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Forbes
19-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress Alternatives, Tested By Editors
The highly popular Tempur-Pedic brand is a household name with its iconic Tempur Material (first developed by NASA) that has since made a major impact on the sleep industry with countless copycat memory foams. But name-brand quality often comes with a higher price tag, despite having competitors that offer similar benefits. We rounded up the best Tempur-Pedic mattress alternatives that are comparable in quality and benefits at a more affordable price, starting with the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress. This memory foam mattress which offers a comfy, hugging memory foam feel and better body responsiveness with a cooling cover. The Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress offers a luxurious, hugging feel that's comparable to ... More Tempur-Pedic mattresses. 'The advantage of memory foam is that it contours to your body while it's still supportive," says Dr. Michael Gerling, spinal surgeon and founder of The Gerling Institute. 'It almost creates a custom mold of your body, exerting equal pressure on each prominence and contour of your frame,' which Gerling says promotes healthy spinal alignment. Luckily, there's ample variety when it comes to memory foam in today's market, so there's something to suit every sleeper. Read on for our editor-approved list of recommendations for the best Tempur-Pedic Mattress alternatives. Nectar Type: Foam (also available as a hybrid) | Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5) | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Skip if: Similar to the Tempur-Cloud Mattress, the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress is primarily made up of a memory foam material that's designed to contour around each curve of your body as you rest. It's stacked with several layers, including a sturdy foam foundation to help support your body, multiple layers of memory foam for comfort and motion isolation and a cooling cover to wick away moisture. Compared to Tempur-Material, this memory foam is a little more responsive and firm, making it a more suitable option for back, stomach and combination sleepers. However, it's great for anyone who doesn't want to sink into their mattress and shift around more easily, as the material causes less pushback when you try to change positions. "It also has a little bit more of a lifted feel compared to the Tempur-Cloud (while still offering some solid contouring memory foam is known for),' says Bridget Chapman, senior mattress and sleep editor. Finally, this mattress comes with a longer trial period and warranty than Tempur-Pedic, all for a lower price tag. Layla Sleep Type: Copper-infused foam | Firmness: Soft (4) and firm (7) | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Skip if: Similar to the Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt, this mattress boasts superior pressure relief to support spinal alignment and eases aches and pains. It features five layers with dense copper-infused memory foam that's durable, supportive and temperature regulating. And similar to the ProAdapt which has cooling tech, this mattress is gel-infused to promote temperature regulation and avoid trapping heat like traditional foam. Most uniquely, the Layla Mattress is flippable, featuring both soft and firm sides to suit sleepers' needs over time. Chapman tested this mattress and found that each side offered a distinctive sleeping experience. 'The soft side feels great for side sleeping with its cushy sinkage, while the firm side offers strong support for back and stomach sleepers,' she says. That makes it a great choice for guest rooms, where each unique sleeper can choose what firmness suits them best. Although, it also appeals to anyone who want an all-foam mattress with a light and airy memory foam feel. GhostBed Type: Gel- and graphite-infused foam | Firmness: Medium to medium-firm (5 to 7) | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 101 nights | Warranty: 25 years Best for: Skip if: The Tempur-Breeze LuxeBreeze is known for delivering top-notch cooling technology, with the claim that it can help sleepers achieve a temperature that's 10 degrees cooler. But that technology comes with a steep price tag, as it's one of the most expensive Tempur-Pedic model on the market. The GhostBed Luxe echoes the same cooling experience at a much lower price. It features the brand's patented Ghost Ice technology that's designed to absorb body heat, plus graphite and gel-infused memory foam to regulate temperature even further. There's only one firmness level to choose from, which the brand describes as medium firmness, with a ProCore Elite Layer and high-density foam base that offers soft support. 'I found it offers plush sinkage that works well for back, side and combination sleepers, ' says Chapman. But if you're looking for an extra-plush model, consider the Layla Mattress or another soft mattress choice. Tuft and Needle Type: Foam | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Skip if: Tempur-Pedic's Tempur-Adapt Mattress is designed to morph to your body and nestle around your joints in order to provide more restful sleep. Similarly, the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress features the brand's signature Flex Foam that responds to your body by contouring around each curve, offering supreme comfort and support. Ranked as our pick for best budget memory foam mattress, this option is simple yet crowd-pleasing with a comfortable 2-layer design. It offers structured support, thanks to its Adaptive Foam, with bounce-back structure that won't leave you feeling sunk. Plus, it features Greenguard Gold and CertiPur-US certifications, so you can sleep soundly knowing your mattress is free from harmful chemicals and off-gassing. Saatva Type: High-density, gel-infused foam | Firmness: Medium or firm | Delivery: Free white-glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Skip if: If the ultra-conforming support that comes from the Tempur-Adapt Luxe Adapt Mattress appeals to you, the Saatva Contour5 could be an excellent alternative. This mattress has a high-end memory foam feel, with a texture that immediately contours around your frame and offers pressure relief. It's stacked with several layers made from premium, dense memory foam, which keeps you from sinking in too deeply. This mattress also offers impressive edge support, which makes getting out of bed easier. Hot sleepers would enjoy that the Contour5 features what the brand calls its CoolVent system under the lumbar region, which is designed to absorb body heat and support the spine, plus gel-infused foam to promote temperature regulation. Note those with back pain should consider the firm model for better spinal reinforcement. This mattress has also been granted both CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certifications, illustrating its makeup of healthy, high-quality materials. Sealy Type: Gel-infused foam or hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free delivery | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Skip if: Ranked by our sleep team as the best affordable cooling memory foam mattress, the Sealy Cocoon Chill offers the best of both worlds when it comes to cushioning memory foam with reliable cooling tech. It's similar to the Tempur-Breeze ProBreeze, which features both a cool-to-the-couch cover and several cooling layers that are designed to absorb heat and promote ventilation for cooler sleeping. The Cocoon Chill's cooling cover is made with the brand's Phase Change Material, designed to absorb and dissipate heat as you sleep. This memory foam mattress is on the softer end of medium-firm, which makes it great for side, back and combination sleepers who are looking for a mattress that cushions their curves to keep their spine in alignment. For heavyweight sleepers over 250 pounds that require a bit more support, there's also a hybrid version available with fabric-encased coils—which promote better airflow for even cooler sleeping. The sleep and mattress team at Forbes Vetted has conducted hundreds of tests in pursuit of the best mattresses, from traditional Tempur-Pedic mattresses to affordable mattresses, to help sleepers of all kinds find their best match. We evaluated several Tempur-Pedic mattress varieties and consulted our team's hands-on testing expertise in order to offer reliable alternatives. Just like shopping for any mattress, it's important to recognize your personal sleep habits and preferences before making a purchase. As Gerling puts it simply, you should prioritize getting to know how you sleep and what temperature you like to sleep at. From there, you can look for distinctive features that match your personal needs. Foam mattresses that are similar to the Tempur-Material are known for providing a plush texture that contours around the body's natural curves, offering ample pressure point support. Gerling says this profile is particularly beneficial for back and side sleepers. He advises side sleepers opt for a softer memory foam, as it more easily fills the natural gaps between their head and shoulders, promoting spinal alignment and support. 'In general, the spine feels better if it's kept in a neutral alignment while you sleep,' he says. 'If something is crooked, it' stretches the joints in the spine or the discs and put pressure on them, which will then create inflammation, and people wake up with stiffness or pain in that area.' Anyone who lies flat on their back as they sleep can benefit from spine support when sleeping on a foam mattress, as long as they opt for a medium-to-firm texture. 'It really does contour and evenly distribute the pressure within your back, aligning with the natural contours of your spine,' Gerling says. You should also consider any underlying conditions you have when deciding on mattress firmness levels. 'If somebody has a lumbar or a chronic pain condition, it is suggested in research that they'd prefer a firm mattress,' Gerling says. 'Firmer mattresses, in general, force your back into a more flattened alignment, which may be good for people who have abnormal curvature of the spine.' If you consider yourself a hot sleeper, you should prioritize cooling elements when shopping for a mattress. Foam mattresses have a reputation for trapping heat, but many varieties on the market offer cooling technology to offset that. This can include a cooling cover, gel-infused foam layers or breathable fibers that disperse body heat and wick moisture away. You should also keep in mind that hybrid mattresses with embedded coils generally sleep cooler than their all-foam counterparts, because the coils promote air flow naturally. What Is The Best Alternative To Tempur-Pedic? Since there are so many different varieties of Tempur-Pedic mattresses, we have varying recommendations to match the benefits of each mattress. Some of our top picks include the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress and Layla Memory Foam Mattress, as they both offer similar plush materials as Tempur-Pedic with a much more affordable price. What Are The Disadvantages Of Tempur-Pedic? Tempur-Pedic is known for its unique Tempur-Material originally developed by NASA-funded scientists, but that quality comes with a higher price tag when compared to most competitors. Consumers should also keep in mind that some sleepers have reported that Tempur-Pedic mattresses—and memory foam in general—often comes with inherent heat retention, which could be problematic for hot sleepers that struggle with chronic issues like night sweats. Who Is Tempur-Pedic's Biggest Competitor? In terms of quality, our team of mattress testers have found that Saatva is a close competitor to Tempur-Pedic. Its Contour5 Mattress features a high-end foam feel that cushions joints and provides pain relief with its several layers of dense memory foam and lumbar support.
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The 5 Best Tempur-Pedic Pillows That Complement Your Bedroom Setup
Tempur-Pedic is one of the most recognized brands in the sleep industry with an expansive catalog of mattresses and bedding, which includes luxuriously cozy pillows. The right pillow can be a pivotal accessory to enhance your bedroom setup and your sleep efficiency, and the best Tempur-Pedic pillows highlighted below by our editors utilize comfortable and supportive materials to steer you toward better rest. Our top choice is the Tempur-Cloud Pillow, which we selected for its signature memory foam comfort with an extra-soft and plush feel. Although some Tempur-Pedic pillows come at a premium price, it's never a bad decision to invest in your quality of sleep. 'My favorite sleep products focus on premium bedding, including comfortable pillows,' says Dr. Nicholas Generales, board-certified family medicine and primary care physician. 'Since we spend a significant portion of our lives sleeping, I believe in investing in the best-quality pillows.' Below, find five pillows from the high-end bedding brand that range in price, design, materials and firmness—along with our recommendations for the best match for different sleepers. Fill: Tempur-Material | Firmness: Extra-soft | Sizes: Queen and king | Trial period: None | Warranty: 5 years | Shipping: Free shipping | Return policy: No returns Best for: Skip if: Don't let your head fall flat in the middle of the night. Instead, give yourself the proper support you need with the Tempur-Cloud Pillow, an ultra-soft model made from one slab of foam that requires no fluffing. Striking a nice balance between doughy and supportive, it's the brand's most popular option. It's also surprisingly compact, as you can roll it up and take it with you on the go, and it returns to its original shape once unpacked. With a low profile around five inches tall, it's most suited for back and stomach sleepers. You can also upgrade to a Tempur-Cloud Pillow with cooling technology for $20 more, an addition we recommend to any hot sleeper. Fill: Shredded Tempur-Material | Firmness: Adjustable | Sizes: Queen and king | Trial period: None | Warranty: 5 years | Shipping: Free shipping | Return policy: No returns Best for: Cons: Your pillow should have the right height to keep your head in alignment with your spine in order to prevent pain. With the Tempur-Pedic Adjustable Pillow, you can customize both the height and firmness by adding or removing the filling. As a result, it can accommodate most sleeping positions and body types. Inside the pillow is what the brand refers to as its most breathable memory foam material, which has an open-cell structure to help prevent it from retaining body heat. Additionally, the removable and machine washable cover is finished with an antimicrobial treatment to help shut out household allergens. Fill: Tempur-Material | Firmness: Firm | Sizes: Small, medium and large | Trial period: None | Warranty: 5 years | Shipping: Free shipping | Return policy: No returns Best for: Cons: The Neck Pillow from Tempur-Pedic is ergonomically shaped to contour under the curves of your neck and head and provide optimal support and good spinal alignment. It's constructed with a single slab of memory foam and wrapped in a hypoallergenic, machine-washable cover. While our previous two choices have a soft to medium-soft profile, this pillow has a firm profile that provides less give and more lift. To determine whether the small, medium or large size is best for your body shape, Tempur-Pedic suggests you measure the distance between the base of your neck to the outside of your shoulder and reference its size chart. Due to its curvy shape, this isn't an ideal choice for stomach sleepers. Fill: Tempur-Material | Firmness: Soft | Size: 24 x 17 x 5 inches | Trial period: None | Warranty: 5 years | Shipping: Free shipping | Return policy: No returns Best for: Cons: This pillow has a different design depending on which way you flip it, which makes it a unique choice for combination sleepers who switch from one sleeping position to the other. One side is curved with a shape that's meant to cradle the head and neck of a back sleeper, while the other is flat and smooth to help support stomach sleepers and maintain spinal alignment. One caveat is its loft—at five inches tall, it may not be the most supportive choice for most side sleepers. It's made with the brand's signature Tempur-Material and like the others in our best Tempur-Pedic pillows roundup, it's fitted with a removable and washable cover. Fill: Tempur-Material (shredded and foam slab) | Firmness: Medium | Sizes: Queen and king | Trial period: None | Warranty: 5 years | Shipping: Free shipping | Return policy: No returns Best for: Cons: The four other pillows named on our list are made with either shredded Tempur-Material or a solid piece of it, but this pick is made with both. It features a layer of the brand's signature foam at the center, combined with a shredded blend of three different types of Tempur-Pedic foams, creating a feel that is both supportive and cushiony. The shredded blend is removable so you can customize the firmness and loft to your liking. Thanks to its versatile construction, we would suggest this pillow for most sleep positions unless you want a very firm feel. If you sleep hot, you can add cooling technology for $20. Our sleep team consists of dedicated editors with years of testing experience under their belts and seasoned writers who test, research and collect expert insights for the mattress and sleep category. Tempur-Pedic has a long list of pillows to pick from in its catalog, which our editors sifted through to find the best ones that are worth investing in. In the sleep world, loft refers to the height of a pillow. The ideal loft for each sleeper depends on their specific sleeping position. Side sleepers typically require pillows with a tall height to properly support the head. Back sleepers, on the other hand, should look for a medium height, and stomach sleepers should have a short pillow to maintain spinal alignment. Like a mattress, pillows can have different firmness profiles that accommodate specific sleepers. Tempur-Pedic pillows range from extra-soft to firm, so keep your specific needs in mind when you select a pillow model. Firm pillows tend to be more supportive for side sleepers or those with neck pain, and medium-firm to soft pillows can be comfortable for back and stomach sleepers. Your body type also plays a role in your purchase decision. For example, people who weigh under 150 pounds may need a pillow with a shorter loft that isn't too substantial, while side sleepers who weigh over 250 pounds need a taller and firmer pillow that provides ample head and neck support. According to the brand, the covers on most Tempur-Pedic pillows are removable and machine washable. A cover should be washed on a cold setting and air dried when it's finished. The brand recommends you avoid over-drying the pillow cover, as it can shrink and become difficult to put back on. What Tempur-Pedic Pillow Is The Best? We think the Tempur-Cloud Pillow offers a great value for its comfort and versatility. It's made with a slab of the brand's signature memory foam material that's cushiony and supportive at the same time, and you can easily roll it up and take it with you when you travel. How Do You Choose The Right Tempur-Pedic Pillow? First, determine your sleeping position. Side sleepers require taller pillows for good alignment, back sleepers should have medium-loft pillows and stomach sleepers should consider a low-loft pillow. Also, consider your specific pain points and needs; people with neck pain should consider a firmer pillow with more support, while petite sleepers under 150 pounds should opt for a softer pillow. What Is The Best Tempur-Pedic Pillow For Side Sleepers? Side sleepers can choose between the adjustable Tempur-Pedic Cloud Hybrid Pillow or Tempur-Pedic Adjustable Pillow, which both let you customize firmness and loft, or the Symphony Pillow that has a dual-pillow design.
CNET
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Is Here: What to Know About This AI-Driven Sleep System
CNET's sleep team has long been testing mattresses, bedding and sleep accessories, and Eight Sleep has always been a crowd favorite. The latest generation of Eight Sleep's AI-powered system launches on Wednesday -- and this time, it includes a temperature-controlled blanket in addition to the mattress cover, hub and adjustable base. As with previous models, Eight Sleep's mattress is sold separately. The Eight Sleep Pod 5 is quite the investment; a queen-size Core model starts at $3,099, and the all-inclusive Ultra is $6,099. On top of that is a monthly subscription fee for accessing the Pod's high-tech features, ranging from $17 to $33 per month, depending on your chosen plan. Here are the new upgrades to the Eight Sleep Pod, a product significantly influencing the sleep fitness industry. What is the Eight Sleep Pod? The original Eight Sleep Pod launched in February 2019, and each iteration since has seen improvements in functionality, comfort and durability. Eight Sleep's primary function is to offer sleepers (both hot and cold) relief with its temperature-regulating mattress cover. Through real-time sensing and automatic adjustments, this smart cover helps sleepers fall and stay asleep by regulating body temperature throughout the night. It's dual-sided, so you and your partner can each have personalized settings. How does it work? Many brands claim their sleep products are cooling, but we find Eight Sleep to be one of the few that live up to the hype. It works by pulling water from the connected hub and circulating it through a network of thin tubes within the cover. Its ability to heat and cool is impressive, with temperatures ranging from 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pod has helped our own sleep and mattress experts find better sleep while sharing the bed, forgoing blanket battles and disagreements about bedroom temperature. The hub sits on the floor beside your bed and connects to the mattress cover, pumping water through its tube system. Eight Sleep Health and sleep metrics The Eight Sleep Pod does more than simply keep you temperature-neutral at night. It has clinical-grade sensors that connect with Eight Sleep's app to provide a detailed sleep and health metrics report, allowing you to analyze your data with what the brand calls Autopilot. The data includes your sleep (time asleep, time to fall asleep, time awake and sleep phases), cardiovascular biometrics (heart rate, heart-rate variability and breath rate) and snoring (snore times and intensity). What is new with Pod 5? Say goodbye to Pods 3 and 4, as these older models will no longer be available for purchase on Eight Sleep's website; however, if you're a Pod 3 or 4 user, don't fret. You can still use your current setup as usual and access the upgraded algorithms of the new Pod 5. If you want to upgrade your system, you'll receive discounted pricing through special member access. 1. Hydro-powered blanket In addition to the mattress cover, hub and base, Pod 5 now offers a hydro-powered blanket. Using a similar network of thin tubes, the blanket connects to the cover at the foot of the bed to provide complete heating and cooling coverage across your entire body, not just beneath you. Our team is particularly eager to test and share our thoughts on this new feature. The blanket can also be inserted into a duvet cover if you'd like to change the look of your bed Eight Sleep 2. Surround sound Also new is the integrated surround sound speaker system built into the Pod's base, which plays calming soundscapes intended to relax the nervous system. Selections include various white noise and meditations created in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and Stanford University professor. Through the Eight Sleep app, you can control the sound and choose if you want the audio to turn off once the Pod senses you've fallen asleep or continue playing throughout the night. There is no Bluetooth connectivity option, so you can't play your own sounds -- only what the app offers. We have yet to determine whether this feature meets the same criteria as the selections in our lists of the best white noise machines and meditation apps. 3. Cover control buttons Another improvement with the fifth generation of Eight Sleep is that there are buttons on the side of the cover for controlling your Pod settings. The Pod 4 had a flat sensor area you could tap to adjust, but many users found it difficult to tell what it was set to and what was changing without referring to the app. Eight Sleep The sides of the Pod 5 cover have three distinct physical buttons, so you know exactly what is being changed when you press them. You can program the middle button through the app to control certain settings, such as hitting snooze, stopping the alarm or turning on and off the audio. In addition to the vibration and thermal alarms, you can now choose to wake up to certain sounds. I already love Eight Sleep's alarm feature. Its gentle vibration and warming sensation are much nicer to wake up to than an immediately stress-inducing and annoying phone alarm. 4. Adjustable base and snoring mitigation Like the Pod 4 Ultra, Pod 5's base offers zero-gravity elevation, gently lifting your head when it detects snoring. This adjustable base can also be elevated whenever you please, so you can lie in a more comfortable position while reading or to improve your circulation. Eight Sleep So, picture this: You program your Eight Sleep base to automatically move into an upright position for reading before bed. At the time of your choosing, soothing audio, such as a crackling fireplace, begins to play softly, setting the perfect background noise. The mattress cover and blanket have already started to warm as you slide into bed. It's a cozy setup for reading and relaxing as your personalized environment eventually lulls you into a peaceful slumber. If you prefer, the bed can return to its original position, and the sound can turn off once the sensors detect you're asleep. Pod 5 Ultra's adjustable base fits most bed frames and can be used on its own with Eight Sleep's optional leg kit. The cover is designed to fit mattresses up to 16 inches tall. Eight Sleep 5. Health Check and Autopilot Pod 5 detects and reports all the same biometrics and sleep information as Pod 4, but it now includes enhanced algorithms programmed to monitor cardiovascular and respiratory abnormalities or disturbances as you sleep (such as abnormal heartbeat, increases in respiratory rate or drops in heart-rate variability). It compiles the information into a daily Health Check intended to be used as a preventative health solution. Because it's all monitored by the embedded sensors in the cover, you don't have to wear any tracking devices. It's also said to match the accuracy and performance of clinical-grade electrocardiograms. Autopilot uses AI trained using nearly 10 million hours of sleep data to monitor and analyze your real-time sleep and health biometrics. It automatically adjusts as needed to keep you asleep throughout the night, learning and assessing your trends over time. What is the price of Pod 5? You'll pay a pretty penny for the Pod 5, especially if you opt for the Ultra. A queen-size Pod 4 (hub and cover) retailed for $2,649, while Pod 5 Core (hub and cover) sits at $3,049 -- an increase of $400. A queen-size Pod 4 Ultra (hub, cover and base) retailed for $4,699, while the Pod 5 Ultra (hub, cover, blanket and base) is $6,099 -- an increase of $1,400. The Pod 5 also comes in a mid-tier Plus model, retailing at $4,099 for a queen. It includes the cover, hub and blanket, so you'll have double the cooling and heating capabilities with the hydro-powered blanket. However, you won't have the adjustable base, snoring mitigation or surround-sound audio features. To unlock all the features of the Pod and Autopilot, you must pay a monthly subscription fee. There are three options: Standard ($17 per month), Enhanced ($25 per month) and Elite ($33 per month). Elite is a new tier that Eight Sleep has introduced, which is required to access the Health Check feature. Like Pod 4, Eight Sleep will offer Pod 5 through a monthly rental program (in the US only) for a flat monthly fee. You can cancel anytime by returning your Pod. This program only applies to the Core model with the cover and hub, not the Plus or Ultra models. Eight Sleep Is the Eight Sleep Pod 5 worth it? Caroline Igo, a CNET sleep and wellness writer, recently tested and compared Pods 3 and 4, concluding that the upgrade wasn't worth the extra cost. If you're new to Eight Sleep, you'll have no choice but to purchase Pod 5, as the older models are no longer for sale. Until we test Pod 5 ourselves, we can't say for sure whether we recommend upgrading your current system to this new generation -- but stay tuned for a review from our sleep team. For years, members of CNET's sleep team have been testing and reviewing various models of the Eight Sleep Pod. Aly Lopez/CNET Eight Sleep Pod 5 models compared
