About Tempur#

Tempur-Pedic (sold as Tempur in the UK) is the original memory foam mattress brand. The company developed its proprietary viscoelastic material from NASA research in the early 1990s, commercialising it first in Europe and then globally. The TEMPUR material is not standard memory foam — it is a proprietary formulation that Tempur claims offers superior pressure relief and durability to generic viscoelastic foam. Their mattresses carry a 10-year guarantee and are sold through John Lewis, specialist sleep stores and Tempur's own showrooms.

Tempur mattresses are among the most expensive consumer mattresses in the UK, with double mattresses typically ranging from £1,500 to £3,000+. This price requires justification.

What makes TEMPUR material different#

Tempur argues — with some supporting evidence — that their proprietary foam formulation has superior cell structure to generic memory foam, resulting in:

  • More precise contouring to body shape
  • Better pressure distribution
  • Greater durability (less likely to develop permanent body impressions)
  • Consistent performance over a longer period

Independent testing has generally supported that Tempur foam retains its properties longer than most generic memory foam, though whether this justifies the price premium over high-quality alternatives is debatable.

The Tempur range#

  • Tempur Sensation: Their most responsive model. Uses a hybrid of TEMPUR material with a more spring-like feel. Better for those who find standard Tempur too slow-responding.
  • Tempur Original: The classic all-TEMPUR model. Deep contouring, slow response, maximum pressure relief.
  • Tempur Hybrid: TEMPUR comfort layers over a pocket-spring base. Better temperature regulation than all-TEMPUR models. The best option for most buyers in the Tempur range.
  • Tempur Sensation Supreme: Their premium, most responsive model. Spring-like feel with TEMPUR comfort.

Firmness and feel#

Tempur mattresses are available across firmness levels. The classic TEMPUR feel is slow and enveloping — deeper contouring and a slower response than any other mainstream mattress on the market. Some sleepers find this luxurious; others find it claustrophobic. It is unlike any other mattress on the market in feel, and polarising because of this. Testing in person before buying is strongly recommended.

Temperature performance#

Traditional all-TEMPUR mattresses sleep warm — the dense, closed-cell structure that makes the material so effective at pressure relief also traps heat. Tempur has added cooling covers and technologies to address this, but the Tempur Hybrid remains significantly cooler due to its spring layer.

Who Tempur suits#

  • Best for: Those with chronic joint or pressure-point pain who find standard mattresses provide insufficient relief; buyers who have tested Tempur in person and love the feel; those who want the most durable memory foam available
  • Less suitable for: Hot sleepers (all-TEMPUR models), budget-conscious buyers, those who prefer a bouncy or responsive feel, combination sleepers who move frequently

Our verdict#

Tempur makes genuinely outstanding mattresses that deliver on their pressure-relief promise. Whether they justify the price premium depends entirely on how much pressure relief matters to you and your budget. For pain sufferers who have tried everything else, Tempur is often transformative. For everyone else, quality hybrids at a third of the price offer a superior value proposition.