Tempur-Pedic vs Sleep Number Mattress Comparison

Overall Rating

8.0

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt

Bottom Line

The TEMPUR-Adapt is a cushy memory foam mattress that contours closely to alleviate pain and pressure points in your most sensitive areas.

Check Price on Tempurpedic.com

$2,199 from Tempur-Pedic (queen)

Full Mattress Review

VS

Overall Rating

7.5

Sleep Number c2 (Classic Series)

Bottom Line

The Sleep Number c2 is an adjustable airbed that lets you choose from a wide range of firmness levels to match your preferences.

Check Price on Sleepnumber.com

$999 from Sleep Number (queen)

Full Mattress Review

Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number both have a reputation for crafting luxury beds at corresponding prices. Sleep Number is one of the few manufacturers to specialize in adjustable airbeds, while Tempur-Pedic was one of the first mattress manufacturers to include memory foam in its beds – a move that revolutionized the mattress landscape. 

Tempur-Pedic’s product line is broken down into four sections: the budget-friendly Cloud line, the mid-range Adapt line, and the cooling Breeze and ActiveBreeze lines. Sleep Number also has multiple product lines, ranging from its Classic, Performance, and Innovation lines to its specialized Memory Foam, ClimateCool, and Climate360 lines.

The TEMPUR-Adapt line is one of Tempur-Pedic’s most popular  mattress offerings. We’ll compare the TEMPUR-Adapt — available in hybrid or all-foam versions — to the c2, part of Sleep Number’s Classic Series.

Our Testing Team’s Take

The Sleep Foundation team has almost a decade of experience in mattress testing, and we’ve analyzed almost 2,000 mattresses in our Test Lab in Seattle. We use a controlled approach that involves testing for objective measures like heat retention or edge support, as well as subjective qualities like feel and comfort. 

Mattress preference is highly personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. We do our best to gather different points of view by including people with different body types and sleeping position preferences. In addition to these tests, we also gather information on the bed’s materials and build and consider opinions from real mattress owners. Based on this thorough approach, here’s our verdict on Tempur-Pedic vs. Sleep Number.

Our Verdict

Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number both cater to people who are willing to splurge for a luxury mattress, but they take different approaches to high-end construction. Tempur-Pedic leads with its dense, pressure-relieving TEMPUR memory foam, designed for the ultimate “hug” feel. Sleep Number distinguishes itself with firmness customization thanks to its adjustable air chambers. Both mattresses may appeal to certain groups, such as those with chronic back pain. 

Jeremy Klein

Senior Product Testing Manager

Side sleeper

160 lbs.

Nightly melatonin user

“TEMPUR foam was a great fit for me as a side sleeper. It had just the right amount of contouring, and its motion isolation absorbed almost all vibration from the other side of the mattress.”

Side sleepers tend to enjoy memory foam, and the TEMPUR-Adapt is no exception. Sensitive sleepers may also prefer this mattress, as the memory foam absorbs motion to cut down on disturbances from a sleeping partner. By contrast, the Sleep Number c2 offers a clear advantage for couples with differing firmness preferences or people who need to adjust the firmness on an ongoing basis, such as those recovering from an injury.

The Adapt and Classic series aren’t the brands’ most expensive beds, so these are good entry-level choices if it’s your first time buying and you want to test the waters. 

Brad Nehring

Senior Product Analyst

Side sleeper

215 lbs.

Sleeps with a weighted blanket

“The c2 is one of Sleep Number’s most accessible airbed models. It might not have the same bells and whistles as the brand’s more luxurious mattresses, but you get plenty of firmness options and split size options for couples.”

Tempur-Pedic has slightly more favorable shipping and warranty policies. Both brands charge a handling fee for returns made during the sleep trial.

Construction and Materials

The TEMPUR-Adapt and Sleep Number c2 mattresses are markedly different in their construction. Although both beds employ layers of cushioning foams in the comfort system, the TEMPUR-Adapt is made with a polyfoam or coil support core, while the c2 features air chambers with adjustable firmness.

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Breakdown

The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt has a comfort system consisting of two layers of memory foam. The memory foam contours closely to your body, providing the classic “hug” feeling for which this material is known.

In terms of firmness, the TEMPUR-Adapt falls at a medium, or 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. It’s best suited to people who like the feeling of sleeping “in,” rather than “on,” their bed.

For the support core, shoppers can choose between polyfoam or pocketed coils. Polyfoam is a popular choice with couples, as it’s quieter and better at preventing movements from traveling across the bed. However, hot sleepers and people who frequently change sleeping positions might prefer the hybrid model with coils that promote breathability, produce a mellow bounce, and reinforce the perimeter.

Within its Adapt line, Tempur-Pedic also offers the LuxeAdapt and the ProAdapt, which are a little thicker and built with zoned cutouts for targeted cushioning and support.

Sleep Number c2 Breakdown

The Sleep number c2 is a smart airbed. This means that the mattress is primarily made of air chambers, which can be inflated or deflated to adjust the firmness within a range of soft (3) to firm (8), a total of 100 levels or “Sleep Numbers.” The bed also has a 2-inch layer of polyfoam with ceramic gel infusions to provide some cushioning when you first lay down.

You can use the SleepIQ app or purchase a remote to adjust the firmness level, with an option for automatic firmness adjustments based on your movements. On two-person beds, each person can customize their own side. The SleepIQ app also tracks your sleep patterns and provides advice to improve your sleep quality. You’ll need Bluetooth or WiFi connection to adjust the firmness, and WiFi for the SleepIQ app.

Mattress Sizing and Weight

The Sleep Number c2 is thinner than the average mattress, while the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt is considered to have an average profile.

Both companies offer the six standard mattress sizes along with split king and split California king options. Sleep Number allows you to choose whether you would like your king or California king-size mattress to be split fully down the middle so you can raise the head and/or feet with an adjustable base, or split only in the top half of the bed so you can raise and lower the head of the bed exclusively.

Performance Ratings

The feel and performance of the Sleep Number beds can vary depending on your firmness settings. However, in general, our testing team found that the c2 provided solid support for sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds, particularly those who sleep on their side. This is similar to the TEMPUR-Adapt, which caters to side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds.

With its thick memory foam layers, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt is clearly superior at pressure relief and motion isolation, particularly in its all-foam iteration. The c2 did not perform as well in these areas.

Both beds show average performance on edge support, temperature control, and ease of movement. The TEMPUR-Adapt hybrid model has coils that strengthen the edges and help boost airflow and bounce.

Full Reviews: Other Tempur-Pedic and Sleep Number Models

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt

Overall Rating:

8.0 /10

Price Range:

$1,999 – $3,998

Mattress Type:

Foam

Firmness Options:

Medium (5)

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud

Overall Rating:

7.7 /10

Price Range:

$1,699 – $3,398

Mattress Type:

Foam

Firmness Options:

Medium (5)

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt

Overall Rating:

8.2 /10

Price Range:

$2,699 – $5,398

Mattress Type:

Foam

Firmness Options:

Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)

Sleep Number c2 (Classic Series)

Overall Rating:

7.5 /10

Price Range:

$764 – $3,738

Mattress Type:

Airbed

Firmness Options:

Adjustable – Soft (3) to Firm (8)

Sleep Number c4 (Classic Series)

Overall Rating:

7.6 /10

Price Range:

$1,499 – $4,598

Mattress Type:

Airbed

Firmness Options:

Adjustable – Soft (3) to Firm (8)

Mattress Pricing

The c2 offers great value for money, as airbeds are usually much more expensive. It’s worth noting that since airbeds have more technical parts than the average mattress, there’s a greater risk of components breaking down. While the TEMPUR-Adapt is priced significantly higher than the average mattress, Tempur-Pedic has a proven track record, so many shoppers find it’s worth the investment given that the mattress will likely hold up well over time. 

Tempur-Pedic includes White Glove delivery in the purchase price. Sleep Number offers this option for an extra fee, along with the option for the technical team to explain how the settings work after installing the bed.

What Customers Are Saying

Tempur-Pedic receives positive reviews for its TEMPUR-Adapt line of mattresses, with many customers buying a second or third mattress after liking the first one so much. People say the memory foam does a stellar job of cushioning sore areas, and couples mention they hardly notice when their partner moves. Complaints mostly revolve around the mattress sleeping hot and the memory foam making it difficult to move around.

With the Sleep Number c2, people are happy with the sleep tracking technology, and repeat customers are happy with the upgrades to the bed over the years. Those with chronic pain note that it’s nice to be able to change the firmness level as needed. Couples also appreciate the possibility to set a different firmness level on each side, although some people say the central division makes it hard to cuddle. The c2 has a relatively thin layer of cushioning, and some people prefer to add a topper or upgrade to the c4.

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