The TEMPUR-Flex line from TEMPUR-Pedic is designed to get you to your most comfortable place fast. This series of mattresses aims to provide the same comfort people expect from the company’s TEMPUR material, such as adaptive support, pressure relief and motion dispersal, while giving it a bit more of the spring feel you might get from a traditional bed.
In 2015, the line was released in response to research which showed customers were looking for something with a little more bounce. In order to achieve this, the TEMPUR-Flex models combine the TEMPUR material with a Dynamic Support Layer which uses special coils for support. The TEMPUR-Flex Prima is the least expensive of the line and features a medium-firm feel, making it the firmest of the line, as well. Though it is low for a
mattress, it is still more expensive than comparable products. ?
Feature-wise, the mattress includes the SmartClimate system meant to keep you nice and cool, a response layer using TEMPUR-Response material designed to more quickly react to your body, and the aforementioned Dynamic Support Layer which uses precision coils to match your movements and position. Basic construction between each of the models in the line is similar, though the Prima lacks the removable top cover seen in the more expensive versions.
Features & Benefits
TEMPUR-Pedic has been making mattresses for a long time. They first blew onto the scene in the ’90s, grabbing everyone’s attention with their memory foam mattresses. The mattresses promised a kind of comfort which previously hadn’t been seen. With everyone used to traditional innerspring mattresses which had the potential to poke all your pressure points over time and wear out moderately quickly, the idea of a bed which conformed to your body sounded positively magical.
They did this with their TEMPUR material, their own special recipe of memory foam. Every mattress they offer uses the material, so it’s kind of their trademark. Memory foam is becoming more and more common now, and multiple companies are using it to produce mattresses of similar quality. The material has come a long way and, while TEMPUR may have been one of the first to figure out the best ways to use it, other organizations have a few tricks up their sleeves to improve on the old designs.
Construction
The TEMPUR-Flex Prima uses six different layers in order to make its magic happens. The rest of the line has a similar build, though the Supreme Breeze is a little different. These layers all work together to make sure the mattress is going to adjust to your body as soon as you lay down. Thanks to a special version of their TEMPUR foam and their special spring system, this makes mechanical sense.
When you first touch the mattress, you’re going to feel the super-stretch cover used on top. It should feel cool to the touch thanks to the SmartClimate System which lets the second layer, an inner cover, provide some coolness to the top while the top cover pulls away any moisture. With this dual-action system, you’re more likely to have a dryer, cooler sleep. Many memory foam mattresses suffer from a heat issue, and this is intended to combat it.
The third layer is a comfort layer featuring the TEMPUR-ES material. This stuff is super soft and is what allows for the sinking sensation you expect to feel with memory foam. Below this is a layer of TEMPUR-Response material. This foam is made to respond quicker than standard memory foam, both molding to your body and returning to its original shape faster. This means when you lay down, it distributes pressure quickly and, unlike normal memory foam, it will adjust faster when you change positions.
Aside from the heat issue, memory foam mattresses sometimes suffer from a support issue. Often, foam mattresses use a foam layer for support. This means you got a lot of sinkage, but sometimes it’s a little more than you may want.
The TEMPUR-Flex Prima is a hybrid mattress, meaning it uses coils and memory foam. So, under the response layer, you’ll find the Dynamic Support Layer, a series of individually wrapped coils which are designed to work with the response layer to move with your body. Unlike a traditional mattress with linked springs which end up moving together, these individual springs are allowed to move on their own to better match your shape.
Finally, a base layer sits as the sixth layer. Not only does it work with each of the layers above it to help the bed do its thing, it is designed to help disperse heat in an attempt to continue to keep you cool all the night through.
Longevity
Measuring how long a mattress will last depends on many factors. For memory foam, one of the biggest is foam density. This number, measured in pounds per cubic foot, tells you much foam has been packed into the mattress. The higher the number, the higher quality the mattress. Unfortunately, TEMPUR-Pedic is notorious for not sharing the details of their foam densities. They are known, however, to use very high-quality materials. This is likely why they’re priced so high, apart from the name.
If you’re out shopping for a mattress, there are some numbers you should look out for. Any memory foam layer should have a density of at least 3.5 lbs per cubic foot. Four is preferable, but 3.5 will work. If you’re a bit heavier, don’t go less than five lbs per cubic foot. At 5 lbs per cubic foot, you’re up in the “very high quality” range. The other number to look out for is a density of 6 pounds. Anything above six is basically pointless and will just add to the cost.
A high density is a direct correlation to the durability of your mattress. This means you’ll be able to go significantly longer before seeing any sagging or permanent impressions left by your body heat when you wake. A mattress is a big investment, so the foam density is very important. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Comfort
This is TEMPUR-Pedic’s latest line, so it features all of their latest technology. That being said, it’s certainly not for everyone. For those who want a firmer mattress with a good bit of bounce, however, it’s going to be a pretty good fit. Thanks to the TEMPUR-ES material, you get a great soft feel, and the TEMPUR-Response layer works with the Dual Support System to make sure the bed reacts as it should to all of your movements.
Complaints about the firmness are varied, with a few folks saying it’s far harder than they expected and even fewer saying it was too soft. The vast majority seem to find the mattress very comfortable, however. Considering the build of the mattress, I feel it’s going to be best for someone who sleeps on their back or their stomach. Side sleepers may have an issue due to the extra deep support and lack of very deep comfort layers, especially if they’re on the bigger side.
One final comfort factor is the fact the mattress is hypoallergenic. If you’re somebody who suffers from allergies and such, this mattress is going to be your friend. It won’t be trapping any sort of flying allergens and it won’t be getting any creepy crawlies. This is good stuff all around.
Heat Retention
Memory foam’s biggest issue is heat retention. Because of the way it works, heat is a huge problem. Your body heat is what softens the material, allowing it to become more viscous and allow you to sink in nicely. This is often combated with the introduction of different materials, most commonly gels, or changing the structure of the foam to allow for more airflow.
The SmartClimate system used in the dual mattress covers helps to combat this by pulling away moisture and working to keep you cool. Additionally, the base layer is designed to let heat escape from the mattress, rather than building up and warming you while you sleep.
Looking at customer reactions, I have seen no complaints about heat with this mattress. Nearly all complaints are about the firmness or the price. This is a very good thing, as it’s one of the more frequent complaints I have seen when it comes to memory foam.
Maintenance, Care and Warranty
The TEMPUR-Flex Prima, like all other TEMPUR-Pedic mattresses, comes with a 10-year limited warranty. This covers any issues with the mattress which cause it to become torn or cracked from being used and handled normally, as well as any visible indentation of more than three-fourths of an inch. These, of course, are dependent on you using a proper foundation for your bed. If either of these things happens and the conditions are right, your mattress will be either repaired or replaced.
Additionally, TEMPUR-Pedic offers a 90 night trial period. If you don’t like it after 90 days, you can send it back to them and you will be refunded, save for the cost of shipping it. A refund is nice, but being charged for shipping isn’t. Still, at least you can refund it if it isn’t for you.
Sadly, the Prima is slightly inferior to its sisters in the care category for a single reason: the top cover. On each of the more expensive models in the TEMPUR-Flex line, the top cover can be zipped off and thrown into the washing machine. This will let you clean it in the case of any sort of spills which may occur. This is also important, I feel, because of the moisture-wicking nature of the material. If it’s going to be sucking up sweat, it’s going to be cleaned. The Prima does not have this removable cover.
Since it lacks that feature, I highly suggest using a mattress cover, specifically one which is waterproof. Spills happen and there are a great many mattress covers out there which can protect your mattress and not give you that weird mattress cover feel. I admit, this may interfere with the moisture-wicking properties of the mattress, but the cooling effect from the inner layer should still work. And, honestly, I think I’d rather not have it suck up all my sweat if it means I’ll have a cleaner mattress.
Size, Price and Extras
As can be expected, the Prima comes in all your standard mattress sizes, from twin to California king. It can even be ordered in split models for the king and California king sizes. Why would you want a split model? For the adjustable base, obviously, but I’ll get to that in a moment.
I mentioned TEMPUR-Pedic beds can be expensive, but it seems their quality makes it worth the price. For the Prima, you’re looking to spend anywhere from a thousand to a few thousand dollar, depending on size and features you go with.
Now, extras. TEMPUR-Pedic offers foundations for their mattresses. They have several flat foundations, which basically act like a box spring and can be placed onto any bed frame. They also have three different adjustable bases, the TEMPUR-Up, Ergo Plus and Ergo Premier. The Up sits on the floor and only raises your head. The other two are both on legs and can lift your legs and feet, but the Premier is the same depth as a box spring while the plus is rather thin.
Consumer Proof
Bumping around the various sales sights, I can see the TEMPUR-Flex Prima is a pretty popular mattress. On the TEMPUR-Pedic site it maintains a four-and-a-half-star rating, basically the same rating it has everywhere else. While the majority of negative reviews complain about the mattress being too firm, the vast majority of reviews in general have nothing but praise for the Prima.
Conclusion
If you like the idea of a memory foam mattress but just can’t let go of the feel of your innerspring, the TEMPUR-Flex line is something you’re likely going to enjoy. The Prima, in particular, is a good mattress, but you better like it a little firm. If you’re a side sleeper, this mattress may not be for you. If you sleep on your back like me, though, you’ll be in for a good time.
With the majority of reviews being so positive, the Prima seems like a good choice over all, and you’ll have a fair chance to give it a really good feel thanks to the 90-night trial period. However, don’t think just because this is a TEMPUR-Pedic it’s the end-all-be-all of mattresses. It is quite expensive compared to others out there, so be sure to shop around a little to make sure you’re finding something perfect for your body and your wallet.