I don't know yet, as it has not yet gotten to 8 inches, this is day 4. It doesn't smell. It is soft to touch on top. It looks and feels to be firm on the bottom. I think I will like it, once I get to sleep on it, apparently will still be sleeping in guest room for another night or two. It is for my 18 1/2 year old Sleep Savvy adjustable bed, which came with a 9 inch firm memory foam, 4 1/2 in firmness then 4 1/2 inch plush memory foam over. I love that old mattress, hated to replace it, but seemed time. This new one is supposed to be 4 inches firm on bottom then two 2 inches gel foam layers, so another 4 inches, equally proportioned similar to what I so loved. Hope to update to 5 stars once I get to sleep in my own bed!