TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress Review: Takes From the Test Lab

“Motion isolation is a key selling point for the TEMPUR-Cloud. I could barely feel any vibration when there was movement on another part of the mattress.” – Jeremy

A major strength of TEMPUR foam is its ability to isolate motion. This memory foam only reacts and compresses where weight is directly applied, so movement on one side of the mattress doesn’t cause the foam to shake on the other side.

For couples, this can be a huge benefit. It’s particularly important if one of the sleepers is easily awoken or moves around frequently during the night. While the TEMPUR-Cloud won’t eliminate every last bit of motion transfer, it’s effective for almost all couples who want to protect against these sleep disturbances.

“For a side sleeper like me, the TEMPUR-Cloud provides fantastic pressure relief. But it may not be as supportive to people who have a higher body weight or sleep in a different position.” – Jackson

Our testing team found that the TEMPUR-Cloud offers impressive pressure relief to many sleepers.

Memory foam was built to cushion against the impact of a space shuttle launch, which means that it’s more than capable of accommodating sharp pressure points. In doing so, it can reduce pain in key zones of the body and support proper spinal alignment.

The only reason why the TEMPUR-Cloud doesn’t get a perfect score for pressure relief is that some sleepers, such as people over 230 pounds and many stomach sleepers, find the deep contouring to be excessive and even capable of generating strain in the lower back.

“I’m not an especially hot sleeper, and I could still feel heat building up on the TEMPUR-Cloud. People who tend to overheat should be cautious about this mattress.” – Mary

A downside of TEMPUR foam is its tendency to retain heat. As the foam contours around the body, it’s harder for air to flow freely around the skin. As the body warms up, so does the foam, which actually makes it softer and more conforming, leading to even further reductions in airflow.

While this problem becomes most pronounced on very soft memory foam mattresses, it is still an important issue to consider on the TEMPUR-Cloud. People who already tend to sleep hot or people who live in hot climates may find that the bed’s lack of temperature neutrality is a deal-breaker.

“Like most people on our testing team, I found that the edge support on the TEMPUR-Cloud was average at best. You definitely feel a lot of sag around the edge.” – Jeremy

All-foam mattresses are susceptible to problems with edge support, and this was a clear issue identified in our testing of the TEMPUR-Cloud.

The deep sink of memory foam means that there’s a lot of compression around the perimeter, which is the weakest part of any mattress. Combined with memory foam’s limited bounce, this can make the edge feel unstable underneath the weight of your body.

While this isn’t a huge problem for most people, it may be a deal-breaker for those who typically sleep near the perimeter of their bed or sit on the edge while they do other things.

“Even though I loved the cushioning of this mattress, I have to admit that the contouring of the foam can cause you to feel stuck in place. It could feel like I was fighting the mattress when I wanted to flip onto my other side.” – Jackson

The TEMPUR-Cloud gets a below-average rating for ease of movement because of the low level of responsiveness in the TEMPUR foam comfort system.

Part of the reason memory foam has its name is that the foam is slow to retake its original shape. It briefly retains a “memory,” or an impression in the foam, of the weight you applied. This slow rebound means that there is a risk of feeling stuck, making it harder to switch your sleeping position or get out of bed.

The low ratings for ease of movement are mostly an issue for combination sleepers and people who prioritize smooth movement on the mattress surface.

“I found the TEMPUR-Cloud to be a bit smellier than most other mattresses, but that smell didn’t hang around for more than a few days.” – Mary

The foam materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when the TEMPUR-Cloud is first removed from its packaging. These VOCs are not harmful in small doses, but they can give off a distinct odor that some call a “new mattress smell.”

In most cases, this is only a minor annoyance, but it may be more problematic for people with strong sensitivity to smells. In almost all cases, the smell goes away within a few days of setting up the mattress. Allowing the TEMPUR-Cloud to sit uncovered in a well-ventilated room will help to speed up the off-gassing process.