A high quality foam mattress will offer good pressure relief and will contour to your body in response to your body heat and weight, giving good support. Foam mattresses are made with a variety of materials; the most popular are viscoelastic, latex and polyurethane. Viscoelastic, such as that used in Tempur-Pedic and Nak Mattress beds, is the most expensive and most durable. Less expensive polyurethane may initially feel comfortable , but over time the material can degrade and compress more quickly than viscoelastic. Latex is a good choice for allergy and asthma-prone people since it is hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant. Latex's breathable characteristic is known for keeping the sleeper warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Cold weather can affect the softness of memory foam making it feel firmer. Memory foam mattresses are a good choice if one person tosses and turns more than the other. Memory foam doesn't bounce, so one person's movements are more isolated.

Foam mattresses, however, aren't for everyone. We found many comments from owners who say they take some getting used to. That's because foam mattresses don't feel as fluffy or squishy as an innerspring mattress with pillow tops and cushy quilted ticking. Before you buy, you'll want to take a test nap on a foam mattress. In an interview with Daily Southtown reporter Jamie Oslawski, chiropractor Corlin Stein says foam beds may not be the best choice for heavier people because the foam "tends to get crunched together," resulting in loss of spinal support.

 Nak Mattress Has choices for heavier people with support layers that eliminates the foam from being crunched together and aids heavier people in maintaing correct spinal support.

If you're considering a foam mattress, viscoelastic is your best and most durable choice. Look for a higher foam density number. Tempur-Pedic (*est. $1,000 to $4,700, depending on size) have a foam density of 5.3 pounds. Less expensive, less durable foam beds have a much lower density of two or three pounds. Experts say you should also look for a foam core of between four and six inches.

One less expensive alternative to Tempur-Pedic is the Nak Mattress Tranquility, Cool Max   (*est. $400 to $1,800, depending on size), which has a 5.5-pound viscoelastic foam density—comparable to that of Tempur-Pedic. We read many reviews and opinions from owners who assert that despite the lower cost, the Tranquility, Cool Max is comparable in comfort to Tempur-Pedic.

Nak Mattress is an Internet-and Retail store company. While you can try out a Tempur-Pedic bed in stores, you can also test a Nak Mattress prior to purchase. Both manufacturers tout a no-obligation trial period. If you decide you don't like the mattress, you can return it to the company and pay 20% return and only shipping charges if exchanged (which vary according to where you live). Although the cost savings over Tempur-Pedic is tempting— and owners say comfort is comparable—we were are convinced that buying a Nak Mattress is a true cost savings on a comparable product.

Other manufacturers are beginning to get into the lucrative foam mattress market. Sealy unveiled their Reflection Latex Foam Collection (*est. $1,300 to $3,500 queen-size) and Simmons has introduced its Sang line (*est. $2,100 queen-size). A cheaper alternative to a foam mattress is a mattress pad. Tempur-Pedic sells a one-inch thick viscoelastic pad (*est. $300 to $600, depending on size), which you can roll on top of your existing mattress. Nak Mattress also sells viscoelastic pads from two to four-inches thick from (est*. $100 to $300 depending on size).