Soy foam mattress: what bio-based memory foam really is
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. “Soy foam,” “plant-based foam” and “bio-based memory foam” all show up on mattress labels now, and people ask us whether it’s a gimmick, a health thing or just a different kind of memory foam. Here’s the plain answer, plus the three soy-based mattresses we sell, side by side.
The short answer
- Soy foam is still foam. It’s memory foam or polyurethane foam made partly with an ingredient from soybeans in place of some of the usual petroleum-based ingredients.
- It isn’t “all natural” or organic, and it isn’t latex. Think of it as memory foam with part of its recipe from a renewable crop.
- It feels like memory foam: soft, contouring and quiet. The firmness of the whole mattress comes from all of its layers, not from the soy.
- Ours is open-celled. The listings describe the soy layer as open-celled air foam built for breathability and temperature-neutral sleep.
- We sell three: the 10" EcoCore Origin (all foam, medium firm), the 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium (coils, medium firm) and the 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe (coils, medium plush).
What “soy-based” actually means
As general background: foam is made by reacting two main ingredients, and one of them (a polyol) usually comes from petroleum. In soy-based or bio-based foam, part of that polyol comes from soybean oil instead. The rest of the recipe is still conventional, so the result looks, feels and performs like memory foam.
How much of the foam is soy varies by maker, and our listings don’t give a percentage. What they do say is that the top layer is “bio-based foam derived from soy, a renewable resource,” and that it’s open-celled for breathability. We’d rather tell you exactly that than guess at a number.
Soy foam vs regular memory foam
| Question | Soy-based foam (our EcoCore models) | Regular memory foam |
|---|---|---|
| What it’s made from | Part of the recipe comes from soybean oil, a renewable resource | Petroleum-based ingredients |
| How it feels | Contouring, like memory foam | Contouring; depends on density and layers |
| Heat | Listed as open-celled for breathability and temperature-neutral sleep | Varies; many add gel, copper or air channels |
| Certification | All three list CertiPUR-US certified foam | Check each listing |
| New smell | Can still have a light new smell at first, like any foam | Same |
| Latex | None. Our mattresses are latex-free | None in ours |
If you want a cooler foam, the soy layer is one approach. Gel and copper-gel infusions are another; our gel vs copper vs charcoal memory foam guide compares them.
Our three soy-based mattresses, layer by layer
| Mattress | Feel | Comfort layers | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10" EcoCore Origin | Medium firm, all foam | 2" bio-based air foam made with soy, 2" plush Air Ridge foam | 6" Air Channel base, which the listing says adds flexibility on an adjustable base |
| 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium | Medium firm, hybrid | 2" bio-based air foam made with soy, 1" plush gel memory foam | 6" edge-to-edge pocketed coils, patented edge support system, 1" base foam |
| 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe | Medium soft plush, hybrid | 2" bio-based air foam made with soy, 2" plush gel memory foam, 1" high-density transition foam | 6" edge-to-edge pocketed coils, patented edge support system, 1" base foam |
All three have a zip-off, machine-washable cooling cover (cold, gentle cycle, air dry without heat), CertiPUR-US certified foam and a 10-year limited warranty, per their listings. The two hybrids list the patented edge support system for 20% more sleep surface, and their pocketed coils are listed for reduced motion transfer.
Which one fits you?
- You want all foam at the lowest price: the 10" EcoCore Origin. Medium firm suits most back sleepers and many combination sleepers.
- You want coils, bounce and firmer edges: the 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium, also medium firm. More on the trade-offs in memory foam vs hybrid.
- You sleep on your side or like a softer top: the 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe, with twice the gel foam of the Premium. See our side sleeper guide.
- Couples who move a lot: either hybrid, since pocketed coils move independently. Our motion isolation guide explains why.
- Not sure about firmness? Start with the mattress firmness guide.
Today’s prices
All three come in Twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king and split king. Here are the most-asked sizes, read live from our catalog:
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin XL | Queen | King | Split king |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10" EcoCore Origin | All foam, medium firm | 10SOY-TL |
$349 | $549 | $619 | $639 |
| 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium | Hybrid, medium firm | 10HSOY-TL |
$489 | $619 | $719 | $799 |
| 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe | Hybrid, medium plush | 12HSOY-TL |
$539 | $679 | $809 | $819 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included. A dash means that model isn’t made in that size.
Setting up and caring for a soy foam mattress
- Put it on a proper base first. The listings call for a continuously solid surface, an adjustable base, or slats no more than 2" apart. See what to put under a memory foam mattress.
- Unwrap it with scissors, not a razor blade, so you don’t nick the cover.
- Give it time to expand. It can take up to 72 hours to reach full shape, and you can sleep on it right away. Details in how long a mattress in a box takes to expand.
- Air out any new smell with a window open for a day or two. Our new mattress smell guide covers it.
- Use a protector. The listings say liquid damage isn’t covered by the warranty.
- Rotate it head to foot now and then, and don’t stand or jump on it, per the care instructions.
Shop this guide
Want memory foam with part of its recipe from a renewable crop? Start here.
- 10" EcoCore Origin Soy-Based Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, from $349. Soy-based all foam, medium firm.
- 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium Soy Foam & Pocket Coil Mattress - Medium Firm, from $489. Soy-based foam over pocketed coils, medium firm.
- 12" EcoCore Hybrid Deluxe Soy Foam & Pocket Coil Mattress - Medium Soft Plush, from $539. More gel cushion over coils, medium plush.
Questions we hear a lot
What is a soy foam mattress?
It is a mattress that uses foam made partly with an ingredient from soybean oil in place of some of the usual petroleum-based ingredients. It is still memory foam or polyurethane foam, not latex and not organic. Our three EcoCore mattresses use 2 inches of bio-based air foam derived from soy as their top layer.
Is soy foam better than regular memory foam?
It feels much the same: soft and contouring. The difference is that part of the recipe comes from a renewable resource. Our EcoCore listings also describe the soy layer as open-celled for breathability. How firm or cool a mattress sleeps depends on all of its layers, so compare the whole mattress, not just the foam type.
Is a soy foam mattress all natural?
No. Soy-based foam replaces only part of the conventional ingredients, and our listings do not give a percentage. It is a good fit if you like the idea of a renewable ingredient, but it is not an organic or natural latex mattress. Our mattresses are latex-free.
Does a soy foam mattress have a smell?
It can have a light new smell when first unwrapped, like any foam. Airing it out in a ventilated room usually clears it within a few days. All three of our EcoCore mattresses list CertiPUR-US certified foam.
Can you put a soy foam mattress on an adjustable base?
Yes. The listings name an adjustable base as a proper surface, and the 10 inch EcoCore Origin listing says its Air Channel base adds flexibility when paired with an adjustable base. The two EcoCore hybrids also come in split king for split adjustable bases.
Questions about soy foam?
Trying to decide between the EcoCore models, or comparing one with a gel or copper mattress? Text John what you sleep on now and what you’d change. Text or call 818-924-3744, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or take the 60-second mattress quiz.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Layer, care and certification details are from our product listings; how soy foam is made is general background. Prices are read live from our catalog and update automatically.