Posturepedic vs. Tempur-Pedic: What to Know

A Posturepedic mattress uses a mixture of foam and pocket coil springs to improve a person’s sleep posture. Tempur-Pedic mattresses have foam layers that allow them to mold to an individual’s natural shape. Both mattress brands fall under the same manufacturers, Tempur Sealy International, Inc., but they have different product ranges. The main difference between the two brands is the materials that they use in the construction of their mattresses.
Both brands have expanded their range to offer new types of mattresses with different materials. Each of these may provide various health and well-being benefits.
Tempur-Pedic
Tempur-Pedic mattresses use a type of memory foam that Tempur originally designed for NASA. Generally, Tempur-Pedic mattresses comprise memory foam layers, although people also have the option of both foam and coil.
Posturepedic
The name “Posturepedic” stems from the idea that these mattresses can improve a person’s sleep posture. The mattresses use a combination of foam layers and pocket coil springs to keep the spine in alignment during sleep, and there are also hybrid options with coil springs and gel-infused foams.
How do they benefit health?
Quality of sleep can affect a person’s physical and mental health.
Posturepedic
Posturepedic mattresses aim to provide targeted support to suit a person’s posture while sleeping.
Many Posturepedic mattresses are reinforced in the center to keep the hips and lower back well-supported. These mattresses also offer zoned support that can help keep the spine in alignment, potentially making them suitable for all sleep positions.
However, the company note that some of their mattresses are not suitable for those who sleep on their side, as they are too firm. This firmness can put pressure on different parts of the body, which could cause pain. A person may benefit from choosing a firmness level that will suit their sleep position.
Tempur-Pedic
Tempur-Pedic aim to stop the middle of their mattresses from sagging. One study concluded that a sagging bed could negatively affect sleep quality, quantity, and posture for many people.
Memory foam is an adaptive material that conforms to the precise shape of a person’s body and relieves pressure points. Studies have stated that pressure on the spine and hips can contribute to a person having difficulty sleeping. Memory foam can retain heat, so it may not be suitable for people who tend to get hot during sleep. Keeping cool is one of the National Sleep Foundation’s tips for improving sleep quality.
Memory foam mattresses can also release small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to a 2019 study. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) state that VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, among other health issues.
Product list
Below, more information about some of the mattresses available from these two brands.Please note that all information is purely research-based.
Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Mattress
Price: $1,249
Height: 13 inches (in)
Firmness: Soft or firm
Warranty: 10 years
Sleep trial: 90 nights
Financing: available through Sealy
This hybrid mattress features over 900 individually wrapped coils and breathable memory foam which helps disperse weight evenly. The coils move independently to provide targeted support and reduced motion transfer.
People can choose between soft and firm feels.
Sealy claims the cover is breathable and is antibacterial, protecting against common allergens.
Sealy Posturepedic Plus Hybrid
Price: $1,799
Height: 13-14 in
Firmness: Soft, medium, or firm
Warranty: 10 years
Sleep trial: 90 nights
Financing: available through Sealy
Sealy states this mattress provides increased support and cooling properties.
The company’s gel memory foam provides even weight distribution and pressure relief.
The mattress also features a cooling cover. The 1,000 coils are individually wrapped, providing extra breathability as well as reducing motion transfer and promoting support and comfort.
Tempur-Adapt
Price: $2,199
Height: 11 in
Firmness: Medium
Warranty: 10 years
Sleep trial: 90 nights
Financing: available through Tempur-Pedic
The Tempur-Adapt mattress is available in medium support. There are two foam layers between the topper and the base. The Tempur-ES comfort layer has a tight cell structure and offers soft support.
The support layer uses the original Tempur foam that the company designed for NASA.
There is also an antimicrobial, cooling top layer that protects a person from dust, mites, dander, and mold.
Tempur-LuxeAdapt
Price: $4,199
Height: 13 in
Firmness: Soft or firm
Warranty: 10 years
Sleep trial: 90 nights
Financing: available through Tempur-Pedic
The Tempur-LuxeAdapt mattress is available in soft and firm comfort levels. There are four layers of foam between the cover and the base layers.
A Tempur-ES comfort layer provides softness, and the Tempur-APR+ support layer offers advanced pressure relief. This layer conforms precisely to the body’s shape.
The cover uses the Tempur SmartClimate Dual Cover System, which stays cool to the touch and is antimicrobial to protect against allergens.
The cover is removable for washing, which enhances the hygiene of the mattress.
Tempur-breeze°
Price: $4,599
Height: no information available
Firmness: Medium
Warranty: 10 years
Sleep trial: 90 nights
Financing: available through Tempur-Pedic
The Tempur-breeze° mattress is part of the cooling range, designed to keep a person 3–8°F cooler than other Tempur foam mattresses.
The mattress comes in a medium comfort level and includes four foam layers dedicated to cooling.
The first layer is the mattress cover, a SmartClimate fabric infused with cooling fibers.
Underneath the cover is a layer of the company’s PureCool+ Phase Change Material. This second layer absorbs body heat and encourages airflow.
The third layer features Tempur’s Climate Management material, Tempur-CM+. This layer draws away the heat that usually becomes trapped within duvets and comforters and cycles it out of the mattress.
The fourth layer is a ventilated Tempur-APR material, designed to relieve pressure with a breathable design that promotes airflow through the mattress.
Frequently asked questions about Posturepedic and Tempur-Pedic
Is Posturepedic worth it?
Posturepedic may be worth it for people who require extra spinal and body support. These mattresses are hybrid, which means they have a foam and coil layers, which may provide more adaptable support and airflow.
People may wish to use the company’s 90-night sleep trial to determine whether the mattress is right for them.
What are the disadvantages of Tempur-Pedic?
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are all foam, which tends to be denser, heavier, and retain more heat than hybrid mattresses.
Additionally, Tempur-Pedic mattresses are more expensive than Posturepedic ones.
What is better than Tempur-Pedic?
Tempur-Pedic uses proprietary TEMPUR foam that has pressure-relieving properties and offers a cooler sleep. However, it is possible to find supportive and cooling memory foam mattresses for considerably less money.
People should look for memory foam mattresses with cooling properties and a range of firmness options and compare them to Tempur-Pedic products.
Are Posturepedic mattresses good for side sleepers?
Yes, Posturepedic mattresses are available in a range of firmnesses, making them suitable for side sleepers. Side sleepers tend to find soft or medium feels more comfortable.
Summary
Posturepedic and Tempur-Pedic are different brands of mattresses that have the same manufacturers. The brands offer different mattress designs.
Tempur-Pedic primarily offer memory foam mattresses, while Posturepedic mattresses are usually a combination of memory foam and coil spring.
A person may wish to consider their preferred sleeping position when choosing a Tempur-Pedic or Posturepedic mattress, as this may determine the appropriate level of firmness. Not every mattress design is suitable for every sleep position.
— By Lois Zoppi and Suzy Davenport