or on links from this site and any commissions made by Slumber Search come out of the brand's profit margin. See how it all works here.