Latex mattresses are made from natural latex whereas memory foam mattresses are made from various types of high-density polyurethane foam. Latex mattresses that are made of 100% natural latex are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and generally more eco-friendly.
While both latex and memory foam mattresses contour to your body's curves and reduce motion transfer, latex mattresses push back more against your weight, giving you a greater sense of buoyancy rather than the body-hugging, "locked-in" feeling you might get from some memory foam.