Mattress pads are great. They can turn your average mattress into a luxurious high end sleeping experience for a lot less money then buying a comparable high end mattress. There are so many mattress pads to choose from, regular foam, visco elastic “memory” foam, and even feather down. There are benefits and downsides to each.
In general the benefits of a mattress pad is that you can add comfort to your current mattress, its cost less than buying a new mattress, and you can replace a mattress pad more easily than a mattress. In general the downside of a mattress pad is that it slowly gets out place, meaning you’ll have to readjust it to the center of the bed every time you make your bed. It’s usually only out of place by a couple of inches simply from the movement of sleeping on it. A mattress pad cover nicely tucked into the bed will help keep it in place, but expect to readjust its alignment with the bed once a week.
The most popular type of mattress pads are made from visco elastic foam also known as memory foam. They are popular because they are so comfortable. They support the body while being soft, a hard to find combination. They’re good for just about everyone but in particular people with joint problems, with bony hips and shoulders, back pain, or people with muscle problems will especially benefit from this type of mattress pad. The trouble with buying one of these is that not all visco elastic memory foam is created equal. Just because it says memory foam doesn’t mean it will compare to those high priced beds they are supposed to mimic. Some do, but unfortunately most are just cheap imitations. The best way to choose a good memory foam mattress pad is to try it out, but few stores have them out where you can lie on them. However, there are a surprising amount of online retailers that will allow you to order a memory foam mattress pad, try it out, and send it back if you don’t like it. If you can’t make up your mind what to order, pick two, order both, then send back the one you don’t like. You’ll only loose out on a few dollars from non-refundable shipping charges (be sure to thoroughly read the website’s return policy before ordering since each will differ).
Regular foam and feather down mattress pads are best for making a hard bed softer. They don’t add much support but can make your extra firm mattress softer on your body while you still have that extra firm support. While most people find visco elastic memory foam mattress pads more comfortable, they also find that regular foam and feather down mattress pads are cooler to sleep on. Since you somewhat sink into the visco elastic memory foam because it responds to you temperature, it traps heat very well. So if you are a warm bodied sleeper, regular foam or feather down may be a better choice for you. It’s also easier to buy a regular foam mattress pad than one of visco elastic memory foam since regular foam doesn’t vary much. There are choices such as egg crate (little foam spikes), air waves (a raised wave pattern that allows airflow), or flat (just a flat piece of foam). It’s a matter of personal preference which you think is more comfortable so squish your hand into it, sit on it, whatever it takes to figure it out. You can always order online and compare for yourself.
