Tempurpedic vs Sleep Number: How Do They Compare?

Nicole J. Holstein

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 a 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 principle in mind: they are built with an adjustable air pump, which allows changing 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.

Tempurpedic and Sleep Number stand as prominent mattress brands, each offering distinct mattress types tailored to diverse sleep styles and preferences. Below is an in-depth comparison of these two brands:

Table Of Contents

Tempurpedic

  • Memory Foam: Uses proprietary Tempur memory foam as the comfort layer. Provides deep contouring and pressure relief.
  • Feel: Mattresses feel more enveloping and "hugging" compared to Sleep Number.
  • Motion Isolation: Tempurpedic offers excellent motion isolation due to the memory foam.
  • Firmness and Price Range: Models range from soft to very firm feels. Prices span from $1,500 to over $4,500.
  • Satisfaction Ratings: Above average owner satisfaction ratings for comfort, support, and durability. Expected lifespan of 7-10 years.
  • Cooling: Cooling and airflow is a common complaint of the memory foam. Models with cooling gel help.

Sleep Number

  • Adjustable Air Chambers: Relies on adjustable air chambers for customized firmness and support.
  • Pressure Relief: Provides adequate pressure relief but doesn't contour as closely as memory foam.
  • Customization: Air chambers allow each partner to dial in their own firmness level.
  • Advanced Features: Advanced models include temperature balancing, position adjustment, and sleep tracking.
  • Durability: Mixed durability - ranges from 2-3 years up to over 10 years with proper maintenance.
  • Price Range: Prices range from $600 to $3,000+ depending on features.
  • Maintenance: Significant maintenance required to prevent air chamber issues.

Tempurpedic specializes in deeply contouring memory foam while Sleep Number offers personalized adjustability. Tempurpedic is seen as more reliably durable but Sleep Number offers unique customization. It's essential to consider your specific needs, preferences, and budget when choosing between the two brands. It's also a good idea to test the mattresses in-store if possible to find the best fit for your preferences and needs.


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 and 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
  • A lightweight structure so you can easily move them
  • Durability is one of the major highlights of 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
  • Anyone who likes adjustable air beds
  • Couples who have different firmness preferences
  • People who tend to sleep hot
  • 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 an air pump. Adjusting the firmness of your bed requires to use 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.
Check mattress brand Tempur-Pedic mattress Sleep Number Bed Review

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 fabric or 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 from extra 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

Please Note: The prices you see have been recently updated, but are subject to change due to promotions and other factors. Consequently, we can't guarantee real-time accuracy of the prices. Be aware that costs and product availability may vary over time. Please refer to our Price Disclaimer for more information.

  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 onenot 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 carefully 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 fewer 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 the 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.

To sum up

Tempurpedic and Sleep Number deliver top-tier mattresses boasting distinctive characteristics to accommodate diverse sleep preferences. When choosing between the two, consider your specific requirements, preferences, and budget. If possible, try out the mattresses in-store to find the ideal match for your needs.

Tempurpedic:

  • Utilizes high-density memory foam that responds to body shape, weight, and temperature.
  • Presents a variety of models featuring diverse firmness levels and attributes.
  • Known for exceptional pressure relief and contouring support.
  • Typically comes at a higher cost in comparison to Sleep Number mattresses.

Sleep Number:

  • Offers adjustable air mattresses featuring DualAir Adjustability, enabling personalized firmness adjustment for each side of the bed.
  • Incorporates air chambers in mattresses, allowing remote-controlled firmness adjustments.
  • Some models include memory foam layers for enhanced comfort.
  • Celebrated for customizable comfort and support.

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