Molecule 1 Mattress Review – The Best All-Foam Mattress for Active Sleepers?

Molecule 1 Mattress Review – An All-Foam Mattress for Active Sleepers?

Molecule isn’t a brand as well-known as other mattress-in-a-box companies like Purple or Casper. But since its debut, it’s been gaining traction courtesy of celebrity endorsements from athletes like Tom Brady.

There are three main mattresses offered in the range. The first is the MOLECULE 1 Mattress, which has a gel-infused foam technology. 

The second one is the MOLECULE 2 Airtec Mattress, which consists of two proprietary foams – the Biotec and the Airtec.  

The third mattress is the MOLECULE Hybrid 13” Mattress, which combines both a foam and coil system to create a comfortable and dynamic hybrid mattress. 

For this review, I’ll focus on the Molecule 1 foam mattress, the flagship model. Let’s find out if this promise of sleep recovery and support works.  

Breaking Down the Layers

Molecule mattresses are made for athletes or those who lead an active lifestyle. They’re made to be eco-friendly too so you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals in the foam.

The MOLECULE 1 Mattress comes with an all-foam construction measuring 12.25 inches and spanning 3 major layers. 

First Layer: 

A 2-inch Open Cell Memory Foam Comfort Layer called RESTOREFLO™. This is a proprietary foam layer designed for pressure relief and airflow. It’s infused with microbeads designed to help with temperature management. 

Second Layer: 

A 3-inch Dynamic Response Layer called RECOVERYFLO™. It comes with a 3-zone dynamic layer so each zone adjusts and offers support to a specific part of your body. This is needed in key areas like the shoulders or hips, which tend to sink deeper into the mattress. 

Third Layer: 

A 7-inch layer designed for maximum support called CONTOURFLO™. Also serving as the foundation layer, this provides a healthy spine alignment while assisting in heat transfer and airflow. 

All in the Cover

The MOLECULE 1 mattress cover is made from 98% polyester with a 2% Lycra/spandex combination. It’s designed to absorb moisture so there’s less heat trapped between your body and the foam. 

What’s more, it’s crafted to be soft and stretchy, giving you a little give when you move around. The quilted design also gives it a premium feel, something that’s always a nice touch even with the most basic mattress.  

How Does It Perform

The MOLECULE 1 focuses on offering the right amount of firmness and airflow so sleepers get a restorative night’s sleep. This is important for active individuals or athletes who do a lot of movement during the day. 

When it comes to firmness, the mattress is somewhat in the middle with a medium to soft firmness level. This means it caters to a good amount of sleepers.

The 12.25 inch-thick mattress conforms closely to the body so when you sleep, all your pressure points are supported. The same supportive layers also offer proper spine alignment – a great touch for side sleepers. 

Just be aware that because of the memory foam layer tending to hug the body, it can become slightly hot. The mattress is ideal for those who like the feeling of sleeping ‘in the mattress instead of ‘on the mattress.  

The Details

Price: Starts at $699 (Twin) to $1,099 (King/Cal King)
Shipping: Free Shipping (anywhere in the United States)
Trial Period: 100 Nights Risk-Free
Warranty: Infinity Warranty
Returns: Accepts 100% returns 
Made in the United States

Mattress Performance Breakdown

Comfort 

The memory foam layer provides a contoured fit especially around sensitive areas like the joints and shoulders. The slow response to pressure helps to relieve any aches and pressure pain, giving you good support right where you need it. 

Firmness

The MOLECULE 1 Mattress comes with a medium to soft firmness level, about a 6 out of 10. This means a good range of sleepers can use it, especially those who prefer a comfortable mattress to a bouncy one.  It’s most ideal for side sleepers and back sleepers though as it offers nice support and spine alignment. 

Smell

Like most mattresses, expect a bit of off-gassing when the mattress first comes out of the box. Luckily, this goes away after a few days.

Bounciness

While it’s not designed to be bouncy, the MOLECULE 1 Mattress doesn’t mean you’ll get stuck inside the mattress. It’s got a built-in memory foam layer so the response to pressure is slow. If you are used to having bounce, you will be better off looking towards the MOLECULE Hybrid mattress instead. 

Edge Support

Sitting on the sides of the MOLECULE 1 will cause a significant amount of sinkage. This is expected from a foam mattress since there’s no special edge-support layer. If you tend to sleep on the sides of the mattress, you might want to look at an innerspring or hybrid mattress for edge support. 

Motion Transfer

There’s really good motion isolation for this mattress. If you sleep with a partner, you will hardly feel any movement even if your partner decides to get up or move in the middle of the night. The comfort layer is designed to absorb movement and it does so perfectly. 

Sleeps Cool

Although memory foams of yesteryear tend to retain heat, the MOLECULE 1 is created with an open cell memory foam so it retains less body heat, allowing you to sleep cooler. However, just know the foam does tend to conform to your body which can cause some warmth since it would restrict airflow around the area. 

Durability

The average lifespan of a regular foam mattress is 5-8 years. Since Molecule mattresses only started in 2018, there’s still limited information on whether they would end up living up to the regular lifespan. 

As far as normal wear and tear, it’s likely the mattress will start to show sleep impressions on the immediate layers of the foam after a couple of years. 

The Final Verdict:

The MOLECULE 1 Mattress is a good option for a flagship mattress. It’s great for a sleeper who prefers a medium to soft firmness level (6 out of 10 firmness).  

The mattress and its all-foam construction offer a good balance between support and pressure relief, giving you dedicated zoned areas for personalized comfort no matter what position. This pressure relief gives you a restful night’s sleep, making you feel rejuvenated when you wake up.