Memory foam mattress products are everywhere these days...tv, radio, newpapers and magazines, but are they really the best choice for a mattress?

Latex has been around for as long as rubber trees...not the latex mattress, but, at least the raw material.

So...what are the differences in the two and how do you know which might be the best suited for your new mattress? The following comparison should be of interest if you're considering either one.

A memory foam mattress, by nature, is softer and more pliable than a latex mattress.

Memory foam is temperature reactive. In other words, it will become softer, when you lay on it, and your body temperature starts to warm it up.

The reverse is also true. When the memory foam mattress gets cold, it will become quite firm.

If your memory foam mattress is made of high quality, dense foam, you will have the best of both worlds. You won't have to buy a "hard" mattress to get the proper support for your body.

To check for support, you should try to slide your hand under the small of your back, when lying on your back on a memory foam mattress. Don't raise up or roll to the side when doing this, you should be lying flat.

If you can easily slide your hand under the small of your back, the mattress isn't supporting you. You should probably check into a denser memory foam mattress.

Density is directly proportionate to quality. The denser memory foam mattress is much more expensive to make and will last indefinitely.

Cheaper memory foam mattresses are made up of a lot of air and can break down in a matter of a 3 to 5 years. (or even sooner) While it may seem like a "good deal" to find a lower priced mattress, you'll be replacing it in a few years and won't have the good support you need either.

The thickness of the memory foam is also important. If it's too thin, you can bottom out and actually be laying on the HR (high resiliency) foam base material. The base foam is not meant to be laid on and will be uncomfortable.

If it's too thick, it will be too soft.

Because of the way a memory foam mattress "melts" away from the pressure of your body, it will spread your weight out evenly over the entire surface that's touching it.

This even support is what makes the memory foam mattress so comfortable. It also greatly reduces the tossing and turning that so many people have a problem with at night.

On most other mattresses, you develop pressure points. These are places, usually around the hips and shoulders, where the circulation is greatly or completely cutoff.

When your body senses this restriction, it signals your brain and the brain reacts by telling you to turn over.

Ideally, the memory foam should be about 3 1/2" to 6" thick. Latex mattresses have a unique feel, also. Imagine filling a mattress cover with jello. That's about the closest analogy to the feel of a latex mattress.

It's very supportive but also pretty firm. It will transfer a little bit more motion than memory foam.

Many people like latex because they view it as a natural product and, therefore, they reason that it is healthier to sleep on.

There are natural latex mattresses and processed latex mattresses, so you should check carefully on the label to make sure you are really getting a natural latex.

Latex is harvested from rubber trees in about the same way maple syrup is derived from maple trees. They tap into the tree and it oozes out.

The latex is then processed according to the product it will be made into, which can be anything from tires to mattresses.

Some processes use petroleum or chemicals in manufacturing. Of course, this would produce a mattress that is not natural and, therefore, environmentally unfriendly. Natural latex is biodegradable.

Latex is naturally hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Dust mites, mold and fungus will have a hard time surviving on a latex mattress, so your allergies won't be irritated when you go to bed each night.

Another unique feature of latex is that it is almost indestructible. It will literally last for a lifetime, under normal circumstances.

Charles C Harmon Co. (http://www.memory-foam-buyers-guide.org)

Charles Harmon

Chuck Harmon is a researcher, writer and internet marketing consultant. He specializes in taking offline businesses to a profitable online presence.

He lives in Lake Tahoe with his wife of 42 years and loves spending time with his grandchildren at the beach.