- Price: $2,374 for a queen-size before discounts
- Material: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium
- Mattress height: 13.5 inches (″)
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Shipping: Free shipping; white-glove delivery (delivery and in-home setup of mattress and removal of old mattress) starts at $129
- Warranty: 15 years
- Offers financing: As low as $53 per month with Affirm
Best Tempur-Pedic Alternatives for Every Type of Sleeper
Tempur-Pedic mattresses have quickly gained popularity as one of the best mattresses over the past few decades, mainly because of their unique materials. Tempur-Pedic beds are made with TEMPUR-material, an open cellular structure that can adapt to the sleeper’s weight, positioning, and temperature. This material newinated at NASA, where scientists created it to absorb the G-forces astronauts experience during lift-off and landing. Tempur-Pedic mattresses are known for absorbing pressure, conforming to the body, and reducing motion transfer, but they can be quite expensive, ranging from $1,999 all the way to $9,998 for a queen size.
That’s why we put together a list of our top six Tempur-Pedic alternatives. These mattresses range in price, firmness, pressure-relieving capabilities, and materials, but they all produce similar results to Tempur-Pedic models. Plus, the majority of these mattresses are more affordable than Tempur-Pedic mattresses, allowing customers to experience the same benefits of Tempur-Pedic mattresses without breaking the bank.
In this list, we have included cooling mattresses similar to the TEMPUR-Breeze collection, memory foam mattresses comparable to the TEMPUR-Cloud collection, and the best mattresses for back pain, similar to the TEMPUR-Adapt collection.
Keep reading to find out which Tempur-Pedic alternative may work best for your body shape and preferred sleeping position.
Best Tempur-Pedic mattress alternatives in 2024
- Helix Midnight Luxe: Best TEMPUR-ProAdapt Alternative
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Best TEMPUR-ProBreeze Alternative
- Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid: Best TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze Alternative
- Saatva Rx: Best TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Alternative
- Nectar Memory Foam: Best TEMPUR-Cloud Medium Alternative
- Nectar Premier: Best TEMPUR-Adapt Alternative
Table 1, Compare the best Tempur-Pedic alternatives as of August 2024
Our rating | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 |
Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Foam |
Firmness | 5.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
Cooling rating | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Warranty (years) | 15 | 10 | 10 | Lifetime | Forever | Forever |
Best for | Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Back, side, stomach, and combo sleepers | Back, side, and combo sleepers | Back, side, stomach, and combo sleepers | Back and side sleepers | Back and side sleepers |
Helix Midnight Luxe: Best TEMPUR-ProAdapt Alternative
Our expert take on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress
The Helix Midnight Luxe is our pick for the “Best TEMPUR-ProAdapt Alternative” because of its balance between support and comfort, which leads to an especially pressure-relieving mattress, much like the TEMPUR-ProAdapt. The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress with a medium firmness level, and is most comfortable for lighter- and average-weight sleepers (less than 250 pounds) who usually sleep on their back, side, or stomach.
The Helix Midnight Luxe features a plush pillow top, four layers of foam, and individually wrapped coils.
Our tester gently sank into the pillow top on the surface of the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing, but its coil layer provided strong support around the lower back. This zoned support filled the lower back’s natural curve to keep the spine in a neutral position. Meanwhile, the coils at the shoulders and hips provided more give to reduce uncomfortable pressure points. Many people with lower back pain find this type of zoned support comfortable, particularly side sleepers.
Our testers found the transition layer and coils in the Helix Midnight Luxe were responsive and adapted quickly to changes in pressure, which boosted its functional support score. This means moving around, changing positions, and getting into and out of bed were relatively easy, although our testers did note the plush pillow top could make it slightly more difficult to go from lying to sitting on the Helix Midnight Luxe. Our testers also noted this mattress has strong edge support, especially with all of the foam layers included in its construction. This is important for older adults, as mattresses without good edge support might collapse under weight, which could increase the risk of falling.
Unfortunately, the same bouncy coils that increase the responsiveness of the Helix Midnight Luxe also affect its motion isolation. People who sleep with a restless partner will likely feel their movements. If this is a deal-breaker, you might want to look for a mattress with a higher motion isolation score, which should do a better job of dampening motion across its surface.
Helix offers in-home delivery (also known as white-glove delivery) for an additional fee, starting at $129. Without white-glove delivery, we recommend recruiting help, or a local moving service to haul the mattress to your bedroom safely. Helix also offers a 100-night trial period and a 15-year warranty.
Our tester on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress:
“This mattress has a very soft pillow top and a responsive surface underneath. I think this is great for stomach sleeping due to the responsive surface below the pillow top. Plus, the pillow top offers a great amount of pressure relief for back and side sleepers.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- People who weigh less than 250 pounds and sleep primarily on their back, side, or stomach
- Sleepers looking for a combination of support and pressure relief
- Those who like an extra mobility boost from bouncy, responsive coils
Who may want to avoid it
- People who weigh more than 250 pounds, who may feel this mattress is too soft or unsupportive
- Couples who are easily disturbed by movement
Customer reviews
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a 4.4 star rating out of five with more than 6,100 reviews on the Helix website. Many reviewers mention the positive effects the mattress had on their back pain.
“My queen Helix Midnight Luxe is wonderful. It has the right combination of softness, yet firmness for my fibromyalgia. It relieves any pain I might have from all 18 pressure points of my fibromyalgia. I am so happy. It was well worth the money. The only thing I wish is that it had handles on both sides. But I would still buy it again.”
— Tanise L., verified buyer on 6/212024
“Since switching to the Helix Midnight Luxe, my lower back pain has completely disappeared. I have slept comfortably every single night because the Midnight Luxe keeps my hips propped up as I side sleep. It’s been absolutely incredible. I highly recommend this mattress for all side sleepers.”
— Derrick U., verified buyer on 6/19/2024
“I love my Helix Midnight Luxe so much. What a difference. I had an old mattress and just didn’t realize how it affected my sleep. I’d tested Helix before after my daughter did extensive research on mattresses. I knew Helix was the way I wanted to go, but which one? The quiz made all the difference. I got the right mattress, and I’m sleeping better than I ever have.”
— Robin D., verified buyer on 6/17/2024
On Google, the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress has a 4.3-star rating out of five, with 8,775 reviews.
Read our in-depth Helix Midnight Luxe review for more information.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Best TEMPUR-ProBreeze Alternative
Our expert take on the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is our pick for the “Best TEMPUR-ProBreeze Alternative” because it combines an overall medium-firm feel with advanced cooling technology, creating a mattress that is both comfortable and supportive. This hybrid mattress works best for lighter- and average-weight sleepers in any position, including combination sleepers.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe includes a GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover, three layers of foam, and a layer of three-zoned coils with more than 1,000 individually encased springs.
Of the soft, medium, and firm mattress options for the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe, our testers tried the medium and thought it was on the firmer side. The optional pillow top provides some added comfort and sinkage, but it costs $150 extra. For a queen-size mattress, the pillow top is an extra $300.
The medium firmness level supports the body, while the zoned support in the coils allows for more stability around the spine, keeping it in a neutral position throughout the night. Our testers found it very easy to move around on this mattress, making it a strong choice for combination sleepers who switch positions often.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe also scored highly on our support and edge support categories, so it should work well for couples wanting to spread out and use the full surface area of their bed without feeling like they are sinking or falling off the edges. This mattress also scored well for bounce, making it a good mattress for sex—another plus for couples.
One downfall of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is it did not score highly for motion isolation. With a 2.5 out of five on our motion transfer test, couples will likely be able to feel their partner tossing and turning during the night. While our testers only felt their bedmates flipping positions slightly, you might want to look for a mattress with a higher motion isolation score to make sure you’re not waking up during the night if you are an especially light sleeper or if your partner is an especially restless one.
Brooklyn Bedding does not currently offer in-home setup, so we recommend customers have someone help them setting up this bed, as it is fairly heavy. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe comes with a 120-night trial period and a 10-year warranty, so sleepers can make sure this mattress is right for them before committing.
Our tester on the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress:
“This is an excellent, well-rounded mattress. I think it’s on the firmer side but offers excellent pressure relief for back and side sleeping. It has easy movement, average bounce with little sinkage, and great responsiveness.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- People who weigh less than 250 pounds and prefer a mattress that’s on the firmer side
- Sleepers looking for a mattress with a cool-to-the-touch feel
- Those who move around often during the night and don’t want to feel stuck in their mattress
Who may want to avoid it
- Couples who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements during the night
- Sleepers who prefer to feel more “in” their mattress than “on top” of it
Customer reviews
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe has a 4.7-star rating out of five, with more than 3,359 reviews on the Brooklyn Bedding website. Many of the reviews mention the cooling features of this mattress, as well as how the medium firmness was good for all positions.
“We have only slept in this bed for a week, but it is very comfortable. I sleep on my stomach and back, while my wife sleeps on her side. The medium firmness has been good for all sleep positions.”
— Brett S., verified buyer on 6/14/2024
“This is a really comfortable mattress that keeps me cooler than our last bed.”
— Gail M., verified buyer on 6/13/2024
“Bought for about a month. Very satisfied with this real ‘cooling’ mattress. Firmness is also feeling right for my back.”
— Mingqi L., verified buyer on 6/12/2024
For more information, see our in-depth Brooklyn Bedding mattress review.
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid — Best TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze Alternative
Our expert take on the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid mattress
We chose the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid as our best TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze alternative because it combines support, bounce, and responsiveness with multiple cooling technologies to keep sleepers cooler for longer during the night. This hybrid mattress will most likely work well for lighter-, average-, and higher-weight sleepers who prefer to sleep on their back, side, or in a combination of different positions.
This mattress includes an ultra-cool cover, a quilt foam layer with gel infusions, four additional foam layers, and a layer of more than 1,000 individually wrapped coils with zoned support.
The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is available in three firmness options: plush, medium-firm, and firm. Our testers tried the medium-firm version of the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid and consider it a true medium-firm mattress, scoring 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which is the same as the industry standard. The plush cover gives this mattress a cool-to-the-touch feel and some immediate sinkage before the additional foam layers, while the individually wrapped coils add support to keep sleepers’ spines in a neutral position throughout the night. Our testers were impressed with how responsive the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is, especially considering how many foam layers are included in its construction. The foam popped back almost immediately after changing positions, which is an added bonus for combination sleepers who don’t want to feel stuck in their mattress.
The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid also works well for back and side sleepers due to its combination of support from the dense foam and coils and pressure relief from its plush cover and quilt foam layer. Back sleepers should have enough support to keep their body elevated and their spine in a neutral positionⓘ The spine’s natural curves at the neck, middle, and lower (lumbar) sections , while side sleepers shouldn’t feel a buildup of pressure around their hips or shoulders.
While the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid does work well for the majority of sleepers, stomach sleepers might find this mattress is not firm enough to keep their hips in line with their shoulders, which could lead to pressure on their spine. Stomach sleepers might want to opt for a firmer mattress with more support.
Leesa offers white-glove delivery for an additional $159 and delivery and mattress removal for $199. If you do not want to pay for this option, we recommend putting your bed together with the help of a friend, family member, or moving company, as the mattress can be quite heavy for one person. All Leesa mattresses also come with a 100-night free trial and a 10-year warranty.
Our tester on the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid mattress:
“I think we have a medium-firm version here, and honestly, just by pressing into it, it feels a bit firmer than that. The plush pillow top definitely sinks, but it is quite firm underneath. The foam pops back almost immediately—incredibly responsive.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Combination sleepers who need to switch positions easily during the night without getting stuck in their mattress
- Older customers who need a mattress that makes it easy to sit and stand up from bed
- Sleepers looking for a mattress that can keep them cool throughout the night
Who may want to avoid it
- Couples who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements during the night
- Stomach sleepers in need of additional support to keep their hips in line with their shoulders, promoting a healthy spinal alignment
Customer reviews
The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has a 4.2-star rating out of five, with more than 60 reviews on the Leesa website, with many of these customers praising the comfort and support of this mattress.
“Great service, comfortable firmness, and how do they pack all that into a box! The pillows that accompanied the sale are also first-rate. Very happy. Very rested.”
— Ed E., verified buyer on 6/9/2024
“We’re sleeping better than ever on our new mattress. It’s so supportive and soft at the same time, like magic!”
— Patti B., verified buyer on 6/3/2024
“I was very skeptical of ordering a mattress in a box, but I am so happy with the product! We put the mattress in our son’s room on a platform frame. It’s a perfect firmness and feels like it will last for years. I’m planning on ordering another one for our guest bedroom!”
— Diane, verified buyer on 5/30/2024
On Google, the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has a 3.7-star rating with 42 reviews.
For more information, see our in-depth Leesa Sapira Chill mattress review.
Saatva Rx: Best TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Alternative
Our expert take on the Saatva Rx mattress
We chose the Saatva Rx as our pick for the “Best TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Alternative” because of its zoned support and emphasis on lower back pain relief. This mattress scored 6.5 out of 10 for firmness, which is the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. This hybrid bed works well for all sleeping positions, including combination sleepers, due to its balance between support and pressure relief. Some higher-weight sleepers (250 pounds or more) might find this mattress is not supportive enough for stomach or combination sleeping, but the majority of sleepers in all weight categories should sleep comfortably on the Saatva Rx.
The Saatva Rx includes a cover with patented Lumbar Zone® quilting, gel-infused memory foam, micro-coils surrounded by high-density foam, eight inches of pocketed coils, and a base layer to stabilize the coils for reduced motion transfer.
Our tester felt more “on top” of the Saatva Rx than “in” due to its responsive feel, which can help keep sleepers elevated with their spines in a neutral position. The zoned support included in the Saatva Rx gives more stability around the lower back while maintaining pressure relief around sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders. This is especially helpful for sleepers with back pain or side sleepers needing more relief in these areas during the night.
These responsive materials are also important for sleepers who might need help sitting, standing, or moving around on their mattress. The increased edge support in the Saatva Rx may help older adults stand up from the sides of their bed without sinking into the foam layers. It can also help them rise to a seated position. Plus, these coils help the foam layers return to their original shape right away, which is an added bonus for combination sleepers who don’t want to get stuck in their mattress during the night.
One drawback of the Saatva Rx mattress is the latex material included in its construction may retain some heat throughout the night. While this bed did score a 4.5 out of five for cooling, our testers felt some heat retention, especially around their lower backs. If you’re heat sensitive or want an especially cooling mattress, we recommend looking at beds with increased cooling technology.
Saatva offers free in-home delivery and setup, so you do not have to worry about moving your mattress up stairs or putting it together in your room. Saatva also offers a 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty for all of its mattresses.
Our tester on the Saatva Rx mattress:
“This mattress has a gentle cradle and contours to the body, but I still feel close to the surface. The foam pops back into its original shape right away, so it has very responsive materials.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Combination sleepers looking for a responsive bed so they can change positions throughout the night
- Sleepers with lower back pain who want to keep their spine in a neutral position
- Couples who don’t want to wake up to their partner’s tossing and turning
Who may want to avoid it
- People who want a bed they can sink into instead of feeling more “on top” of it
- Sleepers experiencing night sweats or those who prefer a mattress with advanced cooling capabilities
Customer reviews
The Saatva Rx has a 4.9-star rating out of five, with more than 73 reviews on its website. Many of these reviews mention the easy delivery and how well it has worked for their back pain.
“The first three nights on this Rx mattress were awful, and I was as sore as could be, but we stuck with it, and it’s a night-and-day difference. It’s extremely quiet. It has more spring to it than the memory foam. It also sleeps much cooler. We were looking at a Tempur-Pedic mattress that was about twice as expensive and are very happy we went with this one after leaving lots of reviews. The one-year sleep guarantee gives complete peace of mind. Highly recommend and will sleep on a Saatva until I die.”
— Andy L., verified buyer on 5/26/2024
“Fantastic mattress for people with back issues. I have had spinal surgery, and my husband suffers from lower back issues. We have always spent $$$ on our mattresses. This has comfort with just the right amount of firmness. We both slept well from the first night.”
— Kathleen K., verified buyer on 5/23/2024
“The delivery folks were excellent. Very courteous. Took the old mattress and set up the new one. The delivery service notified me of the time window and date the day before. They answered all my questions. Saatva also has great customer service. They actually call you instead of [using] emails, chats, etc. to answer and resolve questions.”
— Paul., verified buyer on 4/24/2024
Read our in-depth Saatva mattress review for more information.
Nectar Memory Foam: Best TEMPUR-Cloud All-Foam Alternative
Our expert take on the Nectar Memory Foam mattress
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress is our top pick for the “Best TEMPUR-Cloud Medium Alternative” because of its all-foam construction and feel. This mattress has more of a “sinking” feel to it that is great for light- and average-weight sleepers who prefer to sleep on their back or side.
This mattress is constructed with three layers of foam, including therapeutic gel-infused memory foam, dynamic response foam, and an active support stability base layer. It also includes a breathable cooling cover and a shift-resistant lower cover to keep the mattress in place despite movement on the bed.
Our testers found they really sank into the foam layers of this mattress, so sleepers will be more “in” this bed than “on top” of it. They found this could work especially well for side sleepers, who need more pressure relief and comfort around sensitive areas like the hips, shoulders, and lower back. With the absence of coils in this all-foam mattress, couples should also be able to sleep soundly during the night without being woken up by their partner’s tossing and turning.
The lack of coils in this mattress also reduced its support, both in the center and around the edges, with the Nectar Memory Foam mattress scoring a 2.5 out of five for support and a two out of five for edge support. This is particularly important for older adults who might find it difficult to rise to a seating position or go from sitting to standing because of how soft this mattress feels beneath them. These sleepers might want to opt for a firmer mattress that is more responsive to their body’s movements.
Nectar offers in-home delivery for an additional $199. If you do not want to pay for this added service, we recommend enlisting help to move your Nectar Memory Foam mattress into its new room, as it is fairly heavy to move by yourself. Nectar offers a 365-night trial period and a forever warranty on its mattresses.
Our tester on the Nectar Memory Foam mattress:
“This mattress sinks quite a bit for average-weight sleepers, making it a good choice for side sleeping. My spine is neutral, and it’s supporting my torso and midsection well. That way I don’t feel crunched to one side while lying on my side.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Side sleepers who want extra comfort and pressure relief around their hips, shoulders, and lower back
- Couples looking for a mattress with reduced motion transfer
- Sleepers who prefer to sink into their mattress instead of staying “on top” of it
Who may want to avoid it
- Higher-weight sleepers (250 pounds or more) who may need the extra support offered by a mattress with springs
- Stomach sleepers who will probably want a firmer mattress that keeps their hips lifted in line with their shoulders, promoting a healthy spinal alignment
Customer reviews
The Nectar Memory Foam has a 4.7-star rating out of five, with more than 51,575 reviews on the Nectar website. Many reviewers mention how comfortable this mattress is, especially for back sleeping.
“I sleep SO much better on this mattress! I can’t believe the difference and wish I had purchased this mattress years ago!”
— Margaret, verified buyer on 6/23/2024
“My mattress is so comfortable. I love the adjustable settings for watching TV. The massage setting helps me fall asleep. Well worth the price. My bed is my new happy place.”
— Lori A., verified buyer on 6/22/2024
“Exceeded our expectations. My wife has severe back pain, and this has helped her get a good night’s rest.”
— Barry E., verified buyer on 6/22/2024
On Google, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress has a 4.1-star rating with 80,109 reviews.
For more information, see our in-depth Nectar mattress review.
Nectar Premier: Best TEMPUR-Adapt Alternative
Our expert take on the Nectar Premier mattress
The Nectar Premier is our top choice for the best TEMPUR-Adapt alternative because of its pressure-relieving capabilities and increased bounce and support compared with the Nectar Memory Foam mattress. This bed scored 5.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, so it is a medium-soft bed. This makes it best for light- and average-weight sleepers who prefer to sleep on their back or side.
The Nectar Premier features a breathable cooling cover, three layers of foam with gel infusions and active support, and a shift-resistant lower cover that helps this mattress stay in place during the night.
Our testers sank into the Nectar Premier, making it a strong choice for side sleepers needing more pressure relief around their hips and shoulders. While back sleeping, our testers found that the foams in the Nectar Premier helped contour the lower back, keeping sleepers’ spines elevated and in a neutral position during the night.
Without the presence of coils, the Nectar Premier also scored very well on motion transfer, with a five out of five on our tests. This makes this mattress a strong choice for couples, especially if one partner is a particularly light or restless sleeper. The Nectar Premier also includes gel-infused memory foam with ActiveCool in its construction, so sleepers should stay cooler throughout the night.
Because of the softness of this mattress, the Nectar Premier is probably not the best pick for stomach sleepers or higher-weight sleepers (250 pounds or more) who need a firmer mattress to keep them elevated and supported during the night. Because the Nectar Premier is so plush, it keeps sleepers more “in” the mattress than “on top” of it. These sleepers might want to opt for a mattress with a higher score on our support tests.
Nectar offers in-home delivery for an additional $199. Nectar also offers a 365-night sleep trial and a “forever” warranty.
Our tester on the Nectar Premier mattress:
“This mattress is ideal for back and side sleepers with a mixture of pressure relief and gentle support. It is very comfortable for side sleeping, as my shoulders weren’t jutting into the air, and there was little to no pressure on my hips or shoulders.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Couples who don’t want to feel their partner’s tossing and turning during the night
- Back sleepers who want some added contouring around their lower back
- Sleepers who prefer to feel more “in” their mattress than “on top” of it
Who may want to avoid it
- Higher-weight and stomach sleepers of all sizes who need more support and elevation from their mattress
- Combination sleepers who need to be able to switch positions easily during the night without getting stuck in their mattress
Customer reviews
The Nectar Premier has a 4.6 star rating out of five with more than 5,905 reviews on the Nectar website. Many reviewers mention how comfortable this bed is, as well as its quality in comparison to its price.
“Our previous mattress was at its 15-year-old mark and served its time. We have family members who own a Nectar and swear by them, especially for back pain. We took a leap of faith and purchased it and have loved it. Highly recommend it!”
— Cynthia H., verified buyer on 6/21/2024
“Nice mattress. Nobody is matching the quality for price. Hands down.”
— Andrew H., verified buyer on 6/20/2024
“Had a Tuft and Needle from 2016. I’d say the Nectar Premium is much better. Has a sink similar to tempurpedic, but for a fraction of the cost.”
— Kyle L., verified buyer on 6/19/2024
On Google, the Nectar Premier mattress has a 4.3-star rating, with 1,970 reviews.
How we test and choose the best Tempur-Pedic mattress alternatives
Our Reviews Team has dedicated more than 1,000 hours to researching the mattress industry, consulting at least 10 health care professionals, and testing roughly 40 brands and 130 unique mattress models for quality and comfort. We’ve also interviewed 16 older adults who recently purchased a mattress and surveyed more than 2,700 recent mattress customers to understand their experiences shopping for a new bed.
Each mattress undergoes a rigorous 36-page testing procedure to score its different characteristics, including firmness, support, and other aspects most shoppers consider. We choose the best Tempur-Pedic alternatives based on the scores of factors such as firmness and support. See how we tested the most important considerations for this review below.
Firmness
Like most mattress brands in the industry, we use a one-to-10 scoring method when testing firmness, with 6.5 being the true medium firm. Our testers rate this by lying on the surface and comparing the feel to other mattresses we’ve tested. Material density and coil strength influence firmness the most.
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are known for having a balance between support to keep the spine stabilized and pressure relief to keep your joints comfortable during the night. The majority of the mattresses on this list scored between 5.5 and 7.5 on the firmness scale, meaning they ranged from medium-soft to medium-firm. This gives them a similar feel to Tempur-Pedic mattresses, as they include the combination of support and comfort.
Support
We score support on a scale of one to five, with five being the most supportive. Mattresses with strong support contour and push into the curves of your body, particularly the lower back or midsection. Not only do we feel support during testing, but we can also visualize it through pressure map results. Maps with mostly white space at the lower back show how the mattress isn’t making contact with the area, which means the mattress isn’t supportive.
While Tempur-Pedic mattresses are known for their body contouring abilities, that doesn’t mean they lack support. The mattresses listed in this roundup range when it comes to support, with some scoring as low as two out of five and others scoring five out of five. If you are a back, stomach, or combination sleeper, or if you experience back pain, a more supportive mattress should help you maintain a healthy spinal alignment. Support is also important for older sleepers, as the more supportive a mattress is, the easier it should be to get in and out of bed.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is scored on a scale between one and five, with five being the most motion-isolating. To score this, one tester lies on one side of the mattress while another changes positions while lying on the other side. We score this feature by how much movement we can feel across the mattress. If we don’t feel movement, the mattress dampens motion well, scoring a five out of five.
The TEMPUR-Material used in Tempur-Pedic mattresses was created to reduce motion transfer, so these beds do a good job preventing the movements of one sleeper from traveling across the surface of the bed. Most all-foam beds will have a higher motion isolation score, as coils can create more movement in the mattress. This is something for couples to keep in mind, especially if they sleep with a restless partner.
Cooling
We use a temperature gun to determine how well a mattress disperses body heat. If the mattress heats up more than 15 degrees, it’s considered a poor score. If it only heats up 5–10 degrees, it’s considered a good or excellent score. The feel of the material under our body is also factored into the score, with one indicating a poor score and five indicating good cooling technology.
Tempur-Pedic mattresses, especially the TEMPUR-Breeze line, include advanced cooling materials in their construction, so most of the mattresses on this list scored a five out of five for cooling. In general, hybrid mattresses—those with coils in their construction—usually stay cooler throughout the night because the individually wrapped coils increase airflow throughout the bed, leading to more breathability.
To learn more about our testing and scoring methods, review our sleep methodology.
Our research and testing are ongoing, so our reviews evolve over time. We test new mattresses monthly to give you the most up-to-date information possible. Check back regularly for updates.
What to look for in a Tempur-Pedic mattress alternative
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are known for their body-contouring feel, pressure-relieving capabilities, cooling technologies, and motion isolation. When looking for a more affordable Tempur-Pedic alternative, it’s important to keep these factors in mind, but you should also remember a bed’s feel is subjective, and all sleepers will experience mattresses in different ways. Because of this, be sure to keep your body weight, preferred sleeping position, and sleeping partners in mind before purchasing any Tempur-Pedic mattress alternative.
Sleeping position
There are four main types of sleeping positions—back, side, stomach, and combination—and we have included mattresses in this roundup that work for some or all of these positions. Because Tempur-Pedic mattresses are known for being pressure-relieving, they typically work best for side and back sleepers who need more comfort around sensitive areas like the hips, shoulders, and lower back.
We have also included mattresses in this roundup that work well for combination and stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer mattress to keep their hips in line with their shoulders, promoting a healthy spinal alignment, while combination sleepers need to be able to switch positions easily during the night without feeling like they’re “stuck in” the mattress.
If you are looking for a Tempur-Pedic alternative, it is important to consider your preferred sleeping position first. You can still receive the pressure relief, motion isolation, and cooling capabilities that are common in a Tempur-Pedic mattress while keeping your own preferences and needs in mind.
Support
A supportive mattress fills the gaps between the body and the surface, reinforcing the areas that need it most. Many sleep experts use the term “spinal alignment” to describe how a mattress supports the spine in a neutral position, which is comfortable for most.
Many Tempur-Pedic mattresses include coils with zoned support, which stabilize the spine while providing slightly softer pressure relief around the hips and shoulders. Using our support scores, you can compare the six mattresses in this roundup to see if they can provide the balance between comfort and support you need for your preferred sleeping position.
Motion isolation
The TEMPUR-Material included in Tempur-Pedic mattresses is specially designed to stop motion from traveling across the surface of the bed. Because of this, Tempur-Pedic mattresses usually do a good job of isolating motion, which is great for couples who don’t want to wake up to their partner’s tossing and turning.
While hybrid mattresses are prone to more motion transfer because of the coils in their construction, many of the hybrid mattresses included in this roundup scored high on our motion isolation tests, proving you don’t need an all-foam bed to stop motion from spreading across its surface.
Couples should check out these mattresses’ motion isolation scores. A low motion isolation score could mean feeling increased movement, which isn’t ideal for couples with restless partners.
Tempur-pedic pros and cons
Pros
- Tempur-Pedic mattresses help contour the body and relieve pressure around sensitive areas like the hips, shoulders, and lower back. This is helpful for sleepers with back or joint pain who need extra comfort in these areas.
- The TEMPUR-Material in Tempur-Pedic mattresses helps reduce motion transfer across the bed’s surface, making it easier for couples to sleep soundly without waking up to their partner’s movements.
- Many Tempur-Pedic mattresses include materials that help keep sleepers cooler.
Cons
- Tempur-Pedic mattresses include a 90-night trial and a 10-year warranty, but many of our Tempur-Pedic alternatives have 365-night trials and lifetime warranties.
- Tempur-Pedic mattresses are quite expensive, ranging from $1,999–$9,998 for a queen-size.
How much can I save by choosing a Tempur-Pedic alternative?
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are not the most affordable beds currently on the market. They usually cost anywhere from $1,999 to $9,998 for a queen-size before discounts, which isn’t in the budget for many shoppers. Because of this, we compared Tempur-Pedic prices to our alternatives’ prices. Keep in mind we compare the queen size of each of these beds.
Our rating | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 |
Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Foam |
Firmness | 5.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
Cooling rating | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Warranty (years) | 15 | 10 | 10 | Lifetime | Forever | Forever |
Best for | Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Back, side, stomach, and combo sleepers | Back, side, and combo sleepers | Back, side, stomach, and combo sleepers | Back and side sleepers | Back and side sleepers |
Bottom line
If you’re specifically looking for a mattress similar to one of the Tempur-Pedic models, this list of Tempur-Pedic alternatives should help you. All of the mattresses on this list have traits similar to those of Tempur-Pedic mattresses—whether that be their pressure-relieving capabilities, high motion isolation scores, advanced cooling technologies, or score on our firmness scale. Plus, each of these mattresses costs less than their Tempur-Pedic counterparts, helping to save you money while still providing the feel and comfort you are searching for.
Frequently asked questions
While no one brand is exactly the same as Tempur-Pedic, the brands listed in this roundup have similar mattress feels, trial periods, and warranties. The Nectar Sleep brand has a similar body-contouring, sinking feel to a Tempur-Pedic mattress, while Brooklyn Bedding has similar cooling capabilities. Other comparable brands include DreamCloud, Nolah, and Casper.
Brands that manufacture mattresses with similar materials and feel to Tempur-Pedic mattresses include Nectar, Saatva, Helix, Brooklyn Bedding, and Leesa.
The most affordable alternative on this list to a Tempur-Pedic mattress is the Nectar Memory Foam mattress. A queen-size Nectar Memory Foam costs around $1,099 before discounts, which is much less than the least expensive Tempur-Pedic mattress, which costs $1,999.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
Sources
- Tempur-Pedic. How Tempur-Material is Different Than Memory Foam. Oct. 20, 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.tempurpedic.com/tempur-love/how-tempur-material-is-different-than-memory-foam/