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Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic: Which Premium Mattress Is Best for Me?

Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic: Which Premium Mattress Is Best for Me?

Not a single day goes by without a customer asking about “Sleep Number vs. Tempurpedic”. Why is that? Well, it turns out that consumers like comparing things – Coke vs. Pepsi, Chick-Fil-A vs. Zaxby’s, BMW vs. Mercedes Benz. As the two most popular premium mattress brands, Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number Bed are compared frequently despite being quite different.

It’s no secret that we are passionate about better sleep here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet. As a result, our customers often ask our mattress experts about a whole slew of different mattress products. Occasionally, this includes brands or products that we may not even carry. However, if our customers are asking, we’ve got an obligation to answer as honestly and transparently as possible. This leads us to address one of our most frequently asked mattress questions – “Which is better, Sleep Number or Tempurpedic?”

Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic

As is the case with many questions in this world, the answer to this question is, “Well, it depends.” There are so many different factors to consider, and every customer has their own priorities and concerns. These factors include comfort, price, durability, cost of ownership, customizable options, and much more. Rather than proclaiming our own opinion, we’re simply going to compare the many wonderful features of these two luxury mattress brands and leave the rest up to you.

First, a small disclaimer. For ease of comparison and since queen mattresses are the most common size by far, everything from this point forward will be comparing queen mattress models from both brands. These prices are accurate as of the date of this publication in April 2021. However, these prices are subject to change.

Structural Differences between Sleep Number & Tempur-Pedic

Let’s start with the obvious. Sleep Number and Tempur-Pedic mattresses are drastically different products. Sleep Number Bed is a high quality air mattress equipped with an air pump and two adjustable chambers. The biggest selling point of an adjustable air mattress is that no matter what your sleep needs or preferences are, there is a “Sleep Number” setting perfect for you.

On the other hand, Tempur-Pedic is the oft-imitated original. Long before memory foam and gel memory foam mattresses were a thing, there was the Tempur-Pedic mattress. Made with TEMPUR® material, an adaptive viscoelastic foam superior to memory foam in every way, Tempur-Pedic mattresses are made to contour to your body’s shape, and respond to your body’s weight and temperature. This provides top-notch pressure point relief and proper alignment of your spine and other joints.

Design Benefits & Drawbacks

So what are the benefits and drawbacks between these particular mattress designs? First, let’s start with Sleep Number. A primary benefit of their design is that sleepers are able to fully customize each side of the mattress to suit their individual sleeping preferences. This is a great feature for couples with vastly different sleep needs. For example, if you’re a side sleeper that needs plush but they’re a back sleeper that prefers firm. Unlike any other type of mattress, the mattress itself is adjustable, not just the base.

However, one drawback of this design is the split in the center between the air chambers. If you’re a bed hog or you like to sleep in the middle of the mattress, you may wake to find yourself sinking. For the same reason, some sleepers have found that they gradually roll towards the center of the mattress if they’re on the inner edge of the air chamber. Additionally, while Sleep Number Bed has less motion transfer than a traditional inner spring mattress, sleepers will still feel more of their partner’s movement than they would with a Tempur-Pedic or memory foam mattress.

How about Tempur-Pedic? Comparatively, Tempur-Pedic mattresses (Split King models aside) are a single uniform piece throughout, which means no sinking down in the middle of the bed. They are also some of the best mattresses available with regard to motion transfer. That being said, while Tempur-Pedic mattresses are designed to be used with adjustable bases, the mattress itself can’t be adjusted like a Sleep Number Bed. In order to get individual comfort levels for both you and your partner, the only Tempur option would be to buy a Split King mattress comprised of two different Twin XL mattresses.

Premium Options & Customization

Next, let’s compare all those options and extras that both salespeople and consumers love! First up, both brands offer their own exclusive sleep monitors.

SleepIQ vs. Sleeptracker AI

sleep iq or sleep tracker ai

Both have apps for Apple and Android devices, and both offer much of the same functionality. Sleep Number’s SleepIQ and Tempur-Pedic’s Sleeptracker AI can both monitor your movement, your heart rate, your breathing, and your sleep cycles. As a result, they can report on the quality of your sleep, wake you at the lightest stage of your sleep to reduce grogginess, and even adjust the bed tilt to reduce your partner’s snoring!

There are a few small differences worth mentioning. SleepIQ comes standard with every Sleep Number mattress – even if some functions require one of their FlexFit bases. By contrast, Sleeptracker only comes packaged with Tempur’s TEMPUR-Ergo and TEMPUR-Ergo Extend smart bases. However, it can be purchased separately for $299.

Do you have a smart home device like Alexa or Google Home in your home? If so, Tempur-Pedic’s Sleeptracker is definitely the better option for you, as SleepIQ isn’t currently compatible with these devices.

Adjustable Bases & Additional Features

Other add-ons for both brands include adjustable bases loaded with features, as well as warming and cooling options. Tempur-Pedic offers mattresses like the PRObreeze and LUXEbreeze that feel 3 degrees and 8 degrees cooler than the normal TEMPUR-Adapt mattress respectively. Meanwhile, Sleep Number’s top-end adjustable base, the FlexFit 3, has a foot-warming feature.

Speaking of mattress bases and foundations, both Sleep Number and Tempur recommend using their own bases. Those old box springs just won’t cut it. Both brands have options for flat foundations, but to get the full functionality, you’ll really need their adjustable base.

Sleep Number has a lineup of 3 adjustable bases ranging in price from $1,199* to $2,399*. Tempur-Pedic has a line of 4 adjustable bases ranging from $849* to $2,199*. Although, we have to give the edge to Tempur-Pedic here as they are the only ones offering 2-zone and 4-zone massage functions on some of their bases.

Price, Warranties & Cost of Ownership

Which leads us to the final category you’ve all been waiting for. How much does a Sleep Number Bed cost? How much does a Tempur-Pedic cost by comparison? Which one has the better warranty? And finally, which one is going to last longer?

How Much Is a Sleep Number Bed vs. Tempur-Pedic?

The most affordable mattress by far from either brand is the entry-level Sleep Number 360 c2 Smart Bed at $999*. By comparison, Tempur’s entry-level mattress, the TEMPUR-Cloud, comes in at a regular price of $1,999*. On the high end, the Sleep Number 360 i10 Smart Bed weighs in at $5,099* while the Tempur-Pedic LUXEbreeze is priced at $4,999*.

When factoring in the cost of the cheapest mattress with a non-adjustable foundation, the entry price is about $1,300* for a Sleep Number and $2,350* for a Tempur-Pedic. When the same entry-level mattress is paired with the most affordable adjustable base, you’re looking at $2,200* for a Sleep Number Bed and $2,850* for a Tempur-Pedic. Finally, for the flagship mattress on a top-end adjustable base, you can expect to pay around $7,500* for a Sleep Number and $7,200* for a Tempur-Pedic.

tempur-pedic vs sleep number mattress prices

Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic: Warranty & Durability Comparison

Whichever you choose, you’ll come away with a high quality mattress. But what does that money really buy you in terms of peace of mind and durability? Both Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number offer warranties that surpass the typical lifetime expected of most mattresses. Tempur-Pedic offers a 10 Year Full Replacement Limited Warranty. As for Sleep Number, they offer a 15 Year Limited Warranty – both of which are quite good as far as the mattress industry is concerned.

However, with regard to Sleep Number, customers should be aware before buying that their warranty is prorated. What does that mean? It means that for the first 2 years of ownership, Sleep Number guarantees 100% coverage of anything and everything. But beyond that, the longer you own the product, the less repair/replacement cost they will cover. For instance, if you have a seal or air pump failure and you require replacement parts halfway through your warranty, the warranty may only cover half the cost. Unfortunately, this is one of the few weaknesses when it comes to air mattresses in general – components that can break or wear down. With a TEMPUR material mattress, or most mattresses for that matter, there are few if any replaceable parts.

We hope that this comparison of Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number has helped you along your buyer’s journey. For more helpful articles regarding mattresses, better sleep and more, checkout the links below!

**Remember, as stated above, all prices stated are for queen size mattresses/bases. These prices are current as of April 2021, but are subject to change.

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