Are you a hot sleeper? Do you find it hard to get a full night’s sleep in without waking up multiple times feeling clammy and gross? You’re not alone! In fact, according to recent survey data from Gallup, 57% of Americans report sleeping hot at least some of the time. What you may not realize, is that your temperature and that of your sleep environment is critically linked to your overall sleep quality.
Cranking down your thermostat can help, and so can a quality ceiling or oscillating fan. But that still doesn’t address heat trapped in your mattress, nor does it actively help your body regulate its own temperature. So, what is the solution? Enter the cooling mattress.
If you’re on the hunt for a new cooling mattress, there are a couple popular cooling mattress options shoppers ask us about on a regular basis. There are really only two heavyweights in the cooling mattress arena – Serta Arctic and TEMPUR-Breeze from Tempur-Pedic. Both of these mattress collections come from established, reputable mattress manufacturers, so how to decide which one is right for you? Well, we’ve done a little homework for you. Keep reading for our brief comparison of Serta Arctic vs Tempur-Pedic Breeze below!
What Do We Mean By “Cooling Mattress”?
Within the mattress market, increased customer demand for cooling mattresses tracks very closely with the rise in popularity of foam mattresses from the 1990s to the 2010s. This makes perfect sense as one of the key drawbacks of memory foam mattresses has traditionally been heat retention. As such, cooling mattresses themselves have been a relatively recent phenomenon.
But what is and isn’t a cooling mattress? Most often, “cooling mattress” describes a foam mattress specifically made with features to keep the mattress cool-to-the-touch and/or cool through the night. This term isn’t often used to describe innerspring mattresses, even though they are naturally cooler. Rather, the term is almost always used by manufacturers to describe foam (and sometimes hybrid) mattresses made for those who want the benefits of a foam-type mattress without overheating.
Serta Arctic vs Tempur-Pedic Breeze | Similarities
Keeping that definition in mind, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze mattress line and the Serta Arctic mattress line are the biggest names in the cooling mattress space. Both of these mattress collections are advertised by their manufacturers as being cooling mattresses. And if you have any doubts, you can just look at how they’re named.
So, how are they similar? First, both of these mattress lines fit into roughly the same market niche. TEMPUR-Breeze mattresses are firmly in the high-end or luxury mattress category, while the Serta Arctic Collection is considered between mid and high-end.
Similarly, both of these mattress collections offer sleepers foam and hybrid mattress options in a variety of different feels. In total, Serta Arctic has 2 mattresses available in 4 different feels – the gel memory foam Serta Arctic Mattress in Firm and Plush, and the Serta Arctic Hybrid Mattress in Medium and Plush. Meanwhile, the TEMPUR-Breeze Collection consists of 2 mattresses with 5 different comfort options – the Tempur-Pedic ProBreeze Mattress in Medium and Medium Hybrid, and the Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze Mattress in Soft, Medium Hybrid, and Firm.
Finally, while there are differences that we’ll get into below, both mattress lines have similar construction and features. All Serta Arctic and TEMPUR-Breeze mattresses consist of 2 to 4 layers of foam resting on either a base foam or a set of individually-wrapped coils. Every mattress from these collections boasts multiple cooling features including phase change material, a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty, and is made in the USA using CertiPUR-US® certified foams.
Serta Arctic vs Tempur-Pedic Breeze | Key Differences
For as much as these mattresses have in common, there are quite a few key differences to note. The most noticeable difference to mattress shoppers at first glance is likely the price. As of the writing of this article, Serta Arctic mattresses at regular price start at $2,999 and range to $4,599 depending on mattress size and comfort level. By contrast, TEMPUR-Breeze mattresses begin at $4,099 and can go up to $6,299 depending on the mattress. Although to be fair, both brands offer frequent sales events and promotions, which can lower the price.
Another difference relates to these manufacturer’s policies. As we touched on above, both brands offer a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty. However, Serta’s 120-night guarantee is a whole month longer than Tempur-Pedic’s 90-day sleep trial.
Getting into the mattresses themselves, there are quite a few key differences. The first big one is that Serta Arctic’s foam layers are a combination of memory foams and gel memory foams, whereas TEMPUR-Breeze’s layers are all proprietary variations of TEMPUR Material that you won’t find anywhere else. Without getting too far into the weeds here, be sure to check out the piece we wrote comparing TEMPUR Material vs memory foam.
Another difference is that TEMPUR-Breeze has clearly been built from the ground up with cooling in mind. Between the cool-to-touch Smartclimate Cover, Heat-Diffusing Layer, Pure Cool or Pure Cool Plus Material, and Ventilated Advance Relief Material, literally every layer of a TEMPUR-Breeze has been engineered to pull excess heat away from you. It’s also helpful that Tempur-Pedic gives shoppers a measurable point of reference regarding the TEMPUR-Breeze’s cooling properties, stating that their ProBreeze mattress feels 5 degrees cooler and LuxeBreeze mattress feels 10 degrees cooler respectively, when compared to their TEMPUR-ProAdapt mattress.
As for the Serta Arctic, the top-layer is composed of Serta’s brand new Reactex System, designed to absorb heat from sleepers all night long. Additionally, every mattress features their unique EverCool Fuze Gel Memory Foam, helping to cool sleepers and contour to their bodies for improved pressure relief. However, other materials within the Arctic, like Serta’s CustomFit HD Memory Foam and the Serta Foam Core, are present in other Serta products and do not have cooling properties. And unlike Tempur-Pedic’s Ventilated Advance Relief Material, these structural foams aren’t ventilated for breathability. As a result, Serta Arctic has fewer dedicated cooling features.
Serta Arctic vs Tempur-Pedic Breeze | Conclusions
Before we close, let’s go ahead and answer the question about which Serta Arctic and TEMPUR-Breeze mattresses sleep the coolest. Overall, the Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze takes the cake easily. In theory, the LuxeBreeze mattress in Medium Hybrid should sleep the coolest of all given the additional airflow between coils. As for the coolest Serta Arctic mattress, the same rules apply with the Serta Arctic Hybrid having an edge based on the hybrid design alone.
As you can see, both mattresses have their own unique appeal and set of strengths. Ultimately, it comes down to what is most important to you as a shopper – whether that be your budget, your desired level of cooling, or your desire for the best nights’ sleep in general.
The Serta Arctic beckons to the slightly more budget-conscious buyer, offering them a blend of cooling technology and comfort at a respectable price. And for those that put a premium on trial periods, Serta’s 120-day sleep trial edges out Tempur-Pedic’s shorter 90-day sleep trial. Ultimately, the Serta Arctic mattress is a cooler-than-average gel memory foam / hybrid mattress from a reputable mattress manufacturer. Serta Arctic is a compromise between cost and cooling, where the only trade-off is that the Serta Arctic doesn’t quite have the cooling or comfort offered by TEMPUR-Breeze.
On a mattress-by-mattress basis, TEMPUR-Breeze has more cooling features and better ventilation, along with the comfort benefits of Tempur-Pedic’s unique Tempur Material. For hot sleepers that are looking for the perfect sleep solution, the TEMPUR-Breeze (and the LuxeBreeze mattress in particular) feels cooler to the touch and cooler throughout the night than the Serta Arctic, although at a higher price. For those dreaming of the ultimate in cool comfort and willing to invest in it, Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze or ProBreeze mattress is certainly the cooler product.
More Mattress or Sleep Questions? We Have Answers!
Remember, we’re always here to help you make the choice that’s right for you, whether that be Serta Arctic, products we carry like a Tempur-Pedic ProBreeze or LuxeBreeze mattresses, or something else entirely! Please keep in mind that these are the market’s most popular foam cooling mattresses, but that many other cool-sleeping innerspring and hybrid mattresses are out there on the market. In addition to the revolutionary Tempur-Pedic ProBreeze and LuxeBreeze mattresses, our showroom floor also includes mattress options with cooling features from other brands like Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Purple, Nectar, DreamCloud and more!
If you think that a TEMPUR-Breeze mattress might be right for you, we invite you to swing by one of our six Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet stores to try one out. Got more questions about cooling mattresses, cooling technology and features, or TEMPUR-Breeze specifically? Be sure to read up on the brand new TEMPUR-Breeze lineup for 2023! Also, don’t forget that our mattress experts are just a convenient web chat away. Hope to see you soon!
