How often should you replace a memory foam mattress? 5 key signs to look for

A woman's hand feels a memory foam mattress to check if it needs replacing

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How often you should replace a memory foam mattress depends on several key factors, including the quality of the foam (and other materials) used to make it. Most all-foam mattresses can outlive hybrid and innerspring beds thanks to their simple designs (less materials to degrade), but cheaper memory foam is prone to wear and tear much faster.

You'll find a number of memory foam beds in our official best mattress 2025 guide as our mattress experts rate them highly for reducing pressure points during sleep (this means less aches and pains for you upon waking). While the best memory foam mattresses made of premium materials should need replacing less often, there are some easy-to-spot clues that you do actually need to buy a new bed.

Here, we look at how often you should replace a memory foam mattress and why. Plus, if you decide you do need to upgrade to something new, we've also picked out the three best budget memory foam beds to buy ahead of the Memorial Day mattress sales.

What is a memory foam mattress?

A memory foam mattress is any bed with an all-foam construction, including memory foam. These beds feature no coils or springs, and usually use a combination of foams to create a supportive and comfortable design.

They feature multiple layers of foams, each having different densities and properties, topped with a breathable cover. Memory foam beds often infused with temperature-balancing or cooling features to offset the heat-trapping tendencies of memory foam.

Siena Memory Foam Mattress on a white background — (Image credit: Siena Sleep)

5 key signs you should replace your memory foam mattress

1. Your foam mattress is over 10 years old

Most memory foam mattresses come with a 10-year warranty for a reason. The maximum lifespan of a memory foam bed is 10 years, and the memory foam bed should be replaced as soon as it hits this mark.

It's also important to remember that, while memory foam beds can last for a decade, some all-foam beds can have a shorter lifespan depending on build, design or quality. So, if you see any of the other four signs on this list, you may need to replace your mattress before its 10th birthday.

2. It's no longer keeping you cool

While memory foam does have a tendency to trap heat, some all-foam mattresses contain temperature regulation materials to keep you cool and dissipate body heat. These include infusions of cooling gel, copper, graphite or green tea.

If your memory foam bed never caused night sweats or overheating up until now, then it could be a sign that the temperature control is deteriorating. Plus, if you live in a warm climate and your mattress is constantly exposed to high temperatures and UV sunlight, this can cause the cooling performance to decline quicker.

Woman in jumper sitting on soft mattress with lower back pain — (Image credit: Getty Images)

3. You're waking up with aches and pains

If your memory foam mattress is starting to sag thanks to prolonged use, expose to high temperatures, or an unsupportive bed frame, the surface will become uneven and will no longer provide enough support and comfort.

In fact, a sagging memory foam mattress won't provide enough cushioning pressure relief for side sleepers, leading to joint pain in the shoulders and hips. Likewise, a sagging memory foam bed won't support back sleepers and stomach sleepers' hips. When the hip region isn't supported in these sleep positions, the spine will become misaligned and can lead to lower back pain.

4. There's extensive sagging

Even the best hybrid mattresses are prone to sagging due to their use of coils or springs that can wear out easily and cause creaking and premature sagging. While memory foam beds don't use springs so don't deteriorate as quickly, it doesn't mean they are immune to premature sagging.

If you haven't been rotating (not flipping) your memory foam mattress every three to six months to spread out wear and tear, then it will start to sag and dip over time. Also, if your bed frame has slats that are widely placed apart, the foam will spill through and expedite the sagging.

5. It's covered in stains and rips

Image shows yellow sweat stains on a white memory foam mattress — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If your mattress has been exposed to everyday life - from sharp objects to food spills - this can lead to rips and stains (especially if you haven't been using using a mattress protector).

Even sweat and natural body oils can build up and lead to yellowing and foam deterioration, and rips and stains can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. So, if you've noticed your mattress has become discoloured or torn (or you're skin has become irritated from the unclean surface), then it's time you get a new memory foam bed (plus a good mattress protector).

The top 3 memory foam mattresses to buy ahead of Memorial Day

1. Siena Memory Foam Mattress: was from $499 $199 at Siena Sleep
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress is one of the best cheap mattresses thanks to it's low price and excellent support. Our Siena Memory Foam Mattress review found it also sleeps relatively cool for a memory foam bed. While it doesn't have that traditional 'hug' of memory foam, those who prefer a bouncier, firmer surface will be pleased with this bed. There's also an evergreen Siena mattress deal, with a queen size down from $799 to $399. Benefits include a 180-night sleep trial, a 10-year warranty and free shipping and returns.

2. Cocoon Chill Memory Foam Mattress: was from $619 $399 at Cocoon by Sealy
The best cooling mattress for hot sleepers one a tight budget, our Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review loved the heat-dissipating Phase Change Material for cooling, and found it to offer great pressure relief and motion isolation. Pillows and sheets are bundled in for free, and there's an evergreen 35% off discount that reduces a queen to $899. Extras include a 10-year warranty, 100-night sleep trial, and free shipping.

3. Leesa Original: was from $879 $599 at Leesa
Our Leesa Original mattress review found this to be one of the best mattresses for side sleepers, boasting excellent pressure relief, and testers were impressed by Leesa's ethical credentials. It also has good temperature regulation, but we don't recommend it as a good mattress for stomach sleepers as it's a little too soft for that sleeping position. Right now, Leesa has upgraded their 25% off sale to 30% off, taking a queen size down $929. Extras include a 10-year warranty and 100-night sleep trial.

Frances Daniels is a PPA-accredited journalist and Sleep Staff Writer at Tom's Guide with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. Her role includes covering mattress and sleep news and writing sleep product reviews and buyer's guides, including our Best Hybrid Mattress 2025 guide. She is hugely interested in the relationship between good sleep and overall health, interviewing a wide array of mattress and sleep experts to create well-informed articles about important topics such as nutrition, sleep disorders (from sleep apnea to night terrors), lucid dreaming, sleep hygiene, and mattress care. She is also our specialist on mattress toppers — producing mattress topper reviews and taking care of our Best Mattress Toppers 2025 guide — and takes the lead on all content related to fiberglass-free mattresses for a clean, non-toxic sleep. Outside of Tom's Guide, she has written for Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, and Marie Claire.