The Best Tempur-Pedic Mattresses for Back Sleepers

What Is Tempur-Pedic?

Tempur-Pedic is a popular mattress brand credited with popularizing the use of memory foam in sleep products.

TEMPUR material, a type of memory foam, was originally created in the 1960s by NASA scientists to limit the impact of rocket liftoff and return on astronauts’ bodies. This viscoelastic polyfoam molds to a person’s shape in response to their heat and weight. Several decades later, Swedish scientists realized this foam could be used in mattresses.

In the 1990s, Tempur-Pedic’s founder traveled to Sweden and slept on a mattress that used the material. He soon started Tempur-Pedic, which quickly became a household name. The Tempur-Pedic brand has set itself apart in the industry with its signature material, durability, and ever-growing product line. 

What Sets Tempur-Pedic Apart from Other Mattresses?

Several qualities set Tempur-Pedic apart from other mattresses:

• Strong motion absorption: The unique NASA-designed viscoelastic foam springs back slowly to minimize vibrations from partners, kids, or pets on the bed. 
• CertiPUR-US certified foam: Tempur-Pedic’s foam is verified free of ozone depleters, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, and other potentially harmful materials. 
• U.S.-based: Tempur-Pedic is headquartered in the United States, and its products are manufactured domestically.
• High-density memory foam: Tempur-Pedic uses higher-density memory foam than most manufacturers, which provides greater durability and a longer average lifespan.

Many of these characteristics are especially beneficial to back sleepers. Spinal alignment is critical to this demographic. Tempur-Pedic’s high-density memory foam cradles the back while limiting sinkage to promote good posture. The high-quality materials resist lasting indentations that could otherwise cause a back sleeper’s hips to sag. Since the memory foam helps spread a sleeper’s weight more evenly, it may also reduce pressure on areas that apply more force to the mattress, like the tailbone. 

How Durable Are Tempur-Pedic Mattresses?

Tempur-Pedic mattresses use higher-density foam than most models, leading to a longer than average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. The quality materials mitigate body impressions and premature breakdown of the support core, contributing to the overall durability. 

Do Tempur-Pedic Mattresses Sleep Hot?

Although traditional memory foam often retains heat by trapping it against the body, Tempur-Pedic incorporates features designed to keep sleepers cool. While technology varies between models, some Tempur-Pedic mattresses include ventilated support layers for breathability, open-cell comfort layers for airflow closer to the body, and phase change materials designed to wick away heat. 

Does Tempur-Pedic Only Manufacture All-Foam Mattresses?

Tempur-Pedic initially focused on all-foam mattresses, but it has diversified its product offerings over the years to include hybrids. The hybrid models have a very similar construction to the all-foam options, but they switch out the polyfoam support core for pocketed coils. Each of Tempur-Pedic’s current collections has a hybrid mattress option. 

What Else is Tempur-Pedic Known for?

Although best known for its mattresses, Tempur-Pedic has expanded its product offerings to include other sleep accessories. The brand now sells bed bases, bed frames, pillows, mattress toppers, bedding, weighted blankets, plush stuffed animals, and chair cushions.

Tempur-Pedic’s vast array of pillows, chair cushions, and toppers incorporate TEMPUR material. Its sheet sets vary in their construction, including options with long-staple cotton, cotton and Tencel blend, Egyptian cotton, and rayon. In addition, the company has four adjustable bases with a range of capabilities.

What Mattress Firmness Is Best for Back Sleepers?

The best mattress firmness for back sleepers is usually medium to medium firm with sufficient cushioning and contouring for the hips to sink in a bit. However, the right firmness for back sleepers also depends on their body weight.

When assessing mattresses, we use a 10-point firmness scale with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most back sleepers prefer a medium (5) or medium firm (6) mattress. We usually recommend a mattress on the softer end of the range for back sleepers under 130 pounds and a firmer model for those over 230 pounds. 

Are Tempur-Pedic Mattresses Good for Your Back?

A Tempur-Pedic mattress that’s the right firmness for your body type can be good for your back. Tempur-Pedic models offer above-average contouring compared to many mattresses on the market. As the TEMPUR material cradles the body, it helps relieve pressure points while supporting the lumbar region. 

Can You Use Your Box Spring With a Tempur-Pedic Mattress?

Tempur-Pedic does not recommend using box springs with its mattresses. Placing a Tempur-Pedic mattress on a box spring can cause the mattress to sag quickly as it requires a more solid base. Putting particle board on top of the box spring may add a bit more support, but it’s still not stable enough for a Tempur-Pedic mattress. The company recommends using one of its foundations or a platform bed.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team of experts has years of experience in the sleep product industry. We ask back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers of different weights to try each mattress and report their findings. In addition, we put every model through a series of objective evaluations to rate it on the factors that matter most to sleepers, including motion isolation, pressure relief, temperature control, edge support, and ease of movement.

Leveraging the results of these rigorous tests, we selected the Tempur-Pedic models best suited to back sleeping.

More Mattress Options by Sleep Position

How Do You Get the Best Deal on a Tempur-Pedic?

Looking for special offers and understanding the terms and conditions can help you get the best deal on your Tempur-Pedic mattress. We’ll explore several ways to save on your purchase.

Shop during special promotions and holiday sales

Mattress manufacturers and retailers typically have promotions during the holidays, making holiday weekends a great time to buy. The most popular holidays for mattress sales include Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday.

Read the fine print

Policies vary by brand, so it’s important to read the fine print to understand the actual cost of the mattress. Review the warranty, sleep trial, shipping costs, delivery fees, and return charges. In addition, read all of the offer information, which may clarify limitations. For instance, some mattress companies assess shipping or handling fees for sleep trial- or warranty-related returns. Additionally, many companies that advertise free shipping in the United States charge a fee for orders to Hawaii or Alaska.

Bundle and save

Like many mattress companies, Tempur-Pedic frequently offers sleep accessories, such as sheets, pillows, or bed frames, at a reduced price with the purchase of a mattress. If you need these additional products, bundling can be a great way to save money.

Where Is the Best Place to Buy a Tempur-Pedic?

The best place to buy a Tempur-Pedic mattress depends on your preferences. Models are widely available both online and in-store. We’ll highlight the advantages and disadvantages of both methods. 

Online vs. In-store?

Shoppers may face several benefits and drawbacks when shopping for a Tempur-Pedic mattress online or in-store.

For instance, purchasing a mattress online is more convenient and likely to yield more options. However, you won’t be able to try the options before purchasing. Buying a mattress in-store from an authorized Tempur-Pedic dealer offers access to knowledgeable sales staff and allows you to test several models. However, physical stores may not have the space to carry all the models, limiting your options. Plus, some shoppers feel pressured to buy after interacting with the sales staff.