Tempurpedic confusion.

[N80]

My wife and I have been through two expensive conventional mattresses in the last twelve years, both of them high end, and both of them have been uncomfortable for most of their life span. So we are looking at Tempurpedic type foam mattresses. We have a good many friends and relatives who own them and recommend them highly. A few years ago we went to get a set and were overwhelmed both by the price but also the confusing options and the pressured sales pitch that went with them. It seems like by the time the salesman had steered us away from all the "low end" models (why do they make a product that they recommend that you not buy?????:confused2 and toward all the extra features that you just had to have the price was about twice what we expected. So we walked away.

I realize that mattresses and comfort are very individual things and that what works for one person might not work for another. What I am looking for is some advice about how to steer through all the models, which seem very similar, and all the options, which jack the price up and get a basic, good quality Tempurpedic type mattress.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[Depmandog]

We also have struggled with mattresses. I have back problems that factor into the equation.

About 18 years ago, we made our first "expensive" mattress purchase. We had a 100% latex mattress custom made. I am glad we purchased it, but probably kept it 4-5 years too long, as we realized we weren't sleeping as well as we should.

We tried the Temperpidic at that time, but didn't like how "hot" the mattress felt, and once you settled into place - it was hard to move.

So about a year ago, we went to Nebraska Furniture Mart, and bought a high end innerspring mattress set. We loved it in the store - but ended up hating it after about a month of sleeping on it.

NFM allows you to return the set at NO charge within one year for any reason...after you keep it for a month. So back to NFM we went, and ended up with a super expensive Airleloom set. We have had it for about 4 months, and without a doubt is the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on.

My advice - find a store that will allow you to return the mattress, and then don't accept anything less then total comfort. (We did have to purchase a mattress cover to activate the warranty.)

As for the Temperpedic (foam)...they (or others) have the "cooling" gel foam that alleviates the hot mattress problem. The one we returned had that feature and it was worthwhile. Nothing worse then sweating in bed...well when you are trying to sleep that is

Good luck. Hate the whole mattress shopping process!!

 

[Bird]

I realize that mattresses and comfort are very individual things and that what works for one person might not work for another.

Yes, they are individual things, and they change as you age or have health changes. And also what is comfortable for you might not be for your wife, or vice versa. My wife has one brother who claimed to like the Tempurpedic and 2 brothers who tried them and sent them back.

For about twelve and a half years, we've been sleeping on a Sleep Number bed. And they, too, have a variety of models and prices. Ours was the top of the line when we bought it, and cost a bit over $1,600, but they don't even have the same model now. I would never have bought it if they hadn't had a money back guarantee if you didn't like it for any reason. We were using what was supposed to be a very good mattress, but I was getting up every morning with a terrific backache, and the Sleep Number bed cured that almost immediately. But over time, I've changed sleep numbers a couple of times; i.e., different degrees of firmness. And my wife uses a different setting from what I use.

So the bottom line is that I'd hate to pay what one costs, but if something happened to ours, I reckon I'd just have to buy another Sleep Number bed. Incidentally, Cowboydoc, an orthopedic doctor who used to be a regular on TBN also had the Sleep Number bed. And if I remember right, years ago the Sleep Number folks would come and set it up, install, or whatever you call it, for about $75. Cowboydoc said his wife did theirs by herself. We've actually moved 3 times since we've had ours, and I wish someone would pay me $75 to set them up, because it's really very quick and simple to do. And now one of my brothers also has one in his travel trailer (full time RVer).

 

[DeereMann]

N80,
We have a Sleep Number too, I have had back fusion surgery, have arthritis, etc. It's the only bed I could get comfortable on.

As Bird sez, I have adjusted a little softer as I've gotten older & more arthritis sets in. I don't think I could sleep on anything else now. Not much more important than a good night's sleep.

I don't have any relationship with Sleep Number other than a satisfied customer.

 

[MotorSeven]

We have had a Tempurpedic King(firm) for about 4 years now. My wife and I love the thing and anytime we are away from home, one of us comments..."sure miss my bed". I agree, they are not for everyone....so do get a 30 day trial.

Whatever you do don't buy one of the knock offs that claim they are the same...we did and they are NOT the same. $800 for a memory foam that in about a year had a trough running down the middle....lay down and you would kinda roll to the center....still have it, it's the "guest" bed:laughing: I know $2K seems like a lot for a mattress, but compared to other premium mattresses out there it not crazy.

 

[Dutch445]

We bought their "deluxe" queen matters in 2011. i was in pain needing new hips, and the dealership i
work in burned down, so i was looking for something positive and we stopped into the tempurpedic store.
after a little discussion, we bought a floor model deluxe memory foam mattress and put it on top of our
box spring. i liked it, although i was still in a fair amount of pain from my wore out hips. she didn't like the
heat it generated, or maintained. so, after a few different swap outs with our old mattress, we are back to
our original mattress and that memory foam is in our camper. we don't seem to mind it as bad out there,
and if it's warm we run the central air in the camper!
i bet i would like one of the newer ones that dissipate heat better. i did have a better back with that style
of mattress.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am in the same boat, just confused.

I always wanted one. Now someone gave me an electrically adjustable bed which I wanted to get such a mattress for. I was going to put it in my spare room as an infirmary (sp?) of sorts. I need a double long and that seems impossible to find used on Craigs List.

I was leaning in the direction of a new, custom ordered memory foam but from what I read in the above posts about heat buildup, I am again confused.

 

[Bird]

I failed to mention that our Sleep Number bed is a Queen size. They did not have the electrically adjustable (hospital type) bed when we bought ours, but they do have it now.

There are Sleep Number retail stores in the mall around here, but when we bought ours, we still lived way out in the country and didn't even know they had any retail stores. So I bought it direct on the telephone and it was delivered by UPS.

 

[rekees4300]

Any help much appreciated.

Have had a Tempurpedic for 10 years and recommend them highly. Have you thought about trying a topper? You can get a genuine Tempurpedic king size topper for $500 or a knockoff with "memory foam" at Walmart or many other places for less.

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Topper Supreme - Style # 11284110, Tempur-Pedic Mattress Toppers -Convert Your Bed Into an Official Tempur-Pedic Sleep System

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't have a clue as to what style of tempurpedic mattress the hotel had, but that was their big claim that all their beds had tempurpedic mattresses. I spent 2 nights trying to sleep on that bed and was the most uncomfortable thing I have ever tried to sleep on. As stated, you kind of locked in place as you settled in and it was very hot even though I had the AC in the room on "snow". I would never buy one of those. I have been contemplating a Sleep number bed as next purchase. I think in the 27 years of marriage we have bought 4 new mattresses, all top quality and the wife doesn't like any of them although at the store she liked the feel of all of them. I think the sleep number adjustable might be just the ticket for the next mattress.

 

[MotorSeven]

I'm not sure where this "hot" thing comes from? We have no A/C & heat with wood. I have never noticed the TP being warmer than any other mattress, but we do keep a quilted type mattress pad on it during the summer months, then swap that out for an electric mattress pad in winter. Maybe we are just used to it, but we have never thought of this mattress any hotter than any other we have owned.

 

[s219]

Another vote for the sleep number bed. We've had the same one since 2002 and it's been great. A bit more expensive than normal mattresses, but should last at least 2-3 times as long. They have a pretty good warranty if anything fails. Easy if you ever have to move it -- everything breaks down or folds up into manageable size pieces.

They offer a foundation for sleep number beds, which replaces the "height" of a typical box spring and supports the mattress. If you have another rigid way to support the mattress (but not a box spring), I'd say skip the foundation and save some money. The support could be as simple as some lumber and plywood.

 

[Dutch445]

I'm not sure where this "hot" thing comes from? We have no A/C & heat with wood. I have never noticed the TP being warmer than any other mattress, but we do keep a quilted type mattress pad on it during the summer months, then swap that out for an electric mattress pad in winter. Maybe we are just used to it, but we have never thought of this mattress any hotter than any other we have owned.

hmm,,, i would bet your companion is a tad bit younger than mine!
but even i noticed the extra warmth held by the foam, we did try a light mattress cover to no avail.
we have to open a window when it warms up above freezing outside as the sheets get thrown off if we don't!
(and the heat ducts to our room are shut! )

 

[Gunny]

Another vote here for the sleep number brand. I used to wake up early every morning with a terrible backache and noticed a big improvement the first night I slept on the sleep number. That was about 10 years ago and if it went bad today, I'd get another one.


the wife likes a soft mattress, I like mine pretty darned firm, so it looked like the sleep number was the only thing that filled the bill because she didn't want separate beds.

She's also hinting around at getting one for the camper, so I'll probably own two of them in the near future.

 

[kidr]

Tv shopping networks have some pretty good deals on the sleep number bed.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My wife and I just replaced our mattress and box springs last year...
We went through the same process as many on here did...
We used our old mattress set too long but it was a good unit when purchased...
This last unit was purchased from The Original Mattress Factory store here in Hickory...
We tried the tempurpedic, latex foam, and all other sorts of mattresses...
We still came back to the old box spring and coil unit...
The foam types were just too hot for us...
The unit we ended up purchasing has a 12 year warranty and you can flip it...
Most of the coil units sold today can't be flipped...
So far so good...
And it was well south of $1000...
My advise is to try out as many as you can and then go with your best instinct...
We are very satisfied with our purchase...

 

[polo1665]

Good thread. Nice to hear some positive feedback on the Sleep Number.

We are what you might consider "stuck in the seventies" as we still sleep on a water bed (and like it). That said, we'll probably be shopping for a new bed in the next couple of years or so.

 

[bandaidmd]

I went with a generic extra firm mattress with a good 3" memory foam topper and am totally satisfied. I really couldn't see paying a grand for 12 inches of foam when only the top couple of inches really matter. Our camper has a 3" piece of rock hard foam on one of the fold down beds and with a memory foam topper its as comfortable as any bed going. Our bedroom is unheated (by choice) so if we don't go up and turn on the mattress pad (under the topper) a couple hours before bed its like laying on a brick for the first few minutes when the temps are really low .

 

[thatguy]

We went through 2 inner spring mattresses in about 6 yrs and both were replaced by the mfg under warranty for excessive sagging.. the IS mattresses just dont seem to be made like they were in the 70's.. Both IS mattresses would start to sag and cause back issues within 3 yrs or so.

On a suggestion from a neighbor we just ditched the IS and bought a Natural Latex mattress from sleepez.com We have had it for 6 yrs now and its still holding up strong.. not sagging and still comfortable..

OUr is a king but with has a his/her side, each with three firmness of latex - our are EXTRA firm/Firm/ medium - BUT we should have gotten use SOFT as our top layer - the medium was giving us sore spots on shoulder and hips.. Sleepez would have swapped the medium out for a soft at no cost - but we just added a topper to we had on hand.

When these topics come up in other forums the recommended purchases are the a) TP, b) sleep number, c) or natural latex..

There are pros and cons of each. The biggest negative a lot of ppl have about the TP is that they a) hold heat, b) they gas for a month or so (IE let of vapors from the mfg process), and c) its like sleeping in pudding.. We have had no negatives about the natural latex

In europe you dont find IS mattresses - they typically use latex.

good luck in your search, i highly recommend the sleepez line of natural latex mattresses..

Brian

 

[rekees4300]

Any help much appreciated.

If you buy a Tempurpedic suggest you ask about the height. The standard height was too high for my wife. She would have needed a ladder so we got the lower profile base. Don't recall if this feature was available for all models or if there was a price difference? :confused3:

Regarding the Tempurpedic being hot, we have not found that to be true for us. We have upstairs bedroom and poor A/C so it's often in the low 80s in the Summer.