Why Is Memory Foam So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

Memory foam mattresses are known for being comfortable and high in quality.

Unfortunately, these mattresses are also recognized for their high pricing.

If you are looking for a memory foam mattress, you have probably noticed that the pricing is higher than a traditional mattress.

Many will find that the high prices of these mattresses are worth it for the benefits that they offer.

If you are curious why the memory foam mattress tends to cost a bit more, we have all the reasons that can help you sort this out.

 

Why Is Memory Foam So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

 

1. Quality Control

 

The quality control on the memory foam mattresses is part of what makes the pricing so high.

It is not easy to get the foam to be the correct firmness for those who are using it.

It’s also important to make sure that the mattress is going to continually conform to a person’s body each and every time it is used.

For proper quality control, it takes time, effort, and money.

Therefore, quality control increases the price that people must pay for a new foam mattress.

It is a bit easier to test and manufacturer a traditional mattress than a memory foam mattress.

Of course, for the end user, higher quality control means a better product, but it is important to keep this in mind when considering the high cost of such a mattress.

 

2. Very Small Market for Used Mattresses

 

People do not like to purchase used mattresses.

Memory foam mattresses that have been used for years by another person are not all that appealing for a person who is looking for a clean and new place to sleep.

One of the reasons the price of memory foam is so high is that the used market is quite small.

You are not going to find a mattress with memory foam for a lower price than new.

Manufacturers know that, if you want a mattress, you understand that it is going to be expensive, and they are able to charge a good price for what they have.

If you want the memory foam technology, be prepared to spend quite a bit on a new option.

The best way to get a deal on a memory foam mattress is to purchase from some of these online companies that are going to ship the mattress to you in a box.

You will have to be careful which company you go with as some of these newer brands are not known for longevity.

 

3. Long-Lasting

 

A memory foam mattress is intended to last a long time.

People don’t want to purchase a mattress every few years, and we certainly can’t blame them.

With the high prices of mattresses, most expect to get seven to ten years out of the product.

This means that the memory foam mattresses need to be built to last.

The longer you have the mattress, the better the deal you get for it.

Memory foam needs to be tested over long periods of time to make sure that it will hold up even five years after a person has purchased it.

The longer-lasting, better material is expensive to work with and develop, but you will be glad it is what your mattress is made from.

 

4. Top Brand Names

 

As with most products, there are brand names and knock-off brands.

The top brand names like Sealy or Serta are going to charge more money for their mattress.

Some of what you are paying for is a higher-end product, but there is also the fact that these companies are known for being high-end.

The higher-end brand names also tend to do quite a bit of marketing.

The marketing costs end up leading to higher overhead, and eventually, the consumer is left paying more for their new mattress.

The brand names tend to have better customer service and warranties as well.

This is important to look for when purchasing a memory foam mattress.

Many times, when the mattress starts to fall apart, the warranty can kick in and help save you some money.

This is especially important if your mattress is less than a few years old.

 

5. Durability

 

Memory foam mattresses are durable.

They must be made durable and able to support people regardless of their weight.

With any mattress, durability is important, but it becomes even more so with the memory foam.

Since people are sleeping on this foam every night and condensing it, the durability sometimes starts to reduce.

This means that people are left with a mattress that is flatter on the top and doesn’t have that same cushion or foam feeling that it should.

In the end, durability is extremely important and worth paying for.

A simple foam product that has not been properly engineered to work for a bed is not going to make it long term.

 

6. Need for a Mattress

 

All mattress companies can charge a bit more for a mattress than we may deem necessary.

This has everything to do with the fact that people need mattresses.

We spend a very large portion of our day in bed, and that is what makes a mattress a very important purchase.

If you choose a mattress that is not comfortable or not supportive, you could experience some health- or sleep-related issues.

When you talk to those who are in the mattress industry, they will tell you that the markup on mattresses is often quite high.

This high markup is something that likely won’t go away for quite some time.

These mattress companies are happy to make their profit, and some of them are small businesses just trying to make it.

The other reason that memory foam tends to cost more money is that it is not really a necessity.

Although you may need a mattress, it does not have to be a memory foam mattress.

Therefore, companies can look at memory foam as a luxury item and charge some higher numbers and markup for these types of beds.

If you want to save money on a memory foam mattress, you can skip the memory foam.

Sometimes purchasing a mattress topper is a good solution, and it will keep the bed just as comfortable.

 

7. Health Reasons and Sleeping

 

Memory foam mattresses are more expensive because they are considered to be better for your health.

Sleeping is important.

We all need better sleep to be able to function, maintain a healthy weight, and to get activity and recovery in our day.

The better mattresses are designed to be an aid when it comes to sleeping.

These mattresses will help those who suffer from neck or back pain and struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position.

With memory foam mattresses, the mattress can conform to your body and make your sleep easier and less stressful.

The products on the market today that are benefiting health and helping people feel better are priced quite a bit higher than others.

The pricing has everything to do with the natural human instinct to stay younger and feel better.

If a mattress can provide that, people are more than willing to make the necessary investment into the product.

 

8. Isolating Movement Features

 

One of the many reasons people enjoy memory foam mattresses is that they are very good at helping to isolate movement in the bed.

If you sleep with someone else in your bed, typically, their movements will disturb your sleep.

This has been a standard in the mattress industry for many years.

However, with the addition of the memory foam mattress, things have changed quite a bit.

Since the memory foam mattress conforms to the natural contours of your body, you won’t have trouble with being disturbed by the tossing and turning of your partner.

The isolating movement technology that is integrated into these memory foam mattresses is expensive.

The good news is that this type of technology will most definitely lead to a better night’s sleep.

If you are a person who moves around a lot, or you sleep with someone who does, the technology in the memory foam is going to stand out among the best.

 

9. New Heat Regulation Features

 

One of the downsides of a memory foam mattress is that it is going to be a little warmer than a traditional mattress.

The material used in the foam is not all that breathable, and this makes it difficult for people to control their body temperature at night.

However, in the newest releases of memory foam mattresses, people are starting to find that they are able to maintain body temperature a lot better.

This is because of new technology in the foam that makes it slightly more breathable.

As you may have imagined, this new technology is also quite a bit more expensive than you may think.

The memory foam mattress has never been a good match for a person who gets overheated at night.

With the introduction of memory foam technology, the market for those who may benefit from memory foam is starting to expand.

A larger market and greater demand for the product are going to raise the total pricing.

 

10. Density

 

A memory foam mattress is denser than a typical mattress.

Even though you are probably thinking that foam is a lightweight material, it is quite dense.

The density can lead to paying higher prices for the mattress, and it certainly leads to higher shipping costs.

There is not much the average consumer will be able to do with the price increase due to the dense material.

This is something that just comes along with the price that is paid for the mattress.

If you see that a memory foam mattress is thinner and more lightweight, it is probably not going to hold up as well long term.

As difficult as it is to pay for features like this, you will be glad that you did a few years down the road.

A solid, dense memory foam mattress tends to be worth the money paid.

If you find this to be a factor you don’t want to pay for, then memory foam may not be the best choice.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have a better feel for why memory foam is so expensive.

People pay good money for these mattresses because they get so much better sleep and increased comfort.

If you think that memory foam mattresses may be too expensive, it can make sense to look for a mattress on sale.

During certain times of the year, you will notice that there are large discounts on mattresses.

Take advantage of the sales if you want to save money.

In the end, you will likely be fine with the amount you spend on your memory foam mattress the first night that you get a great sleep in your bedroom.