High Resilience(HR) Foam Vs. High-Density(HD) Foam – Which Is Best?

Are you confused between choosing a mattress with HR foam and one with HD foam?

If yes, then it probably means you don’t have the right idea about how these two support layers are different from each other and on what grounds. That’s the reason why we have presented here a complete guide for HR foam vs HD foam.

With this guide, you will have a complete explanation of choosing the best foam layer for yourself and others.

• Also Read: Best Foam Mattress in India 2023

1. What is HR foam?

The HR or the high resilience foam is known for its higher bounce level. Since it’s resilient to the compressive forces incident from above, the durability is enhanced. In addition, the foam type also ensures that your spine is protected, and no soreness or stiffness can last in your back muscles.

Also Read: Best Mattress For Back Pain In India 2023

1.1 Benefits of HR foam

1. The HR foam is more comfortable due to the resilience factor, which increases the bounciness. 
2. It’s an ideal foam type for sleepers who can’t maintain a single position during sleep. 
3. With the HR foam, your backbone will get better support, and it will maintain its curvature. 

2. What is HD foam?

HD or high-density foam is a special material used to construct mattresses where stability, endurance, and durability need to be enhanced. The fibres are packed tightly in this foam type, which almost reduces the air pockets to a negligible number. That’s the reason it has the highest density as compared to all other foam types. 

2.1 Benefits of HD foam

1. HD foam will help in maintaining the posture of your body during sleep. 
2. It is extremely beneficial in stabilizing the mattress and making it more durable and long-lasting. 
3. HD foam will protect the soft foam layers present above with firmness ranging between 3 and 4. 

3. Differences: HR Foam VS HD Foam

Measures	HR Foam	HD Foam
Comfort & support	High	Less
Temperature Regulation	Less	Less
Firmness	Less	High
Hypoallergenic	NA	NA
Odour	Not present	Slightly present
Bounce	High	Negligible
Durability	Same	Same

• Comfort and support: As far as comfort is concerned, the HD foam will feel like a rock-solid surface, increasing the soreness rather than decreasing it. It’s the main reason a softer foam is added over the HD foam in any mattress. Also, the material is slightly more comforting for HR foam than HD foam due to the high bounciness.
  In addition, the supporting capability of both these foams is almost equivalent as both of them help provide support to the backbone and maintain the body posture during sleep. 
• Temperature regulation: Temperature regulation is not possible for HD and HR foam since the foam fibres are packed tightly. So, the air pockets are reduced both in size and number, which decreases the regulating temperature within the mattress. 
• Firmness: HD foam has a higher firmness level with a value ranging between 7 to 9. However, the HR foam has a little less firmness value, so it’s not as hard as the high-density foam. 
• Hypoallergenic: Neither the high resilience foam nor the high-density foam has hypoallergenic properties. As they are placed at the mattress base, your skin won’t have any direct contact, which is why you won’t have to worry about getting skin allergies and other diseases. 
• Odour: As for odour, you won’t get any pungent smell coming out from both the HD and HR foam. However, if sulphur is added is the HD foam to increase its hardness and endurance, you might get a burnt smell initially, which will disappear after a couple of days on its own. 
• Bounce: The high resilience foam has a higher bounce factor which will help you to sleep comfortably on the bed. However, as for the high-density foam, the bounce factor has almost negligible value, which is why it’s considered the hardest foam. 
• Durability: Believe it or not, both the HR foam and HD foam have almost the same durability. But there is a sliver of difference which is why both these foams have separate applications. For example, in mattresses with top layer super soft, HD foam is mainly used as it is highly durable compared to the HR foam. 

4. Strength and weakness of HR foam

Strength 

• Known for high bounciness due to the resilience factor
• Forms the perfect support layer in a mattress 
• Helps in maintaining the shape and structure of your backbone 

Weakness 

• Has a greater sagging rate
• Can be easily effected by repeated and unexpected collision from above 
• Heavyweight and provides less comfort 

5. Strength and weakness of HD foam

Strength 

• Has less sagging rate due to reduced air pores
• No growth of microbes and moulds in between the fibres
• Provides high support to the backbone and the muscles

Weakness 

• it can’t roll it due to the hardness of the foam
• It is extremely heavyweight due to the high density 
• Difficult to manoeuvre the mattress 

6. Which is better: HR foam or HD foam?

If you want bounciness in the mattress, it’s better to get a mattress with HR foam due to its high resilience. However, if you want increased firmness and durability of the mattress, choosing the high-density foam products will be more feasible and worthy of every penny you will be spending.

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