Egg Crate vs. Memory Foam
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Egg Crate vs. Memory Foam
Is your mattress not giving you all of the support and comfort that you need for a great night’s sleep?
If so, don’t rush right out and buy a new mattress. If your mattress isn’t very old, you probably don’t need a new one. Instead, you can save a lot of money by simply buying a new mattress topper. The problem is deciding whether to get a traditional egg crate mattress topper or one made from memory foam.
Today we are going to discuss the two types of mattress toppers and see what both have to offer.
Memory Foam
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.
Memory Foam Features
It is durable and comfortable, and it conforms to your body. Not only is it extremely comfortable, it offers total support, and when you sleep on it, your spine stays in alignment. Features of memory foam mattress toppers include:
Memory Foam Pros and Cons
Just because memory foam is pretty great, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any negative qualities. For the most part, it is an excellent material that is perfect for bedding products. Here are the pros and cons to consider about memory foam mattress toppers.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper Pros
Memory Foam Mattress Topper Cons
Memory Foam Pads Essentials
Memory foam pads are made of open cells, billions of balloons with holes in them. When you sit on it, air moves from one cell to another and the topper contours your body in a unique fashion, relieving pressure points and supporting your weight.
With regular foam pads, which are made of closed cells, the air in the compressed cells pushes back against you causing pressure points which constricts circulation at the area of contact. The result is discomfort and even pain over time. When you lie on a visco memory topper there is no air left in the cells to push back and cause discomfort. The air is spread to adjoining cells and the foam simply ‘melts’ under you to provide balanced support and comfort.
Egg Crate Foam
Egg crate foam can be any type of foam where one side has an ‘egg crate’ shape. The purpose of this kind of foam is two-fold. It tends to be more responsive and distributes weight better than a thick layer of foam, and also it has cooling advantages because of the air flow that it provides.
Egg crate foam can be either memory foam or reflex foam, which are both blends of polyurethane foams and could be prone to off-gassing and odor.
The egg crate foam is generally found in the top comfort layers of the mattress, though they could be used in the base layer as well.
Egg Crate Foam Features
This kind of mattress topper can be made from a variety of types of foam. Some are even made from memory foam, so you get the best of both worlds while sleeping. The price of these toppers can vary, depending on the type of foam used. Features include:
Egg Crate Foam Pros and Cons
Now it is time to take a look at the not so great things about egg crate mattress toppers. While they are an inexpensive and comfortable alternative to a new mattress, they are not always everything that they are cracked up to be. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Egg Crate Foam Mattress Topper Pros
Egg Crate Foam Pads Essentials

Final Thoughts
If you want to be more comfortable at night and sleep better, but you aren’t ready to invest in a new mattress, a mattress topper is an excellent option. Whether you choose a memory foam topper, or an egg crate mattress topper, you are going to be happy. You can even combine the two and get the best of both worlds: an egg crate mattress topper made from memory foam.
6 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Side Goes Up On An Egg Crate Mattress?
Place the egg crate pad on top of the mattress with the bumps facing toward the ceiling.
2. What Is The Purpose Of An Egg Crate Mattress?
Egg crate foam toppers are meant to give you a breathable surface while sleeping. Its ideal for burn patients or for bedridden patients to avoid bed sores. The egg crate design just leaves more room for air circulation.
3. Which Way Up Do You Put A Memory Foam Mattress?
As a general rule of thumb, memory foam mattresses are single sided – this means they can’t be flipped because the comfort filling is on the top of the mattress and not the bottom. However, we do recommend you rotate your mattress every few months to prolong the lifespan of the mattress.
4. Do You Put Memory Foam Under Mattress Pad?
The short answer is, you can just toss some sheets on the memory foam topper the way it is with the zippered cover. Then again, many people who buy a memory foam topper use a quilted mattress pad they already have and put that on top of the topper. The mattress pad may make it feel firmer.
5. Are Egg Crate Mattress Pads Washable?
Based on the size of the egg crate, its thickness and the durability of the material, you may be able to wash it in your washing machine. With a standard machine, however, you run the risk of the foam tearing due to the agitation. Set the washing machine to the gentlest cycle and use a small amount of mild detergent.
6. What Does Convoluted Foam Mean?
The term convoluted describes foam with a ridged design that has peaks and valleys. Often called egg crate foam, convoluted foam is lighter than a solid piece of foam and allows for added airflow. Foam mattress toppers often use convoluted foam designs for added support.