Our Review

Just when we thought we had seen everything about mattresses, Molecule launched their flagship model. The Molecule 1 mattress was released in 2018 and has been popularized by Olympic medallists, including Michael Phelps and Russell Wilson. To a greater extent, endorsements by high-profile athletes attests to its ability to promote recovery and rest for active bodies. 

The Molecule 1 mattress has not been around for long. But it’s easy to tell that most of its current users are happy with it. In this Molecule mattress review, we’ll look at this model’s construction, firmness and manufacturer policies and what each of these means to your sleep experience. 

Molecule Mattress Build and Quality 

The Molecule 1 is the original mattress by Molecule- an American mattress company headquartered in El Segundo, California. One thing you’ll realize about it is that it has a slightly higher price tag than other foam mattresses. But that’s partly because the Molecule 1 is not your average foam mattress. 

According to the manufacturer, the Molecule 1 was designed by a specialized team of mattress experts, scientists and athletes. The goal was to engineer a mattress that keeps active people sleeping longer to promote recovery and restoration.

To achieve this, the team factored in the need for enhanced temperature regulation ability to keep the sleeper cool. This requirement is emphasized in all mattress components, from the cover to the support layer. 

The materials used for the Molecule 1 have also been intentionally selected to foster healthy spinal alignment by providing targeted support. Judging by the type of material, the Molecule 1 is a good mattress for people who lead an active lifestyle and would appreciate enhanced pressure relief. Non-athletes who yearn for a comfortable all-foam mattress that doesn’t cause them to overheat will also appreciate it. 

Thickness and Firmness 

Height 

The Molecule mattress is a 3-layer 12” tall mattress. Mattress height or depth rarely gets enough attention despite its impact on the quality of sleep and the sleeper’s overall health. The standard mattress height is 8-12 inches. These mattresses are considered thick and tend to be comfortable for most adults and different sleeping positions. 

Firmness 

The Molecule 1 is a medium-firm mattress. We rated it a 6 out of 10 on the industry-standard 10-point mattress firmness scale. The comfort system has a slow response and creates the feeling of sleeping in a gentle cradle. 

Judging by its firmness level, the Molecule 1 is a good mattress for side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 lbs. Average-weight stomach sleepers (under 130 lbs) will get adequate support around their hips, though heavier individuals may prefer a firmer mattress. 

It’s important to point out that mattress firmness is subjective. Depending on your weight, body shape and sleeping position, you may find a mattress to be firmer or softer than another person thinks. Therefore, it’s important to take advantage of this mattress’s 100-night trial period and free returns to determine whether it’s the mattress for you. 

Molecule Mattress Construction 

Cover 

The Molecule 1 mattress has a polyester and lycra blend cover. This cover has an unmistakable thick and cozy feeling and is designed to wick away moisture and regulate temperature for a cooler sleeping surface. Another key highlight of this cover is the Microban treatment. Microban is an antimicrobial technology commonly used in activewear to reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria. 

Comfort Zone 

Beneath the cover, you get to a 2” comfort layer of Restoreflo foam. Restoreflo is Molecule’s proprietary memory foam, which features an open-cell structure for enhanced airflow and pressure relief properties. This memory foam layer also has gel-infusion to dissipate heat and minimize the likelihood of heat retention by the comfort system. 

This layer has the classic memory foam feel and contouring properties. Its slow response will let you sink gently and offers pressure relief to sensitive areas like the shoulders and hips. 

Transition Zone 

Next, you get to a 3-inch layer of Recoveryflo polyfoam. The transition layer is notably firmer and more responsive than the comfort layer. This is necessary to provide you with cradling support as you push through the soft comfort layers. This transition layer is zoned: the head and feet zones are soft while the midsection is firmer. This profile provides pressure relief for your upper and lower parts while offering more support to your lumbar region so you don’t sink too far. 

Support Zone 

The Molecule 1 mattress has a 7” support system consisting of high-density polyfoam that the manufacturer calls Contourflo. This layer is much firmer than the layers on top of it. It is the primary support center for your body weight and promotes healthy spinal alignment. Molecule says that this foundation layer comprises breathable materials to promote airflow and dissipate heat. 

Trial and Warranty Policies 

Shipping 

The Molecule 1 is a bed-in-a-box mattress. It’s compressed and rolled into a box, sold online and shipped right to your door. Molecule offers free shipping and returns. You can also choose old mattress removal when making your order. Note that this is done at an extra cost. 

Trial Period and Returns 

As soon as the mattress is in your hands, Molecule offers you a 100-night trial period. There is a mandatory 30-night break-in to allow your body to adjust to the new mattress. 

If the mattress doesn’t work for you after the break-in period, Molecule will require you to donate the mattress to a 501(c)(3) charity. Molecule will process the refund once you produce the donation receipt. 

Warranty 

The Molecule mattress has a lifetime, non-prorated warranty that starts on the day of delivery. If a defect stems from poor construction, Molecule will choose to repair or replace the mattress. The warranty is subject to placing the mattress on a solid, firm, non-spring foundation or adjustable bed frame. 

Conclusion 

That brings us to the end of this Molecule mattress review. The answer to “is Molecule a good mattress?” may vary depending on your body weight, body shape and sleeping position. But overall, we think the medium firmness and zoned support of this mattress make it a recommendable option for sleeping in multiple positions.

As a memory foam mattress, the Molecule mattress provides an incredible balance of pressure relief and support. We would also recommend it if you’re looking for an all-foam mattress with the traditional memory foam feel.