Sleep is necessary for daily functioning and disease prevention. It also helps us form memories, regulate mood, and ensure our brains work properly. But sleep can be elusive when dealing with anxiety, chronic pain, health issues, or a sleep disorder. While you might have trouble sleeping for many reasons, sleeping on the right surface can help ensure you’re comfortable at night.
“Quality sleep is a crucial and often overlooked component of mental health,” says Joshua Roland, a sleep medicine physician and medical director of Thirty Madison and Sleep for Sanusom. ”These findings underscore the importance of a good mattress in promoting restorative sleep, which is essential for mental and physical health.”
Established in the early 1990s, Tempur-Pedic is a well-known brand that offers an array of mattress models. We tested and reviewed the Tempur-Cloud and Tempur-Adapt models so you can decide if one is right for you.
The HelpGuide Handbook
Here are four things you should know about Tempur-Pedic mattresses:
The Tempur-Pedic mattresses on this list tested especially high in pressure relief and motion isolation.
While Tempur-Pedic mattresses are not budget-friendly mattresses, the Tempur-Cloud model is the brand’s least expensive model.
Tempur-Pedic offers a variety of mattresses with different firmness levels, hybrid options, and cooling technology.
The mattresses on this list are ideal for lighter-weight and average-weight sleepers.
Tempur-Cloud mattress
HelpGuide Handbook’s Tempur-Cloud testing methodology and score breakdown
Our testing methodology includes a five-factor score breakdown that our hands-on product testing team uses to rate these products. Here’s how the Tempur-Cloud memory foam mattress fared:
Pressure relief: 4/5
To test pressure relief, we typically lie on the mattress in different sleeping positions to feel how much pressure we feel in the shoulders, hips, and lower back. We also use a color-coded
pressure map
A mat rolled across a mattress that uses color-coded thermal imaging to show how much pressure someone puts on the bed when they lie down on it.
system to see if pressure is building up. Blue and green indicate low pressure, and red and yellow indicate higher pressure. Memory foam typically conforms well to your body, so we aren’t surprised this mattress tests well for pressure relief for back and side sleepers.
Firmness: 7/10
Firmness is subjective based on body size and weight, but the industry standard for medium is 6.5 out of 10. While memory foam is typically considered softer, this mattress still provides a good balance of conforming memory foam and support. We give it a seven out of 10, making it a little firmer than your typical medium.
Motion isolation: 4/5
Motion isolation refers to how well the mattress isolates movement from one side to the other. To test this, we drop a 10-pound steel ball onto the surface from varying distances and measure the disturbance using a seismometer While seismometers are instruments used to test the motion of the ground during an earthquake, we use a similar tool to measure movement across mattresses. tool. When testing this mattress, the seismometer shows minimal movement, making this a good option for couples who don’t want to disturb each other. We also test motion isolation by putting a glass of red wine on one side of the mattress while moving around on the other side. This mattress scores high for motion isolation during this test as well, since the red wine doesn’t spill.
Cooling: 3.5/5
Memory foam is known for retaining heat, but the Tempur-Cloud’s cover is made from a unique 360-degree stretch fabric that allows it to move with the sleeper while also wicking moisture away, helping it stay cooler.
Edge support: 3.5/5
When we sit on and lie near the edge of the bed and move around, the edge sinks a bit beneath our weight. While there is some edge support Edge support is the bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter. along the perimeter of the bed, we think couples may want a bed with stronger edges.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress firmness and feel
We score the Tempur-Cloud mattress seven out of 10 on the firmness scale because it offers a good balance of soft memory foam comfort and firmer support. This balance is particularly beneficial for ensuring spinal alignment and should appeal to sleepers looking for contouring foam that provides a cushier feel. The support comes from the high-density foam at the bottom of the mattress, with the top layer of memory foam providing the pressure-relieving hug.
From our tester
“Although there’s a slight sink, my spine is still supported. While this is on the firm side, I wouldn’t recommend it for stomach sleepers because my hips dipped down.”
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress performance
The Tempur-Cloud mattress performs well in motion isolation, making it a good choice for couples who don’t want to disturb one another throughout the night. We also like its responsiveness. Typically, memory foam isn’t the most bouncy material, but this mattress offers enough bounce that it wasn’t too hard to move around on, which is a rare find alongside good motion isolation.
Sleeping position and body weight
We recommend this mattress for lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) and average-weight sleepers (130–250 pounds) because it provides good support but is soft enough to conform to pressure points. However, higher-weight sleepers (weighing over 250 pounds) may want to find a mattress with firmer support.
Compare the Tempur-Cloud mattress for different sleeper types
| Lower weight (<130 pounds) | Average weight (130–250 pounds) | Higher weight (>250 pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back sleepers | Ideal | Ideal | Poor |
| Side sleepers | Good | Ideal | Poor |
| Stomach sleepers | Poor | Poor | Poor |
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress pain relief performance
This mattress tests high for pressure relief, which can help alleviate pressure felt at the shoulder, hips, and lower back. We tested the memory foam model, which achieves pain relief through a combination of soft and firm foam, providing good pressure relief around weight-bearing areas. This design helps maintain spinal alignment, which is crucial for preventing and alleviating pain, especially in side sleepers. While in the back position, we feel hugged by the memory foam, which contours the lumbar (lower back) region, providing needed support. While lying on our side, the mattress conforms to our shoulders and hips, making it a great bed for side sleepers. We don’t recommend this bed for strict stomach sleepers, however, because our hips dip while in that position, which can lead to back pain.
“I like a memory foam mattress for my patients with pain. They tend to let the heavy parts sink in, reducing pressure, without throwing off spinal alignment,” says Kevin Nelson, a doctor of chiropractic in Denver, Colorado.
Our overall thoughts about the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress
The Tempur-Cloud mattress presents a good combination of firm comfort and support. It’s slightly firmer than other memory foam mattresses but maintains a cushiony memory foam feel. Its construction ensures good pressure relief and adequate support for different body types and sleeping positions, especially side sleepers. While we tested the all-foam version of this bed, the hybrid A type of mattress made with both foam layers and spring layers. version may work better for higher-weight sleepers since coils can offer better support.
Tempur-Adapt mattress
HelpGuide Handbook’s Tempur-Adapt testing methodology and score breakdown
Our testing methodology includes a five-factor score breakdown that our hands-on product testing team uses to rate these products best. Here’s how the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress fares:
Pressure relief: 4.25/5
We use our pressure mapping system to test pressure points and find that it provides great pressure relief while lying on the back and above-average pressure relief on our side. The Tempur-Adapt’s TEMPUR-ES material, which is the top comfort layer, helps by providing sinkage and contouring that works to cushion pressure points.
Firmness: 6.5/10
We rate this mattress 6.5 out of 10, which is a true medium according to industry standards. However, firmness is subjective and depends on body size and weight. Higher-weight sleepers (over 250 pounds) tend to compress mattresses more and usually need something firmer, while lighter-weight sleepers (less than 130 pounds) usually need something softer. While we think the firmness of this mattress works well for average-weight (130–250 pounds) back and side sleepers and lighter-weight back and stomach sleepers, it may not be firm enough for average-weight stomach sleepers. Additionally, higher-weight sleepers may need something firmer for all positions.
Motion isolation: 5/5
We test motion isolation by placing a glass of wine on one side of the bed and having a tester roll around on the other. One of our testers also lies on one side while another tester rolls around to mimic sleeping with another person. Both tests show this mattress has high motion isolation, making it a good option for couples or for people who sleep with kids or pets.
Cooling: 4/5
Although memory foam is known for retaining heat, this mattress’s cool-to-the-touch cover helps keep it cooler during sleep.
Edge support: 4/5
When testing edge support, we sit on the edge of the bed and move around to see how well it supports us. While testing this mattress, the edge did not support us completely, so we lay down on the mattress and moved around near the edge. The edge support was more supportive in this position, with only slight sinkage. We think it has decent edge support for being an all-foam bed, and we didn’t feel like we were about to roll off.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress firmness and feel
We find that the Tempur-Adapt has a medium-firm feel, so we rate it a 6.5 out of 10 in firmness. While offering some support, it will likely appeal to memory foam lovers because the material is the classic slow-moving memory foam that envelopes you in a hug.
From our tester
“I like how the mattress’s lower layers of high-density foam make it so it’s never too soft.”
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress performance
This mattress tests well for pressure relief, motion isolation, cooling, and edge support. However, it isn’t the most responsive mattress, so if you need something with more bounce, you might want to try the hybrid version of this mattress, as mattresses with coils tend to be more responsive.
Sleeping position and body weight
This mattress offers enough support for average-weight sleepers but is soft enough for lighter-weight sleepers. Back and side sleepers may benefit from the contouring foam providing pressure relief and filling in gaps so there’s no strain in the lumbar region. However, we think higher-weight sleepers will want something with more support.
Compare the Tempur-Adapt mattress for different sleeper types
| Lower weight (<130 pounds) | Average weight (130–250 pounds) | Higher weight (>250 pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back sleepers | Ideal | Ideal | Poor |
| Side sleepers | Poor | Ideal | Poor |
| Stomach sleepers | Good | Poor | Poor |
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress pain relief performance
Pressure relief is critical to ensure your bed doesn’t add or create pain points. Results from the pressure map while lying on our back shows blue and green, indicating little to no pressure, making this a potentially good mattress for people with back pain. We feel cradled when lying on the back and side, with this mattress also providing great pressure relief for the shoulders.
However, we do see some pressure buildup in the hips while on our side. While the pressure is minimal, it’s an important note for anyone with sensitive hips. If you’re seeking a mattress specifically for pain, you should always speak to your health care provider, as they may have specific recommendations.
Our overall thoughts about the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress
While the Tempur-Adapt mattress comes in both a hybrid and foam version, we tested the foam. We think it provides great pressure relief, especially for lighter-weight and average-weight back sleepers. This bed’s motion isolation and decent edge support make it ideal for couples, though its average bounce may make it harder to move around if you’re a combination sleeper People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. or have reduced mobility.
Additional Tempur-Pedic models to consider
In addition to the Adapt and Cloud models, Tempur-Pedic also offers the following models:
- Pro-Adapt: This model comes in Soft, Medium, Medium Hybrid, or Firm and contains an additional pressure-relieving layer.
- Luxe-Adapt: This model comes in Soft, Medium Hybrid, or Firm and contains an additional pressure-relieving layer plus an extra cushioning support layer.
- Pro-Breeze: This model comes in Medium Foam or Hybrid and contains an extra heat-relieving layer.
- Luxe-Breeze: This model comes in Soft, Medium Hybrid, or Firm and contains an extra heat-relieving layer.
- TEMPUR-ActiveBreeze Smart Bed: This model is designed to work with the brand’s Tempur-Ergo ProSmart Air Base adjustable bed, which is packaged together. The mattress is loaded with smart features, like Automatic Snore Response and AI-powered sleep Coaching.
Frequently asked questions
Tempur-Pedic offers mattresses in a range of firmness levels, typically from medium-soft to firm, catering to various comfort preferences. The brand has models with multiple firmness options, so you have an array of mattresses to choose from. All Tempur-Pedic mattresses have layers of memory foam, providing that cradling effect.
The price of Tempur-Pedic mattresses varies widely, often reflecting their premium quality and advanced technology. They are generally in the higher price range compared to average mattresses. Several factors influence the cost of a Tempur-Pedic mattress:
- Model and collection: Different collections and models with unique features and materials have varying prices.
- Size: Larger sizes like king and California king are more expensive than smaller sizes.
- Construction type: Hybrid construction generally costs more.
- Technological features: Mattresses with advanced features like cooling technologies cost more.
Tempur-Pedic mattresses currently cost between $1,699 (for the Tempur-Cloud twin) and $10,198 (for the Luxe-Breeze split California king).
Comparing Tempur-Pedic to Saatva is valuable because they are both prominent brands in the mattress industry but offer different experiences. Tempur-Pedic is known for its memory foam technology and premium pricing, with a focus on contouring and pressure relief. Saatva, on the other hand, offers a variety of mattress types, including innerspring and hybrid, often at a more moderate price point, and emphasizes eco-friendly materials and spinal support. Each brand offers distinctive benefits and price points, making your choice a matter of preference and budget.
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are made of proprietary memory foam, originally developed by NASA to adapt to body shape and temperature. The composition varies by model, as each has unique features and materials. The brand’s hybrid models incorporate more than 1,000 premium spring coils for additional edge support and easier movement, offering a blend of traditional spring support with the benefits of memory foam.
A Tempur-pedic mattress should last about seven to 10 years.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, March 24). Why is sleep important?. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Link
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, June). Sleep deprivation and deficiency: How Sleep Affects Your Health. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Link