What to look for when shopping for a memory foam mattress
Comfort Layer Depths
The most important component of any mattress is the top layer, or comfort layer. It's this layer that provides the overall 'feel' of the mattress, as well as the support performance. It also contributes significantly to the lifespan of the mattress. Our luxury high density memory foam layer is not only true highest-grade density, at 9cm depth it's also the most generous proportion comfort layer on the market by some distance. This depth was meticulously researched to provide the best night-long support and comfort. The majority of our competitors have lower-grade material comfort layers of between 3cm and 4cm, which simply cannot deliver a comparable performance.
Bed Bases and Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are typically compatible with the vast majority of bed bases, and it's likely that the ERGOFLEX™ will work perfectly on your existing base. The ERGOFLEX™ doesn't require any sort of additional support or suspension from the bed base, so a divan or traditional slatted frame base are ideal foundations for the mattress. If using on a slatted bed base please ensure the slats are no wider than 2.5 inches apart, in order to maintain the integrity of the base layer. We strongly advise against the use of plywood, fibreboard (MDF) or similar board as a platform beneath the mattress, as well as using the mattress directly on the floor, as this can compromise essential breathability and airflow.
Please read our FAQs for more information on bed bases, including styles to avoid. If you're unsure about the suitability of your bed base feel free to get in touch on 0800 024 1122 or send us an email.
Comparing different models and brands
As with most purchases it is common sense to compare a few different options before making a decision, particularly when it comes to something as closely linked to your health and daily wellbeing as a mattress. Unfortunately, it seems that what should be a simple process is somewhat complicated when it comes to mattresses, thanks to the approach of certain brands. In many cases these days it seems that lots of brands prioritise a glossy, superficial marketing approach above informing the customer as to what they’re actually selling.
It could be perceived that it suits many retailers to make it almost impossible to make a basic consumer comparison between different memory foam mattresses, their specification, and what you are getting for your money because their products possibly don't stand up to close scrutiny.
We at ERGOFLEX™ have tried to be as transparent and informative as possible in this regard. We truly believe our mattresses offer the best performance, quality, and value for money currently available. We feel if you have something to shout about, it's important to shout loudly - not make it difficult to make comparisons. This is why we have put our memory foam mattress head to head with the TEMPUR® mattress, recognised by all as the pioneer and market leader in the manufacturing of memory foam mattresses.
Overall Mattress Depth and Composition
It's important not to confuse the overall depth of the memory foam mattress with the depth of the memory foam layer itself - as it's this, and only this, which will make it feel comfortable, supportive, and overall, deliver the pressure relieving qualities you would expect from a high quality memory foam mattress.
As well as depth of the memory foam layer it's vital to know the depths of the other layers that make up the whole composition of the mattress, as well as how they'll work together. Every ERGOFLEX™ includes 9cms of 5G High-Density visco-elastic memory foam, a depth that has been meticulously researched to provide an optimum level of pressure-relieving body support and work perfectly with the other layers of the mattress.
Memory foam density, and what that represents
The density rating of any foam mattress generally refers to the density of the top layer of visco-elastic memory foam, not the entire mattress - as the supporting base foam layer of a true memory foam mattress uses a 'high resilience' or 'impact resistant' polyurethane foam. This should never be confused with visco-elastic memory foam. It's important to understand that the top layer of visco-elastic memory foam is the most-costly to manufacture, and ultimately the most important component in any memory foam mattress composition.
The density rating is a measurement of how much visco-elastic memory foam actually resides within the foam layer of the mattress. The lesser the density, the lesser the raw material content actually making up the memory foam layer, and ultimately the bigger the cells or 'air cavities' as a result. The higher the density of the memory foam layer, the heavier the memory foam will be. And most importantly, the cells or 'air cavities' in the memory foam will be smaller, more tightly packed, and present in greater numbers. This makes them both harder to break down and ultimately indicates the muscular / skeletal support and 'life expectancy' you can expect from the mattress. It is clinically recognised that the higher the density of the memory foam layer, the better support the memory foam will provide.
A high-density memory foam mattress will feel more full-bodied and sumptuous in comparison with lower quality imitations. It is a common misconception that this dictates the firmness of the memory foam. Advanced manufacturers of true high-density visco-elastic foam are able to manipulate firmness ratings regardless of density. Many manufacturers producing low-density variants, such as 50kg/m3, will often make their memory foam feel firmer in an attempt to pass it off as high density. Inevitably the cell structure of mattresses with lower densities will break down much quicker and ultimately cause the memory foam to sag over a shorter period of ownership and use.
The density rating is calculated by weighing a cubic meter of the memory foam, which is why you see ratings expressed by weight.
The ERGOFLEX™ memory foam mattress uses a luxury 9cm deep 5G high-density memory foam layer.
Mattress Firmness
The best way to understand this is to go by the manufacturers rating. For example, the ERGOFLEX™ memory foam mattress is rated as medium/firm.
However, the difficulty with this is that no independent firmness tests or guides currently exist in the UK for manufacturers to adhere to and benchmark their mattress against others. This makes it difficult to understand comparisons between different memory foam manufacturers products. How soft or firm the foam feels to each of us is a very subjective matter. Each of us has different comfort preferences, which makes this interpretation or rating guide difficult to use in isolation. This is why we also recommend you understand the 'ILD' rating of the mattress to gauge its firmness. The ILD rating of a mattress is explained below.
The 'ILD' rating and what it means for a mattress
The density and ILD (sometimes referred to as IFD) rating of a memory foam mattress provides the best indication as to the quality and firmness level you should expect from the mattress.
'ILD' stands for 'indentation load deflection'. Put simply, it indicates how hard or soft the memory foam will be.
This is calculated by measuring how many pounds of pressure are required to indent a 4" layer of memory foam by 25%. The test is performed by applying equal pressure over an area of 50 square inches to indent the memory foam by 25%. The amount of pressure required to indent the foam by 25% of its total depth is calculated in weight.
To make sense of this, and better understand the ILD rating of a memory foam mattress, take this example;
It may take 8lbs of pressure to indent a very soft memory foam by 25%, or 20lbs of pressure to indent a very firm sample of memory foam.
You will often see the ILD rating expressed in a range, i.e. 10 - 12, as opposed to a single number. This is because the ILD rating can vary slightly depending on how the memory foam has been conditioned or the environment it has been stored in prior to testing. Moisture and humidity are two factors that can influence the slight variation in measurement, which is why many retailers display the ILD rating in a range format.
ERGOFLEX™ memory foam mattresses have an ILD rating of 13 - 15, or more accurately, 13lbs - 15lbs - putting them in the category of medium to firm.
Feedback for Ergoflex has been compiled from 1767 customer reviews
Excellent
I've purchased from ergoflex before and on both occasion service and product are excellent.
Service rating : Excellent response to my emails.
Product : Better than what I expected.
Service rating : well - they should look after repeat customers... I have purchased 4 of their mattresses but yet, no discount vouchers (e.g. Amazon) so we'll try someone else next.
Product : The mattress is good for one size fits all I think is going to hurt them in the long run, my eldest daughter is finding it too hard so will probably go somewhere else.
Service rating : The ordering process was simple and the follow up information regarding confirmation, dispatch and delivery was excellent.
Product : Both my husband and I have differing back issues and on the advise of our Osteopath was recommended to consider Ergoflex as a mattress for our new bed. We are both happy with our purchase of an Ergoflex mattress.
Service rating : Great service , very happy
Product : Very good
Service rating : It was very easy to order, and very quick to deliver.
Product : The mattress is so comfortable and supports your body,it's great for my back problem.
Service rating : Easy to order, delivery exactly when indicated, even to a remote spot in West Wales.
Product : We are so relieved to have this firm but very comfortable mattress to sleep on after a much softer one. We can move easily without waking each other up and it is really great. This will always be our mattress of choice.
Service rating : Good company to buy from
Product : I am very happy with my purchase
Service rating : Everything about ergo flex has been amazing thank you
Product : I didn't believe it would stop my bad back but overnight it did!! More expensive than a regular mattress but wow let me say well worth it absolutely excellent!
Service rating : Having put the matress on the bed, I was not able to verify the guarantee without having to change the bedding so I did not bother with the guarantee. Could the reg number not be on a separate paper?
Product : Very firm OK
Service rating : Excellent you get your item within 24hrs and price and product are really competitive compare to other competitors
Product : The delivery is excellent and the product is really good even I would raccomand a bed with narrow slats
Service rating : Excellent service. Very professional.
Product : The best ever mattress! Delighted with it. Highly recommended.
Service rating : Great service, mattress arrived on my desired delivery day and delivery man kindly carried it up two flights of stairs to my bedroom for me. It's also a great relief to be able to test sleep the mattress for 30 days.
Product : Best purchase I've ever made. This mattress is extremely comfortable, I don't feel any pressure points at all and it adjusts to all little movements immediately. Have also noticed that I need less sleep now to feel really rested. Whilst it had a funny manufacturing smell in the beginning, this disappeared after a few weeks. Can only recommend +++++
Service rating : Delivered promptly
Product : Very comfortable, sleep has improved
Service rating : Arrived promptly well packed.
Product : This is the second mattress I have had the other previously a double one and I love them. Have tried others but no comparison.
Service rating : Company and service, Customer Service excellent. Cannot fault.
Product : Product first class. A wonderful night sleep every night!
Very happy and find it very comfortable
Service rating : Amazing how quickly delivery is received, and so helpful that mattress is vacuum sealed making it easy to get upstairs, even in a tight space.
Product : Really happy with our mattress, no complaints, have recommended to others.