Gel is a recent newcomer to the mattress space. It is being used as both a standalone layer and an infusion into foam. Gel benefits mattresses by retaining less heat than memory foam. Also, newer gels compete against memory foam by being more responsive and less toxic.
Gel is similar to foam because it is a polymer made by blending plastics and other chemicals.
Because of gel's heat diffusing properties, it is generally found in the top layer of the mattress under the cover.
Pros: Cooler sleeping surface vs memory foam. More responsive feel when not combined with foam.
Cons: Similar to foam, it is a synthetic blend of chemicals.
Memory foam is a blend of polyurethane (a polymer made as a byproduct of petroleum refining) and additional chemicals that give the memory foam its low-resilience. It was originally developed by NASA in the 1970s for airplane cushioning and has since become one of the widest materials used in mattresses and pillows.
In plain English, what makes memory foam is its ability to contour to pressure and return to its original shape slowly after pressure is released. This process allows for it to react to pressure differently across its surface and provide a contoured, but aligned feeling for sleepers.
In mattresses, older or lower quality memory foam may sag from the repetitive pressure of laying or sitting. For this reason, those that are heavier should do additional research about soft memory foam bedding as they will sink more than alternatives and could lead to discomfort for some body types.
Lastly, over the recent years, there has been reports of off-gassing and toxic odors released from memory foam. Some lower quality or treated memory foam may have this problem and cause respiratory inflamation. It is important to make sure that memory foam is high quality.
Pros: Contouring comfort, competitive pricepoints, and widespread options.
Cons: Sagging and off-gassing problems with lower quality foams.
Overall Score:
Gel: 8.6/10
Memory Foam: 9.3/10
Comfort:
Gel: 8.7/10
Memory Foam: 9.4/10
Softness:
Gel: 8/10
Memory Foam: 9.5/10
Cooling:
Gel: 8.1/10
Memory Foam: 8/10
Hypoallergenic:
Gel: 8.1/10
Memory Foam: 8.1/10
Odor:
Gel: 8.1/10
Memory Foam: 8/10
General Support:
Gel: 8.1/10
Memory Foam: 8/10
Eco-Conscious:
Gel: 8/10
Memory Foam: 8.5/10
Price Value:
Gel: 9.2/10
Memory Foam: 9.4/10
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