Is a TempurPedic Mattress Worth the Money? (Pros v Cons)

This article has been written by the site owner Dan Cartwright – a mattress testing expert who has been testing products and writing online reviews since 2015 to help buyers make the best purchasing decisions for their needs.

If you’re thinking about buying a TempurPedic mattress then you’ll have likely noticed that they are quite expensive.

So you’re probably wondering if TempurPedic mattresses are worth the money or not.

A TempurPedic mattress is almost certainly worth the extra money when compared to cheaper memory foam and polyfoam mattresses if you want a longer-lasting mattress that minimizes toxic chemicals, heat retention, sagging, and off-gassing (chemical smells).

There is also some confusion regarding Tempur-Pedic vs therapeutic mattresses:

A therapeutic mattress can alleviate symptoms from a range of conditions that cause sleep disruption and whilst the qualities of a Tempur-Pedic mattress may be therapeutic if the firmness and specifics line up, therapeutic and Tempur-Pedic mattresses aren’t the same thing.

Need further clarification?

Then click here to see the top 3 therapeutic mattresses that I’ve personally tested.

In the rest of the article below, I have discussed the pros and cons of Tempur-Pedic mattresses in more detail to help you make the best purchasing decision possible.

Alternatively: check out my Tempur-Pedic mattress reviews here to find out which mattress is the best for you and to check for discounts and money off. Or click here to see my top-rated mattress that I personally sleep on and recommend.

Should You Pay For a TempurPedic Mattress?

TempurPedic were the pioneers of the memory foam mattress (based on the original research into memory foam by NASA for use in aircraft seats) – bringing the brand to the US in 1992 [1].

Such origins – combined with the Space Foundation’s endorsement through their Space Certification of TempurPedic’s mattresses [2] plus the use of high-quality materials – may explain why TempurPedic’s mattresses are so expensive.

But Space Foundation approval isn’t a good enough reason alone to spend more on a mattress in my view.

And if you feel the same way, then you should take into consideration the potential pros and cons that I’ve listed below, and couple this with the subsequent mattress comparison section to help you decide if paying for a TempurPedic mattress really is the right decision for you.

Pros

To help you formulate a better purchasing decision, here are what I believe are some of the main benefits of buying a TempurPedic mattress.

1: Collectively Suitable For All Sleeper Types

Together, the Tempur-Pedic series of mattresses are suitable for just about every sleeping position relative to the available firmnesses.

Individually speaking, the mattresses that are available in ‘soft’ should be well suited to side sleepers and lighter weighted sleepers under 150 lbs because this reduced surface tension combines with the foam to enhance pressure relief on your hips and shoulders, whilst also allowing for deeper sinkage to remove compression forces from your joints.

The ‘firm’ mattresses lend themselves well to front and back sleeping to help keep your hips aligned and guard against back pain.

Whilst the ‘medium’ mattresses are typically ideal for front, back, and side sleepers in the 130 lbs – 230 lbs range.

The same is true for the ‘medium hybrid’ options, but the addition of the coils makes this better for heavier weighted sleepers over the foam versions due to the more robust support.

Below is a table that summarises the array of sleeping positions that are best suited to each of the TempurPedic mattresses relative to their firmnesses and design.

*Soft is typically best for side sleepers and lighter weighted sleepers under 150 lbs; firm for front and back sleepers; medium hybrid for heavier weighted sleepers over 230 lbs; whilst medium can be suitable for front, back and side sleepers in the 130 – 230 lbs range – although personal preferences can override these guidelines.

2: Superior Pressure Relief and Cushioning

The adaptive qualities of the foam used by TempurPedic makes their mattresses some of the best at relieving pressure on the more angular areas of your body like your shoulders and hips.

This makes TempurPedic’s mattresses popular with side sleepers and skinny sleepers who need to avoid the discomfort that often comes with sleeping on traditional spring mattresses with a thinner upholstered top layer.

And with the option to order the TEMPUR-ProAdapt®, TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt®, and TEMPUR-breeze° mattresses in ‘soft’, this can allow lighter weighted sleepers to sink further into the materials.

This can be beneficial because when you weigh less than 150 lbs, you tend to lie more ‘on’ the materials than ‘in’ them – which can cause pressure to build up in your joints.

Sinking further into the materials can help to alleviate this by dissipating the pressure away from your joints and through the materials.

3: A Quiet Mattress For Couples

If you sleep as a couple and you are fed up of waking each other up during the night as you shuffle around, then the all-foam versions of the TempurPedic range are a good choice because they dampen movement very well and are very quiet due to the lack of springs.

4: Longer Lasting

TempurPedic are the pioneers of memory foam mattresses, basing their foams on the original design of the memory foam used by NASA to help adsorb the g-force on their astronauts during shuttle launches – with further advancements that makes the foam specifically designed for mattress use.

This results in a type of memory foam that’s of a higher density and better quality when compared to the cheap memory foam and polyfoams found in many budget foam mattresses.

This means that you can expect your TempurPedic mattresses to last longer than such knock-offs – potentially lasting up to 7-8 years on average with the correct care.

The addition of the springs in the hybrid beds may help to increase the durability even more over the TempurPedic all-foam designs.

5: 90 Night Sleep Trial

The TempurPedic sleep trial allows you to sleep on your mattress for between 30 and 90 nights and return it for a full refund (minus shipping charges) if you’re not happy with it.

This is likely better than lying on the mattress in the store for a few minutes because it can take up to a month or more for the materials to adapt to your body shape and dominant sleeping position.

6: Sleeps Cooler Than Other Types of Memory Foam

Memory foam has a reputation for sleeping warm.

But if you go for the TEMPUR-breeze° PRO or LUXE then you can expect the materials to sleep cooler than regular memory foam.

7: 10 Year Warranty

There’s a 10 year warranty that can protect you from manufacturing defects – which includes indentations greater than 0.75 inches (which is better than most other warranties whose qualifying coverage starts at impressions greater than 1.5 inches).

8: 0% APR to Increase Affordability

To help spread the cost of your new TempurPedic mattress, you can apply for 0% APR financing to increase affordability.

Considerations

Below are some of the considerations that you might like to weigh against the pros before you finalise your decision to buy a TempurPedic mattress.

1: May Sleep Warmer Than Other Types of Mattresses

Although the TEMPUR-breeze° series is designed to sleep cooler than regular memory foam (plus the rest of the TempurPedic range), it’s important to note that there are other types of mattress designs on the market may sleep even cooler.

For example, natural Talalay latex is typically a more breathable foam than memory foam, and when it’s included in the comfort layer of a hybrid spring-latex mattress, it can help to maximise airflow to make a very breathable and cooling mattress that can help to regulate your temperature.

But if you want to stick with the TempurPedic range and you’re a warmer sleeper I would recommend going for the TEMPUR-breeze° PRO or LUXE over the other mattresses in the Tempur range because the design of the foam is more biased towards heat dissipation.

The hybrid models may also be preferable because the coil core may enhance airflow even further.

2: Potentially Less Mobility For Restless Sleepers

If you’re the type of sleeper that switches positions often during the night then you may find that it’s harder to move around in the mattress due to the foam taking a while to adjust to your new sleeping position.

However, Tempur do say that their foam is designed to be more responsive than regular memory foam so that you don’t get bogged down as much.

But if you’re a ‘combination’ sleeper (and it suits your sleeping preferences) I would go for the hybrid versions and a firmer level of firmness.

Because the springs can help with buoyancy whilst the firmer feel can help to increase the surface tension of the mattress which may make switching sleeping positions easier.

3: May Temporarily Produce an Off Gassing Odor

Memory foam is known to produce an ‘off-gassing’ effect where the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are released from the foam when the mattress is new (and potentially for some days or weeks thereafter).

However, TempurPedic are listed here on the CertiPUR-US® website as using CertiPUR-US® certified foam.

This means that the foams have been tested to ensure that in addition to being free from toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, VOC levels have been tested to ensure that they are below 0.5 parts per million indoors to limit off gassing potential.

Compared to cheaper memory foam mattresses that do not have the CertiPUR-US® certification, TempurPedic mattresses are less likely to smell.

But when compared to mattresses that do not contain memory foam or polyfoam, TempurPedic mattresses may have the capacity to produce a relatively stronger odor.

4: Possibly Difficult to Lift the Mattress Alone

It’s possible that you may find the TempurPedic mattresses to be quite heavy and ‘floppy’.

This is unlikely to be an issue if you’re having the mattress set up by TempurPedic’s home delivery team, but it could make moving your mattress more challenging in the future if you’re unable to enlist the help of another person.

Thankfully however, there’s no need to flip your TempurPedic mattress (and you shouldn’t) because it has a unilateral design, whereby turning it over and sleeping on it may result in damage to the mattress and voiding of the warranty.

5: Not All Frames Are Compatible

TempurPedic say that their mattresses are not designed to be used with your existing box spring or a slatted base – under penalty of voiding the warranty.

Instead, it’s recommended that you purchase a compatible TempurPedic foundation to avoid issues, or you can place the TempurPedic mattress on a ‘completely flat, solid surface with adequate center support’.

How Does TempurPedic Compare to Other Mattresses?

Below is a comparison of how much you can expect to pay for a queen sized TempurPedic mattress bought directly from TempurPedic.com versus other types of mattresses available on the market (also in a queen size).

Below these two tables, I’ve provided some more insights into why it might be better to go for a TempurPedic in some cases, or a different type of mattress for different requirements when the price is also factored in.

This can help you to better understand if it makes sense for you to pay more for a TempurPedic mattress or not.

(Please note that the TempurPedic prices below are correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change and do not include discounts, whilst the price ranges for the other mattresses are highly approximated and you may find mattresses of varying quality that are much cheaper or more expensive when shopping around).

1: TempurPedic v Generic Memory Foam Mattresses

The average price point for a queen sized memory foam mattress is around $1,000 – whilst there are many low end memory foam and polyfoam mattresses available for less than $600.

And whilst the likes of SweetNight do make decent quality memory foam mattresses at a much cheaper price, I would say that paying more for a TempurPedic mattress when compared to many of the other budget foam mattresses on the market is worth it.

Simply because you’re less likely to encounter toxic chemicals and strong VOCs (odors), whilst the higher quality of the TempurPedic foam means that the mattress will probably last longer, sleep cooler, sag less, and be less likely to experience body impressions (a big problem with poor quality foam mattresses).

Deciding on whether or not it’s worth paying a bit more for a TempurPedic mattress versus many of the mid-range and high-range memory foam mattresses is harder to advise because they are often very similar in terms of performance – with only slight differences between the proprietary designs of their foams and the structuring of their mattresses.

In such a case, it becomes a matter of personal preference in my view depending on the TempurPedic mattress in question and the other mattress brand/model that you’re comparing it against.

2: TempurPedic v Spring Mattresses

The average price point for a spring mattress tends to be around $900 – depending on whether or not you include the typically more pricey hybrid spring mattresses in this range.

In the context of regular spring mattresses that have a fused coil core and an upholstered top layer that doesn’t contain memory foam, it’s entirely possible that a TempurPedic mattress will last longer by a few years.

In which case it may make sense to go for a TempurPedic all-foam or hybrid spring mattress if it suits your sleeping style and you want a more durable mattress.

3: TempurPedic v Organic Latex Mattresses

The average price point for a latex mattress can range significantly depending on how much certified organic natural latex it contains versus cheaper synthetic latex – with a price range of around $1,500 – $2,500 being typical.

This means that a latex mattress could cost you around the same as a TempurPedic mattress, depending on the models being compared.

High quality natural latex mattresses make for some of the best organic mattresses and the best fiberglass free mattresses – which may make them the better choice over TempurPedic mattresses if you want to minimise off-gassing and eliminate synthetic chemicals.

Latex mattresses also tend to be more breathable than memory foam mattresses on the whole, whilst also being more durable and longer lasing (around 8-12 years in some cases).

However, if you have an allergy to natural latex, then a TempurPedic mattress may be a better alternative.

4: TempurPedic v Hybrid Mattresses

The average price point for a hybrid spring mattress can range significantly depending on the type of materials used in the upper comfort layer – certified organic latex can push the price up to $2,500 in some cases.

Which makes the TEMPUR-Cloud® and TEMPUR-Adapt® competitively priced.

This means that the TEMPUR-Cloud® and the TEMPUR-Adapt® may be superior in some regards by comparison and thus the better purchase – especially if you’re looking at an alternative hybrid mattress that contains poorer quality memory foam or polyfoam and therefore might not last as long.

However, the TEMPUR-ProAdapt®, TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt®, and the TEMPUR-breeze° are slightly above or significantly above the $2,500 price point.

This means that you’d need these higher-end TempurPedic models to greatly exceed the qualities of the other equally priced or better priced hybrid mattresses on the market.

If such value isn’t obvious, then you may find that a cheaper hybrid mattress offers the same benefits for less money.

Related Questions

Below are the answers to some common questions related to TempurPedic’s mattresses.

Is a TempurPedic Mattress Hot to Sleep On?

Some people may find that a Tempur-Pedic mattress is hot to sleep on but many others may feel cool and comfortable – see my Tempur-Pedic cooling guide to learn why.

How Much Should You Pay For a TempurPedic Mattress?

Without discounts, for a queen sized mattress, you should expect to pay around $1,999 for the TEMPUR-Cloud®, $2,199 for the TEMPUR-Adapt®, $2,999 for the TEMPUR-ProAdapt®, $3,699 for the TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt®, $3,999 for the TEMPUR-breeze° PRO, and $4,699 for the TEMPUR-breeze° LUXE.

Why are TempurPedic Mattresses So Expensive?

TempurPedic mattresses are more expensive than most other mattresses because Tempur are a massive brand with a great reputation and were the original mattress company to create memory foam mattresses based on NASA technology; whilst their mattresses carry the Space Foundation’s Space Certification, are made from high quality and durable materials, and the advertising demographic targets those with a higher income.

How Long Does a TempurPedic Mattress Last?

A TempurPedic mattress could last you up to 7-8 years with the right care – although some may find that their TempurPedic lasts much longer.

Conclusion: Better Than Cheap Foam Alternatives

In my opinion, it’s worth paying more for a TempurPedic mattress when compared to cheap memory foam and poly foam alternatives because you’re less likely to run into toxicity issues and VOCs (smell).

Plus, your TempurPedic mattress will probably last longer and is less likely to sag prematurely or experience indentations and body impressions in the upper foam layers when compared to mattresses with inferior quality foams that have a lower density.

When compared to mid-range and high-end memory foam and proprietary foam mattresses, it becomes harder to say if it’s worth paying extra for a TempurPedic mattress – personal preference will likely be the deciding factor.

Click here to see my top-rated mattresses on BedroomStyleReviews that I have personally slept on, tested, and analyzed for the best types of sleeping positions and styles.

Alternatively, click the button below to see the best prices on Tempur-Pedic mattresses and read my detailed reviews to help you decide which mattress is best for you.

Sources and References

[1] Wikipedia – Tempur-Pedic. Accessed 11/7/20.

[2] Space Foundation – Space Certification Partners. Accessed 11/7/20.

Image Attribution and Licencing

All images supplied by Tempurpedic and used with permission under the terms of a private affiliate agreement.

Dan

Dan is the founder and head content creator at Bedroom Style Reviews.

He has been working as a professional online product reviewer since 2015 and was inspired to start this website when he ended up sleeping on a memory foam mattress that was too soft and gave him backache.

Through in-depth research and analysis, Dan’s goal with this website is to help others avoid such pitfalls by creating the best online resource for helping you find your ideal mattress, bedding, and bedroom furniture.

Dan is a qualified NVQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor with 6 years’ experience helping clients improve their health through diet, exercise, and proper sleep hygiene.

He also holds several college and university-level qualifications in health sciences, psychology, mathematics, art, and digital media creation – which helps him to publish well researched and informative product reviews as well as articles on sleep, health, wellbeing, and home decor.

Dan also has direct personal experience with insomnia, anxiety, misophonia (hypersensitivity to sounds), and pain from both acute and long-standing sporting injuries – he enjoys writing insightful articles around these subjects to help fellow sufferers of such conditions.

Learn more about Dan here.