Overview: This post will delve deep into a head to head comparison between Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number, to see which makes the cut first.
This close-up comparison looks deep into the pros and cons of each competitive brand, focusing on distinct areas that matter when considering the best quality mattress.
Tempur-Pedic has been around for quite a while and is brand that is renowned for creating great mattresses made of premium materials, memory foam for comfort and springs or foam that offer high levels of support. In general, Tempur-Pedic is thought to offer more quality beds compared to Sleep Number and has an offering of about 15 models at the moment.
Sleep Number on the other hand, offers a wide range of mattresses to choose from, starting from their Classic Series, and moving on to Performance, Innovation and 360 Smart Beds, which come with enhanced smart technology as their name implies.
Their mattresses are priced mid to high, and they are all made with one basic principal in mind: they are built with an adjustable air pump, which allows to change the mattress firmness to suit your preference.
How do the two compare though? Since there are many mattresses offered by the two brands, we will focus on two similar models from each company, and compare them below.
Quick Score Overview of Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number
Tempur-Pedic vs Sleep Number (Overall comparison)
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Pros
Exceptional motion isolation
Outstanding support
Restful sleep and overall great sleep quality thanks to deep compression and excellent pressure relief
A well regarded rand with vast experience, recommended by sleep experts
Durable and resilient mattresses
Pain relief from chronic back and neck conditions related to poor sleep
Great for overweight people
Little to no smell or off gassing
Personalization features as far as firmness
Flexible bases and the kind of surface that doesn’t sink too much, make it easy to get on and off the bed so it is great for elderly or injured people
Lightweight structure so you can easily move them
Durability is one of the major highlights with these beds. You will likely have your Sleep Number bed for over a decade without any issues.
Cons
A bit more hugging and contouring than stomach sleepers would need
Too much sinking for lightweight sleepers
Not as good in terms of edge support
Tends to sleep hot
Only exchanges are permitted – no money refund
Some odor – off gassing
Hefty and difficult to carry
Costly
No bounce or responsiveness
Perhaps not as comfortable as expected
A bit too firm for some even in the softest version available
The dual air chambers create a sagging area in the middle and a sense of division in the mattress (where air chambers exist in the Innovation series for instance), which causes a problem for couples who want to hug and cuddle
Frustration about the restrictions in the trial and warranty policy of the company
Some complaints that the mechanism of the air pump breaks down easily
Ideal for…
Anyone interested in a mattress that features little to no motion transfer. Great for couples as they will sleep undisturbed.
People who prefer a genuine memory foam feel
People who sleep on their side
People who seek exceptional support and pressure relief
People who have a few or more extra pounds and even overweight people as they benefit from these beds’ conforming ability
People who suffer from injuries, are recovering from surgery or an accident as these beds come with adjustable bases
Both lightweight and heavy people
Anyone who fancies personalization and flexibility
People who like smart technology and gadgets
Not great if you…
Sleep on your stomach
Are driven by spring feeling mattresses, as Tempur-Pedic feel more like memory foam which differs a lot
Are on a budget. Definitely not suitable if you don’t want to spend much on your mattress, as they are quite constly.
Prefer plenty of bounce and responsiveness
Are a lightweight sleeper since you may sink too deep into the mattress and won’t get proper support
Not ideal if you suffer from a medical condition as the excessive sinking will make it difficult to get off the bed
Prefer a memory foam feel. There are only a couple of options in Sleep Number beds for comfort layers that come enhanced with memory foam. So, be prepared.
Are one of those couples who prefer to sleep close to each other. Often consumers report that the dual air chambers create a division or sagging part on the bed, which makes it difficult to cuddle as they sink too much into the mattress.
Don’t fancy using smart tech or a bit too complex things like having air pump. Adjusting the firmness of your bed requires to use a remote control and also there is the option of using the SleepIQ technology, to get insights into your sleep habits.
You are on a budget as there is only one bed under $1000 at the moment. Anything else comes at a far greater cost and even require to buy a specialized FlexFit base so be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money for your Sleep Number.
Want to use it for sex according to some people as it features a “trench”, caused by the dual air chambers located in the mattress.
Tempur-Pedic vs Sleep Number (Detailed comparison)
>Construction
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Top cover
Most of the Tempur-Pedic models consist of a blend of polyester and spandex, which makes for a breathable blend, soft feeling and quite stretchy.
These beds usually feature a soft, breathable knit fabricor a luxurious soft, knit fabric.
Foam layers
Tempur-Pedic mattresses usually feature 4 layers, including double layers of visco-elastic memory foam, and two bottom layers of polyurethane foam.
These beds come usually with foam mainly used for comfort and air for support.
In the more expensive models, you will find use of PlushFit® foam or Exclusive foam, also 5 zones of contouring support and complemented by a Temperature balancing sleep surface for the innovation series.
>Firmness
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
The brand offers a wide range of options in its 15 models, starting fromextra soft and getting to extra firm.
In general, people are quite pleased with the actual firmness experienced when laying on their Tempur-Pedic mattress.
Firmness customization is a distinct feature of all Sleep Number mattresses, as the air pump can be adjusted to change the firmness accordingly. Still, buyers report that some models may feel a bit too firm, even in their softest versions.
An added advantage is the dual air chambers in most Sleep Number models which mean that couples can have split dual firmness option as they can adjust the firmness they want for their part of the bed.
>Support
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Construction
These are probably some of the most supportive mattresses you will find. Still, Sleep Number offers comparable support.
Incredibly enough, Sleep Number beds tend to offer slightly better support than Tempur-Pedic mattresses, although there have been issues with sagging and troublesome middle part of their mattresses.
Edge support
Tempur-Pedic mattresses don’t respond as well to the expectations for providing exceptional edge support. This issue is frequently reported among consumers
These beds don’t seem to lack in edge support and so you can use your Sleep Number bed for eating and sitting on the edge.
>Motion transfer
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Tempur-Pedic mattresses perform really well in this area, as the show minimal to none motion transfer. Definitely a winner based on consumers’ feedback.
Sleep Number beds have some issues with motion transfer, which is not uncommon given that we are talking about air beds really.
>Cooling effect
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Whether we are talking about the Breeze models or not, there have been complaints about sleeping relatively hot, due to the fact that these mattresses feature a higher density and people sink in deeper into them.
This is a field where Sleep Number performs better as most buyers sleep really cool.
>Value for money
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are of the most expensive in the market and so are not a good match if you are on a budget.
The average Queen mattress costs about $3,400, which is far more expensive compared to other similar ones and also about 40% more expensive compared to the equivalent Sleep Number bed.
Sleep Number beds cost start at $900 and can reach up to $5,000, for the 360 Smart Series, which is really a lot. Still, the average price for a Queen is about $2,300, which is quite cheaper compared to what a Tempur-Pedic costs.
>Smell – eco-friendly standards
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
You shouldn’t worry about your allergies if you get a Tempur-Pedic mattress since the memory foam used is CertiPUR-US approved, hypoallergenic and resists dust mites.
However, people complain of off-gassing; it is in fact one frequent concern with these mattresses.
This is an area where Sleep Number performs better as it appears to have minimal smell and no off gassing.
>Shipping
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Your new mattress will arrive via free White Glove Delivery from Wayfair in about 7 days after placing your order.
Your Sleep Number bed will arrive at a cost of $89.99, whereas it costs $179.99 for Home Delivery of your mattress and base.
Home Delivery is only available in certain areas and the company arranges to call 5 days ahead of delivery to schedule a delivery time.
>Trial and warranty/ return policy
Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number
Trial period
Tempur-Pedic used to come a bit short in terms of the trial period offered for their products.
However it now allows a 90 night trial period, and you must remember that you are entitled to exchange your mattress for a new one, not claim money refund.
Even with the exchange, you will be asked to pay for the $175 processing / pick up fee of your existing mattress.
Once you receive your Sleep Number bed, you have 100 nights to test it and see if it’s the right fit for you.
In case you are not pleased with your new mattress, it is possible to return the product and claim a full refund following return authorization.
Notice: The it™ bed is covered by a 30 nights trial period only, whereas The FlexFit™ adjustable base is not included in the “In-Home Trial Policy”, so you cannot return it.
Warranty
Tempur-Pedic comes with the standard 10 year warranty, which is substantial, however not as good as Sleep Number’s.
Notice: The buyer must pay for the shipping fees of the new mattress.
Sleep Number offers a generous 25 year limited warranty for their beds.
This goes to show how much the company backs up their products.
You should be careful thought to read the small letters and all the details of the warranty policy, so that you know first-hand exactly what the warranty covers.
Final Verdict
As it seems from the above comparison, the two brands, Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number are close in terms of the quality offered for their consumers. While there is a considerable difference between the cost for each, and Tempur-Pedic models appear to be more expensive, it is only a matter of which model you will compare to, since Sleep Number also offers some really expensive models.
Taking the price issue aside, both mattresses deliver big and perform well in terms of support and comfort. Whereas Sleep Number seems to be a bit more supportive, Tempur-Pedic is probably better as far as comfort.
Motion isolation is better than average in Tempur-Pedic as well, and there are less complaints from consumers regarding this issue, compared to Sleep Number Beds.
In addition, Tempur-Pedic seems to respond better in terms of firmness options available, despite you can adjust the air in Sleep Number beds.
Both brands appear to offer substantial pressure relief and ease from back and neck or other pain, however, Tempur-Pedic consumers report fewer complaints about new pain. On the other hand, Tempur-Pedic mattresses are made with higher density and so people tend to sink deeper into them. In this respect, Sleep Number beds are more appropriate for elderly or injured people.
Sleep Number offers better trial and warranty policy, which is always important, however despite they are reportedly more durable and resilient, buyers complain that their mechanism often breaks down. On the other hand, it seems to have minimal to no odor and off-gassing, unlike Tempur-Pedic mattresses which tend to show a rather strong smell upon unpacking.
So, all things considered, it is never a clear-cut decision on which brand on mattress is better, and it all comes down to personal taste and weighting each product’s pros and cons to decide which is best for you.
