Quick answer: Foam at KSh 12,000 is a firm, waterproof, wipe-clean sleeping surface. Ripple with pump at KSh 6,000 is an alternating pressure overlay for a patient who cannot change position. The question is not which is better. It is whether the patient can turn without help.
Side by side
| Foam | Ripple with pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | KSh 12,000 | KSh 6,000 |
| Job | Comfort, hygiene, support | Pressure redistribution |
| Power | None | Pump runs continuously |
| Cover | Waterproof, anti-bacterial | Wipe-clean cells, repair kit included |
| Buy when | Patient can reposition | Patient cannot reposition |
Using both
A common setup is foam as the base mattress with the ripple overlay on top. That gives a proper sleeping surface and an alternating-pressure layer, for KSh 18,000 together.
What neither does
Neither mattress removes the need for repositioning, skin checks and nutrition, and neither treats an existing pressure sore. That is nursing care, and it is decided by the nurse or doctor.
Cost over a year
A ripple overlay at KSh 6,000 runs a small pump continuously, which adds a little to the electricity bill and nothing else. A foam mattress at KSh 12,000 costs nothing to run but does not redistribute pressure. Over twelve months of care the difference in money is trivial next to the difference in what each one does for the patient. Choose on the patient's mobility, not on the price tag.
Frequently asked questions
Is a ripple mattress better than foam?
Not better, different. Ripple redistributes pressure for a patient who cannot move. Foam is a support and hygiene surface for a patient who can.
Can I put a ripple overlay on a normal mattress?
Yes. It is designed to sit on top of an existing mattress and fits most home and hospital beds.
One call decides it
Describe the patient in a sentence. We tell you which one and why.
Page updated 2026-09-08. Prices confirmed on the call before dispatch.