Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola. Ford vs. Ferrari. Every industry has its titans, and every person has their preference when it comes to certain brands. In the world of sleep, Sleep Number and Tempur-Pedic are two of the biggest names in the business—and both brands would like to supply the mattress upon which you spend a third of your life sleeping.
Here’s a closer look at how Sleep Number and Tempur-Pedic mattresses stack up.
Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic
Sleep Number | Tempur-Pedic | |
Types of mattresses | Adjustable, smart and memory foam | Memory foam, adjustable and cooling |
Models (least expensive to most expensive) | Classic series, Performance series, Memory Foam series and Innovation series | Tempur-Cloud, Tempur-Adapt, Tempur-Pro Adapt, Tempur-Luxe Adapt and Tempur-Breeze |
Price range | $699-$4,599 | $1,899-$7,798 |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King, Split California King | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King, Split California King |
Trial and warranty | 100-day trial and 15-year limited warranty on all mattresses | 90-day trial and 10-year limited warranty on all mattresses |
About Sleep Number
Previously known as Select Comfort, Sleep Number was founded in 1987 when a former employee of mattress manufacturer Comfortaire Corporation left the company to create a competitor in the adjustable air-supported sleep systems market. The company changed its name to Sleep Number in 2017.
Sleep Number’s claim to fame is the adjustable mattress, which allows you to set your preferred level of firmness for customized comfort. Many users appreciate this feature because finding the mattress with just the right level of firmness is both important and challenging, especially if you share a bed with another sleeper.
Sleep Number holds a number of patents for the technology used in its mattresses, and the company is regularly introducing new features, including a recent line of mattresses with smart features that adapt to a sleeper’s needs automatically.
Several Sleep Number mattresses made with high-quality, flexible polyurethane foam are CertiPUR-US certified as well.
Sleep Number Mattress Options and Prices
Sleep Number offers a number of different types of mattresses in four primary series: Classic, Performance, Innovation and Memory Foam. Each line offers Sleep Number’s trademark adjustable mattress but provides different features that might appeal to different types of sleepers with varying budgets.
Mattress Series | Classic | Performance | Innovation | Memory Foam |
Models | c2, c4 | p5, pSE, p6 | i8, iLE, i10 | m7 |
Price range | $699-$2,099 | $1,649-$4,099 | $3,349-$6,899 | $3,349-$5,299 |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King, Split California King | Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King, Split California King | Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King, Split California King |
Sleep Number Warranties and Discounts
Sleep Number provides a 15-year limited warranty on all its mattresses. This warranty provides full coverage for the first year, then prorated rates based on your purchase date. The warranty covers defects in the mattress and its materials but doesn’t cover wear and tear caused by the user.
What Users Say About Sleep Number
Sleep Number beds are typically well-liked by its users. The brand has an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a rating of 4.59 out of 5 stars with the BBB based on posted customer reviews. On the Sleep Number website, the beds collectively have a rating of 4.73 out of 5 stars.
Users who like their Sleep Number beds report better sleep because of the adjustable firmness the mattresses provide. Many note that the ability to have two separate firmness levels in one bed has improved sleep conditions for partners sharing a bed.
While generally well-reviewed, a common refrain from users who are disappointed in their Sleep Number beds is that they are technically air mattresses. Some people also report experiencing neck and back pain after sleeping on the mattresses. Some have had troubles with the mechanics of the beds as well, though those instances seem far less common and should be covered by the warranty.
About Tempur-Pedic
Some people know about Tempur-Pedic due to its work with NASA to create a cushion that could withstand the unique challenges of an aircraft. Others remember the name from its famous commercial showing a glass of wine on a mattress that fails to tip over even as people jump and dance on the bed.
Founded in 1992, Tempur-Pedic is part of Tempur Sealy International following its acquisition of the competing mattress company. Tempur-Pedic is best known for its memory foam mattresses and how they contour to the body to provide a more comfortable fit as you sleep.
Tempur-Pedic maintains a number of patents for its mattress technology, which was originally developed as part of a NASA research project. Tempur-Pedic mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified, too, thanks to their use of high-quality, flexible polyurethane foam.
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Options and Prices
Tempur-Pedic provides five types of mattresses—Tempur-Cloud, Tempur-Adapt, Tempur-Pro Adapt, Tempur-Luxe Adapt and Tempur-Breeze—and each series features multiple models in various sizes across a wide range of prices.
Mattress Type | Tempur-Cloud | Tempur-Adapt | Tempur-ProAdapt | Tempur-Luxe Adapt | Tempur-breeze |
Models | Medium, Medium Hybrid | Medium, Medium Hybrid | Soft, Medium, Medium Hybrid, Firm | Soft, Medium, Medium Hybrid, Firm | PRObreeze, LUXEbreeze |
Price range | $1,899-$3,798 | $1,899-$3,798 | $2,799-$5,598 | $2,799-$5,2598 | $3,899-$9,798 |
Sizes | Twin, Twin Long, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King | Twin, Twin Long, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King | Twin, Twin Long, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King | Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Flex Top King, California King, Flex Top King, Split California King | Twin Long, Queen, King, Split King, California, Split California King |
Tempur-Pedic Warranties and Discounts
Tempur-Pedic mattresses come with a 10-year limited warranty that covers defects, such as indentations and manufacturer flaws that affect the mattress during that time frame. The warranty provides a full replacement for the mattress if it cannot be repaired. Normal wear and tear or signs of abuse from the user are not covered by the warranty.
What Users Say About Tempur-Pedic
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are relatively well-liked by its users, according to reviewers. The company has an A+ grade from the BBB, though the reviews provided to this website are overwhelmingly negative, with Tempur-Pedic receiving a rating of 1.01 out of 5 stars. Meanwhile, on the Tempur-Pedic website, reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with more than 30,000 five-star reviews. Tempur-Pedic also received the J.D. Power Award for customer satisfaction in 2021.
A number of the complaints regarding Tempur-Pedic are not about the quality of the mattress, but rather how the company operates. Several users noted problems with returns and warranties. Others noted that they felt the product wasn’t worth the high price.
Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic: Which One Is Right for You?
Are you a future Sleep Number customer or a Tempur-Pedic loyalist? It all depends on what you’re looking for in a mattress. If adjustability is key for you, a Sleep Number mattress is likely the better choice because it allows you to customize your firmness and even set different levels for each side of the bed. But if you’re looking for the body-hugging comfort of memory foam, then Tempur-Pedic might be a better fit for you. Take advantage of the free sleep trial periods of both of these mattress brands to determine which one you prefer most. You’re going to spend a lot of time on it, so make sure you like it.