Tempur-Pedic vs Sleep Number – which one is better? Read our unbiased reviews and mattress comparison to find out what are their strengths and weaknesses, and which one may suit your sleep needs better.
Finding the right mattress brand can be challenging since currently there are so many of them, and once you narrow down your choice, you cannot simply buy two or three of them (although, technically you can) like they are some t-shirts and you would wear a different one each day. Mattress shopping comes down to finding the one, the right one, the only one, the one on which you will sleep happily for the next several years.
In case your choice comes down to Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number, or perhaps one of them, you are on the right page, since we are going to represent these two brands and their offer, compare them and see what are their strengths and weaknesses, so keep up reading to get to know them a little better.
First, we would like to introduce both brands briefly, and say a bit about their background and history, to see how they gained the trust of so many customers across the US.
The brand came to the US in 1992., after being established in Sweden, this company is now based in Lexington, Kentucky. After several mergings, in 2012 they bought one of the oldest and most respectful mattress companies, Sealy, to create one of the world’s largest bedding company. They offer mattresses, pillows, bases, and other bedding products such as sheets, comforters, and covers.
Mainly their products are made from viscoelastic polyfoam, but at the beginning, Tempur-Pedic based their researches on NASA’s process of developing material for cushioning aircrafts.
This US manufacturer is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been on the mattress market for quite some time, since 1987. Besides mattresses, they offer adjustable foundations and a wide range of bedding accessories.
However, although they have been around for a while, Sleep Number as a brand name does not ring a bell to most sleepers, and many think that this is some new company, but the truth is that until November 2017 this company did its business under the name Select Comfort. If you have been following the news, then you probably understand why this sudden name change occurred, but just because the owners were greedy, it does not mean that their products were bad, and people still shop their mattresses which means that they are genuinely good. The proof that the notorious affair did not harm the brand, and that any marketing is a good one, is the fact that also in 2017 their mattress toppers were among the leading ones in this field, according to the Global Mattress Toppers survey.
The current offer tends to vary from one season to another since brands in the mattress industry tend to rebrand their models, or slightly rename them with small improvements very often. Both brands offer various models in several lines, which we are going to summarize here briefly.
At the moment, Tempur-Pedic has four different lines, and a total of 12 mattresses in their offer, here is the short overview of their collections. Besides all standard mattress sizes, Tempur-Pedic offers a bed in the Split King size too. The construction of their mattresses is generally the same – they use memory foam for comfort layers and dense polyfoam for the support core. The exceptions are, of course, their hybrid models which contain pocketed coils encased in dense polyfoam.
This series brings us two mattress options, medium and medium hybrid, both available in several sizes. Both models come with three layers in their construction and have a profile height of 11 inches. Cooling cover, comfort, and support foam layers are pretty much the same, but the hybrid version comes with more than 1000 coils in the base layer for better support and durability.
Here we have also one hybrid model, and three firmness variations in foam, soft, medium, and firm. The cooling cover comes in two layers, and below it, we have a layer of Tempur’s comfort and support foams, while the hybrid bed comes with a high number of premium coils. Mattresses from this line are slightly higher and have a 12 inches thick profile.
This line does not include a hybrid model, and it offers all-foam beds in soft and firm option. In this, 13 inches high mattress, they have incorporated dual cover system, comfort layer made of their Tempur-Es cell structure for an enhanced feeling of comfort, and support layer made of Tempur-APR+ foam, which is denser, and has an advanced cell structure, for better pressure relief and comfort.
For those sleepers who tend to sleep hot, or live in places with warm climates, Tempur-Pedic created a specific line for cooler nights. They have two different temperature options and two bed options within each.
When it comes to coolness, they have 3° and 8° cooler mattresses. Their up to 3° cooler beds come in medium and medium hybrid option (Pro-Breeze), and they are around 12 inches high. For these two beds, they incorporated cooling properties in almost every layer.
Their other range of mattresses which sleep up to even 8° cooler, also comes with two models, firm and soft (the Tempur-Pedic Luxe-Breeze mattress). These two are a bit higher with 13 inches high profile and have the ventilated Tempur-Apr foam in their support layer.
This brand relays on adjustable beds in their lines as their biggest advance, and they offer a truly high level of customization which is available in all standard mattress sizes. All of their models have pretty much the same construction, comfort layers made of polyfoam, and two adjustable air chambers in the support base layer. Materials used for the cover vary from one model to another, but overall, they are all made of a blend of materials such as polyester, rayon, and polypropylene. All the models come with the adjustable firmness settings but bear in mind that the models in their Classic series are known for being more firmer.
In this series, we have two of the brands’ entry-level mattresses, Sleep Number 360 c2 and c4 smart beds, both dual adjustability setting, so that the sleepers can adjust the firmness of both sides. They also incorporated their Sleep IQ technology, which tracks the way people sleep and provides them with information on how their day affects their night time.
Here we have three models, Sleep Number 360 smart bed P5, P6, and pSE special edition mattress. Besides firmness settings for both sides and their IQ technology, these models have additional layers for pressure-relieving comfort.
In this series, Sleep Number offers four of their smart beds, i7, i8, i10, and iLE limited edition mattress. These are their most expensive models, with thickest profiles, and the most complex construction. For their most significant advantage, we would like to seclude that they have temperature balancing features and can absorb excess heat and release it while the sleeper stays cool.
As you have seen, both mattress brands offer a variety of models in different firmness settings to suit the needs of the majority. Tempur-Pedic offers a more traditional approach with a certain bed in a specific firmness level, which is excellent for all the sleepers who already know their preferences. However, with their adjustable firmness, Sleep Number beds are a tough competitor to beat, since they make a perfect choice for couples, and all the sleepers whose preferences may vary or they simply like to change the feel of their mattress from time to time.
When it comes to different body types and sleep positions, you can always find something for yourself in Tempur-Pedic’s broad range, if you are overweight go for the better support and firmer, hybrid models, while lightweight sleepers should opt for softer versions. Sleep Number’s adjustable options makes it perfect for all sleepers since you can adjust it to suit your body shape.
If you are still in doubt, here are the reasons why you should choose one of them.
Choose Tempur-Pedic if:
Choose Sleep Number if:
Mattress shopping has always been more than just choosing a comfortable bed, and recently more and more sleepers pay attention to the details and different terms since they hide that small but very significant information, which if you do not look carefully, may cost you more. Here is the chart with important information about both companies.
| Features | Sleep Number | Tempur-Pedic |
| Warranty | 25 years | 10 years |
| Sleep Trial | 100 nights | 90 nights |
| Shipping | 50 states + Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands | All 50 states |
| Refund | Full (minus the shipping) | Full |
| Return costs | On customer | On customer |
| Delivery | Standard or white glove | White glove delivery |
| Old mattress removal | Available with white glove delivery | Available at an additional charge of $25 |
Mattress shopping can be expensive, especially if you want some extra features and cooling properties, but it is a long term investment, and the mattress is not something you buy every year. The two brands we represented today are on the pricier side, but trust us, they are worth it. Here are the average prices for these brands, the prices are current and average, and they will vary from one model to another. Be aware, you might feel a little bit dizzy after looking at them.
| Size | Sleep Number | Tempur-Pedic |
| Twin | $500 – $1800 | $1300 – $2300 |
| Twin XL | $600 – $3100 | $1300 – $4300 |
| Full | $700 – $3370 | $1700 – $3700 |
| Queen | $900 – $5000 | $1800 – $4800 |
| King | $1400 – $5700 | $2500 – $8600 |
| California King | $1400 – $5700 | $2500 – $8600 |
She would be a morning person if mornings started at noon. Art historian, taurus, coffee lover, traveler, F1 fan who hates to drive, and well experienced insomniac with one life goal, to sleep like a coala for up to 20 hours per day.
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