Tempurpedic (Visco-elastic Memory Foam) Mattresses - Are They Worth Buying?
Foam mattresses have been around for a long time, but in the last few years, so-called visco-elastic memory foam mattresses have become all the rage. Are they worth buying?
Memory foam is sold under various brand names, most notably Tempurpedic (a.k.a. Tempur-pedic). Originally available primarily by direct order, Tempurpedic brand memory foam mattresses are now also available via other catalog and retail outlets. However, the price seems to be the same regardless of where you purchase it.
I bought my Tempurpedic about 18 months ago and have been thrilled ever since. I have no association with the company, and this is my sincere opinion. I've always found spring mattresses and older foam mattresses too soft. I weigh over 200 pounds, so even mattresses that start out firm rapidly sag. I end up feeling like I'm sleeping on a hammock.
I do a lot of yard work and used to get back spasms at least once a month. Since buying my Tempurpedic, no matter how tired and achy I am when I go to bed, I wake up feeling fine with no back ache. I would think someone was lying about its benefits if I hadn't experienced it myself. I can also sleep on my side without my knees or hips hurting, and it is easier to keep my spine straight while lying on my side. Another favorite thing about a Tempurpedic is that it never has to be flipped over or rotated.
The major caveat with buying a Tempurpedic is the price. But it isn't much more than a high-end standard mattress. Some imitators offer visco-elastic memory foam mattresses for less, but I haven't tested those (I wish Consumer Reports would do a test and review them.) There are also various mattress toppers available, which are considerably thinner than a full mattress. We bought a 2.5 inch visco-elastic memory foam mattress topper at CostCo to use as a cushion in a window seat, which worked out well. Remember, regardless of what you buy, you'll want to place it on a firm, flat surface (Tempurpedic offers foundations that are analogous to a box spring without the springs). Contrary to some reports, we never found the Tempurpedic too firm, but regardless, they now offer classic and deluxe styles, the latter offering a softer initial feel.
In short, our Tempurpedic mattress has been our favorite purchase since moving into our new house. We highly recommend them. They offer a free trial period (see below), so I don't see any reason not to try it and judge for yourself.
If you do buy a Tempurpedic directly from the company (1-800-955-9259) mention "Offer Code: GP10C2" and "Referral Customer #: 2627006" to get:
* Free 90-day in-home trial
* Free 90-day financing
* Free Tempur-pedic neck pillow
posted on Fri, 18 Mar 2005 at 17:35 | path: /purchases | perma link
