If someone was asked to list the best-known names in the mattress business, there’s no doubt Tempur-Pedic would be among them. They pretty much kicked off the memory foam craze, and have been one of the top dogs in their field for 25 years.
Nobody, however, can be at the top and not suffer criticism. Are all complaints accurate, though? Could some be due to hyped expectations or lack of research? Quite possibly. Let’s take a look at some of the most common Tempur-Pedic mattress complaints and see what’s happening.
1. Tempur-Pedic Causes Lower Back Pain
A common complaint regarding Tempur-Pedic mattresses, and memory foam mattresses in general, is an issue with lower back pain. Memory foam inherently doesn’t have a significant amount of support. It’s designed to provide comfort, and a good support layer is needed to keep your body from sagging. Memory foam mattresses will have a support layer of polyfoam, which is a bit sturdier, or innersprings, which can cause their own issues.
Typically, lower back pain issues can be fixed without replacing a mattress by adding an additional layer to the top of the mattress which could provide a bit more support, something like a latex layer. Still, that doesn’t necessarily solve the issue with the mattress itself. This is something which has gotten better over the years, and is normally only seen once a mattress has been used to the point the memory foam and support layers are no longer as resilient.
This is true for all kinds of pain you may be experiencing as a result of changing out your mattress. If you’ve heard of Tempur-Pedic neck pain issues or shoulder pains, these are all likely connected.
All this being said. Tempurpedic foams are very high quality and won’t generally degrade, it might just be a case of choosing something a little more firm or softer depending on your body type.
2. Tempur-Pedic Mattress Mold Issues
Just breath. I’m speaking to your mattress, here, and not to you. Well, that is unless you’re hyperventilating over mold concerns with Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Here’s the thing: Memory foam is a strange beast. Within it are a great many pockets of air, air which moves in and out of the mattress to keep you from overheating and to keep it from building up too much moisture. Mold is attracted to moisture, and if memory foam isn’t allowed to breath, you’re going to have mold issues.
The solution to this is fairly simple: Let your mattress breath. This can be done by using a breathable mattress cover and by changing the sheets on a regular basis. Unlike bigger issues like the adjustable base not working or the remote not working, Tempur-Pedic doesn’t mention mold in its warranty information, so it’s important to avoid having mold build up if this is a mattress you’re considering getting. Remember, let it breath.
3. Tempur-Pedic Too Hot
One unfortunate issue with memory foam is heat. Memory foam actually uses the heat of your body to work its magic, essentially melting and allowing it to mold to your body. In doing this, however, heat can become trapped. This was an issue in particular with older mattresses, but newer models have incorporated different techniques to fight this issue. For instance, the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Supreme mattress has a cover which includes fibers which pull moisture away from your body in order to keep your feeling cooler and dryer. They also have Breeze models of some of their mattresses which go a step further and include gel technology to keep you cool.
4. Tempur-Pedic Mattress Sagging
Mattress sagging with memory foam can be attributed to a couple things: cheap foam or a poor foundation. When it comes to Tempur-Pedic products, cheap isn’t a word one would ever use. They cost a pretty penny, in part because they use high-quality materials. In most cases, if a Tempur-Pedic mattress has begun to sag in the middle, it’s because it wasn’t put on a good foundation. Tempur-Pedic sells its own foundations, and you’re unlikely to run into a situation and find a Tempur-Pedic Ergo not working. In general, box springs aren’t the best choice for a memory foam mattress. You’re best with a solid foundation, much like those Tempur-Pedic offers, or something such as a bunkie board. A quick test you can do if you have a mattress which is sagging is to place it directly onto the floor and see if the sagging persists. If not, then you know your issue is with the foundation and not with the mattress. If it does continue to sag, it’s time to pull out your warranty and get that fixed.
5. Tempur-Pedic Smells
If you’ve heard complaints about odors associated with the Tempur-Pedic mattresses, don’t worry, there is no Tempur-Pedic odor, but there is something called offgassing, which is inherent in most, if not all, memory foam mattresses. Tempur-Pedic gassing is no worse than many other brands out there, and it’s an issue which will fade over time. Additionally, Tempur-Pedic mattresses are tested to make sure any offgassing is safe for anyone sleeping on it. Should the gassing be too much of an issue, the mattress simply needs time to air out.
6. Tempur-Pedic Mattress Firmness Issues
Is your Tempur-Pedic mattress too hard? Maybe you find your Tempur-Pedic mattress too soft? Firmness is an issue with all mattresses, and memory foam is no exception. Sure, it’s designed to conform to your body, but just how much do you want to sink in? This is a highly personal preference and one which can’t be determined in just a few nights. It’s for this reason Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-night trial. You get the opportunity to try out the mattress for three months to figure out if you have made the right decision. Just don’t forget to get in touch with the company if you find you need to switch up your firmness level.
7. Tempur-Pedic’s Odd Noises
Have you purchased a foundation or box spring and found it to be making strange noises? This shouldn’t be of too much concern. Tempur-Pedic foundation creaking and Tempur-Pedic box spring squeaks are typically a result of the items settling. Since they are sent to you brand new, they’re going to make some noise until they get worked out, just like putting new brakes on a car or putting on new shoes. Nothing is quite right immediately off the bat. It’s the same reason you need to sleep in your bed for a while before figuring out if it’s what you need.
Reviews are important in making decisions about large purchases, but they always need to be taken with a grain of salt. Understanding details about what could cause certain issues people may be experiencing can go a long way toward helping you pick out your ideal bed, and can also help you make sure you don’t run into the same problems they did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Tempur-Pedic mattress expensive?
The cost of a Tempur-Pedic mattress is one of the most frequent complaints, and in some ways, it is valid, because although there is a range, the mattresses tend to be on the higher end of the price scale. But in the case of Tempur-Pedic, what you’re paying for is a mattress from a company that was the original creator of memory foam based on NASA technology and carries the Space Foundation’s Space Certification. Over and above that, years of upgrades and technological advancements has resulted in an ultra-dense foam mattress that provides a very high level of support and pressure relief for your body. This memory foam mattress is also a longer-lasting mattress that minimizes toxic chemicals, heat retention, sagging and off-gassing. Basically, while you’re paying more for the brand name, with it comes value, durability and quality.
How long will it take for me to get used to my Tempur-Pedic mattress?
If you’re used to a traditional mattress, a new Tempur-Pedic mattress may take some getting used to, and since everyone is different, it can vary. As you sleep on the mattress, it will respond to your body weight and temperature, and conform to your body. Generally speaking, the breaking-in period for it to feel more natural is about three weeks, so it’s important to be patient. It takes this amount of time to get used to the bed because the memory foam cells are fully opening to adjust to any temperature and weight changes.
Does a Tempur-Pedic mattress last a long time?
Many factors contribute to the lifespan of a Tempur-Pedic mattress. Generally speaking, for a standard foam mattress, it should last between five and eight years. A Tempur-Pedic hybrid mattress has a layer of foam and a layer of coils. It’s the coils that provide more support than you’d get in a mattress comprised of only dense foam. The coils also provide bi-directional resistance to pressure when you lay down, which contributes to increased durability, adding more years to the life of your mattress.
Can I use a traditional box spring for my Tempur-Pedic mattress?
You should not use a box spring as a support for a Tempur-Pedic mattress because box springs are designed to “give” in order to support a traditional coil mattress, while the dense foam in a Tempur-Pedic mattress requires a solid base. You can purchase a Tempur-Pedic foundation to go with the mattress, but those can be expensive. An alternate solution would be a slatted foundation or platform bed, as long as the slats are strong and three inches wide and no more than four inches apart.