Mattress shops throw around foam names — PU, HR, memory, latex — assuming you already know what each one does. Here’s the plain breakdown, without the sales pitch, so you know what you’re actually buying.
PU foam (ordinary polyurethane foam)
The most basic, most common, and cheapest foam type. It’s what fills most budget mattresses and sofa cushions. It can be made in a range of firmness levels but has the lowest resilience of the group — it compresses and softens fastest under repeated use. Fine for occasional-use beds or tight budgets; not ideal as the main support layer of a mattress you’ll sleep on nightly for years. For the critical number to check on any foam, see our foam density guide.
HR foam (High Resilience foam)
A more advanced polyurethane foam engineered to bounce back to shape quickly and resist permanent sagging far longer than ordinary PU foam. It’s the most common support-core material in mid-to-premium Indian mattresses. Read our full HR foam guide for more detail on how it works and what to look for.
Memory foam (viscoelastic foam)
Designed to soften under body heat and pressure, slowly contouring around the shoulders and hips before releasing. Gives the “sinking in” feel popular with side sleepers and people managing pressure-point discomfort. See our full memory foam guide for who it suits and why density matters just as much here.
Natural latex
Made from rubber tree sap (natural) or synthesised (synthetic latex). Naturally bouncy, breathable, and resistant to dust mites, with a springier feel than memory foam and generally very good durability. Costs more than PU or standard HR foam, and is used more in premium tiers. See our latex mattress guide for whether the price premium is justified for your needs.
Coir (coconut fibre)
Not technically a foam — coir is a natural fibre pad, often combined with a foam layer. It’s firm, breathable, and traditional in Indian households, especially in warmer climates. See our honest look at coir mattress advantages and disadvantages to understand when it’s the right choice.
How these are usually combined
Very few mattresses use a single foam type throughout. A typical construction is a dense HR or coir support base, topped with a thinner memory foam or latex comfort layer, wrapped in a fabric cover. The combination — and the density of each layer — matters far more than any single foam name. For the complete picture of how to evaluate a mattress, see our comprehensive mattress buying guide.
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Frequently asked questions
What foam is best for a mattress?
There’s no single best foam — it depends on your sleep position, weight, and budget. A dense HR foam support core is a strong universal base; memory foam or latex on top suits side sleepers and pressure relief; coir suits budget and breathability-focused buyers.
Is memory foam or HR foam better?
They serve different purposes — HR foam is typically the durable support layer, memory foam the contouring comfort layer. Many good mattresses use both together rather than choosing one over the other.
Which foam lasts longest in a mattress?
Within any foam type, higher density lasts longer. Between types, high-density HR foam and natural latex generally hold their support longest under daily use; low-density PU foam softens fastest.
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