Tempur mattress UK alternatives & comparison models

Tempur Contour/Original comparison

The Tempur Contour/Original model is the firmest of the Tempur range and was the original model they first released.  Given the fact, the foam is heat sensitive this model feels very firm in cold temperatures or cold rooms. Having slept on one, it does take a while for the foam to start to mould unless you’re a really warm sleeper. We don’t have a comparison model to this mattress as we find most of our customers don’t want such a firm mattress, especially in a foam mattress.

Tempur Cloud comparison

The Tempur Cloud model is the softest in their range which we compare to our Hybrid 4. The inclusion of a total of 4cm of ES Tempur foam (ES stands for extra soft) in the top comfort layer gives an immediate sink feel with this model.

The support layer is made up of 7cm of Tempur support foam (no density given), and then two 8cm durable support foam layers which are cut to castellated foam to give a softer feel to the support layer. This foam looks a bit like an egg box shape in castellation. The raised parts of the foam compress faster than a standard foam but there is also an argument that they degrade quickly as the shapes can break and crumble over time. This is why we don’t use castellated or specially cut foams. This model gives a medium feel support for most body weights up to 15 stone in our experience.

It is the top layer that gives the soft sink sensation, hence the term ‘Cloud’.

Our Hybrid 4 model is a close alternative to the Tempur Cloud. There are however some differences though between the two. Our Hybrid 4 features a separate deep 7.5cm laygel topper. This gives that soft feel in the top layer but is also fully turnable and removable. Settlement and dips are always a problem with a one-sided mattress and our article goes into some detail on this. This helps extend the life of the mattress as you can turn and rotate this monthly evening out wear.

The Hybrid 4 also has a 6cm 60kg Vasco (memory foam) foam as the top layer of the core mattress. This slows down the sinking feeling preventing the mattress from becoming too soft. The 7.5cm laygel layer under this gives some rebound and bounce back to the mattress. Again helping give progressive support like the memory foam. The reflex base, which could be compared to the Tempur supporting base layer which is how they provide the support, gives the support necessary to give it an overall medium support but with a soft feel in the top comfort layers.

In addition to this, our Hybrid 4 comes with a tape edged damask cover that is topped with a John Ryan stretch knit cover. The tape edge cover comes with handles to aid the rotating of the core mattress.  Given how heavy these mattresses can be the handles help making rotating easier. The Tempur mattress doesn’t have handles, just a polyester branded cover.

Tempur Sensation comparison

This Tempur model is the medium feel model in their range which we compare to our Hybrid 5. The inclusion of 1.5cm of ES Tempur foam in the top comfort layer and then 5cm of soft-touch comfort foam and 5cm of HM Tempur foam (high mobility) directly under this, this gives a medium feel in the top layers as the HM foam provides more support than the Cloud model which firms up the top layers.

The support layer has a castellated (cuts in the foam) durable base layer, which would be the first support layer on top of a durable support layer. The castellation makes the foam compress and expands faster than solid foam, in this instance the castellation looking like slots that have been removed from the top layer of the foam. This model gives a medium feel support for most body weights up to 15 stone based on our experience.

This is how the Sensation gets its spring factor from compared to the Original or Cloud.

Our Hybrid 5 has a 7.5cm Coolblue topper which gives a medium to firmer feel in the top layer. This topper is removable and tape edged.  It’s also really responsive so allows you to sink in quicker than the 85kg firmer foams. The 70kg density gives more support, similar to the medium feel of the Sensations comfort layer.

Under the topper comfort layer sits the core mattress made up of 6cm 60kg Vasco (memory foam) foam as the top layer of the mattress. This slows down the sinking feeling preventing the mattress from becoming too soft. The 7.5cm laygel layer under this gives some rebound and bounce back to the mattress similar to the castellated (especially cut durable base layer)in the Tempur Sensation. The reflex base, under this specially cut durable base layer, gives the support to give it an overall medium responsive feel in both the support and in the top comfort layers.

Again our Hybrid 5 comes with a tape edged damask cover that is topped with a John Ryan stretch knit cover. The tape edge cover comes with handles to aid the rotating of the core mattress. The Tempur mattress comes without handles and is covered with a polyester branded cover.

Tempur Hybrid Model Comparison

The Tempur Hybrid utilises both micro springs and Tempurs foams to provide what they claim is a more responsive nights sleep. This is probably to mitigate against the incredibly slow reactions of memory foam which can be read about in more detail here.

The Hybrid range uses Precision microcoils which are trademarked. As with many retail mattresses manufactures there is zero detail on these springs making them impossible to review or compare to. Without a gauge or tension equivalent, there’s nothing more we can say about these. You can read our guide to what you should look out for in pocket springs here.

We have written about the issues with boxed mattresses and springs in the past, the result is that they can only be stored for relatively short timespans, sometimes as short as 3 months before the spring units risk damage from contortion. I’m sure Tempur ship their goods much faster than this, but worth bearing in mind!

The closest comparison we have to this model is the Origins Pocket Latex 1500, though not a like for like comparison. For example, our model features medium gauge pocket springs, 1.4 gauge and a 6cm Talalay Latex layer on top of a wool silk pad. So it’s not an exact comparison, latex being widely acknowledged as a far superior material compared to synthetic man mad foams. Our Origins Latex 1500 retails at £810 for a kingsize compared to Tempurs £3349 for the Hybrid Lux! (Jan 2018 Prices)

American Tempur Models

In the USA, the Tempur range has recently rebranded to include three ranges with three/four models in each. There’s a much broader choice compared to the UK models when looking at their USA site. However, because they are not available in the UK we won’t be going into too much detail on these here. They are listed for informational purposes only.

• TEMPUR-Contour Supreme (firm)
• TEMPUR-Contour Elite (medium firm)
• TEMPUR-Contour Rhapsody Luxe (medium firm)
• TEMPUR-Cloud Prima (medium soft)
• TEMPUR-Cloud Supreme (soft)
• TEMPUR-Cloud Elite (extra soft)
• TEMPUR-Cloud Lux (ultra soft)
• TEMPUR-flex Prima (medium firm)
• TEMPUR-flex Supreme (medium)
• TEMPUR-flex Elite (medium soft)

Why is is hard to compare Tempur models?

It’s difficult to compare exactly to Tempur models as they don’t give the density of their Tempur foam. Whilst they do give the depth, which is more than most manufacturers, without the density you can’t accurately work out the tension or really how these layers will sit together. They also use Tempur’s own foam recipe which is a closely guarded secret making it impossible without their license to make the exact same foam.

Tempur models available foam data

The drawbacks of one-sided mattresses

We have written extensively on one-sided mattresses and how this is a drawback as it means you can only use one side of the bed. These memory foam style mattresses and Tempur beds are the exceptions to the rule as their construction method mean they can only ever be one-sided if they were two-sided the softer top layers would be compressed and crushed over time making them useless. That said our Hybrid range has been designed with separate toppers to help alleviate the issues with one-sided mattresses. You can turn and rotate these fully extending the lifespan of your new mattress.

Differences in the covers

Our mattress covers are all tape edged, similar to the more traditional pocket sprung mattresses we hand make. Why do we do this? Simply, it’s the best cover method we have found. It gives support to the mattress making lifting and turning far easier than just a stretch polyester cover. The top sides always have a stretch knit fabric in a diamond quilt to allow you to get the full benefit of the softer foams beneath. The machine stitched sides give the mattress more strength if you do end up sitting on the edge and assist in moving the mattress during maintenance. If you used a damask on the top side it would impede the feel of the foams. There are no tufts so the sleeping surface is flat, which is a benefit for those who don’t like tufts.

Castellated or specially cut foams

The Tempur Cloud and Sensation both use different forms of castellated foam. A castellated foam is a foam that’s been cut or shaped to affect its tension or firmness. It can allow foams to become more springy, softer in the top layer or more flexible. We have found that there has been a criticism of castellated foams that the cuts and eggbox shapes degrade faster than a flat form foam. This would make sense given the areas cut would be more exposed than a flat slab of foam. For this reason, we have never used castellated foams. We prefer to pick a foam with the right properties rather than cutting or shaping it to become something else.

Alternative mattresses to Tempur?

If you’ve tried a Tempur and like that soft sink feeling but are put off by the issues around memory foams then Natural Latex is a great breathable alternative. Natural latex offers amazing progressive support and comfort but is far less heat retentive than synthetic foam mattresses. meaning it keeps you cooler in summer. The other benefit of a solid core  Natural latex mattress is they’re two-sided so you can sleep on both sides. This extends the lifespan of the mattress and helps reduce natural settlement. All of the Tempur mattresses in the UK are one sided, so you can’t turn them only rotate.

Benefits of Latex Mattresses:

• It’s a natural material and not synthetic
• Breathable unlike memory foams
• Two-sided so can be turned
• Has a far longer lifespan
• Responds to pressure not bodyheat

Summary

We must be clear and in the interests of fairness to Tempur that we can’t confirm that any of our models are exactly like Tempur’s models. This article exists to discuss similar models that may have a comparable feel to the mattresses listed above.  Tempur is very a reputable company who have funded the initial discovery of its Tempur foam which in some way has led to the memory foam revolution over the past 20 years.

Feel is a subjective term and everyone interprets comfort in slightly different ways. One thing that is certain is that we provide you with both the density, depth and data sheets required to make an informed decision on your hybrid or memory foam mattress choice. Lastly, any high-quality mattress will be heavy as they contain lots of deep layers of foam or upholstery contained within. Therefore to aid mattress turning handles and a high-quality cover is essential.