Buying guide for best tempur-pedic mattresses
If it seems like memory foam has taken over the mattress market, you can thank Tempur-Pedic, the company that brought viscoelastic foam out of NASA’s test facilities and into people’s bedrooms nearly 30 years ago. It’s the material that separates Tempur-Pedic mattresses from other mattress brands that rely on memory foam.
Knowing this, it might seem like picking a Tempur-Pedic mattress is a simple task. But Tempur-Pedic, especially now that it is a part of Sealy, offers several variations on its original mattress. You’ll need to select a mattress that matches your sleeping style and that fits into your budget. Choosing the right Tempur-Pedic mattress takes a little bit of research – something our buying guide can help you get started with.
Read on to get the details you need to make the best choice for a comfortable night’s sleep. For our picks for the top Tempur-Pedic mattresses you can buy, check out the matrix above.
Key considerations
Tempur foam
Tempur-Pedic mattresses use Tempur foam, an open-cell foam padding made using a polyurethane-silicone formula. It was developed by NASA in the 1970s to help astronauts be more comfortable during launches and landings of the space shuttle. In the 1980s, a Swedish firm helped NASA improve on the technology and also turned it into a commercial product, introducing Tempur-Pedic mattresses to the world.
While memory foam mattresses tend to conform around a sleeper’s body, sagging inward and trapping heat, a Tempur-Pedic mattress adapts to the body and minimizes pressure points without sacrificing underlying support. A box spring isn’t needed with this type of mattress as the Tempur foam is firm enough to provide good body support. It’s also a very resilient type of foam that will maintain its character for years and years.
Firmness
Tempur-Pedic has kept up with consumer demand for foam mattresses that aren’t too hot and that have varying levels of firmness. The company offers three different mattress types – firm, medium, and soft – and four mattress lines. It has a hybrid option as well, a mattress with foam layers on top and wrapped innerspring coils as part of the bottom layer.
Bed frame
Originally, the company required buyers to purchase a Tempur-Pedic mattress platform to go along with the mattress. While Tempur-Pedic still recommends that you use the brand’s platform to support your mattress, the company now provides guidelines to those who want to buy a base or bed frame separately.
American-made
Buyers who feel it’s important to purchase products made in the U.S. can feel comfortable purchasing a Tempur-Pedic mattress. All Tempur-Pedic mattresses are manufactured in Kentucky, and the company is now headquartered there as well.
Features
Tempur support layer
A standard Tempur-Pedic mattress has a bottom layer made from the company’s proprietary Tempur foam. This provides support and adaptive cushioning.
Comfort foam layer
Standard Tempur-Pedic mattresses also have a comfort foam layer, a softer version of the Tempur support layer that sleepers can relax into.
Heat reduction
Some Tempur-Pedic mattresses have an additional layer of foam that redirects and dissipates body heat. It is placed between the support layers and the mattress cover, helping to maintain body temperature.
Knit cover
As with most premium foam mattresses, Tempur-Pedic mattresses have a knit cover that helps dissipate body heat and wick away moisture. It also keeps liquids from reaching the mattress foam, which is important to prevent mildew from taking hold within the mattress. The knit cover is also washable so users can keep their mattress fresh.
Innerspring coils
Cloth-wrapped innerspring coils are available as an option on some Tempur-Pedic mattresses. These are especially helpful for heavier sleepers who need extra support and comfort.
Did you know?
Tempur-Pedic mattresses do not work well when placed on a boxspring. They’re designed for platforms or slatted bed frames.
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Accessories
Pillows: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Symphony Pillow
This versatile memory foam pillow from Tempur-Pedic offers support for combination sleepers, with an arched side for back sleeping and a flat side for stomach and side sleeping.
Mattress toppers: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProForm Supreme Mattress Topper
Sleepers who want extra cushioning and comfort that wraps around the body will love this three-inch mattress topper developed to work in tandem with Tempur-Pedic mattresses.
Adjustable platform bases: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Ergo Extend Adjustable Base
Adjustable bases are widely available today, but Tempur-Pedic’s Ergo Extend adds an extra element, with the head tilting further up to make TV watching easier.
"Tempur-Pedic was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 1998, and its mattresses routinely top customer satisfaction reports."
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Tempur-Pedic mattress prices
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are among the priciest on the market, starting at around $1,600 for a basic twin size and $2,200 for a basic queen size.
Tempur-Pedic has four product lines, giving buyers a range of pricing options for all sizes. The classic TEMPUR-Adapt and popular TEMPUR-ProAdapt lines are great for budget buyers, with queen mattresses priced from $2,200 to $2,999.
Sleepers who want better temperature control and overall cooler nights can upgrade to a TEMPUR-ProBreeze queen mattress for $3,499. Topping out the company’s offerings are the TEMPUR-Luxe line and the brand’s coolest mattress, the TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze. Expect to pay $3,999 for a TEMPUR-Luxe queen and $4,499 for a TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze queen.
Tips
- Don’t use an electric blanket or heating pad on a Tempur-Pedic mattress for more than 30 minutes, and keep it on a low setting.
- Tempur-Pedic mattress covers can be washed on a cold setting in the washing machine and air dried.
- Immediately soak up any spills on your Tempur-Pedic mattress and air dry. Use a fan to speed up the process.
- Tempur-Pedic material isn’t washable. Protect your mattress with the provided cover and, if you’d like, a mattress pad approved by the manufacturer.
- Don’t use the handles on the sides of the mattress to carry it. They’re for positioning only.
- Tempur-Pedic mattresses do not need to be flipped, rotated, or turned.
FAQ
Q. How do I decide which mattress firmness is best for me?
A. Your weight and the way you sleep are two big factors when deciding what type of mattress to buy. Sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds should consider a Tempur-Pedic mattress with more support at the base, such as the company’s hybrid mattress option. Those who sleep primarily on their backs will do well with a medium to medium-soft mattress, while those who sleep on their stomachs or sides, or are combination sleepers, should opt for a firmer mattress.
Of course, there are other variables. For example, if you have lower back pain, a soft mattress may be very uncomfortable. Tempur-Pedic’s 90-night trial allows you to return or exchange a mattress if it’s not the right fit.
Q. I spilled coffee on my Tempur-Pedic mattress and some of it soaked through the cover. What can I do?
A. Remove the mattress cover and use a clean towel to press on the mattress, soaking up as much of the liquid as possible. Don’t use any cleaning products or solvents on the foam mattress as they will damage it. Machine-wash the mattress cover in cold water and allow it to air dry. Keep the mattress cover off for at least 24 hours to let the foam dry out completely.
Q. I’m moving and need to get my Tempur-Pedic mattress out of the bedroom. It’s too big to fit through the door. Is it okay to roll up the mattress?
A. A Tempur-Pedic mattress can be folded in half in most cases (double-check the manufacturer’s instructions for your exact model). Fold it so that the top of the mattress is inside the fold. Once you’ve maneuvered the mattress out of the bedroom, unfold it ASAP and transport it flat or on its side. The foam may depress a bit when it’s folded, but if you unfold it immediately it should return to its normal state.
