Considering Foam Mattress - Is Tempurpedic Worth the Price Premium?
Nov 1, 2009 6:00 PM
Joined: Nov 1, 2009
Points: 1
I've been doing research in person and on this site into various types of mattresses. Based on my brief, real-world tests, I really like the feeling and promise of foam mattresses. I spent a few nights on a very cheap one in a rental condo this summer and even liked the way that one felt. Now i'm looking into various options and have found the 13" Ara from Costco at around $1400 (king), which seems to represent a great value. Of the Tempurpedic models, the one I liked best is the Rhapsody which costs $3300 (mattress only, king).

I'm really struggling with the price premium for a Tempurpedic. Is it any better? If so, is *that* much better than the Costco mode, and howl? Yes, I know some of this is subjective, but there must be objective reasons to justify the price premium, or at least for me to be willing to pay it ;).

I realize this is somewhat of a recurring question, but I haven't found a direct comparison made in another thread. Thanks in advance for your help.

-stefano
Re: Considering Foam Mattress - Is Tempurpedic Worth the Price Premium?
Reply #5 Jan 23, 2010 7:59 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
jimsocal wrote:
This is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt.
Tempurpedic does seem to be the best type of memory foam. It's apparently patented and no one else has foam that is quite as good at adjusting to body heat.
That said, my wife and I tried one and found it to soften up a lot within a week or two and by the end of 3 weeks or so we had to send it back. Cost us $100 or so to return it but that was better than being stuck with it.

Some people do like them, but my theory is that most people who like them have no back issues and can sleep on about anything. I could be wrong on that.

The good thing is that I think both CostCo and Tempurpedic will let you have a sleep trial and then return the mattress if you don't like it, so you don't have too much to lose.

I'd try the CostCo first because it at least has latex with it and only 2" of memory foam (I think that's what someone wrote, right?) so it might work out.

If you don't like that then you can try the Tempurpedic. My guess is you won't like either of them if you have any back issues.

actually....Tempur-Pedic is not patented.  And this is exactly why no one has completely duplicated it.  Patents only last for so long, if Tempur had a patent when they started out it would have run out by now and you would actually see the same material cropping up in other places.  The thing with patents is that in order to get one you have to divulge how you make the product.  The only people that fully understand exactly what and how they make it are on the inside, which is either impressive or disturbing. But I myself believe there is a reason Tempur is used in the medical world and 'memory foam' is not.  Definitely wouldn't say Tempur is for everyone but it is dramatically different material.
Re: Considering Foam Mattress - Is Tempurpedic Worth the Price Premium?
Reply #6 Jan 24, 2010 12:47 PM
Joined: Oct 8, 2009
Points: 192
I have had two temps in two months, rhapsody (way too firm) now bellafina, i also have a latex from costco right now and am deciding, i am leaning away from temp NOT because of quality, as you can feel the quality when you lay down, it is  clear you are on an expensive mattress, but it just isnt working for my lower back pain and the latex is better

the latex isnt nearly as plush feeling, so it sucks that i have to have one or the other, but pain is pain...

temps are good, but i had a costco sleep science foam also and it was good, in fact i had no pain with that one...

why didnt i keep it, long story, not interesting

i almost drove to flobeds yesterday as it is 2 1/2 hrs away but weather sucks...talked to dave and asked if someone here where i live had one i could lay on but he said he wasnt allowed to do that, yet


i want to lay on a flobed to see if there is any appreciable difference in the way it feels vs the costco
This message was modified Jan 24, 2010 by randys